Dr. Michele A. Oleksak, member of Branch 1425, Ford City, PA, has been
named LCBA’s 2019 Fraternalist of the Year!
Society Leadership
The service hours Michele has contributed to our Branch have
certainly boosted our total hours. She is very well versed in a
variety of areas beyond the medical field and has proven herself to
be a valuable resource and mediator among various organizations in
the area.
Michele is directly responsible for several of the co-service
projects we have done this year. One example is bringing together
the fire department, the Knights of Columbus, and our Branch to
prepare and deliver meals to the shut-ins from 3 Catholic Churches
in our area – a huge success! 65 homes were given meals and the days
of preparation prior to New Year’s Day were carefully scheduled and
carried out with Michele’s help and direction. She has even provided
resource information in a medical capacity to guest speakers from
the Veterans Affairs Family Services Department! We are very
fortunate to have her expertise and knowledge.
Service to Others
Michele’s husband, also a doctor, is a fireman with Ford City
Hose Company #1 Auxiliary and founder of its Cook Club. Her Polish
heritage is evident in her cooking. She is an amazing cook and her
talents are put to good use as she prepares food year round for
fundraisers for the fire company. She is constantly involved in
selling tickets and 50/50’s at all events, street fair basket
raffles, and food sales; having done so since 2007. From
2008-present she has participated in Fire Prevention Education and
Safety Education to 200 preschoolers each October. She has also been
an integral part of fire prevention and safety education to
residents of Ford City. As a leader in the Hose Company #1 Auxiliary
she often initiates and supports all activities of the firemen.
Since 2010 Michele has been the Medical Director of “Life
Choices” which provides pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STD
testing. She oversees the bottle campaign at church to save the
lives of the unborn and continues to give STD lectures to local high
schools and community members' organizations.
Active in the Ford City Branch as well, Michele has been a member
of the Parks and Recreation Committee since 2010 – assisting with
maintenance of “Rails to Treats” in Ford City. She has also been
involved for many years with Ford City “Light-Up Night”, assisting
with firetruck rides. As you can see, her volunteerism is very
well-rounded and her initiatives are praiseworthy!
Innovative Leadership
In addition to her professional and service life in the
community, Michele is actively involved in her parish as well. She
has been a church lector and a 2nd grade CCD teacher- preparing
students for their First Holy Communion. She has recently served as
a liaison between many groups (including ours) and our Knights of
Columbus branch – insuring fundraising and activities successes for
this group and our parish. As you might imagine, these things
involve various ages, from primary school age children to senior
citizens. Her medical family practice has prepared her for this as
is evidenced by the testimonies of many of her patients, young and
old alike, that she is gifted in her communication skillset as well
as her medical advice.
Michele is a well-respected member of our community, and we are
very lucky to have her as a member of Branch 1425!
