3 new members join board at Orleans Community Health
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced the selection of three new members to the board of directors.
Hector Fuentes, Aaron Knights and Jenifer Maynard were all named to terms for 2022-23 during the board’s June 27 meeting.
“Hector, Aaron and Jenifer are all great additions to our already strong board,” said Shannon Blount, who was also elected chairman of the board. “Orleans Community Health means a lot to so many in the community, and that number is only growing as the services being provided increase. It’s an exciting time to be part of this incredible team.”
Aaron Knights was born and raised in Medina and currently an attorney practicing civil litigation at the Buffalo-based law firm of Rupp Baase Pfalzgraf Cunningham. Prior to becoming a partner with the firm, he practiced law in Washington, D.C. for almost 20 years. He moved back to Western New York with his wife and two daughters late last summer, settling in East Amherst. He is very excited to be back home and is ready to serve his hometown any way he can.
Knights’ parents are Sue and the late Dick Knights, who were also born and raised in Medina and were local business owners.
“After my dad’s premature death in 1984, as I like to tell people, Medina raised me,” Aaron said. “My family, friends, teachers and people who were strangers to me but knew my dad looked after me and touched my life in more way than I can begin to explain. The notion that I could give back to my hometown, even just a little, is exciting for me.”
Knights has been involved in many civic organizations over the years and has handled cases pro bono for indigent clients needed help enforcing their legal rights in the court system. Lastly, his family members are the co-founders of the Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund which assists Orleans County residents diagnosed with cancer with needs such as paying for prescriptions, medical supplies, transportation to medical appointment, medical bills, etc.
Jenifer Maynard has worked in healthcare for more than 20 years. Currently, she is administrator for an 82-bed skilled nursing home based in Niagara County. She also serves on the executive board as secretary of the New York State Health Facilities Association.
A resident of Lyndonville, she is a lifelong resident of Orleans County and feels Medina Memorial Hospital is vital to the community.
Hector Fuentes is an Air Force veteran and past auxiliary police officer who has worked in the behavioral health field for nearly 20 years. He currently works with the Central New York Forensic Psychiatric Center, which is a maximum security facility housing incarcerated individuals and pre-sentence detainees who have accepted a plea of insanity due to mental disease or defect. He’s responsible for supervising 80 security hospital treatment assistants and 10 security hospital senior assistants, along with assisting with all aspects of budgeting, policy and procedures and quality of care.
Fuentes has lived in Orleans County for most of his life and currently resides in Medina with his wife and daughter. He feels Orleans Community Health is vital to its residents and is proud of how they handled and served the residents during the recent pandemic. He’s excited to serve on the board and give back to the community he loves.
The three new board members join chair Shannon Blount, vice-chair Kevin Foley, secretary Cindy Hewitt, treasurer April McGaffick and members Richard Elman, MD, Lynne Johnson, Dawn Meland (past chairperson), Joseph Misiti, MD and Dale Sponaugle, MD.
“For starters, I want to thank Lance Mark, Dr. David Monti and Jeff Klotzbach, who have all served Orleans Community Health admirably,” said Marc Shurtz, CEO/CIO of Orleans Community Health. “Exciting times are ahead for OCH and this board is well-positioned to help get us there. This list includes medical and healthcare professionals, community leaders, legal minds, business leaders and individuals who have an unyielding commitment to the community.”
