By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 March 2025 at 7:21 pm
ALBION – Orleans Community Health has announced the reopening of walk-in services at its Albion Healthcare Center, beginning today. The announcement comes after a year of requiring patients to call ahead for appointments.
Walk-ins will again be welcomed during new extended hours, according to Scott Robinson, director of marketing for Orleans Community Health.
Effective immediately, patients can walk in for care from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Saturday hours will be from 9 a.m. to noon.
This change will provide greater flexibility and convenience for individuals seeking medical care, especially those with urgent needs or who may find it challenging to schedule an appointment in advance.
“We understand the importance of accessibility and convenience in healthcare, and we’re thrilled to bring back walk-in services to our community,” Robinson said. “This is a significant step toward improving the patient experience, and we’re confident the extended hours and no-appointment-needed access will make it easier for people in Albion and the surrounding areas to receive the care they need in a timely manner.”
Ciarra Silversmith, clinic manager at Albion Healthcare Center, added, “For the past year, we’ve been committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients, which is why we had to modify our services. But now, we’re excited to be able to offer walk-in services again, helping to streamline care for both our regular patients and newcomers. Our team is ready to assist anyone who walks through our doors.”
For more information or questions, call the Albion Healthcare Center at (585) 589-CARE.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Roland Howell stands to be recognized as a recipient of the Bowen Award during a gala on Saturday night at Bent’s Opera House. Howell’s son Peter is at right. Howell has been a key volunteer for Medina Memorial Hospital for several decades. The Bowen Award is named for George Bowen, a man who in the early 1900s saw a need in the Medina community and started a hospital.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 March 2025 at 9:00 am
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health honored three people on Saturday with a Bowen Award, given in honor of the man who pushed to start Medina Memorial Hospital a century ago.
During a gala at Bent’s Opera House, set to a Roaring ’20s theme, Orleans Community health recognized Roland Howell, the late Van Hungerford, and the late Dr. Ekran John Boulous. The event was the third annual gala to benefit Medina Memorial and Orleans Community Health. About 100 people attended with many dressing in a flapper style from that era.
(Left) Megan Johnson, president of the OCH Foundation, welcomes the crowd to the event. Johnson said many community members are very supportive of the hospital and OCH services in the community.
(Right) Marc Shurtz, the OCH/Medina Memorial chief executive officer, said the organization is getting stronger, and adding more services to the community.
Many smaller hospitals in the region have either closed or cut back services, Shurtz said. Medina Memorial added an Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic in October, and has expanded with wound care, podiatry, more general surgery and other services.
Orleans Community Health will soon start construction on the $1.9 million Medina Healthcare Center. This outpatient clinic will be done in phases and will include primary care providers. OCH seeks to address a gap in accessible outpatient services. The planned renovations include more than 13 exam rooms, improved parking and a dedicated entrance on the south end of the campus.
“Our plan is to bring more needed care to the community,” Shurtz said. “We not only want to be sustainable for years to come, but we want to increase the services we’re providing.”
About 100 people attended the gala at Bent’s Opera House with music by Ken Ryan and the Professionals.
Many of the attendees dressed up in a Roaring ’20s style. A bigger event is being planned in September for the 100th anniversary of the hospital.
Kim Gray, chief nursing officer and director of Surgical Services at Medina Memorial, shares about the late Dr. Ekram John Boulos, who was honored with one of the Bowen Awards on Saturday.
Dr. Ekram John Boulos
Dr. Boulos passed away at age 69 on Dec. 14, 2022. He worked as an ENT surgeon for nearly 50 years and was a specialist in otolaryngology – head & neck surgery.
Gray said Dr. Boulos was very dedicated to his patients and the staff at Medina Memorial. He insisted on music in the operating room, sometimes classical, rock, jazz “and sometimes something completely unexpected,” Gray said.
“It set the tone, brought comfort, and, in many ways, reflected the rhythm of his work,” she said.
He gave many of the patients, nurses, staff and other doctors nicknames, some of which stuck for decades, Gray said.
“It was his way of breaking the ice, making people feel at ease, and reminding everyone that medicine, at its core, is deeply personal,” Gray said. “It wasn’t just about treating ailments. It was about making connections, building trust, and bringing a little lightness to even the most serious of situations.”
Gray read a letter from Dr. Boulos wife, Neveen. She said she and her husband arrived in the medina community in 1981 with “open arms” from Dr. Adeeb, Dr. Ghaly, Dr. Brooks, Dr. Bath, Dr. Sterling, Dr. Blanchette, Dr. Rho, Dr. Zimmer, Dr. Abassey and their families.
“But it wasn’t just them,” Mrs. Boulos wrote. “It was the entire Medina community. From the very beginning, we felt at home here, embraced by kindness, warmth and generosity. Medina became more than just a place to live; It became a part of us.”
Jeanne Crane, a retired nurse at Medina Memorial and former president of the Foundation board, tells about Van Hungerford and his contributions to Medina Memorial. The late Hungerford was a successful entrepreneur at SigmaMotor in Middleport. The company manufactured a pump for open heart surgery and later developed an infusion pump.
Hungerford served on the hospital board for a 12-year term beginning in 1966. Twelve years is the maximum length for a board member.
“During this time there was a doctor shortage and the board contacted local students enrolled in medical schools,” Crane said.
Medina Memorial held “Medicine Balls” to raise scholarship money to entice physicians to come to the hospital, Crane said and recalled attended a few of the events, usually held at Middleport Fire Hall or the Armory in Medina. Those scholarships have helped bring doctors to the community, Crane said.
Hungerford was chairman of the Finance Committee and Building Fund. In 1969 as chairman, he solicited $424,952.
“While chair of this committee, he would make recommendations how money should be spent and worked with insurance companies for reimbursements,” she said.
In 1969, he pushed to the have emergency room staffed 24-7 by physicians.
“On behalf of Orleans Community Health, the hospital and foundation board, I am so honored to be able to honor a man who gave so much to our hospital and our community,” Crane said.
Dawn Meland hugs Roland Howell after he presented with the Bowen Award on Saturday. Meland is a former board member for both the hospital and OCH Foundation.
Meland praised Howell for his many years of supporting the hospital and Orleans Community Health. She praised his “humility and kindness.”
“His impact can’t be overstated,” Meland said.
Howell, 96, remembers Bowen from back when Howell was a teen-ager and as a young adult. Howell praised the optimism and leadership of Bowen, who pushed to establish the hospital in 1925.
“He was very dynamic,” Bowen told the crowd at Bent’s. “He wanted to build this hospital and he got it built.”
Howell served 12 years on the board, mainly in 1980s when the hospital did an addition and put a focus on quality assurance.
“It is unique today,” Howell said about a hospital in a smaller community, especially one that is adding services.
“The fact that this standalone hospital still exists in this community is a rarity and tribute to all of the people here,” Howell said. “I’m pleased I was a part of it.”
BATAVIA – UConnectCare has promoted Kathy Hodgins as its chief executive officer. The Medina resident will lead the nonprofit agency that helps people with substance use prevention, treatment and recovery.
Hodgins has worked for the agency for 23 years. She succeeds John Bennett, who resigned to become director of network development with Forward Leading IPA’s WeLinkCare social care network. Her first day in her new role was Feb. 8.
Hodgins has held several key positions with UConnectCare since starting as a chemical dependency counselor in 2002, most recently serving as chief clinical officer for the past five years. She also was the agency’s director of Treatment Services in Orleans County from 2012-18, assistant director of Treatment from 2009-12 and assistant director of Forensics and Satellite Services from 2006-09.
As chief executive officer, she will oversee a staff of that has expanded to about 150 employees and an annual budget that has grown to about $13 million.
“I am excited and thankful for the opportunity to contribute my expertise in collaboration, implementation of policy and procedures, and dedicated leadership to our organization,” Hodgins said. “My experience in all aspects of the agency has prepared me well to manage complex issues, ensuring that UConnectCare continues to operate smoothly and effectively in delivering outstanding patient care.”
Hodgins said she aspired to become the agency’s CEO someday and credited the mentorship of Bennett and David Markham, the executive director before Bennett.
“I have been able to accomplish much in Orleans County when I was a director because John gave me the autonomy and he knew that I had the best interests of the agency at heart,” she said. “And I completed my master’s degree under Dave Markham, and I did my internship at his marriage and family practice. I have been privileged to work with such patient-focused individuals.”
Hodgins received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Buffalo after earning a bachelor’s degree in social work from Brockport State College and an associate’s degree in human services from Genesee Community College.
A licensed social worker and credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor, Hodgins also is an adjunct instructor at Genesee Community College, where she implements lesson plans on the use, misuse and abuse of drugs and alcohol, and supports the Royal Employer Assistance Program as a counselor.
Her civic involvement includes Leadership Genesee, Leadership Orleans, Genesee Community College Human Services Advisory Board, Orleans Recovery Hope Begins Here and WNY Chemical Dependency Consortium.
Hodgins said her leadership style is one that allows directors the freedom to try new things and work across departments and other community agencies for the common good.
“I embrace collaboration, and I like change; I’m a change agent,” she said. “I’m proud of the way the agency has grown to be able to provide what we call a ‘continuum of care.’ People can come into UConnectCare and start with detoxification, they can go to inpatient, they can go to residential, outpatient. For such a small town, we provide a wide range of services.”
She said she is looking forward to the expected opening of a residence for women and children in Albion this spring and the integration of the main building’s waiting area on East Main Street in Batavia.
“We have a DOH (Department of Health) grant that we will use to combine the two waiting rooms (treatment and methadone) into one,” she said. “That definitely will help reduce the stigma.”
Hodgins called The Recovery Station (on Clinton Street Road) “a hidden gem” – a place where those in recovery can not only receive valuable services but also enjoy a drug- and alcohol-free social setting.
“Our goal is to utilize that site more and more,” she said, noting that she wished it could have been located in the city for easier access.
Hodgins and her husband of 42 years, Michael, have three grown children and seven grandchildren. Michael is currently on the list to receive a second heart transplant. The couple is awaiting word from the Cleveland Clinic.
“The same week that I found out I was hired as CEO, my husband was notified that he is on the list for the transplant,” she said. “That was cause for a dinner celebration at Bent’s Opera House (in Medina).”
Provided photos: Karen Kinter, chief executive officer of Oak Orchard Health, speaks during the 39th annual Athena International Awards last Thursday at the Floreano Riverside Convention Center. About 600 people attended the event that honored professional women who lead businesses and organizations in the region.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 February 2025 at 9:02 am
ROCHESTER – The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce honored Karen Kinter of Oak Orchard Health with an Athena Award last Thursday. Kinter and 26 other women who lead businesses and organizations were recognized with the awards.
Kinter, an Albion resident, has served as CEO of Oak Orchard Health since September 2022. She became CEO of Oak Orchard after more than 20 years in the industry and vast experience establishing, stabilizing and growing Federally Qualified Health Centers.
Before joining Oak Orchard, Kinter served as CEO of Regional Health Services FQHC and Vice President of Specialty Revenue Programs at Rochester Regional located in Rochester, where she had financial, operational and strategic responsibility for programs across a large health system.
The Athena Award for Kinter recognizes her leadership of an organization with sites in Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Hornell, Lyndonville, Medina and Warsaw.
Originally founded in 1973, Oak Orchard Health has grown from a migrant health project into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services including primary care, pediatric care, vision care, dental care, behavioral health, as well as nutrition and outreach services for everyone located in the communities they serve.
Kinter was chosen as one of 27 finalists for an Athena Award. She and Oak Orchard were one of four finalists for the Athena International Organizational Award. The other finalists include Lifespan of Greater Rochester, USC Builds and Zea Proukou PLLC.
The award was established in 1982 to honor a woman-owned or woman-led business or organization that fosters a culture encouraging women employees to achieve their full leadership potential. Greater Rochester Chamber, in partnership with its Women’s Council affiliate, has been presenting this award annually since 2018.
Karen Kinter attends the Athena Awards banquet at the Floreano Riverside Convention Center on Feb. 13.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 February 2025 at 2:41 pm
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at Orleans Community Health, and OCH Foundation director Megan Johnson hold an invitation to the Foundation’s third annual gala, scheduled for March 1 at Bent’s Opera House.
MEDINA – The third annual gala to benefit Orleans Community Health Foundation will be a momentous occasion, celebrating the 100th year of the hospital in Medina.
The event March 1 will showcase generations who have worked at Medina Memorial Hospital and Orleans Community Health, said Megan Johnson, director of the OCH Foundation. It will also be the second year of presenting the George Bowen Award, named for the man who in the early 1900s saw a need in his community and started a hospital in a small house in Medina in September 1925.
The Bowen Award this year will honor two hospital supporters posthumously: Van Hungerford, a Medina native, entrepreneur and pillar of the community, and Dr. Ekran John Boulous, a dedicated supporter of the hospital.
Also honored will be Roland Howell of Medina, a longtime member of the hospital board back to the emergency room renovation in the early 1990s, and member of the Foundation Board for a number of years after that.
“He would come in at least once a month to get updates on the hospital,” said Scott Robinson, who is also great-great-grandson of George Bowen.
In addition to the awards ceremony, the gala, from 6 to 10 p.m., will feature signature drinks, heavy hors d’oeuvres and music by Ken Ryan and the Professionals.
Theme for the evening is “The Roaring ’20s,” and attendees are encouraged to wear period attire.
“We hope to see many people in 1920s garb,” Johnson said.
Also, in keeping with the theme, a 1928 Marmon owned by a friend of hospital CEO Marc Shurtz will be parked at the door.
The gala was developed by Johnson after becoming foundation director several years ago.
“The idea for a gala with the caliber of ‘black tie’ had been kicked around for several years, but never materialized,” Johnson said. “I picked it up and ran with it, and it has been a tremendous success. We get a large attendance of Medina people and personnel from the surrounding area.”
She said they are trying to have events which appeal to people from all backgrounds and with all kinds of interests. They already sponsor a golf tournament and the Treasure Island raffle fundraiser, and for those who like to walk, they are planning “Walk a month in a nurses’ shoes” event.
“The average nurse walks more than 100 miles in a month,” Johnson said.
“We are trying to involve everyone in the community,” Robinson said. “We are hoping to have a jitterbug demo at the gala.”
He stressed all proceeds benefit the hospital.
Tickets for the gala are $150 and may be purchased online at www.orleanscommunityhealth.org/gala or by stopping in the Foundation office in the hospital lobby.
Press Release, Orleans Community Health Foundation
Provided photo: From left include David Cook, president of Lyndonville Area Foundation President; Megan Johnson, director of Orleans Community Health Foundation; and Marc Shurtz, chief executive officer of Orleans Community Health.
MEDINA – The Lyndonville Area Foundation has fulfilled its $100,000 pledge to Orleans Community Health’s Medina Healthcare Center capital campaign, reinforcing its commitment to improving healthcare accessibility for residents of Lyndonville and Orleans County.
Currently Orleans County ranks among the lowest in New York State for health outcomes, facing a shortage of primary care providers and limited outpatient services. The Medina Healthcare Center will directly address these issues by expanding primary care, pediatrics, cardiology, wound care, surgical, and lab services, all conveniently located at the hospital. In 2024 alone, more than 2,000 patients from Lyndonville received care through Orleans Community Health.
“We are honored to support this initiative, which ensures greater access to essential healthcare services,” said David Cook, board president of the Lyndonville Area Foundation. “This project aligns with our mission to enhance the well-being of our residents.”
The Foundation has a history of supporting Orleans Community Health, including past initiatives such as the IV Pump Campaign.
“We are incredibly grateful for the Lyndonville Area Foundation’s generosity,” said Megan Johnson, executive director at Orleans Community Health Foundation. “Their support is helping us expand outpatient services and improve healthcare accessibility for our community.”
The Medina Healthcare Center capital campaign continues to seek community support to further enhance healthcare services. For more information on how to contribute, please visit www.OrleansCommunityHealth.org or call (585) 798-8426.
About the Lyndonville Area Foundation:
Chartered February 6, 1967 to encourage the undertaking of programs for educational, recreational, civic and charitable purposes in and around the Village of Lyndonville & Town of Yates.
About Orleans Community Health:
Orleans Community Health provides high-quality, compassionate care to residents across Orleans County, continuously expanding services to meet the community’s evolving healthcare needs.
‘We added a full continuum of services of care in a rural community. I would say that one of my biggest pride and joys is that our organization really tries to make a difference. The staff here care about the people we serve and always try to do the right thing. I will miss them all dearly.’
Press release, UConnectCare
John Bennett
BATAVIA – John Bennett is leaving UConnectCare after dedicating the past 25 years at the agency formerly known as Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse to helping those affected by substance and alcohol use disorder.
With his last day as chief executive officer set for this Friday (Feb. 7), the 63-year-old Geneseo resident took time out to reflect upon a 40-year career in the field.
A reception for Bennett, which is open to the public, is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 4 at The Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road, Batavia.
Bennett has accepted a grant-funded director of network development position with Forward Leading IPA’s WeLinkCare social care network that connects individuals and families to vital resources that address the social factors affecting health – from housing and employment to food and transportation.
In his new position, he will oversee agencies, including UConnectCare, in 14 counties across the Finger Lakes region.
Question: Forty years is a long time in what can be a highly stressful field of work. What made you choose alcohol and substance use treatment and prevention?
Answer: In the past, I have shared that my grandfather, who I am named after, was an alcoholic. It was during the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s when they didn’t have EAP (Employee Assistance Programs) and much help for people like my grandfather. So, he died young from his alcoholism, and it affected my mom in a lot of ways.
My mom always worried that her children would develop alcohol and drug addiction, So alcohol was never allowed in our household growing up. If you came home with alcohol on your breath it didn’t matter what time of night it was she would get up to smell your breath.
Her whole life centered around breaking the cycle for her own children. Her sister, my Aunt Virginia, married a man who was alcoholic and she took me to AA and Al-Anon meetings when I was probably 8 or 9 years old. Also, my grandmother ended up living with us after my grandfather died. So my mom, my aunt and my grandmother influenced me to enter a field to help individuals and families with addiction.
I felt like it was a calling for me to help families and individuals with addiction. That’s how I got started.
Question: Where was your first job?
Answer: My first job was in Livingston County for what was then called Livingston County Council on Alcoholism. That was in 1985. I think there were 12 employees in total at the time – like two secretaries, a couple directors and the rest of us were counselors.
I went to college, SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Brockport, for counselor education and later I became a certified alcoholism counselor, a CAC, around 1989. I ended up working at LCCA for about 15 years.
Question: What brought you to GCASA, now UConnectCare?
Answer: I worked my way up in the field as a counselor and then as a team leader and eventually as the clinical supervisor. I was kind of recruited, actually, to come to GCASA by Beverly Maniace, who had just been promoted to deputy director in Batavia. She had a program director position open and asked me to interview.
So, I did, and I got the job a week later. That was in 1999. We were located in the bottom of the Growney Building (on Bank Street). We were there until 2003 and then moved to East Main Street to our current location.
Question: Dave Markham, the former executive director, was well respected in the community. What was your relationship like with him?
Answer: Dave was my mentor and when he left in 2012, I became the executive director and eventually the CEO. He has had a profound impact upon my life and career. David was very well respected in the community and in the behavioral health field. David gave me ample opportunity to get involved at the state level sitting on several state wide and local committees and he taught me a lot about how to be a leader.
Question: How has the substance use field changed over the years?
Answer: I started when substance abuse and alcoholism were divided up into two different sectors. And then eventually we became certified alcohol and substance abuse counselors.
There were two different divisions, and we treated drugs and alcohol differently at the time. DAAA and DSAS. Then the two different organizations merged to become OASAS (New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services and now New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports).
When I first started we dealt mostly with long-term alcoholism and short-term drinking drivers. Opioids were a drug of last resort. Today the majority of our patients are addicted to poly substances and most included opioids. I never saw our organization opening a methadone clinic but we did in 2018 and I am thankful we did because we have helped a lot of people.
Question: What stands out as far as services available in Genesee and Orleans counties?
Answer: Looking back, the people that I met and the providers, especially those like Genesee Justice with its restorative justice program, stand out. I became friends with the director at the time, Dennis Wittman, and helped participate in pre-sentencing investigations when there was drug abuse involved.
Eileen Kirkpatrick, who was the director of Genesee County Social Services. People like Dennis and Eileen reached out to me when I first arrived in Genesee County and they introduced me to people and institutions that could make a difference in people’s lives.
I became part of the Criminal Justice Advisory Council, which is really unique across the state to have a council that’s made up of criminal justice and service providers. I think that group of individuals does amazing things in our community and is incredibly collaborative. It’s unique and I think all the agencies try to work together and the county legislature has been mostly supportive of our services
I’ve just really been impressed with Genesee County and Orleans County, the providers and law enforcement and everybody works together to try to make the lives of individuals we serve better. That’s one of the blessings to be able to work in a place where we had those types of relationships,
Question: UConnectCare has grown significantly in recent years. Can you speak about that?
Answer: Over the last 10 years, we’ve grown from an agency of 68 employees to what will be about 190 employees when the Women & Children’s Residence in Albion opens in a few months.
That was my goal when I took over. It was very frustrating that urban communities had all these services and rural communities had none. So, a lot of our community members had to leave the area to get the services they need … like inpatient or detox or to get methadone. And so, my goal was to bring all those services here so that people didn’t have to leave the community, and so that’s what we set out to do.
We added a full continuum of services of care in a rural community. I would say that one of my biggest pride and joys is that our organization really tries to make a difference. The staff here care about the people we serve and always try to do the right thing. I will miss them all dearly.
I think opening The Recovery Station at the former Bohn’s Restaurant is one of my favorite projects, because that is one of the most unique recovery centers across the state.
Recently, AA hosted an event there and they had 71 people there. We have had several events with over a 100 people. So, it’s those things that make a difference in the lives of the people we serve.
‘I think the hardest part of working in this field is that I’ve spent 40 years working in a stigmatized field. And no matter how hard I fought to reduce stigma, it still exists today in the year 2025. People with addiction continue to be stigmatized and that sometimes makes me feel like I didn’t do enough to change the attitudes towards people with addiction.’
Question: What challenges have you faced and continue to face?
Answer: I think the hardest part of working in this field is that I’ve spent 40 years working in a stigmatized field. And no matter how hard I fought to reduce stigma, it still exists today in the year 2025. People with addiction continue to be stigmatized and that sometimes makes me feel like I didn’t do enough to change the attitudes towards people with addiction.
The people that we serve are just people like everybody else. They just have a drug addiction and when they become sober or get into recovery, they’re some of the kindest and coolest people you could ever meet.
So, that probably has been the most difficult part. When I reflect on how we tried to open a recovery center down on Swan Street and they kind of ran us out of town. Those are disappointing moments, not because we weren’t able to open a program, but because it sends a message to people who are struggling with addiction and are in recovery that they are somehow less than others. It makes me sad that people have this misconception of people in recovery.
Question: What can you say about the people you have worked with over the years?
Answer: Well, obviously, all of the staff that I’ve gotten to work with in the past 25 years at UConnectCare are amazing people. I’ve had the privilege to work with a great leadership team. Some of us have been together for the full 25 years.
I want to be careful to mention individuals because I am sure I will forget someone important, so I’ll just say that my current leadership team is comprised of incredible people who have devoted their careers to serving people and their families suffering with addiction. I couldn’t have done half of what we accomplished without them. I love getting to know as many staff individually as possible. I will miss them all.
I’ve worked with a great volunteer board of directors over the years. I want to say a huge thank you to all of them over the past 13 years. Most of them had some kind of connection to the work we do and I truly appreciate all their guidance over the years.
In the community, I need to mention Jay Gsell and now Matt Landers, Genesee County managers, and also Lynda Battaglia and Danielle Figura, who head up the mental health clinics in Genesee and Orleans. They have always had our backs and have been supportive all we do. There have been so many great people along the way – too many to mention.
Question: What made you decide to leave UConnectCare?
Answer: I will truly miss this work, but it was really after 40 years, it was just time for me to pass the torch on to someone else. I really kind of feel like I’ve accomplished what I needed to.
Honestly, my father died two years ago. I just kind of felt like I did what I needed to do in my career to make my family proud. I’m proud of how the agency has grown and I am leaving it, I hope, better than it was when I took over and in good hands with the current leadership and the interim CEO Kathy Hodgins.
With this new position, it gives me the chance to get back to my roots of hands-on assistance and help this social care grant grow and be successful and to help people who really sometimes just need the basics to have a better life.
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
In 2025, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) will offer free rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats and ferrets. To receive the vaccination, all animals must be at least 3 months old. It is important for all animals to be leashed, crated, and kept under control during the clinics.
Why should your pets be vaccinated?
Protects Your Pet: Rabies is a deadly disease that can affect both animals and humans. A rabies vaccination is the best way to keep your pet safe.
Protects You, Your Family and the Community: Rabies can be passed to humans through bites or scratches from infected animals. Vaccination helps prevent outbreaks and keeps everyone safe.
Required by Law: According to New York State Law, all dogs, cats, and domesticated ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies.
“Rabies continues to be a serious public health problem in Genesee and Orleans Counties,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for GO Health. “We remind all residents to keep their animals’ rabies vaccinations up to date.”
Orleans County Rabies Drive-Thru Clinics are at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion, NY 14411)
Saturday, April 26, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, June 18, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 25, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Genesee County Rabies Walk-in Clinic at the Batavia Town Highway Garage (3833 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020)
Thursday, February 6, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm
Genesee County Rabies Drive-Thru Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020)
Thursday, May 15, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 7, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 9, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
The funding for these clinics comes from the New York State Department of Health.
For more information on GO Health’s programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or contact your local health department at:
Photos by Tom Rivers: Madison Davis, a senior at Lyndonville, is looking forward to a career in healthcare. She is in the Allied Health program at Orleans/Niagara BOCES. She speaks during an event last week at Medina Memorial Hospital promoting the March 17 GLOW With Your Hands career exploration opportunity at Genesee Community College.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2025 at 2:05 pm
MEDINA – A career exploration event on March 17 aims to show students from 28 school districts in the GLOW region the many careers available in the rural counties.
This will be the third annual GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare. About 650 students from the four counties are expected to experience interactive workshops, see “medicine in action” and connect with over 65 regional employers, training programs and post-secondary institutions.
“From nursing and mental health to emergency services and respiratory therapy, students will discover a universe of possibilities and forge their own paths to success,” said Karyn Winters, director of the Genesee County Business Education Alliance and co-chair of GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare.
She spoke at an event last week at Medina Memorial Hospital, highlighting the upcoming career exploration initiative.
Karyn Winters, director of the Genesee County Business Education Alliance, said the GLOW With Your Hands events in March and September have been big successes for students to see careers in trades, manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare.
Several groups are working together on the event, such as Orleans County Job Development, Livingston County Area Chamber, Wyoming County Business Education Council, the GLOW workforce development offices, Genesee County Economic Development Center, Genesee Community College, and Medina Memorial Hospital,
“Our mission is clear: to empower the next generation of healthcare professionals and ensure a thriving healthcare workforce right here in the GLOW region,” Winters said. “We’re not just talking about jobs; we’re talking about building careers, fostering and retaining talent, and strengthening our communities.”
Kim Gray, chief nursing officer and director of surgical services at Orleans Community Health and Medina Memorial, said she is pleased to welcome interns and students at the hospital, calling it “an incredible opportunity to connect with students and inspire the next generations of healthcare professionals.”
Kim Gray, chief nursing officer and director of surgical services at Medina Memorial Hospital, said healthcare is a “dynamic and rewarding field, one that requires compassion, dedication, and a lifelong commitment to learning.”
Gray said Orleans Community Health and Medina Memorial have partnered with many educational programs to help students gain hands-on experience and insight into many careers in the healthcare field. OCH and Medina Memorial open their doors to the Allied Health program at Orleans/Niagara BOCES, University at Buffalo, GCC, NCCC, Daemen University and D’Youville University.
“I am personally proud to be part of this work, and I want to emphasize just how essential programs like GLOW With Your Hands are in helping students explore the world of healthcare,” Gray said. “These events allow students to interact directly with professionals, ask questions, and experience first-hand what it is like to work in a hospital or other healthcare setting.”
GLOW With Your Hands showcases an array of opportunities available in healthcare right here in the local community.
This group is promoting the GLOW With Your Hands healthcare career exploration event on March 17 at GCC in Batavia. From left include Mark Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health and Medina Memorial Hospital; Kim Gray, chief nursing officer and director of surgical services at OCH and Medina Memorial; Madison Davis, a senior at Lyndonville; Courtney Slack, Allied Health instructor at Orleans/Niagara BOCES; and Kelly Kiebala, director of Job Development and the administrator of the Orleans County Youth Bureau.
Marc Shurtz, CEO of Medina Memorial and Orleans Community Health, noted it is the 100th anniversary of the hospital at the current site at 200 Ohio St.
The smaller facility gives staff and students a chance to see a range of healthcare services.
Mark Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health and Medina Memorial Hospital, said working in the GLOW region offers employees a lower cost of living than in the cities and suburbs.
“The healthcare sector is in dire need of workers, especially in rural communities, and we want to convey to the students that they can have a successful and rewarding career in healthcare without having to leave the area because they think these opportunities don’t exist here,” Shurtz said.
Angela Grouse, director of Education to Employment Initiatives at Livingston County Area Chamber of Commerce, said the rural counties have careers in healthcare and offer the chance for much lower cost of living.
“We don’t want people to have to drive 50 to 60 miles for healthcare,” she said.
Her message to students considered a career in healthcare: “There is a better cost of living and a quality of life, while working in rewarding careers,” she said.
There are still sponsorship opportunities for the March 17th event at the Platinum ($5,000), Gold ($2,500), Silver ($1,000) and Bronze ($500) levels.
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of cervical health and encourage proactive steps in preventing cervical cancer.
The New York State Department of Health reports that around 843 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed every year in New York State. Additionally, nearly 255 females lose their lives to this disease annually. With proper care, early detection, and education, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer.
Cervical Cancer and Prevention
Cervical cancer develops slowly over time, often starting with abnormal cells on the cervix. In most cases, it is caused by persistent infection with high-risk strains of HPV. Regular screenings, such as Pap smears and HPV (Human Papillomavirus) tests are important for the early detection of cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine also offers further protections against common cancer-causing strains of HPV. It is most effective when given before exposure to the virus.
“Scheduling routine screenings and receiving the HPV vaccine can significantly decrease the risk of cervical cancer, states Brenden Bedard, Director of Community Health Services for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).
Take Action
During Cervical Health Awareness Month, GO Health is encouraging individuals to:
Get screened regularly: Women aged 21 to 65 should have a Pap smear every 3 years, or both Pap and HPV tests every 5 years if recommended by their doctor according to the National Cancer Institute.
Get vaccinated: The HPV vaccine is recommended for boys and girls, between the ages of 11-26, but can also be started as early as age 9.
Talk to your doctor: Talk to your healthcare provider about cervical health, screenings, and the HPV vaccine, especially if you have concerns or a family history of cervical cancer.
“We encourage all women to prioritize their health by scheduling their screenings and learning more about HPV prevention,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for GO Health. “Through education and access to screenings, we can continue to fight cervical cancer and empower individuals to take control of their health.”
Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties and hospitals working together to gather responses
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
The Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming (GOW) County health departments and hospitals are working together with community partners to gather information from residents to help with public health planning for the next six years.
This information will help inform and guide the development of documents called the Community Health Assessment (CHA), Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), and the Community Services Plan (CSP). This process is part of the New York State Prevention Agenda, a plan for state and local action to improve the health and well-being of New Yorkers.
“The health departments are working to identify the health challenges, service gaps, and other factors that may impact the communities’ health status,” stated Paul Pettit, public health director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “The input from our residents will help to identify community health needs, which will play a crucial role in developing the upcoming plan.”
In 2022, the community survey and conversations helped inform some of the initiatives that local health departments, hospitals and partners focused on:
Promote Well-Being and Prevent Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
Prevent opioid overdose deaths
Prevent and address adverse childhood experiences
Prevent Chronic Diseases
Prevent initiation of tobacco use
Increase cancer screening rates
Improve self-management skills for individuals with chronic diseases
To assess the health status of our communities, we are inviting community members to participate in an anonymous survey. The survey can be completed online and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Paper copies of the survey will also be available at many locations in each county. You can access the survey by visiting the following links:
The health departments are arranging Community Conversations with interested groups to gather insights into the most pressing health concerns or issues in their community. These conversations aim to gather ideas on how to address the identified health concerns.
“Our hope is people in our communities will share their ideas on health and wellness, including obstacles they face,” stated Laura Paolucci, Wyoming County Health Department public health administrator. “The more people who participate, the more inclusive these action plans can be.”
To participate in a community conversation, obtain copies of the survey or if you have any questions, please contact your local health department:
Genesee County Health Department at: 585-344-2580 ext. 5555, visit their website at GOHealthNY.org or visit Facebook, Instagram and X at GOHealthNY.
Orleans County Health Department at: 585-589-3278, visit their website at GOHealthNY.org or visit Facebook, Instagram and X at GOHealthNY.
Wyoming County Health Department at: 585-789-8890, visit their website or Facebook.
Organization has ‘Code Blue’ sites in Albion and Brockport
Press Release, Oak Orchard Health
WARSAW—Building on the success of the Orleans County Warming Center and the Brockport Community Warming Center, Oak Orchard Health has continued to work with its Wyoming County community partners to open a new warming center in Warsaw with today the first day for the center.
This community collaboration addresses the needs of people without housing when the temperature is below 32 degrees (“Code Blue”).
The new Wyoming County Community Warming Center is at Clarity Warsaw Clinic, 43 Duncan St. If an individual needs evening shelter during Code Blue, they can call
(585) 340-1355, and they will have a warm place to stay. They will also be referred to the county and local non-profits for additional services, ensuring a comprehensive approach to their well-being.
The new Wyoming County Community Warming Center in Warsaw offers an alternate, safe, warm place with snacks and toiletries and a connection to our community partners and services. Many local partners, including the Wyoming County Sheriff’s Office, will continue to provide a warm place during Code Blue. Other partners are providing community resources like warm hats, blankets, backpacks and other bare necessities for those who live outside in the inclement weather.
“We could not have made the Wyoming County Community Warming Center a reality without the support of our community partners and funding from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation. We are so grateful for their grant and all the volunteers who made this a reality. Oak Orchard will be responsible for staffing and coordinating the opening of this community resource in the region,” said Karen Kinter, CEO, Oak Orchard Health.
In 2023, Oak Orchard successfully opened the Orleans County Warming Center, serving 63 people who used the site on the 110 code blue days. New York State mandates that if the weather drops below 32 degrees, it’s considered “Code Blue,” and the community must provide shelter.
There will be a ribbon-cutting celebration for the Warsaw site at 3 p.m. on Jan. 17.
“The Oak Orchard Health Warming Center is a powerful example of a community-driven initiative demonstrating the strength of collaboration between nonprofits, community members, local businesses and government,” said Monica Brown, senior program officer for Greater Rochester Health Foundation. “In rural areas like Wyoming County, where access to critical resources can be limited and inequities in healthcare and housing are prevalent, this project represents a critical support during an extreme time of need.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 5 January 2025 at 8:24 am
Provided photo: Leah Brenner, the new pediatric nurse practitioner at the Albion Walk-in Clinic, has been seeing patients since November.
ALBION – Orleans Community Health continues to increase the services it offers the public, with the announcement of a new staff member at its Albion Walk-in Clinic.
Leah Brenner, a pediatric nurse practitioner, has been seeing patients there since November.
Brenner grew up in Rochester, where she realized at the age of 7 she wanted to be a nurse.
“My sister fell off her bike and lacerated her liver, and when I saw the good care given to her by the nurses, I knew that was what I wanted to do,” Brenner said.
She received her bachelor of science in nursing at Brockport State College, and her master of science as a pediatric nurse practitioner at the University of Rochester. After graduating in 2009 she became a bedside nurse at Strong, until landing her first nurse practitioner job at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. in 2013.
In 2017 she moved back to Rochester to be with her family, and worked at Rochester General for five years. She spent one year in urgent care in Rochester.
She had been thinking of looking for a new job, and she and her husband had talked about moving to Albion to be near her sister, who lives here.
“I found this job was available and interviewed for it,” Brenner said. “I love it. With me, there are only two pediatric providers in Orleans County.”
Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at Orleans Community Health, said Orleans County is number two in the state for the greatest shortage of doctors. The ratio is 13,500 people to one doctor, he said.
Brenner said there is a huge need for psychiatric nurse practitioners nationwide, and she is going back to school to get certification as a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Brenner sees patients from birth until their 22nd birthday. She is available at the walk-in clinic from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and she is accepting new patients.
If she had one piece of advice for parents, it would be to be sure to bring their children for their “well child” visits.
“That way, if a child has developmental issues, we can address them early,” she said.
Her second piece of advice is for parents to be aware of their child’s mental health. It is important for parents to talk to their kids and be able to have an open dialogue. If there are concerns about mental health, she encourages parents to discuss it with their primary care doctor.
Brenner and her husband Matthew have three children, ages 14, 9 and 7, and hope to make the move to Albion at the end of this school year.
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
January is National Radon Action Month, a time to raise awareness about the dangers of radon exposure and encourage homeowners to take proactive steps to protect their families.
“Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that naturally forms from the decay of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause among non-smokers,” stated Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).
Radon can seep into homes through cracks in foundations, walls or floors. Prolonged exposure to high radon levels can lead to serious health issues, including lung cancer. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nearly one in every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have elevated radon levels. Fortunately, radon exposure is preventable through simple actions that homeowners can take.
Take Action to Protect Your Family:
1. Test Your Home for Radon
The only way to know if your home has elevated radon levels is by testing. Residents of Genesee County can receive a radon test kit at no cost to them, while supplies last, by contacting the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580 x5555. Residents in other counties can purchase a radon test kit at a hardware store, or at the NYS Department of Health (DOH) website. The EPA recommends testing every two years, or after major home renovations.
2. Mitigate High Radon Levels to lessen severity and reduce harm
If radon levels are found to be elevated (above 4 pCi/L), it is essential to take corrective action. Radon mitigation includes installing a ventilation system that reduces radon levels in the home. A certified radon professional can evaluate your home and recommend the best mitigation strategy.
3. Educate Your Friends and Family
Spread the word about the importance of radon testing and mitigation. Share resources and encourage neighbors to test their homes.
4. Health & Safety First
Radon exposure is preventable, and by testing and mitigating radon in your home, you can significantly reduce the threat of lung cancer caused by this invisible danger.
Radon Facts:
Radon is responsible for approximately 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the U.S.
Radon exposure is particularly dangerous for children and non-smokers.
Testing and mitigation are effective in reducing radon exposure and protecting health.
Photo courtesy of Orleans Community Health: This photo shows part of the south wing of Medina Memorial Hospital, which will house the new Medina Healthcare Center.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 January 2025 at 9:07 am
MEDINA – A major highlight of Orleans Community Health in 2024 was the announcement at Treasure Island in November of the creation of Medina Healthcare Center, a transformative outpatient facility set to open in the new year within Medina Memorial Hospital.
This new center is designed to address the critical healthcare needs of Orleans County residents, many of whom face significant challenges in accessing primary and specialized care locally, said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at Orleans Community Health.
Overall cost of the new facility is $1.9 million, of which $600,000 has already been raised. The Foundation has aggressively been pursuing federal funds and public and private grants. This is in addition to fundraising efforts soliciting donors and events, such as Treasure Island and the Gala.
The Medina Healthcare Center will be located in the former Behavioral Health and Comprehensive Medical Rehab wings of the hospital. That is in the southern and southwest area of the first floor, Robinson said. As part of the final project, the south parking lot will be repaved, a new entrance added to the south and an elevator installed.
The newly opened Ear, Nose and Throat Center is already part of the expansion and the project team has been meeting with primary care providers, Robinson said. Services, such as primary care, will also begin earlier than completion of the project.
“We’re going to do everything possible to bring services to the community, especially those they are already in need of,” Robinson said. “If an opportunity presents itself, we’ll do everything possible to make it happen now.”
The Medina Healthcare Center will offer a comprehensive range of services, starting with the launch of the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic which opened in November. Primary care services are slated to begin in the first part of 2025, addressing a pressing need in Orleans County, which currently has one of the worst primary care-to-patient ratios in New York state.
“Our community has consistently demonstrated a commitment to enhancing healthcare access,” said Marc Shurtz, CEO/CIO of Orleans Community Health. “The community’s continued support allows us to make meaningful strides toward making the Medina Healthcare Center a reality, bringing critical outpatient services right here in our community.”
The planned renovations include 13 state-of-the-art exam rooms, a dedicated procedure room and a consultation area, in addition to improved parking facilities, all aimed at providing efficient, patient-centered care in one accessible location.
As Orleans Community Health embarks on a capital campaign to fund this project, the initial steps are already underway. With continued community support, Orleans Community Health is working to expand primary care services as quickly as possible, ensuring timely access to essential care for Orleans County residents.
The Medina Healthcare Center represents a beacon of hope and programs, filling a crucial gap in outpatient healthcare services and reinforcing the hospital’s role as a cornerstone of community well-being.
Information provided by the hospital states, “This new state-of-the-art facility will transform outpatient care in Orleans County.”
In 2025, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) will offer free rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats and ferrets. To receive the vaccination, all animals must be at least 3 months old. It is important for all animals to be leashed, crated, and kept under control during the clinics.
The Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming (GOW) County health departments and hospitals are working together with community partners to gather information from residents to help with public health planning for the next six years.
January is National Radon Action Month, a time to raise awareness about the dangers of radon exposure and encourage homeowners to take proactive steps to protect their families.
