health & wellness

Holley will host kidney screening on Saturday

Posted 25 March 2015 at 12:00 am

Press Release, National Kidney Foundation

HOLLEY Over 26 million Americans have kidney disease and most don’t know it. That’s one reason why kidney disease kills more Americans than breast and prostate cancer combined every year.

March is National Kidney Month and the National Kidney Foundation is urging all Americans to assess their risk for kidney disease. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of kidney failure, or are over the age of 60, you are at risk and should have your kidneys checked.

The NKF is offering a free kidney screening through its KEEP Healthy program on March 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Holley Elementary School, 3800 North Main Street Rd.

All KEEP Healthy participants will answer a brief health-risk survey and have their height, weight and blood pressure measured. At-risk individuals will have their kidney health checked through a simple, on-site, ACR urine test. The ACR test can identify protein in the urine, which is often the first sign of kidney disease. Free educational materials will be provided and a medical professional will review results and answer questions from participants.

One in three American adults is at risk of developing chronic kidney disease. Attend this lifesaving screening and give your hardworking kidneys a much-needed checkup this National Kidney Month.

To pre-register for KEEP Healthy, contact the National Kidney Foundation at (585) 598-3963 ext. 31 or www.kidneynyup.org.

Urine strips and accessories for KEEP Healthy are provided by Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Inc. and Quantimetrix Corporation.

Pillar of hospital bids adieu

Posted 6 March 2015 at 12:00 am

Nancy Albanese’s career spanned four decades

Photo by Howard Balaban – Nancy Albanese, left, was greeted by well-wishers this afternoon during a retirement party at Medina Memorial Hospital, where she worked for 40 years.

By Howard Balaban, Correspondent

MEDINA – An employee with more than 40 years of dedicated service was celebrated Friday afternoon at Medina Memorial Hospital when Nancy Albanese said good-bye to her friends and colleagues on staff.

“She’s been a mentor to many of us here, and she’s a real pillar within the hospital,” said Paula Dresser, a fellow nurse who started working with Albanese 30 years ago.

Dresser mentioned how she and Albanese worked together as nurses on every floor and every wing, including the recovery rooms and the intensive care unit.

Cindy Perry, the hospital’s wellness director, said Albanese’s absence will be felt most by the patients for whom she cared.

“Patients absolutely loved her,” Perry stated. “I only ever heard good things about Nancy, and how efficient and professional and caring she was. She’s been a great role model for everyone here and she’s going to be missed.”

The board room at the hospital served as a gathering area for a retirement party for the generational nurse as she mingled with visiting friends and family who stopped by.

Albanese said her decision to hang up her scrubs was made for one simple reason: “It was time.” However, she said a lifetime of providing care to patients at MMH provided her with “great joy” is something she will greatly miss in retirement. Overall, she said the hospital “has been very, very good to me.”

Moving forward, Albanese said she looks forward to enjoying time with her two college-aged grandchildren. She will also pass the time by knitting and doing volunteer work in the community. Additionally, she will continue to serve on the Hospice board.

Medina hospital moves to end management, billing contracts with outside organizations

Staff Reports Posted 25 February 2015 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital announced today that it will file a 90-day notice to end its management contract with Health Tech Management Services and also the company that has been handling billing.

Health Tech, a Tennessee-based healthcare management company, has been providing administrative and consulting services to Orleans Community Health since June 2013 at $20,000 a month. OCH also contracted with Gaffey Healthcare, an affiliated Health Tech company, since April 2014.

Orleans Community Health also signed an affiliation agreement with Catholic Health in June 2014 to help strengthen healthcare services in Orleans County and provide area patients with greater access to other specialty and support services.

“They gave us all kinds of support but we’re getting that with Catholic Health,” said Dawn Meland, vice president of the OCH board of directors. “We don’t need the redundancy.”

The Health Tech contract included the hospital’s former president and CEO, Dolores Horvath, who resigned earlier this month citing personal family obligations. With the termination of the contracts with Health Tech Management Services and Gaffey Healthcare, Orleans Community Health is currently reviewing proposals from new billing companies.

With Horvath’s departure, the Orleans Community Health Board of Directors felt it was a good opportunity to move the organization in a new strategic direction by naming Wendy Jacobson as Medina Memorial’s Chief Operating Officer/Chief Nursing Officer, Interim President and CEO, according to a statement released by the organization.

Meland said Health Tech provided a transition for the hospital after the departure of Jim Sinner, the former president and CEO, in June 2013.

With local support from Catholic Health, which includes physician recruitment and other service opportunities, Orleans Community Health is committed to the success and sustainability of Medina Memorial Hospital and to providing high quality healthcare to the residents of Orleans County, according to the OCH statement.

Hospital wants labor deal to reflect ‘challenging environment for rural healthcare providers’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 February 2015 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – The union representing about 300 workers at Medina Memorial Hospital wants a federal mediator to help resolve a labor impasse with Orleans Community Health, the parent organization of the hospital.

A labor agreement expired on Dec. 31, 2014. Open issues in the current talks include wages, benefits, and recognition at future locations of the Medina based organization, said the employees’ union, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

Orleans Community Health released this statement today, saying it wants an agreement with employees that reflects “the challenging environment for small rural healthcare providers.”

“Orleans Community Health (OCH) is currently engaged in contract negotiations with 1199 SEIU,” according to the statement. “The union has requested a Federal Mediator. A Federal Mediator is usually called in when the parties cannot reach agreement. The union told OCH at the table that they are still able to make proposals and engage in bargaining.

“With decreasing inpatient volume and changes in healthcare reimbursement, this is a challenging environment for small rural healthcare providers in Western New York. We look forward to reaching agreement with 1199 SEIU that takes into consideration the challenges we face today and over the next three years.

“Orleans Community Health is committed to continuing to provide access and quality patient care to our community.”

Hospital employees seek federal mediator over labor impasse

Staff Reports Posted 21 February 2015 at 12:00 am

MEDINA – Employee representatives at Orleans Community Health’s Medina Memorial Hospital have called for the intervention of a federal mediator in their ongoing labor negotiations with the facility’s management.

Negotiations for a new contract for 300 staff of OCH began in November. Open issues in the current talks include wages, benefits, and recognition at future locations of the Medina based organization, the union said.

To date, there have been 21 collective bargaining meetings, according to the employees’ union, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. The old contract expired Dec. 31, 2014 but its terms have been extended until the end of this month.

Frustrated with the pace of negotiations, employee members of the union’s negotiating committee have asked for the assistance of a Federal Mediator, union leaders said.

Involvement of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service is required under federal labor law when labor negotiations affect the operations of a hospital. Although a federal mediator has been assigned to this negotiation, OCH management has thus far refused to cooperate with his involvement, union leaders said.

In 2012, a strike was narrowly averted in the “11th hour” with the help of a federal mediator.

Employees covered by the union contract include registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and medical technicians, service maintenance and clerical employees.

Ashlee’s Place reaches 1,000 donated bras

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers – Angela Waldriff, owner of Ashlee’s Place in Medina, is pictured inside the store where Waldriff and customers have collected and sent 1,000 bras in the past two years to the Breast Oasis, which shares the bras with battered women’s shelters, teen shelters and rape crisis centers.

MEDINA – The owner of a women’s clothing and boutique store recently hit a milestone when the store and its customers sent the 1,000th donated bra to an organization that gives them to women in crisis situations.

Angela Waldriff, owner of Ashlee’s Place at 116 East Center St., has been collecting the gently worn and new bras for the past two years. Her customers donate many of them.

Waldriff then ships the clothing to the Breast Oasis, which is based in Akron, Ohio. That organizations has now collected over 135,000 bras for women who can’t afford them. Many are donated to women and teens escaping domestic violence.

Ashlee’s Place in Medina is the only site in Upstate New York that accepts the bras. Waldriff became a site for Breast Oasis about two years ago aftershe read a fashion magazine article about the organization and its mission. Waldriff puts inserts about the program in many of her customers’ shopping bags. They often return with donated bras, and many are new with the tags on.

“Our customers have done an exceptional job with the bra contributions,” Waldriff said. “I couldn’t believe it when we counted them up.”

Waldriff sees a trend with breast cancer survivors dropping off gently used mastectomy bras.

“It’s not a huge percent, but it’s enough that we’ve noticed, and we think it’s great,” Waldriff said.

Ashlee’s Place runs an annual Breast Cancer Promotion near Mother’s Day in honor of Waldriff’s mother who battled the disease and won over a decade ago.

“My mom’s cancer free and is in the clear,” Waldriff said.

Ashlee’s will continue accepting donated bras.

“Anyone can drop off gently used or new bras to the store during regular business hours,” Waldriff said. “As soon as our box is full we seal it up and send them off right away.”

For more information on Breast Oasis visit http://breastoasis.org/site/page.php?id=275.

Hospital CEO resigns, praised for efforts with Orleans Community Health

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 February 2015 at 12:00 am

File Photo by Tom Rivers – Dolores Horvath announced today to staff at Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital that she is resigning, effective on Friday, to a family obligation that is out-of-state.

MEDINA – The leader of Medina Memorial Hospital/Orleans Community Health is resigning, effective Friday, so she can be available for an out-of-state family obligation.

Dolores Horvath has led the local healthcare organization since mid-2013. She is credited for aligning Orleans Community Health with the Catholic Health System, an agreement that gives local access to cardiologists, and other physicians who would be difficult to recruit to a rural county.

Horvath has also pushed for equipment upgrades and has the healthcare system on course for more upgrades and higher reimbursement rates, said Dawn Meland, vice chairman of the board of directors.

“We love Dolores,” Meland said. “Dolores has accomplished much in her short time with us. She has set us on a positive course to expand and maintain vital healthcare services for our patients and families throughout the area. We thank her for her service and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”

Horvath has technically been an employee with HealthTech Management Services, a firm hired to manage Orleans Community Health in June 2013. HealthTech offered to bring in another leader for OCH, but Meland said the board of directors wants to promote Wendy Jacobson as interim CEO. She has served as the organization’s chief operating officer/chief nursing officer since 2014.

Jacobson started with Medina in 2012 as quality manager. She has proven her work ethic and commitment to the organization, Meland said.

“We have every confidence in Wendy’s ability to lead Orleans Community Health at this time,” Meland said. “Wendy’s knowledge of hospital operations and clinical services will help us make a seamless transition as we continue to work to strengthen healthcare services for the residents of Orleans County, northern Genesee and eastern Niagara counties, our service area.”

Meland said Orleans Community Health is preparing for renovations to the lobby and emergency room, and also is awaiting final state Department of Health approval for Medina Memorial Hospital to be considered a “critical access hospital.” That designation will boost reimbursement rates for Medina.

Catholic Health leaders have offered to help Orleans Community Health during this leadership transition.

“They are willing to be a mentor (for Jacobson) and be a resource,” Meland said.

Residents urged to embrace ‘Healthier U’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

GAINES – Orleans Community Health is promoting healthier lifestyles at a series of events this year around the county.

The outreach effort began on Tuesday with a “Healthier U” open house at The Village Inn in Childs. Several local health providers and agencies had displays at the event, which started with a healthy breakfast with no fried foods.

The Albion Urgent Care health center was among the participants with a display at the event. Jennifer Herring, left, is office manager at the site run by Orleans Community Health and Randi Johnson, right, is a physician’s assistant.

About 40 people attended the event. Orleans Community Health is the parent organization for Medina Memorial Hospital. The organization is planning many events at the hospital and Medina this year, and will also be leading health events throughout the county in 2015, said Jim Moody, executive director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation.

“This is a community-wide effort to educate residents on different topics to make them healthier,” Moody said.

Dr. Ahmet Guler, a cardiologist, speaks with Ron Felstead, a member of the Orleans Community Health board of directors. Dr. Guler spoke at the Healthier U event on Tuesday, and highlighted programs for healthier hearts at the hospital and Orleans Community Health.

Orleans Community Health is planning at least a monthly outreach event where residents can connect with health professionals.

The next event, “Ask the Doctor,” will be Feb. 26 at Calvary Tabernacle Church (the old Medina High School).

Jen Maynard, the director of radiology and corporate compliance for Orleans Community Health, also spoke about the benefits of the new CT scan machine at Medina Memorial Hospital. The machine gives hospital staff much improved imaging when scans are taken of a brain, chest, abdomen and pelvis.

The CT scanner replaces one from 2001. The new one is a 64 slice CT scan compared to a 4 slice. Besides better imaging, the new machine exposes patients to 33 percent less radiation, Maynard said.

“It’s something that not every place has,” she said. “We’re fortunate to have it in our community.”

Wear red to promote heart health

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club wore red today for their regular weekly meeting at The Village Inn. The club wore red to promote heart health.

Tomorrow is National Wear Red Day and people are encouraged to wear red to draw attention to women’s heart health. This day also officially kicks off American Heart Month.

Rotary Club members pictured, include, front row, from left: Fred Nesbitt, Don Bishop, Bruce Landis, Marlee Diehl and Mary Anne Braunbach.

Back row: Richard Remley, Bonnie Malakie, Marsha Rivers, Tammy Yaskulski, President Bill Diehl, Ron LaGamba, Brad Shelp and Maynard Lowry from Lockport Rotary Club.

Schumer says federal funding at stake for rural hospitals

Staff Reports Posted 19 January 2015 at 12:00 am

Federal funding that provides $600,000 annually to Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital is in jeopardy of going away, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said.

Schumer said Low Volume Hospital (LVH) and Medicare Dependent Hospital (MDH) Programs provide $16 million in aid to 24 rural hospitals in New York each year.

This funding is essential because the hospitals are often under serious financial pressure due to a lower volume of patients than their urban and suburban counterparts and they also receive a higher percentage of Medicare beneficiaries, Schumer said.

The annual funding for these hospitals is set to expire in April if it isn’t extended by Congress. Schumer said he is introducing bipartisan legislation with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) that would extend these programs for an additional year.

Schumer said that these hospitals play a major role in keeping quality of care high across New York State and are a critical source of jobs.

“Rural hospitals are both essential to the quality of Upstate healthcare and are the lifeblood of rural communities throughout New York State,” Schumer said in a statement. “These hospitals serve a vital public need, employ several thousand New Yorkers across the state, and they deserve our support in their continuous efforts to provide the highest level of care to residents.”

Besides the $600,000 for Medina Memorial, other rural hospitals in WNY that receive the funding include: Bertrand Chaffee Hospital in Springville, $246,000; Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, $715,000; Nicholas H. Noyes Memorial Hospital in Dansville, $488,000; Westfield Memorial Hospital in Chautauqua County, $57,000; and Wyoming County Community Health System in Warsaw, $800,000.

“If this funding were to go away, it would put our hospitals, patients, and employees in the lurch, and could effectively pull the plug on a lifeline for rural hospitals all over the country,” Schumer said. “The clock is ticking, and that is why I am pushing Congress to pass this bipartisan bill before it is too late. I am going to fight for the survival of this program the same way our upstate hospitals fight for their patients.”