A new leader has been appointed for Oak Orchard Health, a healthcare organization with sites in Albion, Lyndonville, Brockport and Warsaw.

Jim Cummings, the new CEO, is familiar with the community. He was an executive at Lakeside Health System since 2006.

Cummings

“It is with great pleasure and excitement that the board announces our hiring of Jim Cummings as the next CEO at Oak Orchard Health,” said Karen Watt, the OOH board chairwoman. “He will begin in this position by the middle of December and is enthusiastic and appreciates that he is joining a truly gifted and extraordinary staff.”

As an executive at Lakeside, Cummings first served as vice president of human resources, then senior vice president, and finally interim CEO.

Watt said Cummings keenly understands the health care needs and issues of our region. He provided executive leadership for all aspects of strategic planning, executive and physician recruitment, compensation, benefits administration, employee relations, organizational development, volunteers, and oversight of Lakeside hospital operations starting in 2011.

“It is my honor to have been selected to serve the community by leading Oak Orchard Health through this turbulent, yet exciting time of transition in American health care,” Cummings said. “Oak Orchard has a 40-year history of providing affordable quality services to families and individuals who might not otherwise have access to care. It will be my job to ensure that this important resource is well-positioned to thrive into the future and to continue to provide the community excellent preventative and primary care services.”

Prior to Lakeside, Cummings held a series of executive positions at Corning Hospital over a 26-year period. Corning Hospital is a 99-bed acute care facility with high volume outpatient services, 550 employees, and is an affiliate of Guthrie Healthcare System.

While employed by Corning Hospital, Cummings was vice president of human resources and vice president of operations. For the five years prior to that, he held various management positions at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Elmira.

“Jim Cummings clearly stood out from among the 85 applicants for the president and CEO position, as a person that both intimately understands health care administration and is keenly committed to the Oak Orchard service area and patients,” said OOH Board member Dave Jewell. “There is no question but that we are placing Oak Orchard in very capable and caring hands.”

Robert Q. Hendershott served as interim president and CEO for Oak Orchard since August 2012.

“Under Bob Hendershott’s experienced guidance, Oak Orchard has very considerably strengthened its management and other systems,” Watt said. “He has helped build an excellent executive team, and is handing over the organization in fine condition.”

Provided photo – Marsha Rivers, development director for Hospice of Orleans, receives a symbolic turkey from Albion Tops Manager Rick Wartinger. The grocer is donating a full, pre-cooked Thanksgiving dinner to the Martin-Linsin Hospice Residence.

Press release
Hospice of Orleans

ALBION This Thanksgiving will be the first at the Hospice of Orleans Martin-Linsin Residence, which opened last December.

But for the terminally ill patients who live there, it will likely be their final opportunity to celebrate this very special holiday with family and friends. With the help of Hospice staff and volunteers and a Thanksgiving dinner donated by Tops Market of Albion, they’re planning to make it a memorable one.

End-of-life has a way of doing that: Inspiring people to make the most of the time that they have remaining together. In early September, residents of the eight-suite “home away from home” began looking forward to the holiday season, starting with “Turkey Day.”

Long before the leaves fell from the multicolored maples on the Hospice campus, Martin-Linsin patients were discussing menus, dreaming up decorations, and comparing notes about favorite recipes from years gone by.

While patients enjoy nutritious meals prepared daily at the nearby Villages of Orleans Health & Rehabilitation Center, the residents requested a feast of a fancier sort.

“What we’d really like is a proper Thanksgiving turkey dinner with all the trimmin’s,” said 97-year-old Nora.

So Hospice turned to Tops. Martin-Linsin is well-equipped to provide patients with a “home away from home” when their own home is not suitable for the level of care they need. However, the facility lacks a commercial-grade kitchen where food can be prepared from scratch by state-certified personnel. The arrangement with The Villages allows Hospice to receive and reheat ready-made meals.

Tops offers heat-and-eat food for its customers. So when Hospice of Orleans approached its nearly-next-door neighbor about serving the folks at Martin-Linsin, Store Manager Rick Wartinger promptly replied, “Yes! What kind of pie would you like with that apple or pumpkin?”

The fresh turkey dinner features a fully cooked Butterball bird, herb stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, turkey gravy, sweet potato casserole, cranberry orange relish and, of course, a 10-inch piemake that pumpkin, please!

Hospice personnel will pick up the complimentary meal, valued at $74.99, around 11 a.m. next Thursday, warm it up for the recommended two hours, and serve the grateful residents.

“This is my first Thanksgiving with Hospice as well,” said Marsha Rivers, director of development and community relations since June of this year. “Hearing the affirmative reply from Tops just added to what I’ve already been overwhelmed and blessed to witness: When it comes to taking care of each other, the Orleans community comes together.”

ALBION – Albion homes are increasingly becoming infested with bed bugs, a problem that may be difficult to prevent because the bugs are “hitchhikers,” a public health officials told the Albion Village Board.

The Orleans County Health Department has been getting complaints about bed bugs locally since 2011, but the calls have increased this year, public health sanitarian Nancy Kelly told the Village Board on Wednesday.

“It’s a growing concern,” she said.

Bed bugs are considered a private nuisance, instead of a public health nuisance. That means the public health department isn’t very involved in the cases. When a complaint is made, Kelly will typically contact the local code enforcement officers.

Ron Vendetti, the code officer for Albion, said many local landlords have purchased steam cleaners and can take care of the problem at their properties. Other residents may turn to exterminators.

Houses and apartments that are clean can typically be rid of the bugs quickly. Homes with hoarders, with a lot of clutter, may struggle to get rid of the pests, Vendetti said.

Kelly said bed bugs bother people from all backgrounds – rich, poor and middle class. The bugs have been discovered in schools and work places. They easily can “hitch hike” from public places and come home with someone, she said.

The bugs also spread from discarded furniture. Some furniture has been left by the curb because of a bug infestation. The couch or chair often is then picked up by a passing motorist, who brings it – and bed bugs – home.

Mayor Dean Theodorakos said the village will use its newsletter to warn residents about picking up discarded furniture due to the bed bug possibility.

Kelly said Albion could also pass legislation requiring landlords and property owners to take action when there is a complaint about bed bugs. Vendetti didn’t think a new law was a good idea or would accomplish much.

“How do you legislate a bug?” Vendetti asked.

The landlords also shouldn’t be held entirely responsible for the property, Vendetti said. The residents often bring in the bugs, and their lifestyles may make it difficult to rid the places of the pests.

“We also have cockroaches and mice,” Vendetti said. “We have a number of problems that revolve around the condition of properties.”

ALBION – Volunteers at The Villages of Orleans, the county-owned nursing home in Albion, will need flu shots or else they will have to wear a mask if they want to be inside the facility interacting with residents.

The state Health Department issued that decree for the upcoming flu season. The Health Department first put the policy in place near the tail end of last year’s flu season.

The new policy already has rankled one volunteer. Adolf Genter is a regular presence at the nursing home, playing his accordion. He doesn’t want to get a flu shot.

He spoke out against the new state policy during Wednesday’s County Legislature meeting.

The state health commissioner hasn’t declared the start of the flu season yet, so Genter can continue to play the accordion at the nursing home without a flu shot or protective mask. But he won’t be able to much longer.

The flu season generally runs from November through April. There haven’t been enough cases yet to prompt the commissioner to declare the official start of flu season, said William Gillick, the nursing home administrator.

The new policy applies to nursing home employees, volunteers and interns. It may also extend to other personnel who occasionally work in the facility, including Buildings and Grounds and information technology staff, said Paul Pettit, the county’s public health director.

The new state policy doesn’t apply to nursing home visitors.

The policy extends to hospitals, nursing homes, health clinics, home care agencies and hospices. State health officials say they want to help contain the spread of the flu.

New York recorded 45,352 confirmed cases and 9,537 patients hospitalized with influenza last season, the Associated Press reported. After a spike in flu cases last January, Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a public health emergency.

By Nola Goodrich-Kresse, Public Health Educator for the Orleans County Health Department

Veterans’ Day for some the day is mixed with emotions, some good, some not so good and unfortunately for many, it is just another day or a day off.

According to Wikipedia, “Veterans Day is an official United States holiday which honors people who have served in armed service also known as veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. (Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect.)

Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving.”

When pondering on what to write for this week’s column the thought of so many who have given their service and for some, their lives, the thought of saying thank you in a health column was easy to consider.

Many of those who have served in our Armed Forces over the years were serving either because they wanted to do something for this great nation we live in. For some, they entered the service because they were drafted and didn’t have a choice and for others they were looking for job training, structure, and / or an adventure. Whatever the reason, thank you!

Thank you for doing your best to protect our freedoms. Thank you for doing your best to protect our borders. Thank you for leaving your families and potentially risking your lives for those of us who live here. Thank you for ignoring the rudeness of those who treated your poorly when you returned home from service because they disagree with what you stand for.

Thank you to your families who stood by you through the mail and more recently through technology. Thank you to your families who missed you and thank you to you for all the dinners, nighttime tuck-ins, school events, parties, weddings and good-byes you couldn’t say because you were / are protecting us.

Whatever your reason for serving, whatever your experiences while serving, you are appreciated and your service and sacrifices are not forgotten.

Thank you!

Editor’s note: Nola Goodrich-Kresse sent this in time for Veterans’ Day. My apologies for not posting it sooner.

Horvath makes commitment to Orleans Community Health

Photos by Tom Rivers – Dolores Horvath, CEO of Orleans Community Health, checks some of the merchandise up for bid at Saturday’ night’s Treasure Island fund-raiser for OCH. On Monday, the OCH board of directors named Horvath the chief executive officer, removing interim from her title.

MEDINA – Three months ago Dolores Horvath arrived in Medina for what she thought would be a six-month job, helping Orleans Community Health find a permanent CEO for a healthcare organization that includes a hospital, a health care facility in Albion and other outpatient sites.

Horvath impressed the board of directors at OCH, and the community won her over. She is staying, and not just as the interim leader of the OCH. On Monday the board of directors appointed her chief executive officer.

Horvath would like to serve in the position for five years. She is looking for a house in Medina.

‘This is a wonderful little town,” she said Saturday at the hospital system’s Treasure Island fund-raiser. “You have a committed board and a community that supports you. There are staff that have worked here for 40 years. You just don’t see that kind of commitment too often.”

The Treasure Island event was another demonstration of the community support for the hospital. About 275 people attended the event at the Sacred Heart Club. Numerous businesses and residents donated items to be sold. The event typically raises about $50,000 for Orleans Community Health.

Greg Canham weighs a bid on some of the items at the 20th annual Treasure Island fund-raiser to benefit Orleans Communtiy Heath.

Horvath will remain an employee with HealthTech Management Services, a firm hired to manage OCH in June. That contract was for an initial three-year deal.

On Monday, the OCH board decided it wanted to retain Horvath through HealthTech.

“She has addressed a lot of issues and we’re moving in a positive direction,” said Bruce Krenning, president of the OCH board. “She has a lot of experience and she fits what we’re trying to do.”

Horvath has already led a complete assessment of OCH’s operations and finances. She said this is a tumultuous time in health care with a new federal health care law taking effect and many smaller hospitals struggling to stay open. Lakeside Memorial Hospital in Brockport shut down in April, for example.

Krenning said Medina Memorial Hospital isn’t closing.

Horvath said the organization needs to position itself towards more outpatient services. She will be working to recruit more primary care physicians. She said the organization needs to expand its services and will likely need a capital plan to upgrade some of the facilities.

Bruce Krenning, president of the board of directors for OCH, attended the Treasure Island fund-raiser on Saturday. Tammi Pritchard, administrative assistant for CEO Dolores Horvath, volunteered at the event, helping people pick bottles of wine.

“We haven’t decided on that yet,” she said.

Horvath said the organization wants to be known as the preferred health care provider for the entire county. Other outside healthcare organizations also are pushing for Orleans County residents as patients. The former Brockport hospital is now known as Strong West. Strong Memorial Hospital and the University of Rochester Medical Center are running that site and they are advertising in Orleans County.

Horvath said Orleans Community Health is the only health care organization whose sole mission is primarily targeted to Orleans County residents. (The organization also serves patients in Genesee and eastern Niagara counties.)

“We are focused on Orleans County,” she said.

Photo from Wikipedia – Bed bugs are typically active at night when people are sleeping. They feed on blood.

ALBION – They first attracted major notice a few years ago in New York City when bed bugs bit people at night, and infested many city hotels.

The tiny insects, about a quarter inch long, have spread throughout the state, including to Orleans County. A County Health Department official has told village trustee Eileen Banker there is a “huge problem” with bed bugs in the county, Banker said at tonight’s Village Board meeting.

The Health Department has offered to meet with village officials to discuss strategies for combating the pest. The bed bugs are active at night, biting people to feed on their blood.

Village officials and local landlords have been meeting with the Health Department for more than a year, advising tenants and residents on precautions to reduce their risk.

Code Enforcement Officer Ron Vendetti said he currently has 15 reported cases of bed bugs in the village. If an rental is infested and it’s vacant, landlords are responsible for treating the problem, Vendetti said.

He cautioned against putting the blame on landlords. Many of tenants and home owners bring bed bugs into their residences, Vendetti said. Children can bring them home from school or from a friend’s house. Adults can unknowingly bring them in after they return home.

Vendetti suspects some people introduce bed bugs to their homes when they pick up discarded furniture from along the road.

“It’s definitely an issue but it’s not something you want to start knee-jerking and passing things,” Vendetti told the Village Board.

Mayor Dean Theodorakos said he would invite a public health official to a village board meeting. Vendetti said he welcomes a partnership with the public health department on the problem, but he said it can’t be a village code enforcement issue primarily.

“I want to help, but I don’t want the whole ball of wax,” he said.