Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
(Editor’s Note: The air quality in Orleans County today is in the unhealthy range due to wildfire smoke from Canada.)
The New York State Department of Health recommends that with the reduced air quality, everyone should limit his or her outdoor activities to reduce exposure. Masks will be available to the public at the following locations in Genesee and Orleans counties during normal business hours while supplies last.
Orleans County, business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Orleans County Administration Building, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411
Genesee County- Business Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Emergency Management Office, 7690 State Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020
County Building 2, 3837 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020
Old Courthouse, 7 Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020
Office for the Aging, 2 Bank Street, Batavia, NY 14020
The New York State Department of Health provides the following tips to stay safe:
Limit time outdoors
Keep windows and doors closed
Avoid strenuous activities outdoors, especially for those with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory health issues
Avoid prolonged exposure outdoors, especially for those with health vulnerabilities, such as cardiovascular disease or lung disease, and those who are pregnant
For those that must be outside for a prolonged period of time, wear a tight fitting mask
Exposure to the reduced air quality can pose negative health risks, including:
Irritation to eyes, nose or throat
Coughing
Sneezing
Runny nose
Shortness of breath
Individuals with symptoms or related health concerns should contact their healthcare provider.
To monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) Forecast, visit the Department of Environmental Conservation website (click here).
To monitor the current Air Quality for your area, visit the EPA AirNow website (click here).
To access the Fire and Smoke Map, visit the AirNow website (click here).
For more information, residents can call the New York State Air Quality Hotline at 1-800-535-1345.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 June 2023 at 12:44 pm
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Jeanne Crane, president of the Medina Memorial Hospital’s Association of Twigs, talks to members at their annual luncheon in May at Zambistro’s Restaurant. After a discussion, the membership voted to dissolve the organization, which has been in existence for more than 70 years.
MEDINA – The decision to dissolve the Association of Twigs brings to an end the organization with a 70-year history of supporting Medina Memorial Hospital.
At their annual luncheon in May at Zambistro’s Restaurant, the barely two dozen members in attendance began to discuss what to do with the money remaining in their treasury.
It became evident that with no major way to raise money, it made sense to give the hospital their remaining balance to use as they needed it and dissolve the organization. The decision was unanimous.
The Twigs, whose membership once numbered more than 400, had dwindled to 70 at its last banquet in 2019 and 40 at its May luncheon.
Twig, which stands for Together With Individual Goals, was founded in 1953 as a vision of Mrs. Donald Acer of Medina, who felt there should be a women’s organization at Medina Memorial Hospital. She sought advice from women who were members of existing Twig Associations in Rochester and at Arnold Gregory Memorial Hospital in Albion.
In those days, women were often referred to by their husband’s name, not their own first name.
On March 16, 1953, Mrs. Acer and Mrs. John Wilkins, with the approval of Medina Memorial Hospital directors, called a meeting at the Elks Club for the purpose of establishing a Twig Association. Fifty women responded. By April, the Medina Association of Twigs had been established with Mrs. John E. Wilkinson as its first president.
Eight original Twig branches were formed, Apple Blossom, Bittersweet, Cherry, Evergreen, Juniper, Linden, Oak Leaf and Silver Birch.
Early projects were securing bedpans and sewing surgical stockings, bandages, glove covers, surgical sheets, curtains and pillows. The first major event was a Christmas party that year in the hospital dining room for personnel. Twigs supplied all the food and decorations and served the meal.
More groups continued to form during the following years, and by 1958-59, there were 27 branches and a total membership of 337.
In 1956 the Twig Association’s treasury had a balance of $350, which they donated to the hospital, starting what was to become an annual tradition of donating profits from fundraisers to the hospital. Through the years, Twig donations numbered into the hundreds of thousands.
In the early years, it was customary for each Twig branch to donate small items individually, such as ice pitchers, glasses, trays, stainless steel medicine trays, pictures, packages of patient tissues, ash trays, books for the library, baby foot printer, ice crushers, etc.
It is not known when Twigs took over the Gift Shop, but it became a major source of revenue, resulting in annual donations of $20,000 to the hospital.
By 1960, two new branches had formed, one, Cinnamon, was started for women from Lyndonville with Ellie Whipple as chair. Total branches were now 29.
Through the years, Twig branches continued to raise money through their individual projects, sponsor the hospital Christmas party, provide tray favors and puppets for patients, volunteer their services at the Greeter Desk and Reception Desk (saving the hospital thousands of dollars annually), provide a hospitality room and attend to tons of mending and sewing of hospital linens.
When a new birthing wing was established, Twig donated $100,000, resulting in it being named the Twig Birthing Wing.
In 1968, one new branch, Wildwood, was formed strictly for members who were only interested in the volunteer aspect and required no monthly meetings.
At its 25th anniversary celebration, it was reported Twig volunteers had given an estimated 63,500 hours to the hospital.
The Gift Shop flourished and was expanded in 1974. It closed in 2018 due to lack of volunteers.
By 1979, the Twigs were responsible for the Reception Desk, Greeter Desk, Gift Shop, Snack Shop, Gift Cart, Central Supply and sewing.
Twig branches began to disband in the late 1960s, due to the health and aging of their members.
In the 1970s, Twig began purchasing larger pieces of equipment for the hospital and undertaking projects such as the lobby renovation. A surgical lift, operating table, proctoscopic table, obstetrical table and mammography X-ray equipment (valued at $25,000) were some of the donations.
As of the last banquet in 2019, only 11 Twig branches remained, with a total membership of 66. Only Laurel Twig continued to have regular meetings, although only eight or nine attended of the original 25 members.
Nelda Toussaint of Medina was one of Twig’s longest standing members. She joined when her son Jeff was a year old and she was looking for something to do to get out of the house at night.
When the Gift Shop closed, Twigs lost their major source of revenue. They have continued their gifts to the hospital from the balance left in their account.
Jeanne Crane wiped away tears when she announced the vote to disband. She first became president in 1986. She has served in the position until now.
“I’ve struggled thinking about this for three years,” she said at the May luncheon. “We have no way to make money and haven’t run the Greeter Desk or Reception Desk since Covid.”
She recalled other projects and donations the Twigs were responsible for during the years, such as pledging $45,000 in 1983 for ICU; extensive lobby renovations; managing TVs for patients; and making puppets for kids in the ER.
Crane, a registered nurse, taught expectant parent classes at the hospital, worked as a registered nurse beginning in 1967, worked as nurse manager in the North Wing in 1970 and retired from Medina Memorial Hospital in 2003 as Risk Management and Infection Control Nurse.
Marc Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health, praised the Twig Association and said their involvement will be missed.
“The Twigs have stood hand in hand with Medina Memorial Hospital and Orleans Community Health since the 1950s,” he said. “The impact they’ve had on the health and wellness of the community goes far beyond what many realize. They were behind the purchases of items for surgeries and mammograms, while their name is also on the sign in front of Medina Memorial Hospital. You can’t walk through Medina Memorial Hospital without seeing something the Twigs had a hand in making a reality.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 18 June 2023 at 2:48 pm
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health is celebrating Certified Nursing Assistants Week from June 15-21 by acknowledging several skilled team members.
“In June, we honor our certified nursing assistants, patient care assistants and patient care technicians for the tremendous work they do for the health of our community,” said Kimberly Gray, chief nursing officer at OCH. “They impact the lives of our patients and residents, based on the wonderful care they provide. They help perform critical tasks that ensure patients and residents are well-cared for and safe during their hospital stay. Their compassion and kindness do not go unnoticed and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for all they do.”
National Nursing Assistants’ Week is celebrated in June each year to honor the impact of nursing assistants throughout the professional field, Gray added. CNAs, for example, got their start assisting the Red Cross nurses during World War I, as they cared for the influx of patients. Today, they play a pivotal role in caring for patients.
Orleans Community Health will be recognizing their team of CNAs, PCAs and PCTs throughout the coming days in various ways, Gray said.
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County Health Department has scheduled an anti-rabies immunization clinic for Wednesday, June 28, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion, NY). Please enter from Wood Road.
This clinic replaces the one that was planned for June 7 but was cancelled due to poor air quality from the wildfires in Canada.
There is no charge for the vaccine, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal at all times. Limit 4 pets per car.
Future anti-rabies immunization clinics are as follows:
Genesee County Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia, NY)
Thursday, August 10, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 12, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Orleans County Clinics at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion, NY)
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
With the warmer weather here, more home renovation projects are starting. If you have a home built before 1978, it is important to make sure renovations are done safely.
Homes built before 1978 are more likely to have lead-based paint that can be disturbed when renovating. Renovations can put lead dust into the air as well as into heating and cooling systems of homes with lead-based paint.
Children (and adults) exposed to this lead dust are at risk of lead poisoning. There is no safe level of lead to have in the body. The effects of lead poisoning are permanent and can affect a child into adulthood.
“Lead poisoning can affect anyone, but is especially dangerous for infants and small children,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “Childhood lead poisoning can harm the brain and nervous system leading to learning challenges, lower IQ, difficulty in paying attention/hyperactivity, kidney damage, and at very high levels can be fatal. Lead poisoning can also be dangerous for pregnant women because lead can pass to the baby during pregnancy.”
While thinking about renovation plans for this summer, consider using a lead-safe certified contractor if you live in a home built before 1978. If planning to do the work yourself, here are some simple steps you can take to keep both you and your family safe.
1. Set up safely in a way that should prevent dust from escaping the work area and keep anyone not working on the project from entering. This can include removing all furniture, rugs, curtains, and other household items, tightly wrapping items that cannot be removed with plastic sheeting, covering floors with plastic sheeting, closing and sealing all doors, turning off forced-air heating and air conditioning systems, and covering vents with sheeting. All sheeting should be taped in place to ensure it is secure.
2. Protect yourself. Wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when working, wash your hands and face every time you stop working, wash your work clothes separately from the rest of your family’s laundry, and do not eat, drink, or smoke in your work area. Dust and debris can contaminate food or other items and cause you to ingest dangerous lead dust.
3. Minimize Dust. Many renovation tasks (drilling, cutting, opening walls, etc.) create dust that may contain lead. Using proper tools and simple practices can help limit and control the dust.
4. Clean your work area at the end of every day. This helps minimize dust and protects you and your family. Easy ways to keep your work area clean include; putting trash in heavy-duty bags as you work, vacuuming with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) cleaner frequently, cleaning tools daily, disposing of or cleaning PPE, and keeping non-workers out of the work area.
5. Control Waste. Collect all waste and secure it tightly with duct tape or a double bag to prevent lead dust or debris from escaping before disposal.
6. Clean again. When your renovations are complete and before using the room again, use wet-cleaning methods in order to control the dust and prevent the dust from going back into the air. Make sure to mop uncarpeted floors thoroughly, clean walls with a HEPA vacuum or damp cloth, thoroughly vacuum all remaining surfaces and objects with a HEPA vacuum and then wipe down all surfaces with wet cloths until the cloths are clean.
For any questions and more information on GO Health Lead Programs, contact the Genesee County Health Department at (585) 344-2580 ext. 5555 or Health.GOlead@co.genesee.ny.us. You can also visit the GO Health website at www.GOHealthNY.org.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 June 2023 at 10:41 am
Provided photo: This is one of the rooms in the sub-acute rehab wing of Medina Memorial Hospital.
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health is excited to announce its sub-acute rehab (commonly referred to as the transitional care unit) at Medina Memorial Hospital has seen strong growth in 2023.
Information provided by Scott Robinson, director of marketing, as of June, this year has already surpassed all of 2022.
“This is a true testament to the team we have here,” said Marc Shurtz, CEO/CIO of Orleans Community Health. “We’re increasingly seeing and hearing that patients are requesting to rehab at Medina Memorial Hospital.”
Sub-acute rehab patients at Medina Memorial Hospital have the benefit of being located in a hospital, which means there are several valuable services in close proximity. This is one of the reasons more patients are choosing to come to Medina for their rehab.
Having rehab located in a hospital has more value for several reasons:
Physical, occupational and/or speech therapy is available up to seven days a week.
Registered nurses care for patients 24/7.
Medical provider is onsite 24/7.
There is an onsite emergency department.
There are spacious private rooms.
In many cases, rehabbing at Medina Memorial Hospital means being close to home.
Orleans Community Health’s TCU offers a special, caring environment for patients who no longer require all the resources of an acute care hospital, but who are still in need of special care before going home, Robinson explained. The average length of stay for Medina’s TCU is 10-14 days. After this time, the patient returns home, or referrals are made to an approved facility.
A recent patient, Donna Walsh, shared her experience.
“This is the best place I’ve been to,” she said. “You can be missing home but still smiling because you’re here. These people are like family. It’s like part of my life has been made whole again. I met staff who thanked me for being here, and staff who said they were happy for me to go home, but said they’d miss me. A nurse even game me a hug and another held my hand during a tough day. It all made me feel like a person. I’m going to miss them, those people who became my family.”
Gary Bartle, another recent patient, said you can tell the staff at Medina Memorial Hospital love their jobs.
“It reflects in how they care for their patients,” he said. “From the delicious food and the great care to them making me laugh, it’s been a great experience. I have been to three rehabs and I learned more this morning about balance and different techniques than I did at the other rehabs the whole time I was there.”
Provided photos: (Left) Rhonda Woody is shown at work in cardiac services at Medina Memorial Hospital. She was recently recognized by Buffalo Business First. (Right) Representatives of Buffalo Business First are shown with Rhonda Woody, lead sonographer and technical director of echocardiography at Medina Memorial Hospital, after naming her one of their 25 “Excellence in Health Care” recipients.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 June 2023 at 9:08 am
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced one of its employees has been recognized by Buffalo Business First as one of their 25 “Excellence in Health Care” recipients.
Rhonda Woody, lead sonographer and technical director of echocardiography, recently celebrated her 25th anniversary with Orleans Community Health.
“It’s important to me to make sure all my patients feel heard, relaxed and comfortable,” Woody said. “We are a close-knit group where everyone works for a common goal. My department director is an added bonus. She is always willing to help, always supports her employees and is family oriented.”
Medina’s cardiac service offers more than echocardiograms, Woody said. They offer exercise and nuclear stress testing, halter monitors and they can set a patient up with a cardiologist right in the building.
“I want everyone to know that we’re a hidden treasure,” Woody said. “We have an exceptional diagnostic department who are all certified or registered in each of the modalities they work in, providing exams that the community may not even be aware of.”
Woody also is a constant face at the Sands-Constellation Heart Institute Cardiology Clinic with Dr. Harry McCrea, which is currently at Medina Memorial Hospital on Wednesdays. She has been a leading figure in helping to grow that one-day-a-week service for the community.
In addition to serving the community with Orleans Community Health, Woody, an Albion resident, enjoys gardening, watching her daughter compete in horse competitions and the entire Christmas season (especially baking cookies).
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
The New York State Department of Health recommends that with the reduced air quality, everyone should limit their outdoor activities to reduce exposure.
Masks will be available to the public at the following locations in Genesee and Orleans counties on Thursday, June 8, during normal business hours until supplies last.
Orleans County (Business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Orleans County Administration Building, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411
Genesee County (Business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Emergency Management Office, 7690 State Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020
Old Courthouse, 7 Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020
The New York State Department of Health provides the following tips to stay safe:
Limit time outdoors
Keep windows and doors closed
Avoid strenuous activities outdoors, especially for those with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory health issues
Avoid prolonged exposure outdoors, especially for those with health vulnerabilities, such as cardiovascular disease or lung disease, and those who are pregnant
For those that must be outside for a prolonged period of time, wear a tight fitting mask
Exposure to the reduced air quality can pose negative health risks, including:
Irritation to eyes, nose, or throat
Coughing
Sneezing
Runny nose
Shortness of breath
Individuals with symptoms or related health concerns should contact their healthcare provider.
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
KNOWLESVILLE – The Air Quality Index for Orleans County is now listed as “Very Unhealthy.” At this level, everyone may experience more serious health issues when they are outside.
Conditions may continue to deteriorate before they improve, so the Orleans County Health Department has cancelled the Anti-Rabies Immunization Clinic that was going to be held this evening from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Orleans County Fairgrounds.
The anti-rabies clinic will be rescheduled as soon as possible and a press release will be issued.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The sun sets after a hazy day locally due to smoke from wildfires in Canada. This photo was taken from the courthouse lawn in Albion.
Posted 6 June 2023 at 9:28 pm
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
The New York State Department of Environmental Conversation (DEC) has issued an air quality health advisory for Wednesday for Genesee and Orleans counties due to fine particulate matter. According to the Air Quality Index, the outdoor air quality for both counties may be near 123. The higher the air quality index value is, the greater the health concern.
The New York State Department of Health recommends that when air quality conditions are elevated, individuals should limit their time outdoors and avoid outdoor strenuous physical activity to reduce adverse health effects. Children, older adults and people with respiratory health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease and asthma should especially be careful while the air quality conditions are elevated.
Individuals may want to keep their windows and doors closed to limit the amount of outside air entering their home. Anyone with symptoms or related health concerns, may want to contact their healthcare provider.
To monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) Forecast, visit the Department of Environmental Conservation website (click here). Residents can also call the New York State Air Quality Hotline at 1-800-535-1345 for more information.
The Covid-19 pandemic delayed important screenings and checkups. Let’s fix that.
By Shelby Rojas, NP, Speaks Spanish & English, Oak Orchard Health Batavia
If you’ve put off seeing a provider because of Covid-19, you’re not alone. Even though life looks a little closer to normal now, a lot of people are still holding off seeing their medical providers, or dentist, or getting important health screenings. But it’s important to make sure you’re headed in the right direction with your health.
Get screened to manage your conditions.
By checking in with your Oak Orchard Health provider, you can make sure that your medications are doing what they’re supposed to do and screen you for serious diseases. In some cases, it’s important to check in every three to six months, depending on your age and your challenges. For instance:
Over 40? You may be overdue for cancer screenings like mammograms, pap smears, colonoscopies, or others.
Diabetic? It’s important to get blood work done more frequently so we can assess your numbers. Especially if you’re on insulin. You also need to be checked on a regular basis for Diabetic Retinopathy, a condition that can affect your vision.
That’s also important for patients who have high cholesterol or thyroid disease. Know your numbers!
If you’re on blood pressure medication, it’s crucial to be checked on a regular basis.
Mental health is equally important. If you haven’t checked in with your provider or therapist, don’t wait any longer to make an appointment at Oak Orchard Health. We want to make sure you’re doing okay.
Keep your smile healthy, too.
Many folks couldn’t get regular dental checkups during the pandemic and now it’s time. Just know that dentists and dental hygienists are trying to catch up, too. So, when you make an appointment, they may not be available right away. And if your checkup is months away, make sure you mark your calendar, so you remember to keep your appointment.
We’ll help with your other healthcare needs, too.
Get a ride to your appointments—If it’s hard for you to keep appointments because of transportation, we can help. Oak Orchard Health can arrange a ride for you. Did you know we have our own van? We can help you get to appointments and to labs for bloodwork. And if you’re on Medicaid, there are transportation resources for you, too.
Connecting you to specialty providers—Your Oak Orchard primary care provider can do more than see you for a physical or sick visit. They can make sure you’re getting caught up on other important care, like routine eye exams, foot care for diabetics, and mental health support. Even if we don’t offer the service at one of our facilities, we can connect you to someplace that does. And if you have financial concerns, we can work with you to afford the care you need, too. Call (585) 637-3905 and ask for a facilitated enroller at your nearest OOH office.
Connecting you to community resources—Our staff are connected to other organizations in the community that can help you in different ways, from the Office of the Aging to Social Security to Medicaid. And if you don’t have health insurance, we can help you find the coverage you can afford.Contact the Patient Engagement Services at Oak Orchard Health at (585) 589- 5613 ext. 1062.
No judgment—just encouragement.
Covid-19 has been hard on everyone. People don’t always like to confide in others about their health problems. Whether it’s a history of drug use, a change in your weight, or some other sensitive personal issue, there’s no reason to feel embarrassed when you’re getting healthcare. Providers aren’t here to judge, we’re here to help.
Get started today.
Call your local Oak Orchard Health office to set up an appointment to get caught up. And if you’re in the Batavia area and your first language is Spanish, I’m a Spanish-speaking provider and I’m happy to communicate with you in Spanish. It can make the visit easier.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Nick Zarcone, regional manager for Virtu-Well, sets up a virtual reality experience for a senior who wants to go to Japan. The program was introduced recently at the YMCA through efforts of Dean Bellack of Medina.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 24 May 2023 at 8:15 am
MEDINA – The Health Foundation of Western and Central New York created the Health Leadership Fellows program in 2004 as one strategy to accomplish its mission of improving outcomes in the communities served by the foundation.
Since the program began more than 300 leaders in Western and Central New York have graduated and 47 team projects have been implemented.
One of the projects currently being implemented was introduced to Orleans County recently through the efforts of Dean Bellack. He is part of a team with Dave Zapfel of Gerard Place, Buffalo; Millie Tomidy Pepper from the YWCA in Batavia; and Jana Capaccio from Horizon Health Services.
Bellack’s sessions started in March 2022 and will conclude in September. Their program design develops skills to create community connections, learn project development and how to work with diverse backgrounds and personalities.
“Our team is testing whether virtual experiences have merit to help with social isolation and loneliness,” Bellack said. “The National Academies of Sciences 2020 report found approximately 24 percent of people 65 years and older are considered to be socially isolated. This same group reports 43 percent of them feel lonely.”
(Left) Carol Bellack looks through a book listing the hundreds of places and events a senior can experience through virtual reality. (Right) Dean Bellack, a participant in a Health Leadership program, explains the new questions a senior is asked to answer before and after taking part in a virtual reality experience. The program was introduced a week ago at the YMCA.
Recently, more than 30 seniors were invited to the YMCA to try a virtual reality experience.
Nick Zarcone, formerly of Batavia and the regional manager for Virtu-Well, set up the program at the YMCA. Seniors were given a list of 20 questions to answer, relating to how they felt, if they were often depressed or ever felt alone and excluded. After having their virtual experience, they were asked to answer the same questions again.
Overall, the theory behind Virtu-Well is if a senior is happy and doing things they enjoy, he/she will be healthier.
A book, with pictures of hundreds of places and experiences, is provided for seniors to choose what they would like to do. A senior named Sandy wants to travel the world and chose to “visit” Japan. As she sat with the virtual reality goggles on, she gestured with her hands and looked around the room, presumably seeing the sights in Japan.
The Rev. Vince Iorio has always wanted to visit the Pyramids and Sphinx. He gets his wish here at the recent Virtu-Well experience at the YMCA.
Mike Goheen of Lyndonville became a fighter pilot, and like all the experiences, as he sat with the goggles on, his experience was shown on a big screen for the audience to share.
“I always wanted to fly in a fighter plane,” Goheen said after his experience. “It was very realistic, and I wasn’t dizzy.”
Diane Fry of Basom came with her husband Clayton. She went swimming in a coral reef.
“I’ve tried snorkeling before in the Bahamas, and I was scared,” she said. “This was pretty neat.”
The Rev. Vince Iorio has always wanted to visit the Great Pyramids and see the Sphinx in Egypt.
“That’s on my bucket list,” he said.
He sat mesmerized during his virtual visit.
“I wanted to see more,” he said, after removing his goggles. “It was good, but too short.”
Experiences were limited to five minutes a person because of the large turnout of volunteers who wanted to try it.
As an example of the many things to “do,” choices include many large cities and states, swimming with dolphins or sharks, swimming with turtles in Hawaii, visiting the North Pole, attending the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall, exploring the coral reefs in the Philippines, sky diving and much more.
When the team completes their project later this summer, their findings will be submitted as a project paper. These projects will be used to further study or action by the Health Foundation to invest in more research or funding for programs.
Farm markets, fresh market vendors sought for new effort
Provided photo: Amanda Mrzywka, owner of Navarra’s Farm Market and Greenhouses, is pictured with Marie Gabalski, Nutrition Program Coordinator at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County.
Press release, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County
ALBION – Community Action of Orleans & Genesee and Orleans Cornell Cooperative Extension are seeking farms, markets, and other fresh market vendors to participate in accepting FoodRX vouchers as part of phase two of the Stone Soup Project, supported by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York Blue Fund.
FoodRX vouchers will be provided in collaboration with Orleans Community Health/Medina Memorial Hospital to people who have health concerns and have difficulty accessing fresh food due to low income.
FoodRX vouchers will be given at the discretion of participating medical providers within the Orleans Community Health System with a projected start date of July 1. Vouchers can be redeemed for local produce, dairy, meat, eggs, food producing plants, or a CSA/food program.
The goal of the program is to help those who receive vouchers manage certain conditions – such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity – through improved access to locally produced and nutritious food. Grant funding for this program will allow for $200 per family/household.
Amanda Mrzywka, owner of Navarra’s Farm Market and Greenhouses, which is a participating vendor, expressed enthusiasm and excitement for the new program. She said that many families could use the vouchers towards their CSA/Box subscriptions.
For those interested in being included on the list of participating vendors, farmers and growers, reach out to Marie Gabalski by June 9 at 585-798-4265 x139 or by email at meg365@cornell.edu. Additional vendors may join after June 9, but they will not be listed on the FoodRX voucher.
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
You can’t see it. You can’t smell it. But breathing in high levels of radon can increase your risk of lung cancer even if you don’t smoke.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and it is estimated to cause over 20,000 deaths each year in the United States. This is the reason it is so important to get your home tested for radon.
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that seeps into your home through cracks in the foundation, walls and joints. It can be found in well water and in dirt floors. Whether your home has a basement, sits on a slab, is brand-new or old, radon can build-up and go undetected.
Testing your home with a short term radon test kit is a quick and easy way to determine if there are high levels of radon in your home. The Genesee County Health Department has a limited number of short term test kits available free of charge for Genesee County residents. These test kits are easy and quick to use.
“Testing for radon is one of the easiest preventative health measures you can take,” stated Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “If your radon levels are low, we suggest you test every couple of years. If your radon levels are high, we can give you information about how to mitigate the radon. Either way, you have made an important step to keep your family safe.”
For more information about radon and how to receive a free radon test kit in Genesee County, contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580 x5555 or Health@co.genesee.ny.us.
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
According to the 2023 County Health Rankings, released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, Genesee and Orleans Counties rank 42nd and 55th respectively in overall Health Outcomes. The rankings are available at www.countyhealthrankings.org.
“Each year we look at the County Health Rankings to get an overview of our health and factors that influence our health,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “The county with the lowest score (best health) gets a rank of #1 for that state and the county with the highest score (worst health) is assigned a rank corresponding to the number of total counties ranked in each state. New York State has 62 counties.”
According to the rankings, the five healthiest counties in New York State starting with most healthy are Putnam, followed by Saratoga, Nassau, Rockland and Tompkins. The five counties in the poorest health, starting with least healthy are Bronx, Cattaraugus, Sullivan, Chemung and Montgomery.
The rankings are broken into two main categories: Health Outcomes, which include length of life and quality of life, and Health Factors, which include health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors and physical environment.
The 2023 County Health Rankings findings for Genesee and Orleans counties are:
Orleans County
Ranked 55/62 in Health Outcomes compared to 54/62 counties in 2022
Ranked 57/62 in Health Factors compared to 55/62 counties in 2022
Genesee County
Ranked 42/62 in Health Outcomes compared to 38/62 counties in 2022
Ranked 22/62 in Health Factors compared to 16/62 counties in 2022
“As Chief Health Strategists, we collaborate with our partners and community members to provide quality training, education and referrals as well as develop coalitions to explore the best way to help our county residents thrive and improve health factors,” Pettit stated.
As referenced below, both Genesee and Orleans counties have health factors that could be improved specifically with local access to physicians, mental health providers and dentists along with excessive drinking, adult obesity, and adult smoking.
Access to care significantly impacts and drives the rankings for both counties. Additionally, it is a substantial barrier for residents and ultimately, has an impact on not only an individual’s physical, social and mental health, but their overall quality of life.
Chart from Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
This year, the focus area of the rankings was the connection between civic health and the health of the community. The factors that were added included Voter Turnout (Genesee at 64.3%; Orleans at 56.9%) and Census Participation (Genesee at 64.3%; Orleans at 54.0%). Voting and participating in the U.S. census are both examples of civic participation, which can help influence residents’ quality of life and help improve the health of our community.
The rankings have become an important tool for communities that want to improve health for all. Working collaboratively with community partners in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties (GOW), Genesee and Orleans counties have completed the GOW 2022-2024 Community Health Assessment and are working on the chosen priorities in the Community Health Improvement Plan over the next three years.
We analyze the rankings along with New York State data and community input from the Community Health Assessment survey and Community Conversations to determine these priorities.
For the 2022-2024 Community Health Improvement Plan, prevent chronic disease, promote well-being, and prevent mental and substance use disorders were selected as the priority areas that will be the focus moving forward.
For more information on Health Department programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or call your respective health department at:
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According to the 2023 County Health Rankings, released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, Genesee and Orleans Counties rank 42nd and 55th respectively in overall Health Outcomes. The rankings are available at 
