Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

This week, April 3-9, is National Public Health Week. The goal of National Public Health Week is to recognize the contributions of public health, the workforce and highlight issues that can improve the health and well-being of our communities.

The primary purpose of public health is prevention, protection, and improving the health of the entire population.

“Many of the leading causes of death for individuals in our community result from chronic conditions, which are among the most common, costly, and preventable of all health challenges,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).

GO Health supports and implements programming and interventions that address emerging health issues and topics including, but not limited to, chronic diseases, overdose deaths, suicides, communicable diseases, substance use disorders, adverse childhood experiences, trauma, maternal and child health, a safe environment, and social determinants of health.

“At GO Health, we have an enthusiastic staff that aims to protect and improve the health of residents in our community,” Pettit said. “We thank them for their service and dedication.”

However, we know that we cannot make a difference without building effective working relationships with partners in healthcare and other sectors. As Chief Health Strategists, GO Health collaborates with partners outside of the health sector, including city planners, transportation officials, educational officials, legislators, and private businesses, because we recognize that other sectors can influence health factors and outcomes.

“We would like to take this time during National Public Health Week to thank our partners,” Pettit said. “We could not make the impact and improve the lives of our residents without the tireless work and effort our partners and volunteers put into our communities.”

This Public Health Week, GO Health encourages residents of Genesee and Orleans Counties to help celebrate the week by participating in activities to help improve your health and make our community healthier, stronger, and safer. Some suggestions include:

• Eat less processed foods and drinks.
• Quit smoking and vaping. Call the New York State (NYS) Quitline at 1-866-697-8487 for free patches and more.
• Be active. Take a walk or bike ride along the canal, on a trail, or in a village.
• Make sure you are up-to-date on routine screenings for colorectal (colon) cancer, breast cancer, and cervical cancer.
• Make sure you and your children are up-to-date on routine immunizations.
• Stay away from wildlife, including injured animals and pets that aren’t yours, to reduce your risk of rabies. Love your own, leave the rest alone.
• Keep your pets up-to-date on their rabies vaccination.
• Learn how to administer Naloxone (Narcan).
• Volunteer at a local service organization that contributes to the health and well-being of our community.
• Read to your children, every day.
• The only way to find out if your children have been exposed to lead is through a blood test. Get your children tested for lead at ages 1 and 2.
• Make sure your children sees his or her doctor for routine well-child visits to monitor their growth and developmental milestones.
• Be prepared and make a family emergency plan. Practice your plan with your family/household and make sure your emergency kit is stocked with essential items. For more information, visit ready.gov/plan.
• Practice mindfulness or try yoga to help relieve stress.

For more information on GO Health Programs, visit www.GOHealthNY.org.

Students will see hospital, deliver medical supplies, teach basic hygiene to kids

Provided photo: Nursing instructor Courtney Slack, right, poses with three of her nursing students who are going to Ghana March 30 to work in a hospital there for 10 days. From left are Samantha McIntyre, Miranda Gebo and Arie Decker.

MEDINA – Three students in a nursing class at Medina Memorial Hospital will be leaving March 30 for a 10-day visit to Ghana.

Arie Decker and Samantha McIntyre, seniors at Royalton-Hartland Senior High School, and Miranda Gebo, a senior at Albion High School, are students in Courtney Slack’s offsite BOCES Career and Technical Education class, which meets at Medina Memorial Hospital.

The girls heard about the trip from Decker, whose teacher Melissa Brigham knew a doctor who made the trip every year with Global Partnership for Education. Usually they send 25 to 30 people annually to developing countries. This year, primarily school teachers are going, along with six students, three of whom are from the Medina Memorial Hospital class.

The girls will be involved in team building there, Decker said.

Gebo said they will also help build rowboats for the women to use to get their wares to market on the mainland. Ghana is an island, and getting their products to the mainland to be sold consumes their profits, Gebo said. The women make coconut oil and bracelets, among other things.

McIntyre said they will be visiting a hospital in Ghana, where they will give them donations, including medical supplies for wound care, such as gauze; no-rinse soap and dental products.

Decker said they will shadow doctors and will also take soccer balls and baseballs for the children.

“This is a great opportunity to help people ,” Decker said.

“This is bigger than anything I’ve ever done before,” McIntyre said. “We are going to a remote island with no electricity and no running water.

She is concerned about traveling abroad with people she doesn’t know and the food.

“Their diet consists mainly of seafood, and I don’t care for seafood,” she said. “I know it’s going to be a massive culture shock.”

Gebo said she wanted to go to help the children. They will also teach simple hygiene, she said.

There will be a couple of days for sightseeing, Decker said, including a visit to Cape Coast Castle, which was involved in the slave trade. People were taken as prisoners and kept in dungeons under the castle until they sold, she said.

Decker plans to become a physician’s assistant in pediatric oncology, she said. McIntyre hopes to attend medical school to become an anesthesiologist, while Gebo aspires to become an Emergency Room nurse practitioner.

This will be the first time any of the girls have been out of the country, except for Canada.

“I’m so proud of them,” Slack said.

She explained that although the students are members of BOCES Career and Technical Education class, they come to the hospital’s classroom every day, seniors in the morning and juniors in the afternoon. Being hospital-based makes it easier for us to work through shadowing and internship rotations in the different hospital departments, Slack said.

The students had to raise their own money for the trip. They will fly to JFK Airport, where they will board a plane for Ghana.

Orleans Community Health recognizes them as part of National Women’s History Month

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Four of the 21 women who head departments at Orleans Community Health are shown here. From left, they are Kim Gray, chief nursing officer and director of Surgical Services; Meghan Siddons, director of the Medical/Surgical Department; Melanie McAdoo, director of Case Management and Utilization Review; and Mackenzie Sullivan, director of the Emergency Department and lead nursing supervisor. The women were recognized during National Women’s History Month.

MEDINA – With a predominantly female work force, Orleans Community Health is taking advantage of National Women’s History Month to acknowledge the women in leadership roles at Medina Memorial Hospital.

National Women’s History Month was proclaimed by Congress in March of 1987, and March 8 is celebrated as International Women’s Day. Orleans Community Health recognized its female employees that day by posting their photos on social media, according to Scott Robinson, director of marketing at Community Partners.

Women continue to be a vital part of Orleans Community Health’s team, dedicated to providing important health care services to their community.

According to Robinson, there are 27 departments at Orleans Community Health, 21 of which are led by women. Four of them sat down recently to share their duties and love of their jobs.

They are Kim Gray, chief nursing officer and director of Surgical Services; Mackenzie Sullivan, director of the Emergency Department and lead nursing supervisor; Melanie McAdoo, director of Case Management and Utilization Review; and Meghan Siddons, director of the Medical-Surgical Department.

Gray has been at Medina Memorial Hospital for 20 years, Sullivan a total of nine (two previously and then she left and has been back for seven years), Siddons for a year and a half and McAdoo for 5 years.

“The highly qualified team that works tirelessly to care for our community is second to none,” Gray said. “Some of the women who have chosen to join Orleans Community Health have been here for decades, some have left larger health care systems for us, while others are newer to the profession. Either way, you know when you come to Orleans Community Health, you’re getting a team that prioritizes patient care.”

Sullivan said she thinks that women in general don’t get the recognition they deserve. She also noted that healthcare is predominately a female industry, and can’t be compared to manufacturing, where most CEO or CFO positions are not female.  She said leadership at the hospital supports females in leadership roles.

She stated that people using the ER are at numbers they haven’t seen since 2018.

“People are less hesitant in post Covid time to seek health care,” she said. “They know who’s taking care of them here.”

The hospital’s Foundation board is predominately female, and the president is Jeanne Crane. Likewise, the majority of members of the hospital board are women, Robinson said.

Of the hospital’s employees, 68% live in Orleans County, 37% in Medina.

Sullivan serves on the Sexual Assault Task Force of Orleans County and the Mental Health Task Force.

“As women in leadership, we have the opportunity to change how people view females in our positions,” she said. “Often, older patients are uncomfortable with a male nurse.”

Robinson noted the connection between the ER and the second floor.

“Often people who come to the ER are admitted to the second floor,” he said.

While the hospital has added or expanded services in recent years, Sullivan said they also recognize what they can’t do and aren’t hesitant to transfer a patient when necessary.

“We are able to do a lot more and give people the care they need here, instead of going to the city,” Siddons said. “We also have a lot of out-patient services here, and a great patient/nurse ratio.”

McAdoo said Orleans Community Health’s North Wing offers the best of care, with hospital services available under the same roof.

“Our sub-acute rehab provides a higher level of care for medically complex rehab patients,” McAdoo said. “The North Wing also benefits by having the skilled medical team on hand 24/7.”

HOLLEY – Community Action of Orleans and Genesee has been working hard to bring cost-free health-related educational opportunities to the public, according to Jeanette Worsley, case manager and health coach at Community Action.

There will be a Narcan training class at 10:30 a.m. on March 29. Attendees will learn to spot signs of an opiate overdose and the correct way to administer the life-saving overdose reversal drug, Narcan. All participants will receive a free Narcan kit to take home.

Community Action is partnering with GCASA to offer the class for free that is open to the public. However, participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Pre-registration is required. To sign up, call or text (585) 866-5494, or stop by the Holley center at 75 Public Square.

In addition, Community Action is offering a free eight-week nutrition-based series titled “Promote Health, Precent Cancer” that will cover topics such as healthy eating patterns, portion size, nutrition, maintaining a healthy weight and physical activity.

The series will be presented by an educator from the Center for Community Health and Prevention at the University of Rochester.

Classes will take place at 12:30 p.m. Monday starting April 17 at the Eastern Orleans Community Center, 75 Public Square in Holley.

Pre-registration is required. To sign up, contact Katie at (585) 350-9190 or e-mail PHPC@urmc.rochester.edu.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

BATAVIA – It can be difficult to attract medical providers to community health centers however we are delighted to introduce three qualified clinicians that have recently joined Oak Orchard’s Batavia office.

They include a family medicine physician who is also board certified in Addiction Medicine, a Family Nurse Practitioner who is bilingual, and a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Please welcome:

Azadfard

Dr. Mohammadreza Azadfard is a specialist in family medicine and sub-specialist in addiction medicine allowing him to address many medical issues within a family. He chose to work at Oak Orchard Health (OOH) to provide primary care services to all.

“Community health centers reduce the cost and language barriers. Here we can address both. OOH also offers mental health and dental services. And with my expertise in addiction medicine, I can help patients in the treatment and recovery of addiction,” said Dr. Azadfard.

Hein

Emily Hein is a pediatric nurse practitioner who recently returned to where she grew up. As a mother of two, she takes health care for children to heart.

“I believe that you and your child are at the heart of the care team. I strive to listen to your thoughts and concerns so you can make informed decisions about your child’s health and treatment,” Hein said.

Rojas

Shelby Rojas is a bi-lingual Family Nurse Practitioner who is passionate about caring for patients within the local community and from the Hispanic immigrant population who have difficulty getting high-quality health care.

“I want to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere to my patients so that they feel satisfied with their health. I strive to ensure that the patient is always an active participant in their own health decisions, together with my medical expertise and training, to provide the best outcomes possible for my patients,” said Shelby.

About Oak Orchard Health  

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.

Oak Orchard Health is a recognized patient-centered medical home and 501(c) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Hornell,  Medina and Warsaw. With the addition of the Mobile Medical Unit and Mobile Dental Unit, we will further increase access to care for our patients.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

ALBION – The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) will be holding their Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council (LEICC) Quarterly Meeting.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 9, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Orleans County Health Department (14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411) or by Zoom video conferencing. During the meeting, advocacy will be discussed and the election of officers will take place. Refreshments will be provided.

The LEICC is a supportive group made up of county officials, early intervention providers, child care providers, parents of children with disabilities and other community members. The members of the council are encouraged to collaborate and voice their opinions to help raise concerns to better the program, and ultimately, help the children.

The goal of the LEICC is to afford the opportunity for parents and other members to voice their thoughts and concerns on the strengths and weaknesses of the Genesee and Orleans County Early Intervention Program and to work together to improve the program. The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments are encouraging parents to attend and to offer input as to how we can best meet the needs of all infants and toddlers.

For zoom connection information or for more information on the meeting, please contact Deborah Krenzer-Lewter, Director of Children with Special Needs for Genesee and Orleans, at 585-344-2580 ext. 5572 or 585-589-2777.

‘We are here to make sure you get what you are paying for’

Provided images: The 2023 inspection seals are predominantly found on gas pumps and store register scales.

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

Promoting a fair and equitable marketplace is the work of the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments, Department of Weights & Measures (GO Health W&M). This department protects open market transactions, ensuring fairness for both buyers and sellers.

Ronald P. Mannella

“The worth of county and state Weights & Measures departments are more valuable than ever,” said Ronald P. Mannella, GO Health W&M director. “Persistent price increases of everyday necessities are straining our communities and people are stretching their money to new levels. We are here to make sure you get what you are paying for.”

2022 included 470 inspections accounting for 1,211 devices in 209 businesses. These tests involved pumping more than 26,000 gallons of fuel and using more than 5.9 million pounds of test weight. The department handled 13 complaint investigations, confirmed 591 package weights & 300 item prices, and collected 132 fuel samples confirming fuel sold within both counties met a variety of parameters.

With support from New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, GO Health has already confirmed over five times as many item prices compared to 2022. “This is just another way we are able to protect consumers. Pricing accuracy is a top priority for us going forward,” Mannella. said

2023 Audits (to date):

• 92 Overcharges (Prices at checkout were higher than shelf tags)
• 30 Undercharges (Prices at checkout were lower than shelf tags)
• 8 Missing shelf tags

Keep a watchful eye on your receipts to confirm prices match at checkout

Sharing Services, Reducing Costs

After recently celebrating 10 years of shared services between the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments, GO Health W&M started its fourth year of the cross county collaboration. Savings have exceeded $150,000 in W&M costs alone.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Megan Johnson (left), director of Orleans Community Health Foundation, and Amanda Luckman, admissions coordinator, hold one of the red hearts given to employees of Medina Memorial Hospital in observance of February as American Heart Month.

MEDINA – With heart disease being the number one killer of men, women and many ethnic groups within the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control, Orleans Community Health is celebrating February as American Heart Month with a number of events and giveaways.

It is reported that one in every four deaths is due to heart disease and approximately 805,000 people have a heart attack every year.

On a positive note, according to information from Scott Robinson, director of marketing at Orleans Community Health, heart disease is largely preventable by following basic tips. These include eating foods that promote heart health, avoiding smoking tobacco products, making sure to get at lease 30 minutes of physical activity for five days a week and talking with your doctor to make sure you’re keeping track of blood pressure and checking for other warning signs.

February was declared American Heart Month by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, nine years after his own heart attack. Orleans Community Health is taking the opportunity this month to highlight the importance of heart health and the fact that heart disease is largely preventable.

“The time is now to take heart disease seriously, and research steps you can take to reduce your own personal risk,” Robinson said.

Medina Memorial Hospital offers several services in the Cardiac Department that can help. Electrocardiograms (or EKGs) are an innovative diagnostic tool. An EKG records the electric signal from the heart and is useful in detecting arrhythmias, heart attacks and heart failure.

An echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound that uses two-dimensional, three-dimensional and Doppler ultrasound waves to create a clear image of the heart. That image can then be used to diagnose conditions that affect the heart’s valves and chambers.

Vascular ultrasounds use similar techniques to form images of blood vessels. At Medina Memorial, this tool is used to diagnose blood clots, blockages and other sources of congestion.

Cardiac stress tests are used to measure the heart’s ability to respond to stress, such as exercise or other stimulation. A stress test is an essential tool for identifying problems with blood flow, like blockages or arrhythmias aggravated by stress.

In addition, the Sands-Constellation Heart Institute opened a location in Medina Memorial Hospital in 2022.

Robinson added February is great time to take advantage of heart health information, and that is why Medina Memorial is celebrating the month by handing out red heart stress balls and sponsoring several other giveaways in an effort to raise more awareness of heart disease.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

Provided photo: From left include Karen Kinter, interim CEO of Oak Orchard Health; George Sokolsky, president of the Kiwanis Club of Brockport; and Robin Govanlu, OOH director of Behavioral Health.

BROCKPORT – The Kiwanis Club of Brockport donated $1,000 to Oak Orchard Health’s Mommy and Me Healthy We Will Be program and $300 to the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.

The Mommy and Me Program supports new moms and babies experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety. The WIC program offers eligible families breastfeeding support, nutrition counseling, health education, health care referrals, referrals to other services, and nutritious foods.

“The Kiwanis Club of Brockport is dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The local club began in 1926 and has always focused on fundraising and service projects to help children. The Mommy and Me and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs fit perfectly with our mission,” said George Sokolsky, president, Kiwanis Club of Brockport.

The initial idea for Mommy and Me came from our Medical Director and Pediatrician,

Dr. Danielle Renodin-Mead. She brought to our attention that the U.S. has some of the poorest health outcomes for children and their birth mothers. Just one large contributing factor to this is our culture’s approach to postpartum mental health, as well as the stigma that often surrounds this. That stigma is a barrier to mothers seeking the necessary care they need.

“Did you know that 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression or anxiety?” said Karen Kinter, interim CEO, Oak Orchard Health. “The goal of Oak Orchard’s new program is to achieve optimal maternal and child health and to make it easier to have conversations about postpartum depression and anxiety. This program integrates behavioral health care managers into the pediatric care team.”

Press Release, GLOW With Your Hands

Provided photo from GLOW With Your Hands: dan Ireland, president of the United Memorial Medical center in Batavia, speaks during a news conference today at GCC about the upcoming healthcare exploration event.

BATAVIA – The success of GLOW With Your Hands in workforce recruitment in the manufacturing sector and the urgent workforce need for healthcare providers has once again brought businesses, educational organizations, and economic development agencies from across the region to collaborate to provide an incredible opportunity for GLOW region students to learn about the careers in their own backyard in the healthcare sector.

Approximately 600 students in grades 8-12 from 28 schools will gather at Genesee Community College on March 24 to connect with various healthcare businesses and organizations to learn about the multitude of gratifying jobs in healthcare and science-related fields throughout the GLOW region.

“Our collaboration once again focuses on supplying GLOW region employers with the resources that will facilitate the ongoing development of our future healthcare workforce,” said Karyn Winters, director of the Genesee County Business Education Alliance Director and Co-Chair of GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare. “We are very excited to provide another hands-on career exploration experience for students across the GLOW region.”

Healthcare is an essential component of the regional economy as evidenced by various developments and expansions across the GLOW area. GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare will provide the healthcare sector with the opportunity to meet and recruit its future workforce as these projects are completed and start operations.

“The GLOW region gives United Memorial Medical Center access to an educated, well-trained workforce because of our partners in the private sector, which is why we continue to make significant investments in the area,” said Dan Ireland, president of United Memorial Medical Center. “These investments will create hundreds of new jobs and we need the next generation of workforce candidates to fill them.”

“We are all aware of the current challenges in the healthcare sector, especially in rural areas such as the GLOW region,” said Angela Grouse, Education to Employment Director at the Livingston County Area Chamber and Co-Chair of GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare.  “Our goal is to showcase local healthcare organizations and businesses to our students as they plan to start their careers so they can be a part of the workforce solution.”

“We are always trying to find new strategies and services that prepare our students to enter the workforce upon graduation,” said Justin Dueppengiesser, Executive Director, Wyoming County Business Education Council.  “The GLOW region is special because we have so many organizations working together that passionately want to find job and career opportunities for our youth to keep them here.”

Students will also have the opportunity to interact with colleges, universities, and secondary and post-secondary training programs to learn about the career pathways offered through these academic institutions.

“It means so much to our GCC community, as not only do students get to interact with local healthcare organizations to learn about different careers, but this also gives us a chance to expose GLOW region students to affordable options available at our college that can lead to good-paying careers in the healthcare sector,” said Maureen Welch, Director of Respiratory Care at Genesee Community College.

Various healthcare businesses and organizations have demonstrated their appreciation of the value of this event with generous support including: ESL Federal Credit Union, Livingston County Area Chamber Of Commerce: Education to Employment, Wyoming County Community Health Services Skilled Nursing Facility, Rochester Regional Health, M & T Bank, UR Medicine | Noyes Health, Workforce Development Institute, Lifetime Assistance, Blossom Modern Home Care Solutions, Batavia Downs, Episcopal Senior Life Communities, VNA of WNY, and the Iroquois Job Corps.

There are still sponsorship opportunities for the March 24th event at the Platinum ($5,000), Gold ($2,500), Silver ($1,000) and Bronze ($500) levels.

For more information about GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare visit www.GLOWWithYourHands.com/healthcare or contact Chris Suozzi at csuozzi@gcedc.com.

Press Release, Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center

WARSAW – Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center (R-AHEC) is excited to announce a federal award in the amount of $497,736 over the course of four years through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Center for Mental Health Services (SAMHSA).

R-AHEC will offer no-cost mental health first aid training in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. R-AHEC has been providing the mental health training since last year with funds from Wyoming Foundation and the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation. So far, R-AHEC has trained 221 youths and adults.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an international, evidence-based program that teaches people to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges.

Just as CPR helps even those without clinical training assist with minor and/or major medical issues, MHFA prepares participants to interact with individuals experiencing mental health challenges and crises. Mental Health First Aiders learn a 5-step Action Plan that guides them through reaching out and offering appropriate support.

“Never has it been more important for our communities to talk about mental health and substance use,” says Chuck Ingoglia, president and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, which helped bring Mental Health First Aid to the U.S. in 2008. “This program is breaking down barriers and stigma so that together we can learn how to better support one another. Without mental health, there is no health.”

R-AHEC will offer MHFA to approximately 200 individuals annually through this funding, providing them with the skills and resources they need. Training will be offered to the public and focus on participants from specific groups such as veterans, law enforcement, educators, parents, caregivers, first aid responders and healthcare workforce.

R-AHEC has six partners for this project: Clarity in Allegany County, Spectrum in Wyoming County, and the Departments of Mental Health/Hygiene in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, and Orleans counties.

“Since taking the Mental Health First Aid training with R-AHEC myself and my staff have utilized the skills we were taught numerous times,” said Jessica Hibbard, Associate Dean of Library and Academic Support Services at Genesee Community College. “Having these skills and knowing how to seek more help if needed give us peace of mind and confidence as we go about our day-to-day, knowing that we have the tools we need should we encounter a mental health challenge or crisis. The instructors were informative and engaging and the curriculum was designed with inclusivity in mind, which was very appreciated. This training should be mandatory for anyone working with the general public.”

• 95% of participants Strongly Agreed or Agreed that they could now identify common Mental Health challenges.
• 99% of participants Strongly Agreed or Agreed that they could now identify common signs and symptoms of Mental Health challenges.
• 95% of participants Strongly Agreed or Agreed that they had a better understanding of worsening signs and symptoms of Mental Health challenges.
• 97% of participants Strongly Agreed or Agreed that they would share the knowledge, skills, and resources presented during this event.
• 99% of participants Strongly Agreed or Agreed that they would be able to use much of what they learned.

If you are interested in more information, taking MHFA training, or partnering to provide the training, please contact Krysta Smith at (585) 786-6278 or via email at ksmith@r-ahec.org.

Western New York Rural Area Health Education Center, Inc. (R-AHEC)’s mission is “to improve health and healthcare through education.” R-AHEC is part of the National Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program.

R-AHEC serves a predominately rural 12-county region, headquartered in Warsaw in Wyoming County. Counties include Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates. R-AHEC addresses the health needs of its rural and underserved communities by focusing on: Workforce Development, Housing, Education and Health Information Technology Support. For more information, visit R-AHEC’s website at www.r-ahec.org.

Chart from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

The number of confirmed Covid cases has doubled in Orleans County in the past month. The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reports today there were 96 confirmed Covid cases during the week from Feb. 1-7. That compares to 45 on Dec. 28-Jan. 3, 52 on Jan. 4-10, and 41 on Jan. 11-17.

The cases have been trending up in Orleans with 72 from Jan. 18-24 and 84 from Jan. 25-31.

In Genesee County the cases are showing a slight decline from late December and early January. The 67 in the past week compares to 72 from Dec. 28 to Jan. 3, 83 from Jan. 4-10, 73 from Jan. 11-17, 60 from Jan. 18-24 and 61 from Jan. 25-31.

Both counties currently are listed at the medium community level by the federal CDC.

The seven-day average for positive tests statewide was at 5.29 percent on Tuesday. Orleans and Genesee are part of the nine-county Finger Lakes Region where the positivity rate is at 6.50 percent. Western New York has the highest rate at 12.48 percent while Long Island is the lowest at 4.02 percent.

Gov. Kathy Hochul urges people to take basic steps to protect against the spread of viral respiratory infections that are more common in the winter season.

“I urge all New Yorkers to remain vigilant and continue to use all available tools to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe and healthy,” Hochul said. “Be sure to stay up to date on vaccine doses, and test before gatherings or travel. If you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options.”

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

The Genesee County Health Department will be hosting a free anti-rabies immunization clinic on Thursday, Feb. 9, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Batavia Town Highway Garage (3833 West Main Street Road, Batavia).

“We encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity to make sure that their animals are immunized against rabies and that the vaccinations are kept up to date,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments. “Rabies continues to be a serious public health concern in Genesee and Orleans Counties and is a preventable viral disease most often transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal. Please leave wildlife alone and do not feed, touch, or adopt wild animals, stray dogs or cats.”

Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats, and ferrets, 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. Limit 4 pets per car maximum.

To save time, please click here to fill out your registration form in advance. Be sure to print out two copies for each pet to be vaccinated and bring them with you to the clinic.

The next anti-rabies immunization clinics are as follows:

Genesee County Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia, NY)

• Thursday, May 18, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 10, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 12, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Orleans County Clinics at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion, NY)

• Saturday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, June 7, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 26, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

For more information on Health Department services, visit GOHealthNY.org or call 589-3278 for Orleans County or 585-344-2580 ext. 5555 for Genesee County.

Press Release, GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare

BATAVIA – GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare is beginning to build momentum for the inaugural hands-on career exploration event as organizers announced Platinum Level sponsors at the $5,000 level, including Livingston County Area Chamber Education to Employment, Wyoming County Community Health Services, and United Memorial Medical Center.

It is anticipated that approximately 550 GLOW region students will attend Genesee Community College on March 24. They will learn about exciting career opportunities in the healthcare sector by meeting representatives and professionals from various healthcare organizations.

“We greatly appreciate the support of our sponsors to date as they are integral in making these types of events successful,” said Angela Grouse, Co-Chair, GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare.  “We hope that the commitment of these sponsors will encourage other healthcare organizations to consider participating and supporting an event that can help them address their workforce needs.”

“Business and educational organizations and economic development agencies from across the region are once again collaborating to provide an incredible opportunity for GLOW region students to learn about good-paying careers right in their own backyard,” said Karyn Winters, Co-Chair, GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare.

Sponsorships for the March 24 event are available at the Platinum ($5,000), Gold ($2,500), Silver ($1,000), and Bronze ($500) levels.

For more information about GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare visit www.GLOWWithYourHands.com/healthcare.