Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

January is Radon Action Month, an annual observance that focuses on increasing the public’s awareness of the health risks of radon and how you can take action.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that has no smell, taste or color. When radon forms from the breakdown of uranium found in soil, it can enter a home through cracks in the walls, basement floors, foundations and other openings.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and claims the lives of approximately 21,000 Americans each year. This January, we are encouraging all homeowners, renters, real estate agents and building managers to conduct radon testing. The New York State Department of Health recommends testing for radon during the buying/selling of a home, after doing a major renovation, and every two to five years depending on previous radon level readings.

The EPA and NYSDOH have identified Genesee County as having a high average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter). The good news is, 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 present in your home. The test kits are easy to use and contain basic instructions on how to receive the most accurate results when testing your home for radon.

“The only way to know if high levels of radon are present in your home is by testing your home for radon,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

Editor’s Note: According to the EPA, Orleans County is listed as Zone 2 (Moderate Potential) and Genesee County is listed as Zone 1 (Highest Potential) for radon zones.

The Genesee County Health Department was awarded a five year grant through the NYSDOH to provide radon prevention education and distribute free radon test kits to Genesee County residents. Currently, there is a limited supply of radon test kits that can be given to residents of Genesee County and this process is free of charge when you request a kit. If you live outside of Genesee County, you can purchase an inexpensive radon test kit from your local hardware store.

If test results come back and the radon levels in your home are greater than 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), you can contact a certified radon mitigation contractor to install a radon reduction system in your home. This would be at the homeowner’s expense.

For more details about the program or to seek a radon test kit, call the Genesee County Health Department at (585) 344-2580 ext. 5555. For more information on radon or other GO Health programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org.

Cheryl Kast

ALBION – Orleans Community Health’s Albion Healthcare Center has expanded its primary care team with the addition of Cheryl Kast, physician assistant certified, to its family medicine/primary care team.

“After serving many area families over the last decade, Cheryl has developed the trust and comfort we strive for at Orleans Community,” said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at Orleans Community Health in a news release.

Kast brings more than two decades of experience to the growing team at the Albion Healthcare Center. She specializes in family medicine with experience in primary care (including pediatric patients), pulmonary, otolaryngology and internal medicine.

She is a Western New York native, and grew up on a dairy farm in Wyoming County. She now resides in Albion with her husband John. They have three children.

“We’re thrilled to have Cheryl on our team,” said Mark Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health. “She is well-known and has a real passion for the community.”

Alana Palone, clinic administrator at the Albion Healthcare Center, said X-ray services said returned last week and now they are excited to share this added good news with Kast’s hiring.

“Cheryl is going to be a great asset to our primary care team, one that greatly benefits all of us,” Palone said.

Press Release, GOW Opioid Task Force

ALEXANDER – Diana Padilla, research project manager at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, Division of Substance Use Disorders, Columbia University Medical Center, will be the keynote speaker at a “Reducing Stigma in Our Communities” training in the Village of Alexander.

The session is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Alexander Recreation & Banquet Facility on Route 98.

Hosted by the GOW Opioid Task Force and Genesee County Health Department, the training is designed to help healthcare and social services professionals, as well as members of the general public, learn how to identify and address stigma surrounding opioid use disorder and improve access to services in the Genesee Region.

Padilla has worked in the field of behavioral health for more than 24 years. Her experience includes service provision to communities with substance use, HIV/HCV, trauma and stress, and other psychosocial conditions.

In her capacity as a research project manager, she develops curriculum and is a senior staff trainer for the Northeast & Caribbean Addiction/Prevention Technology Transfer Centers.

Using a cultural and recovery-oriented perspective, Ms. Padilla instructs on how to enhance strategies and interventions to best engage and meet the needs of substance using communities, LGBTQ+ people, diverse and other traditionally underserved populations.

Her areas of expertise include culturally and linguistically responsive services, trauma informed care, community disparities, racial stigma, social determinants of health, and affirming and inclusive best practices with clinical, non-clinical and peer support professionals.

Registration deadline for the free training is Jan. 12. Lunch will be provided. To register, click here.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

As we say goodbye to 2022, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) would like to wish you all a healthy and Happy New Year.

This was a full year for the Health Departments. Not only were staff involved in ongoing Covid-19 activities, Monkeypox (Mpox) and polio were added to the list of emerging issues. Staff were determined to keep working towards Public Health Accreditation (expected in 2023) and also kept many public services and operations running smoothly to help improve the health and well-being of residents.

• The Community Health Services staff have been working diligently, including remaining up-to-date on the evolution of the Covid-19 vaccination guidelines. Throughout 2022, immunization clinics (including Covid-19 and traditional), as well as outreach to migrant and seasonal farmworkers resulted in 3,212 vaccinations being administered. This includes 42 individuals who received post-exposure rabies treatment after being exposed to a confirmed or suspected rabid animal. Not including Covid-19, 472 communicable disease investigations were conducted. During the growing season, staff provided various healthcare services to 1,388 seasonal and migrant farmworkers on location to reduce barriers to receiving care.

• Public Health Emergency Preparedness started 2022 responding to a tidal wave of Covid-19 cases from the omicron variant. However, due to lower severity of this variant combined with increased immunity within the community, efforts to contain this variant began to lessen, and public health emergency preparedness eventually began focusing on risks associated with new infectious threats, which ranged from avian influenza and Ebola to Mpox and polio. Experience from Covid-19 response led to dramatic changes for Emergency Preparedness, including revision of major preparedness plans, re-organization of the medical reserve corps and revision of an emergency preparedness mobile app.

• Environmental Health staff continue to regulate permitted facilities throughout Genesee and Orleans Counties through compliance with the New York State (NYS) Sanitary Code. They help assure the community is safe from foodborne illnesses by conducting inspections of food service establishments. Staff also routinely inspect septic systems, monitor Public Water Supplies, enforce the NYS Clean Indoor Air Act, and offer free rabies clinics. The Lead Program continues to promote education and outreach to enhance lead poisoning prevention and promote testing of children for lead exposure. GO Health was awarded a second grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to expand an existing home-repair program to address lead hazards and prevent childhood lead poisoning throughout the entire Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming (GLOW) region.

• Staff within our Children’s Programs work with families of our youngest children providing case management, education, support and referrals.  Some of the services children may need that are provided through this program are speech therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and special education teacher services. Staff work closely with families to make sure children receive the services they need.

• The Public Health Education team spent a majority of the year developing the 2022-2024 Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming (GOW) Counties Community Health Assessment (CHA)/Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) and in partnership with local hospital systems, Community Services Plan (CSP). The team was also responsible for implementing the ‘Strengthening Capacity in Suicide, Overdose, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) Prevention for Local Health Departments’ technical assistance grant. This funding improved the internal capacity of GO Health to address the intersection of suicide, overdose and ACE’s and brought together community partners for a GOW Trauma & Resiliency Conference.

• Weights & Measures completed 470 inspections accounting for over 1,190 devices within the two counties. These tests involved pumping more than 26,000 gallons of fuel and using more than 5.9 million pounds of test weight ensuring all commercial weighing and measuring devices meet NYS standards. 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. Since transitioning to a department of one in 2020, W&M has shown savings in excess of $150,000.

“It is our extreme pleasure to serve the residents of Genesee and Orleans Counties,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for GO Health. “We thank the Genesee and Orleans County Legislatures, the Board of Health, our community partners and other volunteers for their support and collaboration. We look forward to another productive year of improving the health and well-being of our community and wish everyone a safe, healthy, and happy New Year.”

For more information about GO Health programs, visit www.GOHealthNY.org.

Chart from Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

Nearly three years since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, residents continue to contract Covid in Orleans County, although the most recent week shows a drop from 47 confirmed cases during the week of Nov. 30-Dec. 6 to 26 from Dec. 7-13.

Genesee County saw an increase in cases, from 55 to 76, according to data from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

Both counties are considered at the medium level for community level. At that level, the CDC recommends people at high risk of getting sick to wear a high-quality mask or respirator (e.g., N95) when indoors in public.

Right now, influenza cases are outpacing Covid locally. There were 125 cases reported last week in Orleans, and 115 in Genesee, according to the state Department of Health.

The 44,426 cases in the state, for the week ending Dec. 3, were up 64 percent from previous week.

Governor Kathy Hochul today urged New Yorkers to take basic steps to protect against the spread of viral respiratory infections.

“As we continue the spread of respiratory illnesses, the flu, and Covid-19 throughout our state, 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. “Stay up to date on vaccine doses, and test before gatherings or travel this holiday season. If you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options.”

Activities director at North Wing in Medina honored with ‘Caring Heart Award’

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced that Adrienne Belson, activities director at the facility’s North Wing, has been named recipient of a Caring Heart Award.

The Caring Heart Award is given each year by the New York State Health Facilities Association of New York State Center for Assisted Living to honor staff of skilled nursing facilities for service and dedication in the health care field.

“She’s an incredible talent and value to our team at Orleans Community Health,” said Scott Robinson, director of marketing at the hospital.

Belson has been an activities director for the past 15 years and it’s a position she can’t imagine being without, she said.

“My favorite part of my position is I love the residents and families we serve,” Belson said. “North Wing is like a big family. I love taking residents out into the community, so I can see how different they are outside of these walls.”

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

National Influenza Vaccination Week is Dec. 5-9, 2022.  This is an annual observance in December to remind everyone that there is still time to get vaccinated against the flu to be protected during the upcoming holidays and winter months.

“The best way to reduce your risk from seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is by getting the flu vaccine every year,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “The vaccine lowers the chance of getting you and those around you sick with the flu. It also reduces the burden on the health care system by reducing doctor visits and hospitalizations.”

Everyone 6 months or older should get a flu vaccine every year. It’s best to get the flu vaccine early on in flu season, ideally by the end of October. You might wonder, is it too late to get vaccinated?  The simple answer is no.

“Getting the vaccine later is better than not getting it at all,” Pettit said. “Once you have the flu vaccine, research shows that the vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness if you do get the flu.”

Vaccination is also important for people who live with or care for high risk individuals to prevent spreading the flu to them. Individuals who are considered higher risk include younger children, pregnant people, people with certain chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or lung disease, and people 65 years and older.

Children younger than 6 months old are also at a higher risk of serious flu illness because they are too young to be vaccinated. People who care for or are around infants should be vaccinated to protect those that are vulnerable and cannot be vaccinated.

Below are the number of reported flu cases for Genesee and Orleans Counties since 2018 according to the New York State Department of Health. Note that there was limited flu reported in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 compared to annual averages because of the heightened focus on practicing public health precautions such as frequent hand washing, social distancing, staying home when ill, limiting social gatherings, and wearing face coverings.

During that period, less germs were spread due to people staying home and limiting their contact with others outside of their household as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition to receiving your flu vaccine, you can take preventative actions every day to help stop the spread of germs:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• If you are sick, stay home and limit contact with others as much as possible so that you prevent the spread of infection.
• For flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that you stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. Please note that stay-at-home guidance is different for Covid-19.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
• Clean and disinfect frequently shared surfaces and objects

To find a vaccine site near you, click here.

For more information about Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments, visit GOHealthNY.org.

Provided photo: Doctors Todd Prier, left, and Joseph Misiti have joined forces to provide surgical services at Medina Memorial Hospital. When Dr. Misiti donated his practice to Orleans Community Health, he also decided to join the new surgeon.

MEDINA – When Dr. Joseph Misiti announced earlier this year he would donate his practice to Orleans Community Health, his office moved into Medina Memorial Hospital, and the search began for an additional surgeon.

In the summer, Dr. Todd Prier was hired and assumed his duties in the hospital, working with Dr. Misiti, who will stay for undetermined time.

Dr. Prier was born in Kansas City, but grew up in Orangeville, Ontario, Canada, where his father was working.

Dr. Prier knew he wanted to be a surgeon after watching a surgery show on a public broadcasting station.

“It was the most wonderful thing I’d ever seen,” he said.

Prier entered the University of Guelph to study kinesiology and would earn his doctorate of medicine at the University of the Caribbean on St. Maarten’s. His first internship was at a Yale affiliate in Connecticut, followed by the Henry Ford Hospital for Surgery in Detroit.

His first practice was in Northern Michigan in a town of 1,500 people. The hospital had 50 beds.

For the last 13 years, Dr. Prier has practiced in Binghamton. He was looking for a change, he said, because he wanted to be closer to his parents in Canada, when he applied for the job in Medina.

He specializes in endocrine surgery, thyroid (he did up to a 100 surgeries a year in Binghamton), esophageal surgery, GI surgeries, as well as laparoscopic hernia, abdominal, colon surgeries wall reconstruction and general surgery.

With the addition of Dr. Prier and continuation of Dr. Misiti, Medina Memorial Hospital will be able to do more surgeries, Dr. Prier said. Doctors Thomas Russo and Jennifer Griffith with Rochester Regional Health are also affiliated with Medina Memorial Hospital.

Kimberly Gray, chief nursing officer and director of surgical services, said, “The addition of Dr. Prier allows us to return more services to our Medina community. In addition to him working with us full time, we’ve added more hours, putting us in a very good place.”

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

Fentanyl is now the leading cause of death for Americans 18 to 45 years old. It is being mixed illegally with drugs like counterfeit painkillers, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine.

Fentanyl is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, so the lethal dose is much smaller. You cannot see, taste or smell fentanyl, but there is something you can do to protect others.

Getting trained to administer naloxone can help get those that are experiencing an overdose the time they need to get help. Naloxone is an FDA-approved medication that works to reverse an opioid overdose, including a fentanyl overdose. Naloxone works as an opioid antagonist by binding to opioid receptors and blocking the effects of opioids.

In Genesee County, fentanyl has caused a large number of deaths, and has even been found mixed in with other drugs. Since 2018, there have been 58 fatal opioid overdoses in the county, with 10 additional deaths still pending official causes of death as of November 2022. In 2020, Genesee County experienced 15 fatal opioid overdoses (25.7 per 100,000). With a higher fatal opioid overdose rate than that of New York State in 2020 (21.8 per 100,000), it is especially important for Genesee County residents to know the signs of an overdose so naloxone can be administered.

If someone is having difficulty breathing, is unconscious, choking, or experiencing discoloration of their skin or lips, an overdose may be occurring. Naloxone can be used to reverse both fentanyl and other opioid overdoses, such as heroin, oxycodone, morphine, and methadone. There is no harm in administering naloxone if an overdose is not occurring or opioids are not in the body.

The Naloxone Co-Payment Assistance Program, commonly referred to as N-CAP, can help individuals obtain naloxone. If you have prescription coverage as part of your health insurance plan, N-CAP will cover up to $40 in prescription co-payments. This ensures there are little to no out-of-pocket expenses for those getting naloxone at their local New York State pharmacy, all of which provide naloxone through a standing order that allows you to get this medication without a prescription. To learn more about N-CAP, please visit: www.health.ny.gov/overdose.

Individuals who use any type of illicit substance or misuse prescribed opioids are at risk of experiencing an overdose. Now more than ever, it is important to have naloxone nearby. Encourage your loved ones to be trained, carry naloxone, and tell their friends where they keep it in case they overdose. Reversing an overdose can be done in four steps: call 911, administer naloxone by inserting into the nostril and pressing the plunger, give CPR if trained, and stay until help arrives.

To learn more about fentanyl and naloxone, visit:

• HEALing Communities Study Website: www.HealTogetherNY.org/Genesee
• GOW Opioid Taskforce Website: www.gowopioidtaskforce.org/
• GO Health Facebook: www.facebook.com/GOHealthNY

Wages can’t be garnished, liens placed on homes for medical bills

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday signed legislation (S.6522A/A.7363A) to protect patients facing steep medical bills that can lead to wage garnishment or liens against their property.

“No one should face the threat of losing their home or falling into further debt after seeking medical care,” Governor Hochul said. “I’m proud to sign legislation today that will end this harmful and predatory collection practice to help protect New Yorkers from these unfair penalties. With medical debt a burden for far too many, this is an important step to address this crucial issue.”

Legislation (S.6522A/A.7363A) amends the civil practice law and rules to prohibit health care providers from placing home liens on an individual’s primary residence or garnishing wages to collect on medical debt.

Nearly half of American adults struggle to afford health care costs, and more than 50,000 New Yorkers have been sued for medical debt over the past five years; this problem is most pervasive in Upstate New York.

Previously, hospitals or health care providers had been able to impose and enforce liens on a patient’s primary residence to satisfy a judgment in a medical debt lawsuit, leading to housing instability and devastating financial consequences for vulnerable New Yorkers.

“New Yorkers should not fear losing their homes or livelihoods as a result of seeking medical care, especially during such challenging financial times,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “I want to thank Governor Hochul for signing my bill into law to protect New Yorkers from facing liens on their homes or wage garnishment by medical institutions in their effort to collect medical debt. We must work together to eradicate medical debt from our State and I am thrilled that we are taking this important first step.”