Genesee reports 3 more Covid-related deaths

Chart courtesy of Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

The number of Covid cases in Genesee and Orleans counties dropped in the past week, the second straight week of decline after a steady rise for two months.

There were 120 cases in Orleans from May 18 to May 24, which is down from the 10 the previous seven days and the 220 from May 4 to May 10.

The cases in Orleans in the past week include 90 from lab tests and 30 from take-home tests, the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments reported on Wednesday.

In Genesee there were 170 new confirmed cases from May 18 to May 24, which is down from 261 the previous seven days and 283 from May 4 to May 10.

Genesee County also is reporting three more Covid-related deaths during the seven days and now has had 191 Covid-related deaths during the pandemic since March 2020. Orleans has had 117 Covid deaths during the pandemic, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments said.

The seven-day Covid positivity rate statewide is 7.68 percent. In the nine-county Finger Lakes Region, which includes Orleans, the positivity rate is at 10.10 percent in the past seven days. It’s higher in the Capital Region at 10.65 percent, Long Island at 10.68 percent and Western New York at 12.95 percent. Central New York has the lowest rate at 5.79 percent.

“As we head into the Memorial Day weekend and prepare to travel and gather with loved ones, I encourage everyone to continue taking advantage of the tools we have available to protect against and treat Covid-19,” Governor Hochul said. “The best way to avoid serious illness from Covid-19 is by keeping up to date with your vaccination and booster doses.”

By Chrissy Krueger RN, RD, CDN, CDCES,
Diabetes Education Specialist, Oak Orchard Health

Let us start by talking about diabetes since I am a Diabetes Educator, at Oak Orchard Health and have been a registered nurse and dietitian for 15 years. Much of this information will be helpful whether you have diabetes or not. I will also discuss nutrition tips that are helpful to everyone.

Two main types of Diabetes

With type 1 diabetes, genetics and viruses are often the main reasons why people get this. With type 1 diabetes, your own immune system destroys the cells that produce insulin. This is a problem as no one can live without insulin. Insulin is key to helping our bodies obtain energy.  Type 1 diabetes most often affects younger people, but it can also be found in people in their 30s-40s and even older.

Most people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes; some risk factors include family history, age above 35, and high blood pressure. Two main things are going on with type 2 diabetes. Your insulin doesn’t work the way it should and over time, you may not make enough insulin. Both these factors make it difficult for your body to obtain energy and lead to high blood sugars.

What does weight have to do with it?

Two risk factors found in many people with type 2 diabetes are also very common among people living in America today. You guessed it!  Being overweight and inactive.  Per the CDC 73.6% of adults and 22% of adolescents are overweight/obese. Physical activity stats are not much better. Only 23% of adults are meeting the physical activity guidelines, which is very similar to our younger folks.

Just having a diagnosis of diabetes puts you at increased risk of heart disease. Not surprisingly being overweight/obese also places you at higher risk.

What you eat helps control diabetes

Eating heart-healthy foods is one of the key tools to managing your diabetes. It also is effective for disease prevention. There is no diabetic diet currently endorsed by the American Diabetes Association. Overall, your nutrition plan should be individualized, so it fits within your lifestyle. Yes, it is true carbohydrates do affect your blood sugar more than other nutrients. However, carbs are your main source of energy for your body. So, what is a person with diabetes supposed to do? Include healthy carbs, spread your intake of carbs throughout the day, pay attention to the portion size, and have balanced meals.

For diabetes, we often review the meal planning method called carb counting. In this plan, you learn what foods are high in carbs, and what is a portion, and then learn to have a consistent amount at each meal. By following this type of plan, you will have blood sugars that are more predictable. Another type of plan commonly used is called the plate method. It is based on a 9-inch plate. Half your plate should include non-starchy veggies, ¼ is for starch and ¼ is for protein.

For people on insulin pumps or 3-4 injections of insulin per day, some learn how to adjust the insulin to the number of carbs they will eat. This gives people much more flexibility in their eating habits.

Carbohydrates are not necessarily bad for you

For everyone out there, carbs are not bad, just like fat and protein are not bad if eaten in moderation. They make up our nutrients and nutrients are what we all need to live on. It is true; however, if you have diabetes, it is important to pay attention to the number of carbs you eat.  Instead of eliminating an entire food group, work on including a variety of heart-healthy food choices most often and limit your intake of less healthy ones. With diabetes, you can really have your cake and eat it too! Just do not eat the whole cake whoever you are!

This article gives you a peek at diabetes and nutrition. There is so much more to know so if you have questions, talk with your primary care physician or a diabetes educator.

Charts courtesy of Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

The confirmed Covid cases in Orleans declined the past seven days after about two months of steady weekly increases.

There were 190 cases in Orleans from May 11 to May 17, which is down from 220 the previous seven days, 197 from April 27 to May 3, and 166 from April 20 to April 26.

The cases in Orleans in the past week include 140 from lab tests and 50 from take-home tests, the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments reported this afternoon.

In Genesee the cases have declined from 286 from April 27 to May 3, to 283 from May 4 to May 10, and 261 the past week.

Both counties are reporting a Covid-related death in the past week, which brings the total Covid deaths to 188 in Genesee County and 117 in Orleans since March 2020.

The 7-day positivity rate state-wide was at 7.66 percent on Monday, and was the highest in Western New York at 18.20 percent. The nine-county Finger Lakes Region was second highest at 13.15 percent. New York City is the lowest at 5.18 percent.

The federal Food and Drug Administration on Monday authorized the first Covid-19 booster dose for 5 to 11 year olds.

“Following approval from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New Yorkers will be able to safely provide this life-saving tool to their children,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “In the meantime, I am calling on our parents and guardians to do what they can to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. That includes getting boosted, if you haven’t already. Let’s continue to work together and take care of one another, New York.”

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

The Genesee County Health Department will be hosting a free drive-through anti-rabies immunization clinic on Thursday, May 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. 4 at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia).

“We encourage all 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,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “Rabies 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 (including baby 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 four pets per car maximum.

To save you 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, August 11th, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Thursday, September 15th, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Thursday, October 13th, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Orleans County Clinics at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 Rt. 31, Albion, NY)

• Saturday, June 4th, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Saturday, August 13th, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
• Saturday, October 15th, 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.

Orleans County continues to see an increase in Covid cases, with 220 from May 4-10, which is up from the 197 the previous week.

The county also had two more Covid-related deaths and now has had 116 residents pass away from Covid during the pandemic that started in March 2020.

There were 54 confirmed Covid cases in the county from March 30 to April 6. In the following weeks the cases increased to 83 (April 6-12), 113 (April 13-19), 166 (April 20-26) and then 197 (April 27-May 3), according to data from the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments.

Genesee County also experienced an increase in cases each week for about two months – until this past week, when the cases dropped from 286 from April 27 to May 3, to 283 from May 4 to May 10.

Genesee also reported another Covid-related death in the past week and now is at 187 during the pandemic.

Statewide the 7-day positivity rate is 7.18 percent. It’s much higher in the Finger Lakes region. Those nine counties, including Orleans, are at 13.34 percent over 7 days. The positivity rate is only higher in Western New York at 18.33 percent. The rate is lowest in New York City at 4.80 percent.

“Getting fully vaccinated and staying up to date on booster doses is a key way to prevent serious illness and hospitalization from Covid-19,” Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement on Wednesday. “I want to thank the more than 75 percent of New Yorkers who have gotten fully vaccinated and are keeping their communities safe and healthy.”

Provided photo: Kim Gray, chief nursing officer at Orleans Community Health, is one of 14 finalists for the 2022 Community Recognized Distinguished Nurse Award.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has learned one its nurses, Chief Nursing Officer Kim Gray, is one of 14 finalists for the 2022 Community Recognized Distinguished Nurse Award.

The announcement appeared over the weekend in The Buffalo News, which ran the competition.

The award recognizes a nurse who has long provided care for individuals with serious illness and their families in a manner that has clearly gone well beyond the usual and expected requirements.

A nurse chosen for this award is one whose clinical practice is exemplary and who is generous in mentoring other clinicians. The form on which Gray and other nurses were nominated states the award, in these unprecedented times, “celebrates the courageous Western New York nurses who put the needs of their patients and community first.”

Gray has been employed at Orleans Community Health for 19 years. While she doesn’t know who nominated her, she thanks whoever it was around her who submitted her name.

“I’m blessed to be able to work in my community hospital, to take care of the patients in my community and to work every day with those who want to see this hospital flourish,” Gray said. “I love this team, this hospital, the community and everyone around me. Being a finalist for this award is an amazing honor. More so that someone felt I was worthy of the nomination. I really love what I do. It’s my purpose.”

Scott Robinson, director of marketing, communication and outreach for OCH, shared a bit of information about Gray.

“We’ve all heard the name Nancy Albanese, one of the true giants in the history of Medina Memorial Hospital,” Robinson said. “Albanese would eventually become a resident of the North Wing, and when patients were taken to the surgery department on the third floor, Gray would get a wheelchair and take Albanese up there. She would hand Nancy a clipboard and let her be in her element. If Nancy Albanese had a last hurrah at Medina Memorial Hospital, it was probably thanks to the memories Kim Gray gave her during those days.”

Albanese, a recovery room nurse for 40 years, died about two years ago, and the Recovery Room has since been remodeled and named in her honor.

Winner of the award was Kymmarrie Knose-Weibel from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Contributed photo: Orleans Community Health in Medina has a week of special activities planned in observance of National Nurses Week and National Hospital Week. A sign near the front entrance proclaims “We love our nursing staff.”

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has two reasons to celebrate this week. May 6 to 12 is National Nurses Week and May 8 to 14 is National Hospital Week.

Various activities have been planned throughout the hospital, beginning with a luncheon held on May 6 to honor National Nurses Day.

Both week-long celebrations will highlight the nearly 300-person team within Orleans Community Health and the positive impact they have on the larger community, Scott Robinson, director of marketing, communications and outreach, said in a press release.

Nurses Week will conclude with a birthday celebration Thursday for Florence Nightingale, who is credited with founding modern nursing. Throughout the week, the nursing team will be showcased on social media and with internal announcements.

Kim Gray, chief nursing officer, has organized events for the nursing tea, including adding a banner to the exterior of Medina Memorial Hospital.

“I have the honor of working every day with the skilled and dedicated nursing team within Orleans Community Health,” Gray said. “I wouldn’t trade this group for any other.”

The theme of National Hospital Week is “We are Healthcare,” as determined by the American Hospital Association. Orleans Community Health will further expand on this theme by placing several departments in the spotlight throughout the week.

“While the doctors and nurses rightfully receive a lot of credit when thinking about a hospital, there are so many others who complete our hospital team,” Robinson said. “Our team in environmental services, purchasing, admissions and so many others are just as important to our overall functionality. They help make sure the day-to-day operations run smoothly.”

A committee organized by Joanna Miller, vice president of risk, quality and disaster management, has planned events for the team at Orleans Community Health every day during the week. This includes friendly competitions (Olympics and trivia), a cook-out and even a market and vendor fair. At the Twig Association banquet a week ago, hospital CEO Mark Shurtz announced there would be a first-time dunk tank on Friday, for which he has volunteered.

“National Hospital Week is always an opportunity to have a little more fun,” said Miller. “In addition to that, we want to thank members of our local business community for donating gift cards that will be used as prizes at the end of the week. There’s no question, our community always shows up.”

Shurtz said the last two years have added challenges for their team, challenges they have faced admirably.

“As we maneuver what the future holds, this week is our opportunity to commend our strong team at Orleans Community Health,” Shurtz added. “Whether you’re at Medina Memorial Hospital, the Albion Healthcare Center, either of our dialysis centers or the Middleport lab, you matter to us and the entire community.”

Orleans County has passed a milestone in the two-plus years of the pandemic: 10,000 cases.

The county had 197 new confirmed cases in the past week (April 27 through May 3) and now has had 10,077 confirmed cases since March 2020, according to data from the Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments.

The two counties, Genesee and Orleans, also hit a grim milestone with 300 deaths from Covid during the pandemic. Genesee and Orleans each reported a Covid-related death in the past week. Genesee now has 186 deaths and Orleans 114 due to Covid.

Orleans has 40,343 residents, according to the 2020 Census. The 10,077 cases represent about 1 for every 4 residents, although some residents have contracted Covid more than once.

Genesee County, which has 58,388 residents, has 15,805 cases during the pandemic, which is also about 1 for every 4 residents.

The cases continue to increase each week since mid-March. The 197 in Orleans the past week is up from 166 the previous week (April 20-26) and 113 the week before that.

Genesee is reporting 286 new cases from April 27 to March 3, and 278 the week before that, and 168 from April 13-19.

State-wide the 7-day average for positive tests is 6.94 percent, but it’s much higher in the Finger Lakes Region, which includes Orleans. That region is at a 13.02 percent positive over the past seven days. Western New York is the highest at 17.48 percent and New York City is the lowest at 4.44 percent.

Medications reduce withdrawal and cravings which decreases the use of illicit drugs and overdoses

By Mike Pettinella, GCASA Publicist

Provided photo: Melissa Weingarten, right, Wyoming County Jail nurse, makes a point as Kathy Hodgins, chief clinical officer at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, during the GOW Opioid Task Force meeting at The Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road.

BATAVIA – No matter what term is used – and there are several of them, the practice of combining medication and treatment for people struggling with substance use disorder has a singular goal: Saving lives.

“Medication-Assisted-Treatment – or MAT – is an evidence-based program that has been shown to make a positive difference in saving lives for persons with an opiate use disorder. And it’s considered the gold standard for treatment of opiate use disorder,” said Ann Bowback, clinical director at Spectrum Health & Human Services in Warsaw.

Bowback is the project director for the Partnership to Address Opioid Epidemic and Save Lives in Western New York Through Medication-Assisted-Treatment, a program funded by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Speaking at the GOW Opioid Task Force quarterly meeting recently, she explained that her program, in collaboration with Evergreen Health, is looking to increase the number of persons receiving MAT within the Spectrum agencies by at least 200 per year.

“We work to link people with a prescriber the same day, if possible, but at the latest within 72 hours of their initial visit with us,” she said. “We also will add two additional data waiver subscribers per year in order to meet the needs of these additional 200 people. And with this grant, our goal is to ensure that all the MAT clients are offered peer services (recovery advocates) within 60 days of admission.”

Other speakers at the meeting, which took place at The Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road and provided access via Zoom videoconferencing, were Melissa Weingarten, Wyoming County Jail nurse, and Kathy Hodgins, chief clinical officer at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.

Bowback said most substance use disorder providers along with jails and prisons are taking a “whole patient approach” to treatment.

“MAT is more than just medication,” she said. “For some members of the recovery community, including our Evergreen partner, they refer to this as MAR – medication-assisted-recovery. This can be a referred term for some people because it emphasizes a person’s commitment to recovery while using medications, and they may or may not be involved with treatment.”

She also said it can be referred to as MOUD (medications for opioid use disorder), which zeroes in on the importance of medication and addressing opiate use, and also as OTP (opioid treatment program) or OBOD (office based opiate treatment).

“PWUD stands for people who use drugs as we’re ideally trying to get away from some of the stigmatizing language like addicts and things like that,” she added. “OUD stands for opiate use disorder and OTP is where you would get medication such as methadone.”

Currently, the Food & Drug Administration has approved three medications for treatment of opiate use disorder – methadone, naltrexone and buprenorphine, Bowback said.

“All medications work a little differently, but all basically normalize brain chemistry in order to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms,” she noted. “Methadone was first used in 1947 to treat opioid addiction and critics complained at that time that methadone merely exchanged one drug for another which led to strict government control over methadone, and that continues today.

“Now, in order to receive methadone for an opiate use disorder, you have to obtain it from an OTP. And although methadone is very effective, some individuals are hesitant to take this medication.”

Bowback said Spectrum offers naltrexone (brand name, Vivitrol), which was approved to treat opiate use disorder in 2010.

“The extended-release formulation is generally preferred for the treatment of opiate use disorder,” she said. “But some individuals do still prefer the pill form. Our prescribers will typically start a person on the pill form prior to prescribing the injection just to ensure the person is able to tolerate it. In order to receive this medication, though, the person cannot have opiates in their system; otherwise, they’ll experience withdrawal. So, you must be abstinent for at least seven days.”

Spectrum also offers buprenorphine (also known as suboxone) for MAT, she said. In the 60s, buprenorphine was developed for treatment of pain and approved for treatment of opiate use disorder in 2002.

“Unlike methadone, a person almost immediately receives a seven-day script and within a very short time is able to receive a script for 28 days, which results in less daily disruption to lifestyles,” she advised. “You don’t have to be present at a clinic daily … and you don’t have to be abstinent for seven days in order to receive the medication.”

Medications reduce withdrawal and cravings and, as a result, decreases the use of illicit drugs and overdose, stabilizes the brain and “most of all, saves lives,” Bowback said.

“It also socially decreases criminal activity and reduces risk of transmission of communicable diseases, reduces risky sexual activity, and increases engagement with treatment.”

MAT is at the core of services at GCASA, which offers an integrated treatment and OTP clinic at its main location in Batavia as well as clinical services at its Orleans County location in Albion, Hodgins said.

“When I started at GCASA in 2002, we were already doing medication-assisted-treatment with alcohol, using naltrexone to treat alcohol dependence,” she said. “And then shortly after, we did start using buprenorphine – suboxone for opiate use disorder individuals that came in.”

Hodgins said GCASA counselors and medical professionals treat medication for substance use disorder “similar to any kind of medication that you take.”

“So, those on medication are definitely in recovery – it just assists with the recovery. And it really does help reduce the cravings and the physical withdrawal.”

Weingarten shared that Wyoming County Jail started its MAT program in early 2020, offering suboxone and naltrexone.

“We provide medication to those who have been on MAT programs in the community, as long as we can verify that they’ve been in treatment and continued to get it,” she said.

She also mentioned that Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation that requires all prisons and jails, beginning in October, to provide MAT to inmates.

“So, we’ve started that way before she’s required it,” she said, adding that the jail program includes individual and group counseling – and connection to peer recovery advocates.

Hodgins said “it just makes sense” to keep incarcerated people on medication, especially considering the rising overdose rates. GCASA provides services to inmates in six jails or prisons, including Genesee, Orleans, Albion, Groveland, Wyoming and Attica.

“Our common goal in our community is to save lives and I’m grateful that the state is on board with that,” she said. “I believe the best way to proceed is to start with a thorough assessment while they’re in jail and getting them on the right medication prior to release. That is how we’re going to save additional lives in our community.”

Both counties still high in obesity, adult smoking

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

According to the 2022 County Health Rankings, released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI), Genesee and Orleans Counties rank 38th and 54th respectively in overall Health Outcomes.  The Rankings are available at www.countyhealthrankings.org.

“As Chief Health Strategists, we use the County Health Rankings to help us identify factors that are important for residents to live long and healthy lives and understand how we compare to other counties in the state. With this knowledge, we work collaboratively with our partners to improve the health of our community,” stated Paul Pettit, Director of 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.”

The rankings are broken into to 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 2022 County Health Rankings findings are:

• Genesee County ranked 38 in Health Outcomes and 16 in Health Factors in 2022 as compared to 43 out of 62 counties for Health Outcomes in 2021, a decrease in rank as compared to 2022 and 28 in Health Factors a decrease from 2021.
• Orleans County ranked 54 in Health Outcomes and 55 in Health Factors in 2022 as compared to 60 in Health Outcomes in 2021, a decrease in rank as compared to 2022 and 53 in Health Factors an increase in rank from 2021.

“The County Health Rankings show us that where people live plays a key role in how long and how well they live,” stated Pettit. “The Rankings allow local leaders to clearly see and prioritize the challenges they face — whether it’s rising premature death rates or the growing drug overdose epidemic — so they can bring community leaders and residents together to find solutions.”

According to the 2022 Rankings, the five healthiest counties in New York State starting with most healthy are Putnam, followed by Tompkins, Saratoga, Nassau and New York. The five counties in the poorest health, starting with least healthy are Bronx, Sullivan, Cattaraugus, Montgomery and Chemung.

“The County Health Rankings show how Genesee and Orleans Counties rank on factors that influence its overall health ranking,” said Pettit. “For example, Genesee County had a decrease in preventable hospital stays from 4,748 in 2021 to 3,354 in 2022. Genesee County also had a decrease in adults smoking from 23% in 2021 to 19% in 2022. Orleans County had a decrease in the percentage of adults who smoked from 25% in 2021 to 21% in 2022. Additionally, Orleans County had a decrease in the percentage of adult obesity from 37% to 32%.”

Even with the above mentioned positive trends, both counties continue to have challenge areas and are still struggling with health factors specifically with obesity (Genesee – 33% / Orleans – 32%), adult smoking (Genesee – 19% / Orleans – 21%), and local access to clinical care for primary care physicians, dentists and mental health providers.  Although the numbers for adult smoking did decrease for both counties, we are still above the top U.S Performers at 15% and New York State at 13%.

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 are currently working on the GOW 2022-2024 Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan to determine the New York State Prevention Agenda priorities to focus on 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 with various community groups and county residents.  If you have not completed a survey you can access the English survey online here or the Spanish survey online here.

Charts courtesy of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

The latest update from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments shows Covid-19 cases continue to climb locally.

In Orleans, the cases are up 47 percent in the past week (April 20-26) or from 113 from April 13-19 to 166 the past week.

In Genesee, the cases went up 65 percent, from 168 to 278.

GO Health attributes the increase to the new Omicron variant BA.2, which spreads more easily than other earlier variants, local public health officials said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention last week changed the community spread level for Orleans from low to high, and Genesee from low to medium.

Statewide there were 7,693 new cases reported on Tuesday out of 109,304 tests for a positivity of 6.70. The seven-day average for positive tests state-wide is 7.09 percent. However, the Finger Lakes Region which include Orleans and eight other counties is the second highest of the 10 regions with a positivity of 13.93 percent over the past seven days. Western New York is the highest at 16.54 percent. New York City is the lowest at 4.48 percent.

Oak Orchard Health says unit will function as primary care site

Photos by Tom Rivers

BROCKPORT – Oak Orchard Health today celebrated a new mobile medical unit that will function as a primary care site, brining healthcare to Orleans, Genesee, Monroe and Wyoming counties.

Holding the scissors are Dr. Danielle Renodin-Mead, Chief Medical Officer for Oak Orchard; and Dr. Michael Mendoza, Commissioner of Public Health for Monroe County.

The new unit was paid for with support from the John R. Oshei Foundation in Buffalo.

Mendoza said the mobile medical unit will help bring much-needed medical care to people with transportation issues. The Covid-19 pandemic revealed a gap in access to care for many people, he said.

Dr. Danielle Renodin-Mead said the site has an exam room, EKG machine, lab (for urine, cholesterol and diabetes), and space for well visits, immunizations and vision and mental health screenings.

“There is everything for primary care on this unit,” she said.

Mary Ann Pettibon, CEO of Oak Orchard in front at right, said Oak Orchard will work with local health departments, and agencies that serve homeless people and Head Start children to bring access to medical care.

“We are taking this state-of-art mobile unit to those who need us the most,” she said.

Oak Orchard also plans to work with other agencies, including Community Action, to “serve those disproportionately affected by the lack of medical care,” Pettibon said.

Oak Orchard operates 12 health care sites. The organization also will soon be unveiling a new mobile dental unit.

By Erika Pozzuolo, LMHC, PMH-C, Maternal/ Child Health Lead Therapist,
Oak Orchard Health, a community health center with 11 locations in the region

You have given birth to your baby, what an exciting time! It can also be an overwhelming time with the middle-of-the-night feedings, sleep deprivation, and maybe there are more children to care for.  Wow!

If you can think of seven women you know who have had a baby– statistics suggest that at least one of those women experienced postpartum depression or anxiety (Postpartum Support International)! This is only part of the reason that this year Oak Orchard Health launched our new Mommy and Me program in all locations. This program is an extremely innovative approach to improve child health outcomes in our region, and not only that but to also improve maternal health outcomes, with special attention to mental health in the postpartum period. 

This support through the Mommy and Me Program extends to guardians of pediatric patients under the age of 5 at Oak Orchard Health. Patients now, as standard practice, will bemet by a care manager in several of their child’s well visits, from birth to age 4 ½. Through some questions and interviewing, we can identify and help address any needs the family may have. Care managers will be evaluating for postpartum depression and anxiety, and then refer patients to one of our behavioral health counselors specializing in perinatal mental health. 

You now have a care manager on your medical team

These care managers will also be helping to track children’s vaccination due dates, referrals for the first dental visit, and more. We will help fill in the gaps financially by referring to WIC (a supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children), as well as maintaining a diaper bank to help supplement families struggling with the cost of diapers. This initiative also includes an early literacy program, where pediatricians will be providing age-appropriate books at well visits and education for parents on how to best help their child develop literacy and language. 

Why this new program? 

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 cultures’ 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. Most people may have some awareness of “the baby blues,” a very commonly experienced emotional expression of hormonal shifts that take place following the birth of a baby and lasts up to about two weeks postpartum. 

There are, however, many new moms who present as more serious than typical “baby blues.” That often means it lasts longer and can be very debilitating. If left unidentified or untreated, these mood or anxiety disorders can have a significant impact on family, sleep, ability to breastfeed, and overall wellness, negatively impacting both Mom and baby. Fathers also commonly experience anxiety and depression. We also will be paying special attention to other guardians, like grandparents or adoptive parents taking in babies.

The Mommy and Me Program at Oak Orchard Health

Part of our team’s mission for the Mommy and Me Program is to break down the barriers to treating postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, such as depression, anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and psychosis. We want to send the message that these things are somewhat common and very treatable. Oftentimes we already have risk factors prior to pregnancy, that can make us more likely to develop a postpartum mood disorder. 

Oak Orchard Health’s Mommy and Me program is also here to support women and families who are experiencing infertility, infant loss, or birth traumas, through counseling support. It’s been my experience that a great deal of shame weighs on women who experience postpartum depression, intrusive thoughts, and intense anxiety, after bringing their baby home. However, when given the right information and platform to share, so many women can identify with these experiences. The more we open up the conversation about postpartum mental health, the more women and families can possibly prepare, or recognize the signs, and seek support earlier.

Coincidently, most of our providers involved with Mommy and Me are also women, and mothers themselves, passionate about supporting the women of our communities and seeing families thrive. We have been so excited to see this program come to life, set an example of support, bring awareness, and maybe even inspire other similar programs to be developed elsewhere.  

Because of the Covid pandemic, some children have missed or delayed routinely recommended vaccinations

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

National Infant Immunization Week is April 24-30. This is an annual observance highlighting the importance of protecting children two years and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases. In the spirit of National Infant Immunization Week, we encourage parents and caregivers to take time to learn about vaccines.

“Childhood vaccinations are one of the best ways to protect infants and children from vaccine-preventable diseases before the age of 2,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).

Vaccinations not only play a key role in protecting our children from 14 vaccine-preventable diseases such as polio, mumps and the measles, they also protect our community. They are the most successful and cost-effective public health tool available for preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases as well as preventing death.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, some infants and children have missed or delayed routinely recommended vaccinations.

“Children who may have missed or skipped vaccinations may be at an increased risk of diseases like whooping cough (pertussis) and the measles, which can be serious,” Pettit said. “That is why it is important to stay on track with well-child visits and the recommended vaccination schedule. Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your children are up to date on their routine vaccinations.”

To learn more about vaccinations and to view the latest immunization schedule visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines or speak with your healthcare provider.

For more information on GO Health’s Immunization Clinics, visit GOHealthNY.org. You can also contact your respective health department:

• Orleans County- 585-589-3278 or OCPublicHealth@orleanscountyny.gov

• Genesee County- 585-344-2580 x5555 or Health@co.genesee.ny.us

Both Genesee, Orleans counties report more Covid cases due to new variant BA.2

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are seeing an increase in the number of people who have tested positive for Covid-19. This recent increase in Covid-19 cases is due to the new Omicron variant BA.2, which spreads more easily than other earlier variants.

“We are looking at Covid-19 community levels of high for Orleans and medium for Genesee,” stated Paul Pettit, Director of the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s weekly metrics used to determine the Covid-19 community level that was updated April 21, Orleans County case rate per 100,000 (this calculation is used to compare larger and smaller counties) is now at 203.21.  The new Covid-19 admissions per 100,000 is at 12 and the percentage of staffed inpatient beds in use by patients with confirmed Covid-19 is 4.6%.

“This updated data now places Orleans at a high community level,” Pettit said. “With this increase it is important for everyone, especially those at higher risk of complications to be more attentive with their public health prevention practices.”

Genesee County is currently at medium Covid-19 Community Level: Case rate per 100,000 population is at 19.29. New Covid-19 admissions per 100,000 is 12 and the percent of staffed inpatient beds in use by patients with confirmed Covid-19 is 4.6%.

To learn more on how community levels are determined, visit the CDC by clicking here.

With any new Covid-19 variant circulating, it is not a surprise to see an increase of positive cases. Even with this increase, our health care capacity in the region currently remains stable with the normal bed capacity levels. Generally, the omicron variant (Omicron BA.2) causes more mild symptoms, although some people may have more severe symptoms depending on their Covid-19 vaccination status, the presence of other health conditions, age, and history of prior infection.

We encourage those that have not been vaccinated and those who are not up-to-date on their Covid-19 vaccination, to be vaccinated and to talk with their primary care provider. You can register for Covid-19 vaccination clinics (click here) or check with your pharmacist, primary care provider, or the vaccines.gov website for other vaccination providers.

We continue to encourage residents to practice the following public health precautions to lower exposure to the virus, especially those who are at higher risk:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water and keep your hands away from your face.
• If you are sick, stay home, get tested and talk with your primary care provider.
• If you test positive for Covid-19, self-isolate and let your close contacts know to watch for symptoms and that they should consider being tested.If you are required to submit paperwork to your school or employer, you can access that here.
• Consider wearing a tight fitting facemask when you are in crowded public places.