BATAVIA – “One big family, driven by hope” is the theme for this year’s International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) campaign – the annual observance that includes a local event from 4 to 7 p.m. August 26th at St. Anthony’s in Batavia, hosted by the Genesee-Orleans-Wyoming CARES Alliance.
The world’s largest annual movement to end overdose, IOAD is dedicated to remembering without stigma those who have died and acknowledging the grief of family and friends left behind.
More than 200 community events have been scheduled across the United States and around the world during the month of August to raise awareness of one of society’s worst public health crises.
Initiated in 2001 by Sally J. Finn at The Salvation Army in St. Kilda, Melbourne, Australia, IOAD spreads the message about the tragedy of drug overdose death and that drug overdose is preventable.
Goals of the campaign include:
Providing an opportunity for people to publicly mourn loved ones in a safe environment, some for the first time without feeling guilt or shame.
Providing information about the issue of fatal and non-fatal overdose.
Sending a strong message to current and former people who use drugs that they are valued.
The GOW CARES Alliance ceremony will feature several speakers including Lynda Battaglia, director of Genesee County Mental Health & Community Services; Paul Pettit, public health director for Genesee & Orleans Health Departments; Erin Martin, Pastor at City Church; and Chris Budzinack, Supportive Living counselor at UConnectCare.
The event will feature live music by Groove and a Kid’s Zone. The Kid’s Zone will offer sensory bins to search for prizes, DIY canvas bags, crafts, chalk art, temporary tattoos, and games. They will have snacks, drinks, and ice pops available. The Kid’s Zone will also include a Back to School Bash, providing school supplies for kids in all grades – items like water bottles, book bags, scientific calculators, and other basic school supplies. Funding for school supplies is from Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and JM McDonald Foundation.
Representatives of over 30 nonprofit agencies have been invited to set up booths at the park.
‘These capital improvements will go a long way in solidifying the future of what Orleans Community Health and Medina Memorial Hospital can bring to the community.’ – Marc Shurtz, CEO/CIO of Orleans Community Health
Press Release, Medina Memorial Hospital/Orleans Community Health
Photo courtesy of Orleans Community Health: A state grant will help fund several improvements to Medina Memorial Hospital.
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health is excited to announce that it has been awarded $1,881,203 through Round IV of the Statewide Healthcare Transformation Grant Initiative to support the Medina Healthcare Center.
Opened in late 2024, the outpatient clinic was established to address the growing needs of our community. This funding will significantly advance essential renovations, ensuring the project becomes a reality.
The Medina Healthcare Center, located on the first floor of Medina Memorial Hospital in the former Behavior Health and Comprehensive Medical Rehab Units, is a specialty outpatient clinic that strives to meet the growing health and wellness needs of the greater community. Currently, it includes primary care services (all ages from pediatric to geriatric care), Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic, Surgery Clinic, Wound Care, and Podiatry. There are a growing number of services that are being explored as future additions.
“With roughly $1.9 million coming from the latest Transformation Grant Initiative, we’ve reached approximately $2.5 million in total funds for the project,” said Megan Johnson, executive director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation. “From grants to individual donations, this innovative project is quickly becoming a reality.”
Funds currently raised will go toward:
Patient parking lot renovations to the South
A new fully accessible entrance on the South end of the hospital
Elevator and staircase
Redesigned waiting room and registration
Hallway and room renovations
State-of-the-art equipment
Signage
“As we celebrate the 100th year of Medina Memorial Hospital, there’s growing excitement for what the future holds,” said Marc Shurtz, CEO/CIO of Orleans Community Health. “These capital improvements will go a long way in solidifying the future of what Orleans Community Health and Medina Memorial Hospital can bring to the community.”
Orleans County ranks among the lowest in New York State for health outcomes, with a patient-to-primary care provider ratio of 13,400:1 – more than ten times the state average. Residents often face long waits for appointments or must travel up to an hour for essential services, a challenge made even harder by limited transportation options. The Medina Healthcare Center will remove these barriers by doubling local outpatient capacity and centralizing services under one roof.
Orleans Community Health has now raised approximately 75% of its entire goal for the Medina Healthcare Center.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 August 2025 at 10:37 am
New residence will serve women and children
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – UConnectCare welcomed the community on Wednesday for tours of a new residence on Butts Road that will serve women in treatment for substance use disorder. The site will also offer behavioral health care.
The top photo shows director of residential services Stephanie Nadolinski, left, and Allison Parry-Gurak, UConnectCare’s chief residential officer.
Nadolinski will be the on-site leader. She has worked 25 years for UConnectCare, which was previously known as GCASA. Nadolinski brings experience of running the Atwater House in Batavia, which provides residential treatment for men with substance use disorder.
The building will be home for 25 women including 5 bedrooms for women with children. The building contains a variety of spaces to support and continue the recovery process including counseling, group sessions and career and personal development spaces.
Kathy Hodgins, UConnectCare chief executive officer, said there are very few options in the region for residential treatment for women that also can accommodate their children. UConnectCare has five rooms where mothers can have up to two children who are 5 or younger.
Allison Parry-Gurak leads a tour of the new women’s residence for UConnectCare. The site isn’t officially open yet.
It needs a final approval It needs a final approval for an operating certificate from the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports.
UConnectCare needs to hire nurses and LPNs to be on site 24-7. Once they are hired, Parry-Gurak said she expects the final approval will be granted by OASAS.
UConnectCare expects the site to open next month.
The state Department of Health provided a $4.6 million grant for construction of the residence. That grant doesn’t include the operation of the site, which will be staffed 24-7, including two employees at night.
UConnectCare picked Albion for the project because many of the agency’s other residential and treatment programs are based in Batavia.
Hodgins said the site will give priority to women in Genesee and Orleans counties, but will be available to women outside those counties if there are rooms available.
Parry-Gurak, the chief residential officer for UConnectCare, leads a tour of the new residence, with this photo of the kitchen.
Most of the women at the site are expected to stay several months as they work on their rehab and re-entry. The maximum tends to be a six-month stay, but Parry-Gurak said people could stay longer as long as they are working on their treatment.
Here are some other photos from the open house on Wednesday:
Organization seeks Multi-Generational Wellness Campus in Albion
Photos courtesy of Oak Orchard Health: Karen Kinter, CEO of Oak Orchard Health, gave tours of the community health center last week in Albion to JW Cook, left, and Assemblyman Steve Hawley in Batavia.
Press Release, Oak Orchard Health
ALBION – Oak Orchard Health last week celebrated National Health Center Week with the theme “America’s Health Centers Celebrating 60 Years of Improving our Nation’s Health.”
With 1 in 10 Americans using community health centers to get primary care, this statistic emphasizes the importance we play in the community. Oak Orchard Health cared for 34,184 patients in 2024 across all our health centers.
As part of our recent celebration, Oak Orchard Health had the honor of hosting two distinguished government officials for tours of our health centers, providing an opportunity to showcase our services, discuss current challenges, and share future plans.
August 6 – Visit from JW Cook, Regional Representative for Governor Hochul
JW Cook visited our Albion Health Center, where he presented a proclamation recognizing our contributions to the community. During the visit, we discussed the challenges we face regarding grant funding and potential budget reductions.
We also shared our application for a grant to support the development of a 28,000-square-foot Multi-Generational Wellness Campus at the Albion Health Center Campus in Orleans County. This initiative, in collaboration with community partners, aims to centralize care and improve access to essential services for rural populations.
Planned services include walk-in healthcare, behavioral health support for aging adults, preschool special education, a centralized Head Start program, daycare, recreational activities, and more.
Following the tour, we highlighted the critical role of our Patient Engagement Services team, which provides transportation, translation, and advocacy for individuals facing barriers to accessing care—particularly specialist services. We also emphasized the importance and planned expansion of our behavioral health offerings.
August 7 – Visit from Assemblyman Steve Hawley
Assemblyman Hawley toured our Batavia office, where we provide primary care, pediatric services, and behavioral health support. We discussed the ongoing challenge of recruiting qualified medical and dental professionals to serve our communities.
Additionally, we shared the success of our warming centers, which have served over 170 individuals at the Brockport Community Warming Center and more than 300 at the Orleans County Warming Center.
We extend our sincere thanks to JW Cook and Assemblyman Steve Hawley for taking the time to visit our facilities and engage in meaningful dialogue about the future of healthcare in our region.
Oak Orchard Health
Founded in 1973, Oak Orchard has grown into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services for everyone in our communities. Currently serving over 34,000 patients at nine locations in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Hornell, Medina, and Warsaw. We also have two mobile units for medical and dental services. Oak Orchard Health is a recognized NCQA patient-centered medical home, 501(c)3 nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center and has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval.
ONRAB “Ultralite” bait will be distributed by airplane and helicopter in parts of Genesee and Orleans counties this month.
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
Genesee and Orleans counties, along with other regions in New York State, are once again participating in a nationally coordinated effort to stop the spread of raccoon rabies across 13 states.
As part of this initiative, ongoing field assessments of the oral rabies vaccine (ORV) known as ONRAB will take place in the following counties: Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Clinton, Erie, Essex, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Niagara, Oneida, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Wyoming.
Weather permitting, ONRAB baits will be distributed by airplane and helicopter in Genesee and Orleans counties between Aug. 13 and Aug. 24. These areas were selected due to existing collaborations with Quebec and Ontario, Canada, as part of the continued effort to combat rabies. The goal is to protect both human and animal health while reducing the significant costs associated with managing rabies across wide geographic regions.
“Rabies is a serious public health concern, as it is almost always fatal if left untreated,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).
This map from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows the areas where oral rabies vaccines will be delivered in WNY.
In the United States, the costs associated with rabies detection, prevention, and control exceed $500 million annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 90% of reported rabies cases occur in wildlife. Efforts are primarily focused on controlling raccoon rabies, which continues to account for the majority of wildlife rabies cases nationwide.
Raccoon rabies is present in all states east of the established Oral Rabies Vaccination (ORV) zone, which stretches from Maine to northeastern Ohio to central Alabama. Continued access to effective oral vaccines and bait options for all target wildlife species is critical to the long-term success of rabies control efforts.
The ONRAB bait consists of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blister pack, containing the vaccine.
To attract wildlife, the blister pack is coated with a sweet-smelling mixture made from vegetable-based fats, wax, icing sugar, vegetable oil, artificial marshmallow flavoring, and a dark green food-grade dye.
The bait is not harmful to humans or pets, and rabies cannot be contracted from contact with it. However, if you come across a bait packet, leave it undisturbed. Most baits are consumed by wildlife within four days, and nearly all will be gone within a week. If you come into direct contact with a bait, wash the affected area thoroughly with warm water and soap.
Do not attempt to remove a bait from your dog’s mouth. The bait is not harmful, and trying to take it away may result in being bitten and exposed to the vaccine.
If you have additional questions related to the field evaluation in New York, please contact the Wildlife Services office in Rensselaer, NY at (518) 268-2289.
This shows the proposed plan for ONRAB Bait Distribution in three regions of New York during the summer 2025.
Oak Orchard Health started in 1973 and has expanded to several sites in WNY
By Karen Kinter, CEO of Oak Orchard Health
Provided photos: The Oak Orchard Community Health Center is shown under construction in 1991 in Albion.
ALBION – The National Association of Community Health Centers is celebrating 60 years of community health centers.
In 1989, they were designated as Federally Qualified Health Centers. They offer affordable primary healthcare across America. As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, we honor their extraordinary journey from humble beginnings to becoming the backbone of our nation’s largest primary care network.
Today, FQHCs operate over 16,000 locations nationwide, serving 32.5 million patients. In New York State, health centers serve over 2.4 million patients, including 685,532 children and 283,425 older adults.
Oak Orchard Health, a Federally Qualified Health Center, was founded in 1973 and has grown into an integrated health system serving 34,000 patients across eleven locations. We understand what makes our communities special. We’re culturally aware and work hard to meet the unique needs of everyone who lives and works in our community, including agricultural workers and individuals from diverse backgrounds, including all races and genders.
The History and Value of Community Health Centers
Community Health Centers (CHCs) originated in the 1960s as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty” and the civil rights movement, with the goal of providing healthcare to underserved communities. Key milestones include the establishment of the first two centers in 1965, the formalization of the “Federally Qualified Health Center” (FQHC) designation in 1989, and the inclusion of FQHCs in the Affordable Care Act in 2010. Today, FQHCs are a cornerstone of the US healthcare system, providing comprehensive primary and preventative care to millions, regardless of their ability to pay.
FQHCs serve approximately 10% of the U.S. population but account for roughly 1% of total annual healthcare spending in the United States. By keeping people healthy, primary care doesn’t just save lives – it saves money.
The History of Oak Orchard Health
This group celebrates the opening of the community health center in Albion.
The vision for Oak Orchard Health (OOH) came from Dr. James Perrin, a pediatrician at the University of Rochester. He wanted to create a community-controlled health center that could address all the unmet healthcare needs of the area.
The first Oak Orchard Community Health Center was located at the former McNall Furniture store, 52 N. Main St., in downtown Albion. The name Oak Orchard originated here, as Route 98 passed through Albion, which was part of the old Oak Orchard Trail that ran from Batavia to Point Breeze on the lake.
OOH soon outgrew its first facility, and since there was no large space available to rent in Albion, the Board’s Building committee looked for a site in Brockport. OOH relocated to the Booth Building at 80 West Avenue. The board felt that this location gave OOH a good quality image. Since there was still a demand for quality medical care in Albion, a satellite office remained there. Soon, an office would be built at the Arnold Gregory Hospital, which opened in the spring of 1976. OOH would lease this space until the hospital closed.
Within three years, this group of dedicated community members opened two health centers employing seven full-time doctors and their supporting staff. Its mission was and continues to be to deliver high-quality healthcare at an affordable cost to anyone in the community who needs it.
Funding of Health Centers Today
It is essential to the health of Oak Orchard Health and the nation that federal funding continue for health centers, ensuring people have access to affordable primary care. Today, Federally Qualified Health Centers, like Oak Orchard, serve 1 in 5 rural Americans.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 July 2025 at 4:00 pm
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health continues to expand and add services with the announcement of the opening of a gastrointestinal clinic at Medina Memorial Hospital in August.
The clinic will be led by Dr. Saman Chubineh, a board-certified gastroenterologist with more than a decade of experience in diagnosing and treating a broad range of gastrointestinal conditions.
“We continue to grow and expand specialty services to better serve our rural community,” said Marc Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health. “The addition of Dr. Chubineh and the Medina GI Clinic is another step toward making high-quality, local care more accessible to the people who rely on us.”
Dr. Chubineh received his medical degree from SUNY Downstate College of Medicine after graduating magna cum laude with departmental honors from New York University. He is also board certified in internal medicine, having trained at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset.
After a year directing the hospitalist program at Eastern Niagara University, he completed his fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Connecticut and has been practicing as a board-certified gastroenterologist since 2013. His work has been published in several peer-reviewed journals, and he is dedicated to providing thorough, evidence-based care, according to a news released from Orleans Community Health.
Patients visiting the Medina GI Clinic will see Dr. Chubineh personally for both office visits and procedures, ensuring continuity and a high level of personalized care, said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach.
The clinic will initially operate on the first Thursday of each month, with plans to expand as needed.
“Patients deserve access to high-quality specialty care without having to travel far, and we’re proud to offer that here in Medina,” Dr. Chubineh said.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (716) 240-2296.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 July 2025 at 10:13 am
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced the expansion of its Wound Care Center located at Medina Memorial Hospital.
Beginning on Monday, the center will now operate four full days each week, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
This expansion comes in response to the growing need for specialized wound care services in Orleans County and surrounding communities, said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach. By extending the hours, the Wound Care Center aims to improve access to care and accommodate more patients with chronic or non-healing wounds.
“It wasn’t long ago that we were offering two days at the Wound Care Center in Medina Memorial Hospital,” said Lisa Albanese Klein, program director of the Wound Care Center. “The demand continues to grow for this care and we’re excited to be able to meet the moment for those in the community.”
“Our goal is to ensure that patients have timely access to advanced wound care treatments close to home,” said Marc Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health. “This expansion reflects our commitment to meeting the healthcare needs of our community with high-quality, compassionate care.”
The Wound Care Center at Medina Memorial Hospital provides comprehensive, evidence-based treatment plans tailored to each patient, including advanced therapies and specialized care for diabetic ulcers, pressure injuries, surgical wounds and more.
Medina’s Wound Care Center was named a Center of Distinction for 2022 by Healogics, the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services. It has also received glowing reviews from patients whose serious wounds were healed.
“We have been extremely pleased with our service here at the Wound Care Center,” said Shirley Mancuso. “All nurses, doctors and receptionists have just been wonderful. We are so very thankful for all of the help we received here.”
“Three visits and I was done,” said Dorothy Dutcher. “I was surprised it was only three visits. I’m glad there was something like this in Medina. It was well worth it.”
To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact the Wound Care Center at (585) 798-8176.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) sent the following letter on Friday to Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., after the U.S. reached the grim milestone of more measles cases in 2025 than any other year since the virus was declared eliminated in 2000.
Following the devastating resurgence of this preventable and eliminated disease, Schumer is calling on RFK Jr. to declare a Public Health Emergency for measles.
“I am writing with deep concern over your response – or lack thereof – to the rapid resurgence and spread of measles across the United States over the past several months,” Schumer wrote. “Under your tutelage as Secretary, you have undermined vaccines, gutted public health funding, and dismantled core federal protections meant to keep Americans safe.”
Schumer tells Kennedy he has destabilized the nation’s infectious disease response infrastructure by conducting mass layoffs, including infectious disease scientists, indiscriminately issuing “careless and devastating grant freezes and rescissions,” and politicizing the overhaul of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
“You have walked our country into the nation’s largest measles outbreak in 33 years, leading cases to hit a record high a full 25 years after this country eliminated the disease,” Schumer wrote to Kennedy. “What began as a localized outbreak in Texas has now exploded into a nationwide public health crisis, infecting nearly 1,300 Americans across 38 states, hospitalizing scores, and proving to be deadly.”
Declaring a Public Health Emergency for measles would expand federal resources to address the worst measles outbreak in over three decades in the U.S. The federal government, states, and localities must all leverage funding, personnel, and other resources toward fighting unyielding outbreaks, Schumer said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 July 2025 at 3:55 pm
The United States has seen 1,288 reported cases of measles so far this year, the most in 33 years.
None of those cases are in Genesee or Orleans counties, which is at 0 for the year, said Nola Goodrich-Kreese, public health educator and public information officer for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention put out the latest data today, which shows a big uptick in measles, a disease that 25 years ago was declared eliminated in the United States.
Declining vaccination rates for measles, plus the disease’s highly infectious nature, has given it a resurgence, according to public health officials.
Measles is an airborne, extremely infectious, and potentially severe rash illness, the CDC said. Before the measles vaccine was introduced, an estimated 48,000 people were hospitalized and 400–500 people died in the United States each year, according to the CDC.
The CDC reports measles has been recorded in more than three dozen states, including New York State and New York City. The biggest outbreak is in Texas where there have been 753 reported cases.
The CDC says 162 people have been hospitalized in the U.S. and three have died from the measles.
Of those who contracted measles, 92 percent were either unvaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown.
The age breakdown of the cases include 29 percent under age 5, 36 percent ages 5 to 19, and 34 percent 20 or older. (There are 12 cases or 1 percent where the age is unknown).
Press Release, Tobacco-Free Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Program
BATAVIA – For the last 10 years, the Tobacco-Free Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Program (Tobacco-Free GOW) has worked with community leaders and youth champions to help reduce tobacco use in all three counties.
A new five-year New York State Advancing Tobacco-Free Communities grant for $1.8 million will build on the previous tobacco control and prevention work conducted by Tobacco-Free GOW. The contract from the New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control is one of three contracts awarded to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and will be administered under the direction of Maansi Bansal-Travers, PhD.
The Roswell Park tobacco-free programs support efforts to locally educate community stakeholders and youth in changing norms that lead to ending tobacco use among adults and children. Tobacco-Free GOW will continue to be operated by Community Engagement Coordinator Julie Calvert and Reality Check Youth Engagement Coordinator Brittany Bozzer.
“With their extensive contacts and experience in tobacco control, Julie and Brittany will be local leaders as we strive to create healthier communities in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Counties,” said Program Director Dr. Maansi Bansal-Travers.
“I’m excited to continue my work in tobacco control for another five years and look forward to engaging local community leaders and the public to strengthen tobacco-related policies that prevent and reduce tobacco use,” said Calvert.
Bozzer added, “I have been so privileged to be involved with the many successes that the tobacco control program has had over the last eight years. My role in youth engagement helps me focus on creating a tobacco-free generation, a goal that will help save lives.”
Andrew Hyland, PhD, Chair of the Department of Health Behavior at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center added, “Roswell Park has a long history of leading national and regional tobacco control efforts. These contracts provide an opportunity to continue those efforts in an efficient way that employs local leaders as they strive to prevent youth smoking and create tobacco-free communities throughout Western New York.”
The primary goals of the tobacco control program are to:
Reduce the impact of retail tobacco marketing on youth by educating communities about the manipulative marketing tactics of the tobacco industry.
Establish tobacco-free community norms through clean outdoor air policies by working with communities to create more smoke-free parks, playgrounds and beaches.
Lessen secondhand smoke exposure by working with landlords and tenants to implement smoke-free housing policies in multi-unit dwellings.
Diminish the environmental impact of tobacco product waste by working with community stakeholders to reduce the plastic pollution generated from cigarette filters and e-cigarette cartridges, as well as holding the tobacco industry accountable for its environmental footprint.
Monitor and address the challenges with industry-related influences and the changing tobacco product landscape with the continued rise of e-cigarette and nicotine pouch use.
All counties in New York State now have the resources of a community engagement program and a Reality Check youth action program through the Bureau of Tobacco Control. These contracts build on previous tobacco control funded work which supports the region’s public health efforts and provides more comprehensive programing across the state.
The New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Tobacco Control funds Tobacco-Free GOW to increase support for New York State’s tobacco-free norm through youth action and community engagement. Efforts are evidence-based, policy-driven, and cost-effective approaches that decrease youth tobacco use, motivate adult smokers to quit, and eliminate exposure to secondhand smoke. The program is administered by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 28 June 2025 at 5:14 pm
Michelle Smith joins healthcare center within Medina Memorial
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach at Orleans Community Health, chats with Michelle Smith, a family nurse practitioner, and the newest addition to the Medina Healthcare Center.
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced a third professional has joined the recently opened Medina Healthcare Center, located on the first floor of Medina Memorial Hospital
Effective Monday, family nurse practitioner Michelle Smith of Lockport will start seeing patients. She joins certified pediatric nurse practitioner Leah Brenner and board-certified nurse practitioner Pamela Eaton. All are accepting new patients.
Taking Eaton’s place at the Albion Healthcare Center several days a week is Dr. Vinay Aggarwal, who will divide his time between Brockport and Albion.
Photo courtesy of Scott Robinson: Michelle Smith, a family nurse practitioner, stands in the hallway of the Medina Healthcare Center at Medina Memorial Hospital, where she will begin seeing patients on Monday.
Smith brings a background of widespread education and more than 20 years’ experience in emergency and critical care.
Growing up, Smith and her family moved continuously with her father, who was in the military. She graduated from high school in Cheektowaga, where one of her assignments for graduation was to do an internship in any facility.
“I was very shy, but I needed to get my hours in, so they took me to a nursing home across the street,” Smith said. “I helped feed the people, and I thought, ‘I can do this.’ I knew then I wanted a career in which I could help people. I just didn’t know then how I was going to do it.”
She attended Erie I BOCES and graduated as a licensed practical nurse in 1988. Her first job was at ECMC in the trauma step-down unit.
She married and had two children when she decided to continue her education as a registered nurse, and she enrolled at D’Youville College. During that time, she had two more children. In 2000, she went to work at Children’s Hospital, where her specialty was the Emergency Room, Pre-natal Intensive Care Unit and Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit.
In 2010 she returned to Buffalo to be where her parents were and again went to work at Children’s Hospital. In 2016, she completed her master’s degree in nursing education. Next came a job at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, N.C., working in the Women’s Care Unit for 10 years.
Feeling the need to come back to Buffalo to be where her parents were, Smith again went to work at Children’s Hospital. In 2018, she went back to D’Youville to get her family nurse practitioner degree. Next followed a job at the Community Health Care Center of Buffalo, where she did chronic disease management and refugee re-settlement program.
From there, in 2023, Smith went to Urgent Care at a Fellowship Program at WellNow. Graduating from that, she went to Rochester as a visiting nurse for several years.
Searching for a job as a nurse practitioner at a smaller and more personal environment led to her applying at Orleans Community Health.
“Being a nurse practitioner was a way for me to care for the entire family as a whole, not just a toe or one part that needed attention,” Smith said. “I went to an employment agency that deals with the medical field late last winter, and they initiated contact here.”
Smith’s hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Appointments may be made by calling (585) 798-2550.
Smith and her husband Josh each had four children when they met and now have 2-year-old twins together.
Along the way, she discovered a saying by Maya Angelou which sums up Smith’s reason for choosing to become a family nurse practitioner.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said. People will forget what you did. But people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Photos courtesy of Oak Orchard Health: The Oak Orchard Health team congratulates with Dr. Mary Obear on her career in local health care.
Press Release, Oak Orchard Health
CORFU – Patients, community members and legislators came out to honor Dr. Mary Obear on June 14 at her retirement celebration.
After 27 years of bringing medical care to Genesee County, she has retired. She was greeted by many people at the Pembroke Community Center who came to wish her well and share a few words about her numerous contributions.
Dr. Obear has been a family physician in private practice since 2002 at Pembroke Family Medicine, which grew to three locations (Batavia, Alexander, and Corfu). On July 1, 2020, she combined her multi-location practice with Oak Orchard Health (OOH) due to their shared mission to provide high-quality primary care to everyone. At that time, OOH dedicated the health center to Dr. Obear.
One of Dr. Obear’s proudest accomplishments is mentoring young medical professionals throughout the years. Dr. Matthew Fernaays met Dr. Obear when he was a third-year medical student. He was inspired by her compassion for care of her patients in Genesee County.
Gregg Torrey, representing State Senator George Borello, presents a proclamation to Dr. Obear.
Dr. Fernaays is proud to call Dr. Obear a mentor and friend. He continues to mentor medical professionals throughout Oak Orchard Health. Dr. Obear highly recommends that all her patients see Shannon Bartlett, ANP, and Kevin Beuler, PA, at Oak Orchard Health’s Corfu office. She is confident that they will continue on in her legacy.
“Dr. Obear is an inspiration to all. Her path to medicine was anything but ordinary,” said Karen Kinter, CEO of Oak Orchard Health. “She moved to Western NY from Los Angeles. And we’re so glad she did. That academic curiosity never faded—Dr. Obear earned two master’s degrees before ultimately entering medical school in her 40s, proving that it’s never too late to follow a calling. She joined Oak Orchard Health in the middle of the pandemic and helped us and the community during that very trying time. Dr. Obear will be missed. Her impact on patients is immeasurable. Each one is more than a chart or a diagnosis. She has always poured her heart, dedication, and unwavering belief in the power of connection to help people.”
Dr. Obear has also been a key supporter of hospice and palliative care. She earned a Certificate of Added Qualifications in this field and has spent years helping patients and families through some of life’s most difficult transitions.
Sara Brunner, director Gateway Home, and Doug Domes, Board President for Gateway Home, present a plaque and appreciation to Dr. Obear.
Her work continues today through her involvement with local comfort homes, such as Crossroads House and Gateway Home, as well as her role with Genesee and Orleans County’s Board of Health. Sara Brunner, director, and Doug Domes, Board President of Gateway Home, came to the retirement party to talk about the impact Dr. Obear has had on their organization.
Also in attendance was representative for NYS Senator George Borello, who presented her with a special proclamation. Shelley Stein, Genesee County Legislature Chair, talked about the contributions Dr. Obear has made to the county.
It’s clear that Mary Obear, MD, PhD, is leaving behind a profound legacy of healing, leadership, and community commitment.
“It is with mixed feelings that I retire, but it’s time to travel and see my family,” she said. “As I begin the next chapter of my life, I reflect on my years of caring for patients in Genesee County over the past two and a half decades. It has been very important to me.”
Oak Orchard Health
Founded in 1973, Oak Orchard has grown into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services for everyone in our communities. Currently serving over 34,000 patients at nine locations in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Hornell, Medina, and Warsaw. We also have two mobile units for medical and dental services. Oak Orchard Health is a recognized NCQA patient-centered medical home, 501(c)3 nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), and has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval®. For more information, visit our website at www.OakOrchardHealth.org.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 June 2025 at 6:51 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Kelly Swanson, a surgical technician at Medina Memorial Hospital, talks with Medicare specialist Liz Schyve, who had an informational table at For Women Only.
(Left) Kim Gray, chief nursing officer at Orleans Community Health, welcomes guests to the annual For Women Only Thursday at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville. (Right) Lori Condo, assistant comptroller at Orleans Community Health, introduced a video paying tribute to those whose lives have been touched by cancer – survivors, those currently fighting and those who have been lost.
LYNDONVILLE – Orleans Community Health’s 27th annual For Women Only Thursday night at White Birch Golf Course was all about the journey – from early detection to advocacy, to the ongoing fight that so many must take on, according to Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach.
The event was a full team effort, Robinson said, from early on in planning when the idea was brought up to have panels and allow for individual speakers to tell their stories.
“Anne, Betty Sue, Megan and Kate shared their stories and has us all glued to each word,” Robinson said. “The expert panel was another great addition that brought even more backgrounds to the discussion. Cancer affects so many – this evening was an opportunity to come together and lift one another up.”
The evening began with a welcome from Kimberly Gray, chief nursing officer at Orleans Community Health, who thanked major sponsor Baxter Healthcare and extended appreciation to vendors, table sponsors, volunteers and speakers.
A highlight of the program, titled “The Journey,” was the stories told by four speakers – Anne Downey, Betty Sue Miller, Megan Pillar and Kate Backlas.
Downey’s story focused on early detection and her journey, which began with early detection of colon cancer in the summer of 2022.
“My faith was tested, but strengthened after early detection and removal of cancerous polyps,” Downey shared.
Guest speakers, who shared their stories of cancer survival, are introduced by Kim Gray, right, at For Women Only. From left are Kate Backlas, Megan Pillar, Betty Sue Miller and Anne Downey.
Miller encouraged all women to be an advocate for themselves, and shared her story of breast cancer and undergoing a lumpectomy, radiation and then chemotherapy.
“No one is going to cope the same, but you have to advocate for yourself,” Miller said.
Pillar, the former Megan McGrane of Medina, was only 31 and not married yet when she learned in 2015 she had a blood cancer she had never heard of.
Her journey of cancer was one of unexpected turns, resilience and, most importantly, learning how to speak up for herself. Pillar had moved to Florida after high school, but 10 years later when her mother was battling her third round of breast cancer, Pillar returned to her home in Ithaca to be nearer her. Her mother died that winter, and Pillar couldn’t help but wonder if she would breast cancer, too.
Two years later, in 2015, Pillar and her future husband were planning a life together, when a routine blood test showed something wasn’t right with her blood cells. A subsequent bone marrow biopsy determined she had Multiple Myeloma, the disease which took Colin Powell, Tom Brokaw and Roy Scheider from Jaws.
“I was initially told I needed to start chemo right away, followed by a stem cell transplant,” Pillar said.
Because she would be in the hospital for months, she chose to go to Roswell Park, knowing it had helped others in Medina. There, she learned she might have five to 10 years to live. She underwent subsequent testing and was told she shouldn’t have children. A few weeks later she got better news – that the cancer wasn’t in its later stages yet, so she could “watch and wait.”
During this time she found a cost-free women’s cancer retreat called “Mary’s Place by the Sea” in Asbury Park, N.J. There she met a volunteer who told her she needed to see a Myeloma specialist at Mount Sinai in New York City, who was accepting new patients.
There, they found something completely missed by two other hospitals – T-Cell Large Granular Lymphocyte Leukemia, a second rare blood cancer she had never heard of.
Through it all, Pillar said John, now her husband, was her rock. Today, at 41, they have two boys, 4 and 6.
In October she started a clinical trial at Mount Sinai – one of only 21 people in the country receiving a drug created to directly target the mutated T-cells.
“It’s far from easy juggling traveling five hours each way, work, young kids, weekly local labs and treatment every four weeks in the city – but it’s worth it,” Pillar said.
She is encouraged, as early data looked promising, she said.
Melanie McAdoo of Medina, left, had a booth at For Women Only, selling a variety of items, including Koozies, T-shirts, Buffalo Bills glasses, soy wax melts, earrings and key chains. Carrie Bias of Ridgeway, attending her first For Women Only, looks at the selection of earrings.
Backlas, the next speaker to share her story, said while everyone’s journey is different, the word “cancer” is always gut-wrenching.
She was 32 and planning to have another child when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2016. In the fall she underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction.
“This was a small price to pay for the opportunity to be with my husband and watch our daughter grow up,” Backlas said. “I cut my waist-length hair, and felt a sense of control.”
She suffered weight loss, fatigue and nausea, but she stayed positive. Doctors told her she couldn’t get pregnant after chemotherapy, but in September 2019 she was amazed when a pregnancy test came back positive. She gave birth to a daughter in May 2020.
During this time her mother was fighting her seventh bout of cancer, but in spite of it, always stayed positive, Backlas said. Her mother lost her battle in February 2022.
Backlas faced anger and depression, but knew she needed to do something to help others like herself and her mother.
She has an organization called the Nancy Beicke Project, in which she delivers packages to Roswell Park and their satellite on Park Club Lane in Amherst, as well as to Great Lakes Cancer Care and Oishei Children’s Hospital oncology unit. People can message her with specific requests for packages for loved ones or themselves. She sometimes does individual fundraisers as well. At Christmas, she collects pajamas for Oishei Children’s Hospital Oncology unit. Last year they collected 354 pairs of pajamas.
Lori Condo, assistant comptroller at Orleans Community Health, thanked the ladies for sharing their stories.
“Your courage, honesty and strength inspire us all,” Condo said. “We are truly grateful for your willingness to be vulnerable and share your experiences – reminding us that while every journey is unique, we are all connected by the compassion and support of this community.”
At thas time, Condo introduced a video honoring all who have been touched by cancer – survivors, those currently fighting and those we have lost.
“This video tribute is a celebration of their strength and a reminder of why we gather here tonight – to ensure no one faces cancer alone,” Condo said.
Megan Johnson, right, director of Orleans Community Health Foundation, introduces the Resource Panel at For Women Only. From left are Danielle Figura, licensed clinical social worker and director of Community Services with Orleans County Department of Mental Health; the Rev. Randy LeBaron, pastor of New Hope Community Church in Medina and spiritual care counselor with Hospice of Orleans; Elizabeth Schyve, benefits consultant with Walsh Duffield; Darlene Muehlbauer from the Cancer Services Program with GOWN; Pamela Eaton, nurse practitioner with Orleans Community Health; and Heather Miles, radiology technician at Medina Memorial Hospital.
The evening’s program continued with Megan Johnson, director of Orleans Community Health Foundation, who introduced the Resource Panel, a first-time addition to the event. This included the Rev. Randy LeBaron, pastor of New Hope Community Church in Medina, president and evangelist at Go Scatter Ministries and spiritual care counselor at Hospice of Orleans; Elizabeth Schyve, Medicare benefits consultant with Walsh Duffield; Darlene Muehlbauer, Cancer Services Program with GOWN, providing financial help and resources for those in need; Pamela Eaton, certified nurse practitioner with OCH’s Medina Healthcare Center, certified advanced aesthetic nurse practitioner and certified wellness and medical eight loss practitioner; Heather Miles, radiology technician at Medina Memorial Hospital; and Danielle Figura, licensed clinical social worker and director of Community Services with Orleans County Mental Health.
After answering questions from Johnson, the panel took questions from the audience. Topics addressed included the five stages of grieving from the Rev. LeBaron and his duties at Hospice and how children process grief; Schyve’s sharing of the need for an adequate insurance plan and what Medicare covers; Muehlbauer’s information on certain cancer screenings for uninsured or underinsured; Mental Health’s individual and group therapy; and more.
The evening also included a buffet, vendors with a health theme, basket raffle and 50/50 drawing.
Jeanne Crane, former nurse at Medina Memorial Hospital, has attended many of the For Women Only events, and said the new format was a wonderful improvement to the program. She said it is a wonderful opportunity for women to learn more about their health, so they know they are not alone and support is there for them.
Jennifer Morgan, a nursing supervisor at Medina Memorial Hospital, has also been to many of the events and said she likes the new informational format.
Condo announced at the conclusion of the evening that the event had raised $3,200 for cancer services programs.
ROCHESTER – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited Jordan Health’s Woodward Center to highlight how President Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” will hurt Rochester hospitals and families.
If passed, this legislation would cause 10.9 million Americans, including up to 1.5 million New Yorkers, to lose their health insurance coverage by 2034, and 11 million would be at risk of having their SNAP benefits reduced or eliminated.
“President Trump’s bill is not ‘beautiful’—it’s a betrayal of millions of hard-working Americans,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This bill includes the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in history, and it puts the future of our state’s critical rural hospitals in jeopardy. Congress and the Trump administration should be focused on bringing down the cost of essentials, not limiting access to the health care and benefits that so many New Yorkers rely on to get care and put food on the table. This is an unacceptable piece of legislation, and I will do everything in my power to stop it from passing.”
President Trump’s bill would cause Americans to lose their benefits by imposing work requirements on people receiving Medicaid and even stricter, more onerous work requirements for SNAP recipients.
This would force families with children and people with disabilities to jump through more hoops to access benefits, and it would generate additional administrative costs for the program. In New York State, work requirements for Medicaid will cost an estimated $510 million annually to administer and enforce.
President Trump’s bill would also put rural hospitals at risk of closure by limiting the use of provider taxes, which help make it possible for rural and urban hospitals and clinics to remain open and care for patients by providing maternity, emergency, and behavioral health care.
Funds collected by states through provider taxes are often directed to health care providers whose costs far exceed base Medicaid payment rates. These providers are typically located in rural America – where health care services are hard to find – or in dense urban areas, where the cost to deliver health care is high and health care providers are serving more people with Medicaid.
New York-based community health centers, like Jordan Health, that care for every patient who walks through their doors are estimated to lose $300 million annually as a result of this bill. The impact will vary by health center, but losses will range from 6 to 17%, depending on how many of their patients are covered by Medicaid or New York’s Essential Plan.
Health centers already operate on a shoestring budget, and this kind of funding cut will have very serious consequences. Already, over 60% of health centers have less than 90 days of cash on hand, and more than 20 percent have reduced staffing or closed sites in the past year due to financial strain. Cuts of this magnitude will cause more closures, more staffing cuts, and reduced access for the 2.4 million patients that our New York community health centers serve.
Gillibrand was joined by Jordan Health President and CEO Dr. Linda Clark and State Senator Jeremy Cooney.
“Here are the facts: One in every eight people in New York State relies on a Community Health Center for care, and more than 60% of those people are covered by Medicaid, so nearly half of all health center funding comes from Medicaid,” said Rose Duhan, CHCANYS President and CEO. “We’ve done the math – the proposals included in the House bill will cost New York’s community health centers $300M annually. If you limit access to Medicaid, you hurt Community Health Centers and the people they serve. That’s a fact.”
“We are in a critical state when it comes to the proposed Medicaid program funding cuts and changes,” said Dr. Linda Clark, president and CEO of Jordan Health. “More than 70% of our patients are enrolled in a Medicaid program and depend on funding to cover the costs of their care. Access to high-quality healthcare is not a privilege it is a necessity and impacts our community as a whole.”
BATAVIA – For the last 10 years, the Tobacco-Free Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming Program (Tobacco-Free GOW) has worked with community leaders and youth champions to help reduce tobacco use in all three counties.
