By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 June 2023 at 8:28 pm
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced the selection of three new members to the board of directors.
Jacquelyn Bixler, Matthew Kennedy and Mary Williams were named to the board at the June 27 meeting.
“Jacquelyn, Matthew and Mary are all great additions to our already strong board,” said Shannon Blount, who was re-elected as chair of the board of directors. “While each of these individuals bring experience with different backgrounds, they also bring a strong passion for making Orleans Community Health and our community a better and stronger place.”
In addition to Blount and the three new members, the 2022-23 Orleans Community Health board of directors includes Hector Fuentes, vice-chair; Kevin Foley, secretary; April McGaffick, treasurer; Richard Elman, MD, medical staff president; Lynne Johnson; Aaron Knights; Jenifer Maynard; Joseph Misiti, MD; and Dale Sponaugle, MD.
Marc Shurtz, CEO/CIO of Orleans Community Health, praised outgoing board members Dawn Meland and Cindy Hewitt, who have given years of dedication to Orleans Community Health.
“Exciting times are continuing at Orleans Community Health,” Shurtz said. “There’s no question that this group of community leaders and health professionals are going to continue to help push us in the right direction.”
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the existing air quality health advisory for the entire state will remain in effect through Thursday, and State Agencies and Authorities continue to coordinate ongoing air quality monitoring, public awareness and education, mask distribution, and other efforts to prevent or limit exposure to elevated levels of smoke-driven air pollution across New York.
The Departments of Environmental Conservation and Health are closely monitoring air quality for impacts from Canadian wildfires and issued an Air Quality Health Advisory for tomorrow after forecasts of levels of particulate matter pollution that are “Unhealthy” and “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.” In addition, the Governor announced that a third crew of Forest Rangers is deploying to Quebec to assist in the Canadian fire response.
“As we continue to monitor air quality levels and provide communities with the information and tools they need to help prevent exposure to smoke-related air pollution, New Yorkers should remain vigilant and take steps to stay safe,” Governor Hochul said. “I thank the brave New York Forest Rangers joining the Canadian wildfire response and wish them a safe journey as they prepare to assist in the ongoing efforts to control the fires north of our borders.”
Governor Hochul announced earlier today that the air quality health advisory for Wednesday, June 28 expanded to include the entire state. Tomorrow, Thursday, June 29, smoke will slowly move eastward and stall over Central New York as a high-pressure system meanders over the Mid-Atlantic coast, with the highest concentrations of smoke-induced fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution expected across Western and Northern New York. The smoke plume is expected to move out of New York more slowly than it moved in and heavier smoke is expected to remain upstate through much of Friday.
Air quality is forecasted to reach “Unhealthy” Air Quality Index levels tomorrow for Western and Central New York, Eastern Lake Ontario, and the Adirondacks. At this level, everyone may begin to experience health effects, members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Air quality is forecasted to reach “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” in the rest of the state. At this level, members of sensitive groups such as people with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions like asthma, young children, and older adults, may be more at risk of health effects from smoke. To learn more, see chart here.
Emergency cell phone alerts will be used to warn New Yorkers if air quality index exceeds the 200 threshold for “Very Unhealthy” air and sustained for longer than an hour. The alerts will be transmitted via the Wireless Emergency Alert system, managed by the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
(Editor’s Note: The air quality in Orleans County today is in the unhealthy range due to wildfire smoke from Canada.)
The New York State Department of Health recommends that with the reduced air quality, everyone should limit his or her outdoor activities to reduce exposure. Masks will be available to the public at the following locations in Genesee and Orleans counties during normal business hours while supplies last.
Orleans County, business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Orleans County Administration Building, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411
Genesee County- Business Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Emergency Management Office, 7690 State Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020
County Building 2, 3837 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020
Old Courthouse, 7 Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020
Office for the Aging, 2 Bank Street, Batavia, NY 14020
The New York State Department of Health provides the following tips to stay safe:
Limit time outdoors
Keep windows and doors closed
Avoid strenuous activities outdoors, especially for those with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory health issues
Avoid prolonged exposure outdoors, especially for those with health vulnerabilities, such as cardiovascular disease or lung disease, and those who are pregnant
For those that must be outside for a prolonged period of time, wear a tight fitting mask
Exposure to the reduced air quality can pose negative health risks, including:
Irritation to eyes, nose or throat
Coughing
Sneezing
Runny nose
Shortness of breath
Individuals with symptoms or related health concerns should contact their healthcare provider.
To monitor the Air Quality Index (AQI) Forecast, visit the Department of Environmental Conservation website (click here).
To monitor the current Air Quality for your area, visit the EPA AirNow website (click here).
To access the Fire and Smoke Map, visit the AirNow website (click here).
For more information, residents can call the New York State Air Quality Hotline at 1-800-535-1345.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 June 2023 at 12:44 pm
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Jeanne Crane, president of the Medina Memorial Hospital’s Association of Twigs, talks to members at their annual luncheon in May at Zambistro’s Restaurant. After a discussion, the membership voted to dissolve the organization, which has been in existence for more than 70 years.
MEDINA – The decision to dissolve the Association of Twigs brings to an end the organization with a 70-year history of supporting Medina Memorial Hospital.
At their annual luncheon in May at Zambistro’s Restaurant, the barely two dozen members in attendance began to discuss what to do with the money remaining in their treasury.
It became evident that with no major way to raise money, it made sense to give the hospital their remaining balance to use as they needed it and dissolve the organization. The decision was unanimous.
The Twigs, whose membership once numbered more than 400, had dwindled to 70 at its last banquet in 2019 and 40 at its May luncheon.
Twig, which stands for Together With Individual Goals, was founded in 1953 as a vision of Mrs. Donald Acer of Medina, who felt there should be a women’s organization at Medina Memorial Hospital. She sought advice from women who were members of existing Twig Associations in Rochester and at Arnold Gregory Memorial Hospital in Albion.
In those days, women were often referred to by their husband’s name, not their own first name.
On March 16, 1953, Mrs. Acer and Mrs. John Wilkins, with the approval of Medina Memorial Hospital directors, called a meeting at the Elks Club for the purpose of establishing a Twig Association. Fifty women responded. By April, the Medina Association of Twigs had been established with Mrs. John E. Wilkinson as its first president.
Eight original Twig branches were formed, Apple Blossom, Bittersweet, Cherry, Evergreen, Juniper, Linden, Oak Leaf and Silver Birch.
Early projects were securing bedpans and sewing surgical stockings, bandages, glove covers, surgical sheets, curtains and pillows. The first major event was a Christmas party that year in the hospital dining room for personnel. Twigs supplied all the food and decorations and served the meal.
More groups continued to form during the following years, and by 1958-59, there were 27 branches and a total membership of 337.
In 1956 the Twig Association’s treasury had a balance of $350, which they donated to the hospital, starting what was to become an annual tradition of donating profits from fundraisers to the hospital. Through the years, Twig donations numbered into the hundreds of thousands.
In the early years, it was customary for each Twig branch to donate small items individually, such as ice pitchers, glasses, trays, stainless steel medicine trays, pictures, packages of patient tissues, ash trays, books for the library, baby foot printer, ice crushers, etc.
It is not known when Twigs took over the Gift Shop, but it became a major source of revenue, resulting in annual donations of $20,000 to the hospital.
By 1960, two new branches had formed, one, Cinnamon, was started for women from Lyndonville with Ellie Whipple as chair. Total branches were now 29.
Through the years, Twig branches continued to raise money through their individual projects, sponsor the hospital Christmas party, provide tray favors and puppets for patients, volunteer their services at the Greeter Desk and Reception Desk (saving the hospital thousands of dollars annually), provide a hospitality room and attend to tons of mending and sewing of hospital linens.
When a new birthing wing was established, Twig donated $100,000, resulting in it being named the Twig Birthing Wing.
In 1968, one new branch, Wildwood, was formed strictly for members who were only interested in the volunteer aspect and required no monthly meetings.
At its 25th anniversary celebration, it was reported Twig volunteers had given an estimated 63,500 hours to the hospital.
The Gift Shop flourished and was expanded in 1974. It closed in 2018 due to lack of volunteers.
By 1979, the Twigs were responsible for the Reception Desk, Greeter Desk, Gift Shop, Snack Shop, Gift Cart, Central Supply and sewing.
Twig branches began to disband in the late 1960s, due to the health and aging of their members.
In the 1970s, Twig began purchasing larger pieces of equipment for the hospital and undertaking projects such as the lobby renovation. A surgical lift, operating table, proctoscopic table, obstetrical table and mammography X-ray equipment (valued at $25,000) were some of the donations.
As of the last banquet in 2019, only 11 Twig branches remained, with a total membership of 66. Only Laurel Twig continued to have regular meetings, although only eight or nine attended of the original 25 members.
Nelda Toussaint of Medina was one of Twig’s longest standing members. She joined when her son Jeff was a year old and she was looking for something to do to get out of the house at night.
When the Gift Shop closed, Twigs lost their major source of revenue. They have continued their gifts to the hospital from the balance left in their account.
Jeanne Crane wiped away tears when she announced the vote to disband. She first became president in 1986. She has served in the position until now.
“I’ve struggled thinking about this for three years,” she said at the May luncheon. “We have no way to make money and haven’t run the Greeter Desk or Reception Desk since Covid.”
She recalled other projects and donations the Twigs were responsible for during the years, such as pledging $45,000 in 1983 for ICU; extensive lobby renovations; managing TVs for patients; and making puppets for kids in the ER.
Crane, a registered nurse, taught expectant parent classes at the hospital, worked as a registered nurse beginning in 1967, worked as nurse manager in the North Wing in 1970 and retired from Medina Memorial Hospital in 2003 as Risk Management and Infection Control Nurse.
Marc Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health, praised the Twig Association and said their involvement will be missed.
“The Twigs have stood hand in hand with Medina Memorial Hospital and Orleans Community Health since the 1950s,” he said. “The impact they’ve had on the health and wellness of the community goes far beyond what many realize. They were behind the purchases of items for surgeries and mammograms, while their name is also on the sign in front of Medina Memorial Hospital. You can’t walk through Medina Memorial Hospital without seeing something the Twigs had a hand in making a reality.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 18 June 2023 at 2:48 pm
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health is celebrating Certified Nursing Assistants Week from June 15-21 by acknowledging several skilled team members.
“In June, we honor our certified nursing assistants, patient care assistants and patient care technicians for the tremendous work they do for the health of our community,” said Kimberly Gray, chief nursing officer at OCH. “They impact the lives of our patients and residents, based on the wonderful care they provide. They help perform critical tasks that ensure patients and residents are well-cared for and safe during their hospital stay. Their compassion and kindness do not go unnoticed and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for all they do.”
National Nursing Assistants’ Week is celebrated in June each year to honor the impact of nursing assistants throughout the professional field, Gray added. CNAs, for example, got their start assisting the Red Cross nurses during World War I, as they cared for the influx of patients. Today, they play a pivotal role in caring for patients.
Orleans Community Health will be recognizing their team of CNAs, PCAs and PCTs throughout the coming days in various ways, Gray said.
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County Health Department has scheduled an anti-rabies immunization clinic for Wednesday, June 28, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion, NY). Please enter from Wood Road.
This clinic replaces the one that was planned for June 7 but was cancelled due to poor air quality from the wildfires in Canada.
There is no charge for the vaccine, but voluntary donations are accepted. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal at all times. Limit 4 pets per car.
Future anti-rabies immunization clinics are as follows:
Genesee County Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia, NY)
Thursday, August 10, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, October 12, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Orleans County Clinics at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion, NY)
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
With the warmer weather here, more home renovation projects are starting. If you have a home built before 1978, it is important to make sure renovations are done safely.
Homes built before 1978 are more likely to have lead-based paint that can be disturbed when renovating. Renovations can put lead dust into the air as well as into heating and cooling systems of homes with lead-based paint.
Children (and adults) exposed to this lead dust are at risk of lead poisoning. There is no safe level of lead to have in the body. The effects of lead poisoning are permanent and can affect a child into adulthood.
“Lead poisoning can affect anyone, but is especially dangerous for infants and small children,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “Childhood lead poisoning can harm the brain and nervous system leading to learning challenges, lower IQ, difficulty in paying attention/hyperactivity, kidney damage, and at very high levels can be fatal. Lead poisoning can also be dangerous for pregnant women because lead can pass to the baby during pregnancy.”
While thinking about renovation plans for this summer, consider using a lead-safe certified contractor if you live in a home built before 1978. If planning to do the work yourself, here are some simple steps you can take to keep both you and your family safe.
1. Set up safely in a way that should prevent dust from escaping the work area and keep anyone not working on the project from entering. This can include removing all furniture, rugs, curtains, and other household items, tightly wrapping items that cannot be removed with plastic sheeting, covering floors with plastic sheeting, closing and sealing all doors, turning off forced-air heating and air conditioning systems, and covering vents with sheeting. All sheeting should be taped in place to ensure it is secure.
2. Protect yourself. Wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when working, wash your hands and face every time you stop working, wash your work clothes separately from the rest of your family’s laundry, and do not eat, drink, or smoke in your work area. Dust and debris can contaminate food or other items and cause you to ingest dangerous lead dust.
3. Minimize Dust. Many renovation tasks (drilling, cutting, opening walls, etc.) create dust that may contain lead. Using proper tools and simple practices can help limit and control the dust.
4. Clean your work area at the end of every day. This helps minimize dust and protects you and your family. Easy ways to keep your work area clean include; putting trash in heavy-duty bags as you work, vacuuming with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) cleaner frequently, cleaning tools daily, disposing of or cleaning PPE, and keeping non-workers out of the work area.
5. Control Waste. Collect all waste and secure it tightly with duct tape or a double bag to prevent lead dust or debris from escaping before disposal.
6. Clean again. When your renovations are complete and before using the room again, use wet-cleaning methods in order to control the dust and prevent the dust from going back into the air. Make sure to mop uncarpeted floors thoroughly, clean walls with a HEPA vacuum or damp cloth, thoroughly vacuum all remaining surfaces and objects with a HEPA vacuum and then wipe down all surfaces with wet cloths until the cloths are clean.
For any questions and more information on GO Health Lead Programs, contact the Genesee County Health Department at (585) 344-2580 ext. 5555 or Health.GOlead@co.genesee.ny.us. You can also visit the GO Health website at www.GOHealthNY.org.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 June 2023 at 10:41 am
Provided photo: This is one of the rooms in the sub-acute rehab wing of Medina Memorial Hospital.
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health is excited to announce its sub-acute rehab (commonly referred to as the transitional care unit) at Medina Memorial Hospital has seen strong growth in 2023.
Information provided by Scott Robinson, director of marketing, as of June, this year has already surpassed all of 2022.
“This is a true testament to the team we have here,” said Marc Shurtz, CEO/CIO of Orleans Community Health. “We’re increasingly seeing and hearing that patients are requesting to rehab at Medina Memorial Hospital.”
Sub-acute rehab patients at Medina Memorial Hospital have the benefit of being located in a hospital, which means there are several valuable services in close proximity. This is one of the reasons more patients are choosing to come to Medina for their rehab.
Having rehab located in a hospital has more value for several reasons:
Physical, occupational and/or speech therapy is available up to seven days a week.
Registered nurses care for patients 24/7.
Medical provider is onsite 24/7.
There is an onsite emergency department.
There are spacious private rooms.
In many cases, rehabbing at Medina Memorial Hospital means being close to home.
Orleans Community Health’s TCU offers a special, caring environment for patients who no longer require all the resources of an acute care hospital, but who are still in need of special care before going home, Robinson explained. The average length of stay for Medina’s TCU is 10-14 days. After this time, the patient returns home, or referrals are made to an approved facility.
A recent patient, Donna Walsh, shared her experience.
“This is the best place I’ve been to,” she said. “You can be missing home but still smiling because you’re here. These people are like family. It’s like part of my life has been made whole again. I met staff who thanked me for being here, and staff who said they were happy for me to go home, but said they’d miss me. A nurse even game me a hug and another held my hand during a tough day. It all made me feel like a person. I’m going to miss them, those people who became my family.”
Gary Bartle, another recent patient, said you can tell the staff at Medina Memorial Hospital love their jobs.
“It reflects in how they care for their patients,” he said. “From the delicious food and the great care to them making me laugh, it’s been a great experience. I have been to three rehabs and I learned more this morning about balance and different techniques than I did at the other rehabs the whole time I was there.”
Provided photos: (Left) Rhonda Woody is shown at work in cardiac services at Medina Memorial Hospital. She was recently recognized by Buffalo Business First. (Right) Representatives of Buffalo Business First are shown with Rhonda Woody, lead sonographer and technical director of echocardiography at Medina Memorial Hospital, after naming her one of their 25 “Excellence in Health Care” recipients.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 June 2023 at 9:08 am
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced one of its employees has been recognized by Buffalo Business First as one of their 25 “Excellence in Health Care” recipients.
Rhonda Woody, lead sonographer and technical director of echocardiography, recently celebrated her 25th anniversary with Orleans Community Health.
“It’s important to me to make sure all my patients feel heard, relaxed and comfortable,” Woody said. “We are a close-knit group where everyone works for a common goal. My department director is an added bonus. She is always willing to help, always supports her employees and is family oriented.”
Medina’s cardiac service offers more than echocardiograms, Woody said. They offer exercise and nuclear stress testing, halter monitors and they can set a patient up with a cardiologist right in the building.
“I want everyone to know that we’re a hidden treasure,” Woody said. “We have an exceptional diagnostic department who are all certified or registered in each of the modalities they work in, providing exams that the community may not even be aware of.”
Woody also is a constant face at the Sands-Constellation Heart Institute Cardiology Clinic with Dr. Harry McCrea, which is currently at Medina Memorial Hospital on Wednesdays. She has been a leading figure in helping to grow that one-day-a-week service for the community.
In addition to serving the community with Orleans Community Health, Woody, an Albion resident, enjoys gardening, watching her daughter compete in horse competitions and the entire Christmas season (especially baking cookies).
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
The New York State Department of Health recommends that with the reduced air quality, everyone should limit their outdoor activities to reduce exposure.
Masks will be available to the public at the following locations in Genesee and Orleans counties on Thursday, June 8, during normal business hours until supplies last.
Orleans County (Business hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Orleans County Administration Building, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY 14411
Genesee County (Business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
Emergency Management Office, 7690 State Street Road, Batavia, NY 14020
Old Courthouse, 7 Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020
The New York State Department of Health provides the following tips to stay safe:
Limit time outdoors
Keep windows and doors closed
Avoid strenuous activities outdoors, especially for those with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory health issues
Avoid prolonged exposure outdoors, especially for those with health vulnerabilities, such as cardiovascular disease or lung disease, and those who are pregnant
For those that must be outside for a prolonged period of time, wear a tight fitting mask
Exposure to the reduced air quality can pose negative health risks, including:
Irritation to eyes, nose, or throat
Coughing
Sneezing
Runny nose
Shortness of breath
Individuals with symptoms or related health concerns should contact their healthcare provider.
With the warmer weather here, more home renovation projects are starting. If you have a home built before 1978, it is important to make sure renovations are done safely.
