Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

Oak Orchard Health has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Ambulatory Care and Behavioral Health Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards.

The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

Oak Orchard Health underwent a rigorous, unannounced onsite review on June 14-16. During the visit, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with Ambulatory Care and Behavioral Health standards spanning several areas including leadership, quality and safety measures, environment of care, infection prevention and control, emergency management, medication management, and rights and responsibilities of the individual.

“This is a comprehensive accreditation and our team stepped up to demonstrate our commitment to our patients confirmed through this Gold Seal of Approval,” said Karen Kinter, CEO of Oak Orchard Health.

The Joint Commission’s standards are developed in consultation with healthcare experts and providers, measurement experts, and patients. They are informed by scientific literature and expert consensus to help healthcare organizations measure, assess and improve performance. The surveyors also conducted onsite observations and interviews.

“As a private accreditor, The Joint Commission surveys health care organizations to protect the public by identifying deficiencies in care and working with those organizations to correct them as quickly and sustainably as possible,” says Mark Pelletier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, Accreditation and Certification Operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend Oak Orchard Health for its continuous quality improvement efforts in patient safety and quality of care.”

To obtain this accreditation, the clinical leadership, managers, and line staff had to focus on the 15 categories of standards that applied to OOH and develop processes and procedures to meet them. We also underwent training to address and meet the JCAHO standards.

About Oak Orchard Health

Originally founded in 1973, Oak Orchard Health has grown from a migrant health project into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services including primary care, pediatric care, vision care, dental care, behavioral health, as well as nutrition and outreach services for everyone located in the communities they serve. Oak Orchard Health is a recognized patient-centered medical home and 501(c) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Hornell, Lyndonville, Medina, and Warsaw, New York. With the addition of the Mobile Medical Unit and Mobile Dental Unit, we will further increase access to care for our patients. To learn more about Oak Orchard Health at www.oakorchardhealth.org.

For more information, please visit The Joint Commission website.

Karen Kinter

BROCKPORT — Oak Orchard Health has named an Albion woman as interim CEO. Karen Kinter previously served as Oak Orchard’s chief financial officer for ten years.

She most recently worked at Rochester Regional Health as Vice President of the Specialty Revenue Program and CEO of RRH Federally Qualified Health Centers. Oak Orchard officials said Kinter brings a well-established background in Federally Qualified Health Centers and is an Executive Leader with over 20 years of Senior Leadership experience.

Locally, she may be best known as the owner of the Cone Zone in Albion with her husband Chris Kinter.

In her primary role over her time with RRH, she has achieved growth and sustainability of federal and state programs across multiple hospitals, Oak Orchard stated in a press release announcing her as interim CEO. She has developed and executed program expansion through optimization of revenue, internal controls and improved efficiencies, Oak Orchard stated.

“We are delighted to welcome Karen Kinter to Oak Orchard Health,” said Karen Watt, chair of the board for Oak Orchard Health. “She brings a wealth of knowledge with more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, including 15 years at Federally Qualified Health Centers. She is the perfect fit for us.”

Kinter earned a Master of Business Administration from the SIMON Business School at the University of Rochester and her bachelor’s degree from Medaille College in Buffalo. She volunteers on the board of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern and Regional Health Reach’s Homeless Program.

About Oak Orchard Health

Originally founded in 1973, Oak Orchard Health has grown from a migrant health project into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services including primary care, pediatric care, vision care, dental care, behavioral health, as well as nutrition and outreach services for everyone located in the communities they serve. Oak Orchard Health is a recognized patient-centered medical home and 501(c) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center located in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Hornell, Lyndonville, Medina and Warsaw.

By Mary Richards, FNP, Oak Orchard Health in Warsaw

Most everyone knows a friend or family member who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. That is because breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in American women, except for lung cancer. It can occur at any age, but the risk goes up as you get older. Because of certain risk factors, some women may have a greater chance of having breast cancer than others, according to the American Cancer Society.

Schedule your mammogram today!

Many women with breast cancer have no symptoms which is why it is important to get a regular mammogram. The American Cancer Society recommends women start at age 40 for their yearly breast cancer screening. Should you have a family history of breast cancer you may need to get your mammogram earlier, particularly if that family member was under 40 years of age and in your immediate family (sister, mother). If that is the case, you may want to start mammograms at 35. With that family history of breast or ovarian cancer, you may be eligible at age 25+ for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutation test. According to the Mayo Clinic, the BRCA gene test is offered to those who are likely to have an inherited mutation based on personal or family history of breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Talk to your health care provider about this option. 

What causes Breast Cancer? 

With about 1 in 8 women getting breast cancer during their life, it is important to look at what causes it. Though there are no definitive answers for every case of breast cancer, we do know that there are known risk factors. They are lifestyle related or genetic. A risk factor can increase your chance of getting it, but that is not for sure. Here are just a few according to the American Cancer Society:

Drinking alcohol is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. The risk increases with the amount of alcohol consumed. Women who have one alcoholic drink a day have a small (about 7% to 10%) increase in risk compared with those who do not drink, while women who have two to three drinks a day have about a 20% higher risk. Alcohol is linked to an increased risk of other types of cancer, too.

Being overweight or obese. Having more fat tissue after menopause can raise estrogen levels and increase the chances of getting breast cancer. Women who are overweight also tend to have higher blood insulin levels. Higher insulin levels have been linked to some cancers, including breast cancer. However, weight is a complex topic when it comes to a link to cancer. You should talk with your provider if you have questions.

Not being physically active. The American Cancer Society recommends that adults get 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week (or a combination of these). Getting to or going over the upper limit of 300 minutes is ideal.

You can help reduce your risk of cancer by making healthy choices like eating right, staying active, and not smoking. It is also important to follow recommended screening guidelines, which can help detect certain cancers early. And never let paying for your mammogram stop you from getting one. Contact Oak Orchard Health at (585) 637-3905 and we can help you find financial support. 

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced the return of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services at Medina Memorial Hospital beginning on Sept. 28.

These services will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays, according to Scott Robinson, director of marketing, communications and outreach at the hospital.

“The importance of MRI services cannot be overstated,” said Erica Chutko, director of radiology at Orleans Community Health. “We can perform MRI on the brain, spine, chest, abdomen, pelvis and extremities. These tests can help detect potential health concerns, such as strokes, tumors, multiple sclerosis and much more.”

The MRI machine is a mobile unit which allows the hospital to flex it scheduling with the demand, while keeping current with technology, Robinson said.

“We’re working with Alliance Health Services to make this possible,” he said

An MRI is a non-invasive imaging exam that does not include any radiation, Robinson explained. To schedule an appointment, patients will need a referral from their doctor. Some insurances required prior authorization.

Appointments can be made scheduled with the radiology department by calling (585) 798-8054.

EPA, state DOH both list Genesee County as having high radon rates

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

Did you know that radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that is released in rock, soil and water?

Radon has no smell, taste or color and kills more than 21,000 people each year. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Radon can build up to dangerous levels in your home, which can occur in new homes or older homes.

“Radon can enter your home through cracks in the foundation, cracks in basement walls, holes, joints, dirt floors, sump pump holes, suspended floors and in the well-water supply,” stated Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “Any house that has contact to the ground has the potential for radon to enter the home.”

Both the EPA and New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) have identified Genesee County as having a high average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter).

“Testing your home for radon is the only way to know if high levels are present and corrective action is needed,” stated Brodie. When radon tests are completed, they should be performed in the lowest primary living area of the home.

GO Health encourages residents to test for radon when buying a home, doing a major renovation, every 2 years if there is a mitigation system installed or every 5 years otherwise. You can purchase a short-term radon test kit from your local hardware store or through a radon-testing laboratory.

For more information on radon or other GO Health programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org.

Chart from Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

The latest data from the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments shows confirmed Covid cases are on the rise locally.

In Orleans, the cases have increase from 39 from Aug. 30 to Sept. 6, to 64 from Sept. 7-13, and then 79 from Sept. 14-20. In Genesee, the cases in the past three weeks have increased from 62, 91 and 123.

Genesee also recently reported two deaths from Covid and now is at 200 Covid-related deaths in the Covid pandemic since March 2020. The State Department of Health also is reporting another Covid-related death in Orleans County, putting the Covid deaths at 121 in Orleans during the pandemic.

The federal CDC puts both Orleans and Genesee counties at medium for the community level for Covid.

Statewide Gov. Kathy Hochul is reporting today that the 7-day average of positive tests for the state was at 6.48 percent on Tuesday.

Orleans and Genesee are in the nine-county Finger Lakes Region which is at 7.32 percent positive. The Western New York region is at the highest positivity rate at 11.52 percent while New York City is the lowest at 4.89 percent.

The seven-day positivity averages for the Finger Lakes counties includes:

• Orleans, 5.9 percent
• Genesee, 6.6 percent
• Livingston, 7.4 percent
• Monroe, 6.8 percent
• Ontario, 8.1 percent
• Seneca, 7.0 percent
• Wayne, 7.5 percent
• Wyoming, 7.2 percent
• Yates, 7.8 percent

“With tomorrow marking the official start of the fall season, I remind all New Yorkers to take the necessary steps to better protect themselves against Covid-19,” Governor Hochul said in a statement today. “Take advantage of the latest tools and resources at our disposal in order to keep our families and our communities safe. Test before gatherings or travel and if you test positive, talk to your doctor about potential treatment options.”

Press Release, Orleans Community Health

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health is excited to announce the addition of Todd Prier, MD, to the Orleans Community Health Surgery Clinic.

Dr. Todd Prier

Dr. Prier recently served as a general surgeon at Lourdes Riverside Surgical in Binghamton and prior to that he held positions at Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital (Binghamton) and Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.).

In January 2021, Dr. Joseph Misiti donated his practice to Orleans Community Health as an opportunity to grow healthcare in the area. Earlier this year, the surgery clinic moved into its new home in Medina Memorial Hospital. The move was strategic and allows patients to be within steps of numerous other services being offered throughout the hospital.

“Earlier in the year, we were excited to make the announcement that the surgery clinic was moving into Medina Memorial Hospital, now we’re able to share news of growth,” said Marc Shurtz, chief executive officer of Orleans Community Health.

The Orleans Community Health Surgery Clinic is located in Medina Memorial Hospital and provides comprehensive surgical services in many specialized areas, including: colon and rectal surgery, dialysis catheter placement, gastrointestinal surgery, colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, PEG tube insertions, head and neck surgery, including tumors, hernia repair, minimally invasive surgery, pancreas, liver and biliary surgery, skin and soft tissue sarcoma surgery, surgical pathology, and excisional biopsy of ganglion.

The surgery clinic can be reached at (585) 798-2550.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health’s first wellness fair in five years on Tuesday was a success, according to information from Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach.

More than 60 members of the community attended the event, which ran from 3 to 7 p.m. at Medina Memorial Hospital.

“As we continue to see growth throughout our organization, this event was our opportunity to invite the community to witness it firsthand,” said Marc Shurtz, chief executive officer for Orleans Community Health. “I was personally able to have conversations with several of the attendees and already can’t wait to do this again.”

A majority of those in attendance received screenings in either the imaging or lab departments. They were able to choose from the abdominal aorta screening, carotid screening, ABI screening, hemoglobin A1c, prostate-specific antigen and/or a thyroid stimulating hormone exam.

Strong support for the health and wellness of the surrounding community was shown by the organizations in attendance. They included the Alzheimer’s Association, Independent Health, SNAP, Supportive Care of Orleans/Hospice, Orleans County Office for the Aging, Orleans County Health Department and M-Power (Medicare assistance).

“Overall turnout exceeded our expectations and from what we’ve heard, everyone had a great time,” Robinson said. “We may not be a big city hospital, but this event gave us an opportunity to show that our services are right on par with the others.”

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

On Sept. 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its recommendations on booster doses for Covid-19.

The updated Bivalent Covid-19 vaccine booster is designed to give individuals protection against the original strain of Covid-19 and provides better protection against the Omicron variant, which accounts for a majority of the current cases in the United States. The new bivalent booster replaces the existing monovalent vaccine booster doses that have been offered.

Eligibility:

Moderna Covid-19 Bivalent Booster Dose – Individuals 18 years of age and older are eligible for a booster dose if it has been at least two months since they have completed their primary vaccine series or received a monovalent booster dose.

Pfizer Covid-19 Bivalent Booster Dose – Individuals 12 years of age and older are eligible for a booster dose if it has been at least two months since they have completed their primary vaccine series or received a monovalent booster dose.

Pfizer Covid-19 Monovalent Booster Dose – Individuals 5-11 years of age are eligible for a booster dose at least five months after completing their primary series.

“The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments will offer the Bivalent Booster starting this week at our Covid-19 clinics,” stated Paul Pettit, Genesee and Orleans County Health Public Health Director. “We encourage residents to talk with their primary care provider and/or their pharmacist with questions related to the Covid-19 vaccine and the Bivalent Booster.”

Appointments are required and walk-ins will not be accepted. To make an appointment for your next Covid-19 vaccine, click here.

Week of September 11

• Bivalent Boosters only – Thursday, Sept. 15, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; Genesee County, 3837 West Main Street Road, Batavia, NY
• Bivalent Boosters only – Thursday, Sept. 15, from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m.; Orleans County, 14016 State Route, Suite 101, Albion, NY

Starting the week of September 18

• Wednesdays in Genesee County, all doses, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.; 3837 West Main Street Road, Batavia.
• Thursdays in Orleans County, all doses, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at 14016 State Route, Suite 101, Albion.

Parents, others can voice their thoughts and concerns on the strengths and weaknesses of the program in Genesee, Orleans County

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

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

The meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Agri-Business Child Development Offices (448 West State Street, Albion, NY, 14411) or by zoom. Childcare will be provided and refreshments will be served.

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

Early intervention has been going strong for over 20 years. During this time, a vast amount of research has been done on brain development in children from birth through age 3. The research is showing how vital the early years are for development, as well as the importance of early intervention because these are the years that will affect a child’s later development.

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

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