By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 September 2024 at 6:30 am
LYNDONVILLE – Orleans Community Health has announced the annual For Women Only will take place this year on Oct. 3 at White Birch Golf Course.
The event will again kick off Breast Cancer Awareness Month, while providing an evening with keynote speakers, cancer survivors sharing inspirational stories, honoring loved ones, socializing and participating in various raffles.
“While there is a traditional focus on Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want to recognize those who have battled any form of the disease,” said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach at Orleans Community Health. “There are plenty of individuals to honor, as well. In addition to basket raffles and other returning highlights, we’re continuing with last year’s opportunity to have loved ones included in a slide show that honors those we’ve lost, current fighters and survivors.”
Anyone wishing to honor their loved one – with or without a picture – should submit their name, photograph and information on whether or not the individual is still surviving, or date of death to Robinson at srobinson@medinamemorial.org.
For Women Only has been an annual event for many years, except during a hiatus from the Covid pandemic, Robinson said.
The event has often been a sellout, and women are encouraged to get their tickets as soon as possible by calling Lori Condo at (585) 798-8422 or online at FWO 2024 (auctria.com). Sponsorships are also available for purchase.
“We’ve all known someone who has had their lives affected by cancer,” Robinson said. “FWO allows us to bring these individuals together for an evening of strength through numbers. Everyone in the room has a story to tell, and we’re lucky enough to hear many of them.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 30 August 2024 at 2:49 pm
Photo by Ginny Kropf: An addition to this year’s Resource Fair at Medina Memorial Hospital will be a “Lumps and Bumps Clinic” with surgeon Dr. Devon Huff, shown here comparing notes with Jorgie Lang, office coordinator in the surgery clinic.
MEDINA – This year’s Resource Fair sponsored by Orleans Community Health on Sept. 12 will have several new features. The event will run from 4 to 7 p.m.
Topping the list of new features will be a Lumps and Bumps Clinic with surgeon, Dr. Devon Huff.
Huff will see people with lesions, warts or skin tags and offer to remove them if appropriate.
“It is often very difficult to get an appointment to see a dermatologist and get evaluated,” Huff said. “If a pathologist can tell us what it is, we can remove it with minimal scarring.”
Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach, said features such as the Lumps and Bumps Clinic are reasons why more people will come.
Huff joined Orleans Community Health at the beginning of the year, where he spends one/half day in the clinic and one day a week in surgery. His full-time affiliation is with Kenmore Mercy Hospital in Buffalo.
Huff said working in a small hospital has its advantages, as long as you stick to what a small town hospital can do.
“It’s nice not to be stressed out and the people here are so nice,” he said.
He said it is important to build back the prominence of a hospital in a small town, so people will know what it has to offer.
Robinson praised Huff, calling him a “dedicated yet modest general surgeon with a great deal of experience in wound care.”
Huff came to Buffalo from the sun-soaked Ventura County in California in 2003 for medical school, Robinson said. He married a fellow med school alumna, who is now a pediatric emergency room doctor at Oishei Children’s Hospital. They have two daughters, aged 5 and 9.
Beyond the operating room Huff’s diverse array of hobbies includes real estate development, where he has had success beathing new life into older homes though renovation projects, Robinson said.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Huff finds joy in outdoor activities, such as hiking, skiing and mountain biking. He loves to travel, especially to national parks, where he enjoys expanding his love of photography.
“Dr. Huff’s dedication to patient care, coupled with his diverse interests, promises a unique and enriching contribution to the healthcare community,” Robinson said.
In addition to the Lumps and Bumps Clinic, the Resource Fair will offer tours of the hospital at 4, 5 and 6 p.m.; a chance to meet with representatives from several countywide organizations; Stop-the-Bleed training from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and a chance to talk with hospital personnel regarding patient portal, billing, health insurance and more. All are free.
There will also be an opportunity to register for testing in radiology and/or for a hospital blood draw at $10 per test.
It is also noted a second Stop the Bleed training is scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m. Sept. 18 at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. The training teaches participants how to recognize life-threatening bleeding, apply direct pressure, use tourniquets and pack wounds.
Photos by Mike Pettinella/UConnectCare: Speakers at Wednesday’s Overdose Awareness Day at Austin Park are, from left, John Bennett, Rev. Erin Martin, Lynda Battaglia, Chris Budzinack Jr., Paul Pettit, Chris Budzinack and Rob Kent.
Posted 29 August 2024 at 11:12 am
By Mike Pettinella, UConnectCare Publicist
BATAVIA – “We are best when we serve others,” said the keynote speaker at Wednesday afternoon’s Overdose Awareness Day observance, using the words of famed anthropologist Margaret Mead to illustrate how citizens can unite to save the lives of those beset by substance use.
Speaking to about 150 people at Austin Park in Batavia, Rob Kent, president of the Virginia-based Kent Strategic Advisors, LLC, and former general counsel for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, shared the story of when Mead was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a society.
“The student expected her to say fish hooks, whatever, clay pots, grinding stones. But she said, ‘That’s not it,’” Kent said. “She said the first sign in ancient civilization was a femur, a thigh bone that was broken and then healed.
“And that mattered because if you broke your leg at that time, you died, you were gone. So, it showed that someone took the time to take care of that person, to heal them, to get them back to strength. She said that helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts.”
Kent suggested that those in the audience “are the signs of civilization and the reasons that we are best when we serve others.”
“In the history of the U.S., we’ve overcome wars, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, pandemics, epidemics,” he said. “We have a history of stepping up and helping others in need. We can do that here. However, we won’t succeed by always telling others what they need to do. We need to do it ourselves, and I won’t give up.”
Kent, a native of Central New York, is a longtime advocate for people who struggle with a substance use disorder, treatment providers who help and the recovery community. He previously worked for the state’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports.
Event sponsored by GOW CARES Alliance
He was one of several speakers at the annual event, which was sponsored by the GOW CARES Alliance, formerly known as the GOW Opioid Task Force. Sue Gagne and Amy Kabel, co-chairs of the alliance’s Family, Loved Ones & Allies work group, coordinated the observance along with Jay Baran, GOW CARES Alliance coordinator.
Genesee & Orleans Health Department employees Grace Marzolf, left; Laiken Ricker and Sherri Bensley assist an attendee at one of two dozen agency vendor booths.
Overdose Awareness Day is a worldwide movement to end overdose and to remember without stigma those who have died while acknowledging the grief of family and friends left behind. This year’s theme was Together We Can.
“That highlights the power of our communities when we all stand together and when we all work together,” Kent said, “As we gather on this day, I think of the people who are not here (due to an overdose death) and the people who I never got to meet who I know through their families and friends who love them.”
Concerning the potency of drugs today, Kent said, “I’m scared because having now worked in Washington in the White House, the drugs are getting more lethal and they’re incredibly effective at capturing someone.”
“And they’re not going to get less lethal. I would love to tell you they will, but they won’t,” he said. “We’re losing the equivalent of a small U.S. city every year … over 100,000 people … Fentanyl has changed everything.”
He noted that people more people are dying from drugs laced with fentanyl, and he said that society needs to hold government accountable for letting the cartels continue to flourish.
Pettit cites ‘shift in the playing field’
Locally, 145 people have died from a drug overdose in Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties since 2019, said Paul Pettit, public health director for Genesee & Orleans Health Departments.
Paul Pettit
“Drug overdose is the leading cause of injury mortality in the nation,” he said, reporting that there were 76 fatal overdoses in Genesee and 35 in Orleans since 2019 and 34 in Wyoming since 2020. “One is too many; 145 is unacceptable.”
Pettit said there has been “a shift in the playing field” in recent years, from prescription drugs to heroin to fentanyl and now to cocaine, methamphetamine and other “recreational” drugs.
He did share some good news in that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of overdose deaths nationwide declined for the first time last year since 2017, and that there has been only one opioid-related death in Genesee County thus far in 2024.
Pettit pointed to the numerous initiatives supported by the health department, including analysis of wastewater to see what drugs are being used, a text for Naloxone (Narcan) line, Naloxboxes in businesses and public places, and increased Naloxone access and training.
The Rev. Erin Martin, a pastor at City Church, recounted her time in Los Angeles a few weeks ago, specifically a place called MacArthur Park.
“You go down there, and it’s so evident of the overdose and substance abuse right there in the park,” she said. “And we were with a group of people that you would go there and offer hot dogs and just asked people if they wanted prayer for anything. Then, we would direct them to a free recovery program and, honestly, it broke my heart.
Martin: That’s somebody’s love one
“It opened my eyes, but it broke my heart because I have a 20-year-old son, and I kept thinking, that’s somebody’s son, that’s somebody’s daughter, somebody’s mom, somebody’s grandpa, somebody’s dad. And while only a percentage took the opportunity to go to recovery, we let them know that recovery is possible and they’re not alone.”
Martin quoted Galatians 6:2 from the Bible: Carry each other’s burdens.
“We are here to help one another. We are here on this earth to be together,” she said. “You see, everybody needs people to laugh with, people to share things with and to celebrate life with. But friendships aren’t just about enjoying the good times together. Friendships are about sharing all times together, and that includes the good, the bad and the ugly.”
Lynda Battaglia, director of Genesee County Mental Health & Community Services, said that losing someone to an overdose can have a devastating impact that ripples across the community.
“It leaves significant grief for those left behind and while we remember those we have lost, we also heighten our dedication to reduce stigma surrounding those affected by substance use,” she said. “Every single person here today has the ability to be an agent of change.”
Battaglia said family members emphasize that their loved one “should not be defined by their diagnosis or the addiction that stole them, but should be remembered as human beings.”
“I am hopeful that the collaborative efforts by the Genesee and Orleans Fatality Review Boards help raise awareness and changes the lens from which people see addiction and overdose.”
Powerful words from a “COA”
(Left) Susan Adams, left, and daughter, Jamie Torrence, are doing their part to help those struggling with substance use disorder. (Right) Animals from Josh Frega’s Funny Farm, including Bebu the Emu (pictured) as well as geese, baby goats, rabbits and chickens, participated in the event.
Chris Budzinack Jr., son of the UConnectCare supportive living counselor who served as emcee for the event, told of growing up as a COA, or child of addiction.
He said thought that the constant fighting, yelling, his father being in and out of jail, and the family’s multiple changes of address were part of a normal life.
Only when his father finally faced his demons, reached out to God and turned his life around 15 years ago, did the young man see how his upbringing was all wrong.
“Because someone was there for him and walked with him, it allowed my dad to work on himself and become a better father and a better husband,” Budzinack Jr. said. “And the more people that gathered around us, the better our lives had gotten and we grew as people at an amazing rate.”
He said he was the first of the family to graduate from high school and went to complete what he called Leadership School.
“I have a steady job now, a beautiful wife and two kids,” he said. “I can say that recovery is possible and help is available because you’re not alone.”
CEO Bennett: A call to action
UConnectCare Chief Executive Officer John Bennett said Overdose Awareness Day is “not just a day of remembrance, it is also a call to action.”
Bennett, who has worked in the substance use treatment field for 40 years, said, “We must push for policies that prioritize mental health and addiction treatment.”
“Change begins with awareness and education, and it is our responsibility to ensure that those in need of help have access to compassionate care and recovery services.”
He said that “it boggles my mind that when we advocate for more treatment and recovery options, the community comes out with pitch forks against us.”
He and the other speakers urged people to share their stories and the stories of the loved ones they’ve lost in order to break down the stigma that often surrounds addiction.
Susan Adams of Batavia is one of those people who shared the story of her stepson, Jason, who died of a fentanyl-laced heroin overdose in October 2018. Adams was attending the observance in support of her daughter, Jamie Torrence, who works for UConnectCare.
“Jason was 32 and he left two children and one unborn,” said Adams, mentioning that he struggled with drug use since he was a teenager. “We thought he was doing OK. He had a job and kids and a baby on the way.”
She said she continues to make herself available to help others overcome their problems with drugs.
“If you can help one person, it’s worth it,” she said.
More than two dozen agencies and businesses from Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties participated in the event.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 August 2024 at 12:45 pm
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced expansion of its MRI services at Medina Memorial Hospital, beginning Sept. 3.
Scheduling an MRI locally has been challenging in the past, according to Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach.
“The expansion of MRI services cannot be overstated,” said Erica Chutko, director of radiology and cardiac services at Orleans Community Health. “We can perform an 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.
MRI services returned to Medina Memorial Hospital in the fall of 2022, with testing available one day a week. The increased demand for the service is a driver in the expansion to a second day, according to Robinson. Beginning Sept. 3, MRIs can now be scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
“This expansion is all about our desire and goal to bring services to the community,” Robinson said. “Getting an MRI in a timely manner is difficult in many places right now. We’re hoping to help alleviate that with this move.”
An MRI is a non-invasive imaging exam that does not include any radiation. To schedule an appointment, patients will need a referral from their doctor. In addition, some insurances require prior authorization. Appointments can then be scheduled with the radiology department by calling (585) 798-8054.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 19 August 2024 at 9:28 am
Event includes information and entertainment, while remembering those lost to cancer
LYNDONVILLE – Orleans Community Health has announced it is finalizing plans for its annual For Women Only on Oct. 3 at White Birch.
For Women Only was a yearly event for many years, returning in 2023 after a several year hiatus due to Covid-19, said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach at Orleans Community Health.
In addition to raising funds, the event also provides educational information and entertainment to attendees, honors cancer survivors and remembers those lost to cancer.
“We’ve all known someone who has had their lives affected by cancer,” Robinson said. “FWO allows us to bring these individuals together for an evening of strength through numbers. Everyone in the room has a story to tell, and we’re lucky enough to hear many of them.”
Tickets are $30 and anyone wishing to purchase them or be a sponsor can call Lori Condo at (585) 798-8422 or click here for ticket information.
“The event will once again kick off breast cancer awareness month,” Robinson said. “While there is a traditional focus on that, we want to recognize those who have battled any form of the disease. There are plenty of individuals to honor, as well. In addition to basket raffles and other returning highlights, we’re continuing with last year’s opportunity to have loved ones included in a slide show that honors those we’ve lost, current fighters and survivors.”
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New York State has paid over $2 billion in bonuses to more than 800,000 health care workers statewide through the Health Care Worker Bonus Program. The program was launched by Governor Hochul in 2022 and provided bonuses of up to $3,000 for eligible health care workers across New York.
“Health care workers deliver for New Yorkers every day – and that’s why we’re delivering for them,” Governor Hochul said. “Our powerful investments are putting money back in workers’ pockets and helping to grow our health care workforce to provide the highest quality care for New Yorkers.”
New York’s Health Care Worker Bonus Program issued payments to workers who provide hands-on and patient-facing health care services. Workers receiving payments through this program must have an annualized base salary (excluding any bonuses or overtime pay) of $125,000 or less and can be full-time or part-time.
Bonuses payments were determined by specific “vesting periods,” or the number of hours worked during a consecutive six-month period between October 1, 2021, through March 31, 2024. Qualified employees received up to a maximum of $3,000 in total bonus payments over two vesting periods.
By putting more money in the pockets of working New Yorkers, Governor Hochul is continuing her ongoing efforts to address the cost of living – including recent announcements of supplemental child tax credit payments and increased access to child care assistance for working families.
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Health care workers are the backbone of our health care infrastructure, and they are the frontline workers who go above and beyond to provide hands-on care and medical services. Through Gov. Hochul’s Health Care Worker Bonus Program we acknowledge our health care workers’ unwavering dedication to the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 August 2024 at 10:54 am
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced its upcoming Resource Fair/Open House at Medina Memorial Hospital.
Scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 12, the event is a significant expansion of the Wellness Fair held in September 2022, offering a wider range of services, activities and opportunities for community engagement, according to Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach.
This year’s event will again feature the popular opportunity to schedule procedures with the Imaging/Radiology and Laboratory departments. In addition, Orleans Community Health will introduce new offerings, including a Bumps and Bruises Clinic hosted by the OCH Surgery Clinic, guided tours of the hospital, assistance with signing up for patient portal and a host of other significant and engaging activities, Robinson said.
Procedures by the Imaging/Radiology and Laboratory departments can be scheduled online by clicking here.
Tests with Imaging/Radiology are $10 each. They include US aorta screening (looking for aneurysms of the main vessel), US carotid screening (looking for occlusions which can lead to stroke) and ABI (arterial) screening (looks for peripheral vascular disease).
Tests with the Laboratory are $10 each or all three for $25. They include hemoglobin A1c, PSA (prostate specific antigen) and the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).
Robinson emphasized the importance of the event, saying, “This is an opportunity to open our doors wide to the community and invite them in to see everything that is offered. Especially for individuals who haven’t needed medical services recently, the guided tours are a great opportunity to see the advancements being made.”
In addition to the many resources provided by Orleans Community Health, local organizations that serve the community’s needs are invited to participate by setting informational tables throughout the hospital.
“We’re welcoming those organizations to also attend and set up information tables throughout our halls,” Robinson said.
Provided officials: Several local elected officials joined Oak Orchard Health leaders on Thursday in celebrating the opening of the expanded behavioral health program in Albion.
Press Release, Oak Orchard Health
ALBION – It’s official. The Behavioral Health Program for Children and Adolescents is growing at the Oak Orchard Health Wellness Center in Albion and the Brockport Health Center.
Oak Orchard has always treated children (as well as adults) but there has been a growing need for a counseling specialty for young kids ages 2-21. With that in mind, Oak Orchard Health hired additional therapists with pediatric expertise and a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Dr. Michael Scharf (left), Psychiatrist-in-Chief at the University of Rochester Medical Center, joins Dr. James Goetz, retired as former Chief of Pediatrics at Oak Orchard Health.
“We are thrilled to utilize the Wellness Center to enhance the lives of children and their families,” said Karen Kinter, CEO of Oak Orchard Health. “This ribbon-cutting ceremony symbolizes the expansion of our program and the community’s needs. We eagerly anticipate helping many children here and at all our health centers.”
This program started with a seed of an idea from Dr. James Goetz, retired as former chief of pediatrics at Oak Orchard Health after 45 years, said Robin Govanlu, Chief of Behavioral Health at OOH.
“Of course, OOH could not have done it alone,” Govanlu said. “We have served as a lead agency for many years on the Western Monroe County Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Coalition, which includes important community partners such as The University of Rochester Strong Pediatric Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, Rochester Regional Health, SUNY Brockport, and the Brockport Central School District. Thank you to everyone who made this program a reality.”
Dr. Michael Scharf, Psychiatrist-in-Chief at URMC Golisano Children’s Hospital and Chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, is a key partner with this coalition.
“I met Dr. Goetz many years ago when I was still a trainee at the University of Rochester Medical Center,” Scharf said. “He sought out behavioral health services and training to serve the children in this region. This was before the pandemic, and it has continued to get worse. Back then not a single child psychiatrist was available from the site of Rochester General Hospital to Batavia. This group came together to solve this problem and to be centered in ‘community.’ There can be no health without mental health. You can’t support children’s health without supporting families. You can’t support families without supporting the community. And that’s what Oak Orchard Health is here to do.”
The ribbon cutting was attended by many local and state leaders. Assemblyman Steve Hawley was present along with JW Cook from Governor Hochul’s office, Bernard Alexander represented Senator Charles Schumer, Congressman Joe Morelle sent a proclamation, Skip Draper represented NY State Senator Robert Ortt. Lynne Johnson, Chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature, and Marie Mongeon, VP Police for CHCANYS, also were at the event. Many spoke of the importance of bringing behavioral health services to the children in the region.
For more information or to make an appointment contact Oak Orchard Health at (585) 589-5613. or visit our website at www.OakOrchardHealth.org.
This map shows where oral rabies vaccine baits will be distributed to try to stop the spread of racoon rabies.
Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments
Depending on the weather, aerial and hand distribution of oral rabies vaccine baits will take place in Western New York from Aug. 12 to Aug. 17.
Areas of New York State are once again taking part in a nationally coordinated effort to halt the spread of raccoon rabies in 16 states. Ongoing field evaluation of oral rabies vaccine (ORV) called ONRAB will occur in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Clinton, Erie, Essex, Genesee, Jefferson, Lewis, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, and Wyoming counties. These sites were selected in part because of ongoing collaborations with Quebec and Ontario, Canada in the fight against rabies to protect human and animal health and reduce significant cost associated with living with rabies across broad geographic areas.
“Rabies is a serious public health concern because if left untreated it is generally fatal. Costs associated with detection, prevention and control of rabies conservatively exceed $500 million annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, greater than 90 percent of reported rabies cases in the United States are in wildlife,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director of the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).
The efforts are focused on controlling raccoon rabies, which continues to account for most of the reported wildlife rabies cases in the United States. Raccoon rabies occurs in all states east of the established ORV zone that extends from Maine to northeastern Ohio to central Alabama. Continued access to oral vaccine and bait options that are effective in all target wildlife species remains critical to long-term success.
The ONRAB bait consists of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blister pack, containing the vaccine.
To make the baits attractive, the blister packs are coated with a sweet attractant that includes vegetable-based fats, wax, icing sugar, vegetable oil, artificial marshmallow flavor, and dark-green food-grade dye.
While humans and pets cannot contract rabies from the bait, those who come across the bait directly should leave it undisturbed. Most bait packets are consumed within four days, and nearly all of the bait will be gone within a week.
Please do not attempt to remove a bait from your dog’s mouth.The bait will not harm the dog and could lead to vaccine exposure.
Should contact with baits occur, immediately rinse the contact area with warm water and soap and contact your local health department at 585-344-2580 ext. 5555 for Genesee County or 585-589-3278 for Orleans County.
If you have additional questions related to the field evaluation in New York, please contact the Wildlife Services office in Rensselaer, NY at (518) 477- 4837.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 August 2024 at 9:05 am
ALBION – Orleans Community Health has announced a special event at the Albion Healthcare Center to support students of the Albion Central School District.
Between now and Aug. 17 the community is invited to join the Albion Healthcare Center in gathering essential school supplies for the upcoming school year.
The hospital and Albion Healthcare Center realize school supplies can often be costly expenditures, especially with all the other costs for going back to school.
“We’re hoping our team’s effort is able to help some families, even if just a little,” said Scott
Robinson, director of Marketing, Communications and Outreach at Orleans Community Health.
Members of the community are encouraged to donate backpacks, folders, pens, pencils, colored pencils and notebooks and drop them off at the Albion Healthcare Center.
“Your generous contributions will help ensure that students in the Albion School District start their school year prepared to learn,” Robinson said.
On Aug. 17, the public and parents are invited to visit the Albion Healthcare Center between noon and 2 p.m., when some supplies will be distributed and tours given of the facility, offering an opportunity to meet with members of the Albion team. Items not distributed during the event will be provided to the Albion Central School District to be distributed as they see fit, ensuring that every donation finds its way to a student in need.
National Health Center Week (August 4-10) is a time when we celebrate, and increase awareness of, America’s 1,400 Community Health Centers (CHCs) that serve 31.5 million patients annually across nearly 15,000 communities. Oak Orchard Health (OOH) is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and has nine health centers in the Genesee, Monroe, Orleans, Steuben, and Wyoming Counties. We continue to grown over the years, in 2019 we served 23,399 patients and have grown to over 31,602 in 2023. We truly value the trust our patients have in our health center.
Impact of Oak Orchard Health in Our Community
Beyond offering essential medical, dental, and behavioral health services to all, regardless of insurance status, OOH significantly contributes to our local economy. In 2022 alone, OOH injected $67,765,000 into the community and fostered the creation of 520 local jobs. Moreover, the center’s employees, by spending their earnings locally, further amplify this positive impact. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement for our community!
What Our Patients Say
We greatly value feedback from our patients, as it helps us better understand their needs and enhance the care we provide. A heartfelt thank you to all our patients who take the time to complete our surveys.
Here are a few heartwarming comments from our incredible patients:
“Doctors are always kind and attentive, truly listening to what you have to say.”
“Oak Orchard Health’s staff is exceptional, going above and beyond to assist their patients. I am immensely grateful for them!”
“The office staff is friendly, and my doctor explains things thoroughly. I’ve been a loyal patient here for a long time.”
“Our local, fully staffed medical facility delivers excellent service with top-quality medical equipment. Without funding, small communities would lack essential services.”
Thank you for being part of our Oak Orchard Health community.
National Health Center Week: Powering Communities Through Caring Connections
At Oak Orchard Health we’ll be celebrating National Health Center Week (NHCW) in a variety of ways from August 4-10.
Tuesday, August 6th is Agricultural Worker Health Day. Our roots run deep in the agricultural community. Oak Orchard started by caring for farmworkers. During NHCW we will reach out to our patients and deliver items that will help keep farmworkers safe while they work to put food on our tables. We’ll be visiting farmworkers this day and giving out helpful items such as first aid kits, sunscreen, etc.
On Thursday, August 8th at 2 p.m., join us for a Ribbon Cutting at the Albion Wellness Center. We’re celebrating the expansion of our Behavioral Health program for children and adolescents. Dr. Goetz, who dedicated over 45 years as a pediatrician at Oak Orchard, will be in attendance, along with Assemblyman Steve Hawley and many community leaders.
Dr. Goetz played a pivotal role as an early advocate for this program. Collaborating with Oak Orchard’s Robin Govanlu (Chief of Behavioral Health), Dr. Danielle Mead (Chief Medical Officer), and the Western Monroe County Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Coalition, they developed this vital initiative. Recognizing the increased need for children’s behavioral health services post-pandemic, we’re committed to swiftly connecting our young patients to essential mental health care.
As part of this commitment, Oak Orchard Health will expand child and adolescent behavioral health services at both the Brockport Health Center and the Albion Wellness Center
Saturday, August 10th at the Brockport Arts Festival we’ll be highlighting Health Center Week’s Children’s Wellness Day. We’ll have the Teddy Bear Clinic, games, and giveaways available for the youngsters who stop by with their parents and guardians. We’ll also have the Mobile Medical Unit there which goes to community organizations and provides medical and mental health services. Stop by to learn more about our services for children.
We take pride in being an integral part of the community health network. This affiliation empowers us to deliver top-quality care and essential services, addressing barriers that may otherwise prevent individuals from accessing medical, dental, and behavioral health services. To schedule an appointment or learn more, please reach out to us at (585) 589-5613.
Join us for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Albion Wellness Center on August 8th at 2 p.m.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 July 2024 at 3:26 pm
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health, in collaboration with the Orleans County YMCA and Medina Area Partnership has announced the rescheduling of a Bicycle Helmet and Health Event, which was canceled for July 10 due to weather.
The new date for the event at the Orleans County YMCA is Aug. 2, from noon to 2 p.m.
The event is designed to promote cycling safety and overall health and wellness in the community, according to Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communications and Outreach at Orleans Community Health.
“We invite all community members, whether or not they already have a helmet, to join us for an afternoon of fun, learning and community engagement,” Robinson said.
Event highlights include helmet donations, collected throughout late June and early July; and health and wellness information, provided to all attendees and offering insights into maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
“We’re thrilled this event is still able to happen, after the weather had other plans for in July,” Robinson said. “This event is a wonderful opportunity for families to learn more about cycling safety and health in a fun, interactive environment. If anyone else wants to participate or has information to share, just let us know.”
“Ensuring the safety of our children is a top priority for the YMCA,” said Jesse Cudzilo, executive director of the GLOW YMCA in Orleans County. “We are thrilled to have the community’s support in this important initiative, and together, we can make a difference in the lives of our kids.”
The Orleans County YMCA, Medina Area Partnership and Orleans Community Health state they are proud to work together to bring this event to their community. It is their belief, through collaboration, they can enhance the health and safety of residents.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a virtual press conference to announce the Capping Prescription Costs Act, legislation that would cap the annual out-of-pocket cost of prescription drugs at $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families with private insurance.
The legislation builds on transformational drug pricing reforms included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which capped the price of insulin at $35 a month and out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000 a year for Medicare Part D beneficiaries.
“No one should have to risk their health by skipping refills or rationing life-saving medication because they can’t afford the cost of their prescriptions,” said Senator Gillibrand.
Senators Bob Casey (D-PA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Fetterman (D-PA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) cosponsor this bill. Representative Kathy Manning (D-NC) leads companion legislation in the House.
Throughout her time in Congress, Gillibrand has fought to lower the cost of prescription drugs. In 2022, she helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which capped Medicare patients’ out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000 per year; empowered Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices; and regulated price increases by drug companies.
She is an original cosponsor of the Medicare for All Act, which would provide every American with prescription drug coverage. Last year, she joined a bipartisan push to lower out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs by limiting the use of harmful “copay accumulators,” which prevent copay assistance from counting toward a patient’s deductible or out-of-pocket maximum and make it harder for patients to afford their medications.
GO Health offers advice for people who encounter bats in their homes
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
During the summer months, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) typically see an increase in reports from residents who have encountered bats.
Bats can occasionally find their way into houses, particularly in older homes that are not properly sealed. This most often occurs during the summer nights.
“If you find a bat in your home, safely capture it and immediately contact the health department,” advised Darren Brodie, Environmental Health Director for GO Health. “We can assess whether there was potential exposure and if the bat needs to be tested. If you cannot capture the bat, call the health department for guidance on the next steps to take.”
In some situations, it is possible that a bat bite could go undetected. For example, if you awaken and find a bat in your room, if you see a bat in the room of an unattended child, or see a bat near someone that is under the influence, it is important to seek medical advice and have the bat tested.
To safely capture a bat:
Turn on room lights and close all the windows.
Close the room and closet doors.
Wait for the bat to land.
While wearing thick leather-like gloves, place a coffee can, pail or similar container over the bat (Never handle a bat with your bare hands).
Slide a piece of cardboard under the container to trap the bat.
Firmly hold the cardboard in place against the top of the container, turn it right side up and tape the cardboard tightly to the container.
If you do not feel comfortable capturing the bat or cannot do it safely, contact your respective health department during regular business hours.
If it is after regular business hours, contact your local county dispatch. In Orleans County, call (585) 589-5527. In Genesee County, call (585) 343-5000.
Other tips to prevent rabies include:
Love your own, leave the rest alone. Do not pick up, touch, or feed wild or stray animals (raccoons, foxes, bats, stray cats, stray dogs, etc.). Wild or stray animals, including their babies, can have rabies.
Keep rabies vaccinations current for all dogs, cats, and ferrets. This is important not only to keep your pets from getting rabies, but also to provide a barrier of protection for you and your family if your pet is bitten by a rabid wild or stray animal.
Obey leash laws. Keep your dog fenced in or on a leash when outside of your home and in public areas. Avoid allowing your dog to approach unfamiliar dogs, people, or wildlife.
Residents are encouraged to take note of our upcoming drive-thru rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats, and ferrets in Genesee and Orleans Counties that are offered at no charge.
Orleans County Rabies Clinics at the Orleans County Fairgrounds (12690 State Route 31, Albion, NY 14411)
Saturday, Aug. 10, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.
Genesee County Rabies Clinics at the Genesee County Fairgrounds (5056 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020)
Thursday, Aug. 8, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m.
For more information on GO Health’s programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org.
You can also contact your respective health department:
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
ALBION – 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 Wednesday, July 17, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Orleans County Health Department (14016 State Route 31, Suite 101, Albion, NY 14411). Refreshments will be provided.
The LEICC is a supportive group made up of county officials, early intervention providers, childcare providers, parents of children with disabilities and other community members.
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 in our local communities.
For Zoom connection information or for more information on the meeting, please contact Deborah Krenzer-Lewter, Director of Children with Special Needs, at 585-344-2580 ext. 5572 or 585-589-2777.
By Karen Kinter, CEO, Oak Orchard Health
