Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

Have you ever wondered why someone vapes even after learning about the dangers and effects from it?

There are hidden facts behind the range of colors and flavors associated with e-cigarettes. From addictive nicotine to harmful chemicals, the dangers of vaping are real. It is time to clear the air and learn about the risks of vaping.

Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, heat a liquid to create an aerosol, or mixture of tiny particles in the air. There are many different names for e-cigarettes, including “electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS),” “tank systems,” “e-cigs,” “e-hookahs,” “mods,” “vape pens,” and “vapes.”

The Public Health Law’s Article 13-E, sometimes referred to as the Clean Indoor Air Act, has grown in New York State to ban smoking and vaping, and prohibit the sale or distribution of nicotine vapor products with unique flavors, such as e-cigarettes.

However, the use of e-cigarettes by teenagers is on the rise, and sale of these devices to teenagers is illegal. According to the 2021 CLYDE Survey administered in schools in Genesee and Orleans Counties by UConnectCare (formally GCASA), it was reported that 19.7% of 11th graders reported vaping with nicotine in the previous 30 days, and 11.1% reported vaping with marijuana during the same time period.

Vaping is dangerous and can have unknown long-term impacts:

• Nicotine is in most e-cigarettes and is extremely addictive. Nicotine can damage adolescent brain development, which lasts into the early to mid-20s.
• Youth who use nicotine have a higher chance of developing a substance use disorder.
• Young people might see vaping as a way to cope with stress or anxiety. Yet, an addiction to nicotine can lead to stress.
• Long-term e-cigarette use increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by severely harming the body’s blood vessel function.
• According to the American Psychiatric Association, having symptoms of depression increases the likelihood of a teen using e-cigarettes. Using e-cigarettes is associated with worsening symptoms of depression.
• Vaping devices may contain vitamin E acetate. According to research, inhaling vitamin E acetate may cause problems for normal lung function.

“Unlike cigarettes, vaping is often easy to hide due to its discrete nature,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “The devices used for vaping sometimes look like USB drives or pens. E-cigarettes also do not have a lingering odor, making it easier for individuals to vape without drawing attention. This causes challenges to parents, teachers and other authorities to detect and stop vaping.”

Signs that your child or someone you know might be vaping include:

• Increased Thirst. Vaping is hydroscopic, which means that it dehydrates the skin of the throat and mouth. People who vape are left with a dry mouth as a result. The body naturally wants a drink to fight dehydration as a result.
• Among teenagers, JUULs, which are slim devices that look like USB flash drives, and vape pens that mimic regular pens, are the most popular e-cigarettes. If you come across an odd-looking pen or USB drive, it could possibly be an e-cigarette.
• Mood swings. After inhaling nicotine, users may get a brief rush, but this feeling quickly wears off making their mood less consistent.

Get Help Today

If you are interested in quitting, or someone you know needs help quitting, help is available:

• Visit the New York State Smokers’ Quitline for quit-smoking and quit-vaping programs, or call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487), to apply for a free starter kit of nicotine medications and to talk to a quit coach.
• Talk to your healthcare provider about medications and counseling to help you manage cravings. Most health insurance plans, including Medicaid, cover services to help you quit.

For more information about GO Health programs and services, visit GOHealthNY.org or contact your local health department at

• Orleans County: (585) 589-3278
• Genesee County: (585) 344-2580 ext. 5555

Press Release, UConnectCare

Jay Baran

BATAVIA – UConnectCare (formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse) has hired Jay Baran as the coordinator of the GOW Opioid Task Force.

Baran, 26, is responsible for overseeing the three-county – Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming – volunteer organization that is dedicated to dedicated to saving lives by reducing overdoses and overdose deaths.

A graduate of St. Mary’s of Lancaster, Baran earned a bachelor’s degree in public health with a minor in biology from SUNY Brockport in 2022. She replaces Christen Foley, who accepted the position of project director of the Western New York Prevention Resource Center, a program of UConnectCare.

In her role as coordinator, Baran will provide assistance to the task force’s six work groups – steering committee, access to care, data, community education, law enforcement, and family, loved ones and allies. She also will be setting up quarterly meetings and events, with Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 28 next on the schedule.

“I have a passion for public health and am grateful to be able to serve in that capacity (with UConnectCare),” she said. “The GOW Opioid Task Force has made quite an impact over the past several years and I am looking forward to the initiatives that lie ahead.”

Baran served as a camp counselor for Just for Kids in Orchard Park before taking a position with Citibank in Buffalo for a year. Last year, she managed the social media account and coordinated a team of volunteers at Uplift Irondequoit, a coalition that supports programs and activities related to prevention, education and reduction of youth substance use.

For more information about the GOW Opioid Task Force, contact Baran a jbaran@uconnectcare.org or at 585-815-1863.

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

Did you know lead poisoning is 100% preventable?

“Lead is a metal that is toxic to our bodies and can cause serious health issues for children who have been exposed,” stated Gabrielle Lanich, Lead Program Coordinator of Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “Young children under 6 years old are most at risk for lead poisoning because their bodies are rapidly developing.”

The health effects of lead poisoning are permanent and can affect a child into adulthood. Childhood lead poisoning can harm the brain and nervous system leading to learning difficulties, lower IQ, difficulty paying attention, organ damage, and at very high levels, lead poisoning can be fatal. Lead poisoning can also be dangerous for pregnant women because lead can be passed to the baby during pregnancy.

Here are some easy ways to prevent lead poisoning:

• Take everyday steps to stay healthy. Eating a well-balanced diet, especially foods high in calcium, iron, and vitamin C can help reduce the body’s absorption of lead. Washing your hands and children’s hands with soap and water several times a day can help limit lead exposure. You should also wash children’s toys, bottles, and pacifiers regularly to avoid exposure to lead dust, and regularly clean your home with a damp cloth, sponge, or mop to minimize possible lead dust.

• Check your home for lead. If you live in a home built before 1978 you may consider having your home checked for lead. Our Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming (GLOW) Counties Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) may be able to help you with this. You may qualify for a home lead inspection if your home is in the GLOW area, was built before 1978, and a child under 6 lives there or spends more than 6 hours a week there.

• Renovate lead safe. Homes built before 1978 are more likely to have lead-based paint that can be disturbed when renovating. If you are renovating, repairing, or painting a home built before 1978, use a Lead-Safe Certified contractor. If you are planning on doing your own work, use lead-safe work practices to protect both you and your family. For tips on how to be lead-safe when renovating, click here.

Also, our GLOW Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Program may be able to renovate for you. Contact the Genesee County Health Department to see if you qualify.

• Get your child tested. The only way to find out if there is lead in a child’s blood is to take them for a blood lead test. There are no obvious signs or symptoms of lead poisoning, that’s why it’s important to get them tested. Children should be tested at ages 1 and 2. Talk with your pediatrician to determine if your child should be tested further. GLOW CLPPP is able to offer transportation to lead testing at no cost for parents or guardians and children under 6 years old. Contact the Genesee County Health Department to determine if you are eligible for this service.

For more information or to learn more about our programs contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580 ext. 5555 or Health.GOlead@co.genesee.ny.us.  You can also visit GOHealthNY.org.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health is proud to announce an unprecedented achievement in patient satisfaction with the release of its fourth quarter 2023 survey results.

Garnering responses from 49 patients, the survey achieved an exceptional overall score of 4.98 out of 5, surpassing the previous high of 4.84. This milestone comes during a year when Orleans Community Health received more than 300 surveys, according to Scott Robinson, director of marketing at Orleans Community Health.

The fourth-quarter survey, designed to gauge patient satisfaction across various facets of care and service delivery, reflects the collective efforts of the Orleans Community Health team, Robinson said. Patients overwhelmingly praised the care and services they were being provided.

“This survey was designed with a focus on providing the best care to patients,” Robinson added. “These results are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, who consistently strive to deliver the highest standard of care to our patients.”

Kim Gray, chief nursing officer at Orleans Community Health, said surpassing their previously high score is a testament to their continuous efforts to improve and enhance the patient experience.

“We are immensely proud of our team’s dedication to providing compassionate, high-quality care to every patient who walks through our doors,” Gray said.

Robinson added that Orleans Community Health remains dedicated to fostering a culture of continuous improvements, leveraging patient feedback to drive positive change and innovation in healthcare delivery. The organization looks forward to building upon it success and further elevating the patient experience in the coming months.

By Dr. Robert Ford, Chief of Optometry, Oak Orchard Health

As you may know by now, a rare total solar eclipse will happen Monday, April 8, 2024, and the Western New York region is one of the best places to experience it. Our region is in the path of totality—a narrow band of area across Earth where the moon briefly covers all but a thin disk of sunlight around its edges. The excitement begins at 2:07 p.m., when the moon begins to cover the sun, at 3:20 p.m., the total eclipse will begin and last for about 3 minutes. It is a spectacular moment to witness as day turns into night in a matter of seconds and the stars begin to shine.

The dark side of looking at the sun

The only safe way to view the event is with special solar viewing glasses. They are made with filters that block Ultraviolet—or UV—light. And it is best to plan to wear special viewing glasses for the entire event rather than risk any exposure.

UV sunlight can burn your eyes’ retinas in less than a minute or two. Even a partially concealed sun is unsafe to view with the naked eye. Even though daylight will begin to dim, the ultraviolet rays will still be just as strong. The same is true when it is cloudy or you’re wearing sunglasses or looking through your home’s or vehicle’s windows.

Oak Orchard Health has safety glasses for viewing

Oak Orchard Health will be giving away ISO Certified eclipse viewing glasses to their current patients in our offices starting April 2. They are appropriate for adults and children. Limited supply is available and there is no cost.

You can also find places to purchase special eclipse viewing glasses by Googling The American Astronomical Society, a trusted organization, or see if your local library has them available, as the organization StarNet Libraries has distributed millions of the special viewing glasses to libraries around the U.S.

Precautions about other devices

If you are taking photos with your phone or camera, you still need to wear your viewing glasses. But there are certain devices that are unsafe to view the eclipse through even if you are wearing your viewing glasses: telescopes and binoculars. This is because such devices use magnifying lenses that will ruin the protective structure of the viewing glasses and damage your eyes anyway.

Watching out for kids

As for young children, remember to protect their eyes as well as your own. Providing them with viewing glasses can still be risky unless you control every second of your children’s behavior. So, the safest way for children to view an eclipse is indoors, on a television or computer screen, to be sure their eyes are never exposed to harmful rays. If your children are a bit older—teenagers—and want to experience the eclipse outdoors, just make sure they know to wear those special viewing glasses even as daylight dims. They may think, like other folks, that it is safe to look directly when it is not.

What to do about accidental exposure

After the eclipse, if you or a loved one have accidentally viewed direct sunlight and notice blurred or distorted vision, a change in the way you see colors, a blind spot, or a headache—usually within a few hours or the next day—make an appointment with an eye doctor right away. We have openings at our Brockport office. Just call (585) 637-3905 extension 3.

Sometimes, the symptoms of sun damage will go away after a few weeks or months. Sometimes, that damage is permanent.

For more on eclipse viewing safety, visit aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/solar-eclipse-eye-safety

Oak Orchard Health has a comprehensive Eye Department that includes two experienced Optometrists and a full suite of eyewear including contact lenses.

About 75 participate in Wayne Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness 5K

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Runners gather at the start line in front of a new inflatable resembling a colon this morning in the parking lot at the Albion Elementary School.

There were 56 finishers in the race, and several others who walked part of the 3.3-mile distance.

Photos by Marsha Rivers: Alex Zirkelbach of Olney, Maryland is out in front in today’s

Wayne Burlison Colon Cancer Awareness 5K in Albion. Alex won the race in a time of 19:45.

Jody Lynn Musolino of North Tonawanda was the first female, crossing the finish line in a time of 23:36.

The course was changed from the usual route along Route 31, from the elementary school to Mount Albion Cemetery and back after heavy snowfall last night.

The state Department of Transportation deemed the shoulders of 31 off limits after the snowfall.

Race organizer Bert Gallmon of Wolfpack Multisports considered cancelling the race, but Albion school officials agreed to be out early and have the parking lots and walkways plowed.

The course ended up being three loops of 1.1-mile each in the elementary and high schools.

The Cayea brothers of Medina take off fast at the start of the race. Arian Cayea, second from left, was second overall in 19:46 and his brother Aeddon, left, was sixth overall in 22:35.

The course was longer than a typical 5K by about 0.2 mile.

Photos by Tom Rivers: A runner heads to the finish line, the inflatable of a colon. Wolfpack Multisports recently acquired the inflatable for the Burlison 5K, which is in memory of an Albion elementary music teacher who passed away at age 36 from colon cancer on March 26, 2014.

Wayne’s wife Lisa and son Adam attended the event today.

Race organizer Bert Gallmon of Wolfpack Multisport encourages people to get checked for colon cancer, starting at 45.

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.

Colon cancer occurs when cells in the colon or rectum grow uncontrollably. Abnormal growths, known as polyps, can occasionally develop and certain polyps may eventually develop into cancer. Polyps can be found by screening tests and be removed before they become cancerous. Colon cancer is preventable, with the proper screening and education.

Some of the risk factors for colorectal cancer include:

• Inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps
• Lifestyle factors that include overweight and obesity; not being physically active; certain types of diets such as a diet low in fruit and vegetables, a low-fiber and high-fat diet, and a diet high in processed meats; tobacco use; and alcohol use

Colorectal cancer may not cause symptoms right away and some people have no symptoms. Some of the symptoms may include:

• A change in bowel habits
• Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement)
• Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way
• Discomfort in the stomach area such as cramps, gas, or pain that do not go away
• Unintended weight loss
• Weakness and fatigue

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 90% of people whose colorectal cancers are found early, diagnosed and treated appropriately are still alive five years later.

Photos by Tom Rivers

BATAVIA – Medina firefighters Tiffany Petry and Dustin Pahura show students how to do CPR. The two firefighters were among many stations on Friday at Genesee Community College in Batavia, which hosted the second annual GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare.

There were 575 students from 31 school districts in the four rural GLOW counties, including the Orleans County school districts of Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina.

This group from Holley includes, from left: Mya Brown, Haidynn Mullins, Mia Thom and Isaiah Johnson.

The Holley  students said the day at GCC connecting with healthcare organizations was very helpful as they consider careers. Johnson wants to work in EMS, while the three girls are considering careers in psychology.

“There are many different options,” Mya Brown said about careers in healthcare.

They are at a table for the Livingston County Health Department, which showed candy and medicine, and also cleaning products. People were asked if they could tell the difference from cady and pills that could be potentially harmful to them. The exercise was intended to show the value of having a medicine lock box to make sure people, especially young children, didn’t accidentally confuse prescription pills with candy.

GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare started in 2023 and connected students to over 200 representatives from 57 companies, municipal agencies, non-profits, and educational institutions.

The healthcare event and GLOW With Your Hands: Manufacturing attract over 1,500 students annually with the goal of empowering youth in the four counties to seek success in careers.

“With GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare and GLOW With Your Hands: Manufacturing, we are seeing a generation of students that are engaging with careers with great opportunities in our region,” said Angela Grouse, GLOW With Your Hands Co-Chair and Education to Employment Director at the Livingston County Area Chamber of Commerce. “Meeting the healthcare needs of our communities is a challenge that we are proactively addressing through the support of our participating organizations, sponsors, and volunteers.”

These students are in a vet tech workshop where they could simulate hearing the heartbeats for small dogs.

Every student participated in a pair of self-selected workshops with a variety of healthcare careers led by healthcare and emergency response professionals.

Sessions covered careers in EMS, pharmacy, healthcare administration, physical therapy, healthy living, physicians/residents, holistic medicine, radiology/sonography/ultrasound, mental health and social work, research science, nursing, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, physician’s assistant/nurse practitioner, surgery and vet technician.

Students put bandages on these stuffed dogs as part of the vet tech workshop.

Hospice of Orleans was among many organizations at the event. The agency was represented by Julia Alt, right, the director of advancement, and Kelli Birch, the volunteer coordinator.

Hospice is looking to fill positions for home health aide, social worker and registered nurse, and the agency welcomes more volunteers, Alt said.

Students were able to learn about Hospice, and also had a chance to fill out a greeting card for hospice patients.

Audra Fisher, a secretary with the Orleans County Emergency Management Office, and Justin McAdoo of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company show students how to “stop the bleed” and put on tourniquets.

These students try a stethoscope on a baby mannequin “Luna” at a station for the nursing program at Genesee Community College. The students could listen to the heart beat, the sound of the lungs and the abdomen.

GCC has about 100 students complete an associate’s degree in nursing each year. The graduates go into careers with high demand, said Deborah Penoyer, director of the nursing program.

Jennifer Kula, back left in blue, is a current student in the program. She has done clinicals at local hospitals and a long-term care facility.

“The science and learning are awesome,” said Kula, a Batavia resident. “I love the opportunity to serve people in the community.”

ALBION – As part of their mission to encourage people to take better care of themselves, Community Action of Orleans County has partnered with several health organizations to bring preventative scanning to Orleans County.

In addition, Community Action is offering free food vouchers to those who sign up for health screenings.

As the result of research by Jeanette Worsley, lead case manager/health coach at Community Action, several programs are in the works or up and running to bring preventative medicine to Orleans County.

“We are really excited about bringing the Eddy Unit from Roswell to Orleans County,” Worsley said.

Eddy stands for “Early Detection Driven to You,” Worsley said. “This will be the first time the unit has been in Orleans County.”

She explained the state-of-the-art mobile unit is equipped with a low-dose CT scanner which screens for lung cancer in less than 10 minutes. An outreach specialist will be at the pop-up food distribution from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. April 15 at 155 S. Platt St. to screen individuals for eligibility and schedule appointments. Someone will also be available at the Eastern Orleans Community Center at a date to be determined.

The Eddy unit will be in Albion May 21, 22 and 23, and location will be announced. Reservations must be made by calling Worsley at (585) 866-5494 or via e-mail at JWorsley@caoginc.org.

To be eligible, an individual must have a history of cancer of the lung, esophagus, head or neck (excluding thyroid) or, one of the three following factors:

• Be between the ages of 50 and 79
• Have been a 20-pack/years of smoking history
• Smoked within the past 15 years.

The University of Rochester Mobile Mammogram Unit will be at the Albion Pop-Up food distribution at 11 S. Platt St. on April 15 and at the Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More at 131 S. Main St. from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 15 and at the Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 22. on April 22. Registration for these screenings must also be made by called Worsley at (585) 866-5404.

As part of their preventative medicine program, Community Action is offering $200 fresh food Rx vouchers, while supplies last, which can be redeemed at farm markets across Orleans County to incentivize people to participate in preventative healthcare. The vouchers will be reserved at the time individuals sign up for the health scans.

To schedule a mammogram women must be 40 or older, have been at least 365 days since their last mammogram and have no new issues. The procedure is covered by most insurances, and grant funds are available so nobody pays for screening.

Another service will be provided by the Fidelis StreetSide RV, a mobile service which will also be present at the pop-up food distribution from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. April 15. Insurance specialists will be available to answer questions about insurance enrollment and renewal, and will also provide educational information regarding breast cancer, lung health, nutrition, Lunchology menus and children’s health.

Community Action also partnered with the University of Rochester in February to bring their mobile mammogram unit to Holley Gardens and provided up to $200 in food vouchers to each of the 19 women who got mammograms.

In March, Community Action provided $10 vouchers to people who received monthly blood pressure screenings at the Eastern Orleans Community Center.

The mobile mammogram unit will return several times in April, and one is nearly all booked up, Worsley said. They have the capability to do 20 mammograms per day.

GLOW With Your Hands will highlight opportunities in healthcare among local rural counties

BATAVIA – School districts in Orleans County will be sending students to Genesee Community College for the second annual GLOW With Your Hands: Healthcare.

The event will show many of the career opportunities in local healthcare. There are 575 students from 31 school districts expected to meet with businesses and organizations from the healthcare industry in the four rural counties – Genesee, Livingston, Orleans and Wyoming.

There will be about 200 representatives from workforce, education, first responders, and healthcare training providers across the GLOW region.

In addition to hands-on demonstrations and face-to-face interactions with healthcare organizations, students will each participate in two self-selected healthcare career workshops in fields including EMS, nursing, surgery, research science, pharmacy and several others.

The event is made possible by GLOW region workforce development leaders, educators, and community organizations and sponsors, led by Double Platinum sponsor ESL Federal Credit Union, and Platinum sponsors Wyoming County Community Health System and Rochester Regional Health United Memorial Medical Center.

Renee Hungerford of Community Action, Karen Kinter of Oak Orchard Health join intensive program lasting 18 months

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Renee Hungerford, left, and Karen Kinter have both been accepted into the prestigious Health Leadership Fellows program by the Health Foundation for WNY.

ALBION – Two women in leadership positions in Orleans County have been chosen for a very prestigious honor by the Health Foundation of WNY.

Karen Kinter, CEO of Oak Orchard Health, and Renee Hungerford, CEO of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, recently learned they had been accepted into the Health Leadership Fellows program for Cohort 11.

Both women said applying for that honor had been on their minds for a long time, and without the other knowing about it, they each applied this year.

The application is followed by an extensive interview process, in which the accepted individuals are chosen. Kinter and Hungerford learned of each other’s selection when the list was published.

The Fellows program’s goal is to strengthen collaboration among hundreds of nonprofit professionals who serve young children and older adults in western and central New York.

Their belief is, “When leaders at local nonprofits collaborate and share a sense of purpose, they can work together to solve the region’s toughest health issues.”

Hungerford noted she and Kinter already have a working relationship.

“We have already partnered with each other through my Axis of Care, and I used to work at Oak Orchard Health,” Hungerford said. “Healthcare is a frustrating system, and I want to help fix it.”

Kinter was amazed that two people from Orleans County would be accepted into the program at the same time.

“Both Renee’s and my organization are quite large here in this area, but they don’t compare with the size of city organizations,” Kinter said.

Two others from Orleans County also completed the program recently: Paul Pettit from the Orleans and Genesee County Health Departments and Dean Bellack of Medina, the former United Way director in Orleans County.

Bellack earned the honor because of relationships he developed with outside foundations while director of United Way of Orleans County and weekly phone and Zoom calls with non-profit agencies.

“We are going to be with a bunch of people who want to do innovative projects,” Hungerford said. “We will be asked to come up with a project based on solving healthcare issues in our area.”

The program lasts 18 months, during which time participants will be asked to attend four sessions of two or three days each in a residential setting, away from their jobs.

“They want to be sure our full focus is on this,” Hungerford said.

“I’m very excited that Renee and I will go through this highly regarded program together,” Kinter said. “It will allow us to strengthen both our organizations and communities. Through our collaboration along with many other regional healthcare leaders, we’ll be able to improve the care and services we provide. The recent opening of the Warming Center in Albion was a great example of community collaboration. Oak Orchard Health was happy to be part of that effort.”

“The Health Leadership Fellows Program is important for our community and the people we serve,” Hungerford said. “I look forward to learning and collaborating with Karen and all the other regional health leaders. The issues we face in healthcare are complex and this program gives us the tools to develop initiatives to help.”

Topics addressed will include personal leadership, leading change, communicating as a leader and results-based leadership and collaboration. Each cohort of fellows is made up of about 40 professionals from health-related and safety net organizations throughout western and central New York.

Their graduation is scheduled for November 2025.

The Health Foundation of WNY has been funding community health since its inception in 2002. Since awarding its first grants in 2004, the Foundation has awarded more than $30 million to fund programs in 16 counties in western and central New York. Funding has been focused on programs that improve health outcomes for two of the most vulnerable and underserved populations in the region – older adults and children from birth to age 5 who are impacted by poverty.

Press Release, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After helping successfully deliver the long-desired visa waiver program for physicians last year, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer on Monday announced the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) will expand its new J-1 Visa Waiver Program to include physicians practicing specialty medicine, helping bring doctors in critically needed medical fields to Upstate New York.

Schumer said the new and expanded program can help address the healthcare worker in critically needed specialty fields for Upstate NY communities like anesthesiologists, cardiologists and cancer specialists by easing the visa requirements for these doctors, who are trained in the U.S. and agree to practice in underserved areas of the Northern Border region like Upstate NY.

“The new and expanded visa-waiver program for specialty physicians, like anesthesiologists and cancer specialists, is a major shot in the arm for recruiting doctors to address the national healthcare worker shortage in rural communities across Upstate NY,” Schumer said. “I am proud we secured these vital visas to help tackle the healthcare worker shortage in Upstate NY head on, and to ensure New York rural communities have access to the quality medical care they need.”

Schumer explained that currently NBRC’s waiver program is only open to physicians offered primary care positions in the Northern Border region. However, as of April 1, 2024, with this new expansion waiver requests for physicians practicing specialty medicine will also be begin being accepted. The program is modeled, in part, after the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) successful J-1 Visa waiver program.

Schumer is currently leading the charge in the Senate to renew the Northern Border Regional Commission’s economic development programs. Established in 2008, the NBRC is a federal-state partnership focused on the economic revitalization of communities across the Northern Border region, which includes New York, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

The Commission is composed of the governors of the four Northern Border states and a federal co-chair, and provides financial and technical assistance to communities in the region to support entrepreneurs, improve water, broadband, and transportation infrastructure, and promote other initiatives to improve the region’s economy.

The northern border region of New York State includes 28 counties: Cayuga, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Montgomery, Niagara, Oneida, Orleans, Oswego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Seneca, St. Lawrence, Sullivan, Washington, Warren, Wayne and Yates.

Dr. Joseph Misiti (left), Orleans Community Health medical director and General Surgeon, will be the inaugural recipient of the Bowen Award named for George Bowen (right), who was influential in establishing Medina Memorial Hospital.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health Foundation is extremely excited about its second annual gala, which this year will celebrate multiple events.

Megan Johnson, director of the foundation, has announced this year’s gala, Eclipse, will not only take place on the weekend of the rare eclipse, but will honor Dr. Joseph Misiti, a longtime surgeon in the Medina community.

The gala is scheduled at 6 p.m. April 6 at Bent’s Opera House.

“The night promises to be a captivating experience for attendees, featuring a live performance by Something Else Rock Band from Rochester,” according to Johnson. “Their energetic beats are sure to get everyone on their feet.”

The opulent affair will be complemented by appetizers, an open bar and an exclusive silent auction.

A highlight of the event will be the inaugural presentation of the Bowen Award, named for George Bowen who worked tirelessly for 15 years to raise funds and led the effort to bring a fully functioning modern hospital to Medina.

Spearheaded by Bowen, dozens of clubs and organizations held fundraisers to finance the hospital, which was built from 1924 to 1925. Bowen served as president of the board of directors of the hospital until his death in 1945, and was such a familiar figure visiting patients, doctors and even the operating room, so much so that he was fondly referred to as “doctor.”

This new award is a prestigious recognition established to honor outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to Orleans Community Health, Johnson said.

This year, the Bowen Award will be bestowed upon Dr. Joseph Misiti, a home-grown Medina native, who has dedicated his entire career to serving his community as a general surgeon at Orleans Community Health since 1982.

Dr. Misiti received his doctorate at the University of Buffalo and completed his residency at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo. He is also serving as medical director at Orleans Community Health. His exceptional commitment to the hospital and his generous donation of his surgical practice in January 2021 exemplify the spirit of the Bowen Award, Johnson said.

“We are thrilled to host the second annual Orleans Community Health Gala – Eclipse, bringing together our community for an unforgettable evening of celebration and appreciation,” Johnson said. “This year’s event holds particular significance as we introduce the prestigious Bowen Award and proudly present it to Dr. Joseph Misiti, a pillar of our healthcare community.”

Tickets for the gala are now available for purchase and all proceeds will support the continued growth and enhancement of Orleans Community Health services.

For ticket information, sponsorship opportunities and event details, click here.

Orleans Community Health Foundation’s mission is to raise funds to support the quality healthcare services provided by Orleans Community Health to the communities it serves. They strive to engage the community in a unified commitment to Orleans Community Health and facilitate financial support to ensure friends and family have quality healthcare close to home, now and long into the future.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

With traveling increasing for Spring Break, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are encouraging residents to check their measles vaccination status.

If you are not up-to-date on the measles vaccine, contact your healthcare provider and get vaccinated. Cases of measles are increasing worldwide and in the United States.

Measles is typically brought to the United States by unvaccinated people who contract the virus by traveling to other countries. However, measles outbreaks are occurring more regularly in the United States. In 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported measles cases in 16 states including Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington.

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases and is easily spread through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for many hours, even after the infected person has left the area. Infected people can spread measles to others from four days before through four days after the rash appears.

Measles symptoms typically include:

• High fever (may spike to more than 104°)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
• Rash (3-5 days after symptoms begin)

“Getting the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine series is the best way to prevent measles,” stated Brenden Bedard, Director of Community Health Services for GO Health. “As many families are planning to travel in the upcoming weeks, it is important to know your vaccination status. The MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect you and your family from measles.”

GO Health advises residents to check their vaccination status with their healthcare provider. Children, adolescents and adults should have two doses of the MMR vaccine, at least 28 days apart. Unvaccinated individuals should contact their healthcare provider to see if the measles vaccine is right for them.

If you haven’t completed the MMR vaccine series and are traveling soon, there is still time to receive a vaccination to protect yourself and your loved ones against the virus. One dose of the MMR vaccine is about 93% effective and two doses are about 97% effective at preventing measles.

GO Health offers the vaccine to individuals that are underinsured and uninsured and you can call your respective health department to schedule an appointment. For more information on measles, visit the CDC.

Nicole Tuohey denied because she needs help answering questions from medical personnel

Nicole Tuohey

MEDINA – Nicole Tuohey is hoping a petition to the FDA will convince them to allow her to give blood. Because she cannot sit alone with medical personnel and answer questions about her health, she has been denied her the right to give blood.

From the day she was born, Nicole has had to fight to be like other people.

Born with Triple X Syndrome, the daughter of David and Mary Lou Tuohey, doctors told her parents she would never walk, talk, go to school, ride a bike or do any of the things other kids do.

She has proven them wrong, and now she is out to win another fight – the right to save lives.

Nicole, 33, helps her mother in the store with fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association and National Disabilities Month She makes links out of construction paper and then joins them together as they are sold.

She makes bracelets to sell as a fundraiser, and now she wants to give blood, but has been turned down. Every week, she points to her arm and looks at her mother, who repeatedly has to tell her, “Not yet.”

“It doesn’t make sense when so many people need blood and here you have a healthy young lady who is begging to give and they won’t let her,” her mother said.

Mary Lou has written a petition to the FDA requesting they allow her to sign for Nicole, so she can give blood. Mary Lou has legal authority to sign for Nicole in all facets of her life.

“It is heartbreaking,” Mary Lou said. “I’ve signed for her heart surgery and her brain surgery, but they won’t let me sign for something as simple as this.”

Mary Lou is asking the public to stop in at Case-Nic Cookies at 439 Main St and sign her petition.

“It will mean the world to Nicole,” Mary Lou said.

 The petition will be available there until the end of March.