MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced it has been awarded a grant from the Garman Family Foundation, administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, to expand pediatric services, live-saving education and family support programs for children in Orleans County.

The funding will help OCH deliver a holistic and equitable approach to pediatric wellness, addressing critical needs in a rural community where child poverty, limited transportation, high infant mortality rates and a shortage of medical providers continue to impact families. More than 1,500 children and families are expected to benefit within the first year of the initiative, according to information provided by Scott Robinson, director of Marketing for OCH.

“Families in our community deserve access to care and education that protect children’s health and empower parents,” said Megan Johnson, executive director of Orleans Community Health Foundation. “This generous grant allows us to expand resources beyond the clinic walls – bringing safety education, mental health support and essential pediatric equipment directly to the families who need it most.”

The project supported by the Garman Family Foundation will include:

• Free Infant CPR and Newborn Care Classes for parents and caregivers, eliminating the need for families to travel long distances for live-saving training.
• A Pediatric Wellness Fair, offering education and health resources for local families.
• Mental Health and Behavioral Support Tools, including the certification of a pediatric nurse practitioner in the evidence-based COPE (Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment) program and the use of anxiety-reducing tools during visits.
• Preventative Child Safety Resources, including helmets, first aid kits and coping tools to reduce emergencies and injuries.
• Important Clinical Upgrades, including pediatric exam tables and an infant warmer for safe and effective care.
• A New Children’s Reading nook and Books Distributed at Well Visits to promote early literacy and development growth.

Leah Brunner, pediatric nurse practitioner who serves children in both OCH’s Medina and Albion offices, shared how the funding will enhance care from the moment the families walk in the door.

“Parents want to feel confident caring for their children, and kids deserve a safe, supportive place to grow,” Brenner said. “With this grant, we can offer families more education, more tools and a more welcoming pediatric environment. It strengthens care for every child who comes through our doors.

The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo is a 501 ©3 organization whose mission is connecting people, ideas and resources to improve lives in Western New York. Since 1919, they have enhanced and encouraged long-term philanthropy in the Western New York Community.

State-wide the cases decline but hospitalizations are up

The flu continues its rampant spread locally and state-wide. A week ago it was big news in New York when the number of confirmed flu cases was the most since 2004, when the state began to weekly track flu cases.

The number of new flu cases is down a week later, from 72,133 to 49,153. That is a 32 percent drop.

However, the number of people hospitalized by the flu has increased 24 percent from 3,666 a week earlier to 4,546, according to the state Department of Health.

The DOH also is reporting a pediatric death from the flu this week. There have now been two pediatric deaths from the flu thus season, according to the state DOH.

While the new cases were down statewide, in Genesee and Orleans counties the new cases increased from 217 for the week ending Dec. 20 to 224 in the week ending Dec. 27, according to the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

In Genesee and Orleans, both counties show the number of younger people getting the flu is declining, but still high. In Orleans the flu cases for people 0-19 dropped from 571.3 per 100,000 to 440.4, while the cases for people 60 and older went from 76.5 per 100,000 people to 181.7 per 100,000. In Orleans, the overall rate of new flu cases per 100,000 people is 196.5, the same as the previous week.

In Genesee, the cases for 0-19 year olds dropped from 553.9 per 100,000 people for the week ending Dec. 20, to 446.2 for the week ending Dec. 27. The cases for people 60 and older increased from 249.3 to 324.1 during that time period. Genesee’s overall flu rate is at 252 per 100,000 people, up from 239.9 the previous week.

State health officials said flu typically peaks in January so the cases may continue to rise.

The Department of Health encourages people to get the flu shot, and take antivirals if it’s been less than 48 hours since symptoms began.

People are also urged to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

People are advised to stay home when sick, and avoid close contact with people who are ill.

Orleans County has seen a significant spike in the number of flu cases, and statewide the number of the cases is the most since 2004 when the state started doing a weekly tracker of the cases.

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments reports there were 217 flu cases in the two rural counties in the week ending Dec. 20.

In Orleans, there are 196 cases per 100,000 people, according to the Health Department online flu tracker. The county’s population totals 40,343, according to the 2020 census. A week earlier, Orleans had 60.5 confirmed cases per 100,000 people.

The 196 cases in the most recent week is the third highest for Orleans County this year, topped by 196.8 for the week ending March 22, and 236.6 in the week ending March 15.

Genesee County just had the most confirmed flu cases in a week this year with 239.9 per 100,000 people for the week ending Dec. 20. (Genesee’s population was 58,388 in the 2020 census.)

That 239.9 is up from 60.4 in the week ending Dec. 13. The previous high was 233.7 for week ending Feb. 15.

State-wide there were 71,123 flu cases last week. That is up 38 percent from the previous week. The state Department of Health reports there have now been 189,312 cases of flu so far this season.

The DOH said hospitalizations from the flu rose 63 percent in the week from 2,251 to 3,666 statewide.

State health officials said flu typically peaks in January so the cases may continue to rise.

The Department of Health encourages people to get the flu shot, and take antivirals if it’s been less than 48 hours since symptoms began.

People are also urged to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

People are advised to stay home when sick, and avoid close contact with people who are ill.

Renee Hungerford, Karen Kinter both complete 18-month program

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, left, and Karen Kinter, executive healthcare consultant and former CEO of Oak Orchard Health, posed for this picture in Hoag Library when they announced their acceptance into the Health Foundation of WNY’s Health Leadership Fellows 18-month program. They graduated from the program on Nov. 16.

ALBION – Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee County, and Karen Kinter, executive healthcare consultant and former CEO of Oak Orchard Health, have graduated from the prestigious Health Foundation of WNY’s Health Leadership Fellows program.

When they were selected for the 18-month program in 2024, neither realized the other Albion businesswoman had also applied.

Graduation took place Nov. 16 at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, followed by a reception at the Strathallan in Rochester.

During the two-day graduation celebration, each team presented their projects to a team of panelists and a large audience, Hungerford said. Team members were named after characters of the Apple TV show, Ted Lasso, and Hungerford and Kinter were members of Team Nate.

During the course of 18 months, their team worked together to create the Fresh Start Care Center located at Community Action’s Main Street Corner Thrift Store. In addition to creating, planning, executing and implementing the project, the team worked together on an evidenced-based paper which substantiated the need for the intervention, according to Hungerford.

The project goal, she said, was to reduce chronic student absenteeism and increase student success by removing barriers to attendance, such as lack of the ability to launder clothes, obtain personal care items or have adequate facilities for personal hygiene.

The Fresh Start Center is a groundbreaking initiative designed to address hygiene insecurity among disadvantaged youth in Orleans County. Information supplied by Hungerford states the center is in response to alarming data showing up to 39 percent of students in Orleans County live in poverty, with many homes lacking basic plumbing.

Teachers have reported that hygiene-related stigma contributes to chronic absenteeism and social isolation, particularly among high school students. She said on a daily basis, as many as a dozen students are lined up at the door to the nurse’s office, waiting to take a shower.

Kinter likened the WNY Health Fellowship Program to Leadership Orleans. She said during their participation their team built a business plan and a pilot to operate the Fresh Start Center.

“We also got seed money from the Foundation to buy a washer and dryer,” Kinter said. “We got other money from the community and a private donation which funded supplies. Our class also donated laundry supplies and money to continue to help with operating costs.”

Kinter called the fellowship program a great networking opportunity which provided collaboration with more than 40 organizations from across the region.

“This program made them aware of Orleans County, who we are and what we are doing,” she said. “We learned what other organizations are out there in the region that can be of help to us. The president of the Foundation met us and got to hear our suggestions.”

Hungerford also praised the program.

“I felt truly honored to be selected for the 11th cohort of the Health Leadership Fellows program, as it fit well into my personal goal of doing my part to fix our broken healthcare system,” Hungerford said. “Good health outcomes start with ensuring people have resources for basic needs, such as nutritious food, shelter, access to health services and knowledge. Health literacy is paramount for people to thrive. I am thrilled that we chose a project that is focused on young people. Children and youth have little to no control over economic circumstances. All of us, as a supportive community, need to ensure they have what they need to achieve success.”

Accumulating enough money to purchase a shower for the Fresh Start Center continues to be an ongoing goal for Community Action. Hungerford’s family donated their time to install plumbing and electrical for the Center, and donations will continue to be accepted to purchase a shower. Checks may be made out to Community Action, designated for the Fresh Start Center and mailed to 409 East State St., Albion, 14411.

Hungerford said they had been quoted $16,000 for a shower, but she is confident they can acquire one cheaper than that.

Cassie Healy, manager of the Main Street Corner Thrift Store, also oversees the Fresh Start Center.

Provided photo: Karen Kinter and Renee Hungerford, fourth and fifth from left, are shown with their fellow team members after graduation in November from the WNY Health Leadership Fellows program. They are shown at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester.

By Valerie Mostyn, DSW, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker for Oak Orchard Health

Valerie Mostyn

The holidays are a joyful time for many families, but they can also be one of the most stressful times of the year. Parents are juggling work, school breaks, holiday events, shopping, and family obligations all at once.

While kids may be excited for time off from school, the change in routine can bring new challenges at home. The good news is that small changes and planning ahead can help families enjoy the holidays with less stress.

Helping Kids Keep Healthy Sleep Habits

When kids are home from school for extended breaks, sleep schedules can quickly fall apart. Late nights turn into sleeping until the afternoon. Then, when school starts again, kids are exhausted and the return to routine becomes a struggle.

Parents don’t need to keep a strict school-night schedule during break, but it helps to keep bedtimes and wake-up times close to normal, especially during the last few days before school begins again. Slowly moving bedtime earlier helps kids adjust without feeling overwhelmed.

Making Screen Time Easier to Manage

Managing screen time is one of the biggest challenges for families today, especially during breaks when kids are home more. Many kids stay up late gaming, scrolling, or texting, even after parents think they’re asleep.

Helpful tips for parents include:

• Set a clear “screens off” time each night
• Keep phones, tablets and gaming systems downstairs overnight
• Use built-in phone settings or parental controls
• Encourage reading, puzzles or quiet music before bed

Clear boundaries help kids sleep better and reduce daily conflicts at home.

Keeping Holiday Schedules Simple

Many parents feel pressure to fit everything into the holidays—shopping, parties, school events, family visits, sports and travel. Trying to do it all often leads to burnout.

Instead of overloading your calendar, choose what truly matters most to your family. Simple activities at home can bring just as much joy as big outings. Watching a holiday movie, decorating cookies, doing crafts or decorating your home together can all create lasting memories without added stress.

It’s okay to say no sometimes. Rest is just as important as celebration.

Easing the Pressure Around Holiday Spending

Money can be a major source of stress during the holidays. Kids may ask for expensive toys, clothes or electronics. But meaningful gifts don’t have to come with a big price tag.

Parents can:

• Choose one special gift and keep the rest simple
• Use secondhand shops for clothes, toys and books
• Talk openly with older kids about budgets
• Focus on experiences instead of expensive items

What kids remember most is spending time together—not the cost of what they receive.

When Sickness Changes Your Plans

Cold and flu season often overlaps with the holidays. When kids get sick, plans may have to change quickly. Big gatherings may need to be canceled, and disappointment can set in.

Parents can shift to low-key activities at home, such as movies, puzzles, music, and quiet time together. If family visits must be missed, video calls can help kids stay connected. And remember, holidays don’t have to happen on one specific day. Celebrating later is always an option.

Finding Balance for the Whole Family

The holidays don’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. What children need most is connection, stability, and love. Keeping routines steady, setting healthy screen limits, simplifying schedules, managing money wisely, and caring for emotional health can make a big difference.

Parents already do so much every day. During the holidays, giving yourself grace may be one of the most important gifts you give your family.

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, December 17, from 3 to 4 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.

Surgical Associates will keep Lockport office but will be doing all surgeries at Medina hospital

Dr. Jeffrey Schratz, left, and Dr. Robert Hodge are surgeons with the Great Lakes Surgical Associates, which has become part of the Orleans Community Health Surgery Clinic.

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced that Great Lakes Surgical Associates has officially become part of the Orleans Community Health System, strengthening the hospital’s shared commitment to accessible, high-quality surgical care throughout the region.

This partnership, effective Dec. 1, represents a significant expansion for Orleans Community Health, while ensuring continuity and stability for patients and providers, the hospital said in a recent announcement.

As part of this integration, the Great Lakes Surgical Associates’ name will remain unchanged, and patients will continue to seeing the same trusted providers they rely on today, the announcement said.

Locations and office hours will remain the same, insurance relationships are unchanged and day-to-day operations will continue without disruption.

Great Lakes Surgical Associations is already home to two highly respected surgeons, Dr. Jeffrey Schratz and Dr. Robert Hodge, both of whom are part of the Orleans Community Health Surgery Clinic and are well-known, trusted names across the community, said Scott Robinson, director of marketing at Orleans Community Health.

Their continued presence further strengthens the alignment between the organizations and reinforces a seamless experience for patients.

“This partnership allows us to enhance care while keeping the experience familiar and seamless for patients,” said Marc Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health. “We look forward to integrating our systems and aligning our clinical teams to deliver even better care for our community.”

This acquisition moves procedures to Medina Memorial Hospital, increasing surgical procedures occurring at Medina. Both surgeons, however, will continue to see patients at both the Lockport location and Medina.

The collaboration will bring additional resources, coordinated services and expanded support for both patients and staff, while preserving the personalized, community-focused care Great Lakes Surgical Associates is known for, Robinson said.

Press Release, GLOW Out!

ALBION – December is national HIV/AIDS Awareness Month, and GLOW Out! Is hosting a free event in Albion to share information and resources with the community.

On Friday, December 12 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Hoag Library in Albion, GLOW Out! will partner with Trillium Health to share information about HIV prevention, as well as honor the history of HIV/AIDS Awareness Month.

There will be presentations on the history of the AIDS epidemic in the United Sattes, as well as current updates and options for local testing and treatment for HIV. Trillium Health will provide information and resources, as well as free rapid onsite HIV testing at the event for those interested.

Learn more about Trillium Health’s services at trilliumhealth.org.

Early detection of HIV is vital for effective treatment, and with more knowledge, HIV can be and is manageable for many people who live with HIV+ status in America. Prevention options exist for those whose partners are HIV+ as well. Open communication with partners is another important tool in prevention and management of HIV.

Residents can seek more information and testing for HIV (and other infections) at their primary care provider or: the Batavia location of Rochester Regional Urgent Care on Oak Orchard Road; at the Batavia Health Center location of Planned Parenthood of Central & Western New York on West Main Street; or at either the Albion or Medina locations of Orleans Community Health.

Attendees at the event will be welcome to participate in coloring crafts or make a red ribbon pin, the symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness. Other local human service providers will also be present with information and resources.

Free HIV awareness stickers will be available, as well as a chance to win a raffle prize. Light refreshments are also included.

Email Director@GLOWOUT.org for more information.

GLOW Out! connects the LGBTQ+ population in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans & Wyoming counties, through advocacy and education, creating a beacon for those in need of a safe and supportive community when we need it most. More information is available at glowout.org.

Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) want to hear from you! We are working to make our programs better for people who want to quit smoking, vaping, or using tobacco. Your feedback will help us plan future classes, resources, and support for those who are ready to quit.

“We want our programs to meet the needs of our community,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for GO Health. “Whether you’ve tried to quit before, are thinking about quitting, or have already quit, your ideas can help us make our programs more helpful and easier to access.”

The online survey only takes a few minutes to fill out. It’s open to everyone in Genesee and Orleans counties, whether you smoke now, have quit, or are helping someone who wants to quit. Answers will be used to improve GO Health’s programs to help people stop using tobacco.

Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CessationFeedback

Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health, and local support can make it easier. By sharing your thoughts, you’ll help GO Health offer programs that work better for our community.

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