Karen Kinter, Oak Orchard Health honored with Athena Award

Provided photos: Karen Kinter, chief executive officer of Oak Orchard Health, speaks during the 39th annual Athena International Awards last Thursday at the Floreano Riverside Convention Center. About 600 people attended the event that honored professional women who lead businesses and organizations in the region.

ROCHESTER – The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce honored Karen Kinter of Oak Orchard Health with an Athena Award last Thursday. Kinter and 26 other women who lead businesses and organizations were recognized with the awards.

Kinter, an Albion resident, has served as CEO of Oak Orchard Health since September 2022. She became CEO of Oak Orchard after more than 20 years in the industry and vast experience establishing, stabilizing and growing Federally Qualified Health Centers.

Before joining Oak Orchard, Kinter served as CEO of Regional Health Services FQHC and Vice President of Specialty Revenue Programs at Rochester Regional located in Rochester, where she had financial, operational and strategic responsibility for programs across a large health system.

The Athena Award for Kinter recognizes her leadership of an organization with sites in Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Hornell, Lyndonville, Medina and Warsaw.

Originally founded in 1973, Oak Orchard Health has grown from a migrant health project into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services including primary care, pediatric care, vision care, dental care, behavioral health, as well as nutrition and outreach services for everyone located in the communities they serve.

Kinter was chosen as one of 27 finalists for an Athena Award. She and Oak Orchard were one of four finalists for the Athena International Organizational Award. The other finalists include Lifespan of Greater Rochester, USC Builds and Zea Proukou PLLC.

 The award was established in 1982 to honor a woman-owned or woman-led business or organization that fosters a culture encouraging women employees to achieve their full leadership potential. Greater Rochester Chamber, in partnership with its Women’s Council affiliate, has been presenting this award annually since 2018.

Karen Kinter attends the Athena Awards banquet at the Floreano Riverside Convention Center on Feb. 13.