Oak Orchard expands behavioral health program for children

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.