Search Results for: oak orchard health mental health

Oak Orchard Health welcomes 3 new providers

Posted 9 March 2023 at 7:20 am

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

BATAVIA – It can be difficult to attract medical providers to community health centers however we are delighted to introduce three qualified clinicians that have recently joined Oak Orchard’s Batavia office.

They include a family medicine physician who is also board certified in Addiction Medicine, a Family Nurse Practitioner who is bilingual, and a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Please welcome:

Azadfard

Dr. Mohammadreza Azadfard is a specialist in family medicine and sub-specialist in addiction medicine allowing him to address many medical issues within a family. He chose to work at Oak Orchard Health (OOH) to provide primary care services to all.

“Community health centers reduce the cost and language barriers. Here we can address both. OOH also offers mental health and dental services. And with my expertise in addiction medicine, I can help patients in the treatment and recovery of addiction,” said Dr. Azadfard.

Hein

Emily Hein is a pediatric nurse practitioner who recently returned to where she grew up. As a mother of two, she takes health care for children to heart.

“I believe that you and your child are at the heart of the care team. I strive to listen to your thoughts and concerns so you can make informed decisions about your child’s health and treatment,” Hein said.

Rojas

Shelby Rojas is a bi-lingual Family Nurse Practitioner who is passionate about caring for patients within the local community and from the Hispanic immigrant population who have difficulty getting high-quality health care.

“I want to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere to my patients so that they feel satisfied with their health. I strive to ensure that the patient is always an active participant in their own health decisions, together with my medical expertise and training, to provide the best outcomes possible for my patients,” said Shelby.

About Oak Orchard Health

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.

Oak Orchard Health is a recognized patient-centered medical home and 501(c) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Hornell, Medina and Warsaw. With the addition of the Mobile Medical Unit and Mobile Dental Unit, we will further increase access to care for our patients.

Kiwanis Club donates to Oak Orchard Health’s ‘Mommy and Me’ and WIC programs

Posted 13 February 2023 at 6:02 pm

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

Provided photo: From left include Karen Kinter, interim CEO of Oak Orchard Health; George Sokolsky, president of the Kiwanis Club of Brockport; and Robin Govanlu, OOH director of Behavioral Health.

BROCKPORT – The Kiwanis Club of Brockport donated $1,000 to Oak Orchard Health’s Mommy and Me Healthy We Will Be program and $300 to the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.

The Mommy and Me Program supports new moms and babies experiencing postpartum depression and anxiety. The WIC program offers eligible families breastfeeding support, nutrition counseling, health education, health care referrals, referrals to other services, and nutritious foods.

“The Kiwanis Club of Brockport is dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The local club began in 1926 and has always focused on fundraising and service projects to help children. The Mommy and Me and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs fit perfectly with our mission,” said George Sokolsky, president, Kiwanis Club of Brockport.

The initial idea for Mommy and Me came from our Medical Director and Pediatrician,

Dr. Danielle Renodin-Mead. She brought to our attention that the U.S. has some of the poorest health outcomes for children and their birth mothers. Just one large contributing factor to this is our culture’s approach to postpartum mental health, as well as the stigma that often surrounds this. That stigma is a barrier to mothers seeking the necessary care they need.

“Did you know that 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression or anxiety?” said Karen Kinter, interim CEO, Oak Orchard Health. “The goal of Oak Orchard’s new program is to achieve optimal maternal and child health and to make it easier to have conversations about postpartum depression and anxiety. This program integrates behavioral health care managers into the pediatric care team.”

Bird count set for Dec. 28 at Oak Orchard Swamp

Photos courtesy of Celeste Morien: A Tufted Titmouse is pictured. Bird counters potted 30 of these birds in a recent Oak Orchard Swamp Christmas Bird Count.

Posted 19 December 2022 at 2:48 pm

Press Release, Celeste Morien, count compiler for Oak Orchard Swamp Christmas Bird Count

Here is the map showing different sections for the Oak Orchard Swamp Christmas Bird Count. One of the recent counts totaled 20,843 birds in 73 species.

SHELBY – The Oak Orchard Swamp Christmas Bird Count will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 28.

The count began in December 1968. The National Audubon Society has been sponsoring Christmas Bird Counts since their inception.

Count compiler and Medina resident Celeste Morien would like the public to be alert for counters with spotting scopes and binoculars who will be out and about Dec. 28 on local roads, searching for birds in fields and at bird feeders.

Filling bird feeders now and keeping them stocked ahead of the count helps fulfill the count objective of counting all wild birds seen and heard within the circle. The Oak Orchard Swamp count is centered at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge on the Orleans and Genesee County line at Route 63. Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile diameter circle, which includes more than the refuge and state wildlife areas, counting every bird they see or hear all day. It’s not just a species tally—all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day.

According to the Audubon website, “Prior to the turn of the 20th century, hunters engaged in a holiday tradition known as the Christmas “Side Hunt.” They would choose sides and go afield with their guns—whoever brought in the biggest pile of feathered (and furred) quarry won.

Conservation was in its beginning stages in that era, and many observers and scientists were becoming concerned about declining bird populations. Beginning on Christmas Day 1900, ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, an early officer in the then-nascent Audubon Society, proposed a new holiday tradition—a “Christmas Bird Census” that would count birds during the holidays rather than hunt them.

A Pine Sisken is at left and a Downy Woodpecker is at right.

So began the Christmas Bird Count. Thanks to the inspiration of Chapman and the enthusiasm of 27 dedicated birders, 25 Christmas Bird Counts were held that day. The locations ranged from Toronto, Ontario to Pacific Grove, California with most counts in or near the population centers of northeastern North America.

From Dec. 14 through Jan. 5 each year tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas brave snow, wind, or rain, and take part in the effort. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this long-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations, and to help guide conservation action.

A Cooper’s Hawk is at left and a Red-breasted Nuthatch is at right.

The data collected by observers over the past century allow Audubon researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies and other interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, it provides a picture of how the continent’s bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years.

The long term perspective is vital for conservationists. It informs strategies to protect birds and their habitat, and helps identify environmental issues with implications for people as well.

If your home is within the circle and you are at home on count day, you can report the birds that visit your feeders. To do so, please contact celeste.morien@gmail.com.

Please consider donating to the Christmas Count since the Audubon Society no longer collects fees from each participant. Click here for more information.

For past results of any Christmas Bird Count, the National Audubon Society website (click here) is an excellent resource.

These Cedar Waxwings are shown at left with a White-breasted Nuthatch at right.

Medina’s welcome back picnic helps Oak Orchard, Clifford Wise Intermediate get off to good start

Posted 26 August 2022 at 7:43 am

Photos and information from Medina Central School

MEDINA – Medina Central School’s Oak Orchard Primary and Clifford Wise Intermediate staff had a great time greeting students and their parents for their welcome back picnic on Aug. 24.

Students were able to meet their new teachers, say hello to their old teachers and bring in their supplies to kick off the new school year.

Oak Orchard Primary Principal Jennifer Stearns says that students at both schools who did not attend will receive their assignment in the mail.

Any parent who still needs to enroll their children should do so as soon as possible. They should also be aware that UPK still has a limited number of slots available.

Mrs. Stearns says she and Clifford Wise Intermediate Principals Daniel Doctor and Chris Hughes were pleased with the turnout and very grateful to community organizations: Cornell Cooperative Extension (4H/Digital Literacy), the Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, Medina Fire Department, Medina Police Department, Orleans County Mental Health, Medina Memorial Hospital, YMCA, MAAC, Lions Club, the Public Library, OCALS and Head Start for taking time out to talk to the parents and students. “We can’t wait to see all our students on opening day!”

Kiwanis donates to Oak Orchard’s Mommy and Me program

Posted 12 July 2022 at 3:49 pm

Provided photo: Pictured from left include Robin Govanlu, LMHC, LAC, LPC, director of Behavioral Health; Danielle Renodin-Mead, pediatrician and chief medical dfficer; and Peter Head, president of the Kiwanis Club of Brockport.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

BROCKPORT – Peter Head, president of the Kiwanis Club of Brockport, visited Oak Orchard Health to make a $1,000 donation to the new Mommy and Me program.

This program is designed to support mothers/primary caregivers and babies together in achieving optimal maternal and child health. The data shows that 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression or anxiety, according to Postpartum Support International.

“The Kiwanis Club of Brockport looks for opportunities to help families in our community. The Mommy and Me Program addresses a critical need in our area. Our Club has always had a close relationship with Oak Orchard Health. We believe our missions are similar – supporting children and keeping everyone healthy,” said Peter Head, President of Kiwanis in Brockport.

The local program is co-founded by Dr. Danielle Renodin-Mead, pediatrician and chief medical officer; and Robin Govanlu, LMHC, LAC, LPC, director of Behavioral Health.

The Mommy and Me Program is an extremely innovative approach to improve child health outcomes in our region, and not only that but to also improve maternal health outcomes, with special attention to mental health in the postpartum period.

All Mom/Primary caregivers and babies of Oak Orchard Health are automatically enrolled in the program, from birth up to 5 years of age! In addition, some of the benefits of the program include enrollment in the WIC program and access to the Diaper Bank.

“As of the beginning of this year, 65 families were added to the WIC program who otherwise would not have had any way to get that service,” Dr. Renodin-Mead said.

Oak Orchard care managers are assigned to each mother to be evaluated for postpartum depression and anxiety, and then they are referred to one of our behavioral health counselors specializing in perinatal mental health.

“Mom’s mental health is so important to the whole family and we’re taking care of it in the early stages. Parents are very grateful for this service,” Govanlu said.

About Oak Orchard Health

Originally founded in 1973, Oak Orchard has grown from a migrant health project into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services for everyone located in the communities we serve. Currently serving over 30,000 patients at twelve locations, Oak Orchard Health is a recognized patient-centered medical home and 501(c) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center located in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Hornell, Lyndonville and Warsaw.

WNY Farms Company instrumental in turning swampy marsh into mucklands, Part 1

Posted 8 May 2022 at 8:33 am

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

Illuminating Orleans, Vol. 2, No. 16

BARRE – The top photograph is not from an Antarctic expedition! The image from a glass negative shows a dredge excavating a main ditch on the swamp in 1913 for the Western New York Farms Company. Drainage was the first step in the formation of the mucklands.

“Wall Street goes a-Farming” was the title of an article in Popular Science Monthly, Spring 1917 which described the gigantic Oak Orchard Farm:

“an admirable example of what a great farm can be when conducted under the precise and systematic management of ‘Big Business.’”

A mere four years prior, the “great farm” was an overgrown swampy marsh, reclaimed by an ambitious drainage project. The “Wall Street” reference in the article’s title was to the Western New York Farms Company, with an address at 49 Wall Street, New York, NY which had been incorporated on March 9, 1911. The directors were Andrew A. Smith, 40 South Washington Square, NY; H.R. Tobey, 109 West 45th St., NY; and Morris K. Parker, New Cannan, Conn.

By 1913, the Farms Company had acquired large tracts of land in Barre and Clarendon.

The initial impetus for draining the swamp was health, not agriculture. Malaria had long been associated with swampy land. Drainage of the swamp for health reasons was first recommended by the State Supreme Court in 1903. In 1904, Commissioners Avery Danolds of Shelby, John Crowley of Medina and Joseph W. Holmes of Batavia recommended draining almost 25,000 acres of swamp. They estimated the cost of surveys and preliminary work at $5,000. This would be assessed to the six towns involved, the costs to be reimbursed by the property owners.

This proposal languished but was presented again in 1910, as a “public necessity” according to the Medina Daily Journal, August 15, 1910. Meanwhile, the agricultural value of the drained land attracted attention when several experts attested to its fertility and potential. Plans were finalized in 1910 when it was agreed that the project should continue and be paid for by the owners of the land which benefited by it. The work began in 1913.

There had been some local resistance to the project. A letter from a Clarendon Taxpayer published in the Democrat and Chronicle and the Orleans Republican on January 12, 1912, outlined many concerns regarding this “scheme of public exploitation for private gain…under the guise of public health.” The Clarendon Taxpayer asked:

• Who would be responsible for maintaining the ditch?

• What effect the massive drainage would have on the remaining timber?

• What effect would the winds and the absence of moisture have on the climate, the orchards, and the crops of those who lived north and east of the area?

• What effect would the drainage have on wells? If residents had to drill deeper, they ran the risk of encountering sulphur or salt which would render the well unusable?

The project proceeded on a large scale. It comprised some 9,000 acres in the Orleans County towns of Barre and Clarendon, as well as in Elba and Byron in Genesee County. In 1913, workmen operating huge dredging machines dug 21 miles of main canals and 20 miles of laterals located about 2,000 feet apart. To accommodate the runoff, a channel through the Oak Orchard Creek was enlarged and straightened. Sixty Adirondack lumberjacks felled timber. Underbrush was burned. Crews operating plows, harrows, cultivators, and seeders prepared the soil. The first crop of vegetables was harvested in 1915.

All of this activity was overseen by the Western New York Farms Company’s Double O Ranch, a large facility in Elba, which had its own machine and maintenance shops, evaporator, cannery, and accommodation for workers, some four thousand in all.

The Farms Co. began leasing sections of land to growers in 1916 at the rate of $50 per acre for the first year. This included assistance and machinery. Subsequently, the rent was $35 an acre but no assistance was provided. It also offered land for sale, in 5 acre lots, at $300 per acre. The terms were one quarter to be paid in cash and the remainder in four equal annual installments.

The company sold its holdings in 1927, at $573.50 per muck acre, with an annual maintenance fee of $10 per acre. Priority was given to existing tenants and mortgages were available at 6%.

The Western New York Farms Company “Wall Street” approach to agriculture introduced agribusiness methods to Orleans County – mechanization, large scale production, scientific approach, efficient management. Muck landowners formed the Genesee-Orleans Vegetable Growers Co-op Association in 1921. This group assisted with marketing, encouraged development, and espoused advocacy. The “Wall Street” legacy continued.

For additional information see: www.albionalumni.org/chevrons/alb/muck.html.

New mobile medical unit will bring healthcare services to Orleans, other nearby counties

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 April 2022 at 4:05 pm

Oak Orchard Health says unit will function as primary care site

Photos by Tom Rivers

BROCKPORT – Oak Orchard Health today celebrated a new mobile medical unit that will function as a primary care site, brining healthcare to Orleans, Genesee, Monroe and Wyoming counties.

Holding the scissors are Dr. Danielle Renodin-Mead, Chief Medical Officer for Oak Orchard; and Dr. Michael Mendoza, Commissioner of Public Health for Monroe County.

The new unit was paid for with support from the John R. Oshei Foundation in Buffalo.

Mendoza said the mobile medical unit will help bring much-needed medical care to people with transportation issues. The Covid-19 pandemic revealed a gap in access to care for many people, he said.

Dr. Danielle Renodin-Mead said the site has an exam room, EKG machine, lab (for urine, cholesterol and diabetes), and space for well visits, immunizations and vision and mental health screenings.

“There is everything for primary care on this unit,” she said.

Mary Ann Pettibon, CEO of Oak Orchard in front at right, said Oak Orchard will work with local health departments, and agencies that serve homeless people and Head Start children to bring access to medical care.

“We are taking this state-of-art mobile unit to those who need us the most,” she said.

Oak Orchard also plans to work with other agencies, including Community Action, to “serve those disproportionately affected by the lack of medical care,” Pettibon said.

Oak Orchard operates 12 health care sites. The organization also will soon be unveiling a new mobile dental unit.

Ladies, it’s time to think about your health!

Posted 29 March 2022 at 2:00 pm

Women tend to be the caregivers in families, whether they’re caring for their parents or their children and significant others, but they often ignore their own health. It’s important that they take time for themselves which is why I’m dedicating this article to that topic.

Yearly exams and preventing Cervical Cancer

Many Moms wouldn’t think of skipping their kids’ “Well Child” visits each year, but they don’t always come in for their yearly physicals. During your physical, we’ll take your blood pressure, weight, address any health issues and talk about preventative measures for your future. For women, we’ll also do a Pap Smear if that’s appropriate.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a Pap smear, also called a Pap test, is a procedure to test for cervical cancer in women. Detecting cervical cancer early with a Pap smear gives you a greater chance at a cure.

How can you manage your stress?

Stress affects women (and everyone) in different ways. It’s often a major factor in weight gain and struggles with mental health. Remember, you can’t take care of anybody if you’re not taking care of yourself.

How can you help yourself? Some simple tips include increased exercise such as walking which gives you the added benefit of some quiet time – time with your own thoughts. If you don’t allow yourself some downtime, you’re going to burn out. If you’d like to talk with a behavioral health professional, Oak Orchard Health offers counseling that can be done by phone, video, or in-person. Getting outside perspective and advice can be super helpful to your mental health.

Healthy eating

Eating healthy can make a world of difference in your life but it does take planning and thoughtful purchases. Staying away from fast foods, processed foods, and high-calorie drinks can have a big impact on weight loss. Diets that include lots of vegetables or vegetables with fish, are the best for you. I understand that people are busy and often don’t have the time to prep fresh vegetables, but you can get the same nutritional value if you microwave or steam frozen vegetables. Be sure to read the labels when purchasing and look for lower calorie and carbohydrate items. You will be surprised that there are healthy items in the frozen food area beyond just frozen vegetables.

Eating regularly is as important as what you eat. Be sure to have breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, and avoid eating late at night. If you find yourself hungry late at night or in between meals, look to healthy snacking like vegetables such as cucumbers or even a small salad with lite dressing.

Breast cancer and early detection

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. It can occur at any age, but the risk goes up as you get older. Because of certain factors, some women may have a greater chance of having breast cancer than others, according to the American Cancer Society.

Many of you reading this article already know that getting a mammogram is the #1 way to detect breast cancer – but when should you get one? The American Cancer Society recommends women start at age 40 for their yearly breast cancer screening and I agree. Should you have a family history of breast cancer you may need to get your mammogram earlier, particularly if that family member was under 40 years of age. If that’s the case, you may want to start mammograms at 35.

Shingles, what are they?

The CDC reports that a number of studies have revealed that more women than men develop shingles, although it states that the reason for the disparity is not known. What are shingles? Shingles are caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person has chickenpox, the virus stays in their body and becomes inactive. Years later, the virus can reactivate, causing shingles.

Often people associate Shingles with a terrible rash, but it can also show up like a fever, malaise, flu-like symptoms, and sometimes the rash can be very minimal. This virus can also cause meningitis so it’s extremely important to see your medical provider and get treated. If you are 50 or older, you are eligible to get the Shingles vaccine to prevent getting this often very painful disease.

We hope you’ve found this article to be helpful. Should you have any other questions, please contact your medical professional or Oak Orchard Health.

Christmas Bird Count will be Dec. 28 at Oak Orchard Swamp

Photos courtesy of Celeste Morien: A Tufted Titmouse was spotted at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

Posted 7 December 2021 at 4:08 pm

Press Release, Celeste Morien, count compiler for Oak Orchard Swamp Christmas Bird Count

SHELBY – It’s close to that time again for the Oak Orchard Swamp Christmas Bird Count.

The count began in December 1968. The National Audubon Society has been sponsoring Christmas Bird Counts for 121 years and the Friends of Iroquois NWR, Inc. provide support for this local count.

Filling bird feeders now and keeping them stocked ahead of the count helps fulfill the count objective of counting all wild birds seen and heard within the circle! Our Oak Orchard Swamp count is centered at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge on the Orleans and Genesee County line at Route 63. Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile diameter circle, which includes more than the refuge and state wildlife areas, counting every bird they see or hear all day. It’s not just a species tally—all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day.

The long term perspective is vital for conservationists. It informs strategies to protect birds and their habitat, and helps identify environmental issues with implications for people as well.

If your home is within the circle and you are at home on count day, you can report the birds that visit your feeders. To do so, please contact celeste.morien@gmail.com.

Please consider donating to the Christmas Count here since the Audubon Society no longer collects fees from each participant. Click here for more information.

For past results of any Christmas Bird Count, the National Audubon Society website is an excellent resource. Click here for more information.

A Song Sparrow blends in with the surroundings at the wildlife refuge. Last year there were 20,843 birds counted in 73 species.

‘Movember’ event raises money and awareness for mental health at Medina schools

Posted 4 December 2021 at 1:28 pm

Photos courtesy of Medina Central School – Pictured from left include Jesse Mankowski, Jeff Dole, Doug Boje, Evan Giacomini and Mike Gray. Back row: Mark Fitzpatrick, Jody Sargent, Eric Gross, Joe Byrne, Jon Sherman and Ed Williams.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Medina High School Social Studies teacher Joe Byrne challenges his male counterparts in the school district to grow some facial hair every November.

“If you see some of the gentlemen on staff without their masks on, you will definitely notice an unusual amount of hair on their upper lip,” he jokes. “We all look like a throwback to the ’70s.”

‘Movember’ brings attention to the growing number of men, around 10.8 million globally, that are facing life with a prostate cancer diagnosis. Globally testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men. Mr. Byrne says this year the staff decided to bring attention to another health crisis that affects men.

“Across the world, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day,” he said. “Men account for 75 percent of all suicides. Frankly I was shocked and horrified by that number. I think as men, we have a tendency to not talk about mental health and live with the stigma that tending to our mental health is not manly or macho. This year we decided to make a long-term impact on our community with the endeavor to help change the face of men’s health. We encouraged our staff at Central Office, Transportation Department, Oak Orchard Elementary, Clifford Wise Intermediate and the High School to donate so we could present a check to Orleans County Mental Health to help with their mission.”

Pictured from left include Joe Byrne (Social Studies and Medina Teacher’s Association President), Nola Goodrich-Kresse (Orleans Mental Health), Danielle Figura (Orleans Mental Health) and Medina CSD Superintendent Mark Kruzynski.

On Nov. 30, Mr. Byrne and Superintendent Mark Kruzynski were honored to present a check for $750 to Danielle Figura, Director of Community Services/Clinic Coordinator and Nola Goodrich-Kresse, Orleans County Public Health Officer.

“We are very happy to be able to present this money to them,” says Mr. Byrne. “Our goal was $500 and we more than exceeded that. I am very proud of our staff for their contributions to this important cause.” Ms. Figura and Ms. Goodrich-Karesse both said they are very grateful for the donation. “This is the first time, to my knowledge, we have ever been approached by an outside source to be considered for a monetary donation,” says Ms. Figura. “This is extremely generous and will benefit the community.”

The Orleans County Mental Health offers a full range of services designed to meet the mental health needs of area residents. The state-licensed clinic offers comprehensive programs representing a broad range of disciplines including psychiatry, psychology, social work and nursing. Their number is (585) 283-5200.

Goodrich-Kresse says the money will be used towards Good Neighbor kits which contains information about mental health resources, coffee, tea and hot cocoa packets. Mr. Byrne is also hoping that the Suicide Prevention Coalition and Orleans Mental Health can partner to provide a workshop on suicide prevention in the community.

Superintendent Mr. Kruzynski says he thinks the donation and workshop is a fantastic idea. “The fact that this was staff driven is just amazing,” he said. “I think we are all aware of the impact that the pandemic has made on mental health and anything we can do at a local level to help is fabulous.”

GCASA sees success with ‘Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies’ program

Posted 12 August 2021 at 2:20 pm

By Mike Pettinella, GCASA Publicist

Photo courtesy of GCASA: Jessica Budzinack is GCASA’s parent/family support and project specialist.

The Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies program at Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse is making a difference in the lives of women dealing with substance use issues while trying to raise a family, according to Jessica Budzinack, the agency’s parent/family support and project specialist.

“During the past year, we have been able to connect with parents or family members that need individualized support, putting a primary focus on pregnant and post-natal women and women who have children that were exposed to substances in the womb,” Budzinack said.

“Parents in recovery or parents that struggle with addiction have different needs and different barriers that they need to overcome.”

The initiative is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of a financial assistance awarded totaling $500,000, said Rosalie Mangino-Crandall, GCASA’s director of Project Innovation and Expansion.

Mangino-Crandall said the specific program is funded by an HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (RCORP-NAS) grant.

The HRSA RCORP-NAS program places emphasis on pregnant women, mothers, and women of childbearing age who have a history of, or who are at risk for, substance use disorder or opioid use disorder, and their children, families and caregivers.

At GCASA, Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies specifically supports pregnant and post-partum women with substance use disorder and their partners and children as well as anyone caring for a child exposed to substances in the womb.

Services include case management (including connections to treatment, healthcare coordination, and assistance with social determinants of health), parenting peer support, recovery peer support, and transportation and childcare assistance.

Budzinack said the program offers “coach-like peer support to parents and their families.”

“We work with them to overcome obstacles, such as navigating the Family Court system, helping them find extra support for their children and helping them … connect to different organizations or resources that they need to help them be successful parents,” she said. “We also connect them with our Prevention team, which offers active parenting classes and other forms of education.”

She noted that she also has been able to assist mothers with children in foster care.

“We do what we can to help during the process of trying to bring them home. We help them navigate in that area to achieve those goals,” she said.

Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies staff are committed to lifting mothers and children with self-esteem issues as well.

“Another thing that they face is stigma,” Budzinack said. “They kind of feel like the world is shaming them for making that decision. Our job is to make them feel comfortable and responsible, and educate them to the best of our ability. Education is a big thing.”

Mangino-Crandall said the project utilizes the research-based Positive Direction Model created by Dr. Davina Moss-King to help pregnant women prevent and mitigate the effects of substances taken during pregnancy on their babies.

“This includes properly taking prescription medication such as MAT (medically-assisted treatment) medications as well as illicit drugs, alcohol and misused prescription drugs,” she said. “Women who receive medically-assisted treatment have different needs, and there’s much to consider in those cases.”

Budzinack mentioned the high level of uncertainty and fear faced by pregnant women on MAT who have just given birth.

“They have so much to think through,” she said. “How does this affect my pregnancy? What’s going to happen after I have the baby? Just to have someone that they can talk to without judgment, to make sure they know the importance of her health and the health of that child.”

She said she worked with a woman last summer who was pregnant and had two daughters in temporary foster care.

“We helped her to meet the criteria for the Office of Children and Family Services to bring her children back home while she underwent medically-assisted treatment to maintain recovery,” she explained. “Through support of a case manager, participating in The Recovery Station (on Clinton Street Road) and taking advantage of active parenting classes, things are working out for her.”

Budzinack said the woman has made a concerted effort to get her children back and that commitment has paid off. Her baby is going to be a year old in a couple months and both of her older daughters are back home with their mother.

Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies is backed by a consortium that includes the following original partners: Oak Orchard Health, Lake Plains Community Care Network, and Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments.

More recent partners include Oak Orchard WIC (Women, Infants and Children), Genesee and Orleans County Mental Health Departments, United Memorial Medical Center, UMMC Moms Program and Orleans Recovery Hope Begins Here.

For more information or to make a referral, click here or call Budzinack at 585-813-8583.

Oak Orchard Health celebrating National Health Center Week

Posted 9 August 2021 at 2:06 pm

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

Provided photos: Stacie Bridge, chief operating officer at Oak Orchard Health, gives a thumbs up after getting her Covid-19 vaccine.

Nationwide, health centers provide preventive and primary care services to almost 30 million people and have continued to do so while facing a global pandemic.

In 2019, Oak Orchard Health served over 23,339 patients and that number continues to grow when we added three new locations in 2020 – Batavia, Pembroke and Alexander.

Community health centers are not just healers, we are innovators who look beyond medical charts to address the factors that may cause poor health such as poverty, homelessness, substance use, mental illness, lack of nutrition, and unemployment.

Over the past year, we’ve cared for our community during the pandemic whether they were our patients or not. Oak Orchard was one of the first to do drive-through Covid-19 testing in our health center parking lots for people with symptoms and without.

“We have done over 6,800 Covid tests and 5,600 vaccinations,” said Dr. Mary Obear, Chief Clinical Officer. “And consultations with patients throughout the pandemic to advise them on how to care for themselves and their loved ones.”

Oak Orchard used telehealth technology to communicate with patients who needed to “see” their providers. And as soon as vaccines were available, Oak Orchard created vaccine events where people could get vaccinated. All while ensuring that farmworkers had the healthcare they needed since they are essential workers.

Dr. Mary Obear

“We are proud to employ 275 people and have contributed significantly to the economies of Monroe, Orleans, Steuben, Wyoming and Genesee counties,” said Mary Ann Pettibon, CEO, Oak Orchard Health.

Oak Orchard Health

Originally founded in 1966, Oak Orchard has grown from a migrant health project into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services for everyone located in the communities we serve. Currently serving over 23,000 patients at eleven locations, Oak Orchard Health is a recognized patient-centered medical home and 501(c) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Lyndonville, Hornell and Warsaw.

Volunteers will be out Dec. 28 for annual bird count at Oak Orchard Swamp

Posted 17 December 2020 at 9:45 am

Photos courtesy of Celeste Morien: This Mallard is pictured at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Christmas Bird Count Compiler Celeste Morien

SHELBY – It’s time again for the Oak Orchard Swamp Christmas Bird Count! The count began in December 1968. The National Audubon Society has been sponsoring Christmas Bird Counts for 120 years and the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge provide support for this local count.

Count compiler Celeste Morien of Medina would like the public to be alert for counters with spotting scopes and binoculars who will be out and about December 28th on local roads, searching for birds in fields and at bird feeders.

Brown Creeper

Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile diameter circle, which includes more than the refuge and state wildlife areas, counting every bird they see or hear all day. It’s not just a species tally—all birds are counted all day, giving an indication of the total number of birds in the circle that day.

Nowadays, from December 14 through January 5 each year, tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas brave snow, wind, or rain, and take part in the effort. Audubon and other organizations use data collected in this long-running wildlife census to assess the health of bird populations, and to help guide conservation action.

The data collected by observers over the past century allow Audubon researchers, conservation biologists, wildlife agencies and other interested individuals to study the long-term health and status of bird populations across North America. When combined with other surveys such as the Breeding Bird Survey, the “CBC” provides a picture of how the continent’s bird populations have changed in time and space over the past hundred years.

Evening Grosbeak

The long term perspective is vital for conservationists. It informs strategies to protect birds and their habitat, and helps identify environmental issues with implications for people as well.

If your home is within the circle and you are at home on count day, you can report the birds that visit your feeder. Anyone can participate, but arrangements must be made with the compiler. To do so, please contact celeste.morien@gmail.com.

Please consider donating to the Christmas Count (click here) since the Audubon Society no longer collects fees from each participant.

13,000 birds were counted at last year’s event

There were 21 volunteers at last year’s event and they counted 62 species and 13,248 individual birds, including 20 Bald Eagles and 493 Herring Gulls.

A list of species at last year’s count includes:

Canada Goose, 4,447; European Starling, 4,105; House Sparrow, 690; Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon), 499; Herring Gull, 493; Mallard, 327;
Ring-billed Gull, 307; Black-capped Chickadee; 287; American Crow, 270; Mourning Dove, 173; Red-winged Blackbird, 151; American Tree Sparrow, 142;
Dark-eyed Junco, 140; Brown-headed Cowbird, 139; American Goldfinch, 127; Northern Cardinal, 109; Blue Jay, 102; Cedar Waxwing, 85; Downy Woodpecker, 83;
White-Breasted Nuthatch, 73; House Finch, 62; Eastern Bluebird, 48; Wild Turkey, 48; Red-tailed Hawk, 47; Red-bellied Woodpecker, 46; American Black Duck, 31;
Hairy Woodpecker, 30; Northern Flicker, 29; American Robin, 22; White-throated Sparrow, 21; Bald Eagle, 20; Tufted Titmouse, 17; Horned Lark, 10; Song Sparrow, 9;
Brown Creeper, 9; Pileated Woodpecker, 8; Golden-crowned Kinglet, 5; Eastern Screech Owl, 5; Cooper’s Hawk, 5; Northern Harrier, 4; Red-breasted Nuthatch, 3; American Kestral, 3; Sharp-shinned Hawk, 3; Great Blue Heron, 3; Ring-necked Pheasant, 3;
Carolina Wren, 2; Common Raven, 2; Merlin, 2; Great Horned Owl, 2; Common Merganser, 2;
Yellow-Romped Warbler, 1; Hermit Thrush, 1; Ruby-crowned Kinglet, 1; Northern Shrike, 1; and Barred Owl, 1.

Orleans Mental Health director leaving to lead Erie County department

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2020 at 11:04 am

O’Brien praised for expanding mental health services in community

Photo by Tom Rivers: Mark O’Brien has led the Orleans County Mental Health Department the past seven years. During his tenure the department expanded to have staff working out of 15 sites in the community, including schools, healthcare facilities and the county jail.

ALBION – The Orleans County Mental Health Director is leaving the county to take the job as Erie County Commissioner of Mental Health.

Mark O’Brien has been the Orleans County director for seven years. He has worked for the county for a decade.

O’Brien, a Grand Island resident, told county legislators it was a “very difficult decision” to leave Orleans. He praised the legislators for supporting initiatives to expand mental health services in the county.

He was presented a “Special Recognition Award” on Wednesday by County Legislators.

“Your dedication and expertise has benefited our county tremendously,” the award states. “We appreciate your support and commitment to the residents of our county, which will forever be widespread, long lasting and extremely appreciated. The Orleans County Legislature does hereby wish you well as you enjoy your newest endeavor as the Erie County Commissioner of Mental Health.”

O’Brien built many partnerships in the community to expand mental health services, including satellite mental health offices in all five school districts in the county. Those offices allow students to receive mental health services without having to travel to county clinic in Albion. Transportation was a barrier for many families to access services.

Counselors help students who have anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.

“It makes it more accessible for the kids,” O’Brien told the Orleans Hub in a previous article. “The superintendents have been super cooperative to work with.”

O’Brien also led the department in bringing mental health services to the county jail. About 80 percent of the inmates in the Orleans County Jail have mental health disorders. Providing them treatment and appropriate medication can help reduce recidivism.

The Mental Health Department also has worked with local law enforcement agencies to provide training for responding to people in a mental health crisis.

He also developed partnerships with the Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Orleans Community Health and Oak Orchard Health to have mental health staff at their sites.

He was honored with the Constance Miller Award from the Mental Health Association of Genesee & Orleans in 2017. The award is named in honor of the founder of the MHA in 1993.

“We want to recognize people working promote mental wellness in the community,” Scott Wilson, vice president of the MHA board of directors, said then.

Wilson is also the Orleans County Jail superintendent. He has seen O’Brien work with many local agencies in the community to expand mental health services, including at the jail.

The Mental Health Department has two clinicians working at the jail, which has reduced psychotropic medication and suicide attempts, Wilson said.

O’Brien said he appreciated the response from partners in the county, welcoming mental health staff.

“It’s making mental health services more accessible to the community and reducing the stigma because they are not going to a classified mental health building,” he said.

He also worked to make county mental health building more accessible to the public by having open access where people don’t need an appointment to be served during regular business hours.

O’Brien’s last day with the county is May 7. The County Legislature has appointed Danielle Figura, the current clinic coordinator for Mental Health, to serve as interim director for the department beginning on May 8.

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Author visits Medina school and promotes mental wellness

Posted 21 February 2020 at 4:56 pm

Provided photo: Author Sarah Klaiber is shown with students Robert Lewis, Jr., Isabelle Perkins, Kamaryon Warren, Hailey Session, Patrick Grollmes and Erin Allis.

Press Release, Medina Central School

MEDINA – Author Sarah Klaiber says her battle with depression inspired her to write her book, Treasures.

“It was about my journey about appreciating the positives in my life and helping to improve my mental wellness with more natural means,” she said.

She recently read her book to students at Medina’s Oak Orchard Elementary. “I want them to know that it is OK to feel blue sometimes and to look to the things in their lives that make them happy, their treasures so to speak. There are so many people, young and old, who suffer from depression and I think it is great that schools are now focusing on that and how to help students cope with these emotions.”

Studies show that one in five young people will experience a mental health challenge each year, with issues like depression and anxiety acting as significant impediments to academic success for students. There is a campaign in many schools to promote mental health understanding and dialogue, and decrease shame, prejudice and point students and parents to available resources like guidance counselors and social workers.

School librarian Molly DeBottis appreciated the message that Klaiber shared with the students. “Her message is so important about happiness and mental health,” DeBottis said. “It is good that we are starting at a younger age discussing this with them.”

The school librarian also is grateful that Klaiber discussed the writing process with the Medina classes.

“It helps them to see the possibilities about being an author and what they are capable of,” DeBottis said.

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