Women are prominent leaders at Medina Memorial Hospital

Orleans Community Health recognizes them as part of National Women’s History Month

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Four of the 21 women who head departments at Orleans Community Health are shown here. From left, they are Kim Gray, chief nursing officer and director of Surgical Services; Meghan Siddons, director of the Medical/Surgical Department; Melanie McAdoo, director of Case Management and Utilization Review; and Mackenzie Sullivan, director of the Emergency Department and lead nursing supervisor. The women were recognized during National Women’s History Month.

MEDINA – With a predominantly female work force, Orleans Community Health is taking advantage of National Women’s History Month to acknowledge the women in leadership roles at Medina Memorial Hospital.

National Women’s History Month was proclaimed by Congress in March of 1987, and March 8 is celebrated as International Women’s Day. Orleans Community Health recognized its female employees that day by posting their photos on social media, according to Scott Robinson, director of marketing at Community Partners.

Women continue to be a vital part of Orleans Community Health’s team, dedicated to providing important health care services to their community.

According to Robinson, there are 27 departments at Orleans Community Health, 21 of which are led by women. Four of them sat down recently to share their duties and love of their jobs.

They are Kim Gray, chief nursing officer and director of Surgical Services; Mackenzie Sullivan, director of the Emergency Department and lead nursing supervisor; Melanie McAdoo, director of Case Management and Utilization Review; and Meghan Siddons, director of the Medical-Surgical Department.

Gray has been at Medina Memorial Hospital for 20 years, Sullivan a total of nine (two previously and then she left and has been back for seven years), Siddons for a year and a half and McAdoo for 5 years.

“The highly qualified team that works tirelessly to care for our community is second to none,” Gray said. “Some of the women who have chosen to join Orleans Community Health have been here for decades, some have left larger health care systems for us, while others are newer to the profession. Either way, you know when you come to Orleans Community Health, you’re getting a team that prioritizes patient care.”

Sullivan said she thinks that women in general don’t get the recognition they deserve. She also noted that healthcare is predominately a female industry, and can’t be compared to manufacturing, where most CEO or CFO positions are not female.  She said leadership at the hospital supports females in leadership roles.

She stated that people using the ER are at numbers they haven’t seen since 2018.

“People are less hesitant in post Covid time to seek health care,” she said. “They know who’s taking care of them here.”

The hospital’s Foundation board is predominately female, and the president is Jeanne Crane. Likewise, the majority of members of the hospital board are women, Robinson said.

Of the hospital’s employees, 68% live in Orleans County, 37% in Medina.

Sullivan serves on the Sexual Assault Task Force of Orleans County and the Mental Health Task Force.

“As women in leadership, we have the opportunity to change how people view females in our positions,” she said. “Often, older patients are uncomfortable with a male nurse.”

Robinson noted the connection between the ER and the second floor.

“Often people who come to the ER are admitted to the second floor,” he said.

While the hospital has added or expanded services in recent years, Sullivan said they also recognize what they can’t do and aren’t hesitant to transfer a patient when necessary.

“We are able to do a lot more and give people the care they need here, instead of going to the city,” Siddons said. “We also have a lot of out-patient services here, and a great patient/nurse ratio.”

McAdoo said Orleans Community Health’s North Wing offers the best of care, with hospital services available under the same roof.

“Our sub-acute rehab provides a higher level of care for medically complex rehab patients,” McAdoo said. “The North Wing also benefits by having the skilled medical team on hand 24/7.”