The Noyes Newsroom

Footin' it for Family 5K breaks previous records

DANSVILLE -- When Randy Hamilton of the Footin' it for Family 5K contacted Noyes Memorial Hospital and said they had the best year yet for the annual 5K, he certainly wasn't exaggerating.

Footin' it for Family commit members dropped off a check for $25,000 Thursday afternoon -- $10,000 more than what was raised the previous year.

All of the funds will stay locally at the Ann and Carl Myers Cancer Center at Noyes Memorial Hospital.

"The donation will have a direct impact on patients undergoing cancer treatments in the hospital," said Dr. Chad Teeters, Noyes President and CEO. "We are incredibly grateful to everyone who came together to make this event a success."

According to the Footin' it for Cancer website, "Footin' it for Family is a group of family and friends, organized in 2012, to honor those in our families affected by cancer. From 2012-16 we participated as a team in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Elmira. In those five years, our group raised and donated $15,500. In 2017, we made the decision to host our own 5K Run/Walk to benefit our local communities. Our first year, we raised $5,500 for the Ann and Carl Myers Cancer Center in Dansville. Our last three years have brought our total to $45,500, all donated to the Cancer Center. We are extremely proud to support an organization which has benefited so many families throughout our local communities."

The donation brings the grand total donated by the group to over $70,000.

AVON -- The need for better access to mental health care is more in demand than ever. UR Medicine Noyes Health took a step toward meeting that demand Thursday, May 20 as it closed on a parcel of land in Avon that will be home to a new mental health treatment building.

The $1,062,000 property will house eight patient treatment rooms, waiting area, and a group treatment room. There will also be an area outside where visitors and community members alike can enjoy the outdoors. The practice will be located in the James Steele Commerce Park in East Avon, just off exit 10 on Route 390.

Construction is slated to begin in June, and the building is expected to be completed in the fall of this year.

"Thanks to a $348,050 grant from New York State, and a matching $350,000 donation from Ann and Carl Myers, we are 2/3 to our goal," said Lynn White, Director of the Foundation for Noyes Health. "We still have a considerable sum to raise before this project can become a reality."

"I have good confidence that the people and businesses of Livingston County will join with Noyes in recognizing the vast need for improved access to mental health care and support this project that will positively impact the lives of thousands of our friends, family members, and neighbors," said Michael Donegan, Senior Director of Operations at Noyes Health.

The building will be dedicated in memory of Elizabeth "Liz" S. (Griswold) Green, a beloved member of the Avon Community. Green passed away unexpectedly in February of 2019. She was the social worker at the Avon Primary School, as well as the Livingston County Violence Prevention Trainer for over 18 years.

"Liz left a hole in the Avon community," said Lynette Greene Director of Noyes Mental Health and Wellness, who was also a colleague of Liz Green. "She lived her life to help others and genuinely cared about everyone she came across. We hope this building and the services we will provide will help carry on that legacy."

"Once the building opens, there will be crisis walk-in appointments available," said Dr. Robert Whelpley, Medical Director of Noyes Mental Health and Wellness. "This is a service not offered elsewhere in our area and could be life-saving for people needing emergent mental health help."

"The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major effect on all our lives," said Dr. J. Chad Teeters, President and Chief Executive officer of UR Medicine Noyes Health. "Public health actions like social distancing are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately, they can make people feel isolated, lonely and can increase stress and anxiety. Livingston County needs access to mental health care to help get through this crisis now, and for years to come."

In addition to the mental health building, there is also space on the lot for a second building, should the need arise.

If you are interested in contributing to the Avon Mental Health Fund, you can donate online by visiting giveto.urmc.edu/noyes

Naming opportunities within the building are still available. For more information, contact Lynn White at 585-335-4323.

Hospital lauded for avoiding tests, procedures that offer little to no clinical benefit

DANSVILLE, N.Y. — Noyes Health received an 'A' grade for Value of Care from the Lown Institute last week.

Every 80 seconds, a hospital in the U.S. delivers a low-value test or procedure to an older adult, putting hundreds of thousands at risk of harm, according to a new analysis from the Lown Institute, a health care think tank.

The Institute of over 3,100 U.S. hospitals that examines success at avoiding the use of tests and procedures that offer little to no clinical benefit.

The Institute finds that more than 1 million tests and procedures performed in hospitals on Medicare patients from 2016-2018 met established criteria for overuse. Among the 12 low-value services measured, hysterectomy for benign disease, the placement of coronary stents for stable heart disease, and diagnostic tests like head imaging for fainting were particularly widespread, with more than 90 percent of hospitals overusing these tests or procedures.

"We are proud to be given the top grade," said Dr. J. Chad Teeters, President and CEO of Noyes Health. "Noyes prides itself on providing top-quality, state of the art care to the community."

"High value care requires delivering timely care close to home and without unnecessary waste," said Teeters. "Extra or unnecessary procedures prolong work-up, delay treatment, and in a time of high deductibles, costs patients money."

Founded in 1973 by Nobel Peace Prize winner Bernard Lown, MD, developer of the defibrillator and cardioverter, the Lown Institute believes that a radically better system of health is possible and generates bold ideas towards that goal. The Lown Hospitals Index, a signature project of the Institute, is the first ranking to assess the social responsibility of U.S. hospitals by applying measures never used before like racial inclusivity, avoidance of overuse, and pay equity.

DANSVILLE, NY -- Two nurses at Noyes Memorial Hospital were recently honored with The DAISY Award® For Extraordinary Nurses. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.

This year's winners were Caitlin O'Brien, a nurse on the Medical/Surgical Unit; and Leah Allen Hayward, a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit.

Hayward, who lives in Cohocton, received two nominations. One patient wrote, "When I first came to the ICU on Saturday, I had tried to overdose on Jack Daniels and 2 different blood pressure medications. I realize now that was a mistake. Since the time I arrived, she has listened to what I had to say just for the sake of listening to me. It makes an awkward and ugly situation that much easier to manage and makes me feel she goes above and beyond."

A parent talked about how busy Hayward was throughout her shift, but she always made time for her daughter. She is very polite, professional, and plain and simple-caring. Despite how busy she has been, she was very attentive throughout her shift. My daughter really enjoyed having (Leah) as her nurse.

Hayward attended Finger Lakes College of nursing, as well as SUNY Empire State.

Caitlin O'Brien is the second winner of the Daisy Award. A Nunda native, O'Brien attended Keshequa High School before getting her nursing degree from Alfred State College.

Her nomination read, "First, we would like to thank this special nurse for her dedication as we have not met each other at all. She would go out of her way not only to take good care of my mother who is 93 years old, she's hard to hear and could not respond to the staff due to her hearing issues. She can only talk to us if she's on facetime or zoom meeting etc. Besides the nursing care, she helped us to set up zoom meeting with my mothers' children/grandchildren so that she is happy and making big progress in her sickness. Lastly, we would like to thank Caitlin for her role as well as all the nursing staff/doctors/social workers/kitchen staff/and the lab technician, everyone on third floor with their dedications. I must say, Noyes Hospital is a very nice and friendly care hospital. Again, thank you so much for everything you have done for my mother during her stay here from April 11-19, 2021.

The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.

DANSVILLE -- If you are in need of top-quality foot care, look no further than Dr. Jean Archer-Colella, DPM.

Dr. Archer-Colella, a surgical podiatrist, is a leading expert in all issues concerning the foot, with an emphasis on wound care, specifically those who have diabetic foot wounds. She treats a wide range of foot disorders and has specialties in sports medicine, biomechanics, geriatrics, pediatrics, and orthopedics.

Dr. Archer-Colella is using innovative Lapiplasty technology, a procedure to correct bunions, that has been proven to lead to shorter recovery times and better outcomes for patients.

Her work has led the Noyes' Podiatric Medicine and Foot Surgery center to be named a Center of Distinction by Treace Medical.

"Bunion deformities which appear as a bump at the base of the big toe can lead to persistent and chronic pain and swelling as well as difficulty wearing shoes," said Dr. Archer-Colella. "Oftentimes patients have tried many of the conservative options prior to seeking medical attention for this problem.

"When I'm evaluating a patient for this problem, I offer both conservative and surgical options.

When I can show a patient what a foot looks like after traditional bunion surgery and then what a foot looks like after Lapiplasty Tridimensional bunion correction, the patient sees the difference and it just makes sense to them to opt for this procedure."

With quicker recovery times over conventional methods, fewer chances of re-occurrence, patients can be up and walking within a few days and wearing shoes within six weeks.

"When I treat complex and chronic wounds, there are certain procedures that sometimes need to be performed to further evaluate the wound care patient," said Dr. Archer-Colella. "I have surgical skills that allow me to do that."

She also helps in the coordination of care with other members of the wound care team including Vascular, Internal Medicine, Radiology, Laboratory, Nutrition, Pain Management, Diabetic education, Physical therapy, and Nursing. "A team approach has been proven to improve rates of wound healing," said Dr. Archer-Colella

Dr. Archer-Colella was also recently been named to the Board of Directors of both the American Society of Podiatric Surgeons and the American College of Clinical Wound Specialists.

Dr. Archer-Colella is a graduate of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. Upon completion of a three-year residency in Podiatric Medicine and Foot Surgery in Queens, New York, Dr. Archer-Colella worked at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in Richmond Hill (Queens), New York, and, most recently, in private practice affiliated with Northwell Health's Long Island Jewish Medical Center. She is a Long Island native and moved to Dansville in 2015.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Archer-Colella, please call (585)335-9360.

After Hours Clinic in Dansville closed as of March 31

DANSVILLE, NY -- After Hours in Dansville permanently closed its doors effective 10 p.m. Wednesday, March 31.

Anyone in need of medical care can still visit Noyes Urgent Care in Geneseo daily from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. or the Emergency Room in Dansville.

"The services to meet the public need are still available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the Emergency Room in Dansville, and 12 hours a day at Urgent Care in Geneseo," said Pauline Shaw, R.N., Director of Emergency Services at Noyes Health.

Digital x-ray and lab services are available at Urgent Care in Geneseo -- open 9 a.m.-9 p.m., located at 50 East South Street in Geneseo. Walk-in appointments are available, and no appointments are necessary.

Typically, Urgent Care treats patients of all ages who have conditions that aren't life threatening, but need to be taken care of right away. Some of these conditions include abdominal pain, coughs and colds, earaches, minor cuts, flu symptom, and sports injuries.

The Geneseo Urgent Care is also still offering Telemedicine appointments. This allows patients to meet with providers from the comfort of their own homes. To schedule a telemedicine appointment, call (585) 243-9595.

For more severe or life-threatening emergencies including chest pains, bleeding that won't stop, labored breathing, head injuries, etc., please visit the Emergency Room located at 111 Clara Barton St., Dansville.

If you are having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

The Noyes Health Board of Directors has selected J. Chad Teeters, M.D., M.B.A., as its new president and chief executive officer, effective May 1. He will take the helm from Amy Pollard, R.N., B.S.N., M.P.S., who will retire in April after a decade leading Nicholas Noyes Memorial Hospital and its related health care entities.