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NYSARH presented its annual awards on September 22nd at the Annual Conference in Geneva, NY. 2009 Award RecipientsDr. William Saks - Dr. Gary Ogden Rural Health Practitioner of the Year Award Bill Saks has been practicing medicine for 40 years, with 20+ years in service of the people of Schuyler County at Schuyler Hospital, Montour Falls, NY. He is involved in the local community as the County Coroner and has organized community and hospital events such as a Talent Show and hospital auxilary fund raisers. His big heart is seen in his willingness to come in for people at a moment’s notice, even if he is not on call and even if they are not his clients. He is one of those people who act from the heart, not thinking first about himself or malpractice. Due to funding issues he has spent many years being the solo OB/GYN at the little hospital in Schuyler County doing 24/7 call with little break. Even through the loss of his wife to cancer, and his own health concerns, Bill continues to show his dedication to client care and respecting women’s choice in birthing. After recent hip replacement surgery he returned to the office three weeks later. One of his clients, who was hoping for a natural delivery, was surprised and thrilled when he attended her birth. She had the birth of her dreams! He has extended himself to support midwifery care options for women in his community through backing several midwife practices. He appeared on national TV recently supporting women's choice in birth. Under Dr. Saks the September Hill Birth Center was developed and opened, winning recognition as a service to the rural community. The birth center, now in-hospital, continues to serve women 15 years after inception. Ron Brach-Senator Patricia M. McGee Award Ron has been in the forefront of rural New York issues for over two decades. He was involved in the formation of the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources and served as its Executive Director since the 1980’s. He has worked side by side with Senator Charles Cook and later with Senator Patricia McGee to educate the legislature and others about why rural policy, and rural health in particular, is different. Among his many accomplishments during his tenure are the following examples. Under his leadership the commission was instrumental in getting the Rural Health Network Demonstration Program and Rural Health Care Services Diversification Program passed and appropriated. The Demonstration program became the Network Development Program. He was also involved in the Health Care Reform Act of 1996 negotiations, which continued the network program and created the Rural Health Care Access Development Program. Under his direction the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources held many town hall meetings throughout the state covering all aspects of the rural health care delivery. The commission also partnered with the State Office of Rural Health on a number of events and was very involved with the New York State Area Health Education Center Program. This nominee, in addition to his efforts of raising awareness to rural concerns and working with the state legislature saw an opportunity to unite the many dedicated individuals and agencies working in the field to improve the quality of life in rural New York. This nominee was a founder of the New York State Association for Rural Health. He was involved in every facet of establishing NYSARH, establishing the board to writing bylaws, to serving on committees as well as the annual conference for the association. He has been an active member of the association and one who many go to for guidance and advice which he shares with an enthusiasm for the subject that is energizing. Jean Heady, Rural Health Worker of the Year Award Jean has been in the forefront of improving the quality of life of rural New Yorkers. Before joining Jefferson County in 1980, she was Operating, Central Supply and Emergency Room Supervisor at E.J. Noble Hospital in Alexandria Bay; a Staff Nurse at The House of the Good Samaritan; and Office Nurse and then Manager for the Family Practice of William C. Heady, MD. Jean also led a federal health education grant initiative with the North Jefferson Health System from 1984-1985, and was a Community Health Nursing and Leadership Adjunct Lector for the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. While Director of Jefferson County Public Health, her progressive leadership garnered Jefferson County Public Health’s selection as a demonstration pilot to participate in a national certified home health agency outcome-based quality improvement project. Another initiative was implementation of the department’s first electronic clinical record, which improved the quality, delivery, and documentation of patient care. She has actively served Jefferson County, New York State, and the nation with distinction in multiple capacities, including service with the New York State Rural Health Council, Jefferson Community College Nursing Advisory Committee, New York State Nurses Association, Home Care Association of New York State, New York State Department of Health Advisors of Central New York, Northern New York Rural Health Care Alliance, American Nurses Association, Henry Keep Home Trustees, and the Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Squad. 2010 Nominations Are Open Now!Senator Patricia M. McGee AwardFormerly the Award of Merit, the Senator Patricia M. McGee Award is given to an individual, group of individuals or organizations, agency or group of agencies who have made an outstanding contribution of major significance to improve the health of rural populations. This Award was renamed the Senator McGee Award in recognition of the late Senator’s unyielding commitment to improving rural residents’ quality of life through legislation which will have a positive impact for many years to come. Her willingness to listen and respond to constituents from her own district, and throughout NYS, including NYSARH events, was greatly appreciated. The Awards Committee will consider broad benefits to health, innovative programs, unusual contributions or activities that provide outstanding and long lasting benefit to the public’s health and are consistent with the goals and objectives of the Association.
Dr. Gary Ogden Rural Health Practitioner of the Year Award The recipient of this award must be a direct service provider who has demonstrated leadership in bringing health services to citizens of rural New York. Factors considered include: Individual must be a provider (physician or mid-level provider)
This award was renamed in honor of Dr. Gary Ogden, who passed away early in January of 2007. Candidates for this award should exhibit the same qualities we witnessed in Gary; a passion for life, selfless dedication to their community, organization, and especially, their patients; a strong sense of truth, and the conviction, belief, and action to make dreams a reality. Rural Health Worker of the Year This award will be given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution of major significance to rural health in New York, is a member of the NYS Association for Rural Health, or an employee of a member of NYSARH, and is actively involved in health in NY. Consideration shall be given to all areas of health. Nomination information should indicate that the individual’s efforts have gone beyond what is normally expected and are exemplary of dedication to the advancement of the health of the public.
Outstanding Rural Health Program This award recognizes a community-wide, regional or statewide program involving one or more health care professionals, or entities that promote or facilitate the development of the rural health care delivery system. If a collaborative effort, please describe in detail the role each organization plays or played and the impact the program will have on the community in the future. If a one-time event, but can be modeled in other communities, please clarify those factors that can be replicated. Factors taken into consideration include:
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