President’s Comments
A Difficult Summer for Some: The Floods of 06

Many communities in Upstate New York have had a rough start to this year’s summer season. As we all know, in late June and again in mid July vast regions of central and eastern Upstate New York were hit with the worst rain and flooding since 1972 when tropical storm Agnes devastated the Southern Tier. This year not only the Susquehanna Valley, but the Hudson and Mohawk Valleys as well, all experienced tragic flooding emergencies. Nineteen counties were declared disaster areas by the state and federal government. NYSARH has individual and agency members throughout the affected regions. Reports we have received indicate that New York’s rural health infrastructure was prepared and extended itself to meet the needs of the disaster. New York State and federal agencies also reacted quickly, gaining the appreciation and admiration of citizens in the flooded areas.

On behalf of this association, I wish all the victims of this disaster Godspeed in your efforts to rebuild your lives and your communities.

A far more pleasant event also worthy of thought is the coming together of New York State’s leaders in rural health at the 5th Annual NYSARH Conference. This year we are very excited to be meeting at the historic Chautauqua Institution from September 11 to 13, 2006. The Chautauqua Institution, located in the southwest corner of the Southern Tier, dates back to the late 1800’s and includes the historic Athenaeum Hotel, the nation’s first to have electricity. While clearly Chautauqua Institution, for over a century has been known as a place for rest and reflection, its true reputation is as a gathering place for thinkers and leaders from around the world. Chautauqua is a thriving community founded on the belief that everyone “has a right to be all that he/she can be…to know all that he/she can know.”

We agree! With this philosophy in mind, we encourage all of our NYSARH members and friends to register and attend this year’s outstanding educational conference. You may obtain a conference brochure on the NYSARH site. Please register soon and I look forward to meeting you at the conference.

Barry Brogan, RN, MAPP
Executive Director
North Country Behavioral Healthcare Network