Oct 29, 2014 |
The Health Care Access Coalition of Olean will look deeply into Cattaraugus County’s poor health diagnosis through a series of workshops and presentations on Saturday, Nov. 1.
The event is free and will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in Olean. Members of the community are encouraged to attend. Lunch will be provided.
Jean-François Godet-Calogeras, professor of Franciscan studies at St. Bonaventure University, and SBU pre-med students Kate Timony and Dana Norman, are members of the Health Care Access Coalition. They hope local residents turn out on Saturday to attend the “Prescription for a Healthy Community” program.
According to Coalition officials, Cattaraugus County this year placed 52 out of 62 New York state counties in health outcomes (which represent the health of a county). When considering influencing factors — such as tobacco use, diet, quality of care, as well as social and economic circumstances and our environment — Cattaraugus County sank to number 55.
Workshop participants may attend the following presentations on Saturday:
• The Affordable Care Act: How It Works: Presented by Traci Hopkins of Healthy Community Alliance, navigator for New York State Department of Health; Elizabeth Ludvik, small business owner and recent enrollee in the Affordable Care Act.
• Prescription Drugs: Who’s Paying?: Presented by Jera Dynda, pharmacist at Olean General Hospital; Dan Horn, retired local pharmacist.
• The Face of Mental Health Care: Presented by Glenn Liebman, CEO of the Mental Health Association in New York State; Dawn Miller, LMSW - director of the Cattaraugus County Department of Community Services; Mary Plonka, LMSW, CASAC - retired Salamanca school social worker who is currently a private practitioner; Joann McAndrew, executive director of the Mental Health Association in Cattaraugus County.
• Inside Health Care: Understaffing and Overwork: Presented by Kris Powell, RN, Western Regional Director for New York State Nurses Association.
Dr. Kevin D. Watkins, MPH, director of the Cattaraugus County Public Health Department, will give the conclusive keynote address.
For more information or to register in advance, please contact Athena Godet-Calogeras at athenagc@icloud.com or the Health Care Access Coalition website www.healthcareaccesscoalition.wordpress.com.
______________
About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them. We are establishing pathways to internships, graduate schools and careers in the context of our renowned liberal arts tradition. Our students are becoming extraordinary.