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Madison County Rural Health News September 2021| Issue 11

Note from our Executive Director

With summer behind us and fall fast approaching it’s a good time to get outdoors and enjoy some apple picking and pumpkin carving. With a new season brings new ideas and new leadership.  Let me take a minute to introduce myself, my name is Christine Paul, I am the new Executive Director for Madison County Rural Health Council (MCRHC). My background as Deputy Director of Chenango Health Network and having 13 years of experience in the nonprofit field, will help guide me as I lead MCRHC to the next chapter. I owe a huge thank you to the MCRHC Board of Directors for giving me this opportunity. I also want to thank the committed staff and Bonnie for making this transition as seamless as possible.  I am excited for this new chapter and I look forward to building continued collaborations within Madison County. Have a fantastic fall!   Be well,   Christine Paul Executive Director

Farwell to Bonnie

After seven successful years, our Executive Director, Bonnie Slocum, has taken a well-deserved retirement. Her leadership, vision and dedication over those years helped drive the Madison County Rural Health Council forward to flourish and thrive in our community. She was the first Executive Director of our organization and her achievements during her time will not be forgotten. She created strong partnerships and worked tirelessly to bring meaningful and impactful programs to improve the health and well-being of Madison County residents. Bonnie's integrity and compassion as a leader, mentor and colleague will be missed! We wish her a happy, healthy and relaxing retirement!

Partner Spotlight

BRiDGES Madison County Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse, Inc. Hosts Annual Event in Honor of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month this September

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In honor of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Madison County, hosted by BRiDGES, held the annual STEPtember for Suicide Prevention Walk. The walk took place on Saturday, September 11th at the Great Swamp Conservancy in Canastota, NY.   Community members from all over Madison County and nearby areas came to show their support of local suicide prevention efforts. After reading the names of people who have been lost to suicide and observing a moment of silence for those lost to suicide, those lost to COVID19, and those killed in 9/11, a walk along the trails at Great Swamp Conservancy commenced to honor suicide survivors and survivors of suicide loss. Madison County, a predominantly rural area, has one of the highest rates of suicide among NYS counties. The annual STEPtember Walk and the donations received throughout the month of September benefit suicide prevention (education and awareness), intervention, and postvention efforts in Madison County.  The month of September is not over, so there is still time to donate towards this important cause. You can find more information here. Make sure to look out for more information regarding next year’s STEPtember Walk. You can learn more about the Suicide Prevention Coalition and BRiDGES at here.

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Suicide in Madison County Madison County has one of the highest suicide rates among NYS counties at 14.1 deaths compared to the NYS rate of 8.5 deaths for every 100,000, the death by suicide. (NYS DOH Vital Statistics, 2009-2018). 

Click on the image above to view the January 2020 report from the Madison County Department of Health.

Wellness @ Work

Take a break with an "Exercise Snack" to keep you moving throughout your work day!

"Exercise Snacks" May Be as Good as (or Better than)... A new "movement" in the world of physical fitness is the exercise snack. No, we're not talking about the calories you burn while reaching for a bag of chips. An exercise snack is a short, easy form of exercise that gives you similar benefits as... Read more www.bluezones.com

Click on the Zones MOVE Activity Cube to the right to print and make your own cube to help you incorporate exercise "snacks" into your day!

Job Stress and COVID: Reduce Back-to-Work Anxiety for... Job stress is more real than ever. Add in coming back to the workplace during an ongoing pandemic, and it's enough to make most employees want to crawl back into bed. While gathering back to a somewhat normal workplace might feel exciting, it can ... Read more info.totalwellnesshealth.com

What's Happening at MCRHC

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Click Here to Register for Living Well Workshop

Mobility Management

Click here to visit the GoMadisonNY website for updates in Madison County

The Volunteer Transportation Center is here in Madison County and accepting new clients and looking for volunteer drivers in Madison County!

There is an application process to become a client. Once approved VTC requests a 48 hour notice to book an appointment for transportation. An application may be found on the VTC website by clicking here or calling the office to have an application mailed to your home. To request an application or for questions, please call (315) 628-8372.

Click here for a Volunteer Driver Application

Community News

Call: 2-1-1, text: HELP to 898-211 or go to: 211midyork.org Professional tele-counselors available 24/7, 365 days a year. List of health and human services resources in Madison, Oneida, and Herkimer counties. Community connection, providing answers and assistance so you can take action.

Click here to preregister for the mobile mammography van.

MCRHC Staff

Staff Contact Information Christine Paul, Executive Director (607) 316-2175 christine.paul@mcruralhealthcouncil.org

Stephanie Henry, Program Coordinator (315) 313 - 4399 henry.s@mcruralhealthcouncil.org Donny Ybarra, Mobility Manager (315) 366-8190 dymobility@gmail.com

Our Board of Directors

DJ Raux, President Crouse Community Center Bruce Hathaway, Vice-President National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) Maureen Campanie, Treasurer BRiDGES Madison County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc. Robyn Smith, Secretary Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Nannette Cowen, PhD, FNP-BC Binghamton University Dawn Brink-Cymerman St. Joseph’s Physician's at Cazenovia Inez DeGroat Madison County Office for the Aging Eric Faisst Madison County Department of Health Paula Highers MCV Law - Meggesto, Crossett & Valerino, LLP Dawn Sampson Community Memorial Hospital Jane Stephenson SUNY Morrisville

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