The seven chosen cohorts involve multiple regional partners and target an array of health conditions with specific SDOH interventions, including access to transportation, healthy food, and stable housing.

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Look for periodic updates on progress and learnings from this project in Rural Matters and on the New York State Association for Rural Health website. Questions can be directed to Emma Nalin, Project Coordinator, at [email protected].

This year, Rural Health Network once again celebrated National Volunteer Week with a conference and recognition event, in collaboration with United Way of Broome County and VAST (Volunteer Administers of the Southern Tier). The conference included presentations on topics such as developing a personal brand, the legalities of hosting volunteers, not-for-profit storytelling, and advocacy. A recognition luncheon followed the morning event, with keynote speaker Ty Muse (President/CEO of Visions Federal Credit Union) addressing an audience of nearly 100 volunteers and volunteer coordinators. 

Volunteers from The Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park, United Way of Broome County, Action for Older Persons, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, The Discovery Center, Family Planning of South Central New York, the Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier, and the Phelps Mansion Museum were recognized. Additionally, Rural Health Service Corps AmeriCorps members and supervisors were recognized for the impressive work they do in areas related to combating the opioid epidemic and increasing food sec urity. 

Rural Health Service Corps AmeriCorps and VISTA Members, Host Site Supervisors, and Rural Health Network Staff.

Thank you to all our members and supervisors, and to everyone who made this event possible!

Rural Health Network's Community Health Workers support adults in improving self management and overcoming social determinants of health barriers to accessing primary and preventative care.

Nicole Argro

Nicole Argro joins our team as a Community Health Worker I. Nicole holds an Associate Degree in Human Services from SUNY-Broome and will be continuing her Bachelor's degree next fall.  She will provide outreach and engage 200 targeted Medicaid Members living with multiple chronic physical conditions into case management services through the Care Compass Network Cohort Management Program. Nicole will be based at the Lourdes primary care site at 303 Main Street in Binghamton as part of the patient centered medical home care coordination team. Ascension Lourdes Hospital leads this pilot project. Other project partners include Broome County Health Department's Healthy Neighborhood Program, Catholic Charities, and American Civic Association. Nicole is passionate about the homeless population and the housing crisis in our areas. She is a single mother of four, an avid Buffalo Bills fan, and loves the outdoors.

	Kim MacRabie

Kim MacRabie comes to the Rural Health Network from 15 years in the non-profit animal health care field. As a veterinary technician serving the rural population, she understands the need for strong community support. In her new role as a Community Health Worker I, she is looking forward to working in the human services field.  She has an assigned case list from Care Compass Network to contact via mail, phone or meet in person. She will use a variety of survey tools to measure clients  knowledge, skills and confidence in being their own health advocate.  She will share community resources to address any barriers they are experiencing such as transportation, food, housing or dependent care.  Kim said, "I am eager to start connecting with the community we serve and am encouraged by the strength of teamwork I see at the Rural Health Network."

Shelby Zimmer

Shelby Zimmer graduated from SUNY Canton with an Associates in Education. She is an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps alum who has completed over 1800 hours of service. After graduating the program, Shelby was hired on with FEMA and deployed to natural disaster events across the country. She was a grant writer for the FEMA public assistance program and worked on major events such as Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Irma. Recently, Shelby gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Lawson, who is now three months old. They live in Endicott, NY. Shelby would also like to remind you that "GOT comes on Sundays at 9pm and not to miss it." Shelby is excited to be starting her new journey as Administrative Assistant with the Rural Health Network and looks forward to impacting our community.

Stephanie Wright, from Horseheads, has been with us since last fall as a part-time Development Associate. she graduated from Binghamton University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Russian Language and Culture and received her Master of Public Administration in 2019. She plans on continuing her education in the new Master of Science in Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention program. Her interest in rural communities began during her internship with the Broome County Office for Aging in Summer 2018, where she helped prepare the county application for AARP's age friendly network. During her time at Rural Health Network, she has assisted on multiple grant applications. "I'm proud of my small part in attracting investment to an expanding non-profit, especially one which has had such a profound and demonstrable impact on rural communities. I've always been passionate about human rights, and my time here has allowed me to bring awareness to the unique needs facing rural communities, who are so often underserved, while developing my skill set." In the future, Stephanie hopes to work with local governments around the world in addressing risk factors for atrocity.

In partnership with Gerould's Pharmacy, and with support from Care Compass Network, trainees from 7 organizations completed 4 days of training to become Peer Leaders for the Chronic Disease Self Management Program (CDSMP). The CDSMP is a highly participatory, evidence-based program developed by Stanford University and now housed within the Self-Management Resource Center. CDSMP is delivered in a small-group format over six weeks for adults who have or are at risk for chronic conditions, or caregivers for those with chronic conditions. Participants make weekly action plans, share experiences, and develop their own self-management program using the following tools as taught by the Peer Leaders: techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain, and isolation; appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance; appropriate use of medications; communicating effectively with friends, family, and health professionals; nutrition-related skills such as label reading and making healthy food choices; how to evaluate new treatments; and decision making. For more information about CDSMP, call or email our Director of Community Health Education, Mary Maruscak. 607-692-7669 x 209 OR [email protected].

Register for a Living Healthy Workshop series:

Lourdes Mobile Dental Services Available in Norwich

Lourdes Mobile Dental Services in Norwich, NY

Chenango Health Network and Care Compass Network are hosting an evening with Kevin Hines, author of Cracked, Not Broken on May 20th  at the Chenango Arts Council from 7pm-8pm. Kevin will share his EXTREMELY powerful journey with our community. Kevin Hines is a storyteller at heart. He is a best selling author, global public speaker, and award winning documentary filmmaker. In the Year 2000, Kevin attempted to take his life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. Many factors contributed to his miraculous survival including a sea lion which kept him afloat until the Coast Guard arrived. Kevin now travels the world sharing his story of hope, healing, and recovery while teaching people of all ages the art of wellness & the ability to survive pain with true resilience. The event is free; however, pre-registration is required. Please click the image below for registration information.