Ricky Palermo has spent nearly 30 years working tirelessly to help find a cure for spinal-cord injuries.

On Dec. 4, UMMC and the Jerome Foundation will recognize his efforts when he is given the 25th Annual Health and Humanitarian Award at a luncheon at Terry Hills Restaurant in Batavia.

Both foundations are honoring Palermo for three decades as a national research participant, and for his regional advocacy and local fundraising on behalf of curing spinal-cord injuries.

Wes Audsley, CEO of Genesee/Wyoming counties' YMCAs, cited Palermo's tireless efforts to find a cure for spinal-cord injuries when choosing him as a nominee. Palermo was injured 28 years ago in an accident which left him paralyzed from mid-chest down.

"This humble man has contacts and influence in all corners of our community, based solely on the content of his character and the sincerity of his work. Everyone takes Ricky's call, everyone contributes to Ricky's cause, and everyone feels better for the experience of knowing and working with Ricky," said Audsley in a press release.

The Miami Project is the world's most comprehensive spinal-cord injury research center and is based at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine. It was the inspiration for Palermo's drive to raise funds and awareness for those with spinal-cord injuries.

In 1997, Palermo and his family started the Ricky Palermo Foundation. Since then, it has raised $500,000 in support of the Miami Project, United Memorial Medical Center and the Genesee/Wyoming counties' YMCAs.

Palermo is a member of the Board of Directors of the Genesee County YMCA, where he has developed an exercise program for those with spinal-cord injuries. His foundation offers free rehabilitative exercise opportunities for people suffering from paralysis, regardless of the level of injury. It also offers counseling and hope, says Audsley. The program is funded by contributions to Palermo's foundation.

The Health and Humanitarian Luncheon is open to the public. Reservations can be made by contacting the United Memorial Medical Center Foundation at 344-5301. Seating will be limited so early reservations are recommended.

The spread of H1N1 flu virus has prompted a change in the visiting policy at United Memorial Medical Center.

As a result, starting this week no one under the age of 18 is allowed to visit patients. Heretofore, as with many hospitals, visitors had to be at least 14 years old, although there was flexibility and reasonable exceptions were made.

"We're becoming more restrictive about visitors -- it's for patient safety," said UMMC spokeswoman Colleen Flynn. "We don't want them to become infected. The virus can be especially harmful to a patient with an already compromised immune system."

Also under the new policy, there can only be two visitors per patient at any given time and visiting hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Certain units, such as intensive care and pediatrics, may have more time restrictions.

Maternity patients are only allowed visits from their spouse or significant other, and grandparents. Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis by the nursing supervisor on duty.

Any visitor showing signs of infectious disease, such as a bad cough, will be asked to leave and given a mask to wear on their way out of the hospital.

"We are taking reasonable measures to protect patients, which is our number one priority," Flynn said.

All UMMC healthcare workers have been getting on-site H1N1 vaccinations, which were mandatory. That requirement was lifted, except for those with direct patient contact, which are innoculated first.

The H1N1 virus has been declared a national pandemic. As with other flu viruses, a person can be infected and contagious for 24 hours before showing any symptoms, which can hamper control efforts.

This strain, first identified in spring (not typically the flu season) is considered unusual because children are among the hardest hit.

Flynn said the hospital has seen an increase in the number of young flu sufferers. Some local peditricians are reportedly "swamped" with flu cases and some schools are grappling with absenteeism due to the flu or fear of catching it.

"Most cases are dealt with at home," Flynn said. "People treat it just like they would any flu. But because so much media attention is being paid to (H1N1), sometimes they tend to think the sky is falling. That's not necessarily true."

But do wash your hands frequently.

United Memorial Medical Center has recruited Dr. Nina Strollo to its staff. She will join UMMC next August following the completion of her Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Buffalo where she serves as the Administrative Chief Resident.

In 2002, Dr. Strollo graduated, cum laude, from SUNY Binghamton with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Development with a minor in Biological Sciences. She  completed her Medical Doctorate at the SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse in 2006. She is a 1998 graduate of Batavia High School and Batavia native who currently resides in Clarence.

Dr. Strollo is affiliated with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Medical Association. Her interests are in gynecologic surgery with a focus in laparoscopy.

“I look forward to serving my community and bringing my medical training back home to Genesee County,” Dr. Strollo said in a press release.

United Memorial is a 131-bed not-for-profit community hospital with nearly 750 employees. It's the largest private employer in Genesee County and serves a region of 90,000 residents.

Last year, United Memorial cared for over 5,000 inpatients, 22,000 Emergency Room
visitors and 500 newborns. In addition to acute care services, UMMC operates
four primary care centers in Batavia, Le Roy, Byron and on the Tonawanda
Seneca Nation. Plus, it provides occupational medicine services and outpatient
diagnostic imaging and laboratory services in Batavia, Le Roy and Pembroke.

Summit Physical Therapy & Sportscare Centers’ Co-Directors, Wayne Younge, P.T. and Jim Turcer, P.T. are proud to announce the opening of a second clinic on the Bank Street campus. On July 1st, 2009 Summit Physical Therapy will begin operating the UMMC Physical Therapy Department at Bank Street, formerly known as W.N.Y. Physical & Occupational Therapy.

Under the continued guidance of Jackie Davis, P.T., UMMC Physical Therapy at Bank Street will continue to offer all of the services this community has  grown to rely on and trust in, including aquatic and occupational therapy. Summit Physical Therapy & Sportscare Center will continue to be the provider of choice for all inpatient care at UMMC.

For over 22 years Summit Physical Therapy & Sportscare Center has provided unparalleled commitment to the Batavia community, setting the standard in the treatment of:

We thank you for your support in the past and look forward to the opportunity to care for you and your family in the future as we continue to grow and meet the ever changing needs of our community. Summit Physical Therapy & Sportscare Center…The Clear Choice… Close to Home

A case of H1N1, often misidentified as "swine flu," has been reportedly contracted by a member of the United Memorial Medical Center staff, according to Randy Garney, interim director of the health department for Genesee County.

Citing privacy concerns, UMMC spokeswoman Colleen Flynn said she could not share any information about the reported case. Flynn did confirm that a memo was sent to employees on Tuesday.

Garney indicated people should not dwell too much on where a case might be found, but realize H1N1 is prevalent throughout the state.

"The general public should realize it's here," Garney said.

People, he said, are largely unaware of how  widespread H1N1 is at this point because most cases are never severe enough to lead to the person seeking medical attention.

But if you have flu-like symptoms, you have H1N1.

"It's considered H1N1 right now because we're beyond the flu season," Garney said. "If anybody has those symptoms, they should consider it H1N1."

Flu symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, chills and extreme tiredness.

While H1N1 is pervasive throughout New York, the fatality rate is very low, less than .1 percent.

"The more troubling part of H1N1 is that it's being more aggressive with five- to 21-year-olds," Garney said. "Flu is usually more aggressive with people over 65, but H1N1 is not bearing this out."

Because H1N1 is such a new strain, Garney said, there is still much scientists are trying to learn about the strain. It's possible that older people at one time contracted a variant of the strain in their younger years and now have some level of immunity.

Garney reiterated that people with flu-like symptoms should stay home and avoid as much as possible and avoid unnecessary contact with other people.  Also, wash your hands and maintain other sanitary practices.

15th Annual “Festival of Hope” hosted by Genesee Cancer Assistance June 5, 2009 at the Batavia Downs Genesee Cancer Assistance Inc.

(GCA), a community-based, volunteer organization located in Batavia, has set the date for their annual Festival of Hope celebration. This event was made possible by several local business event sponsors; Batavia Radiation Oncology Associates, Bank of Castile & Tompkins Insurance, Steven M. Haley & Associates, LLC at the Insurance Center, The Batavia Downs, UMMC, Stan’s Harley Davidson, Pudgie’s Lawn & Garden, WBTA-1490, Batavia Sign Company, HSBC and Time Warner Cable.

The Festival of Hope celebration and fundraiser gives GCA the ability to help lighten the load of Genesee County residents who are fighting courageous battles against cancer. GCA is a local charity that helps local citizens. The premier event at this year’s festival will be the Time Warner “Kids Zone” which includes a fun run and other entertaining activities for kids and families alike. Other activities at this year’s event will include the second annual 5-K Run for Hope, the traditional Walk for Hope, a Chinese Auction, and the “Lighting of the Luminaries.

“This event allows GCA to operate and to continue helping the residents of our county who are battling cancer” stated Gregg Torrey, GCA Board Member and Chairman of the festival planning committee. “This event is about honoring members of our community who have passed away from cancer and ensuring that those who are suffering with cancer today have the assistance they need” Torrey concluded.

If you are interested in registering for the 5K or the Walk for Hope please call Gregg Torrey at (585) 507-8139. To learn more about Genesee Cancer Assistance visit their webpage at http://www.geneseecancerassistance.com/index.html

Don’t forget to become a fan on Facebook Search Genesee Caner Assistance.

Please save the date for this important and exciting celebration to be held at the Batavia Downs, June 5 at 5PM and bring your family!

Apologies. This statement on the details of the power outage at United Memorial Medical Center Friday went overlooked by me. I had sent a request early in the afternoon that day asking to be updated on the status of the outage. Last I had heard at that point, all of the surgeries for the day had been cancelled and incoming patients were being sent elsewhere. That was around noon.

This mail was sent around 6 o'clock Friday evening:

Early this morning, United Memorial was made aware of potentially dangerous power issues at the North Street Campus. A transfer switch which allows approximately 75% of the Hospital’s electrical needs to move to generator power, failed.

While the Hospital was operational and functioning “on the grid” using regular electrical service, the lack of a redundancy system required the cancellation of all surgeries and placed the Emergency Department on diversion. All incoming ambulances were diverted to Millard Fillmore Suburban and other area hospitals.

In order to diagnose and correct the power issue, United Memorial went “off the grid” and was without power for approximately 16 minutes beginning at 12:20 pm today. This allowed crews to convert to a temporary manual switching system. In preparation for this event, United Memorial worked with the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management, City of Batavia Fire and Police, and the Department of Health to insure patient safety. Mobile generators and temporary lighting were brought in for critical electrical power needs and an internal labor pool was established to address issues due to the lack of elevator and computer services. Quality Management discharged patients that were expected to go home today prior to the power interruption and patient meals were delivered before elevator services were disconnected. A notice was also sent to all members of the Medical Staff alerting them to the situation.

This afternoon, electrical crews worked to move two operating rooms off of the manual switching system over to an automatic transfer switch. In an unexpected power failure due to circumstances such as weather or an accident, this conversion will allow generator power to become effective in a matter of seconds; with a manual transfer to generator power, 3-5 minutes are necessary. This conversion was completed by 5:15 pm today and the Hospital ended the diversion of ambulances. United Memorial is now operating at its regular capacity.

A permanent replacement of the faulty transfer switch should occur in the next 2-3 weeks when the customized part becomes available. There were no negative impacts to patient care during this incident and the Hospital would like to express their gratitude to the staff of United Memorial, the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management, City of Batavia Fire and Police Departments, our patients and visitors who worked cooperatively with patience and understanding while we attended to a potential life safety issue.

From United Memorial Medical Center:

United Memorial Medical Center is experiencing difficulties with the electrical power redundancy system at its North Street Campus which will affect the main hospital. To repair this issue, the Hospital will be without power for 15 -90 minutes while the issue is diagnosed and repaired at approximately 12:20 pm..

United Memorial officials are working with the Genesee County Office of Emergency Management, City of Batavia Fire and Police, and the Department of Health to insure patient safety. The Hospital is on full diversion and all surgeries have been cancelled for the remainder of the day.

The Hospital has initiated an internal labor pool in order to address issues that may arise due to the lack of elevator service. Currently, there are 90 patients admitted to the hospital at North Street. The Hospital is working to discharge patients that were expected to go home today before the power disruption is expected.

Visitors to the hospital today should expect to see increased activity and emergency personnel on stand-by. Their cooperation while we address this electrical concern is appreciated.