IAN
Eastman is the manager of Jamestown’s Harm Reduction Center, overseeing the Center’s daily operations. Ian works with staff to ensure that program outcomes are met and represents the program to stakeholders throughout the community. In addition, Ian states, “My role is flexible enough that it allows for HIV and hep C testing along with individual supportive counseling sessions with patients, two things that I particularly enjoy.”
The Harm Reduction Center in Jamestown, which will mark its tenth anniversary this summer, improves the health and well-being of people who use drugs in the Southern Tier. “We equip patients with tools and knowledge to avoid overdose or transmission of HIV and hep C,” said Ian. The HRC offers a wide range of services including syringe exchange, rapid HIV and hep C testing, overdose prevention training, buprenorphine treatment, wound care, drug checking, individual supportive counseling and linkages to other services such as inpatient treatment and specialty medical care.
Ian notes that these types of programs play an instrumental role in helping people avoid illness, injury and death. “Syringe Exchange Programs (SEPs) reduce needle-stick injuries among law enforcement and other first responders,” said Ian. “They get syringes off the streets and don’t increase crime or drug use.” In addition, the World Health Organization has found that people who participate in SEPs are five times more likely to get into substance use treatment.
The numbers bear this out. For example, Chautauqua County saw a 51 percent drop in overdose fatalities last year. Local officials acknowledged our 24/7 Narcan dispensing machine as playing a role in that decline. “Several years ago, our county experienced a hepatitis A outbreak centered in the injection community,” said Ian. “The spread was quelled, quickly, when we invited our local health department to provide immunizations inside the Harm Reduction Center. Everyone benefits from evidence-based strategies whether they realize it or
not.”
EVERGREEN IS HERE TO CHEER YOU ON!
- IAN EASTMAN
Ian finds satisfaction in these successes, as well as seeing patients succeed in the goals they have set for themselves. “Tomorrow, a patient in our suboxone and counseling programs is celebrating one year in recovery! I’m going to blast the theme from Rocky when he comes in the door. And recently another patient was ecstatic over his non-reactive hep C result. All I could say was, ‘This wasn’t luck. You did this. It was your safer injecting habits that gave you this result.’”
Ian notes that for many people, the Harm Reduction Center is the only place they access healthcare. “Stigma in other medical or treatment settings has caused them so much trauma,” notes Ian. “It’s vitally important that the HRC counters those negative experiences with positive ones. One of our patients wrote us a thank you card that simply said, ‘Thank you for always treating me like a human being.’”
Lives are changed every day at the HRC, and Ian is hopeful for more of the same in the future. “I’m really encouraged by the collaboration between other Centers since we’ve all co-located in one building in Jamestown. One program can’t do it all, so it’s great to see my patients meeting with care coordinators or being treated in Primary & Specialty Care. Specialty staff from the HRC in Buffalo are now making it to Jamestown on a regular basis, offering new services like wound care and drug checking. I hope to see even more of this collaboration because the needs
Evergreen's Allentown Neighborhood Taco Night was a big hit. Staff enjoyed delicious food at Casa Azul and got a preview tour of our 186 Allen space. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event such a success!
At Evergreen Health, we believe that knowledge is a key component of compassionate and effective care. That’s why we're proud to offer the Patient Family Learning Collaborative, a dynamic initiative designed to support patients, families, caregivers and staff through free educational workshops.
What is the Patient Family Learning Collaborative?
The Patient Family Learning Collaborative is a resource that provides interactive and informative workshops to help individuals navigate healthcare and wellness. These sessions aim to empower participants by equipping them with practical knowledge, strategies and resources to improve health outcomes and enhance the patient experience.
Who can participate?
Our workshops are open to everyone, including:
• Patients receiving care at Evergreen Health
• Family members supporting a loved one’s health journey
• Caregivers providing essential assistance
• Evergreen Health staff members looking to enhance their knowledge and skills
Why it matters
Healthcare can be complex, and feeling informed and supported can make a significant difference in a patient’s journey. By bringing together patients, caregivers, and staff in a shared learning environment, the Patient Family Learning Collaborative fosters a community of knowledge, support and empowerment.
Past workshop topics have included advanced directives, IDD rehab services, durable medical equipment, the history of Evergreen Health, collaboration with Person Centered Services, and
patient author presentations.
How to get involved
We encourage all staff to spread the word about this valuable resource and to participate when possible. If you or someone you know could benefit from these workshops, please reach out to Collin Ranney, patient experience manager or Andrea Keogh, IDD and pediatric program manager. Together we can create a more informed, engaged and empowered healthcare community through education and collaboration, and address the unique health needs and barriers facing people with disabilities as well as highlight the amazing successes people with disabilities have achieved.
Upcoming workshop
Date: Wednesday, May 14 (Time TBD)
Location: 800 Hertel Ave.
Topic: Raising Jess: A Story of Hope - Inspirational Presentation on Raising a Child with a Disability by Vickie Rubin, WNY award-winning author
Join the Embrace, Empower and Include (EEI) Employee Resource Group for a presentation on raising a child with a disability from award-winning author Vickie Rubin. Vickie Rubin, M.S.Ed is a three-time award-winning author of the inspiring memoir Raising Jess: A Story of Hope. Vickie's debut memoir won the 2022 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Award for Non-Fiction and was a finalist in the Best Book Award and Books Excellence Award for inspirational memoir. Vickie’s essays are published in Newsweek and the Buffalo News. Please join us to listen to her inspiring, heartwarming and humorous view on raising a child with a disability. Learn more about Vickie on her website: vickierubin.com. You do not need to read the book to attend the presentation.
Downtown Buffalo: Wednesday, May 21, 11:30am – 1:30pm
Evergreen Lofts: Friday, July 11, 12 – 1pm
Bailey: Monday, July 21, 12 – 1pm
Hertel: Friday, August 8, 11:30am – 1pm
With supervisor approval, staff may sign up to volunteer for a half hour. If you would like to participate, please contact diversity-inclusion@evergreenhs.org with the date and time you will join us.
Publisher/Layout
John Carocci
Copy Editors
Jean Conway
Kristy Mangel
Maggie Carrig
Contributors
Eric Poniatowski
Christopher Cline
Connections is the official monthly newsletter for employees and board members of Evergreen Health and Community Access Services. You can submit photos, comments or a "hello" via Outlook at Evergreen Connections.
Bradley Heil
Onome Duduyemi ...........................................
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Rosalind Townsend ........................................ May 13
Benjamin Goldenberg
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Kyle Botsford .................................................... May 20
Christopher Wright
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Have a question or suggestion you’d like to share?
Use the “Ask Ray” form on Blink and submit your question or idea directly to Ray Ganoe, president and CEO. You’ll receive a direct response from Ray within one business week!
The CSS crew held a pre-Cinco de Mayo celebration complete with tacos in the MOCHA Drop-In Center at 200 S. Elmwood.
