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New Year, New Me?

January has that hopeful, slightly chaotic energy where anything feels possible—new planners are pristine, gym shoes are laced up, and even your houseplants seem ready for a fresh start (though for me there seems to be no saving them). Setting new goals is a bit like standing at the edge of a blank page with a new pen: exciting, intimidating, and full of potential. Whether you’re aiming to run a marathon, finally learn what quinoa is, or just stop replying “this year flew by” every December, goal-setting is our annual chance to dream big, laugh at ourselves a little, and decide who we want to become next—one hopeful resolution at a time. But how do we make sure that come December 31 st the only ball that has been dropped in in Time’s Square? That’s where our expert of the month comes in. Krystal Shepard is the Outpatient Clinic Director at Champlain Valley Family Center. She has been working in the Substance Use Disorder field for over 20 years and is an advanced Credential Alcoholi...
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Merry & Bright Ideas for Child Development

The holiday season has arrived and that means lights, music, food, family, and gifts. And I pride myself on gift giving. But my sisters are both insisting my niece and nephews have “enough stuff”. Well, skipping the gifts is not an option. I will maintain my favorite auntie status through the new year. But there must be a way to do both – to give a gift that isn’t going to be forgotten or broken before Valentine’s day, that also doesn’t drive my sisters crazy (because you know, pay back and all that). Now, they are all in very different stages – one is 5, one 16 months, and one 4 months – so finding one golden gift isn’t an option either. And while I try to stay up to date with their latest interests (not to brag but I know all the Paw Patrol pups and their vehicles) and stages of development, I am certainly no expert. But then it occurred to me, I have unlimited access to CCHD’s Children’s Services Program Specialists and they are experts. With us this month we have Carrie Healy, Ch...
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Thriving, not just surviving

Let’s be honest — living with a chronic condition can feel like juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle. Some days, you’re cruising; other days, you’re just trying not to fall off. But here’s the thing: life with a chronic illness isn’t just about symptoms and doctor visits — it’s about finding creative ways to live fully, laugh often, and celebrate the small wins (like actually remembering to take your meds on time). Now ‘chronic’ may mean long-lasting, but longer doesn’t have to mean worse. With the right mix of medical care, self-awareness, and flexibility, living with a chronic illness can become less about “just getting by” and more about finding what works for you. It’s about learning to adapt — balancing treatments, routines, and flare-ups while still enjoying life’s good stuff: laughter, connection, and the occasional lazy day in pajamas. In this month’s blog, we are talking to Tammy Collins, a local peer leader for the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program . Ta...
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'It-snot" a drill!

Fall is here—pumpkin patches, crisp air, colorful leaves, and… the return of the schoolyard sniffles. As backpacks get filled with sharpened pencils and lunchboxes, they also seem to bring home an endless supply of runny noses, coughs, and the occasional wheeze. It’s almost like every classroom comes with its own invisible “sharing station” for germs (though, unfortunately, hand sanitizer isn’t quite as popular as trading snacks). For many families, back-to-school season means more than just new routines and after-school activities—it often marks the beginning of “respiratory illness season.” From the common cold and RSV to the flu and even asthma flare-ups triggered by fall allergens, kids are especially vulnerable this time of year. And while most of these illnesses are part of growing up and building strong immune systems, they can still leave both children and parents feeling worn down. In this month’s blog, we’ll break down the most common respiratory illnesses children face i...
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Spoiler Alert!

If your family is anything like mine, the kitchen counter is the hub of your home. It’s where pancakes get flipped, dinners get prepped, and lunches get packed. But it is also where homework gets done, bills get paid, and laundry gets folded. That makes for a lot of germs gathering in the same place, and lots of hands touching them. While we may not always be able to control the germs coming into our house, we can take steps to control the germs inside our house and combat the nagging voice saying, “Did I leave that out too long? How old is this chicken? Wait, is this the cutting board I used for steak?” Before you roll your eyes and think, “Great, another lecture about washing my hands,” hang tight. While washing your hands is a major part in keeping you and your family safe while preparing and eating meals, this is more than that. We’re going to break down food safety with Karen Noonan, Supervising Public Health Sanitarian at CCHD. Karen oversees the food service program and has b...
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Bite me

Summer’s here, the sun’s out, and the mosquitoes… well, they’ve RSVP’d to everything. Whether you're camping, grilling, or just enjoying your backyard, these tiny flying menaces always seem to show up uninvited — and they don’t come empty-handed. Besides leaving behind itchy welts, mosquitoes can spread some serious diseases like West Nile virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, dengue, malaria, and more. Not exactly the kind of souvenirs you want from a summer evening. And did you know they prefer feeding on human blood? It’s true! They actually gain a fitness advantage when they feed on humans. Mosquitoes bite (or feed) frequently, meaning (you guessed it) more opportunities to transmit illnesses. Our expert this month is Dr. Laura C. Harrington, Professor of Entomology at Cornell University and Director of the Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector Borne Diseases (NEVBD). Laura has decades of professional experience; has published over 123 peer reviewed articles and 3...
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Vaccine Smart for School Start

Back-to-school is the furthest thing from our minds in early July, but before we know it school supply lists, registration information, and health forms will be headed our way. Use the summer months to be proactive in getting or keeping your children up-to-date on their recommended vaccinations . Did you know, schools risk a fine of $2,000 per day per child from the NYS Education Department for allowing students to attend without proof of certain vaccinations? If your child is not vaccinated according to the guidelines approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, they will not be allowed to attend school – and after a long summer of “I’m bored” and “Can I have a snack?” that will be the last thing you want! With us this month is Roberta Fredenburg, Supervising Public Health Nurse in the Health Care Services Division at CCHD. Roberta has been a nurse for 40 years working with all age groups. She has experienced back-to-school vaccination requirements as a mom, grandmo...
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