I am so pleased to be writing for the fall edition of Community Health magazine. For those of you that I have met in person since I began working for the county in July, you’ve most likely heard me say that I am very excited to be Ontario County’s director of human resources. I’m looking forward to being part of this organization and I am thrilled that Ontario County is supportive of improving employees’ health and wellness.

Fall is my favorite time of year. There are warm, sunny days and cool, clear nights; festivals that highlight the area’s resources (see “Fall into Fun” on page 24); changing foliage to remind us of nature’s beauty; and nighttime asteroid showers to remind us of the universe’s complexity. We also have the prevailing smells of vine-ripe grapes, apples, wood smoke and dried leaves; and the excitment of back-to-school routines and homecoming parades.

It may be the start of school, or maybe the changing of the leaves, but fall — more than any other time of year — is the time I most often perform my own self-assessment to make sure that my life, health and work are in balance. I think it’s important to take a look at all the aspects of life to make sure that all of your needs are being met — and if they aren’t, make positive changes to satisfy yourself and be happier. A healthy person can meet his or her own needs and maintain that balance and, fortunately, Ontario County provides its employees and families with the information and tools necessary to do so.

In March 2017, 349 Ontario County employees and spouses took advantage of free biometric screening. While the number of participating members this year was higher than past years, I would really like to see the number of participants increase next year. This screening is important because it provides each participant with an immediate report of his or her major health factors. As a result of this year’s screening, 112 people were informed that they have high cholesterol, hypertension or diabetes, and they can now take serious steps to address those conditions and improve their health.

Small changes in your lifestyle can make a drastic difference. Remember that if you participate in the biometric screening you will receive an additional $100 in your HRA account for both employee and spouse. That’s a large contribution for a small chunk of your time. Until the next biometric screening, begin taking small steps now to improve your health. All you have to do is get out and enjoy the beautiful region in which we live!