About Us
Seven Valleys Health Coalition (SVHC) has been working to improve the health and well-being of the Cortland County community since 1994. Our commitment to the rural communities we serve guides everything we do: helping people access healthcare services, educating the public on prevention and management of chronic health conditions, encouraging good oral health, increasing access to mental health services, creating an environment that fosters physical activity and healthy eating, and expanding transportation options.
SVHC began as a collaborative between Cortland County Health Department, Guthrie Cortland Medical Center (then Cortland Memorial Hospital), and Family Health Network of Central New York to address the health needs of the Cortland County community in a more coordinated manner. In 1994, this partnership was formalized with funding from the New York State Charles D. Cook Office of Rural Health, New York State Rural Health Network Development Grant.
In 2001, SVHC incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-for-profit corporation and is one of 36 Rural Health Networks (RHN) in New York State. New York State’s RHN program is the cornerstone of our funding to address local health issues at a local level.
Since 2001, our role in the community has evolved from a small network-focused organization to a compelling force helping to shape the landscape of health and well-being in the Cortland County community. We collaborate with our partner agencies to identify gaps in services, potential funding sources, areas of collaboration, and establish and maintain a forum for communicating on a regular basis. These discussions are essential for SVHC and our participating agencies to be certain that resources are allocated in ways that will benefit the broadest spectrum of our service area.
"SVHC really helps pull the community together to promote and measure progress toward better health."
-SVHC Partner
OUR OBJECTIVES
Our Mission
The mission of SVHC is to cultivate local solutions and collaborative actions that advance the health and well-being of the Cortland community.
Our Vision
We envision a community in which all individuals are empowered to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
Our Goals
ONE: Identify unmet needs and develop plans to meet those needs.
TWO: Create an integrated health and human service delivery system that assures entry and avoids unnecessary duplication of services, particularly for the under-served.
THREE: Coordinate efforts to provide needed programs without duplication and with cooperation and mutual resources.
FOUR: Investigate and generate financial resources to meet the health care needs of the community.
FIVE: Develop formal linkages between providers through management or participation agreements.
“This organization is helping our community tremendously by offering healthy, fun, and positive activities, events, and challenges around our area. Thanks for all the hard work and dedication!”
- Community Member
Our Team
Jackie Carlton Leaf, Executive Director
Jackie began her tenure as the Executive Director of the SVHC in 1999 and guided SVHC through its transition from a collaborative effort to an incorporated 501(c)3 private, not-for-profit organization in 2001. Jackie is responsible for the overall operations and management of the corporation.
Anna Wells, Assistant Director
Anna holds an extensive background in nonprofit leadership and serves as SVHC's Assistant Director. Anna works with the Executive Director to ensure the mission of the organization is fulfilled through programs, strategic planning, capacity development, and community outreach. She is primarily responsible for overseeing staff and fund development.
Gabrielle DiDomenico, Project Coordinator
Gabe is the lead for SVHC’s maternal health programs and projects and also is the in-house media specialist who oversees our website presence, social media platforms, and advertising creation.
Avery McLoud, Project Coordinator
Avery is our Project Coordinator and oversees Seven Valleys Food Rescue. She leads Let’s Get Cortland Cooking, chairs the Hunger Coalition, and works on a variety of local food system development programming.
Aaliyah Camp, Project Coordinator
Aaliyah is our Project Coordinator whose focus is on community health improvement and access to health information. Aaliyah conducts the National Diabetes Prevention Program (NDPP), Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP), and she facilitates Cortland 2-1-1, the VITA program, oral health education with Mighty Molar, and oversees the Supports for Health program.
Kate Downes, Project Coordinator
Kate specializes in strengthening Cortland’s food system by promoting local food and building connections between producers and consumers. She also provides support for community mental health programming.
Elianny Duarte, Executive Assistant
Elianny play a pivotal role in supporting our Executive Director and facilitating smooth operations within the organization. With a focus on efficiency, organization, and confidentiality, Elianny effectively manages administrative tasks, coordinate schedules, and contribute to the overall productivity of the executive team.
Hannah Gibbons-Arthur, Project Assistant
Hannah focuses on local food systems and the Seven Valleys Food Rescue (SVFR). She helps to coordinate donations and food distribution and oversees general outreach and project development for the SVFR.
Makenna Frenia, Public Health AmeriCorps Member
Makenna is our AmeriCorps Member whose role is to support the projects happening at SVHC. Makenna assists Aaliyah on community health improvement projects, such as the Winter Challenge, Mighty Molar, and Eat Healthy, Be Active. She also supports the efforts of the food systems team. Makenna is a recent graduate of Cornell University and will be pursuing a Master in Public Health this fall. She is an avid learner, great communicator, and detail-oriented member of our team.
"This is a great group of folks whom I've worked with in the past. They understand health care and public health. Their professionalism is unrivaled."
- SVHC Partner
Our Board
Nicole Anjeski (Chair) | Public Health Director, Cortland Health Department
Amy Buggs | Director, Cortland County Workforce Development
Carly Dougherty (Secretary/Treasurer) | Owner, Food & Ferments
Mary Coye-Robillard | Assistant VP and Branch Manager, Tompkins Trust
Craig Little | Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus
Kim Osborne | President & CEO, Family Health Network
Greg Richards | Executive Director, CAPCO
Susan Wilson | Cortland County Legislator
Jennifer Yartym | President & CEO, Guthrie Cortland Medical Center
Christella Yonta | Executive Director, United Way for Cortland County
SVHC believes in transparency and accountability to its constituents and the public. Please contact SVHC for a copy of IRS Form 990.
MEMBER AGENCIES
The Seven Valleys Health Coalition is a rural health network actively promoting effective, efficient and accessible health and human services to its constituents. We accomplish this by promoting, sponsoring and fostering programs and activities aimed at improving the health and well being of both the consumer and the coalition's participating agencies.
Access To Independence (ATI)
CNY Area Health Education Center (CNYAHEC)
Family Health Network (FQHC)
Rural Health Network of South Central NY (RHNSCNY)
