FLY CREEK, N.Y. — Bassett Healthcare Network’s New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH) is proud to announce Mrs. Tonya Van Slyke of the Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA) is the recipient of their seventh annual Hero Award. Van Slyke, who has worked as a safety trainer for NYCAMH in the past, has been a longtime and passionate advocate for improving health and safety on New York dairy farms. She is well known in the dairy industry for her efforts to support farm families and workers by raising awareness of the importance of safety training, calling attention to emerging issues, and supporting efforts to improve workforce management. She has been a central catalyst in efforts to bring NYCAMH, Cornell University, and industry leaders together to reduce injuries and improve worker wellbeing in the dairy industry.
According to NYCAMH Director Dr. Julie Sorensen, Van Slyke has been a key partner in safety efforts throughout the state, raising awareness for the need to invest in the dairy industry and workforce support. “I have worked with Tonya for many years and have been consistently impressed by her dedication to the dairy industry,” says Sorensen. “Her tireless efforts to identify safety solutions for farm owners and provide 24-hour support to farms in the event of an emergency speaks to her dedication to the industry and dairy workers. It has certainly been my privilege to work with her over many years on our common mission to support New York dairy farms.”
Van Slyke formerly worked at NYCAMH as a Safety Educator and then transitioned to the Cornell Agricultural Safety and Health Program, where she continued her efforts to promote farm safety and health for New York farm owners, farm families, and farm workers. After taking over her current role as Executive Vice President of Industry Relations at the Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA), she continued to promote farm safety and farm safety programs to NEDPA members through articles, emails, and newsletters. Van Slyke also offers counseling and guidance to dairy farms when injuries and emergencies occur, directing NEDPA members to support services throughout the state. She has also led efforts to develop safety training and supervisor management courses for dairy farms in partnership with Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development and NYCAMH.
Additionally, in 2013, OSHA launched a Local Emphasis Program for New York dairy farms. Van Slyke was the organizer and primary catalyst behind the creation of the New York OSHA Dairy Workgroup. This group brought the combined experience, expertise, and strengths of NEDPA, PRO-Dairy, Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development, New York Farm Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and NYCAMH.
NYCAMH Deputy Director, Dr. Erika Scott, summed up NYCAMH’s recognition of this year’s NYCAMH Hero by stating, “Thank you, Tonya for all you do for workers, farmers, and agriculture in general!”
NYCAMH, a program of Bassett Healthcare Network, is enhancing agricultural and rural health by preventing and treating occupational injury.
About Bassett Healthcare Network
Bassett Healthcare Network is an integrated health system that provides care and services to people living in a 5,600 square mile region in upstate New York. The organization includes five corporately affiliated hospitals, over two dozen community-based health centers, more than 20 school-based health centers, two skilled nursing facilities, and other health partners in related fields. To learn more about services available throughout the Bassett Healthcare Network, visit www.bassett.org. Follow Bassett on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Bassett Healthcare Network is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
–New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH)
