Doctor’s Note: November 2026 reminders from Evergreen Health

We’re closed for Thanksgiving Day 

All Evergreen Health locations and Community Access Services will be closed on Thursday, November 26, in observance of Thanksgiving Day. We will reopen for normal business hours on Friday, November 27. 

If you have a medical emergency during this time, please call 911. If you have a mental health or substance-use related emergency during this time, please call 988. 

Join us for a Fall Prevention Seminar 

Come join THRIVE Wellness for an interactive workshop where you’ll learn home safety and exercises to prevent falls, as well as how to get up if you fall.  

Evergreen Commons (67 Prospect Ave.) 

Thursday, Nov. 5 at 10am 

The seminar is open to all patients. To RSVP or for questions, please give us a call at 716.847.2441 (press option 5) or email jthompson@evergreenhs.org.  

October is American Diabetes Month 

Diabetes affects millions of Americans, but with the right care, it can be managed and even prevented. Going to your annual check-up visit is the best way to catch problems early and keep you healthier longer. 

If you have diabetes or are at risk, talk with your care team about steps you can take, including healthy eating, staying active, and taking medications as prescribed. Every small change adds up, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.  

Give us a call at 716.847.2441 (press option 5) or message your provider through the Patient Portal to learn more.  

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month 

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, but finding it early through screening can save lives. A safe, simple, low-dose CT (LDCT) scan can detect lung cancer before symptoms appear. 

If you: 

• are 50–80 years old 

• have a history of 20 pack-years of smoking (for example, 1 pack a day for 20 years) 

• currently smoke or quit within the past 15 years 

Then lung cancer screening might be right for you. Give us a call at 716.47.2441 (press option 5) to learn more: we partner with Roswell Park to provide you with a Lung Cancer Screening Navigator to guide you through every step of the process. 

Welcome to our new Healthy Care Specialist, Sumaia Akther! 

We’re excited to welcome Sumaia Akther, our new Healthy Care Specialist! 

Sumaia is already making a positive impact by building strong relationships with our pediatric patients ages 5 and under, as well as their families. is dedicated to supporting our pediatric patients ages 5 and under and their families.  

Sumaia can support your child’s health, development, and overall well-being and help your family with: 

• sleep concerns 

• feeding challenges 

• behavioral support 

• potty training 

• child development 

• connections to community resources and social services 

Sumaia is a wonderful resource for our patients, families, and care teams, and we are thrilled to have her. Please join us in giving Sumaia a warm welcome to the Evergreen team! 

November 20th is Transgender Day of Remembrance 

Each November 20th, we observe Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) to honor the memory of all of the transgender, nonbinary and gender non-conforming people whose lives have been taken in acts of violence. 

Visit glaad.org/tdor/ to learn how you can support the transgender community on this day. 

Nov. 8-14 is National Nurse Practitioner Week 

Join us in celebrating our Nurse Practitioners for all they do to support our patients and build a healthier community through unconditional care. 

Thanks, Nurse Practitioners! 

Make sure your contact info is up-to-date in Medicaid so you don’t miss important updates 

Starting on January 1, 2027, a new federal rule will require some people who have Medicaid coverage to show they are working, going to school, volunteering in the community, or participating in job training to keep their health coverage. 

What does this mean for you? 

If work requirements for Medicaid coverage apply to you, the New York State Department of Health marketplace will send you a notice by mail (or email if you chose electronic notices) about upcoming changes by Sept. 1, 2026.  

If you’re enrolled in Medicaid through the marketplace, you need to make sure your contact information is up to date for the account, including phone number, email, and home address so you can receive important information from the state. 

If you are enrolled in Medicaid through the marketplace, you can update your contact information in these ways: 

Go to your New York State of Health account at nystateofhealth.ny.gov. 

Meet with an enrollment assistor who can help you update your account. 

Call the New York State of Health Customer Service Center at 1-855-355-5777 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220). 

Need more information? 

Evergreen’s Financial Counseling Center is available from 8am to 5pm Monday-Friday, and Tuesday until 7pm. Contact us at 716.847.2441 (press option 7), or walk into our 206 South Elmwood Avenue location. 

Visit https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/stay-covered to find more information about upcoming changes and who will be affected.