Originally conceived as the “Herkimer County Healthcare Planning Consortium,” this informal coalition of concerned stakeholders met to discuss the threats to Herkimer County’s health and human services systems; specifically, the closure and consolidation of county hospitals. The group’s purpose and goal was to be a consortium committed to improving Herkimer County by providing services, as well as by serving as the leader in coordinating efforts that directly impacted the health and well-being of county residents.
As an outcome of the Healthcare Planning Consortium, Herkimer County Rural Health Network, Inc. was incorporated in 1998 as a Not-For-Profit, 501(c)(3) corporation. By becoming an independent non-profit, HealthNet was able to take advantage of funding opportunities through grants and charitable contributions that are not available to a governmental entity. As a result, HCHN became the center of health/human service needs assessments and planning for the County. The Rural Health Network received funding through the New York State Department of Health, Office of Rural Health. In 2004 The Rural Health Network changed its’ name to Herkimer County HealthNet, Inc.
Today’s HealthNet works collaboratively with government, health and human service organizations and area nonprofits to implement programs to address current and emerging health and human service needs of the residents of Herkimer County and the Mohawk Valley region.
Our projects include Lead-Free Mohawk Valley formed in 2016 to eliminate childhood lead poisoning from Herkimer and Oneida Counties and CNY IMPACT (Initiatives for Multi-Sector Public Health Action), designed to help prevent and control obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke in the CNY region.