In Good Health by In Good Health: CNY's Healthcare Newspaper

NEW SUPERFOOD

in good October 2012 • Issue 154

Ever heard of juneberries? The deep, blue-colored fruit has been making inroads in Michigan and is slated to appear at New York farm markets as soon as July 2013.

U.S. Cutting Down on Cigarettes

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CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

Can the Experts Make Up Their Minds? One week you read a study highlighting the healthfulness of eating eggs and then the next experts conclude that eggs, espcially egg yolk, are really bad for your health. For the bottom line on the issue, we spoke with local experts.

On a Mission

Orthopedic surgeons Seth and Brett Greenky and their Operation Walk Syracuse team of volunteers are flying to Central America to provide joint replacement surgeries to some impoverished citizens of Panama.

CANCER FREE Mother and son now enjoying life —free of cancer.

Mother Marianne, founder of St. Joseph’s, to become a saint

PRE-DIABETIC? Get to the Y

Living With Hearing Aids

Sisters Anna and Sophia Pluff of Jamesville are typical teenagers. They like to shop, work hard in school, play sports and have a profound sense of style. The only things separating them from other 13- and 14-year-olds are the hearing aids they have to wear. And they’ve worn them since they were infants. Story inside. October 2012 •

More Older First-time Moms Than in Decades

Experts warn that delaying pregnancy brings increased risks for both mother and baby. Special Women’s Issue Inside.

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CANCER DOESN’T TAKE A YEAR OFF. NEITHER SHOULD YOU. When it comes to your breast health, it’s important to stay a step ahead of any potential issues. That means going in for a mammogram at least once a year. Together with education, regular mammograms are essential to early detection and positive outcomes. So be sure to receive an annual mammogram – and if your results ever come back abnormal, we’re here for you. We’ve been around for more than 25 years with advanced diagnostics including breast MRI, and we don’t plan on taking a year off anytime soon.

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For scheduling, call 315-454-4810, or for our St. Joseph’s Hospital location, call 315-423-6833. Visit www.mdrcny.com for a free personal breast cancer risk assessment.

I had a choice and I chose Orthopedics at St. Joseph’s.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Octoberr 2012

Smokers in U.S. Are Cutting Down on Cigarettes

mokers in the United States are generally smoking less than they used to, according to a new Gallup

poll. Results show that a record low percentage (1 percent) said they smoke more than one pack of cigarettes daily, and a record high percentage (68 percent) said they smoke less than one pack a day, according to the poll, based on data collected since 1944. The percentage of smokers who reported smoking more than a pack a day has declined in recent decades — it peaked at 30 percent in 1978 before falling below 20 percent in the late 1980s, and below 10 percent in the late 1990s, according to Gallup. The number of pack-a-day smokers is now at 31 percent — a percentage that has remained relatively constant, Gallup found. The results come from Gallup’s annual consumption poll, conducted in July. It is possible that the decline

is partly due to people giving more “socially desirable” answers when asked about their smoking, and therefore actually smoking more than they reported when interviewed, the researchers said. The vast majority said they regret ever starting to smoke. If they could do it over again, they would not have started, 88 percent of smokers said. However, a smaller percentage (78 percent) said they would like to quit. This percentage has remained relatively steady since the late 1990s, according to Gallup. Poll results released in August showed that the percentage of people in the U.S. who smoke — about 20 percent — is tied for its all-time low. The new poll results are based on telephone interviews conducted July 9–12, 2012, with a random sample of 1,014 adults living in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The sample is weighted by respondents’ genders, ages, races and other factors so that the results are nationally representative.

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October 2012 •

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HEALTH EVENTS

Oct. 5

Seminar to address exercise and healthy heart 321 Main St., Oneida, NY 13421

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OASIS, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of mature adults 50 and older through lifelong learning, healthy living and social engagement, is sponsoring a seminar titled “Safe Exercise for a Healthy Heart.” The event will take place form 1 – 2:30 p.m., Oct. 5, at its headquarters, 6333 state Route 298 next to the Double Tree Hotel off Carrier Circle. University Hospital registered nurse Denise Killius will review safe exercise guidelines to improve your heart’s health. She will stress the importance of stretching before exercise and will provide details on a heart-healthy walking program. A pedometer will be given to all class participants free of charge. Class fee is $10. For more information, call 464-6555.

Oct. 6

‘Walk to Prevent Suicide’ planned in Liverpool

UPSTATE NURSES MAKE A DIFFERENCE! As the region’s only Level-One Trauma Center, we are a fastpaced academic medical center with modern technology and up-to-date interventions in caring for the critically ill or injured. Serving 17 counties, we support a population throughout the central New York region. We currently have part-time and full-time positions available in our Operating Room and Emergency Department for RNs. Shadowing opportunities are available. • Tuition Assistance • Membership in the NYS Employees' Retirement System • Excellent Wages and Benefits

Upstate Medical University/Upstate University Hospital is an AA/EEO/ADA employer engaging excellence through diversity. Smoke-free campus since 2005 To learn more about career opportunities at Upstate and apply on-line www.upstate.edu/jobs

The Central New York chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention invites the public to participate in the Out of the Darkness Community Walk on Oct. 6, at Long Branch Park in Liverpool. Proceeds will benefit local and national suicide prevention and awareness programs. The walk will begin at 11 a.m., with registration beginning at 10 a.m. To register, donate or learn more, visit www.afsp.org/centralny and click on upcoming events or contact Debra Graham at 664-0346.

Oct. 10

Free seminar on hip and knee pain at St. Joe’s St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center will host a free informational session titled, “Managing Hip and Knee Pain: What Are Your Options?” at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 10, at West Genesee High School’s large group instruction room, located at 5201 W. Genesee St. in Camillus. I. Michael Vella, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint replacement, will explain what causes joint pain, discuss treatment alternatives and rehabilitation options and review the benefits of preparing for surgery. Space is limited. To register, call St. Joseph’s at 744-1244 or email community.programs@sjhsyr.org.

Oct. 22

Program to explain ‘Upstate’s My Chart’ Upstate University Hospital - Downtown and Community campuses Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital I www.upstate.edu/jobs Page 4

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Octoberr 2012

The new “Upstate’s My Chart” program will be the focus of a class sponsored by OASIS, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of mature adults 50 and older.

The event will take place 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., Oct 22, at 6333 state Route 298 next to the Double Tree Hotel off Carrier Circle, Syracuse. Leola Rodgers, associate administrator, Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, will present this class and explain that electronic medical records may seem like a step into the future, but they’re here now. Learn what having access to your own “My Chart” medical record means for you and your health care provider and how it may impact comprehensive care in Central New York. This class is free of all charges. For more information, call 464-6555.

Oct. 23

Trip to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets Crouse Hospital Auxiliary is inviting the public to a day trip to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets near the Catskills. The outlet has 220 designer stores. The $100-trip includes transportation by Cazenovia Limousine and a VIP coupon book. Shoppers can fuel up for their haul with coffee, tea, bagels and donuts on the deluxe motorcoach. Departing from the Wegmans Dewitt parking lot (aisle 12) at 6 a.m. The group returns at 7 p.m. A portion of the proceeds from the shopping trip will benefit the Crouse Hospital Auxiliary. The Auxiliary is an all-volunteer organization whose sole mission is to assist the hospital by providing funding for equipment, programs and services to enhance patient care. Reservation deadline is Oct. 9. For more information, call 470-7530.

Oct. 26

Dewitt Community Library to host senior fair As the baby boomer generation continues to age, those interested in senior issues are more and more coming up with innovative ways in which to keep senior adults in their homes for as long as possible. The DeWitt Community Library at ShoppingTown Mall will address this topic and many others at its upcoming Second Annual Senior Fair to be held at the library and in the mall from 10 a.m – 2 p.m., Oct. 26. CNY Care Connection will conduct a short talk on the topic “Quality Independent Living at Home — It’s Possible!” sharing resources from a consortium of small businesses developed with the needs of the stay-at-home adult in mind. A sampling of additional short talks at this event will also address issues relevant to remaining at home as we age, including talks on falls prevention, nutrition and how long-term care insurance can help pay for the costs of home healthcare and homemaker services in the event you need help with the activities of daily living. The DeWitt Community Library is located at ShoppingTown Mall, entrance No. 3, 3649 Erie Blvd. East, DeWitt. No registration is necessary. Visit www.dewlib. org for more information.

People of Normal Weight With Belly Fat at Highest Death Risk

eople who are of normal weight but have fat concentrated in their bellies have a higher death risk than those who are obese, according to Mayo Clinic research presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich recently. Those studied who had a normal body mass index but central obesity — a high waist-to-hip ratio — had the highest cardiovascular death risk and the highest death risk from all causes, the analysis found. “We knew from previous research that central obesity is bad, but what is new in this research is that the distribution of the fat is very important even in people with a normal weight,” says senior author Francisco LopezJimenez, a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. “This group has the highest death rate, even higher than those who are considered obese based on body mass index. From a public health perspective, this is a significant finding.” The study included 12,785 people 18 and older from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a representative sample of the U.S. population. The survey recorded body measurements such as height, weight, waist circumference and hip circumference, as well as socioeconomic status,

and physiological and laboratory measurements. Baseline data were matched to the National Death Index to assess deaths at follow-up. The risk of cardiovascular death was 2.75 times higher, and the risk of death from all causes was 2.08 times higher, in people of normal weight with central obesity, compared with those with a normal body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio. “The high risk of death may be related to a higher visceral fat accumulation in this group, which is associated with insulin resistance and other risk factors, the limited amount of fat located on the hips and legs, which is fat with presumed protective effects, and to the relatively limited amount of muscle mass,” says Karine Sahakyan, a cardiovascular research fellow at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Many people know their body mass index these days; it’s also important for them to know that a normal one doesn’t mean their heart disease risk is low, adds LopezJimenez. Where their fat is distributed on their body can mean a lot, and that can be determined easily by getting a waist-to-hip measurement, even if their body weight is within normal limits, he says.

Almost Half of U.S. Adults Have Gum Disease

um disease affects nearly half of American adults aged 30 and older, a new study finds. The study was published Aug. 30 in the Journal of Dental Research. Periodontitis is an infection of the gums and a major cause of tooth loss in adults, according to the American Dental Association. For the new study, researchers analyzed data from a nationally representative study on more than 3,700 adults aged 30 and older and found that about 47 percent had periodontitis — about 9 percent with mild gum disease, 30 percent with moderate disease and 8.5 percent with severe disease. The 47 percent rate would mean that nearly 65 million adults in the

United States have gum disease, according to a journal news release. The researchers also found that 64 percent of adults 65 and older in the study had either moderate or severe periodontitis. This rate is far higher than previous national estimates, according to study lead author Paul Eke, of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and colleagues. Gum disease rates were highest in males, Mexican Americans, adults with less than a high school education, adults below the poverty line and current smokers. Although it’s usually painless, warning signs include gums that bleed easily or are red, swollen and tender, according to the ADA website.

ONONDAGA, OSWEGO, CAYUGA AND MADISON COUNTIES in good A monthly newspaper published by

Health CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

Local News, Inc. Distribution: 35,000 copies. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 342-1182.

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2012 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126. • Phone: 315-342-1182 • Fax: 315-342-7776. Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Jim Miller, Eva Briggs, M.D., Gwenn Voelckers, Deborah Banikowski, Deborah Sergeant, Anne Palumbo, Chris Motola, Melissa Stefanec, Matthew Liptak, Alyssa Mammano, Miranda L. Pennock, Barbara Canale, Mary Beth Roach • Advertising: Jasmine Maldonado, Tracy DeCann • Design: Chris Crocker • Ofﬁce Manager: Laura J. Beckwith No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Learn about the many resources, services and programs available to seniors in our area • Meet with 30 local organizations, government agencies, and businesses that offer services to seniors • Learn about retirement planning, supplemental insurance, long-term care, health and wellness & more • Attend mini-lecures on related topics • Take part in health screenings Enjoy refreshments & try for a chance to win an eReaders For more information, stop by the Library, call (315) 446-3578, or visit: www.dewlib.org Sponsored by: Page 6

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Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Dr. Robert Silverman Physician helps readers understand what the new Upstate Umbilical Cord Blood Bank does Q: What is the idea behind SUNY Upstate’s new Umbilical Cord Blood Bank? A: The biggest reason we want a public cord bank is that it expands the ability for families to have stem cells for therapies, especially for bloodborn disorders like leukemia. It also will allow researchers to have access to stem cells without the controversies associated with stem cells. Placental stem cells from umbilical blood are a resource we’ve been throwing away. We deliver close to 7,000 babies every year in Syracuse and, other than an occasional family that privately banks to the umbilical cord blood, the rest of it is being thrown away. Q: Will this become a default procedure or will patients have to consent to the collection? A: They will still need to consent for it. One of our jobs will be to discuss what the cord blood is used for and to convince them to allow us to collect the blood and donate it to the bank. But it’s kind of hard for me to believe that they wouldn’t want to have it. It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t add any risk and it only takes minutes. Q: What kind of research is done with placental stem cells? A: There are several things you can do with them. They’re precursors for almost any other kind of cell. We can look to see how to best use them and treat diseases. We can see how to get the cells to grow and proliferate and increase the volume of available cells for use by patients and families. One of the other areas we’ve talked about is the idea also of using the placentas themselves. There are membranes on the placentas that can be used to treat a multitude of diseases. It’s a very neutral tissue that’s easily tolerated by the body with little risk of rejection. It’s really interesting the areas you can go into, not just with stem cells, but with the placentas and placental byproducts as well. Q: As it will be one of only two such banks in New York state — the other is in Queens — and one of only 27 in the country, will it primarily serve Central New York or will it be more of a regional or even national bank? A: I think that certainly there will be tremendous interest by researchers in the Upstate New York regions, but I don’t think it’s going to be limited to Central New York. What happens with donations of stem cells is that sometimes you’ll get donations that aren’t acceptable for transfusions—maybe the donor had an infection—that you can

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Octoberr 2012

still use for research. So it wouldn’t be limited to just Upstate New York researchers, it’d be available to anyone who needed it. Q: What’s been your personal involvement in this? A: I’m an OB-GYN with some training in maternal fetal medicine, which is high-risk obstetrics. I’m also the chairman of department of OBGYN at the medical school as well as Crouse Hospital. I have been involved with the collection of stem cells since the very earliest point where people began to develop blood banking. One of the neonatologists at Crouse Hospital, Ellen Bifano, worked with the development of collecting cord blood collections from newborns. So we’ve been collecting blood for private cord banks for a number of years. I’ve been involved in the university’s planning of this project for quite some time. Q: Have you been involved in research involving stem cells? A: No, I haven’t been involved with that personally. Q: What research do you find most intriguing or promising? A: I think the thing that’s most promising has to do with the use of stem cells for bloodborn disorders and the idea that we can use a readily available source of stem cells for conditions like leukemia. One of the problems that families tend to face is that, if they have a medical condition where cord blood and stem cells can be used, unless they had the means and foresight to collect the blood

themselves privately, it’s very difficult to find a match. Having a public bank of stem cells increases the chances of families being able to receive compatible blood without having to travel halfway across the United States. The biggest limiting factors for these therapies is there not being a big enough supply of stem cells. There’s been a translation of the research into the reality of being able to use stem cells to treat diseases that are otherwise difficult to treat, so it’s really exciting. There’s been such huge controversies involved with stem cells in the past, so being able to use blood that is otherwise just being thrown away for these therapies is just a tremendous advance. Q: Touching on that controversy for a moment, has it made it harder to greenlight such a large product involving stem cells? A: The biggest thing is that this is a natural product of every single delivery. Right now what happens is we clamp the umbilical cord, cut it, the baby is given to the parent, the placenta is delivered and normally thrown away. It doesn’t involve abortion or anything along those lines. This is all stuff that’s just being thrown away. You just put a sterile needle into the umbilical cord and remove the blood. There’s no pain or risk. Q: Will your staff require special training or is it really basic? A: It involves some training, mostly sterile technique, which our staff is already trained in, of course. It’ll be pretty minimal. Our residents in training collect umbilical cord blood. Q: Does this procedure fall under the umbrella of obstetrics? A: Yes, it’s done under the care of an OB/GYN. It has to be done immediately after the birth of the baby. It can be done after a vaginal birth or a cesarean section. Q: What is required to successfully store this blood? What’s going to be in the blood bank? A: You have to be able to store blood. The unit has to be processed very specifically and then stored in a very specific faction. It actually ends up being a fairly involved process. You need to have a multitude of trained people to be able to take the samples, process them, store them and have them available to use. The equipment is very specialized, not something that you can just buy from your local medical supply house. Q: How soon will the facility be ready to go? A: They just did the groundbreaking. I think they were talking about 2014 for everything to be up and ready. As soon as we begin to collect, it’ll be available to use.

Lifelines Name: Robert Silverman, M.D. Hometown: Chicago Education: University of Illinois (undergrad and medical); Oakwood Hospital (residency), SUNY Upstate (fellowship) Afﬁliations: SUNY Upstate Medical University, Crouse Hospital, Community General Campus Organizations: American College of OB/ GYN; Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine; American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine Family: Married, two children Hobbies: Rebuilding antique cars

Women’s issues More Older First-time Moms Than in Decades Experts warn that delaying pregnancy brings increased risks for both mother and baby By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

he age at which women bear their first children has increased in recent decades. The Pew Research Center reported in 2010 that since 1990 birth rates have risen for all women ages 30 and older. Although in some cases the number of births is small, the rate increases have been sharpest for women in the oldest age groups — 47 percent for women aged 35 to 39 and 80 percent for women aged 40 to 44. This delay in age of motherhood is associated with delay in age of marriage and with growing educational attainment. The more education a woman has, the later she tends to marry and have children, according to the center. In most recent years, the uncertainty of the economy may have also played a role. But whatever the reason, delaying pregnancy brings increased risks for both mother and baby. In general, the older a woman is, the greater chance she will have health problems unrelated to pregnancy because both men and women have a greater chance of being overweight, diabetic or treating high blood pressure as they age. But even healthy women carry a higher risk of complications. “The egg is older at the time of fertilization for women who are 35 than those who are 20,” said Susan Kneeland, a certified nurse midwife for Advanced OB/GYN in Syracuse and Auburn. “That’s what we attribute to birth defects. “Other risks are increased with maternal age, like a higher risk of Csection, gestational diabetes, and more problems with high blood pressure toward the end. There’s a higher rate of problems with the placenta. There’s not a lot women can do about those things.” Unfortunately, many 40-plus women assume that since they’re still menstruating, they’re still as fertile and health as always; however at 35, both fertility and the chances of a healthy child start to decrease. “We’re seeing a lot more women waiting to have children, having careers first or women are waiting longer and having only one or two,” Kneeland said. To improve the chances of a healthy mom and baby during and after pregnancy, mom needs to take precautions. Prepare even before you conceive. Linda Lovig, certified midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner operating a Syracuse-based practice, Linda Lovig, Midwifery Services, ad-

vises women to approach pregnancy as healthy as possible. “They should make sure they’re eating a healthy diet and take a folic acid supplement,” she said. “It will help to bring the risk of some of the chromosomal disorders that come with advanced age. Taking folic acid decreases the chance of spinal cord defects by 50 percent.” She also advises women anticipating pregnancy to take care of their teeth. “Make sure prior getting to pregnant that they get their dental work in order,” Lovig said. “Women who have dental problems tend to have problems during pregnancy. Infected teeth, bacteria can get into the system and cause other parts of the body to be unhealthy.” She also recommends quitting smoking and consumption of alcohol. Don’t use non-prescribed drugs and talk to your doctor about whether or not your prescriptions or anything else in your life will negatively impact your pregnancy. Get into shape. They don’t call it “labor” for nothing. Birthing a baby is hard. By becoming fit, you will make giving birth easier and your recovery post-partum will be easier, too. Exercise vigorously (jogging, cycling, or kick boxing, for example) for 30 minutes three times per week. Don’t forget to strength train, too. Try to also get within your ideal weight before conceiving. Don’t look at is as “dieting” but making your body as healthy as possible for your future baby. Exercising and modifying your diet will help drop pounds. Forgo processed foods for whole ones. Drink fewer servings of sweetened drinks and more water. Fill up on fruits and vegetables, which are packed with nutrients and very low in calories per volume compared with most other foods. Ask for help in getting any chronic health conditions under control such as diabetes. “Obesity is a serious complicating factor in pregnancy and can make it high risk,” Kneeland said. “The more risk factors you have, the less likely the outcome is to be a good one.” Don’t forget the “sunshine vitamin” also: vitamin D, which helps in baby’s skeleton develop. Ask your doctor how much sun exposure is right. Supplements may also help. Most women trying to conceive find out they’re pregnant long before a doctor confirms it, thanks to early and

accurate home pregnancy tests. If you even think you could be pregnant, act as though you are. Once you become pregnant, continue all your new healthful habits, and make sure you get enough rest. It’s surprising how even in early pregnancy, women become very tired. “Walking regularly is one of the best exercises for pregnant women,” Kneeland said. “They want to stay toned. It’s harder to stay toned when 35 or 40 than when in your 20s.” Reduce your caffeine intake. A cup of coffee or tea or a caffeinated soda per day is usually OK. But no more than that. Although morning sickness (which can happen at any point of the day) usually prevents women from eating foods that could sicken them, such as four-day-old potato salad, some seemingly innocuous foods can endanger baby. These include sushi or other meats or eggs served raw, inadequately washed produce, non-pasteurized milk or juice, deli lunchmeat (unless cooked), and soft cheese (aged, firm cheese are fine). Stay faithful to your doctor visits. It may seem silly when the baby is so small, but it’s important to measure baby’s progress to help ensure you both will be healthy. You’ll probably hear the term “advanced maternal age” if you’re 35 or older, even if you can run circles around the unfit 20-year-olds in the waiting room. But keep in mind that the 35-year-old cutoff between “normal” and “advanced maternal age” was identified because statistically, more people have unrelated health conditions starting at this age and women having babies at this age or older have a greater chance of conception and pregnancy problems. Stay within your doctor’s recommended weight gain range. Gaining October 2012 •

too little can result in low birth weight and deficiency-related diseases for you and baby. Gaining too much can result in gestational diabetes, and other complications. And the more you gain above your target weight range, the more you have to shed post-partum. Above all, stay upbeat. Rob Kiltz, fertility specialist and owner of CNY Fertility in Syracuse, encourages women who are 35-plus to stay positive, too. “One of the problems in Western medicine is we work to identify problems and disease,” Kiltz said. “We label ‘advanced maternal age’ and ‘high risk,’ but health and wellness is within them. The possibility of achieving their dream is, well, possible.” Instead of focusing on his clients’ age, Kiltz encourages them to reduce stress, stay healthy, and remember that “the likelihood of healthy child is 90 percent for everyone. Certainly, if you have a better diet, and you exercise some, and you have a good disposition, you’re likely to have a better outcome, but not as significant as people think.” In some respects, age is in the mind. “If you think you’re old, you’re old,” Kiltz said. “If you think you’re young, you’re young. I’ve seen plenty of younger women not conceive and plenty of ‘older’ women get what they desire. It’s true that it may be more challenging at more mature ages, but it’s still possible to build a family.”

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Dr. Emeka Anumba 1200 E. Genesee St. • Suite 207 • Syracuse NY 13210 (315) 299-6116

American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology Certiﬁed. American College of OB/GYN Fellow

• “My passion in life is to help people reach their dreams of building a family. I love what I do. Maybe a misconception is I’m here to get people pregnant. I’m here to help them on the journey of building a family. It may be with their eggs, donor eggs, donor sperm, donor embryos, or adoption. Or find a comfort zone of where they are and be comfortable. • “I’ve learned about Western medicine and how little we really know. The journey is often a struggle and often hard. By adding a little of the Eastern approach along with the Western approach, I think we can improve the process. • “I’m there to help them understand the process better. I’ve been doing this for 20 years. My job is to help them understand it the best they can and help them through the process. I’m helping people gain their dreams but I can’t answer the ‘whys.’ We in Western medicine are not as good at the ‘why’s as we’d like to be. We’re better at helping them through the process. • “I wholeheartedly believe in all the Western [medicine] things I do but I can’t tell you why they work or don’t work nor why we believe in God or don’t believe. It’s our reality. If people have the same faith in everything in their lives, more amazing things will come. We offer Eastern [medicine] along with Western because all have value. I never know which one is right for you but I offer all these possibilities. The challenge is, I can’t tell you why. But I can help you on the journey. • “As medical providers, we don’t take the time to listen, talk and learn. I’m busy also but I work to spend even five minutes to listen and have a conversation. I’m no better than any other doctor. There are so many great doctors out there who do what I do. I respect them all.” Rob Kiltz, MD, fertility specialist and owner of CNY Fertility Center in Syracuse. • “People who are seeking to have a baby — both the men and women — should come to the office to share their concerns. They can also hear from us firsthand what the evaluation process includes. For example, you get a couple coming who says, ‘We’ve been trying for pregnancy for a few years with no luck while using no contra-

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Octoberr 2012

ception’ but sometimes the woman’s periods are not happening on a regular basis. That means her ovulation is not regular. Or if she has had a pelvic infection. Even if she was treated, it could have affected the fallopian tubes, which carry the egg from the ovaries to the uterus, an endocrine problem when the cycles are irregular, or it could be because the thyroid has problems. Or it could be polycystic ovary disorder. All these aspects affect ovulation and they involve the endocrine system. These are the aspects we learn from taking down the patient’s history. It could be endocrine evaluation, tube testing with dye or both. • “Then the gentleman should be part of the process. I direct my questions to asking about their relations, whether they have relations regularly or irregularly. You’d be surprised at the number who don’t and that’s a problem. We also ask about ejaculatory function. Premature or no ejaculation is a problem, and therefore, we direct our attention to that piece. • “Every man thinks that if he has good ejaculation, he has good sperm and that’s not always the case. We have an andrology lab where we see the count, motility, and other parameters we look at. We will know whether this gentleman’s semen meets the World Health Organization criteria or no. • “If there’s a problem, then we do two things for the man: we ask for a urology evaluation to see if he has any varicose veins around the testes. That causes a decrease in the motion of the sperm and can increase problems with the sperm. Does he have infections in the prostate? If all of these are fine, what about his hormones? We can evaluate and correct those. It needs proper evaluation so we know what the problem is to improve the outcome. Shawky Badawy, reproductive endocrinology and fertility specialist and director of the Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility Division at SUNY Upstate.

Deborah Jeanne Sergeant is a writer with In Good Health. “What Your Doctor Wants You to Know” is an ongoing column that appears monthly to give our area’s healthcare professionals an opportunity to share how patients can improve their care by helping their providers and by helping themselves.

October 2012 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 9

My Turn

By Eva Briggs

Local doctor, Barb Connor, making a difference in the lives of people in South Sudan Health clinic she helped establish relied on donations made by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, among others. It is now celebrating 5 years

ne day, a little over five years ago, a group from the Presbyterian Church in Skaneateles approached physician Barb Connor. The church was initiating a project to provide medical care for people in Sudan (now South Sudan), and they’d heard that Connor knew something about tropical medicine through mission work in El Salvador via the church across the street, St. James Episcopal. Barb has a big heart and didn’t hesitate for a moment, though she didn’t realize what she was getting into. That little project has grown into the Duk Lost Boys Clinic (DLBC) in South Sudan, which celebrated its fifth anniversary in May 2012. The impetus to build the clinic came from John Dau, one of the “lost boys” of the Sudan who was settled in Central New York by the United Nations. Due to some 20 years of civil war in the region, an estimated 10,000 to 30,000 Sudanese were living in Kenyan refugee camps. After a 2005 peace accord, these people began returning to a homeland that some of them never even knew, having been born in the refugee camps. As they began to rebuild their lives, one need was for medical care. During the civil war the country’s medical schools were closed and a mere 100 doctors remained in the country. After National Geographic released the documentary film “God Grew Tired of Us,” some very generous donors stepped up to the plate. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were the first donors, and soon construction of the Duk Lost Boys Clinic was underway thanks in large part to volunteer efforts by several Syracuse area contractors. Today the clinic operates five days per week (delivery of babies of course happens seven days per week),

and sees about 100 patients every week. On a typical day there will be five inpatients. Clinic staff come from Sudan and Kenya. One long-term goal is to enable the South Sudanese government to assume the clinic and operate it without the outside aid currently required. The clinic is in a remote area. The closest hospital is 75 miles of bone-jarring bouncing over rough dirt roads, a journey requiring the better part of a day when the roads are passable. Most patients arrive on foot, walking 12 or even 18 hours to reach the clinic. There is no power company to provide Connor electricity. Solar collectors and a wind turbine power the computers with a satellite Internet connection, as well as medical equipment such as lab analyzers. There is a diesel generator for emergency power. A grant provides nutrition for some patients. Meal preparation falls not to a dietary staff but to the local villagers. Water comes from a well. There is no laundry service; bedding is washed by hand as goats mill around snatching sips of wash water. The wash is laid in the sun to dry. And indoor plumbing? Nope. There are latrines. The DLBC began with a single onestory building housing six exam rooms,

KIDS Corner When to Choose Sports Drinks Over Water

ith all the different sports drinks on the market, it can be hard to decide whether to reach for a sports drink or water to quench your thirst. In most cases, water will meet your hydration needs, Page 10

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according to Brooke Schantz, a Loyola University Health System registered dietitian and certified specialist in sports dietetics. “Sports drinks shouldn’t take the place of regular water intake,” Schantz

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Octoberr 2012

a machine room, the pharmacy, lab and computers. It’s comparable in size to a large private physician office here. Over the years the clinic has expanded. There is a nutrition building, a maternity building, and a building that will eventually house a surgery room to permit Csections and other surgeries. Connor points out that there are many abandoned buildings in Africa, and so the clinic is taking care not to expand beyond what will be sustainable. Current services at the DLBC include general health maintenance and urgent care. The DLBC can test for malaria and provide treatment. There is also testing for HIV, and the provision of antivirals to prevent infected pregnant women from transmitting the disease to their infants. Maternity services include prenatal care and the training of traditional birth attendants. The lab can provide type-specific blood transfusions. In fact, one of the very first transfusions went across tribal lines, demonstrating a move toward resolution of the old rivalries that fueled the civil war. Immunizations for polio, measles, and tetanus are flown in and kept at 2 – 8 degrees centigrade, not an easy feat

without electricity. In 2009 the clinic gave its first tetanus shot to a boy injured when he picked up a grenade. The clinic can treat tuberculosis, including daily observed treatment to ensure that patients take all of their prescribed medication. This avoids treatment failure and the creation of resistant organisms. Connor, as medical director, makes a trip to oversee things in person about once every year. But she is in constant Internet connection via email and Skype, at least once every week, to oversee medical orders and staffing decisions. Connor is board certified in internal medicine and currently practices emergency medicine at Oswego Hospital’s emergency room. She spent 25 years providing emergency medicine at Auburn Memorial Hospital, including serving as president of the medical staff. You can read more about the clinic at johndaufoundation.org Currently most funding comes from a grant, which provide $440,000 this year. Private donors provide roughly 10 percent of the clinic’s budget, enabling the clinic to purchase supplies and services essential to good medical care but not covered by the grant.

said. “Yes, they will help hydrate you, but the average healthy child, adolescent and adult doesn’t need the extra carbohydrates and calories that come with consuming these sugary beverages.” Schantz said there are certain cases when sports drinks are beneficial. Carbohydrates, our main energy source, can be found in sports drinks. Those who exercise for one hour or longer should consume between 30 and 60 grams of carbohydrates to help maintain blood sugar levels. Most sports drinks contain about 4 and 8 percent of carbohydrates to help meet those needs. “Consuming these beverages during exercise that lasts more than one hour can aid in hydration and help provide needed energy to hardworking muscles,” Schantz said. The following tips will help to alleviate confusion about what to drink and when to drink it.

When to choose water:

Eva Briggs is a medical doctor who works at North Medical Urgent Care in Liverpool and Fulton Urgent Care in Fulton.

• While sitting on the couch • During a 3-mile run or bike ride • While sitting at your desk studying or working

When to choose a sports drink: • While participating in a sporting event or endurance race that lasts longer than one hour • While exercising in extreme environments, such as in severe heat or humidity, the cold or at a high altitude • If you are an athlete who has missed or not consumed a high quality, preworkout meal to sustain your physical activity • If you are a wrestler or if you participate in another sport where you limit your energy intake prior to a weigh• in

Living With Hearing Aids

For Jamesville teens wearing hearings aids has been part of their lives By Miranda L. Pennock

isters Anna and Sophia Pluff are typical teenagers. They like to shop, work hard in school, play sports and have a profound sense of style. The only things separating them from other 13- and 14-year-olds are the hearing aids they have to wear. The girls, both born two months premature, were diagnosed with moderate to severe hearing loss as infants following routine tests at birth for auditory brain response, said mother Diane Pluff. “They have done exceptionally well,” Diane said. “You wouldn’t know they have a moderate to severe loss.” Anna, 14, received her first set of hearing aids by 7 months old; at 13 months Sophia, now 13, had been fitted with her first pair. Through Early Intervention Services, the girls were provided the first digital hearing aids in Onondaga County. The county provides funding for children to receive their first hearing aids up to age 3, as well as pays for equipment, molds and a plethora of services children need in the early stages of diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss. “Our county is one of the best for providing that service. We are very lucky our kids were born in Onondaga County,” Diane said. While Diane prepared herself for having children with limited hearing by taking American Sign Language

classes, she has not had to utilize those skills. “They’re totally verbal,” she said of the girls, though some children with the same problem do exhibit speech issues. Neither of the girls shy away from the fact they need the hearing aids and have become advocates for themselves, particularly where their education is concerned. “They are the ones who are the point person,” Diane said. Anna and Sophia, both straightA students in the Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District, are responsible for using and wearing microphone systems that make hearing teachers simpler. Likewise, each of the teachers use a matching system so they are heard more clearly by Anna and Sophia. “It’s kind of an advantage,” Sophia said smiling. “Teachers are louder in our ears.” Sometimes, the louder the teacher is, the easier it is for them to concentrate because the background noise is blocked out. “I think the only time I’ve struggled was in elementary school,” Anna said. “It felt different in elementary school.” Along with being scholarly, the girls are also athletically talented. Anna, a track and field runner, recently participated in Paige’s Butterfly Run and Sophia plays lacrosse. Referees and officials have asked both girls if they

are wearing jewelry, which is not allowed on the field, when they see their hearing aids. Anna and Sophia are responsible for the regular upkeep on their aids — batteries are changed weekly, aids come out at bedtime and go back in when they get up in the morning, they make sure not to wear them in the shower and try to remember to take them out before jumping in a pool. “Sometimes I forget I have them in,” Sophia and Anna Pluff Sophia said, explaining she once went off the tools that make day-to-day life swimming and failed to take them out. normal for her. “You won’t do that twice!” “People expect to see them on The girls have had no difficulty asolder people,” she said of her hearing similating into daily life outside of their aids, adding that she doesn’t often get home because the family doesn’t make asked about them. a big deal out of their hearing loss, “People forget because they presDiane said. The fact they have limited ent as normal [children],” Diane said. auditory ability when not wearing their Anna and Sophia soon will be aids doesn’t change who Anna and getting new hearing aids, and the Sophia are as people. technology has changed tremendously. “I think it might be harder for other Now, digital hearing aids are Bluetooth kids because they don’t know how to capable, can be used with iPods and deal with it,” Anna said. are water resistant, Diane said. Sophia, whose ears are decked out Digital hearing aids are specially with neon green aids, is proud to show made, individualized aids created from

Aurora of Central New York: 95 years serving the blind and deaf populations By Miranda L. Pennock

n its 95th year, Aurora of Central New York, Inc., is the only agency in Central New York that works exclusively with the blind and deaf populations in Cayuga, Onondaga and Oswego counties. The agency offers free services to people of all ages who are blind, visually impaired, deaf and hard of hearing. “People don’t know we’re here until they need us,” said Anne Costa, assistant director of Aurora of Central New York. Costa, who began working at Aurora 10 years ago as a children’s social worker working specifically with the blind, said while the agency is primarily referral based, there is an intake worker who helps people who call for assistance go through the motions to see if they are eligible for services. Though the organization has a physical office — 518 James St., Syracuse — a majority of the work is done with individuals in their home, and depending on the person’s comfort level caseworkers with Aurora will include other family members. “We do help teach people to manage their environment,” Costa said. “We naturally end up working with the families.” For those with visual impairments

or blindness, Aurora offers adaptive technology training so those with low vision can use computers with software that magnifies what is on the screen. Support groups also give those who have lost their sight the chance to know their life is not over, Costa said. In addition, through the Commission for the Blind, Aurora works with the blind and visually impaired on employment placement. Children who are blind begin receiving services at 13 years old, which helps them prepare for life through paid summer work experience, learning social skills and more. However, in order to be successful, those who are blind have to advocate for themselves. In order to help them be successful, Aurora was just recently awarded a five-year contract for a precollege program for students who are visually impaired. The program will take place at LeMoyne College. Unlike the blind side of Aurora, which receives federal funding for programs, there is no commission for the deaf, Costa said. Funding for programs for the deaf and hard of hearing population comes from the United Way. In the last year, Aurora has created a relationship with the BOCES program for deaf students in Solvay

and has staff members pushing into the programs to teach students the skills necessary for success. The prevocational program, which has not been offered before, will help prepare students for work after graduating from high school. “Many of them don’t have what they’ve got to have to succeed,” Costa said. Along with working with BOCES, Aurora has recently been awarded funds from the Gifford Foundation to help with a newly instituted low-cost hearing aid program to help eligible families purchase digital hearing aids for children aged 4 to 18. With the many services provided for the deaf and blind communities, both young and old, Costa said there is a wide range of skill-building that people come to Aurora for. “They get all kinds of support,” she said, including tips on how to dress, punctuality and what a boss might expect of an employee. “So many of our people have moved on and just done very well.” For more information about Aurora of Central New York, Inc., log onto auroraofcny.org. October 2012 •

molds made of their ears to the tune of $4,000 or more per set. As a child grows, so do their ears, which mean kids need to be fitted several times through the course of their childhood. “These hearing aids can be $2,000 or more a piece,” Diane said. Some families are not fortunate enough to be in a position where they can afford the aids and many people go without because of the cost. Sadly, insurance companies do not cover the cost of the hearing aids, said Aurora of Central New York Assistant Director Anne Costa. Knowing many in need may not be able to afford the tools they need to hear, Diane approached Aurora of CNY about funding a hearing aid program, Costa said. Working with audiologist and certified auditory-verbal therapist Arlene Balestra-Marko, founder of Hear 2 Learn, a for-profit audiology clinic in East Syracuse, the Pluff family started a fund through the Central New York Community Foundation in order to help children in the three county region — Onondaga, Cayuga and Oswego — afford the specially made digital hearing aids. Through the Gifford Foundation, Aurora was recently awarded a $13,000 grant to support the program, which provides hearing aids at low cost for up to 10 children per year in partnership with Hear 2 Learn. According to Costa, the grant will cover the cost of consultations with an audiologist, the hearing aids, and support and training once the hearing aids are fitted. Children aged 4 to 18 are eligible.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Mother Marianne, founder of St. Joseph’s, to become a saint Pope Benedict XVI plans to canonize nun in October. She is considered a beloved mother of outcasts By Barbara Canale

entral New York has a reason to celebrate. On Oct. 21 at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI will canonize Mother Marianne Cope. She is one of the founders of St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Utica. Mother Marianne was born in Germany in 1838 and immigrated to Utica a year later. She became an American citizen as a child. At the age of 24, she joined the Sisters of Saint Francis in Syracuse where her desire to become a nun was fulfilled. She served as a teacher and principal in Oswego, Utica, Rome and Syracuse. Mother Marianne didn’t stay in one place long. In 1868, she became the superior at St. Teresa’s Convent in Oswego. Later, she was involved in opening two Catholic hospitals: St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Utica, and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. She was an innovator in hospital management always trying to provide better service to patients. She worked there as the administrator instilling that all healthcare workers should wash their hands properly before ministering to patients. She was also instrumental in relocating the College of Medicine from Geneva to Syracuse. The move was accredited to Mother Marianne’s willingness to accept its medical students for clinical instruction at St. Joseph’s Hospital. In negotiations with the medical college, she gave patients the right to decline treatment by students. Mother Marianne was criticized by some for

treating alcoholics and prostitutes; however, she was known and loved for her kindness, wisdom, and downto-earth practicality. Her legacy is her great respect for all people regardless of their human frailties and conditions. The sisters of St. Francis in Syracuse are particularly proud of Mother Marianne. Sister Grace Anne Dillenschneider, resident of St. Francis convent, smiles as she describes Mother Marianne as the beloved mother of all outcasts. “She was ahead of her time, not discriminating against anyone,” she said. “She had enormous respect for all people.” The sisters of St. Francis have done immense work to catalog the events and accomplishments of her life. It’s all on display at the motherhouse on Court Street in Syracuse. Darlene Yamrose, museum office coordinator, beams when she speaks about the saint. “Mother Marianne was also inducted into the National Woman’s Hall of Fame in 2005 with people like Hillary Clinton,” she said. “She’s also an amiable historical figure.” Yamrose’s knowledge of Mother Marianne is vast and eagerly shares it with one who will listen. She explained how Mother Marianne worked beside doctors in Syracuse, which allowed her to gain practical information regarding hospital systems, nursing and pharmacy procedures; skills that she put to good use in Hawaii. “In 1877, Mother Marianne was

Two Miracles Associated with Mother Marianne

nyone can become a saint; there is a strict list of requirements and Mother Marianne met the criteria. Confirmation of sainthood includes having two documented miracles for canonization. Two miracles are associated with Mother Marianne. One miracle occurred at St. Joseph’s Hospital in June 2005, when 59-year-old Sharon Smith had such a severe pancreatic infection that doctors didn’t expect her to live. A nun encouraged Smith to pray to Mother Marianne for a cure, and she pinned a small plastic bag of dirt from Mother Marianne’s grave on her hospital gown. A few months later, Smith shocked doctors when she was cured. The other documented case occurred in August 1992 with Kate Mahoney, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. After a successful operation and chemotherapy, she began suffering from abdominal pains. She suffered several serious complications: a hemorrhagic shock, a nearly fatal cardiac arrest, Page 12

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and multiple organs system failure. While Mahoney was dependent on machines for her bodily functions, doctors said her body was in “overall” deterioration and they feared imminent death. Sister Mary Laurence Hanley visited Mahoney and prayed for Mother Marianne’s intercession, and touched her with a relic of Mother Marianne. By mid-January, all of Mahoney’s vital functions had returned and are in good condition today. The miracle is the recovery from multiple organ failure through the intercession of Mother Marianne. When the Pope canonizes someone, he examines their credentials; each stage must be completed and approved by Vatican officials. Father Peter Gumpel, relator of the Cause of Blessed Marianne, has worked in the Congregation of the Causes of Saints for more than four decades. He states that a verified miracle is accepted as a “confirmation” of holiness whereas the life and holiness of the person is the primary concentration point in a canonization cause.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Octoberr 2012

elected Provincial Mother of the congregation of sisters of Saint Francis,” Dillenschneider said. “She walked the same grounds where we now live.” She added, “She prayed in the same spot where the chapel now stands, where her remains now lie. The old church was too small and had to be expanded,” she said. Yamrose recounted six years after the appointment, in 1883, King Kalākaua and Queen Kapiolani of Hawaii requested help in caring for leprosy victims. Dillenschneider noted that Mother Marianne embraced the request and responded enthusiastically, and said she wasn’t afraid of catching leprosy. 1883 was not a time of easy travel. It took Mother Marianne, and six companion nuns, 17 days to reach Honolulu. “They began work at the Branch Leper Hospital at Kaka’akoi in 1884, and in that same year, they set up the first hospital on the island of Maui,” Yamrose said. Later that year, the Hawaiian government gave the sisters full charge of the Branch Leper Hospital. In 1885, Mother Marianne established a safe haven for homeless female children of leprosy patients. Mother Marianne, and two sister companions, visited the Molokai Leper Settlement where leprosy patients were exiled in 1888. “Despite how contagious leprosy is, none of the sisters ever contracted it,” Dillenschneider said. “While she was in her mid-40s, she

embraced a lifetime of exile,” Yamrose said. She dutifully attended to leprosy patient’s physical and spiritual needs until she died on Aug. 9, 1818. “She was buried in Molokai,” Dillenschneider noted. “However, in February 2005, Blessed Marianne Cope’s remains were exhumed as required by the Vatican prior to beatification and were relocated to the chapel at St. Anthony Convent,” she said. The legacy of Mother Marianne continues to be felt in health care and education in many ways. The Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities are sponsors of St. Joseph hospital in Syracuse, St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica, and St. Francis Hospital and Health Centers in Poughkeepsie. In Hawaii, they are known for founding St. Francis Hospital. While the sisters remain sponsors of St. Francis Healthcare System, their focus now meets the needs of Hawaii’s senior adult population. In Molokai, the sisters maintain their comforting presence with a small group of leprosy patients who reside there today. The sisters also minister at several schools and parishes on the islands. For more information see: www. saintmariannecope.com or visit the shrine and museum of Saint Marianne Cope, located at Sisters of Saint Francis Motherhouse, 1024 Court St., Syracuse, NY 13208. Visiting Hours are between 1 – 5 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays. Call 422-7999 ahead for possible holiday closings or for large group tours.

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A patient undergoes a low-dose CT scan as part of Upstate’s new lung cancer screening program. The CT scan can detect small tumors and allow physicians to begin treatment. A recent study said such early treatment can reduce lung cancer mortality by up to 20 percent in high-risk and ex-smokers.

Upstate launches lung cancer screening program The Upstate Cancer Center will begin a lung cancer screening program that will use low-dose CT scans to detect the smallest possible tumor and that will provide doctors with the opportunity to begin treating lung cancer in its early stages. A recent landmark national study, published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that using low-dose CT scans can detect tumors early and reduce lung cancer mortality by up to 20 percent in high-risk smokers and ex-smokers. “The best hope for curing lung cancer is finding it as early as possible,” said Leslie Kohman, medical director for the Upstate Cancer Center. “But historically, it has been difficult to detect small tumors in the lung and begin early treatment.” Kohman also serves as a member of the Upstate Medical University faculty and, with Ernest Scalzetti, chief of radiology, has done extensive research on the use of low-dose CT scan in the detection of lung cancer. Kohman said Upstate now pos-

sesses the technology necessary to perform low-dose CT scans. A special dose-reduction software installed on a dedicated CT scan machine allows the lowest possible dose of radiation to give quality images. “This low dose CT scan is sensitive enough to detect the smallest, earliest lung cancers before they can be detected on a normal chest X-ray, and that gives physicians a head start on treating this cancer,” Kohman said. The CT scan takes 20 seconds and provides clinicians with a clear image of the lung, enabling them to detect very small lung nodules that may be early signs of lung cancer. Currently the scan is not covered by insurance. The test costs about $235 and includes the scan, a CD with the images of the scan, extensive counseling on smoking cessation, if needed, and notification of scan results with a primary care physician. Assistance and referrals will be provided as needed for any follow up care required.

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MAURO-BERTOLO

THERAPY SERVICES, PT, PC Mauro-Bertolo is pleased to announce the expansion of their services associated with pelvic pain. Lori Hobday, PT, COMT and Jessica Serron, PT, DPT have completed specialized training in the area of urinary incontinence and pelvic ﬂoor dysfunction/pain to provide comprehensive, state of the art rehabilitative services for urinary and fecal incontinence, pelvic pain, obstetrical low back pain and orthopedic pelvic pain syndromes.

Crouse launches sports medicine program Crouse Hospital has announced the launch of a sports medicine program that will provide comprehensive services and treatment for both children and adults, from student athletes to sports enthusiasts, “weekend warriors” and competitive and professional athletes. The program features a continuum of care that includes complete orthopedic and general surgical services, nationally recognized cardiac care, concussion management and a full range of physical and occupational rehabilitation services. Crouse also has been named the official hospital for Syracuse University Athletics and the official sports medicine hospital of the Syracuse Crunch hockey team. The Crouse program is being led by some of the region’s premier sports medicine experts, including orthopedic surgeons Daniel DiChristina, head team physician for the Syracuse Crunch and partner in Orthopedics East; Irving Raphael, head team physician for SU Athletics and partner in RSM Medical Associates; Bradley Raphael, assistant team physician for SU

Athletics and partner in RSM Medical Associates; Michael Wiese, partner in Orthopedics East; and Paul Klawitter, a board-certified specialist in primary care sports medicine, including sportsrelated concussion management. A key piece of the Crouse SportsMedicine program is SportsCare Express, an after-hours and weekend walk-in clinic dedicated to the immediate treatment of non-emergent injuries, such as sports and work-related injuries, broken bones and sprains. In October, Crouse SportsMedicine will add a concussion management and treatment component, led by Klawitter, to address traumatic sports-related brain injuries. Nearly one in five athletes playing contact sports suffers a concussion each season, enough for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to label this traumatic brain injury an “epidemic.” The Crouse Concussion Care Program is designed to care for each athlete individually with a comprehensive treatment plan to promote full recovery and return to play following an appropriate period of recuperation. Most concussions occur without loss of consciousness.

Our therapists will assess your patients and recommend a personalized rehabilitation program, which may include biofeedback, electrical stimulation, pain modalities, myofascial release and a progressive exercise program for individual specific needs. This quality service is provided in a private, caring and sensitive environment. Please feel free to contact our office to speak with Sharon Riccio, PT and Director of Pelvic Rehabilitation, Darryl Kay Leach, PT, DPT, Lori Hobday, PT, COMT or Jessica Serron, PT, DPT should you have any questions or wish to discuss your specific issues prior to making an appointment. October 2012 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 13

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By Anne Palumbo

’m a big believer in “power foods” — foods to help you live a longer, healthier life — and I devour top 10 super foods lists the way some people devour top 10 gadget lists. Compiled by respected institutions and professionals, the lists tend to feature a core of recognized superstars (salmon, nuts, whole grains), along with an ever-changing mix of seasonal fruits and vegetables. A powerhouse food that never seems to lose its top 10 status? Beans. Nutrient-dense, recipe-friendly, affordable beans. I’m not surprised. Super low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, these tasty treasures are impressively high in protein. Although I’m a big fan of all beans, I consume more red kidney beans than any other bean for this key reason: they’re loaded with antioxidants — disease-fighting compounds that gobble up damaging free radicals. In fact, according to the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, red kidney beans hover near the top of the antioxidant-rich foods list. We’re talking right below blueberries, the

antioxidant leaders. I also lean toward this bean because it has a tad more protein and fiber than some of the other beans. One cup of red kidney beans takes care of about a third of your daily protein needs and about half of your daily fiber needs. Not bad for 220 calories and scant fat. More beans to spill: Red kidney beans teem with heart-protective nutrients like folate, magnesium, and the aforementioned fiber. Folate lowers levels of an amino acid associated with greater risk of heart disease and stroke; magnesium promotes normal blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels; and fiber helps the heart by ferrying cholesterol out of the body. Also, if you’re looking to boost your

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2012

iron intake, you’ll want to reach for the bean, as a cup of kidneys provides about 20 percent of your daily needs. Lastly, kidney beans are an excellent source of the trace mineral, molybdenum, which helps to detoxify sulfites (preservatives found in prepared foods and wine). Translation: If wine gives you a headache, you might want to forgo the pretzels for a fistful of beans!

Helpful tips If you prefer the convenience of canned over dried beans, look for canned beans labeled “Low Salt” or “Low Sodium.” Before using in any recipe, drain and rinse the beans thoroughly to remove excess sodium. Draining and rinsing beans also rids the beans of complex sugars that sometimes cause stomach gas. Nutrition-wise, canned beans and dried beans are about equal.

Yummy Red-Bean-andVegetable Soup Adapted from Moosewood Restaurant Low-Fat Favorites Cookbook

pinch of cayenne, or more to taste 1 28-ounce can chopped tomatoes or 3 cups chopped fresh tomatoes 1 15-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon brown sugar salt and coarse black pepper to taste topping: chopped fresh parsley, minced scallions or shredded cheese

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Combine the onions, garlic, and olive oil in a soup pot. Cover and sauté on medium heat for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are softened. If onions start to stick, stir in a little water. Add the carrots, celery, bell peppers, and spices. Cover and cook for another 8 minutes, stirring to prevent sticking. Stir in the tomatoes, kidney beans, mustard, and brown sugar. If you prefer a thinner soup, add a cup of water now. Simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve topped with parsley, scallions or shredded cheese. Variation: Serve over rice and top with feta.

1 ½ cups chopped onions 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 cup chopped carrots 1 cup chopped celery 1 ½ cups chopped bell peppers (red, green, yellow, or orange, or a combo) 1 dried teaspoon each: oregano, basil, thyme, cumin

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.

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C ancer

Mom, Son Beat Cancer

By Ken Sturtz

icole and Chris Adkins enjoyed a special treat for Labor Day weekend this year. They basked in the sight of their son, Spencer, riding go-karts during a family trip to Lake George. He had wanted to ride the go-karts for several years and was finally old enough and healthy enough. It was nearly five years to the day since Nicole Adkins received a phone call she still remembers vividly. She yanked the phone off the hook the second it rang. She was expecting the call. The doctor on the phone delivered the same grim news her mother had heard years before. Her child had cancer. What Spencer’s parents thought was a stubborn ear infection refusing to clear up, was in fact a handful of clues that later revealed to be leukemia. Spencer was just 3 1/2 years old in 2007 when he was diagnosed. For Nicole, of Fulton, the numbing news was a chilling reminder of her own past. She was diagnosed with a stage four Wilhms’ tumor when she 3 1/2. “At first it was just the end of the world. It’s the worst,” Nicole said. “You hope for the best, but you’re always thinking ‘what if’? You can’t

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think about that. You just have to be positive … you just keep going until it’s done.” Now, 30 years later for her and five for him, both Nicole and Spencer are cancer free, but suffered greatly while fighting the disease. For Nicole, the first step to beating rare form of kidney cancer was for doctors to remove her kidney. Then the cancer spread to her lungs, which lead to her enduring radiation and chemotherapy for two and a half years. Her hair was just growing back when she entered kindergarten, but the ordeal hardly fazed her, Nicole said. For her son, however, the experience proved more challenging. Though he was content throughout most of his treatments, Spencer struggled to understand why he was sick, what was happening to him and why a stable

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Octoberr 2012

of doctors refused to leave him alone. Barely potty-trained, the 3 year-old refused to wear clothes during chemotherapy for fear they’d snag the tubing delivering a cocktail of drugs to his body. He marched around the treatment area in pull-ups. There were other hurdles, such as a port that refused to heal and required constant attention, trips to doctors and clinics, and several hospital stays for what doctors suspected were blood infections. Unlike adults who routinely trudge to hospitals to receive treatment, children get a different sort of treatment. Doctors gave Nicole the option to take her tiny son home during much of his medical treatment. She did, and spent many hours taking care of her son during a brutal 30-day steroid treatment and chasing him around the house to hold him down to administer yet another chemotherapy treatment. That was one of the hardest parts, Nicole said, because her son had never been hooked up to an I V before, and she had to be the bad guy. Nicole’s job at Syracuse University and her husband’s schedule as a firefighter allowed them both to devote time to looking after their sick son. Nicole’s mother, mother-in-law and father-inlaw stayed over, watched the kids and helped out constantly. Still, Nicole said, one of the greatest challenges was balancing Spencer’s needs with the rest of the family, especially Nicole’s daughter Nina, now 6.

As he slowly recovered from the disease and the treatment, things began to improve. The day doctors declared Spencer cancer free wasn’t the end, though. He still had several years of less destructive pills and maintenance chemotherapy. But he was back in school full-time again and his hair began to grow back. Not counting 10 days as an inpatient when he was first diagnosed, Spencer underwent a year of intensive treatment and three and a half years of total treatment. He finally ended all treatment in December 2010. Though he never really stopped attending school, he did miss a lot of days, especially three weeks near the end of kindergarten, his mother said. He still gets regular checks every two months, but eventually he’ll only have to see a doctor once a year. He also hasn’t experienced any lasting side effects yet, his mother said. As she and her husband watched their healthy son ride the go-karts, Nicole said she it was wonderful just to be able to watch her son and not have to worry or rush home for medicine. For his part, Spencer took the moment that had his parents tearing up in stride. It was just another day for him, his mother said. “He doesn’t really understand,” she said. “It doesn’t have such an impact on him as it does us.” Nicole said she occasionally thinks about the possibility of her or her son having a reoccurrence, but she pushes the thought from her mind. She said she wants her children to grow up healthy and someday have healthy children of their own. “That worries me, that someday he might have to deal with it with his children,” Nicole said. “I hope that it never does.”

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Octoberr 2012

n varying amounts, plant-based foods offer antioxidants, which are healthful, cancer-fighting compounds. They are thought to neutralize free radicals that damage the body and thus reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases. “According to the literature, it is currently thought that damage to cells by free radicals may lead to cancer,” said Julie Mellen, registered dietitian with SUNY Upstate. “Antioxidants may protect cells from the damage of these free radicals and therefore possibly aid in prevention of cancer.” Laurel Sterling Prisco, registered dietitian and wellness educator for Natur-Tyme in Syracuse, added that antioxidants “are believed to help prevent and repair oxidative stress, a process that damages cells within the body and has been linked to the development of a variety of diseases. Oxidation is like ‘rusting of the cells.’ Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals which can cause damage to the cells. Antioxidants work to remove free radicals.” “More is better” seems a common

American line of thought. But it’s not always so. Many people read studies stating that consuming more antioxidant-rich foods can help prevent cancer and assume that downing a fistful of antioxidant supplements will all but guarantee they can avoid cancer, but it doesn’t work this way. “Antioxidants include beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, vitamins C, E and A and are abundant in fresh fruits and vegetables as well as nuts, seeds and whole grains,” Mellen said. “There

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certainly appears to be health benefits from eating antioxidant rich foods and I would recommend diet over supplements.” People who do take supplements should only take at levels that are appropriate, not at hundreds of times the recommended dietary allowance level. Obtaining antioxidants through a healthful diet is much better than supplements, which can vary in purity, safety and efficacy. The Food and Drug Association does not regulate supplements. Obtaining antioxidants through

food also offers a wider variety of the compounds, whereas some supplements may have only one or two types. Typically, Americans build a meal around a meat source and add plant-based foods as an afterthought. Sterling Prisco recommends focusing on fruits and vegetables such as berries (blueberries, cranberry, blackberry, strawberry), asparagus, artichoke, and apples, which are tops in antioxidants. Also make part of your diet avocados, cherries, pears, plums, pineapple, and kiwi, also rich in antioxidants, but all fruits and vegetables provide many nutrients with few calories. While you’re in the produce section, stock up on squash, pumpkin, tomatoes, spinach, red cabbage, potatoes, sweet potatoes and broccoli, which are top vegetables containing antioxidants. Sterling Prisco said that the more

Discover How ~ Nurse dumps 55 painful pounds a fruit or vegetable is heated, the more exposure to light it receives and the longer fresh produce travels from its source, the fewer antioxidants it contains. Raw, local produce and frozen produce (since it’s preserved soon after picking and isn’t as processed as canned) offer the most antioxidants. Protein sources can also provide antioxidants. The ones the most include kidney, pinto and black beans, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, hazelnuts and almonds. Whole grains such as oatmeal can also offer a healthful dose of antioxidants. Raid the spice rack for potent free radical-fighters, including cloves, cinnamon, ginger, garlic, onion, chili powder, coriander, oregano, turmeric and many more. Even your beverage choices can make a difference. Skip sugary sodas and energy drinks and reach for unsweetened tea, green or white. Sterling Prisco also recommends goji, mangosteen, acai, noni juices. Coffee, grape juice, dark cherry juice and pomegranate juice also offer antioxidants. It’s better to use 100 percent juice instead of “cocktail” or “juice drinks” which are sweetened and contain empty calories. Indulge your sweet tooth with an occasional square of dark chocolate. It’s rich in antioxidants, too.

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“I lost 103 pounds. Prior to coming to hypnosis I considered gastric bypass. Food is no longer a major focus in my everyday life.” Leslie Golwitzer – RN, Syracuse “I’ve gone from a tight size 14 to a comfortable size 10 in four weeks.” Stacey Monroe – Title Searcher, Clay “I’m diabetic, and, after two weeks, my blood sugar levels are now normal at times. They were not before.” Charles N. Frass – Retired, Central Square “After one week, I have no hunger pangs or cravings to eat the bad

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Cancer Sites to Trust Cancer-related websites vary greatly, ranging from helpful resources to sincere but useless information to outright scams By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

f you or a loved one receives a cancer diagnosis, you’ll likely go online to research the disease further, seek support from others and perhaps see what alternative treatments or clinical trials may be available. As with any other subject online, the value of cancer websites varies greatly, ranging from helpful resources to sincere but useless information to outright scams. “I tell people to look on the American Cancer Society website,” said Ann Smith, a registered nurse at GYN Oncology Associates in Syracuse. “Everything I’ve ever looked up from their site has been good information. I tell people not to just put in a word and search it. You can get all kinds of horror stories doing it that way.” Knowing what to believe can be difficult. Keep these guidelines in mind if you’re online to learn more and connect with others. Don’t rely upon the appearance of the website. It’s very easy to build and

maintain a website that looks professional and has a convincing name. Scam artists can build a site full of plagiarized or generated by a copy mill (writers paid mere pennies an hour) to look like a legitimate site. Scientific terms can make sites appear scholarly and on the level. Add some good visual effects and an impressive-sounding name, and a website can fool people into believing the information and products or services sold on it are legitimate. “Stay away from any site that has a potential for being a commercially generated site,” said Chris Tirabassi, practice administrator at CNY Diagnostic Imaging. “The motivations may be skewed toward the product they’re selling.” Sites selling something are the most likely to contain misleading information, although not always. The owners of fraudulent sites may offer a little truth, such as actual research, but apply

this information incorrectly or out of context to sell a product or service. Some websites may be run by people who earnestly want to cure cancer, but do not have the science to back up their claims. Regard with suspicion cancer sites that use sweeping generalities, such as “all traditional therapies are harmful” or “all oncologists perform useless tests.” Watch out for sites that try to blame different groups for a particular type of cancer. Trusted sites have the patients’ best interests in mind and are not pushing an agenda. Some sites are mere fronts for shysters. As you click on a link, a “rabbit trails” takes you to a site that has nothing to do with cancer at all. Other times, a site may lead you to subsequent sites with less and less scientific credibility. Watch out for sites that ask for money, lots of personal information or invite you to do something questionable such as leave the country to seek an alternative or less expensive treatment. Beware of sites that guarantee a cure, say their product or therapy cures numerous maladies or claim that they have unlocked a secret for curing cancer that no one else believes. Many times, these miracle cures are found by an obscure person tinkering in his kitchen or a novice rediscovering an ancient therapy, not a highly-trained expert who has spent a lifetime studying cancer. It’s also easy to believe numerous anecdotes of a cure; however, these may be completely fabricated. How can you know? And even if they are all true, how can you know that their experience is like yours? Every person’s physiology is different.

Unless there is peer-reviewed, scientific evidence backing a statement, don’t put much weight in it. Instead, talk with your doctor and other members of the treatment team. They won’t mind at all. For further information on cancer, trust sites that offer the results of scientific studies in plain English. The American Cancer Society (www.cancer. org) Cancer.net, American Society of Clinical Oncology (www.asco.org) are three examples. “The sites we relate to and refer our patients to are run by national, reputable societies,” Tirabassi said. “They are reputable websites where we can send folks. If you go to www. cnyxray.com, offer reference sites.” To find clinical trials in your area, peruse the websites of major educational hospitals in the area such as University of Rochester Medical Center’s James P. Wilmot Cancer Center (www. urmc.rochester.edu/clinical-trials), Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo (www.roswellpark.org/clinical-trials/ list), or SUNY Upstate Cancer Center in Syracuse (www.upstate.edu/cancer). If you seek emotional support, monitored forums can help you connect with others experiencing what you’re going through. General forums that don’t use monitors to screen content can become a sounding board for trolls (people who post inflammatory comments solely to bother others), people hawking cancer products, services and organizations, or others selling unrelated things, such as dating sites, get-rich-quick schemes, and beauty products. Above all, talk with your oncologist before deviating from the treatment plan you have developed together.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Octoberr 2012

Pre-Diabetic? Get to the Y Program has helped many Y members and non-members keep an eye on the risk of getting diabetes By Matthew Liptak

eventy nine million Americans are pre-diabetic, according to the National Diabetes Fact Sheet released last year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in conjunction with other organizations. If your prediabetic, there is help available now at your local YMCA. The Diabetes Prevention Program of the YMCA of Greater Syracuse includes 16 weeks of course instruction and lifestyle changes. Last year 70 people went through the program. “It has two goals that we have to meet—to reduce their body weight by 7 percent (total for the 16-week class) because that’s been proven to reduce the risk of developing diabetes and then the goal after 16 weeks is also to increase their physical activity to 150 minutes each week,” said Jessica DesRosiers, senior healthy living director at the YMCA of Jessica Greater Syracuse. DesRosiers, “That’s why we senior healthy weigh them and they living director also log in a journal at the YMCA of each week so we can Greater Syracuse. track their physical activity time. “The lesson gives them a homework assignment to do in that week in between class. Each week focuses on something. The first week they’re going to focus on fat. They’re really going to pay attention to the different foods they eat and pay attention to how much fat is in that food. Can I make a substitution? Should I leave it out? Then we’ll talk about it when they return the next week and then talk about the new topic.” For Y member Anne Walter the class was a life changer. “I signed up for it not having too many expectations,” Walter said. “I just new that my health was suffering because of my weight gain. My doctor actually had just heard about the program and more or less said it can’t hurt. I did it not really knowing whether I’d like it or not. It just ended up being something that clicked. From the first class everything that she suggested and that I tried with it seemed to work and I just started to lose a couple of pounds a week.” Walter’s experience with the program was a great success—she lost 90 pounds. “She wasn’t even that obese or that overweight; she just knew she had to really make some lifestyle changes and then she got her family on board and it became part of their life,” DesRosiers said of Anne Walter. The 16-week course is followed by a once a month check-in for a year at the Y, DesRosiers said. Walters did not

complete her weight loss in the first 16 weeks but took the full year. She hasn’t lost all she wants to yet. Another 10 pounds and she said she’ll be satisfied, but the changes she made through the course continue to make a huge impact on her lifestyle. “I just started eating healthier,” Walter said. “I stopped eating so much white flour pastas, things like that. I only eat whole grains now. I tried to cut down on fatty foods. I try to buy lean hamburger if I’m going to eat hamburger. I really don’t eat as much red meat any more. I eat a lot of chicken, fish. Just a lot healthier food. A lot of vegetables. A lot of fruits. I try to limit portions. If I feel like I go to snack I try to keep snacks under 60 calories.” Her activity level has gone up a lot too. She takes a variety of exercise classes at the Y and has been taking full advantage of their facilities. “The exercising is definitely a change where I try to get in a workout at least three or four times a week if not every day,” she said. “Usually on the weekends on Saturday morning I’ll get up and do the swimming class and then go for a Zumba YMCA member class or something Anne Walter and sometimes on said the classes Sunday I’ll go for a she took at the couple hours to the Y were “a life gym and just do the changer” for her. weight machines, the treadmill the elliptical. I’ll stop on the way home for work and do the treadmill or just go for a walk.” Although most of those taking the class have been 50 or older, DesRosiers encourages those younger to take the class too. There are plenty of pre-diabetics in their 20s, 30s and 40s, she said. “I’m really focusing on trying to get the word out with getting younger because I don’t want it to be seen as ‘oh, it’s a senior citizens class,’” she said. “I want to help that population too but I want it to be kind of a mix because I know that it impacts all ages.” So how do you know if you are pre-diabetic for type 2 diabetes? According to DesRosiers your doctor can do a test called an A1C. If you’re number is between 5.7 and 6.4 percent you are pre-diabetic. There are two other tests available too—the fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) and the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT.) If you do choose to enroll in the Y’s prevention program there is some cost involved, $3 a week for Y members and $9 a week for nonmembers or $50 and $150 for the whole program respectively. For more information on this program call the YMCA at 315-474-6851.

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On a Mission: Local Orthopedic Surgeons to Volunteer in Panama The Greenky brothers and their Operation Walk Syracuse team to provide joint replacement surgeries to some impoverished citizens of Panama By Mary Beth Roach

any Central New Yorkers have benefited from the surgical experience of orthopedic surgeons and brothers Brett and Seth Greenky of Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Health Center. They estimated that together they have performed nearly 15,000 joint replacements so far. In November, the Greenkys and dozens of volunteers will bring their experience to Central America to provide joint replacement surgeries to some impoverished citizens of Panama, as part of Operation Walk Syracuse. This marks the second mission by Operation Walk Syracuse, a chapter of the national Operation Walk organization. The local group was founded in the winter of 2010-2011 by the Greenky brothers and Kim Murray, director of surgical services and the administrator for Orthopedic Services at St. Joseph’s. The brothers serve as executive directors and Murray is the clinical team director. Their first mission in November of 2011 took the team to the other side of the globe — to Nepal. “We do so much here and we feel that we’re really blessed and are fortunate with everything we have,” Murray said. “We just wanted to do that for people who didn’t have that same opportunity.” They see what joint replacement does to people here in the United States, Murray said, but there are people in other places in the world who are dying or are completely immobilized by the aged of 20–30 from rheumatoid arthritis that’s untreated or by severe osteoarthritis. While they knew of many orthopedic initiatives, they were looking for a program that focused on joint replacement. By accident, Murray said, they learned of the California-based Operation Walk, which was formed in 1994 by physician Lawrence Dorr. One of the Operation Walk chapters was located in Boston, and its co-founder was Thomas Thornhill, with whom Brett Greenky had done a fellowship. The members of the Syracuse group put their resumes together and sent them to Thornhill, requesting that they go on a mission trip with him. An orientation team came in from Los Angeles in December of 2010 and after a four-hour meeting, the Syracuse trio had a trip scheduled to Nepal the following November. “Before we even knew what to say we had a trip planned that night,” Murray recalled. “It was overwhelming. It was the farthest place on earth you can go; it’s one of the most rigorous trips you can take. We call that our hazing year.” Operation Walk has established sites, including Nepal, where it has already forged relationships with the ministries of health, the government and the hospitals, which, in turn, facilitate such matters as the shipping of necessary medical cargo, for example. The hospitals at these locales are

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Octoberr 2012

chosen by the Operation Walk team because they have the greatest need, they serve the most indigent group of people in that geographic area and they are not private or for-profit facilities. When they go to Panama this November, Operation Walk Syracuse will visit St. Tomas Hospital, a public charity hospital. Once the site of Nepal was selected, the following weeks and months were hectic for Murray and the doctors, as they established the local chapter’s nonprofit status, planned the pre-trip, found the volunteers and began fundraising. Murray and Brett Greenky did the pre-trip in April 2011 to Nepal to pave the way — to scope out the hospital, meet officials, get to know some of the patients, begin to amass medical records, and negotiate hotel rates for the actual trip later that year. To coordinate all of this is a Herculean effort, to say the least, Murray said. The travel team can number as many as 50 people, including surgeons, internal medicine physicians, anesthesia providers, operating nursing staff, operating room scrub techs, floor nurses, physical therapists, reps from the implant companies, and an inventory coordinator, to name a few. Preparing and shipping the inventory are daunting tasks. At home, surgeons have all their equipment at the ready, Murray said. Not so on these missions. Nothing can be taken for granted, so supplies that have to be packed range from bandages to scrub gowns, from gloves to needles, from instruments to the actual implants. For the Nepal trip, the team shipped 16,000 pounds of cargo, and in order for it to arrive in time, it had to be sent about two months ahead of the trip. Shipping was an estimated $18,000; airfare was nearly $100,000, and the entire trip cost about $250,000, she said. The team landed in Nepal in waves. The first group unpacked, sorted and categorized all the cargo. By the evening of the second day, the other team had arrived. Meetings with patients, evaluations, and screenings were then conducted, with the following days spent in surgery. The number of operations depends on how “in sync” your team is, Murray explained. In Nepal, they ran four operating rooms in four days, performing 60 joint replacements, she said. Some patients may get multiple joint replacements if needed and if their medical condition is favorable enough to allow for that. “This might be the only opportunity someone has,” Murray said, “so we want to maximize that.” Teaching is part of the mission, as well. During the follow-ups, the Operation Walk staff works with the

If you are interested in learning more or becoming involved in Operation Walk Syracuse, visit www. operationwalksyracuse.org. host hospital’s physicians, nurses and physical therapists on the floors to teach them how to care for the patients post-operatively. “We actually do symposiums and classes while we’re there to try to make it an educational experience for the staff as well,” Murray said. The follow-ups don’t stop though once the Operation Walk team returns to the United States. Murray brings back all the patients’ charts so that they can communicate and consult with the physicians doing the post-op, whether through email or phone calls. Having completed one successful mission, Murray is now preparing for the Panama trip. They took the pre-trip to Panama, and learned, for example, that they will need translators. Accompanying them will be three members of the clinical staff who are fluent in Spanish. The entire group — the home front team and the travel team, as they are called — are all volunteers, Murray said. And while the staff gives their time and expertise, there is still a good deal of the mission that has to be financed. “One-hundred percent of our people volunteer all of their time,” she said. “We’re completely funded by the good fortune and blessings of other people.” Vendors are very generous with the supplies; Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists and St. Joseph’s have been very supportive, and they got a jump start on the Nepal trip with three major donors; but yet, fundraising remains a challenge. The time donated by the team per mission trip is estimated to be more than $400,000, but more than $200,000 is required for team transportation, supply shipping, food, lodging, non-donated supplies and necessary repairs to the host hospital’s equipment.

Parenting By Melissa Stefanec

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Those Vaccines? They Have Saved Many Lives

e live in a glorious age. We live in an age where our children are protected from many serious illnesses through vaccinations. A couple of generations ago, many people lost children and siblings to childhood illnesses. Nowadays, many of us can’t even tell you what the MMR means in the MMR vaccine (look at the list below to find that out). We are privileged to live in a place where modern medicine takes so much worrying out of raising children. I know how privileged I am to have a healthy, happy and protected daughter. For this month’s column, I’m going to highlight just what diseases children are vaccinated against and what those diseases are. Sometimes we all lose sight of the wonderful things that are happening in our world. Having the opportunity to protect our children from these diseases is just one more reason to be thankful. The information below is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This column will cover diseases vaccinated against during the first 15 months of live. To view the CDC’s recommended vaccine schedules visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/child.html HepB (Hepatitis B) This disease is caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The virus can cause lifelong infection, including cirrhosis, cancer and failure of the liver. It can also result in death. DTap (Combined vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) Diphtheria causes a thick covering in the back of the throat. It can cause breathing problems, heart failure and death. Tetanus is also known as lockjaw. It causes painful muscle tightening. It can progress to a point where a person can’t open his or her mouth. It results in death in one of 10 cases. PCV (Pneumococcal disease) There are four types of pneumococcal diseases: pneumococcal pneumonia, bacteremia, meningitis, and otitis media. There are a wide range of symptoms, including fever, joint pain, chills, blood

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Varicella (Chickenpox) This virus causes a skin rash. Complications from chicken pox are rare, but people who had chicken pox are at risk for shingles. The shingles virus can be very serious and affect the central nervous system, lungs and liver.

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MMR (Measles, mumps and rubella/German measles) This virus causes respiratory illness. Measles is the most deadly of all the childhood rash and fever illnesses. Rubella is a similar virus to measles. It causes fever and rash. The mumps virus causes fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, appetite loss and swelling of the salivary glands. HepA (Hepatitis A) This is a disease of the liver. Symptoms include yellowing of skin or eyes, stomachache, loss of appetite and nausea. Severe cases of the disease last for months.

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Polio This virus lives in the throat and intestinal tract. Infected individuals with severe cases of polio develop permanent paralysis. RV (Rotavirus) This virus causes severe vomiting and diarrhea. It can last seven to eight days and some children stop eating and drinking when they contract the virus. This can lead to lifethreatening dehydration.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Support group for caregivers in Cayuga County now offers teleconferencing By Alyssa Mammano

he Cayuga County Office for the Aging now offers a caregiver support program, which is now able to provide support through teleconferencing. The program is a service that provides an outlet for those who are the primary caretakers of their elderly or ill loved ones. Caregivers are able to gather once a month in Auburn,

Moravia or Weedsport to discuss different circumstances or issues they are experiencing while caring for their loved ones. Aging services specialist Corinne Ryan orchestrates the group meetings in Moravia and Auburn. “We do educational pieces. We talk about their situation and share stories. They basically provide each

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2012

other with an outlet to relieve stress. We talk about the situation and what’s going on, and they give each other ideas. It works really well,” said Ryan. She allows the group to lead the discussion, speaking about topics such as the behaviors mom or dad or their loved ones exhibit. Ryan will then give different examples or ideas of ways to cope with the behavior. She said people do learn from the groups, but mostly come to de-stress and just talk. “When you get up in the morning, you treat it like a job. There’s a book, “The 36-Hour Day,” and basically that describes the life of a caregiver. It’s 24/7, no relief. Primarily they are the ones taking care of the loved one. They are the ones taking care of lunch, activities, making sure they get to the doctor’s office. There’s a lot to it,” said Ryan. Caregivers can call the office for the aging in order to express interest in the support groups. But Ryan Ryan said most of the time people will just show up. They walk in and sit down and start talking, she said. Ryan attends each group meeting in case someone does show up unannounced. She facilitates the conversation when needed and provides clarity and advice, but said the people in the group usually lead the conversation. The ability to teleconference a group meeting as an alternative to

a live meeting came about after six months of Ryan working with the county IT to set up a phone system. “It’s another outlet because some people can’t get out. If they do and are able to be relieved of that duty for a little while the last thing they want to do is come to a room and sit when they feel responsible for doing their errands or getting groceries or whatever else needs to be done. Or just de-stress in another way. So I decided that we should try to do a teleconference support group,” said Ryan.

How it Works

People should call in to the office if they are interested in the teleconference support group. From there, they will be put on a list and a date and time will be set for the conference. On that date Ryan will call each member who has expressed interest in the group and put them on hold until each person has been called. While on hold they are able to speak with each other until the meeting commences. Up to eight people can participate in the phone conference. “What we find is that people don’t come in because they’re embarrassed. They might be shy, and have a hard time sitting in a group situation. I see that this may be beneficial because they’re in their own home. They can be involved in the group and also be there for their loved one to make sure they’re okay,” Ryan said. For more information about the program, call 253-1104.

“I would definitely recommend VNA Homecare they did a great job with my physical therapy.” Keith Depauw, Jordan, NY

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Dear Savvy Senior,

individuals and families.

Where can seniors turn to find affordable dental care? I had dental insurance through my work for many years but lost it when I retired. What can you tell me? Flossing Frank

Another way to get dental care at a lower price is at a dental school clinic. Almost every dental school in the U.S. offers affordable care provided by dental students who are overseen by experienced, qualified teachers. You can expect to pay as little as a third of what a traditional dentist would charge and still receive excellent, wellsupervised care. And for low-cost teeth cleanings, check with local colleges that offer dental hygiene programs. For training purposes, many programs provide teeth cleanings by their students for a fraction of what you’d pay at a dentists office. To locate dental schools or dental hygiene programs in your area visit www.ada.org/267.aspx.

Dear Frank, Very few U.S. retirees have dental insurance today. Without coverage from traditional Medicare, and with private dental insurance typically costing too much to be feasible, most seniors are stuck paying full out-ofpocket prices every time they visit a dentist. While there’s no one simple solution to affordable dental care there are a variety of options that can help cut your costs. Here’s what you should know. Dental Discounts

One way you may be able to trim your dental care cost is by simply asking your dentist for a senior discount, especially if you’re paying up front. Out-of-pocket payers save the dentist office the cost and hassle of filing an insurance claim, so asking for a small 10 percent discount is not unreasonable. Another cost-effective way to reduce your dental expenses is to join a dental discount network. How this works is you pay an annual membership fee — roughly $80 to $200 a year — in exchange for 15 to 50 percent discounts on service and treatments from participating dentists. To find a network, go to dentalplans. com (or call 888-632-5353) where you can search for plans and participating dentists by zip code, as well as get a breakdown of the discounts offered. Brighter (866-893-1694), which launched in May in all states except Florida, Montana and Vermont, is another discounted dental service to check out. It gives subscribers access to a network of 25,000 dentists offering 20 to 60 percent discounts on cleanings, crowns, implants, root canals and other procedures. You can sign up for a free one-month plan or opt for the premium plan, which costs $79 per year for

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If you’re strapped for cash there are other resources that provide dental care to seniors at a reduced rate or for free. Here’s where to look: • Health centers: Federally-funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), there are thousands of health centers around the U.S., many of which provide discounted or free dental care to people based on financial need. To find a center near you visit findahealthcenter. hrsa.gov or call 877-464-4772. • Local services: There are a few states, as well as some local programs or clinics that offer discounted dental care to those with limited means. To find out what may be available in your area, check with your state dental director (see astdd.org for contact information), or your state or local dental society (see ada.org/ statelocalorg.aspx). • Dental Life Network: Offers several programs that provide free dental care for elderly and disabled people who can’t afford to pay. To learn more or to apply for care in your state, visit nfdh.org or call 888-471-6334.

Savvy Tip

The best way to keep your dental costs down is through prevention and good oral hygiene. So remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste, floss daily and get routine checkups every six months or at least once a year.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. October 2012 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 25

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Preference given for disabled veterans Page 26

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Octoberr 2012

By Deborah Banikowski, District Manager in Syracuse.

Disabled? Apply For Social Security Benefits From Home

f your disabling condition makes Another way we speed up it hard for you to drive or arrange decisions is with our Quick Disability transportation to your local Social Determinations initiative, which Security office, we have some good uses technology to identify news. You can complete and applicants who have the submit your application for most severe disabilities and Social Security disability allows us to expedite our benefits from your own home decisions on those cases. computer. Get started at www. Read more about Quick socialsecurity.gov/disability. Disability Determinations at The application process www.socialsecurity.gov/ involves determining 1) disabilityresearch/qdd.htm. whether you have sufficient There are things you work to be eligible for Social can do to help speed up Security; 2) the severity of your the decision process, too. medical condition; and 3) your The more information you Banikowski ability to work. provide up front, the less time Because we carefully review so it will take us to obtain the evidence many cases — more than 3 million we need — and the faster we can each year — it can take us three to five process your application. The types of months to determine whether you are information we need include: eligible to receive benefits. • medical records or The amount of time it takes to documentation you have; we can make make a decision on your application copies of your records and return your can vary depending on a number of originals; factors, such as: • the names, addresses, and phone • the nature of your disability; numbers for any doctors, hospitals, • how quickly we obtain medical medical facilities, treatment centers, evidence from your doctors, hospitals or providers related to your disabling or other medical sources; and condition; and • whether we need to send you • the names, addresses, and phone for a medical examination in order to numbers for recent employers and the obtain evidence to support your claim. dates worked for each employer. We do a number of things to We also ask you to sign release speed up the process when we can. forms that give us permission to obtain For example, our Compassionate the information needed from third Allowances initiative allows us to parties to make a decision on your fast-track certain cases of individuals claim. with very severe disabilities such The best place to start is online as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability. (ALS). There are 165 different types Select “Disability Starter Kits” in of disabilities that qualify for this the left column. There, you’ll find expedited decision, and that list important information to help you with continues to expand. Learn more about your application. Compassionate Allowances at www. If you’re not able to work due to socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallo a disability, apply online for Social wances. Security disability benefits at www. socialsecurity.gov/disability.

Q&A

Q: I’m doing more things online, including shopping and paying bills. What are some things I can do at www.socialsecurity.gov? A: Perhaps the most important thing you can do is to take a look at your Social Security Statement, which allows you to check your earnings record and get an estimate of your future benefits. Revisit your statement annually, around your birthday for example. If you’re ready to apply for benefits, you can do that online as well. Applying for Social Security retirement benefits online can take as little as 15 minutes. Once you’ve submitted your electronic applications, in most cases, you’re done! Also online, you can find more than 100 publications with information about Social Security and its programs. Most of these

publications are in Spanish, and some of the most popular are available in 14 other languages. You also can estimate your future retirement benefit using our Retirement Estimator, which allows you to get personalized estimates based on different retirement ages and scenarios. The possibilities are endless at www.socialsecurity.gov Q: I’ve decided I want to retire. Now what do I do? A: The fastest and easiest way to apply for retirement benefits is to go to www.socialsecurity.gov/onlineservices. Use our online application to apply for Social Security retirement or spouses benefits. To do so, you must: • Be at least 61 years and 9 months old; • Want to start your benefits in the next four months; and • Live in the United States or one of its commonwealths or territories.

H ealth News Patrick Facteau is now CFO Parish Health Center has new physician at Auburn Community Patrick Facteau has joined Auburn Community Hospital as chief financial officer (CFO). As the CFO he will oversee the financial operations of the hospital and all of its departments. He is responsible for planning, developing, recommending, implementing and coordinating sound, effective fiscal policy and programs. Facteau earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting at SUNY Plattsburgh. He has been a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Facteau Association for over 25 years. Prior to joining Auburn Community Hospital, Facteau was employed as the chief financial officer for 22 years at Adirondack Health in Saranac Lake New York. “I am very pleased to have Patrick Facteau join the staff at Auburn Community Hospital,” said Scott A. Berlucchi, the hospital’s CEO. “His 32-year career of progressive hospital financial and operational experience will be a real asset to ensuring the long-term financial future of Auburn Community Hospital, “ Facteau and his wife, Darlene, have relocated to Auburn from Tupper Lake.

Larry Webb appointed facilities manager at SCHC Larry Webb has been appointed as facilities manager at Syracuse Community Health Center, Inc. in Syracuse. Webb began his career with Syracuse Community Health Center, Inc. in April 1991. Additionally, he is a minister and has been a resident of the city of Syracuse since 1988. In his new role, he will have the responsibility of ensuring the maintenance, housekeeping, grounds, and repairs to the health center’s facilities. He will also be in charge of the maintenance of occupational and health safety standards, security, and regulatory accreditation and organizational compliance. According to a Webb news release, Webb’s appointment demonstrates Syracuse Community Health Center, Inc.’s commitment to retaining and recruiting highly qualified individuals who are committed to excellence and the highest quality of care for our patients. For more than 30 years, SCHC has provided high quality health care services in Syracuse and its surrounding neighborhoods for families who might not otherwise have access to medical services.

Physician Ana Borge-Janania has recently recently joined the staff of the Parish Health Services Center. BorgeJanania, whose expertise is in family medicine, earned her medical degree from the University of Nicaragua and fulfilled her family practice internship at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in Jamaica, N. Y. She completed her residency at the University of Massachusetts Fitchburg Family Practice residency program, which is one of the top 10 academic centers for Borge-Janania primary care, according to Oswego Health. Borge-Janania has provided family care at Community Health Connections in Leominster, Mass., and at the University of Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital. “I enjoy family medicine,” said Borge-Janania. “I like to get to know the entire family and provide a continuum of care. This specialty gives me the opportunity to follow my patients from childhood through adolescence and as they become adults,” Borge-Janania said.

Zavilyansky joins North Medical Family Physicians Physician Sergey Zavilyansky has recently joined the North Medical Family Physicians at North Medical Center in Liverpool. The practice is part of St. Joseph’s Medical, P.C., DBA North Medical, an affiliate of St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. Zavilyansky is certified by the American Board of Family Practice. Prior to joining North Medical Family Physicians, Zavilyansky spent nearly 20 years working as a physician at hospitals and private practices throughout New York. Most recently, Zavilyansky worked at Lourdes Hospital, a walk-in clinic located in Binghamton. He also worked as chief of the Zavilyansky medical unit at the Addiction Research and Treatment Corporation in Brooklyn. Zavilyansky’s areas of expertise include geriatrics and long-term care, dermatology, men’s health, and addiction medicine. In his spare time, Zavilyansky enjoys swimming, traveling, and being outdoors. Zavilyansky received his medical degree at the Lvov State Medical School in Lvov, Ukraine, graduating in 1979. He completed two residencies, one in urology at Kiev Institute of Urology in Kiev, Ukraine, and his second in family practice at Wyckoff Medical Center in Brooklyn.

Upstate doc elected leader of plastic surgery group Plastic surgeon Robert M. Kellman of Fayetteville has been elected president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), the world’s largest specialty association for facial plastic surgery. Kellman brings 35 years of experience to the academy and takes on this new leadership role alongside his position as professor and chairman of the department of otolaryngology and communication sciences at Upstate Medical University. “I am very pleased to have been chosen to lead the AAFPRS at such an exciting and opportune time,” said Kellman. “My colleagues and I have much to share as discoveries and advancements in our field continue to evolve. With more than 2,700 esteemed members, the AAFPRS serves as an enabler and a testament that more breakthroughs are forthcoming.” Kellman served as a vice president and then as secretary of the AAFPRS from 2001 to 2010. He has been affiliated with other national and international medical organizations, including the AO Foundation, the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and the Upstate New York Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. He is part of a Kellman panel of surgeons

New professionals join Heritage Family Medicine Heritage Family Medicine, an affiliate of St. Joseph’s Physician Health, PC, announced the addition of two health professional to the practice: • Karen Bertrand received her doctorate of medicine from SUNY Upstate Medical University, graduating in 2006. She completed her residency in family medicine at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. Her areas of interest include geriatrics, women’s health and fitness. Before beginning her doctorate degree, Bertrand worked as a certified nursing assistant at Highlands Living Center in Pittsford, near Rochester. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and Challenger Continuing Medical Education. In her spare time, Bertrand is an avid triathlete. She and her family reside in Manlius Bertrand • Raymond (Jack) October 2012 •

looking to provide evidence-based evaluations of new techniques. “I strongly believe in interspecialty cooperation. In my work with facial trauma, and cancers of the head and neck, I know that patients deal with an emotional and physical impact simultaneously and are forced to make quick decisions. We want to help patients make their medical decisions based on meaningful, substantive data.” Kellman, who has served on numerous committees at Upstate Medical University, has authored, co-authored, and edited more than 120 publications. He has been seated on several editorial boards, such as the Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery, and Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of NA. He is a reviewer for multiple publications, including the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Journal of Trauma. Kellman is dual-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The AAFPRS educates medical professionals, government and the general public about facial plastic surgery as a specialty that requires intensive training and competence, embodies high ethical standards, artistic ideals, commitment to humanitarian service and a desire to enhance the quality of human life.

Cymerman has spent the past 30 years of his career providing care to others. Cymerman joins the practice after working at several area hospitals, including St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, Community Memorial Hospital and Bassett Hospital Health Cymerman Center. He attended George Washington University and graduated from the physician assistant program in 1976. Additionally, Cymerman specializes in emergency, urgent care and family medicine. Cymerman is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the New York State Society of Physician Assistants, and the Society of Emergency Medicine Physician Assistants. In 2008 Mr. Cymerman was honored with the award for Physician Assistant of the Year by the New York State Society of Physician Assistants. Cymerman is an adjunct professor with a number of physician assistant programs and has been invited to guest lecture at many conferences. He currently resides in Hamilton.

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H ealth News Mullin promoted to senior VP at Laboratory Alliance Anne Marie Mullin, vice president of business development and marketing for Laboratory Alliance of Central New York, has been named senior vice president at the company. Mullin reports to company CEO and medical director Michael R. O’Leary. In addition to business development and marketing responsibilities, she now oversees the human resources, operations and information systems departments. Mullin joined Laboratory Alliance when the company was founded in 1998. The Baldwinsville resident is active on the boards of several local not-forprofit organizations. Laboratory Alliance provides clinical and anatomic pathology testing services and performed nearly 10 million medical tests last year. Laboratory Alliance employs more than 435 Central New Yorkers and operates four laboratories and Mullin 10 patient service cen-

ters in Onondaga, Oswego and Madison counties.

Paul Klawitter joins Crouse’s medical staff Paul Klawitter has joined the medical staff of Crouse Hospital. Most recently with Ithaca Orthopedic Group, Klawitter has nearly 20 years experience in the medical field and is board certified in primary care sports medicine and emergency medicine. Klawitter will oversee the development of a comprehensive concussion care management program, which will be a key element of the hospital’s new sports medicine focus. Klawitter’s sports medicine interests include musculoskeletal care, concussion management, musculoskeletal ultrasound and ultrasound guided injections, exercise physiology and return-to-play decisions. Klawitter earned his medical degree from SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse, where he Klawitter

completed his residency in emergency medicine. He earned a doctorate in biophysics from Ohio State University, where his research included the study of the role of free radicals in muscle fatigue. He completed his primary care sports medicine fellowship at SUNY Buffalo. While there, he was assistant team physician for all of the SUNY Buffalo sports teams. During his tenure with Ithaca Orthopaedic Group, he served as team physician for the Cornell men’s soccer team. Klawitter is a diplomate of the American Board of Emergency Medicine and holds a certificate of advanced qualification in primary sports medicine from the American Board of Family Medicine. He is a member of the American Medical Society of Sports Medicine.

Fidelis Care at Home expands to more counties Fidelis Care, the New York State Catholic Health Plan, announced that it has received approval to expand its Fidelis Care at Home Managed Long-Term Care program to serve an additional 39 counties, bringing the total number of counties served to 50

Ruth Colvin, Marilyn Pinsky, Kinney Drugs Honored at Eldercare Event Ruth Colvin, Kinney Drugs, and Marilyn Pinsky recently received 2012 Eldercare Appreciation Awards given by The Eldercare Foundation. “We are excited to continue our tradition of recognizing exemplary organizations and individuals in Central New York who have made a difference through their work, volunteerism, or service to older Americans,” states Sandra H. Martin, president. • Eldercare Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an older adult whose lifelong work, Colvin personal advocacy efforts, or community volunteerism, has been significant and noteworthy. 2012 Honoree: Ruth Colvin, the founder of Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc., a national, nonprofit, educational organization created to help combat illiteracy in the United States. Since 1962, she and her husband, Bob, have traveled all over the United States and the world, presenting workshops on basic literacy (BL) and English to speakers of other languages (ESOL). The recipient of nine honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degrees, Colvin also received President Reagan’s Volunteer Action Award (1987) and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2006). She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1993. Mrs. Colvin has authored

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several books on literacy and English as a second language, and she continues to actively participate in the fight against illiteracy today. • Eldercare Corporate Champion Award is presented to an organization whose product or service has made an outstanding contribution to older Americans in Central New York or nationally. 2012 Honoree: Kinney Drugs, Inc. is a leading community pharmacy and retail business. Founded in 1903 by Burt Orrin Kinney, the company has grown into a network of 94 drug stores located throughout the states of New York and Vermont. An employee-owned company headquartered in Upstate New York, Kinney Drugs has a long tradition of supporting corporate programs that aid aging individuals within our communities. The company’s HealthDirect Institutional Pharmacy Services program (HDIPS) provides quality, specialized pharmaceutical services to Pinsky skilled and assisted-living facilities across its service area, while its ReadyScripts program automatically refills and delivers prescription medications to private citizens, resulting in healthier individuals. Kinney Drugs further supports the communities it serves by coordinat-

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Octoberr 2012

ing a variety of initiatives to benefit those communities including immunization clinics, medicine collection days, and support of local charitable fundraisers. • Eldercare Accomplished Professional Award is presented to an individual whose professional work and career have contributed to the well-being of older individuals. 2012 Honoree: Marilyn Pinsky is the former commissioner of the Onondaga County Department of Aging and Youth, the current NYS President of AARP and a longtime columnist covering aging issues for local publications. Throughout her career, Pinsky has proven to be a tireless advocate for issues affecting older individuals. During her active career, she has lent counsel to the boards and committees of numerous organizations, including both the United Ways of CNY and NYS, the NYS Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Sage Upstate, the CityCounty Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission, Francis House and the NYS Advisory Council of Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities, Her influence has also been felt at the national level when, in 1995 and 2005, she served as a congressional delegate to the White House Conferences on Aging.

statewide. In Central New York, Fidelis Care at Home is now available in Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Herkimer, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Tioga, and Tompkins counties. Fidelis Care at Home is an innovative program aligned with initiatives proposed by the New York State Medicaid Redesign Team to provide cost-effective, in-home care to individuals with chronic illness or disability. Managed long-term care programs recognize that many individuals are no longer able to live on their own without assistance and are in need of nursing home level of care. These individuals, however, are capable of remaining in their homes if they are provided with a flexible care plan that is tailored to their specific needs, and is overseen by a nurse care manager. In addition to the independence and dignity this approach provides, managed long-term care may provide cost savings when compared to full-time nursing home care. Key services provided through Fidelis Care at Home include in-home nursing and health aide; physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and medical social services in and out of the home; adult day health care or social day care; durable medical equipment and supplies; prosthetics and orthotics; podiatry, dental, audiology, and optometry services; nutrition care including home-delivered meals; and non-emergency transportation. Members are also eligible for nursing home care if subsequently needed.

St. Joe’s: cardiac surgery team among best in nation St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center’s cardiac surgeons earned the highest rating, three out of three stars, in the Society for Thoracic Surgeons National Database. Established in 1989 as an initiative for quality improvement and patient safety, the STS Database ratings are published in the September issue of Consumer Reports. “Patient safety and quality of care is of utmost importance to our cardiac surgery team,” said Randy Green, cardiac surgeon and medical director for the cardiac surgery service line for St. Joseph’s. “We strive to be the best we can be for our patients and we’re proud to earn the highest ranking from this prestigious organization.” According to the hospital, high quality care is the hallmark of St. Joseph’s cardiac surgery program. The surgeons have been five-star rated by HealthGrades for treatment of heart attack for the past three years, and five star rated for valve surgery this year. In addition, the team often is among the top five cardiac surgery teams in New York state for excellent outcomes. A news release states that St. Joseph’s cardiac surgery program is continuing to lead the way in new procedures and technologies. It performed the first transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure in CNY in August. A less invasive alternative to open heart valve replacement surgery, TAVR offers hope for patients who otherwise are too weak or sick to undergo open heart surgery. The team also continues to use the daVinci surgical robot for some of its valve procedures.

Egg Yolks: Good or Not? By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

f it seems that the healthfulness of egg yolks is confirmed by some news stories and denied by others, you’re right. Some people shun eggs altogether, fearing high cholesterol; others say the whole egg — both yolk and white — are good together. Still others pitch the “evil” yolks and stick with the virtuous, protein-packed whites. Conflicting stories can make eating healthful confusing, but area experts cleared the air with some dietary common sense. Beth Smythe, registered dietitian with the New York State Dietetic Association in Syracuse, said that eggs aren’t a dietary bomb. “Despite all the myths out there, eggs are a food that is not as high in cholesterol as once people thought,” she said. “Most adults can have up to one egg per day. If someone has high cholesterol, they can have no more than four yolks in a week.” The reason many people fear eating eggs is because of the cholesterol they contain. Caputo The average person should consume no more than 300 mg. of cholesterol per day. Since one egg has 185 mg., it can fit into a healthful diet, providing the diet is not already

ver heard of Juneberries? Also known as saskatoons, the deep, blue-colored fruit is a native in Canada, but has been making inroads in Michigan and is slated to appear at New York farm markets as soon as July 2013. Cornell University’s juneberry site — www.junberries.org — states that the small fruit’s nutrition rivals and in some cases exceeds that of blueberries, all in a fruit that tastes somewhat like black cherries and stands up well to handling (unlike some kinds of berries). Cornell states that a serving of juneberries provides 23 percent of the recommended dietary allowance for iron (twice as much as blueberries). They also contain twice as much potassium as blueberries and offer large amounts of minerals magnesium and phosphorus. They match blueberries in riboflavin, pantothenic acid, folate and vitamins B-6, A, E, and C. It is thought that Native Americans used juneberries medicinally. Though she has not had a chance to try juneberries yet, Julie Mellen, registered dietitian with SUNY Upstate said they have “sparked my interest.” Of course, dietitians always tell people to eat more fruits and vegetables, so a “new” fruit is good news, since juneberries’ novelty alone can encourage more produce consumption. And juneberries are no slouch nutritionally. “They are nutrient dense and rich

overloaded with cholesterol from others sources. Smythe pointed out that eggs are high in protein and contain choline, an anti-oxidant linked to proper brain function and proper brain development in fetuses. These properties make eggs a nutritious part of one’s diet for only 70 calories per one-egg serving. Since they cost mere pennies apiece, eggs are pretty cheap, too. “Eggs are a big bang for your buck protein source,” Smythe said. “In this economy, we need to teach people how to eat nutritiously and well.” Some studies show that eating eggs can help increase HDL, the “good” cholesterol. But don’t overdo it. “Eggs are also rich in protein, essential fatty acids (DHA), vitamins A, E, D and K, and selenium, which helps antioxidants work in the body,” said Julie Mellen, registered dietitian with SUNY Upstate. Cholesterol may have received more Mellen bad press than what it really warrants. “It is important to note that dietary cholesterol in food has a much smaller effect on blood lipid levels than total fat intake,” Mellen said. “Also, it is important to pay attention to what is served

with the eggs when looking at your overall diet. An egg served with whole grain toast and fresh fruit or made into a vegetable omelet is far healthier than an egg served with bacon, home-fries and white toast.”

Ronald Caputo, cardiologist with St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, agrees that eggs offer quite a bit of nutrition. “Egg whites are excellent source of protein and low in fat,” he said. “Whole eggs Smythe are high in fat but like everything else: moderation. A couple eggs twice a week is OK for most people.” If you enjoy an occasional egg, continue to do so, providing your overall cholesterol intake doesn’t prohibit it. If you’d like more than one per day, or if you need to control cholesterol,

New Super Food

Juneberries Juneberries are expected to be a popular fruit when it they are available in New York starting next year. Cornell experts say the fruit’s nutrition rivals, and in some cases exceeds, that of blueberries. By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant in iron, anthocyanins [an antioxidant], potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and vitamin C,” Mellen said. So why are these nutrients so important for your daily diet? Matthew Kertesz, registered dietitian and owner of Your Health Your Choice in Syracuse, said, “All these nutrients are essential for good health and specifically with [juneberries’] rich source of iron could benefit those looking to supplement their diet during pregnancy, eating a vegetarian/vegan diet or with specific conditions like anemia [iron deficiency].” What’s more, their versatility can make them a part of nearly any meal by mixing them into muffin, cookie or

pancake batter, drying them like raisins or making them into jam or syrup, as Mellen suggested. Kertesz recommended mixing juneberries into smoothies. Though juneberries’ nutritional profile sounds fantastic, keep in mind that different people need different amounts of nutrients. For example, women typically need more iron than men, so the figure of “23 percent of the recommended dietary allowance” may not be true for some. Jim Ochterski, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County in Canandaigua started a project two years ago that will help increase juneberries’ popularity in New York. “We want to introduce juneberries October 2012 •

use only one yolk in the omelet or scrambled eggs but use two whites, for example. Eggs’ shell color makes no difference in their nutritional value. It only indicates the variety of chicken that laid it. As for the nutrition of free-range, pesticide-free eggs vs. the chicken farm eggs typically found in stores, consumers should weigh the safety risks inherent to free-range eggs compared with the possibility of diminished nutritional value because of the limited and sometimes artificial diet of caged chickens.

to producers,” Ochterski said. He added that area consumers and chefs have been asking about juneberries at stores and farm markets because of juneberries’ superlative nutrition, but since the berries have not been previously grown in New York, Cornell is working with fruit farms in Ontario, Wayne, Seneca, Cayuga, Oswego, Broome, Orleans, Monroe and a few other counties to establish juneberries. Since it takes about three years from planting to a viable harvest, the ongoing project has tested the patience of area chefs and consumers who want the nutritious berries. In addition to their excellent nutrition, juneberries also play an important role in bridging the gap between June strawberries and mid-July raspberry crops, so more people will keep eating fresh fruit all summer. “It is important to increase nutrient-packed foods to provide substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals without being calorie dense,” Kertesz said. “Many Americans fill their day with high energy, low-nutrient foods, like sodas and processed white flour food items. These foods not only put you at risk for weight gain but also undernourished according to the American Guidelines for 2010. “Consuming these nutrient-packed foods will help in keeping you stay healthy and preventing serious medical conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.”

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Laboratory Alliance Offers Phlebotomist Training Program

aboratory Alliance of Central New York recently announced a new training and education program to become a skilled phlebotomist

designed to recruit friendly, confident professionals to the company. A shortage of laboratory professionals in Central New York has led the growing

medical laboratory to take the initiative to add phlebotomist training to its existing education program. In addition to the education, a $2,000 sign-on bonus, competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package are offered to new recruits. Friendly people are required for this patient-focused profession. In addition to a cheerful attitude, a high

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Octoberr 2012

school diploma and valid driver’s license are required to participate in the program. “As we expand and open more patient service centers in Central New York, we have openings for phlebotomists at each of these new centers,” said Barb Guiffrida, vice president for human resources. “A few years ago we addressed the shortage of medical technologists by starting an education program that trains skilled workers over a two-year period. The phlebotomist program compensates the trainees while offering an education Laboratory Alliance operates 10 patient service centers in Onondaga County and will open at two new locations by the end of the year. The newest center opened in July in Syracuse on the corner of Madison Street and Irving Avenue near the hospitals and Syracuse University. In addition to new recruits, experienced professional phlebotomists are always on hand at Laboratory Alliance’s patient service centers. One of the company’s 48 couriers transport lab specimens to the main laboratory located on Electronics Parkway in Liverpool. Now in its 15th year, Laboratory Alliance provides clinical and anatomic pathology testing services and performed nearly 10 million medical tests last year. Laboratory Alliance employs 435 Central New Yorkers. For more information, visit www. laboratoryalliance.com or contact the customer service department at 4613008. To learn more about careers at Laboratory Alliance, click on the “Employment” link at www.laboratoryalliance.com.

Oswego Hospital’s New ER Staff Members Bring Critical Care Experiences Oswego Hospital’s emergency room has hired five experienced registered nurses along with other staff to complement the care already provided by the department. “The ER staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ready to provide exceptional care to our patients and I am happy to welcome these new employees to our team,” said Steve Olson, Oswego Hospital’s emergency room clinical nurse manager. “These new staff members have experience in providing care in a variety of critical care clinical settings. Not only do they possess great clinical skills, but they are also very compassionate caregivers.” Among the new staff members is Shannon Strong, a registered nurse who worked for seven years in the cardiac unit at University Hospital; Erica Peterson, another registered nurse who recently relocated to the area from Kalamazoo, Mich., where she provided care on the oncology floor of Bronson Methodist Hospital; Julie Rice, a registered nurse who worked in the ER of Crouse Hospital; Kellie White, a registered nurse who was also employed at Crouse Hospital on a medical/surgical floor, and Miles Williams, RN, worked as a nursing supervisor in a rehabilitation facility.

October 2012 •

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he Women’s Wellness Place A Personal and Caring Obstetrics and Gynecology Practice, By Women For Women. Dr. Kratzert, our founder, is a Board Certiﬁed Obstetrician / Gynecologist. She provides comprehensive gynecologic care for women of all ages. Areas of interest include treatment of abnormal uterine Kristen J. Kratzert bleeding, hormonal MD, FACOG issues, osteoporosis, nonsurgical treatment of incontinence, pelvic pain, painful intercourse, and bio-identical hormones. Dr. Kratzert has spent years researching the value of supplements for the treatment of symptoms related to PMS and menopause, and the effect on cardiac and bone health, energy, wellness and sexual dysfunction. The result is a line of natural supplements formulated exclusively for The Woman’s Wellness Place.

Dr. Dalpe is a Board Certiﬁed Obstetrician / Gynecologist who has been with this practice since 2003. She is an experienced and compassionate obstetrical provider who will help guide Channell E. Dalpe you though every MD, FACOG step of this unique time in your life. If needed, Dr. Dalpe will help you with basic infertility testing and treatments, understanding that the issues surrounding infertility are often complex and emotional. Dr. Dalpe also provides gynecological care throughout a woman’s lifetime, from adolescence through menopause. Areas of interest in addition to obstetrics include contraceptive management, dysfunctional bleeding issues, and adolescent medicine.

Dr. Weinstein is a Board Certiﬁed Obstetrician / Gynecologist who has been in practice for the last 10 years in the greater New York City area. A native of Syracuse, she returned to the area in 2010. Dr. Melissa A. Weinstein Dr. Weinstein is DO, FACOG an authority and provider of bioidentical hormones for peri-menopausal and menopausal women. She offers weight loss programs to peri-menopausal women that have gained weight due to insulin resistance. She is also considered an expert on Vaginal Birth After Cesarean, a topic on which she has been interviewed in the media many times. Dr. Weinstein enjoys the continuity of care that she can provide to women throughout their lifetime.

Annemarie Dixe is a Certiﬁed Family Nurse Practitioner. She has been in practice for 18 years in CNY specializing in Obstetrics & Gynecology. She brings with her 10 years as a Labor and Delivery Nurse. Annemarie Annemarie Dixe RN, cares for adolesFNPC cents as well as the elderly, allowing her to care for her patients almost their entire life. Annemarie sees patients, not only for routine OB/GYN issues, but also more complex issues. She specializes in young adults and performs many OB/GYN procedures right in the ofﬁce. She also provides expertise in the areas of weight loss and urinary incontinence.

Michelle Heater has been an integral part of The Women’s Wellness Place for ten years now. Michelle is an xray technologist certiﬁed in bone densitometry. A bone density test, or densitometry, Michelle Heater determines RT, (R)(M)(BD),CBDT whether you have osteoporosis or are at risk of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become fragile and more likely to break. In the past, osteoporosis could only be detected after you had broken a bone. Now a bone density test makes it possible for you to know your risk.

Christine Gorgana is our Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS). More than a registered sonographer, she has extensive education, training and more than 10 years experience in various types of ultrasound. In this office Christine Gordona she performs complete RDMS OB sonograms, Gynecological sonograms and 3D sonograms. Christine is in the final stages of completing her nuchal translucency certification, The nuchal translucency measurement is done on the first trimester fetus. Its is currently the most accurate non-invasive test for detecting Down Syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities.

Kristen J. Kratzert, MD, FACOG, Channell E. Dalpe, MD, FACOG, Dr. Melissa A. Weinstein – DO, FACOG, Annmarie Dixe RN, FNPC, Christine Gordona, RDMS, Michelle Heater, RT, (R)(M)(BD),CBDT

thewomenswellnessplace.com

739 Irving Avenue • Suite 300 • Syracuse • (315)478-1158 Conveniently located across the street from Crouse Hospital. Page 32

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Octoberr 2012