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

in good Snowboarding It’s fun and inexpensive but it can pose serious risks. Learn about a few things you can do to make it safer

All You Need to Know About NUTS Including how caloric they are

December 2012 • Issue 156

CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

Our Holiday Issue Controlling Your Diet Giving Healthy Gifts Spending Holidays Alone Winter Care

Meet Your Doctor Andreas Meier is the new chief of pediatric surgery at SUNY Upstate and Golisano Children’s Hospital. He talks about his new job, its challenges and rewards

Buffalo-Area Pharmacists Say No to Tobacco Sales in Pharmacies

Under new guidelines, you may not need so much of vitman D

FREE

Eat Healthy, Win a Bike or a Free Y Membership Innovative partnership links supermarket and health center to encourage healthier eating Customers of Nojaim Brothers Supermarket in Syracuse’s Near West Side will be rewarded with free bikes and membership at the YMCA if they keep a healthy diet. A new program being developed by the grocery store and the nearby Westside Family Health Center (helped by Syracuse University’s Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion) will keep track of what they buy and will issue rewards if customers buy healthy products. December 2012 •

New Boss at Community General

The new chief administrative officer at the Upstate University Hospital’s Community Campus is young, attractive and has vast experience in hospital turnarounds. The marathon runner lives in Baldwinsville and was recently recognized in Syracuse’s “40 Under Forty.”

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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I had a choice

HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS WANTED SUNY upstate Medical university is seeking healthy volunteers, ages 18-45 to participate in a research study to help evaluate a vaccine for Dengue fever, a disease that affects many parts of the developing world and parts of the united States. Your participation in a research study for an investigational vaccine could help beneﬁt millions of people. The study will last about four months and include 13-15 visits. Participants will receive all study-related exams at no cost and compensation up to $650. for time and participation.

Please Call 315-459-3031 or e-mail trials@upstate.edu for further information Page 2

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

Nearly 80 Million Americans Won’t Need Vitamin D Supplements New guidelines show many won’t need extra vitamin D

early 80 million Americans would no longer need to take vitamin D supplements under new Institute of Medicine guidelines, according to a study by Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine researchers. Results were published Oct. 24 in the journal PLOS ONE. The new guidelines advise that almost all people get sufficient vitamin D when their blood levels are at or above 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/ml). Older guidelines said people needed vitamin D levels above 30 ng/ml. Physician Holly Kramer and colleagues examined data from 15,099 non-institutionalized adults who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES III). The sample included 1,097 adults who had chronic kidney disease, which has been linked to low vitamin D levels. In the survey population, 70.5 percent of adults with healthy kidneys had vitamin D blood levels that would be considered insufficient under the older guidelines. But under the newer Institute of Medicine guidelines, only 30.3 percent of these adults had insufficient vitamin D levels. Among adults with chronic kidney disease, 76.5 percent had insufficient vitamin D under the older guidelines, while only 35.4 percent had insufficient

levels under the Institute of Medicine guidelines. Because NHANES III is a representative sample, researchers were able to extrapolate results to the general population. Kramer and colleagues estimate that a total of 78.7 million adults considered to have insufficient vitamin D levels under the older guidelines would now have sufficient levels under the Institute of Medicine guidelines. “The new guidelines have an impact on a large proportion of the population,” Kramer said. The Institute of Medicine guidelines are based on nearly 1,000 published studies and testimony from scientists and other experts. The Institute of Medicine committee found that vitamin D is essential to avoid poor bone health, such as rickets. But there have been conflicting and mixed results in studies on whether vitamin D can also protect against cancer, heart disease, autoimmune diseases and diabetes, the Institute of Medicine committee found. Moreover, excessive vitamin D can damage the kidneys and heart, the committee reported. However, the Institute of Medicine guidelines are controversial. For example, the Endocrine Society continues to endorse the older guidelines. Kramer said that people who are confused about how much vitamin D they need should consult with their doctors.

Internet Searches Reveal Time of Peak Allergy Suffering

nternet searches may reveal when allergy suffering in the United States is at its worst, a new study suggests. The results show searches for allergy symptoms such as “sneezing” and “itchy nose,” peak during the second week in May. This may be because allergy sufferers are experiencing both spring and summer allergy symptoms during this time, said study researcher Leonard Bielory, an allergist in New Jersey. Bielory analyzed information from Google between 2004 and 2011, looking at the number of searches for informa-

tion on the symptoms of nasal allergies, eye allergies, and hay fever. He compared the number of searches with pollen counts. Searches for nasal allergies peaked between March and May, followed by searchers for eye allergies in May. Eye allergy searches were associated with the pollen counts of certain trees in the second week of May. There was also a second peak in searchers for allergy symptoms in September that was linked with an increase in weed pollen and grass pollen season, Bielory said.

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.

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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

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, Ken Sturtz, Diane Seib, Aaron Gifford • 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.

Upstate University Hospital - Downtown and Community campuses Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital I www.upstate.edu/jobs December 2012 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Have an idea for a feature story in In Good Health. Email it to the editor at “editor@cnyhealth.com”

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HEALTH EVENTS

Dec. 1

Breakfast with Santa to beneﬁt nursing school The public is invited to attend Breakfast With Santa at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Carnegie Conference Center, located at Driver’s Village, 5885 E. Circle Drive, Cicero. The event will benefit St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center’s College of Nursing. Children may participate in a number of activities, including cookie decorating, ornament making, face painting, and writing of letters to Santa. There will also be photos with Santa available for purchase. Each child who attends will receive a small gift. Ticket prices are $8.50 for children (aged 3-10 years) and $12.50 for adults. Call 448-5303 or email Connie.Semel@sjhsyr.org for more information.

Dec. 2

Meeting to help those who have lost a loved one

If you or someone you love is unable to shop for or prepare their own meals, contact Meals On Wheels.

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Hope for Bereaved, a nonprofit organization based in Syracuse, will host a program on how to cope with the holidays after the loss of a loved one. The event will be held at the Thomas J. Pirro Jr. Funeral Home in North Syracuse Dec. 2 from 5 – 7 p.m. The organization was started by local resident Therese Schoeneck in 1978 after she lost her 21-year-old daughter who died in a car accident. The organization helps those who have lost a loved one by offering suggestions for coping with grief at the holidays provided. For more information call 315-475-9673 or go to www.hopeforbereaved.com.

Dec. 4

St. Joseph’s hosts free seminar on knee injuries St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center will host a free informational session on “Knee Ligament & Cartilage Injuries: What Treatment & Rehabilitation Options are Available?” at 6 p.m. Dec. 4, at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center’s DeFuria Conference Room, off the main lobby of the hospital, located at 301 Prospect Ave. in Syracuse Free parking is available in the Medical Office Center parking garage. Board-certified orthopedic surgeons Glenn Axelrod and L. Ryan Smart will explain the most common causes of knee ligament and cartilage injuries, discuss symptoms and effects of these injuries and explain treatment and rehabilitation options. To register, call 315-744-1244 or email community.programs@sjhsyr.org.

Dec. 5

AIDS group sponsors holiday open house The public is invited to attend a holiday open house at AIDS Community Resources CNY headquarters at 627 West Genesee St. in Syracuse. The event runs from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5, ACR has added or expanded programs that help people living with HIV/AIDS; programs that Page 4

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

prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases; and additions like the syringe exchange program, the community food pantry, and community health advocates that are available to the community at large. Refreshments and a tour of our headquarters will be provided.

Dec. 6

Conference to focus on elder abuse in E. Syracuse “Elder Abuse: You Can Make a Difference” is the name of the 15th annual elder abuse conference organized by nonprofit Vera House, Inc. in Syracuse that will bring a series of workshops focusing on the issue. This year’s featured keynote speaker is John Balloni, chief and administrative chief at Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office. He will speak on “Forging a New Collaborative Path: Elder Abuse and The Justice System.” NYS Senator David Valesky, chairman of the NYS Senate Committee on Aging, will also be attending and sharing a few words. In addition, there are four scheduled breakout sessions featuring nine different workshop options and 20 resource table vendors will share information. Fee is $40 and includes breakfast, lunch and snack. It will take place from 8 – 4 p.m,., Dec. 6, at DoubleTree Hotel 6301 State Route 298, East Syracuse. More information, call 425-0818 or email jhicks@verahouse.org

Dec. 6, 7

Poinsettia sale to be held at St. Joseph’s St. Joseph’s College of Nursing Alumni Association will hold a poinsettia sale at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center on Thursday, Dec. 6, and Friday, Dec. 7. The sale will take place in the hospital’s main lobby from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days. A variety of poinsettias, including red, pink, white and marble, will be for sale. The poinsettias are in 6 -inch pots and the cost is $10 each, $18 for two and $25 for three. Cash and checks will be accepted for payment. Pre-ordering is not necessary. For more information, call 448-5303 or email Connie.Semel@sjhsyr.org.

Dec. 11

Free seminar on weight loss surgery in Syracuse St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center will host a free informational session on “Weight Loss Surgery: When is it the Best Option?” at 6 p.m., Dec. 11, at St. Joseph’s Medical Officer Center, suite 809-810, located at 104 Union Ave. in Syracuse. Free parking is available in the medical office center parking garage. William Graber, a board-certified surgeon specializing in weight loss surgery, will explain what qualifies as obesity, how obesity affects health, when surgery is the best option and review what can be expected after surgery. Space is limited. To register, call St. Joseph’s at 315-744-1244 or e-mail community.programs@sjhsyr.org.

Buffalo-area pharmacists say no to tobacco sales in pharmacies

ore than 75 percent of Western New York pharmacists say tobacco sales in pharmacies should be legally banned, according to research conducted by Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) and the University at Buffalo (UB), published in “BMC Research Notes.” The study found that more than 86 percent of pharmacists surveyed would prefer to work in a pharmacy that does not sell tobacco products. The research, led by James Marshall, senior vce president for cancer prevention and population sciences at RPCI, evaluated the opinions of Western New York pharmacists about the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies and about their role in helping their patients to stop smoking. “The sale of tobacco products in pharmacies in any locality sends conflicting messages to consumers who visit pharmacies for medication or health products,” said Marshall. “Pharmacists, dedicated to protecting the health of their customers, recognize tobacco sales as contrary to their professional ethics. They would, in overwhelming numbers, prefer not to be selling cigarettes. This research will inform policymakers and elected officials as they consider regulations of tobacco sales in pharmacies.” The 2010 survey evaluated opinions of 148 pharmacy mentors from the UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (UBSoPPS) and 345 local supervising pharmacists. Participants were contacted by mail and email. The combined response rate for both surveys was 31 percent. The pharmacist’s role in assisting patients to stop smoking also was

evaluated. The survey found that more than 75 percent of pharmacists say they “sometimes” or “rarely/never” ask about tobacco use. The majority of pharmacists also indicate that they are not required to document tobacco use among patients or to enter such information into patient records. A striking finding is that pharmacy mentors were more likely than supervising pharmacists to be familiar with patients’ tobacco use and take steps to offer advice and information about how to quit smoking,” said Peter Brody Jr., director of experiential education at UBSoPPS. “It was also surprising that area pharmacists seemed not to take full advantage of the opportunity to educate and counsel patients regarding tobacco use. We need to better understand why and do what we can to help correct this issue.” “This research presents several interesting findings, including that the overwhelming majority of pharmacists would support legislation banning the sale of tobacco in pharmacies,” added Edward Bednarczyk, chairman of the department of pharmacy practice at UB. “Importantly, this study also shows a considerable gap between theory and practice, with a substantial majority of pharmacists finding the sale of tobacco in pharmacies inappropriate, but doing little to prevent the sale or engage patients regarding tobacco use and smoking cessation.” The study, “Tobacco Sales in Pharmacies: A Survey of Attitudes, Knowledge and Beliefs of Pharmacists Employed in Student Experiential and Other Worksites in Western New York,” can be accessed at www.biomedcentral. com/1756-0500/5/413/abstract.

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Heart-related deaths increase in winter regardless of climate Study: You’re more likely to die of heart-related issues in the winter

o matter what climate you live in, you’re more likely to die of heart-related issues in the winter, according to research presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2012. “This was surprising because climate was thought to be the primary determinant of seasonal variation in death rates,” said physician Bryan Schwartz, lead author of the study. Researchers at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles analyzed 200508 death certificate data from seven U.S. locations with different climates: Los Angeles County, Calif.; Texas; Arizona; Georgia; Washington; Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. In all areas, total and “circulatory” deaths rose an average 26 percent to 36 percent from the summer low to the winter peak over four years. Circulatory deaths include fatal heart attack, heart failure, cardiovascular disease and stroke. Seasonal patterns of total and cardiac deaths were very similar in the seven different climate patterns. Death rates at all sites clustered closely together and no one site was statistically

different from any other site. Researchers didn’t design the analysis to determine specific causes that might drive heart-related deaths up in winter. Schwartz hypothesized that colder weather might increase vessel constriction and raise blood pressure. “In addition, people generally don’t live as healthy in winter as they do in summer,” said Schwartz, now a cardiology fellow at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. “They don’t eat as well and don’t exercise as much.” However, “people should be extra aware that maintaining healthy behaviors is important in winter,” he said. Schwartz and Robert Kloner, senior author of the study, used statistical techniques to account for the normal year-to-year temperature differences over the four years. Then, they averaged the resulting four-year data into U-shaped curves for each site and compared them. The graphs showed significant similarities. For more information about cold weather and cardiovascular disease, visit heart.org/coldweather .

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Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Dr. Andreas Meier New chief of pediatric surgery at SUNY Upstate talks about his new position, why he moved to the U.S. and his efforts to expand the role played by his pediatric surgery group Q: Tell me about your background and how you came to your position as division chief of pediatric surgery at SUNY Upstate. A: I’m originally from Germany. I did my medical schooling in Munich. I graduated in 1990. I did 18 months of surgery in Germany and then I went to Stanford to do surgical research for two years. After that I did my general surgery there until 1999. I was on the faculty for one year. From 2002 to 2008 I was an attending and assistant professor of pediatric surgery at Penn State. And for the last four years I was the division chief of pediatric surgery and medical director of the surgical skills and research laboratory at the University of Southern Illinois. Q: How hard is the process of stepping into a recently vacated leadership role? A: Basically, the last four years I was in some form of leadership role and I was leading the surgical research lab, so it was pretty straightforward. The fact that I’m overseeing the OR is a little bit new, but I’d been involved in some of that in my previous position, so it wasn’t too hard. Q: In what ways does pediatric surgery differ from general surgery? A: The basic principle is that our patients are young. We’re not actually operating on anyone older than 16. The most important difference is that we’re dealing with newborns. Newborns have different surgical problems than adults. In the older kids, we see problems similar to adults like hernias and appendicitis, but in newborns we provide specialized surgery that adult surgeons generally wouldn’t tackle. But we do a lot of general surgery as well. One thing that we’re also doing is repairing chest wall anomalies like pectus excavatum, which is a situation where the chest isn’t formed correctly and is sunken in a bit.

your training will occur here. In Germany, it’s pretty much up to the chair of your department when they’ll let you graduate. The other thing is that after the completion of your training, the prospect of independent practice is much less likely in Germany. So most surgeons continue to work in hospitals as senior residents rather than independent practitioners. If you stay in the hospital, you mostly stay working under a more senior surgeon rather than practicing independently. That wasn’t really something I was interested in doing. In this country, you finish your training and, while you often work in teams, you’re still making your own decisions as a surgeon without someone else having to sign off on it. Q: Coming into SUNY Upstate:

Q: Have you always practiced in America, or did you spend some time practicing in Germany? A: I started working in Germany right out of medical school for 19 months, but I haven’t worked there since 1992. Q: How would you describe the differences in practice between here and there? A: The main reason why I came to the United States had to do with education. The reason for that is that the surgery education in this country is much more practice-oriented than it was in Germany. The structure of the education is much more formalized than it used to be in Germany. They’ve caught up a bit since then, but it’s still not as clearly regulated as it is in this country. You have fixed times when Page 6

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

what about its pediatric surgery program — do you think it is strong? A: I think SUNY Upstate has a new, really nice facility. I think the fact that we have our own dedicated children’s OR is wonderful since it allows us to have a dedicated space with staff that’s skilled in dealing with children under stress. Not all children’s hospitals have that. The pediatric surgery group has three surgeons; it used to be four. We’re trying to find a fourth, which is about the amount of manpower we need here. If we’re successful at hiring a fourth, the plan is to do community outreach, go into those communities and seeing patients in offices there, at least for pre-operative visits. We’ve thought about Binghamton, Watertown and Utica, even though we get a lot of patients referred to us from these areas, it would be nice for the families to be able to do it closer to home. So those are our short term goals. Over the long term, I’m interested in optimizing the educational mission of the institution, including the surgical training program, since I also have a background in education. Q: What would be your approach to education? A: I went to SIU [Southern Illinois University], which is one of the Meccas of surgery education. Their approach is to use a lot of simulations. We have a budding curriculum for simulation here. That can be expanded upon. In general, it’s about looking at education through new lenses and applying new technology as it comes down the pipe in surgery education, like virtual reality. I think that the

health care itself is changing, so one of the things we have to put an emphasis on is the ability to work in multidisciplinary teams. Q: What kind of virtual reality training is available now? A: The few virtual reality simulators that are out there now, some of them are pretty crude, basically just allow you to perform certain simple tasks with a computer screen. Some of the more sophisticated devices allow you to do that with haptic feedback (tactile feedback). Then some of the more expensive ones are simulating laparoscopic procedures. I’m not sure the current data supports the expense. Some of the simpler simulations do seem to help early learners to learn how to deal with laparoscopic surgeries. There’s a fair amount of interest going forward, but we’re not sure what the future will hold. Ten years ago we thought we would be doing complicated operations on the computer first by now, but that hasn’t actually happened. Q: What are some of the challenges of delivering a robust pediatric surgery program in a smaller mid-sized city like Syracuse? A: Good question, but honestly the fact that we have a children’s hospital here and the fact that we have a large attachment area is something that a healthy pediatric surgery program needs. We have a fairly strong subspecialty and anesthesia coverage in the children’s hospital, which is also crucial. So we have the foundations of a strong program. The problem, and it’s a problem for a lot of places, is that it’s hard to find pediatric surgeons. We were down to one at one point, but we’ve managed to reestablish our group, which is one of the oldest pediatric surgery groups in the country. We just need a little more manpower, one more really, and we’ll be in good shape. Q: What can you do to help attract pediatric surgeons to this area? A: When I was in my previous position, we were also looking for a pediatric surgeon. There were 200 open positions in the country, which is a little disturbing because there are only around 800 pediatric surgeons in the country. These folks can pretty much pick and choose. One of the ways you can attract them is with a great facility with a collegial work environment, which we have. We have options to do research, to collaborate with Syracuse University for device development, so there are a whole lot of possibilities here. The challenge is to get their attention in the first place because, as you said, Syracuse is not the biggest city, so people might be a little bit nervous about moving here.

Lifelines: Name: Andreas H. Meier, M.D., Med Hometown: Altötting, Germany Education: Ludwig Maximilian University School of Medicine (medical); Technical University School of Medicine, Munich (doctorate); University of Illinois Urbana/ Champaign (master’s degree); Stanford University (residency and research fellowships); Emory University (fellowship) Afﬁliations: SUNY Upstate Medical University (division chief of pediatric surgery); Crouse Hospital (neonatal coverage) Organizations: American College of Surgeons, Academy of Pediatrics, International Society for Simulation in Healthcare, Society of University Surgeons, American Pediatric Surgical Association Family: Married, one son, one daughter Hobbies: Golf, politics, philosophy, tennis

Eat Healthy: Win a Bike or Free Membership to the Y

Innovative partnership links Nojaim Bros. supermarket and Westside Family Health Center in Syracuse to encourage healthier eating By Matthew Liptak

ojaim Brothers Supermarket in Syracuse, St. Joseph’s Westside Family Health Center and Syracuse University’s Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion are joining forces to bring a healthier lifestyle to Nojaim’s customers on the Near West Side of Syracuse. “This is really a cutting edge public health initiative that’s really possible because of the collaboration and cooperation between Nojaim’s and St. Joseph’s and Syracuse University,” said the director of the Lerner Center, Tom Dennison. “It’s really exactly what we’re all about. We’re really excited about it.” The program plans to link the supermarket and health center together to encourage healthier eating among the store’s customers. For customers who volunteer for the program, dietary choices will be electronically transferred to the health center to their doctors for analysis. It is hoped that patients can be encouraged to make better eating choices this way. A rewards program is also planned where customers will be rewarded for making good nutrition choices. “One of the things we’re doing with St. Joseph’s and Nojaim’s is the

development of a rewards program where people who shop at Nojaim’s grocery store can voluntarily sign up to participate in the program where the food that they purchase is essentially stored in the system,” Dennison said “So they swipe their card like they would at Wegmans and the food they purchase at the store is categorized into healthy choices vs. less healthy choices. For people whose profile of the food they buy in the cart represents healthy choices they would be eligible to win prizes like a free membership to the YMCA for a month or a bicycle or a gift card to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. So it’s a way to reward people in the store for making healthy choices.” The partnership is also creating a patient navigator model where customers will be directed toward healthy food aisles by signage and even an employee. The development of the different aspects of the projects remains at least partially in the research and development stage, Dennison said, but the momentum is strong. “We’ve got a couple task forces established that are working on the projects,” he said. One is focusing on the patient navigator piece. One is focusing

on the IT system linkage between Nojaim’s and the Westside Family Health Center. The Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics [at Syracuse University] is going to have nutrition students placed there for field placements. They are launching the nutrition program. There’s a lot of energy going on with the Near Westside Initiative, with St, Joseph’s Hospital, with the Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion.” The St. Joseph’s Westside Family Health Center has been designated federally as a level 3 medical home. It is a designation given to primary care centers that engages them in treating the population as a whole as well as treating individual patients. “They are committed to collect-

ing data,” Dennison said. “Things like body mass index (BMI), hypertension levels, hemoglobin A1C—a bunch of indicators to show how well they have improved the health of their population, not just taking care of them when they come into the office and patching them up and sending them on their way. It’s basically a community health intervention.” It’s not only the federal government that wants communities to do better. It’s the people themselves. Dennison said the Lerner Center conducted five forums in Onondaga County in the last year and nutrition consistently came up as a prime concern of residents. The Lerner Center, Nojaim’s and St. Joseph’s are committed to working together to making the Near West Side of Syracuse a healthier place to live. The third partner of this dynamic trio, St. Joseph’s has been given its marching order to help the public not only by the federal government medical home designation, but by those who call Syracuse home. And they are looking at the big picture to get things done. “One of the most important things to remember is if you are going to improve the health of a community... medical care is 10 or 15 percent of what contributes to good health,” Dennison said. “What really contributes to good health is education, good lifestyle choices, proper nutrition, housing, jobs—overall well-being. If St. Joseph’s is going to be successful with the medical home model they have to do interventions that are oriented to improving the overall health of the population. It means going outside the box of just straight old medical care and they’re committed to doing that.” Nojaim Brothers Supermarket is located at 307 Gifford St.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 7

My Turn

By Eva Briggs

The Potential to Save Lives in Poor Countries Lack of power, equipment are some of the problems faced by health centers in developing countries

wo months ago I wrote about Dr. Barb Connor and her volunteer work at the Duk Lost Boys Clinic (DLBC). One of the challenges facing this clinic, and others in developing nations is the lack of power. As Barb told me, the DLBC relies on solar power and generators to supply the electricity for lighting, computers, and medical equipment. Recently I read an article describing a novel technological innovation to solve one of the dilemmas encountered by medical personnel in areas that lack access to sophisticated medical equipment. Many patients in these regions are treated for HIV and tuberculosis. As beneficial as the drugs used for these conditions are, they potentially cause dangerous side effects, such as liver damage. In poor countries, up to one-fourth of people taking a type of HIV medication called antiretroviral drugs develop liver damage. That’s five times the rate that occurs in developed nations. The cost and technology required for monitoring the levels of liver enzymes is a major contributor to this statistic — tubes of blood, clean needles with which to draw the blood, sophisticated lab machinery to analyze the sample, and electricity to power the machinery.

KIDS Corner Buffalo Study: Obese Teen Boys Have Up to 50% Less Testosterone Than Lean Boys Doctor: “These boys are potentially impotent and infertile”

study by the University at Buffalo shows for the first time that obese males aged 14 to 20 have up to 50 percent less total testosterone than do normal males of the same age, significantly increasing their potential to be impotent and infertile as adults. The paper (at www.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/pubmed/22970699) was published online as an accepted article in Clinical Endocrinology. The authors are the same researchers in the University at Buffalo’s School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences who first reported in 2004 the presence of low testosterone levels, known as hyPage 8

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pogonadism, in obese, type 2 diabetic adult males and confirmed it in 2010 in more than 2,000 obese men, both diabetic and nondiabetic. “We were surprised to observe a 50 percent reduction in testosterone in this pediatric study because these obese males were young and were not diabetic,” says physician Paresh Dandona, SUNY distinguished professor in the department of medicine, chief of the division of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism in the UB medical school and first author on the study. “The implications of our findings are, frankly, horrendous because

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

Diagnostics for All, a nonprofit in Cambridge, Mass., is developing a test that could cost just pennies to measure two commonly monitored liver enzymes, ALT and AST. It’s based on technology developed in the laboratory of Harvard chemist George Whitesides. A drop of blood on a postage-stamp sized piece of paper causes a color change that can be read by a clinician or a smart-phone app. No test tubes or needles required, just a lancet to prick the patient’s finger. No electricity. Afterwards the paper can be incinerated, alleviating part of the medical waste disposal problem. Each test takes just 15 minutes, and includes controls to ensure that the test is working correctly. Here’s a summary of the process used to manufacture the tests. A sheet of paper is printed with wax to define zones. Eventually two such sheets are sandwiched together. The sheets are baked at 130° C for 30 seconds to melt the wax and allow it to permeate the paper, except in wax-free circular test wells each 2 mm across. Measured amounts of chemicals are deposited onto the sheets. One sheet gets substances that react with liver enzymes. The second sheet gets dyes that change color in response to those reactions. A press fuses the two sheets togeth-

er with adhesive. An adhesive sheet with circular blood filters is prepared and fastened to the fused paper sheets. The filters permit only plasma — the fluid portion of blood — to reach the underlying paper layers. A protective laminate is affixed, and finally each sheet is cut into individual squares. Currently the test is being evaluated in a study in a Vietnamese hospital. If all goes as planned, the test could be available to patients in 2014. Of course, the liver test is just the tip of the iceberg of potential applications for this technology. Paper-based diagnostics may someday allow detection of infectious diseases such as malaria or dengue fever or screening for pre-eclampsia in pregnant women. You can read more at the company’s website, www.dfa.org.

these boys are potentially impotent and infertile,” says Dandona. “The message is a grim one with massive epidemiological implications.” The small study included 25 obese and 25 lean males and was controlled for age and level of sexual maturity. Concentrations of total and free testosterone and estradiol, an estrogen hormone, were measured in morning fasting blood samples. The results need to be confirmed with a larger number of subjects, Dandona says. “These findings demonstrate that the effect of obesity is powerful, even in the young, and that lifestyle and nutritional intake starting in childhood have major repercussions throughout all stages of Dandona life,” he says. In addition to the reproductive consequences, the absence or low levels of testosterone that were found also will increase the tendency toward abdominal fat and reduced muscle, Dandona says, leading to insulin resistance, which contributes to diabetes. “The good news is that we know that testosterone levels do return to normal in obese adult males who undergo gastric bypass surgery,” says Dandona. “It’s possible that levels also will return to normal through weight loss as a result of lifestyle change, although this needs to be confirmed by larger studies.”

The UB researchers now intend to study whether or not weight loss accomplished either through lifestyle changes or through pharmacological intervention will restore testosterone levels in obese teen males.

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

Health Tip: Is Your Child Ready for a Tricycle? Riding a tricycle is a milestone for little ones, but parents should make sure their kids are ready to peddle. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these suggestions: • Make sure your child is ready to ride, usually about age 3. • Opt for a tricycle that’s low to the ground and has big wheels, so it’s less likely to tip. • Make sure your child has a helmet that fits properly, and that the child wears it whenever riding the bike. • Never allow your child to ride near swimming pools, parked or moving cars, or in driveways. Most children aren’t ready for a two-wheeled bike, even with training wheels, until age 6.

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‘I cried. It took awhile to comprehend and accept that I had this strange and unheard of condition’ By Diane Seib

write this for the purpose of raising awareness of a condition that is rarely heard of yet more common than one would think. It was seven years ago that following a cold, my voice remained hoarse and strained. Although the cold went away, I figured it would take awhile for my voice to return to normal. But for weeks, speaking and communicating had become a struggle. My words no longer flowed, but became strained and choppy. I was in the midst of a new executive secretarial job and needless to say communicating was essential but I struggled daily. At home, family and friends noticed the change as well. After several weeks with no change, I saw my doctor. With obvious concern, he referred me to an otolaryngologist who performed a laryngoscope, a very unpleasant procedure where a fiber tube/camera is inserted through the nose to view the vocal cords in the throat. Thankfully, this would rule out polyps or any signs of throat cancer. I then worked with a voice therapist for many months to try to correct the voice strain, practicing noises that emphasized sounds requiring breath, such as e-e-e and r-r-r. Anyone who knows me would agree I’m not one to worry about appearing “silly,” but this I did from the comfort and privacy of my home or car. Despite therapy, the condition worsened as did my frustration. By the end of each day, I would need to apply an ice pack to my throat to soothe the pain. Meanwhile, I became more and more conscientious, worried about what sound may come out when I spoke and frequently asked if I had a cold or why I was so nervous. Of course I wasn’t, but as time went on

I began questioning myself, actually becoming nervous when I needed to speak. With no improvement from therapy, it was finally determined that I had spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological condition that affects the signals sent from the brain to the vocal cords. While speaking, a person’s words intermittently become ‘stuck’ or strangled. It is permanent. There is no cure. I cried. It took awhile to comprehend and accept that I had this strange and unheard of condition. I was referred back to the otolaryngologist for treatment that requires repeated Botox injections into the vocal cords. The frequency of the treatment varies for patients. Though an unpleasant experience, the injections bring relief from the discomfort, and eventually improvement to the voice quality. For several days following treatment, my voice becomes very breathy. I forewarn people joking that my voice will soon be a whisper then Marilyn Monroe-ish, followed by Mickey Mouse-ish — as though I had breathed in helium. Within a couple weeks my voice returns to normal, lasting four to five months when the strain once again sets in. I have learned to make the best of having spasmodic dysphonia and know there are far worse things I could have to live with. I have also learned that my voice is among many things I should not take for granted. Diane Rehm, a famous public radio celebrity, has written a book titled “Finding My Voice” about her struggles and experience with the condition. For more information there are several websites available, including the National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association’s www.dysphonia.org.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

‘Treat Yourself Special’ This Holiday

just have to share this! I received the following email from a reader in response to my last column about spending Thanksgiving alone. Her message beautifully reinforces what I “preach” in my columns and workshop: Treat yourself special, especially this time of year. The author kindly gave me permission to share her email, but asked that I not use her name. I hope you find her words as inspirational, as I did:

mas carols were not a good idea. Everything was exactly what I wanted and there were no returns. I’d forgotten so many and it was fun! Single people have to take better care of themselves. Don’t spend the entire weekend in sweats while you crash on the couch. And don’t think because people are married that they’re not alone. Not everything is as it looks.”

“Dear Gwenn, I just finished reading your article about facing Thanksgiving alone. It was very good. I was single for 52 years. I had to work on not being lonely or alone. I always set a pretty place setting, played upbeat music and cooked dinner. I treated myself as if I were a guest. Even when I bought something for myself and the clerk asked if I’d like it gift-wrapped, I always say yes. I’d take it home, put it on the counter and open it later. Treat yourself special. One Christmas my sister-in-law announced that the family planned on spending the following Christmas at Disney World. I knew then I had a year to prepare for my Christmas alone. It was a choice. Starting in January, I bought myself one gift a month (sometimes two little gifts) wrapped them in holiday wrapping and put them in a clothes basket in the back of my closet. I put all the receipts in an envelope. In late December, I put everything under my tree. On Christmas Day, I brewed a pot of coffee and lit candles. I thought Christ-

What more can I say? This reader has mastered the art of living alone. She is taking good care of herself and has accepted responsibility for her happiness. She has adopted a positive attitude and displays a healthy perspective. Not feeling the spirit this year? Maybe it’s time to trade in the sweats for some new holiday attire and take charge. Below are some tips to help you enjoy this holiday season: Slow down. Better yet, stop what you’re doing altogether. Ask yourself what the holidays really mean to you. Rebirth? Hope? Family time? Gratitude and goodwill? Revisit your most deeply held beliefs about the season and make a conscious decision to participate in the holiday rituals that align with your values and spiritual underpinnings.

Be realistic and give yourself a break. For those who live alone, some degree of loneliness can be considered normal during the holidays. It’s a good time to remember that feelings of loneliness aren’t terminal, nor are they a “state of being” reserved for single people. Take time to remind yourself that your happiness is in your hands, and that there are positive, healthy steps you can take to avoid loneliness. Create new holiday traditions. This is especially important if you’re bemoaning the loss of irretrievable traditions of a “past life.” Consider instituting your very own “signature” traditions. Give or do for others. Consider baking some holiday goodies for your colleagues at work. Or leave a little something on a neighbor’s doorstep. When you are thinking about and doing for others, you “get outside” yourself and feel less lonely — more a part of the world and of this season of giving. Be the instigator. Identify a holiday concert or event you’d like to attend and invite family or friends to join you. Take on the role of “social secretary” and you’ll gradually feel your holidays, social life and social circle becoming

more active and interesting. Decorate your home or apartment. Do it for you. It will help put you in the spirit of the season. Hang a wreath on your door. Accent your mantel. Bring the holidays inside your home and feel its essence inside your heart. Invite people over. It might give you an incentive to decorate, if you don’t feel motivated to do it for yourself. No need to do anything elaborate or large. Inviting just one person over for brunch or to watch a holiday special on TV can lift your spirits. Send out holiday cards. Take this occasion to say “hello” and make connections. I love getting an unexpected card from a long-lost friend, and I delight in tracking down and sending out season’s greetings to those who might be surprised to hear from me. Let go. This is key. Let go of the notion that you need to be married or in a romantic relationship to enjoy the holidays. Life is all about personal connections, and there are plenty to be found in friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, even people you meet in passing. Reach out. My warmest wishes to all of you this season. Have yourself a merry little Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, or a joyous Kwanzaa. Enjoy the season to the fullest. You have a choice. Choose to be with people rather than isolate. Choose to appreciate what you have rather than focus on what you’re missing. Treat yourself special and, chances are, you’ll find more meaning and merriment this season. Enjoy! Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Live Alone and Thrive, empowerment workshops for women held throughout the year in Mendon, New York. For information about her workshops or to invite Gwenn to speak to your group, call 585-624-7887 or email: gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

Teens: Safer Snowboarding It’s fun, inexpensive but local doctors warn it can pose serious risks By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

nowboarding can offer teens a fun way to enjoy winter and get a great workout. Kids love the adventure and thrill of zooming down the slopes, too. But snowboarding also presents safety hazards of which you should be wary. Even if your child is an accomplished skier, snowboarding is different. Because snowboarding moves the body differently and both feet are fastened to one board, not two skis, the sport stresses the body unlike skiing. “Snowboarding has grown tremendously in popularity in the past decade and we have seen a number of injuries related to snowboarding in the emergency department,” said Alison B. McCrone, medical director of Upstate Golisano After Hours Care. She said that teen boys between aged 12 and 14 years have the highest rate of injury, and the most commonly seen injuries are forearm fractures, abdominal organ injuries and concussions. “Some of the riskier moves are going over jumps, riding down rails and doing various tricks,” McCrone said. Snowboarders tend to fall backwards more than skiers when they wipe out. Though upper body injuries are more common in snowboarding than head injuries, the latter can be Page 10

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more serious and cause lifelong disabilities. Neurologist Tarakad Ramachandran, medical director of the Crouse stroke program, listed brain injuries, neck strain, and skull fractures can result from snowboarding accidents. These injuries can result in lasting problems, including recurring seizures, paralysis, mood disorders and impaired cognition and concentration. “It all depends upon how the injury occurs,” Ramachandran said. “Ideally, there are certain people who shouldn’t do these types of sports like if they have seizure disorders, abnormalities in blood vessels to the brain, or previous injuries.” Some injuries may not appear serious right away, but actually cause serious problems later. “Even with what looks like a light head injury, a patient should seek medical help,” Ramachandran said. Anyone who loses consciousness, appears disoriented, struggles to breath, feels nauseated or cannot follow simple directions after a head injury should seek immediate medical attention. “If in doubt, go to the ER,” Ramachandran said. Prevention Getting the right gear can make a

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

huge difference in the occurrence or severity of injury. “Wearing a helmet is extremely important as well to help reduce head injuries,” McCrone said. Helmets should be specific to alpine sports, not for Ramachandran bicycling, horseback riding or motorcycling, to provide sufficient protection. “Most fractures affect the wrist area rather than the knee area, as in alpine skiing,” McCrone said. “Wearing wrist guards may help reduce the chance of an injury.” The natural instinct when falling is to throw out the hands, which places much of the weight and stress of the fall on the wrists. The guards prevent the wrists from bending, and thus helps protect them. Don’t let your teen’s enthusiasm overcome your better judgment. “Do not attempt to navigate slopes that are geared for more experienced boarders or attempt maneuvers that are beyond your skill level,” McCrone said. “Many injuries happen to inexperienced boarders.”

Don’t count on your teens using the safety gear once they’re able to snowboard independently. Just as with the topic of wearing seatbelts while driving, you need to discuss with them the importance of safety gear and why it must be worn properly each time. Both Ramachandran and McCrone think lessons are a good idea before hitting the slopes. “This will help you learn safe ways to fall and how to help learn the basics of snowboarding,” McCrone said. Go over the basics, too, such as tying their boots securely, looking where they are going and not trying dares or dangerous stunts. “Do not go alone,” McCrone said. “Make sure that there is someone nearby in case you need assistance. It is especially dangerous to attempt snowboarding in back woods where there may be trees and other hazards.”

Happy Holidays Food-of-the-Month Can Give Healthful Foods All Year By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ood-of-the-month gifts can offer recipients a fun way to receive an edible surprise all year long. For new moms, elders on a fixed income and busy families, these gifts can be especially welcomed. But many monthly food gifts can be unhealthful: high in fat, calories, sodium, and low in nutrients. Of course, one could eat only a modest portion at a time as part of an overall healthful diet, but it can be difficult to partake sparingly of a special treat. Fortunately, healthful options abound, too. Fruit- or vegetable-of-themonth clubs can help recipients avoid the pitfalls of many unhealthful food gifts, and provide antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals, too. Since these gifts offer whole produce, your recipient will get it in its most natural state. Some people tend to eat less whole produce during the winter months because of its expense and limited availability compared with during the summer. “Who likes to throw away gifts of food, especially in today’s tight economy? “ asked Matt Kovach, owner of Renewal Nutrition in Syracuse. “And if it’s in plain sight, be sure it will be eaten. By giving healthful gifts, givers help inspire reKovach cipients to try healthy

alternatives that perhaps they never would have tested on their own. Next thing you know, they are spreading the message of healthy living by providing healthful gifts to their friends and neighbors.” Clubs that deliver salsa monthly offer a low-fat and low-sodium condiment. But salsa can do more than accompany chips and top Mexican fare. It’s great topping for baked potatoes or roasted chicken breasts, for example. Coffee or tea-of-the-month clubs can keep your recipient sipping healthfully. In addition to containing no calories (unless sweetened), coffee and tea offer healthful properties such as antioxidants, too. Herbal teas can help aid in digestion or promote restful sleep. Clubs that ship olive oil and balsamic vinegar can help recipients switch from dressings and toppings made with saturated fat to ones that are made with more healthful, monosaturated fat. Though olive oil is high in calories, adding a dash to a salad is better than using a prepared dressing made with unhealthful fat. Food of the month clubs aren’t cheap. Most start at around $200. But if you want to DIY for a nearby recipient, your gift can include your presence, too. The monthly gift can provide an “excuse” to drop in on a widow, hang out with a single friend or lend a hand to a busy new mom, for example. Maureen Franklin, registered dietitian with Community General Hospital, recommends making up your

Chips and salsa is just one example of dishes that can be purchased through food-ofthe-month clubs. Food can range from soups, pickles, desserts and olives. Prices start at around $200 and go up depending on what you order. own baskets of tea, coffee, spices, nuts, seeds, oils and vinegars and adding a few extra touches. “You could find a healthy recipe using a different food and include the recipe and the food,” Franklin said. “A basket of grains could highlight the great nutrition they have. You could promote local foods as well such as New York State apples in Franklin a basket. This could

be a lot of fun and in the process one could learn about a healthy food they have always wanted to try and pass it on to a friend.”

Where to Find a Food-of-the-Month Club: To shop for more food clubs, visit www.club-offers.com/food/list www.harryanddavid.com and www.monthclubstore.com

The Diet-Proof Holiday Meal: Seven Ways to Stay on Track this Holiday Season

oliday dinners are filled with heaping dishes of comfort foods, fattening favorites and savory treats. It is no wonder these meals often leave us feeling stuffed with guilt and holiday remorse. Patricia Nicholas, a dietitian at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/ Columbia University Medical Center, says you can avoid this psychological turmoil by adding “new favorites” to the traditional dishes. “Healthy meals can be festive as well and, hopefully, you have been making healthy changes to your diet all year.” Michelle Morgan, another dietitian at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/ Weill Cornell Medical Center, says, “Stay in tune with your hunger during holiday meals. If you feel satiated and

comfortable — stop eating!” The following is the holiday feast survival guide — a road map of sorts to keep you and your diet from straying too far this year. • Re-think your appetizers. Incorporate healthier pre-meal snack options. Swap the bread bowl for whole-wheat pita with a low-fat bean dip! • Add some color to your holiday dinner spread with a bowl of fruit or a vegetable salad. • Choose smaller portions. You can still taste all the foods in your holiday spread without overeating. Remember, an occasional indulgence will not destroy your weight-loss attempts, and if you don’t love something don’t eat it. • The only thing that should be

stuffed during the holidays is the turkey! Just because there is more food sitting around, does not mean you need to eat more. A forkful of pie will do less damage than a whole piece. • No need for second helpings; have a calorie-free chat instead. The holidays are a great time to engage in conversation with your loved ones — and this will not add inches to your waistline. Just be sure to move the conversation away from the food! • Don’t skip meals prior to a holiday party or dinner. You are less likely to overeat if you have eaten well throughout the day. • Don’t allow holiday activity to slow down your exercise program. Bundle up and take a walk after your holiday meal – this not only December 2012 •

can prevent you from overeating and picking at leftovers, but is also a great way to burn off some of the extra calories you may have consumed.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Happy Holidays Magazine Subscriptions Give Healthful Reading All Year Cooking Light, Men’s Health, Prevention and Runner’s World are some of the publications local fitness experts recommend By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

f you have a fit friend or relative or one who’s working toward fitness, why not give a gift that will encourage him on his journey: a health and fitness magazine subscription. Many publishers have been slashing rates to encourage new subscriptions, so it’s a great time to purchase one for someone you care about. As a layman, obtaining practical health information from medical journals may be difficult. That’s why con-

sumer-oriented health and fitness periodicals can be especially useful. Here is what the experts have to say: • Michael Knapp, certified personal trainer and owner of At your Home Personal Training in Syracuse, said people should look for publications that offer helpful tips that readers can put to practical use. Knapp likes Men’s Fitness (www. mensfitness.com, $15 for 10 issues) and Women’s Health (www.womenshealthmag.com, $15.98 for 10 issues) for young to middle-aged adults, and Prevention (www.prevention.com, $15.85 for 12 issues, plus you receive a free pedometer) for retirees and older. (Tip: make sure you check “gift” rather than “subscription” because publishers sometimes offer a premium to you as the gift giver for choosing their magazine as a present to someone else. Some also offer a discount if you subscribe and give a subscription to someone else.) • Ashlea Youngs, who earned a bachelor’s in kinesiology and is a personal trainer at Metro Fitness in Syracuse, likes Oxygen Magazine ($24.97 for 12 issues).

“There are lots of helpful hints and it’s super educational for the average Joe,” Youngs said. “It’s very realistic, with no expectations about diets and they don’t try to set up women for failure by leading them toward a faulty diet. They also promote healthy bodies and feature fit women rather than the super skinny ‘ideal’ bodies.” • Darlene Beeman, registered dietitian with St. Joseph’s Hospital, likes

Ashlea Youngs is a personal trainer at Metro Fitness in Syracuse. She says she likes Oxygen Magazine: “There are lots of helpful hints and it’s super educational for the average Joe”

Taste of Home (www.tasteofhome.com, $10 for 7 issues). “[It] is one of my favorites because it has ‘normal’ ingredients and the recipes are usually easy to prepare without hard to find or expensive ingredients,” she said. She also likes the low-fat and lowcalorie recipes featured in Cooking Light (www.cookinglight.com, $18 for 12 issues). Healthful living periodicals for specific sports and interests abound, too. Golf Digest (www.golfdigest.com, $15 for 12 issues), Yoga Journal (www. yogajournal.com, $13.95 for 9 issues), Runner’s World (www.runnersworld. com, $19.99 for 12 issues) represent just a few examples. Search online or peruse a newsstand or bookstore to find just the right niche publication. If your recipient already receives that magazine, you’ll likely be able to extend his subscription through your gift. Along with keeping active, eating right is integral to staying fit and healthy.

The Scoop on Nuts

They’re loaded with nutrients, some of which are not as plentiful in most fruits and vegetables By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

“

The Christmas Song” had it right. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire are pretty good for us, not just for conjuring holiday memories, as Torme and Wells intended in the 1946 ballad, but also for our health. “In general, I think many people know that nuts are healthy, but I don’t believe they know why in regards to nutrition,” said Darlene Beeman, registered dietitian with St. Joseph’s Hospital. As it turns out, they’re loaded with nutrients, some of which are not as plentiful in most fruits and vegetables. They’re also a portable, concentrated food source and a special treat to offer during the holidays and anytime. “Nuts are a source of vitamin E, magnesium, phytochemicals, fiber and plant protein,” said Maureen Franklin, registered dietitian with Upstate University Hospital — Community Campus. “Nuts have a healthy ratio of good fats — mono and polyunsaturated, including omega-3 and 6. They have a low glycemic index. Studies are looking at the value of nut consumption in possibly reducing the risk of heart Page 12

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disease due to the healthy fat ratio.” When many people hear “fat,” they may balk at making nuts part of their healthful diet, but the fat in nuts is healthful. “Though nuts are a higher fat food, it is mostly heart-healthy unsaturated fat and may help lower low-density lipoproteins,” Beeman said. “The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute recommends four to five servings per week from its nuts, seeds and legumes grouping.” In addition to being low in “bad” fat, nuts are also free of cholesterol and “unless salt is added to nuts, they naturally contain, at most, just a trace of sodium,” Beeman said. She likes almonds for the six grams of protein and 35 percent daily value of vitamin E. A serving of 20 to 24 shelled almonds are also high “in riboflavin, magnesium, manganese and contain 3 grams of dietary fiber,” Beeman said. “Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant. Magnesium is used for normal muscle and nerve function.” Walnuts are also on Beeman’s list of favorite nuts. One ounce — about 14

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

shelled, halves —of walnuts are only 190 calories and provide four grams of protein and contain omega3 fatty acids. They’re also plentiful in copper, vitamin E, manganese and have two grams of dietary fiber. “Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to play an important role in reducing inflammation,” Beeman said. “Copper is essential for proper functioning of metabolic processes. Manganese is a catalyst in the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol.” Pistachios are another nut Beeman likes. One ounce, 45 to 74 pistachios, is just 160 calories and offers six grams of protein, plus copper, manganese, vitamin B-6 and three grams of dietary fiber. “Vitamin B-6 is important for cardiovascular, digestive, immune and nervous system function,” Beeman said. The time it takes to shell pistachios also helps with portion control. Matt Kovach, owner of Renewal Nutrition in Syracuse, likes Brazil nuts, which are a good source of copper and niacin.

“They are also high in selenium, which may help with men’s prostate health,” Kovach said. Kovach said that nuts should be eaten raw or dry roasted. “Oil-roasted nuts are typically coated in hydrogenated oils and caked in salt,” he said. While some processed nuts boast sea salt or kosher salt as a healthful alternative to standard salt, they offer a lower-sodium snack only because the grains are larger and, by volume, you’re eating only slightly less sodium. It’s better to just buy nuts with no salt. Beeman advised that a “handful” of nuts equals approximately one ounce. “Besides eating out of hand, nuts are easy to add to your diet by adding some to salads, yogurt, cereal, pancakes and pasta, as well as using in baking cookies, breads and muffins,” Beeman said. Try using almond slivers as a coating for baked chicken or fish instead of breadcrumbs.

Happy Holidays Hope For Bereaved Offers

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By Matthew Liptak

he holidays are a time for heartwarming reunions but they can be a time of heart-wrenching struggle for some when a loved one has passed away. Hope for Bereaved grew from one family’s simple journey to ease its personal pain into a place that offers hope and comfort to all those who are struggling with grief. Therese Schoeneck is the founder of the organization. She lost her 21year-old daughter Mary in a car accident in 1977.

COPING WITH GRIEF AT THE HOLIDAYS Some suggestions for coping with grief at the holidays provided by Hope For Bereaved Plan Ahead: Sit down with your loved ones and talk about what each wants to do for the holidays. Let relatives and friends know your decisions. Shopping: Shop by catalog, phone, or internet. Shop with a friend or ask someone to shop for you. Give gift certificates. Give a donation to a worthy cause in memory of your loved one. Take Care Of Yourself: Try to put balance in your life., get adequate rest, eat well, build in time to exercise, pray, read and relax. Holiday Activities: Consider cutting back on baking, decorating, cleaning and cards. Holiday Dinner: You may wish to stay busy fixing a big meal but consider making some changes. Serving buffet style, eating at a different time or eating in a different room may help. You might consider going to another’s home for dinner. Religious Services: Attend at a different time or place. Turn to your faith— try to concentrate on the meaning of the season. Express Feelings: Don’t push down tears. Build in a time to cry. Keep a journal. Ask For And Accept Help: Share your concerns, feelings, and apprehensions with an understanding friend. Help Others: Volunteer at a soup kitchen, visit the lonely and shut-ins. Invite someone who is alone to share the day with you. Provide food or gifts for the needy. Call Hope: for a good listener, for information about support groups, suggestions for coping or to make an appointment for counseling call 315-475-4673. Help is only a phone call away. Expectations: Keep expectations of yourself and of the holiday realistic. Usually the anticipation of the holiday is worse than the day itself. Determination: Take it hour by hour. It won’t be easy, but it’s doable. When possible have fun. It is good to laugh. Hold On To Hope: In time, your grief will soften, but your loved one will always be a special part of your life and your holidays.

“It’s a big hurdle,” said Schoeneck “I think it’s because it’s such a family time. ‘I’ll be home for Christmas,’ that song, still gives me goosebumps because she won’t.” The organization now encompasses 11 support groups, free grief counseling sessions, the Onondaga Lake Butterfly Garden of Hope and more. On Dec. 2, Hope for Bereaved will host a program on coping with the holidays at the Thomas J. Pirro Jr. Funeral Home in North Syracuse. It will be held from 5–7 p.m.. Although the pain has eased with time for Schoeneck and her family she understands the particular challenges that come with trying to cope with the loss of a loved one at holiday time. In fact, the organization’s roots are in the season. The first group meeting started in December 1978. “I think that the first holiday after somebody has died is so difficult because holidays are usually family, family, family, you know,” she said. “How Hope for Bereaved came to be born had to do with the holidays. Our daughter died in August of 1977. Our Christmas—I would call we survived it. The following year I worked at Family Life Education so I went and said to my boss ‘could we have a panel of bereaved parents talk about coping with the holidays’ and we invited anybody that had a child die and the people that came said ‘can we meet next month?’— and now we have all this.” “All this” includes a big one-story brick building at 4500 Onondaga Blvd. and, of course, the people. During the tour of the facility, Schoeneck led the way into a back room of the building that was bustling with activity. Volunteers were enthusiastically preparing the gift baskets and other items that would be presented at this year’s “Celebration of Hope” dinner. The dinner and its silent auction are a major fundraiser for the organization. It took place Nov. 9. “We are so blessed with volunteers,” Schoeneck said. “The support group facilitators all volunteer. We just could not do all that we do if it wasn’t for the volunteers.” There is no right way to grieve during the holidays Schoeneck advises, but there are things you can do to make life a little easier. For one thing, go easy on yourself, be open to your feelings and, maybe, just expect to endure the first holiday after the loss of a loved one, she advises. For more information on Hope for Bereaved call 315-475-9673 or go to www.hopeforbereaved.com.

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Therese Schoeneck is the founder of Hope for Bereaved Inc.

December 2012 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 13

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Cauliflower Is No Wallflower

ale on the outside, bland on the inside, cauliflower often gets overlooked. Compared to its colorful stepsister, broccoli — who seems to garner all the superfood accolades — cauliflower remains a culinary conundrum. Many wonder: Does it have any nutrients? How do I cook it? Why won’t my kids get near it? Good questions, all. Nutritionally, this humble vegetable packs a powerful punch. Like other cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage), cauliflower contains several cancer-fighting compounds. According to physician Mitchell Gaynor, professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, cruciferous vegetables have been shown to lower cancer risk by activating the body’s production of detoxifying enzymes. With respect to breast cancer, he asserts that this kind of vegetable may change estrogens in a women’s body from the type that promotes breast cancer to the type that actually protects against it. More cauliflower, please! Cauliflower is also surprisingly

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scream for daily K. On the roughage front, cauliflower provides about 3 grams of fiber per cup. And as for calories, we’re talking just 25 per average serving. Not bad for a shy powerhouse that also boasts no fat, no cholesterol and scant sodium.

Helpful Tips

Select firm, heavy cauliflower heads with compact, cream-colored florets and no brown spots (a sign that the head is getting old). Unwashed cauliflower, stored stem side down in an open plastic bag, lasts about a week in the refrigerator. Precut cauliflower florets should be consumed within one to two days. No takers in Kiddie Korner? Try serving it raw, dipped in creamy salad dressing or hummus.

Roasted Mashed Cauliflower high in vitamin C, with one cup providing nearly 80 percent of our daily needs. Although best known for its immune-boosting properties, vitamin C works hard to keep our blood vessels and connective tissue in tip-top shape. In fact, recent studies have shown that women in their 70s with the highest levels of vitamin C in their blood scored higher on tests that measured physical strength and stamina. Cauliflower also shines in the vitamin K arena. Vitamin K, which helps blood clot properly, is a key ingredient in maintaining strong, healthy bones. I don’t know about other baby boomers, but each creak and crack makes me

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

A tasty, low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes 1 large head of cauliflower, broken into florets 2 teaspoons olive oil ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper ¼ to ½ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ cup buttermilk, warmed in microwave 1 tablespoon light sour cream Fresh chives, shredded cheese (optional) Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place cauliflower florets in a large bowl and add olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Mix well, using hands to dis-

tribute ingredients. Place florets on a large baking sheet, using 2 sheets if the florets seem crowded. Roast for about 25 to 30 minutes, testing doneness with fork (should easily pierce floret). Return cauliflower to large bowl and mash with potato masher. Add warmed buttermilk and sour cream and mash about a minute more. Season to taste with more salt and pepper. Garnish with freshly cut chives and/ or shredded cheese (optional). If you prefer a creamier texture, use a food processor for this step. Suggestion: Transfer mashed cauliflower to microwaveable bowl and heat up just before serving (and before adding garnish). Cauliflower loses its heat very quickly. 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.

DIABETES Diabetics: Dark Chocolate Can Be Healthful Treat By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ark chocolate has been long lauded for its beneficial antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are cancer-preventing compounds inherent to plant-based foods. But dark chocolate can also offer diabetics a treat that, in moderation, they can enjoy guilt free. “It is rich in flavonoids, which are antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties,” said Cheryl Smith, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at St. Joseph’s Hospital. “These may help increase glucose sensitivity leading to more efficient use of insulin, which can improve glucose levels.” The good news doesn’t stop there, both for diabetics and those without diabetes. “Dark chocolate may help improve blood pressure, levels of HDL and LDL [cholesterol],” Smith said. “This can help reduce the risk of heart attack and stoke which have a strong relationship with diabetes.” While most people don’t need much persuasion to convince them to eat chocolate, the type of chocolate makes a big difference. Milk chocolate, the type typically used for candy and chocolate bars, contains the least cocoa, which is the beneficial ingredient. “The studies have not shown benefits with white or milk chocolate,” Smith said. “The most benefits have

been shown with chocolate that is the least processed such as cocoa powder. The fat and sugar in chocolate may negate any benefits seen. The dark chocolate should be 70 percent cacao to get the benefits.” Many chocolate products include a lot of other ingredients, like gooey fillings, candy coatings, and a wallop of sugar. While any food can be part of a healthful diet, eating too many chocolate treats quickly ramps up the calorie count. “People hear ‘chocolate is good’ and they eat chocolate ice cream or cake,” said Julie Mellen, registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator with SUNY Upstate. She explained that lower glycemic index foods such as dark chocolate are tested by themselves. “If you eat chocolate with something else, how the chocolate can impact [blood sugar] will be different,” she said. “Take Mellen into consideration the amount. If you eat too much sugar, total carbs will be effected.” A serving of dark chocolate, in its simplest form, doesn’t make the blood sugar level spike.

Since dark chocolate’s antioxidant properties were discovered in recent years, dark chocolate’s popularity has surged. Now it’s easy to find dark chocolate. How much chocolate you eat is also important. “One square of dark chocolate a day — think individually wrapped squares, not mini chocolate bars — is sufficient,” Smith said. “Use it as part of your discretionary calories for the day or eliminate other calories from your daily food intake.” Mellen compares a oneto two-ounce serving to a matchbox. “A full-sized chocolate bar would be too much,” she said. “Look at how many calories you need per day and how many calories are in it. There are no health risks, but just keep it in moderation.” She enjoys 85-percent cocoa dark chocolate, which can have a rich, yet bitter flavor. “You have a small piece and enjoy it,” Mellen said. “Savor the flavor. The darker the chocolate is, the

less sweet it is and you don’t need as much.” Talk with your diabetes educator or doctor about what’s an appropriate maximum for you. Check package labels not only for the percent of cocoa in the product, but also the number of calories and the amount of chocolate that comprises a serving to help keep the calories and fat in check.

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Meredith Price

Runs Hospital Without Missing a Step

Chief administrative officer at the former Community General Hospital has vast experience in hospital turnaround By Matthew Liptak

eredith Price may have run some successful marathons but she has fairly sprinted to the top of her field locally as chief administrative officer of Upstate University Hospital’s Community Campus — at the tender age of 39. Price has been recognized this year as one of the area’s “40 under Forty,” an event honoring focused, industrious and community-oriented individuals who are 39 years old or younger. The event is organized the CNY Business Journal and sponsored by the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. The executive is a native of Syracuse and lives in Baldwinsville. She graduated from Sienna College outside of Albany with a bachelor’s degree and went on to get her CPA (certified public accounting) license. She is married and has a son and

daughter. Her passion, when not attending to her hospital or her family, is running. So how did this amateur athlete come so far so quickly? She did go into the public accounting field for several years after college but her career took a different track when she took a position at Crouse Hospital. She was recruited by a man who would go on to become her mentor, Tim Weiss. “He’s an individual I worked with at Crouse Hospital which was when Crouse was going through its bankruptcy,” she said. “He really recruited me to come work for him and continued to give me opportunities at increasingly higher levels of responsibility throughout my career.

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

“Meredith is extremely diligent and hardworking and she gets respect quickly by everybody who works with her,” said Weiss, who has moved out of the area and is now a hedge fund manager in Reno, Nevada. “She’s very bright and she is somebody who I would think anybody would want to have in their organization to work for them.” Said Price: “I worked with them [Crouse]...to really help take that hospital and turn it around and was then asked to work for a consulting firm which I spent five years doing the same type of thing, which was turning around distressed hospitals all over the country. I was given a lot of opportunity to see and experience many different things over the course of five years when I was traveling. Significantly was the two years I spent in California as the CFO of a hospital that had entered bankruptcy working to get them out of bankruptcy.” Price says that working in so many institutions and circumstances really helped her quickly advance her skill set. Those skills not only included financial talents but an ability to deal with others in a business-crisis situation. “When put in a crisis situation you...take what’s given to you and

make the best of it and flourish, which I think is what I’ve been able to do,” she said. She came to her current position last year amid little fanfare. Her days are dominated lately by one thing. “Meetings, meetings, meetings,” she said. “In my role I’m often commuting between the two campuses. My main office is on the Community Campus, which is where my main responsibilities are but there are constant interactions with the folks in administration in our downtown campus, which is the main hospital. I spend a lot of time meeting with folks downtown as well as really helping to facilitate how we can do more here.” She said she wants to bring the Community Campus of Upstate back to the forefront of healthcare. Formerly, as Community General Hospital, before its acquisition by Upstate, the facility was on a downward trend, Price said, but now, with current and coming changes, the executive hopes to keep things going in the other direction. Specifically, she expects to do this by specialization. The hospital hopes to continue to expand its women’s health services, whether that be traditional OBGYN, breast surgery or nontradi-

tional women’s health services. Six months ago Upstate also brought its entire bariatric surgery department to the community campus. “It’s really the perfect location for specializing in that program. What we’re doing is focusing on what programs are right to be housed in a community hospital and then make sure we have all of the structure and support in place to allow for those to grow.” With all the hard work of transitioning and growing a hospital, Price needs an outlet to relax. She finds it by putting one foot in front of the other, be it on the running track or outdoors. “It’s just something that you can enjoy on your own and you can do it anywhere,” she said. “When I was traveling for work it was always convenient because all I had to do was pack my sneakers. It was a nice, easy way to get out, enjoy the fresh air and relieve some stress. I started when I was in college. I didn’t really run competitively although as I continued to do it and entered more and more 5Ks, 10Ks. I got increasingly competitive. It’s something that becomes somewhat addictive.” Her busy work schedule is also made possible by the hard work of her husband, Justin Price. “It’s a very hectic home life,”

Women’s issues Nurse Family Partnership Offers Help to Newborns and New Moms By Matthew Liptak

hey say a mother’s work is never done. With five nurses from Onondaga County’s Nurse Family Partnership to assist in teaching parenting skills, at least there is help for new moms in the area to get and keep their children on the right track. Susan Serrao is director of Healthy Families at the Onondaga County Health Department. Healthy Families is the part of the department that administers programs to parents and their families. Although public health nurses have been available for home visitations to mothers in need in Onondaga County since 1965, the Nurse Family Partnership is a specialized program for first-time moms. The partnership is national, with 300 programs around the country. Locally the Onondaga Health Department helps 125 young first-time mothers who are economically challenged. “It’s real intensive but the nice thing about this program is it has the evidence behind it,” Serrao said. “They got the research that shows these babies have less expensive early intervention services. They utilize emergency rooms less. The moms are more likely to get off welfare, get a job and further their education. The children are less likely to be incarcerated. It’s a great

quarters for the Nurse Family Partnership. It’s a national program that Onondaga County legislators and the county executive and the commissioner of health have supported. The nurses see their clients about once every two weeks. They focus on teaching the young mothers skill sets in five different areas. These are personal health, environmental health, life course skills, the maternal role and positive relationships. Both Rogers and Serrao New mother MyKellia McShan, left, plays with her child, said that engaging and 15-month-old Queshawn Jenkins, along with nurse retaining new clients can be difficult. They are often Ann Rogers. McShan is a college student who enrolled herself and Jenkins in Onondaga County’s Nurse Family up against preconceived notions about governPartnership program. ment agencies. There are investment down the road.” often trust issues. But the fact that the Ann Rogers is a public health nurse nurses are actually going out to meet who has been part of the Nurse Family the expectant moms on their own Partnership since it began in Onondaga ground helps, Rogers said. If they can County in 2007. get a good relationship going from the “The Nurse Family Partnership is beginning the client is more likely to be an evidence-based program,” Rogcommitted to the program. ers said. “It’s under Dr. Olds. He is a “The advantage is we’re in their psychologist out of the University of environment,” Rogers said. “We get to Colorado at Denver. That’s our headsee things that other providers don’t December 2012 •

she said “I’m lucky...when we actually decided to have our children and my career did kind of start to take off we decided it would be best if he stayed home. He is a full-time stay-at-home dad and is amazing at it, which is great. He definitely helps allow me to work the hours I do. It wouldn’t be possible without having a good support system at home which I definitely have.” Pulled in more than one direction, one might think Price was ready for a change of pace but she said the opposite is true. She likes the track she is on and she looks forward to what may lie ahead. She has come a far distance in a fairly short time but she hopes to just keep taking one step at a time for herself, her family and her hospital. “I am unbelievably thrilled in the position that I’m currently in,” she said. “I think one of the best things that could happen is for me to be able to continue to serve this community hospital and continue to grow this entity and I’d love to be able to stay here for quite some time. I hate to say at 39 I’ve reached my professional goal, but I’m so happy with where I am both personally and professionally. I’ve really got to say I absolutely love what I’m doing right now and my goal would be able to continue doing that.”

see. That’s really important to see that first hand. We do quite an observation and assessment of their home. The other thing it’s very respectful. We are in their home so it shows a respect right from the beginning. Also they’re like a captive audience and that helps them stick with the program.” Rogers said being a public health nurse has been a job like no other—her favorite job after decades of nursing. When the client is committed and with the help of a public health nurse there for support, the child has an extra foothold on their future. “I love it,” she said. “This is one area of nursing, public health and especially maternal child, that I think I will make a difference because it’s a longterm prevention program. I’ve been a nurse for 40 years this year and it’s the best area of nursing that I ever worked in. It’s very satisfying because you have a one to one relationship with a client and a family. “I’ve thought a lot about it why this particular area for me because I’ve been in neurosurgery. I’ve been in general surgery. I’ve been in acute care. I’ve been in home care. I’ve worked with elderly. Working with infants is very satisfying because they’re just so new. It’s almost like being embedded as a reporter with people that they’re writing about. I sort of feel that way that I’m sort of like embedded in the family. I have to keep a professional relationship. It’s like a mentor. It’s like a teacher.” “Whether it’s a single mom or partners together or traditional mom, dad and baby we’re there to help whoever needs help,” she said. She encourages anyone who thinks they may need some assistance to contact them at 315-435-2000 or take a look at their website at www.onhealthyfamilies.org.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 17

Parenting By Melissa Stefanec melissa@cnyhealth.com

A Condition I Call

“Mom Brain” I

dedicate this column to the dreaded condition I call “mom brain.” I like to brag, but when I brag I am lying. If I’m not a liar, I’m certainly living in some blissful denial. I tell people I don’t have mom brain. I like to think I’m above it, but sadly I may have one of the worst cases yet. I have it so badly that I don’t even notice it. There are very few periods of lucidity. When they happen, they are inevitably accompanied by face palming and embarrassment. There are even times in my moments of clarity when I am mortified. There was a time when I considered myself to be a polite and attentive person. I kept track of happenings in other peoples’ lives. I remembered the minute, quirky and essential details about people. I kept up my social graces and was interested in what others had to say. I gave people the time of day. However, that was when I had time in my days. I’m painfully reminded of an incident that occurred at my daycare provider’s home a few weeks ago. When I went to pick up my daughter, my daycare provider was sitting on a bench with a woman who was holding a small baby. I realized it was a mother whose child used to go to daycare with my daughter Stella. She now had another little one and stayed home with her kids. She had brought the new baby over for visit. Her son was snuggled up to her in blanket, while she and my provider happily chatted. My daughter was blissfully unaware (or ignoring) the newborn and running about the yard like it was the most exciting place she had ever been. She was tackling the stone path as though she were a sure-footed mountain goat, when in all reality she is more like a tipsy sailor. I wanted to see the newborn, but I was too busy playing sheep and border collie with my child. I had only enough time to comment on some adorable chubby cheeks, and then I was back to herding duties and in a rush to make a commitment. I herded my daughter into the car and thought I was happily on way. That was until one of those fleeting moments of clarity came over me. As

I pulled away from the house, I became mortified. When did I become so oblivious of social graces? Here was a woman who was beaming with pride. Normally, I would have cooed and congratulated. I would have recognized her amazing accomplishment. Instead, I was so distracted that I was possibly rude and inconsiderate. I felt like a jerk. I didn’t do it on purpose. It’s just that Stella always has my attention elsewhere. Since I will probably never see that woman again, I hope she forgives me. There may even be a chance she was too caught up in her children to pay attention to what I did or did not say. She could have been suffering from her own, irreparable case of mom brain. Whatever the case, we need to exercise a little empathy with each other. The next time you are talking with a parent, please forgive them if they make you feel a little less interesting than they used to. When you have to tell another mom something three times before she hears you, cut her a little slack. When an important date is forgotten, remember that you too have been distracted by a child’s sickness and health. We are all in this together, even if it’s only with part of our brains. One of the most challenging things about being a mother is accepting that you are going to sell other areas of your life short, yourself included. There are areas in your life where you will become a lesser person. You will forget to do things. You will have mom brain. Some people compare mom brain to a cloud or fog. I would argue that it’s far stronger than that. When you focus on your child, much of the world around you becomes white noise. If you stop and really pay attention, you can make out everything around you. My daughter often makes me forget to stop and take in the big picture. She has become my big picture and, in doing so, she has given me a distracting and desperate case of mom brain. And, hey, that’s okay. For the time being, I’m focused on the really important stuff. I’m ready to stand up and say, “Hello my name is Melissa and I’m thankful for mommy brain.”

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

What They Want You to Know: Neurologists By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

he American Academy of Neurology states that neurologists are “physicians concerned with diseases and conditions of the nervous system.” • “Patients should know that neurology is a very complicated field because it deals with the brain, nerves and the intricate connection and how it impacts the body. When they look into neurological treatment, they should go with an open mind. Talk with a few and tell them everything you know about your symptoms. Let them come to their own conclusions. • “Since it’s a complicated problem usually, it’s good to write down the symptoms, when they started, how they progressed, current symptoms and what they’ve done so far, if they’ve had any tests done so far. • “They should bring a copy of the results and if they’ve seen any other doctors, they should bring the findings of the other doctors. • “They should bring all the medication they’re taking. • “Once they’ve seen the neurologist, it’s very important to follow their advice. Compliance is the most important thing in neurology. • “Epilepsy is a condition no one wants to talk about. There’s a discrimination against people who have it. But to the doctor the patient must be very honest. If they take their medication on a regular basis, the seizures are usually very well controlled. That’s one example of how patients should be honest. • “Neurologists are like any other doctor. It’s one specialty of the broad field of medicine. They should not see one in fear. • “They should be on time to allow enough time for their appointment. It takes time for a thorough neurological examination. • “They should never fear to ask any questions. It’s their body and mind. They should know it better than anyone else. • “I have open communication, too. If I’m going to do a test on you, I’ll tell you why I’m doing the test and

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when the results will be available. We will have a good heart-to-heart talk and discuss what will happen with certain treatments.” Tarakad Ramachandran, neurologist and medical director of the Stroke Program at Crouse Hospital • “As a sub-specialty, I do dementia work. Neurologists have sub specialties like this. Many times, people assume neurologists can’t do anything to cure people but there are things we can do to help. • “People sometimes come in for a visit without the records they need. As a dementia specialist, they’re often unconcerned about their memory, so coming with someone who knows them well and bringing copies of any brain imaging they have had done is very helpful. Having all that, I can do so much more and their first visit won’t feel like a waste. • “It also saves money. We all want to have productive visits so when people come, we can make a difference. • “We and many dementia clinics work as an interdisciplinary team. I try hard to make them understand that when they come, they work with a comprehensive team, as opposed to seeing just one person and being referred to someone else. I think our goal is to provide the best care we can. We’ve found in neurology that many people with neurological disease have it impact their mental health. We try to address all those things and that is why we have this interdisciplinary team.” Dr. David Gill, neurologist with Unity Health System, Rochester 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.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 19

Social Security office in Syracuse reduces hours

he Syracuse Social Security office announced it has reduced the hours it’s open to the public. It’s now open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., a reduction of 30 minutes each weekday. In addition, beginning Jan. 2, the office will close to the public at noon every Wednesday. While agency employees will continue to work their regular hours, this shorter public window will allow them to complete face-to-face interviews and process claims work without incurring the cost of overtime. The significantly reduced funding provided by Congress under the continuing resolution for the first six months of the fiscal year makes it impossible for the agency to provide

the overtime needed to handle service to the public as it has done in the past, officials stated in a news release. These officials say that most Social Security services do not require a visit to a local office. Many services, including applying for retirement, disability or Medicare benefits, signing up for direct deposit, replacing a Medicare card, obtaining a proof of income letter or informing us of a change of address or telephone number are available at www.socialsecurity.gov or by dialing our toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call our TTY number, 1-800325-0778. Many of the online services also are available in Spanish at www. segurosocial.gov.

Crouse Showcases Newly Expanded Breast Health Center

rouse Hospital recently showed off its renovated and expanded Breast Health Center, located on the ground floor of the CNY Medical Center (across the street from Crouse Hospital). The project has enabled the center to expand by 600 square feet and features private consultation and changing rooms, two image reading suites and a bigger, more comfortable welcoming and private patient registration area. “Physical surroundings and privacy are particularly important to women who find having a mammogram or receiving follow-up breast healthcare

to be an uncomfortable or worrisome experience,” says physician Stephen Montgomery, medical director of breast health services at Crouse Hospital. “This major renovation addresses those issues and will provide a much more patient-friendly experience.” The Breast Health Center at Crouse Hospital is the first area program to be designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology. Services include the latest in digital mammography, image-guided biopsy, computer aided detection of malignancy and breast MRI with computer-aided detection.

Local prescription drug plan earns top marks from Medicare

he prescription drug plan BlueCross BlueShield Rx PDP is one of four standalone Medicare Part D plans in the nation and the only such plan in New York state with the highest quality star rating from the federal government for 2013, according to “Fact Sheet — 2013 Part C and D Plan Ratings,” according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service. BlueCross BlueShield Rx PDP is offered locally and throughout the state by New York’s independent Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. The prescription drug plan is administered by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in cooperation with Empire BlueCross BlueShield, Empire BlueCross, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and BlueShield of Northeastern New York. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rate the quality of standalone Medicare Part D plans on a scale of one to five, with five stars representing the highest quality. BlueCross BlueShield Rx PDP will provide drug coverage for Medicareeligible individuals in New York state who are eligible for Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) and/or enrolled in Page 20

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Medicare Part B (physician and medical coverage). Medicare Part D plans have emerged as a popular option for adults age 65 and older, with nine out of 10 seniors satisfied with these plans, according to a Medicare Today survey conducted from Aug. 31, 2012, through Sept. 10, 2012, by KRC Research. The survey is available at MedicareToday. org. CMS rates standalone Part D plans on a variety of measures, including customer service, member complaints, responsiveness and medication adherence. The ratings were posted to the Medicare website to help beneficiaries select the best drug plan. Beneficiaries will see the star ratings when using Medicare’s Plan Finder at Medicare. gov. Plan performance star ratings are assessed each year and may change from one year to the next. For more information, go to NYMedicareRx.com. *The number of standalone Medicare Part D plans in the state and nation was based upon a report issued on Oct. 12, 2012, by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services titled

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

The Social Ask Security Ofﬁce Column provided by the local Social Security Office

How “Ticket To Work” Helped Terry Anderson Build a Better Life

he summer of 2007 felt like a ability benefits can keep their Medicare bad dream for Terry Anderson. coverage and their cash benefits while Reeling from a recent cancer gaining work experience during the tridiagnosis, she was downsized from the al work period. Anderson was relieved company where she’d worked for 11 to learn about another work incentive years. “There was no severance. I had called ‘expedited reinstatement,’ allowno insurance,” she said. “I was terriing her Social Security cash benefits fied.” to restart without a new application if Anderson began receiving Social she has to stop work within five years Security disability benefits and took because of her disability. an extended period of time away from Another helpful work incentive, work. Later, she learned about ‘oneknown as a Plan to Achieve Self-Supstop career centers’ that provide free port (PASS), allows Social Security employment-related support services disability recipients who meet the through Social Security’s Ticket to income rules for Supplemental Security Work program to people receiving Income (SSI) to set aside money to pay Social Security benefits. She for items or services they need decided to see what the Iowa to reach a specific work goal. Workforce Development These can include educational Center, her local one-stop, had expenses, training, job-reto offer. There are more than lated transportation, busia thousand one-stop career ness startup costs, tools and centers across the nation and equipment, child-care costs several of them in Upstate and even the cost of job interNew York. view clothes. By approving a The one-stop staff exPASS, Social Security agrees plained that the Ticket to to exclude certain income that Work program is designed would normally lower an SSI for people who receive Social payment amount. At the same Banikowski Security disability benefits and time, the person agrees to go are committed to achieving self-sufto work, with the goal of eventually ficiency through eventual full-time leaving disability benefits behind and employment. Through the program, becoming financially self-sufficient. Iowa Workforce helped Anderson coIn 2009, Anderson found work as a ordinate her career preparation and job loan servicing specialist and a second hunt. She updated her computer skills job in retail where she trains cashiers and built confidence in her prospects and enjoys interacting with customers. for long-term success. “They offered She was grateful that Social Security workshops on interview skills,” she helped her “get through the storm.” said. “I had my resume refurbished. I She built a better life through work. learned fresh strategies. At first, I was She no longer receives Social Security too proud to ask for help. I’m glad that disability benefits. “Now I’m healthy. I I did.” have two jobs. I love both of them. Life While Anderson was eager to move is good.” on, she was apprehensive about findWith support from Ticket to Work ing work and losing her benefits. She and Iowa Workforce Development learned about special Social Security Center, Anderson found her path to rules called “work incentives,” that self-sufficiency. To learn more about help people who receive disability the Ticket to Work program, call the benefits transition to the workforce and Ticket to Work help line at 1-866-968become financially self-sufficient. 7842 (TTY/TTD, 1-866-833-2967) or For example, people receiving disvisit www.socialsecurity.gov/work.

Q&A

Q: What can I do if I think someone has stolen my identity? A: You should do several things, including: • File a report with the local police or the police department where the identity theft took place, and keep a copy of the police report as proof of the crime; • Notify the Federal Trade Commission (1-877-ID-THEFT or 1-877-4384338); • File a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3. gov; and contact the fraud units of the three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax (800-525-6285); Trans Union: (800-680-7289); and Experian: (888-3973742).

Learn more by reading our publication, Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10064.html. Q: I’m reaching my full retirement age and thinking about retiring in early 2013. When is the best time of year to apply for Social Security benefits? A: If you are planning to retire in early 2013, you can apply now. You can apply as early as four months prior to when you want your monthly benefits to begin. To apply, just go to www.socialsecurity.gov/applytoretire. Applying online for retirement benefits from the convenience of your home or office is secure and can take as little as 15 minutes. It’s so easy!

By Jim Miller

How to Save Money by Donating Your Body to Science What can you tell me about body donations? With little money to spare, I’m looking for a cheap way to die and have heard that donating my body to science is free, not to mention it benefits medical research. Old and Poor Dear Old: If you’re looking to eliminate your final farewell expense and help advance medical research, donating your body to science is a great option to consider. Here’s what you should know. Body Donations

Each year, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Americans donate their whole body, after death, to medical facilities throughout the country to be used in medical research projects, anatomy lessons and surgical practice. After using your body, these facilities will then provide free cremation — which typically costs $600 to $3,000 — and will either bury or scatter your ashes in a local cemetery or return them to your family, usually within a year or two. Here are a few other tidbits you need to know to help you decide on whether whole-body donation is right for you. • Organ donors excluded: Most programs require that you donate your whole body in its entirety. So if you want to be an organ donor, you won’t qualify to be a whole body donor too. You’ll have to choose. • Not all bodies are accepted: If, for example, your body has been badly damaged in a care accident or if you’re morbidly obese, you many not qualify. • Body transporting is covered: Most programs will pay to transport your body to their facility unless your body must be moved from out of state. • No special requests: Most programs won’t allow you to donate your body for a specific purpose — you give them the body and they decide how to use it. • Funeral services are not covered: Most programs will allow your family to conduct any final services they wish before taking custody of your body, but they won’t pay for it.

Bienestar Bilingual Counseling Center,

LLC

2717 Bellevue Avenue 1st Floor, Syracuse, NY 13210 • (315) 437-1304 Randy Stetson, LCSW-R • rstetson@bienestar-bcc.com • www.bienestar-bcc.com

• Your family won’t be paid: Federal law prohibits buying bodies.

Public Health Nurses Registered Professional Nurses

What To Do

If you do decide you want to donate your body, it’s best to make arrangements in advance with a body donation program in your area. Most programs are offered by university-affiliated medical schools. In Upstate New York, two facilities will accept bodies: SUNY Upstate Medical Center, department of anatomy, in Syracuse, phone 315-464-5120 and 315-464-5047; and University of Rochester School of Medicine, department of anatomy, in Rochester, phone 585275-2592. 585-275-2272. (To find other facilities in the U. S. visit www.med.ufl. edu/anatbd/usprograms.html). In addition to the medical schools, there are also a number of private organizations like Anatomy Gifts Registry (anatomicgift.com), BioGift (biogift.org) and Science Care (sciencecare.com) that accept whole body donations too. If you don’t have Internet access, you can get help over the phone by calling the National Family Services Desk, which operates a free body donation referral service during business hours at 800-727-0700. Once you locate a program in your area, call and ask them to mail you an information/registration packet that will explain exactly how their program works. To sign up, you’ll simply need to fill out a couple of forms. But, you can always change your mind by revoking your authorization in writing. After you have made arrangements, you then need to tell your family members so they will know what to do and who to contact after your death. It’s also a good idea to tell your doctor and put your wishes in writing in your advance directives. These are legal documents that include a medical power of attorney and living will that spell out your wishes regarding your end-of-life medical treatment when you can no longer make decisions for yourself. If you don’t have an advance directive, go to caringinfo.org or call 800-658-8898 where you can get free state-specific forms with instructions to help you make one. 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.

Oswego County Health Department has excellent nursing opportunities in community-based health care providing skilled nursing care to clients in their homes. Beneﬁts include: • Competitive hourly rate plus incentive bonus package • Health, life, dental and vision insurance coverage • Membership in the NYS Retirement System • Paid holidays and vacation leave • Tuition reimbursement for related education For more information on qualiﬁcations and to download an application, visit our website at http://www.oswegocounty.com/personnel/openings.html or call 349-3548. Please submit application to: Kathryn Caltabiano, Director of Patient Services Oswego County Health Department 70 Bunner Street, Oswego, NY 13126 (315) 349-3548 • kate@oswegocounty.com

Pediatric Cardiology Associates, LLC For over 40 years, Pediatric Cardiology Associates, LLC has been providing cardiovascular services throughout the Central New York region, to children and young adults with congenital heart disease. PCA performs noninvasive services, including fetal, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, EKG services, stress/exercise testing and MRI/MRA. Accepting referrals from pediatricians and primary care physicians. 725 Irving Suite 804, Syracuse, NY 13210 Phone (315)-214-7700 | Toll Free (877) 404-5868 | Fax: (315) 214-7701 ❤ Marie S. Blackman, M.D., Director Emeritus ❤ Matthew Egan, M.D. ❤ Nader H. Atallah-Yunes, M.D., FACC ❤ Daniel A. Kveselis, M.D., FACC ❤ Craig J Byrum M.D., FACC ❤ Frank C. Smith, M.D., FACC December 2012 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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H ealth News New Onondaga County Medical Society President

hysician Ramsay S. Farah of Jamesville was installed on Nov. 8 as the 185th president of the Onondaga County Medical Society, which was founded in 1806. At the Medical Society’s annual dinner meeting, physcian David R. Halleran, also of Jamesville, assumed the position of president-elect of the l,764 member organization. Other officers assuming new positions are physicians David T. Page, Farah immediate past-president; Dennis J. Nave, vice president; Dan J. Vick, treasurer; and Andrew J. Merritt, secretary. The new president, at age 43, is the youngest county medical society president in more than 30 years. Farah, a dermatologist, is associated with Farah Dermatology and Cosmetics, which includes his father,

Good Will Transportation Services now expanding Good Will Transportation Services Inc. announced that it’s now offering a wide variety of transportation services in Syracuse and Onondaga County. Originally started 15 years ago delivering blood for the American Red Cross, this local veteran-owned business has successfully expanded to provide medical transportation. It’s owned by Wilfred Wagner. Wagner Among the services it provides are medical (specializing in wheelchair), small package transportation, prescription delivery, airport service, veterans discounts and other services to businesses, organizations and individuals in the area.

New physician joins the staff of Oswego Hospital Physician Alberto Del Pilar, Jr. has recently joined the active medical staff at Oswego Hospital and the practice of Internist Renato Mandanas, MD. in Oswego. Del Pilar originally earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing and his first medical degree from Far Eastern University in the Philippines. He practiced medicine at hospitals in Marikina City and Bulacan in the Philippines. In 2002, he moved to the United States Del Pilar and provided care as a registered nurse for six years. Wanting to become a practicing physician in Page 22

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Fuad Farah, and his sister, Joyce Farah, both physicians. The Farah family came to Syracuse in 1976 from their home country of Lebanon. All four of Fuad Farah and his wife, Mona’s, children are physicians. Andrew J. Merritt, a past president of the Onondaga County Medical Society and the New York State Academy of Family Physicians, received the 2012 Distinguished Service Award, the Society’s highest award. Other 2012 physician award winners were Marya C. Gendzielewsi, Eva D. Gregory, Michael R. O’Leary and David R. Smith. Non-Physician award winners were Sharon Cirincione, Joanne Zinsmeister-Yarwood, Hutchings Psychiatric Center, Menorah Park, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Susan Schilling and Pamela Thornton.

this country, he completed an internship and residency program in June in community and family medicine at the University of Missouri’s Truman Medical Center. “After completing my residency, I am excited to begin practicing,” he said. “Oswego is a nice community and the people I have met have been very welcoming,” he said Del Pilar’s wife, Clarissa Del Rosario, is a nephrologist and practices in the Syracuse area. The couple is expecting their first child next year.

Hospitalist joins medical staff at Oswego Hospital Leandro Bernardo, who recently completed his fellowship at Saint Louis University, has joined the active medical staff of Oswego Hospital and will be part of the healthcare facility’s hospitalist team. As a hospitalist, Bernardo will care for inpatients at the hospital, whose primary care physicians have opted to take advantage of the healthcare facility’s hospitalist program. It has become a trend throughout the country in recent years for primary care physicians to have hospitalists care for their hospitalized patients, allowing them to Bernardo remain in their offices during the daytime and eliminating their hospital on-call duties. Oswego hospital implemented a hospitalist program in 2009. Bernardo, a board-certified internist, earned his medical degree cum laude from the University of the Philippines, in Manila. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Good Samaritan Hospital in Maryland, which is affiliated with

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

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. During his final year of residency, he was chief resident for internal medicine and he had the distinction as the most outstanding resident in his graduating class.

Hand therapist joins The Centers at St. Camillus Certified hand therapist Mary Blatz has joined the outpatient rehabilitation team at The Centers at St. Camillus. An occupational therapist with more than 25 years of clinical hand therapy experience, Blatz is known for her highly personalized approach to meeting each patient’s unique therapy needs. Hand therapy is a highly specialized service that is designed to speed recovery from an injury to or surgery of the hand, wrist, Blatz elbow or shoulder girdle, and to prevent further complications. “Mary Blatz is a highly qualified hand therapist who has provided hand therapy services to our community for over 25 years. I am very excited to welcome Mary to our outpatient team at St. Camillus, to continue to provide care to individuals with upper extremity and hand therapy needs,” said Donna White, supervisor of occupational therapy. Blatz provides therapy to a variety of upper extremity-injured patients with post-operative and non-operative upper extremity conditions, including: Wrist and hand fracture, arthritis, repetitive motion disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and epicondylitis, arthroscopy, tendon and nerve repairs, and amputation and replant.

News from

CROUSE HOSPITAL Crouse Hospital Receives ‘Get With The Guidelines’ Gold Plus Achievement Award, Hospital also named to National Stroke Honor Roll — Crouse Hospital has received the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association’s ‘Get With The Guidelines’ Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award for the second consecutive year. The award recognizes Crouse’s commitment and success in implementing high-quality care for stroke patients according to national evidence-based guidelines. To receive the award, Crouse achieved a score of 85 percent or higher adherence to all stroke quality indicators for three consecutive 12-month intervals and achieved 75 percent or higher compliance with five of eight Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality Measures, which are reporting initiatives to measure quality of care. In addition to the Get With The Guideline-Stroke award, Crouse has also been recognized as a recipient of the association’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll for its ongoing efforts in improving stroke care. Over the past quarter, at least 50 percent of eligible ischemic stroke patients have received IV rt-PA within 60 minutes of arriving at the hospital (known as ‘door-to-needle’ time). “With a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and this recognition reflects our commitment to providing aggressive, proven stroke care,” said physician Tarakad Ramachandran, medical director of the hospital’s stroke program. “We will continue our focus on providing care that has been shown in

St. Joe’s Nursing Graduates Achieve 98 Percent Pass Rate on Licensing Exam St. Joseph’s Hospital College of Nursing Dean Marianne Markowitz reports that 98.1 percent of the college’s May 2012 graduates have passed the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) on their first attempt through October 2012. The state mean pass rate year to date is 87.59 percent and the national mean is 90.88 percent. “I am proud to announce that St. Joseph’s graduates continue to excel on the NCLEX, scoring far above the state and national means,” says Markowitz. “Our graduates demonstrate excellence as registered professional nurses who practice throughout our community as well as nationally.” According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), “To ensure public protection, NCSBN member board jurisdictions require a candidate for licensure to

pass an examination that measures the competencies needed to perform safely and effectively as a newly licensed, entry-level nurse.” The licensure exam for registered nurses is the NCLEX-RN. St. Joseph’s Hospital College of Nursing provides an associate degree in applied science with a major in nursing. A dual degree partnership in nursing (DDPN), held in conjunction with Le Moyne College allows high school graduates to earn both associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing in four years and to sit for the national nursing licensure exam after just three years. St. Joseph’s Hospital College of Nursing is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and is a candidate for accreditation through Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

H ealth News the scientific literature to quickly and efficiently treat stroke patients with evidence-based protocols.” The number of acute ischemic stroke patients eligible for treatment is expected to grow over the next decade due to increasing stroke incidence and an aging population, according to Ramachandran. Crouse was named a designated stroke care center by the NYS Department of Health in 2007. It was the first area hospital to receive Gold Plus status for stroke care.

Crouse Gets Grant from Jim Boeheim “Healthy Habits At Hughes: A Second Course” campaign to foster better eating habits at Hughes Elementary School in Syracuse Childhood obesity has tripled in the last 30 years across the United States and Central New York. In an effort to address this major health issue, the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation recently renewed and increased a grant award to Crouse Hospital for $15,000 to expand nutrition educational activities at Hughes Elementary School in Syracuse. The grant provides funding for Healthy Habits at Hughes, an educational program that educates students, staff and parents on how to move in the direction of better eating, specifically by using portion control and adding more fruits and vegetables to their daily diets. This year’s program launched with the school’s Back to School BBQ, where students and parents received frozen bananas as a healthy dessert and many of the students made pledges to increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables and their physical activity. These messages will be reinforced to the entire student body this year with three separate lectures in each classroom, presented by a registered dietitian, and special events, including a Healthy Habits at Hughes Math and Science Night and Family Fun Night, as well as a Taste of Hughes food sampling event. For more information about the Healthy Habits at Hughes program, contact Crouse Hospital’s Community Health Outreach Manager, Leesa Kelley, at 315-470-7105 or leesakelley@crouse.org.

News from

New Director of Environmental Services, Transport Services and Linen — Barbara Wagoner, a registered nurse, has been appointed as director of environmental services, transport services and linen. She is a resident of Cicero. An employee of St. Joseph’s for 32 years, Wagoner has held many clinical and management positions in

Wagoner

her tenure, most recently as the manager of transport services. She graduated from St Joseph’s College of Nursing and is currently attending Columbia College. She will graduate with a bachelor of science in business in 2014.

College of Nursing gets $664K grant for scholarships

New Docs — Several new physicians have joined St. Joseph’s medical staff . They are: Ravneet Dhillon of Rochester, emergency medicine; Matthew J. Krauthamer of New York, emergency medicine; Phuong M. Nguyen of Syracuse, internal medicine; and Emily P. Rhodes of Manlius, family medicine. New Accolades — St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center’s cardio vascular and orthopedic programs again received high ratings from HealthGrades, a national provider of information to help consumers make informed decisions about physicians or hospitals. The “American Hospital Quality Outcomes 2013: Healthgrades Report to the Nation,” which evaluates the performance of approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide across nearly 30 of the most common conditions and procedures, found the following: — St. Joseph’s Named among America’s Best 100 Hospitals • One of HealthGrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention (2013) • One of HealthGrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Joint Replacement™ (2012-2013 — Cardiovascular • Recipient of the HealthGrades Coronary Intervention Excellence Award (2013) • Ranked Among the Top 10 percent in the Nation for Coronary Interventional Procedures (2013) • Five-Star Recipient for Valve Surgery (2012-2013) • Five-Star Recipient for Coronary Interventional Procedures (2013) • Recipient of the HealthGrades Vascular Surgery Excellence Award (2011-2013) • Ranked Among the Top 5 percent in the Nation for Vascular Surgery (2012-2013) • Ranked No. 1 in New York for Vascular Surgery (2012-2013) • Ranked Among the Top 5 in New York for Vascular Surgery (2010-2013) • Five-Star Recipient for Vascular Surgery (2012-2013) • Five-Star Recipient for Repair of Abdominal Aorta (2013) • Five-Star Recipient for Carotid Surgery (2010-2013) • Five-Star Recipient for Peripheral Vascular Bypass (2012-2013) — Orthopedic • Recipient of the HealthGrades Joint Replacement Excellence Award™ (2011-2013) • Ranked Among the Top 5 percent in the Nation for Joint Replacement (2011-2013) • Ranked No. 3 in New York for Joint Replacement (2013) • Ranked Among the Top 5 in New York for Joint Replacement (2011-2013) (Ranked 3 in 2013) • Five-Star Recipient for Joint Replacement (2007-2013)

Students in Upstate Medical University’s College of Nursing participate in a white coat ceremony. Nurses pursuing advance degrees as primary care practitioners have opportunities to gain more scholarship support thanks to federal grant.

he College of Nursing at Upstate Medical University has been awarded a two-year $664,000 grant from the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) to provide scholarships for nurses pursuing advanced degrees as primary care nurse practitioners. Upstate’s College of Nursing is one of only 71 nursing schools and colleges across the country to receive the competitive grant funding. HRSA is a program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designed to develop a culturally competent and diverse workforce. “This support helps reduce the financial barriers for nurses who are seeking advanced training, and this is especially important as nurses continue to play a larger role on the frontlines of medical care,” said Elvira Szigeti, dean of the College of Nursing. Szigeti says many nurses return to school for this particular training, after being in the workforce and having a family. “The demands on their financial resources and time are significant and this support helps makes that path to an advanced degree easier to navigate.”

• Five-Star Recipient for Total Knee Replacement (2007-2013) • Five-Star Recipient for Total Hip Replacement (2011-2013) Combined Heat and Power Plant to Be Installed on Hospital Campus — St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center will install a combined heat and power plant at its main hospital campus to support new expansion and their existing facilities. Construction on the $15 million project is scheduled to begin in 2013 with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) providing a $2 million December 2012 •

Szigeti says nurses with advanced training, especially nurse practitioners who specialize in geriatric care or mental health or another specialty, will be in great demand as the Affordable Care Act seeks to improve access to medical care for many. Money from the grant will be awarded as scholarships to students pursuing advanced degrees as primary care nurse practitioners in the following programs offered by Upstate: Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Family Psych-Mental Health. Nurse practitioners can be key members of the healthcare team as they have the ability to provide diagnosis, treatment and consultation as well as write prescriptions and order diagnostic testing. Szigeti said the amount of each scholarship would depend on how the number of applications funded, but cannot exceed $22,000 for a fulltime student or $11,000 for a parttime student. Upstate’s College of Nursing enrolls approximately 400 full and parttime students, and offers bachelor’s, master’s and post-master’s advanced certificates. incentive for the project. The facility will be constructed while the current hospital expansion phase is being constructed and will be operational by the end of 2014. Combined heat and power (CHP), is the simultaneous generation of electricity and usable heat, in the form of steam and hot water. The adoption of CHP can provide energy supply reliability, environmental benefits, and predictable energy costs. Housed adjacent to the loading dock building along North State Street, the CHP plant will use a 4.5 megawatt (MW) natural gas-fired turbine. It is

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H ealth News estimated that the CHP system will generate 25 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually. This is equivalent to the amount of power consumed by approximately 3,600 homes in a year. “Our CHP facility will generate electricity and heat for our buildings, as well as hot water and chilled water,” explained Edward Grabowski, facilities engineer. “In addition, it will allow us to continue our normal operations in the event of a power outage.” Diabetes Program Receives Accreditation — The outpatient diabetes self-management education program at St. Joseph’s was recently awarded accreditation by the American Association of Diabetes Educators. This will allow patients throughout the St. Joseph’s network increased access to diabetes education services. Diabetes education is a collaborative process through which people with or at risk for diabetes gain the knowledge and skills needed to modify behavior and successfully self-manage the disease and its related conditions. The course is provided by certified diabetes educators and encourages patients to set goals toward improved health. “Trends show that diabetes education is moving out of the hospital and into the community, so AADE’s accreditation program was created, in part, to encourage diabetes education where the patient is seeking care,” said Leslie E. Kolb, director of the accreditation program. “Availability of education throughout the St. Joseph’s network is exactly the type of program we envisioned when we set up the accreditation program in 2009,” Kolb says.

News from

Breast Surgeons Join Upstate’s Community Campus — Upstate University Hospital’s Community campus announced that Mary Ellen Greco and Kristine Keeney recently joined its medical staff. The physicians see patients in the Physician Office Building South on the Community campus located at 4900 Broad Road, Syracuse. Both are boardcertified, fellowshiptrained physicians and have been well established in the Syracuse Greco community for more than a decade. They will work to treat a wide range of breast conditions from cancer to genetic testing to lactation issues. Greco is a graduate of LeMoyne College, and she received her doctor of medicine from SUNY Upstate Medical University. Keeney She completed her residency in general surgery at Upstate University Hospital, in addition to a fellowship in trauma and surgical criti-

cal care at the University of Maryland Medical System/R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Md. Greco is a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery. Keeney is a graduate of Boston University, and she received her doctor of medicine from SUNY Upstate Medical University. She completed a residency in general surgery at Upstate University Hospital, where she also served as chief resident of general surgery, and completed a Susan G. Komen fellow of breast surgical oncology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Keeney is certified by the American Board of Surgery.

Seymore named ‘Outstanding Performer’

onah Seymore, a Syracuse resident and an employee in the custodial division at Oswego Industries, Inc., has been named one of the winners of The William B. Joslin Outstanding Performer Award for 2012.The Joslin Awards are presented by the New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc. (NYSID) and serve to celebrate vocational and personal growth by New Yorkers with disabilities. Seymore came to work at Oswego Industries, Inc. in January of 2001 when Consolidated Industries of Syracuse abruptly closed its doors. He began working immediately as a custodial cleaner and since has worked a various NYSID accounts including Cedar Street School of Nursing, Department of Transportation and Department of

The Centers at St. Camillus Wraps Up Successful ‘Stop Hunger’ Campaign

Jonah Seymore poses with his 2012 Outstanding Performer award from NYSID. Labor. According to a press release, he has since demonstrated various characteristics deserving of his re-nomination including his adaptability and drive to increase job responsibilities when needed or wanted on his own behalf. “Jonah is a very hard worker,” said Seymour’s former supervisor Sharon Stevens. “You can train him on almost anything and he’ll pick it up easily. He’s such a good learner that I was able to trust him to fill in for my role from time to time.” Oswego Industries, Inc. is a private, notnprofit community rehabilitation program which has been providing programs and services to adults with disabilities since 1968.

Aurora’s excellence award winners announced

Members of The Centers at St. Camillus community display the results of their ‘Stop Hunger’ food drive campaign. Pictured from left to right are Aileen Balitz, president of The Centers at St. Camillus, Michael Schafer, vice president for the nursing facility, Mary Monteleone, general manager of dining and nutrition, and executive chef Rob Mackay. Sodexo Senior Services recently partnered on a ‘Stop Hunger’ food drive campaign. Sodexo Senior Services provides dining and nutrition services at the facility. During the campaign that ran from Oct.15 through Nov. 9, approximately 650 pounds of food and $160 were collected, making this year’s the most successful camPage 24

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paign yet. All donations will help support the St. Charles Food Pantry. “This is our biggest year yet, thanks to everyone’s generosity,” said Mary Monteleone, general manager of dining and nutrition at St. Camillus.

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

Aurora of CNY, Inc. presented its excellence awards at its annual meeting at the Mulroy Civic Center in Syracuse Nov. 15th 2012. The organization submitted the following profiles of the awardees: Monica Johnson of Syracuse is a true inspiration and a living example of someone who has lost her physical sight, only to gain a whole new vision. Johnson says, ‘When I could see, I painted myself in a corner and was afraid of the world—now that I am blind, I see the whole world as an opportunity!” She makes the most of Johnson her opportunities as a gifted equine riding instructor and as a sought after motivational speaker. Johnson has a special call to speak to young people to encourage them to “find their identities early so they won’t be swayed and searching.” She shares her life experiences in a powerful way to help others and is currently working to build her speaking career. Shaunna Smith of Syracuse embodies the persona of a “go-getter.” Her upbeat personality, positive

H ealth News attitude and strong determination have paid off as she has been seeking employment through Aurora’s Deaf Services. Employed since March 2012 at the Rescue Mission as an attendant at their donation center, Smith’s supervisor describes her as a “godsend and a Smith lifesaver.” She routinely works extra hours. She also assisted as a panelist at this year’s Deaf Awareness Week Deaf That! Community Education Workshop, sharing her experiences to enlighten the hearing world. Megan Mullen of Baldwinsville is a senior at C.W. Baker High School where she has consistently achieved grades that have landed her on the high honor roll since junior high. Mullen enjoys science and writing and has pursued these interests by writing for the school newspaper and as a member of the environmental club. For the past three summers, Mullen Mullen has successfully worked as a camp counselor at the MOST and Rosamond Gifford Zoo and as an assistant at Park Rose Terrace. In spite of numerous personal and medical challenges over the past several years, Mullen continues to achieve academic excellence and looks forward to a career in elementary education. Christine Aiken of Camillus is currently enrolled as a freshman at Onondaga Community College where she is taking her first steps toward becoming a counselor for teens at risk. Her sights

are set on attending Gallaudette University to finish her degree. Since middle school, Aiken has been a mentor in the Whole Me afterschool program and is currently working with deaf and hard of hearing teens to produce a documentary about life as a deaf teenAiken ager. Whole Me Executive Director Chris Kovar describes Aiken as an amazing woman who consistently displays leadership, initiative, gumption, heart and tenacity…a bright light that shines for us all! Mattie Letham Community Leadership Award — Arlene Balestra-Marko is a New York state licensed audiologist with a specialty certification in pediatric audiology and the founder of Hear 2 Learn, Inc., a for-profit agency that provide comprehensive services for children in early intervention and pre-school children with disabilities. Over the past seven years the agency has grown to provide a host of therapies and educational services for children with a broad spectrum of developmental delays. In 2007, Hear 2 Learn opened a pediatric Balestra-Marko audiology clinic with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment to provide testing and diagnostics in a child friendly environment. Marko has been instrumental in the provision of two partnership projects with Aurora to provide low cost hearing aids to seniors and children. Her passion for excellence and commitment to access to

service for all who need it has ensured that countless seniors and now children will receive the hearing aids and support they need to improve the quality of their lives. Employer of the Year- Olinsky Law Group—The Olinsky Law Group has been a leader in disability law for over 25 years. Its practice areas are limited to social security disability, workers’ compensation, long-term disability claims and ERISA, and ADA (Americans with Disability Act) Discrimination. Currently the firm represents more than 2,200 individuals with nine attorneys and 25 support staff. They have opened their doors to hire people with disabilities by working in partnership with Aurora’s employment placement services. They were an active member of Disability Mentoring Day 2012 and remain committed to their vision statement of enforcing the rights of people with disabilities through legal representation and education.

Alliance Bank supports Madison County’s TCE Once again, Alliance Bank contributed to help support RSVP of Madison County’s Tax Counseling for the Elderly program. The TCE program uses volunteer tax preparers to help citizens over age 60 file tax returns. Volunteers are trained and certified by the IRS and prepare taxes for senior citizens from January through April 15 each year. Mary Bartlett, director of RSVP, said her agency receives a small grant from the IRS that pays for a portion of expenses, including materials and training. But the local support for the program is critical to help cover the

St. Joseph’s Opens New Oncology Unit

oseph’s Hospital Health Center established a new oncology unit Oct. 29. The 16-bed unit, which is totally dedicated to the care of cancer patients, consists of eight private and four semi-private rooms and its layout includes many of the features of the new private rooms being constructed as part of the patient tower project. “The unit includes the new medication cabinets and infection control closets that will be included in our new patient tower when it is built,” said Gael Gilbert, director of director, maternal child, behavioral healthinpatient and oncology services. “In addition, the technology the clinical staff is using is brand new. We’re adding the equipment to many of our new areas as they are renovated or built.” An example of the new technology is the motion tablet the nurses are using to record information about the patients. Similar to an iPad, the tablets are easier to transport from room to room and smaller in size than the laptops formerly used. The unit also is using a new communication system in lieu of call bells, and the Welch Allyn Spot Vital Signs LXi monitors, which allow clinical staff to take patient vital signs and have them automatically recorded in the medical record.

Reverend Severine Yagaza, St. Joseph’s chaplain, blesses one of the new oncology rooms at St. Joseph’s Hospital. A family waiting room and welcoming reception space are also included in the new unit, where cancer patients often face chemotherapy and other advanced forms of care. St. Joseph’s cares for more than

1,000 oncology patients each year, including breast cancer patients and those with other forms of the disease. These patients used to recover on a different unit in the hospital that was not fully dedicated to cancer care. December 2012 •

Cindy Lindauer, left, Alliance Bank branch manager presents donation to Mary Bartlett, director RSVP of Madison County remaining costs. “We’re happy to contribute to help support this important program” said Cindy Lindauer, Alliance Bank branch manager. Last year, the tax counseling program helped senior citizens receive over $300,000 in refunds. The program will be up and running again for the coming tax season. Anyone who has computer skills and a background in accounting or bookkeeping and is willing to volunteer can call Bartlett at 684-3001 ext. 103 for more information.

St. Joseph’s nets $557,000 at fundraisers St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation raised more than half a million dollars at its annual fundraiser events in 2012. The gala dinner dance netted more than $330,000, and the golf tournament netted nearly $227,000. St. Joseph’s Foundation hosted its annual black tie optional gala dinner dance on June 1. The event, held at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino, featured a Hollywood/red carpet theme. Presenting sponsor was Central New York Infusion Services, LLC; gala cochairs were Dr. Randy and Mrs. Meg Green and Dr. Pawan and Mrs. Sue Rao. Proceeds from the gala support St. Joseph’s programs and services. Next year’s gala will be held Friday, May 31. The hospital also hosted its 20th annual Golf Classic on Sept. 7, at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino, raising thousands of dollars for enhancing patient care through the support of St. Joseph’s nationally recognized programs and services. The presenting sponsor of the 2012 tournament was Franciscan Companies, an affiliate of St. Joseph’s. “This year was a tremendous success, thank you to everyone for your support,” said Margaret Martin, vice president for marketing, communications and development. “We were pleased to see friendly faces from past years and new partners for the future.”

Story Ideas for In Good Health? Have an idea for a feature story in In Good Health. Email it to the editor at “editor@cnyhealth.com”

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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H ealth News Looking for MS Activists to Honor at Annual ‘On the Move’ Luncheon The National MS Society Upstate New York Chapter is seeking nominations to honor individuals in the community who are working to create a world free of multiple sclerosis through their philanthropy, volunteerism or activism. Do you know someone who is on the move in our community making a mark against MS? Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized for everything they do while living with the challenges of MS? Individuals will be recognized in the following categories: Young Person on the Move (aged 40 and under), Professional On the Move, Volunteer On the Move, Inspirational Person On the Move, and Group On the Move. Individuals do not need to have multiple sclerosis to be considered for an award, but they do need to be making an impact in the MS movement. A volunteer committee will review nominations and select individuals or groups to be honored at the chapter’s On the Move Luncheon during MS Awareness Week on March 15. To nominate someone to be recognized by the National MS Society, download the nomination form at www.MSupstateny.org (click on the ‘On the Move’ button) or email your nomination to Valerie.Hoak@nmss.org. Be sure to include your nominee’s name, address, phone number and email, and explain in 250 words or less how the nominee is making a difference for people with MS, or is a person with MS making a difference in the community. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 31. “On the Move” is a nationwide educational and fundraising event that helps to increase public awareness of MS and the National MS Society while acknowledging and encouraging the advancement of philanthropists, community leaders and volunteers.

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The location is scheduled to be the home of Victory Campus. The anchor of the development will be a 61,000 sq. ft. medical, health and wellness, and research facility that will house physicians, practitioners, trainers and researchers. An indoor recreational, athletic training and rehabilitation center of approximately 170, 000 sq. ft. will be built adjacent to the core building and will house a ﬁtness/ athletic performance training center, and multi-use basketball/volleyball courts with a raised walking/running track.

Orthopedic surgeon planning a large health facility in Skaneateles Victory Campus will combine healthcare, sports and wellness in a 100-acre suburban site By Harold Miller

arc Pietropaoli, an orthopedic surgeon and founder of Victory Sports Medicine in Skaneateles, has a dream. He envisions a world-class health care treatment, education and research facility that will serve as a blueprint for the future of healthcare. Pietropaoli is one of a new breed of doctor and surgeon that hopes to change the way the healthcare system functions in America. Doctor ‘P’ (as he is affectionately known) employs a conservative approach to medicine, which includes doctor, therapist and patient. “Until the medical community changes the way it operates [pun intended] and until people develop a healthier lifestyle we will never be able to control health care costs,” he said. “Furthermore, if we wish to reduce the cost of health care, first we must reform the system to include preventive medicine, healthier lifestyles and therapy. As it stands now — doctors are not adequately compensated on preventive medicine, healthy diet, exercise, or therapy programs.” Victory Campus is designed from the ground up to facilitate this muchneeded goal of promoting health and wellness for all ages. The center or anchor of the entire

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

campus is a state-of-the-art medical/ health and wellness facility that will include top physicians, practitioners and researchers. The campus will also include various types of sports and recreational areas and activities for community members, students, athletes, coaches and family members. An urgent care facility will also be housed in the medical building — managed by a local hospital. VSM Enterprises currently owns approximately 100 acres along state Route 20 less than a mile east of East Lake Road in the Village of Skaneateles. The location is scheduled to be the home of Victory Campus. The anchor of the development will be a 61,000 sq. ft. medical, health and wellness, and research facility that will house physicians, practitioners, trainers and researchers. An indoor recreational, athletic training and rehabilitation center of approximately 170, 000 sq. ft. will be built adjacent to the core building and will house a fitness/athletic performance training center, and multiuse basketball/volleyball courts with a raised walking/running track. The expansive grounds of Victory Campus will encompass approximately 76 acres of open managed space and 14 acres which are designated for wet-

land preservation. This portion of the site will include four multi-use artificial turf fields, two multi-use natural grass fields, and five baseball/softball fields — all laced with nature trails for hiking, walking, running and biking. Much care has been taken to preserve the natural countryside landscape that surrounds this beautiful site in order to buffer the campus from its surroundings. All-in-all Victory Campus is an entirely unique development that blends healthcare, sports and wellness into a beautifully designed facility that will change the way medicine is practiced — and hopefully establish a blueprint for the future of healthcare. I have been a patient of Pietropaoli for many years and he has saved me from painful joint surgery on more than one occasion. He combines his conservative training, caring practice of medicine, and continual research in the field of orthopedics into a vision of a healthier America. If anybody can accomplish this dream it is he. Harold Miller, an Auburn businessman and longtime patient of Dr. Pietropaoli, is the director of publicity for the Victory Campus project.

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• The art of picking the right pet • Holiday gifts—what’s popular, where to find it • Do you call this retirement? A conversation with Nick Pirro • Joe Carfagno: Saying it with music • Proﬁle: Floyd Little — The legendary No. 44 • Exercising in your 50s, 60, 70s and beyond • Visits: Lighting the way — The lighthouses of Upstate New York • Mack Richardson, opera director at the Oswego Opera

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