Cny igh 177 sept14

in good 10 No-Nos

September 2014 • Issue 177

Columnist Melissa Stefanec (photo) talks about 10 things you should never say to a pregnant woman

free FREE

CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

CONCUSSION SEASON IS ON Back to school means a high incidence of sport-related traumatic brain injuries, predominantly concussions.

Boxer Ray Ciancaglini shares his own experience with concussion hoping other people can avoid his mistakes Page 12

Can it Help Prevent Cancer?

A recent British study says it can

U.S. Hospitals See Big Rise in Drug-Related Suicide Attempts

End-of-Life Care Physician Judith Setla is the medical director at Hospice Central New York.

She shares some of her experiences working with end-oflife patients

Biking in the City

S

Abusive relationships at ‘epidemic levels’

yracuse’s Cycle in the City monthly ride program is marking its fifth year in 2014. The monthly bicycle ride, which takes place one Sunday morning each month between May and October, encourages residents to get out of their homes for some healthy exercise and an opportunity to see parts of the city they may never have experienced. Two rides remain this year.

Tiffany Breck, an educator at Vera House, talks about abusive relationships. “It’s definitely happening on epidemic levels.”

Page 15

Faith-Based Addiction Programs

Say ‘Yes’ to Cottage Cheese

Lloyd Overstreet and his wife, Tonya, lead the Reformers Unanimous program at Buckley Road Baptist Church in Liverpool. It’s one of several faith-based recovery programs offered Page 14 inPage7 the region.

Page11 Page 17

It deserves to stand alone.

From its nutrient content to its ease of consumption to its low cost, cottage cheese is a bona fide powerhouse.

September 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 1

We

Our Caregivers!

FREE CLASSES!

September thru November

Anyone 18 years or older who voluntarily provides care and assistance to an older or disabled person is a caregiver.

SEPTEMBER

Healthy Eating for Successful Living Powerful Tools for Caregivers Legal Issues in Healthcare Planning Intimacy, Sexuality and Aging Problem Solving Your Way to Better Caregiving

OCTOBER

When Words Are Not Enough: How to Communicate with a Person with Dementia Zen and the Art of Caregiving What Happens After the Hospital? Ever Wonder About....

Hands-On Care At Home Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Men Can Cook Understanding Behaviors of Alzheimer’s Disease

NOVEMBER

Connecting You to Better Care How HealtheConnections can help improve your healthcare experience

I

magine being rushed to the emergency room during a crisis, unresponsive and none of your family members can communicate your medical history to the doctor. Think of the times you were asked to retrieve your records for a referral or how you’ve been subjected to duplicate diagnostic tests. Wouldn’t you want your doctor to have all of this information available for your care?

HealtheConnections can help your care team to access a comprehensive view of your electronic health record, quickly pulling up your allergies, medications, test results, and additional reports from other healthcare facilities to ensure that your medical history is taken into account before you are treated in the emergency room. In a way, your medical information is able to speak for you when you cannot speak for yourself.

HealtheConnections (HeC), the Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO) of Central New York, is a nonprofit organization that is bringing patient medical records together electronically, safely and securely, to contribute to better patient care. HeC provides for the secure exchange of electronic health information making patient information available to authorized caregivers — where it’s needed, when it’s needed — so doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers have a more complete picture of a patient’s health and can provide the best possi-

ble care without having to deal with paper documents.

Currently there are over 350 organizations participating with HeC, including hospitals, diagnostic centers, practices and other clinical entities.

These healthcare providers are able to access patients’ regional medical records to assist in patient care along with hundreds of other primary care providers and specialists. Some are also sending patient data to make this information available for all healthcare providers in the 11-county region covered by HealtheConnections. The data being shared and viewed through HeC’s Patient Lookup includes patient demographics, lab results, radiology reports and images, medications, allergies, problem lists, and transcribed reports.

In New York state, patient health information can be securely shared for patient care. However, before patient electronic health records can be accessed by doctors, nurses or other authorized healthcare workers, patients are required to sign a consent form to acknowledge that their healthcare provider is allowed to view their records.

Is your healthcare provider a HealtheConnections participant? Ask them. If not, encourage them to join.

For a complete listing of participating organizations, visit www.healtheconnections.org.

Submitted by HealtheConnections

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A complete range of inpatient and outpatient including: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Hand Therapy, Speech Therapy

Funding for the Institute for Caregivers is provided by the New York State Office for Aging, the US Administration on Aging and Onondaga County Office of Aging.

Page 2

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

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Daily Aspirin May Help Prevent Cancer: Study Taking low-dose pill each day fights numerous malignancies, and benefits outweigh any risk

T

aking aspirin every day appears to reduce the odds of developing and dying from colon, stomach or esophageal cancer, a new study suggests.

Based on a review of available studies, researchers determined that the benefits of aspirin therapy for preventing cancer outweigh the risks. Millions of people already take this inexpensive drug to prevent or treat heart disease.

“We came to the conclusion that most people between the ages of 50 and 65 would benefit from a daily aspirin,” said lead researcher Jack Cuzick, head of the Center for Cancer Prevention at Queen Mary, University of London.

“It looks like if everyone took a daily aspirin, there would be less cancer, and that would far outweigh any side effects,” added Cuzick.

Gastrointestinal bleeding is the most serious side effect associated with aspirin.

Taking aspirin for 10 years could cut colon cancer risk by around 35 percent and deaths from colon cancer by 40 percent, the researchers reported Aug. 6 in the Annals of Oncology.

Daily aspirin also can reduce the risk of esophageal and stomach cancers by 30 percent and deaths from these cancers by 35 to 50 percent, the investigators reported.

Dr. Leonard Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society, said this study falls short of a recommendation that everyone take aspirin to prevent cancer. “But it rises to the level that people should have a discussion with their doctor,” he said.

However, Lichtenfeld pointed out

that the evidence for aspirin’s benefits is circumstantial. “These are not randomized trials, which provide us with the best quality evidence to answer the question. You don’t have a study that compares aspirin with no aspirin,” he said.

Although the studies reviewed for this report don’t prove aspirin prevents cancer, they offer strong evidence that it might, Lichtenfeld said.

Still, taking aspirin has risks.

“Some people will be at risk of stomach bleeding, but very few,” Cuzick said.

People 60 years old who take daily aspirin for 10 years have an increased risk of stomach bleeding of about 3.6 percent. Bleeding could be life-threatening in less than 5 percent of people who develop bleeding, the researchers noted.

The risk of serious bleeding, however, increases dramatically after age 70. Cuzick recommends that people 70 and older not start taking aspirin to prevent cancer because of this increased risk.

As to why aspirin is protective, Cuzick can only speculate. It’s known that aspirin interferes with blood-clotting by reducing platelets in the blood.

Platelets are thought to help cancer cells travel throughout the body, so limiting them might make it harder for cancer cells to spread.

Another theory is that aspirin, an anti-inflammatory agent, might stop cells from dividing. This lowers the odds that a cell will mutate when it divides, Cuzick explained. “You are less likely to have a mutation that will cause cancer,” Cuzick said.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 3

CALENDAR of

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Sept. 3, 6

Free yoga classes at Upstate Yoga The Upstate Yoga Institute will offer free classes at its Dewitt facility on Sept. 3 and Sept. 6. The mission of Upstate Yoga Institute is to transmit the teachings of classical yoga in a spirit of clarity and authenticity. The focused renewal series is designed for people dealing with illness, injury, medical treatments, chronic stress or reduced stamina. For more information, visit www.upstateyogainstitute.com or call 445-4894.

Sept. 6

Amyloidosis Support Group plans meeting The Amyloidosis Support Group will meet on Sept. 6 in the Weiner Conference Room, Rochester General Hospital, 1425 Portland Ave., Rochester.

The meeting is for all Upstate areas including Syracuse.

The guest speaker will be Taimur Sher from the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. A complementary light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Patients, caregivers, family and interested medical staff are welcome.

Reply by sending an email to pschmitt_98@yahoo.com. For more information, visit www.amyloidosissupport.com.

Sept. 13

Multi-blood analysis at C. Square Medical Center Oswego Health will hold a multiblood analysis event from 6:30 – 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept.13 at the Central Square Medical Center, 3045 East Avenue in the village. This full battery of tests can help prevent potential health problems. The cost of the analysis is $35. Typically these tests can cost more

than $340. In addition, this year there are two optional tests that cost $20 each. These tests include a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, which is recommended to men older than age 50, and a vitamin D test. The analysis screens individuals for various conditions such as anemia, diabetes, and others, as well as for coronary, kidney, and liver diseases. The most popular screening at the event is the portion of the analysis that assesses LDL and HDL cholesterol along with triglycerides.

A 12-hour fast is required for the blood analysis, but participants can drink water the morning of the testing.

Phlebotomists from Oswego Hospital will be on hand to conduct the blood draw. The results of the multi-organ blood analysis will be sent directly from the Oswego Hospital lab to the participant’s home and their physician in an easy to read format.

Checks to cover the cost of the screenings should be made out to Oswego Health. To make an appointment call 341-0011.

Sept. 19

Hospice celebrates 25 years of generosity September Song, an event that helps fund the work of Hospice of Central New York, is celebrating 25 years and the public is invited to attend a special anniversary celebration starting at 6 p.m., Sept. 19, at Traditions at the Links in East Syracuse. Food, music and other entertainment will be offered.s Twenty-five years ago, September Song began as a way to provide hospice with much needed funds. Individuals who were touched by the mission of hospice wanted to honor the nonprofit with their support. Other people, many of them healthcare professionals, came to September Song out of a sense of respect to recognize the hard work and skill that hospice employees bring to their job “We know that in the months and

Continued on page 20

Dr. Nathan G. Everding is fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of upper extremity injuries.

He will be joining our Hand & Wrist and Shoulder teams this September. New patient appointments are now available.

Visit sosbones.com/everding for his full biography Page 4 • IN GOOD HEALTH1– CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September OutlyingAreaEverdingAD_InGoodHealth.indd 8/26/20142014 1:55:10 PM

2014 www.iamrecovery.com

471-1359

U.S. Hospitals See Big Rise in Drug-Related Suicide Attempts Spikes noted among young and middle-aged adults; experts cite easy access to prescription meds

D

rug-related suicide attempts in the United States increased over a recent six-year period, with dramatic increases seen among young and middle-aged adults, health officials reported in August.

Overall, suicide attempts involving prescription medications and other drugs jumped by 51 percent among people 12 and older between 2005 and 2011, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

In two reports, the agency examines trends in ER visits for drug-related suicide attempts. The most significant increases occurred among adults younger than 30 — up 58 percent over the six years studied — and people between 45 and 64, who experienced a 104 percent spike in drug-related suicide attempts.

“We probably are seeing an increase in overall suicide attempts, and along with that we are also seeing an increase in drug-related suicide attempts,” said Peter Delany, director of the agency’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality.

“People have access to medications, and they are using both prescription and over-the-counter meds,” he said. “It is clear that there are more drugs out there.”

Sampson Davis, an emergency room physician at Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center in Secaucus, N.J., agreed. “What we are seeing are the ramifications of the overuse of prescription drugs,” he said.

Davis added that the combination of these drugs and alcohol can be lethal.

“Patients who are taking [the pain-

killer] oxycodone and chasing it with a glass of wine only increase the chances of overdose,” he said.

By 2011, young and middle-aged people accounted for about 60 percent of all drug-related suicide attempts seen in emergency rooms, the researchers said.

The significant jump in suicide attempts by middle-aged men and women may reflect the aging population as baby boomers enter middle-age, Delany said.

He’s concerned that middle-aged people get less attention than teenagers or the elderly who attempt to kill themselves. Many middle-aged patients who attempt suicide are released from the emergency room without a follow-up plan, Delany said.

“We know the No. 1 indicator of future suicide attempts and even suicide completion is a previous attempt,” he said. “For professionals in the emergency room, it’s really important that there be a really good discharge plan and some clear follow-up.”

In addition, you have to bring the family in, Davis said. “There really has to be a community effort to help people,” he added.

In one report, SAMHSA zeroed in on suicide attempts by people aged 45 to 64. In 2011, 96 percent of emergency room visits for attempted suicide involved the nonmedical use of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications, the agency found.

These included anti-anxiety and insomnia medications (48 percent), pain relievers (29 percent), and antidepressants (22 percent).

Alcohol accounted for 39 percent of those mid-life suicide attempts and illegal drugs for 11 percent, the report said.

CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

Date: Thursday, October 9, 2014 Time: 8:15 am - 8:50 am Check-In and View Resource Tables 9:00 am - 3:00 pm Program Place: American Legion Post 787 5575 Legionnaire Drive (off route 31) Cicero, NY

Keynote Speaker: “Advances in Research and Treatment Options” Michelle Burack, MD, PhD Support for the Conference from:

Onondaga County Department of Adult & Long Term Care Services

Registration: REQUIRED. Call Upstate Connect at 315-464-8668.

DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION: Monday, September 29, 2014 More Information: Contact Cynthia at 315-435-2362 ext 4993 or cstevenson@ongov.net

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News, Inc. Distribution: 35,000 copies.

To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 315-342-1182.

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2014 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126. • Phone: 315-342-1182 • Fax: 315-342-7776.

Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Jim Miller, Eva Briggs, M.D., Gwenn Voelckers, Deborah Banikowski, Deborah Sergeant, Anne Palumbo, Melissa Stefanec, Matthew Liptak, Chris Motola, Jessica Spies • Advertising: Jasmine Maldonado, Marsha K. Preston, Jim Maxwell • Design: Chris Crocker • Office Manager: Laura J. Beckwith

• Adult Social Day Program • Care Transitions • HIV/AIDS • Home Health Aides • Home Infusion Therapy • Managed Long Term Care (MLTC)

• Maternal-Child Health • Medication Management • Nursing • Nutrition • Occupational & Physical Therapy • Palliative Care

Non-Medical Services • Companionship • Durable Medical Equipment • Home Safety Assessment

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Could you or someone you love benefit from the services VNA Homecare offers?

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No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider.

Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen.

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September 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 5

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Don’t miss the next edition of In Good Health

featuring

WOMEN’S ISSUE Page 6

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Q: What does your practice focus

A: I personally work for Hospice of Central New York, so my work is restricted to hospice patients who are presumed to have less than six months of life left. I have three other partners who work on the palliative care times at St. Joe’s and Crouse. They routinely see people with a greater than sixmonth prognosis.

Q: Is it depressing working with people who you can’t cure?

A: I can’t say I find the work depressing. I couldn’t have stayed in it as long as I have. I did primary care for 15 years in Baldwinsville and, because that practice was slowly being shut down due to the way primary care has been falling apart in this country, I was looking for other options. As it turns out, hospice was a good fit. I was always interested in treating pain, even in practice. It can be intellectually rigorous, and it’s really quite gratifying to help someone who has been vomiting eight to 10 times a day for weeks be able to eat breakfast. In fairness, many conditions that other physicians treat are chronic and not curable. They deal with very sick people and end-of-life on a regular basis. Emotionally it takes a toll. That’s true for the nurses and social workers as well.

Q: How do you assess the needs of a new hospice patient? Where do you begin?

A: The hospice model pioneered by Cicely Saunders [who created the concept of modern hospice for the first time in London] assumes that no one person can attend to what she called “the total suffering” of the individual. That includes physical pain, psychological pain like depression, social pain like

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

estrangement from friends and family and spiritual pain (why is this happening to me). It actually starts with the social worker who enrolls the patient in hospice care. They spend a lot of time asking detailed questions about their suffering and helping to determine the services they need. We have chaplain services, counseling, financial counseling, helping people accomplish things they want to before they die.

My role is to make home visits, take a history of their physical symptoms and medical treatments and try to come up with a plan to make things better. It’s a physical exam combined with the goals of the patient. Do you want to have little to no pain even if you’re sedated and napping a lot? Or do you want to be more alert but have to tolerate a greater amount of pain? We also have a huge number of volunteers who help with transportation and tasks around the house.

Q: In a way, does not having to worry about long-term health outcomes and procedures free you up to treat patients in a more individualized, customizable way?

A: I think that’s one of the things I like. This area of medicine and my organization in particular are very flexible. I don’t have to worry about whether they had their mammogram. I don’t have to worry about cholesterol screening.

All of those things are time-consuming and patients often don’t want to hear that. We can focus on how they want to spend their last days.

We have patients whose goal is to get to the casino.

Every year we end up

having to help a patient get to the NYS Fair for a day. They enjoy it. We can pare down a lot of their medications to help them be more alert. In some ways, I really enjoy the flexibilty. You’re still smoking? I don’t have to worry about that.

Q: What kinds of skills transferred from primary care to hospice care?

A: A lot of them do. I see patients in homes; I don’t have the ability to get labs or X-rays quickly. So my physical exam skills from primary care have been very important. A lot of patients have skin conditions from not being up and moving. They still get illnesses like colds or have to manage conditions like diabetes. I use my primary care skills on a daily basis.

Q: How do you help patients cope with their death?

A: We let them accept it to the extent that they want to accept it. In order to enroll in hospice, they have to know it’s an end-of-life program.

So some of that work is done before I see them. I’m not usually one of the people who ends up having those conversations. Often the primary nurse will have a quiet moment in which a patient makes a comment that’s a window into what they’re thinking. And then a chaplain or counselor will open that window and help them talk about it to the extent they want to. We bring stuff up, but we don’t really press the subject. We try to let the patient lead us. Some are quite open and forthright, some want to pretend that they’re not dying and we’re just another home care agency.

Q: Do you enjoy the house call aspect?

A: I really do. It was unusual at first — I did a few every year in primary care — but it took me a long time to get used to it since I wasn’t surrounded by my support staff and equipment in an office setting. Now I have a bag I carry that has everything I need. It really gives you a tremendous amount of information about who a person is, who their loved ones are and what is important to them. Sometimes there’s chaos in the home that you’d never observe in the office. You can figure out if they’re taking the medication as prescribed. There’s a ton of information that can be gleaned in the home. Patients are very grateful to have doctors, nurses and medicines come to them rather than having to go to six to 10 specialists and pharmacies.

Lifelines Name: Judith Setla, M.D. Position: Medical director, Hospice of Central New York Hometown: Roseville, Mich.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit; Combined medical and master of public health degrees from Wayne State University and University of Michigan respectively, 197983; internal medicine residency, 1983-86, Wayne State University.

Affiliations: Crouse, University Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center Organizations: American College of Physicians Family: Married, two adult children Hobbies: Reading, kayaking, learning Spanish

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New report cites medication adherence as a multibillion dollar health improvement opportunity

U

pstate New York adults who fail to adhere to the prescriptions written by their health care providers to address their medical conditions risk their health and add billions of dollars in avoidable health care costs annually, according to a regional analysis issued recently by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

“The opportunity for health improvement and real cost savings is nothing short of astounding,” said Mona Chitre, vice president and chief pharmacy officer, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

The report relied on medical literature estimates for the national problem of medication nonadherence and applied them to estimates of adults living with high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and depression statewide and in Upstate New York.

The four conditions studied were selected because of their prevalence, the availability of safe and effective medication therapies and the established link between medication nonadherence and adverse outcomes. Estimated costs involving the four conditions are not additive, because many people have multiple health conditions.

The fact sheet, “Medication adherence among Upstate New York adults: A multi-billion dollar health improvement opportunity,” is available at excellusbcbs.com/fact sheets.

“Hundreds of thousands of Upstate New Yorkers who have the four conditions we reviewed are not getting the real benefit of their medicines, and there are many other medical conditions we didn’t evaluate, so the numbers are understated,” Chitre said. “To stay healthy, patients who have medical conditions should take their medicines as directed by their physicians.

Doing so will also help them to avoid hospitalizations and other treatments.”

Key findings of the report include: • Among the four conditions studied, high blood pressure poses the highest direct medical costs attributed to nonadherence. An estimated 388,000

Upstate New York adults who are nonadherent with their blood pressure medicines add an estimated $1.5 billion to the region’s direct medical costs annually.

• Of the 1.5 million Upstate New York adults who have high cholesterol, the most prevalent chronic condition considered in the report, nearly 500,000 (about one-third) do not take prescribed medication as directed.

• Improving prescription adherence among Upstate New York adults by 5 percent and 10 percent would result in aggregate, direct medical cost savings of: • $176.0 million to $352.1 million for high blood pressure • $64.1 million to $128.1 million for high cholesterol § $54.5 million to $109.0 million for diabetes • $8.8 million to $17.7 million for depression “We understand that the problem of nonadherence is a national issue, so it is not unique to Upstate New York,” said physician Arthur Vercillo, regional president, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “What will help is providing more education and promotion of the issue among all stakeholders, including patients and their family members, physicians, pharmacists, insurers, community organizations and employers.”

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has been raising awareness about the importance of medication adherence through a public education campaign that it developed with support from several county medical societies, pharmacy groups, county health departments and other regional health organizations. The community engagement campaign features a pill bottle stylized as a superhero named TAD (for “Take As Directed”). Appearing in print, radio and billboard advertising, TAD conveys simple messages about the importance of taking medicine as directed. The central message is, “If you’re not taking your prescriptions as directed, you’re taking a chance!”

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Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

being truly seen or heard told me that I highly value relationships where respect is demonstrated. It is a “must have” in my relationships — both personal and professional — going forward.

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Growing Through Loss: Lessons Learned Editor’s note: Below is an encore column by Gwenn Voelckers, written in 2011 when her brother Mark died unexpectedly. More recently, in August, Voelckers lost her mother. She has updated this column for publication this month.

I

n the past six years, I have lost my father, my dog Lillie, a dear friend to a rare cancer, and then my brother Mark, who left this world far too soon at age 60. I was barely recovering from one loss, when another would make an unwelcome entrance.

Just last month, my mother, who endured cancer, passed away one day short of her 88th birthday.

I’m still trying to make sense of it all.

Just as living with a spouse doesn’t guarantee “happily ever after,” living alone doesn’t guarantee safe shelter from life’s losses and heartaches. Loss comes with living. It is inevitable and sometimes predictable. And not all loss is bad. That’s what I’ve come to know.

Whether a loss is caused by death, the end of a relationship or other life circumstances, most of us struggle to comprehend and cope with the emotions that result. That certainly was the case for me after my divorce.

The breakup of my marriage was the first major loss in my life, and my recovery was slow and painful. It was also transforming. Loss became my “teacher” and I learned profound life lessons about grief, self-compassion and, ultimately, acceptance.

If you are in the throes of loss, perhaps some of my reflections below will help soothe some pain and ease your anxiety. While there’s no best way to manage loss, I’ve discovered some things along the way that may help you feel a sense of renewal and hope.

Loss is as personal as it is profound.

Fortunately, in my times of loss, I have had my family, friends and therapist to remind me that each of us is unique and each of us manages loss and grief in our own, individual way. I was not urged to “move on” or “find closure.”

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Loss can inspire honest expression.

As a young adult, being emotive was not my style. Stoic is probably how most people viewed me (including myself). But, as my losses grew, so did my need and desire to express my true feelings. I became more able and willing to be vulnerable.

At this point in my life, I wouldn’t have it any other way. My losses have inspired me to be more real, more spontaneous and more authentic. I wouldn’t change that for anything.

Loss can facilitate self-awareness.

This was especially true for me, in terms of getting in touch with myself and some unfinished business and unresolved feelings. When I thought about what I wished had been different or what I would have liked more of in a relationship, my losses helped me clarify my preferences and priorities.

Past disappointments around not

Loss can open doors and hearts.

If you are struggling with a loss and feeling isolated and alone, I encourage you to draw trusted confidants and loved ones close. Whether they be friends, family members, colleagues, a counselor or pastor, reach out and ask for help and support. Or warmly welcome love’s embrace, when it shows up at your doorstep.

While grief can take its time, my experience tells me that time can also be a friend. With each day that passes, I am finding increased comfort and discovering the inner strength to rejoice in the wonderful relationship I shared with my mother. I know that slowly, steadily, my sorrow will give way to gratitude and, eventually, to recovery.

Loss can be soothed with the written word.

I can suggest this book: “Healing After Loss — Daily Meditations for Working through Grief,” by Martha Whitmore Hickman. It was highly recommended to me by several people, including a reader of this column and a former workshop member. The daily meditations in this book have brought me tremendous comfort. Its thoughtful messages may soothe and enlighten your way, too.

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 fall workshop or to invite Gwenn to speak, call 585-624-7887, or email her at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

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By Matthew Liptak

S

yracuse’s Cycle in the City monthly ride program is marking its fifth year in 2014. The monthly bicycle ride, which takes place one Sunday morning each month between May and October, seeks to get residents out of their homes for some healthy exercise and an opportunity to see parts of the city they may never have experienced.

This year there is hope of combining the ride on Sept. 7 with a “Cycle Syracuse Festival,” an idea that is the brainstorm of the 40 Below Transit Task Force. The nonprofit group 40 Below is made of young professionals and community members focusing on local

revitalization.

The concept for the festival includes having beginner, intermediate and advanced routes which that day end in Armory Square in the city.

Once in Armory Square, riders could enjoy food and festivities, socializing with other riders and community members.

The interest in a possible bicycle festival is only the latest development in a city that has been paying more attention to the local cyclist experience in recent years.

The Cycle in the City program started just five years ago and included a focus on younger riders.

“When we initially had A group of bikers getting together for a 10- and 20-mile ride through the streets of the program it was a one-time Syracuse, part of the program Cycle in the City. The program, in which 30 to 40 event,“ said Kathy Mogle, participants meet once a month, is celebrating five years this year. program coordinator for the Onondaga County Department of Health. “It was on the North Side on streets I’ve never kind of like a mini health fair and we been on before and I’ve lived here my encouraged people about moving. We explained information about road safe- entire life. I think it’s a great way to see the city and then just for exercise — get ty and bicycle safety. We taught children about the importance of the safety people outside and riding a bike.”

All riders are required to wear rules when they’re on the road. We also had a helmet sale to be sure that people helmets. The minimum age for a rider is 12, but Dougherty said if children do were wearing and using helmets.” come, they usually come with a parent.

The program quickly evolved into Originally the focus of the ride prowhat it is today, a 10- and 20-mile bike gram was more on children, but it has ride the Sunday mornings of May turned out to be more of an adult event through October. In addition to Sept. 7 in recent years. Many of the riders are there will another ride, the last of this senior citizens, he said. year on Oct. 5. Riders meet at 9 a.m. in Because the 10-mile route was the city hall parking lot at 233 E. Washgetting a little boring for some riders ington St. in Syracuse. Both parking in past years, the program has incorpoand the ride are free.

Interested in joining Syracuse’s Cycle rated a 20-mile ride on Sundays for the Bob Dougherty, 62, is one of the in the City? Two more events will take first time this year. Riders can choose to leaders of the rides. He said recently place this year. complete the route at the 10-mile interthere have been around 30 to 40 riders • Sept.

7 • Oct. 5 val or continue on to the 20-mile mark. attending the event. Sometimes they Riders meet at 9 a.m. in the city hall Although the city may not rank naeven come from out of the area. tionally as one of the most bike-friend“First of all it’s really to promote parking lot at 233 E. Washington St. ly, new bike lanes have been added all bicycling in general,” Dougherty said. in Syracuse, and can choose a 10-mile the time, Dougherty said. And the taste “Secondly to see the city. We try to or 20-mile ride. The event is free and for biking is growing, he said. design the rides so we go to a different open to the public.

“I’m not surprised that it’s growing neighborhood every [time]. We’ve had For more information, call because we get a lot of positive feedpeople come from Rome, Utica, Cort315-435-3280. back [to the Cycle in the City],” Mogle land. They’ve come over and gone for a ride and that’s been great. They get to said. “People enjoy it. I’m hoping it continues to grow and flourish.” see the city of Syracuse. We did a ride

Two Bike Rides Left

Bob Dougherty, 62, is one of the leaders of Cycle in the City. “First of all it’s really to promote bicycling in general,” Dougherty said. “Secondly to see the city. We try to design the rides so we go to a different neighborhood every [time]. We’ve had people come from Rome, Utica, Cortland.

They’ve come over and gone for a ride and that’s been great.”

September 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 9

My Turn

By Eva Briggs

Family Medical History. Why You Should Learn as Much as Possible About it facility.

Here are some tips for providing a useful family history. First, the medical history of people who are related by marriage, but not by blood, isn’t part of your family medical history. This might seem obvious to some readers, but there are plenty of people who don’t realize that you can’t inherit disease tendencies from your in-laws.

Second, it’s not helpful to say that your family has a history of everything.

A commonly used textbook, “Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine,” has 4012 pages in the two volumes of the latest edition. It’s simply not possible for everything in that textbook to run in your family. At least, not without going back to the dawn of civilization.

Third, the medical history of close relatives who have passed away does count. For example, if your father and your six brothers died of heart attacks when they were in their 40s, that’s relevant information.

Fourth, cancer is very common.

But it’s not a single disease. So if you are able to find out what type(s) of cancer have affected your family members, that will help clarify your disease risks.

Although lay people use the term “spider cancer” for cancer that has metastasized (spread), it’s not a specific

Local Optometrist Helps Legally Blind to See Again

term.

Fifth, try to learn as much detail as is reasonably possible about your family medical history. Some medical terms can refer to more than one disease.

For example, aneurysm refers to an abnormally dilated blood vessel. Two common types of aneurysms are those that occur in the aorta, and those that occur in the brain. A family history of aneurysms in the aorta (the big blood vessel traveling from the heart through the chest and abdomen) is a risk factor for aortic aneurysm. A family history of brain aneurysms, which cause brain bleeding and stroke, is a risk factor for brain aneurysm.

Learning your family history isn’t always easy. Sometimes people feel guilt or embarrassed about their medical problems. Or they are hesitant to recall painful memories.

Strategies for obtaining your family medical history include: • Explain your purpose. Tell your relatives that you are seeking medical information to help determine disease risks in the family. Offer to share your findings with your family so that they can discuss the information with their doctors to benefit their health, too.

• Provide several ways for relatives to answer. You can have a faceto-face conversation, a phone call or

email, or ask if they will write down what they know.

• Make your questions clear and concise. Short, simple questions will be easiest to answer.

• Be a good listener. Sometimes people ramble before getting to the point. Or perhaps once the conversation is started, a floodgate of information will come your way.

• Respect privacy. Some families just don’t talk about medical matters. If you reassure people that you will only use their information for medical purposes, and will not disclose it to anyone other than your doctors without their permission, you are more likely to be successful. Be respectful, and you may learn important information that would have remained hidden had you not asked.

Eva Briggs is a medical doctor who works at two urgent care centers (Central Square and Fulton) operated by Oswego Health.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

Cheers to 25 Years!

L

ast week I took a trip to the Hudson Valley to explore the communities where some of my husband’s ancestors lived hundreds of years ago. I visited the Dutch colonial home of his ninth great-grandfather, Pieter Winne. I found a headstone and historical marker for his first cousin, William Winne, who used his boat on the Hudson River to ferry supplies to revolutionary war soldiers. But I didn’t stumble across any medical history tidbits, which probably wouldn’t have been relevant for such distant relatives.

When I ask patients about their family medical history, often they’re flummoxed. They wonder, why would a doctor ask that?

The reason is to help determine whether a patient is at higher risk of certain diseases.

This enables their healthcare provider to watch for signs of those conditions or recommend measures to reduce risk. Family history may suggest consideration of rare conditions that have a familial predilection.

I’ll admit that for a minor problem, like poison ivy, family history probably isn’t helpful. But if you provide your family history when seen for something small, it will be on file for future visits where it might be more relevant.

At least, for future visits to the same

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Nicole Anzalone, Doctor of Audiology Owner of Preferred Audiology Care, Inc. strives to help people hear better Q.: How did you get interested in becoming an audiologist?

A.: While I was working on my Master of Science degree in neuroscience, I researched loudness perception of cochlear implant recipients. I met many cochlear implant users who spoke of how much their cochlear implants had improved their communication, their relationships and their lives in general. From then on, I wanted to directly change and improve peoples’ lives by helping them to hear better. It’s such a rewarding career.

Q.: How have things changed since you started your own practice?

A.: Owning my own practice has involved a steep learning curve, but it’s great to have the flexibility and freedom to determine the best care for each patient.

Everyone is different with his or her own personal needs and I can dedicate as much time as I can to individualizing his and her care. I also love problem solving, and like to think my staff and I as becoming

the “MacGuyvers of hearing aids.”

Q.: How do you see the future in this area?

A.: It’s a rapidly growing field, mostly due to all of the noises that we are exposed to in our daily lives causing hearing loss, and an aging population. Unfortunately, there is also much confusion about proper hearing healthcare and hearing aids because of changes in the market and differences in the qualifications of those providing hearing care. The technology is improving rapidly. Hearing aids can now integrate with many of our daily communication devices like phones, televisions, and computers, while becoming smaller and more efficient at automatically adjusting to different listening environments.

Q.: What are your continuing goals?

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improve hearing aid fit, comfort, function, and reduce our dependence on the hearing aid manufacturers, therefore making service more customizable and less expensive. I will continue educating people about their hearing, protecting their hearing, and help them understand hearing aids better. When you lose your hearing, the people and sounds around you start to become “invisible” and you lose contact with people around you.

I want to continue to maximize communication abilities, increase hearing awareness, and facilitate independence for a more fulfilling life.

Nicole Anzalone, Au.D., CCC-A, FAAA • 5639 West Genesee St., Camillus • Phone: 315-468-2985 • Website:www.preferredaudiologycare.com GCHbdayIGH1.4_Layout 1 8/26/14 2:11 PM Page 1

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

CONCUSSION CONCUSION Boxer Ray Ciancaglini’s main mission is to share his own experience so other people can avoid his mistakes

By Jessica Spies

W

hen Ray Ciancaglini retired from boxing due to continued headaches and slower reflexes, he wanted to become a physical education teacher.

Once he entered college, he faced the same issues that he did while boxing, and left after his first semester.

When he couldn’t be a teacher in the classroom, Ciancaglini didn’t let that stop him. Despite the challenges he continues to face, Ciancaglini, 63, has become a physical education teacher in his own right, forming the nonprofit organization The Second Impact. As part of The Second Impact’s efforts, Ciancaglini, of Romulus, travels to schools and organizations in New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts to speak about the dangers of not properly addressing a concussion.

Ciancaglini, who typically has two to three speaking engagements a week, has spoken to crowds from 100 to over 2,000 athletes. But the size of the crowd doesn’t intimidate him. The bigger crowds are “just like a fight,” he said.

Ciancaglini uses the skills he picked up in boxing in his current work, prepping for his speeches “just like I did for a fight. I train hard, prepare hard and don’t eat six hours before I go,” he said.

Ciancaglini always has a paper

copy of his speech on hand and it must be slanted so he won’t lose his spot or become dizzy when making eye contact with the audience.

The focus of Ciancaglini’s speech is concussion awareness and his personal experience, but he also spreads other important messages including the importance of having good character and being a role model.

“Never give up. Just keep punching,” he tells the athletes. “You’ll get better; just keep at it.”

Ciancaglini was driven to speak up about the dangers of concussions after he suffered permanent brain damage as a result of not allowing back-to-back concussions to heal properly.

According to the Mayo Clinic’s website, a concussion is a “traumatic brain injury that alters the way your brain functions.” There are two ways to concussion recovery, said Jeff Bazarian, associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Rochester. One way is natural as some people can recover without much intervention; the other way to recovery is to quickly treat the symptoms.

The symptoms of a concussion, at the time of the impact, are “anything that causes your head to whip

Ray Ciancaglini poses with Lois Tannenbaum, president of the Brain Injury Association of New York State’s Board of Directors, at its 32nd annual conference in Albany.

Page 12

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

around,” and usually ends up leaving the injured person dazed, Bazarian said.

What happens after the initial diagnosis of the concussion includes headaches, trouble sleeping or concentrating and irritability. Repeated concussions or hits to the head can cause permanent brain damage.

Bazarian, who conducts concussion Ray Ciancaglini in his boxing days. research and runs a sport concussion clinic, said while most people can recover from re- Kelliher of Buffalo, and he ended his peated concussions, some people don’t. boxing career with Al Gavin of New “Usually it takes longer to recover York City. from that second concussion,” he said.

At 16, Ciancaglini would have a Ciancaglini was diagnosed with career-ending injury that would affect dementia pugilistica, a disease with him for the rest of his life. features of dementia common among He had his “bell rung” during a boxers who suffer concussions, and match in Buffalo but ended up winParkinson’s syndrome, a degenerative ning the match. Afterwards, he had disorder of the central nervous system. a headache but didn’t think much of “Life, for me, is not what I want to it. Shortly after, he got his “bell rung” do. It’s what I can do,” he said. Cianagain in Syracuse. caglini said he has good days and bad Ciancaglini uses the term “bell days, but every day requires a lot of rung” to describe the feeling of being supervision and help. Some days, he’s dazed, experiencing blurred vision in a “fog” and “it’s hard to get things and impaired hearing after a hit to the going,” and other days he struggles head. In his boxing days, a crowd of with tying his shoes. people would become muffled when “I’ve had a headache ever since I Ciancaglini had his “bell rung.” was 16,” he said.

It was after Ciancaglini got his Ciancaglini’s wife, Patti, has been “bell rung” twice that he experienced there for him through even the toughsignificant issues. He once was an est days.“[She’s] my left hook,” he said. honor student but then started miss“Every boxer knows the importance of ing school, sleeping during class and a good corner.” having overall behavioral problems.

Ciancaglini said without Patti, he He was experiencing headaches and “[I] wouldn’t be where I am today.” fatigue and didn’t realize there were The two have two children, Raymore serious problems at play. mond, Jr., 29, Anessa, 33, and a 1-year“I had never been knocked out or old grandchild, Paige. knocked down,” Ciancaglini said. “My Ciancaglini was moved to become resiliency and durability fooled me.” an advocate of concussion awareness The advice from veteran boxers because “I knew where I went wrong,” was to “just deal with it,” he said. he said. “I couldn’t rest with knowing “I just kept battling the symptoms.” what I knew.”

Nobody understood the symptoms of a Ciancaglini developed an interest concussion were invisible. in boxing at 6 years old when he would “Nobody knew I was carrying this. watch the Gillette Friday Night Fights I just kept thinking it would go away,” that his parents would air at their Italhe said. ian restaurant.

Ciancaglini was taking aspirin for One night, Carmen Basilio was the headaches and antacid to fight the fighting. “I was so impressed,” Cianstomachaches from the aspirin. The caglini said. So he grabbed a laundry aspirin thinned his blood and after a hit bag, propped it up and turned it into a during a fight, he couldn’t stop bleedpunching bag. ing.

“My grandmother saw me and Because he didn’t allow time for asked: ‘Raymond, what are you doing?’ recovery, “I beat myself,” he said.

‘I’m Carmen Basilio,’ I said. ‘There’s The skills that helped Ciancaglini only one Carmen Basilio,’ she said.” succeed at boxing deterred him from Nevertheless, this sparked an seeking adequate medical help. interest in boxing for Ciancaglini who “My relentless determination and would later become friends with Basildesire defied common sense and logic,” io himself. Ciancaglini said he aimed to he said. emulate Basilio who was a “champion As a result of his injuries, Ciancainside the ring and outside the ring.” glini became less aggressive.

Ciancaglini started fighting at 14 “They were questioning if my head years old in an amateur organization. was still in the game,” Ciancaglini said.

His trainers included Chuck Jennings “They asked if I had lost the eye of the of Elmira and Monsignor Franklin tiger.”

Ciancaglini stayed in boxing due to peer pressure, not taking one day of training off. He realized that the headaches weren’t going away and knew he would have to leave the sport, retiring from boxing at age 23.

Ciancaglini took some time off traveling to parks across the country, and eventually would return to Rochester, working several years at Kodak.

For some time, he was holding his own, but he retired at the age of 44.

Since his retirement, he formed The Second Impact.

As part of his efforts, Ciancaglini has educated himself and others about the dangers of not letting a concussion properly heal. Healing means that a person is symptom-free and has been following his or her doctor’s protocol, Ciancaglini said.

“You challenge a concussion and you’re going to get beat,” Ciancaglini said.

Ciancaglini shares his story through The Second Impact and was recently the keynote speaker for the 32nd annual Brain Injury Association of New York Conference and is expected to speak at the Burke Medical Research Institute and Nazareth College in September.

Ciancaglini has recently completed another segment of the ongoing chronic traumatic encephalopathy research study at the Boston University School of Medicine, along with several other retired professional sports players.

Upon his death, his brain will be donated to the university’s study.

Ciancaglini was integral in getting the Concussion Management Awareness Act passed, which “establishes minimum guidelines regarding removal from play, physician clearance, and ‘return to play’ protocols,” according

to the New York State Senate’s website.

The act allows for a concussion management team at each school district comprised of health professionals and sports staff who are responsible for educating parents and staff, and for monitoring students who have suffered a concussion.

Of his accomplishments inside and outside the ring, Ciancaglini is most proud of helping to get the Concussion Management Awareness Act passed and it’s his way “just to make sure no one falls through the cracks. Athletes sometimes have to be protected from themselves. That’s why you have regulations across the board,” he said.

Current concussion research is aimed at improving concussion diagnosis. After an athlete is hit in the head, it’s not easy for them “to tell you if they have a headache or if they are confused,” Bazarian said. These studies are focused on looking at a more objective way to determine if an athlete has experienced a concussion.

“There’s some growing evidence that you can prevent concussions by strengthening neck muscles,” Bazarian said, and noted that the research is in the early stages. Strengthening the neck muscles “keeps the head from bobbing around,” Bazarian said.

Ciancaglini said while he advocates for concussion awareness, he encourages athletes to play whatever sport they like.

“Play any sport you want to play,” Ciancaglini said. “Play hard but if you have your bell rung, have it checked out by a professional.”

The best way to prevent concussions per Ciancaglini is get the “slightest symptom checked out.”

“The word is out, the help is there, make the smart choice,” he said.

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September 2014 •

REHABILITATION

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 13

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Say ‘Yes!’ to Cottage Cheese

O

h, cottage cheese. Poor, stodgy cottage cheese.

Never to be taken on lover’s picnics, never to be slathered on rustic baguettes, never to sit alongside its comrades during hip cheese tastings. No, this cheese — this lumpy stepsister to all cheeses smooth and sexy — stands alone.

And to that I say: Amen.

Cottage cheese deserves to stand alone. From its nutrient content to its ease of consumption to its low cost, cottage cheese is a bona fide powerhouse.

Let’s begin with why my husband and I — baby boomers who fret about shrinking muscle mass — consume cottage cheese on a daily basis. Yes, daily. In a word, it’s one of the best low-fat, low-calorie protein sources we can easily consume, with the key here being “easily.” By that I mean, we eat big spoonfuls directly from the carton.

Since cottage cheese packs a whopping 16 grams of protein per half cup, it only takes but a few spoonfuls to knock off nearly half of our daily needs.

We need to be diligent about

ries than many proteins. The brand we like (Friendship 1 percent) has scant fat and only 90 calories per half cup.

We also reach for cottage cheese because it serves up decent amounts of phosphorous and calcium — two more nutrients that contribute to healthy bones—along with healthy doses of B vitamins that help convert food to energy and keep our red blood cells going strong.

On the downside, cottage cheese does have more sodium than you’d expect from such a mild-mannered cheese: we’re talking about 350 mg per half cup. Cottage cheese gets some of its sodium from the natural sodium of milk (it takes a lot of milk to make cottage cheese) and the rest of it from the manufacturer. That said, choose lower-sodium brands if you’re watching your intake.

Helpful Tips

consuming protein, especially as we age, because it is an important component of every cell in the body: hair, nails, bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and blood. Without enough of this workhorse nutrient, we can experience weakness, edema, dry hair and skin, and muscle wasting — to name just a few of the symptoms.

Cottage cheese is an excellent protein source because it is “complete” (meaning it has all nine of the amino acids necessary for human dietary needs), as well as lower in fat and calo-

CONNECTING YOU TO BETTER CARE.

Not thrilled with the flavor of reduced-salt cottage cheese? Do what I do: Combine equal portions of regular and reduced-salt cottage cheese and—voila!—you have a much better tasting cottage cheese.

1 medium tomato, seeded 1 green pepper 1 hot cherry pepper (optional) 1 clove garlic, minced 1 small stalk celery ½ cucumber, peeled and seeded ½ cup fresh basil, chopped salt and pepper to taste juice of ½ to 1 lemon ½ cup toasted sunflower seeds (or chopped nut of choice) Chop vegetables and place in medium bowl, along with spices and lemon juice. Add cottage cheese and gently mix. Serve, topped with toasted seed or nut of choice.

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes.

She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.

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Educator at Vera House Speaks Out Against Dating Violence Abusive relationships at ‘epidemic levels.’ Facebook, tweeting, texting making problem worse

By Matthew Liptak

T

iffany Breck, an educator at Vera House, the organization working to end sexual abuse and domestic violence in Syracuse, said that dating violence among teens and young adults has reached epidemic levels locally.

Local statistics for teen and young adult dating violence are scarce, but in 2011 a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey done with U.S. high school students showed that just more than 9 percent of the students had reported being hit, slapped or physically hurt by a boyfriend or girlfriend in the past year.

“I think people are talking about it more, so I’m not really sure if the rate’s actually increasing or if the people are talking about it and reporting it,” Breck said. “It’s definitely happening on epidemic levels.”

Younger people may be particularly vulnerable to long-term effects of dating violence because they may be just learning what to expect from a relationship. The CDC reports youth who are victims are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and anxiety, use tobacco, drugs and alcohol and consider suicide. Those who have an abusive relationship in high school are also more likely to end up in an abusive relationship in college.

Sadly, today there are more ways in which an abuser can cause problems for their partner.

“As far as behaviors you’re definitely looking at online texting, Facebooking, that kind of stuff, Tweets,” Breck said. “That’s a huge issue because they’re connected 24-7.

The social media piece is huge with teenagers. It’s constant. As amazing as technology is, unfortunately some of the things that have come out have made it much easier for an abuser to keep track of their partner. They can download an app on their phone with GPS and they can track them. They can gain access to their texts or emails, all sorts of things. I think it’s definitely something that has been increasing

over time, the use of social media to isolate or control or stalk a victim.”

Vera House educators are working hard with Central New York schools to stem the tide of dating violence. Just about every week during the school year finds Vera House employees at a local school teaching students about the dangers of dating violence. Topics covered can vary.

“It depends on the curriculum,” Breck said. “We have our youth education which is covering the basics, talking about foundations of violence, what is domestic violence, what’s sexual violence, local resources, warning signs to violence.”

Vera House also offers a peer-mentoring program to schools like Liverpool High School, Manlius Pebble Hill and Christian Brothers Academy.

The program was also offered in city schools in Syracuse until it was integrated into a leadership class recently.

The mentorship program, called Mentors and Violence Prevention, teaches a six-session course to high school students and gives them the opportunity to volunteer to be a peer mentor at the end of it. From there these mentors learn how to facilitate discussions on teen dating violence to fellow students.

At Manlius Pebble Hill, upper classmen have gone to eight grade health classes to talk about the topic.

They have also started awareness campaigns and special assemblies.

The student volunteers act as a kind of force multiplier for the limited staff at Vera House and also offer an environment that fellow students may be more likely to open up in.

“Depending on the conversation, their peers are more likely to listen to them and feel more comfortable asking them questions so we can provide them with the knowledge and skills to do that, and it’s just going to create more of a positive impact,” Breck said.

Most young people don’t go into a relationship thinking they’re going to be abused, Breck said. And often when it happens it builds up slowly.

The abuser may test the partner to see what can be gotten away with. It can start with teasing that leads to abusive language.

Observing your partner’s behavior can be an indicator on where the relationship might be headed, Breck said, “Language is definitely a big thing,” she said. “Pay attention to how they talk about other women or how they use violence.

Tiffany Breck, an educator at Vera House. “I’m not really sure if the rate’s Are they constantly getting actually increasing or if the people are talking about it and reporting it,” into fights? Do she says. “It’s definitely happening on epidemic levels.” they come off really aggressive? Do they get jealous that a victim or observer of violence really quickly? If you’ve been dating can do is do nothing. for five days and your partner tells She cites the student peer mentors you that they love you, that’s probably she has worked with as examples of a red flag. If they make you feel guilty what can and should be done to turn for hanging out with friends, or doing the tide on this epidemic. other things that they’re not a part of’ “The students that I work with that’s a big red flag as well.” work extremely hard and are passionThe larger problem of domestic ate. I think it would really be good if abuse in the Syracuse area is serious the community was aware of what’s too. Breck said there have been an going on in these schools,” Breck said. average of three to five intimate-part“Violence shouldn’t be normal,” she ner homicides in recent years. In 2012 said. “We shouldn’t just accept it and the Syracuse Police Department took ignore it. Open a dialogue. People of10,703 domestic violence calls resulting ten think with domestic violence that in 1,502 arrests. The Onondaga County it’s a private issue and none of their Sheriff’s Department answered 7,626 business, but in reality it’s everybody’s domestic violence calls that same year business.” and made 1,058 arrests.

For more information on the proBreck acknowledges that dating grams at Vera House go to www.Veraand domestic violence are not likely to House.org. For the 24-hour crisis and be black and white issues with simple support line call 315-468-3260. solutions, but she said the worst thing

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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ecent studies from the Centers for Disease Control report that teens’ use of cigarettes has declined steadily in recent years, thanks in part to vigilant promotion of the dangers of cigarettes and the “smoke-free” culture many organizations have developed.

The bad news? An new alarming trend is on the rise: teens’ use of other forms of tobacco, including hookahs, e-cigarettes and cigars.

“With the slight decrease in [cigarette] smoking we have seen an increase in the use of other forms of tobacco, such as smokeless tobacco, cigars and hookahs,” said Deborah Mendzef, coordinator at the Central New York Regional Center for Tobacco Health Systems at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

The liquid used in hookahs and e-cigarettes is made of various chemical compounds that are heated and inhaled as a vapor. Although smoke isn’t involved, the liquid is not regulated or inspected for safety and many companies source their products from overseas, which could mean even less quality control.

“A lot of these alternatives to cigarettes are falsely believed to be safer than cigarettes,” said physician Leslie Kohman, medical director of the SUNY Upstate Cancer Center.

She believes that the trendy nicotine delivery systems — hookahs, hookah pens, old-school cigars and the like — and also the candy-flavored e-cigarette liquid, make nicotine addiction more socially acceptable again.

“There’s a huge marketing campaign by big tobacco companies to replace adults who smoke regular cigarettes,” Kohman said. “They’re not going to let that business slip out of their hands. They want [as] many kids addicted to cigarettes as possible.”

Though teens may start out with e-cigarettes or other pricey means of a nicotine high, “many times, teens will also eventually smoke regular cigarettes as well,” Kohman said.

Martha Ryan, senior director of community engagement with the American Cancer Society, agrees that e-cigarettes and hookahs easily become gateway products to smoking standard cigarettes.

“Just the fact that [e-cigarettes] have a lot of nicotine in them predisposes youth to become more addicted quicker and eventually switch to smoking,” Ryan said.

Most places ban cigarette smoking, but e-cigarettes are new and not part of many ordinances or policies about cigarette smoking.

“A lot of individuals use e-cigarettes where cigarettes are not allowed,” Ryan said.

The smokeless aspect of hookahs and e-cigarettes also makes the devices harder for parents to detect.

Movies and television glamorize cigars as classy and old school means of relaxing or celebrating. But they expose users’ lungs and other body tissues to the same harmful effects as cigarettes.

Ryan promotes preventing teen tobacco use because habits started young are hard to shake.

“The majority of smokers start as adolescents,” Ryan said. “Very few tobacco users start after age 26. Ninety-nine percent of tobacco users start before then.”

Teens usually feel invincible and that mouth, throat or lung cancer in 20 years is too far in the future to worry about.

Ryan said that parents, teachers and other leaders need to focus on educating youth “about the dangers of all of this stuff under the premise of tobacco is bad and all these new devices are not safe or that we don’t know if they’re safe.”

Advertising does work. Ryan said that whenever her agency promotes an anti-tobacco campaign, requests for help on quitting increase dramatically.

Mendzef said that parents and teachers should “be aware of what products are out there. The tobacco industry is constantly trying to be on the cutting edge, so it is essential that parents and teachers know what kids are being exposed to and be able to explain to them how damaging these products are to their health and how quickly they can become addicted.”

She encourages parents and teachers to use the resources available through the New York State Smokers’ Quitline (www.nysmokefree.com), which lists websites for young people.

Emphasizing to teens how tobacco advertising manipulates them may help, too.

“If kids knew that...these industries were playing on their biggest concerns and fears about peer pressure and being seen trendy and cool so that the big tobacco industries could profit, that might appeal to their senses of outrage,” Kohman said. “This isn’t a kid choosing to engage in a risky behavior, but being manipulated by a very sophisticated marketing campaign.”

RECOVERY

Church-based Addiction Programs Offer Faith and Freedom Reformers Unanimous, Celebrate Recovery programs are now available at local churches and other locations nationwide

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

L

loyd Overstreet of East Syracuse used to blow his stack pretty easily. It’s hard for friends of the mild-mannered churchgoer to believe he used to possess a vicious, hair-trigger temper. But Overstreet said that Reformers Unanimous (RU) made all the difference in learning to control and diffuse his anger.

A program at Buckley Road Baptist Church in Liverpool, Reformers Unanimous now operates under the direction of Overstreet and his wife, Tonya. Anywhere from two to a dozen meet weekly to get help with emotional issues, addiction recovery, grief, guilt and any other issues.

A former cocaine addict founded RU (www.reformu.com), and the program has spread worldwide, hosted and operated by individual churches.

Overstreet said that the program’s Bible basis is what makes it different from secular programs.

“We try to eliminate what separates people from God,” he said. “A lot of times, people have default thinking.

Every time when they have a problem, they go back to what they find relief in, like drugs or alcohol. We encourage them spiritually and to build lasting relationships.”

Overstreet attributes the group’s success to its basis in biblical teaching.

Though the Bible provides the main source of information for the group, “one of the things we don’t do is talk someone out of their religion or faith,” Overstreet said. “But we inform them it’s a faith-based program and all the preaching I do is out of the King James Bible and I’m not here to judge anyone.

All are welcome, because you know what? People need help.”

Friendship Harvey Baptist Church in Rome has offered an RU group for eight years. About six to 12 currently meet weekly. Friendship’s pastor, Jeff Carpenter, leads the group.

“Most people come because they have sinful addictions like drugs, gambling, porn and alcohol,” he said.

“Some come because they like the small group and someone to share their life and own burdens with. Some people come for the discipleship, as we have a Bible study with it.”

He claimed that RU has a success rate higher than 80 percent, and he attributes that to the Christ-centered aspect of the program.

“I’ve had a psychologist say that when people meet in a small group that they need faith in something,” Carpenter said. “The strength of your faith is wrapped up in the object of faith and

Lloyd Overstreet and his wife, Tonya, lead the Reformers Unanimous program at Buckley Road Baptist Church in Liverpool. “We inform [participants] it’s a faith-based program and all the preaching I do is out of the King James bible and I’m not here to judge anyone.

All are welcome, because you know what? People need help,” says Lloyd Overstreet. ours is in Jesus Christ.”

The program focuses on teaching people how to be free, based on John 8:32 and :36, which reads, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

Typical meetings involve three segments, prayer and testimony time, a group discussion, and a Bible-based workbook lesson the pastor leads.

Volunteers operate the free program and the church provides training for them. Participants who want to contribute to the program may, but no one is required to pay any kind of fee or dues, except to cover the minimal cost of the workbook and textbook. They can purchase other books if they desire.

“We want to see people successful,” Carpenter said. “To see them succeed is all the reward I need.”

Other RU groups in the area include Emmanuel Baptist Bible Church in Martville, Cayuga County.

Celebrate Recovery represents another church-based recovery program available in the area. Originating in a single church, 20,000 churches now offer Celebrate Recovery programs to help people struggling with “hurts, habits and hang-ups by showing them the loving power of Jesus Christ through a recovery process,” states the website (www.celebraterecovery.com).

At Eastern Hills Bible Church in Manlius, Perry Harvey leads the group.

“The one big difference is that at CR, the higher power is Jesus Christ,”

Harvey said. “That’s presented right away to any newcomer that comes in the door. We use the same 12-step fundamentals as secular programs. In those, the individual is left to figure out who or what their higher power is.”

He had attended a secular support group for family members of alcoholics and found that the faith element of CR touched him more deeply.

In some aspects, the 12-step program is not unlike other 12-step programs, but participants feel that its spiritual component enhances Celebrate Recovery. The program is for anyone working through recovery from addiction, emotional struggles, or hurtful situations.

The free program leads participants through workbooks and facilitates group sharing. All the program leaders must have completed the program themselves and are carefully screened by local church leadership.

“I believe that CR can help anyone, whether a believer or not a believer and whether or not they think they have a hurt, habit or hang-up,” Harvey said. “But if they keep denying they have a hurt, habit or hang-up, it won’t help. It addresses any or all issues. You don’t have to feel like you’re different because it’s all-inclusive. If you’re not a believer you can still come and benefit from it.”

Other churches in the area with Celebrate Recovery programs include Redeemer Church in Utica.

September 2014 •

VNA Awarded Grant To Support Rural Medicaid Beneficiaries

T

he New York State Department of Health has awarded a $308,000 grant to the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, Inc., a division of VNA Homecare, Inc., to support the implementation of an outreach project that will increase access to services for Medicaid beneficiaries transitioning from facility to home.

The project, called Improving Outreach, Access and Resources in Central New York, will focus its efforts on individuals and families in rural communities who lack transportation to and from important primary and specialty healthcare providers.

“As we expand our Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA) services into the state’s predominantly rural counties, where transportation services are not consistently available, it’s becoming increasingly important to ensure ongoing access to care,” said M. Kate Rolf, president and chief executive officer of VNA Homecare, Inc. “Reliable, handicap-accessible transportation is one key intervention to facilitate access to primary care and specialized programs that will reduce fragmented care and re-hospitalization.”

According to Rolf, the grant will fund the purchase of two paratransit vehicles. As part of a multi-faceted approach to transitional care, Transitional Care Nurses will assist Medicaid beneficiaries transitioning from facility to home in scheduling follow-up appointments and providing the transportation that will keep them connected to providers and services during their recovery. The vehicles are expected to be in operation in the coming weeks.

The grant will also support the creation of two full-time Community Outreach Coordinator positions. These individuals will serve as liaisons between health care providers and some of the most vulnerable residents of New York state: uninsured individuals who may be eligible for services and Medicaid beneficiaries with limited or no access to those services.

Collaborating with physicians, families, churches and communities at large, the Coordinators will educate these individuals on the services and resources available to them.

The Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, Inc. is one of 54 organizations across the state to receive similar grants funded by the NYS Balancing Incentive Program (BIP) Innovation Fund, which seeks to make strategic investments in non-institutional Long Term Services and Supports (LTSS).

“The Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York is honored to be a part of this elite group of organizations,” Rolf said, “and we look forward to the opportunity to better serve patients in rural communities and improve care across the continuum.”

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 17

Rabbi Irvin Beigel to Lead Trip to Israel

Parenting

By Melissa Stefanec melissa@cnyhealth.com

R

abbi Irvin Beigel, an InterFaith Works healthcare chaplain, and his wife, Jane, invite hospital staff, chaplains, clergy and their spouses to travel with them to Israel in February 2015. People from all faith traditions are encouraged to participate.

The itinerary will particularly interest first-time visitors and those who have not been to Israel in recent years. Ancient Jewish and Christian holy sites will be visited and visitors will experience life in the vibrant modern state of Israel.

The couple plans to include a visit to hospitals to see both the technological innovations that Israel has developed in health care, as well as to learn how spiritual care is provided in Israel’s hospitals.

“We believe that this will be a unique and exciting trip that will enrich participants personally and professionally,” said Rabbi Beigel.

“By traveling as a group, we will learn from each other with mutual respect as we tour the land.”

Travel arrangements are being made through Tal Tours. The tour guide in Israel will be Joe Freedman, a licensed tour guide and experienced educator.

For more information, send an email to ibeigel@twcny.rr.com or call 315-446-8115.

New Orthopedic Center in Westmoreland Under Construction

R

epresentatives from New York state, Oneida County and the Town of Westmoreland recently attended a ground-breaking ceremony at the site of a new ambulatory surgery and pain management center in Westmoreland.

The center will bring together some of the region’s top orthopedic surgeons from Utica and Hamilton, as well as a pain management specialist. The state– of-the-art facility will be located on land adjacent to the Westmoreland Thruway exit, making it easily accessible to patients in the Utica-Rome, Mohawk Valley and surrounding areas.

Oneida Healthcare is one of several partners in the project.

“We’re very excited to be part of this joint venture,” said Oneida Healthcare CEO Gene Morreale, who also serves as president of the surgery center’s governing body. “We see this project as an excellent opportunity to be part of bringing something unique to the region,” Morreale concluded.

Page 18

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10 Things to Never Say to a Pregnant Woman

B

eing pregnant is an incredibly exciting and difficult time. A woman’s body goes through a lot of changes. No matter who you are, these changes are difficult.

Pregnancy is a volatile and unpredictable period in a woman’s life.

That being said, a woman is never more open to public comment than when she is pregnant. There is something about being pregnant that opens a woman up to the world. People are typically very kind to pregnant women. In general, they are very quick to help a woman that is with child. However, a lot of people’s tongues aren’t nearly as kind.

People say the darndest things to pregnant women. I realize a lot of people just get excited and want to make small talk, but many strangers feel as though they have carte blanche to say anything they want. The following is a list of things to avoid saying to a pregnant woman, especially ones you are unacquainted with.

Obviously, some of these things are fine to talk about with friends or family, but one should use caution whenever using these phrases.

Some people may think these things are harmless, but that isn’t always the case. After all, us pregnant ladies don’t need any additional stress or tears in our lives. Trust me, we have enough of those.

1. Is there only one in there?

Despite having gained a perfectly healthy and normal amount of weight this pregnancy, I’ve heard this one more than once. I actually had a woman inquire as to my due date, laugh at my response and then add, “And there’s only one in there?” What can anyone possibly hope to gain by asking this question? If a woman is going to have twins and wants to share that information, then you are on a needto-know basis. Otherwise, keep your observations to yourself.

2. When are you due?

This one isn’t entirely off limits, but you have to be careful how you respond. I had a woman ask me this question, laugh-snort at my response, and then literally bite her lip. No additional conversation was had. Unless you are going to have continued conversation with me, why do you care when I am due. If you have to ask this

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

question, follow it up with something to the tune of, “That’s exciting. Congratulations!” Or you could try, “My child was born in June. I loved it.” Too many times people have asked this and followed it up with, “You still have a long time, don’t you?” I don’t need your stark observations added to my day. I know exactly how long it is until my due date and need any contributions from Captain Obvious.

3. You look like you are about ready to pop.

Do not ever say this to anyone, period. Follow the Golden Rule if you want to say this, because this one is just plain mean. If you think a woman looks like she is ready to pop, try

unusual name, I love when people do something a little different.” Or you could try, “My friend has a so-and-so.”

A pregnant woman doesn’t owe you an explanation. I am always tempted to ask people why their parents chose their names? How would you like to defend your identity? React nicely when receiving the response to this question or don’t ask it all.

7. Are you working right up until the end?

This is a very personal decision that is most often determined by circumstances that are out of a pregnant woman’s control. Thanks to the United States lagging behind every other developed nation in the world when it comes to maternity and paternity benefits, many women find themselves working until the last possible second. A lot of women would like to avoid this, but are forced to work because of leave options and financial circumstances. If this is the case, the woman thinks about it enough.

She doesn’t need strangers reminding her of logistics.

8. Do you plan to breastfeed?

Yes I do, but what business is it of yours? If I say no, it’s obvious you are going to judge me.

No woman needs more judgment. Just leave this one alone.

saying something like, “It’s an awfully hot day to be pregnant, I hope you stay cool.” Or you could try, “You look great.”

4. You look way bigger/smaller than your last pregnancy.

No matter how you slice it, no woman wants to hear this. If you gain too much weight during pregnancy, that is between you and your healthcare provider. No one wants to hear observations about how gigantic she looked at any point in time, past or present, and even while pregnant.

5. Is it a boy or a girl?

Unless you plan to react equally excited to either response, don’t ask this question. No woman wants to feel a stranger’s displeasure about the sex of her unborn child.

6. Have you decided on a name yet?

If you insist on asking this one, have a canned response planned. If you like the name, say that. If you don’t like the name, find something nice to say about it. For example, “That’s an

9. Are you going to use pain medication during delivery?

Maybe, but once again, what business it of yours? Did people interrogate you as to every personal detail of your last medical procedure? I highly doubt it. Leave this one to a woman and her healthcare provider.

10. Don’t assume a woman is pregnant Unless you are 100 percent sure, don’t allude to a woman’s pregnancy.

She may be carrying some extra weight around her midsection or she may have had a baby a couple of months ago.

Nothing good can come from incorrectly observing a woman is pregnant.

When it comes to asking a pregnant woman questions or making observations, it’s best to keep things simple. Say things like, congratulations, you look great, I hope everything goes well and the like. There’s no need to pry into a stranger’s or mild acquaintance’s personal life. There is even less reason to say something hurtful to someone. Let’s all practice some basic kindness people! We are talking babies here.

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Food Assistance Programs Can Help Seniors in Need Dear Savvy Senior, I run a community counseling program for needy families and am frustrated that so few eligible seniors take advantage of the food stamp program. Can you write a column on this to help educate seniors to this underutilized benefit?

Reaching Out Dear Reaching, It’s hard to imagine that a government program serving more than 46 million Americans each month is considered severely underutilized. But that’s the reality of the federal food stamp program when it comes to serving seniors.

Nationwide, food stamps (now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP) reaches around 80 percent of those eligible, but the numbers are much slimmer among the seniors aged 60 and older. Recent statistics indicate only 39 percent of eligible seniors receive SNAP benefits.

There are a number of reasons for the lack of participation. Some seniors are too embarrassed or too proud to apply. Others think that if they receive SNAP they will be taking food benefits away from others (which they won’t).

Some think it is too difficult to apply for SNAP, and others don’t even know the program exists.

With all that said, here’s a run down of which seniors are eligible for SNAP, what they get and how they can apply.

Who’s Eligible?

For seniors to get SNAP, their net income must be under the 100 percent federal poverty guidelines. So, households that have at least one person age 60 and older, or disabled, their net income must currently be less than $958 per month for an individual or $1,293 for a family of two. Households receiving TANF or SSI (except in California) are also eligible.

Net income is figured by taking gross income minus allowable deductions like medical expenses that exceed $35 per month out-of-pocket, and shelter costs (rent or mortgage payments, taxes and utility costs) that exceeds half of the household’s income.

In addition to the net income requirement, a few states also require that a senior’s assets be below $3,250, not counting the home, retirement or pension plans, income from SSI or TANF, and vehicle (this varies by

state). Most states, however, have much higher asset limits or they don’t count assets at all when determining eligibility.

The SNAP pre-screening tool at www.snap-step1.usda.gov/fns can help seniors, and their family members, figure out if they qualify.

To apply, seniors or an authorized representative will need to fill out a state application form, which can be done at the local SNAP office or it can be mailed or faxed in, or in many states it can be completed online.

If eligible, benefits will be provided on a plastic card that’s used like a debit card and accepted at most grocery stores.

Depending on the person’s financial situation, the amount of SNAP a beneficiary may be eligible for will range between $15 and $189 per month as an individual, or $15 to $347 for a family of two.

To learn more or apply, contact your local SNAP office – call 800-2215689 for contact information or visit www.fns.usda.gov/snap.

Produce Coupons In addition to SNAP, the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is another underused program that provides coupons that can be exchanged for fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs.

This program is currently available in select counties in 43 states, seven Indian reservations, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, to seniors, age 60 and older, with gross monthly household incomes below 185 percent of the federal poverty line, which is currently below $1,800 for individuals, or $2,426 for a family of two. For more information visit www.fns.usda.gov/ sfmnp or call 703-305-2746.

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Other Programs Seniors who are eligible for food assistance may also be eligible for a host of other programs that can help pay for medications, health care, utilities and more. To locate these programs, visit benefitscheckup.org, or call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116.

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.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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CALENDAR of HEALTH EVENTS

The Social Ask Security Office

Continued from page 4

years ahead there will be an increased need in our community for our services,” reads a news release issued by the organization. “Come celebrate a tradition of caring! Your gift of support will go to help a family member, friend or neighbor right here in Central New York.”

To purchase tickets for the event, call hospice at 634-1100 or visit www. hospicecny.org.

Sept. 20

Suicide prevention group holds event in Oswego Runners and walkers, including suicide survivors and mental health advocates, will gather to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention as they participate in the Suicide Prevention “Stride to Save Lives,” which takes place starting with registration at 8 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, at the SUNY Oswego campus (Campus Center Food Court). Proceeds raised will benefit SAVE — Suicide Awareness Voices of Education.

The run kicks off at 9:30 a.m. and the walk will start at 11 a.m. The event is open to the public. Light food, refreshments and live bands will be available starting at 11:30 a.m. Plenty of free parking is available with rest along the route.

Participants are invited to raise funds for their efforts, with each participant receiving a free t-shirt at the $50 fundraising level. Advance registration is preferred.

This year’s special keynote speaker will be the executive director of SAVE Dan Reidenberg, who has done extensive work with adolescents and adults who have serious and persistent mental illnesses or who are chemically dependent.

To learn more about SAVE, visit www.save.org or call 952-946-7998.

Sept. 21

Auburn event to benefit country programs Cayuga County Office for the Aging Long Term Care Office is organizing a “Walk to Remember” event that will include a 5K run, refreshments, raffles, music, T-shirt and other entertainment. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 21, at Emerson Park in Auburn.

Entry fee is $30 (age 13 up) and $15 (age 5-12). Payment is due by Sept 5. Benefits will help Cayuga County Alzheimer’s disease programs and Project Lifesaver. To obtain registration, call 253-1226 or email ccofa@co.cayuga. ny.us.

Sept. 26

Facilitating recovery workshop held in Rochester The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence-Rochester Area (NCADD-RA) is co-sponsoring with the Northeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network a free workshop on the “Core Competencies of Facilitating Recovery.” This workPage 20

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shop will be held from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26 at the NCADD-RA headquarters located at 1931 Buffalo Road, in Rochester.

This six-hour workshop will offer participants the opportunity to learn about and immediately practice core competencies for facilitating recovery in their local communities and programs as well as identify strategies to overcome barriers to programmatic implementation of recovery-oriented practices. Although the workshop is free, pre-registration is required as space is limited.

For more information and online link to registration go to www.ncaddra.org.

Sept. 28

Down Syndrome Association holds event Down Syndrome Association will sponsor its 16th annual Buddy Walk, Sunday, Sept. 28, at Long Branch Park in Onondaga Lake Park, Liverpool.

This free event is to promote the acceptance and advocacy for individual with Down syndrome. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. while the walk starts at 10:30 a.m. Festivities and free picnic to follow. Musical entertainment will be provided by TJ Sacco & the Urban Cowboys. T-shirts will be available for purchase. Many donated items will be raffled. For more information and registration, go to www.dsaofcny.org.

For more information about the Buddy Walk, call 315-682-4289.

Oct. 9

Conference on life with Parkinson’s disease The Onondaga County Department of Adult and Long Term Care Service, Office for Aging and Upstate University Hospital’s HealthLink will sponsor “Living an Active Life with Parkinson’s Disease Conference” from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Thursday, Oct.9, at the American Legion Post 787 in Cicero, 5575 Legionnaire Drive (off Route 31). Check in begins at 8:15 a.m.

This free day of learning will include presentations on current research and treatment options, improving relationship communication, and strategies to enhance daily living. Registered participants will also enjoy yoga and tai chi demonstrations and a light lunch.

The conference keynote speaker is physician Michelle Burack, assistant professor of neurology at the University of Rochester. Local featured speakers include physicians Kaushal Nanavati and Kevin Thomas and Clare Murray Volo, RYT 500 (registered yoga teacher).

There is no cost for the conference but pre-registration is required as space is limited. To register, call Upstate Connect at 315-464-8668. The deadline for registration is Monday, Sept. 29.

WOMEN’S ISSUE Don’t miss the next edition of In Good Health

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

Provided Deborah Banikowski, Social Security OfficeSocial Security Office

If Your Child Is Disabled, Social Security Can Help

C

your child’s condition must be expectancer is a terrible disease that, although sometimes beatable, can ed to last for at least 12 continuous months or result in death. strike a blow to anyone unforFor both Social Security and SSI, tunate enough to face it. It is especialyou will need to file an application for ly difficult to see children struck by disability benefits. A good place to start cancer. is by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/ September is Childhood Cancer disability and selecting the “Disability Awareness Month, designated to bring Starter Kit” under “Apply for attention to the types of canBenefits.” There, you’ll find cer that largely affect children. a “Child Disability Starter About 13,000 children under age Kit” that includes a factsheet 21 receive cancer diagnoses every to answer your questions, a year. About a quarter of them link to the “Child Disability will not survive. Those who do Report” for you to complete, a will likely suffer with the disease checklist for your in-office infor some time. terview with a Social Security While Social Security cannot representative, and a “Medical help with the cure, we can offer and School Worksheet.” A financial support to children printable version of the “Child with cancer — or any other seStarter Kit” is available. vere disability.

Banikowski Although going through If your child has cancer or another disabling condition, and if your the disability decision process and family has low income and few resourc- obtaining disability benefits may not help your child get well, the financial es, you may be able to get Supplemensupport can alleviate some of the stress. tal Security Income, or SSI, for your And the time to get started is now. child. If you are receiving retirement To learn more, view, print, or listen or disability benefits, your child may to an audio version of our publication, be eligible for Social Security disability Benefits For Children With Disabilities insurance when he or she turns age 18 as a “Disabled Adult Child.” To receive by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov. pubs.

SSI or disability insurance benefits,

Q&A

Q: Is it true that Congress does not have to pay Social Security taxes?

A: No, that urban legend is false.

Members of Congress pay Social Security taxes and are covered by Social Security just like almost everyone else.

Prior to 1983, members of Congress did not pay Social Security taxes but that was because they, like most federal employees, paid into a separate retirement system. In 1983, all newly hired government employees began paying Social Security taxes. Social Security is not an optional system. Unless exempted by law, everyone working in the United States must pay Social Security taxes on earnings under covered employment. And most people who have retired, become disabled, or lost a supporting loved one are thankful to have that safety net. For many, it can mean the difference between poverty and a better life. Learn more about the benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Q: I’m trying to decide when to retire. Can Social Security help?

A: Deciding when to retire is a personal choice, and you should consider a number of factors, but we can certainly help. First, take a few minutes and open a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount

With a my Social Security account, you can access your Social Security Statement and estimate your retirement benefits at age 62, your full retirement age, and age 70. Also, we have several online calculators that can help you decide when to retire. Our Retirement Estimator gives estimates based on your actual Social Security earnings record. You can use the Retirement Estimator if: • You currently have enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits, and • You are not: • Currently receiving monthly benefits on your own Social Security record; • Age 62 or older and receiving monthly benefits on another Social Security record; or • Eligible for a pension based on work not covered by Social Security.

You can find our Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. Also available at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/benefitcalculators. htm are several other calculators that will show your retirement benefits as well as estimates of your disability and survivor benefit if you become disabled or die. You may want to read or listen to our publication, “When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits,” available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

H ealth News Crouse appoints chief information officer Crouse Hospital has appointed Kim Rose as chief information officer for the hospital and its affiliated entities. Rose most recently served as director of information technology for the hospital.

In her new role as CIO, Rose will work with senior leadership to provide vision and strategic direction in the continued development and implementation of Crouse’s system-wide health information technology operations. This includes working with not only the hospital, but also affiliates Crouse Medical Practice and Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton, as Rose well as developing the capability to enhance information sharing between Crouse and community physicians.

“How healthcare is delivered is changing rapidly, and success will be dependent on systems and technology that allow for integration, greater connectivity and data sharing across the entire healthcare continuum, not just the hospital,” states Crouse CEO Kimberly Boynton, who adds that the increasing emphasis on population health management, physician integration, patient engagement and clinical quality all require a high-level strategic health IT focus.

Rose holds a master’s degree in information resource management from Syracuse University. She previously served as director of information technology for Crouse Medical Practice, PLLC, and PPC, both in Syracuse.

She has provided leadership and direction to the hospital’s information technology department since 2012, overseeing numerous major technology initiatives including a new emergency department patient tracker system, the hospital’s MyHealthChart patient portal, computerized physician order entry and medication administration systems. She currently is leading the implementation of Soarian, the hospital’s electronic medical records system, which is scheduled to go live in 2015.

St. Joseph’s Pathology, P.C. adds new physician Physician Brando Cobanov recently joined St. Joseph’s Pathology, P.C., as a staff pathologist.

Cobanov earned his medical degree from Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California. From 2004 to 2008 he completed a four-year residency in pathology at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, now part of Rutgers University in New Jersey. He

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then held a oneyear fellowship focusing on cancer pathology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. This was followed by a second fellowship in cytopathology at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Cobanov Cobanov most recently worked in a private pathology practice affiliated with a hospital system in Fort Wayne, Ind. He is board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology as well as cytopathology.

He and his wife Christa currently reside in East Syracuse with their two young children.

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Orthopedic surgeon joins Oswego Health Orthopedic surgeon Jerod Hines has recently joined Oswego Health’s Advanced Orthopedics Group.

Hines is a graduate of the University of Utah’s School of Medicine in Salt Lake City. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery and his fellowship in orthopedic sports medicine at McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, Quebec. While completing his medical training, Hines earned several awards and honors, including the Albert Butler Award in orthopedics, which he was presented twice allowing him to conduct research in his field of specialty.

A native of Idaho, he earned his undergraduate and master degrees from the University of Idaho. His interest in medicine was sparked while serving in the U.S. Navy as a hospital corpsman.

Hines Hines will provide a wide range of orthopedic services including complete hip, knee and shoulder surgeries, as well as treat sports injuries such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, sprains and ligament injuries. In addition, he will care for those with fractures and carpal tunnel injuries, among other.

Along with providing care in the technologically advanced surgery center at Oswego Hospital, Hines will have offices in the adjacent Health Services Center’s suite 280, which was specially built to ensure patients receive exceptional orthopedic care in a comfortable environment. The suite features four patient rooms, each with a specialized orthopedic exam table and has its own cast room. In addition, the suite has a spacious waiting area for patients and their families.

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September 2014 •

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Page 21

H ealth News Upstate Medical University: honors, awards and appointments

The Upstate Sleep Center located at Medical Center West in Camillus has been re-accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. From left, back row, patient service clerk Michelle Berkey, Director Dawn Leadley, Technical Manager Ron Waldron and physician and co-Medical Director Dragos Manta. Front row, from right, Business Manager Lisa Vigliotti-Bane, Keyboard Specialist Jennifer Yattaw and Secretary Yetta Williams.

• The Upstate Sleep Center has earned reaccreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The Upstate Sleep Center is located in Medical Center West in Camillus. Its staff includes four administrative staff, 14 sleep technicians and a team of seven physicians who specialize in sleep medicine, pediatrics, neurology, pulmonary disease and otolaryngology. The facility has 12 sleep study rooms, which operate seven days and nights a week to help diagnose sleep disorders.

• The Central New York master of public health program, a joint program of Upstate Medical University and Syracuse University, has received a five-year accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH). The program offers two degree options: the MPH and the joint MD/MPH, with Upstate’s College of Medicine. It also offers a certificate of advanced study in public health.

• Gary E. Norsen has been named associate administrator of the transitional care unit at Community Campus. Norsen previously worked at Erie County Medical Center at the Terrace View Long Term Care Facility in Buffalo. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Canisius College and is a licensed New York state nursing home administrator. Norsen lives in

Canadaigua.

• Michelle Slade has been named business manager for the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. Slade comes to Upstate from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, where she served for 21 years in various positions, including director of strategic operations.

Slade resides in Mannsville.

• Jolene Kittle has been named to the position of trauma program director. An Upstate employee since 2004, Kittle holds a master’s degree in nursing and is a clinical nurse specialist. She is also a certified flight nurse. Kittle lives in Liverpool.

• Luke Probst has been appointed as director of pharmacy for the downtown campus of Upstate University Hospital after serving in the interim position since November 2013. A member of the Upstate pharmacy team since 2002, Probst has served as a pediatric pharmacy specialist, and later as associate director of pharmacy-pediatric services. Probst lives in Manlius.

• Sophia Lustrinelli has been named director of laboratory services for Upstate University Hospital, after serving in the interim position since December 2013.

Lustrinelli, who holds ASCP certification in medical technology, is a 1985 graduate of Upstate’s medical technology program.

Crouse’s stroke program has new medical director Crouse Hospital has appointed physician Adham Samy Kamel as medical director for its stroke program.

In this role, Kamel, who most recently served as interim stroke director at University Hospital, will oversee the continued development and direction of Crouse’s stroke program.

The addition of Kamel represents a key element in the ongoing development of the hospital’s neurosciences service line, which continues to be strategic focus for the hospital.

A strong stroke program is a critKamel ically important component of a comprehensive neuroscience service line. “Crouse has been a NYS-designated stroke center since 2007 and we are looking forward to bringing the program to the next level under the leadership of Dr. Kamel,” said Crouse CEO Kimberly Boynton.

A native of Cairo, Kamel received his medical training from Cairo University Hospital and completed his residency at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He also completed fellowships in vascular neurology at Upstate Medical University and Allegheny General, and in electrophysiology at Upstate. Board-certified in vascular neurology and psychiatry and neurology, Kamel is widely published in the areas of neurology and acute stroke intervention.

Oswego Hospital has new general surgeon Oswego Hospital recently welcomed general surgeon Jai Singh to its active medical staff.

Singh is providing general surgery services in Oswego Hospital’s surgery center and is seeing patients, along with physician Allison Duggan at General Surgery Associates in Oswego.

“I am looking forward to providing exceptional healthcare to community members,” Singh said. “During my visits to the area and the hospital, I found the residents Singh and the hospital staff very warm, accommodating and a place where I would like to practice. I

WOMEN’S ISSUE Page 22

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

Don’t miss the next edition of In Good Health

greatly enjoy not only providing excellent compassionate care to my patients, but also interacting with them and this opportunity will allow me to accomplish this.”

Singh has most recently served as chief resident at the Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College in Valhalla. In this role, he was honored with an award for excellence in teaching the medical students.

Singh has also completed a Master of Surgery at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, University of Delhi, India.

He earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Maulana Azad Medical College, University of Delhi, India.

SOS welcomes orthopedic surgeon Nathan Everding Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists (SOS) announced it has recently hired physician Nathan G. Everding to its hand, wrist and shoulder Everding teams. Everding, a Skaneatletes native, is a board eligible, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury of the upper extremities.

Prior to joining SOS, Everding completed a shoulder and elbow fellowship at Holy Cross Orthopaedic Institute in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Before that, he completed a combined hand surgery fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic after completing his orthopedic surgery residency at Boston University Medical Center. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Providence College, and earned his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx.

“SOS is excited to welcome Dr. Everding,” said physician John F. Fatti, president of SOS, and lead member of the SOS hand and wrist team. “His unique combination of fellowships and interest in shoulder and elbow replacement surgery make him an excellent addition to SOS.” Fatti also remembers Everding’s passion as an athlete, having coached his lacrosse team in high school. “It always benefits patients who suffer sport related injuries to have an athlete-turned orthopedic surgeon treat them, as they understand the injury and mindset.”

Everding is an accomplished researcher as well as surgeon, and will travel to Turkey in September to present at the 25th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Surgery of the Shoulder and Elbow.

New pediatrician joins Trust Pediatrics in Fulton Pediatrician Carla Overton has joined Trust Pediatrics in Fulton.

Overton

Overton, a Watertown native, earned a bachelor’s degree in science / human biology, health and society from Cornell University in 2005. She pursued graduate work in education at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and received her

Doctor of Medicine degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University in 2011.

She completed her residency in pediatrics there in July.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Overton,” said peditrician Stuart Trust.

“She is well trained in all aspects of providing care to children and adolescents. We now have three pediatricians and a nurse practitioner to better serve the pediatric needs of northern Onondaga and Oswego County, and we always welcome new patients.”

Crouse: First in Region to Use New da Vinci Xi Surgical System

Menorah Park Invites Community to Open House Menorah Park in Syracuse will hold an open house from 3 – 5 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 21. It’s free and open to the public. Attendants will be able to tour the facility, learn about numerous health-related issues and find out the organization’s plans to remain first-rate in the future. Light refreshments will be served. “Over the decades the Jewish Home and now Menorah Park has had a superior reputation for providing older adults dignified accommodations and services, from those needing minimal care, those requiring total care, and those in between,” said

Mary Ellen Bloodgood, Menorah Park CEO. “In the last 10 years, our facility and services have grown and improved and they will continue to improve. Visitors will be briefed on plans to modernize the facility and update technology. Green technology initiatives including a bioswale, roof garden, and heating and cooling system improvements are a priority. For more information, visit www.MenorahParkCNY.com or call 446-9111.

Menorah Park is located at 4101 E. Genesee St., Syracuse.

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Part of the Crouse Hospital robotic team are surgical physician assistant Dave Darmody; colorectal surgeon John Nicholson; and robotics team leader, nurse Lisa Miller. According to the hospital, in the six years Crouse has been offering robotic surgery, the hospital has performed more multi-specialty surgeries than any other institution in the area.

Crouse Hospital is the first in Central New York to offer the next generation da Vinci surgical system, an advanced robotic-assisted device that allows surgeons to perform minimally invasive operations with greater dexterity and precision.

The new ‘Xi’ technology provides surgeons with greater range of motion, allowing the technology to be readily adapted for procedures that require access to multiple areas of the abdomen, according to Mary Cunningham, a board-certified Gyn/oncology surgeon who recently performed the first procedure at Crouse using the new system.

The da Vinci Xi uses advanced robotic computer and optical technologies, allowing surgeons to perform complex procedures through small incisions as an alternative to both traditional open surgery and conventional laparoscopy. Benefits to patients may include faster recovery time, minimal scarring and pain, decreased blood loss, shorter hospital stay and quicker return to daily activities.

In the six years Crouse has been offering robotic surgery, the hospital has performed more multi-specialty surgeries than any other institution in the area — more than 700 procedures last year alone. The hospital recently replaced one of its two earlier generation robotic systems with the new Xi equipment. There are currently only 60 Xi systems installed across the United States.

The Xi has broader capabilities than prior generations of the da Vinci technology. The new system features “overhead architecture,” which en-

ables efficient access throughout the abdomen and chest, and allows for multi-quadrant surgery to be performed without repositioning the system. The Xi also has smaller, thinner arms with newly designed joints that offer a greater range of motion than before and longer instrument shafts designed to give surgeons greater surgical reach.

In addition to Gyn/oncology, the new Xi system will be used for colorectal, urological Gyn and general robotic procedures.

Crouse Hospital’s Institute for Robotic Surgery is one of a handful of designated epicenters for robotic colorectal surgery in the country, serving as a training site for surgeons to observe routine and complex robotic-assisted general surgery cases. Surgeons from throughout the United States visit Crouse monthly to observe sophisticated, minimally invasive procedures using the technology.

“The new Xi system allows for far easier and quicker access to the entire abdomen without having to move the robot around,” says Crouse colorectal surgeon John Nicholson. “For colon surgery, which involves multiple quadrants, it is far superior to the previous technology. We’re able to do a more precise dissection and we expect that it will decrease operative time.”

Adds Cunningham: “The bottom line is that it’s the skill, knowledge and experience of the surgical team that’s most important. The ability for that team to have the most advanced technological tools available helps provide the best outcomes.”

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014