Cny igh 185 may15 by In Good Health: CNY's Healthcare Newspaper

in good THANK A NURSE

National Nurses Week is May 6 – 12. Stories about careers, salaries ($59,100 is the median salary for nurses in CNY) and more

ER at Crouse to Double in Size

Lyme Disease

May 2015 • Issue 185

cnyhealth.com

free FREE

CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

What Works?

11 weight-loss programs after one year: Which one works? “It’s important for the public and doctors to know which programs help people to lose weight, but also which ones help to keep it off,” say experts at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Page 3

As temperature goes up, so does the risk of getting Lyme disease

The ChiRunning

Healthcare executive shares what she learned about ChiRunning, a technique that prevents injury

Our Mistake

Supplements Under Attack The April issue of In Good Health ran a story about NYS Attorney General’s decision to ban the sales of certain diet supplements at various retail stores in the state. The attorney general’s office revealed that many of the supplements were found to contain contaminants not identified on ingredient labels. The stores affected by the ban were Walmart, Walgreen, Target and GNC. Because of an editing error, Wegmans was mentioned in the story’s headline, although Wegmans was not one of the stores affected by the ban. We apologize the error.

When I heard that mozzarella cheese has fewer calories and less fat than most cheeses, I nearly choked on my pizza. No way, I thought.

Mozzarella?

A Mother’s Plea

Teresa Woolson on mission in wake of son’s death by synthetic drugs Page 9

Meet Your Doctor Physician Luis Javier Castro, medical director at Primary Care West in Syracuse, enjoys working with the underserved

Page 12

Page 6 May 2015 •

Report Shows Progress in America’s War on Cancer Page 2

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 1

Good News!

The annual report was published in the March 30 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The report was co-authored by experts from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. National Cancer Institute. Combining resources, the four groups concluded that cancer deaths fell 1.8 percent a year among men between 2002 and 2011, 1.4 percent a year for women and just over 2 percent a year for children. New cancer cases fell slightly for men during that decade, while remaining level for women, according to the report. The incidence rate for new cancers in children 19 and younger increased, but by less than 1 percent a year, the report stated. Those two trends indicate that cancer is being effectively prevented and, if it occurs, successfully treated, said Recinda Sherman, report co-author and program manager of data use and research for the North American Asso-

Report Shows Progress in America’s War on Cancer

Small but steady declines in deaths seen over past decade

merica is making slow but steady progress against cancer, with a continuing decline in cancer deaths, according to a new report. The overall cancer death rate fell an average 1.5 percent per year between 2002 and 2011, representing improved survival for men, women and children, the report found. The rate of new cancer cases also declined an average 0.5 percent a year during that period. Experts say the promising figures reflect success in both treating and

heading off cancer in the body’s four most vulnerable sites — the lungs, colon, breasts and prostate. “These numbers reflect a combination of factors that include prevention, early detection and improved treatment,” said report co-author Ahmedin Jemal, vice president of surveillance research for the American Cancer Society. However, the new report also found that cancer rates are rising for some rarer forms of cancer, including cancer of the liver, mouth and throat, thyroid, and kidneys.

ciation of Central Cancer Registries. Advances in lung cancer are tied directly to fewer people smoking, while the decline in colon and breast cancers also are tied to prevention efforts, Sherman said. For example, colon cancer is preventable through screening, with doctors able to detect and remove dangerous pre-cancerous polyps through a colonoscopy. “The early polyps are being removed even before they turn into cancer,” said physician Lynne Penberthy, senior author of the annual report and associate director of the Surveillance Research Program at the U.S. National Cancer Institute. Prostate cancer rates also are declining, but experts are not exactly sure why that is occurring. Prostate cancer screening is no longer recommended, Jemal said, which could lead to a decline in detected new cases. Rarer cancers are on the rise for various reasons. Liver cancer, for instance, has increased due to long-lasting hepatitis C infections that occurred in drug-using baby boomers in the 1970s and early 1980s, Sherman said. Mouth and throat cancers also have been increasing among men, even though they are considered a tobacco-related type of cancer, Sherman said. This increase in cancer likely is due to human papillomavirus infection, or HPV, the sexually transmitted disease that also is the leading cause of cervical cancer in the United States, she said. A vaccine has been developed for HPV and is currently recommended for both boys and girls. “These numbers show there’s definitely a reason to promote that vaccine for both genders,” Sherman said.

Just because you don’t have symptoms doesn’t mean you don’t have the hepatitis C virus Were you born between 1945 and 1965? It is a state law that healthcare providers offer testing for the hepatitis C virus to all baby boomers. Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver disease and liver cancer. Early diagnosis, determined by a laboratory blood test, can lower the risk of damage through monitoring and treatment.

Many people may have the virus and not know it. Ask your doctor for the simple blood test today.

Professional, convenient, locally owned and employing more than 430 Central New Yorkers. Page 2

•

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

11 Weight-Loss Programs After 1 Year: Which Work?

mong commercial weight-loss programs, Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig show the strongest evidence that they can help dieters keep weight off for at least 12 months, a new study suggests. Researchers found that after one year, Jenny Craig participants lost an average of 4.9 percent more weight, and people enrolled in Weight Watchers lost an average of 2.6 percent more weight than people who either dieted on their own, were given printed advice about weight loss or received a few sessions of health education and behavioral counseling. The study showed that for the majority of commercial weight-loss programs out there, researchers don’t know whether they work, said lead author, physician Kimberly Gudzune, an assistant professor of medicine at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. “It’s important for the public and doctors to know which programs help people to lose weight, but also which ones help to keep it off,” Gudzune said.

Weight-loss success

In this review study, the researchers looked for published studies on weight-loss programs that were rigorous, long-term randomized controlled trials, which are considered the highest-quality data to evaluate whether a program works. The researchers included only studies that were at least 12 weeks long

and were based on comprehensive weight-loss programs, meaning the programs emphasized nutrition and also offered behavioral counseling or social support, although they may or may not have focused on physical activity. Only 39 studies of 11 weight-loss programs met the researchers’ criteria to be included in the review. The 11 programs evaluated included Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, Health Management Resources (HMR), Medifast, Optifast, Atkins, Slimfast and three Internet-based offerings (The Biggest Loser Club, eDiets and Lose It!). Other programs that were not included had not done rigorous studies, the researchers said. “I had hoped more programs had done more rigorous long-term trials in the 10 years since the last review study on this topic had been done,” Gudzune said. Among the 11 programs, only the people who participated in Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers achieved significant weight loss that was sustained for at least 12 months, Gudzune told Live Science. The findings, which were published April 6 in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, also revealed a few other programs with promising results early on, such as at three or six months, but they lacked research on whether the weight loss was sustained after one year on the program.

UPSTATE IS CENTRAL NEW YORK’S

FIRST AND ONLY

COMPREHENSIVE STROKE CENTER

The best time to learn about the region’s largest neuroscience team is before you need it. WWW.UPSTATE.EDU/STROKE 750 EAST ADAMS ST. SYRACUSE, NY May 2015 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 3

CALENDAR of

BRIGHTON PHYSICAL THERAPY, PLLC Kevin L. Gretsky, PT n Orthopedic Rehabilitation n Pre and Post Surgical Care n Injury Assessment n Total Joint Replacement Care n Neck & Back Pain n Sports Injuries n Worker Compensation/No Fault n 20+ Years of Experience n Most Insurances Accepted & Filed Including Medicare

HEALTH EVENTS

May 5

Seminar: Helping animals through homeopathy

181 Intrepid Lane Syracuse, NY 13205 • (315) 498-5510 Hours By Appointment • Free Parking

COME GROW WITH US We are accepting applications for qualified, experienced home health care staff for our growing Home Care Agency: RN Case Manager On-Call Nurse After Hours On-Call Coordinator

Screener Per Diem RN HHA & PCA

This is your opportunity to join a team of highly skilled Home Care Professionals. We value staff autonomy and your ability to make goaloriented decisions as part of a multi-disciplinary team to facilitate the highest quality clinical care. With access to the latest technology for wireless and electronic documentation, you can work from anywhere! With a structured orientation plan, team environment and supportive coworkers, you’ll quickly feel like a member of our ‘family’ of providers! We offer mileage reimbursement, compensation for continuing education, competitive pay rates and excellent benefits packages. Must possess a valid NYS driver’s license and current auto insurance and be able to drive during work hours.

www.st-camillus.org/careers.html EOE / Affirmative Action Employer

For comprehensive, quality care from physicians you can trust, turn to University OB/GYN Associates All general and specialty women’s services are provided by our group

Infertility Diagnosis and Treatment

• Including Advanced Reproductive Technologies • In – Vitro Fertilization

Family Planning General Maternity Care Urogynecology High Risk Maternity Care Gyn Oncology General Gynecology and Well Woman Services • Including menopause and PMS

We’re accepting new patients to our practice 725 Irving Ave Suite 600 Syracuse NY 13210 315-464-5162

Our physicians are faculty of the Upstate Medical University We are the only group with the Academic Difference Most insurances accepted www.upstate.edu/obgyn Page 4

•

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

Pam McNew, who has 40 years in the field of homeopathy, will present “Helping Animals Through Homeopathy” on behalf of People for Animal Rights. The seminar is free and open to the public. It will take place at 6:45 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, at Onondaga Free Library, 4840 W. Seneca Turnpike, Town of Onondaga. For more information call 488-PURR (7877) or visit peopleforanimarightsofcny.org. People for Animal Rights is the organizer of the event. It’s a grassroots, all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization founded in Syracuse in 1982. It educates about animal rights and environmental protection through a twice-yearly newsletter, public educational programs, tabling, presenting to educational or community organizations, etc.

May 6

Seminar to provide unbiased information on Medicare Learn about the basics of Medicare at a free workshop from 10 a.m. to noon May 6 at the basement training room of the Cayuga County Office Building. This session will be geared toward Cayuga County residents who are approaching Medicare enrollment and for those already enrolled who are overwhelmed or confused by the information and the options available. This is not an event during which sales efforts will be made, and no insurance vendors will be present; this program will contain unbiased information only. Information included in this program will be: the basics of original Medicare; Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription coverage; Medicare Preventive benefits; Medicare supplemental insurance and EPIC; costs, co-pays and deductibles; and information about available assistance to help those beneficiaries of a low-in-

come status. Registration is required and will be accepted until such time as the seating limit has been met. A future class will also be held June 11. For more information or to register, please call the Cayuga County Office for the Aging at 315-253-1226, or visit our website at www.cayugacounty. us/aging under the News & Activities section.

May 14

Celebrate life: Eat more chocolate Bella Domani, a banquet facility located on Taft Road in North Syracuse, will transform into something resembling Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory May 14 as part of a fundraising campaign sponsored by Hospice of Central New York. Titled “Celebrating Life Through Chocolate,” the event will start at 5:30 p.m. and will offer candies, cookies, cakes and even chocolate covered fruit. Participants will be able to match these delights with tastes of wines. It will also offer a silent auction that will include jewelry, specialty foods, wines, baskets of locally produced goodies and gift certificates to Central New York restaurants and shops. Casual Plaid will be performing. Pre-sale tickets are $30 and $35 at the door. Get your tickets online or call 634-1100. Presenting sponsor is SRC and media sponsor is News Channel 9 –WSYR-TV.

May 15

Neurologist to discuss Parkinson’s disease Neurologist Lev Goldiner of Slocum Dickson Medical Group in the Utica area will be the guest speaker at the seminar at The Nottingham Senior Living Community, 1301 Nottingham Road, Jamesville. Titled “The Non-Motor Symptoms Asscociated with continued on page 14

Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga and Madison Counties in good A monthly newspaper published by Local

Health CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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. © 2015 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, George W. Chapman, Aaron Gifford, Deborah Sergeant, Anne Palumbo, Melissa Stefanec, Matthew Liptak, Chris Motola, Hannah McNamara, Richard Block, Ernst Lamothe Jr Advertising: Amy Gagliano, Marsha K. Preston Design: Chris Crocker • Office Manager: Alice Davis 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.

Crouse Hospital to Double ER Capacity Current facility is nearly 40 years old, official says By Richard Block

rouse Hospital intends to double the size of its emergency department. Bob Allen, Crouse’s vice president of communications and government affairs, says clearly it is time. “The current emergency department is close to 40 years old. It’s not optimally configured for the way we deliver emergency services today,” he said. “It’s very small. It’s cramped. We have a limited number of patient treatment rooms. Patient privacy is not as efficient or effective as we would like it to be. It’s an old facility. We need to provide 21st century care.” Allen adds, “The emergency department is the front door to our hospital.” While certainly there is competition for health care in the Syracuse area among the various hospitals, Allen says that is not a main factor in Crouse’s decision to renovate and improve its ER. The current emergency department consists of 8,000 square feet. It will increase to about 16,000 square feet. It will be built partially where the current ER is and a portion will be constructed on top of the hospital’s Witting Surgical

Center. Currently, there are 22 treatment rooms. The new emergency department will have 47. Presently, only three ambulances can park in the emergency department parking lot. The new site will allow for six ambulances. Allen says the existing ER will remain open while construction is taking place. “The project will be completed in phases so there will be minimal disruption to patients and staff, says Allen. The total cost is estimated at $35 million. Several sources will be used to fund the project, including a $2 million grant from Central New York Regional Economic Development Council. A key part of this project is integrating Crouse’s urgent care — known as PromptCare and located across the street at 739 Irving Ave. — into the new emergency services department. A triage area will be established at the entrance, so that depending on one’s needs, the patient will either be sent to the ER side or the urgent care side. In 2014, between the emergency room and PromptCare, emergency

services at Crouse handled 76,000 patients. That’s an increase from 72,000 patients in 2013. Allen says 2016 will be devoted to planning and design. Actual construction will start in early 2017. Some elements should be in place in 2017, while the entire project is scheduled for completion sometime in 2018. Allen anticipates there will be an increase in staffing and patient volume is expected to increase as well. In an unusual move, Crouse is soliciting information regarding the design from physicians, nurses, ambulance drivers and patients to make it

“very inclusive to make sure the new ER is user friendly and meets the needs of patients, family members, staff and the EMS community” Allen said. Despite the dated and cramped facility, Crouse’s Emergency Department is still the most efficient ER in Central New York, according to Allen. “Patients are seen as quickly as possible,” he noted. Allen says Crouse’s goal is for the new ER “to operate efficiently and effectively.” And, he vows it will be “a much more patient-friendly environment, in line with our mission to provide the best in patient care.”

Healthcare in a Minute By George W. Chapman

Rochester-based system expands again. The 262-bed Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic in Ontario County is now the fifth hospital to join the expanding Rochester Regional Health System. The other four hospitals are Rochester General, Unity (Park Ridge), Newark Wayne and United Memorial in Batavia. RRHS is now the second largest private employer in the greater Rochester area with about 14,000 employees. The largest private employer in the area is competing health system, the University of Rochester Medical Center, which employs about 25,000. URMC includes Strong, Highland and Thompson (Canandaigua) hospitals.

NYS enacts price transparency law.

The “Emergency Medical Services and Surprise Bills” law went into effect April 1. It provides consumer protection for care received out-of-network by listing pricing benchmarks for various procedures and offers dispute resolution for providers and payers contesting billings. Consumers are typically responsible for the difference between what their insurance company pays the out-of-network provider and what the out-of-network provider charges.

ObamaCare did not overwhelm physicians.

Opponents of the Affordable Care Act predicted physicians, especially those in primary care, would be deluged with 16 million new, formerly

uninsured and very sick patients. It was virtually barbarians at the gate. The same dire prediction was made by critics of the ACA’s predecessor, RomneyCare in Massachusetts. As with RomneyCare, the ACA did not cause a deluge. In 2013, the year before the ACA kicked in, 22.6 percent of patient visits to primary care physicians were new patient visits. In 2014, the first year of the ACA, 22.9 percent of visits to primary care physicians were new patients. In addition, the complexity of the visits remained unchanged from 2013 to 2014. And, according to a survey from vitals.com, the average waiting time in a physician’s office actually decreased from 20 to 19 minutes.

Cost of newly insured to taxpayers.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the actual cost per newly insured (16 million) Americans is running 20 percent less than expected, at about $4,000. The ACA needs to get the word out. Only 5 percent of people polled know the ACA is costing much less than predicted while 42 percent believe we are spending much more than budgeted. NYS ranks health of 62 counties. The ranking is based upon length of life, quality of life, health behaviors ( tobacco, diet, exercise, alcohol), clinical care (access, quality), social/economic factors (education, employment, income, family, community safety), and physical environment (air, water, housing, transit). The top five healthiest counties, one to five, are: Rockland,

Putnam, Saratoga, Tompkins and Nassau. The bottom five, 58–62 are: Chautauqua, Chemung, Greene, Sullivan and Bronx. For a complete list go to www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/ new-york/2015/rankings.

NYS endangered hospitals list.

There are 28 hospitals in NYS in danger of closing. In order to qualify for special emergency interim funding, a hospital must prove it has less than 15 days operating cash on hand. The funding is intended to keep the hospitals open long enough for them to find a partner. If these hospitals fail to hook up with a stronger hospital system, like the ones in Rochester for example, they will most likely close. Low occupancy is the usual cause for closure. Upstate hospitals on the list are Auburn, Carthage, Gouverneur, Lewis County, River (Alex Bay) and Rome. All of these hospitals are within 30 minutes of a more viable hospital.

Health information cyberattacks increasing.

Washington state-based Premera BlueCross figures hackers got access to about 11 million health records. It took Premera eight months to realize there was a breach. Anthem insurance had 80 million records hacked. Stolen information could include contact information, bank account numbers, social security numbers, member ID numbers and claims data. It still remains to be seen what, if any, recourse a consumer has. You may be seeing class action lawsuits. May 2015 •

Medicare fraud.

Since the inception of the Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Control program in 1997, the Department of Justice has recovered almost $28 billion for the Medicare Trust Fund. $3.3 billion was recovered last year. The DOJ performs criminal and civil investigations of all providers including hospitals, physicians, pharmacies, device manufacturers and nursing homes.

Wellness programs.

Four of five employers offer their workers a wellness program at a cost of about $700 per employee. The most popular incentive programs are biometric screenings, health risk assessments and physical activity programs. Most employers have dropped disincentive programs, except for smoking. It’s been hard to say whether or not employers are getting a return on their investment through lower healthcare costs and absenteeism. Have a consumer question? Try “Ask the Oracle” at www.Newyorkhealthcareforum.com. GEORGE W. CHAPMAN is a health consultant who operates GW Chapman Consulting in Upstate New York. To reach him, email gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 5

Locally grown farm fresh vegetables! CSA shares Delivery in Syracuse and Utica!

commonthreadcsa.com • 882-0086

Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Luis Javier Castro, M.D Primary Care West medical director explains mission to provide for the underserved, minorities. Says he wants to include dental services, expand evening hours as way to increase access Q: What’s your role within the St. Joseph’s system? A: I’m the medical director of Primary Care West, which is a primary care center on the Near Westside associated with St. Joseph’s. Q: How is primary care changing under the new health care law? A: Probably the biggest thing with the Affordable Care Act is the promise that patients who previously didn’t have access to health care will now have some basic kind of health insurance. Part of the premise of our facility, the reason we expanded to a larger facility, is because there’s a large group of patients without access to primary care, and their only alternative is to go to the hospital when they have an acute problem. They aren’t getting the routine care that prevents these problems in the first place. We have family medicine, pediatrics, OB-GYN, mental health, nutrition and social work. Q: Have you been seeing a lot of new patients? A: We’re currently completely open to new patients. And, yeah, we’re averaging over 100 new patients a month. I see probably two new patients a day myself. We take walk-ins, we take acutes. We have expanded hours in the evening Mondays and Wednesdays until 8 p.m. to accommodate people who work. The plan is to, by next year, be open four evenings a week and a day on the weekend to provide access for patients.

ADVERTISE Reach thousands of health consumers, providers. 35,000 copies distributed evey month

IN GOOD HEALTH 315-342-1182 www.cnyhealth.com editor@cnyhealth.com Page 6

•

Q: What is the patient-centered medical home program? A: We’re certified as a level 3 patient-centered medical home and there are a number of qualifications you need for the certification. The idea is that every patient should have a “medical home” out of which their health care is centered at. So their primary care, referrals to see specialists, immunizations and managed from that location rather than five different locations, five different offices. The old formula really didn’t help communication amongst

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

all the different providers and things would get lost or repeated and there’d be a lot of waste. So we’ll coordinate the patient’s care on site for their preventive care, their acute care, their disease management. And if they need a higher level of care off site, we coordinate that for them as well. Q: What are some of the remaining impediments to getting patients effective preventive care? A: It’s access. Even though we’re now providing more patients with some form of health insurance, not enough providers may accept it. The most obvious example is Medicaid. There are a limited number of providers who accept it because it doesn’t reimburse very well. So health insurance doesn’t necessarily translate to access to care. So reimbursement is an issue and, because we’re a designated medical home, we do get reimbursed at a slightly higher rate. But it’s a lot of work to get that. Many of our patients are underserved, so we don’t necessarily make a lot of money treating them, but St. Joe’s, as a mission-based service, realizes that there’s a huge need on the west side of Syracuse. Q: Is your position mostly administrative, or do you still practice? A: I’m a full-time practitioner. I’ve been at Primary Care West for 17 years. As medical director, I see a full load of patients. I do quite a bit of obstetrics in my

practice, which is rare for family docs. I do about six deliveries a year and the full spectrum all the way up through adulthood. Q: What are some of the needs particular to the community you serve? A: It’s significantly underserved and mainly poor socio-economic status. A lot of minorities. A lot of Latino patients. We also have a subset of refugees from Somalia, the Sudan, from Russia, from the Ukraine. We’re getting a influx now from Nepal, Burma and Turkey. It’s a complex mix of patients because they are poor, they have a lot of cultural and language complexity. Many aren’t used to getting primary care, so it takes some time to educate them about the value of primary care. It’s not your typical middle class primary care patient. Q: As someone who is bilingual, have you noticed a difference — beyond language — in the expectations of your Spanish-speaking patients? A: Being Latino myself — I was born in Columbia — there’s no doubt that being able to communicate with a patient in their native language is a huge tool. Many patients will choose a location based on their access to a Spanish-speaking provider. It’s really not as simple as saying, “I can just use a translator.” It’s hard to develop that rapport with your provider, makes communicating more complex and take that much longer. There are also a cultural frame of reference based on how they were raised that I can appreciate, so it’s a valuable tool. Q: How would you like your location to develop going forward? A: The expansion of hours into evenings and weekends that I mentioned earlier is a big one. We’d also like to include dental services and, with that in mind, we’d like to add another floor to our physical infrastructure that would house those suites, heart disease management and patient educational services. Q: This may not be a question you’re able to answer, but why is dental care separate from medical care, especially when it can affect health in so many ways? A: That’s an interesting question. There’s always been separate training, separate schools, but they do overlap quite a bit. Dental problems can cause problems for the rest of the body, especially with pregnancy. We do see a lot of patients with dental issues and refer them to a dental clinic at the main campus. But if we can provide it on site, they know us, they can reach us. Dental care is so important. It seems like an obvious next step.

Lifelines Name: Luis Javier Castro, M.D. Position: Medical Director at St. Joseph’s Primary Care Center - West Hometown: Medellin, Columbia (grew up in Queens, NY) Education: SUNY Health Science Center (medical), Hunter College (graduate), Princeton (undergrad) Affiliations: St. Joseph’s Medical Center. SUNY Upstate Medical University Organizations: American Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association, New York State Association of Family Practice, Onondaga County Medical Society Family: Married, two daughters, one son Hobbies: Weightlifting, skiing, golf, softball

Ooops, I Forgot to Take My Pills Excellus study finds many in Upstate New York fail to take their meds

Choose to advertise with In Good Health Central New York’s Healthcare Newspaper Reaching health consumers, health professionals. 35,000 copies distributed each month.

In Good Health • 315-342-1182

bout four out of every 10 Upstate New York adults facing chronic conditions report that they don’t always take their medications as prescribed, according to a comprehensive medication adherence survey commissioned by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and released in March. “This comprehensive self-reported adherence survey addresses a topic that’s vital to the health of millions of people facing chronic conditions,” said pharmacist Mona Chitre, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield vice president of pharmacy management and chief pharmacy officer. “When medications are taken as directed, health outcomes are improved, chronic conditions are managed, health care dollars are used efficiently, and lives are saved.” “Our survey, using an independent firm, also explored the related vital topic of adherence to prescribed antibiotics,” Chitre added. “Here, we found that two out of 10 adults are self-reporting nonadherence, a measure that establishes a level of danger to society, because antibiotic-resistant bacteria can develop as a direct result of patients who don’t complete the full course of treatment and depression — as well as on adults as prescribed.” who had been prescribed an antibiotic medication within the past six months. Taking antibiotics as prescribed is crucial to ensuring that antibiotic-resistant bacteria do not develop. Adults with chronic conditions “Hundreds of thousands of Upstate New Yorkers who have the • Of those taking medication for a conditions we reviewed are not getting chronic condition within the past three the real benefit of their medicines, months, 58 percent took their medicaand there are many other medical tion as directed, 24 percent missed one conditions we didn’t evaluate, so the dose of medication, 13 percent missed numbers are understated,” Chitre said. more than one dose, and 11 percent “To improve their health, patients who took the medication late. • Of those with a chronic condition have medical conditions should take their medicines as directed by their who were nonadherent, 17 percent rephysicians. Doing so will also help ported that symptoms of the condition them avoid hospitalizations and other returned. complications.” • Of those with a chronic condition, 23 percent said they rely on a Regional Variations spouse or partner to make sure they take their medication as prescribed. In addition to the general findings for Upstate New York, the survey also Adults prescribed antibiotics revealed several regional differences. • Of those prescribed an antibiotic, For example, those in the Central 21 percent missed a dose or stopped New York-Southern Tier region are taking the medication; and of that more likely to: group, 36 percent missed two doses, • Currently be using home delivand 22 percent missed three or more ery as a method to reduce prescription doses. cost than those in the Rochester and • Of those who were nonadherent Western New York regions; in taking their antibiotics, 15 percent • Talk to their doctor about lowreported that their symptoms returned. er-cost options than those in the West• Of those taking an antibiotic, 16 percent reported relying on a spouse or ern New York region; • Have their doctor’s office follow partner for reminders. up to make sure their prescription was filled than those in the Utica region; Reason for nonadherence and • Rely on online resources for inConsistent with national studies, formation about their condition/treat“forgetting / not having pill with me” ment than those in the Western New was the primary reason for medication York region. nonadherence for those on an antibiotic or a medication for a chronic condition. A summary of the survey report, The survey focused on adults takas well as past fact sheets about Mediing medication for five common chron- cation Adherence in upstate New York, ic conditions — asthma, high blood can be found at excellusbcbs.com/ pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes factsheets.

Key Findings:

Physician Administrative Services Specialized in Medical Billing Do you believe in keeping jobs in the USA? Our company does not outsource any part of its Billing Service overseas! We perform all data entry, coding, posting, and collections locally at our Cicero location.

• • • •

Established in 2001 Large and small practices are welcome We offer competitive rates Service includes annual coding & documentation review • We employ certified coders

Contact Beth Sassano for a quote today 6221 State Route 31, Suite 104 Cicero, NY 13039 Phone: 315 752-0141 • Fax (315) 752-0142 Email: beth.sassano@cvgs.org May 2015 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Feeling Lonely and Neglected? Connection is Just a Call or Click Away

ave you been feeling lonely lately? Or neglected? Have you been sitting alone, maybe feeling sorry for yourself, and wondering . . . Where is everybody? Why isn’t anybody calling? What’s going on? You’re not alone. I’m right there with you. Since losing my mother last year, I’ve had bouts of the blues and have spent too much time alone. Sometimes, the loss just overwhelms me and I lose my oomph for doing much of anything. The loneliness that I’m experiencing now reminds me of the painful months after my divorce years ago, when I isolated myself in my apartment and avoided friends and family. Eventually, my phone stopped ringing and the weekends stretched out before me like a long, lonely highway. I know that slumps happen. Life ebbs and flows. So, when I started feeling lonely and neglected, and when I began blaming others for my sorry social calendar, I knew an attitude adjustment was in order. Specifically, I needed to remind myself that my life is in my hands ‘ that I’m responsible for how lonely (or not) I am, and that I’m in charge of how large or small my life is.

Luxury 2-Bedroom Apartments

So what did I do? I picked up the phone, called a girlfriend, and made plans for the weekend. Then I picked up the phone again, and left a message for my sister, asking her to ring me back. Those were easy calls, but I didn’t stop there. I worked up the nerve, rehearsed a few words, and made a third call to a neighbor who also lives alone. I asked if he wanted to take a walk later that evening. He asked for a rain-check, but that was OK. We made plans to take a walk the following week, and I now had something to look forward to. This all happened in the span of 30 minutes. I then shifted over to my computer and sent out a few “Hi, how are you?” emails to friends and invited a few people over to see (and admire!) my newly renovated powder room. I’ve been madly painting and redecorating, and wanted to show it off. Why not, right? It’s rewarding to hear the oohs and aahs. And it gave me a chance

Call about our specials today!

to practice something I preach in my Living Alone workshops: We need to create our own positive feedback. I was on a roll, and it became downright fun to see how easily I could change my circumstances by doing just a few small things — by converting my newly adjusted attitude into action. Within days, my phone started ringing again, my inbox began to fill up, and I had entered a few social events on my calendar. Life felt better! Part of what motivates me when I find myself in a slump is a passage contained in a sweet little book on living alone called “Living Alone and Lovin’ It” by Barbara Feldon. In one particularly helpful chapter on loneliness, she recounts a heart-to-heart she had with an “older and very wise friend” by the name of Leo. She was brooding about being lonely, and shared how much she wanted to feel loved and protected again — the way she felt when she was a child. Barbara’s friend Leo responded

quite bluntly by saying, “But you’re not a child and don’t have a child’s needs. A child is in danger without company because it’s helpless, but an adult has access to any need imaginable: food, medicine, companionship. All an adult has to do is pick up the phone . . . ” Good friends can be such a help! Especially when they tell it like it is and don’t let us get away with stuff. Barbara was energized by her friend’s no-excuses straight talk and, indirectly, so was I. As adults, we can exercise choices. We can choose to stay in a slump or choose to pick up the phone. Start dialing, and you’ll be surprised how fast your feelings of selfpity and abandonment can evaporate. Start dialing and little by little your world will expand, with one connection spawning another and another and yet another. That’s what happened to me. Pretty soon, you’ll be wishing the phone would stop ringing so you can enjoy a nice, quiet evening all to yourself, which — by the way — is exactly what I’m looking forward to this evening. I’m heading into my cozy living room with a good book and a glass of wine, just as soon as I submit this column to my wonderful publisher and editor, Wagner Dotto. Between you and me, I’m keeping my fingers crossed the phone doesn’t ring. Cheers! 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 upcoming workshops or to invite Gwenn to speak, call 585-6247887 or email: gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

Community Information Seminar:

Bariatric Surgery May 12, 2015 • 6:00 pm Presented by

Maintenance-Free Living

Gregory Dalencourt, MD Medical Office Center St. Joseph’s Hospital Campus 104 Union Ave. • Suite 809 • Syracuse, NY

The Apartments at

Legacy Drive • Water Softeners • Granite Countertops • Garbage/Disposals • Elevators in Each Building • Laundry on Every Floor

• Patio/Balcony • Keyed Entry • Community Room • 24 Hour Emergency Maintance • Close to I-90 & 690

635-6290

www.newlegacyapartments.com

Page 8

•

7 Legacy Drive, Baldwinsville

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

To register call 315-477-4740 or toll free 877-269-0355 Parking will be validated

Choose to advertise with In Good Health Central New York’s Healthcare Newspaper Reaching health consumers, health professionals. 35,000 copies distributed each month.

In Good Health • 315-342-1192

Teresa Woolson, an administrative coordinator at Operation Oswego County in Oswego, sits by a picture of her late son, Victor Orlando Woolson.

A Mother’s Plea

Teresa Woolson on mission in wake of son’s death by synthetic drugs By Hannah McNamara

n Aug. 10, 2012, the life of Victor Orlando Woolson was cut short due to a synthetic smoking blend he allegedly bought legally at a downtown Oswego business. Almost three years later, his mother, Teresa Woolson, is still a key advocate in the fight against synthetic drugs. Victor was a 19-year-old with a bright future ahead of him. He was a member of ROTC for four years and enrolled in Cayuga Community College in criminal justice and psychology. Teresa first noticed the dangerous side effects of synthetic drugs a few months previous to his death when Victor was reported missing and was found in a motel room outside of Cooperstown. Victor was immediately taken to the hospital but his symptoms progressively got worse and he was forced to detox at the hospital. “Around the same time, bans on

synthetic drugs started to be put into effect and we started to see an improvement in Victor’s behavior and attitude,” Woolson said. However, it wasn’t long before Victor found out that Xtreme Underground in downtown Oswego was still allegedly selling certain forms of synthetic marijuana. On Aug. 9, 2012, Victor and his friend legally bought a synthetic cannabis product called “Avalanche” and smoked it at “flat rocks” on the shores of Lake Ontario in Oswego. Soon after, Victor began drowning in the water due to the side effects of the drug, his mother said. He was rushed to the hospital but pronounced dead on Aug. 10 reportedly due to a fatal reaction to synthetic drugs. Ever since that tragic day, Teresa has made it her mission to educate people on the harm of using synthetic drugs and prevent an incident like this

from happening again through VOW. This nonprofit charitable organization, which was formed in 2013, aims to help the community raise awareness about synthetic drugs in an effort to save lives.

SAFE Fair on agenda This year, Woolson hosted the second annual Substance Awareness Family Education Fair on April 26 at the Oswego Elks Lodge. Sixteen exhibitors attended the SAFE Fair, which provided information to the community and create awareness about the drug epidemic in Oswego County. “I created it to bring together exhibitors that can give all the education about drug addiction, prevention, and healthy treatment options that this community needs to know,” Woolson said. “It’s a fun drug- and alcohol-free event which is very needed because

Oswego County is in a drug crisis.” In order to consistently create awareness for the community, Woolson partnered with the preventive director of Farnham Family Services, Penny Morley, to attend after-school programs and educate students on the dangerous effects of illicit and synthetic drugs. Woolson is also a very active member of the Coalition to Combat Adolescent Substance Abuse in Oswego County, which was created in May 2014 to address the high levels of drug abuse in the area. “This coalition is pretty much where anyone who wants to help with this drug epidemic should be,” Woolson said. Oswego County passed a law banning the sale of synthetic drugs after Victor’s death in 2012. That same year, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced that the New York State Department of Health had issued new regulations to crack down on the increasingly widespread use of synthetic drugs. Woolson said only certain types of synthetic compounds are illegal to sell and use but not all. Current proposed legislation in Albany seeks to make all types of synthetic drugs illegal to use and sell in New York state. It will also give the state DOH the power to add all synthetic drugs to the list of illegal substances. Woolson has diligently been working with Assemblyman Will Barclay (R-C-I, Pulaski) to ban the sale of all synthetic drugs in New York state and is hopeful stiffer legislation will be enacted. “If it looks like and acts like a harmful drug, then it should be illegal,” Woolson said. According to Woolson, synthetic drugs are considered a toxic combination of unregulated chemicals that are made to mimic marijuana’s effects. But oftentimes, the body reacts completely different to these untested chemicals. Some side effects of synthetic marijuana include severe agitation, anxiety, nausea, elevated blood pressure, suicidal thoughts and death. Although these synthetic drugs are legally sold all over the world, hazardous materials such as bleach and rat poisons have been found in recent strains, Woolson said. “The use of synthetic drugs is still a very prevalent problem and keeps escalating,” Woolson said. “My message for the community to help stop this drug crisis is to spread the word, talk about it and look for it.”

WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS!

Internist Associates OF CENTRAL NEW YORK

Affiliated with Crouse Medical Practice, PLLC

CNY Medical Center 739 Irving Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13210 Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

s the area’s largest internal medicine practice, we welcome you and your family to our practice of more than 20 highly qualified, board-certified primary care/internal medicine providers — all affiliated with the Crouse Medical Practice care network and conveniently located across from Crouse Hospital.

Monazza Ahmed, MD

Soubhi Azar, MD

Lisa Dorsey, MD

Matthew Marvel, MD

Family Medicine

Internal Medicine

We are pleased to welcome these new physicians to our family, each of whom is currently accepting new patients! Family Medicine

Internal Medicine

CA L L 315/479-5070 TO S C H E D U L E YO U R A P P O I N T M E N T TO DAY! May 2015 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 9

My Turn

By Eva Briggs

Animal-Derived Medicine Insulin, Heparin, Premarin — they all came to life thanks to substances made by animals Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog, Adder’s fork, and blind-worm’s sting, Lizard’s leg, and howlet’s wing

hose lines from Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” seem comical today — who would really try to make a potion or medicine from that stuff? Plants and herbs, maybe, but animal parts and pieces? It turns out that, yes, some medicines really do come from animal products. Several of these medicines have been around for a long time. In the 1920s, doctors and scientists in Toronto determined that removing a dog’s pancreas caused it to develop diabetes. They subsequently extracted a substance they first called isletin — later changed to insulin — from another dog’s pancreas and found that it could lower the diabetic dog’s blood sugar. Because cow pancreases were easier to obtain, they managed to extract insulin from the cow pancreas to treat the diabetic dogs in their lab. They purified the insulin from the cow pancreas suffi-

ciently to try it on a human — 14-yearold Leonard Thompson, a diabetic boy near death from his disease. The insulin injections restored him to health, and since then insulin has gone on to save the lives of millions of people. The insulin patients use today is no longer produced by grinding up animal pancreases. It’s manufactured by bacteria or yeast that have been altered to produce various types of insulin. Heparin, a powerful medicine that inhibits blood clotting, was first discovered in 1916. A second-year medical student at Johns Hopkins, Jay McLean, isolated it from canine liver cells. Hence the name, from hepar, the Greek word for liver. It took until the 1930s for a safe, effective form of heparin to be synthesized from pig intestines and cow lungs. Heparin is used to treat blood clots affecting the heart or lungs, in surgery requiring anticoagulation, and in cardiopulmonary bypass. Protamine sulfate, the drug that reverses heparin anticoagulation, comes from an entirely different animal. Originally it was derived from salmon

Dedicated to:

Degree Programs include:

• Academic Excellence • Quality Patient Care • Professional Leadership

• • • •

For more information call NYCC at 1-800-234-6922 or visit www.nycc.edu.

sperm. Now it’s synthesized by recombinant DNA technology. Premarin is a form of estrogen first used in the 1940s. It was isolated from the urine of pregnant horses. The name comes from pregnant mare’s urine. Fortunately other methods are currently used to manufacture estrogen used in today’s pharmaceuticals. The future holds the promise of other new medicines derived from substances made by animals. For example, open wounds in reptiles and amphibians rarely become infected. Researchers have discovered chemicals in alligator blood that can destroy many types of bacteria (including MRSA), amoebae, and some viruses such as HIV. Antimicrobial substances also occur in the skin of frogs, toads, and Komodo dragons. Isolation and purification of these molecules could lead to new topical antibiotics, such as creams that diabetic patients could apply to reduce the chance of foot infections. These substances might also lead to new oral antibiotics or be used to boost the effectiveness of current antibiotics. Possible cancer-fighting substances

may come from scorpions, sea squirts or snakes. The venom of the death stalker scorpion seems to target highgrade gliomas (a form of brain cancer) without harming normal brain cells. Trabectedin and aplidine, two chemicals found in sea squirts, are being studied in the treatment of various cancers ranging from liposarcomas to medullary thyroid carcinoma. Crotamine, found in the venom of the South American rattlesnake, seems capable of selectively targeting certain cancer cells and may have uses in detecting certain cancers and carrying other drugs to the correct site of action. Studies on a chemical called Tebanicline, derived from the skin of a poison dart frog, show promise in relieving the pain caused by damaged nerves without the addictive potential of narcotics. So we can thank the animal kingdom for some of our oldest drugs as well as for future cures. Eva Briggs is a medical doctor who works at two urgent care centers (Central Square and Fulton) operated by Oswego Health.

Doctor of Chiropractic Master of Science in Acupuncture Master of Science in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Master of Science in Applied Clinical Nutrition (online delivery) • Master of Science in Human Anatomy & Physiology Instruction (online delivery)

Academic Excellence. Professional Success.

Cancer Care at its Best The Only CNY Cancer Practice that is &HUWLˋHG IRU 4XDOLW\ E\ WKH $PHULFDQ 6RFLHW\ RI &OLQLFDO 2QFRORJ\

Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine of New York Chiropractic College School of Applied Clinical Nutrition

2360 Route 89 • Seneca Falls, NY 13148

Page 10

•

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

hoacny.com

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

While mozzarella may indeed have fewer calories and less fat than some cheeses, it has enough of both to moderate your intake, especially if you’re concerned about calories and cholesterol. So when you do make your move on this mild-mannered cheese, remember that a little goes a very long way.

Make Room for Mozzarella

hen I heard that mozzarella cheese has fewer calories and less fat than most cheeses, I nearly choked on my pizza. No way, I thought. Mozzarella? The gooey cheese that blankets so many Italian dishes with delicious abandon? Yes way, say nutritionists: Mozzarella, both whole and part-skim, is lower in total fat and calories than many of its cheesy cousins. Comparing 1 ounce portions (same size as your thumb): whole-milk mozzarella has 84 calories and 6.3 grams of total fat (part-skim mozzarella clocks in at 71 and 4.5); Swiss has 108 calories and 8 grams of fat; and cheddar has 114 calories and 9.4 grams of fat. Of course, there’s more to mozzarella than its relatively lower fat and calorie counts. Mozzarella, like so many cheeses, is loaded with calcium, with ½ shredded cup providing close to 25 percent of our daily needs (more if you opt for part-skim). Calcium helps form and maintain healthy teeth and bones and is needed for normal heartbeat. Some evidence suggests calcium also has a role in managing blood pressure and in preventing breast and colon cancer.

Helpful tips

Mozzarella is an excellent source of complete protein, serving up about 8 grams per average slice. Called the “building block of the body,” protein is needed to build and maintain all kinds of body components, from muscles to bones to hair. What’s more, protein helps curb hunger by enhancing how full we feel after a meal or snack. Another great reason to make room for mozzarella: It’s a terrific source of phosphorus. This essential mineral works closely with calcium to build strong bones and teeth, helps filter out waste in the kidneys, and plays a key role in how the body stores and uses energy.

When buying mozzarella cheese—fresh or shredded, whole or reduced-fat—always read the nutrition-facts label carefully. Some of the reduced-fat mozzarellas, for example, have more sodium than their whole-milk peers. Fresh mozzarella (hand molded into balls and stored in brine or whey) is often used in salads and sandwiches, where its creamy texture and delicate flavor can shine. Processed mozzarella, on the other hand, which is less flavorful but lasts longer in the fridge, is typically used in cooked dishes because it melts better.

Pasta Salad with Mozzarella, Basil and Kalamata Olives

½ pound fusilli whole-grain pasta 4-5 fresh tomatoes, seeded and chopped ½ cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese,* cut into ½-inch pieces 1 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced ½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) Kosher salt and coarse black pepper, to taste Blend first five ingredients in processor until tomatoes are coarsely chopped. Set dressing aside. Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain and transfer to large bowl. Add dressing to hot pasta; toss to coat. Cool, stirring occasionally. Add chopped fresh tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, basil, and Parmesan; toss. Season to taste with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.) *I used Trader Joe’s Ciliegine whole-milk mozzarella balls in lightly salted water, and cut them in half.

Adapted from Bon Appétit Serves 8

2 garlic cloves 1 tablespoon drained capers ½ cup sun-dried julienne-cut dried tomatoes (not oil-packed) ¼ cup red wine vinegar 4 tablespoons olive oil

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.

NOT TAKING YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS AS DIRECTED?

YOU’RE TAKING

A CHANCE.

If you have a chronic condition like high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, taking your prescriptions as directed is essential to healthy living. So remember:

If you’re not taking your prescriptions as directed, you’re taking a chance. To learn more, visit ExcellusBCBS.com/TakeAsDirected. #TakeAsDirected

May 2015 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 11

Upstate Becomes the First and Only Comprehensive Stroke Center in CNY By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

ith a stroke, every second counts. When someone enters the emergency room with anything ranging from mild to serious stroke symptoms, action needs to be taken immediately to save as many lost brain cells as possible. Upstate University Hospital recently received a designation that shows their professionals are up to the task. Upstate is the only hospital in Central New York’s 17-county area that has been designated a comprehensive stroke center. The designation reflects the high level of care and treatment hospitals treat stroke events. Upstate is the only hospital in Central New York to earn such a designation from for its stroke care. “A comprehensive stroke center has the ability to perform advanced and essential services when people come in with a stroke,” said physician Gene Latorre, head of Upstate’s Comprehensive Stroke Center. “We have experts on call at any time during the day and night, and you have to be available 24 hours, seven days a week to be considered a comprehensive.” Kaleida Health in Buffalo and Upstate are the only DNV-certified stroke centers in New York. Joint Commission, another governmental body that surveys hospitals, also has recognized several hospitals as Comprehensive Stroke Center in New York, such as Mercy Hospital of Buffalo. Each year, nearly 700,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke, which is the nation’s fifth leading cause of death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 45 seconds and someone dies of a stroke every 3.1 minutes. Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability in the United States, with about 4.7 million stroke survivors alive today. Stroke is an ailment that can hit any population from younger people to senior residents. Before the newest designation, Upstate was a primary stroke center. There is a significant difference between comprehensive and primary, according

to hospital officials. The Comprehensive Stroke Center designation, the highest-level designation available, signifies that Upstate met the most exacting standards for treating the most complex stroke cases at any time of day, all year long. A comprehensive stroke center should also be able to provide rehabilitation services. “This designation reflects the outstanding clinicians, medical technology and facilities that are available at Upstate to treat patients with stroke, from mild to most severe,” said physician John McCabe, Upstate University Hospital’s chief executive officer. “But most importantly, this comprehensive designation underscores the team approach that Upstate takes to treating stroke. From EMS providers to nurses, to pharmacists to surgeons, to technicians and social workers, all of these highly trained medical professionals mobilize at the first notification that a patient is en route with a possible stroke.” In addition, a hospital must meet various guidelines to receive designation, including documenting rapid assessment of stroke patients in emergency department, administering clot-busting drugs within specific time frame as well as having a specific stroke team in place. It must also have special imaging available and complete CT scans for candidates treated with tPA within 45 minutes along with having community programs to educate the public on stroke prevention. A primary stroke center are hospitals and medical organizations that have a dedicated stroke-focused program, staffing by qualified medical professionals trained in stroke care and basic individualized care to meet stroke patients needs, according to the American Heart Association. Those who surveyed Upstate had to determine the center’s compliance with the requirements through observations, interviews and document review. During a certification audit, surveyors reviewed actual and potential patient outcomes, assessed the care and services provided and visited patient care settings, including inpatient units, outpatient settings, emergency depart-

Member of Upstate’s Comprehensive Stroke Center team gather for a photo to celebrate the hospital’s designation as the only certified Comprehensive Stroke Center in Central New York. Stroke team members come from a variety of Upstate departments, Page 12

•

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

Upstate Medical University Interim President Gregory L. Eastwood, MD, left, presents John McCabe, MD, chief executive officer of Upstate University Hospital with the official certificate from DNV Healthcare signifying that Upstate has met the rigorous standards to be designated as a Comprehensive Stroke Center. Upstate is the only hospital in Central New York to earn this designation. ments, imaging and rehabilitation. Gene Latorre, the head of Upstate’s Comprehensive Stroke Center, said with a comprehensive stroke center, they are able to perform essential medical surgeries and services as soon as someone goes into the emergency room. “You are able to get evaluated and perform additional potentially helpful intervention, especially when the person has a complex stroke. There are neurosurgeons, neurologists, interventional radiologist and other specialties who have special training in intensive care management for stroke patients,” said Latorre, who is also an associate professor of neurology and neurosurgery. At the end of the day, Latorre said that with stroke time is of the essence. He believes University Hospital has long held the distinction of caring for the most seriously ill and injured in the state. It is a level-I trauma center and features the region’s only children’s hospital. University Hospital is also

a NYS Designated Center for stroke, AIDS, trauma and AIDS. “In the first minute alone, you lose almost two million brain cells. You continue to lose brain cells by the minute when you have a stroke until you get medical attention,” added Latorre. “Imagine losing 60 to 70 million brain cells. A comprehensive stroke center gives you the best chance for brain function survival and quality of life if you are able to get here in time.” Franklin Fry, executive director of American Heart Association/American Stroke Association of Greater Syracuse, congratulates Upstate on the stroke center certification. “The partnership between the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and Upstate Medical University is a long and mutually appreciated relationship and we are proud to hear of the designation by DNV Healthcare of Upstate University Hospital as a Comprehensive Stroke Center,” said Fry in a news release.

including neurology, neurocritical care, neurosurgery, emergency department, area EMS providers, radiology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, laboratory services, neuroscience, nursing, cardiology, pharmacy and spiritual care.

Parenting By Melissa Stefanec melissa@cnyhealth.com

Body image: Is it everything? ‘I hate my thighs’ on onesie draws ire

nyone who read my column last month probably has a good idea of how I feel about gender equality in our society. Recently, a colleague of mine shared a photograph on my Facebook page that raised the hairs on the back of my neck. In honor of those hairs, this month’s column will be dedicated to a sensitive topic — body image. So, back to this photo. I don’t know how it made it onto Facebook. It should have fallen under Facebook’s indecency umbrella. Someone should have reported this post (I halfjoke). The photo was taken in what appeared to be an up-scale children’s boutique. In it, two bodysuits hung in a display case. A boy’s bodysuit was on the right. It was blue and said hero and had a little cape attached to it. On the left was the girl’s bodysuit. It, of course, was pink. Across the chest, in white lettering, it said, “I hate my thighs.” Let that sink in. It said, I hate my thighs! Isn’t the boys are heroes and girls are pretty cliché so far beyond passé that it’s equivalent to baking pies in the kitchen while barefoot and pregnant? I won’t name the company that markets this item, because I am not here to fuel a smear campaign, but someone at some company thought this bodysuit (which sells for about $20) was a funny and grand idea. I could stop writing here and sum this up with, “This is one of the many things wrong with our society, folks,” but that wouldn’t do this topic justice. I love jokes. I have even been known to tell or laugh at an off-color joke. Humor is an important part of life. It’s the only way I find the energy to make it through these crazy days. However, this bodysuit isn’t funny; it’s downright frightening. In a time when 40 to 60 percent of girls aged 6-12 are concerned about their weight and becoming too fat (according to the National Eating Disorders Association), or when one in five women struggle with an eating disorder or disordered eating in her lifetime (according to the National Institute of Mental Health), I don’t see anything funny about the sentiment behind this piece of clothing.

One step at a time

We all know babies aren’t selfaware. Most psychologists agree that self-awareness in children doesn’t start until around the age of two. At that age, children often start being embarrassed and proud of things. They start recognizing the toddler face smiling

NURSES WEEK \ MAY 4 - MAY 8

Happy Nurses Week! Thank you for all you do! on

Greenpoint

830 James St.

138 Old Liverpool Rd.

150 Old Liverpool Rd.

(315) 849-9279

(315) 308-0971

(315) 849-9273

Syracuse, NY

Liverpool, NY

INDEPENDENT LIVING • ENRICHED LIVING • MEMORY CARE • WWW.THEHEARTH.NET

back in the mirror at them as their own. It’s a very important milestone. So, some may ask what the harm is in putting a baby who isn’t selfaware and doesn’t know any better in this onesie. One could argue it’s just tongue-in-cheek. It provokes a harmless giggle from passersby. Those arguments don’t hold up. Would you put a baby in a “I hate my skin tone” shirt? Or how about a, “I hate my big ears,” or “I hate that all my friends are crawling” shirt? Why do we think we have to impose our hang-ups on someone who can’t even speak yet? What kind of parent wants to instill body-shame issues on a baby while making it a poster board for perpetuating self-hatred? Sure, we all have body issues (um, still dealing with post-babynumber-two body over here), but I don’t want to go out of my way to instill body-image issues on my own children. In fact, I really watch myself when I am around my kids. I have a son and a daughter, and I don’t want either of them to think thigh size is important. Let’s face it, although my children will be judged for what they look like throughout their entire lives, we all know the people doing that judging will not be worth their time. In our heart of hearts, we know what we look like isn’t important. Tiny thigh size doesn’t make my list of important traits to focus on developing in my offspring. I want them to know a healthy lifestyle is what is important, not the girth of their own or other’s appendages. In the interest of not beating a dead horse, I am going to point things in the positive direction. Here is what I hope for my daughter and son. I hope they are better than me in every possible way. I hope they have more opportunities, love, smarts, compassion, happiness and kindness than I have ever known. Is that realistic? Undoubtedly. Is that going to keep me from trying to set them up for it anyway? Heck no. One of the toughest things about parenting is finding a way to let the world (the good, the bad and the ugly) into your child’s life. I know the bad stuff is going to make it into my kids’ lives, but I’ll be a monkey’s momma if I am the one that purposefully puts it there. So, I am going to spend my time building up their confidence and self-esteem, constructively criticizing when needed, and ensuring I am a loving constant when the ugly parts start slipping in. They will live out their days knowing their mother never wanted them to hate anything about themselves, certainly not anything as trivial as thigh size.

In recognition of National Nurses Week would like to say

Thank You

to all our nurses for providing exceptional patient care.

Move Up to Retirement Living. less Free Wireet for Intern ents! Apartm

One and Two Bedroom Apartments Duplex and Cottage Style Homes Beautiful surroundings Restaurant-Style Dining n Complimentary Transportation n No Steps to Climb n Social and Recreational Activities n Housekeeping and Dining Services n Payment Options: Rental or Equity Plan n n

Springside at Seneca Hill An Affiliate of Oswego Health

Call 315-343-5658 for more info and tour today! 10 County Rt. 45A, Oswego, NY 13126 www.oswegohealth.org May 2015 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 13

Prepare to Prevent Lyme Disease As temperature goes up, so does the risk of getting Lyme disease By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

f you live in town, you may not think a lot about Lyme disease, which is largely spread by ticks. But, Nick Parmelee, service technician with Amity Pest Control in Sterling, said that he’s known clients who encounter ticks in their yard that’s a mile from the nearest wooded area. “I can’t explain it, but it happens,” he said. “I’ve seen people whose pet is loaded with ticks and they don’t know

how since they live in an open area.” First identified in Lyme, Conn., Lyme disease can cause serious and long-lasting health problems. Initial symptoms include a bull’s-eye rash (which may feel warm to the touch), possibly accompanied by joint pain, chills, fever and fatigue. Later symptoms that manifest a few days to a week after the bite can include severe fatigue, stiff neck, tingling or numbness in the extremities, or facial paralysis. Weeks after the bite, the patient can experience headaches, arthritis, swelling, and heart and central nervous system issues. In Onondaga County for 2013, there were an estimated 98 cases of Lyme disease, up from 49 cases that were reported in 2012, the most recent statistics available. Cayuga County saw 49 cases in 2012. In Oswego County, 57 cases were reported in 2014, down slightly from 68 the year before, but a sharp rise from 34 in 2012, 19 in 2011 and 13 in 2010. “It’s definitely up from recent years,” said Tina Bourgeois, a registered nurse with the Oswego County Health Department. “People right in their own back yard are getting [bitten] mowing their yard. People think it could just be After a day or two after embedding in the skin, this a bug bite.” engorged tick has nearly finished its blood meal. Removing a tick can be chal-

lenging. Using pointed tweezers, grasp the tick as near to its mouth as possible and lift straight up without twisting. Videos on YouTube may help, or you could leave it in the hands of the pros to avoid breaking off the tick and leaving part of its head or mouth embedded in the skin. Prompt treatment with antibiotics can help reduce lasting effects of Lyme disease if an infected tick bites you. “If you’ve recently had a tick bite or you have a bulls eye rash, you should call your doctor,” said Melanie Drotar, public information specialist with the Onondaga County Health Department. “It’s important to remember that we can prevent and treat Lyme disease.” A canine vaccine for Lyme disease can help your dog; however, no human formulation exists. Preventing bites involves keeping ticks away from your property and off your clothing. Nymph ticks feed on small hosts such as field mice, which are close to the ground. Adult ticks wait on tall grass to attach themselves to a larger host, such as a deer, dog or human. Because ticks breed in decomposing leaves, woodpiles and tall grass, it’s important to keep your property clear. Mow your lawn to between three and four inches tall. Heed trail signs warning of ticks.

The black-legged tick, which can carry Lyme disease, waits on a strand of grass, ready to grab anything that brushes by. Spray your clothing with an insect repellent containing DEET per package directions. “It’s definitely up from recent years,” said Tina Bourgeois, RN, with the Oswego County Health Department. “People right in their own back yard are getting [bitten] mowing their yard. People think it could just be a bug bite.” Shower and change clothing when you come inside. Bourgeois advises people to treat their dogs with Advantix or another flea and tick preparation monthly and look for ticks. Ticks will feel like a scab under your pet’s fur. Flea and tick collars can help, but dogs may act as a taxi to carry ticks inside. For property owners, Parmelee, the pest control tech who leaves in Sterling, offers an organic or chemical-based tick spray which he typically applies in spring and fall to keep ticks away. It’s also important to eliminate mouse and nuisance deer problems, since these animals host and transport ticks.

Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You?

Pastor Jack lost 175 lbs. and found a whole new life. A simple trip to the mailbox used to be a grueling excursion. But since Jack had weight-loss surgery at Crouse, he’s found his old self. Jack also found a caring and compassionate team to help him along his journey. From trusted surgeons to nutritional experts to a support group that shares everything from flavorful recipes to a healthy dose of inspiration. Come to our next weight-loss surgery seminar and discover what you can find.

Upcoming Free Seminars: May 4 • May 22 To register: crouse.org/weightloss 315/472-2464

crouse.org/weightloss

CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

continued from page 4 Parkinson’s Disease,” the speaker will address problems affecting those with Parkinson’s disease, including problems with swallowing, weight loss, cognition, anxiety and other factors. The event is free but seating is limited. Participants are asked to reserve a seat by May 13 by calling 315-445-9242. Event is sponsored by Teva Pharmaceuticals, The Nottingham and the Onondaga County Office for Aging. Page 14

•

May 18, 27

Join replacement seminar at SOS SOS is hosting two community talks during the month of May. They are free and open to the public. • From 6 –7 p.m., May 18, at Dewitt Community Center. “Joint Replacement: Know Your Options.” Presented by SOS physicians Brett Greenky and Timothy Izant. They will discuss the latest advancements in joint replacement. • From 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., May 27, at Skaneateles YMCA & Community Center. “Joint Replacement: Know Your Options.” Presented by SOS physicians John Parker and Daniel

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

Wnorowski. SOS physicians will be answering your questions on the latest advancements in joint replacement. For full details about these events, please visit sosbones.com or call 315703-3442.

May 19

Event to raise fund for developmental disabilities Onondaga Community Living, a nonprofit organization that works with people with developmental disabilities, is organization a “Wine Tasting Evening & Silent Auction,” scheduled for 5:30 – 9 p.m., Thursday, May 19, at The Suds Factory, 320 S.Clinton St. in Armory Square.

The event will raise funds to benefit OCL. Bring family and friends for door prizes, silent auction items, music, good food and wine tasting from several local wineries and distillers. Tickets are $30 advance sale, $35 at the door. Purchase online at www.oclinc. org or visit OCL, 518 James St., suite 110, Syracuse.

May 20

Dementia Care conference for caregivers Dementia Care 2015, Central New York’s only conference for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, will take place May 20 at

Golden Years RSVP offers older adults opportunities to serve the community By Matthew Liptak

atholic Charities Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) offers local residents 55 years old and older a chance to get involved and volunteer at 67 different sites. Currently there are 404 volunteers in the program. They donate their time to organizations as diverse as Meals on Wheels and the American Red Cross to Acapella for the Fellas (a fundraising concert for the homeless) and a pen pal program with children from Dr. King Elementary School in Syracuse. On any day there are 40 to 50 RSVP members out volunteering in the community, said the programs coordinator Chris Johns. Volunteers are encouraged to offer four to six hours of their time a month or even as little as 30 hours a year. The number of volunteers in the program has actually shrank since Catholic Charities took it more than 12 years ago from the United Way. Eleanor Carr, director of elderly services at Catholic Charities, attributes some of the decline to older members passing away. “We hope to be able to continue with RSVP,” Carr said. “I’m not so concerned about growing the number of volunteers or growing the number of volunteer sites. I’m more interested in seeing an increase of the impact of the program on the community — the results. I think that that’s much more important. Hopefully as the impact grows people will be attracted to the program and we will get more volunteers.” Catholic Charities hopes to grow that impact by focusing on four major areas of helping. Those efforts are to combat illiteracy, hunger, isolation and

osteoporosis. To battle hunger locally RSVP reaches out to food pantries and senior nutrition sites. “We also do the Meals on Wheels,” Johns said. “That’s also reaching out to isolation. Another primary focus is osteoporosis. Bone-building programs abound. We’ve got four sites right now that we conduct exercise programs.” Older residents could volunteer for these programs on an individual basis, but when they volunteer through RSVP they are covered by the program’s liability insurance. It may seem like a small difference, but, if you become involved in a situation where you need the protection, you might be very thankful you enrolled through RSVP. RSVP also removes isolation by training members to go into seniors homes and visit with them. A background check and references are required for this work. Other volunteers simply call older residents to make sure they are OK, Carr said. This work is vital in helping those of the aging population who are living alone. “The variety of services is endless for older people,” Carr said. “Those services are only as good as our ability to reach out to those folks that need them. In finding people that are isolated our friendly visitors are able to come back to us and they serve as eyes and ears in the community.” Opportunities to volunteer exist outside these main focus point, too. With the pen pal program, volunteers correspond with one or two children through writing letters and at the end of the year they meet with these new pen pals.

the Doubletree Hotel Syracuse, NYS Route 298, East Syracuse. Conference registration is $75 and includes access to all presentations, continental breakfast, lunch, refreshments and a resource guide. “Individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia experience a myriad of changes that can be confusing both to the person living with the disease and their caregivers,” Katrina Skeval, chief program officer for the Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter, said. “We assembled our keynote and small group presentations with the intent of explaining the process of these diseases and how caregivers can manage their environment to provide the highest quality of life for the person diagnosed.” The program features nationallyand internationally-recognized speakers on topics of Alzheimer’s disease and empowerment. Auburn’s Gwendolyn Webber-McLeod of Gwen Inc. will offer a keynote presentation on “Self Care: The Key to Effective Caregiving,” focusing on specific strategies that can be used to thrive through the

joy and challenge of the caregiving journey. The morning keynote speaker, Jed Levine of the Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter, will present “Finding Hope in Alzheimer’s Disease,” which zeroes in on validating the caregiver experience, acknowledging the emotional impact of the disease, and addressing challenges of acceptance. The conference will bring a variety of small group presentantis with topics ranging from nutritional needs, behavior and navigating and advocating at the hospital. Participants must register by May 8 by visiting www.alz.org/cny, or calling 315-472-4201 x100 (Syracuse), 315-2941691 x100 (Auburn) or 315-596-4016 x100 (Oswego).

May 25

LaFayette church to raise money for food pantry The Columbian Presbyterian Church in LaFayette, will host its annual Memorial Day Benefit for LaFay-

RSVP coordinator Chris Johns (left) works with volunteer Ruth Plumeau at the Catholic Charities office in Mattydale. The number of volunteers has shrunk over the last decade, but the impact it creates is poised to increase. There are about 12 RSVP members in the pen pal program. Both Carr and Johns volunteer in it. The experience has meant a lot to her, Carr said. “I’ve been in this position for 37 years and have many, many awards on my walls, but one that I like the most, it’s a little thing that a kid wrote and it said ‘Best pen pal in the world,’” Carr said. “When I leave the rest of awards will stay, but I’ll take that one with me.” That’s just one example of the rewards of volunteering through the

RSVP. Johns said volunteering can help older people form a new purpose after retirement. Carr agreed. “It’s not just going in and volunteering for volunteering’s sake it’s really making a difference,” she said. For more information call RSVP’s Chris Johns at 315-424-1810 extension 12 or go to www.ccoc.us/services/ senior-services/retired-senior-volunteer-program.

ette Outreach from 8 a.m. –12 noon on Monday, May 25, All of the proceeds will be donated directly to LaFayette Outreach, which is the local food pantry and service-referral agency. The event consists of a silent auction, bake sale, plant sale, “Red, White & Blue Ice Cream Sundaes,” and a free kids’ craft area. For more information, or donations, call 677-3293 or email cpresbyt@twcny.rr.com. The church is located on the corner of route 11 and 20

run (or walk) at the park. Participants will run at Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool as a team of two runners tethered together where one runner is wearing a blindfold provided by the Lions, and the other will act as a guide providing the ‘eyes’ for the team. The Lions also encourage members of the community who are blind to participate with their personal guide. Teams are requested to register in advance of the event, and are encouraged to seek sponsors to support their efforts as outlined in the website. All net proceeds will be shared with Aurora of CNY and local Lions Club Community services. While the runners are completing the course, there will be activities for the children where they will be blindfolded to better understand the challenge of being blind. Following the run, there will be an awards ceremony, food and music provided by a live band. For more information, participant rules and registration form, please visit the website at lionsblindambition.org or contact josinski120@gmail.com if you have any questions.

May 31

Lions clubs sponsor event to raise awareness for blindness The Baldwinsville and Phoenix Lions clubs are planning a fun family event at Onondaga Lake Park Sunday, May 31. The Lions Blind Ambition Team Run is a new and unique event where participants can experience the sensory deprivation of being blind while participating in a four-mile fun May 2015 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 15

The Social Ask Security Office

ACCESSIBILITY SOLUTIONS

Stay In The Comfort of Your Home! • Stairway Chair Lifts

Provided Deborah Banikowski, Social Security OfficeSocial Security Office

• Wheelchair Lifts • Home & Business Elevators • Dumbwaiters

FREE CONSULTATION!

1-844-851-5163

wantalift.com

Bruno IGH Ad 3-14-14.indd 1

3/17/2014 10:19:00 AM

Smiles by design Susan Dunn, DDS

Sleep Apnea Oral Appliance Therapy The CPAP machine may NOT be your only option for Sleep Apnea!!! Oral appliance therapy is an alternative treatment for patients with Sleep Apnea or who are CPAP intolerant 1304 Buckley Rd., Ste. 203 Syracuse, NY 13212

www.smilesbd.com 315-474-1711

MEDICARE PROVIDERS Covered by most Medical Insurance Plans

No Home Phone is Needed to Get Help at a Moment Like This HomeSafe Wireless with AutoAlert No long-term contracts No hidden costs No equipment to buy

In Celebration of Franciscan’s 30th Anniversary Get 30% Off the First Month of Service!

Call Franciscan Lifeline at 315-492-8175 today!

Protect the ones you love

Franciscan Companies is an affiliate of St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center.

Page 16

•

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

Appealing a Social Security Decision? Check Out Our Improved Online Appeal Process

the medical report together, and be able ocial Security listened to customto submit supporting documents as er feedback and made the online part of the electronic appeal request. appeals process even better. Now, Our enhanced online appeals people who disagree with our disabilapplication incorporates those suggesity decision can complete their appeal tions and more. People can now submit using our improved online appeals both the appeal form and the process. medical report in just one onMore than 90,000 people use line session and electronically our online appeals application submit supporting documents each month. We’ve certainly with the appeal request. The come a long way since introducscreen messages are clear and ing the online appeal option in concise, the navigation has September 2007. Throughout the been improved, and we’ve nation, applicants, their reprebeefed up our on-screen help. sentatives, third parties, groups, Additionally, users who live and organizations use the online outside of the United States appeal process to request review are now able to file appeals of disability decisions. Banikowski online. Responding to feedback As a reminder, representatives who from our employees and the public, the request, and are eligible for, direct fee new online appeals process is easier payments must electronically file reto use and improves the speed and considerations or request for hearings quality of our disability and non-dison medically denied Social Security ability decisions. Users told us that the and Supplemental Security Income program needed to be streamlined for (SSI) disability or blindness claims. easier navigation and that it needed to The next time you need to file an ask for less duplicate information. They also told us that they wanted to be able appeal, be sure to complete it online at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityssi/ to complete both the appeal form and appeal.html.

Q&A

Q: My same-sex partner and I recently married. Will we qualify for Social Security benefits? A: You may be eligible to apply for Social Security benefits. Many factors affect your eligibility for benefits, including how long you worked and your age. Social Security is now processing more claims in which entitlement or eligibility is affected by a same-sex relationship. We encourage you to apply for benefits right away, even if you aren’t sure you’re eligible. Applying now will protect you against the loss of any potential benefits. You can apply safely and securely at www. socialsecurity.gov/applyonline. Learn more about Social Security for samesex couples by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/same-sexcouples. Q: I’ve only been working for a few years, and I’m wondering how I earn Social Security benefits. What are credits and how many do I need to qualify for benefits? A: We use your total yearly earnings to calculate your Social Security credits. “Credits” are the units we use to measure whether you qualify for Social Security benefits. The amount needed for a credit in 2015 is $1,220. You can earn a maximum of four credits for any year. The amount needed to earn one credit increases automat-

ically each year when average wages increase. You must earn a certain number of credits to qualify for Social Security benefits. The number of credits you need depends on your age when you apply and the type of benefit for which you are applying. No one needs more than 40 credits for any Social Security benefit. You can learn more about earning credits by reading How You Earn Credits at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs. Q: I’m retired, and the only income I have aside from my Social Security retirement benefit is from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Are my IRA withdrawals considered “earnings?” Could they reduce my monthly Social Security benefits? A: No. We do not count non-work income, such as annuities, investment income, interest, capital gains, and other government benefits, and they will not affect your Social Security benefits. Most pensions will not affect your benefits. However, your benefit may be affected by a government pension from work on which you did not pay Social Security tax. If you have wages or self-employment income and you are under your full retirement age, this income may affect your benefit amount. For more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call us toll free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-3250778).

SENIOR CITIZEN HOUSING SIMEON DEWITT

150 E. 1st St. Oswego, NY 13126 315-343-0440

TOWPATH TOWERS

100 Rochester St. Fulton, NY 13069 315-598-4700

SPRINGBROOK APARTMENTS

By Jim Miller

Meds: Tools to Organize and Remember Dear Savvy Senior, What products or solutions can you recommend to help seniors keep up with their medications? My mom is supposed to take several different medications at different times of the day but frequently forgets. Reminding Son

simplify your mom’s medication use is to get her prescriptions filled in single-dose packets that put all her medications (vitamins and over-the-counter drugs can be included too) together in neatly labeled packets organized by date and the time of day they should be taken. This does away with all the pill bottles and pill sorting. Some compounding pharmacies or independent drug stores offer single-dose packaging along with a number of online pharmacies like PillPack.com.

Dear Reminding, Anybody who juggles multiple medications can relate to the problem of forgetting to take a medication or not remembering whether they already took it. This is especially true for people who take medications at varying times of the day. Here are some different product and service solutions that may help.

Another simple solution that can help your mom stick to her medication schedule is to use a medication reminding service. These are services that will actually call, email or text your mother reminders of when it’s time to take her medicine and when it’s time to refill her prescriptions. Some even offer extra reminders like doctor and dentist appointments, wake-up calls and more. Companies that offer such services are MyMedSchedule.com, which provides free medication reminders via text message or email. Their website can also help you make easy-to-read medication schedules that you can print out for your mom to follow. Or, if your mom uses a smartphone or tablet, there are free medication-reminding apps that can help, like MediSafe (medisafeproject.com) or MedCoach (greatcall.com). If, however, your mom doesn’t receive texts or use a smartphone, tablet or computer, OnTimeRx.com or Snoozester.com may be the answer. With starting prices ranging between $4 and $10 per month, these services will call your mom on her phone (they can send text messages and emails too) for all types of reminders including daily medications, monthly refills, doctor appointments, wake-up calls and other events. Or, if you’re looking for extra help, Care Call Reassurance (call-reassurance.com, 602-265-5968 ext. 7) may be a better fit. In addition to the call reminders to your mom’s phone, this service can be set up to contact a family member or designated caregiver if she fails to answer or acknowledge the call. This service runs between $15 and $20 per month.

Medication Helpers

Getting organized and being reminded are the two keys to staying on top of a medication schedule. To help your mom achieve this, there are a wide variety of affordable pillboxes, medication organizers, vibrating watches, beeping pill bottles and even dispensers that will talk to her that can make all the difference. To find these types of products go to Epill.com (800549-0095), where you’ll find dozens to choose from. Also check out Reminder Rosie (reminder-rosie.com, $130), a voice activated talking clock that tells you when to take your medicine, and can be used for other reminders, too. And for a super comprehensive medication management device, there’s the MedMinder automatic pill dispenser. This is a computerized pillbox that will beep and flash when it’s time for your mom to take her medication, and will call her if she forgets. It will even alert her if she takes the wrong pills. This device can also be set up to call, email or text family members and caregivers letting you know if she misses a dose, takes the wrong medication or misses a refill. Available at MedMinder.com, or 888-633-6463, the MedMinder rents for $40 to $65 per month.

Medication Packaging

Another possible way to help

ns Applicatio g in e now b accepted.

Reminding Services

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.

4920 N. Jefferson St. Pulaski, NY 13142 315-298-6101

The following services are included in your rent • Trash Collection • New Appliances • Bus for shopping/groceries • Heat, Electricity & Hot Water • Snow Removal & Lawn Care • Planned Activities • All repairs & maintenance

Preference given for veterans or spouses of veterans.

Equal Housing opportunity Supervised by NYS DHCR

Home Care by Seniors for Seniors There’s a huge difference in the kind of home care you can receive from someone who really understands what your life is like as a senior. The concerns you have. The need for independence. Someone who, like you, has a little living under his or her belt. Our loving, caring, compassionate seniors are there to help. We offer all the services you need to stay in your own home, living independently. • Transportation • Shopping • Doctor Appointments • Companion Care • Housekeeping services • Meal preparation/cooking • 24-Hour Care • and more Call us today. Like getting a little help from your friends.

Onondaga, Madison, and Cortland Counties

Call 315-280-0739

Oswego, Cayuga, and Seneca Counties

www.seniorshelpingseniors.com

Senior Living?

Find answers to your senior living questions by ordering this FREE information booklet:

If you are currently considering your options in Senior Living you will want to call or write today to receive your FREE copy of this booklet. Don’t delay! Become better informed and more conndent when choosing a senior living community that’s right for you.

Call or mail this coupon to receive your FREE booklet to:

Name:_________________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________________ City:_____________________State:__________ Zip:___________ Phone:_________________________________________________ ❑ Yes. I would be interested in receiving information about Hearth Senior Living

www.thehearth.net May 2015 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 17

Nursing Nursing: Great Career Choice for Women By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

omen may cringe at labeling nursing as “women’s work” but more women do pursue nursing careers than men. The US Census reports in 2011, 9 percent of all nurses were men while 91 percent were women. But the career has treated women well. Good wages for nurses have helped women in recent years especially. “Nursing has been buffered from the effects of the recession in that people do need health care despite what the economy is doing” said Mary Jo Vona, who earned a master’s in nursing and directs Nursing Talent Acquisition and Retention at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. Unlike many career choices, “nurse turnover is generally reduced during a recession which is helpful to the employer as it saves the costs associated with turnover and provides consistent patient Farneti care, increased patient safety and satisfaction.” A Feb. 22 New York Times article stated, “the median salary of $61,000 a year in 2012 was 55 percent greater, adjusted for inflation, than it was three decades earlier.” In Central New York, the median salary for nurses is $61,140, according to the Labor Department. Today’s nurses also enjoy job security and employment satisfaction. “There’s a lot of stability and opportunity for employment, especially in any populated area,” said Diana Farneti, master’s trained RN, family nurse practitioner and vice president of skilled clinical operations with Loretto in Central New York. As baby boomers retire from the workforce, and require more care themselves as they age, the demand for nurses will only continue to rise. Many women seek nursing as a career for its flexibility. Working four, 10-hour shifts lets them cram a fulltime job into four days, for example, which helps women who are primary caregivers help their families. Farneti has observed an increase in second-career nurses after burnout or a layoff has ended their previous careers. She views the trend as positive because they bring diverse skills and life experience to the job. In addition to being compassionate, nurses should be complex thinkers, work well with others, and possess skills in math, science and psychology. A desire to learn can also help nurses progress in their careers. Additional education opens additional opportunities for nurses, such as working in a clinic or school setting, specializing in a medical discipline, nurse practitioner or managing a practice. The transition of the role from care

Page 18

•

provider to preventive health provider has also broadened nursing, fostering “the recognition for the need for that skill level,” said Andrea Lazarek-LaQuay, chief clinical officer for Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, Inc. “For nurses today, opportunities are literally endless.” Some people seeking a second career can build upon their existing education, such as people with a MBA may earn their RN and work in management. Nursing has become a better-paying career partly because of nursing’s higher education level and larger skill set. “Nursing programs minimally grant an associate’s degree so the content of those programs also has become more complex,” said Nancy Page, chief nursing officer at Upstate University Hospital. “It certainly was realized that paying RNs at such a low rate would not keep any of us in the profession.” Page graduated 34 years ago and earned $21,000 annually working full-time nights in New York City with a bachelor’s degree. “If I took a job now as a new grad RN with those same credentials and worked the night shift, I would be paid about $55,000 per year,” she said. “For a profession Lazarek-LaQuay with human lives at risk, the compensation has appropriately risen over the years.” As the Affordable Care Act ramps up the number of people seeking medical care, physicians don’t have the hours to spend with patients. The effect expands the role of nurses to take over more assessing and diagnostic work. As a result, nurses continue to shift into a partnership role with the physicians and other members of the healthcare team instead of functioning exclusively like an underling. It only makes sense that their salaries have grown to match their swelling job descriptions. “How sick patients are and how complex they can be has certainly increased over the last 30 years,” Page said. Nurses’ expanded role doesn’t always mean taking care of more patients, however. Since lower reimbursements squeeze providers, only the very sickest patients remain in the hospital, which places a greater demand on nurses. Nurses also use much more technology than nurses 30 years ago. “There’s satisfaction at the end of the day knowing you’ve helped someone reach his goals and heal,” Lazarek-LaQuay said. “We enjoy collaboration with others in the field, such as physicians and therapists. We have a vast reach as far as our interaction with others.”

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

St. Joseph’s Copes with Nursing Shortage Experienced nurses are in short demand, according to hospital By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

he need for nurses continues to grow, according to main nursing associations such as The American Nurses Association and American Association of Colleges of Nursing. And in Central New York, at least one hospital is facing nursing shortage. Officials at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center say the hospital is in need of experienced nurses, particularly specialty nurses with operating room, emergency department, critical care and progressive care experience. “To deal with this shortage, we are working on a number of initiatives including graduate nurse transition programs, robust orientation and skills training classes on campus, and Vona increasing expertise at the bedside through increasing our numbers of baccalaureate-prepared nurses and nationally certified nurses,” said Mary Jo Vona, a registered nurse who is the director of nursing talent acquisition and retention at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. Officials from several other hospitals— Auburn Community Hospital, Oswego Health, and Crouse Hospital — declined to offer comments for this story. Because of the large number of newly minted nurses, few facilities struggle to find less-experienced RNs. By offering additional training opportunities in the specialties that need more RNs, facilities like St. Joseph’s can both attract them and move them along a career path toward more specialized areas. St. Joseph’s uses social media and sourcing, but also tried-and-true recruitment methods such as attending job fairs of colleges with nursing programs, including facilities across the state. The organization also hosts open house events. Homegrown RNs are also part of the plan. “We begin the recruitment process for students at St. Joseph’s College of Nursing on day one of the college’s orientation,” Vona said.

Median Salary for Nurses in CNY: $59,100 The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May 2014 the annual mean wages of registered nurses nationwide by region. Of course, factors such as the cost of living cause the salaries to vary. Compare local regions with others nationwide: Buffalo-Niagara: $68,520 Rochester: $61,140 Syracuse: $59,100 New York City/ Northern New Jersey and Long Island: $83,660 The strategy seems to be working. Eighty-nine percent of the May 2015 class at St. Joe’s nursing school accepted jobs at St. Joseph’s Hospital, which Vona calls the highest percentage to do so in nearly 15 years. St. Josephs uses a variety of means to attract nurses, including sign-on bonuses for specialty units, tuition benefits, paid certification exams, and a graduate nurse development program. “St. Joseph’s is also attractive to nurses because it is the only Central New York area hospital with magnet designation,” Vona said. The coveted industry designation recognizes facilities for superior nursing care. “Nurses want to work in an environment where they feel proud of the care they can provide to their patients,” Vona said. St. Joseph’s has also updated the emergency department, operating room and post-anesthesia care unit, and completed a new the surgical tower to “offer state of the art, spacious areas for our nurses to care for patients,” Vona said. Vona feels strongly about nurse retention, since lowering turnover rate helps create better stability among patients and employees. It’s also costly for any organization to recruit new employees.

SUNY Upstate: In 2014 it Hired 264 Nurses

UNY Upstate Medical University has experienced marked growth in the past several years. After acquiring Community General Hospital in 2007 as its second campus, Upstate’s demands for nursing have increased. In 2014, Upstate hired 265 RNs and so far in 2015, the organization has hired 82. These figures include both campuses. Currently, Upstate uses a temporary agency to provide around 60 nurses to stay sufficiently staffed. Ann Markle, a registered nurse and director of nursing for inpatient services at Upstate Medical University, said that like St. Joseph’s its greatest need is for experienced RNs. “We’re getting a higher percentage of new nurses than experienced in the applications,” Markle said. Upstate recruits through job fairs, the organization’s website, and its general presence on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Providing clinical rotations with many of the area’s schools of nursing “is a wonderful recruiting tool because nurses know the units because they’ve shadowed there,” Markle said. “The nurse manager knows them and have good experiences here.” Upstate offers a 20-week orientation program for a new graduate nurses as its means of “on-boarding” them to Upstate’s corporate culture of “providing positive patient experiences.” Upstate’s retention efforts include its monthly Daisy Award, a national award program to nurses that offer a high level of care. Patients and family members designate nurses for the honor. “The benefits are outstanding and our retirement package is second to none,” Markle said. “We have a very comparable compensation. We recently compared ourselves to Crouse and St. Joseph’s and our compensation is right where they need to be.” Markle said that Upstate’s recent focus on exit interviews has been helping the organization determine why RNs leaving Upstate aren’t staying. “We’re listening to people more to learn why they aren’t going to stay with us for life,” Markle said.

Rise of the NP Nurse practitioner from Niagara Falls writes book showing how other NPs can open their own practice By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

eronica Mason never intended to be a pioneer. She simply wanted to be a nurse. She is the fourth of 10 children and it became part of her nature to help others. “Being an older sister and being part of a large family, it was just a part of life to take care of my younger siblings. I guess that is where I got the instinct and passion to care for others and it brought me into nursing,” said Mason. It did more than that. She established her own practice, Mason Nurse Practitioner In Family Medicine P.C., 2131 Sawyer Drive, Niagara Falls, in 2000. Making it even more incredible is that she was rare in her field: a nurse practitioner who owns her own practice. She wrote a book, “Nurse Practitioner Guide on How to Start an Independent Practice,” educating current and future NPs on the path to having their own business. This past year, New York began a new law that could open the door for more NPs to open their doors and start their own practice. Some call the Nurse Practitioners Modernization Act an ideal way to advance patient access to care and recognize the roles that nurse practitioners play as independent healthcare professionals. It is also being called a nice first step by others. There are 13 states that allow NPs to practice with complete independence, including Alabama, Arizona, District of Columbia, Iowa, Idaho, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. New York is 14th. There are more than 20,000 NPs in New York. The profession began in 1965 and it took until 1988 for the career to be fully recognized. “I really was an advocate for this law,” said Mason, an NP since 1999. “This was something that I and other nurse practitioners thought was needed for a number of years. The old law was antiquated and had been on the books forever. There were enough barriers keeping nurse practitioners from getting their own practice.”

Mason lege in Buffalo, specializing as a family NP. She completed her doctorate in nursing practice degree from Daemen College in Amherst. She has been in clinical nursing practice as an NP specializing in pain management since 2000. Mason has successfully opened her own pain management practice in Upstate New York. “I wanted a comprehensive pain management business that focused more than just on giving people medication for their pain,” said Mason, who is married with three children. “It’s difficult to have many progressive initiatives if you don’t own a practice and have full control on the philosophy. After much prayer and hard work, it became a reality owning my own practice.”

Challenging journey

Mason said it was also difficult starting a practice in her own right. In 2008, she began the journey navigating

through piles of paperwork and forms, state regulations and other roadblocks. She would often have to start over because she would either get mixed messages from officials she would call on the phone or they wouldn’t remember that she called in the first place because she dealt with a lot of different people.” “I started writing everything in a journal for myself so I would know what the exact name of the person I was dealing with each time so when I called back I had a trail,” said Mason. “It was my own personal roadmap so that I could keep track of everything. One day after I got my practice, I was talking to church members about my road and a church member told me I should consider putting it all in a book for others to learn. It never dawned on me until then.” She also wrote a second book, “Circle of Support.” The purpose of this book is to share a practice-based theoretical framework related to the use of traditional and nontraditional therapies to treat patients with chronic pain. When it comes to the new law, she scoffs at those who think this will dramatically weaken health care. She sees nothing but positives. “A lot of people think we are trying to take the place of doctors. That is not true,” added Mason. “We have always been collaborative with doctors. I have doctors calling me asking me for advice about pain treatment and I talk to doctors to get some of their views. This will be nothing but better for patients.” Michele Menkiena, who works with Mason and sees the way she handles patients, is not surprised that her pain management facility continues to thrive. She said the head of any organization sets the tone. “I just want to say that Dr. Mason is an extremely kind, compassionate and caring provider,” said Menkiena. “She goes out of her way for her patients, even making house calls for patients when they become bed bound and cannot make it to the office. This is something that you don’t see providers doing today.”

Doc no longer needed

The new law removes the requirement of a written practice agreement between an experienced NP and a doctor as a condition of practicing on their own. Any nurse practitioner with more than 3,600 hours of practice or two years will be able to continue extending their expertise and freedom beyond current limitations. Previously, they had to sign a written collaborative agreement with a physician, which was as narrow or broad as the medical doctor allowed. “In the past, many nurse practitioners who desired to start their own practices were dissuaded because of the inability to find a collaborative physician which is no longer needed in the state of New York,” said Mason. “I believe it will provide access to care where there are provider shortages.” Mason received her master’s degree in nursing from D’Youville ColMay 2015 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 19

Surviving Childhood Abuse Local teacher-turned-author writes a book recounting years of abuse by his parents. He says now he is on a mission to help mistreated children By Matthew Liptak

retired LaFayette 12th grade social studies teacher has recounted his story of surviving and overcoming physical and emotional abuse as a child in his memoir “Caught in the Undertow: Escaping the Grip of Childhood Abuse.” The teacher, Jeffrey Goldstein, 63, now resides in Minoa and works as a Dale Carnegie training instructor. Goldstein had something of an idyllic childhood in Brooklyn and on Long Island until his 5-year-old sister Sheryl died from leukemia when he was 7. He said he was blindsided by her death, finding out of her passing while at school. He didn’t know Sheryl was ill and he was not allowed to go to her funeral. The two had been very close. The abuse by his parents started immediately after her death, he recalled during an interview with In Good Health. “The grief over losing her and the guilt that I was alive and she wasn’t and all the abuse starting at that point. It just was awful,” Goldstein said. “I tried to starve myself to death when I was 7 just after she died.” His father’s attitude toward him could be particularly cruel. He beat young Goldstein and he was told that it should have been Jeffrey who should have died instead of Sheryl. The former teacher said that although he did well in school, whatever he did wasn’t good enough for his parents. Goldstein internalized the abuse as a child and when he grew older, he said, it manifested itself in severe anxiety attacks. He was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder — or PTSD. Although the author was told he was worthless by his parents, he didn’t give up on himself. It was a struggle though. “That’s why the book is called ‘Caught in the Undertow’ because I wanted to be somewhere else, knew I was good at things and I could be a happy person,” Goldstein said. “I kept getting pulled back into this abyss by these thoughts that were the result of abuse. It’s a struggle and the message to kids [is] it’s not easy. You have to keep fighting. You have to push against

Former teacher Jeffrey Goldstein, 63, a Minoa resident, is offering a free three-week class starting May 7. He recently wrote about discussing the abuses he suffered when he was a child. the undertow, but you can and the rewards are amazing.” Goldstein said he had a wonderful career as a teacher and now continues as a Dale Carnegie instructor. But he is also on a mission. It is a mission to help mistreated children. So far he has done 15 presentations on his book and child abuse since last September. He talks to anyone who will have him. He has found himself giving pre-

Home Stretch Physical Therapy P.C. Alexander Talev, PT, DPT, Cert. MDT, CSCS, Doctor of Physical Therapy

”One-on-one, hands-on personalized care!” Back and Neck Pain, Balance, Fall prevention, Orthopedics, Neurological Conditions, Post-surgery 315-569-9308 • fax: 315-295-2579

5655 Thomson Road (located within the JCC), Dewitt, NY 13214

Everyone Welcome! Page 20

•

Call Now for a Free Consultation

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

sentations at Syracuse University, Utica College, local health centers and Rotary clubs, among other groups. But the purpose of his book is also to raise funds for the Macmahon / Ryan Child Advocacy Center and Vera House in Syracuse. So far Goldstein said he has sold over 100 copies and over $1,000 will be divided among the two organizations. He expects the number to climb as

he sells more books along with donating his own portion of the proceeds. The author said writing the 374page book was the hardest thing he ever did, but that the experience was cathartic. It took him two years to write the memoir. One reviewer said “Caught in the Undertow” reads more like a novel and has a strong sense of place and time, bringing the reader right into mid-20th century downstate New York. Goldstein eventually escaped his painful childhood when he went to college. He said he had gotten through the difficult times by embracing and accentuating the parts of his life that were still good, like his school friends and activities. By high school he had talked his mother into taking him to counseling. Healing and overcoming his abuse is a gradual process, he said. Today he has dveloped a strong relationship with his mother who is 89. He also talks to his father on the phone, but has had less success in getting him to open up about the abuse. The survivor of child abuse is taking his mission further, too. Goldstein has gotten Dale Carnegie Training and Koinoina Center of Health to donate their time and space so that he can offer a free three-week class starting May 7 for those recovering from abuse. Goldstein says he is determined to get as many other victims as he can to safety. The feedback he has gotten on his memoir has buoyed him in this mission. “I’m getting incredible feedback,” he said. “If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to sustain this. The book has gotten good reviews. The people who read it — they said they’ve laughed, they’ve cried. They’re inspired by it. The fact that I’m baring my soul and my life is sustained by the fact that people are liking it and having a good reaction to it.”

Want to buy the book? “Caught in the Undertow,” written by former LaFayette 12th grade social studies teacher Jeffrey Goldstein, is available online at Amazon. com and BarnesandNoble.com. If you want to get an autographed copy where more of the proceeds will go to Macmahon / Ryan and Vera House, contact the author directly at jeff.goldstein51@gmail.com. The author is also open to invitations to speak at various venues.

Bruce Stewart, DDS Ultra Modern Dentistry Backed by Old Fashioned Values

• Advanced Laser Periodontal therapy available. • Implants placed and restored • CEREC Crowns - beautiful, strong, done in one visit • Digital low radiation x-rays • Root Canal therapy • Natural tooth colored fillings • Complete Smile makeovers • Complete recare services including periodontal and oral cancer screenings Extended Payment Plans through Care Credit

NOW ACCEPTING DELTA DENTAL

321 Main St., Oneida, NY 13421

(315) 363-4940 www.oneidanydentist.com Join Us On FACEBOOK

Crouse Forms Perinatal Support Group For Postpartum Depression Awareness Walk — Climb With Crouse planned for May 24 Postpartum Depression (PPD) is one of the leading complications of pregnancy. Depression and anxiety during pregnancy or after childbirth is very common, with a recent JAMA Psychiatry study reporting that among women followed for a year after delivery, some 22 percent had been depressed. While research reveals that 80 percent of women experience the “baby blues,” about 50 percent of women diagnosed with PPD reported symptoms during their pregnancies. As the Central New York leader in deliveries, with more than 4,500 births annually, Crouse Hospital’s Kienzle Family Maternity Center, in partnership with its Spirit of Women program, has launched an outlet for ongoing support and awareness-raising activities that will help shed light on this widespread condition. The stigma and judgment accompanying a diagnosis of perinatal depression makes it an under-reported illness and, consequently, under-treated. Symptoms of PPD include feeling sad, hopeless, empty or overwhelmed; crying more often than usual or for no reason; worry, anxiety and insomnia; difficulty concentrating; bonding issues

with baby; withdrawing from friends orfamily; doubting ability to care for baby; thoughts of harming self or baby; and anger, rage, moodiness, irritability and restlessness.

Climb with Crouse

On Sunday, May 24, Crouse Hospital invites members of the community to Climb with Crouse, a walk to raise awareness about perinatal depression. The climb will be on the 2K Serengeti Trail (a 4K round trip walk) from 9 a.m. to noon at Green Lakes State Park. In-person registration begins at 8 a.m. Walkers will begin at the reserved picnic shelter and end at the Park Meadows. A $20 registration fee includes one free adult T-shirt and park admission for one car for the day. All proceeds support the Crouse Perinatal Family Support Group. Register by calling 315-708-9748 or visiting crouse.org/ familysupport.

Choose the best...

Perinatal Family Support Group

Crouse Hospital’s Perinatal Family Support Group welcomes all pregnant women and new mothers, no matter where they gave birth. Significant others and infants and children also can attend. The group meets Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the Marley Education Center, 765 Irving Ave., corner of Waverly Ave. Free parking in the Marley Center and Crouse Hospital garages is available. The group is led by Nurse Practitioner Christine Kowaleski, professor in the Pomeroy College of Nursing at Crouse Hospital who’s certified in family, neonatal and psychiatric care. She also serves as the Regional Coordinator for Postpartum Support International. Register by calling call 315-708-9748.

“I highly recommend McHarrie Place for short-term rehabilitation. I was home within three weeks and now we are back to doing what we love to do.”

Central New York’s Leading Choice for

Short-Term

Rehabilitation 315-638-2521 7740 Meigs Road, Baldwinsville, NY www.mcharrielife.org

SUBSCRIBE TO IN GOOD HEALTH Name________________________________________________ __________________________ Address___________________ City / Town__________________ State & Zip_________________

Clip and Mail to:

In Good Health P.O. Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126

$15 one year (12 issues) $25 two years (24 issues)

H ealth News Nurse AnneMarie WalkerCzyz receives state award AnneMarie Walker-Czyz, senior vice president for operations, COO/ CNO at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health System, has been recognized with the 2015 New York Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders (NYONEL) Leadership Award. The NYONEL award recognizes collaborative and innovative nurse leaders throughWalker-Czyz out New York State. Czyz leads the nursing team at St. Joseph’s — Central New York’s only hospital with Magnet designation for nursing excellence. She is responsible for identifying the forces impacting our organization and developing necessary changes, including transforming policy, infrastructure, and emerging digital changes that affect nursing.

Michael Connor now coordinator at St. Camillus Michael Connor of Syracuse has joined The Centers at St. Camillus and will serve the professional, nonprofit health care organization as its new relationship development coordinator. Connor will work to maintain and increase relationships with donors and event underwriters, enhance relationships with family members of residents and patients, and encourage overall support by developing loyalty and helping to publicize and promote the needs of the facility throughout the community. Connor is well-known in Central New York for his professional experience in health care as well as the performing arts. He served as director of public relations for Loretto from 2005 to 2012, and currently enjoys a more than 30-year association with Syracuse Opera both on stage as a principal artist and administratively, most recently as director of advancement. “I’m tremendously excited to be working in the health care field again, especially for The Centers at St. Camillus“, Connor stated. “I live nearby and have always thought of The Centers at St. Camillus as my neighbors; now it’s my privilege to work with them.”

Auburn Nursing Home caregivers Join 1199 SEIU Sixty-three licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) at Auburn Nursing Home in Auburn voted to join 1199SEIU. According to a news release, these workers were motivated to join the Page 22

•

healthcare workers’ union because of multiple issues with their jobs at Auburn. “They have not received a raise in four years, and don’t qualify for accrued time off,” read the news release. By joining with 1199, they plan to make Auburn Nursing Home a better environment for both staff and residents. “I felt that with a union, I will be able to achieve job security in the work place and a voice,” said Dawn Knickerbocker, an LPN with Auburn. “Plus, with our union, I will be able to further my education!” 1199SEIU is the largest and fastest growing union in New York state and nationwide. Although union density in the United States is dwindling, 1199SEIU continues to grow. Since 2015 started, more than 900 workers total have joined.

Local Leaders Recognized at St. Joseph’s Appreciation Breakfast

Comanici named Crouse’s director of philanthropy Jeffry Comanici has joined the staff of the Crouse Health Foundation as director of philanthropy. In this position, he will work closely with hospital and foundation administration, board volunteers, physicians and key staff to design, implement and manage a comComanici prehensive major gift fundraising program for Crouse Hospital’s strategic initiatives.    Comanici has come to Crouse from Syracuse University, where he had been the assistant dean for advancement for the College of Visual and Performing Arts since April 2006.    His prior experience includes serving as executive director of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra; director of development for major gifts for Syracuse University; and associate director of development for SU’s School of Information Studies.    A graduate of Leadership Greater Syracuse, Comanici and has been very active in local community organizations such as Oakwood Cemetery, DeWitt Community Church, Susan G. Komen Central New York, Vera House Foundation and the Consortium for Children’s Services. He is a resident of Fayetteville.

Center offers alternative treatment for sleep apnea An effective new alternative treatment for those with obstructive sleep apnea who do not respond to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is now available at Crouse Hospital in the form of a special dental device worn while a patient sleeps. Called the MATRx, the oral appliance therapy uses a device similar to a

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

St. Joseph the Worker Awards recipients, from left: Timothy Conan, physician Gregory Kenien, sister Rose Ann Renna, Vincent Sweeney and Kathryn Ruscitto, President and CEO, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center Foundation paid tribute to its supporters at the 25th annual St. Joseph’s Day Appreciation Breakfast in March. St. Joseph’s hosts the breakfast annually to recognize major supporters and advocates of the hospital. St. Joseph the Worker Awards were presented to: • Timothy J. Conan, partner at the law firm Costello, Cooney and

retainer or mouth guard. Worn during sleep, the device works to keep the airway open through remote controlled jaw repositioning during in-lab sleep testing. The test determines if an oral appliance is an appropriate therapy for the patient.    The Crouse Sleep Center is partnering with area dentists to provide this new therapy for applicable patients, says physician Stephan Alkins, medical director of sleep services. “The MATRx device allows us to accurately determine which patients will respond to oral appliance therapy and if they can be effectively treated without the use of the traditional and cumbersome CPAP,” Alkins said.

SOS named one of the best companies to work Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists (SOS) has been named one of the Best Companies to Work for in New York state for 2015. SOS will be honored at an awards dinner at the Albany Marriott on Tuesday, April 21. During the event, SOS will learn their rank among 34 companies in the category for largesized employers with 250 or more U.S. employees. May 2015 •

Fearon, PLLC; • Physician Gregory Kenien, chief medical information officer at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center; • Sister Rose Ann Renna, professor at St. Joseph’s Hospital College of Nursing and former vice president for Mission at St. Joseph’s; and • Vincent Sweeney, president of Syracuse Office Environments and a member of St. Joseph’s Hospital board of trustees

“The SOS partners are extremely proud of the practice being named a Best Company to Work for in New York State,” said physician John F. Fatti, SOS president. “It is gratifying to know that this distinction is based on a survey of our employees. It is because of the dedication and commitment to patient satisfaction of each one of our employees that SOS has a wonderful culture that we each enjoy being a part of everyday.” In addition to the awards dinner, a special publication profiling all 65 winning organizations and their unique employment perks will be produced for distribution to event attendees, higher education institutions, as well as thousands of human resources professionals and organizations across New York state. Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists is Central New York’s regional leader in providing quality, total orthopedic care to patients. Founded in 1999, its team of experienced orthopedic physicians and support staff offer state-of-the-art medical care, from diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and recovery. SOS has more than 25 physicians, and employs approximately 600 additional staff.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 22

Upstate’s Lisa M. Allen Named Distinguished Sonographer of the Year Upstate University Hospital’s Lisa M. Allen, who has been a high-risk obstetrical sonographer at Upstate’s Regional Perinatal Center for more than two decades, has been recognized as the Distinguished Sonographer of the Year by the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine (AIUM). The award recognizes Allen as one of the top sonographers working today who has significantly contributed to the growth and development of medical ultrasound. The AIUM represents 2,500 working sonographers and retirees. “It is a huge honor to receive the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine’s 2015 Distinguished Sonographer Award,” Allen said. “It is very humbling and rewarding to be recog-

Franciscan: 30 Years Helping Patients Live at Home and Live Well By Kelly Quinn

ranciscan Companies is celebrating 30 years providing healthcare services in patients’ homes. The company started in 1985 as an affiliate of St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, to address the respiratory and medical equipment needs of patients who were routinely being readmitted to the hospital with the same issues. Franciscan has now grown to encompass about a dozen companies that serve 24 counties in New York and three in Pennsylvania. Frank L. Smith, Jr. and physician Thomas Aiello created Franciscan Health Support, the predecessor of Franciscan Companies. “We foresaw that post-discharge care, at a higher level than what was currently available, would be critical to the future of the healthcare industry,” says Smith, president and CEO, Franciscan Companies. “There was a clear need for in-home care to keep people from re-entering the hospital with the same issues.”

The fact is, no one wants to be in the hospital. Smith says Franciscan’s services and programs keep people home, where they want to be. “Inhome care improves the quality of life of patients because they can recuperate in an environment in which they are comfortable and less apt to contract an infection,” he says. “It’s also more convenient for them because they don’t need to travel for their healthcare needs.” All of Franciscan’s companies have been designed to provide the services, programs and equipment patients need for a better life. When it became clear that patients are aging, an eldercare program called Embracing Age was formed. Embracing Age coordinates all the medical and non-medical services an older person needs to remain living at home including transportation, home maintenance, housekeeping, fall prevention and estate planning. In response to the need for quality care in a convenient environment, Franciscan, Pulmonary Health Physicians P.C. and Kinney Drugs estab-

Frank L. Smith, Jr., president and CEO of Franciscan Companies. lished the Healthy You Wellness Center inside the Kinney store on Butternut Street, Syracuse. Patients who are having any sort of pulmonary issue — a cold, asthma, bronchitis — can see a healthcare provider from Pulmonary Health P.C. with no appointment needed. Franciscan’s respiratory and

nized for my contributions and accomplishments in the field of diagnostic medical sonography.” Allen, who lives in the town of Onondaga, received her honor March 22 at the AIUM’s annual convention in Orlando. Allen is registered in multiple specialties including obstetrics and gynecology, fetal echocardiography, abdomen, neurosonography, and vascular technology. She holds the credentials of R.D.M.S., R.D.C.S., and R.V.T. She has served on several committees and task forces for multiple professional ultrasound organizations in an effort to promote the best possible training and education for fellow sonographers. Allen was named Upstate’s Employee of the Year (Clinical) in 2011.

medical equipment is also for sale at several Kinney stores and online. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), there will be incentives for people who take ownership of their health and stay out of the hospital. Franciscan empowers them through its TLC (teach, learn, comprehend) program, which sends respiratory therapists into patients’ homes to teach them how to manage their condition. FranciscanCompanies.com also contains a disease management database to answer patients’ questions and respiratory therapists provide free health screenings and information at events and locations through CNY. Since the doors opened in 1985, Franciscan has operated with five core values: stewardship, compassion, reverence, excellence and integrity. “I expect every employee to treat each patient as if they’re someone they love, someone for whom they would do anything. Patients don’t ask to be sick; sickness is disruptive to their routines,” he says. “Our job is to help them wade through that chaos and bring health and quality back to their lives.” Kelly Quinn is the director of marketing and public relations for Franciscan Companies.

In General, We Specialize General Surgeons consult and perform surgery for the breast, thyroid, gastrointestional tract, colon, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. To find out your options, General Surgery Associates will guide you through your individual surgical care. Call For Appointment: 342-6771

Jai Singh, MD Allison A. N. Duggan, MD

90 West Utica St., Oswego, NY 13126 May 2015 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 23

The ChiRunning Technique ‘Without ChiRunning, I could have never completed my 5K, 15K, half-marathons and my first marathon in Corning last year’ By Maryann Roefaro

o one will dispute the health benefits of physical exercise but talk about running and you’ll hear sentiments such as: “I used to love to run, but my knees can’t take it anymore,” “I’m too old to run,” “Watch out, running is bad for your hips and knees,” “You may be a runner now, but wait, you’ll be riding a bike in no time because you’re going to blow out your knees.” Statistics prove there are voluminous running injuries per year but what they don’t show is the type of running form and movement that causes such injuries. It is not the action of running that cause injuries; it is running with improper alignment and form or doing too much, too fast. ChiRunning, developed by Danny Dreyer almost 20 years ago, when done properly, can provide years of happy, pain free and energy efficient running to last a lifetime. In ChiRunning there is a purpose to every movement and the biomechanics of every body part determines how that body part is utilized. The running style fosters a deeper understanding of the self, as ChiRunning creates the conditions for constant communication with the self — always sensing what the body is thinking, feeling and doing. Discomfort has great importance when ChiRunning because when something hurts, it’s an indication that running form needs to be adjusted and corrected. A ChiRunner honors and cooperates with the forces of nature — gravity and the force of the oncoming road. As with life in general, when we cooperate with the forces of nature instead of opposing them, love and success can be achieved. I started running shortly after I turned 53 years old. I loved the thought of running but never imagined I could become a runner. My first race in the fall of 2012 was the Breath Deep CNY/Lungevity run — it was not only a fantastic cause (lung cancer), it was a smaller 5K race and great experience for a first timer. I received second place for my age group and that trophy was all I needed to kick start a beautiful running practice. During that first race, a wonderful gentleman behind me whispered, “Hope you don’t mind me saying — try not to strike so hard and be quieter on your feet if you can.” It was great run but I had trouble walking a few hours after and was still sore the next day. As with any new passion, I turned to Google. A YouTube video about ChiRunning popped up in my search. The interview with Danny Dreyer gave me chills and choked me up a bit and that was it for me — his passion and philosophy of running coupled with the running form not only made perfect sense from a scientific/biomechanics standpoint, the testimonials of what it had done in the life of so many runners was profound. I signed up for a four-day course

Page 24

•

Maryann Roefaro, 55, nears the end of her first marathon, which she completed in October of 2014 at the Wineglass Marathon in Bath, N.Y. "This picture was probably taken at the 25-mile mark," Roefaro said. "At that point, I knew I wasn't going to qualify for Boston [Marathon], so I slowed down and was just running happy." with Danny and fell in love with ChiRunning — to such an extent that I became an instructor at the end of 2014. There was no one in our community to assist and coach me after that class with Danny. There are only five ChiRunning/ChiWalking instructors in New York state, in addition to me: four in NYC / Long Island and my friend Mike Meagher in Elmira, who traversed the instructor journey at the same time I did. Without ChiRunning, I could have never completed my other 5K, 15K, half-marathons and my first marathon in Corning last year (Wineglass). During the marathon, my 13.1 and 21.5 mile splits were 2:04:23 and 3:32:35, respectively. When I knew there was no way for me to qualify for Boston (this time!), I slowed down and relaxed to finish in 4:29:17. What was most remarkable was my recovery — at 55 years old and only running two years, I was a bit sore after the race but fine the next day! My family was amazed. That’s the ChiRunning way, I say! In 2004, Danny published “ChiRunning” and since then, people worldwide can attest to how ChiRun-

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

ning has changed their life. He certifies instructors around the globe to bring this technique to others.

Four Components to ChiRunning ChiRunning technique includes four basic components: Posture and alignment; ankle lift and Chi walking; lean and arm swing. In ChiRunning, you never lift your knees, you always lift our ankles and you are focused on a full-foot strike, maintaining a consistent cadence of 180 strikes/minute. Speed goals are achieved by creating the conditions for speed to occur — a beautiful and graceful stride in perfect alignment and form. In ChiRunning, a person cooperates with the force of gravity and the oncoming road in that your body is always in a lean from the ankles and your ankles/feet are always moving rearward in a circular motion. Pelvic rotation is essential and there are other subtle nuances to the running form. Strength comes from the core of the body in which the lower abdominal muscles are always engaged, while the

rest of the body, especially the extremities, are relaxed. In ChiRunning, bones, ligaments and tendons do the work while the muscles are relaxed. This not only minimizes the potential for injury, it is energy efficient. Running in Chi-form allows one to feel freedom, incredible fluidity, graceful motion and a clear sense of mind, body and spirit connection. In 1991, Runner’s World published a two-page questionnaire asking readers about their running habits and medical histories — along with their willingness to continue to report info for years to come. This was the launching of the landmark National Runners’ Health study. (In addition, the National Walkers’ Health study was started, both of which were funded by the National Institutes of Health.) In total, information from 113,472 runners, including 45,275 marathoners established this study as the world’s biggest and best examination the health benefits of exercise. Over the past two decades, 65 papers have been published that scientifically prove that exercise makes people healthier. The March 2015 edition of Runner’s World magazine featured this study and highlighted some interesting statistics from the study. Runners who ran about 4.5 to 7.5 miles per week have a 40 percent lower risk of heart disease and a 40 percent reduced risk of developing high blood pressure. According to the data, runners have a about a 20 percent lower risk of osteoarthritis and hip replacements than walkers have, probably because running lowers body mass index more effectively than walking. The study also highlighted that runners who logged 15-23 miles per week had a 16 percent lower risk of osteoarthritis and a 50 percent lower risk of hip replacement than those who run fewer than 8 miles per week. The study also revealed that running produces a 35 percent reduced risk of developing cataracts and a 40-50 percent reduction in risk for macular degeneration. The magazine’s editor, David Willey, also states that other compelling and even surprising conclusions about running became evident. Examples included lower risk of strokes, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and several kinds of cancer. In addition to ChiRunning, Danny and his wife, Katherine Dreyer, also developed ChiWalking. The principles of ChiWalking are used in teaching ChiRunning. For more information about ChiRunning, check out www.ChiRunning.com or visit Maryann Roefaro’s website, www.SoulRunner.us . To inquire about my upcoming classes or to schedule an individual or group lesson, please email me at SoulRunner@Outlook.com. Maryann Roefaro has been the CEO of Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY for 13 years. She is also the author of “Building the Team from the Inside-Out.” For more info about Maryann, please visit www.DoItFromTheInsideOut.com.