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BLUEBERRIES Why you should eat more of them

Check out our “SmartBites” column on page 13

Breast Cancer Navigators New program at Crouse helps those newly diagnosed with breast cancer

August 2011 • Issue 140

CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

SUNY Upstate’s

BIG PUSH It acquired Community General Hospital in July, it’s expanding its outreach to the Watertown-Fort Drum area and is in the midst of building a a ﬁve-story $74-million cancer center. What’s the vision behind all this expansion? We spoke with CEO John McCabe

What Your PODIATRIST Wants You to Know Arise’s farm in Chittenango helps those with disabilities Meet Your Doctor Tarakad Ramachandran

LIVING ALONE Keep it simple and do right by the Earth

My Son, The Doctor Marvin Druger, a professor emeritus at Syracuse University and columnist for 55 PLUS magazine, recently sat down with his son, Robert Druger, for an interview. Robert is a an eye doctor based in Camillus

Journalist Makes Jump Into Healthcare Field Former Post-Standard health editor Amber Smith makes transition into second career

Golden Years Special * Staying active with arthritis • How to find affordable dental care • Assistive listening devices. Do they work? • Seniors: staying cool • More kids living with grandparents August 2011 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Program for Cancer Survivors Wed,, Sept. 21, 2011 6:00 pm-7:30 pm Registration and Refreshments at 5:30

Integrated Approach to Healing After Cancer Heidi Puc, MD, FACP, ABIHM Dr. Heidi Puc is board certiﬁed in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, Hematology and Integrative and Holistic Medicine.

Hematology Oncology Associates of Central New York 5008 Brittonﬁeld Parkway East Syracuse, New York 13057 (315)472-7504 www.hoacny.com

WHEN YOUR HEART IS ON THE LINE, GETTING HELP FAST CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. Chest pain isn’t the only sign of a heart attack. Shortness of breath; back, arm or jaw discomfort; severe nausea; or heavy sweating also may indicate a problem. As the first Accredited Chest Pain Center in Syracuse, St. Joseph’s knows just how important it is to diagnose and treat these symptoms quickly and accurately. Seeking medical help right away can help protect you from serious heart damage and create a more positive outcome from a potentially dangerous situation. So, don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1. Your heart—and your life—may depend on it.

HEART ATTACK? EVERY SECOND COUNTS. CALL 9-1-1. St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center 301 Prospect Ave. Syracuse, NY www.sjhsyr.org St. Joseph’s Resource Line (Physician & Program Information): 315-703-2138 St. Joseph’s is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis. Franciscan Companies is a member of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center network.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2011

SYRACUSE’S FIRST ACCREDITED CHEST PAIN CENTER

A Higher Level of Care

Eating too many snacks at the cafeteria? New study highlights perils of snack-filled diet

high-fat diet can be bad for your health. However, a snackbased “cafeteria”-style diet of highly palatable, energydense foods is even worse, according to new research. A study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that rats that ate snack foods commonly consumed by children and adults in the U.S. ate more, gained more weight, had more tissue inflammation and were intolerant to glucose and insulin (warning signs of diabetes) than rats whose diets were high fat from lard. The study, the cover story of the June 2011 issue of the journal “Obesity,” showed that the “cafeteria diet” contributed more to diet-induced obesity than common high-fat diets typically used in rodent studies. The results suggest that researchers can get more accurate information from animal models that eat a diet that may resemble what humans consume. Use of the CAF model also may be useful for identifying novel options for preventative interventions or therapeutics to treat obesity in humans, the study noted. “Obesity has reached epidemic levels in the United States,” said Dr. Liza Makowski, assistant professor of nutrition at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and the study’s senior author. “These findings provide us with a better animal model to help explore what factors are contributing most to this dangerous trend, and what strategies for prevention and treatment of obesity will be most successful.” Using obese rats in laboratory experiments has been a common practice for decades, but rodents are typically made obese on manufactured lardbased, high-fat diets, Makowski said. Her team showed that feeding the rats a diet that more closely resembles a typical American diet filled with snacks revealed even more severe risks and emphasized the potentially harmful

nature of excessive snacking. “Although we can’t pinpoint what component of these snacks is causing these pre-diabetes conditions, we show that the ‘cafeteria diet’ provides a more severe animal model of metabolic syndrome than lard-based high-fat diets,” she said. Metabolic syndrome is the cluster of factors that increase a person’s risk for coronary artery disease, stroke and Type 2 diabetes. “The rapid gain in weight, extensive obesity and multiorgan dysfunctions observed in the CAF model more closely reflect what is happening to humans who eat these snack foods regularly,” Makowski said. The researchers noted that rats fed the tasty, highly palatable “cafeteria diet” ate more food — about 30 percent more calories — than those eating high-fat or high-sugar diets. “By the second week, rats on the lard-based high-fat diet actually ate less, dropping their caloric intake to the same intake as rats on a standard, or healthy, diet,” Makowski said.

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Aug. 24, Sept 14

End-of-life program at Upstate seeks volunteers

HEALTH EVENTS

Aug. 6

Multi-organ blood analysis offered in Oswego Oswego Health and the Oswego Kiwanis Club will hold their annual multi-organ blood analysis from 6:30–10 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 6, in the gymnasium at Oswego High School. This full battery of tests can help prevent potential health problems. The cost of the analysis is $35. Typically these tests can cost more than $340. In addition, there is an optional $20 prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, which is recommended to men older than age 50. Individuals can also ask for a free colorectal kit. To make an appointment, residents should call 341-0018. This phone line is open 24 hours a day. A 12-hour fast is required. Checks to cover the cost of the screenings should be made out to Oswego Health. The analysis screens individuals for various conditions such as anemia, diabetes, and others, as well as for coronary, kidney, and liver diseases. Lab technicians from Oswego Hospital will be on hand to conduct the blood draw. The results of the multi-organ blood analysis will be sent directly from the Oswego Hospital lab to the participant’s home and physician in an easy to read format.

Aug. 13

Upstate to present musical ‘Keys for Cancer’ Upstate Medical University will present “Keys for Cancer,” an evening of musical performance and insights into the healing role of music in medicine at 7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 13, at Hendrick’s Chapel on the Syracuse University campus. Proceeds from the event will benefit Upstate programs and services. “Keys for Cancer is the inaugural event of the Upstate Music and Medicine Initiative,” said Chethan Sarabu, president of Anastomosis, the sponsor of the performance. Anastomosis is an Upstate Medical University student group that organizes cross-disciplinary conversations and events about healthcare in a broader setting. “The initiative’s goals include

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Upstate University Hospital will hold two information/orientation sessions for its End-of-Life Companion (EOLC) volunteer on call program at 4:30 p.m., Aug. 24 and Sept. 14, in room 1403 Upstate University Hospital, 750 E. Adams St., Syracuse. Parking will be validated for Garage East, located between Elizabeth Blackwell and Sarah Loguen streets. EOLC places a specially trained volunteer at the bedside of a dying patient when family or other loved ones cannot be present. With the support of nursing and spiritual care staff, these companions provide a reassuring presence to dying patients who would otherwise be alone during their final hours of life. “When death is imminent—expected to occur within 24 to 48 hours—an end-of-life companion is requested and can be at the bedside often within an hour,” said Rhonda Butler, manager of volunteer services at Upstate University hospital. “A special call list notes each companion’s availability and the time it takes for them to arrive at the hospital. Once at the hospital, the companion meets with the patient’s nurse to be briefed on any special needs or requests. The companion is then placed at the bedside and remains there until family arrives or death occurs.” For more information about the EOLC information sessions, call 315-464-6144.

expanding our music therapy program that benefits patients at Upstate University Hospital and engages the community in the role that music can play in healing.” Scheduled performers include classical pianist and native Central New Yorker Michael James Battle; the Upstate Vocal Club; and other members of the Upstate Medical University community. Presenters are physician, musician and author Nimesh Nagarsheth, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive science at Mount Sinai Medical Center; and music therapist Joanne Loewy, director of the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine at Beth Israel Medical Center. Students are admitted free with valid identification. General admission tickets are $20 (ages 12 and under free), with reserved premium seating available for $50. To order tickets online or to download a ticket form, go to: www.foundationforupstate.org/keysforcancer. For more information visit, keysforcancer@gmail.com.

Sept. 18

Aug. 22

Cayuga County sponsors Health fair scheduled for Auburn’s community center ‘Walk to Remember’ On Sunday, Sept 18, the Cayuga County Office for the Aging will sponsor its second annual Walk to Remember. This event will be held at Emerson Park on Owasco Lake from 10:30 a.m – 12:30 p.m. and will offer walking a long or short course, lunch, raffles, music and vendors. Entry fee of $15 per person includes T-shirt, meal ticket and bracelet. Advance registration forms are available at the Cayuga County Office for the Aging, located at the County Office Bldg., 160 Genesee St. or by calling 253-1226. Forms are also available online at co.cayuga.ny.us/ aging/index.html. Payment must be received by Friday Sept. 9. Donations are welcome. This event will benefit several office for the aging programs, including the Alzheimer’s disease community service program, the caregiver support program and project lifesaver. For more information, call the 253-1226.

Aurora of CNY, Inc. and the Booker T. Washington Community Center (BTWCC) will hold a Community Health Fair from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 24, at the Booker T. Washington Community Center in Auburn. The event is free and open to the public. “The goal of this health fair is to highlight services available to Cayuga County residents, especially those in underserved communities. This is the first collaboration between AURORA and the BTWCC,” said Aurora outreach specialist Donna Reese, organizer of the event. Aurora will offer free vision screening, as well as information about vision and hearing loss, adaptive equipment, and its employment programs. In addition, an Aurora of CNY volunteer will offer free blood pressure screening, and a local audiologist, Kimberly Newton, will do free ear health screening. The BTWCC is located at 23 Chapman Ave. For more information, contact Reese at dreese@auroraofcny. org or 422-7263 ext. 253.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2011

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Three “cancer navigators” at Crouse go above and beyond the traditional job description of nurses employed at breast health centers. They are, from left, Laura Rose, Margaret Bottino and Margaret Butler.

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Breast navigators at Crouse help newly diagnosed cancer patients Program at Crouse helps those learning about their new condition By Aaron Gifford

n today’s medicine, with so many tests, prescription medicines, charts and insurance issues, a personal touch can get lost. But three registered nurses at Crouse Hospital’s Breast Health Center have continued to trumpet the idea that patients, at a time that they are most vulnerable, need a higher level of support. That approach recently helped the facility achieve Breast Imaging Center of Excellence status by the American College of Radiology. The breast “navigators” — Margaret Bottino, Mary Butler and Laura Rose — perform a range of tasks that go beyond the traditional job description of nurses employed at breast health centers. They tell patients what to expect at their first mammogram, provide emotional support during biopsies and make themselves available for follow-up care to any patient who requests it. “We will be with them in the room if that’s what they want. We will hold their hand. We will be with them the entire procedure,” Bottino said. “The best part is no one is ignored. Everyone involved with this process cares. Our message is we’re here to help.” Another measurement of success in attaining the national accreditation was Crouse’s ability to fulfill its promise for 24-hour mammogram results. In addition, the navigators also make calls for patients who have had trouble getting their biopsy results. Said Rose: “The pride of this program is that the navigators are very accessible.” The accreditation process included peer-review evaluations and a review by board-certified physicians who measured personnel qualifications, equipment in the facility, image quality, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs. The American College of Radiol-

ogy serves more than 30,000 radiologists, oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists across the country. Crouse is among 32 facilities in New York state that received the accreditation and the only one in Central New York. There are currently 73 facilities across the state under review for the accreditation, including the Oneida Medical Imaging Center, CNY Diagnostic Imaging in Syracuse and Magnetic Diagnostic Resources of Central New York. Bottino has worked at Crouse for 37 years, 11 of them at the Breast Health Center. Butler has been with Crouse Radiology Associated for 29 years and the Breast Health Center for the past three years. Rose has been with Crouse for 10 years, joining the Breast Health Center in January. Butler and Bottino have already completed the state certification process to become a breast imaging navigator. Rose, who is already a certified clinical breast examiner, is on track to complete imaging and cancer certifications in September. All told, their range of services includes the digital imaging test and a free clinical breast examination and instruction on self-exams. The navigators say the hands-on instruction is much more thorough than the information provided in brochures. “You’re learning where the breast tissue is. It’s helpful and thorough,” Bottino said. “We’ve had a lot of people come back and thank us for teaching them.” She added that many snowbirds who winter in Florida chose to return to Crouse for annual appointments instead of visiting breast care doctors down south. According to the American Cancer Society, women over 40 should have a breast exam by a health professional every year. A mammogram should also be performed annually as long as the

patient is in good health. “Preventative measures play a key role in detecting problems early,” Bottino said. “Our focus is caring for the whole patient,” added Dr. Stephen Montgomery, breast health center director, “not just administering an exam. Because of the high level of expertise of our radiologists, women can be assured of having accurate mammogram reads the first time, without needing to be recalled for further exams.” Bottino said the breast health field has grown a great deal in the past 30 years, thanks to technological breakthroughs, comprehensive research and a cultural change where nurses interact with the patients more. The biggest difference, she said, is the ability to avoid unnecessary surgery. “Before, when you were having breast problems, you were going to the operating room,” she said. “Now, we have X-rays with computers and ultrasounds that can identify normal changes in breast tissue.” Rose said during her six months at the center she’s been “floored” by the support level of staff and patients’ families. “It’s very moving for me to watch,” she said. In addition to Central New York, Crouse’s Breast Health Center has served patients from as far west as Rochester, as far east as Utica, as far south as Binghamton and as far north as the Thousand Islands region. While the vast majority of patients are women, the center has treated a handful of teen age girls and a few men who had breast cancer or were at risk for the disease. The staff says outreach and education are still critical components of their mission. To view materials about breast cancer awareness, visit www.crouse. org/services/breast-health-center/. August 2011 •

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Dr. Tarakad Ramachandran Crouse’s doctor discusses stroke care and his new role as the hospital’s medical director of neuroscience services Q: You’ve recently been appointed medical director of neuroscience services at Crouse Hospital. Can you tell me a little about the position? A: We’ll be establishing a center of excellence. Our stroke unit was the first in the area to receive the Gold Plus award from the American Stroke Association, but we want to go one step farther and improve things on a consistent basis. Patients should be seen right away and receive proper, modern treatment. We’re trying to give them the best possible care. I want to take things to a higher level, take it one step farther. Q: Can you give me some examples of the changes you’d like to make going forward? A: We are also thinking of putting in other centers of excellence for diseases like Parkinson’s. We can look at a particular disease that’s very common and take [treatment] to the next level. In addition, for example, Crouse is the only hospital in the area that is dealing with addiction psychology at the present time. We care for a large number of patients who are addicted to medication. We’d like to extend it to other kinds of addiction.

involve seeing patients who come to the emergency room with acute neurological symptoms like stroke. I’ll see the patient in the ER and give a consultation. In addition, I’ll also respond to consultations from the medical and surgical floors. I assist the doctors who are already caring for the patients. Q: You received part of your medical education in Syracuse. A: Yes. I studied at Stanley Medical College in Madras, India—Madras is called Chennai now—one of the oldest medical colleges in India. I graduated from there and went to England and later America. I got my board certification from the Royal Colleges of England. I did my neurology training in Syracuse. I became assistant professor and finally full professor at Upstate Medical University. I’m a retired professor emeritus from Upstate. I helped create

Q: Will you still be practicing or will you be in a purely administrative role? A: I’m practicing inpatient neurology as a consultant. I’m also the chief of neurology at Crouse. I oversee the quality of care of the department, the daily running of the department and the administrative aspects of the department. Q: Can you describe your advisory role? A: The consultations I do will

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See item about Ramachandran on page 25

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2011

Q: Are you still involved with your alma mater back in India? A: I go there almost every year as a visiting professor to several universities. I teach students and residents there. I also give neurological care to the poor as well. Over the years, I’ve done a lot of work in India with the poor. I helped create a free CT scanning program for the poor in Pune. I’m a delegate of the World Stroke Foundation and participated in the inauguration of the first Indian Stroke Association. Q: In addition to being a doctor, you also have advanced degrees in business administration and public health administration. A: I recently received an MPH, Masters in Public Health, which is a joint degree offered by Syracuse University and Upstate. I’m actually the first graduate of Upstate Medical University with an MPH. Q: You’ve done a lot of work with stroke patients over the course of your career. How common are strokes these days? A: It’s the third most common cause of death in the world. Roughly 150,000 a year die from stroke as it happens. Most of the survivors are left with a significant amount of disability. A significant number of those get institutionalized. They can’t live on their own, they need total care. It takes a large toll on the economy, not to mention the family. We spend a phenomenal amount of money for stroke care. So the most important thing is that we don’t wait for the stroke to happen, we focus on stroke prevention. We do actually have a very modern treatment for stroke called clot busters. If you get a stroke and you come to the hospital within a three hour window, we can get very good results with clot busters. But you need to come right away, because it takes time to test the patient and make sure they’re a good candidate. Q: How would these patients or their family members know that they’re having a stroke? A: They should watch out for the symptoms. You can use the Cincinnati Scale. You’re looking for signs like facial droop or speech problems or inability to move a limb. There are also less common symptoms.

Lifelines: Name: Tarakad Ramachandran, MD Academic: Stanley Medical College, Syracuse University, SUNY Upstate Medical University Family: Married to an ob/gyn physician, three sons (a lawyer, a neurology resident and a student) Interests: Classical Indian music Organization: President—World Neurology Foundation; Fellow—Royal College of Physicians, Canada; Fellow—Royal Society of London; Fellow—American College of Physicians; Fellow—American Stroke Association

Arise’s farm in Chittenango helps those with disabilities

The educational facility features horses, petting zoo and other recreational opportunities By Mary Beth Roach

What does that mean? It means they have big hearts, and they have opened their doors to an adolescent between the ages of 12 and 17 who

“There is nothing better for the inside of a person than the outside of a horse.”

needs some help in a safe, supportive home environment.

A big heart & A safe home All day & night

his Will Rogers’ quote hangs inside the barn at the Arise at the Farm in Chittenango, a 77-acre working horse farm and an accessible recreation and educational facility, through which Arise, Inc. can offer a wide variety of outdoor activities, with many especially focused on the needs and interests of individuals with a disability. Camp director Jess Sudol points out that the recreational opportunities at the farm are both physically and emotionally beneficial and that people connect well with animals. “I think one thing about the horses is that they don’t care who you are, what your abilities are. They just like the attention. That’s like most animals. They want that relationship, that feeling — they’re not judging you. They don’t care who you are, what your abilities are. You’re loving on them, they’re going to love on you no matter what.” And it would seem that the young campers — and at least one horse named Morocco — concur with both Sudol – and Will Rogers. While the young campers, from youngsters to those in their 20s, work on cleaning the hooves of the pacer, learn the different brushes to use and take turns with grooming tasks, Morocco stands placidly in the barn, seemingly enjoying all the primping and attention. Farm manager Laura Little says that children with autism “can connect in almost a magical way with the

These people are all host parents in the Treatment Foster Care Program at Cayuga Home for Children

Be a mentor. Become a host parent. Katherine Raymond, 26, of Oneida, riding one of the horses available at Arise at the Farm in Chittenango. horses and the animals.” The farm offers horseback riding, adaptive and therapeutic riding; horsemanship; accessible horse- cart driving. Along a paved wheelchair-accessible track that measures nearly a mile, campers can enjoy the hand cycles; a high- and low-ropes course and an accessible fishing dock. A petting zoo is housed in the “critter barn” and during the summer there are special theme camps. The programs also foster a sense of responsibility and independence, giving the participants the chance to see that the whole world is open to them, staff members say. Arise Inc. offers more than 50 different programs for individuals with disabilities in Onondaga, Oswego and Madison counties, and works with other agencies in the area in providing recreation at the Farm. The farm held a fundraiser at the end of July, with the hopes of raising enough funds to begin work on an indoor riding arena, which would allow for more programs regardless of inclement weather. The farm is looking for more volunteers, and those interested can call 472-3171 for more information.

Kelcie Conley grooms Morocco, of the horses at Arise’s farm.

We offer training, 24-hour support, and monthly tax-free compensation of more than $1,500.

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When you need laboratory tests, we’re in your neighborhood Experienced professional staff • No appointments necessary • Many locations open on Saturdays • Most medical insurance plans accepted

In Syracuse

North of Syracuse

Crouse Hospital PromptCare in CNY Medical Center (315) 470-2951

BALDWINSVILLE Village Commons (315) 857-0329 CICERO Lakeshore Professional Bldg (315) 752-0077 LIVERPOOL North Medical Center (315) 452-2280

Crouse Hospital Patient Preadmission Center (315) 470-7942 St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center Medical Office Centre (315) 703-5004 Upstate University Hospital at Community General Physician Office Building (315) 492-5428 FAYETTEVILLE Northeast Medical Center (315) 329-7047

PULASKI North Jefferson Street (315) 298-4743 In the suburbs

CAMILLUS Medical Center West (315) 468-0501

EAST SYRACUSE Medical Center East (315) 656-9560

Maps and directions online at www.laboratoryalliance.com August 2011 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Keep it Simple and Do Right by the Earth

t warms my soul. I just love the sight of laundry on a clothesline, gently fluttering in the breeze on a sunny summer day. It reminds me of times gone by: my happy childhood in Ohio, my mom folding laundry, my dad tending his garden, and all things old-fashioned and wholesome. On a recent road trip through the Finger Lakes, I was so taken by the colorful clothes decorating the countryside that I returned home with a mission: to install my own backyard clothesline. For less than $30 I purchased the essentials: rope, pulley, hooks and cleat. For a few dollars more, I equipped myself with wooden clothespins and a canvas drawstring bag. The installation between two mature oaks took less than an hour. I was never so excited about doing a load of laundry! I couldn’t wait to enjoy the simple bliss of hanging my pillowcases, towels, and T-shirts on the line and watching them sway in the sunlight. Beyond the nostalgia, I could also

appreciate that air-drying my clothing was good for the earth. In a small way, I would be reducing my household carbon footprint and that idea sat well with me and my conscience. The experience reminded me of the value of simple living and how easy it is to get back to the basics — something that’s even easier for those of us who live alone and can make all our own decisions. I’m committed to leading a simpler life, a more natural existence. Would you like to join me? Below are a few things we can all do: Accumulate less stuff. If I don’t absolutely need it or love it, I don’t buy it. That’s my new M.O. I live in a small home and I’ve discovered that “stuff” needs to be stored, sorted, dusted, and otherwise dealt with. Some of it needs to be insured. Other stuff needs to be repaired. Almost all of it requires some investment of time and money, both of which I want to use more wisely. This brings me to my next tip:

KIDS Corner Teens Look to Parents More than Friends for Sexual Role Models Recent adolescent sexual health study shatters stereotypes

he results of a national online study show that 45 percent consider their parents to be their sexuality role model. Shattering stereotypes that parents and society hold about teen sexuality, the survey also revealed that only 32 percent looked to their friends and just 15 percent took inspiration from celebrities. Dr. Jean-Yves Frappier, a researcher at the University of Montreal’s affiliated CHU Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Centre presented the results at the Canadian Paediatric Society’s 88th Annual Conference June 18. Page 8

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Importantly, the survey also revealed that many of the teenagers who look to their parents live in families where sexuality is openly discussed, and that moreover, teenagers in these families have a greater awareness of the risks and consequences of sexually transmitted infections. “Good communication within families and especially around sexual health issues is associated with more responsible behaviours,” Frappier said. However, 78 percent of the mothers who participated in the survey believed that their children

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2011

Let go of more stuff. VOA, Goodwill, Savers, and the Vietnam Veterans of America are my new “best friends.” I’m clearing out the clutter and sharing my gently used clothing and household goods with people in need and others who enjoy a bargain. I’ve come to learn that these organizations are so much more than their “storefronts.” They use the store profits for so much good: for housing, for humanitarian causes, for disaster relief, and to help people all over the globe become more self-sufficient. Every donation made has the potential to make a positive difference in someone’s life. Repair, re-use, and make do. My old toothbrushes have become cleaning tools, shoeboxes are now storage containers for photos, and old picture frames have become “shabby chic” mirrors. These are just a few examples. I love making something new and beautiful out of something old or discarded. I’ve been guilty of wasteful ways, and I’m now very focused on using up what’s “on the shelf” or “in the tube.” I’m also very determined to make do with what I already own. I feel proud when I act responsibly and make good decisions that lead to fewer purchases. Enjoy the real thing. I grow my own

modeled their friends’ sexual behaviour, and that a lack of involvement of communication with fathers is especially detrimental. “Parents seem to underestimate their role and the impact that they have,” Frappier noted. “Health professionals and the media have an important role to play in empowering parents and enabling them to increase their communications with their children with regards to sexual health issues.” The survey involved 1139 mothers of teenagers and 1171 youths between

tomatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, beans, and herbs. My dad (rest his soul) was my gardening guru. Following in the footsteps of his own father, my dad taught me how to plant, when to plant, what to plant, and how to take care of a garden. Beyond the obvious benefits of gardening — much cheaper and better quality food than I can get at local grocery stores — I just love gardening. There is something incredibly therapeutic about kneeling next to my raised garden beds and cultivating the soil at day’s end when the sun is setting. Away from my computer, I find deep satisfaction working with my hands and enjoy the peace and quiet when I’m all alone with just me and my garden. Be clear about what matters. My “keep it simple” goal has inspired me to look inward and really think about what I value and what I want my life to be about. I want to simplify things because by doing so, I’ll open up time and resources for spending quality time with my family, my friends, and myself. When life is simpler, I can keep these priorities front and center. Instead of shopping or trouble-shooting or worrying about my “stuff,” I can embrace what matters and live a life that reflects what I care about most: being with those I love. Keeping it simple can bring us more joy, more harmony, and more peace of mind. And that can lead to deeper contentment and happiness. It’s as simple as that. 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, you can call her at (585) 624-7887, e-mail her at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

14 and 17 years of age. The questionnaire touched on topics such as sources of sexual health information, communication about sexual health, family functioning and sexual activities. This study was financed in part by a grant from Merck Frosst Co. The University of Montreal is known officially as Université de Montréal. The Research Centre of the CHU Sainte-Justine is known officially as the Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire SainteJustine.

Smoking in youth movies declines sharply

ollywood films are much less likely to feature characters that smoke than just five years ago, according to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics are praising the new trend. Between 2005 and 2010, smoking in movies rated G, PG, and PG-13 dropped 71.6 percent to 595 in 2010 from 2,093 in 2005. In films rated G or PG tobacco use declined 93.6 percent to just 30 last year from 472 in 2005. Smoking in films began to sharply decline in 2005 after a great deal of pressure was aimed at the major stu-

dios from advocacy groups and state attorneys-general. Universal, Warner Brothers and Disney all say they seek to clamp down on smoking in youthrelated films, according to polices posted online. The World Health Organization and others have pressed for films that contain tobacco to be rated R. The move would have huge health benefits, experts note. Studies show that adolescents with the highest exposure to on-screen smoking are twice as likely to begin smoking as those with least exposure. Currently, nearly 75 percent of all pictures containing smoking are rated R.

Journalist Makes Jump Into Healthcare Field

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Also, Smith is responsible for lining up guests and developing the subject matter for Upstate’s weekly radio program, “HealthLink on Air” which is featured at 9 a.m. Sundays on WSYR Radio. According to an advertisement, “HLOA offers a weekly dose of information on health and medical issues affecting Central New Yorkers.” Smith says, “It’s journalism. But, I’ve never done broadcasts of any sort. I’m not on air. Very quickly I’ve realized that some stories are great in print, but don’t translate well on radio. Other stories are better on radio than in print.

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NIGHTS • WEEKEND • HOLIDAYS

Former Post-Standard editor Amber Smith makes transition into second career fter more than 23 years as a staff writer, columnist and editor with the Syracuse Newspapers, Amber Smith changed jobs. Smith was the health and fitness editor at The Post-Standard. Now, Smith is the senior writer/editor at SUNY Upstate Medical University. “This is just an opportunity that presented itself and the time was right and the opportunity was good,” Smith said. “The position here is an ideal fit for me, my background and my interests.” Married and the mother of three children aged 16, 14 and 10, Smith, who has been in journalism all her career, has specialized in health care. Smith denies that she left The PostStandard because of fear that it might cease to exist in the future. “It’s no secret that the newspaper industry has been in distress for quite a few years with the growth of the Internet and with the down economy. The newspaper here [The Post-Standard] is still going strong. But, looking forward, this opportunity was just something I could not pass up.” In her new position, Smith is involved in editing and writing for a variety of newsletters that Upstate puts out. Smith says, “They publish a lot more than even I realized despite having covered them for so many years.” One publication Smith is in charge of is “Upstate Lookout.” She intends to convert it into more of a consumer health publication similar to Healthy CNY, which she edited while at The Post-Standard. The glossy magazine contains stories for and about people connected to Upstate in some way. They published only once in 2010, but Smith plans to publish quarterly or possibly every other month. While it will still be for and about people connected to Upstate, Smith said she vows to broaden it so that it appeals to people beyond Upstate. In other words, she wants to expand the current circulation—the SUNY Upstate campus, students, faculty, alumni and some patients.

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That is exciting.” Additionally, Smith will be working on the website, blogs and things of that nature. Interestingly and perhaps ironically, Smith’s position is not new. The former senior writer/editor—Denise Owen Harrigan—retired at the end of last year. She is now one of two new restaurant critics for The Post-Standard. Upstate’s recent acquisition of Community General Hospital may mean even more work for Smith. However, at this time, the particulars remain unclear and undetermined.

Setting the pace

While at the Syracuse Newspapers, Smith admits she did try to set a good example as the health and fitness editor. “But, I’m not a health nut,” she said. “Also, I’m neither a vegan nor a vegetarian. I’m more like a lot of people. I’ve got a little weight to lose. I could be in better shape. I am in pretty good shape. I run pretty regularly. I like yoga. I lift weights. I try to stay as active as possible. I know how to eat healthy. Most of the time, I do. But, from time to time, I give into temptation like most people.” Some people at The Post-Standard thought of Smith as the “health police.” “When we had a potluck at the office, I did try to bring in healthy options and not just carrot sticks, because, who wants to eat carrot sticks? Actually, a lot of the healthier things went faster than the rich desserts.” In past years, as a group, print and electronic press personnel were not known for their healthy lifestyles. Rather, many if not most were renown for smoking, drinking and eating junk food. As the demographics at the Syracuse Newspapers changed, younger reporters and editors replaced their older counterparts. As a result, Smith says several changes occurred at The Post-Standard.

For example, an exercise room was constructed in the back of the building. Smith says treadmills, rowing machines and a large selection of workout videos were available. Also, a group including Smith ran regularly. Another group of people who walked was formed. Most of the junk food in the vending machines was replaced by healthier options. Even the paper’s cafeteria, Smith says, made concerted efforts to offer healthier food.

Staying active

Smith’s new office is located on Harrison Street in downtown Syracuse, just several blocks from the SUNY Upstate campus. As a result, Smith is retaining her membership at the YMCA that is literally around the corner and not joining the fitness program at Upstate’s Campus Activities Building. Also, if and when Smith has to be on the Upstate campus, she is most likely to walk the distance. She says it is good exercise and avoids the hassle of getting into her car, driving to the parking garage and trying to find a vacant spot. Besides, with just about everyone and everything connected by way of the Internet, one can be just about anywhere and remain in contact. While working for the Syracuse Newspapers, the transplanted Texan returned to school part-time and obtained a master’s degree in health services management and policy. Smith did that at a time when she was involved in a lot of stories regarding health maintenance organizations when they were new. As a result, Smith became involved in the business side of health care. Also, upon joining the newspaper, Smith became an emergency medical technician. Smith says she seriously considered becoming a paramedic. “I didn’t just cover health care,” Smith said. “It really truly has been a passion of mine along with journalism.” August 2011 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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obert Druger attended Nottingham High School in Syracuse. He earned good grades and he even took my introductory college biology course through the Syracuse University Project Advance program. This program offers introductory college courses in high schools for college credit. Robert’s academic achievement soared in high school after he encountered a former Olympic athlete. Robert would disappear after school for a few hours. I investigated and found out that the Olympian was a psychology graduate student at SU. His project was to motivate underachievers. His message was, “No matter what the task, do the best you can.” Robert had lots of respect for this Olympian, and his message had a very positive effect on Robert’s attitude and academic achievement. Robert graduated high school with 24 advanced credits through project advance and advanced placement courses. When he entered Syracuse University, an upper-classman friend urged him not to take easy courses, but to challenge his mind. He joined the honors program at SU and took the most challenging courses. He obtained degrees in biology and in chemical engineering and in psychology from SU. Because of his advanced course credits from high school, Robert took only one extra year to complete the three degree majors. I asked him what he was going to do when he graduated. His reply was, “I think everyone should have a medical degree.” So, he attended medical school at Stony Brook University, where he earned a Ph.D. in molecular biology and biochemistry as well as an M.D. degree. His Ph.D. research involved identifying genes and proteins associated with regeneration of the optic nerve in goldfish. He did a year internship in medicine at SUNY Stony Brook. He then completed a residency in ophthalmology at Washington University in St. Louis, a top rated program. He finished up spending some time working at a clinic in Arizona, and then returned to Syracuse. He practices general ophthalmology, including general eye exams and glasses, diabetic eye care and glaucoma. He sees patients of all ages and specializes in cataract surgery. He is accepting new patients and is covered by most medical insurances. His office is at: Medical Center West, Camillus, NY 13031. Phone: 315488-1601 Page 10

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Robert has always been involved in athletic activities. He was a member of the swimming team and the track team in high school; he is a black belt in Aikido (a martial art); and exercises regularly. He lives on a horse farm with his wife and three children. He helps care for horses, chickens, cats, dogs, rabbits and bees, and spends a lot of time driving his children from one activity to another. Robert is as attentive to his patients as he is to his wife and children. He calls his patients after surgery (a common practice), and I overheard some of his calls. His sincerity and caring were clearly evident. He has an active interest in life and learning. Unlike the old saying, Robert is a jack of all trades, and he also is a master of all trades.

A few quotes:

Q. What influenced you to choose ophthalmology rather than some other medical specialty? A. Of all the systems in the body, I find the eyes and vision to be the most fascinating. How we see things is very complex and highly specialized process. It is so complicated that I am not surprised when things go wrong, but I’m amazed that things even work properly in the first place to allow us to see. In the office I enjoy the ability to diagnose and treat patients without too much testing and lab work. Generally you can see things during the exam and then immediately diagnose and treat. In addition, I have become a cataract specialist. A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that happens to everyone. Cataract surgery is when the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with a clear lens. This allows people who come in with blurred vision from cataracts to see better almost instantly.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2011

It is a good feeling to be able to help people like that. Q. What experiences stand out in your mind as you think about your career pathway? A. I think I have a very diverse background, which helps me relate to all kinds of people and situations. Besides my educational background, I was lucky enough to travel when I as younger which exposed me to different cultures and types of people. Growing up I spent a year in Australia and summers in Europe. Later, I worked in Alaska in a salmon cannery during the summer. I also got married when I was a resident and now have three children. My wife Suzanne and my three kids, Aaron, Joshua and Rachel all keep me in line and help me appreciate every moment that I have. Also helpful to my work is the martial art of aikido, which I have been practicing for over 30 years at Aikido of Central New York. Aikido is a martial art that emphasizes blending with an attacker. It helps me keep focused and centered which is especially important during high stress situations, like performing cataract surgery. Q. What was the most difficult part of your career pathway? A. I think that no one portion of my career was more difficult than any other. I generally try to do my best in what I am doing and don’t think about the difficulty of things. I try and rely on what I call the “Principle of P.” No matter how difficult, you can succeed at anything with practice, positive attitude, persistence and patience. Q. What do you enjoy most about being a doctor? What do you like least? A. I enjoy being able to help others and help them see better. Vision is a

very important thing and I emphasize preventative maintenance to all my patients. A lot of vision problems can be prevented with regular eye exams and once vision is lost it is often gone forever. The things I enjoy the least are running and managing the office. There is really very little business training in medical school. Q. What plans do you have for the future? A. In the future I would like for my practice to continue to grow and allow me to help more patients keep their good vision. I would also like to travel and show my kids different things in the world. Q. What is cataract surgery all about? A. I have become a cataract specialist in my practice. Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. Cataract surgery involves the removal of the cloudy lens and replacing it with a lens implant. This surgery is a quick and painless operation where you are not even put to sleep. There is minimal recovery time. Cataract surgery allows people with blurred vision from cataracts to see better almost right away. In addition, the newer lens implants that are used allow patients who have had cataract surgery to see at distance and near without glasses. This is a great thing for people with glasses and blurry vision to have cataract surgery and see much better and not need glasses at all! I could go on and on describing this remarkable man, my son, the doctor—but I won’t. Marvin Druger is a professor emeritus at Syracuse University and writes the column “Druger’s Zoo” for 55 PLUS magazine. His email: mdruger@syr.edu. His son can be reached at 488-1601.

Aquatic Exercise for Lymphedema

CNY Obstetrics & Gynecology PC

Providing Comprehensive Care for All the Seasons of a Woman’s Life

By Kimberly Conboy

quatic exercise is well-known for its usefulness in the treatment of various musculoskeletal conditions; however, it is also beneficial in the treatment of lymphedema. Lymphedema is a disorder of the lymphatic system that results in an abnormal accumulation of lymphatic (protein-rich) fluid. Lymphedema is a chronic condition and, like other chronic conditions or diseases, it requires long-term management. Often individuals with lymphedema experience periods of time where their symptoms are not effectively controlled. Aquatic exercise offers an additional means to help control symptoms of swelling. Aquatic exercise utilizes the physical properties of water and active muscle contraction to maintain and reduce limb volume. It can also help to alleviate some of the discomfort that is often associated with lymphedema.

How aquatic exercise works to maintain and reduce limb volume

The hydrostatic pressure of water creates a compressive force that can increase the transport of lymphatic fluid. Water not only compresses the limbs, but other areas that are difficult to apply compression to including the chest wall and the axilla (underarm). When the affected body part(s) is submerged in the water it replaces the need to wear a compression garment. The viscosity of water provides resistance to movement, which promotes strengthening and movement of lymphatic fluid. Active movement in the water provides changes in pressure on the skin and can improve the pumping action of the lymphatic system. The buoyancy of water allows individuals with weakness and decreased mobility to exercise for longer periods of time than on land. The support of the water helps to relax muscles and makes movement easier and less painful. The temperature of the water is an important factor when exercising with lymphedema. It is recommended that water temperatures are kept between 86˚F and 94˚F as temperatures above

can worsen symptoms of lymphedema.

Important precautions when exercising in the water

Individuals with lymphedema are at a higher risk for developing infections, therefore skin care is crucial. Pool chemicals can cause your skin to become dry and cracked. After you exercise be sure to shower and apply moisturizing lotion. It is also necessary to stay hydrated because your body loses water in the pool. Drinking water as needed during and after exercise will prevent you from becoming dehydrated. Pool hygiene is important; do not exercise if you are incontinent, have an open wound or an active infection. If you have not participated in aquatic exercise it is beneficial to start an exercise program under the guidance of a physical therapist. Aquatic exercise for the treatment of lymphedema is beneficial when performed regularly. A typical session is 45-60 minutes long and is recommended at a frequency of two to three times per week. Aquatic exercise is best when used in conjunction with other treatments for lymphedema, including compression therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, skin care and a home exercise program. Many patients have difficulty managing lymphedema over the long-term. In the lymphedema program the more tools an individual has to manage their symptoms the more likely they are to succeed. Please contact St. Joseph’s Outpatient Physical Therapy at Northeast Medical Center, 329-7000 4401 or at Lyncourt Medical Center, 455-7203 to find out how you can benefit from aquatic exercise. Aquatic exercise is offered at both locations; Lyncourt Medical Center and Northeast Medical Center, with the Lymphedema Program at our Northeast office.

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Connie Caughey, NP meets one-on-one with our patients to support a healthy lifestyle. Connie offers a Smoking Cessation Program and works closely with our patients to encourage success. Individual Lactation Consultations help our mothers and babies learn to breastfeed with confidence. Our onsite La’ Petite Boutique offers our nursing mothers Medela Pumps and supplies at cost, Rentals and Nursing Bras.

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Kimberly Conboy is a physical therapist and a certiﬁed lymphedema therapist with St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center.

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Golisano pledges $20M to Children Hospital in Rochester Rochester entrepreneur, philanthropist, and champion of children’s health, B. Thomas Golisano, recently announced a $20 million gift to Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester — $2 million more than university and medical center leaders expected. With this gift, the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) announced plans to build a new $134 million Golisano Children’s Hospital dedicated to the care of sick and injured youngsters. “A new facility is necessary to keep pace with medical and technological advancements and meet the modern standards of a children’s hospital,” said Tom Golisano. “I am pleased to provide this gift to help construct a new, next-generation hospital to provide the highest quality care to children throughout the region.”

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“Tom’s gift will transform the way that children are cared for in upstate New York and it advances our ability to modernize Golisano Children’s Hospital for the 21st century,” said University of Rochester President Joel Seligman. This latest pledge brings Golisano’s total giving to the Children’s Hospital to $34 million, making him the University of Rochester’s most generous living donor. In addition, the Golisano Foundation has given $1.6 million to the University of Rochester’s Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities to establish the Institute for Innovative Transition. Golisano donated $6 million to Upstate Medical University in Syracuse to help build its children’s hospital bearing his name that opened in 2009.

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For hours and to make appointments visit www.questdiagnostics.com or call 1-800-LAB-TEST (1-800-522-8378) August 2011 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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My Turn

Ointments and other treatments

By Eva Briggs

Summer & Skin Problems

t the urgent care where I work, almost 25 percent of the patients who signed in this past weekend reported skin concerns. It’s no wonder, because summer provides the perfect ingredients for cooking up rashes: heat, humidity, plants, and insects. First, I’ll describe a case demonstrating an unusual rash that I see in a handful of patients of every year. A young boy had flat, brown patches around his mouth and on one forearm. They appeared at the same time, and there was a sharp border separating the rash from the adjacent normal skin. He also had the unusual habit of sucking on limes. The rash was phytophotodermatitis. This rash requires two key ingredients — a plant substance (phyto) and sunlight (photo).

Plants

Certain plants contain chemicals that, when exposed to sunlight, produce a rash in susceptible people. Common culprits are members of the Rutaceae family (which includes limes) and members of the Umbilliferae family (such as parsnips and carrots). Celery is another frequent cause. I learned in researching this article that it is not caused by the celery itself, but due to an infecting mold,Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Some cases of phytophotodermatitis are more severe, with blisters and

itching. An extreme case is the reaction to giant hogweed, an invasive species that is the black sheep of the Umbilliferae family. The juice of this plant, plus sunlight, can cause severe burns and blindness if it affects the eye. To the uninitiated this plant is attractive and interesting, towering up to 15 feet with flower heads up to 2.5 feet across. In fact, some neighbors (before any of us knew what it was) once grew it in their garden after spotting the fascinating plant along a roadside and gathering its seeds. Fortunately no one was hurt. Poison ivy and its close relative poison oak are the best-known rash producing plants. Don’t knock yourself out trying to decide which of these plants you may have touched, because they belong to the same plant genus (Toxicodendron) and produce the same chemical (urushiol).

Poison Ivy

The rash of poison ivy is an allergic contact dermatitis. Once someone develops a sensitivity to the plant, the body’s own overzealous immune response perpetuates the rash for days or weeks after the urushiol has been washed off. Even though it seems as if scratching spreads the rash, that’s not the case — unless the chemical hasn’t been washed off the skin. Urushiol is an oil, and soap works better than just rinsing with water to remove it.

For all but the mildest cases of poison ivy, the most effective treatment is a steroid taken by mouth to put the brakes on the run-away immune reaction. Topical steroids will help some, and Benadryl by mouth can help alleviate itching. What about other over-the-counter creams and ointments? There is no simple answer, because there are so many products. One key is to read the active ingredients so that you will know that you are applying. Often patients tell me that they have tried “everything” but that nothing works. On closer scrutiny they may have used four products, but all four contain the same or similar active ingredient. And if it’s the wrong match for the diagnosis, none will work. Be careful with creams that contain diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or neomycin (Neosporin), because both can cause rashes in some people. And don’t indiscriminately apply household chemicals to your skin. One recent patient turned a mild rash into an angry red area because he was wiping it with household cleaning wipes — despite package instructions to avoid skin contact. Heat and moisture provide ideal growing conditions for fungi, and Candida yeast skin infections are common in skin fold areas in summer weather. Susceptible people can reduce their risk by applying antifungal powder to moist areas. Summer is a mixed blessing for athlete’s foot sufferers. Sweaty feet promote the growth of foot fungi, but sandals that allow air circulation will promote healing in conjunction with an appropriate antifungal medicine.

wasps tend to become most ornery when it’s hot and dry. Most stings cause local reactions, with redness, warmth, pain, and swelling in the area around the bite. Although most bee stings get worse for 24-48 hours and then resolve over another 24-48 hours, about 10 percent of people have large local reactions. Large local reactions can be painful and scary, but they are not life threatening and don’t increase your risk of having a serious allergic reaction. Large local reactions can cause an entire hand or foot to swell, and last as long as 10 days. Applying ice and elevating the injured part above the level of the heart are the most effective treatments. True allergic reactions to bee stings are stings that cause a widespread reaction. Common symptoms are hives; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; wheezing; low blood pressure with dizziness; diarrhea and stomach cramps. A true allergic reaction to a bee sting is an emergency that should be treated in an emergency room. Anyone known to have a bee sting allergy should carry an epi-pen. Epinephrine wears off in 20 minutes but the allergic reaction may last longer, so anyone who uses an epi-pen must still seek emergency treatment.

Eva Briggs, a board-certiﬁed physician, works on the staff at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, in its two urgent care centers: one in Ithaca, and the other in Cortland.

Insects & Bees

Summer brings a plethora of insects. In particular, stinging bees and

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2011

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Boost Your Health with Blueberries

very once in a while, I encounter information about a certain food that prompts me to pick up the phone, call all my loved ones, and instruct — no, demand! — that they eat more of this food. That’s what happened with blueberries. Oh, I knew they were nutritious, all right — I just didn’t realize the scope. Since heart disease is the leading killer of men and women, let’s start with blueberry’s heart-healthy benefits. Blueberries are leaders in antioxidant activity, thanks to their high concentration of polyphenols (the same substances linked to cardiovascular benefits in tea, red wine, and chocolate). But there is one antioxidant in particular, anthocyanin, that has garnered real interest. According to a recent Nurses’ Health Study published in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,” participants who reported the highest intake of anthocyanin (mainly from blueberries and strawberries) had an 8 percent reduction in their risk of hypertension. In addition to lowering blood pressure, blueberries are also exceptionally good for aging brains. The latest research, presented by Dr. Shibu Poulose

or moldy berries to prevent the rest from spoiling. Place in covered container and store in refrigerator for 5 to 7 days. Don’t wash blueberries until right before eating or they will deteriorate faster. Freezing berries does not decrease nutritional value.

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Mixed Greens with Blueberries, Feta and Toasted Almonds

Adapted from Bon Appetit

at the American Chemical Society, concluded that eating blueberries, strawberries and açai berries activates the brain’s natural “housekeeper” mechanism, which cleans up and recycles toxic proteins linked to age-related memory loss and other mental decline. Produce markets, here I come! Equally delicious news: Eating blueberries benefits our bowels. Recently, scientists at Rutgers University and the U.S. Department of Health announced that a chemical compound in blueberries may help prevent colon cancer by decreasing inflammation and inhibiting the growth of cancerous cells. What’s more, blueberries’ high fiber content (4 grams per cup) helps keep us regular and our cholesterol in check. More good reasons to add blueberries to yogurt, cereal or green salads? Low in fat, cholesterol, sodium and calories (only 40 per half-cup), they’re packed with vitamin C and are an excellent source of manganese (good for bones!).

Helpful tips

Before storing, remove any crushed

1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon honey Salt and pepper, to taste 1 8-ounce bag mixed greens or baby arugula 1/2 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese 1 cup blueberries (or more) 1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted Whisk vinegar, oil and honey in small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Combine greens, feta, and blueberries in large bowl. Add dressing; toss to coat. Sprinkle with almonds and serve.

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.

Senior Living on Syracuse’s West Side One bedroom subsidized apartments for Seniors or those persons with long-term mobility impairments. On site manager and maintenance personnel in the building. Laundry, bus line, handicap accessible, elevator, security camera and emergency call systems. Rent is based on 30% of your adjusted gross income. Maureen Quirk, Manager 1700 W. Onondaga Street, Syracuse, NY 13204 Call 315-471-8427 Fax 315-474-1224 TDD/TTY: 1-800-662-1220 www.christopher-community.org providence@christopher-community.org

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August 2011 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 13

Golden Years

Assistive Listening Devices. Do They Work? By Jim Miller

ssistive listening devices (or ALDs) are very useful products that can help hearing-impaired people — with and without hearing aids — hear better!

your regular phone, or you can purchase an amplified telephone. Most amplified phones allow you to adjust the volume and tone for better clarity and they usually come with extra loud ringers and flashing ring indicators to alert you when a call is coming in. Listening Helpers Clarity (clarityproducts.com, 800-426ALDs are electronic amplifying de- 3738) and ClearSounds (clearsounds. vices that will let your husband or wife com, 888-965-9043) make a nice variety adjust the volume and tone so that he of these products with prices ranging can hear and understand the television, from $30 up to around $300. Hartelephone or other people speaking. It’s riscomm.com, teltex.com and soundalso important to know that these debytes.com are also good sites to shop. vices work best for people with mild to Or, see if your state has a specialized moderate hearing loss, you don’t need telecommunications equipment proa prescription to buy them, and they gram (see tedpa.org) which provides usually aren’t covered by insurance or free amplified phones. Medicare. If the amplified products don’t Here’s a breakdown of the different do the trick, another option is captypes of ALDs that can help. tion phones. These are telephones that have a built-in screen that will let your Telephone Amplifiers husband listen to the caller, as well as read written, word-for-word captions To improve hearing over the teleof everything the caller is saying. Go to phone there are a number of handset captel.com (or 800-233-9130), and click and in-line amplifiers you can add to

on your state to learn more.

TV Listening Systems

If hearing the television is a problem, a TV listening device will let your husband increase the volume and adjust the tone to meet his needs, without blasting out you or the rest of the family. The best devices available today are wireless infrared systems that come with a headset. Many of these devices work with radios and stereos too. Or, if your husband would rather not wear a headset, some systems offer a small speaker that can be placed by his chair, and many work with T-coil enabled hearing aids. TV Ears (tvears.com, 888-8833277) is one of the best products sold today with prices starting at $100.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2011

Alerting Devices

Depending on your husband’s needs, there are many different types of listening devices on the market, in all price ranges, that can help. For one-on-one and small group conversations, a pocketsized amplifier that comes with a small microphone and ear buds may do. Or, for a wider range of hearing capabilities consider FM listening devices. These are wireless products that can boost hearing in many difficult listening situations including auditoriums and lecture halls. FM devices come with a small microphone and transmitter placed on or by the person speak-

��

ing, and the listener wears a receiver that may be used with ear buds, earphones, or with T-coil enabled hearing aids when worn with a neck loop. Harriscomm.com and independentliving. com are two good sites for locating these types of products.

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There are also a variety of alerting devices that can help people who have trouble hearing the doorbell, alarm clock, telephone or smoke detector. These products use flashing lights, special multi-tone ringers or vibrating devices as a means to alert you. You can find these items at many of the websites previously listed, along with sonicalert. com and silentcall.com for around $50 to $150. For more information and assistance with ALDs, contact an audiologist or hearing instrument specialists (see howsyourhearing. org or ihsinfo.org to find one near you). They’re familiar with all these technologies and can help your husband choose the best products to meet his needs. Jim Miller is the author of Savvy Senior, a monthly column published by In Good Health. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org.

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Golden Years

Staying Active with Arthritis Exercise prescribed as good medicine for those afflicted with arthritis By Melissa Stefanec

eople with arthritis face physical challenges daily. Whether it’s getting up out of bed, climbing the stairs at work or another formerly mundane task, people living with arthritis often find everyday living a little more challenging. That’s why it may come as a surprise that people with arthritis can and should be exercising as much as any other person. It may seem a little counter intuitive, but for people living with arthritis more movement and exercise often hold the key to their long-term comfort. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two of the most common types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is usually a specific to an individual joint and Kemmis a product of wear and tear on the joint. It’s more common in individuals as they age. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects many joints in the body. Arthritis is especially common in older adults. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Riccardi Prevention report that about 50 percent of adults over 65 will have some form of doctor-diagnosed arthritis. No matter what kind of arthritis a person has, the advice to them is the same—exercise, exercise, exercise. “People with arthritis want to decrease activity because there is pain, but they will have fewer symptoms if they do not,” said Karen Kemmis, a physical therapist with Upstate Medical University. Exercising while living with arthritis has a lot of benefits. People with arthritis who exercise typically enjoy

increased flexibility, better range of motion and much less discomfort. They are often able to do daily activities with less pain and more vigor. People who don’t exercise but have arthritis end up having more functionality problems. “They’ll have gait disturbances and difficulties with balance, stairs, rising from chairs and doing activities in their daily lives,” said Patrick Riccardi, a rheumatologist at Arthritis Health Associates in Syracuse.

Work with a pro

When starting an exercise routine, the key for people who are living with arthritis is to work with a medical professional to design a regimen that meets their needs and doesn’t do further harm to their joints. Working out with the guidance of a medical professional is crucial to maintaining a higher quality of life. “Anyone can have an exercise program tailored to them and if they don’t their functional problems are going to be worse,” said Riccardi, who consults with patients at Crouse Hospital, Community General Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital Healthcare, all in Syracuse. If people with arthritis don’t exercise, they fall victim to a vicious cycle of muscle degeneration. They don’t work out because of the pain, but then their muscles start wasting away. This leads to increased stress on the joints and makes the symptoms of arthritis worse. People with arthritis who start exercise programs need to be extra mindful. They should avoid putting extra stress on the problem joint. Doing this can cause more harm than good. If they are working with a medical professional, that person will advise them on what exercises are low-impact and safe and what exercises to avoid. They should be on the look-out for warning signs such as swelling in the affected joint, redness around the joint or skin that is warm to the touch. “Pay attention to the joint and where the pain is,” said Kemmis. “If

you have a flare-up you may need to be more protective.” The key to a positive exercise experience for people with arthritis is to choose low-impact exercises. Running or competitive sports are out of the question for many people with arthritis, but there are still plenty of low-impact exercise options out there. Lowimpact exercise options such as brisk walking, light weight lifting, riding a stationary recumbent bike and water aerobics all come highly recommended from health professionals. Pool exercises are especially recommended because there is no impact or resistance. Any exercise will improve muscle and that will work magic for those with arthritis. For people living with arthritis, Riccardi offers a simple equation, “The stronger the muscles, the more range of motion and the better overall function.”

Opportunity to compare notes

Exercising, especially for seniors with arthritis, also offers another big benefit. It often offers an opportunity to get out of the house and socialize. Many local fitness centers offer classes specifically for people with arthritis and other diseases. This can offer seniors an opportunity to meet other people facing the same difficulties.

“It often becomes part of your lifestyle and gives you socialization with others in the same boat,” said Riccardi. People with arthritis who start an exercise program also have to have realistic expectations. If they are out of practice, there is going to be some difficulty getting back into the swing of physical activity. Health professionals recommend avoiding exercising first thing in the morning or late at night when joints are frequently the stiffest and most painful. Pain and discomfort should not be ignored, but people need to realize some muscle stiffness, aches and pains are inevitable. “When starting an exercise program you will have muscle stiffness, but it should eventually go away,” said Kemmis. “The key is to get prescribed exercises that increase muscle and do not harm the joint.” Health professionals recommend regular exercise for people with any degree of arthritis. They may only be able to do limited activities, but some exercise will always be better than none. “No matter what degree of arthritis you should have an exercise plan,” said Riccardi. “The overall benefits of exercise as we age cannot be stated enough.”

Why I Smile …

My headaches are gone! Do you suffer from chronic headaches that disrupt your personal life? Your head, neck or facial pain may be caused by a poor bite – the way your teeth come together. A dental problem like TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) could be causing your pain. If nothing you’ve tried has helped long term, perhaps it’s time to see a dentist.

Contact Smile Solutions by Drs. Kassab to set up an appointment for an evaluation or go to their web site for more information.

Drs. Juan and Dorothy Kassab of Smile Solutions can offer complete screening, and based on the findings, offer you treatment options.

August 2011 •

315-697-9287 www.smilesolutionsofcny.com IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 15

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More kids living with grandparents

100 Tokens for 100 Years Ruth Kitney was honored at the June 27 meeting of Oswego County Visually Impaired (O.C.V.I.) at Canale’s Restaurant in Oswego. She was celebrating her 100th birthday. She was presented with a special gift of 100 bus tokens from Oswego County Opportunities’ Transportation Services. Kitney is a regular rider of OCO Transportation, frequently using

Meet your

the Call-N-Ride service. In this photo, OCO Transit Services Coordinator Diane Shannon prepares to present Kitney with her gift. Call-N-Ride is a low-cost, curbto-curb transportation service for senior citizens and persons with special needs who are conducting medical, social or personal business in Oswego County. For more information, call 1-877-484-3287.

n 2009, 7.8 million children lived with at least one grandparent, a 64 percent increase since 1991 when 4.7 million children lived with a grandparent, according to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau. Among children living with a grandparent, 76 percent also were living with at least one parent in 2009, not statistically different from the 77 percent who lived with at least one parent in 1991. “The people with whom children live affect their well-being,” said Rose Kreider, a family demographer with the U.S. Census Bureau. “These statistics give us a lot of detail about the number of parents children live with, as well as whether they live with siblings, grandparents or other relatives.” These statistics released in July come from the household relationship module of the Survey of Income and Program Participation collected in 2009 and published in the report Living Arrangements of Children: 2009. In 1991, 5 percent of white, 15 percent of black and 12 percent of Hispanic children lived with at least one grandparent. By 2009, 9 percent of white, 17 percent of black and 14 percent of Hispanic children lived with at least one grandparent, a significant change for white children but not for black or Hispanic children. Many children who do not live with a parent live with a grandparent. More than half of the children liv-

ing with no parents were living with grandparents. Percentages for black children (64 percent) and non-Hispanic white children (55 percent) did not differ from Hispanic children (61 percent), but the percentage of Asian children living with no parents who lived with grandparents was lower, at 35 percent. In 2009, 69 percent of the 74.1 million children under 18 lived with two parents. Four percent (2.9 million) of all children lived with both a mother and father who were not married to each other. Between 1991 and 2009, children living with only their mother increased from 21 percent to 24 percent. The percentage of children living with their mother without a father present varied widely among race and origin groups in 2009, from 8 percent for Asian children to 50 percent for black children. Seventeen percent of non-Hispanic white children and 26 percent of Hispanic children also lived with their mother only.

care team… Professional Excellence, Compassionate Care…Close to Home. At Auburn Memorial Hospital, we respect that you have a choice of medical facilities. The decision is not one you take lightly…neither do the physicians who overwhelmingly refer their patients to us. When you are our patient, our highly qualiﬁed Care Team focuses on one thing: YOU. We take the time to understand your medical history and we personalize a care plan just for you. We strive to minimize your waiting time and give you priority treatment for acute conditions. AMH has invested in a state-of-the-art, ultra secure Electronic Medical Records system to seamlessly, instantly share your information among all members of your Care Team. That means you only tell your story once and your Care Team stays up-to-date on all aspects of your care. We are 800 staff members and 230 clinicians strong. We perform thousands of inpatient and outpatient procedures each year…focusing on one patient at a time. When you choose AMH, your Care Team provides professional excellence and compassionate care….close to home.

Auburn Memorial Hospital 17 Lansing Street, Auburn, New York 13021 P:315-255-7011

www.auburnhospital.org About the Care Team: The AMH Care Team of 800+ employees and 230+ clinicians perform thousands of inpatient and outpatient procedures each year. Our physicians are Board-certiﬁed in one or more specialties, including: Anesthesiology, Emergency Care, Medicine (including Allergy, Cardiology, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Family Practice, Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Nephrology, Neurology, Oncology/Hematology, Pulmonary Diseases), Oral Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pathology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Radiology (MRI & Nuclear Medicine), and Surgery (Bariatric, Ear, Nose & Throat, General, Orthopedic, Ophthalmology, Plastic Surgery, and Urology).

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2011

Golden Years

Seniors: Stay Cool Experts say seniors should drink plenty of fluids (water preferably), limit time in the sun and avoid any strenuous outdoor activity By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

s the mercury rises, the weather poses a real threat to seniors’ comfort and health. Spending hours in a sweltering home can even endanger an elderly person’s life. “Summer heat can present health issues to older adults if precautions aren’t taken,” said Lisa D. Alford, commissioner of the Onondaga Department of Aging and Youth. “Heat exhaustion is one major concern so we want seniors to be aware of heat safety tips.” In addition to the stress placed on the body by overheating, getting too warm can contribute to other health problems. “An older person Alford can be at big risk for fainting or getting dizzy and falling,” said Sharon Brangman, geriatrician with SUNY Upstate Medical University. Recovery from overheating and dehydration (which often contributes to overheating) is harder for elderly people, too. Older people are more prone to overheating than younger people for a variety of reasons. “Sweat glands may not function in the same way,” Brangman said. “Some medications impact fluid balance and blood pressure which can get Brangman affected when we’re hot. Blood pressure can drop when dehydrated.” Many seniors do not drink enough, especially when their bodies lose extra fluid during summer’s worst heat and may not realize they need more fluid. Drinking throughout the day can help prevent dehydration. That’s important since “fluids help determine your body’s temperature and cools the body by sweating,” said Matthew Kertesz, a dietitian practicing at Your

Health Your Choice in Camillus and consulting at Family Care Medical in Camillus. “Waiting till you are thirsty to drink is not recommended because that usually means you are already somewhat dehydrated,” he added. “Therefore, drinking some water every waking hour is important especially during the hot summer months.” The amount of water varies from person to person. Some need the standard six, 8 oz. glasses. “Fluids are also important to help in the ability of your kidneys to remove wastes so the best way to know if you are drinking enough water is to check your urine,” Kertesz Kertesz said. “Urine should be light yellow or colorless and odorless unless it is the first urine after getting up in the morning.” Drinking a few cups of coffee in the morning, a big glass of iced tea with lunch or an afternoon beer can work against efforts to drink enough fluids. “Limit caffeine and alcohol intake,

as these types of beverages increase dehydration and can make seniors more susceptible to heat,” Alford said. “Older adults should drink plenty of water throughout the day.” Instead of sugary and expensive sports drinks, flavoring a pitcher of water with lime or orange can keep it interesting. Kertesz recommends adding fresh lime, lemon, or orange slices to a pitcher of water, freezing juice in ice cube trays to add to a glass of water, or squeezing fresh strawberries or blueberries into a glass. Carrying prefilled or refillable water bottles everywhere help with hydration and staying cool. Despite the positive impact of staying hydrated, some seniors resist drinking extra fluids. “They may also be less likely to take precautions like drinking lots of fluids to stay hydrated because extra fluids mean extra trips to the bathroom, and many times seniors want to avoid extra exertion in the heat,” Alford said. Drinking most of the water before lunch can help avoid excessive trips to the bathroom during the night. Seniors watching their weight should stick with skim milk, limited amounts of 100-percent juice (not the August 2011 •

sugary “fruit cocktail” type of fruit drinks), and decaffeinated tea or coffee with sugar substitutes or else only a cup or two with sugar and cream mixed in. To stay cooler, seniors should avoid prolonged time in the sun from 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. and avoid engaging in any strenuous outdoor activity during this time. “Wearing lightweight, light-colored loose-fitting clothing that allows for adequate air circulation is vital,” Alford said, “Especially while outdoors. Always wear sunscreen when outdoors as well.” Seniors with an air conditioner should use it during the hottest parts of the day and set it below 75 degrees. Although they do tend to use less electricity and may offer a little comfort, fans don’t lower the temperature of a room. For those without an air conditioner, spending the hottest parts of the day in a place that does will help, such as a shopping mall, library, senior center, community center, or friend or relative’s home. The Onondaga Department of Aging and Youth maintains a list of airconditioned senior centers. For more information, call (315) 435-2362.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 17

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He’s always been there for us... “When dad suffered a stroke, it was devastating. We wanted him to live with us, but with both of us at work during the day we didn’t know where to turn. Thank goodness for St. Camillus.” The Adult Day Health Center at St. Camillus offers a medical day program with nursing services, rehabilitation therapies, personal care, case management and recreational socialization. The Center is open Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 4 pm. Wheelchair-accessible transportation, audiology/hearing aids and spiritual support services are also available. For more information on The Adult Day Health Center at St. Camillus, or to make a referral or schedule a tour of the program, please call:

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2011

The Social Ask Security Ofﬁce By Deborah Banikowski, District Manager in Syracuse.

People With A Disability Can Get a Ticket To Work

illions of Americans receive disability benefits from Social Security and there could be good news for many of those who want to work. A free and voluntary program called Ticket to Work gives individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security disability benefits access to meaningful employment while maintaining control over benefit choices. Ed Bairos, a farmer and mechanic, went back to the work he loved with the help of the Ticket program. He began receiving SoBanikowski cial Security disability benefits after suffering from severe arthritis, complicated by a knee injury that would require 20 surgeries. He was concerned about losing the cash payments and health care he needed to survive and worried that employers might not want to hire him. Then Bairos learned about the Ticket to Work program when he received a notice in the mail from Social Security. The notice was a “ticket” that Bairos could use with an employment network of his choosing. Employment networks are organizations that offer specialized services such as career counseling, job search assistance, vocational rehabilitation and training.

Q&A

Q: What should I do if an employee gives me a Social Security number but cannot produce the card? A: Seeing the card is not as important as putting the correct information on the worker’s Form W-2. You can verify employee Social Security numbers by using the Social Security Number Verification Service. Just go to www.socialsecurity.gov/bso. This online service allows registered employers to verify employee Social Security numbers against Social Security records for wage reporting purposes. If the employee recently applied for a Social Security number but does not yet have a card when you must file the paper Form W-2, enter the words “Applied for” on the Form W-2. If you are filing electronically, enter all zeros (e.g., 000-00-0000) in the Social Security number field. When the employee receives the card, file Copy A of Form W-2C, Corrected Wage and Tax Statement with Social Security to show the employee’s number. Q: How can I estimate my retirement benefit at several different ages?

Bairos decided to use his ticket with an employment network and returned to work. He continued to receive health care and cash benefits because of work incentives, which are special considerations that make it easier for beneficiaries to explore whether going back to work is right for them. Pleased with Bairos’ industry knowledge and skills as a farm manager, his employer gave him a promotion and a raise. Now he is self-sufficient, working for another division within the company. Bairos earns more money than he would have by relying solely on disability benefits. By using his Ticket, Bairos’ medical reviews were put on hold and he is eligible to receive Medicare coverage for up to eight and a half years after discontinuing his disability payments. “Returning to work has made me whole again, especially being able to work in the area that I love. My selfesteem was at its lowest when I wasn’t working and on disability. Returning to work not only improved my self-worth but also my financial wealth. The Ticket to Work program and the ability to keep my Medicare was the reason I was able to return to work,” he said. If you receive Social Security or SSI benefits due to disability, are between 18 and 64 years old and want to work, getting started is easy. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/work for more information on the Ticket to Work program and work incentives. You also may call (866) 968- 7842 (TDD (866) 833-2967) to learn how going back to work may affect your benefits. A: It’s easy! Use our Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/ estimator to get a retirement benefit estimate based on current law and real time access to your earnings record. It’s also available in Spanish at www. segurosocial.gov/calculador. Q: If both my spouse and I are entitled to Social Security benefits, is there any reduction in our payments because we are married? A: No. We calculate lifetime earnings independently to determine each spouse’s Social Security benefit amount. When each member of a married couple meets all other eligibility requirements to receive Social Security retirement benefits, each spouse receives a monthly benefit amount based on his or her own earnings. Couples are not penalized because they are married. If one member of the couple earned low wages or failed to earn enough Social Security credits (40) to be insured for retirement benefits, he or she may be eligible to receive benefits as a spouse based on the spouse’s work record. Learn more about spouse benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/yourspouse.htm.

By Jim Miller

How to Find Affordable Dental Care Dear Savvy Senior, Where can seniors turn to find affordable dental care? I had dental insurance through my work for many years but lost it when I retired. What can you tell me? Flossing Frank Dear Frank, Very few U.S. retirees have dental insurance today. Without coverage from traditional Medicare, and with private dental insurance typically costing too much to be feasible, most seniors are stuck paying full out-ofpocket prices every time they visit a dentist. While there’s no one simple solution to affordable dental care there are a variety of options that can help cut your costs. Here’s what you should know. Dental Discounts

One way you may be able to trim your dental care cost is by simply asking your dentist for a senior discount, especially if you’re paying up front. Out-of-pocket payers save the dentist’s office the cost and hassle of filing an insurance claim, so asking for a small 10 percent discount is not unreasonable. Another cost-effective way to reduce your dental expenses is to join a dental discount network. How this works is you pay an annual membership fee — roughly $80 to $200 a year — in exchange for 15 to 50 percent discounts on service and treatments from participating dentists. To find a network, go to dentalplans.com (or call 888-632-5353) where you can search for plans and participating dentists by zip code, as well as get a breakdown of the discounts offered. Brighter (brighter.com, 866-8931694), which launched in May in all states except Florida, Montana and Vermont, is another discounted dental service you should check out. It gives subscribers access to a network of 25,000 dentists offering 20 to 60 percent discounts on cleanings, crowns, implants, root canals and other procedures. You can sign up for a free one-month plan or opt for the premium plan, which costs $79 per year for individuals and families.

Low-Cost Care

Another way to get dental care at a lower price is at a dental school clinic. Almost every dental school in the U.S. [including

the Eastman Dental, part of the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester] offers affordable care provided by dental students who are overseen by experienced, qualified teachers. You can expect to pay as little as a third of what a traditional dentist would charge and still receive excellent, well-supervised care. And for low-cost teeth cleanings, check with local colleges that offer dental hygiene programs. For training purposes, many programs provide teeth cleanings by their students for a fraction of what you’d pay at a dentists office. To locate dental schools or dental hygiene programs in your area visit www.ada.org/267.aspx.

Low Income Care

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

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You can help with an exciting new program here in Onondaga County. • Work with other youth, parents and community members as part of the Community Advisory Council • Join the Youth Task Force (ages 10-21) • Schedule a program for your youth group For more information visit www.reachcny.org or call Jane at 424-0009 ext. 111.

Accepting New Patients

Savvy Tip

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

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

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2011

• “A lot of people think podiatry is caring for nails, corns and calluses, but it’s so much more than that. • “It’s the surgical care of foot and ankle disorders. It’s like any other medical specialty. • “A dermatologist deals only with skin and we deal only with feet. It’s a very specific sub-specialty. • “Electronic records will help coordinate patient care better between podiatrists and primary care physicians and other specialists. • “When in the waiting room, people should be patient. • “They should show up early

because we have questionnaires, insurance paperwork and other things to fill out before we can see them. It can take a while to fill all that out. • “If they don’t bring in their information like previous medical records and insurance cards and information, it makes things less efficient. • “Sometimes people don’t listen to what you say as a doctor. You get patients who are intimidated or who don’t understand or who don’t listen. If someone accompanies them to the visit, that helps. If you’re the patient, you’re not sufficiently listening because you’re distracted during the visit being in pain or wanting to know what will happen next.” Marc A. Grosack, podiatrist and owner of Oswego County Podiatry with offices in Oswego, Fulton, and Oneida • “Wash your feet and wear clean socks, if possible. • “If you are elderly or handicapped, please bring someone with you to help you understand the information being provided. • “Bring current medication list. • “Give us a good history of the current problem. Please don’t think ‘you are the doctor, you tell me.’ We are on the same team and we want to help you. • “Bring any orthotics you may have and wear older shoes because they have a wear pattern which may help diagnose the problem. • “Be familiar with your insurance policy. We will try to help you as much as possible but you have the contract with your insurance company and we can’t know about every specific policy.” Douglas Dickson, podiatrist in private practice in Fulton

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

SUNY Upstate’s

BIG PUSH It acquired Community General Hospital in July; it’s expanding its outreach to the Watertown-Fort Drum area; and it’s in the midst of building a a ﬁve-story $74-million cancer center. What’s the vision behind all this expansion? We spoke with CEO John McCabe By Lou Sorendo

t’s on a mission. That’s what one can fairly say about SUNY Upstate Medical University, an institution that steadily continues to grow and expand in Central New York. SUNY Upstate is already the largest employer in the region, and now looks to become even more prominent on the healthcare and economic development scenes. It employs close to 8,000 people. John McCabe is senior vice president for hospital affairs and CEO of SUNY Upstate Medical University. He has been in these positions for more than two years and has been at SUNY Upstate for 24 years. If one looks at the campus as a whole, it is a university that is an educational and research institution as well as a place for clinical care. “If we focus on the clinical piece, we really have a vision of being more of a regional academic medical center,” McCabe said. The vision encompasses a broad region that stretches from Canada to Pennsylvania and from Albany to

Rochester. “That includes both providing and assisting in providing clinical care, includes helping to establish the appropriate workforce in those areas to meet patient needs, and to assist in education in those areas to the extent that we can,” he said. McCabe said some the most recent developments at SUNY Upstate fit comfortably within its long-range strategic plan. Following a year of planning, the acquisition of Community General Hospital by SUNY Upstate recently became official. On July 7, the 306-bed hospital on Broad Road in Syracuse became Upstate University Hospital at Community General. In addition, SUNY Upstate is expanding its educational outreach to the Watertown/Fort Drum area. “It takes us from being just a tertiary care hospital to being more of a healthcare system,” McCabe said. “Certainly things like the Community General acquisition are part of that.”

A ‘win-win’

The acquisition is a “win-win” for both institutions, according to McCabe. “From our perspective, we need the capacity. From Community General’s perspective, it was not going to survive in business without some change,” he noted. McCabe said the acquisition “allows us to get more capacity at the Adams Street site, which will allow us to serve more patients both locally and regionally who are in high need of high-end tertiary specialties and subspecialties, many of which can only be accessed in Syracuse.” “In the very short term, the obvious challenge is integrating some services between Community General and here. That’s project No. 1 at the moment,” he said. Both facilities are acute care hospitals, with SUNY Upstate operating on more of a tertiary level, McCabe said. Tertiary care is specialized consultative health care, usually for inpatients and on referral from a primary or secondary health professional.

Upstate University Hospital CEO John McCabe, M.D., speaks to reporters after the ceremony marking Upstate’s acquisition of Community General Hospital July 7. August 2011 •

“We have gone from a four-hospital to a three-hospital city, which by itself presents some opportunity for consolidation for some efficiencies that wouldn’t be there in a four-hospital system,” he said. The Community General campus and the Adams Street campus are now in the same system as far as broad oversight for quality, he added. “We have preserved a community asset,” McCabe said in regards to the sustaining infrastructure and availability of care in the area that Community General serves. “Even before the acquisition, there were a number of places where we stepped in and helped support the private practice of medicine at Community General,” he said. The same hospitalists have been at both sites even prior to the acquisition, while each also shares intensivists. Intensivists are board-certified physicians who are additionally certified in the subspecialty of critical care medicine. In addition, emergency department physicians are also the same at both institutions. “We stepped in and provided cardiology services when they were disappearing,” he said. In the near future, a newly established neurology practice will be available at the Community General campus. “Those are examples early on of ways in which availability and quality of care is going to be improved as a result of the acquisition,” McCabe said.

Laying out a plan

McCabe said the focus of the strategic plan is on things that are already apparent, such as children’s care at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. “The facility has been helpful in recruiting. You can see that in the many pediatric specialties and subspecialties, which are much more robust then they were prior,” McCabe said. “It’s concentrated pediatric care in the region, which is important.” McCabe said SUNY Upstate has managed to “put pediatric care in a pediatric environment.” “The design, construction and fact that there is school and family space there are all important things,” he added. “We have outstanding pediatric surgeons and we have pediatric urologists once again. It’s been very helpful for kids in the region,” he added. The strategic plan focus also includes oncology services with the new Upstate Cancer Center being constructed. SUNY Upstate is constructing a five-story, $74-million facility that will integrate all of the university’s outpatient cancer services—pediatric and adult—under one roof. The center is expected to open in September 2013. McCabe said the cancer pulls together many services that already exist but places them into a single environment. “It will be more patient-friendly and gets to the issue of not only the medical care you provide but how you care about the people,” he added. He said the facility will be equipped to take care of patients better. In addition, it will feature disease-oriented space with multiple specialists on hand in the same location. Also featured will also be amenities that recognize the difficulty that patients and families go through during cancer treatment. For instance, a healing garden is

Continued on page 22

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U.S News & World Report ranks Upstate University Hospital as top hospital in Syracuse metro region Ranking also highlights Upstate’s care in specialty areas of cancer; ear, nose and throat; kidney disorders; and urology

U SUNY Upstate’s

BIG PUSH Continued from page 21

planned as well as places for yoga and massage. There will also be special space for pediatric patients given that SUNY Upstate is the only site regionally which takes care of cancers and blood disorders in children. McCabe said the cancer center will also introduce new technology to the region. For instance, there will be a combined MRI-operating suite in the building that will allow patients to go back and forth from the MRI to the operating table. SUNY Upstate also provides trauma and rehabilitation care, and features the only orthopedic trauma center in the region. On the stroke and cardiovascular disease front, the university touts state-designated stroke center status as well as its new Heart and Cardiovascular Institute, which was a major investment over the last several years, McCabe noted. Lastly, the Joslin Diabetes Center at SUNY Upstate rounds out the number of unique services in the region that “we will continue to focus on,” McCabe said.

Northward bound

SUNY Upstate is also planning to enhance its presence in the North Country, including the Watertown/ Fort Drum areas. The move northward has been prompted primarily by the need for services in that region, McCabe said. “One example that we often cite is our department of psychiatry and its trips to Fort Drum on a regular basis to address mental health issues in the military,” he said. “We have the expertise and it is part of providing services in that broad geography that we look at as a regional academic center.” On the educational side of the ledger, McCabe said a satellite camPage 22

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SUNY Upstate is largely self-sufficient. “Some people think of us as a state hospital getting infusions of state cash every day,” McCabe said. However, especially now that Community General has been acquired, “Under 2 percent of my budget comes from state subsidies,” he added. pus in the North Country is a distinct He said the majority of revenue possibility. comes in the form of private and “There are some planning grant governmental insurance, grants and dollars that have come to the campus contracts. and there has been discussion about “The state doesn’t provide a whole what would make most sense to config- lot in terms of dollar support,” he said. ure there, whether it is a clinical camWhat are the chances for additional pus or sub-training programs establish- state assistance in the future? ing family medicine training programs “Probably just south of zero,” he in the region. All of those things are said. currently being looked at,” he said. “Given the economic realities, the McCabe said nationwide, workstate is not going to be pouring more force issues in the rural environment dollars into SUNY hospitals,” he said. are “very difficult.” “If anything over time we’ll see “We have a model in Binghamton less. Again, that’s the reason we are for a clinical campus and looking north, thinking out five years and seeking there is probably a lot of similarity in ways to support ourselves better in the geography and population,” he the face of declining state support,” he noted. said. McCabe said it is once again part of a regional strategy to not only look Good vibes at healthcare needs but education and McCabe said morale at both SUNY workforce needs over time. Upstate and the new Upstate Univer“We have the campus talking in sity Hospital at Community General is Watertown about establishing some high as a result of recent developments. sort of outposts there as well.” Before the transaction closed in July, McCabe joined Tom Quinn, presiManaging in tough times dent and CEO of Community General, “I always say the hospital busiin a tour of every hall at Community ness is tough in New York state, and General. it’s even tougher in down economic “There was excitement among times,” he said. “We really look at people for joining a bigger system” and meeting the regional need and expand- the job security that comes with that, ing as our way to stay ahead of whatMcCabe said. ever recessionary or state downturns He noted there is also a “sense there are.” of pride” among SUNY Upstate staff McCabe said if you look at the knowing they will be taking care of the 20-county region which SUNY Upstate kinds of patients that have complex serves, it is “meds and eds,” or medihealth issues or patients that no one cine and education, which is sustaining else will take care of. the region. Also, there is excitement regard“We think it will continue to do ing bringing in specialty services in an so,” he noted. educational environment where doc“There are challenges, particularly tors are being trained. as more folks are unemployed which “All of that creates a very positive creates reimbursement challenges and environment,” he said. “So day to day, creates hardship for them as well,” he those are the things that people focus said. “But growth seems to be the key on. They see the expansion, growth and for us.” renovations within the hospital. ActuMcCabe said from a state perspec- ally, it is just a very exciting place to be tive, it is important to remember that right now.”

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2011

pstate University Hospital has been ranked as the No. 1 hospital in the Syracuse metro region in U.S. News & World Report’s 2011-12 Best Hospitals rankings, available online at www. usnews.com/besthospitals. The rankings, annually published by U.S. News for the past 22 years, will also be featured in the U.S. News Best Hospitals guidebook, which will go on sale Aug. 30. Upstate was the only hospital in Syracuse region to be ranked by the news outlet. U.S. News also recognized Upstate for its care in the specialty areas of cancer; ear, nose and throat; kidney disorders; and urology. “This recognition reflects the outstanding efforts and dedication of the Upstate medical staff in providing outstanding care to our patients and their families,” said John McCabe, chief executive officer of Upstate University Hospital. “The recognition of our specialty areas further validates the hard work and commitment so many have made to enhance care for patients throughout this region.” Hard numbers stand behind the rankings in most specialties—death rates, patient safety, procedure volume, and other objective data, according to U.S. News. Responses to a national survey, in which physicians were asked to name hospitals they consider best in their specialty for the toughest cases, also were factored in. The rankings cover 16 medical specialties and all 94 metro areas that have at least 500,000 residents and at least one hospital that performed well enough to be ranked. The latest rankings showcase 720 hospitals out of about 5,000 hospitals nationwide. Each is ranked among the country’s top hospitals in at least one medical specialty and/or ranked among the best hospitals in its metro area. The core mission of Best Hospitals is to help guide patients who need an especially high level of care because of a difficult surgery, a challenging condition, or added risk because of other health problems or age. “These are referral centers where other hospitals send their sickest patients,” said Avery Comarow, U.S. News Health Rankings Editor. “Hospitals like these are ones you or those close to you should consider when the stakes are high.”

H ealth News Dr. Lynn Cleary elected to board of examiners The National Board of Medical Examiners7 (NBME7) announced that physician Lynn M. Cleary was elected to a two-year term as its treasurer. The election occurred at the annual meeting of the NBME membership in April. Cleary serves as vice president for academic affairs and senior associate dean for education at SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Medicine. She has been associated with NBME since 1995 and has been actively involved in test development activities for the NBME and the United States Medical Licensing Examination7 (USMLE7) for more than 10 years. She has Cleary served as chairwoman of the USMLE Step 2 committee and the John P. Hubbard award committee, and served on the USMLE Step 2 test material development committee for medicine. The NBME is an independent, nonprofit organization that provides highquality examinations for the health professions. Protection of the health of the public through state-of-the-art assessment is the mission of the NBME, along with a major commitment to research and development in evaluation and measurement.

Loretto has new human resources VP Jonathan M. Cooper has been appointed as Loretto’s corporate vice president of human resources. He has more than 20 years of experience in the field. Formerly of Dallas, Cooper worked since 2004 as vice president of human resources, training, organizational development and corporate services for MedicalEdge Healthcare Group, one of the largest healthcare provider delivery organizations in the Southwest. There he approached the management of human resources with special emphasis on the importance of the individual. That approach led his Cooper organization to repeatedly being named one of the “Best Places to Work” by the Dallas Business Journal. “Jonathan will be a powerful advocate for collaboration among Loretto’s staff,” said Sally Berry, Loretto’s interim president and CEO. “His commitment to excellence will help Loretto continue to transform elder care in Central New York.” Loretto’s corporate vice president of human resources serves almost two thousand employees throughout the organization’s nearly two-dozen elder care sites in Central New York. Cooper is a native of Utica, where he spent his undergraduate career at State University of New York, Utica. He holds a Master’s of Public Administration in government and organiza-

tional development from Golden Gate University in San Francisco.

Dental practice renames itself, hires new dentist Dentist Daniel Dufera has recently joined the practice of Mark D. Dropkin, DDS, PC at 7000 E. Genesee St. in Lyndon Office Park. The practice, Dropkin Dental, has been renamed as Fayetteville Dental Associates, PLLC, part of the Northeast Dental Group, LLC. The practice offers general and cosmetic dentistry. “I am delighted to welcome Dr. Dufera as my associate,” Dropkin said. “This allows us to serve our patients better and has enabled us to expand our hours to better meet patients’ busy schedules. And Dufera we’re gladly accepting new patients. Dufera has worked most recently in Central New York offices of the Northeast Dental Group, PLLC (NDG), and practiced at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. Hew earned his degree as a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University Dropkin of Maryland Dental School. Dropkin established the practice in 1972. He earned his dental degree from the New York University College of Dentistry and he has been an active member of the New York State Dental Association Fifth District Dental Society since 2001. He has also served as president of the Onondaga County Dental Society, is a member of the faculty at SUNY Upstate Medical University in the department of surgery/division of dentistry. He has also earned honors as a fellow in both the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Honorary fellowship in this academy is awarded to individuals who have made a valuable contribution to the advancement of the Art and Science of Dentistry or to the Academy.

The Manor names new director of nursing The Manor at Seneca Hill, Oswego Health’s skilled nursing facility, has hired Esther Field as director of nursing. Field has nearly 20 years of experience in long term care, having held various positions from certified nurse aide, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, nursing supervisor, and staff development coordinator, to her most recent position of wellness coordinator at Camillus Ridge Terrace, an assisted living facility. “We were fortunate to have several qualiField fied applicants for this

key position,” said Oswego Health Vice President and The Manor’s Chief Operating Officer Maureen Annal. “Esther’s leadership and clinical skills quickly stood out from the other candidates and I knew she was the right choice to lead our nursing team at The Manor.” In addition to working in the healthcare field, Field has shared her clinical skills with students for many years. Field has taught the certified nursing aide course. As The Manor’s director of nursing, Field will manage the nursing staff, and will oversee the delivery of care to both the residents and those seeking rehabilitation services following a stroke, accident, injury or extended hospital stay.

Mental health practice to reopen in new location Integrative Counseling Services, PLLC, under the direction of Jodi A. Mullen has recently re-opened its office in the Cicero Professional Building, located at 6221 Route 31 Cicero. Integrative Counseling Services is a mental health service provider that has been in operation since 2004. Counsel-

ors offer a variety of services including play therapy for children; adolescent and adult individual counseling; and couples, marriage, and family counseling. Integrative Counseling Services participates with numerous health insurance providers and features flexible scheduling opportunities. “We are thrilled to expand and better serve our surrounding community,” says Mullen. “Our larger office will allow us to provide services to many more people.”

Dr. Maria Perez joins Northeast Dental Group Maria Perez has joined Northeast Dental Group, LLC (NDG) to practice general dentistry, starting Aug. 1. She will succeed Dr. Eric Francis in practice at the practice’s Central Square office Perez earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University at Buffalo. She also speaks both Spanish and English. “I am excited to be an associate in the Northeast Dental group and look forward to serving our patients in Central Square,” Perez said. NDG general dentistry offices include Canalview Dental Associates, Fulton; Cicero Dental Associates, and

VNA Systems, Inc. appoints new president and CEO M. Kate Rolf has been named VNA Systems, Inc.’s new president and chief executive officer. The system is the the parent of sister agencies Independent Health Care Services, Inc.; The VNA Foundation of Central New York; and the Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, Inc.; as well as affiliate agency CCH Home Care & Palliative Services, Inc. Collectively employing nearly Rolf 300 employees, the agencies served over 1,000 patients throughout Onondagag County in June alone. “The future of VNA Systems, Inc. now belongs to Kate. Her educational background and professional leadership experience coupled with her enthusiasm and commitment to provide a full continuum of care to our community make her the ideal candidate to lead the System into the future,“ said Rolf’s predecessor, Indi L. Shelby, who served the system for more than 25 years. Rolf has over 15 years of leadership experience and most recently served as executive director of home care services of Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica, where she oversaw the home care service line, which includes a certified home health agency with a long term home health care program (Visiting Nurse of Utica and Oneida County), a licensed home care serAugust 2011 •

vices agency with durable medical equipment (Mohawk Valley Home Care), and a managed long term care plan (Senior Network Health). In addition to experience in home care, Rolf has extensive experience in long term care services. She is also an active member in a number of diverse community organizations. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Home Care Association of New York State and was recently appointed to the Medicaid Redesign Team’s Managed Long Term Care Plan Work Group that is examining New York state’s policies regarding mandatory enrollment of dually eligible individuals in need of long term care services into care coordination models. Rolf holds a New York state nursing home administrator license as well as a home care executive certification and has been presented with several awards for her leadership capabilities. She earned both her Master of Science degree in health services administration and Master of Business Administration in technology management from the SUNY Institute at Utica/Rome. Rolf’s presidency coincides with the appointment of a vice presidential team designed to assist with the leadership transition. The team is comprised of Gail G. Carmichel, vice president of clinical operations; Timothy E. Carroll, vice president for systems management/ chief information officer; and Lynn M. Holstein, executive vice president/chief operating officer.

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H ealth News Central Square Dental Associates.

com/OrthoNOW.

Upstate opens orthopedic walk-in clinic

State bill to expand coverage for autism

OrthoNow!, the region’s only evening and weekend orthopedic walk-in program, is the newest initiative of Upstate Orthopedics of Upstate Medical University. It offers immediate medical care to people of all ages who have nonemergent orthopedic injuries, such as sprains, breaks, dislocations, and sports injuries. OrthoNow! is located at the Upstate Bone and Joint Center, 6620 Fly Road, suite 100 in E. Syracuse. It is open Monday through Friday, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Board certified orthopedic providers, including an orthopedic surgeon, nursing staff, x-ray personnel and a physician assistant/nurse practitioner, staff OrthoNow! “Patients undoubtedly benefit from seeing an orthopedic specialist as soon as a sprain, strain, fracture or sports injury occurs, plus we have in-house digital X-ray immediately available,” said Lisa DaRin, administrative director for Upstate Orthopedics. “If followup care is needed, we offer our patients immediate access to orthopedic specialists if they do not have their own orthopedic provider.” OrthoNow! accepts most major insurances and charges the same co-pay as a doctor’s office. Medical information is shared with the patient’s primary care provider upon request. OrthoNow! is not for chronic orthopedic problems, second opinions, pain medication refills or more serious injuries such as open fractures, spine injuries, or head trauma. To contact OrthoNow!, call 1-855-6784666 or visit www.upstateorthopedics.

Assemblyman Will Barclay (R,C,IPulaski) recently co-sponsored Assembly bill 6305-A, which expands healthinsurance coverage for the screening, diagnosis and treatment of autismspectrum disorders. “This law clarifies what insurance companies need to cover for autism. Families should not have to worry about whether their insurance covers treatments when a loved one is in need,” said Barclay. Insurance companies cannot exclude autism and its treatment but current state law fails to consider the specific costs related to autism when determining coverage eligibility. Patients and families are sometimes faced with gaps in treatment coverage that can cost upwards of $50,000 per year. According to the assemblyman, his bill would expedite diagnosis and treatment by providing insurance parity for autistic individuals by requiring equitable coverage of the disorder from insurance companies.

North Medical lab recognized for quality North Medical Laboratory, Fayetteville has met all criteria for laboratory accreditation by COLA, a national healthcare accreditation organization. Accreditation is given only to laboratories that apply rigid standards of quality in day-to-day operations, demonstrate continued accuracy in the performance of proficiency testing, and pass a rigorous on-site laboratory sur-

St. Joseph’s Executive Chef Earns Prestigious Certiﬁcation St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center’s Executive Chef Jeffrey S. Mitchell recently became a certified culinary administrator (CCA). This certification is given to an executivelevel chef who is responsible for the administrative functions of running a professional food service operation. He is the only CCA in the Central New York region and the only certified executive chef working in health care. Since he joined St. Joseph’s nutritional services last year, he has led the implementation of an exhibition cooking station in the hospital cafeteria and has improved patient food quality and presMitchell entation standards. “Chef Mitchell’s talents are helping us continue to expand our food offerings in the cafeteria and Page 24

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throughout the hospital,” said James Nicolosi, director of nutritional services for St. Joseph’s. “As we move closer to completion of our new kitchen and room service model throughout the hospital, he is helping ensure we are offering guests the best blend of nutrition and flavor.” Mitchell has 25 years experience in the hospitality industry, across 11 states and four countries. He has been employed by threeand four-diamond hotels, a luxury resort, businesses, higher education and the health care sector. His talents have garnered attention in restaurant reviews, several local newspapers, one national magazine and several of the Culinary Institute of America’s quarterly newsletters. Mitchell obtained a certificate in hotel and restaurant management from Maryland’s Anne Arundel Community College Center of Applied Technology North and graduated from New York’s Culinary Institute of America. He became a certified executive chef in 2009.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2011

vey. In addition, award recipients must demonstrate successful proficiency testing for the prior three testing events and have no valid complaints against the laboratory. North Medical Laboratory, Fayetteville has earned COLA accreditation as a result of a long-term commitment to provide quality service to its patients. “It is an honor to receive this award granted by COLA for laboratory excellence. Our staff works diligently with the constant focus on providing our patients with the best laboratory medicine possible. We take great pride in contributing to quality, accessible healthcare in Central New York,” said Patti Poletto, director of laboratory services. COLA is a nonprofit, physician-directed organization promoting quality and excellence in medicine and patient care through programs of voluntary education, achievement, and accreditation.

MRI services at Auburn hospital gets accreditation American College of Radiology’s Committee on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has recently granted accreditation to the MRI services located at Auburn Memorial Hospital in Auburn. The American College of Radiology (ACR) awards accreditation to facilities for the achievement of high practice standards after a peer-review evaluation of its practice and services. In addition, image quality and procedure evaluations are conducted by board-certified radiologists and medical physicists who are experts in the field. The program also evaluates personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures and quality assurance programs. According to Scott A. Berlucchi, Auburn Memorial Hospital President/ CEO, “this is a voluntary and vigorous review process that our facility has gone through to ensure that we meet nationally accepted standards of care in order to provide safe, high quality MRI services to our community.”

RSVP of Madison County recognized by the IRS RSVP of Madison County’s Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program was recognized in 2011 by the IRS with the Community Service Leadership award for 20 years of dedicated tax preparation service. Dietra D. Grant, IRS territory manager, and Shelly Willette, relationship manager, IRS wage and investment division-SPEC presented the award at the annual TCE program recognition dinner. “I truly feel so blessed to work with so many wonderful, caring and giving people. If I lived closer, I’d join your team,” said Willette after presenting the award. The 2010 tax season was the most successful ever for the Madison County agency. The RSVP tax counselors prepared 595 federal tax returns (e-file & paper) bringing in over $313,000 in refunds for seniors. Since it’s a free ser-

vice, seniors saved over $74,000 in tax return preparation fees. (at an average $125 fee for tax preparation). Recipients of service appreciate the tax counseling program for other reasons as well, according to the agency. “Your volunteers are comforting, caring, kind, trustworthy,” was one of the comments the agency received from a senior using the service, the agency said.

Gynecologist Czerwinski joins The Women’s Place North Medical announced that Maria Czerwinski has joined The Women’s Place located in Liverpool. Czerwinski applies more than 18 years of experience in women’s comprehensive gynecological healthcare and women’s wellness. As a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Czerwinski is dedicated to patient well-being and is knowledgeable of women’s overall health and unique needs. Prior to joining The Women’s Place, Czerwinski served as the medical director, as well as an assistant professor for the Women’s Health Services of Obstetrics and Gynecology at SUNY Upstate Medical University. For over 13 years at this location, Czerwinski had many tasks including managing the UHCC Ambulatory Obstetrics and Gynecologic Services, overseeing ambulatory quality assurance, as well as teaching and supervising 20 residents. Previous to this position, Czerwinski served as an assistant professor for primary care, obstetrics and gynecology at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago. Czerwinski received her medical degree in 1990 from The Pennsylvania State University Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Buffalo Medical and Dental Consortium in1994. She enjoys providing care to women along the entire continuum from adolescents to maturity. She has special interest in uterine fibroids and postmenopausal healthcare. She also enjoys golfing, downhill skiing, camping and spending time with her two children.

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Crouse Hospital Becomes First in NYS to Achieve National Heart Failure Accreditation —Crouse Hospital has received full Cycle I Heart Failure Accreditation status from the Society of Chest Pain Centers, the first hospital in New York state to achieve this designation and only one of 35 in the United States with the accreditation. Crouse

H ealth News is also a nationally accredited Chest Pain Center by the society, making it the only hospital in New York state with dual heart failure and chest pain accreditation. Heart failure is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Approximately five million patients in the United States have heart failure. In addition, heart failure patients are responsible for 12 to 15 million physician office visits per year and 6.5 million hospital days. The goal of the Society of Chest Pain Centers is to help facilities manage the heart failure patient more efficiently and improve patient outcomes. Crouse Hospital has demonstrated its expertise and commitment to quality patient care by meeting or exceeding a wide set of stringent criteria and completing on-site evaluations by a review team from the Society of Chest Pain Centers. Crouse’s protocol driven and systematic approach to patient management allows physicians to reduce time to treatment, and to risk stratify patients to decrease length of stay. Key areas in which a facility with heart failure accreditation must demonstrate expertise include emergency department integration with emergency medical services, emergency assessment of patients with symptoms of acute decompensated heart failure diagnosis, risk stratification of the heart failure patient and heart failure discharge criteria, among other factors. “This latest designation, coupled with our chest pain accreditation, underscores Crouse’s long-term commitment to providing the very best diagnostic and interventional cardiac care to Central New York patients,” says Joseph Battaglia, medical director

for cardiac services at Crouse. Crouse Hospital Adds Two New Hospitalists — Mark Caryl and Anshu Bais have joined the hospitalist service of Crouse Hospital. Caryl is a graduate of New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his internship and residency at the University of Connecticut Health Center. He has served as a resident physician in intensive care, critical care and emergency services settings and is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Osteopathic Association. Bais most recently was with the Catholic Health System in BuffaCaryl lo, where he served as an internist at Mercy Health Center and a hospitalist at United Memorial Health Center. He received his medical degree from Maulana Azad Medical College in New Delhi, India, and completed his residency at SUNY Buffalo, where he served as chief Bais resident at Erie County Medical Center. Bais is board certified in internal medicine. New Medical Director of Neuroscience Services — Tarakad Ramachandran has been appointed to the position of medical director of neuroscience services for Crouse Hospital. Working

Community Member Makes Donation to Oswego Hospital in Memory of His Wife

In the photo from the left are Oswego Hospital Vice President and Chief Operating Ofﬁcer Nancy Deavers, Myron E. Harbison and Oswego Health President and CEO Ann C. Gilpin. Myron E. Harbison, an Oswego resident who is retired from the U.S. Navy, has made a significant donation to Oswego Hospital in memory of his wife, Mary A. Harbison. “We greatly appreciate Mr. Harbison’s generous donation,” said

Oswego Health President and CEO Ann C. Gilpin. “By making this donation, Mr. Harbison is ensuring the continuation of exceptional healthcare services and programs in his community.”

St. Camillus’ Mary Ellen Dougherty Receives Employee of Distinction Award Mary Ellen Dougherty, senior physical therapist with the brain injury program at The Centers at St. Camillus was recently named one of 18 ‘Employee of Distinction Award’ recipients by the New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (NYAHSA). The award was established to recognize the extraordinary dedication of individuals who work on the ‘front line’ and the positive impact they make upon the quality of life of those they serve, how they have significantly improved a service or program, and the manner in which they display a strong commitment to NYAHSA, and those the organization exists to serve.

closely with Crouse’s multidisciplinary stroke team, Ramachandran will provide leadership to enhance stroke services and further develop a neuroscience center of excellence at Crouse, which is a New York state-designated stroke center. He has served as chief of neurology at Crouse since 1984. Highly regarded nationally and internationally as a clinician and educator, Ramachandran came to Syracuse in 1976 with training in internal medicine from the United Kingdom. After two years of residency and a year of chief residency in neurology at Upstate Medical University, he advanced his training with a year of fellowship in neuromuscular diseases and electrophysiology from Boston University School of Medicine. He returned to Syracuse in 1980 to pursue his career in neurology at Crouse and University hospitals. Ramachandran has a strong interest in vascular neurology (stroke medicine) and chaired Crouse’s Operation Stroke Committee from 1996 to 2000. As chief of neurology at Crouse, he was instrumental in creating Crouse’s Stroke Unit, which was the first in the region to be designated with “Gold Plus” performance achievement from the American Stroke Association. He also was active in the creation of the Stroke Unit at Upstate Medical University, from which he retired in 2010. Ramachandran is a fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, which awarded him the A.B. Baker Teaching Award in 2007. Over the years, he has contributed significantly to neurological training and teaching in India as a visiting professor to many of its universities. In the 1980s he helped create a free CT scanning program for the underprivileged in Pune, India. As a delegate of the World Stroke Foundation, he participated in the inauguration of the Regional Asian Stroke Congress and first Indian Stroke Association Meeting, endorsed by the World Stroke Federation at Chennai, India in 2006. (See “Meet Your Doctor” column on page 4 of this newspaper. Crouse Receives $45,000 in Grants — Crouse Hospital has received notification of two grants that will August 2011 •

As part of the nominating process, several of Dougherty’s colleagues and patients submitted testimonial letters, highlighting the dedication she has shown over her 22 years with The Centers at St. Camillus. Along with examples of her many accomplishments and how she routinely goes ‘above and beyond’ her job requirements, her colleagues outlined her involvement in community efforts. “Mary Ellen’s long and dedicated service to St. Camillus and to all the patients and families she has touched was evident in each and every letter of recommendation,” said supervisor of physical therapy, Patrick VanBeveren.

help expand two health and wellness initiatives. The Central New York Community Foundation has awarded the hospital $45,000 to implement a nurse-led diabetes program for patients transitioning from hospital to home. This initiative will be an adjunct to the hospital’s current outpatient diabetes program. The Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation has awarded Crouse a $10,000 grant to expand nutrition education activities at Hughes Magnet Elementary School. This initiative will involve students as well as their parents and Crouse hopes to partner with Wegmans in the development of the program. Both initiatives support the second half of Crouse’s mission: to promote community health.

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Gala Fundraiser Brings In Nearly $350,000 — Ther annual black tie optional gala dinner dance on June 3 hosted by St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation netted nearly $350,000. Presenting sponsor was Central New York Infusion Services, LLC; gala co-chairs were Drs. Susan Merola-McConn and Mark McConn, and Dr. Alan and Deborah Simons. “We are so grateful to all our sponsors and supporters for helping to make our 20th gala such a success,” said Margaret Martin, vice president for marketing, communications and development for St. Joseph’s. “We netted nearly $50,000 more than last year, a tremendous accomplishment.” Donation Carries Weight For Heart Failure Patients — Thanks to a donation from Franciscan Companies, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center heart patients will now have the tools they need to live healthier lives. Franciscan donated 10 digital scales, including two with a weight limit of 440 lbs., to patients who can’t afford to purchase their own. “Franciscan’s donation is well appreciated by our patients

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and nursing staff here at St. Joseph’s Hospital,” said registered nurse Connie Randolph. “It’s something in our acute care setting we take for granted…that patients leave here and have everything they need at home. Many times, they do not.” Most Wired — St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center has been recognized as one of the nation’s Most Wired for the second year in a row, according to the results of the 2011 Most Wired Survey released in the July issue of “Hospitals & Health Networks” magazine. It is the first and only hospital in Central New York to achieve this designation. The nation’s Most Wired hospitals are making progress toward greater health information technology (IT) adoption, according to a “Hospitals & Health Networks” survey. As a field, hospitals are focused on expanding and adopting certain kinds of IT, such as computerized physician order entry (CPOE), to promote improved patient care and data collection. St. Joseph’s implemented CPOE this year. It also was among the first health care providers to migrate to electronic medical records in its primary care centers. St. Joseph’s And St. John Fisher College Develop New Pharmacy Residency Program — St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center has collaborated with St. John Fisher College’s Wegmans School of Pharmacy to develop a post-graduate, year-one (PGY-1) residency program for pharmacy school graduates. The first resident began the program at St. Joseph’s in early July. PGY-1 acute care residency programs are general in nature, and provide training for wellrounded pharmacists who will work in the hospital setting. Residents will likely rotate through a variety of disciplines, developing competence, skills, and applied drug therapy knowledge needed to provide patient-centered pharmacy services. In addition, the St. Joseph’s PGY-1 pharmacy resident will serve on the faculty at St. John Fisher’s Wegmans School of Pharmacy. “Our new collaboration with St. Joseph’s is a perfect fit, and will bring valuable and tangible experience to our graduates,” said Dr. Scott Swigart, dean, St. John Fisher College Wegmans School of Pharmacy. “It’s relationships like these that help our graduates excel and truly prepare them for advanced practices.”

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Six at Upstate win Chancellor’s awards — “These awards underscore SUNY’s appreciation of faculty and staff who advance the boundaries of knowledge, provide the highest quality of instruction, and serve SUNY and its campuses with distinction,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher, Ph.D. The awards are presented annually to SUNY faculty and staff in six categories: faculty service, librarianship, professional service, scholarship and creative activities, teaching, and classified service. Recipients receive a certificate and the Chancellor’s Excellence Medallion. Upstate Medical University Page 26

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will honor the recipients at its fall faculty convocation in September. • Cheryl Allen has received a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. Allen is an administrative assistant at Upstate’s College of Nursing. She lives in Camden. • Angela Hill has received a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. Hill is a housekeeper in Allen Upstate’s Department of Campus Environmental Services. Hill lives in Syracuse. • Physician Andras Perl has received a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities. Perl is professor and division chief of rheumatology in the department of Hill medicine and professor of microbiology and immunology and biochemistry and molecular biology in Upstate’s College of Graduate Studies. He is a 2010 recipient of Upstate’s President Award for Excellence in Leadership in Research. Perl resides in Jamesville. • Physician ThomPerl as L. Schwartz has received a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Schwartz is associate professor and director of Adult Outpatient Services in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He is a 2009 recipient of Upstate’s President Award for Schwartz Excellence in Teaching. Schwartz lives in Onondaga. • Donna Vavonese has received a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. Vavonese is associate director of admissions in the division of student affairs. She is a 2010 recipient of Upstate’s President Award for ExcelVavonese lence in Professional Service. Vavonese lives in Bridgeport. • Registered nurse Sharon Wiggins has received a Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. Wiggins is stroke data coordinator for the Designated Stroke Center in the department of neurology. Wiggins Wiggins resides in Liverpool.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2011