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MALE OR FEMALE DOC? Study shows why one is better

December 2013 • Issue 168

H I G H

Healthy Gifting Inside Yes, chocolate is included in the lisitng

CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

C H O L E S T E R O L

DO WE REALLY NEED MORE DRUGS? New recommendations to prevent heart disease call for a third of adult population to take statins. Local doctors comment on the new guidelines.

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Gigi’s Playhouse A place in Cicero for kids with Down syndrome to have fun, learn new skills

Holidays: 12 Tempting Tips ‘Live Alone and Thrive’ author has 12 tips for the holidays

DISABILITIES Find out what benefits the Social Security office offers Meet Your Doctor Karen Odrzywolski, a neurologist at Auburn Community, talks about strokes

Students Jake Scott and Lauren Sava of Rochester are part of the new bLifeNY, which wants to increase number of organ donors in the area. The nonproﬁt is trying to set up teams of students in Oswego and Onondaga counties.

Group Promotes Organ Donation Registry for Millennials bLifeNY is a new organization formed by a Rochester transplant doctor designed to get youth to sign up for organ donation. How important is that? Very important. NYS ranks second to last in the nation for registered donors. Page 7 December 2013 •

ways to go from anxious to excited for the Yuletide season

Different ways to relax this season? We have seven great suggestions, including a visit to Skaneateles for the 20th annual “Dickens Christmas.” Charles Dickens and a cast of over 50 characters from his books will be wandering the streets of the village. Page Page1212

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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www.sjhsyr.org � Follow us on Facebook and Twitter: stjosephshealth Blue Distinction® Centers (BDC) met overall quality measures for patient safety and outcomes, developed with input from the medical community. Blue Distinction® Centers+ (BDC+) also met cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable healthcare. Individual outcomes may vary. National criteria is displayed on www.bcbs.com. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for facilities located in its own service area. For details on Local Blue Plan Criteria, a provider’s in-network status, or your own policy’s coverage, contact your Local Blue Plan. Each hospital’s Cost Index is calculated with data from its Local Blue Plan. Hospitals in CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in two Local Blue Plans’ areas, resulting in two Cost Index figures; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether one or both Cost Index figures must meet BDC+ national criteria. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for damages or non-covered charges resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers. St. Joseph’s is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis. Franciscan Companies is a member of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center system.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2013

Study: Female Doctors Better Than Male Doctors

Neuropathy & Pain Expert PAINLESS ACUPUNCTURE CAN WORK FOR YOU.

But males are more productive

he quality of care provided by female doctors is higher than that of their male counterparts while the productivity of males is greater, according to a University of Montreal research team. The research team reached this conclusion by studying the billing information of over 870 Quebec practitioners (half of whom were women) relating to their procedures with elderly diabetic patients. “Women had significantly higher scores in terms of compliance with practice guidelines. They were more likely than men to prescribe recommended medications and to plan required examinations,” said lead study author Valérie Martel, who devoted her master’s thesis to the subject. Roxane Borges Da Silva, professor at the faculty of nursing, and Régis Blais, professor at the department of health administration, co-supervised the study. To assess quality of care, the researchers relied on the recommendations of the Canadian Diabetes Association, which provides clear guidelines for clinical treatment of the disease. All patients aged 65 and over with diabetes must undergo an eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist every two years. They must also receive three prescriptions for specific drugs, including statins, and it is recommended they undergo a complete medical examination annually. Since the Quebec public health insurance board (Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec) medical-administrative data bank includes comprehensive information on every medical procedure, the researchers were able to measure these variables. In each case, statistical tests confirm a significant difference between men and women. Among middle-aged doctors, three out of four women, for example, required their patients to undergo an eye examination vs. 70 percent of their male counterparts; 71 percent prescribed recommended medications compared to 67 percent of male doctors, and a similar proportion prescribed statins

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(68 percent vs. 64 percent); 39 percent of female doctors specifically asked their patients to undergo a complete examination (vs. 33 percent of male doctors). In terms of productivity, there is a reversal. On average, male doctors reported nearly 1,000 more procedures per year compared to their female counterparts. “My hypothesis was that the differences between male and female practices have diminished over time. It seemed to me that more and more men are taking time with their patients at the expense of productivity, and more and more women tend to increase their number of procedures. This aspect was shown: the younger the doctors, the less significant the differences,” she said. “People assume that women doctors spend more time with their patients, but it is difficult to observe in a scientific study. This study does just that,” Blais added.

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December 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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SUNY Oswego to launch graduate certificate in health, wellness

tarting this spring, SUNY Oswego will offer a new graduate certificate program in health and wellness, aimed at health care workers who are seeking to motivate healthy behaviors in their patients — and in themselves. Preventive lifestyles — exercise, eating nutritionally and so on — and the study of the mindbody connection have come to the fore as insurers and employers try to develop ways to bring down health care costs. Health care workers themselves often suffer from stress-related illnesses and behaviors produced by such factors as high expectations, workloads and time and budget constraints, program organizers said. Sandra Bargainnier, a faculty member at SUNY Oswego in the 1990s, returned as the college’s new chairwoman of health promotion and wellness in time to implement a certificate proposal that she worked with past chair Sandra Moore to develop several years ago. “Obviously, we have a health care crisis in this country, and a crisis among those providing health care,” said Bargainnier, most recently at Syracuse University and Penn State. Bargainnier pointed out that any health care worker trying to motivate change in patients must first understand the mind-body triggers for his or her own behavior and addictions. “The courses in this certificate will help provide a framework for how we can make a behavioral change — a theoretical model — and will help us determine how to motivate behavioral change in others,” she said. The proposal for the fourcourse graduate certificate in health and wellness notes that preventable chronic diseases generate 75 percent of the nation’s health care costs. To explore the issues around this crisis, graduate students will take courses in mind-body wellness, healthy weight management, wellness and addictions, and behavior change process. The certificate program — tentatively to be delivered in an all-online format through the SUNY Oswego Metro Center — is aligned with the college’s mental health counseling program in the department of counseling and psychological services. The courses are approved electives in the school counseling program, as well. For more information, visit www.oswego.edu/gradprograms or call the division of graduate studies at 315-312-3152. Page 4

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CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Dec 4

Red Cross honors ‘CNY’s Real Heroes’ The American Red Cross of Central New York will honor 35 Central New Yorkers for their heroic actions during the past year at its 15th annual Real Heroes Breakfast from 7:30 — 9 a.m. Dec. 4, at the Oncenter in Syracuse. The Real Heroes Breakfast celebrates the Red Cross mission of alleviating human suffering by recognizing people from throughout Central New York who have performed heroic acts in life-threatening situations. Among this year’s honorees are a 14-year-old boy who saved four people from drowning; a 17-year-old boy who rescued a 93year-old man who had plunged his car into a reservoir; and several neighbors, co-workers and first responders who performed CPR or rescued people from burning buildings. Proceeds from the Real Heroes Breakfast benefit the Red Cross, which provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Working families in Central New York require almost daily emergency assistance because of home fires and other disasters, and in the fiscal year that ended June 30 the Red Cross provided more than $180,000 to 803 people from 283 families impacted by fires and floods in Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland, Madison and Oswego counties. Tickets to attend the breakfast is $50 per person. Oncenter is located

at 800 S. State St., Syracuse. For more information, Call 315-234-2225 or email amanda. ramsing@redcross.org. Receiving the awards are Adult Good Samaritan Award: Michael Vaughn, Kelly Vaughn, Debra Dromms, Kevin McLaughlin; Animal Rescue Award: Francis Geremia; Blood Donor Award: John “Jack” Miller; Education Award: Onondaga Community College Campus Safety & Security employees Dan Aldrich, Mary Buchal, Josh Cantello, Jeff Draper and Doug Kinney (supervisor); Fire Rescue Award: Judy and Ron Lafaver, Don Miller, Eric Ungleich, Cicero Fire Chief Jon Barrett and Cicero Police Sgt. John Baldini; Good Neighbor Award: Alex Travis; Industrial Safety Award: HP Hood employees Bill Brockway, William Godaire, Dan Hatch, Dave Holeck, Mary Martinek, Andrew Pozniak, Dawn Strong, Will Storey and Jason Vanderhoof; Law Enforcement Award: Fulton Police Officer Gary Percival and Kiernan O’Neil; Medical Award: Rosamond Gifford Zoo employees Sarah Kohler, John Moakler and Liz Schmidt; Military Award: Brian Matthews; Youth Good Samaritan Award: Marshall Winn; and9-1-1 Dispatch Award: Tiffany Hotaling.

Dec. 9, 16 Diabetes support groups held in Auburn Two diabetes support groups will be held in Auburn in December, spon-

sored by Cayuga Community Health Network, Auburn Community Memorial and Central New York Community Foundation. The first, titled “Everyday Challenges in Diabetes Care,” will be held from noon to 1 p.m., Dec. 9, at Seymour Library Auburn. The second meeting will take place from 6:30 — 7:30 p.m. in the third floor medical staff conference room at Auburn Community Hospital. They are free and open to people with pre diabetes, type 1 and Type 2 diabetes as well as family members, friends or caregivers. For more information, contact Amy Dickman, coordinator Cayuga Community Health Network, Inc. Diabetes Education Program, at 315-252-4212 or assistant@cayugahealthnetwork.org

Jan. 9, 14

Programs to guide people to lose weight, quit smoking Mountain View Healing Center, a counseling business based in North Syracuse that has been providing therapeutic services for more than 20 years, will offer two series of programs designed for those who want to lose weight and shed some pounds. Classes for the weight loss program begins Jan. 9 and consists of four classes of three hours each and four hourly support classes. The program costs $349 and includes a course book, workbook and six CDs. Classes for quitting smoking start Jan. 14 and run for two hours each. The cost of the program is $229 and includes a workbook and two CDs. Both programs utilize hypnosis and the power of the subconscious mind to release destructive emotional patterns and enhance the ease of breaking bad habits. Call to reserve your space. Additional class times are available upon request. For more information, call 315-412-9886.

Tips for Choosing Health Insurance Coverage This Season

f you or your loved ones do not have health insurance, you have new options available through New York State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace. Created as part of the federal Affordable Care Act, the goal of the state’s marketplace is to make sure all New Yorkers have health insurance. With open enrollment underway, Fidelis Care wants you to know that choosing your coverage does not have to be overwhelming. Chief Marketing Officer Pamela Hassen offers these tips: • Research your options – All health plans participating in New York State of Health offer standardized products, making them easy to compare. “The products are organized by metal levels, so when you’re comparing silver products between plans, the biggest difference is the price,” she says. Hassen also recommends looking at a plan’s provider directory to see if your doctor participates. If you take medi-

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2013

cation, you should also check a plan’s formulary to see if the medication is covered. All health plan options are listed at nystateofhealth.ny.gov. • Determine the cost — “The Fidelis Affordable Care Advisor can give you an estimate of the price you will pay, including subsidies and tax credits, and it only takes about two minutes,” says Hassen. Found on Fidelis Care’s website, fideliscare.org, the Affordable Care Advisor only needs the names and birthdates of family members who would be covered, zip code, and yearly income to calculate an estimated monthly cost. It can also let you know if you may be eligible for other government-sponsored health insurance coverage, including Medicaid. • Get help from an expert — All participating health insurance plans and many community health organizations have employees who have been trained by thestate to help New Yorkers enroll. Hassen suggests contacting these experts because they understand

the process. “They will sit down with you and explain the choices, then help you enroll. It’s a great way to discuss your options and be fully informed as you make this decision,” she says. • Have important information ready — In order to enroll, you need to provide information about yourself and any family members who need coverage. The state requires you to provide your social security number (or document number for legal immigrants), birth date, and employer and income information. If you currently have health insurance, you will also need your policy number. Hassen wants everyone to know that health insurance is important, even for people who are healthy. The government is requiring most Americans to have health insurance in 2014 or pay a tax penalty. Open enrollment for New York State of Health runs through March 31. You must be enrolled by Dec.15 for coverage to take effect on Jan. 1.

Delay Alzheimer’s: Learn a New Language Study: Speaking a second language may delay different dementias

n the largest study on the topic to date, research shows that speaking a second language may delay the onset of three types of dementias. The research was published in the Nov. 6, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study found that people who spoke two languages developed dementia four and a half years later than people who only spoke one language. “Our study is the first to report an advantage of speaking two languages in people who are unable to read, suggesting that a person’s level of education is not a sufficient explanation for this difference,” said study author Suvarna Alladi, with Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad, India. “Speaking more than one language is thought to lead to better development of the areas of the brain that handle executive functions and attention tasks, which may help protect from the onset of dementia.” For the study, 648 people from India with an average age of 66 who were diagnosed with dementia were evaluated. Of those, 391 spoke two or more languages. A total of 240 had Alzheimer’s disease, 189 had vascular dementia and 116 had frontotemporal dementia, with the remainder having dementia

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with Lewy bodies and mixed dementia. Fourteen percent were illiterate. People who spoke two languages had a later onset of Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia and vascular dementia than people who spoke only one language. The difference was also found in those who could not read. There was no additional benefit in speaking more than two languages. The two-language effect on age of dementia onset was shown separately of other factors such as education, gender, occupation and whether participants lived in the city or country. “These results offer strong evidence for the protective effect of bilingualism against dementia in a population very different from those studied so far in terms of its ethnicity, culture and patterns of language use,” Alladi said.

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FDA approves medical device to treat epilepsy

he U.S. Food and Drug Administration in November approved a device to help reduce the frequency of seizures in epilepsy patients who have not responded well to medications. The RNS Stimulator consists of a small neurostimulator implanted within the skull under the scalp. The neurostimulator is connected to one or two wires (called electrodes) that are placed where the seizures are suspected to originate within the brain or on the surface of the brain. “The neurostimulator detects abnormal electrical activity in the brain and responds by delivering electrical stimulation intended to normalize brain activity before the patient experiences seizure symptoms,” said Christy Foreman, director of the office of device evaluation in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Epilepsy produces seizures affecting varied mental and physical functions. Seizures happen when clusters of nerve cells in the brain signal abnormally, which may briefly alter a person’s consciousness, movements or actions. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, epilepsy affects nearly 3 million people in the United States and is the third most common neurological

disorder, after Alzheimer’s disease and stroke. Approximately 40 percent of people with epilepsy are severely affected and continue to have seizures despite treatment. The FDA’s approval is supported by a three-month randomized control trial of 191 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. The study showed that by three months after the implanted device was turned on (active use) patients experienced a nearly 38 percent reduction in the average number of seizures per month, compared to an approximately 17 percent reduction in the average number of seizures per month in patients who had the implanted device turned off. At the end of three months, the median reduction in seizures, which reflects a more typical patient experience, was 34 percent with active use and about 19 percent with the device turned off. During the trial, 29 percent of patients with an active device experienced at least a 50 percent reduction in the overall number of seizures, compared to 27 percent for those with the implanted device turned off. The RNS Stimulator is manufactured by Neuropace, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Karen Odrzywolski, MD Neurologist at Auburn Community talks about different types of strokes — ischemic and hemorrhagic — and why time is crucial when seeking treatment for stroke Q. Why did you decide to become a physician? A. Watching the impact of illness within my own family and close friends, I wanted to be able to be present for patients as part of the healing process, and be present with them to help alleviate their suffering. Q. As a neurologist, you diagnose and treat illnesses of the brain and other elements of the nervous system. Why did you specialize in that field? A. I feel that the brain is really what makes the person who they are. The rest of the body, the other organs in the body, are really there to support the brain. So, a tumor or dysfunction of the brain is very devastating for the person. Being able to provide treatment to help restore that function is very important to me. I feel I can make an impact in the field of neurology in that way. Q. You have focused upon the prevention and treatment of strokes. Strokes decrease the blood flow to the brain, with potentially disastrous consequences. What causes them? A. Many strokes are caused by smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Q. There are two basic types of strokes: ischemic and hemorrhagic. What are they? A. Ischemic results from a decrease in blood flow to the brain. Many different conditions can cause it. It can be from narrowing of the blood vessel within the brain or a blood vessel in the neck—like a carotid artery—or it could be a blood clot that actually comes from the heart. Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by bleeding into the brain. There are many different types of hemorrhagic strokes that can occur, [and] many different causes of them. Q. Are people who abuse alcohol or cocaine more prone to hemorrhagic strokes? A. Yes. We do know that if a patient has abused alcohol for a long period of time, they’re more susceptible to having a certain kind of bleeding in the brain. A patient who uses cocaine can have bleeding in the brain, or they can also have an ischemic stroke.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2013

The reason they get both of those types of stroke is usually due to the high blood pressure that occurs as a result of cocaine use, and also, cocaine may actually be directly toxic to the blood vessels in the brain and may injure the blood vessels. Q. Those who suffer a stroke have been told to seek treatment for it as soon as possible. Why is that important? A. As a part of the brain is having a stroke, the cells aren’t getting enough oxygen. Every minute, approximately 2 million brain cells die. Our goal with treating a stroke in the acute setting is to try to restore blood flow to the brain to provide treatment to minimize the number of cells that could potentially die. By doing so, that would hopefully minimize the patient’s disability that they would have from the stroke. Q. Let’s say a patient comes into the hospital after suffering a stroke. How do you treat the patient? A. The first thing we do is evaluate a patient to see if they could be a candidate for TPA, (tissue plasminogen activator), which is a clot-busting medication. That medication can be very helpful, particularly if given very early on after the patient develops symptoms. If the patient doesn’t qualify for TPA, some patients

might be able to have a surgical technique where the blood clot can be removed to restore blood flow to the brain. Those are performed by neurosurgeons. Q. Might you also use aspirin or other blood thinners to treat a stroke? A. Even if we can’t use TPA or surgical treatment, we have other medical treatments that we try to use to maximize the blood flow to the brain. Aspirin is one example of a blood thinner. There are many different types of blood thinners, and the one we choose for a particular patient often depends on the patient’s other medical problems. We also may try to make sure that [patients] are well hydrated with [intravenous] fluids, to increase the blood flow to the brain. For the type of stroke that’s caused by a blockage in blood flow in the brain, we try to increase the amount of fluids in the body because that helps increase the blood flow to the brain. It doesn’t help every stroke patient, but for the patients that it does help, it has been shown to reduce longterm disability. Q. How can you reduce the risk of stroke? A. Most important is for patients to work with their primary care doctors to try to identify any medical conditions that could put them at risk for a stroke. The signature vectors for stroke are high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and high cholesterol. Patients should work with their doctors through diet, exercise, and possibly medication, to try to optimize medical conditions to reduce the risk of a stroke. Maintaining their general overall health, avoiding smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol, using nutritious diets and regular exercise—those are the best ways to avoid a stroke. Q. Why should some who may be suffering from a stroke come to Auburn Community Hospital? A. I always tell my patients that it is important, if a patient thinks they could be having a stroke, that they go to the nearest stroke center so that there is no delay in giving that treatment. We are a [New York state] certified Stroke Center. Our physicians are certified in national stroke training, our nurses also have national stroke training, and our stroke program is monitored to make sure that we are providing optimal patient care. Q. Are there challenges that the field of neurology faces in the future? A. The funding and reimbursement is low. As a result, many students who are graduating from medical schools are not attracted to neurology as a specialty, so we anticipate a shortage of neurologists in the future. We also anticipate increased demand, as the baby boomer population ages.

Lifelines: Current positions: Medical director of the stroke program at Auburn Community Hospital, Auburn; clinical instructor, department of neurology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester. Education: Neurology residency training, fellowship in neuromuscular medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center; medical degree and internship in internal medicine, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse. Personal: Born in Syracuse, lives in Auburn, married mother of a toddler. Enjoys hiking, camping and kayaking.

Group Promotes Organ Donation Registry for Millennials New organization formed by a Rochester transplant surgeon trying to establish groups in Syracuse, Oswego By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

illennials: most of their future lies yet ahead of them. It may seem counterintuitive to appeal to 20-somethings to sign up as potential organ donors; however, bLifeNY (www.blifeny.org) hopes to do just that. As it turns out, altruistic Millennials want to help and, in general, don’t mind talking about death as those who are likely closer to their own passing. “They tend to ‘get’ organ donation more than older folks,” said physician Christopher Barry, who co-founded the organization with colleague Mark Orloff of the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). Barry is a transplant surgeon and associate professor in the URMC department of surgery. “Even if they don’t Barry understand all the facts behind it, they are much more willing to learn about it and are more responsive to education efforts,” he said. Young people also use social media well and willingly talk with their parents and grandparents about organ donation. These conversations represent one of the best ways to get out the message on organ donation. Barry knows firsthand the desperate need for

donated organs and tissues. “It’s particularly challenging in New York state because we have the 49th lowest number in the nation for registered donators,” Barry said. “Daily, we see people suffering because people have to wait for donor organs longer than the rest of the country. It’s not uncommon for people to die while waiting for a lifesaving organ.” Barry and Orloff founded bLifeNY to address this problem and to create more awareness of organ donation registration. Engaging older teens and college students has proven one of the most effective initiatives so far. Since most people only consider organ donation at the Department of Motor Vehicles and the intensive care unit, presenting information at other venues such as art gallery openings or festivals tends to garner better results. The strategy seems to be working and locals spread the word fast. Since its launch in spring 2013, bLifeNY has received nearly 40,000 page views and a more than 300 percent increase in ‘likes’ on its Facebook page. “We have followers all over the US and Europe, and in India, Japan, South Africa, and Egypt,” Barry said. The organization has established student-run groups at Rochester Institute of Technology and at the University of Rochester and work with URMC’s Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network to raise awareness. bLifeNY is working on establishing groups on campuses in Oswego and

Tobacco Myths They persist 50 years after the US Surgeon General first warned Americans of the dangers of smoking

obacco misconceptions prevail in the United States despite the dramatic drop in smoking rates since the release of the ﬁrst Surgeon General’s Report on smoking and health in January 1964. Experts at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center dispel common myths and share new educational resources to address this persistent challenge. “Since 1964, smoking rates have dropped by more than half as a result of successful education, legislative and smoking cessation efforts,” said physician Lewis Foxhall, vice president for health policy at MD Anderson. “Still, lung cancer remains the No. 1 cancer killer and the leading preventable cause of death in the United States.” With the approaching 50th anniversary of the Surgeon General’s Report, Foxhall and other experts urge the public to take a proactive stance against this pervasive health issue by gaining insight on current

tobacco issues including information that disproves the following myths. Tobacco Myth #1: Almost no one smokes any more. Fact: About 43.8 million people still smoke. That’s almost one in ﬁve people in the United States. The current percentage of smokers is 19 percent compared to 42 percent in 1965. “However, the actual number of people smoking today is close to the same,” Foxhall said. About 50 million people smoked in 1965. “Because our population is much larger, it just seems like we have a lot fewer smokers,” Foxhall explained. Tobacco Myth #2: e-Cigarettes, cigars and hookahs are safe alternatives. Fact: All tobacco products, including ecigarettes and hookahs, have nicotine. And

Syracuse also. Rob Kochik serves as executive director of Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network, which covers several regions in Upstate. He thinks that bLifeNY is very effective in boosting donor registrations among college students. “Giving the gift of life is matter-offact with college stu- Jake Scott, a second-year biomedical sciences student at RIT, dents and they’re in- heads bLifeNY at RIT, while Lauren Sava, a senior at Uof R, is terested in doing it,” in charge of the bLifeNY chapter on the University of Rochester Kochik said. “When campus. Their goal is to increane the number of students who we do campaigns and enroll as organ donors. we have discussions, is important,” she said. “The college they’re frequently raising their hands campus, where they’re very civically saying they want to be a donor. What’s engaged like in sororities, fraternities, interesting is that we push back a little clubs and team activities, lends itself and say, ‘You’ve made that decision, for students to be in the right mindset could we ask you to go back home and to consider donations.” talk to your grandparents, aunts and For a similar reason, the organizauncles about it?’” tion helped start donor registry opThe college students’ use of social media has also helped spread the word portunities for when people register to vote for the first time or after moving. since many eagerly share the news of The organization has observed a 40 their donation registration. percent enrollment rate as a result. Aisha Tator, executive director of “What Chris Barry is doing is fanNew York Alliance for Donation in tastic and I totally agree that reaching Albany, agrees that reaching college college-aged students is a great opporstudents is important. tunity to [change the culture on dona“The research shows that the position] in New York,” Tator said. tive primers--how the environment in which people consider donation--

it’s nicotine’s highly addictive properties that make these products harmful. In 2008, the five largest cigarette companies spent $9.94 billion on advertising and marketing products like e-cigarettes, flavored cigars, cigarillos and hookahs. “The tobacco industry comes up with these new products to recruit new, younger smokers,” said Alexander Prokhorov, director of the Tobacco Outreach Education Program at MD Anderson. “And, they advertise them as less harmful than conventional cigarettes. But once a young person gets acquainted with nicotine, it’s more likely he or she will try other tobacco products.” Tobacco Myth #3: Infrequent, social smoking is harmless. Fact: Any smoking, even social smoking, is dangerous. “Science has not identified a safe level of smoking, and even a few cigarettes here and there can maintain addiction,” said David Wetter, chairman of health disparities research at MD Anderson. “If you are a former smoker, data suggests that having just a single puff can send you back to smoking.” Tobacco Myth #4: Smoking outside eliminates the dangers of secondhand smoke. Fact: There is no risk-free level of exDecember 2013 •

posure to secondhand smoke. Even brief secondhand smoke exposure can cause harm. Exposure to secondhand smoke at home or work increases a person’s risk of heart disease by 25 to 30 percent and lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent. That’s because the amount of cancer-causing chemicals is higher in secondhand smoke than in the smoke inhaled by smokers. Families that prohibit smoking in and around the home are on the right path, said Wetter. More than 200,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year in the United States and about 150,000 people die as a result of this disease.Smoking contributes to almost 90 percent of lung cancer deaths and 30 percent of all cancer deaths.

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Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

‘Tis the Season to Enjoy the Holidays: 12 Tempting Tips

“I

t was the worst Christmas ever.” That was how my friend Janice described her first Christmas after her divorce. “I flew back to Ohio to spend the holidays with my parents and siblings — all married with kids. It was Christmas Eve, and we were in the kitchen reminiscing and talking about what everyone was up to. It was all cheery and festive, until my father looked me squarely in the eyes and asked in earnest, ‘So, Janice, how are you doing, honey?’ Well . . . that’s when the floodgates opened.” Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or the December solstice, the holidays can be a real challenge, if you’re newly divorced or widowed. They were for me, until I took the reindeer by the horns and decided to steer clear of the “woe is me” attitude. Inspired by the holiday favorite, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” I offer the following 12 tips to help those who live alone find a little meaning and merriment this time of year. ONE: Slow down. Better, stop what you’re doing altogether. Ask yourself what the holidays really mean to you. Rebirth? Hope? Peace and love? Generosity and goodwill? Revisit your most deeply held beliefs about the season and make a conscious decision to participate in the holiday rituals that align with your values and spiritual underpinnings. TWO: Be realistic and give your-

self a break. For those who live alone, some degree of loneliness can be considered normal during the holidays. It’s a good time to remember that feelings of loneliness aren’t terminal, nor are they a “state of being” reserved for single people. Loneliness has very little to do with being alone. It has everything to do with your state of mind. Now’s a good time to remind yourself that your happiness is in your hands, and that there are positive, healthy steps you can take to avoid the chill of loneliness. Keep reading. THREE: Create new holiday traditions, especially if you are bemoaning the loss of irretrievable traditions of your former life. Consider instituting your very own “signature” tradition of helping others. When you give of yourself, you reap two big rewards: First, you’ll develop connections with people who share your spirit of giving and second, you’ll nurture your soul. Volunteering, especially at this time of year, can be immensely rewarding. FOUR: On that note, if volunteering doesn’t fit into your schedule, bake some holiday goodies for your colleagues at work. Leave a little something on a neighbor’s doorstep. When

KIDS Corner Teens with Late Bedtimes Have Lower Grades

eens with late bedtimes during the school year and school days that start early have lower academic performance and are at risk for later emotional distress. A new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health provides further evidence for a growing body of research that supports a movement to delay school start times for adolescents. “Going to bed after 11:30 p.m., particularly in younger adolescents, predicted worse cumulative grade point average (GPA) at high school graduation and more emotional distress in the college years and beyond,” said the study’s lead author Lauren D. Asarnow, a doctoral student in the department of psychology at Page 8

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the University of California, Berkeley. The study gathered data on sleep and the number of hours slept from 2,700 teens aged 13 to 18 participating in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health in

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2013

you are thinking about and doing for others, you get outside of yourself and can feel less lonely — more a part of the world and of this season of giving. FIVE: Be the instigator. Identify a holiday concert or event you’d like to attend and invite family or friends to join you. Take on the role of “social secretary” and you’ll gradually feel your holidays, social life and social circle becoming more active and interesting. SIX: Decorate your home or apartment. Do it for yourself. It will help put you in the spirit of the season. Hang a wreath on your door. Accent your mantel. Bring the holidays inside your home and you’ll feel its essence inside your heart. SEVEN: Invite people over. It will give you an incentive to decorate, if you are not inclined to do it for yourself. No need to do anything elaborate or large. Even inviting a few friends over for brunch or to watch a holiday special on TV can lift your spirits. EIGHT: Send out holiday cards. Take this occasion to say “hello” and make connections. I love getting an unexpected card from a long-lost friend, and I delight in tracking down and sending out season’s greetings to those

two cohorts, one in 1995, the second in 1996. In 2001-2002, as respondents aged, data on academic performance and self-reported emotional health were collected for longitudinal comparison. The overall goal of the study was to examine the relationship between the sleep/circadian patterns of high school adolescents in a nationally representative sample, their overall academic performance in high school and rates of emotional distress reported post graduation. For both high school cohorts, 23 percent of participants reported going to bed at 11:15 p.m. or later. By the time these teens reached graduation and college age, late school year bedtimes in high school predicted both lower cumulative GPA at graduation and more emotional distress between age 18 and 26. The researchers noted previous research found that adolescents who prefer late activities and bedtimes (a pattern of behavior often referred to as an evening circadian preference) were tested in the morning; they performed worse on cognitive tasks. Asarnow urged parents to help youngsters get to bed earlier and added that a teen’s sleep behavior is highly modifiable with proper support. However, shifting a teen’s bedtime from a late to an earlier hour can be hard, she added, in part because for 30 percent to 40 percent of teens, delayed bedtimes

who might be surprised to hear from me. Experience has taught me that good things come from reaching out to others, so I encourage you to address a few envelopes this season. NINE: Include yourself on your gift list and spoil yourself with comfort. Read a best-seller by the fire. Schedule a massage. Treat yourself to those stylish leather boots you’ve admired for weeks. TEN: Welcome children into your home. Children add a wonderful dimension to the holidays. Host a cookie party or otherwise spend some time with your grandchildren or nieces and nephews. Their silliness, curiosity and wonder will add to your joy this season. ELEVEN: Let go of the notion that you need to be married or in a romantic relationship to enjoy the holidays. Life is all about personal connections, and there are plenty to be found in friends, neighbors, colleagues, even people you meet in passing. TWELVE: No final tip. No “drummers drumming.” Just my warmest wishes to all of you who live alone. Have yourself a merry little “whatever” and enjoy the season to the fullest. You have a choice. Choose to be with people rather than isolate. Choose to appreciate what you have rather than focus on what you’re missing. I promise you this: Embrace even half of the tips above and you will find more joy this season. Cheers! Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Live Alone and Thrive, empowerment workshops for women held throughout the year in Mendon, New York. For information about her upcoming workshops, call Gwenn at 585-624-7887 or email her at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

have a biological basis tied to the onset and progress of puberty. Furthermore, academic pressure, habits around technology use and the bedtimes of friends also influence a teen’s choice to turn in or stay up late.

Infant loss support group offered to parents Thompson Health offers a support group for parents who have experienced the loss of a baby during pregnancy, at birth or shortly after birth. The Resolve Through Sharing (RTS) parent support group is facilitated by RTS Bereavement Coordinator Cris Crawford, a registered nurse at Thompson Health’s Birthing Center. There is no charge to join this group, but registration is required. Call 585-396-6260 to register and for more information about the next meeting.

The Flu Shot That’s Not a Shot By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ou know you need an influenza vaccination — commonly called a flu shot — but you hate needles. You may have another option: vaccination delivered by an inhaled mist. Just a quick whiff in each nostril does the trick. The nasal spray vaccine has been used for several years and area experts attest to its ease of use and efficacy, but not everyone is a candidate for the mist. “You can’t give the flu mist to patients that are HIV positive or otherwise imuno-compromised,” said Art Daddario, pharmacist at Gifford & West Pharmacy in Syracuse. Patients who are under age 2 or are 50 and older may not receive flu mist, as well as pregnant women and anyone allergic to eggs. Other contraindications include a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome, and longterm heart disease, kidney disease, and metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. Some medications may contraindicate a patient. Anyone interested in the nasal vaccinate should discuss his health concerns and history with his primary care physician or the health care professional administering the vaccine. Daddario said patients usually don’t ask for it, likely because of its higher expense. Pharmacy-based flu clinics typically don’t administer vaccination to children, the age group that largely comprises those most interested in the inhaled vaccine as opposed to injected vaccine. Judy Sokolowski, manager of the health office at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, said that few employees have requested the mist vaccine. “We have been making it available since it was first introduced because so many employees used the excuse for not receiving [flu vaccine] as ‘fear of needles,’” she said. “...In my limited experience with administration of this vaccine, those that have received the

vaccine have tolerated without incident.” The FluMist Quadrivalent vaccine by MedImmune protects against four strains of influenza, an increase from three strains in previous years. Like injected vaccine, it offers patients one year’s protection. Part of the reason that some populations should not receive the mist is that it is derived from a weakened strain of the live virus. Injected vaccine is derived from a killed virus. Participants in initial studies on the mist vaccine were 2 to 49, so that represents another reason why the vaccine has been reserved for that age range. Erin Hess, supervising pharmacist at Medicine Place in Fulton, said that mist vaccine works differently than the injection because “it’s a live vaccine so we can’t use it with people with immune problems. It’s equally effective. It has to be stored in the freezer until it’s going to be used.” A weakened strain of the live virus is used in the vaccine to cause the body to develop antibodies against influenza. “Most commonly, we see runny nose as a side effect and mild flu like symptoms,” Hess said. “It’s of much, much shorter duration and severity than the flu and it’s not an actual case of the flu. A vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from getting influenza.” For people who have a weakened immune system, their bodies may not be able to overcome the live virus. People seeking vaccination should also avoid mist vaccine if they live with someone who should not receive the mist vaccine. For more information on mist vaccine, visit www.ﬂumist.com or www.cdc.gov/ﬂu/ about/qa/nasalspray.htm.

Myths about the Flu MYTH: The flu is just a bad cold. FACT: The flu can lead to serious complications. On average, each year in the United States, more than 200,000 people, primarily the elderly, are hospitalized with the flu. MYTH: I caught the flu once this season, so I am protected against it for the rest of the year. FACT: Don’t bet on it. You may develop immunity against the strain that infected you. But that does not guarantee that you have immunity against other flu strains that are circulating in the same season. MYTH: You cannot spread the flu if you are feeling well. FACT: You actually can. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms

develop and up to five to seven days after becoming sick. Children may pass along the virus for 10 days or longer. Symptoms start one to four days after the virus enters the body. Some people can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, they still may spread the virus to others. MYTH: I will catch the flu from not wearing a coat or from having wet hair. FACT: This is just an old wives’ tale. Since flu season coincides with the coldest time of the year, many people often associate the flu with a cold, drafty environment. But the only real way for anyone to catch the flu is by being around the influenza virus. Source: www.flumist.com

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Page 9

My Turn

By Eva Briggs

Tips for Doctors to Be Found, Seen on the Web Patients use the Internet to learn about their medical providers but the first problem is often finding the doctor’s website at all

omputers, smart phones and tablets are part of the modern world. But judging by my experiences, many doctors remain technologically challenged. So this article is as much for medical colleagues as for my general readers. I’m hoping that when my readers encounter the same problems that I run into, they’ll share this article with their doctors. I often use the Internet to find out basic facts about my colleagues in order to facilitate referrals and communication. Patients also use the Internet to learn about their medical providers. The first problem is often finding the doctor’s website at all. I’ll leave the how-to details of search engine optimization to the Web design experts. But medical practices ought to think about how their patients and colleagues will use the Internet to try and find them. I dare my colleagues to see whether

they can find their own practice website. Most commonly, people will start with a doctor’s name or location or the practice name. If a medical practice’s website isn’t arranged so that it pops up on the first — or maybe the second — page, people are going to give up and look at your competitor instead. Don’t assume that everyone will use Google to search. We did find ourselves challenged at one of the locations where I work. My office staff discovered that while a Google search worked well, some other search methods showed our competition 10 miles away — but not us. I don’t know whether our webmaster came up with a solution, but we made him aware. Choose an easy-to-remember Web address. An office that is under the umbrella of a hospital or other large group might not have any option. But

private groups with a choice ought to pick a Web address that’s easy to spell and easy to remember. Once someone reaches your website, think about what the user wants to find. I think most people want to know the telephone numbers of the practice. Don’t forget the fax number — a patient may have a form to fax or a colleague may want to fax records. I know that I’d rather find the fax number quickly on a website than to tie up office personnel to call, navigate a complex phone menu, then wait on hold to gather that same information. Location information should include an address as well as a map and driving directions. Many sites will link to a Google map, which is terrific when someone wants to generate driving directions. If you use your own map, remember orientation — traditionally north goes at the top of the page. You may laugh, but one of my doctor’s offices used to have a map on their website where south was at the top. Since many people own GPS devices or car navigation systems, why not add GPS coordinates to the website? I recently visited a doctor’s office that was at a new location, and Garmin didn’t recognize the address. The GPS got me close enough. But even better would have been GPS coordinates for both the driveway entrance from the main road and for the office location within a large complex of buildings. Office hours are also important. It’s nice to be able to quickly figure out whether an office is open before plac-

ing a call. No matter how beautiful the basic information looks on the Web page, it will be even more useful if there is a printable link. A printable link means the patient has a one-page document with the vitals — phone number, address, map, and driving directions — printed in a legible font, in black and white, without wasted ink devoted to printing graphics. Once your website has the basics mastered, it’s time to flesh it out. People want to know the types of services offered by a practice and the basics about the practitioners: photo, brief bio, and special interests. Too much is not always better, and be sure that the navigation bar is clear and the same on every page. Also, nothing is more aggravating than an out-of-date website. Someone should be tasked with regularly checking the website for accuracy and insisting that the webmaster make any changes in a timely fashion.

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

Preserving Crouse Hospital’s History Medical librarian recently honored by her efforts to preserve hospital’s memory By Matthew Liptak

ristine Delaney has a passion for history and hospitals. Crouse Hospital’s library manager and archivist has been sharing her employer’s deep roots in Syracuse for years now. This summer she was awarded the Onondaga History Association’s highest honor, the OHA

Kristine Delaney, Crouse Hospital’s library manager and archivist, this summer received the OHA Medal from Gregg Tripoli, executive director of the Onondaga Historical Association. Delaney is in charge of preserving Crouse Hospital’s history. Page 10

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Medal. “I’m extremely honored,” she said. “It’s a compliment from the aspect of being able to share Crouse’s heritage and contributions to the history of the community and to preserving that history. Especially coming from the Onondaga Historical Association because they’re the people who do that best.” Delaney, 59, has a bachelor’s degree in art history from SUNY Plattsburgh and her master’s degree in library science from the iSchool at Syracuse University. Her interest in history has been life-long. She said it was probably instilled during family conversations about her Irish and Norwegian roots or her childhood days when she used to visit battlefields with her parents. “I love libraries,” Delaney said. “I love books. I love organizing information and I’ve always loved history.” She is in a field that fits her and her dedication has not gone unnoticed by her coworkers. Carrie Berse is the president of the Crouse Health Foundation and has worked with Delaney for 20 years. “Kris is extremely dedicated to Crouse Hospital, its customers and the preservation of the organization’s history,” Berse said. “During her tenure she has almost single-handedly overseen all efforts to record and preserve every aspect of Crouse Hospital’s past and she does it using very little resources.” That history is rather deep, now

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2013

spanning more than a century. Crouse Hospital’s beginning goes back to 1887 when the Syracuse Women’s Hospital was founded to serve the health needs of women and children in the area. It was located on West Genesee Street. By 1918 the hospital had expanded its services beyond women and children. A name change was in order. The name became Syracuse Memorial Hospital and in 1929 the hospital moved to its current location on Irving Avenue. In 1968, Syracuse Memorial Hospital merged with the neighboring Crouse-Irving Hospital. Crouse-Irving was founded in 1912. Delaney reflected on her hospital’s role in the history of local health care and the special place that women hold in that history. “I think St. Joseph’s Hospital was founded earlier but 1887, that’s going back now 127 years,” she said. “So a lot of what’s reflected in the progress of health care and the trends and the education of nurses in the United States is reflected like in a microcosm of what’s gone on here at Crouse. The Syracuse Hospital of Women and Children was founded entirely by women who were interested in the social cause of the day at the turn of the century, and that was women and children needing professional care that they weren’t receiving. “No hospital had maternity services or pediatric services at that time. Almost until the 1970s, the hospital was run entirely by women administrators so women have played an impor-

tant part in the history of the hospital.” Women also held a dominant role in the hospital’s college of nursing. That college has graduated close to 5,000 female and male nurses. It is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. This year during the weekend of Oct. 18, it will hold its first-ever homecoming celebration. The college also has a history presented online at www.crouse.org/nursing/century-of-excellence/history/. Delaney helped in the construction of those Web pages. Delaney was also involved in the recognition of Crouse’s 120th anniversary in 2007. That was when her work first came to the attention of the historical association. She helped in creating a major retrospective of the hospital’s history in the form of an exhibit at the Onondaga Historical Association Museum. She was also involved in the production of an oral history video and accompanying pamphlet. While the librarian enjoys her duties as archivist, she also enjoys the work she does every day for the staff of the hospital. Her primary job, along with those of another librarian and librarian assistant who work along side her, is to get the latest medical information for those who need it. “We do research using the medical literature to find the most up-to-date information for our staff and physicians who are involved in patient care,” she said.

December 2013 •

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Escape Holiday Stress Seven ways to go from anxious to excited for the Yuletide season By Matthew Liptak

he holidays are here. Every other place you go there is festive music. The stores are filled with bustling shoppers. Your days are busy with visiting friends and family. And you are filled with STRESS! Time out. In Good Health came up with seven ways to take some of the pressure out of your busy holiday. Escape to these locales for a few hours and take the stress out of this merry but manic month. Here are our suggestions:

GET OUT! OUTSIDE THAT IS. Both Baltimore Woods Nature Center in Marcellus and Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville offer miles of trails to get away for a little while. In December, Beaver Lake is offering programs ranging from creating handmade holiday crafts, to breakfast with Santa, to guided walks. Baltimore Woods is hosting holiday programs like caroling in the woods, a solstice snowshoe hike and astronomical viewing. But perhaps the best way to relax at these centers is just to enjoy a few moments absorbing the tranquility of the woods. Time stands still and the hubbub of the holidays can disappear in the peacefulness of the forest. “After a quiet walk through the woods, I always feel refreshed, both mentally and physically,” said Baltimore Woods Nature Center Education Manager Katie Mulverhill. “I think a visit to Boulder Brook will make any shopping trip, before or after, more enjoyable.” For more information, check out www.onondagacountyparks.com/ beaver-lake-nature-center/ or www. baltimorewoods.org.

SPLURGE ON A SPA. There are many local spas waiting to pamper you and help get rid of that stress that’s built up through the holidays. Some offer everything from acupuncture, to massage, to yoga to aid in unwinding. Chelsie Redmond is the wellness coordinator at CNY Healing Arts and Spa in Syracuse. “The holiday season can be a stressful time for all of us,” she said. “A day at the spa is the perfect getaway from holiday stress.” The Mayo Clinic reports that studies show massage is an effective way of reducing stress, pain and muscle tension. It is increasingly being offered, along with standard treatment, for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.

VOLUNTEER. At first look, this may seem like just another obligation to add to your already full December schedule. But looks can be deceiving. Putting others before you, especially those in need, can be a great way to experience the holiday season. It can also reduce stress. “One wonderful way to fight that overwhelmed feeling is through volunteering,” said Mary Beth Frey, director of the Samaritan Center in Syracuse. “Now that may seem counter intuitive, right? If I’m overwhelmed, why should I take on more? Well the answer is in the research. Studies have shown that helping others and acts of kindness have a direct hand in stress management. Volunteering can help you feel good about yourself. It can help you feel connected to others and provide a sense of meaning. It can help give you perspective on your own stressors and it can be a reminder to feel gratitude for what you have.”

Mary Beth Frey, director of the Samaritan Center on Montgomery Street in Syracuse, stops for a minute before a recent breakfast provided for the needy. Frey said that volunteering can be a great way to relieve holiday stress. Page 12

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2013

Different ways to relax this season? Head to Skaneateles for the 20th annual “Dickens Christmas” this year. Charles Dickens and a cast of over 50 characters from his books will be wandering the streets of the village offering smiles and conversation to visitors. The Samaritan Center is a nonprofit organization serving meals to those in Syracuse who are in need. For more information, visit www.samcenter.org. For other volunteer opportunities, go to www.volunteercny.org.

ENJOY THE ARTS. The beauty of the outdoors might just be matched by the beauty and creativity of the arts. Central New York has many museums in which you can wile away a few December hours and get out of a stress-filled environment. The Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse will be running its annual Festival of Trees from Dec. 6-15. The exhibit

will feature artfully decorated trees, wreaths and other items on display. The Landmark Theatre in Syracuse also has holiday offerings. It has stage events like the Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker.” It has musical events such as the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas. But the theater is also showing old Christmas movie classics during December for only $5. Why not escape for a little while into an idyllic Hollywood Christmas? “Come down to the Landmark and enjoy a holiday movie,” said Marguerite Beebe, one of the theater’s patron services assistants. “We are actually going to be showing ‘The Grinch’, ‘White

Volunteers from the Samaritan Center in Syracuse prepare cream cheese and jelly packets to go with a recent breakfast.

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One of the best ways to relax dueing the busy holiday season is just to enjoy a few moments absorbing the tranquility of the woods. A few of the places to do that are Baltimore Woods Nature Center in Marcellus and Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville. Time stands still and the hubbub of the holidays can disappear in the peacefulness of the forest. Christmas’, ‘Christmas Story’ and ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ Come in and see the beautiful architecture of our theater and enjoy a holiday movie classic.” Christmas movies at the Landmark are running from Dec. 11-22. For more information, visit www. everson.org and www.landmarktheatre.org.

EXERCISE. Nothing can get the stress out like a bit of exercise. Whether it’s a leisurely walk or an intense workout at a gym, it’s all good for you. It can even make you merrier. Bob Natoli, owner of Pacific Health Club in Liverpool and holder of several Guinness World Records for his athletic achievements, explains. “When you exercise, a cascade of chemicals are released within your brain which cause a number of very positive changes emotionally, immediately relieving stress,” he said. “One in particular, serotonin, stands out. Serotonin is also prevalent in the brain when you exercise. Serotonin is important because it influences a myriad of things including appetite control, sleep, memory, body temperature, muscle contraction and most importantly mood,” he said. “Serotonin, in other words, is one of those neurotransmitters that can help you beat holiday stress by boosting your emotional well being.”

SHOP SIMPLY. Shopping simply can translate into shopping local. Why confront the huge crowds of the big malls and box stores when you can get away from them and find unique gifts with less stress? Many of our local communities have businesses that would love to see you stop by and shop in the comfort of a small town atmosphere. One is Skaneateles. The village of Skaneateles will be running its 20th annual “Dickens Christmas” this year. Charles Dickens and a cast of over 50 characters from his books will be wandering the streets of the village offering

smiles and conversation to visitors. The event runs Thanksgiving weekend and every weekend thereafter until Christmas Eve. Laurie Flanagan of Laurie’s Therapeutic Massage in Skaneateles put it this way: “In my opinion, buying local is less stressful around the holidays because you can get one-of-a- kind items without going to the big box stores,” she said. “It is less stressful also because you are not having to fight the crowds and parking is often easier. Sales people in the smaller local businesses are often much friendlier to work with and don’t seem to get annoyed with you when you ask them questions about items they are selling.” For more info on Skaneateles happenings, go to www.Skaneateles.com.

KEEP THE HOLY IN HOLIDAY. Last but definitely not least. This way of reducing stress may be the most meaningful. Whatever your religious affiliation, or if you don’t have one, it’s important to remember the reason for the season. These days are not really about loud, repetitive music, fighting for that special toy in aisle five, or overindulging at parties. They’re centered on a humble joy and spirit of caring for each other. “One of the most important things is to recognize something Emerson said a long time ago,” said Monsignor Robert Yeazel of the Holy Cross Roman Catholic Parish in DeWitt. “Emerson said that [for] Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries and so on, we give all kinds of gifts to one another and we wrap it up and hand it to the person. Those are not really gifts. They’re excuses for gifts. The only real gift is the gift of our selves. God came into this world as a gift to us and he’s just asking us to be a gift to one another. Not to go crazy buying things and exchanging them and all that. Just to be satisfied with the fact that God sees us as a gift. He wants us to share our presence with one another.”

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7 Ideas for Healthy Gifting By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

f someone on your gift list is trying to improve or maintain his health, you can help with a thoughtful present that will complement his efforts.

Weighted gloves

Treat a fitness buffs to weighted gloves. For around $10, weighted gloves can help increase the calorie burn of many types of activities, so peoplecould who like crossout training This come too use them frequently. Reebok’s line of late for the event? weighted gloves include ones designed for men or women and at varying weights In Good(www.shop.reebok.com). Health

color Tracking movement, sleep 1/8 Consider page-H the = 5Lark x 3.38" Life Wristband

($150, www.lark.com) that tracks users’ movement, sleep, diet, and emotions by asking mood-based questions periodically. In response, the wristband offers ideas on how to improve health.

Tracking heart rate, blood pressure

Anyone who feels strongly about monitoring his health would love to unwrap a Scanadu SCOUT ($150, www.scanadu.com), which can check body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and numerous other vital signs in mere moments. It sends the results wirelessly to a smart phone.

Heart-healthy Chocolate

Eating right doesn’t have to mean forgoing treats. Give anti-oxidant rich, dark chocolate such as those available at Hercules Candy Company (starting at $1, www.herculescandy.com). Whether you choose a sampler, novelty shapes, bars, or other varieties, everyone loves receiving dark chocolate. Their gift shop is at 209 West Heman St., East Syracuse (315-463-4339, info@herculescandy.com).

Tea

A selection of gourmet tea can soothe the soul and offer antioxidant benefits. Check out Grammie’s Pantry. Among its offerings, the shop’s rooibos tea ($5 for 2 oz. loose leaves), derived from South African sugar bush, is high in antioxidants and contains no caffeine. Why not put together a gift of tea and a fancy tea cup, cozy, tea ball and teapot? The shop is at 1126 Woodworth Rd., south of Skaneateles (315-6368111).

Organic Food

Encourage consumption of local, organic, and farmstead-produced foods by giving a membership to The Syracuse Real Food Co-Op ($100, syracusePage 14

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2013

realfood.coop.com). Member/owners receive a 10 percent discount one day per month, access to special discounts and deals. The co-op is at 18 Kensington Road, Syracuse (315-472-1385).

Kitchen gadgets

Giving kitchen gadgets and appliances encourages healthful home cooking. Department stores carry the basics. Instead, shop at a culinary specialty store such as All in the Kitchen (www.allinthekitchenonline.com) to find something unusual. The store is at 7575 Buckley Road in North Syracuse (315-218-6218).

Tips for Healthful Gift Giving • Avoid overt “weight loss” gifts unless the recipient has specifically asked for that item. People carrying extra body weight know about their own health problems. • Focus on what interests the recipient enjoys and find a healthful gift that intersects with that interest. For example, someone who enjoys technology may like an electronic health gadget or app over another person who seldom embraces new technology. A fancy kitchen gadget may thrill an experienced cook, but present only challenges to a kitchen newbie. • Don’t use a gift to try to persuade a recipient to adhere to your particular healthful lifestyle or activity. Giving a “carnivore” a book about veganism isn’t likely to covert him. • If you’re unsure, ask recommendations from people who share your recipient’s interests and, ideally, know him. A gym buddy would know better than a couch potato about what he wants. Online reviews can help also, even if you end up buying at a brick-and-mortar store.

Coping With the Holidays

here is no perfect time for grieving the death of a loved one, but the holiday season becomes even harder with family gatherings, memories of holiday’s spent together and the thought of “how will I survive this holiday season?” There is no wrong or right way to handle the holidays. You and your family may wish to follow annual family traditions; maybe you wish to change them or just do things a little bit differently. Hope For Bereaved would like to offer you these suggestions for “Coping with the Holidays”

Suggestions For the Bereaved Plan Ahead. Sit down with your loved ones and talk about what each wants to do for the holidays. Let relatives and friends know your decisions. Shopping. Shop by catalog, phone or Internet. Shop with a friend or ask someone to shop for you. Give gift certificates or donate to a worthy cause in memory of your loved one. Take Care of Yourself. Be careful of “should.” Try to put balance in your

life; get adequate rest, eat well, exercise, take a walk, read, pray and relax. Holiday Activities. Consider buying baked goods or doing without, using fewer decorations or asking family or friends to decorate, top cleaning (it is not necessary to scrub), sending less holiday cards or none at all. Holiday Dinner. Consider making some changes: serving buffet style, eating at a different time or in a different room, going to another’s home. Religious Services. Attend at a different time or place. Turn to your faith, try to concentrate on the meaning of the season. Invitations. Family and friends may invite you to gatherings. Consider attending. Explain that you hope they will understand if you can’t attend or have to leave early. Express Feelings. Cry when you have to, laugh when you can. Ask For and Accept Help. Share your concerns, feelings and apprehensions with an understating friend. Plan special times with people with whom you are comfortable. Help Others. Volunteer at a soup

Submitted by Hope For Bereaved kitchen, visit shut-ins. Invite someone who is alone to share the day with you. Provide food/gifts for the needy. Expectations. Keep expectations of yourself and the holidays realistic. Usually the anticipation of the holiday is worse than the day itself. Hold on to Hope. In time, your grief will soften, but your loved one will always be a special part of your life and your holidays.

Suggestions for Helping the Bereaved Listen. Be there. Hug. The bereaved need someone with whom they can talk. They don’t expect answers, just a good listener. Make Your Offer of Help Specific. Don’t say, “call me anytime,” instead, be specific: “Let me shop for you on Thursday afternoon.” Give Practical Help. Look for a need and fill it; such as running errands, babysitting, holiday shopping and decorating, or baking a meal. Show that You Care. Send a special card or call on the phone. Stay in their

life.

Give a Thoughtful Gift. A small gift such as a plate of cookies, an ornament, a book for journaling, one of HOPE’s books - “Understanding, Coping and Growing Through Grief,” or “Coping with the Holidays,” may be appropriate. Listen. Listen. Listen. This is listed again because it is so important. Offer to spend time, sit over a cup of tea, go for a walk, or go out to lunch. Validate Feelings. Allow and encourage the bereaved to express their emotions and be supportive. Seek Help. If you find that you need to speak with others who understand your pain please attend one our support groups in December where we will be discussing coping strategies. Hope For Bereaved has information, support group schedules, resources and one-on-one counseling available by calling 315-475-HOPE (4675) or emailing hopeforbereaved@cnymail.com. For more information, visit www.hopeforbereaved. com.

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Your Physiatrist Will See You Now… A relatively new medical specialty, the practice of physiatrist remains mostly unknown by the general public By Aaron Gifford

he name sounds so obvious. But many, if not most health care consumers, probably never heard of them and may not understand what they do. These specialists are not to be confused with physiologists or physical therapists. Gloss over the title too quickly and it could be mistaken for psychiatrist. The term is physiatrist (pronounced ‘phys-ee-a-trist’) and there are more than a dozen physicians who practice under that title in the metro Syracuse area. That’s probably far more than in similar-sized markets and even some major cities, and it is probably because there is a training center here, explained Renee Melfi, a physiatrist with the RSM Medical Associates multi-specialty group in Syracuse. A relatively new medical specialty, physical medicine and rehabilitation (the practice of physiatrists) is traced back to the 1940s, when an

increasing number of doctors dedicated their practices to serving wounded World War II combat veterans, including amputees. Physiatrists, also called PM&R physicians, are defined as nerve, muscle, bone and brain experts who nonsurgically treat illness or injury to restore functionality and decrease pain. “It’s a pretty broad specialty,” Melfi said. She added that physiatrists are increasingly working with a growing population of pa-

Renee Melﬁ, a physiatrist with the RSM Medical Associates in Syracuse.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2013

tients who have had hip or joint replacements. After the orthopedic specialists complete their tasks, the physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists get involved. “We’re at the post-operative end of things,” she said. “We take over on day two, three or four [after the surgery].” Melfi said physiatrists can treat almost any type of disability, whether acute or chronic, that involves the spinal cord, brain or limbs. They render services to those who are recovering from a stroke, those who need treatment for childhood disorders, and those who need continued care after sports injuries and orthopedic procedures. Physiatrist residents train in all areas of physical medicine and rehabilitation before selecting a subspecialty; Melfi chose spine and back pain treatment. She tends to a large demographic, from teen-age scoliosis patients, to worker’s compensation beneficiaries who sustained back injuries on the job, to centurions who need help remaining mobile. “It’s not always chronic problems,” she said. “I’ve had patients who just woke up one day and experienced a new pain when they tried to get up.” Melfi, a Westhill graduate, completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Rochester before going on to medical training at Baylor University and Louisiana State University. She returned to Central New York to be near family, and because she enjoys the four seasons here. “You can’t beat this area if you love to stay active outdoors,” she said. Her aspirations to become a doctor began in elementary school. Her mother was a registered nurse and had worked as a school nurse. “I would go into work with her and play with the instruments,” she said. “It made an impression on me.” Between her third and fourth year of medical school, Melfi elected to specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation over emergency medicine. “For the first time in my life,” she said, “I had a pros and cons list.” In order to pass the board examinations to become a physiatrist, candidates must demonstrate a strong understanding of how to treat amputees. Melfi says she has enjoyed

her work and would recommend this specialty to those who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine. “I like the variety,” she said. “A physiatrist could be 100 percent hospital based, or there’s the other side where it’s outpatient [visits] or sports medicine with a highly functional population. Plus there’s the amputee side or the pediatric side. The whole foundation is to make someone more functional. It doesn’t matter your injury. It doesn’t matter your age.” Melfi advises that anyone experiencing spine or back pain should see a physician early on, as opposed to waiting to see if the pain goes away and then returns. Strengthening the spine is key to recovery and pain management, and it’s easier to do that before the pain becomes more intense or frequent. Melfi emphasized that, in modern medical and health insurance industries that are often based on a standard of care model, the importance of physiatrists are often overlooked. For example, she explained, patients who suffer from back and spine pain may be referred to a surgeon even though their condition is not something that requires an operation. “Eighty to 90 percent of spine pain is inoperative,” she said. “They [patients] see a surgeon, they learn that surgery is not an option and then they are sent to me for a comprehensive treatment plan [medication, injections, exercise]. I really believe a physiatrist should be the first referral, as opposed to a surgeon.” On its website, the American Academy of Physical Medicine reported on a recent study published in Spine magazine that echoed Melfi’s sentiments. The research was conducted by an insurance company (Priority Health) that began requiring patients who suffered from non-urgent spine-related pain or disability to see a physiatrist before proceeding to surgery. Within one year of the policy’s implementation, the cost of spine care treatment for Priority Health patients had decreased by more than $14 million. The article also reported that the number of spine operation decreased by 25 percent, and surgery referrals went down by 48 percent. Patient satisfaction, meanwhile increased, with more than 70 percent of those surveyed indicating that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the physiatrist consultation that they received. According to the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, there are about 8,000 practicing physiatrists in the United States. The New York State Board of Regents has identified 20 counties that have a shortage of physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, including Oswego, Cayuga, Herkimer, Chenango and Seneca counties.

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Flu vaccine or no flu vaccine? That is the question

Medication Management | Personal Care Housekeeping | Home Cooked Meals

Educate yourself before deciding whether flu vaccine is for you

f anyone out there has been following my column, they might want to skip this segment. Spend the time you would have spent reading this article emailing melissa@cnyhealth.com, because I should befriend anyone who finds me that interesting. Yes, I am actually going to write about vaccination again. Shouldn’t this horse have flies by now you ask? Yes, the flies should have their own flies by now, but everywhere I look I see articles about people skipping vaccines and the unintended consequences of that decision. This month’s column is going to focus on the influenza (flu) vaccine. I’m not an advocate of skipping any vaccination — unless there is a decision made between an individual and a health professional — but it seems the flu vaccine has the worst rap. I hear people say they skip it because it makes them sick, or because they got the vaccine in 1982 and they got the flu that year. I also hear a lot of, ‘the vaccine companies are just in for the money’ (just like the companies that make oxygen machines and air bags). There is also the mercury in vaccines concern. If you are worried about mercury-based preservatives (i.e., thimerosal) in flu vaccines, ask your doctor about single-dose vials. These units do not have this preservative in them, unlike their multi-dose counterparts. The nasal vaccine does not have thimerosal. Like any other health concern you have about yourself or your children, talk to your doctor about your concerns and explore possible alternatives. I am not going to try to persuade these people to get flu vaccines. As an adult, I am entitled to make decisions regarding my health, just as others are permitted to do the same. However, children do not have that luxury. The adults who care for them make most of the decision in their lives. If you are caring for a child, please read the following information that is derived from the Centers for Disease Control. These are facts, which are just the sort of thing that should be guiding any important decision.

Statistics alarming

• Each year, an average of 20,000 children under the age of 5 are hospitalized because of flu complications. • Severe flu complications are most common in children younger than 2 years old. • During the 2012-2013 flu season, more than 165 flu-related pediatric deaths were reported. • The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a

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seasonal flu vaccine. • Children under the age of 5 are considered to be in a high-risk group. • Children younger than 6 months old cannot be vaccinated. The best way to protect them is to make sure those they come in contact with are vaccinated. • Any child with a chronic health problem is encouraged to be vaccinated. • Ninety percent of children who died during the 2012-2013 flu season were not vaccinated. Now that you read through that frightening list, which included almost 150 (possibly preventable) pediatric deaths, let me move on to the side effects of getting a flu shot. These are also from the CDC. Mild problems reported to the CDC are as follows: • Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given • Hoarseness; sore, red or itchy eyes; cough • Fever, aches, headache, itching and fatigue Children who get the inactivated flu vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccine at the same time may have an increased risk for seizures caused by a fever. This risk can be avoided by spacing out the vaccines. Severe problems, such as a severe allergic reaction or Guillain Barre Syndrome, occur in one to two people out every 1 million people who receive the vaccine.

Children most vulnerable

Getting the flu and being a child, especially under the age of five, poses statistically higher risks of health complications such as pneumonia, sinus and ear infections, bronchitis, and death. A child’s chances of contracting the flu and experiencing complications are vastly higher than that child suffering from a rare vaccine reaction. I realize a flu vaccine isn’t a sure-fire way to ward off the flu, but it’s a highly effective starting point. Why not offer a first line of defense? If all this isn’t scary enough, I will leave you with one, last statistic — Between October of 2004 and September of 2012, 830 children died of complications from the flu. The most common culprit was pneumonia. Their median age was 7. I can only speak for myself, but the complications associated with the flu vaccine don’t sound so scary in comparison. The more you know. For more information and the source of these statistics, visit www.cdc. gov/flu/protect/children.htm, pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/ early/2013/10/23/peds.2013-1493. abstract, and www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/thimerosal.htm. December 2013 •

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Gigi’s Playhouse, the local branch of a national nonproﬁt, opened one year ago in Cicero as a place for fun for developing skills. Shown are, from left, Gigi’s Playhouse board member Janet Lasalle with her daughter Amelia; assistant site coordinator, Kayla McKeon; Addison Donofrio; Gigi’s Playhouse Syracuse President Ally Donofrio; and site coordinator Debi Emmert.

Down Syndrome Gigi’s Playhouse in Cicero, a place for kids to have fun, learning new skills By Matthew Liptak

igi’s Playhouse is a vibrant center for education, information and support for those with Down syndrome and those they love. The Cicero center, located on the second floor of Driver’s Village, has been open for over a year. The center is actually one of 15 playhouses nationwide and in Mexico. Nancy Gianni of Chicago, mother of Gigi, a girl with Down syndrome, started the first playhouse 10 years ago. Nancy Gianni made the simple but ambitious promise to her daughter that she would enlighten others as to how they should look at those with the condition. Janet LaSalle is on the board of the Cicero playhouse and has been bringing her 3-year-old daughter Amelia there since the beginning. “She loves it,” LaSalle said. “Once she sees the back room, she tears toward the toys. I told her on the way we were coming and said, ‘Do you want to go to the playhouse?’ and she said, ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’ She signs. She doesn’t have much speech. She does a lot of American Sign Language.” Down syndrome is the most common genetic condition in the United States. It occurs in one of 691 babies. Those who have it have a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. Each cell in the human body typically has 23 pairs of chromosomes. The genes of an individual are grouped along these rod-like structures. People with Down syndrome can have physical problems as well as intelPage 18

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lectual disabilities, but everyone with the condition is unique. The playhouse is a place for fun but also of learning and for developing skills. LaSalle said it is necessary on many levels. “It’s necessary for an awareness so that the public realizes these children with Down syndrome can do so much more than they ever thought,” she said. “It has that component in it. It serves a little bit of a gap in some programs. Maybe the kids need a little bit of extra help with some things. We have some extra programs to help with reading. Right now we have a ‘hoppers, skippers, jumpers’ program for ages 0 to 5 kids to help them with a little bit of extra occupational therapy and physical therapy. It also serves as a place to gather for the adults, for new moms to meet other new moms and camaraderie.”

Rich in resources

All of the center’s programs are free. They include physical and occupational therapy, tutoring, social programs, yoga, dance and cooking among others. These programs are not just designed for young children, but available to young and older adults too. “We had a prom here for the older kids and we had over 40 people here,” said Debi Emmert, the playhouse’s site coordinator. “They were all dressed up. We had a lot of people for that.” “I hosted the prom night here,” said the playhouse’s assistant site coordinator, Kayla Mckeon. “It was a huge

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2013

success.” Mckeon has Down syndrome. She is a good example of the fact that having the condition doesn’t have to hold people back. “I love working here,” she said. “I always wanted a job in an office — my dream job. I love answering the phone. I love the computer work.” Unfortunately, ignorance can hold others back when they confront someone with Down syndrome. Mckeon has also experienced this first hand. “I went to a restaurant with my parents and they asked me, ‘Do you want crayons to color?’” she said. “I’m like, ‘No, I’m good.’ They were so quick to judge me. Hey, I’m a human being. I have feelings. Just talk to me.” But the Central New York community’s reaction to the playhouse opening has been by and large positive. Gigi’s Playhouse hosted a 5K run near the Saw Mill Creek Pavilion at Onondaga Lake Park this year. They made close to $30,000, according to Ally Donofrio, president of the local playhouse. That’s almost $22,000 more than what the run made last year. “That’s just proof that our name is out there and people are understanding what we’re doing,” she said.

Community steps up

Support for the playhouse has come from other avenues too. Wegmans on Taft Road in Liverpool sponsored a “Gigi’s in the Kitchen” program based on the grocery store’s popular “Kids in the Kitchen” program

where youngsters get to learn to cook with a chef. Once the playhouse’s kitchen is completed, the store will stock it with Wegmans products once a month and have the chef make a trip to teach at the playhouse, Donofrio said. Also, late last year the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation awarded the center a $10,000 grant for use in developing the center’s physical activity programming. But perhaps the backbone of the playhouse’s support is its approximately 75 volunteers. “Our volunteers are our lifeline,” Emmert said. “We could not do anything we do without our volunteers. We have people like a friend of mine who was at the 5K. She goes ‘I need to volunteer. Just seeing those kids smile, it just put me in such a good mood.’” When it comes to Gigi’s Playhouse, there are smiles all around. Donofrio said the sky’s the limit when it comes to the future and of the playhouse and those with Down syndrome. “The book definition if you look up Down syndrome in the dictionary, that is not what Down syndrome is,” she said. “Down syndrome is so much more. The kids can do so much. You talk to anybody that has a friend, a family member, somebody with Down syndrome, and I can guarantee you they’re going to say it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me because the kids are just amazing.” For more information, go to www. gigisplayhouse.org/syracuse or call 315-288-7529.

What They Want You to Know: Psychiatrists

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

s defined by the American Psychiatric Association, psychiatrists are medical doctors who treat “persons with mental disorders, including intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders.” Their additional training in mental health and, sometimes, a sub-specialty such as child and adolescent mental health, is beyond their degrees from medical school

• “There are stereotypes about psychiatry. In cartoons you see patients on couches with the psychiatrist behind them scribbling notes. Another stereotype is we analyze patients and do psychoanalysis only. The other is we prescribe medication for mental illness and that’s our only role. Those are two extreme stereotypes. • “Psychiatry is a unique specialty. It’ holistic, with the biological aspects of a person with genetic tendencies like medication conditions and head trauma that may affect their mental state. However, psychiatrists are also trained to look at a person’s psychological make-up like coping and defense mechanisms, the resources they draw upon and what their family and social support network look like. How does their role in the family affect their mental state? What about their work? What is the quality of their relationships and what support do they have? All those factors come together in different perspectives on the mental illness. A psychiatrist looks at those factors to get a complete picture of the person and the illness the person is suffering from. • “Psychiatrists are well trained. After achieving a college degree, they get four years of medical school, and training in internal medicine, neurology and psychology for four years after medical school. Many go on to additional training for specialties, including geriatric, pediatric, psychosomatic, or forensic psychiatry, which involves court evaluations for competency to stand trial and taking care of mental health issues in prisons. All these different aspects of psychiatry work with different populations and may have

a little different approach. Some may use predominately psychotherapy and some may use medication management. Most will use some combination of the two. • “They are qualified to provide psychotherapy themselves. They also provide medication management. Partly because of the stereotypes and a stigma, people are very frightened to go to a psychiatrist or seek mental health counseling of any sort. • “The general practitioner is a very good place to start. Availability of qualified psychiatrists is an obstruction to treatment. There is much more demand than availability of psychiatrists. • “It also takes a lot of time to treat people effectively. It’s time consuming to get to know the issues underlying a person’s illness and know how best to help them. An evaluation of a new patient can take an hour and a half to figure out a good treatment plan. Sometimes, it’s shorter. Often, psychiatrists have waiting lists and it can be hard to get in. If you can’t get in to see a psychiatrist, a primary care physician may help. They also have some training in psychiatry and can make some common diagnoses and prescribe some of the common medication such as for depression, anxiety disorder. People can often get treated in primary care. Sometimes a general practitioner will refer you to a psychologist or a therapist. • “For most conditions, patients benefit from medication and psychotherapy. If you can treat using both, there’s a better chance of recovery. Some psychiatrists will refer the psychotherapy to a social worker or other counselor and part of the reason for that is the shortage of psychiatrists. The shortage is a big, big problem. we get calls every week and there’s not someone available to see them. it breaks my heart that we can’t provide treatment for someone seeking it.” Robert Tretory, psychiatrist at The Department of Psychiatry Professional Practice Group at SUNY Upstate Medical Center 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.

High Cholesterol. Should We Take More Drugs ? New recommendations call for a third of adult population to take statins. Local doctors don’t agree with that By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ew guidelines issued this month by the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology indicated that more people should take statins — cholesterol reducing prescription drugs — as a preventive measure against cardiovascular disease. If the recommendation were followed, it would mean that about one-third of the American adult population should use statins. The number seemed too high to many heart experts. Researchers based the recommendation upon what has been deemed a flawed online risk calculator. Within two weeks, the health organizations released a statement that physicians should use the risk calculator as a springboard for conversation with their patients about their cholesterol and to help identify people who could be at risk but not as a key diagnostic implement. “The calculator is just one of many tools to help physicians appropriately target risk reduction therapies to their patients,” stated a Nov. 18 press release from the American Heart Association. Physician David Goff, Jr., dean of the Colorado School of Public Health, defended the tool in the same release, stating, “this risk calculator was subjected to rigorous external validation during the development process.” Goff co-chaired the committee that wrote the risk assessment guidelines. “When we applied the tool to two newer community-based populations, MESA and REGARDS, with short-term follow-up, we saw modest overestimation of risk by the calculator,” he said. “This appears to be due to the substantial initiation of statins that occurred, especially in high risk people, after the baseline examination. With a third of Americans dying from cardiovascular disease and 60 percent suffering major vascular events, guidelines that recommend about a third of adults be considered for statin therapy seem about right.” The day before the American Heart Association’s statement, physician Timothy J. Malins, a cardiologist with Sands-Constellation Heart Institute Finger Lakes Branch and Rochester General Hospital, said that the calculator was upon outdated statistics. “The population 20 years ago...was heavier and smoking more,” Malins said. “We’ve had big reductions in cardiovascular disease and smoking since.” Malins reasoned that an accurate calculator based upon more recent data would drive down the skewed onethird figure. “We don’t want to treat the young with no risk and people who have high cholesterol and are 80,” he added. “They’ve proven themselves unlikely December 2013 •

to develop problems.” Malins serves as a counselor for the Finger Lakes region of the New York chapter of the American College of Cardiology. The organization set a goal of reducing risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent by 2020. “We’re treating based upon risk,” Malins said. “Those with high risk, we empirically treat. We’re looking at prevention.” He thinks that more than ever, physicians will emphasize lifestyle changes. “Some people think it’s a push by the drug companies,” he said. “I’m a big proponent of giving medication only as needed. The goal of this is not some collusion between us and drug companies, but to prevent cardiovascular disease, both primary and secondary.” Physician Ronald P. Caputo, medical director for St. Joseph’s interventional cardiology, doesn’t dispute the effectiveness of statins. “As a class of medicine, [statins] have been extensively studied and have demonstrated significant benefit for patients with known coronary disease or at high risk for developing coronary disease,” Caputo said. “There are many studies that provide evidence that lowering LDL cholesterol to certain levels reduces cardiovascular risk, so these new guidelines are creating a bit of confusion.” Speaking before Goff’s statement was released, Caputo expressed caution with the findings of the ACC and AHA, though he upheld them as credible organizations. “I think that we have to take some time to digest these new recommendations, further evaluate the basis of these conclusions, and see if other societies are in agreement,” Caputo said. In addition to prescribing medication, coronary physicians also advise patients with high cholesterol to maintain a healthful weight, eat a healthful diet and exercise to get their cholesterol under control. As of publication, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology have not issued a new risk calculator.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Rough Winter Ahead

Cold and snowy winter for about two thirds of the country. For Upstate New York? Bitterly cold and snow-filled weather By Melissa Stefanec

eople around the United States wait for advice from a book that is almost 200 years old. That book is the Farmers’ Almanac. The first edition appeared in 1818 and since then Americans turn to its pages for weather reports and sage advice. The first thing most people look for is the Almanacs’ weather prediction. According to Sandy Duncan, the Almanac’s managing editor, this winter is going to be a rough one. “It’s going to be pretty darn cold for the entire country,” said Duncan. “It’s going to be one of those winters you want to hunker down.” Indeed, the Almanac predicts a cold and snowy winter for about two thirds of the country. The Northeast will be no exception, as it’s on board for a bitterly cold and snow-filled winter. The Almanac predicts particularly horrible weather in the first 10 days of February, with Feb. 1 to 3 being especially wintery in the Northeast. This could spell bad news for football fans. The 2014 Superbowl is slated to be played Feb. 2 at the Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey. Some businesses that are involved in the Superbowl are even buying insurance because of the Almanac’s predictions. They have every reason to be nervous. Last year the Almanac was only a few days off when predicting the winter’s biggest storms. The March that follows isn’t going to be a picnic in the park either. “It’s looking like March is going to be horrible month,” said Duncan. “It’s going to be a long winter.” Although the winter is going to be very cold and snowy, the Almanac’s prediction is that summer will answer with its own extreme weather. The Almanac’s prediction is for a less-than-ideal summer in 2014. It predicts oppressively humid, wet and thundery conditions for the Northeast. So, Central New York, get ready for a long, tough winter. According to one of the longest-running print publications, we are going to have to use every trick in the book to get through this season. Page 20

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

DISABILITIES Special Day Focuses on Helping People With Disabilities

he United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities is annually held on Dec.3 to focus on issues that affect people with disabilities worldwide. This year marks the 21st observance and provides an opportunity to re-commit to helping persons with disabilities break down barriers. In the United States, Social Security often is the primary source of income for Banikowski people with disabilities. More than nine of 10 American workers are covered by Social Security

Q&A Q: How can I get proof of my benefits to apply for a loan? A: If you need proof you get Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Medicare, you can request a benefit verification letter online through your “my Social Security” account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. This letter is sometimes called a “budget letter,” a “benefits letter,” a “proof of income letter” or a “proof of award letter.” You even can select the information you want included in your online benefit verification letter. Q: I’m getting married soon. How can I get my name changed on my Social Security card? A: After the wedding, gather your marriage document and other papers proving your: 1) identity; and 2) United States (if you have not yet established your citizenship with us) or immigration status (including Department of Homeland Security permission to work in the United States). Then, complete an application for a Social Security card, which you can find at www.socialsecurity.gov. Finally, mail your completed application and documents or take this information to your local Social Security office. You can find your nearest Social Security office at www.socialsecurity.gov/locator. Remember: Your documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. Any documents you mail to us will be returned to you along with a receipt.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2013

disability insurance, and Social Security provides benefits to young workers and their families if the worker should become disabled. Social Security has a very strict definition of disability — a person must be unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity due to a physical or mental impairment that has lasted or is expected to last at least one year, or to result in death. We do not provide benefits for partial or temporary disabilities, so Social Security beneficiaries are most in need of support services if contemplating a return to work. In fact, 40 percent of Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries express interest in working and Social Security has a number of programs to help in those return-to-work efforts. Our work incentive programs feature: • continued cash benefits for a pe-

riod of time while a beneficiary works; • continued Medicare or Medicaid coverage; and • help with education, training, and rehabilitation to start a new line of work. In addition to these incentives, many beneficiaries are interested in the Ticket to Work program, which can help people with disabilities receive vocational rehabilitation, training, job referrals, and other employment support services free of charge. Just visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ work to learn more. Or read our publications for SSI and Social Security Disability Insurance recipients, “Working While Disabled—How We Can Help” and “Your Ticket To Work.”These and many other helpful publications are available at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs.

Q: Is it true that 10 thousand people are retiring each day? What is the best way for me to apply and avoid long lines in my Social Security office? A: Yes. The best way is to use our online retirement application at www. socialsecurity.gov. You can complete it in as little as 15 minutes. It’s so easy. You can apply from the comfort of your home or office at a time most convenient for you. Once you’ve electronically submitted your application, you’re done. In most cases, there’s no need to submit any documents. There’s also no need to drive to a local Social Security office or wait for an appointment with a Social Security representative.

ment benefits. Will he be eligible for benefits as my disabled child? A: Yes. In general, an adult disabled before age 22 may be eligible for child’s benefits if a parent is deceased or starts receiving retirement or disability benefits. We consider this a “child’s” benefit because we pay it on the parent’s Social Security earnings record. The “adult child” — including an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild, grandchild, or step grandchild—must be unmarried, age 18 or older, and have a disability that started before age 22.

Q: Does Social Security offer tools for retirement planning? A: Yes. Social Security offers several retirement planning tools to help you better understand your Social Security protection as you plan for your financial future. Go to www.socialsecurity.gov/planners to get started. Then choose a benefit calculator to estimate your monthly benefit amounts. Q: How can I get a new Medicare card? A: If your red, white and blue Medicare card is lost, stolen or damaged, you can request a new one at www.socialsecurity.gov. However, you can use our online application only to request a Medicare card. If you need a Medicaid card, please contact your state Medicaid office. Q: I have a 38-year-old son who has been disabled by cerebral palsy since birth. I plan to apply for retire-

Q: I just received my first disability payment. How long will I continue to get them? A: In most cases, you will continue to receive benefits as long as you are disabled. However, there are certain circumstances that may change your continuing eligibility for disability benefits. For example, • Your health may improve to the point where you are no longer disabled; or • Like many people, you would like to go back to work rather than depend on your disability benefits and you are successful in your attempt. Also, the law requires that we review your case from time to time to verify you are still disabled. We tell you if it is time to review your case, and we also keep you informed about your benefit status. You also should be aware that you are responsible for letting us know if your health improves or you go back to work.

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How to Put Together Your Family’s Health History Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about creating a family health history? My doctor recently suggested that I make one as a way to predict potential health problems as I get older, but I could use some help. Getting Old Dear Getting, It’s a smart idea! Even with all the high-tech medical tests and procedures that are available today, an accurate family health history remains one of the most important tools in keeping yourself healthy as you age. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips and tools to help get you started. Inheritable Diseases Just as you can inherit your father’s height or your mother’s eye color, you can also inherit their genetic risk for diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease and more. If one generation of a family has high blood pressure, for example, it is not unusual for the next generation to have it too. Therefore, tracing the illnesses suffered by your relatives can help you and your doctor predict the disorders you may be at risk for, so you can take action to keep yourself healthy.

Family Tracking To create a family health history, you’ll need to start by collecting some basic medical information on your firstdegree relatives including your parents, siblings and children. Then move on to your grandparents, aunts, uncles and first cousins. You need to get the specific ages of when they developed health problems like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, dementia, depression, etc. If family members are deceased, you need to know when and how they died. If possible, include lifestyle information as well, such as diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol use. Some relatives may not want to share their medical histories or they

may not know their family history, but whatever information you discover will be helpful. To get information on diseased relatives, get a copy of their death certificate. This will list their cause of death and the age he or she died. To get a death certificate, contact the vital records office in the state where your relative died, or go to vitalchek.com.

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Helpful Resources To get help putting together your family health history, the U.S. Surgeon General offers a free Web-based tool called “My Family Health Portrait” (see familyhistory.hhs.gov) that can help you collect, organize and understand your genetic risks and even share the information with your family members and doctors. Another great resource that provides similar assistance is the Genetic Alliance’s online tool called “Does It Run In the Family.” At familyhealthhistory.org you can create a customized guide on your family health history for free. Or, if you don’t have Internet access, call 202-966-5557 and ask them to send you a free hardcopy of these booklets in the mail. And, if you’re adopted, the National Foster Care & Adoption Directory Search may be able to help you locate your birth parents to get their medical history. See childwelfare.gov/nfcad or call 800-394-3366.

Managing Your Results If you discover some serious health problems that run in your family, don’t despair. While you can’t change your genes, you can change your habits to increase your chances of a healthy future. By eating a healthy diet, exercising and not smoking, you can offset and sometimes even neutralize your genetic vulnerabilities. This is especially true for heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis. A family medical history can also alert you to get early and frequent screening tests, which can help detect other problems (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cancers like breast, ovarian, prostrate and colon cancer) in their early stages when they’re most treatable. 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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H ealth News Loretto has new leader, new COO Kimberly Townsend, an attorney with Welch Allyn in Skaneateles, has been named Loretto’s new president and CEO. She has served on Loretto’s board of directors for 10 years and has been board president since 2011. “Over the past several months, the board of directors has conducted a search for a new president and CEO and we are delighted that Kimberly Townsend will be assuming that role,” said Ellen O’Connor, vice chairwoman of Loretto’s board. Towsend “Through Kim’s leadership and vision as the board chair, Loretto has overcome significant challenges. We thank her for her board service and look forward to her continued leadership.” For the past two years, Loretto has been working with consulting firm, Health Management Partners Volza (HMP), who helped Loretto streamline operations and establish a firm financial base. HMP’s Bruce Buchanan, who has served as Loretto’s CEO during this time, said, “Loretto has a great future. They have a longstanding reputation in this community as being at the forefront of elder care. They have always been true to their mission. Now, they have the financial foundation necessary to move into the future and in Kim Townsend, Loretto has a visionary leader.”

Townsend is the associate general counsel and senior director of government affairs for Welch Allyn in Skaneateles. Her new position at Loretto will start in January. In addition to naming a new CEO, Loretto announced that Steve Volza, senior vice president of Loretto, has been named chief operating officer of Loretto’s skilled nursing and housing operations, effective immediately. According to Ellen O’Connor, who made the announcement today, “Steve has served Loretto for 38 years, and during this time, he has demonstrated great success in managing almost every area of the Loretto ministries. Anyone who knows Steve will tell you about his skill, enthusiasm, and dedication to serving elders and their families.”

Fiorini graduated magna cum laude from Capella University, earning her PhD (“all-but-dissertation”) in education, training and performance. She received her associate’s degree in business from Onondaga Community College; her bachelor’s in business distributive education/vocational technical education from the SUNY Oswego; and master’s in education, magna cum laude, from Elmira College. Fiorini also earned two graduate certificates: training the trainer and human resources. “Her commitment to excellence, knowledge of educational theory and life-long learning combined to make Deborah a perfect fit for this key leadership position,” said Chief Quality Officer Derrick Suehs.

Crouse has new educational services director

Hamilton health center receives recognition

Deborah Fiorini has been appointed director of educational services for Crouse Hospital. A member of the department since 2009, Fiorini has been responsible for a wide range of educational and training experiences for employees, including developing and administering courses online for topics such as medical terminology, and hospital clinical documentation, as well as classroom training sessions for new employees and Fiorini subjects including effective communication, diversity, coping skills and stress management, teamwork and customer service.

Smokeout Celebration On Nov.21 member of the Cayuga Community Health Network celebrated the 36th Great American Smokeout and 3rd National Rural Health Day with the 2013 Walk for Health. Pictured are, top row from left: Captain Jack; Suzanne Redmond, chief of staff for Assemblyman Gary D. Finch; and Daniel Larson, board Page 22

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president at Cayuga Community Health Network. Second row from left: Ted Long (93Q); Auburn Mayor Michael Quill; and Auburn City Manager Doug Selby. Bottom row from left: Irving Lyons, executive director at Cayuga Community Health Network; Amy Robbins from 93Q; Matthew Jones, Reality Check Youth from Auburn High School.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2013

The Hamilton Family Health Center of Community Memorial Hospital was recognized in October for achieving a Level III rating — the highest rating possible — for attesting as a patientcentered medical home. The recognition seal was awarded by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), a national organization dedicated to improving health care quality. The goal at a paDelmorme tient-centered medical home is to provide a more comprehensive approach to medical care. Included in patient-centered care are preventive services, providing patients with up to date evidence based care that focuses on medical, mental and spiritual needs and most importantly, helping patients to make informed decisions about their care. “The physicians and staff must be commended for the time and effort that given to attesting to NCQA,” said Dawn Sampson, practice manager of the Community Memorial Hospital Family Health Centers. “This award recognizes the comprehensive healthcare that the Hamilton Family Health Center provides on a daily basis and that we care about our patients”. Physician Robert Delorme, vice president of physician services, said, “Achieving patient-centered medical home status has been a goal of the Hamilton Family Health Center. Patient-centered medical home is a model of care that emphasizes the coordination of healthcare and communication that involves our patients”.

Rural/Metro adds 22 people to its staff Following a competitive application process, Rural/Metro Medical Services has announced the addition of 22 new employees to its Central New York staff. The additions were a result of a combination of newly created positions, operational expansion and normal hiring practices.

Joining the staff are: Brian Benjamin, billing representative; Alyssa Bovalino, EMT-B; Colin Burns, EMT-B; John Cannizzaro, billing representative; Andrew Ellis, EMT-B; Veronica Evans, EMT-B; Jason Frier, EMT-B; Misty Goodnough, paramedic; Michael Goodwin, paramedic; Kathleen Howe, paramedic; Candy Hibbert, ENT-B; Orrin Ingram, EMT-B; Elaine Morgan, supply technician; Benjamin Peebles, EMT-B; Brian Reynolds, supply technician; Kathryn Roberts, EMTB; Jennifer Romano, EMT-B; Annette Sarnicola, billing representative; David Settle, EMT-B; Rosemary Town, billing representative; John Walter, AEMT-CC; and Kevin Wickert, paramedic “We are very excited to bring more jobs into the local economy,” said Mike Addario, Rural/Metro’s division general manager. “It is a testament to the caliber of talent in Central New York and we are excited to be able to tap into that talent and offer jobs here on the Near Westside. Rural/Metro has been a very strong element in the Central New York economy since 1953, and we look forward to continued growth as a Central New York business.” The employee orientation program at Rural/Metro is very thorough, and consists of multiple components. Field staff complete a two-week classroom orientation covering multiple topics including clinical standards, safe vehicle operation, navigation, documentation, patient relations, internal processes, and more. Following the classroom sessions, training continues in the field for multiple additional weeks, with new employees working as a team member alongside seasoned providers.

Speech therapist receives certiﬁcation Jeanmarie Ripke, a speech pathologist with the brain injury rehabilitation program at The Centers at St. Camillus, recently attained certification in Lee Silverman Voice Treatment. LSVT is a well researched and internationally recognized program designed to treat the voice disorder pattern typically exhibited by patients with Parkinson disease or Parkinsonian-like syndromes and those Lipke with other neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and stroke. Ripke observed the LSVT during her training and early work experience. During her observations, she noted it to be a highly effective treatment for the disorders it is intended to treat. “I decided to obtain this certification because the evidence for the treatment’s efficacy is phenomenal. LSVT has great potential to improve the quality of life for individuals with Parkinson disease here in Syracuse,” said Ripke. According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, “As many as one million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease” and “approximately 60,000 Americans are diagnosed each year.”

“I commend Jeanne in seeking this certification and making LSVT available to the members of our community,” said Christine M. Kearney, St. Camillus vice president of rehabilitation and community-based services. “This additional service is a great complement to current inpatient and outpatient services we already provide to persons with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological impairments and provides an additional type of treatment they may need to address difficulties they may be having.”

Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. “I am looking forward to practicing at Community Memorial Hospital,” said Lalor. “The quality of care provided is widely recognized and there is a strong history of primary care. I am also excited to be able to help fill a growing need for family practice physicians in this region.”

Primary care doctor joins Community Memorial

Rome Memorial Hospital (RMH) and Bassett Medical Center have signed a non-binding letter of intent to develop a collaborative relationship that strengthens the continuum of care for the community and positions both organizations for the changing healthcare industry. With the signing of the letter of intent, the organizations will begin the due diligence process to finalize an agreement that would enable RMH to become a corporate affiliate of Bassett while remaining an operationally distinct hospital with local autonomy, explained RMH President/Chief Executive Officer Basil J. Ariglio. The due diligence process is expected to take a minimum of six months. As part of the final agreement,

John H. Lalor has been hired as a primary care physician and will see patients in both the Barton Memorial Family Health Center in Waterville and the Magee Family Health Center in Morrisville. They are both affiliated with Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton. Lalor is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and most recently worked in primary care at St. Lalor

Rome and Bassett hospitals to explore merger

RMH’s senior management and board would retain decision-making autonomy over employment matters. “Two years ago, our board of trustees made the decision to explore opportunities to collaborate with other organizations to prepare for the changing healthcare environment,” Ariglio said. “We developed specific community objectives based upon feedback from a cross-section of community constituencies and initiated discussions with several organizations.” “Our board unanimously decided to pursue a collaborative relationship with Bassett because we share a common vision of what’s necessary to improve the delivery of healthcare services in our region,” Ariglio said. “Establishing a relationship with Bassett will also help Rome expand primary care access and address physician shortages.”

St. Joseph’s wins ‘Consumer Choice Award’ St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center was named by the National Research Corp. (NRC) as a 2013/2014 Consumer Choice Award winner; this is the 15th time the hospital has earned the award. The award identifies hospitals that

healthcare consumers have chosen as having the highest quality and image in more than 250 markets throughout the United States, and places St. Joseph’s as the highest consumer-ranked hospital in the Syracuse area. Winners are determined by consumer perceptions on multiple quality and image ratings collected in the company’s Market Insights Survey. This study surveys more than 270,000 households in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia. From the households surveyed, hospitals named by consumers are analyzed and ranked based on their Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSAs) as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, with the winning facilities being ranked the highest. “We are thrilled to offer this annual award because we understand how important the role of reputation plays in healthcare consumer decision-making,” said Susan L. Hendricks, president and chief operating officer at National Research. “These winners have done an outstanding job of representing their organizations in terms of high quality care, improvement initiatives, and positive consumer perceptions and experiences. The consumers have spoken. And we congratulate the winning hospitals in receiving this honor.”

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield presents $25,000 in Community Health Awards to seven nonproﬁt organizations in CNY

As part of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s mission to improve the health and health care of the residents of the communities it serves, the company recently presented a total of $25,000 in Community Health Awards to fund health and wellness programs initiated by nonprofit organizations in Central New York. According to physician Arthur Vercillo, regional president, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, the company provides grants to Central New York institutions that positively influence the health of the community. Awards are made based on scope of need, goals of the program, number of people to benefit from the program and positive impact on the community’s health status. Seven 501(c)(3) organizations in Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s eightcounty CNY region were selected from among nearly 60 applicants to receive awards of up to $4,000 each. They include: • ACR Health, Syracuse, to fund an adolescent health initiative in

Onondaga, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. The targeted prevention program trains peer educators to equip youth at high risk for unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and alcohol or substance abuse with lifelong skills that will help them reduce risky behaviors and make healthy choices. • Cayuga Community Health Network, Auburn, for its Brush to Crush Cavities program, which provides in-school education and takehome oral health kits for 900 children in two elementary schools. • Contact Community Services, East Syracuse, to expand its telecare program, a reassurance line through which trained staff provide daily telephone calls to isolated and vulnerable senior citizens or people who have disabilities, are homebound or living alone. Goals include providing a regular connection, reassurance or medication reminders. • Credo Community Center for the Treatment of Addictions, Watertown, for healthy recovery con-

nection, a wellness plan to address dual diagnoses of substance abuse and mental illness through physical activity, education, counseling and links with primary care providers for overall health and wellness. • Integrated Community Planning, Oswego, for a program that will align tobacco cessation resources and services for pregnant women and mothers of young children by working collaboratively with the Oswego County Health Department, primary care and OB-GYN providers and Oswego County Opportunities. It will recruit former smokers as peer counselors. • Sciencenter, Ithaca, to fund a new exhibit on skeleton mechanics and safety. The exhibit incorporates health and wellness messages that will empower visitors to understand how the things they choose to do today will impact their skeletal health in the future. The exhibit will include an adjacent bicycle with a mirrored skeletal view of how a skeleton functions and encourage use of protective December 2013 •

bicycle and skateboarding gear. • Transitional Living Services of Northern New York, Watertown, which will train two instructors in mental health first aid, a groundbreaking public education program that helps the public identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance abuse disorders. Mental health first aid training will be offered across Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. “The company’s Community Health Awards demonstrate a corporate commitment to support local organizations that share our mission as a nonprofit health plan,” said Vercillo. “These awards complement our existing grants and sponsorships with agencies that work to enhance quality of life, including health status, in Central New York.” In the 75 years that Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has been serving residents of Upstate New York, the company has supported hundreds of programs that are aimed at improving the health status of area residents.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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H ealth News Interact Club Makes and Donates Blankets to Oswego Hospital Maternity Center

Crouse Teams With Rite Aid to Offer Free Bedside Prescription Delivery When discharged from the hospital, the last thing patients want to do is stop to pick up medications. Now they don’t have to, thanks to a special service exclusively for Crouse Hospital patients on the medical/surgical units. A partnership with Rite Aid and Patient Portal, the free service provides patients with delivery of medications directly to their bedside on the day they are being discharged. Crouse is the first Syracuse hospital to offer bedside medication delivery directly to patients. The hope is that by making this step in the discharge process as con-

Students from Oswego High School’s Interact Club recently made blankets and then donated them to Oswego Hospital’s Maternity Center. The Interact Club is associated with the two Oswego Rotary clubs. As part of this community service project, the students made 40 fleece blankets that will be given to newborns at Oswego

Hospital. Pictured along with the students are Oswego High School Interact Club advisor Warren Shaw, the Rotary noon club’s liaison for the Interact Club, Joette Deane, and the past president of the Rotary Sunrise Club, Cynthia Tascarella.

venient for the patient as possible — no need to stop at a pharmacy on the way home from the hospital — that patients will be more adherent to their post-hospital medication recommendations. In turn, that should cut down on readmissions to the hospital, which is a major focus of hospitals in today’s healthcare environment. Some facts about MedEx Bedside Prescription Delivery include 24/7 customer service and patients are under no obligation to transfer prescriptions to Rite Aid. They can use this free service just one time from the hospital for convenience.

Oswego Health Recognizes Three Retiring Physicians and a Longtime Board Member

New Endowment Fund announced at Community Memorial Hospital

Oswego Health recognized three retiring physicians and a long-time board member during a reception. They are, from left, Joseph Mather, Sudhir Guthikonda, Ronald Uva and Rev. James Tschudy.

The Community Memorial Hospital Foundation in Hamilton announced the creation of a new endowment fund: The Robert C. Roberts Endowed Fund for Educational Advancement at Community Memorial Hospital. The $25,000 gift was made possible by the Mid-York Press and the children and grandchildren of Robert Roberts. Page 24

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2013

Oswego Heath recognized four Oswego County champions of healthcare at a recent reception. Honored were three retiring physicians Joseph Mather (OB-GYN), Sudhir Guthikonda (radiologist), Ronald Uva (OB-GYN) and a long-time board member, Rev. James Tschudy. Collectively, these four individuals have supported the Oswego Health system for more than 140 years. They offered their assistance and expertise to the organization as it transformed into a health system that included both Springside and The Manor at Seneca Hill, the Central Square and Fulton Medical Centers, as well as the renovation of key hospital departments,

including the maternity center, intensive care unit, emergency department and lab. The three physicians during their careers have seen many cutting edge improvements to healthcare in their respective fields, allowing them to always provide the best of care to their patients. Just as these physicians have provided high-quality care to area residents, Tschudy has shared his many talents and attributes, serving as one of the longest serving board members. At a recent reception, the four were also acknowledged for their individual accomplishments during their careers.

H ealth News Leadership Change at Crouse Hospital Kimberly Boynton Appointed CEO Current CEO Kronenberg to focus on physician integration/alignment Kimberly Boynton, who currently serves as Crouse Hospital’s chief financial officer, will assume the role of chief executive officer, Jan. 1. Current Crouse CEO Paul Kronenberg has accepted the position of vice chairman of the board and will continue working closely with the board and senior leadership in this strategic role. He will also continue to serve as member of the hospital’s senior leadership team. Kronenberg has Boynton served as Crouse’s president and CEO since February 2004. Boynton was appointed CFO in October 2003. “Kimberly is a dynamic, actionoriented leader who is uniquely qualified for the role of CEO of Crouse Hospital,” said Patrick Mannion, chairman of Crouse Hospital’s board of directors. “Her depth and breadth of experience within the Crouse system in virtually all operational areas of the organization, coupled with her loyalty to and passion for Crouse and her community engagement experience, give the board great confidence that she’s the right individual to move into this critical role at this important time.” Said Kronenberg: “Crouse’s continued success will be highly dependent on having a leader who nurtures

and fosters the organizational culture we’ve established over the past decade and who understands and can connect with physicians. Our work to create an overall environment where employees and physicians want to work continues to be a strategic focus for the hospital and has been strongly supported by Kimberly as a member of the senior leadership team.” In her current position, Boynton’s responsibilities go far beyond what would be considered the normal scope of a CFO role, said Mannion. In addition to overseeing all dayto-day finance and business office functions for the hospital, Boynton has oversight of information technology; health information management; patient access; engineering and facilities; housekeeping; purchasing; materials management; and construction management functions for the 506-bed hospital. As CFO, Boynton has been instrumental in the development of numerous strategic initiatives for the organization, including program development; ARRA Stage 1 ‘meaningful use’ roll-out; acquisition of Internist Associates of CNY; formation and integration of Crouse Medical Practice (for which she currently serves as president); and construction of the hospital’s $53 million Witting Surgical Center and $13 million parking garage projects. Boynton started at Crouse in 1998 as a finance analyst and has been an

integral member of the hospital’s senior leadership team since 2004. She holds a master’s in business administration from Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management and is actively involved in the community through her numerous board appointments and other civic involvement. “Dr. Kronenberg’s leadership of Crouse Hospital over the past decade has been nothing short of phenomenal. Under his stewardship, Crouse has created an organizational culture where patients want to come for their care, employees want to work, and physicians want to send their patients,” said Mannion. That sharp focus on culture and the hospital’s mission and values, said Mannion, is what differentiates Crouse and has lead the hospital to being named ‘Business of the Year’ not once but twice (2006, 2012), as well as the first U.S. hospital recipient of Workforce Management magazine’s Optimas Award for General Excellence (2008). “Paul’s connection to the CNY medical community goes back decades. He’s highly regarded and respected, both within the Crouse system and the wider community, and his wisdom, experience and community-focused philosophy will be invaluable as we continue our work to keep Crouse strong and well positioned for the future,” said Mannion.

Kelli Harris Appointed CFO With hospital since 2002, CPA succeeds Kim Boynton Kelli Harris, a certified public accountant, has been appointed chief financial officer for Crouse Hospital. She succeeds current CFO Kimberly Boynton, who recently was appointed chief executive officer at the hospital. With Crouse Hospital since 2002, Harris currently serves as director of finance and patient financial services, Harris

overseeing all finance, reimbursement, financial forecasting, decision support and budgeting activities for the hospital and its affiliates. She also is responsible for all patient accounting and patient access functions across the Crouse system. In addition to finance and patient financial services, Harris will have oversight of the hospital’s health information management and materials management and purchasing functions in her new role. “Kelli is very well suited to the CFO position,” said Boynton. “She is

a talented and well-respected team player who has significant experience in virtually all aspects of the hospital’s financial operations.” A graduate of Niagara University, Harris previously was with PricewaterhouseCoopers as a senior associate. She is currently pursuing a master’s in business administration from the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. Harris resides in Cicero with her husband Kris and their three children.

l l A Get CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper at home or in the d a e R “ ofﬁce for only $15 a year. Don’t miss a single issue! ” ! t I t u o b A December 2013 •

Spread your wings and become a holiday angel

IDS Community Reources’ longstanding holiday angel program spreads comfort and joy to individuals and families who otherwise would do without at holiday time. The program pairs members of the community (angels) with a designated ACR client and his or her family. The “angels” are supplied with a client’s first name and a list of “needs” rather than the typical Christmas “wish” list. Because of a growth in the agency, ACR Health has been overwhelmed with requests for assistance. ACR Development Director Carrie Portzline-Large said, “Our clients and their families struggle financially yearround. They often have nothing left for ‘something special’ at holiday time.” Clients’ lists of “needs” usually contain requests for basic needs like clothing, bathroom items such as towels, kitchen supplies, or personal items like shoes or a coat. Participating angels can buy as many or as few of the items on the list as they wish. Many community groups, churches, or extended families pool their resources every year to sponsor an ACR client and members of their family. Several hundred people rely on ACR holiday angels for whatever holiday gifts come their way. ACR serves Cayuga, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego and St. Lawrence counties in New York state. Holiday angels are needed across the nine-county service area. Gifts must be wrapped and labeled. Financial donations are appreciated. If you would like to be a holiday angel, call 800-475-2430, or email events@ACRHealth.org.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

What’s Great About Green Beans

lip through any woman’s magazine this time of year and you’re sure to see bushels of green bean recipes. From savory sides to yummy casseroles, green beans take center stage on many American dinner tables. But despite their popularity, most people aren’t aware of the nutritional benefits this beloved bean has to offer. Let’s take a look. To begin, green beans are vitamin K heavyweights, with one serving (one cup, cooked) providing a quarter of our daily requirement for this essential vitamin. Vitamin K not only helps blood clot properly, but it also helps maintain strong bones in older men and women. In fact, recent studies have shown that diets high in vitamin K may increase bone density in people with osteoporosis and even lower their risk for bone fractures. Green beans also pack a decent antioxidant punch, thanks to their high concentration of vitamins A and C. Antioxidants protect our bodies from disease and accelerated aging by neutralizing free radicals—harmful by-

products of daily living—that can wreak havoc with healthy tissues. Both vitamins also promote healthy immune systems, which is especially important during flu season. Looking to increase your fiber intake? Green beans deliver the goods, with one cooked cup serving up nearly 4 grams of this valuable nutrient. Fiber promotes regularity, ferries bad cholesterol out of our bodies and helps to stabilize blood sugars. Also great: Green beans are a boon for those looking to lose or maintain weight. Super low in both fat and calories (only 44 per cooked cup), fiberrich green beans take a while to digest, which helps us feel full longer and snack less. Finally, green beans are a very good source of manganese, a trace mineral that plays an important role

in a variety of body processes, from forming connective tissue to promoting calcium absorption to regulating blood sugar.

Helpful tips

Purchase fresh when possible. Look for beans that are unshriveled, vibrant green, and free from brown spots. They should feel firm and “snap” when bent in half. Store unwashed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Since beans lose their fresh flavor quickly – use within a few days.

Green Bean Casserole with Sautéed Mushrooms Serves 8

1/3 cup walnuts, toasted and finely chopped ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan 1/3 cup whole grain bread crumbs 1 ¼ lb green beans, trimmed and halved 1 tablespoon olive oil ½ red onion, chopped 8 ounces sliced white mushrooms 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped ½ cup 2% milk 3 oz reduced-fat cream cheese, room temperature pinch cayenne pepper (optional) ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper 2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest

place beans in large mixing bowl. In small bowl, mix together bread crumbs, 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, and chopped walnuts. Set topping aside. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in sliced mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes more. Add garlic and cook a minute more. Whisk milk into skillet mixture and bring to a simmer. Stir in the cream cheese, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, and remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until mixture is slightly thickened (about 2 to 3 minutes). Add lemon zest. Fold skillet mixture into green beans; blend well. Transfer to the prepared baking dish; sprinkle with breadcrumb topping; bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly oil a 2-qt baking dish. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add beans and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Drain and run under cold water. Drain again;

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.

LIFE HAS COMMUNITY

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2013

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Page 27

Do You Need Health Insurance?

If your goal is to be covered for January 1, now’s the time to enroll through NY State of Health! 2014 is just around the corner. If you want to have health insurance for the start of the new year, now’s the time to explore NY State of Health: The Official Health Plan Marketplace. Fidelis Care offers some of the lowest monthly premiums available, and we can help you choose the coverage that’s right for you.

Remember...To have health insurance for January 1, 2014 through a Marketplace product, you must enroll by December 15, 2013. Even if you miss this deadline, Open Enrollment will continue through March 31, 2014. Beyond this date, you will need to wait until Open Enrollment next fall for coverage effective January 1, 2015.

Check out the Fidelis Affordable Care Advisor! All it takes is 2 minutes to estimate your health insurance costs as well as any tax credits or subsidies that can help make coverage more affordable. Find it on the home page of fideliscare.org.

Call 1-888-FIDELIS (1-888-343-3547) TTY: 1-800-421-1220, or visit fideliscare.org. Our representatives can help you every step of the way! To learn more about signing up for a health plan through NY State of Health, visit nystateofhealth.ny.gov or call 1-855-355-5777.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2013