PRICELESS
Meet Your Doctor New chief Ranjna Sharma, M.D. wants to turn SUNY Upstate’s breast cancer program into a national leader for breast care management. See interview on page 6
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Things You Need to Know About Skin Cancer Prevention
Career: Diagnostic Medical Sonography Requires only an associate’s degree. It pays about $72K in Syracuse
Women’s Health by Decade Main issues women should pay attention to as they age
CNYHEALTH.COM
JULY 2019 • ISSUE 235
Summer Fitness for Women
Do’s & Don’ts
Story on p.15
The Top 5 Fruits to Add to Your Diet Researchers have looked at the most nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables to see which provided meaningful amounts of B vitamins including thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, B6 and B12, vitamins C and K, iron, fiber and protein. Most of the top spots on their ranked list of powerhouse fruits — those most strongly associated with reducing the risk of chronic diseases — were various citrus fruits with one popular berry mixed in.
The top 5 nutrient-dense fruits • Lemons • Strawberries • Oranges • Limes • Pink and red grapefruit As terrific as blueberries are considered, blackberries were actually the next fruit on the list,
followed by white grapefruit. Now this isn’t to say that blueberries, which many studies rank very high for antioxidants and other healthful compounds, shouldn’t be on your shopping list along with raspberries. Eating fruits in a rainbow of colors gets you the widest variety of nutrients and phyto-nutrients — those hard-to-duplicate compounds that go beyond vitamins and minerals. It’s also important to pay attention to a fruit’s ripeness. Studies show that ripe fruits, including all berries, offer more antioxidants than fruits that are not quite ready. Based on that criteria, strawberries topped the list, followed by black raspberries, blackberries and red raspberries in that order. Remember that fruits have more calories than vegetables, so watch your portion sizes. P. 23
Can Italian sausage be part of a healthy diet? Story on p.17
1,000,000
Number of new sexually transmitted infections cases every day among people aged 15-49 years, according to the World Health Organization.
Story on p. 12
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BREAST HEALTH CARDIAC CARE WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY UROLOGY PELVIC PHYSICAL REHAB GYN GYN ONCOLOGY
Women’s services at Crouse. As individual as you are.
N
o two women are alike. At Crouse, we believe you want — and need — healthcare that puts a continual focus
on what matters most — you. Our hospital was founded by women — and more than a century later, services for infants and women of all ages remain at the heart of Crouse Health.
Partner with women’s wellness providers who discover your individual needs by listening more closely and caring more deeply — and treating you with the respect and dignity you deserve.
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crouse.org/women
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LOW & HIGH-RISK OB REGIONAL NICU LACTATION CONSULTANTS PERINATAL ANXIETY & MOOD DISORDER SPIRIT OF WOMEN Page 2
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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2019
TAKE CHARGE Get Informed More than 60 million Americans have some form of heart disease. Heart disease is hereditary in some cases. But in many cases, making healthy lifestyle choices may help reduce the risk of getting heart disease. If you have more questions, you should talk to your provider.
Partner with Your Provider
Be Heart Smart
To determine whether you have a heart condition, your health care provider will do diagnostic tests and procedures. If you have heart disease or have had a stroke, members of your family may also be at higher risk of having the disease. It’s very important to make healthy choices now to lower risk.
A healthy diet and lifestyle are your best weapons in the fight against heart disease. Here are healthy tips that help protect your cardiovascular system. ♥Get Active ♥Eat Better ♥Lose Weight ♥Control Cholesterol ♥Manage Blood Pressure
New to Medicare? Let WellCare help you live healthier. Jason Hollister, Sales Manager 1-716-846-7900 www.WellCareNow.com
Always talk with your doctor(s) about the care that is right for you. This material does not replace your doctor’s advice. Source: www.Heart.org.
65505
WellCare (HMO) is a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in WellCare (HMO) depends on contract renewal. A sales person will be present with information and applications. For accommodation of persons with special needs at sales meetings, call 1-877-699-3552 (TTY 711). There is no obligation to enroll. Please contact WellCare for details. WellCare complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-877-374-4056 (TTY: 711) ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-877-374-4056 (TTY: 711). 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務 。請致電 1-877-374-4056 (TTY: 711) 。 Y0070_NA029115_WCM_FLY_ENG CMS Accepted 05242015
July 2019 •
©WellCare 2015 NA_03_15_WC IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 3
Excellus now offering Medicaid managed care products in Onondaga County Excellus BlueCross BlueShield recently announced that it has received approval from the New York State Department of Health to offer its HMOBlue Option and Blue Option Plus Medicaid managed care products to residents of Onondaga County. HMOBlue Option provides no-cost health coverage to eligible individuals who are younger than age 65 and meet certain income, resource, or disability requirements. Blue Option Plus includes the same benefits as HMOBlue Option but offers an additional set of benefits and care coordination for those who have qualifying mental health and substance use disorders.
“We’re excited to offer our Medicaid managed care products to residents of Onondaga County,� said Aaron Bertram, vice president of safety net products, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “Our mission as a nonprofit health plan is to ensure that as many people as possible have access to high-quality health care that meets all of their needs.� Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is now accepting enrollment in HMOBlue Option and Blue Option Plus. For more information and to enroll, visit ChooseExcellus.com, or call 1-800-939-7700.  You can also find Excellus on nystateofhealth.ny.gov.
2019 FISH LECTURE SERIES 2019KATHRYN KATHRYN FISH LECTURE SERIES rd
June 2321st1-2 pm July 1-2 pm Dr. William Cesare – 2019 Kathryn Series Reverend TedFish Taylor – Lecture Professor of Psychology – Morrisville State College 2019 Kathryn Fish Lecture Series 2019 Kathryn Lecture Series Retired Minister of the DewittFish Community Church 2019 Kathryn Fish Lecture Series Neuro Parasitology – Explaining Suicidal Mice Sunday April 28th -You’ll Sunday April 28th -1-2pm A Message Enjoy Sunday April 28th -1-2pm Sunday April 28th -1-2pm 1-2pm
Next Lecture: July 21st 1-2pm Dr.Dr. Jim Yonai August 18th 1-2pm Jim Yonai Dr. Jim Yonai Dr. Jim Yonai
120337 120337 120337 120337
Reverend Ted Taylor –and Retired of Issues Affecting Aging Mental Health Dr. Nasri Ghaly –Minister Issues Affecting Aging and Mental Health Issues Affecting Aging and Mental Health Issues Affecting Aging and Mental Health Dewitt Community Church Syracuse Psychiatrist Next Lecture: May 19th Next Lecture: May 19th Next Lecture: May 19th Next Lecture: May 19th A Message You’ll Enjoy Medical Reverend Mick Keville - Believing the Reverend Mick Keville -Marijuana Believing theBest Best
Reverend Mick Keville - Believing Reverend Mick Keville - Believingthe theBest Best Come Visit The Farm! Come Visit The Farm! Come Visit The Farm! Come Visit The Farm! SeeSee “Chocolate Cream� and the goats. “Chocolate Cream� and the goats. See “Chocolate Cream� and the goats. See “Chocolate Cream� and the goats. PU PU BL BL PU PU ICBL Walk the track and enjoy thethe farm. ICICIC Walk the and enjoy farm. BL Walk thetrack track and enjoy the farm. Walk the track and enjoy the farm.
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CALENDAR of
HEALTH EVENTS
July 8, Aug. 5
Office of Aging offers answers to Medicare questions
Are you turning 65 soon? Are you overwhelmed by all the mail, calls and Medicare options? Cayuga County Office for the Aging offers complimentary monthly classes to help you make sense of Medicare. In those classes, participants will learn how to determine whether the plan they are considering will give them peace of mind or potential headaches. People will learn about how Part D drug plans work and whether EPIC co-pay assistance is a good option. The classes will provide
Alzheimer’s Association announces support group meetings
The Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter welcomes those impacted by Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia to attend one of its support groups that meet throughout the region. Support groups are a community of peers that exist to support one another. These are peer- or professionally-led groups for individuals, caregivers and others dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia. Caregiver support groups promote an open forum of sharing and discussion among people facing many of the same issues. The group’s power rests within its members’ ability to show compassion, develop strategies and empower its members to provide the highest quality care possible. Additionally, the chapter offers support groups for individuals living with early-stage dementia and their caregivers, LGBT caregivers, and caregivers of those with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease. See the listing for specific locations. All support groups are free of charge to attend and facilitated by trained individuals. For more information, call 1-800-272-3900 or email cny-programs@alz.org.  Upcoming meetings include:  Cayuga County • Auburn Sts. Peter and John Episcopal Church, 69 Genesee St. 2 p.m., Aug. 1, first Thursday 6/14/19 8:49 AM
Madison County
100% OSHA Compliant • Patient Gowns • Lab Coat Service • Scrubs • Sheets/Pillow Cases • Bath/Hand Towels • Masssage Linens • Professional Mat Service • Fluid Resistant Garments Page 4
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• Canastota Madison County Office for the Aging, 138 Dominic Bruno Blvd. 10 a.m., third Friday, July 19, Aug. 16 • Cazenovia Community Resources for Independent Seniors, 12 Mill St. 6 p.m., second Wednesday, July 10, Aug. 14
800-858-8109
Serving Central New York HealthWearRental.com
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2019
 Onondaga County
• Baldwinsville Baldwinsville Methodist Church, 17 W. Genesee St. 6:30 p.m., second Tuesday, July 9, Aug. 13 • Clay
information about programs to help pay for insurance coverage, as well as a listing of the free and low-cost preventive care under Medicare. All classes will be held in the basement training room of the Cayuga County Office Building. The current schedule is 5 to 7 p.m. July 8 and Aug. 5. Check The Aurburn Citizen and the Cayuga County Office for the Aging’s “Senior News & Viewsâ€? for the details. Bring ID for a security check at the front door. Registration is required. For more information or to register, please call the Cayuga County Office for the Aging at 315-253-1226, or visit cayugacounty.us/507/office-for-theaging under the News & Activities section. Immanuel Lutheran Church, 4947 NYS Route 31 3 p.m., fourth Thursday, July 25, Aug. 22 — Support group for spousal caregivers • DeWitt Pebble Hill Presbyterian Church, 5299 Jamesville Road 4:30 p.m., third Wednesday, July 17, Aug. 21 — Support group for individuals with early-stage dementia and their care partners. Advanced screening is recommended prior to attending by calling Katrina at 315- 4724201 x116. • Liverpool Liverpool First Presbyterian Church, 603 Tulip St. 11 a.m., second Saturday, July 13, Aug. 10 • Manlius Manlius Public Library, 1 Arkie Albanese Way 6:30 p.m., fourth Tuesday, July 23, Aug. 27 • North Syracuse NOPL North Syracuse, 100 Trolley Barn Lane 3:15 p.m., third Tuesday, July 16, Aug. 20 • Skaneateles Grace Chapel, 1674 U.S. Route 20 2 p.m., last Thursday, July 25, Aug. 29 • Syracuse Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter, 441 W. Kirkpatrick St. 5:30 p.m., 2nd Wednesday, July 10, Aug. 14 — Support group for caregivers of people with younger-onset (under 65 years old) Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia • The Centers at St. Camillus, 813 Fay Road 5:30 p.m., third Tuesday, July 16, Aug. 20 • The Hearth on James, 830 James St. 1 p.m., first and third Thursday, July 18 (July 4 meeting canceled for the holiday), Aug. 1 and 15 • SAGE Upstate, 431 E. Fayette St. 3 p.m., 2nd Tuesday, July 9, Aug. 13 — LGBT caregivers support group • Syracuse V.A. Hospital, 800 Irving Ave., Room B905 1 p.m., first Wednesday, July 3, Aug. 7 — Non-Veterans WelcomeÂ
 Oswego County
• Central Square First Universalist Church of Central Square, 3243 Fulton Ave. 7 p.m., fourth Monday, July 22, Aug. 26 • Oswego The Manor at Seneca Hill, 20 Manor Drive 6 p.m., fourth Wednesday, July 24, Aug. 28
Â
Got an event to share with our readers? Send an email by the 10th of each month editor@cnyhealth.com
Sam Benjamin, MD
Upstate Cancer Center Hematology Oncology at Oswego
Lisa Lai, MD
Alexander Banashkevich, MD
Breast Care Surgeon
Upstate Cancer Center Radiation Oncology at Oswego
True Breast Cancer Treatment. Right at Home. Oswego Health and Upstate Medical University are partnering to provide comprehensive breast care services, right at home. Our physician team offers a range of breast care services, from screening and the evaluation of masses and surgical options, to medical oncology and radiation care. This cancer treatment team has the same advanced technology and physicians that are providing care at the Upstate Cancer Center.
CENTER FOR This highlyORTHOPEDIC knowledgeable andCARE caring team will develop a detailed care plan and will be with you throughout your journey to recovery.
To schedule an appointment, please call (315) 592-3939 or visit oswegohealth.org/cancer July 2019 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 5
Upstate: Adults with Diabetes Getting Better at Managing Disease
Meet
Your Doctor
By Chris Motola
Ranjna Sharma, M.D.
New chief wants to turn SUNY Upstate’s breast cancer program into national leader for Compliance with care breast care management Q: You’re new the head of the radiation oncologist, and have their recommendations is breast cancer program at SUNY Upimaging reviewed, see a geneticist state. What does the program do? and any support staff they need on the rise A: We take care of patients with to. We already have that in place. I
U
pstate New York adults who have diabetes are better at managing their disease than they were just a few years ago, according to a review of self-reported patient data by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. More adults with diabetes are measuring their blood sugar daily, having an A1C blood test twice yearly, scheduling annual foot exams, getting regular exercise, taking diabetes management classes, seeing health professionals specifically for their diabetes, and even getting an annual flu shot. “An increasing number of patients, by their own admission, are following the diabetes care recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Diabetes Association,” said Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Vice President and Chief Medical Officer LouAnne Giangreco, M.D. “Unfortunately, we are seeing greater numbers of people being diagnosed with diabetes.” In 2017, upstate New York had approximately 440,000 adults with diabetes, a 14% increase from 2015, when the region had an estimated 387,000 adults with the disease. Diabetes is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke), the nation’s leading killer. It also is the leading cause of kidney disease and non-traumatic lower extremity amputation. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s review of the data revealed only one diabetes care recommendation that is on the decline. From 2015 to 2017, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield found a 9% change in the percentage of adults who had a dilated eye exam within the last year. That’s important, because diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield summarized its findings on diabetes in an infographic that is available free to download at https://tinyurl.com/y4rj3gjh.
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both benign and malignant breast disease. We’re involved in multi-disciplinary management, particularly of breast cancer patients. I’m really excited to be here. It’s a great institution, a great group of people.
Q: How much of the program is focused on detection versus, say, innovating new ways to treat the disease? A: We do recommend that women over the age of 40 start getting screened. The prior recommendations were every year; some groups are saying every two years. That’s really a conversation to have with your physician based on your family history of breast cancer. You should still definitely have a clinical breast exam every year. The earlier that we’re able to find cancers, the more options we’ll likely have for treatment, as well as clinical trial options. So, we’re big advocates of screening and mammography. Q: What made you want to lead the program, and where do you want to take it? A: I think this is an amazing institution with incredible people. My thought was it would be wonderful to help the program grow and expand. I think there’s an excellent framework here, but I think there are things we can do to make our services more wide-reaching, not just locally, but regionally. We’d like to be the regional leader for breast care management in Central and even Upstate New York. And over time, we’d like to be a national leader as well. Q: What are the steps to getting there? A: The first step is to have a good multi-disciplinary clinic where patients see a breast surgeon, a medical oncologist, a
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2019
believe we’re one of the few local institutions really offering that level of a clinical experience. Other institutions do offer multi-disciplinary care, but we actually have the opportunity to be seen, say, in a Friday afternoon by as many of these providers as they need to. So, I think being seen in that fashion is the most optimal way to ideally treat breast cancer because you have all the experts who will be involved in your care coming up with a plan together, and then you have all the support services that are available to you. So that’s a huge foundation. The next in line I’d say is research, whether it’s participation in national clinical trials or investigation-initiated studies. That’s huge. I think the fact that we’re a teaching institution is important as well. Since we’re teaching residents, our clinicians have to be very up-to-date with the latest literature and advancements. Q: What kinds of new developments have there been in breast cancer treatment? A: I think a very hot topic the past few years has been management of the lymph nodes in the underarm area. It’s thought that with most breast cancers, if it spreads, it will go to the lymph nodes in the underarm. There’s been a huge a paradigm shift since 2010 in terms of the types of surgery we offer to patients with cancer in those lymph nodes. A study found that people with limited amounts of disease in those underarm lymph nodes could perhaps choose a smaller surgery and then have radiation rather pursue the bigger
surgery thereafter. So, we kind of expanded on that to continue to learn more about how to manage these underarm lymph nodes. The newest advancement came a few years ago with patients getting medical therapeutic chemotherapy upfront. In the past, again, everyone who had known cancer in that area always got the bigger surgery, but now we can do a more targeted procedure. We can do a mapping of the region with dye and remove a certain number of lymph nodes to get a sampling of the area. And then we can decide if you’ll need a bigger surgery. Q: As far as the Central New York region is concerned, are there particular challenges the area has, either in logistics or pathology? A: I think access to care is always an issue no matter where you are. As you get away from the cities and the major academic areas, it gets harder to come in for your screening mammogram or come in to see your physician. One thing Upstate is doing is rolling out our mobile mammography van. We just had our unveiling about a month ago. This van is going to cover about eight counties in the region. It’ll be going out to more remote areas and will be able to offer advanced, high-tech screening. And then, if there are abnormalities, they can be asked to come into one of the bigger centers. I think it’s very exciting, because it will allow more access to care. Obviously, there are lots of great hospitals in the region capable of taking care of breast cancer patients, but we do feel as though there’s a benefit to being seen in an academic setting in terms of multi-disciplinary care, research and the teaching opportunities. Because of that, we’re trying to set up satellites or partner with local hospitals to offer our services locally. For example, we have oncologists who go up to Oswego and offer services there. I’ve personally started to go out to Auburn Community Hospital. As time goes on, I think you’re going to see more physicians go out and bring some of the care you’d find in an academic setting out to patients in remote areas. Q: What level of care are you able to provide remotely? A: When we’re in these other regions, we partner with the teams that are already there, and many of them are already doing a great job. They’ve set up screenings, mammography and diagnostic imaging in place. So, we take a look at what they’re already providing and if we can use those services we will. If not, we’ll bring patients down to us.
Lifelines
Name: Ranjna Sharma, M.D. Position: Division chief of breast
surgery at SUNY Upstate Previous Appointments: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center / Harvard Medical School, 2010-2019 Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio Education: Ohio State University at Columbus Affiliations: SUNY Upstate Medical University; Auburn Community Hospital Organizations: Society of Surgical Oncology; American Society of Breast Surgeons; American College of Surgeons Family: Husband, daughter, twin boys Hobbies: Travel
Fairmount Family Medicine Welcomes Meghan Doran, FNP-C, DCNP Starting in late July, Meghan will be providing dermatology services. Meghan is a certified dermatologic nurse practitioner with 7 years of experience. She treats all common and not so common dermatologic illnesses which include acne, rosacea, psoriasis, abnormal moles, skin cancers, skin surveilance, eczema, warts and more. To schedule an appointment with Meghan, please call (315) 488-0996 and ask to speak with Olivia
Fairmount Family Medicine 436 Hinsdale Road Camillus, NY 13031 (315) 488-0996
18.XXX_Urology_MeetTheTeam_Horiz.qxp_Layout 1 11/14/18 9:28 AM Page 1
MEET THE UPSTATE UROLOGY TEAM Chairman Urologic oncology; robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder and adrenal
General urology, andrology
GENNADY BRATSLAVSKY, MD ZAHI N. MAKHULI, MD
Male infertility, erectile dysfunction, andrology, general urology, prosthetics, and Peyronies
Urologic oncology; robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder and adrenal
JOSEPH JACOB, MD
OLEG SHAPIRO, MD
General urology, male health, urologic oncology, enlarged prostate, kidney stones At Upstate Urology of Auburn.
Pediatric urology, treatment of hernias and hydroceles, robotic surgery, urinary tract infections, penile abnormalities
MATTHEW D. MASON, MD
JC TRUSSELL, MD
Urologic oncology and endourology, robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder and adrenal; kidney stones
RYAN SIDEBOTTOM, DO
Urologic oncology; robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder and adrenal
General urology, male health, urologic oncology, enlarged prostate, kidney stones , and robotic surgery
MAHMOUD CHEHAB, MD
NICK LIU, MD
Incontinence, urethral stricture disease, vesicovaginal fistula, reconstructive surgery, transgender care
DMITRIY NIKOLAVSKY, MD
Pediatric urology, treatment of hernias and hydroceles, robotic surgery, urinary tract infections, penile abnormalities
JONATHAN RIDDELL, MD
Female and reconstructive urology, urinary incontinence in women, pelvic floor treatment and neurourology
General urology
IMAD NSOULI, MD
NATASHA GINZBURG, MD
General Urology, Endourology and Laporoscopic Surgery
General Urology, Endourology
SERGEY KRAVCHICK, MD
EDWARD IOFFE, MD
Urologic oncology robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder, and adrenal
RAKESH KHANNA, MD
General urology, female and reconstructive urology
ELIZABETH FERRY, MD
General Urology; Female Urinary Incontinence
MICHAEL CASTELLO, DO
MRI fusion, male health, prostate cancer and kidney stones
TIMOTHY K. BYLER, MD
Reconstructive urology; incontinence, prosthetics, urinary fistula, neurogenic bladder, urinary diversion. Robotic surgery.
STEPHEN BLAKELY, MD
Urologic oncology; robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder and adrenal
RUBEN PINKHASOV, MD, MPH
UROLOGY FOR QUESTIONS OR TO MAKE A REFERRAL, CALL 315.464.1500 July 2019 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 7
Say hello to healthy.
59 dedicated physicians and healthcare providers. Say hello to a more convenient way to stay healthy in Oswego County. Formerly known as NOCHSI, ConnextCare offers a comprehensive set of services family and internal medicine, pediatrics, dentistry, psychiatry, social work under one medical group. Patients within our network can now visit any of the six locations at any time. And because we’re seamlessly connected, our staff can access your medical records at the touch of a button. It’s a faster, more convenient and easier way to keep yourself and your family healthy. Page 8
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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2019
Learn more at connextcare.org — or better yet, stop in to one of our six sites Located in Fulton, Mexico, Oswego, Parish, Phoenix, Pulaski and say hello.
U.S. Cancer Cases, Deaths Continue to Fall
Good news on a major killer: U.S. cancer deaths continued to fall between 1999 and 2016. So finds the latest Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, from a consortium of leading cancer organizations. The report also found that the rate of new cancer cases fell among men from 2008 to 2015, after increasing from 1999 to 2008, and was stable in women from 1999 to 2015. Still, much more progress is needed. “Major declines overall in cancer mortality point in the right direction, yet significant differences remain in cancer cases and deaths based on gender, ethnicity and race,” said physician Robert Redfield, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overall, cancer death rates decreased 1.8% per year in men and 1.4% per year in women, continuing an ongoing trend. From 2011 to 2015, cancer incidence rates — the rate of new cases
— were stable in women and decreased 2% per year in men. Why men are charting a bit more improvement in avoiding cancer compared to women isn’t clear, Redfield said. “A better understanding of these discrepancies improves cancer diagnosis and recovery for all patients and is vital to our public health mission,” he said in a news release from the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Among individual tumor types, progress appears to be continuing against lung cancer, largely due to declines in smoking; and against melanoma skin cancer, due to new and better treatments. On the other hand, cancers where obesity is a risk factor — early-onset colon cancer, breast cancer in older women, and uterine cancers — are on the rise. A special section of the report tracked cancer rates for younger Americans — those aged 20 to 49. It found that, in this age group, cancer
incidence and death rates were higher for women than men. From 2011 to 2015, the average annual incidence rate for all invasive cancers in this age group was 203 per 100,000 among women and 115 per 100,000 among men, the report found. Lead author Elizabeth Ward, a consultant at the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR), said, “The greater cancer burden among women than men ages 20 to 49 was a striking finding of this study.” Among this younger cohort, cancer incidence rates fell an average of 0.7% a year among men but rose an average of 1.3% per year among women, the report found. And from 2012 to 2016, the average annual cancer death rate was 27 per 100,000 among women and nearly 23 per 100,000 among men in this age group. Still, some improvements were seen: From 2012 to 2016, cancer death rates fell overall for young Amer-
icans. The death rate fell 2.3% per year among men and 1.7% per year among women, the report found. Among Americans aged 20 to 49, the most common cancers and their incidence rates among women were breast cancer (73 per 100,000), thyroid cancer (28 per 100,000), and melanoma (14 per 100,000). The most common cancers among men in this age group were colon and rectal cancer (13 per 100,000), testis (nearly 11 per 100,000), and melanoma (10 per 100,000). Younger women’s heightened vulnerability to cancer compared to their male peers appears concentrated in one cancer type, Ward noted. “The high burden of breast cancer relative to other cancers in this age group reinforces the importance of research on prevention, early detection, and treatment of breast cancer in younger women,” she said. And physician Douglas Lowy, acting director of the NCI, said that “it is important to recognize that cancer mortality rates are declining in the 20- to 49-year-old age group, and that the rates of decline among women in this age group are faster than those in older women.” The report was published May 30 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Healthcare in a Minute
By George W. Chapman
‘Surprise’ Bills —Senate Health Committee to Deal with Problem
T
hese are bills sent to you by providers who, unbeknownst to you, are non-participating providers in your insurance plan. They can send you a bill for the difference between their charge and what your insurance company paid them. (Participating providers contractually agree to accept your insurance payments.) A typical example would be when you receive services from a participating hospital emergency department only to learn when the bill arrives (surprise!) that the emergency department is staffed by a national MD group that doesn’t accept nor participate in your insur-
Price Transparency
The same bill that addresses “surprise” billing also addresses price transparency. It would require providers and insurers to give patients price quotes on expected out-of-pocket expenses so consumers can shop around. It would require insurers to keep up-to-date directories so patients know what providers are in network in the first place which would virtually eliminate surprise bills. It would also ban anti- competitive language in contracts between an insurer and a healthcare system that prevent patients from seeking lower cost/higher quality providers.
JAMA and Single Payer
For the first time in a long time, JAMA (Journal of American Medical Association) published an opinion piece supporting the concept of a single payer for healthcare. Recent surveys and polls reveal half of
ance. The obvious question is, why would a participating hospital staff its ED with non-participating providers? The answer is they may not have much of a choice, especially if it’s a hard-pressed rural hospital that cannot maintain its own staff. A rare bipartisan bill coming out of the Senate health committee deals with surprise bills. It would require all providers that work for an “in network” hospital to accept a patient’s insurance. In this ED example, the national MD staffing group company must agree to become participating providers or agree to send their bill directly to the hospital vs. the patient. physician respondents now support the concept of a single payer system for healthcare. This was not nearly the case 20 years ago or so, when commercial payers paid physicians considerably more than Medicare for the exact same service. Over time, commercial insurance companies gradually lowered their fees to the equivalent of Medicare fees, or close to them, causing a lot of physicians to wonder what’s the point of the administrative hassle created by multiple payers if all are now paying about the same as Medicare. The Medicare physician fee schedule, once derided as a necessary evil by physicians, has become the “gold standard” of all physician fees. By dropping their fees to Medicare equivalents, commercial carriers have unwittingly created the case/ justification for a single payer system. Despite the rationale, physicians remain justifiably wary of a single
payer that would have a monopoly on their fees. To counter, the idea of a physician’s union has been floated.
Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage (MA) plan applications were up 87% the first quarter of 2019 vs. the same period last year. MA plans are administered by commercial carriers like Aetna, Excellus, Cigna, United, etc. They typically charge a small premium more per month than regular Medicare because they offer more benefits. The typical MA “premium” decreased this year from $12 to $8 a month. Industry experts believe the price drop is due to competition, increased efficiency and tech savvy baby boomer consumers. Seniors are free to move back and forth between regular Medicare and MA plans during annual open enrollment periods. People who switched from traditional Medicare to an Advantage plan spent/cost an average of $1,253 per year less (2016 versus 2015) than those remaining on traditional Medicare.
ACA Best Year Ever
Despite more than 60 attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and continuing efforts to scuttle the ACA by the current administration, the insurers still offering individual plans on the exchanges are not only surviving but are thriving. They are experiencing their best year ever. As some major carriers either scaled back or completely exited the exchanges, primarily due to the uncertainty created by Washington, other carriers took advantage of the void and either newly entered the market or expanded their existing footprint. The Kaiser Family Foundation looked at insurer performances between 2011 and 2018. In 2015, there was an average loss of $9.21 per member per month July 2019 •
for all participating insurers. The corresponding “medical loss ratio” was 103%, meaning the insurer spent 3% more on claims than it made in premiums. In 2018, the insurers made an astounding $166.82 per member per month. The corresponding medical loss ratio was an industry enviable 70% meaning the average insurer spent 30% less on claims than it made in premiums. The ACA requires a small market insurer to refund money to its members when their medical loss ratio is under 80%. Stated another way, insurers can keep up to 20% of their premiums, but must refund anything over that. All told, insurers will refund about $800 million to members.
CVS Health Hubs
As further evidence of the expansion and encroachment of retail corporations into the provision of healthcare, CVS announced it will increase its community-based hubs by 1,500 locations over the next two years. Twenty percent of a CVS store will be dedicated to these “HealthHUBs” that will provide “new product categories, digital tools, on-demand health kiosks, trusted advice and personalized care.” CVS argues it is fulfilling unmet consumer preferences and is keeping up with competitors like Walmart. George W. Chapman is a healthcare business consultant who works exclusively with physicians, hospitals and healthcare organizations. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse. Email him at gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.
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Live Alone & Thrive
By Gwenn Voelckers
Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone
Friendships Can Blossom Any Time of Year: It’s Never Too Late Question from a reader:
I’ve been divorced for about a year now, and struggle with loneliness. I miss the friends we shared as a couple, but I’m just not comfortable socializing with couples anymore. I’m 56, and it feels awkward to try to make friends at my age. Any advice for me?
Answer from Gwenn:
I
t’s unfortunate, but what you are experiencing often happens in the aftermath of a separation or divorce, especially if it was acrimonious. Friends’ loyalties can be split and, just as you feel uncomfortable relating to your former “couple” friends, some couples feel uncomfortable relating to a now-single friend. So how do you meet new people and cultivate friendships as an adult? Here are a few tips: First, be your own best friend. Taking care of yourself matters. Loving yourself shows. The better you feel about yourself, the better friends you’ll attract. Positive people appreciate and gravitate to other healthy,
positive people. Do what you like doing. You won’t make friends sitting alone at home. Get out of the house and do those things you enjoy, whether it’s going to the gym, walking your dog, taking a cooking class, joining a book club, or any number of activities that are fun and active. You’ll meet people who share your interests and love of life. Friendships will likely follow! Consider a support group. It’s not uncommon for new friendships to be borne out of compassion and empathy. A divorce or grief support group will put you in touch with others facing similar challenges. A friend of mine met her second husband in a divorce support group. She shared, “We got to know each other as friends first, and have remained ‘best friends’ throughout our marriage. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me.” Say “yes” to invitations and opportunities to be with people. Circulating at parties, neighborhood meetings, work events, etc. is one of the easiest
ways to make new friends. You’ll be out and about with people with whom you share something in common. Show up and don’t be shy about extending an invitation to someone you meet. It could be a cup of coffee, drinks after work or walk in the park. Don’t overlook your family. My sister is my best friend, and she helped me re-establish a network of friends after my divorce. I had gone into the proverbial “cave” and lost contact with practically everyone. Her friends became my friends, and now, years later, I enjoy the company of her friends, as well as my own. Rekindle relationships with old friends. Sometimes friends drift away when you get married, and are therefore long gone when you may need them most. That’s not unusual. New priorities take over and establishing a new married life together requires time and focus. But now, when you’re looking to find new friendships, consider reconnecting with old friends. They were an important part of your life at one point, and may still have lots to offer. Pick up the phone. Give a “singles” event a try. Many divorced or widowed men and women find fun and friendship in community activities organized just for singles. It could be a hike, bike ride, dinner club or dance. These opportunities are often included online in community calendars or in your local newspaper. Volunteer or join a cause. Supporting an organization or cause you believe in will put you in contact with people working toward a common goal. Community gardens, political
parties, hospitals, museums, animal shelters and many other organizations often need volunteers. Strong connections can be made when you work alongside others who want to make the world a better place. Join an online community of people who share your interests. Social networking sites can be a safe and satisfying way to meet people. One popular site is www.meetup.com, which facilitates group meetings in cities and towns near and far. Meetup allows members to find and join groups unified by a common interest, such as nature, photography, hiking, books, movies, health, pets, careers, hobbies, you name it! Good friendships can make life better. The company of someone who makes you laugh, who provides a shoulder to lean on when you need one, and who is just plain fun to hang out with can provide a welcome boost to your health and happiness. So, if you feel your social network is too small, remember you can always meet new people, make new friends, and nurture existing ones. It’s never too late. Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of “Alone & Content” empowerment boot camps for women held throughout the year in Mendon. She is the author of “Alone and Content: Inspiring, empowering essays to help divorced and widowed women feel whole and complete on their own.” For information about her boot camp, to purchase her book, or invite her to speak call 585-624-7887, email gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com, or visit www.aloneandcontent.com
s d i K Corner
Only Half of U.S. Kids, Teens Have Ideal Cholesterol Levels
C
holesterol levels in U.S. youth have improved from 1999 to 2016, but only half of children and adolescents are in the ideal range and 25% are in the clinically high range, according to a study published in JAMA, led by cardiologist Amanda Marma Perak at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. The study is the first to report estimated prevalence of high cholesterol in youth in recent years, analyzing nationally representative data from more than 26,000 children and adolescents (aged 6-19 years). “High cholesterol in childhood is one of the key risk factors for developing heart disease later in life,” says Perak, who is also an assistant professor of pediatric cardiology and preventive medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg
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School of Medicine. “Although we see favorable trends in all measures of cholesterol in children and adolescents over the years, we still need to work harder to ensure that many more kids have healthy cholesterol levels. We know that high cholesterol is the critical initiator of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries, and even in childhood it is associated with these changes in the blood vessels that can lead to heart attack in adulthood.” For children and adolescents, ideal measures include total cholesterol (TC) at less than 170 mg/ dL, LDL or “bad” cholesterol at less than 110 mg/dL and HDL or “good” cholesterol at greater than 45 mg/dL. These levels are associated with better long-term health. All youth should have their cholesterol checked at ages 9 to 11 years and again at 17 to 21 years, according to
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2019
the latest guidelines from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. “If a child is found to have borderline-high or high levels of cholesterol, we can usually improve those levels through lifestyle changes, such as healthier diet and increased physical activity,” says Perak. “Children are rarely placed on cholesterol-lowering medications like statins.” The improving cholesterol trends observed in the study are surprising given that obesity is one of the factors that drives abnormal cholesterol levels and childhood obesity continues to increase.
“More research is needed to understand the reasons for the favorable cholesterol trends we found,” says Perak. “Some factors that influence cholesterol may be improving, such as decreased trans fats in the food supply. Although more efforts are needed, the fact that cholesterol levels are moving in the right direction warrants some optimism about the future cardiovascular health of our population since cholesterol is such an important driver of cardiovascular disease.”
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More Than 1 Million New Sexually Transmitted Infections Every Day Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis lead list of most common STI cases
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very day, there are more than 1 million new cases of curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among people aged 15-49 years, according to data released in June by the World Health Organization. This amounts to more than 376 million new cases annually of four infections: chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis and syphilis. “We’re seeing a concerning lack of progress in stopping the spread of sexually transmitted infections worldwide,” said physician Peter Salama, executive director for Universal Health Coverage and the LifeCourse at WHO. “This is a wake-up call for a concerted effort to ensure everyone, everywhere can access the services they need to prevent and treat these debilitating diseases.” Published online by the Bulletin of the World Health Organization, the research shows that among men and women aged 15–49 years, there were 127 million new cases of chlamydia in 2016, 87 million of gonorrhoea, 6.3 million of syphilis and 156 million of trichomoniasis. These STIs have a profound impact on the health of adults and children worldwide. If untreated, they can lead to serious and chronic health effects that include neurological and cardiovascular disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirths, and increased risk of HIV. They are also associated with significant levels of stigma and domestic violence. Syphilis alone caused an estimated 200,000 stillbirths and newborn deaths in 2016, making it one of the leading causes of baby loss globally. STIs remain a persistent and en-
demic health threat worldwide. Since the last published data for 2012, there has been no substantive decline in either the rates of new or existing infections. On average, approximately one in 25 people globally has at least one of these STIs, according to the latest figures, with some experiencing multiple infections at the same time. STIs spread predominantly through unprotected sexual contact, including vaginal, anal and oral sex. Some — including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis — can also be transmitted during pregnancy and childbirth, or, in the case of syphilis, through contact with infected blood or blood products, and injecting drug use. STIs are preventable through safe sexual practices, including correct and consistent condom use and sexual health education. Timely and affordable testing and treatment are crucial for reducing the burden of STIs globally, alongside efforts to encourage people who are sexually active to get screened for STIs. WHO further recommends that pregnant women should be systematically screened for syphilis as well as HIV. All bacterial STIs can be treated and cured with widely available medications. However, recent shortages in the global supply of benzathine penicillin has made it more difficult to treat syphilis. Rapidly increasing antimicrobial resistance to gonorrhoea treatments is also a growing health threat, and may lead eventually to the disease being impossible to treat.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2019
Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Jim Miller, Gwenn Voelckers, Deborah Banikowski, George W. Chapman, Deborah Sergeant, Anne Palumbo, Melissa Stefanec, Chris Motola, Eva Briggs (MD), Aaron Gifford, Brian E Walsh, Payne Horning, Kimberly Blaker, Rakesh Khanna (MD) • Advertising: Amy Gagliano, Cassandra Lawson • Layout & Design: Dylon Clew-Thomas • Office Manager: Nancy Nitz No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen.
My Turn
By Eva Briggs
Summertime Is Here in Full Force. Watch Out! For this month’s article, I’m reviewing a hodgepodge of miscellaneous tips for common problems. Ticks
Summertime is here and ticks are out in full force. People come to the urgent care because they’re not sure what to do if bitten by a tick. Here is how to remove a tick. You need either good tweezers with a fine tip, or any one of a number of commercially available tick removal devices. First, clean the tick bite with soap and water or an alcohol wipe. If using tweezers, grasp the tick as close to the head as possible and pull steadily and firmly straight up. You can use your other hand to provide counter pressure on the skin on either side of the tick. If using a tick removal device, such as a tick twister, apply it as close to the head of the tick as possible and gently twist while placing traction on the tick. If a little bit of the tick’s head and mouthparts remain in your skin, don’t panic. Those remaining mouthparts are tiny, they’re not very deep in the skin, and they are not the por-
tion that transmits Lyme disease. Trying to dig those parts out does more damage than letting them come out on their own. Simply apply warm packs several times a day and let the mouthparts work their way out. If the tick is still alive, place it in a plastic bag and gently crush it to kill it before throwing it away so it won’t crawl out and attach to you or your pets. If the tick was attached for less than 24 hours and wasn’t engorged (filled with blood), you are done. You don’t need prescription medicine and you don’t need a blood test. There is some evidence that a single dose of an antibiotic, doxycycline will reduce the spread of Lyme disease from a tick attached longer than 24 hours and engorged. This medicine is approved for children over age 8 and adults. It’s normal for a tick bite to be red immediately around the bite, like a nasty mosquito bite. The rash of Lyme disease enlarges gradually, sometimes clears in the center (bull’s-
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eye rash), and might occur at places distant from the tick bite. If this rash, called erythema migrants, happens, or you develop fever or joint pain, you need to seek medical care to be evaluated for tick-borne illnesses. Sending the tick to the lab to look for Lyme disease generally isn’t helpful. You can place the tick into the freezer. If you become sick later, the tick can be analyzed for tick-borne illnesses at that time.
Lacerations
Next, let’s move on to lacerations. Direct pressure on the wound controls bleeding. If heavy bleeding continues, seek medical care. Once the bleeding has slowed down wash the wound with soap and water. This is the most important step. You don’t need peroxide. It can damage healthy tissue.
don’t tip your head way back when swallowing a pill. This closes off your throat. Put the pill on your tongue and then taking a sip of water through a straw or from a soda bottle. This places your mouth into a shape where pills slip down more easily. Practice first with small candies such as Jimmies, Tic Tacs or M&Ms. Children are generally less afraid of candy than of medicine. And once they’ve mastered the art they can eat and enjoy the remaining treat. Eva Briggs is a medical doctor who works at two urgent care centers (Central Square and Fulton) operated by Oswego Health.
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Career: Diagnostic Medical Sonography Career requires only an associate’s degree. It pays about $72K in Syracuse By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
W
ould you like a career in a medical field that requires an associate’s degree but starts at around a $72,000 salary in the Syracuse area? Consider becoming a diagnostic medical sonographer — or a technician who takes ultrasound images for physicians. In addition to a healthy return on investment, the career offers a job outlook of 17 percent growth from 2016 to 2026, considered “much faster” than other jobs by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Kenneth Galbraith, program director of Diagnostic Medical Sonography at SUNY Upstate Medical University, graduated from the College of Health Professional Medical Imaging Sciences. As he rotated through imaging, he had the opportunity to rotate through sonography. “I thought it was an interesting offshoot of radiography,” Galbraith said. “It was a little more artsy than the others in that it’s a free form modality that made it more appealing to me.” He completed coursework in sonography, practiced 17 years, and now he teaches all the professional courses, handles clinical coordination and runs the ultrasound lab. Many people stereotypically picture the sonographer as the person who takes ultrasounds of their baby before birth; however, the career has many other options, too. Sonographers work in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and non-medical boutiques that offer sonography sessions for families to “meet” their new baby before birth (although this sub-specialty isn’t diagnostic in nature). Typical OB-GYN offices don’t
have much room for the entire family to join the first glimpse of the baby. That’s the reason behind the non-diagnostic ultrasound offered at offices. The medical specialties include vascular, ophthalmology, cardiac, pediatric and many more. In addition to practicing, related opportunities could include managing, education and working for companies that build and sell the equipment. Galbraith believes that people skills are necessary for sonographers. “Sometimes, you see people who are not on their best behavior,” he said. “They’re hurt or scared. They’ve had to drive to a place they’re not familiar with. You need to be intellectually curious and want to always get better.” He likens ultrasound to learning to play a musical instrument. With practice, sonographers improve their skill. A strong aptitude in science helps with the technical aspects, as anatomy, physiology, and physics are integral. Sonographers take continuing education credits to keep their credentialing and stay up-to-date. In New York, only an associate’s degree is required before sitting for the required certification exam. The national credential is also widely recognized worldwide. “Employability is very good,” Galbraith said. All of his graduates have found employment within two months. “I love the idea that you can feel you can make a difference for someone,” Galbraith said. “Some people go into a hospital or exam and they’re scared. We don’t stick needles in. Most people in OB-GYN
are excited to come in. We spend time with them, talk with them and make their day better. We have this great opportunity because we’re so handson. You give them a good feeling.” Valerie Heisler, sonographer with Syracuse VA Medical Center, specializes in general and vascular sonography. She had worked as an X-ray technician, but when a supervisory position opened, she needed cross training in sonography to quality for it. When she began on-the-job training, she discovered she enjoyed sonography. “I have a knack for it,” she said. “It’s like patting your head and rubbing your stomach. It takes eye-hand coordination.” With her imaging background, on-the-job training sufficed. Though the state of New York doesn’t require certification for sonographers, it is usually expected by employers, especially for people without experience in imaging.
“It’s a very interesting career if you like hands-on, which is one of the reasons I like it,” Heisler said. “You’re in close contact with patients, you converse with them and hear their stories.” While she likes these aspects of her work, she said that it has its challenges as well. The ultrasound probes must be applied to the pertinent area of the body with sufficient force to render a useable image. This can cause repetitive motion injuries in the shoulders. “We have to put a lot of strength and compression into it,” Heisler said. “The population is getting obese, and ultrasound can only go to a certain depth. You get under-quality images and can get injuries. You have to press harder. One patient apologized and said he lost 10 pounds since I last saw him. He feels the pressure.”
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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2019
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Summer Care
Do’s & Don’ts:
Summer Fitness for Women By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
W
arm, sun-filled days can jumpstart your fitness routine. Try these tips from area experts to make this your fittest summer yet. • “Especially in the heat, you need to drink water. • “What a lot of people don’t think about it salt. You lose a lot of salt when you’re dehydrated. It will help you retain and hold the water. We have a recipe for a drink if they’re going to play out in the heat. Into 24 oz. of ice water, squeeze one lemon into it, and add 1/8 tsp. of pink Himalayan salt, and stir in 1 to 2 of stevia packets for sweetener. • “Anytime you’re in the heat, wear a hat. • “If you’re feeling lightheaded and have a loss of energy, that’s the first sign you need some fuel. Bring along quick snacks or gels or energy bars. They have a lot of calories in them. Or some trail mix. • “Especially on a very hot day, don’t exercise in the peak heat in the middle of the day. Do it in early morning or late at night. • “Change up your routine. We have lots of lakes so you can get
into kayaking and stuff like that, and swimming. Enjoy the the good weather — we only get it once in a while.” John Mossotti, bachelor’s in human performance and health promotion, owner Elite Personal Fitness in Camillus.
the directions on the bottle, anytime you’re outside. So many ignore sunscreen when it’s cloudy.” Elizabeth Cullen, doctorate in physical therapy and owner of CNY Physical Therapy and Aquatics Camillus and North Syracuse.
• “When you’re out in the sun, it becomes more important to have more water. I don’t know how many times people come in and say they drink a lot of water — they mean they only drink two water bottles [which is not enough]. • “Proper clothing goes a long way toward having a safe time out there. “People don’t always think about the shoes they should be wearing. I have a lot of patients who may not realize they’re going to go for a hike and they’re in flip-flops. If you are going to be active, wear a sneaker or hiking shoes if you’re going to be hiking. • “Clothes vary person to person. Some are allergic to different fabrics. You need clothing that is moisture wicking and is going to breathe. • “Wear sunscreen, following
• “You can go walking; you don’t have to run. A lot of people think when they want to start exercising that only running will do, but brisk walking works. • “Use of a bicycle can help you get fit. That’s huge. Some people may be scared of it for safety, but on a canal path, it can be safe. • “It’s relaxing to get outside. The sunshine makes everyone feel better and it’s good for vitamin D generation. • “Always have hydration with you. The normal amount of water you need is half your body weight in ounces. That’s a lot. I keep a 20-oz bottle with me if I’m outside doing some form of activity for about an hour. When I’m on a bike ride, it may be long, so I have two 20-oz. bottles. • “Even if you think you’re going out for 45 minutes to an hour walking, have a nutrition bar or
snack because you never know if your body isn’t feeling well and your glucose level goes down you might need something. • “Try swimming. There’s a lot of outdoor pools.” Barb St. Pierre, who has a bachelor’s in exercise science and is a certified with the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a personal trainer, owns Trillium Sport & Fitness, Syracuse
Eat Right This Summer
Picnics, parties, barbecues, ice cream stands — they’re all summer staples and all ways to derail your healthful eating plan. Three area experts offered tips on how you can eat right this summer By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant • “A lot of it is controlling the amount. I’m not someone to say you have to cut out ice cream the rest of your life. If you want it, have some but control the amount. And consider you’re adding in however many calories. A banana split may need to be divided. • “Have a pasta salad and maybe a tossed salad at the picnic. Don’t have it all be the pasta salad. You still have a balanced meal. • “Watermelon is a popular fruit to have in the summer. It is refreshing. • “Eat real food the best you can. Try not to eat from boxes and bags. • “Eat more foods that don’t have labels telling what’s in it. Stay with real, whole foods 90% of the time, eat the best you can. When you go out, you can enjoy it but don’t go off the deep end. Eat because you need to survive, but food can be a treat sometimes. • “Red meat has a tremendous amount of nutrients and minerals we need that we can’t get anywhere else. We recommend 90% lean/10% fat red meat. Bison, elk, venison and grass-finished beef are lean red
meats. • “Try not to go overboard, and go into an event with a plan. If you know there will be cake and side dishes, maybe stay away from the chips and dip and have a slice of cake at the end. If you go out to a steakhouse, you can say no to the bread because you know you won’t control yourself and wait until the steak. • “If you’re eating out, save half the meal for your lunch the next day. • “If you hate prepping food, make more for lunch the next day.” Mossotti John Mossotti, bachelor’s in human performance and health promotion, owner Elite Personal Fitness in Camillus
protein bars, snack packs and water. • “When it’s too hot to cook, cook out on the grill, or for no cooking, serve a green salad with tuna or cheese, hummus and veggies with pita bread, caprese salad. • “On vacations, try to have healthy options when eating out or pack coolers to take to water parks or when camping. • “At an ice cream stand, try a frozen yogurt with fruit, make a healthy smoothie instead, or just go for a small sample size of a flavor you like for a good portion size.” Laurel Sterling, registered dietitian and Sterling nutritionist and educator at Carlson Laboratories
• “If you’re busy, pack snacks in a cooler for easy grab-and-go, like fruit, cheese sticks, cut-up veggies, hummus and chips, Greek yogurt,
• “Try to stick with a schedule and not skipping meals. • “Focus on fresh produce in the summer months. July 2019 •
• “Visit farmers’ markets. That’s a great way to get what’s local and incorporate more healthy eating. • “When people are on vacation and they figure they’ll indulge a little more, but go with grilled food and try to balance those plates with some things that aren’t deep fried. Order the vegetable of the day. Ask for things on the side so you’re not loading up with higher fat toppings. On vacation, you may be more active. Plan a walk. • “Pack some healthier snacks, like hummus and pretzels or guacamole and vegetables or protein packs with nuts and fruit. • “Be aware of added sugars in drinks and opt for spritzers, club soda and less sweet drinks. Use lemon, lime or a splash of juice in water. Unsweetened iced tea is a good thirst quencher. Slushies may be refreshing but you waste those calories for nothing. Make a fruit and veggie smoothie; it’s quick and easy if you’re on the go or traveling, especially when hot. Julie Mellen SUNY Upstate dietitian Nutrition Counseling & Perinatal Center
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Summer Care
5
Things You Need to Know About Skin Cancer Prevention
By Ernst Lamothe Jr.
S
imply put, skin cancer or melanoma is one of the deadliest of skin cancers. In 2019, it is estimated that there will be 96,480 new cases of melanoma in the United States and 7,230 deaths from the disease, according to the Melanoma Foundation. In the U.S., melanoma continues to be the fifth most common cancer in men of all age groups. Rates of diagnosis for the disease have increased dramatically over the past three decades, outpacing almost all other cancers. Today, it is one of the most common cancers found among young adults in the United States. Ultraviolet rays are an invisible kind of radiation that comes from the sun, tanning beds and sunlamps. UV rays can penetrate and change skin cells. “In the summertime, people are outside doing so many activities for long periods of time,” said Joyce B. Farah, dermatologist at Upstate University Hospital and at Farah Dermatology and Cosmetics in Syracuse. “Too much sun exposure can have harmful physical effects.” She discusses five things people can do to reduce the risks of skin cancer.
1.
Use sunscreen appropriately Use broad spectrum sunscreen protection every time you or your child goes outside. For the best protection, apply sunscreen generously 30 minutes
before going outdoors. Reapplication of sunscreen is just as important as putting it on in the first place, so re apply the same amount every two hours. The term water-resistant means that the SPF is maintained for up to 40 minutes while swimming or sweating. Very water resistant means the SPF is maintained for 80 minutes. “People often forget behind the ears, hands, lips and your feet if you are wearing flip flops,” said Farah. “We truly stress the need for people to continue to re apply sunscreen because most patients suffer from not putting on enough sunscreen instead of putting on too much. You should make sure to get a good amount of sunscreen on your skin.”
2.
Limit your sun exposure The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says rays from the sun can reach you on cloudy and hazy days, as well as bright and sunny days. UV rays also reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand and snow. UV rays are strongest and most harmful during midday. Experts say stay out of the sun when it is strongest — between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. “There is enough evidence that UV exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer over time,” said Farah. “When you are outside during the peak time, that can cause damage to your skin. So, if you have to garden, run or do anything that requires you to be outside for hours, you should
do it before or after the recommended time.”
3.
Wear some protection Hats that shade the face, scalp, ears, and neck are easy to use and give great protection. Baseball caps are popular among kids, but they don’t protect their ears and neck. If your child chooses a cap, be sure to protect exposed areas with sunscreen. When possible, long-sleeved shirts and long pants and skirts can provide protection from UV rays. Clothes made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection. A wet T-shirt offers much less UV protection than a dry one, and darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors. “I would recommend wearing a wide brim hat to avoid UV rays. It is easy to find in any store and that brim should be three to four inches and cover your face,” said Farah. “There are also clothes nowadays that you can buy that have sun protection material.”
4.
Sit in the shade If possible, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella or a pop-up tent. Shade trees instantly cool us down on those hot, humid summer days. “You are not going to convince people not to enjoy the sun when they have to go through winters in Upstate New York. All I am asking is that when you go to the beach, take
Joyce B. Farah, dermatologist at Upstate University Hospital and at Farah Dermatology and Cosmetics in Syracuse. an umbrella with you to put in the background,” she said.
5.
Sunglasses Another area of the eye susceptible to damage from UV rays is the cornea, which is the clear, refracting membrane outside the retina. The cornea can literally be burned by UV light, leading to corneal sunburn — or keratitis. A good pair of sunglasses with UV protection helps prevent corneal sunburn, and it’s especially important to wear eye protection when using a tanning machine or while skiing. “Having the correct UV protection sunglasses can drastically help the skin around the eyes. Sometimes people find it difficult to put sunscreen around the eyes so it allows you to get the protection you need,” Farah added.
Many Sunscreens Sold in US Offer Suboptimal Protection: Report
S
unscreen is a must-have for summer, but be advised: About two-thirds of sunscreens available in the U.S. offer suboptimal protection or contain ingredients that may harm your health, according to a new report. For the report, scientists with the Environmental Working Group (EWG) reviewed 1,300 sunscreen products, including beach and sports sunscreens as well as daily moisturizers and lip balms, for the group’s annual Guide to Sunscreens, released May 22. EWG is a nonprofit advocacy organization in Washington, D.C., that focuses on environmental issues and public health. The researchers ranked sunscreens based on several criteria, including whether ingredients listed in the products are linked with health hazards and how well the products work to block ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, both of which can damage the skin and cause skin cancer. As in prior years, EWG found that most sunscreens weren’t up to par: Only about 34 percent of the products reviewed met EWG’s strict standards. The report authors note that earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed sweeping changes to its sunPage 16
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screen regulations aimed at improving the safety and effectiveness of the products. For example, the FDA called for additional evidence on the safety of a dozen common sunscreen ingredients for which safety testing is surprisingly lacking. Many of the FDA’s proposed changes are in line with EWG’s recommendations. However, these changes won’t apply to sunscreens on the shelves this summer, the report said.
quickly and reach levels high enough to warrant further testing on the substances’ safety. In terms of recommended ingredients, there are two sunscreen ingredients that the FDA does consider safe and effective: Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These are the same two ingredients that EWG recommends for sunscreens, the report said.
Safety questions
The FDA also proposed that all spray and powdered sunscreens undergo testing to make sure that these forms of application don’t cause sunscreen ingredients to be inhaled deep into the lungs. EWG is also concerned about this inhalation risk, and says that spray and powdered sunscreens may also not provide
As part of the FDA’s proposal, the agency asked the sunscreen industry for additional evidence on the safety of 12 common sunscreen ingredients. EWG found that these 12 ingredients were used in more than 50 percent of the sunscreens reviewed for this year’s guide. EWG is particularly concerned about a sunscreen chemical called oxybenzone, and the organization doesn’t recommend sunscreens with this ingredient. This chemical may act as a hormone disruptor in humans and has been found to damage coral reefs. An FDA study published in the spring also found that oxybenzone and at least three other common sunscreen chemicals can leach into people’s blood rather
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2019
Avoid sprays
a thick enough coating on the skin to be protective. Right now, the group does not recommend any spray or powdered sunscreens. EWG also recommends that people avoid sunscreens with an SPF, or sunburn protection factor, above 50. High SPF values don’t necessarily mean better protection and may give consumers a false sense of security about how long they can stay in the sun without reapplying sunscreen, the group said. And although wearing sunscreen is important, it’s only one of the recommended ways to protect yourself from the sun. People should also cover up with clothing, wear hats and sunglasses, try to stay in the shade, and avoid spending too much time in the midday sun, when its rays are most intense, EWG said.
SmartBites
By Anne Palumbo
The skinny on healthy eating
Can Italian Sausage Be Part of a Healthy Diet?
O
ur nation’s Italian sausage consumption skyrockets during summer months — who can blame us? The irresistible aroma of sizzling sausage sends our taste buds into overdrive! Fan the flame with some peppers and onions, and it’s no wonder many of us indulge in seconds and thirds. But as tasty as Italian sausage is — and for reasons easily imagined — it’s not the best food to eat on a regular basis. Occasionally? Yes. Daily? No. So what makes Italian sausage a “sometimes” food versus an everyday staple? In a word, most sausage tends to run fairly high in fat, calories, and sodium; most are no slouch in the cholesterol department; and, all are a processed food. Although nutritional stats vary widely for Italian sausage, a typical link of Italian pork sausage has around 200 calories, 16 grams of total fat (of which six are saturated), 50 grams of cholesterol, and 550 mg of sodium. Of course, depending on your eating habits, you may need to double (or triple) those stats. Gulp! Overconsumption of any one of the above — from the calories to the fat, the cholesterol to the sodium — can lead to serious health issues, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Another good reason to rein in consumption: Italian sausage is classified as a “processed meat,” meaning it’s been preserved by smoking, salting, curing or adding other preservatives.
According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, any amount of processed meat eaten regularly increases the risk of both stomach and colorectal cancers. It’s why the AICR and other health organizations recommend limited consumption of processed meats like sausage, hot dogs, bacon and deli meat. On the plus side, Italian sausage is an excellent source of complete protein and some B vitamins (especially B12). An essential nutrient for building and maintaining tissues and cells, protein also makes up the enzymes that power many chemical reactions in our body. The B vitamins play a key role in converting food to energy and in supporting nervous system function and red blood cell formation. Those monitoring carbs will be thrilled to know that Italian sausage has next to none! So, can Italian sausage be part of a healthy diet? On average and with limited consumption: yes. But for those battling health issues that may be exacerbated by eating processed meat, probably not. If you’re unsure, seek a doctor’s advice. Although my husband and I love the succulent flavor of pork sausage, we don’t love the calories, fat, and sodium and have since switched to poultry Italian sausage, shaving off half the calories, over half the fat and a modest amount of sodium. Served alongside sautéed veggies, it’s a delicious “sometime” meal.
Braised Italian Sausage with Broccoli, Garlic, and Lemon 5-6 Italian sausage links (recommend: Trader Joe’s Italian Style Chicken Sausage) 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 medium yellow onion, cut into ½-inch wedges 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon ground coriander ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes 3 crowns broccoli, cut into 2-inch long florets with florets then halved or quartered 2 cups water 2 tablespoons lemon juice Salt and pepper
Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Place sausages in large skillet: drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil; add ½ inch water. Over medium-high heat, boil sausages to cook through. Once water cooks away (about 8-10 minutes), lower heat to medium and brown sausage in remaining oil. Remove from heat; transfer to foil-lined baking sheet; place in oven to keep warm. In same skillet, heat remaining olive oil over medium-high. Add onion and sauté until golden, about 6 minutes, lowering heat if needed. Add garlic, coriander, and red pepper flakes and cook for 30 seconds. Add prepared broccoli and 2 cups
Helpful tips
Read Italian sausage labels carefully. Keep in mind that claims like “natural” or “uncured” or “nitrate- and nitrite-free” do not necessarily mean the food is healthier. Some products cured with sea salt or juices such as celery juice that contain naturally occurring nitrates may end up with just as high nitrite content as meats with sodium nitrite added. Choose lower-temperature methods of cooking—such as roasting or braising—to thwart the “grilled char” that can develop harmful carcinogens. water; stir well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cover. Cook until fork-tender, about 8 minutes, stirring throughout. Mix in lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Serve sausages atop broccoli mixture.
Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle colum-
nist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.
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1 IN 5 AMERICANS WILL DEVELOP SKIN CANCER IN THEIR LIFETIME PROTECT YOUR SKIN! Cover exposed
skin and wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade face, head, ears and neck when outdoors. Most importantly, use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher and UVA and UVB protection.
Is Yoga Heart-Healthy? It’s No Stretch to See Benefits, Science Suggests
F
or years, aerobic exercise has been touted for its numerous health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, better mood, increased energy and stronger bones and muscles. But there’s another form of physical activity that’s grabbing headlines — yoga. Some studies suggest the mindbody practice may be good for heart health, from reducing blood pressure and cholesterol to lowering stress and body mass index. While yoga often is associated with images of limber practitioners, it is more than just stretching and handstands. Originated in India, yoga includes physical poses (asana), breathwork (pranayama) and meditation. There are many yoga styles, including Hatha, Iyengar, restorative and hot yoga, each with a specific emphasis such as alignment or relaxation. Recently, more Americans are stepping onto the mat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14.3% of U.S. adults — or 35.2 million — practiced yoga in 2017, up from 9.5% in 2012. Many take up the practice as a holistic approach to health and wellness, and for its stress-busting effect. “There’s a huge body of literature that says psychosocial stressors such as work and marital stress, as well as anxiety and depression, are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease,” said physician Puja Mehta, an assistant professor of medicine in the division of cardiology at Emory University School of Page 18
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Medicine in Atlanta. “With chronic stress, the sympathetic nervous system is in overdrive,” which can lead to inflammation and increased blood pressure. Yoga may help put the brakes on
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2019
the body’s stress response by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, or the “rest and digest” system, through deep breathing and relaxation, Mehta said. Cultivating mindfulness also may encourage
participants to engage in other habits that boost cardiovascular health by promoting self-awareness and selfcare behaviors. “[This] can have a profound effect on supporting the engagement of healthy behaviors of diet and physical activity,» said Gloria Yeh, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of mind-body research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Research also shows yoga may lower cardiovascular risk factors. Yeh coauthored a 2014 review of clinical research published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology that found yoga had a significant impact on cardiometabolic risk factors compared to doing no exercise at all. For example, yoga decreased total cholesterol by 18.48 mg/ dl and triglycerides by 25.89 mg/ dl more than the change seen in the control group. Blood pressure improved too. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased 5.21 mmHg and 4.98 mmHg, respectively. The benefits also extend to people with heart disease. Among people with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, in which symptoms come and go, doing 12 weeks of yoga combined with deep breathing resulted in a lower heart rate, lower blood pressure and higher mental health scores compared to those who didn›t do yoga, according to a 2016 study published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.
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Expert Tips for Reducing Running Injuries
M
ost runners are enthusiastic about their sport and take steps to work out safely. But injuries like stress fractures and muscle strains, among others, are common and can sideline you, sometimes for weeks if not months. Researchers point to hard heeltoe landings as one key injury risk factor. This type of landing increases vertical load rate — the amount of force your body absorbs on impact, making you more prone to injury. One obvious adjustment is to aim for a forefoot landing. But biomechanics expert and author Jay Dicharry says that’s not the only answer — and it’s not the answer for everyone. Another adjustment to consider involves your posture. If you can avoid arching your back and keep your torso centered over your lower body when running, you can lower your vertical load rate. Running barefoot is one way to practice this positioning. Keep in mind that preventing
injuries begins before you hit the ground running, according to experts at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire. Strength training to develop all muscle groups reduces the muscle fatigue that can lead to poor performance and injuries. Daily stretching — only after muscles are warm — also prevents injuries. Include dynamic moves like high knee drills, skipping, bounding, arm circles and cross body arm swings. As focused as you might be on running, cross-training can actually help you avoid overuse injuries. Be sure to add rest days for recovery to your schedule. To maximize fitness and minimize the negative effects of running before an injury occurs, consider consulting with an expert in running biomechanics. Such an expert can analyze your gait, identify weaknesses and make suggestions for better form, running shoes and, if needed, orthotics.
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Women’s Health
What Women Need to Watch For By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
P
reventive health measures can help us maintain good health. As Ben Franklin stated, “A stitch in time saves nine.” While we can’t do anything to change the genetics we were born with, we can mitigate health risks by preventing some health issues decade by decade.
In your 20s
The healthful habits established in your teens and 20s offer a lifetime of benefits, according to Barb St. Pierre, who has a bachelor’s in exercise science and is certified with the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She also owns Trillium Sport & Fitness in Syracuse and is a certified personal trainer. St. Pierre believes that the earlier women adopt good habits of health, such as dietary supplements, exercise and strength training, the better. “It becomes more and more important as we age,” she added. You greatly reduce risk of obesity, metabolic disorders, nutrient deficiencies, heart disease, cancer and more by eating right and staying active. It’s also important to drink only in moderation and abstain from tobacco use. Tobacco damages every cell of the body and represents a factor in numerous disease processes. Young women also need to get plenty of calcium to enjoy strong bones later in life. Taking care of your teeth — flossing daily, brushing after meals, avoiding sugary and starchy snacks and visiting your dentist regularly — correlates with heart health, mounting evidence indicates. Take care of any dental issues promptly. Prepare for pregnancy. Discuss with your health care provider health issues before you conceive and contraception if you want to space your children or once your family is complete. Breastfeed your babies.
“We’re getting growing evidence that it benefits moms,” said physician Jayne Charlamb, SUNY Upstate associate professor in the department of OB-GYN and director of Upstate’s breastfeeding program. “Moms who don’t breastfeed are at higher risk for heart disease, ovarian cancer and breast cancer. It is the normal, physiological way your body resets itself after pregnancy.” Along with babies come sleepless nights, so moms should accept help and prioritize rest.
begin mammograms. “Around this time, you start to lose some urinary control function,” Cullen said. “Make sure you’re able to do pelvic floor contractions — Kegels — correctly or get to a doctor or physical therapist who can show you how to do them.” She added that weight bearing activity and strength training can help prevent osteoporosis later. “If you wait until your 50s and 60s, it could be too late,” she said.
In your 30s
In your 50s, caring for elderly parents while still working can make maintaining fitness more challenging, but it’s still vital for good health. Get help with elderly parents as needed. “You need to gear up and think about bone density, flexibility and balance,” St. Pierre said. “In the 50s those become a big thing. So many people lose it and don’t pay attention to it. They chalk it up to being older. That’s not true. Any of these things we can combat through a good balance and flexibility program.” Know the signs of heart attack, stroke and aneurism. At this point, risk goes up, particularly if you haven’t managed your weight and watched your diet. Take “minor” illnesses seriously. It will take longer to recover from the flu. Don’t push yourself when you’re sick. Have an annual physical if you aren’t already to track vital numbers like blood pressure, cholesterol and weight. Discuss any menopausal symptoms; you have more options than hormone replacement therapy. Get a baseline vision and hearing exam so you can benchmark any future vision or hearing loss.
In the 30s, many women become extremely busy with family, household and employment responsibilities, which can make it difficult to keep weight off. St. Pierre said these aren’t excuses. “It’s life,” she said. “There’s always too much going on, but you need consistency. At least three times a week, work out to stay in the game.” As another factor, women discover that their bodies don’t respond the same to exercise. “A lot of times, that’s when people notice a significant change in metabolism,” said Elizabeth Cullen, who holds a doctorate in physical therapy and owns CNY Physical Therapy and Aquatics in Camillus and North Syracuse. Start performing self breast exams monthly if you’re not already. Report any suspicious lumps, bumps, discharge or discoloration to your provider.
In your 40s
The 40s can be a stressful decade with children who are middle schoolaged or teens with crazy schedules. Unwind in healthful ways, such as connecting with friends and family and joining in relaxing hobbies not with substances. Also in this decade, ask your care provider about when you should
In your 50s
In your 60s
When you reach your 60s, “make sure you take care of yourself,” Cullen said. “Many times, people care for their significant other or the grandkids. Your stuff gets pushed off
for years, sometimes, and we’re dealing with back pain that you’ve had 20 years because someone else takes precedent. Things are much easier to handle if you deal with them right away.” Obtain a bone density scan. Even if your bones are fine, it’s good to have a benchmark so you can tell if you’re losing bone later. Ask your doctor about colonoscopy and any other exams and screenings based upon your family health history. Speak up if you experience “embarrassing” issues like incontinence, low libido, or vaginal dryness. You won’t embarrass your care provider. You may also consider seeing a geriatrician, as their medical expertise can address the multi-faceted medical issues often accompanying older age. Ask about vaccinations, like pneumonia.
In your 70s and beyond
In your 70s and beyond, it’s all about staying active and involved. Becoming isolated can hurt your health, since you move less and aren’t as mentally engaged when alone. Volunteer, join clubs and stay social. If pain hampers you, ask your doctor what you can do. “Cycling is great for people with knee replacement,” St. Pierre said as one example. “You can cover a lot of ground and it’s relaxing.” If some chores become too much, ask for help. “A lot of times, people won’t ask for help because they don’t want to look weak, but if they fall and get hurt, they make end up in a nursing home,” Cullen said. Stay positive. By focusing on what you still have and fostering an outlook of gratitude, it’s easier to look forward instead of ruminating over the past.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2019
Parenting By Melissa Stefanec
I
The Making of a Helicopter Parent
f you read any parenting blogs or travel in parenting circles, you often hear people throw around the phrase “helicopter parent.” People usually use the term in a negative context — to describe a parent who is overly involved in their child’s life. Society accuses helicopter parents of spending too much time and energy monitoring every aspect of a child’s life, from their education, to their friends, to their activities. People use the term to describe everyone from the mom who won’t let her child near the monkey bars, to the dad who stays up until 2 a.m. finishing his child’s college admission essay. I am not a helicopter parent, at least not most of the time. I think the majority of parents get too involved in their child’s life here and there, but most of us try not to make a habit of it. However, if pop culture and older adults were to have their snarky observations reflect the truth, you’d think every parent with a child under 18 still wipes the snot off their kid’s face. To hear some people tell it, you’d think the modern parent believes helicoptering is the only way to safely raise a productive future member of society. You hear the laments from people who had childhoods without helicopter parents. “I used to run in the woods all day. My parents never knew where I was.” “The streetlights were my curfew.” “My mom sent me out the door at breakfast and didn’t expect to see me until lunch.” According to many of today’s childless adults and grandparents, this era of parenting is a dark one that would benefit from revisiting simpler times. Apparently, back in the 1950s and 1960s, most children were far more autonomous and capable than they are today. They were mature and responsible in a way today’s children could never hope to be. Today’s parents aren’t giving their children enough independence. We meddle too much. Instead of being caretakers, we are interloping enablers who are raising a generation of dependent whiners. Those observations have an element of truth to them. Kids today are less autonomous than their earlyand mid-20th-century peers.
You know why? There are a lot of reasons and plenty of good intentions gone awry, but one of the biggest contributing factors is older parents and childless adults. Many of them are forcing us to be helicopter parents. Hear me out. My daughter and son are 8 and 4 years old, respectively. As they are
maturing, I’m trying to give them small tasks that offer independence. Depending on which kid I am dealing with, I might leave them in the car while I pick up a pizza. I might send them to a bathroom at a restaurant. I might leave them in a waiting room at a doctor’s office while I use the bathroom. I might ask them to cash out at a store by themselves. I do all sorts of things to let them practice autonomy and gain confidence. I think both are equally important, and I want my children to know they are capable as they tackle new skills and responsibilities. For example, when I go to sporting practices, sometimes I try to leave my kids there or venture a little ways off to engage in an activity with my other child. I don’t think it’s critical that parents hang on to every moment of their kid’s practice. Instead of looking to me for approval whenever something goes right, I want my kids to practice hard and take in the thrill of the moment for their personal enjoyment. Here’s the thing, though, these small attempts by yours truly don’t always go so well. Whether it’s lectures, forbiddance or glares and whispers, I often receive a lot of pushback. People think I am being irresponsible or lazy. Some people greet my attempts at distilling autonomy in my kids with shock, awe and disgust. However, I try to be a prudent and responsible parent. I’m very protective of my children; I just realize that being overprotective puts children at a slew of risks that many people don’t see coming. If society thinks helicopter parents are doing so much damage to their children, why does society demand helicoptering? In the age of around-the-clock news and never-ending access to information online, people have become scared of the wrong things. It’s society’s collective fear, stroked by our access to technology, that has created the helicopter parent. It’s a modern invention, but it’s not just generation X and the millennials who deserve the blame for it. We need to support parents when they try to give their children autonomy. Instead of judging or reprimanding them, we need to remember most parents choose wisely for their children. If today’s parents want their children to grow physically and emotionally, we owe it to them to step aside. So next time I send one of my kids to cash out for a bottle of water on their own, humor us. I promise I am lurking in the aisle, keeping a watchful eye, as my kid actually and safely grows up.
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Women’s Health
University at Buffalo Study Questions Breast Milk Merit By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant “Breast is best” has long served as the mantra regarding infant nutrition; however, research from the University at Buffalo seems to indicate that the correlation between nursing and positive health outcomes isn’t as clear cut as once thought. Researchers believe that mothers who intend to breastfeed but then formula-feed once the baby is born have more information on healthy lifestyle and nutrition and those factors influence baby’s health. “We know that breastfeeding is healthiest for both mother and baby, even if there are some questions about the impact of other lifestyle factors,” said registered nurse Kathryn Rome, who is board-certified lactation consultant at St. Joseph’s Health. Rome said that the UB study compared mothers who breastfed for at least two months with mothers who intended to breastfeed but did not. “It failed to consider the benefits of the breast milk the babies received in the first days or weeks of life as the mothers attempted to breastfeed,” Rome said. “Any breastfeeding a mother does is believed to be beneficial.” Premature babies especially benefit from breast milk, as they are particularly vulnerable to gut conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC), which kills many premature infants. Those who survive NEC may require surgery to remove part of their bowel and use a colostomy for life. That’s one of many reasons neonatologists strongly urge mothers to provide breast milk for their premature babies. Many premature babies cannot take nutrition by mouth and must be tube fed. Because they would otherwise miss the close contact inherent to nursing, babies receive “kangaroo care,” which involves parents holding their babies skin-to-skin because
of its positive effects on respiration, heart rate and wellbeing. Nursing also stimulates the release of hormones that help mom and baby bond and relax. Newborns’ nervous systems aren’t capable of self regulating and breastfeeding helps. Erin Christopher, board-certified lactation consultant with Crouse Health, listed benefits for babies as including decreased risk of gastro-intestinal problems, autoimmune disorders, leukemia and multiple sclerosis. “What we impress upon moms is that babies’ guts are sterile,” Christopher said. “Coating their guts is important. It makes a huge difference. We want to give babies the best start we can.” Christopher added that it’s not about shaming mothers who breastfeed for only a week and not for a year, since any amount of breastfeeding benefits babies. Physician Jayne Charlamb, SUNY Upstate associate professor in the department of OBGYN and director of Upstate’s breastfeeding program, said that moms benefit from nursing as well. Among the benefits are reduced risk of Charlamb heart disease, ovarian cancer, breast cancer and lasting weight gain. Nursing burns about 500 calories a day. Unless moms compensate for that by increasing caloric intake, breastfeeding can help them lose “baby weight” and prevent lasting weight gain. Christopher believes that providing better and earlier education — even before birth — and sufficient support for new moms may help
more to successfully breastfeed their babies. “They call breastfeeding the ‘fourth trimester’ because it’s work,” Christopher said. The American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization recommend babies breastfeed up to a year, and longer if desired. Charlamb said that mothers choose whether or not they want to breastfeed. While she acknowledged that breastfeeding moms “have, typically, other behaviors than moms who don’t,” she said that breastfeeding offers plenty of benefits. “Human milk is superior to formula feeding,” Charlamb said. She hopes that the study can reassure moms who can’t breastfeed, but doesn’t discourage more support of breastfeeding. “As a society, we’re not set up to help moms,” Charlamb said. “We’re only just starting to cover lactation support. Six out of ten moms who make a breastfeeding goal don’t reach it. For me as a physician, my role is to help them meet their goal. We need to support these moms. If they can’t, we want to offer evidence that it’s not the end of the world. But we don’t want people to think it makes no difference.” Community resources such as a breastfeeding “cafe” or La Leche League meeting can offer tips and support. In addition to learning about latch, holding positions and
more, women learn about the value of breastfeeding.
UB Study Based on 1,000 Participants The University at Buffalo study on breastfeeding was led by Kerri Raissian, an assistant professor in the University of Connecticut’s Department of Public Policy and co-authored by Jessica Su, assistant professor of sociology at University at Buffalo. Researchers based their findings on information from more than 1,000 participants in the Infant Feeding Practices Study II, which was designed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration. Raissian and Su sought to look at what factors determine positive health outcomes for infants to help “contextualize the tradeoffs that a lot of mothers have to make when deciding how to feed their children,” Raissian said in a statement released by UB. In the same release, Su stated, “It’s important to more carefully quantify the trade-offs between breast milk and formula given the strong breastfeeding recommendations and the realistic challenges that many mothers face, particularly among working mothers.”
St. Joe’s Introduces New Pre-Natal Services and Equipment Hospital is now home to a maternal-fetal medicine program
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t. Joseph’s Health is making big investments to protect and improve the health of mothers and babies. The hospital is now home to a maternal-fetal medicine program, staffed by physicians from Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. “We are very excited to join the outstanding group of women’s health care providers at St. Joseph’s Health Hospital,” said physician Neil Seligman, assistant professor, division of maternal-fetal medicine at Strong Memorial Hospital. “After many successful years serving the community at our location in Associate’s for Women’s Medicine (AWM), we have moved to St. Joseph’s to expand maternal-fetal medicine Page 22
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services to patients in Onondaga and the surrounding counties.” The maternal-fetal medicine specialists were seeing patients twice per month at the AWM office on James Street, Syracuse. Now, they are seeing patients weekly at St. Joseph’s Health Hospital for ultrasounds and consultations. The physicians are also co-managing high risk patients with their primary prenatal care provider. “The increasing number of pregnant women with chronic medical conditions is a challenge for many women’s health care providers and often requires transfer to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist,” said Seligman. “Fetal complications like birth defects or poor growth, for
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2019
example, can also be a barrier to continuing to provide prenatal care. Our goal is to facilitate safe prenatal care by the patient’s own obstetrician, midwife or family practice.” During high-risk pregnancies, extra monitoring is required. St. Joseph’s has purchased two new fetal non-stress test monitors with a $17,600 grant from the Flora Bernice Smith Foundation. The monitors are helping physicians detect, as early as possible, any potential complications that might be faced by the unborn baby. A fetal non-tress test allows physicians to monitor fetal heart rate and the baby’s movement without putting the baby in distress. This
test is usually used when the mother presents a high-risk condition such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid conditions, bariatric patients and twins. The test allows St. Joseph’s Health to preemptively identify potential issues before they arise. “This test can also be used diagnostically if the mother notes a change in fetal movement or if the patient is beyond her due date,” said Denise Dann, director of primary care administration at St. Joseph’s Health. “If the monitoring is noted as non-reactive, the patient can be sent to labor and delivery for continued monitoring in a hospital setting.”
Women’s Health
according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation. So why are older women more prone to osteoporosis than men? “They’re a bit frail,” said Susan Brown, Ph.D, and certified nutritionist who directs the Center for Better Bones in East Syracuse. “Bone health is related to muscle health and muscle strength. We are a consumer advocate group so we encourage people to learn the signs of bone weakness. Did their mother break a bone?” In general, women’s bones tend to be smaller and thinner than men’s. For this reason, Asian women have a higher risk of osteoporosis, as do those of any race with smaller-sized frames. Lifestyle factors that disrupt nutrient absorption or weaken bones include lack of exercise, smoking, excessive alcohol and carbonated beverages. Medical issues include bulimia, anorexia, celiac disease, chemotherapy, and use of medica-
tion such as steroids and anti-seizure medication. Once women hit menopause, the decline in bone-protecting estrogen declines, making them more prone to a broken bone. Fortunately, women can do quite a bit to prevent and slow bone loss. “We always say it’s never too late or too early to begin building bone,” Brown said. Brown said that many women know about calcium, found readily in dairy, spinach, broccoli, dried beans and salmon. But 20 key nutrients affect bone strength, including vitamin D. The body naturally generates vitamin D, a pre-hormone, when skin is exposed to sunlight. Just 10 to 15 minutes’ sun exposure twice a week suffices; however, Upstate New York doesn’t receive sufficient sunlight for several months of the year. That means deficiency is inevitable without supplementation. Eggs and oily fish varieties like salmon contain vitamin D. Few other foods naturally contain vitamin D, though commercially sold milk is fortified with it, as are many foods like breakfast cereal. A nutrient-rich diet also promotes bone health. “We don’t appreciate that though we have a very wealthy country, our health statistics aren’t that great,” Brown said. “Our diet is poor, even though we have plenty of food. We are under-nourished. We eat too much processed foods and few nutrient dense foods. She cited studies that correlate high magnesium and potassium intake with lowered risk of bones breaking. “The average American gets half the magnesium and potassium in what they eat,” Brown said. “We don’t eat as much real food anymore. There’s a mismatch between what we need and what we eat today. The body works best if you have the nutrients you need.” “Get in the habit of doing exercises that are weight bearing, as will help build bone, along with strength training,” said Elizabeth Cullen, who has a doctorate in physical therapy
In July 2011 the FDA issued a safety communication expressing concern for an increase in the number of women having complications following surgery using transvaginal mesh. A thorough review was performed, and ultimately it was determined that transvaginal mesh used for prolapse repair had a higher than expected rate of complications, such as infections, pain, and erosion of the mesh. The mesh kits used for prolapse were repairs were subsequently reclassified as “high-risk” devices. The mesh slings used for stress urinary incontinence were also closely reviewed by the FDA, but determined to be both safe and effective. This position was shared by The Society of Urodynamics and Female Urology (SUFU) and the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS). These organizations re-
leased a shared statement in 2014 acknowledging the mesh sling’s safety and success rates, as well as the procedure’s ability to help “millions of women with stress urinary incontinence” with “a simple outpatient procedure that allows them to return to daily life very quickly.” The difference in the safety of the mesh procedures is thought to be due to how and where the mesh is placed, rather than the mesh itself. “Urine leakage is not a condition that women ‘just need to deal with,’ and while a mesh sling may not be the best treatment for every woman, it is a great option for some.” said physician Natasha Ginzburg, assistant professor of urology and director of female pelvic medicine and surgery at Upstate Urology. Before any surgical procedure, you should discuss all the potential
Bone structure 3-D illustration, normal and with osteoporosis. Stock illustration.
Osteoporosis Risk Often Overlooked
Half of women 50 and older and 20% of men will break a bone because of osteoporosis at some point in their lives. By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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umerous health organizations state that osteoporosis is widely under-diagnosed in older adults. Among them is the National Osteoporosis Foundation, which stated recently that it is “often left undiagnosed and untreated” despite its devastating consequences. The foundation stated that breaking a hip often contributes to overall decline in health and physical condition and increases an elderly person’s risk of greater frailty, losing independence and living in a longterm care facility. Half of women 50 and older and 20% of men will break a bone because of osteoporosis at some point in their lives. Women are at greater risk for osteoporosis. Because its effects aren’t often recognized until a bone break occurs, few think to screen for it. A woman’s risk of breaking her hip equals her combined risk of breast, uterine and ovarian cancer,
Susan Brown, Ph.D, is certified nutritionist who directs the Center for Better Bones in East Syracuse. “We always say it’s never too late or too early to begin building bone,” Brown said. and owns CNY Physical Therapy and Aquatics in Camillus and North Syracuse. “Doing these things cause the bone to form and build density. “ Walking, tennis, aerobics and yoga are all examples of weight bearing exercise. Swimming represents an example of a non-weight bearing exercise. “Exercise is huge for affecting bone loss,” said John Mossotti has a bachelor’s degree in human performance and health promotion and owns Elite Personal Fitness in Camillus. He said that one female client concerned about her bone scan. “Added resistance helps the body respond by adding bone, Mossotti said. “It’s the body adapting to lifting those weights. Anyone strength training benefits in that way.” Any woman concerned about her bone strength should discuss options with her healthcare provider as medication, along with lifestyle and dietary changes, can improve bone strength and help prevent breaks.
The Question of Transvaginal Mesh By Elizabeth Ferry, MD
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esh implants have been used for over 50 years in a variety of different surgeries. Generally, they are implanted to provide more support in a weak spot of the body, such as a hernia. In the early 1990s, pelvic surgeons started using mesh as a sling to support the urethra and prevent stress urinary incontinence. Stress urinary incontinence is any unwanted leakage of urine during activities such as laughing, sneezing, or coughing. Later on, larger pieces of mesh were also used to support the bladder during a surgical repair for prolapse, or “dropped bladder.” The mesh was placed through the vagina (transvaginal mesh) in both cases to provide a stronger repair, while also decreasing operating and recovery time.
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risks and benefits with your doctor, and work together to find the treatment that works best for you. Physician Elizabeth Ferry is a Watertown native. She completed medical school at SUNY Upstate and urology residency at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She is currently an assistant professor of urology in the department of urology at SUNY Upstate Medical University, specializing in female and general urology.
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Women’s Health
How to Reduce Post-Partum Depression Risks By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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ocial media portrays bringing home a new baby as a magical time of cuddles, snuggles and adorable baby photo ops. While some of that is true, it’s also messy, exhausting and life-changing. The changes that take place in a woman’s body, schedule and life can contribute to risk of post-partum depression, especially but not limited to women who are already at risk for depression. No woman is to blame for developing post-partum depression. The hormonal changes inherent to pregnancy can trigger it unexpectedly; however, some controllable factors can help lower the risk for many women. Breastfeeding the baby can help moms reduce risk for post-partum depression, according to Christine Kowaleski, a nurse practitioner who specializes in reproductive psychiatry and is a member of the faculty of the Pomeroy College of Nursing at Crouse Hospital. In the initial hours after breastfeeding, a mom’s body releases oxytocin, a hormone that causes the uterus to begin returning to its normal size. This helps control post-partum bleeding and kicks off the mom’s recovery. Oxytocin is also
a “feel good” hormone. Breastfeeding doesn’t always go easily. For some moms, breastfeeding is painful and difficult. They may struggle with milk supply, helping baby latch on, or the right way to hold the baby. Moms with premature babies may not be able to nurse for weeks and must pump breast milk, which can be challenging for building the volume. For many women who struggle, more breastfeeding support and education can help them nurse. Post-partum doulas or lactation consultants provide these services. “Mothers need sleep,” Kowaleski said. “If I could inject everyone with three nights’ sleep, I could put myself out of business, which would be great.” Creating a birth plan ahead of time may help create a more positive birthing experience. Cathy Berry, an OB-GYN in private practice and co-chairwoman of the OB safety committee at Crouse Hospital, recommends establishing a good support system such as daycare and help at home. Steps like these can help moms feel more in control at a time when many things in their lives are changing. “A fair amount of people with pre-existing anxiety disorders for a
number of reasons — such as lack of support or weaning off their medication — have issues that are amplified through pregnancy and after,” Berry said. She said that talking with a health care provider and joining support groups can help. Berry added that some new moms turn to substances as a coping mechanism, such as recreational marijuana; however, “that is potentially bad for the brain development of the baby. If you have issues with any narcotic, get those things under control before you think about a pregnancy.” Gaining too much weight during pregnancy can contribute to health issues and not losing it after the birth can discourage many new moms. Berry said that exercise can help both with weight loss and elevating mood. After delivery, many women experience stress incontinence because of the stress of delivery and the additional weight of pregnancy stressing the pelvic floor. Working with a physical therapist specializing in incontinence and performing Kegal exercises at home can help mitigate the effect. “Make sure your pelvic floor is back to normal before thinking of another pregnancy,” Berry said. “It can prevent urinary stress incontinence at 45 or 50 if we deal with it shortly post-partum.”
Women’s Health: New Effort to Prevent Pre-term Delivery in CNY
Local hospital sharing electronic health records to help ensure that at-risk patients are receiving the appropriate screenings
We are now welcoming new patients and we accept most insurances.
Call (315) 433-9999 Our Providers:
Dr. Daniel Rancier, MD Cynthia Stresing, MSN, FNP-C Krista Krause, MSN, RN, FNP-C
We Are Open:
Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm Christian Health Service of Syracuse 3200 Burnet Ave. Syracuse NY 13206
www.chsos.org
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ome women in Central New York are starting to hear more emphasis placed on the risk factors associated with preterm birth when they visit local hospitals and doctors’ offices. It’s part of a new initiative to help identify risk factors for pre-term delivery as soon as possible in pregnant women. According to March of Dimes, one in 10 babies is born prematurely in the United States each year. Led by St. Joseph’s Health with funding through the CNY Care Collaborative, this initiative was first developed in late 2017 and has recently received $250,000 in renewed funding to expand its reach across Central New York. Participating hospitals and outpatient prenatal care providers receive technical support to update their electronic health records with prompts and data collection fields for information related to four categories of risk factors for pregnant women: tobacco use, alcohol use and substance abuse, stress management and oral health. This is the first time many healthcare organizations are using prompts in patients’ electronic health records
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2019
to identify these risk factors and all at once. This allows doctors to immediately address the issue or refer the patient to another specialist, and instantly updates the patient’s information across the entire system for the clinic or hospital. The team at St. Joseph’s Health will also receive the data to track and report the success of this initiative. “Babies born prematurely may face serious health problems. This enhancement to electronic health records will help ensure that at-risk patients are receiving the appropriate screenings, assessments and referrals for follow-up care as necessary,” said physician Sandra Sulik, medical director of primary care Services at St. Joseph’s Health. “St. Joseph’s Health is also providing staff at these hospitals and organizations with ongoing education to further enhance the positive impact of the tools that are being implemented.” Three hospitals and their outpatient clinics were the first to sign up for this program: St. Joseph’s Health, Oneida Healthcare, and Mohawk Valley Health System which includes Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center.
In Onondaga and surrounding counties, other hospitals, outpatient practices, obstetricians’ offices and private midwiferies are also in talks with St. Joseph’s Health to join this program. In addition, the Onondaga County Health Department, the CNY Regional Perinatal Program, local pharmacies, insurance offices and other community-based organizations are displaying posters and providing other information to raise awareness of this important initiative. “Any local healthcare organization is welcome to contact St. Joseph’s Health to participate,” said Sulik. “It doesn’t need to be an OB-GYN practice. Primary care practices, dental offices, and other organizations that provide healthcare services to pregnant women are all eligible to join.” While it will be months before significant data from this new effort can be analyzed, St. Joseph’s Health has already been invited to present this initiative at state and national conferences. For more information, visit https://preemiepreventionsjh. org/.
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For an appointment call (315) 253-3217 Suite 502, 144 Genesee Street, Auburn, NY
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he leadership from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Oneida Health announced the grand opening of the Dorothy G. Griffin Radiation Oncology Center on Oneida’s campus. This is the next step in expanding the reach of the Roswell Park Care Network, which launched in May. “Our shared vision with Oneida Health offers patients state-of-the-art equipment and clinical and technical expertise that only a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer center such as Roswell Park can provide,” according to a news release. “Under the Roswell Park Care Network, it means access to chemotherapy infusion, clinical trials, genetic counseling, supportive care and educational services. Adding radiation oncology to this slate of services expands convenient access to comprehensive cancer care for residents of Central New York.” The completed radiation oncology center features four exam rooms, a consultation room, a CT scanner, a Truebeam linear accelerator for radiation therapy and required support facilities, with clinical and quality management provided by Roswell Park radiation oncologist Shilpa Vyas, as well as a Roswell Park medical dosimetrist and medical physicists. Dr. Vyas and her team will follow the same quality standards patients can expect at Roswell Park, including evidence-based and peer-reviewed radiation treatment plans, availability of all treatment options and adherence to guidelines that carefully control radiation doses to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Every patient’s radiation treatment plan will be reviewed by a team of radiation oncologists at Roswell Park. In addition, all staff based in Oneida will be trained on Roswell Park standards. The center joins an established medical oncology center operated jointly by Roswell Park and Oneida Health on Oneida’s campus under the medical direction of physician Mohamed el-Naghy. Oneida Health is also currently in the process of expanding its outpatient Alice M. Gorman Imaging Center to further meet the needs of its cancer patients. “Today marks another important step in Oneida Health and Roswell Park’s collaborative effort to provide a high quality of cancer care services to the residents of Central New York,” said Gene Morreale, president and CEO of Oneida Health. “With the addition of radiation oncology we will now be able to provide patients with more comprehensive treatment options, close to home. Patients will benefit from state-ofthe-art diagnosis, local access to NCI cancer care guidelines, and the latest treatment options from a comprehensive cancer center ranked among the top 3% in the nation. In 2016, Oneida Healthcare was awarded a grant from the New York State Department of Health for $6.75 million to expand oncology services to CNY in partnership with Roswell Park. That important state investment has been further supported by regional donors who have contributed over $2.3 million to the project over the past two years, including a $1 million gift from the Dorothy G. Griffin Charitable Foundation.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OT_8LU5GGg_4LPqYvzJ2bjTAr1jBp8ZldhMHtpcR32w/edit
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Letter to the Editor For an appointment call (315) 253-3217 Suite 502, 144 Genesee Street, Auburn, NY
eWIC Makes Shopping Easier Dear Editor,
T
here is an exciting new development in the New York State (NYS) Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program called eWIC. With eWIC, benefits are now provided electronically, making shopping https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OT_8LU5GGg_4LPqYvzJ2bjTAr1jBp8ZldhMHtpcR32w/edit 1/2 with WIC easier and more convenient. Anyone who has shopped with WIC paper checks will appreciate the convenience of eWIC. WIC benefits are loaded onto the eWIC card at the WIC clinic appointment. The eWIC card is used just like a debit card at the grocery store, letting participants buy food when it works best for them rather than all at once. Another benefit of eWIC is a new app called WIC2Go that lets participants check their WIC benefit balance right from their phone. This app also allows participants to scan foods to see if they are WIC-approved, look up WIC-approved stores and local WIC clinics, and see their next WIC appointment. WIC may be able to help those who are pregnant, a new mom or have children under age 5, or are fathers, grandparents or caregivers of children under age 5. WIC provides nutritious food, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals to other services. In our community, there are many families who are eligible for WIC but not participating. Applying is easy and so is using the eWIC card! To learn more about WIC eligibility, contact the local WIC help specialist or visit WICHelpNY.org. WIC help specialists provide one-onone services to help connect eligible pregnant women and families with young children to WIC. These services are free and confidential. Nicole WIC Help Specialist Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency 315-624-9930, ext. 2390 Serving Oneida and Onondaga counties July 2019 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper
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ed, and in 2015, they moved to their present headquarters at 1010 James St., Syracuse. WHOLE ME’s after-school program focuses on language development and social skills, Kovar said. Learning American Sign Language, or ASL, is a totally different language with its own structure, syntax and grammar, she said. “It’s a true language in and of itself. The kids have to learn that because that’s their language, but they also have to learn English,’ Kovar said. “They need to learn how their sign language compares to the written word that they see on a test. “The kids will read a book in English, and then do it in sign language, or do it in ASL and learn how to do it in English.” WHOLE ME includes a child’s whole family in learning, and Kovar estimates they have 50 to 60 families in their program. “We don’t just take the kids in isolation and teach them sign language. We teach the whole family because they need to talk to somebody. So it’s really important for families too,” Kovar said.
Team effort
WHOLE ME
Organization valuable resource for deaf, hard-of-hearing children By Mary Beth Roach
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oel Yaichuk is so much like other 7 year olds. He enjoys playing in the yard at his home in Phoenix, climbing rope swings and playing video games with his brother, Lincoln, 4. But unlike so many kids his age, he can’t always enjoy visits to zoos or facilities where there is a lot of noise in the background. Joel wears hearing aids and has been diagnosed with mild-moderate hearing loss, according to his mother, Rosemary “Rosie” Yaichuk. He can’t hear certain word sounds or certain frequencies. “I shouldn’t have hearing loss,” Joel said, pointing out that only one in 800 children is hard of hearing. Statistics from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders show Joel is very close with his numbers. The organization reports about two or three out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears. Since he was diagnosed about two years ago, Joel and his parents, Rosie and Brian, have experienced a host of struggles. “One of the biggest challenges is that nobody else really knows what it’s like,” Joel said. “It’s a part of who I am, I know that.” While he has hearing aids and a special system in school to help him better understand his teachers, the first-grader still finds difficulty in certain environments where there Page 26
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might be a lot of ambient noise with certain frequencies and certain types of voices, his mother explained. Joel had his first ear infection at the age of 4, and a short time after that, Yaichuk said, she started to notice that he didn’t seem to be listening to her or he could hear her only if he was looking at her. Ultimately, she said, it was determined that he had mild to moderate loss, and it was in both ears. When he was identified, he was still in preschool, but when he started kindergarten, Yaichuk said, it became obvious that she needed a little bit more help. A mutual friend involved in a deaf and hard-of-hearing nonprofit group in Michigan encouraged that the family and Joel get involved in the deaf community locally so he could see other children who are wearing hearing aids and people who are signing. This would make him realize he’s not alone. At first Yaichuk was hesitant, she said, but eventually she found WHOLE ME, Inc., in Syracuse through an internet search. “I put on my big-girl pants and reached out to them,” she said. In the program now for a little over a year, the Yaichuks have found a wealth of resources that have not only helped Joel, but proven beneficial to the whole family.
Exceptional resource
In talking with WHOLE ME’s
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2019
Executive Director Chris Kovar, Yaichuk said she realized immediately it was what her family needed, and it would help her to appreciate Joel’s needs and differentiate what might be critical and what’s not. “For me, there’s a lot of emphasis, and rightly so, on having a place for Joel and having a place for other children who are deaf and hard-ofhearing where they can interact with other people, with their peers who have similar hearing loss and who have similar challenges in the hearing world,” Yaichuk said. Kovar helped to establish WHOLE ME in 2003. She has been in deaf education for 40 years. While working in a deaf and hard-of-hearing program at BOCES in the early 1980s, she and several co-workers started to develop some after-school activities for their students. Those attending the BOCES program were coming from Onondaga, Cortland and Madison counties, so when they would go home at the end of the school day, they really didn’t know the kids in their own neighborhoods, Kovar explained. If they are the only ones who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, it’s difficult for them to go to a playground and interact with the other children. So, they would often go home and retreat to their rooms. Kovar hoped the after-school activities she and her team were organizing would provide more socialization opportunities. In 2003, they became incorporat-
For the Yaichuks, learning ASL has become truly a family affair, including not only Rosie and Brian, but also brother Lincoln, and even Rosie’s parents. To further cement that family connection, WHOLE ME hosts family dinners several times a year and a picnic. WHOLE ME’s staff also can help parents find resources within their child’s educational system. “What determines the success of a child with hearing loss is the family’s involvement,” she said. But their programs are not just geared to children and families. They can provide programs for high school students who are moving on to college or the workforce or college students as they prepare for their careers. The organization also provides interpreter referral services for people and agencies in the area. They also established a Deaf Women’s Support Group in 2018, with assistance from the Women’s Fund of the Central New York Community Foundation. The women, Kovar noted, come from all walks of life and levels of education. “It’s a group of women who really support and take care of each other,” she said. The CNY Community Foundation, too, recently awarded WHOLE ME with a grant of more than $35,000 to enable the organization to further expand its afterschool program in collaboration with the Syracuse City School District. The funding will also help the organization increase the public’s awareness of what it does, and it will assist with some of the additional costs associated with taking on more students as the programs grow, according to Danielle Gill, director of grants and programs for The Community Foundation. “There’s a lot of families in Syracuse that don’t know about us and that don’t know we’re here. We really want to be able to see them,” Kovar added. To learn more about the organization and its services, visit www. wholemeinc.com.
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How a Government Pension Might Reduce Your Social Security Benefits Dear Savvy Senior, As a teacher for 20 years, I receive a pension from a school system that did not withhold Social Security taxes from my pay. After teaching, I’ve been working for a small company where I do pay Social Security taxes. Now, approaching age 65, I would like to retire and apply for my Social Security benefits. But I’ve been told that my teacher’s pension may cause me to lose some of my Social Security. Is that true?
Ready to Retire
Dear Ready,
Yes, it’s true. It’s very likely that your Social Security retirement benefits will be reduced under the terms of a government rule called the Windfall Elimination Provision (or WEP). The WEP affects people who receive pensions from jobs in which they were not required to pay Social Security taxes — for example, police officers, firefighters, teachers and state and local government workers whose employers were not part of the national Social Security system. People who worked for nonprofit or religious organizations before 1984 may also be outside the system. Many of these people, like you, are also eligible for Social Security retirement or disability benefits based on other work they did over the course of their career for which Social Security taxes were paid. Because of your teacher’s pension, Social Security will use a special formula to calculate your retirement benefits, reducing them compared to what you’d otherwise get. How much they’ll be reduced depends on your work history. But one rule that generally applies is that your Social Security retirement benefits cannot be cut by more than half the size of your pension. And the WEP does not apply to survivor benefits. If you’re married and die, your dependents can get a full Social Security payment, unless your spouse has earned his
or her own government pension for which they didn’t pay Social Security taxes. If that’s the case, Social Security has another rule known as the Government Pension Offset (or GPO) that affects spouses or widows/ widowers benefits. Under the GPO, spousal and survivor benefits will be cut by twothirds of the amount of their pension. And if their pension is large enough, their Social Security spousal or survivor benefits will be zero. There are a few exceptions to these rules most of which are based on when you entered the Social Security workforce. Why Do These Rules Exist? According to the Social Security Administration, the reason Congress created the WEP (in 1983) and GPO (in 1977) was to create a more equitable system. People who get both a pension from non-Social Security work and benefits from Social Security-covered work get an unfair windfall due to the formula of how benefit amounts are calculated. These rules ensure that government employees who don’t pay Social Security taxes would end up with roughly the same income as people who work in the private sector and do pay them. For more information on the WEP visit SSA.gov/planners/retire/wep. html, where you’ll also find a link to their WEP online calculator to help you figure out how much your Social Security benefits may be reduced. And for more information on GPO, including a GPO calculator, see SSA. gov/planners/retire/gpo.html.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
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Activate Your Brain A ging causes changes in all parts of the body, including the brain. Fortunately, research suggests there are things you can do as you get older to keep your brain healthy so you can live independently as long as possible. For example, new research shows a correlation between hearing loss and memory loss — hearing loss does not directly cause dementia or Alzheimer’s, however impaired hearing can increase the risk for certain dementias and impact certain parts of brain function. Loretto sees first-hand how results from research impact older adults, and the staff and families who care for them. This year, in support of “The Longest Day” on June 21 and Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June, Loretto hosted an event at The Nottingham with Clarity Clinical Research to educate staff, residents and their families on brain health through the Acti-v8 Your Brain initiative. Brain health can be divided into eight key areas — eating well, staying active, sleeping well, exercising your brain, connecting with friends and family, relaxing and reducing stress, controlling risk factors and getting involved in research. Here are a few ways you can put each of these areas to work for your brain:
• Eat Well — Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean meats and fish. • Stay Active — Take a walk, ride your bike, play tennis, golf, hike. Choose any physical activity. • Sleep Well — Get plenty of sleep each night. • Exercise Your Brain — Consider reading, playing games, doing puzzles, learning a new language (or anything new), taking up a hobby, volunteering, any mentally stimulating activity. • Connect with Friends and Family — Keep your social calendar active by scheduling regular visits with family and friends. • Relax and Reduce Stress — Consider meditation, yoga, tai chi or another relaxation technique. • Control Risk Factors — Seek treatment if you have diabetes, hypertension, obesity or depression, as these all put you at a higher risk of cognitive decline. • Get Involved in Research — Look for research studies searching for volunteers, so you can learn more about yourself and help researchers learn more about keeping brains healthy. To learn more about these eight areas of brain health, visit www. activ8yourbrain.org. Submitted by Loretto.
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Q: I can’t seem to find my Social Security card. Do I need to get a replacement? A: In most cases, knowing your Social Security number is enough. But if you do apply for and receive a replacement card, don’t carry that card with you. Keep it with your important papers. For more information about your Social Security card and number, and for information about how to apply for a replacement, visit www. socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. If you believe you’re the victim of identity theft, read our publication Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number, at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs.
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or young people whose parent dies, Social Security is here. Losing a parent is both emotionally painful and oftentimes devastating to a family’s finances. In the same way that Social Security helps to lift up the disabled and seniors when they need it, we support families when an income-earning parent dies. You should let Social Security know as soon as possible when a person in your family dies. Usually, the funeral director will report the person’s death to Social Security. You’ll need to give the deceased’s Social Security number to the funeral director so they can make the report. Some of the deceased’s family members may be able to receive Social Security benefits if the deceased person worked long enough in jobs covered by Social Security to qualify for benefits. Contact Social Security as soon as possible to make sure the family gets all the benefits they’re entitled to. Please read the following information carefully to learn what benefits may be available. Your unmarried child can get benefits if they’re: • Younger than age 18; • 18-19 years old and a full-time student (no higher than grade 12); or • 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22.
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1/17/19 1:51 PM
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2019
Q: What should I do if an employee gives me a Social Security number but cannot produce the card? A: Seeing the card is not as important as putting the correct information on the worker’s Form W-2. You can verify employee Social Security numbers by using the Social Security Number Verification Service. Just go to www.socialsecurity.gov/ bso. This online service allows registered employers to verify
To get benefits, a child must have: • A parent who’s disabled or retired and entitled to Social Security benefits; or • A parent who died after having worked long enough in a job where they paid Social Security taxes. Benefits stop when your child reaches age 18 unless your child is a student in secondary school or disabled. Within a family, a child can receive up to half of the parent’s full retirement or disability benefit. If a child receives survivors benefits, he or she can get up to 75 percent of the deceased parent’s basic Social Security benefit. There is a limit to the amount of money that we can pay to a family. This family maximum is determined as part of every Social Security benefit computation. It can be from 150 to 180 percent of the parent’s full benefit amount. If the total amount payable to all family members exceeds this limit, we reduce each person’s benefit proportionately (except the parent’s) until the total equals the maximum allowable amount. Children with disabilities may also be eligible for benefits. You can read more about Benefits for Children with Disabilities at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-0510026.pdf.
employee Social Security numbers against Social Security records for wage reporting purposes. Q: I am nearing my full retirement age, but I plan to keep working after I apply for Social Security benefits. Will my benefits be reduced because of my income? A: No. If you start receiving benefits after you’ve reached your full retirement age, you can work while you receive Social Security and your current benefit will not be reduced because of the earned income. If you keep working, it could mean a higher benefit for you in the future. Higher benefits can be important to you later in life and increase the future benefit amounts your survivors could receive. If you begin receiving benefits before your full retirement age, your earnings could reduce your monthly benefit amount. After you reach full retirement age, we recalculate your benefit amount to leave out the months when we reduced or withheld benefits due to your excess earnings. Learn more about Social Security reading our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10069. html.
H ealth News
Crouse’s bariatric program achieves national accreditation
The bariatric (weight loss) surgery program at Crouse Health has been re-accredited as a “comprehensive center” under the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality I m p ro v e m e n t Program (MBSAQIP), a joint program of the American ColDeSimone lege of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. The MBSAQIP standards ensure that bariatric surgery patients receive care from a multidisciplinary team of providers, which improves patient outcomes and long-term success. MBSAQIP-accredited centers focus on tracking outcomes of patients who undergo bariatric surgery and providing continuous quality improvement processes to make sure patients receive the highest level of care. “This is the definitive ‘seal of approval’ in our field, and it tells patients that we meet the highest standards for patient safety and quality,” said Crouse’s program co-medical director Jeff DeSimone. To earn the MBSAQIP designation, Crouse’s bariatric surgery program met strict criteria for staffing, training, and facility infrastructure and protocols for care, ensuring its ability to support patients with severe obesity. Bariatric centers seeking MBSAQIP accreditation undergo an extensive site visit that includes a review the center’s structure, process, and clinical outcomes data. Centers are awarded a specific designation depending on how many patients it serves annually, the type of procedures it provides, and whether it pro-
vides care for patients under age 18. “We are proud to have earned this accreditation for the third time,” said co-medical director Ken Cooper. “Achieving this accreditation reflects the level of commitment our bariatric team has in achieving both quality outcomes and patient satisfaction as our patients go through their weight-loss Cooper journey.” Crouse’s weight-loss surgery program started in 2012. Last year, more than 350 patients chose to have their weight loss surgery at Crouse.
Albanese to preside the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society Physician Stephen Albanese, professor and chairman of the department of orthopedic surgery at Upstate Medical University, has been elected president of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) at the organization’s annual meeting in June. POSNA is a professional society of more than 1,400 surgeons, physicians and allied health professionals dedicated to improving the care of children with musculoskeletal disorders. Albanese has been a member at large on the American Academy Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) board of directors (2002-2004). He served seven years (2005-2012) on the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Review Committee (RRC) and was chairman for the final three years. He served a six-year term (2012-2018) on the ACGME board of directors and chaired the program requirements committee Continued on next page
St. Luke Health Services CEO and Administrator Terrence Gorman with St. Luke Sandra Ford, recipient of the 2019 LeadingAge New York Professional of the Year Award, during the presentation of her award at a recent ceremony held in Saratoga Springs.
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Oswego NP Gets LeadingAge New York’s Professional of the Year Award
andra Ford, a nurse practitioner at St. Luke Health Services in Oswego, has received the 2019 Professional of the Year award from LeadingAge New York. The award honors the contributions of a professional, working in the aging field, toward the well-being of the elderly or chronically ill in his or her community. The award nomination is open to any long-term care, housing and services professional from across the spectrum of care who demonstrates civic involvement as well as professional dedication, accomplishment and field expertise. Board Chairman Michael N. Rosenblut presented Ford with the award during a special ceremony as part of LeadingAge NY’s recent annual conference in Saratoga Springs. In her acceptance, Ms. Ford thanked colleagues and friends who joined her at the ceremony, and acknowledged the many individuals
with whom she has worked, and who have made a positive impact during her nearly four-decade career in healthcare, with a special acknowledgement to the late physician David O’Brien, former medical director at St. Luke. “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with Sandy and to watch as her career has developed,” said Terrence Gorman, chief executive office of St. Luke and affiliated partners. “Her colleagues have found her leadership, dedication and professionalism to be inspirational, and Sandy had been a mentor to many. Those we serve are extremely fortunate to have the benefit of her compassionate care and her strong voice as their advocate in our community.” Ford has been with St. Luke Health Services since 1989, first as a registered nurse before becoming a licensed nurse practitioner in 1992.
Rome Memorial to join Upstate’s Telestroke Network Upstate program now supports stroke care and diagnosis at 10 hospitals across the region
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ome Memorial Hospital in Oneida County is the latest health care facility to sign on to participate in the Telestroke Network at Upstate University Hospital’s Comprehensive Stroke Center in Syracuse. Through its Telestroke Network, Upstate University Hospital is able to connect its stroke specialists with the medical staff at Rome Memorial Hospital — some 45 miles east of Syracuse — to aid in the assessment and care of patients at the Rome facility who may be experiencing a stroke. When a patient arrives at the emergency department at Rome Memorial Hospital with stroke symptoms, its staff can now consult with an Upstate stroke specialist and within minutes to establish televideo conference connection that allows stroke specialists to view the CT brain scan,
examine the patient and talk with patients, families and physicians about early intervention and facilitating care, crucial steps in improving outcomes for patients suffering a stroke. Since January, Upstate has consulted on four patients via the Telestroke Network. Rome Memorial Hospital Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Andrew Bushnell, welcomes the partnership with Upstate on this initiative. “The ability to be part of Upstate University Hospital Stroke Center’s Telestroke Network provides our patients with high quality stroke care from specialty stroke neurologists located at a tertiary care facility while at their community hospital,” Bushnell said. “We are proud to partner with Upstate in the delivery of this care.” Physician Robert Corona, chief
executive officer of Upstate University Hospital, said that “the relationship with Rome Memorial Hospital in the care of stroke patients is precisely what the role is for the region’s only academic medical center. We have the expertise at our teaching hospital to provide the most advanced care. “As the only academic medical center in this region it is imperative that we assist the hospitals in our area with the support they need,” Corona said. “Our Telestroke Network is a perfect example: It allows us to deliver stroke care without borders. And while we may be an hour’s drive from Rome, we can instantly connect our stroke experts with the Rome medical team to provide the patient with the best treatment possible.” Corona said the quick response using telestroke technology is important when treating possible stroke July 2019 •
victims. “The ability to quickly diagnose and treat a stroke patient is paramount to ensuring a strong recovery,” he said. With the addition of Rome Memorial Hospital Upstate’s Telestroke Network now supports stroke care and diagnosis at 10 hospitals across the region. They are Carthage Area Hospital, Carthage; Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Ogdensburg; Clifton-Fine Hospital, Star Lake; Cortland Regional Medical Center, Cortland; Lewis County General Hospital, Lowville; River Hospital, Alexandria Bay; Gouverneur Hospital, Gouverneur; Samaritan Medical Center, Watertown; and Upstate University Hospital Community Campus (formerly Community General Hospital) in Syracuse.
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H ealth News Continued from last page (2016-2018). During his 10-year term (2007-2017) on the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery board of directors, he chaired the oral examination committee (2010-2012) and served as president (2013-2014). ABOS is the national certifying body for orthopedic surgeons. Albanese has been department chairman and residency program director at Upstate since 2000. He received his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from Bucknell University and his medical degree from SUNY Buffalo College of Medicine. He completed an orthopedic surgery residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University and pediatric orthopedic surgery fellowship at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario.
Eldercare Foundation presents awards Nascentia
Health’s
Eldercare
Foundation held its second annual Legacy Luncheon May 21, where it raised $50,000 to support the Eldercare Foundation’s mission of enabling aging, ill and frail individuals to remain at home with dignity and independence More than 210 guests gathered at the Oncenter’s Nicholas J. Pirro Convention Center for the annual fundraising event, which featured world-renowned Hall of Fame keynote speaker, author, entrepreneur, workplace performance expert and acrobat Dan Thurmon. The event’s organizers also presented the Legacy Awards, recognizing community members/organizations and Nascentia Health patients who have made a profound and lasting impact on the greater Syracuse community or shown a commitment to advocating for the aging and/or eldercare services. • The Eldercare Community Champion Award was presented to Rescue Mission Alliance in recognition of its commitment to serving our community’s most vulnerable pop-
Home Care by Seniors for Seniors There’s a huge difference in the kind of home care you can receive from someone who really understands what your life is like as a senior. The concerns you have. The need for independence. Someone who, like you, has a little living under his or her belt. Our loving, caring, compassionate seniors are there to help. We offer all the services you need to stay in your own home, living independently.
ulations and to ending hunger and homelessness. • The Eldercare Achiever Award was presented to Nascentia Health patient June Davis in recognition of her dedication to aging gracefully at home and in her community. A volunteer fitness instructor and active member of her local church, the 96-yearold Baldwinsville resident serves as an example for all those who are aging, according to the foundation. • The Amelia Greiner Lifetime Achievement Award was presented posthumously to Roslyn R. Bilford in honor of her lifelong dedication and commitment to Central New York and to the countless individuals she inspired throughout her prestigious career. In the spirit of Home Aides of Central New York’s founder, she gave selflessly of her time and talents in service to the community, according to the foundation.
St. Joe’s receives an ‘A’ for patient safety St. Joseph’s Health Hospital was the only hospital in Central New York to be awarded an ‘A’ from The Leapfrog Group’s spring 2019 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, according to a news release issued by the hospital. The designation recognizes St. Joseph’s efforts in protecting patients
from harm and providing safer health care. The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization committed to improving health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. The safety grade assigns an ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘F’ grade to hospitals across the country based on their performance in preventing medical errors, injuries, accidents, infections and other harms to patients in their care. “We are extremely proud to once again receive an ‘A’ rating from Leapfrog,” said physician Joseph Spinale, chief medical officer, St. Joseph’s Health. “Leapfrog analyzes everything from our culture and our leadership, to communication, patient recovery, infection rates, and hand hygiene. This rating demonstrates the success of our efforts to be the safest and most reliable provider of health care in the region.” “To be recognized nationally as an ‘A’ hospital is an accomplishment the whole community should take pride in,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Hospitals that earn an ‘A’ grade are making it a priority to protect patients from preventable medical harm and error. We congratulate hospital leaders, board members, staff, volunteers and clinicians who work so hard to earn this A.”
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H ealth News CNY Diaper Bank Celebrates Record Setting, Collecting Over 250,000 Diapers
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Crouse Health Honored by Syracuse/Onondaga County Chapter of the NAACP
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rouse Health was awarded the Earl G. Graves Corporate Award from the Syracuse/ Onondaga County Chapter of the NAACP at its recent 40th anniversary Freedom Fund celebration. The award was presented by Linda Brown-Robinson, president of the Syracuse/Onondaga County chapter. “This important community recognition affirms our strong commitment to advancing and nurturing a culture that supports diversity and inclusion at all levels of our organization,” said Crouse Health president and CEO Kimberly Boynton. In 2014, with senior leadership support, Crouse Health formed an employee-led diversity and inclusion committee and began to have conversations around the topic of diversity and inclusion. Recognizing that Crouse Health is a locally-governed community asset that serves
people from all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds, it became clear to Crouse leadership that the organization could do a better job of paying closer attention to how it maximizes each employees’ unique talents, background and potential. Crouse also made a commitment to ensuring that it is continually recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce, one that mirrors the diversity not only of those the health system serves, but of the entire community. “We feel that our commitment to diversity and inclusion, while still in its infancy, represents a key differentiator for Crouse Health in our community. In fact, the work we have done, and the early progress we have made — as recognized by the NAACP — has become an integral part of the Crouse culture, which extends not only to our employees house wide, but to our patients and visitors as
well,” added Boynton. To support its work and commitment to this initiative, Crouse hired Twiggy Eure in 2016 as director of diversity and inclusion to oversee system-wide corporate diversity and inclusion initiatives. Since 2016 the hospital has made solid progress, both internally and in the community, where its commitment to diversity and inclusion is being noticed by business and community leaders. Crouse has taken the lead on an initiative called Diversifying the Hill, which encourages the sharing of best practices among businesses and organizations on the University Hill. Further reflecting Crouse’s strategic focus on this initiative is the fact that over 3,000 employees have participated in D&I education and information sharing sessions over the past two years. Submitted by Crouse Health.
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he CNY Diaper Bank in May collected 252,334 diapers during its fourth annual “Make a Mother’s Day” Diaper Drive, meeting this year’s goal and surpassing its collection of over 150,000 diapers during the 2018 drive. Since its inception, the CNY Diaper Bank has distributed over one million diapers. “We are thrilled that 2019 was our biggest ‘Make a Mother’s Day’ Diaper Drive yet,” said Michela Hugo, founder of the CNY Diaper Bank. “We want to thank everybody who participated, as this will make a tremendous impact on local families in need.” As part of the drive, the CNY Diaper Bank was selected by Movement Mortgage’s foundation as one of 12 national recipients for a 2019 “Movement 10K” grant. Each month, the Movement Foundation encourages employees to nominate nonprofits doing good work in their communities for a $10,000 grant, dubbed the “Movement 10K.” East Syracuse Movement Mortgage branch manager John O’Brien nominated the CNY Diaper Bank, and the diaper bank then submitted a video about the organization before being selected as a grant recipient. A generous donation from NBT Bank also helped the CNY Diaper Bank reach its 2019 goal. Several schools, churches and businesses throughout the area additionally supported the CNY Diaper Bank’s 2019 “Make a Mother’s Day” Diaper Drive. Moses-DeWitt Elementary School in DeWitt collected 200 diapers and raised enough funds to purchase over 1,500 more diapers. DeWitt Community Church made the diaper bank their “Mission of the Month” for May, and Fairmount Community Church contributed to the drive through their endowment fund. Wegmans provided the CNY Diaper Bank with gift cards to purchase diapers, and Cathy’s Cookie Kitchen in Syracuse hosted a collection bin and donated 50 cents to the diaper bank for each of their frosted buttercream sugar cookies that they sold throughout the month. The 100% volunteer-run CNY Diaper Bank was founded in May 2016 by Michela Hugo with a mission to make diapers accessible to all CNY families and to bring awareness of diaper need to the community. One in three families experience diaper need, and diapers are not covered by WIC or food stamps. The diaper bank now provides over 70,000 diapers to local families each month, up from 6,000 in its first month in operation. For more information on how to donate to the diaper bank or for more ways to get involved, please visit www.cnydiaperbank.org. The CNY Diaper Bank operates year-round, collecting diapers of all sizes for distribution to local families through a growing network of 24 partner agencies.
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