Igh cny 201 sept 16 b by In Good Health: CNY's Healthcare Newspaper

in good Meet Your Doctor Upstate University’s pediatric emergency physician Richard Cantor chosen as ‘2016 Physician of the Year’

September 2016 •

Issue 201

cnyhealth.com

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

Expanded Role for Paramedics May Come to CNY State bill calls for a larger role for emergency medical services responders Page 12

The ADHD Paradox Many people with ADHD enjoy creative careers, running their own businesses and working in less structured environments. In these circles, their hyperfocus functions like a talent, not an impediment.

Donating Old Hearing Aids, Eyeglasses and Mobility Equipment

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Heads Up: Concussions Can Endanger High School Athletes

Compounding Pharmacy Focusing on Skin Products

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See this month’s Savvy Senior

Average American 15 Pounds Heavier Than 20 Years Ago

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Grapes

Nothing heralds the start of fall in Upstate New York quite like grapes. Find out why you should eat them Inside

What Americans Fear the Most The biggest fear many Americans have is blindness. Losing vision would be as bad or worse than losing hearing, memory, speech or a limb, survey finds Inside

Average American 15 Pounds Heavier Than 20 Years Ago Growing wider but not taller, research shows. Men’s average weight now at 196 pounds; women, at 169

here’s no doubt about it: Americans are getting heavier and heavier. But new U.S. estimates may still come as a shock — since the late 1980s and early 1990s, the average American has put on 15 or more additional pounds without getting any taller. Even 11-year-old kids aren’t immune from this weight plague, the study found. Girls are more than seven pounds heavier even though their height is the same. Boys gained an inch in height, but also packed on an additional 13.5 pounds compared to two decades ago. When looked at by race, blacks gained the most on average. Black women added 22 pounds despite staying the same average height. Black men grew about one-fifth of an inch, but added 18 pounds, the study found. “We are not doing nearly enough to control and reverse the obesity epidemic and doing far too much to propagate it. This is another notice of that sad fact,” said physician David Katz. He directs the Yale University Prevention Research Center and is president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. The new statistics were released

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Aug. 3 in a report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. The statistics for 2011-2014 are based on an analysis of a sample of 19,151 people who underwent medical examinations and were interviewed at home. According to the report, the average weight of men in the United States rose from 181 pounds to 196 pounds between 1988-1994 and 20112014. Their average height remained the same at about 5 feet, 9 inches. The average woman, meanwhile, expanded from 152 pounds to 169 pounds while her height remained steady at just under 5 feet, 4 inches. How big of a deal are these weight gains? “A 15- to 16-pound weight gain is fairly significant and typically would be consistent with a couple of points increase in body mass index,” said Anthony Comuzzie. He’s an obesity researcher and scientist with the department of genetics at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio. Body mass index, or BMI, is a rough estimate of a person’s body fat using height and weight mea-

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2016

surements. The BMI classifies people into several categories, such as normal, overweight and obese. “From a practical point,” Comuzzie said, the average weight gain “means that someone who was on the high end of normal weight would have likely moved into the overweight category, and those at the high end of the overweight category would have likely moved into the obese category.” This matters because “we know that increasing BMI is a good indicator of overall risk for a variety of diseases, including heart disease and diabetes,” he said. The reasons behind the increase in weight are complex, according to Comuzzie. In part, he suggested, it’s related to trends toward less exercise and more access to food that’s rich in calories.

But “at the end of the day, it is still fairly basic physics: If energy consumed is greater than energy expended, then there will be a gain in weight,” he said.

Blindness Biggest Fear for Many Americans

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Losing vision as bad or worse than losing hearing, memory, speech or a limb, survey finds

lindness is what many Americans fear most, a new survey shows. “These findings underscore the importance of good eyesight to most and that having good vision is key to one’s overall sense of well-being,” said lead researcher Adrienne Scott, an assistant professor of opthalmology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. “The consistency of these findings among the varying ethnic/racial groups underscores the importance of educating the public on eye health and mobilizing public support for vision research,” Scott said. The nationwide online poll, commissioned by the nonprofit health research group known as Research!America, found that 88 percent of more than 2,000 respondents considered good vision vital to overall health. And 47 percent said losing their sight would have the

most effect on their day-to-day life. Overall, respondents ranked losing vision as equal to or worse than losing hearing, memory, speech or a limb. The top concerns associated with vision loss were quality of life and loss of independence. Close to two-thirds of the respondents said they wear glasses. But respondents’ awareness of eye diseases varied widely. Sixty-six percent were aware of cataracts; 63 percent, glaucoma; 50 percent, macular degeneration; and 37 percent, diabetic retinopathy. One-quarter of the respondents were not aware of any eye conditions. While 76 percent and 58 percent, respectively, knew that too much sunlight and family history were potential risk factors for vision loss, only half were aware that smoking puts eyesight at risk. The study was published online Aug. 4 in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology.

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In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2016 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126. • Phone: 315-342-1182 • Fax: 315-342-7776. Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Jim Miller, Gwenn Voelckers, Deborah Banikowski, George W. Chapman, Deborah Sergeant, Matthew Liptak, Aaron Gifford, Anne Palumbo, Melissa Stefanec, Chris Motola, Ernst Lamothe Jr. • Advertising: Amy Gagliano, Cassandra Lawson • Office Assistant: Michelle Kingsley No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Sunday, September 18th from 1-2 p.m. Sunday, September 18th Christina Michaelson – The Search for Happiness

5 Easy Ways to Build Activity Into Your Workday Routine

Sitting at your desk all day increases your risk for heart attack, stroke and even death

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itting at your desk all day can hurt your health, but it’s easy to reduce that risk, an expert says. The American Heart Association recommends at least 75 minutes of vigorous exercise or 150 minutes of low-level exercise every week. That breaks down to 30 minutes a day, five days a week. “The good news is those 30 minutes can be any fashion of things that you incorporate into your work day,” physician Daniel Vigil said in a news release from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). “The point is to move throughout the day, preferably at least once an hour,” he added. Need motivation to get out of the chair? Remember: Inactivity puts you at increased risk for heart attack, stroke and even death. Vigil has the following tips for people who want to be more active in the workplace:

n 1. Move your wastebasket and other essentials away from your desk. Walk to a colleague’s desk instead of emailing or phoning. Take the stairs to a restroom on another floor. n 2. Use resistance bands to do foot curls and arm stretches at your desk, and take the stairs instead of the elevator. When standing in line, stretch your neck and shoulders, and bend your knees for flexibility. n 3. If a meeting lasts longer than 90 minutes, take a five-minute stretch break at the mid-point. n 4. Park your car farther from the building. If you take public transit, get off a few blocks before your destination and walk the rest of the way. n 5. Download apps that encourage you to be active, such as those that count your daily steps or remind you to move while at your desk.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2016

Cancer

Now leading killer in 12 European nations, surpassing heart disease

ancer has overtaken heart disease and stroke as the leading cause of death in 12 European countries, a new study reports. However, cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke) is still the leading cause of death worldwide, killing more than 17 million people a year, according to the study. In the 53 countries defined as the European region by the World Health Organization, heart disease killed more than 4 million people in 2016. Those deaths accounted for 45 percent of all deaths in those nations. Cancer accounted for less than half the number of deaths from heart disease in Europe as a whole, researchers said. However, success in preventing and treating heart disease seems to have led to large declines in heart disease deaths in a number of countries. Cancer now kills more men than heart disease in these 12 countries: Belgium, Denmark, France, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom, the study showed. The study also found that cancer now kills more women than heart disease in Denmark and Israel. Findings from the study were published Aug. 15 in the European Heart Journal. “These figures highlight the wide inequalities between European countries in deaths from [heart disease and stroke],” said study leader Nick Townsend in a journal news release. He is a senior researcher at the British Heart Foundation Centre on Population Approaches for Non-Communicable Disease Prevention at the University of Oxford in England. The countries where cancer caused more death than heart disease were all found in Western Europe, he noted, adding that nine of them were members of the European Union before 2004. In contrast, the highest numbers of deaths from heart disease and stroke still tend to be seen in Eastern European countries, Townsend said. “Although we have seen progress across Europe in the prevention and treatment of [heart disease and stroke], leading to decreases in mortality from it, it is clear that such progress is not consistent across the continent,” he said.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Sept. 6, 8, 9, 13

ARISE taps volunteers for ombudsman program ARISE, a nonprofit independent living center run by and for people with disabilities, is recruiting volunteers who want to be trained to be part of its long-term care ombudsman program The purpose of the ombudsman program is to protect the health, safety, welfare and civil rights of people living in nursing homes and adult care facilities. Certified ombudsmen in the program are trained and certified volunteers who advocate for residents’ rights and ensure that their complaints are resolved to support a higher quality of life. Long-term care ombudsmen must complete a free training course to become certified. This course will give them all of the tools they need to be able to advocate for the residents properly. ARISE will offer the free training Sept. 6, 8, 9 and 13. It will be hosted by regional long-term care ombudsman Coordinator Jeffrey Parker. People interested in learning more about this program or the training should contact Jeffrey Parker at 315671-5108 or jparker@ariseinc.org.

Sept. 14, Oct. 7

Medicare questions answered by experts Are you turning 65 soon? Are you overwhelmed by all the mail, calls and Medicare options? The Cayuga County Office for the Aging offers complimentary monthly classes to help you make sense of Medicare. You will learn how to determine whether the plan you are considering will give you peace of mind or potential headaches. You’ll learn about how Part D drug plans work and whether EPIC co-pay assistance is an option for you. If your income is limited, we’ll provide information about programs to help pay for your insurance coverage, as well as a listing of the free and low-cost preventive care under Medicare. Classes will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 14 and from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 7. Both events will take place in the basement training room of the Cayuga County Office Building. Registration is required. To register, call 315-253-1226, or visit www.cayugacounty.us/aging under the News & Activities section.

Sept. 17

Group celebrates CNY Pagan Pride Day The 17th annual CNY Pagan Pride Day celebration will return to Long Branch Park in Onondaga County 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 17. Page 6

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The event is sponsored by the Church of the Greenwood. According to its website, the church was “founded in 2002 to provide an organization for people of Earth-based spiritualitities to worship and recognize rites of passage in their life.” The event will offer live music, unique vendors, children’s activities, food, and lots of good family fun, in addition to workshops on various aspects of pagan life. There is also an autumn wquinox ritual observance that the public can take part in or just watch to learn more about pagan pride. Through education, activism, charity and community, the project promotes tolerance and understanding between people with different belief systems. For more information, contact Kurt Hohmann at kurt.hohmann@ gmail.com or315-402-3571 or visit the website at www.cnyppd.org.

Sept. 25

Buddy Walk to benefit Down syndrome causes Individuals with Down syndrome along with their families and friends are inviting the public to participate in the18th Annual Buddy Walk, which will take place starting at 10:30 a.m. (registration begins at 9:30 am) at Long Branch Park in Onondaga Lake Park in Liverpool. The event promotes the acceptance of and advocacy for people with Down syndrome. In 2015, 2,000 attendees participated Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality affecting more than 400,000 people in the United States. People with Down syndrome possess a wide degree of abilities and are active participants in the educational, occupational, and recreational activities in the community. The Buddy Walk was developed by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in 1995 to celebrate

Down Syndrome Awareness Month in October. It has grown from 17 walks in 1995 to nearly 300 walks planned for 2016 worldwide. In 2015, nearly $14 million was raised nationwide to benefit local programs and services, as well as national advocacy and public awareness initiatives of NDSS that benefit all individuals with Down syndrome. Local children and adults with Down syndrome, their designated “buddies,” and many other supporters will participate in the festivities, which include free picnic lunch, entertainment provided by Bill Ali and the Shotgun Trio, emcee Skip Clark from WOLF 105.1 & 96.7, balloons, games and prizes for the children, raffles and much more. For more information, call 315682-4289 or visit www.dsaofcny.org.

Oct. 1

Walk to End Alzheimer’s to take place in Liverpool The Alzheimer’s Association invites Central New York residents to unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® presented by Loretto. The Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place on Oct. 1 at Long Branch Park in Liverpool. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. The opening ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. with the Walk immediately following. Walk to End Alzheimer’s is more than a walk. It is an experience for thousands of expected participants in the Syracuse area to learn about Alzheimer’s disease and how to get involved with this critical cause, from advocacy opportunities and clinical studies enrollment to support programs and services. Walk participants also honor those affected by Alzheimer’s disease with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony. The 2015 event raised nearly $225,000 for the organization. In addition to the three-mile walk along the Onondaga Lake’s eastern shore, participants will enjoy an expo of corporate sponsors, activities for families and a special tribute to those who have experienced or are experiencing Alzheimer’s. To start or join a team, visit alz. org/walk. To learn more about disease and available resources, call the toll-free Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.

6th Annual Stride to SAVE Lives By Jamie Leszczynski

ach year more than 30,000 people die by suicide in the U.S. and over 750,000 people make an attempt. These statistics are horrifying! Regardless of race, sex, age, where you live, suicide has no boundary and impacts every community across the country. Fourteen years ago, my life was changed forever. It was a day that I know I’ll never forget and will forever be etched in my heart, as at the age of 16, my brother took his own life. Since then it has been my personal mission to raise awareness about suicide and hopefully one day be able to help another family from having to experience what we

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2016

went through. I’d like to invite everyone to participate in the 6th Annual Suicide Prevention — 5K Fun Run/ Walk at Sheldon Ballroom on the campus of SUNY Oswego. Registration will between 9 and 10 a.m. The run/walk will start at 11 a.m. There is a free T-shirt for those who fundraise $50 or more. The event is organized by SAVECNY. For more information, visit savecny@save.org or www.save.org. Jamie Leszczynski Chairwoman, Stride to SAVE Lives

Oct. 10

Aurora of CNY to offer free vision, hearing screening Aurora of CNY, a nonprofit promoting independence, opportunity and full access for individuals who are blind, visually impaired, and deaf, will offer a free vision screening and free hearing aid cleaning from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct.10 at the Mary Nelson Resource Center, 2849 S. Salina St. in Syracuse. This event won’t have a formal presentation and speakers, but agency’s officials on be on hand to answer any questions about resources and referrals. Aurora will also offer free hearing aid cleaning as well as information on available resources and referral assistance. For more information, contact Donna Reese at 315-422-7263 or visit www.auroraofcny.org.

Oct. 12, 19, and 26

Workshop for women who live alone Do you live alone? Is it a challenge for you? Living Alone: How to Survive and Thrive on Your Own is a three-part workshop offered for women who want to rediscover joy and contentment, and to gain the know-how to forge a meaningful life on their own. You’ll meet others in similar circumstances and learn practical strategies to overcome loneliness, rediscover your true self, socialize in a couples’ world and make the best of this opportunity on your own. The workshop takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at House Content Bed & Breakfast in Mendon on three consecutive Wednesdays: Oct. 12, 19, and 26. A daytime workshop may also be offered on Friday mornings (same weeks), if there is interest. The workshop fee of $135 includes a Living Alone binder, empowerment exercises, and helpful resources you can trust. Home-baked goodies and refreshments are served. To learn more, contact Gwenn Voelckers at 585-624-7887 or email gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

Oct. 13

Event to focus on life with Parkinson’s disease Living an Active Life with Parkinson’s Disease Conference. This free day of learning offered by the Onondaga County Office for Aging and Upstate University Hospital’s HealthLink will be held on Thursday, Oct. 13 at Drumlin’s County Club, 800 Nottingham Road, Syracuse. Check-in is from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m. and program from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. There is a coffee hour for persons recently diagnosed. Then conference host Susan Kennedy (host of WCNY’s “Cycle of Health”) will introduce programs on surgical treatments, designs for home modifications, exercise and movement including dance. Participants will also enjoy a light lunch at no cost. There is no cost for the conference but pre-registration is required as space is limited. To register, call Upstate Connect at 464-8668. The deadline for registration is Oct. 7.

Pay Gaps Persist for Female Doctors Across the U.S.: Study Medicare reimbursement review finds male specialists earning more

emale doctors in the United States make much less than their male colleagues, a new study finds. Researchers examined more than 3 million Medicare reimbursement claims received by doctors in 13 medical specialties in 2012. Overall, female doctors got $34,126 less than male doctors, the investigators found. After the researchers adjusted for working hours, productivity and years of experience, they found that female doctors were reimbursed $18,677 less than their male colleagues. The study found that the largest gender gaps were in

nephrology ($16,689) and rheumatology ($15,405). The narrowest gaps were in hematology ($10,115), critical care ($4,360) and medical oncology ($3,971). The study was published online Aug. 15 in the Postgraduate Medical Journal. Tejas Desai of the division of nephrology at WG (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury, N.C., and colleagues said their study does not explain why female doctors get paid less than males. But, they noted in a journal news release, the findings show that “the commonly held theories of why monetary disparities exist need to be revisited.”

Healthcare in a Minute By George W. Chapman

Hospital rankings released

After months of delay due to concerns about the methodology used, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the results of its hospital quality rankings. 4,600 hospitals received from one to five stars based on 64 quality measures like post-surgical infection rates, average waiting time in the emergency department, readmission to the hospital after a heart attack, use of CT and MRIs, complications after hip surgery, etc. Only 102 hospitals (2 percent) earned five stars. 934 (20 percent) earned four stars. 1,770 (38 percent) earned three stars. 723 (16 percent) earned two stars. 133 (3 percent) earned one star. 937 hospitals (20 percent) received no ranking due to insufficient data. NYS had the most one-star hospitals with 35 of the 133. Thirty three of those 35 were downstate. Faxton-St. Luke in Utica and SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse were the two Upstate hospitals getting a single star. Many believe the rankings were biased against teaching hospitals, which typically treat more trauma, transfers from other hospitals and the more complex cases. Go to www.cms.gov and look for “CMS Hospital Compare” online to check a hospital’s ranking.

Cancer survivors increasing

The number of cancer survivors will increase by 11 million over the next two decades, according to the National Cancer Institute. Its numbers will increase from the current 15 million to over 26 million. Almost 75 percent of the survivors will be over 65 by 2040.

Text messaging your physician

CMS is working on guidelines for text messaging. The availability of better and secure text messaging technology caused CMS to reconsider its ban on text messaging which has been in force since 2011. Various studies indicate text messaging can accelerate care, boost communications between patients and their providers and streamline patient activity. A recent study of women diagnosed with breast cancer found a much higher level of satisfaction with both treatment plans and their decision making among women who used some means of electronic communication with their physician.

Healthcare to be 20 % of GDP

According to Office of the Actuary under CMS, healthcare expenditures will grow 5.8 percent a year between now and 2025. That is about 1.3 percent faster than the rest of the economy, which could make healthcare 20 percent of the gross domestic product — or GDP — by 2025. We spent $3.2 trillion last year on healthcare. The Affordable Care Act has been credited with keeping annual increase to “moderate levels” compared to the 8 percent growth rate in the two decades prior to the ACA. Price inflation accounted for less than 1 percent of the increase in expenditures. We continue to spend far more per capita or percentage of GDP, than any other country.

Curbing fraud

Penalties will soon double. The minimum penalty for each false claim submitted to CMS will double from the current $5,500 to nearly $11,000. The maximum penalty per

false claim would increase to over $21,000. There are typically thousands of false claims in a particular case meaning penalties reach into the million and sometimes billions. Whistleblowers receive a cut of the monies recovered. Many feel the higher penalties may invoke the constitutionality of the fines as a defense. The eighth amendment prohibits excessive fines. However, most cases are settled on damages or the government’s actual losses versus penalties.

Trump’s plan

Republicans have tried to repeal the ACA nearly 50 times. Donald Trump has vowed to repeal it if elected. According to the non-partisan Center for Health and Economy, Trump’s plan would upend most of the recent reforms under the ACA. Eighteen million Americans would lose their insurance due to elimination of tax credits and Medicaid expansion. Premiums would decrease across all plan categories (bronze, silver, platinum) by removing actuarial rating and deductible restrictions and the individual mandate. Medical productivity would increase 2 percent due to a shift from employer-sponsored plans to individual plans. More cost sharing would result in a more price-conscious consumer. Provider access would increase 11 percent based on the assumption that new low-benefit, low-premium catastrophic plans would offer a wider network of providers. The federal deficit would decrease $583 billion over the next decade due to provisions directly related to removing the standard benefit packages under the ACA. September 2016 •

Feds to Increase value of primary care

In a continuing effort to make primary care more appealing to medical students and to reward those already practicing, Medicare will increase payments for internal medicine, family medicine, OB-GYN, pediatrics, geriatrics and mental health by $900 million next year. Most of the increase will come at the expense of specialists. Commercial insurers tend to follow Medicare’s lead on how physicians and hospitals are paid.

Random health facts

Lack of exercise causes as many deaths as smoking. Eating out regularly at restaurants doubles your risk of obesity. Laughing 100 times equals 15 minutes of exercising on a stationary bike. 30 percent of cancer can be prevented by avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol and exercising. Averaging less than seven hours of sleep a night reduced your life expectancy. Just one soda a day increases your chances of Type 2 diabetes by 22 percent.

George W. Chapman is a healthcare consultant who works with hospitals and medical groups. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse. Email him at gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.

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Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Richard Cantor, M.D. Upstate University’s pediatric emergency physician talks about being chosen as ‘2016 Physician of the Year’ Q: You were recently named the 2016 Physician of the Year by the New York American College of Emergency Physicians. What is the nomination process like and what do they look for? A: The American College of Emergency Physicians is the national governing body for the practice of emergency medicine. Within that body, there are state chapters. So the New York one covers the entire state. Every year they pick a physician of the year. The award is based on achievements in the field, teaching, research, administration and education. Longevity helps too, since you have to build up a bit of a resume. For my own situation, I won an education award 10 years ago, and have been part of a number of committees at the national level. It’s a nice award.

Q: Have you been a part of the nomination process from the other side? A: I’ve never been part of the New York state process, but nationally I’m very involved in pediatric emergency medicine administrative issues. There’s a committee I’ve been chairman of in the past, and we gave out awards, so I had to vet those physicians. So I kind of know what goes into it. This was quite a surprise though, so we were all very pleased. It’s a nice plaque too. It’s cute. Q: What are some of the important differences between adult and pediatric emergency medicine?

A: The famous quote goes, “Kids are not little adults.” They have different illnesses. Fortunately, most of them are self-limited, and their medical care is very sub-specialized. It’s analogous to being an orthopedist or a dermatologist. They’re board-certified physicians. Kids’ care in the emergency department is very complex because there’s a huge variety of illnesses and traumas, and the ages are so different, the presentations so different, so a lot of experience is needed to take care of their needs. A layer of care involves family care because a lot of these kids don’t necessarily want to come and, because of the family structure, they may have their siblings with them. So we also have to consider the sociology for the family unit and have the proper supports needed. We try to make it as pleasant as possible. We just opened a brand new pediatric emergency department that offers many more rooms for exams. Children don’t have to share a waiting room with adults. We have child-friendly architecture and games, which helps make a situation that might appear threatening to kids less so. There’s a way to do this stuff right. Q: Has the growth of urgent care centers taken some pressure off you guys? A: They serve a real purpose. People often don’t like to travel far. Geographically it can be much more convenient. Their expertise for taking care of kids is just about the right amount, so they know up to what point they can be helpful and they know when to call us for our expertise. I don’t look at it as a competition. They do nice work. The best thing we can do is educate. We hold conferences with smaller hospitals and providers to help give them the information they need and let them know that we’re here is a resource. Q: What’s the protocol for treatment if a parent or guardian is unavailable? A: It’s mostly based on the good samaritan concept. Whatever needs to be done emergently gets done. So if I get a super sick baby and for some reason the parents aren’t available, it’s irrelevant. We have a duty to treat, so we do. When we do have time to think, we’ll go to great lengths to find a parent or guardian. It’s never really a broad issue; we find a way. We also have a relationship with local law enforcement, which helps for finding people. Q: I ask, in part, because it seems like getting information out of young patients would be challenging. A: Sometimes it’s a challenge with the family structure too. Sometimes the parents aren’t sure what’s going on either. That’s a big part of what makes our specialty challenging; we have to sometimes look into a toddler’s eyes and figure out what’s wrong. We also don’t have an established relationship with these patients that we’re seeing in an emergency capacity. It’s very rewarding though. If you do the right things,

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2016

In the News

hysician Richard Cantor, the longtime director of Upstate University Hospital’s pediatric emergency department, has been named the 2016 Physician of the Year by the New York American College of Emergency Physicians.

many childhood illnesses resolve, so you have mostly positive endings. The tragedies are horrible, but the odds are in your favor. And a lot of the times it’s parents coming in who know something’s wrong, but aren’t sure what. We always try to listen to the parents. Q: How do you reconcile the information that the child is giving you verbally or non-verbally with what parents might be telling you? A: Usually the parent can communicate with the child in front of you. The calmer the child, the more they can communicate what’s wrong. You can have situations where, say, if I put a 2-year-old on a stretcher to look at a leg that was bothering him, it would be frightening, he’ll be crying, and I won’t be able to easily tell what’s hurting him. But if I stand in the doorway, have mom play with the child and show her how to palpate to find the tender area, I can get the information I need to make a diagnosis. There are a lot of tricks. Q: What kinds of environments keep kids calm? A: Colors. I’m not an expert, but our architects designed a color scheme that’s time-tested. Also distracting noise levels, so we have private rooms. If you get put in an exam room, you have TV with child-friendly stations, windows and private bathrooms. We use different types of lighting to help create a calming effect. It just makes the whole exam more reliable instead of trying to see it through their panic.

Lifelines Name: Richard Cantor, M.D. Position: Director of Upstate University Hospital’s pediatric emergency department; medical director of the CNY Poison Control Center Hometown: Queens, NY Resides: Fayetteville, NY Education: SUNY Upstate Medical University Affiliations: SUNY Upstate Medical Center Career highlights: Serves as a SUNY Upstate Medical Center professor in emergency medicine and pediatrics, has directed Upstate pediatric emergency care since 1984 and recently presided over the opening of Upstate’s new expanded pediatric emergency department. Has authored numerous articles on pediatric emergency care and poisonings in professional journals Organizations: American Academy of Pediatrics; American College of Emergency Physicians; American Academy of Clinical Toxicologists Family: Two adult daughters Hobbies: Cooking, baking, music, travel

Hyperfocus: the ADHD Paradox By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has long been recognized as lifelong, not only a problem for struggling schoolchildren. As students mature into adults, their career choices may aid them in coping with ADHD and, in the case of those who experience hyperfocus, actually complement their career. Hyperfocus is a phenomenon in which people with ADHD home in on a particular activity, issue or topic to the neglect of all else. For a child, it may be a threemonth obsession with dinosaurs. Then, abruptly, the dino-fixation disappears and it’s on to rocket ships or trains or race cars while complete-

ly ignoring other themes. For adults, the individual’s hobbies often shift, even after significant investment and intense interest. “There’s a difference between when there are external demands they must pay attention to, like at school or work, versus the person’s intrinsic desire to pay attention,” said Priscilla Young, certified neurofeedback coach and owner of Syracuse Neurofeedback in Syracuse. “Many who have a diagnosis of ADHD can pay attention well to things they find entertaining and interesting but find it difficult to pay attention to external demands.” Syracuse Neurofeedback provides neurofeedback as a medica-

tion-free approach to optimizing brain function. Young said that as a result of training the brain to self-regulate, the brain learns to function more effectively. With adequate reinforcement, typically 20 to 40 sessions, the effect can last a lifetime. Some adults with ADHD also turn to medication or counseling for help in taming runaway thoughts. Career coaching may also improve their quality of life, since many with ADHD find it difficult to settle on one career, despite extensive talent and a great work ethic. “Often, people who have ADHD will be drawn to highly stimulating jobs, like an ambulance crew or a fire crew,” Young said. “It has so much stimulus involved in the job that it holds their attention. It satisfies an internal need.” In general, choosing the right job can help improve its longevity and likely provide a way for the person with ADHD to shine since they can channel their intense energy into something that engages them. Employment such as sales, legal work and marketing may provide engaging work as long as they can keep all the details organized with coping mechanisms such as a secretary or electronics. Many people with ADHD enjoy creative careers, running their own businesses and working in less structured environments. In these circles, their hyperfocus functions like a talent, not an impediment. But employment that requires long-term waiting for results, prolonged concentration and little mobility will likely not work out. “Pick a job that has variety,” said Grace Puchalski, licensed clinical social worker and owner of Walk with Grace in Syracuse. “Find the right fit.” Community employment resources such as the office of adult career and continuing education service can help, as can learning more about the job’s requirements before applying. When it comes to relationships, people with ADHD can hyperfocus on a new love interest so intensely that when they lose interest and move on to someone else in mere months, the people they leave behind can feel deeply hurt. “They could use mental health support to be able to talk about it,” Puchalski said. “If the person knows the pattern from prior relationships, they may need to seek professional help.” Since people enter marriage relationships with the expectation of staying together, the attention

Many people with ADHD enjoy creative careers, running their own businesses and working in less structured environments. In these circles, their hyperfocus functions like a talent, not an impediment. deficit can cause serious problems. The person with ADHD must mature enough to commit long term and seek novelty in other areas instead of a new spouse. The non-ADHD spouse must realize that it’s not spite that drives the ADHD spouse to leave cupboard doors open, forget tasks or spend numerous hours and dollars on a hobby only to walk away from it after a few weeks. The spouse must learn to remain flexible without enabling to maintain harmony in the relationship. Since people enter marriage relationships with the expectation of staying together, the attention deficit can cause serious problems. “The impact of ADHD on one’s marriage can be devastating,” said Andy Lopez-Williams, Ph.D., clinical and forensic neuropsychologist and president and clinical director of ADHD & Autism Psychological Services & Advocacy in Syracuse and Utica. The person with ADHD must mature enough to commit long-term and seek novelty in other areas instead of a new spouse. The non-ADHD spouse must realize that it’s not spite that drives the ADHD spouse to leave cupboard doors open, forget tasks or spend numerous hours and dollars on a hobby only to walk away from it after a few weeks. “They are not simply choosing to behave in these maladaptive ways,” Lopez-Williams said. “Rather, they need support and understanding. Work with adults with ADHD often involves helping their spouses understand these issues so that their spouses can be less frustrated and more supportive. “We often teach partners of adults with ADHD to use positive behavioral strategies which can be extremely effective and lead to improved marital satisfaction.”

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September 2016 •

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Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Forging a New Life on Your Own. Need Some help?

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or some women, living alone in mid-life is a welcome change, especially if they are coming out of an unhappy marriage. eing alone can offer a respite from the stress and heartache of a relationship gone bad. But for many others, the change is not welcome, and the prospect of living alone can appear on the horizon as a daunting challenge. The ending of my own marriage years ago fell into the latter category; it was not a welcome change. But it was a change nonetheless and one I had no choice but to accept and ultimately to embrace. It took some time and some hard-knock lessons, but I eventually discovered a resourcefulness within myself that enabled me to forge a joyful and meaningful life on my own. It is that same resourcefulness that gave me the confidence to organize and offer workshops to support other women in the similar circumstances. “Living Alone: How to Survive and Thrive on Your Own” is a threepart workshop I developed to help women discover the know how to

create a satisfying and enriching life on their own. I’ve been leading the workshop for over 10 years now, and often get questions from “In Good Health” readers about what the workshop covers and how it is organized. In this month’s column, I am pleased to answer the most frequently asked questions: Q. What is the purpose of the workshop and what do you cover? A. Because I’ve walked in a similar pair of shoes, I can empathize with the challenges you may be facing. And I can support your efforts and desire to feel more content on your own. In many cases, it starts with a change in attitude, and my workshop will help you think differently about living alone. Specifically, I cover how to overcome loneliness and other emotional pitfalls, banish negative thinking, rediscover your true self, socialize in a couples’ world, and otherwise embrace what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a wonderful and rewarding life on your own. Feeling comfortable with your

independence will improve your chances of finding happiness, and it will improve your chances of finding a new healthy relationship, if that’s what you desire. When you feel better about yourself — more self-assured and resourceful — life on your own or with a special someone can be richer and more satisfying. Getting good at living alone takes practice. There’s no magic pill and it doesn’t happen overnight. But it can happen, and good things can result. Q. Who attends the workshop? A. Most, but not all, of the women who attend the workshop are between the ages of 40 and 70, and have come out of long marriages or relationships. Some are on their own for the first time in their lives. All have one thing in common: They want to get a better handle on living alone and to feel more content with themselves and their independence. Many see this workshop as an extension of the support they receive from friends, family, a therapist or their congregation. Q. I’m still grieving the loss of my marriage/spouse. Is this workshop right for me? A. Good question. My Living Alone workshop is a “nuts and bolts” practical workshop to help women feel more whole and complete on their own. It is not a grief or mental health support group. Q. What are your credentials? A. I am not a licensed professional. My expertise is born out of real-life experience. I’ve “been there.” I emerged from my divorce feeling very deflated and very alone, faced with both the practical and emotional challenges of living alone. After some

hits and misses, I found my way and now thoroughly enjoy the freedom and independence that comes with living alone. My time-tested experience, resources, and tried-and-true tips and techniques have inspired and helped many workshop participants. My workshop has been the jump-start they needed to reclaim their lives. Q. How large are the workshops? A. Ideally, I like to have eight women in each workshop, although, on occasion, I have led workshops with a few more and a few less. Q. Where are the workshops held? A. At House Content Bed & Breakfast in Mendon, near Rochester. House Content is a little historic gem, situated on a picturesque six-acre site, surrounded by horse farms and parkland. Reminiscent of a quaint English cottage, this setting serves as a peaceful and inspirational setting for the workshops. Q. I’d like to sign up for the workshop. What’s my next step? A. I like to speak with potential participants by phone, as a first step. That way, I can answer your questions and you’ll know better whether this workshop is right for you. Just call me at 585-624-7887 or email me at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com, and we’ll schedule a time to talk. You’ll also find information about my upcoming workshop in the Calendar of Health Events included in this issue. Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Live Alone and Thrive, empowerment workshops for women held throughout the year in Mendon, New York. For information about her workshops or to invite her to speak, call 585-624-7887, or email gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2016

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Pokemon Go causes safety concerns By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

emember the “crackberry addicts” with their noses buried in the cell phone screens, oblivious to the world around them? Pokemon GO is the latest example of cell phone distraction. With a near-addictive quality, the game has swept the nation and captured the attention of game enthusiasts of all ages. While its blending gaming with real life recreation helps foster more social interaction among gamers and necessitates physical activity to participate, Pokemon GO bears some risks as well. Distracted walking and driving provide an obvious example as gamers are too busy watching their screen to watch where they’re going. Elizabeth Carey, public affairs manager for AAA Western and Central New York, said that her organization took the growing phenomenon so seriously that they issued a press release about Pokemon GO after the game became available. “It gets people up and off the couch and that’s fun, but you should never try to play behind the wheel,” Carey said. She personally witnessed someone apparently trying to play the game while driving who nearly hit her vehicle. Carey also cautions pedestrians to keep their eyes on the real world to avoid walking into traffic. “Gamers are vulnerable while playing the game,” Carey said. “Pay attention to your surroundings. Always pay attention, whether in a busy place or an isolated place.” The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration attributes 3,000 annual deaths in the US to distracted driving, which includes cell phone use of any kind. “If you look away two seconds, you double your crash risk,” Carey said. The NHTSA also states that when driving 55 miles per hour a person not looking at the road travels the length of a football field as if blindfolded. They say that distraction plays a role in nearly 6 out of 10 moderate-to-severe teen crashes. “Doing anything on a mobile

device, whether talking or playing a game is a huge distraction,” said Jason Rockwell, operations manager of Able 2 Driving School in Syracuse. Pedestrians wandering into traffic and causing accidents also concerns Rockwell. He said he sees this happen frequently around Syracuse. “Regardless if you’re on the road, whether driving on the road, walking or on a bicycle, it’s too much of a distraction,” he said. “It’s sensory overload. You can’t stay focused on every aspect.” Drivers should put their phones away while behind the wheel. If you’re looking for Pokemon as a pedestrian, the game will cause the phone to vibrate when you approach any Pokemon, so use common sense and pay attention to your surroundings. Pedestrians should watch for both for immediate peril, such as that signpost or curb, and the possibility of danger, such as traveling through an unfamiliar neighborhood. Realize that other people playing the game may use it for nefarious purposes: waiting for other players to come to this remote Pokestop to harm or rob them. Or setting up lures in the game to attract victims. Children should not wander off to play Pokemon GO by themselves. Why not join them in playing? Everyone should remain aware of the surroundings and the people around them. Victim distraction makes crime easy for perpetrators. Some players wander off and get lost while wrapped up in a game. While GPS could ordinarily guide you home, the game is hard on battery life since is employs GPS to function. You may realize you’re lost just as your battery dies. Instead, keep tabs on your phone’s power supply or use a portable charger. In the thrill of finding a Pokemon, don’t stray from public property. Especially at night, a homeowner may not understand your intentions and could think you’re a prowler. Don’t assume other players want to meet you. Though you both may share enjoyment of the game, approach carefully.

Do you live alone? Living alone can be a challenge, especially for women in mid-life who are divorced or widowed. But it can also be the start of a rich and meaningful chapter in your life. Need a jump start?

Living Alone: How to Survive and Thrive on Your Own Wednesdays, Oct. 12, 19 and 26 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm House Content B&B, Mendon, near Rochester

In the workshop led by Gwenn Voelckers — a women who’s “been there” — you’ll discover how to overcome loneliness and other emotional pitfalls, rediscover your true self, and socialize in a couples’ world. $135 fee includes manual, empowerment exercises and lots of helpful resources. For more information, call 585-624-7887 or email gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com September 2016 •

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EMS in Transition

Emergency response teams in Central New York may play more enhanced role By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

he winds of change have hit almost every aspect of health care from hospital system mergers to more transparent costs for procedures for patients. The new way of thinking could soon hit emergency service responders. Community paramedicine is a new and evolving model of community-based health care in which paramedics function outside their customary emergency response and transport roles. They facilitate more appropriate emergency care resources by enhancing primary care for medically underserved populations. In addition, various new procedures taking place nationwide could change what happens when you call 9-1-1 for assistance. Expanded emergency medical programs are already in place in California, Texas, Minnesota, Colorado and Canada. Officials say the response is more efficient and cost effective for the patient and the health care industry in general. Both the New York State

Assembly and Senate have bills coming out to support community paramedicine. Sean Burton, national manager of mobile integrated health care for American Medical Response, is familiar with the initiative by New York communities such as Syracuse and other Upstate cities for a push in utilizing paramedics in community settings and outreach. He understands the reason for that push, especially in rural settings, has been one of the reasons why the measure has slowly been gaining traction in Upstate cities. “I think this is one of the hottest topics right now in our industry,” said Burton. “We need to be locally driven and match the needs of our patients.” Burton views a day sometime in the future when EMS services have an expanded role in helping patients receive the right resources and educating the public on the necessary uses of emergency services. Any additional role would require

advanced training for New York EMS departments. “We are not looking to increase the scope of practice without that necessary training,” said Burton. “The real focus in the state of care is actually including more medical providers like physician assistants and nurse practitioners into our emergency management systems.” Burton said by increasing the number of health care professionals in EMS services, it creates a stronger team to handle continuum of care.

Broadening responsibilities Hugh Chaplin, executive director of the New York Mobile Integrated Healthcare Association, is pushing for legislation when it comes to community paramedicine. “We propose to amend the public health law to explicitly allow EMS providers to operate in a wider variety of circumstances than they currently do,” said Chaplin. “This leg-

Community Paramedicine

ommunity paramedicine allows services provided by an EMT, an AEMT or paramedic to patients who do not require emergency medical transportation. It enables someone to get the care they need at home instead of simply having an expensive ambulance fee to drive

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them to an emergency room, where they will be charged for another fee for that service as well. If the bill passes, EMS will have a greater scope of services that include, but is not limited to, checking vital signs, blood pressure screening and monitoring, prescription drug compliance, changing wound dressing,

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2016

stitching wounds, helping a recently discharged hospital patient reestablish themselves at home and medical reconciliation. It is all an effort to prevent the growing number of people who are using emergency departments as their primary care doctors.

islation will help EMS in New York state to become more patient-centered, more adaptive to changes in healthcare and more integrated into the continuum of healthcare delivery and public health.” Community programs typically are designed to address specific problems and to take advantage of locally developed collaborations among emergency medical services and other health care and social service providers. In addition, in the age of the Affordable Care Act where health organizations must offer higher quality care while lowering costs, the initiative is being seen as a way to improve access and reduce rising costs. For example, if the Canandaigua Emergency Service is called out to a home for someone who needs stitches, instead of transporting the individual to the hospital and taking up space for an individual who comes in with a true emergency, the EMS responders can simply suture the patient right in the home. “Imagine being at home preparing dinner and you go to cut something like an orange and you slip and accidentally slice the palm of your hand and it’s bleeding pretty good,” said Ken Beers, chief of the Canandaigua Emergency Service. “You need some attention and you would normally call 9-1-1 or get inside your car and go to the emergency room. You may need only a couple of stitches and that requires you to go spend maybe six to eight hours in the emergency department. But with this new system that we hope gets approved, a specialized care paramedic can come directly to your house after you call 9-1-1, stitch it up and connect you with antibiotics if you need it, all while you never leave your home.”

Access to care enhanced Another advantage is furthering access to communities that struggle to receive it. For nearly 75 million people living in rural areas of the United States, health care needs far outnumber health care options. These communities already include a disproportionate number of elderly citizens, immigrants, impoverished families and those in poor health. “You have people who use the emergency room as their primary doctors. They come in for many things that are not necessary,” said Beers. “There is so much emergency department overcrowding that we hope this system will free them for more urgent needs.” Emergency responders in the future might also have to deal with chronically ill people who are discharged from the hospital but who could have a higher amount of readmissions based on their condition. “We have to find a way to make life easier for our elderly population,” said Beers. They can even help seniors who might need their prescriptions picked up.

SmartBites The skinny on healthy eating

Good-For-You Grapes Burst with Benefits

lthough grapes are available year-round, nothing heralds the start of fall in Upstate New York quite like grapes. From our grape festivals to our grape stomping to our roadside grape pies, everything is all about the grape. As a child, I liked grapes for their taste; as an adult, I like grapes for their taste, their thirst-quenching qualities — and most importantly — their

bountiful health benefits. To begin, grapes of all colors — red, green and dark purple — contain an impressive variety of antioxidants known as polyphenols. Antioxidants promote health and longevity by neutralizing damaging free radicals that have been linked to a host of health conditions and chronic diseases. Eating a variety of grapes may be especially good for hearts. Human studies have shown that grapes may promote relaxation of blood vessels, which helps to maintain healthy blood flow and reduce heart stress. Animal studies have demonstrated that grapes may lower blood pressure and reduce inflamma-

tion. Controlling inflammation is particularly important in lowering our risk for atherosclerosis and other life-threatening diseases, such as cancer. Dark red and purple grapes have high concentrations of resveratrol, a widely researched polyphenol that might be responsible for the cardiovascular benefits of red wine. Exactly how resveratrol might do this is still a mystery, but some researchers suggest that it reduces bad cholesterol, thwarts damage to blood vessels and prevents blood clots. Bring on the merlot, please! And while grapes do contain more sugar than a lot of fruits, eating colorful, nutrient-rich fruits is crucial to a healthy diet. A 2013 study published in the British Medical Journal, in fact, found that people who ate at least two servings each week of certain whole fruits — particularly grapes, blueberries, and apples — reduced their risk for Type 2 diabetes by as much as 23 percent in comparison to those who ate less than one serving per month. Low in fat, sodium, cholesterol and calories (only 100 per cup), grapes are also an excellent source of vitamins C and K. Immune-boosting vitamin C helps the body maintain healthy tissues and heal wounds, while bone-building vitamin K aids in proper blood clotting.

Helpful tips Select firm, plump grapes that are even in color and firmly attached to the stem. Don’t wash grapes when you return home, but do refrigerate them in the bag they came in. Rinse before eating in a colander under cold water.

September 2016 •

Orzo-Grape Salad with Feta and Mint Adapted from EatingWell 1 cup orzo, preferably wholewheat 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 2 cups quartered or halved seedless red and green grapes 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint 1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion (optional) Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add orzo and cook until just tender, about eight minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water until cool. Meanwhile, whisk oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add grapes, feta, mint, onion and the orzo; toss to combine.

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.

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7 Ways to Avoid Serious Injury From School Sports

Heads Up: Concussions Can Endanger High School Athletes Experts: Play safe, protect your head, identify when the problem arises By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

hile participating in school sports promotes teamwork skills, fitness and healthy self-image, student athletes can sustain serious, even lifelong injuries, because of concussions. Emergency personnel treat more than 170,000 school-aged children and teens annually for traumatic brain injuries, which include concussions, related to recreation or sports, according to the Centers for Disease Control. There’s no “safe” sport. Any type of sport in which a participant falls, is shaken, or receives a blow to the head can cause a concussion. “There is higher risk with some sports, like football, soccer and ice hockey,” said physician Claudine Tinio Ward, a clinical assistant professor at the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation with SUNY Upstate Medical University. “You can get a concussion riding a bicycle, but you can reduce risk staying away from the riskier sports.” One risky sport that surprises many parents is cheerleading. Though not a contact sport, the activity places participants high in the air where a fall or missed catch can be disastrous. Concussions can cause shortterm symptoms, including headache, confusion, loss of consciousness,

nausea, vision disturbance, lack of memory about the incident, slurred speech and dizziness. Secondary concussions can cause more serious consequences, including headaches, memory loss, vision changes, changes in temperament, emotional instability, dementia and even death. The key to preventing serious concussion injury lies in protection, playing safely and identifying concussion. “The most important thing a parent can do to help prevent their children from suffering sports concussions is education,” said Bradley S. Raphael, sports medicine fellowship-trained orthopedist at Syracuse University and partner at Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists. “Education is paramount when teaching children proper technique, Raphael said. “Whether it’s football tackling, heading in soccer, checking in hockey/lacrosse or any other contact sport, it is imperative for parents and coaches to teach safe technique to prevent head and neck injuries.” He added that these basics are often overlooked in the desire to win games. Visit your children’s school during a practice to see how safety equipment and rules are enforced. Insist your children wear properly — fitting equipment every time. Coach-

es and other players should not encourage rough play, though the CDC states that rough or illegal play contribute to about 25 percent of concussion incidences. The Bradley S. Raphael, school’s sports medicine athletic orthopedist at Syracuse department should also Orthopedic Specialists. maintain a concussion awareness program, which includes removing athletes from play who may have suffered a concussion. “Many times athletes, are unaware of what to look for, or even worse, attempt to hide them in hopes of continuing play,” Raphael said. Athletes should follow a returnto-play protocol that includes a physician’s examination and clearance. Telling athletes to “shake it off” and return to play endangers their health and, possibly their lives. Although it’s rare, athletes have died from secondary concussions. It’s not

• Good nutrition and proper hydration are key. • It’s important to stretch, warm up and cool down for practices and games or competitions. • Practice and use proper techniques for your sport, such as tackling in football; tumbling in gymnastics; and running, jumping and landing in basketball and track events. • Always wear all recommended safety equipment, and be sure it fits properly. • Cheerleaders and gymnasts should train only in properly equipped facilities with recommended safety equipment, including quality tumbling mats. • Basketball players and trackand-field athletes shouldn’t push themselves too hard because doing so increases the risk for overuse injuries. • Remember that rest is an important part of the training cycle. From physician Jennifer Beck, specialist in pediatric sports medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center. worth the risk. Secondary concussions “can have devastating effects as a result of brain swelling or metabolic dysfunction,” Raphael said. The swelling and metabolic dysfunction can cause unconsciousness, coma, and even death. Although college and professional sports often site a seven-day recovery period, Tinio Ward said that high school students usually need more like 10 days. “If they go beyond 10-to-14 day recovery, most general practitioners refer them out to specialty clinics like ours” she said. Tinio Ward urges coaches to keep up-to-date with the new findings regarding concussion treatment.

Is Health Insurance on Your Back-to-School Checklist? Excellus official: ‘There’s no reason your child has to go back to school uninsured’

n addition to notebooks, pencils and backpacks, your back-toschool checklist may include one very important item: health insurance for your child. “Fortunately, there is no reason your child should go back to school without health coverage, especially given all the shots and physicals needed this time of year,” said Lynn Johnson, sales director at Excellus

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BlueCross BlueShield. Uninsured children may be eligible for coverage through one of the discounted government health insurance programs offered through Excellus BCBS. Eligibility is based upon a family’s monthly income and number of people in the household. “A family of four making about $748 a week, for example, wouldn’t have to pay a monthly premium to

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2016

receive comprehensive health coverage for their children,” Johnson said. The government health insurance programs include: • Medicaid — Children ages 1 through 18 years of age in a family of four, for example, may qualify for Medicaid if their family’s gross monthly income is at or under $3,119. Income requirements are higher for a child under the age of 1. Families will

not pay a premium for their child’s Medicaid insurance. • Child Health Plus — Families will either pay no premium, a premium ranging from $9 to $60 per child per month, or the full premium. A family of four with a gross monthly income of $7,088, for example, would pay $45 per child per month. To see if you or your child qualifies for discounted insurance or to make an appointment with an Excellus BCBS representative, call 1-888-370-7098.

Parenting By Melissa Stefanec

Assimilating with Community Forming bonds with fellow townspeople big step for young family

hroughout the ages, the way we view a community has drastically altered. I think a lot of people view a community as the people in their own back yards or in terms of demographics. The word community is generally defined as a group of people who live in the same locale, a group of people with similar interests or a group of nations. I know I am not alone when I say I feel like I lack a local community. Maybe this is because my children are young and haven’t started primary school yet; maybe it’s because I’ve moved a number of times or maybe it’s because I am just too darn busy. Whatever the reason, I think a lot people in my generation don’t have a solid sense of community. This is especially true for those of us who have lived lots of different lives. We left home, went to college and bounced around from one place to the next. Some of us also moved around during our formative years. Whatever the circumstances, our roots haven’t been growing into the same soil for the past 30-something years; our communities have become disparate. Our lifelines may be a mere phone call away but their presence may be

cities, states or continents away. Now that I have children, having a sense of local community suddenly feels very important. I want to be connected to the people in the place I live. For the sake of my children and my sanity, I want to make connections. I want a local, touchable and ever-present community. I know this will have its pros and cons, but now is the time. So how does a person start building a local community? Do I just start running up to local moms and laying it on thick? (“Your child is so amazing. Could you please give me some pointers?”) Do I volunteer for every event that presents itself? (“Sure, I will get three hours of sleep a night for the next two weeks and run this fundraiser!”) Do I start a social media page for moms looking to break into the inner circle of a certain Syracuse suburb? (“Totally not creepy or likely to attract riff-raff.”) Do I drive myself crazy trying to fit in? (“Of course I love fad diets and fad exercise classes.”) Or, do I let everything happen organically? (“When my kids are in school, I will meet 10 new mom BFFs,

and we will brunch, laugh and fawn over the common bond that is our children.”) Those are the million-dollar questions for a Gen-Xer/Millennial who finally wants to put down some roots. I know there aren’t easy or blanket responses to any of my questions. However, I know I am not struggling alone. There are other parents out there who are facing the same conundrum.

Easing into community

So, I am going to ask those of you who are interested in extending your communities the following favors. Before I extend this request, let me add that I bake a mean dessert, am free giving with my wine, love children (all their budding personalities) and like to live and let live. If I smile at you, kindly smile back. Simple right? A smile is my icebreaker. Please don’t ask yourself who the weirdo is that keeps looking at you and grinning. I’m not all that weird. I am just hoping someone else looks for smiling faces. If I strike up mundane conversation, humor me. Isn’t the weather so gross? Isn’t the décor in this children’s classroom delightful? Didn’t this event organizer do such a great job? I know these questions are boring, but until we know each other, they are all I have. Indulge me with multiple-word responses. If I ask for your phone number or email address, don’t think I am going to stalk you. I want to start building a community for my family, but I don’t have time in my hectic schedule for stalking a new mom friend. So, just

assume I will try to set up a time for our children to get together sometime between now and Thanksgiving. If I look lonely, come say hello. We all encounter various levels of nerves and reluctance when breaking into a circle or conversation. It would be incredibly reassuring to have another mom extend a conversation and some eventual contact information. If your child likes my child, let me know. If our children like each other, let’s let them hang out. Who knows, we might like each other. If we don’t, I promise you I can maintain social niceties and let our kids enjoy each other’s company. If I can help you out in some small way, let me know. Being part of a community means giving back. If you need a little help with something, let me know. I may not have hours of free time, but I can squeak in an hour here or there to help out with a fundraiser or whatever beast you are staring down. I can give your kid a ride somewhere. Once we know each other a little better, I can watch your son or daughter for a play date that allows you to run errands. I want to help, because helping each other is how we all get by. There are a million different ways to start building a community for oneself. Asking for help is one way to start. So next time you are at an event and you see that awkward mom who can’t stop smiling or talking about the merits of cozy corner instead of time out, try to humor me. I am clearly having trouble scoring that play date. I also have this crazy idea that I can start building my family into your community.

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September 2016 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 15

Welcomes the following providers September 2016 Ellen Venditte on one of her many outings with the Arc of Onondaga. Photo Courtesy of åJean Venditte.

Arc: Providing Numerous Services in the Community By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Sean Bresnahan, D.O. 182 Intrepid Lane Syracuse, NY 13215 315-218-7020

Mary Geiss, D.O. 5566 Jordan Road Elbridge, NY 13066 315-689-1833

Accepting New Patients FamilyCare Medical Group is a multispecialty medical group dedicated to providing the highest quality medical care throughout Central New York. Founded in 1996 by 13 family doctors, FCMG has grown to over 80 physicians and almost 50 nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The specialties represented are family practice, general internal medicine, cardiology, endocrinology, infectious disease, gynecology, otolaryngology, pulmonology, sleep medicine, ophthalmology, physiatry and rehabilitation medicine.

www.fcmg.org Page 16

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2016

or 65 years, Arc of Onondaga has offered persons with developmental disabilities a wide scope of supports. These include more than eight programs related to the organization’s main services of supporting residential, occupational, and health. But many people aren’t aware of some of Arc of Onondaga’s services provided to about 1,000 individuals and their families. “The community thinks that we provide only the most structured services,” said Ellen Gutmaker, executive director of Arc of Onondaga. “People think we provide only certified day services, but we provide a whole gamut. We provide services to anyone with disabilities with the full range of age span.” Arc’s pre-K program works in cooperation with Syracuse City School District for integrating children who have disabilities with children who do not have disabilities. Many people with disabilities desire to work and are capable of employment with the right supports. For those who finish school, Arc provides vocational training and support services to aid in employment. “We provide whatever help and supports an individual needs to be fully included in their community to the level they want to be included,” Gutmaker said. Recreational opportunities include Art Surge, for example, which pairs Arc clients with artists from the community. Beyond its clients and their families, the Arc directly benefits the community by providing volunteer opportunities to clients. “Many of our day programs volunteer in a variety of settings,” Gutmaker said. “We work with Helping Hounds Dog Rescue, bell ringing for the Salvation Army, and many of our individuals are involved with helping out in other ways in the community. They provide valuable resources to the community.” Mobile work crews provide

janitorial services to public places. Others partner with National Grid in Liverpool and other organizations. “Through vocational and volunteer opportunities, Arc gives back to the community in those ways,” Gutmaker said. Volunteering has helped Ellen Venditte, who lives at an Arc residence, become more involved in the community while serving others. Her mother, Jean Venditte, said that Arc helped Ellen develop skills she has used for volunteering through Arc and outside Arc’s programs. Ellen, who has Down syndrome, began her education with early intervention at age 18 months. She completed high school at age 21. Ellen has lived in a group home since 2005 and “it has worked out great,” Jean raved. “She loves it. She had an adjustment to go through, moving there from my home, but she now enjoys everything they do.” An active 37-year-old, Ellen enjoys bowling, Arc-sponsored dances, going for walks, working out at Planet Fitness, and volunteering with organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Red Cross, other nonprofits. She has also participated in theater productions with The Redhouse Arts Center in Syracuse. Jean likes the fact that Ellen and the four other women at her home divide their household chores, offer input as to what they’ll eat and do, and get involved in the community as much as they’re able. “The more she has to do, the happier she is,” Jean said. Jean said that Arc of Onondaga helped her family, which includes two other adult children, help Ellen. Housebound by arthritis, Jean, a widow, said that Arc “has taken a load off my mind. They worked very closely with me. “I want her to be as independent as possible,” Jean added. “I wanted her to get as much education as possible and get her into a group home and set for life.”

Lorie Giamartino demonstrates the electronic mortar and pestle that can be used to create a variety of pharmaceutical compounds.

Perfect Blend Brewerton compounding pharmacy grows with marketing By Matthew Liptak

he Brewerton Pharmacy and Compounding Center has grown its operation through compounding along with a heavy dose of marketing. Lorie Giamartino started the compounding portion of the center in 2006. She described compounding simply as mixing chemicals in different bases to make pharmaceuticals that are not commercially available. ”We want to make it affordable for the patient because we want them to use it,” she said. “We believe in it. It can help in so many ways.” Compound medicine, she said, bring multiple benefits for a patient when he or she chooses to use a specialized compound rather than a traditionally manufactured drug. Topical compounds made at the center can be used to apply hormone treatments and pain relief. Taking medications topically through the skin rather than orally keeps the effects of the treatment localized on the body, rather than traveling throughout the system where it may cause side effects. Capsules can be made especially for those with allergies to traditional medication fillers such as gluten too. “We also make capsules,” Giamartino said. “People that might be allergic to gluten or corn — there’s so many allergies today. We can also compound a Popsicle (especially) for kids that are post-tonsillectomy. They can suck on a Popsicle that has lidocane in it for the pain after surgery. I also make lollipops. I’ve yet to dispense one, but I can put medicine in a lollipop.” Wound care is another area

that the center can help patients with. Topical creams they make can accelerate the time of healing by 200 percent, Giamartino said. This can be especially helpful to diabetes patients who might have a slow-healing, open wound.

Skin deep

The pharmacist said the business has been expanding into dermatology more lately. “Now our focus has kind of moved to a lot of dermatological

preparations,” she said. “Skin bleaching —ladies like to get rid of their age spots. We also make a compound for a doctor’s office that does the laser peels. It takes away the pain of the laser so they put that on before they get lasered. Also there’s topicals for psoriasis and eczema.” Even animals aren’t left out of the work the Brewerton Pharmacy and Compounding Center does. They compound drugs for multiple area veterinarians. They’ve learned some things about treating feline friends that even experienced vets may not know. “You don’t have to worry about getting a pill down their throat and them scratching you to death,” Giamartino said. “A lot of medicines can be absorbed through a cat’s ear. It’s really cool. I think it’s less known.” The pharmacist said the company made a concerted, sustained effort to market the business’ compounding abilities within the last few years and it has paid off. They reached out to providers and others to let them know about how they could help patients. “When we first started keeping track was 2011,” Giamartino said. “We were at 65 compound prescriptions a month. We hit the 300 mark last February.” The center’s business strategy has been to keep prices as affordable as possible. The minimum order for compounding is just under $25. That has helped both customers and the bottom line of the business. Giamartino said she has a healthy profit margin of 20 percent. But there are challenges. The government has been getting more involved in regulating pharmaceutical compounding. It’s something Giamartino believes is unnecessary. “As usual, the government is trying to get more of its hands on what we do,” she said. “They’re trying to make every compounding pharmacy accredited which is probably a $10,000 process if not more.” Certification may be a couple years down the road yet and in the meantime, the center is growing. The Brewerton Pharmacy and Compounding Center has 30 employees including five compounding pharmacists in locations in Brewerton, North Syracuse and Central Square. They expect to soon be expanding the lab space to increase production.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 17

Men’sHealth

Thyroid Disease: Few Male Patients Know They Have It By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

n estimated 20 million Americans have a thyroid condition and up to 60 percent of those do not realize it, according to the American Thyroid Association. The organization states that women are five to eight times more likely than men to experience thyroid problems. But local experts agree that male patients and even their physicians are less likely to recognize thyroid disease. Treating thyroid disease is important for men and women. The gland is located in base of the neck and produces hormones that regulate every call of the body and vital functions such as metabolism. Men can also experience low libido, low sperm count and erectile dysfunction because of thyroid issues. Thyroid conditions include hyperthyroidism, when the gland makes too much hormone and causes mood swings, weakness, weight loss and eye problems. With hypothyroidism, the thyroid produces too little hormone and the patient can experience fatigue, memory issues,

weight gain, and depression. Over time, hypothyroidism can raise patients’ risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and infertility. “Typically, a lower percent of men are diagnosed because the symptoms are chronic and ongoing but they tough it out,” said Jen Morganti, doctor of naturopathic medicine with Natur-Tyme in Syracuse. Physician Azhar Tahir operates holistic and internal health offices in Syracuse. He said many doctors don’t consider thyroid disease as a possibility for men which results in later diagnosis. Part of the reason is that men’s low libido and fatigue is blamed on other causes. Also, because thyroid conditions can be caused by autoimmune disorder, doctors often don’t consider that as the reason for their male patient’s complaints. “Women have more likelihood to have autoimmune conditions,” Tahir said. “No one knows why they do.” Men may complain of more general symptoms, such as fatigue or low mood, which make diagnosis

more difficult; however, a blood test easily indicates thyroid disease by measuring levels of thyroid stimulating hormone. Tahir said that at home, people can screen themselves for hypothyroidism by checking their temperature and pulse first thing in the morning before rising. If the pulse is under 65 and the temperature under 98, it could indicate hypothyroidism. “People are treated unnecessarily for depression or have heart conditions that are really hypothyroidism,” Tahir said. Like most health conditions, prompt treatment helps improve outcomes. If sought early, proper treatment for thyroid disease can reverse many of its symptoms, although patients will require lifelong maintenance. Doctors typically treat hyperthyroidism and hyperthyroidism with medication that must be taken for life. The conditions require periodic monitoring. Patients receive the same medication regardless of gender, though

men may need a slightly higher dose. Natural practitioners also look at diet and other lifestyle factors that affect the thyroid. Morganti, naturopathic medicine doctor, recommends supplements, including iodine taken with selenium and augmented by tyrosine, vitamins D, A and K-2. Testing for the body’s levels of iodine and other supplements helps health practitioners recommend the right levels of supplements to take. “Sometimes if your thyroid is sluggish, this might boost it,” Morganti said. She also recommends detoxification, eating organic and less processed foods, and avoiding environmental toxins. Eating seaweed, which is naturally high in iodine, and Brazil nuts, which are high in selenium, can help. “If you have the thyroid removed, there’s no way around taking medication,” she said. “But if it’s working, you may have hope of eliminating prescriptions.”

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Page 18

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2016

Men’sHealth

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Early Prostate Cancer Diagnoses Continue to Fall in U.S.: Study

Decline follows recommendation against routine screening, but experts not sure if trend is good or bad

iagnoses of early prostate cancer continue to decline in the United States, following the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation against routine screening for the disease, researchers report. The screening involves a blood test that identifies levels of PSA (prostate specific antigen), a protein produced by the prostate gland. That test can determine when cancer exists, but it often wrongly identifies nonexistent cancer. These “false positive” results can cause anxiety and lead to unnecessary follow-up tests. Because of this, the task force issued a draft recommendation against routine screening in 2011 and a final guideline in 2012. Since then, diagnoses of early prostate cancer in American men aged 50 and older dropped by 19 percent between 2011 and 2012 and by another 6 percent the following year, said lead researcher Ahmedin Jemal. He is a physician and vice president of the American Cancer

Society’s surveillance and health services research program. But while many men may have been spared unnecessary anguish, less frequent screening may have a downside. Some experts worry more men will develop potentially fatal prostate cancer as a result. “Prostate cancer is a slow-growing tumor, so it takes time. We may see it over the next three to five years,” Jemal said. There is a balance in the task force recommendation, said Anthony D’Amico, chief of genitourinary radiation oncology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, in Boston. “Some men who should not be treated are not being diagnosed, but that also means some men who should be treated are either losing the chance for cure or presenting later and needing to undergo more treatment and more side effects for a possible cure,” he said. “The answer to this dilemma will come with personalized medicine based on risk-based screening — screening men preferentially in good health and at high risk,” D’Amico added.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 19

Meet Your Provider

toms related to pelvic floor disorders. In some cases, medications or a pessary may be helpful. For many patients, the choice to have surgical correction of their prolapse or incontinence may be the best option. The type of procedure that is appropriate varies depending on both patient and disease-specific factors. Upstate Urology offers a variety of minimally invasive treatment including the gold standard for prolapse repair: sacrocolpopexy. It can be performed with an open abdominal technique or with use of minimally invasive techniques. TransPhysician Natasha vaginal techniques are also offered as another elvic floor disorders are among the most Ginzburg of Upstate type of minimally invasive surgery requiring no common urologic concerns for women and Urology is the only female abdominal incisions or scars. the likelihood that more women will be urologist in Syracuse who Women who suffer with pelvic floor disorders affected by the disorder is growing. In 2010, more is trained in female pelvic have many options for treatment for their boththan 28.1 million women suffered from pelvic medicine. She specializes in ersome symptoms. Working together with the floor disorders in the United States. Current profemale and reconstructive patient the best solution can be found to achieve jections expect an increase to 43.8 million women urology, urinary optimal outcomes. by 2050 to suffer from this condition. incontinence in women, The benefit Upstate Urology brings to female Women suffering from pelvic floor disorder pelvic floor treatment and and other patients is its link with Upstate Medical may experience urinary problems (urgent need to neurourology. University the region’s only academic medical urinate, painful urination or incomplete emptying center. Physicians at Upstate Urology aren’t just addition pelvic floor disorders, Ginzburg specialof the bladder), constipation (straining or pain clinicians, they are teachers and researchers, often izes in female and reconstructive urology, urinary during bowel movements), and pain or pressure bringing new techniques and treatments to their incontinence in women, pelvic floor treatment in the vagina or rectum. patients. Their clinical and research work has and neurourology. Successfully treating such conditions is a been published in numerous journals in the past Ginzburg is the only woman urologist who is hallmark of Upstate Urology, a practice featuryear and hundreds of physicians and researchers fellowship trained in female pelvic medicine and ing some of the leading urologic physicians and from around the world have attended Upstate reconstructive surgery in the Syracuse area. researchers that is part of SUNY Upstate Medical Urology conferences on the latest in care and Depending on the type of pelvic floor disUniversity and affiliated with the Upstate Cancer treatment. order, options for treatment include watchful Center, both located in Syracuse. One physician specializing in the treatment of waiting as well as specific behavioral modificaUpstate Urology’s 2016 Report offers more tions. Pelvic floor muscle exercises, either self-dipelvic floor disorders is Natasha Ginzburg, who information on its breakthrough care. To receive a not only serves as a clinician with Upstate Urolo- rected or under the guidance of a skilled pelvic copy, call 315-464-1500. gy, but also as a member of the Upstate faculty. In floor physical therapist, can also improve symp-

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2016

Q&A

Paul Joslyn

New executive director at Access CNY talks about the nonprofit that supports about 3,000 individuals who have a mental health issue, an intellectual or developmental disability

By Matthew Liptak

Q.: What challenges will you tackle as the leader of AccessCNY? A.: Probably the biggest one right now is the minimum wage. The governor’s done a great job of approving the $15 minimum wage. But agencies like AccessCNY receive something like 90 percent of its funding from the government. About 80 percent of that goes toward wages and benefits. We really need additional funding in order to be able to support that minimum wage. Our numbers show that just within AccessCNY it would cost us about $7 million a year to support that $15 minimum wage [based on the current 1,000 employees]. That’s a huge dollar amount for us and it’s something we can’t support without the funding to go along with it. Our budget is like $33 million. So much of our costs are employment related, and that $15 minimum wage is a huge hit to us. Q.: How will you combat the minimum wage requirement? A.: We have an event on Oct. 15 where we’re going to be doing a press conference along with Arc of Onondaga to raise awareness of this issue. Certainly we’ll be reaching out to our local state legislators to talk to them about how we can build momentum and really help agencies. We all want to pay our staff a fair wage, but it’s a little sad that they haven’t

MICHAEL G. FITZGERALD, MD Hand & Upper Extremity Surgeon

Q.: Why did you take the position of executive director? A.: Well, the agency has an outstanding reputation in the community and in the provider world. That certainly attracted me. It’s a wonderful organization. I really liked the work that Prudence York, the outgoing executive director, and some of the other staff did. They did it in a very special, meaningful and thoughtful way. I wanted to be a part of that. Q.: What’s your background professionally? A.: Prior to AccessCNY, I was at Unity House of Cayuga County. It’s a very similar organization based in Auburn, providing services to people with a developmental disability, mental health issue or people in recovery from a substance abuse disorder. I was there about seven years. I started out as the deputy director of administration and then about two and half years ago, I moved into the chief operating office there. Prior to that I worked in the for-profit world, most recently as president of a company called RCB Fund Services that distributes monies to victims of securities fraud.

PROUD TO WELCOME

thought about how they could support the nonprofit staff. Q.: Do you think AccessCNY has the necessary resources for people with disabilities? A.: I have to say we do a great job with the resources that we have, but with things like the increased minimum wage looming on the horizon, it’s difficult to say that we will in the future. That’s probably the biggest obstacle that we have from a fiscal perspective right now. Setting that aside, the agency has done a great job of being very creative and having the biggest impact with the funding that it receives. Q.: Where does AccessCNY go from here? A.: That’s a great question. I think one of the biggest objectives is to find ways to partner with other similar organizations. There are a lot of changes coming for our industry and we need to work together and find ways to continue to be successful. That may be with other like organizations who supply similar services, or with organizations that provide collaborative services. If we work together, we could go further in impacting people. I definitely want to spend a lot of time talking to the wonderful management staff we have here about what those opportunities could look like. Q.: What do you do in your off time when you’re not working? A.: I spend a lot of time with my family. We live in the Strathmore neighborhood of Syracuse. We as a family enjoy camping and hiking — the outdoors. I’m a fly fisherman. I don’t get out there very often, but when I can, I enjoy that. Mostly it’s family. We have a couple dogs at home so it’s either hiking with the dogs or going for a weekend camping trip. My wife Kathy and I have one daughter, Cecilia, who is a senior at Corcoran High School.

Dr. Fitzgerald is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder care. He is trained in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the upper extremity including trauma, arthritis, tendinopathies, soft tissue disorders, nerve compression disorders and ligamentous injuries. He is skilled in the treatment of all disorders from shoulder to fingertip in adult and pediatric patients. We are very pleased to welcome him to our team of SOS hand and wrist surgeons, providers and medical staff. The SOS Hand & Wrist Team now consists of six specialty trained surgeons to meet the needs of our patients. To schedule an appointment, please call our Hand Center at (315) 251-3162 or request an appointment online at sosbones.com.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2016

hen a person becomes disabled, it can be a very stressful time in their life. There are many questions and unknowns when you have to transition out of the workforce due to medical issues. While an employer may offer short or long-term disability, most people faced with a disability will file for benefits with Social Security. If you’re facing life with a disability and don’t know where to start, we encourage you to visit our website at www.socialsecurity. gov/disabilityssi. You can apply for benefits on our website; it’s the most convenient way. Additionally, you can contact us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local office if you wish to apply for disability benefits. When applying for benefits, you should be prepared to answer a number of questions including: When your conditions became disabling: • Dates you last worked; • The names, addresses, phone numbers, and dates of visits to your doctors; • The names of medications that

Q&A

Q: I usually get my benefit payment on the third of the month. But what if the third falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday? Will my payment be late? A: Just the opposite. Your payment should arrive early. For example, if you usually get your payment on the third of a month, but it falls on a Saturday, we will make payments on the Friday prior to the due date. Find more information about the payment schedule for 2016 at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs/calendar. htm. Any time you don’t receive a payment, be sure to wait three days before calling to report it missing. To ensure that your benefits are going to the right place, create a my Social Security account. There, you can verify and update payment information without visiting your local office. Please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ myaccount to create your account. Q: How many Social Security numbers have been issued since the program started? A: Since 1935, we have assigned more than 465 million Social Security numbers and each year we assign about 5.5 million new numbers. With approximately 1 billion combinations of the nine-digit Social Security num-

you take and medical tests you’ve had; and • Marital information. In addition, if you plan on applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability payments, for people with low income who haven’t paid enough in Social Security taxes to be covered, we will ask you questions about: • Your current living arrangement, including who lives there and household expenses; • All sources of income for you and your spouse, if applicable; and • The amount of your resources, including bank account balances, vehicles, and other investments. You can view our disability starter kit at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits.htm. Remember, we are there when you might be faced with one of the hardest obstacles of your life. Social Security helps secure today and tomorrow with critical benefits for people with severe disabilities, not just during retirement. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.

ber, the current system will provide us with enough new numbers for several generations into the future. To learn more about Social Security numbers and cards, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10002.html. Q: I have a 38-year-old son who has been disabled by cerebral palsy since birth. I plan to apply for retirement benefits. Will he be eligible for benefits as my disabled child? A: Yes. In general, an adult disabled before age 22 may be eligible for child’s benefits if a parent is deceased or starts receiving retirement or disability benefits. We consider this a “child’s” benefit because we pay it on the parent’s Social Security earnings record. The “adult child” — including an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild, grandchild, or step grandchild — must be unmarried, age 18 or older, and have a disability that started before age 22. Q: What is the earliest age that I can receive Social Security disability benefits? A: There is no minimum age as long as you meet the Social Security definition of disabled and you have sufficient work to qualify for benefits. To qualify for disability benefits, you must have worked under Social Security long enough under to earn the required number of work credits and some of the work must be recent.

HERPES BUT HONEST By Jim Miller

Donating Old Hearing Aids, Eyeglasses and Mobility Equipment Dear Savvy Senior,

Where are some good places to donate old hearing aids, eyeglasses and mobility equipment? My uncle passed away a few months ago and left behind a bunch of useful aids that could surely help someone else.

Searching Nephew

Dear Searching,

Donating old, unused assistive living aids or medical equipment is a great way to help those in need who can’t afford it, and in most cases its tax deductible too. Here are some good places to check into.

Hearing Aids

There are several national nonprofit service organizations that offer hearing aid recycling programs. Hearing aids that are donated are usually refurbished and either redistributed to those in need or resold with the proceeds going to buy new hearing aids for people who can’t afford them. One of the most popular places to donate old hearing aids, as well as hearing aid parts or other assistive listening devices is the Starkey Hearing Foundation “Hear Now” recycling program (starkeyhearingfoundation.org, 800-328-8602), which collects around 60,000 hearing aids a year. Hearing aids and other listening devices should be sent to: Starkey Hearing Foundation, ATTN: Hearing Aid Recycling, 6700 Washington Ave. S., Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Some other good nonprofits to donate to are the Lions Club Hearing Aid Recycling Program (go to lionsclubs.org and search for: HARP), and Hearing Charities of America (hearingaiddonations.org, 816-3338300), which is founded by Sertoma, a civic service organization dedicated to hearing health. Or, if you’re interested in donating locally, contact your Hearing Loss Association of America state or local chapter (see hearingloss.org for contact information). They can refer you to state agencies or community service programs that also accept hearing aids.

Eyeglasses

One of the best places to donate old eyeglasses is to the Lions Club Recycle for Sight program. They collect nearly 30 million pairs of glasses

each year and distribute them to people in need in developing countries. To donate, look for a Lion’s Club glasses donation drop-off box in your community. You can often find them at libraries, community centers, churches, schools and many local eye doctor offices or call your local Lions Club for drop-off locations. See directory.lionsclubs.org for contact information. New Eyes (www.new-eyes.org/ recycle) is another nonprofit organization that collects unused eyeglasses and distributes them abroad to people in need.

Medical Equipment

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If you have old wheelchairs, walker, canes, shower chairs or other durable medical equipment, there are many foundations and organizations that would love to receive them. For example, Goodwill and Salvation Army stores are popular donation destinations, as are foundations like the ALS Association (alsa.org) and Muscular Dystrophy Association (mda.org), which accept donations at local chapters. There are also state agencies and local nonprofit organizations that accept medical equipment donations and redistribute them to people in need. To find what’s available in your area, contact your state assistive technologies program for a referral. See ataporg.org/programs for contact information. Or, if you’re interested in selling your uncle’s old medical equipment, you have options here too, including craigslist.com, recycledmedical.com and usedhme.com, which are all free sites that let you list what you want to sell online.

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Don’t forget that donations to nonprofits are tax-deductible, so when you drop off your donated items, be sure to ask for a receipt for your tax records. Or, if you’re mailing it in or are using one of the Lions Club drop-off boxes, you’ll need to include a note requesting a letter of acknowledgement of the donation. Your note should include your name and a brief description of what you donated, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Health News Julie Sheedy is Loretto’s new marketing director Julie Lubel Sheedy has joined the Loretto as its new executive director of marketing and communications. Sheedy comes to Loretto from HillRom/Welch Allyn, where she served as the leader of global digital strategy, driving the strategic use of the Web to achieve growth goals. During her 14 years with Welch Allyn, she also served as director of customer experience and corporate communication. Prior to that, she spent more than seven years with Sprint Corporation, a global telecommunications company, in various marketing communicaSheedy tions roles, but most notably as the head of the first eBusiness team for the local business division. She started her career with five years in hospital marketing/public relations in Winter Park, Fla. She has worked in marketing and communications for over 25 years and has extensive experience in digital and social media marketing, global web development, public relations and crisis management. Sheedy is also the president and founder of the Westhill Central School District Education Foundation. She is a past board member of the YWCA CNY Chapter, and the CNY Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She was recognized as a “40 Under 40” community leader.

Sheedy earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communications from St. Bonaventure University and an masters degree in communications management from Syracuse University, S.I. Newhouse School of Communications. She was also a 2003 graduate of the Leadership Greater Syracuse program. She resides on Onondaga Hill in Syracuse with her husband John, her two daughters — Grace age 15 and Maggie 11 — and two grown step-children, John and Kathleen.

ACR Health names development director ACR Health has named Anthony McEachern to the position of director of events and business development. Previously McEachern, through MCMC Enterprises, was owner and operator of four Tim Horton’s & Cold Stone Creamery locations in Central New York, overseeing 125 employees, during which time he established a relationship with ACR Health. “I was and am honored to support an agency that reaches out to those who are too often igAnthony nored. Everyone knows someone who has struggled to overcome addiction or faced a life-changing diagnosis. ACR Health opens its arms without judgment, treats all people with dignity and respect, and helps them get their lives back on track.” ACR Health Executive Director Wil Murtaugh said, “As ACR

Crouse and ESF Partner to Provide Healthcare Services to Students

he SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) and Crouse Health have teamed up to provide access to health and wellness services for ESF’s 2,000 students. Working through Crouse Medical Practice (CMP) — a multispecialty physician practice with multiple locations and more than 70 providers — ESF students will have access to care for all non-emergency, non-life threatening illnesses, such as coughs, fever, sore throat, upper respiratory infections, lacerations and sprains/ strains, as well as immunizations and physicals. As the preferred provider for ESF students, Crouse will provide medical services weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at CMP’s main location in the CNY Medical Center, across the street from Crouse Hospital. After-hours and weekend care will be available to students through Crouse PromptCare and the hospital’s main ER. As part of the program, CMP

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2016

is currently working with Kinney Drugs to develop a customized prescription delivery system for on-campus delivery. According to CMP Medical Director Carl Butch, MD, Crouse will maintain all pertinent medical records for students who receive services through the program, including health histories and immunizations. CMP will also work with uninsured students and those who cannot afford services to offer financial aid options. “This partnership is a great way for Crouse to extend its mission of community-focused care to one of our major neighbor institutions on the Hill and we look forward to growing the program with ESF,” says Butch, who adds that CMP will participate in ESF student orientations and student advisory committee meetings. Crouse is also providing dedicated clinical staff to the program, including a nurse practitioner, LPN and appointment scheduler.

Health grows and diversifies in the services we deliver, it is critical that we cultivate and maintain relationships that will help us carry out our mission. With his impressive business background, Anthony will be a tremendous asset to the development department of ACR Health.”

Dave Saile recognized by Labor Office Dave Saile, labor account consultant with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, has been named the 2015 National Labor Representative of the Year by the Blue Cross Blue Shield National Labor Office. Presented each year, the award recognizes a labor representative’s outstanding work and relationships with unionized workers, retirees and their families in such areas as sales, service implementation and customer service. “In his 24 years with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Dave has had Saile many successful years along the way,” said Todd Muscatello, corporate vice president, commercial group market leader, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, and a member of the board of directors for the National Labor Office. “His contributions to our sales team in 2015 were simply outstanding.” In addition to being named Labor Representative of the Year by the Blue Cross Blue Shield National Labor Office, Saile also was named Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Sales Representative of the Year. “Dave’s relationships with our labor customers continue to be exceptional,” added Muscatello. “They consistently look to him, and our entire Sales team dedicated to serving organized labor, as a trusted business partner.” Over the past five years, Saile has managed and serviced a book of business that includes more than 50,000 members. Saile earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration/marketing from SUNY Oswego. A member of the Greater Central New York Association of Health Underwriters, the Labor and Employment Relations Association and Toastmasters International, he holds a New York state license in life, accident and health insurance.

Oswego Health Home Care has new director Carrie Butler, who has more than 13 years of home care experience, has been named director of patient services at Oswego Health Home Care (OHHC). In this position, Butler will work with staff members to develop patient care plans that best meet their needs, as well Butler

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Health News as determine if patients being discharged from the hospital can benefit from OHHC’s many services. Butler, a registered nurse, began her healthcare career as a home health aide and advanced first as a case manager and later as a manager of clinical practice, where she coordinated patient home care. Her position at OHHC is a homecoming of sorts, as she worked as a registered nurse on Oswego Hospital’s fourth floor shortly after earning her associate’s degree from St. Joseph’s College of Nursing. Butler later went on to earn both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester. A graduate of the Mexico Academy and Central Schools, Butler still resides in the area with her husband and two children.

Pediatrician joins St. Joseph’s Primary Care Pediatrician, Hilliary Sismondo joined St. Joseph’s Health at its Primary Care Center, West location. Sismondo earned her Doctor of Medicine from Northeast Ohio Medical University in Rootstown, Ohio, and completed her residency in pediatrics at SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital, where she received multiple honors. As a clinical research assistant in

hematology/ oncology at Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron, Ohio, Sismondo explored predictors of weight gain during treatment and the efficacy of EtOH flush on the treatment of Sismondo infected central lines. She co-presented “Safe Sleep in Hospitalized Infants” at the Pediatric Poster/Platform Research Day in 2015. Sismondo is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is certified in pediatric advanced life support (PALS) through the American Heart Association. She has dedicated her expertise in a volunteer capacity for the Onondaga Nation Pediatric Walk-In Clinic in Nedrow, where she assessed and treated children with minor injuries and illnesses.

Azar joins Nephrology Associates of Syracuse

and is board-certified in internal medicine and nephrology. He completed his nephrology fellowship at SUNY Upstate Medical University and his internal medicine residency at UIC/ Advocate Christ Medical Center in Chicago. He previously worked at Crouse Hospital as a hospitalist. Nephrology Associates of Syracuse Azar PC is a private medical group practice specializing in nephrology, specifically providing consultations and medical care for patients that suffer from chronic kidney disease and diabetes, hypertension, end stage renal disease as well as kidney transplant patients.

Neurohospitalist Saada joins St. Joseph’s Health Physician Fahed Saada recently joined to St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse. As a neurohospitalist, Saada will care for hospitalized patients, with or at risk for neurological disorders and disease. Saada earned his Doctor of Medicine from St. Matthew’s University

Physician Antoine Azar has recently joined Nephrology Associates of Syracuse PC. Azar earned his medical degree from University of Aleppo, Syria,

School of Medicine in Grand Cayman, British West Indies. Following his graduation from medical school, he completed his internal medicine internship at Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio; a residency in neurology at University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville, Fla.; and a clinical neurophysiology fellowship at University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester. In 2015 Saada was recognized by the University of Florida with The Louis S. Russo Award for Outstanding Professionalism in Medicine. As a neurology Saada fellow at University of Rochester, Saada received the Neurology Fellow Teaching Award in 2016, bestowed by neurology residents in recognition of an exceptional instructor who has made extraordinary contributions to resident teaching. Saada has presented his research and been an invited lecturer for multiple professional organizations in his field of neurology. Saada is a member of the American Academy of Neurology.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2016

niche.nurse.strip6cR.qxp_Layout 1 4/22/16 12:00 PM Page 1

EXEMPLARY NURSING CARE Upstate University Hospital is the first in the region to achieve NICHE exemplar status. Only nine other hospitals in New York state have this designation. This national status — from Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders — is awarded to both Upstate University Hospital locations.

NICHE CERTIFIED

Interventional cardiologist joins St. Joseph’s Interventional cardiologist Nishith Amin recently joined St. Joseph’s Physicians’ team of cardiovascular specialists. “Dr. Amin’s experience in both interventional and non-invasive cardiology is impressive,” said Amin Julianne Himes, chief operating officer for St. Joseph’s Physicians. “His expertise increases the depth of our cardiovascular team and we look forward to the cardiac

Health

care advancements this team will bring throughout the St. Joseph’s Health system.” Amin earned his Doctor of Medicine from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School at the University of London in London, England. Following one year of family practice at Albany Medical Center, Amin did his internal medicine residency, held the role of chief resident and was a cardiology fellow at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. He completed a fellowship in interventional cardiology at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa., and worked over a decade as an interventional and general cardiologist at New York Heart Center following fellowship. Prior to joining St. Joseph’s Physicians, Amin was medical director of the Heart and Vascular Institute

downtown l community

at Arnot Ogden Medical Center in Elmira. Amin is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC) and of the Society of Coronary Angiography and Interventions (FSCAI). He is fluent in English and Gujarati.

VNA CNY achieves accreditation with ACHC The Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, a division of VNA Homecare, has achieved accreditation status by Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) for its home health aide, medical social work, occupational therapy, physical therapy, skilled nursing and speech therapy services. An independent nonprofit cor-

poration established in 1986, ACHC has gained respect and recognition as an accrediting organization uniquely committed to health care providers. ACHC is ISO 9001:2008 certified and has CMS deeming authority for home health, hospice and DMEPOS. “The Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York has always maintained a commitment to outstanding patient care and operational excellence,” said Kate Rolf, president and chief executive officer of VNA Homecare. “With the receipt of accreditation from ACHC, we have one more way to demonstrate this commitment to our patients and showcase our unwavering devotion to maintaining high-quality programs and services.”

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • September 2016