IGH CNY #215 November 2017 by In Good Health: CNY's Healthcare Newspaper

in good Hospitalist-in-Chief Physician James W. Leyhane is Crouse’s new director of hospitalist service. He talks about what he does and why the demand for hospitalists is growing

Bariatric Surgery Good news: Patients 77 pounds slimmer on average 12 years after gastric bypass, study finds

Upstate Urologist: Half the Time, Males Contribute to Infertility

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November 2017 •  Issue 215

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Life’s Simple 7

Follow seven key health indicators for healthy brain and heart

New Hospice Planned for Oswego County Anthony House to offer compassionate, 24-hour care for the terminally ill

Donate Your Body to Science If you’re looking to eliminate your funeral and burial costs, as well as help advance medical research, donating your body to science is a great option to consider. Find out what to do

Celebrate Thanksgiving At least four races taking place on Thanksgiving Day in CNY region

Cannellinis Sometimes called “white kidney beans,” cannellini beans are an all-time favorite, from their taste to their texture to how wonderfully they absorb flavors. They are also super good for your heart.

Dangerous Infotainment systems AAA study show they can keep attention off the road for 40 seconds

App to Help Treat Substance Abuse Approved by FDA

he U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved its first mobile app to help treat substance abuse, the agency said in a recent news release. The Reset application is designed to help treat abuse of alcohol, cocaine, marijuana and stimulant medications. But the app is not intended for opioid dependence, the FDA said. The newly-approved app delivers behavioral therapy that’s designed to “increase abstinence from substance abuse and increase [participation] in outpatient therapy programs,” the FDA said. “This is an example of how innovative digital technologies can help provide patients access to additional tools during their treatment,” said Carlos Peña, director of the FDA’s Division of Neurological and Physical Medicine Devices. The agency said it reviewed a 12-week clinical study involving nearly 400 people. Among those who used the app, 40.3 percent abstained from further alcohol, cocaine, marijuana or stimulant use, compared with 17.6 percent among those who did not use the app. Approval of the app was given to Pear Therapeutics, based in Boston and San Francisco.

Good News for Those Who Go Through Bariatric Surgery Patients 77 pounds slimmer on average 12 years after gastric bypass, study finds

besity surgery can have long-lasting effects on weight and the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, a new study finds. Doctors have known that a type of obesity surgery, called gastric bypass, works in the short-term. Patients typically lose a lot of weight, and obesity-related health problems can be prevented or even cured.

0.3%

But the new findings show that the benefits are still apparent 12 years later. The study, of more than 1,100 severely obese adults, found that those who underwent gastric bypass lost an average of 100 pounds over two years. By year 12, they’d managed to keep 77 of those pounds off. On top of the weight loss, surgery patients had a much lower risk

of developing Type 2 diabetes — 92 percent lower, versus obese patients who did not have surgery. “This is very effective at diabetes prevention,” said lead researcher Ted Adams, a professor at the University of Utah School of Medicine. The surgery can also reverse existing diabetes. At year 12, half of patients who’d had Type 2 diabetes before surgery were in remission, according to the study. Still, Adams said, gastric bypass has risks, and it’s considered a last resort after other weight-loss attempts have failed. So candidates for the surgery should go in fully informed of the pros and cons, Adams said. An obesity specialist who was not involved in the study agreed. “It does take a lot of hard work before and after surgery. And this is not a cure-all for diabetes,” said Scott Isaacs, medical director of Atlanta Endocrine Associates. The hard work includes a lifelong commitment to diet and exercise changes. So the surgery itself is no “magic bullet,” said Isaacs, who is a spokesperson for the Obesity Society. That said, he called the news findings “really clear-cut.” “It’s one of the best studies we’ve had done to date,” Isaacs said. “And it shows that this is a safe, effective surgery with durable results.” The study, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), involved 1,156 severely obese adults. In all, 418 underwent gastric bypass, while the rest either did not seek surgery or considered it but did not go through with it mostly for insurance reasons. During gastric bypass, a surgeon staples the stomach to

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2017

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CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Nov. 2

Caregiver workshop to feature Harvard neurologist Presented by the Cayuga County Office for the Aging, the 12th Annual Coping & Caring Caregiver Workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov 2, at the Hilton Garden Inn on 74 State St. in Auburn. Registration begins at 8:45. Its free of charge. This educational program for family and professional caregivers alike will be presented by two speakers: Whitney Hadley, from the Alzheimer’s Association, will present “Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body.” Hadley will discuss research in the areas of diet, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement. Hands-on tools will also be demonstrated to incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging. The featured speaker, Marie Pasinski, a Harvard neurologist

Hospice is Asking Nominations for CNY’s Best Doctor Hospice of Central New York is asking the public to suggest names of doctors who have made a difference in the treatment of patients. The physician selected will receive the annual Anita Award. The Anita Award was established at hospice in 1998 by friends and family in memory of Anita Stockman. Its purpose is to heighten awareness of the importance of physician communication and support to patients and their families facing a life-threatening illness and to promote this understanding among physicians in training. This award is to be presented to a physician who is attentive to his or her patients, who communicates openly, honestly and sensitively, who respects patient decisions and remains actively involved with the patient in his or her final journey. Nomination letters for the Anita Award are solicited from people in the community who have experienced personally responsive care from their physicians. Please send your nomination by Dec. 2 in care of Anita Award, Hospice of CNY, 990 Seventh North St., Liverpool NY 13088 or email your nomination at info@hospicecny. org. Include your name and phone number, and why you think this physician merits this award. The award will be presented in January of 2018 A few previous recipients include physicians David Simon, Joseph Navone, Ajeet Gajra, Benny Wong, Michael Glowacki, Jacqueline Bays and Jesse Williams. Page 4

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and author and brain health, expert will present “Outsmart Stress.” It is her belief that through health and vibrancy, the brain’s remarkable ability to redesign itself can be achieved at any age. Pasinski’s specialty is brain health and she is dedicated to increasing awareness to the public of a brain-healthy lifestyle. Pasinski is currently collaborating with her colleagues on the new MGH Institute for Brain Health. She is a staff neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and a faculty member at Harvard Medical School. For more information, call 315-253-1226 or email ccofa@ cayugacounty.us

Nov. 8

Oswego Health offers free pre diabetes program Oswego Health is offering a free diabetes prevention program, “Prevent T2 Diabetes,” to assist community members who are prediabetic. Community members who have prediabetes are encouraged

to enroll and learn how to make important life style changes to improve their health status. This evidence-based, year-long program starts Nov. 8 at Springside at Seneca Hill, County Route 45A. Classes will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays. For the first six months, classes will be held weekly. After the initial six months, classes will be once or twice a month. To register, please call Oswego Health Community Health Department at 315-349-5513. This program curriculum was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Participants learn how to eat healthy, add physical activity to their routine, manage stress, stay motivated and solve problems that can get in the way of healthy changes. The program’s group setting provides a supportive environment with people who are facing similar challenges and trying to make the same changes. Together participants celebrate their successes and find ways to overcome obstacles. Teaching the class will be Oswego Health’s Certified Diabetes Educator Susan Callaway and Sarah Wansink, a licensed practical nurse. Participants will learn the skills they need to make lasting changes such as losing a modest amount of weight, being more physically active and managing stress. People with prediabetes — higher-than-normal blood glucose

(sugar) levels are five to 15 times more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those with normal blood glucose levels. In fact, many individuals with prediabetes can be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes within five years.

Nov. 10

Syracuse dentist offering free dental care for vets To honor those veterans who have served in the military, dentist Joan Laura will treat veterans free of charge starting at 7 a.m. Nov. 10, a day before Veterans Day. The dentist said that her practice’s doors will be open to any veteran who wants to have a dental examination. She operates Eastwood Dental Office, located at 2326 James St. in Syracuse. “Each vet can choose either a cleaning, a filling or an extraction. They simply need to bring proof of their status and complete a short medical history form,” she said in a press release. This will be Laura’s sixth year helping vets. “My parents instilled a strong sense of patriotism in each of their kids.” Her father, the late John Laura, also a dentist, served in the Korean War and her grandfather, Anthony Ross, was a World War I vet. No eligible patient will be turned away, she said. For any questions call the office:, 315-849-9055.

Making a Donation This Year? First Check with Better Business Bureau BBB keeps information on charities’ accountability We all know to check with Better Business Bureau before making a purchase, hiring for the home or buying a car, but did you know that you can check with BBB before you give to charities, too? BBB knows that people have concerns and wonder if an organization is legitimate before they give. BBB has verified information available to help you give with confidence. BBB’s information isn’t just great for donors, it’s a valuable accountability tools for charities, too.

BBB has 20 standards for charity accountability. Once a charity meets all 20 standards, it’s a “BBB accredited charity.” The reports show how charities performed against the 20 standards for charity accountability. BBB’s charity reports show people how a charity raises money, how that money is spent and more. The evaluation process looks to ensure that the organization’s board of directors is providing adequate oversight and that it’s being truthful in fundraising appeals among other things.

Each year, BBB publishes its Upstate New York Giving Guide, which highlights the evaluation conclusions of our charity reports. This year’s Upstate New York Giving Guide has just been released visit bbb.org/upstateny to read more. All charity reviews are online at bbb.org or give.org. Not online? You can also get a report by calling 1-800-828-5000. Submitted by the Better Business Bureau.

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James W. Leyhane, M.D. New director of hospitalist service at Crouse talks about his new position Q: You recently became the head of Crouseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hospitalist service. Tell us about that. A: Yes, end of July this year. I have both administrative and clinical duties. I also will pitch in and help out when times are busy. I also handle the administrative aspects of the hospitalist program â&#x20AC;&#x201D; things like budgeting, some contracting elements. I sort of do everything that I need to do to run and maintain the service. I also oversee the hospitalist program at Community Memorial campus in Hamilton. Q: Has there been an increasing demand for hospitalists? A: Yes. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing exponentially as a field, particularly in the Northeast. There are some areas out west that are sort of saturated with hospitalists, but back east there are still a lot of openings.

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Q: Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s driving that need? A: Several things. One is the primary care providers want to avoid coming into the hospital so they can focus on outpatient care. The other is that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beneficial to hospitals to have physicians based in the hospital who are able to deliver high-quality, efficient care at low cost. Q: Within Crouse in particular, what challenges do hospitalists face? A: One of the challenges is that weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in, essentially, a four-hospital city. Existing difficulties attracting candidates are made harder by the competition between so many hospitals. Q: What kind of strategies do you use to attract candidates? A: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a variety of methods. We use things like loan repayment schedules.

IN GOOD HEALTH â&#x20AC;&#x201C; CNYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Healthcare Newspaper â&#x20AC;˘ November 2017

We also try to exploit the real estate in the Syracuse area, where you can get a lot more for your housing dollar than in most of the country. We also have good schools, which is helpful for physicians who want to start families. Q: I understand hospitalist was initially your backup plan. How did it become your career? A: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kind of funny. I finished my residency in 2001 and I was planning on joining Upstate in their outpatient practice and rotating on the inpatient service. At that point the state was on a hiring freeze and I actually got a cold call from the hospitalist director at St. Joeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. I decided Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d do it for a year and figure out what I wanted to do. Here I am 17 years later and I just love the field. Q: What kind of health issues is a hospitalist typically going to run into at Crouse? A: Heart failure and various kinds of infections are probably the most common, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a growing trend at Crouse and other hospitals where a hospitalist will follow a surgical patient. We also do a lot of work with stroke patients. Q: The general trend seems to be moving stuff out of the hospitals to outpatient services. What do you see sticking around the hospital for the foreseeable future? And are there any procedures that used to be outpatient that are coming back into the hospital? A: Generally you have to be a lot sicker to be an inpatient than you would have been 10 years ago. The number of things being treated as outpatient have in-

creased. Even moderately sick people are being managed as outpatients, so that means our patients are, overall, sicker. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think anythingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s really shifted to the inpatient world from outpatient per se. Q: What kind of impact would you like to ultimately have on the department? A: My goal with coming to Crouse was that I wanted to put together and oversee a multi-site hospitalist program. Crouse has the Community Memorial campus [in Hamilton] and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also looking to partner with other facilities in the region. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to assist them with maintaining their own hospitalist programs. I would employ directors at each site and oversee the directors. I like that model, because then you can kind of train the next generation of directors by giving them local management of system initiatives. Q: Do you think an administrative role is something a physician should be thinking about in medical school? A: Unfortunately, when I went to med school there was almost no training in administration. I sort of had to piece together and learn it on the job. I think, even if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be in administration, you should learn about it and see how folks in administration look at things and how they operate. I became more and more interested in it over time and seeing if we could get certain policies to work. I had to pretty much create a hospitalist program at Auburn Memorial Hospital in 2005 from scratch, so I was dealing with administration at every step of the process. I learned a lot about how they operate. Q: Hospitalist is one of the newer specialties. Do you think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reached, for lack of a better word, maturity at this point, or is it still rapidly evolving? A: I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to continue to evolve. When I first started, hospitalists were physicians who would pretty much take care of patients without primary care doctors. Over the years, primary care physicians turned their hospitalized patients over to us. And over the last few years, co-management of patients with other specialties has become a low-cost approach to care. So I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s maturing, but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done evolving.

Lifelines

Name: James W. Leyhane, M.D. Position: Director at Crouse Hospitalist Service, Crouse Hospital Hometown: East Greenbush, NY Education: SUNY Upstate Medical University; Siena College Affiliations: Crouse, Community Memorial campus, St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health Career: A practicing hospitalist since 2001. Served most recently as hospitalist director at St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health and previously in the same capacity at Auburn Memorial Hospital. In 2000, received SUNYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Outstanding Resident Teaching Award and was named Physician of the Year in 2007 by the Central New York Pharmacists Association. In 2013, he became a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. Organizations: American College of Physicians; Society of Hospital Medicine Family: Married; two kids Hobbies: World War II history; science fiction

STDs Hit All-Time High in U.S.

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Annual report shows more than 2 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis reported in 2016

ew cases of sexually transmitted diseases in the United States reached an all-time high in 2016, federal health officials reported in late September. There were 1.6 million cases of chlamydia, 470,000 cases of gonorrhea and 28,000 of syphilis reported that year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in its annual report on STDs. And the diseases are on the rise in a number of groups, including women, infants, and gay and bisexual men. “Increases in STDs are a clear warning of a growing threat,” said physician Jonathan Mermin, director of the CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. “STDs are a persistent enemy, growing in number, and outpacing our ability to respond,” he said in an agency news release. Young women account for nearly half of all diagnosed chlamydia infections, but syphilis and gonorrhea are increasingly affecting new groups of people. Between 2015 and 2016, syphilis rates rose nearly 18 percent. Most cases occurred among men, especially gays and bisexuals. Half of the men in those two groups also had

HIV, according to the report. But syphilis rates rose 36 percent among women and 28 percent among newborns between 2015 and 2016. In 2016, there were more than 600 cases of syphilis-infected newborns, resulting in more than 40 deaths and severe health complications, the CDC said. “Every baby born with syphilis represents a tragic systems failure,” said Gail Bolan, director of CDC’s Division of STD Prevention. “All it takes is a simple STD test and antibiotic treatment to prevent this enormous heartache and help assure a healthy start for the next generation of Americans.” Gonorrhea rates rose among both men and women in 2016, but the largest increase (22 percent) was among men, and a large number of new gonorrhea cases were among gay and bisexual men. The report also noted the growing threat of drug resistance to the last remaining recommended gonorrhea treatment. Antibiotics can cure all three diseases. But if undiagnosed and untreated, STDs can lead to serious health problems such as infertility, life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, and increased risk of HIV infection, according to the CDC.

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CONTENT: The Healthcare Guide is the only publication of its type in CNY. It brings a wide range of information about hospitals and other health providers, nonprofit organizations and support groups. It includes profiles of top leaders in the healthcare industry.

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In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2017 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, Anne Palumbo, Melissa Stefanec, Chris Motola, Payne Horning, Eva Briggs (MD) • Advertising: Amy Gagliano, Cassandra Lawson • Layout & Design: Dylon Clew-Thomas • Office Assistant: Kimberley Tyler 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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Healthcare in a Minute By George W. Chapman

ACA in Flux Again

Demand for Physicians

The Graham-Cassidy bill was last attempt by the Senate to repeal and replace the ACA and it never made it to the floor for a vote. Consequently, the ACA will remain law of the land for at least another year. As of Sept. 30, the Senate will need 60 votes (not just 50) to pass any bill replacing the ACA. Since the odds of that happening are close to nil, the Senate may actually have to work on a bipartisan solution. In the meantime, President Trump signed an executive order to terminate the premium subsidies for the exchanges. Without the subsidies, millions of people won’t be able to afford the full premiums and the ACA would crumble. Nineteen state attorneys general have filed a suit against the federal government for discontinuing the premium subsidies. Is President Trump simply sabotaging the ACA? Or is he really forcing the Senate, Democrats and Republicans, to get to the table and come up with a solution?

According to the national physician placement firm Merritt-Hawkins, newly trained physicians are being besieged by a record number of solicitations from hospitals, medical practices and recruiting firms. Seventy percent said they have received more than 50 contacts — some have received as many as 100 contacts. The Association of Medical Colleges predicts a shortage of between 41,000 and 105,000 physicians in just 12 years. (Their dire prediction does not account for nurse practitioners and physician assistants). Right now, primary care and psychiatry residents are, on average, receiving the most contacts. Rural areas face the toughest recruiting battle. Only 4 percent of residents prefer to practice in communities under 25,000 people. New physicians overwhelming prefer to be employed versus striking out on their own. Forty-one percent of the residents surveyed prefer hospital employment and 34 percent prefer medical group employment. It seems that independent solo practitioners are nearing extinction.

President Trump’s Executive Order also allows insurers to sell across state lines. There is a provision in the ACA that allows sales across state lines, but details were never formulated. However, this is easier allowed than done. Insurers are reluctant to cross state lines because of the expenses associated with complying with varying state rules and regulations and then having to establish broad enough provider networks to care for potential members. In any event, the Department of Health and Human Services ultimately approves crossing state lines.

According to the US census bureau, the nation’s uninsured rate dropped to 8.8 percent (about 28 million people) primarily due to the expansion of Medicaid. In 2009, the uninsured rate was 17 percent. The uninsured rate has dropped in all 50 states. Massachusetts, again, has the lowest rate of uninsured at 2.5 percent due to its universal mandate requiring all citizens to have coverage.

Selling Across State Lines

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Uninsured, New Low

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It depends on a lot of factors, some of which are out of your control. Fifty percent of good health is

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2017

determined by living a “good life,” which includes a decent income, no disabilities, a good education and a satisfying job. Race and gender impact a “good life” as well. Twenty-five percent of good health is determined by the medical and dental care you receive. Fifteen percent of good health is predetermined by your biology and the final 10 percent by your environment. Ninety-three percent of healthcare spending in the US is spent on hospitals, physicians and drugs or, virtually, on “damage control.” Only 7 percent of healthcare spending is for public health or social initiatives which typically address education, income inequality, racial discrimination, drug abuse, disabilities, the environment and research. Health experts believe that more investment in public health will have a tremendous return on investment by improving our overall health and significantly reducing “damage control.”

95 Percent Satisfaction, But…

According to an independent survey of more than 1,700 adults, commissioned by the Physicians Foundation, 95 percent of respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their primary care provider. But only 11 percent of patients, and 14 percent of physicians, felt there was enough time spent during a visit. Ninety percent of those surveyed felt the most important component of quality care is a strong physician-patient relationship. The cost of care is a major concern with 57 percent saying they are only one sickness away from serious financial trouble. (Unpaid medical bills are now the No. 1 reason for personal bankruptcy). Eighty-eight percent of respondents see drug prices as the main contributor to rising costs, followed by the absence of free markets

and fraud. Electronic records may be the main culprit for not enough time spent during a visit. According to research from the AMA, primary care physicians devote four hours a day during office hours, and then another two hours after office hours, on just keeping electronic records up to date.

New Medicare Card

Social security numbers will gradually be replaced by unique, randomly assigned identification numbers beginning in April 2018. All Medicare members should have the new cards with their new ID number by April 2019. Removing the SS number will help deter identity theft and fraud, which have cost the taxpayer about $60 billion a year, which is about 10 percent of all Medicare spending.

Coverage Outside US

Call your plan before traveling out of the country. Depending on your commercial insurance, you could have no coverage or partial coverage. Straight Medicare does not cover you abroad, but Medicare Advantage Plans offer some coverage. Temporary coverage can be purchased. The price depends on where you are going and for how long. Check out coverage abroad at InsureMyTrip.com. George W. Chapman is a healthcare business consultant who works exclusively with physicians, hospitals and healthcare organizations. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse. Email him at gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.

FDA OKs 1st Gene Therapy for Use in U.S. It transforms a patient’s immune system cells to fight a form of leukemia

he U.S. Food and Drug Administration broke new ground in cancer care recently by approving the first gene therapy for patients in the United States. Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) genetically tweaks a patient’s own immune system cells into what scientists call “a living drug” to battle a form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The immunotherapy now can be used in children and young adults with B-cell ALL that will not respond to other therapies, the FDA announced. The announcement will “change the face of modern medicine and drug development,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said at a news briefing. “Gene therapy products are now being studied in many diseases and conditions, including genetic disorders, autoimmune diseases, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS,” Gottlieb added. ALL is a cancer of the bone marrow and blood in which the body makes abnormal lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, about 3,100 patients aged 20 and younger are diagnosed with ALL each year. About 15 percent to 20 percent of patients with B-cell ALL have cancer that either did not respond to treatment or has recurred, the FDA says. It’s these patients for whom Kymriah is intended. In the treatment, doctors collect the patient’s own T-cells — one of the immune system’s main cell types — and genetically reprogram them to target and attack leukemia cells. They are then reintroduced back into the patient to do battle against the tumor. Kenneth Anderson is president of the American Society of Hematology, which focuses on blood cancers. In a statement, he said that the recent approval “marks an important shift in the blood cancer treatment paradigm. We now have proof that it is possible to eradicate cancer by harnessing the power of a patient’s own immune system. This is a potentially curative therapy in patients whose leukemia is unresponsive to other treatments.” The FDA based its decision on a clinical trial involving 63 patients with B-cell ALL. After three months of treatment, 83 percent of the patients remained cancer-free. Gottlieb said the FDA approval was expedited, coming just seven months after the agency received the initial application. However, Kymriah comes with the potential for severe side effects. The worst is cytokine release syndrome, a common immunotherapy complication that causes potentially life-threatening fever and flu-like symptoms. The therapy also can cause neurological events, serious infections, low blood pressure and acute kidney injury.

ST. JOSEPH’S HEALTH HOSPITAL

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Lung_ScreenAdI_IGH.qxp_Layout 1 10/25/17 5:02 PM Page 1

LUNG CANCER SCREENING Participants in the Trinity Turkey Trot last year. The Oswego race will take place Nov. 19, the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Races in Baldwinsville, Manlius and Liverpool take place in the morning on Thanksgiving Day.

Wobble Before You Gobble Take part in a healthy Thanksgiving tradition By Kyra Mancine

T The best hope for curing lung cancer is finding it as early as possible. A lung CT scan takes just 20 seconds. The scan can detect tiny spots years before they would ever be seen on a regular chest x-ray. These spots may be signs of early lung cancer. To find out more, call 315-464-HOPE (4673)

hanksgiving Day is one of the biggest racing days in the U.S., according to Runner’s World magazine. There are many reasons for this. To start, recreational running has become more popular than ever. Races aren’t just about the running, but the family-friendly atmosphere and camaraderie — for participants and spectators. In addition, most people have time off, so it’s easy to coordinate going to a holiday race together. Since the big meal starts later in the day, doing something active is a great way to bond, get out of the way of whomever is cooking at home and alleviate guilt from the overindulging that is about to take place. While the Buffalo Turkey Trot holds the distinction of being one of the largest and oldest races in North America, Central New York is no turkey when it comes to offering Thanksgiving Day races — both old and new. Here are a few in the area to choose from:

Baldwinsville Kiwanis Turkey Trot

Leslie Kohman, MD, medical director, and Ernest Scalzetti, MD, chief of chest radiology, lead Upstate’s lung cancer screening program

C. W. Baker High School, 29. E. Oneida St., Baldwinsville This popular event is now celebrating its 49th year. Over 2,000 participants ran these traditional races last year and raised over $30,000 for numerous causes. You can run the 5K starting at 9 a.m. or the 10K at 10 a.m. A half-mile kids run starts at 8:30 a.m. As a new perk this year, the first 500 10K finishers receive a finisher’s medal. More information: www.baldwinsvillekiwanis.com/race

Liverpool Turkey Trot, Onondaga Lake Park, Liverpool

ASK FOR THE EXPERTS. ASK FOR UPSTATE. Page 10

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2017

While this race is only four years young, it has grown to over 800 participants. Choose between a 5K and a 5-mile race. Both races start at 9 a.m. near the Griffins Visitor Center by Lights on the Lake (Onondaga Lake Path). Proceeds benefit Dollars for

Scholars (scholarships for students with a military family member). Expect a festive atmosphere with bagpipe music, food and fun. More information: www.liverpoolturkeytrot.com

Fayetteville-Manlius Turkey Trot, 8199 E. Seneca Turnpike, Manlius

Up for a trail race? This nontimed trot at the Fayetteville-Manlius High School may be the one for you. Choose between a 4K or an 8K. Both courses start on the high school track at 10:15 a.m. There is also a kids fun run at 10 a.m. This all ages event, sponsored by the FM All Sports Booster Club, is going on its eighth year. College students should wear their college attire. More information: www.fmsportsbooster.org

Trinity Turkey Trot, 22 Munn Street, Oswego

Can’t make a 5K on Thanksgiving? The third annual Trinity Turkey Trot takes place on Nov. 19, the Sunday before the holiday. The race starts at noon at the Ancient Order of the Hibernians building. There’s also a “Gobble Waddle” kids fun run, various raffles for prizes and the fastest runners may even win a turkey. More information: www.oswegotrinitycatholic.org/events/trinityturkeytrot Early registration and packet pick up is encouraged. Your race fee covers your racing bib and chip timing (if applicable) as well as a T-shirt and post-race snacks. If you’re really fast, you may even win a prize in your age group. A portion of the proceeds from each race goes toward a charitable cause, so you can also feel good about giving back. Whether you choose to run, walk, watch or volunteer, you’re in great company locally and around the country. Happy Thanksgiving!

Exercise not only changes your BODY; it changes your MIND, your ATTITUDE, and your MOOD.

Algal blooms in Skaneateles Lake this summer. According to NYS Department of Environment, this can become the new normal. Courtesy of the Onondaga County Health Department.

Choose a healthy feel-good workout 5 Classes Weekly 315-592-1476 ZUMBA w/ Noelle & Faye DO IT FOR YOUR HEALTH!!!

Harmful Algal Blooms in Local Lakes Could Be the New Normal

Give with

TRUST

By Payne Horning

hile warmer weather is usually more than welcome in Upstate New York, the higher temperatures this summer and fall brought with them harmful algal blooms. The abundance of these overgrowths of algae this year closed beaches for swimming and lakes for fishing because of the health risks they pose to humans and animals. There were more than 150 reported cases across the state this year, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Some suggest with increasingly warmer global temperatures, this issue could become part of the norm and become a recurring issue. “This year, everybody has seen blooms,” said Lisa Letteney, director of environmental health with the Onondaga County Health Department. “If you look on the DEC website, there are about 60 lakes and water bodies that are listed as having algae blooms. So, it’s definitely a special year.” Letteney says several conditions were present this year to make for the perfect brew of blue-green algae growth. Heavy amounts of rain in the spring washed a lot of runoff into the water, which provided the nutrients algae need. The other contributing factor was the sustained hot temperatures throughout the summer and into the fall. Algae itself is not inherently dangerous. In fact, according to the DEC, most algae is harmless. But some blooms can produce toxins that can sicken humans and animals. “Blue-green algae can cause a number of different things,” Letteney said. “Some are very sensitive to it. They can have eye irritation, skin irritation. It can cause gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and vomiting. And there are some longer-term issues that aren’t fully investigated at this point in terms of liver toxins.” Blue-green algae can be easy to spot since it discolors the water, typically turning it green — although it can come in a variety of colors, from purple to red. To be certain which blooms are toxic, a sample must be taken and tested. That’s why Letteney says the best way to take care of yourself when it comes to harmful

algal blooms is to avoid swimming or fishing in water where blooms are seen. If you come into contact with the water, rinse off. If you ingest it, though, Letteney recommends seeing a health care provider. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that easy for some residents of Onondaga County this year. Algal blooms containing elevated levels of toxin were found on Skaneateles Lake, a source of drinking water for several municipalities, including Syracuse. Government and health officials scrambled to warn the public and monitor the effects. Letteney said the tests consistently showed low levels of toxins in Skaneateles Lake, and nothing of significance beyond that. “At no point was there anything in the water that reached anybody’s faucet,” Letteney said. Still, Onondaga County wasn’t the only government wrangling with algal blooms in the source of their drinking water in Central New York. Auburn officials in Cayuga County have fought recurring blooms in Owasco Lake for years. The state invested $2 million in the budget this year to buy charcoal systems that filter out those toxins, considered a short-term fix. A larger, more expensive long-term project recently got the last signature it needed to build out the floodplain around Owasco Lake with basins and plants that can naturally remove the toxins. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) helped Auburn secure the permit they needed for the project to move forward. But he says it’s not enough. The Democratic senator blames the rise in toxic algae across Upstate New York in recent years on nitrogen pollution from old wastewater systems and climate change that is causing more spring rainfall and warmer temperatures. Schumer supports a bill in Congress that would provide funding for the study of algal blooms and the nutrients supporting them. He says it could make the effort to combat blooms more effective. Without any action, Schumer says more New Yorkers could find their drinking water and local economies in danger.

BBB’s Charity Review program works to encourage wise giving and increase public confidence in Upstate New York charities. Visit BBB.org or Give.org to look for a charity. If you work with a charity, contact us at charity@upstatenybbb.org to learn more about accreditation. We are proud to recognize our local Accredited Charity Seal Holders as of October 18, 2017. Catholic Charities of Buffalo

Buffalo

Crisis Services

Buffalo

Epilepsy-Pralid, Inc.

Rochester

Food Bank of the Southern Tier

Elmira

Friends of Night People

Buffalo

Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Rochester and Monroe County

Fairport

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York

Albany

Read to Succeed Buffalo

Buffalo

Roswell Park Alliance Foundation

Buffalo

Schoharie Area Long Term

Schoharie

SPCA Serving Allegany County

Wellsville

United Way of Cattaraugus County

Olean

United Way of Greater Rochester

Rochester

United Way of the Greater Capital Region

Albany

Vascular Birthmarks Foundation

Latham

Veterans One-Stop Center of WNY

Buffalo

Water For South Sudan

Rochester

For more information about Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York and Charity Review, call 800-828-500 ext. 295 or email charity@upstatenybbb.org

November 2017 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

This Thanksgiving: See the Glass Half Full!

very one of us has been given a great gift: the cup of life. It is half full and half empty. We choose which half to focus on, at every moment.”

coach

Marc Allen, triathlon

Seeing the glass as half full rather than half empty is all about focusing on what’s positive in our lives, regardless of what comes our way. It’s about being thankful, appreciative and grateful. It’s about concentrating on our strengths rather than our weaknesses. I’m convinced that our thoughts and attitudes determine the life we have. And experience has taught me that seeing the glass half full can make a big difference for those who live alone. We have a choice. We can choose to see the positive or we can choose to wallow in the negative; we can open our eyes to possibilities or begrudge what life has offered up.

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So, how do you view the cup of life? Take a look at the list below, which contains actual quotes from divorced or widowed women and men I’ve encountered along my journey. Do you find yourself identifying with one perspective over another?

NOT BEING MARRIED

• Half Empty “Something must be wrong with me. All my friends are married, and here I am alone and miserable.” • Half Full “Not in a million years did I expect to be divorced at my age, but I am resourceful and persistent. I’ve always wanted to travel and try new things, and now I have that opportunity — to create a life that’s rewarding and full of new people and experiences that bring me joy. And, who knows? I may meet a special someone along the way.”

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DECISION MAKING

• Half Empty “Are you kidding? I don’t know enough to buy a house or a car. Those are the big decisions my spouse used to make. I wouldn’t know where to begin.” • Half Full “Finally, I get to make all my own decisions! No one’s around to second-guess my choices. I just purchased my first car all on my own: a new Subaru Impreza. I did the research and was completely prepared when I went to the dealership. My color choice? Crimson Red Pearl!”

IN A CRISIS

• Half Empty “I’m no good in a crisis. I go to pieces. When I hear bad news, I’m embarrassed to admit that sometimes I long to be taken care of and protected. Living alone makes all this worse. There’s no one to turn to.” • Half Full “Being alone in a crisis isn’t the end of the earth. In fact, some of my most significant growth has been during tough times. When I got the call that my father had had a heart attack, I took charge, made calls, and brought the family together. I learned I could take care of myself and others, too.”

DATING

• Half Empty “I can’t imagine re-entering the dating scene. What could anyone possibly see in me at this age, with my graying hair and grandchildren?” • Half Full “I believe that warm friendships, even romance, can happen at any age. I’m now remarried. We met in a grief support group and the rest is history. Next year, we are celebrating our fifth anniversary.”

FINANCES

• Half Empty “My spouse took care of all the finances, the bills, the taxes, everything! I feel helpless and, honestly, I fear dying alone and penniless.” • Half Full “I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I knew I could do it. Getting help with my finances was one of the first things I did after my divorce. I picked up the phone and asked for help, did my homework, and now enjoy peace of mind. I think it’s the thing I’m most proud of.

COOKING FOR ONE

• Half Empty “Why would I go to any lengths to create a special meal for just myself? It hardly seems worth it. I can fill up on chips and salsa and call it a night.” • Half Full “Creating a pleasant ‘table for one’ makes me feel good about myself. It means I’m nourishing my body as well as my spirit. When I prepare a nice table setting and sit down to a simple home-cooked meal, a sense of serenity comes over me. I feel at home with my own good company.” DISCOVERING YOUR TRUE SELF • Half Empty “I’m a creature of habit, too old to re-invent myself. And, what’s the point anyway? There’s no one to share my life with. • Half Full “It’s never too late. Today, I have an opportunity to fashion a life that reflects my dreams, my style, my true self. Just recently, I signed up for dancing lessons, a lifelong dream of mine. My niece is also coming into her own, and I love being a role model for her.

TIME ALONE

• Half Empty “Living alone is for the birds! I just want to stay in bed and pull the covers up over my head. • Half Full “Living alone need not be a time of diminished opportunities. It can be a time of expanding possibilities. Used wisely, the time can be an adventure in self-discovery and reveal opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment.” If you don’t like the results you are getting in your life, consider changing the attitudes that are producing those results. Who knows what great adventures and joy await those who focus on gratitude and embrace the wisdom of seeing the glass half full. Now, that’s something to be thankful for! Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of “Live Alone and Thrive,” empowerment workshops for women held throughout the year in Mendon. For information or to contact Voelckers, call 585-6247887 or email: gvoelckers@rochester. rr.com.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2017

Welcomes the following providers

Welcome

Welcomes the following providers R. Matthew Cambareri, MD 4820 W. Taft Road—Suite 108 Liverpool, NY 13088 315-413-0004

han, D.O.

Vijaya Seepana, MD 308 West Seneca Street Manlius, NY 13104 315-682-5080

Avni Patel,Matthew MD Procopio, MD 308 West Seneca436 Street Hinsdale Road Manlius, NY 13104 Camillus, NY 13031 315-682-5080 315-488-0996

Welcomes the foll

Joy Commisso, M.D.

d Lane 8393 Vijaya Seepana, MD Elta Drive et DePaulis-Fiumano, NP Seneca StreetAvni Patel, Avni Patel,MD MD 308 West Y 13215Jacqueline Cicero, NY 13039 182 Intrepid Lane West Seneca Street Street 308 308 West Seneca Syracuse, NY 13215 Manlius, NY 13104 Manlius, Manlius,NY NY 13104 13104 315-218-7020 315-682-5080 7020 315.698.0290 315-682-5080

Vijaya S 308 West Manliu

Mary Geiss, D

Matthew Procopio, MD 5566 JordanR.R 436 HinsdaleJillRoad Malinowski, NP MD 4820 Vijaya Seepana, Elbridge, NY 13 3400 Vickery Road Jill Malinowski, NP Street West Seneca Camillus, NY308 13031 Syracuse, NY 13212 3400 Vickery Road Manlius, NY 13104 315.689.183 315-488-0996 Syracuse, NY 13212

Accepting New Patients Visit our website at www.fcmg.org Jaclyn Kerling, NP

5415 W. Genesee Street—Suite 201 Camillus, NY 13031

Jill Malinowski, NP Jaclyn Ke 3400 Vickery Road 5415 W. Genesee November 2017 • NY IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 13 Syracuse, 13212 Camillus, 315-214

315-214-5788

My Turn

By Eva Briggs

Emergency Room or Urgent Care? H

ow should you choose? Right- cle.” This means the greater the delay ly or wrongly, most people in starting treatment for heart attacks don’t want to go to the emerand strokes, the greater the risk of gency room — I’ve even had patients permanent damage or death. swear that they’d rather die than go The mnemonic for remembering to the emergency room. signs of a stroke is FAST. F for Face. Yes, the emergency room can be Ask the patient to smile and check inconvenient, time consuming and for drooping or weakness of one side expensive. But sometimes, it’s the of the face. A for Arms. Have the right choice. patient hold out his/her arms and Some patients who come to the check for drooping. S for Speech. Is urgent care are surprised when the the speech slurred, garbled, nonsenurgent care provider recommends sical? T for Time. If you see those a transfer to the emergency room. signs call 9-1-1 immediately. Sometimes it’s because their illness Heart attack often presents with is more severe or complex than the chest pain. Some patients describe patient or family realized. And some- pressure, heaviness or tightness, not times some patients think they need recognizing that those odd chest to go to an emergency room, only to sensations could be heart-related. Or find out their problem can be treated the discomfort could be located in at an urgent care center. the arms or jaw, usually on the left, Let’s start with the obvious but sometimes on the right or on things that belong in an emergency both sides. Other heart attack symproom: strokes and heart attacks. If toms might include breaking out in you or a loved one is having signs of a cold sweat, shortness of breath, a stroke or a heart attack, stopping at palpitations, fainting, feeling weak, the urgent care first “just to check” dizzy or nauseated. If symptoms are is a bad idea. It delays the necessary suspicious for a heart attack, an EKG evaluation. If those conditions are at the urgent care will not be a suffifound, it delays the proper treatment. cient evaluation. So call 9-1-1 and go Neurologists say “time is brain” and to the ER. urologyIGH.10.25x6.75.qxp_Layout 1 8/19/16 1 cardiologists say “time is heart mus- 1:12 PM Page Abdominal pain is a trickier

problem. Sometimes an evaluation at the urgent care can determine the diagnosis: urinary tract infection, ovarian cyst stomach bug, reflux, diverticulitis, appendicitis. But sometimes a patient needs more advanced testing or treatment than what is available at the urgent care. If you are vomiting blood or having bloody bowel movements, it’s best to head to the ER. The exception might be seeing a small amount of blood when you wipe or on the outside of a normal stool. Sometimes you will be sent to the ER because you need a specialist, or a test not available at the urgent care. Perhaps you have leg pain and swelling suspicious for a blood clot. The urgent care centers where I work can obtain the necessary ultrasound test during weekdays, but will need to send you to the ER if you need that test at night or on a

weekend. If you call your doctor and he or she says go to the emergency room, that means they think you need an emergency room. Not an urgent care. Even if your primary care doctor tells you to go to an urgent care, you might still be sent to the emergency room. After all, your doctor can’t do a complete history, let alone an exam, over the phone. Eva Briggs is a medical doctor who works at two urgent care centers (Central Square and Fulton) operated by Oswego Health.

MEET THE UPSTATE UROLOGY TEAM Chairman Urologic oncology robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder and adrenal

General urology andrology

GENNADY BRATSLAVSKY, MD ZAHI N. MAKHULI, MD Female and reconstructive urology, urinary incontinence in women, pelvic floor treatment and neurourology

NATASHA GINZBURG, MD Pediatric urology, treatment of hernias and hydroceles, robotic surgery, urinary tract infections, penile abnormalities

MATTHEW D. MASON, MD

Urologic oncology and endourology, robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder, and adrenal; renal stone disease

OLEG SHAPIRO, MD

Urologic oncology robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder, and adrenal

RAKESH KHANNA, MD

General female urologic health

TIMOTHY K. BYLER, MD

General urology, male health, urologic oncology, enlarged prostate, kidney stones At Upstate Urology of Auburn.

RYAN SIDEBOTTOM, DO

General urology, female and reconstructive urology

ELIZABETH FERRY, MD

Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), enlarged prostate, urination problems, voiding dysfunction, bladder and kidney surgery

JESSICA E. PAONESSA, MD

Pediatric urology, treatment of hernias and hydroceles, robotic surgery, urinary tract infections, penile abnormalities

JONATHAN RIDDELL, MD

Incontinence, urethral stricture disease, pelvic organ prolapse, vessico vaginal fistula, reconstructive surgery

DMITRY NIKOLAVSKY, MD

Male reconstructive surgery, urinary diversions, general urology

STEPHEN BLAKELY, MD

Male infertility, erectile dysfunction, andrology, general urology

JC TRUSSELL, MD

General urology

IMAD NSOULI, MD

FOR QUESTIONS OR TO MAKE A REFERRAL CALL 315.464.1500 UROLOGY

Page 14

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2017

Parenting By Melissa Stefanec MelissaStefanec@yahoo.com

I Know You

The challenge to balance career, kids

onight, I cried. Mind you, it wasn’t a “lock myself in the bathroom and sob” sort of cry. It was more of a “leave the bathroom door open so I can hear what the kids are up to” sort of cry. The sort that comes from being overwhelmed but too darned busy to let it all out. Maybe it was because I worked straight through another day without a lunch or break. Maybe it was because I read another headline about mass shootings and was stricken with internal panic at the thought of my world being forever shattered by someone so lost and angry. Maybe it was the three times I awoke to a crying kid the night before. Maybe it was the tiny voice that pierced through the wee hours of the morning saying, “mommy, my bed is wet.” Maybe it was getting out of work just a few minutes too late and racing to pick up my kids, yet again. Maybe it was looking at my daughter’s first-grade classwork, seeing so many wrong answers and knowing I wouldn’t have time to help her tonight or, likely, tomorrow. Maybe it was thinking about getting up early tomorrow and taking me and my son to the dentist and then finding a way to make up the lost time at work. Maybe it was knowing that I would miss another night of exercise to make our appointments happen. I won’t divulge the details, but most nights of the week, I parent solo. And, on these nights, I am simply in survival mode. There’s time for food, cleaning, preparation for the next day and sleep. There just isn’t time for all the good stuff that keeps my parenting tank full. I couldn’t fill up my tank because there was dinner to be cooked and a table to set. There was a martial arts code to memorize before class next week. After dinner, there was an unplanned and much-needed bath to give. There were papers to sign and checks to write that would be slipped into the ‘back to school’ side of the folder. Dinner had to be cleaned up, teeth and hair brushed, assigned reading completed and arguments to be had about using the potty and taking vitamins. There was laundry to be flipped and a blanket that wouldn’t be dry in time for bed.

I won’t divulge the details, but most nights of the week, I parent solo. And, on these nights, I am simply in survival mode.

If you are looking for the sort of column that is going to give a lot of magic answers (be cool, and just say no to almost every invite), witty coping mechanisms (it’s wine o’clock somewhere) and Instagram-worthy filters for real-life moments, this isn’t that column. This is where I admit there are many occasions when I feel like a failure as a parent. There are nights where my only recourse is to sneak a quick cry in with my potty break. There are nights where I feel like my only parenting success is keeping my children alive and relatively free from harm. There are days where I just can’t deal with how little I am bringing to the table. Some days, something big and awful happens, and it takes the wind out of my lungs. But, most days, it’s the culmination of many tiny missteps and many hours of missed sleep and recreation that unhinge me. I know I am not alone. You see, I always imagined that if I became a mother, I would be the sort who would balance a career and kids. I thought I would have time for the important stuff, not just the bare necessities. I thought I would be the kind of mom who would make time for it all. I was never foolish enough to think it would be easy, but I thought I could do it. As it turns out, I am right. I am the mom who makes time for it all. I am, in a thousand colloquial ways, pulling it off. What I never expected, is how pulling it off would make me feel sometimes. Debilitated. Lonely. Inadequate. Exhausted. So, to all the parents sneaking a cry in the bathroom or pantry; I see you. To all the parents resorting to yelling after so much restraint; I feel you. To all the parents who were led to believe these challenges were surmountable; I too believed. To every parent who lets themselves believe they are some sort of failure; I am you. For every parent who faults themselves for getting bogged down in the day-to-day stuff; I share your guilt. I know I am not alone in this experience. I know you. But, as we all also know, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. At the end of my day of inadequacy, I tucked my two little ones into bed. I told my son I loved him forever, even when one of us is mad or sad. He smiled, gave me a huge hug and said, “I love you forever ever.” Then, I crawled into bed with my daughter and replaced a common song with lyrics about our cats, and she laugh snorted. A little bit of failure fell away, and happiness snuck in. There was enough love to make me believe there would be no crying tomorrow. And, that is how this beautiful and strange show keeps playing out.

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SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

and cannellini pâté, anyone?

Little Cannellinis Dish Out Big Benefits

eans are a big part of my weekly diet, for many reasons. But there was a time when I could barely imagine eating them, thanks to the canned, overly sweet baked beans that I choked down as a child. What really did me in was the fatty glob of pork, tucked amidst the gooey beans, that sometimes found its way onto my plate. What brought me back to beans, however, was my daughter, who became a vegetarian at 12. Concerned about the nutritional needs of her growing body, I looked for alternative sources of protein, vitamins, iron, and more — sources the whole family could enjoy. All roads pointed to beans. Though empty-nesters now, my husband and I continue to enjoy beans. In fact, we probably eat more beans than ever, now that we’ve cut back on meat and are keeping closer tabs on our hearts, weight and fiber intake. Nutrition reasons aside, we like beans because they’re economical, convenient and planet-friendly (1 pound of beans requires less than 500 gallons of water to produce; whereas 1 pound of meat requires over 1800 gallons). Cannellini beans, sometimes called “white kidney beans,” are an all-time favorite, from their taste to

their texture to how wonderfully they absorb flavors. Similar to many beans, a half cup of cannellini beans serves up 7 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, scant fat, and about 10 percent of our daily iron needs. Although the protein in cannellini beans is incomplete — like most plant-based proteins — it simply needs to be combined with a complementary protein to reap the full benefits of this powerhouse nutrient. No worries, however, about pairing proteins at the same meal; just having another plant protein — such as nuts, grains, or pasta — at some point during the day will do the trick. Cannellini beans are super good for hearts. One, they rock with cholesterol-lowering fiber; two, they’re chock full of folate, a B vitamin that effectively lowers levels of an amino acid in the bloodstream associated with greater risk of heart disease and stroke; three, they’re low in fat and calories (only 100 per half cup); and four, they’re loaded with heart-protecting antioxidants. Another reason to chow down the cannellinis? They boast a remarkable amount of molybdenum, a trace mineral that helps to detoxify sulfites (preservatives found in prepared foods and wine), which can sometimes cause headaches. Some wine

Cannellini Bean Chili with Turkey 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 2 medium poblano peppers, seeded and diced 1 jalapeno chile (ribs and seeds removed for less heat, if desired), minced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper flakes, more to taste 2 (15.5-ounce) cans cannellini beans, preferably low-sodium, drained and rinsed 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth 2 cups cooked, shredded or diced turkey (optional) juice of 1 lime salt and pepper, to taste Garnishes, such as grated cheese, fresh cilantro, plain Greek yogurt

Helpful Tips Nutrition-wise, canned beans and dried beans are about equal. But if you prefer the convenience of canned over dried beans, look for canned beans labeled “Low Salt” or “Low Sodium.” Before using in any recipe, drain and rinse the beans thoroughly to remove excess sodium. moderate heat. Add the onion, poblano, and jalapeno; cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, about eight minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, coriander, oregano, and hot pepper flakes; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the cannellini beans, broth, and cooked turkey (if using). Bring to a boil, while mashing some of the beans against the side of the pan to release starch. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, partially covered, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in lime juice and more broth, if needed. Season with salt and pepper; garnish as desired.

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle colum-

Heat the oil in large pot over

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

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Half the Time, Males Contribute to Infertility By J. C. Trussell, MD

nfertility affects 6.1 million U.S. couples — representing 10 percent of reproductive aged adults or 15 percent of all couples trying to conceive. Over the past decade, there has been a steady increase in the number of couples seeking fertility assistance. Medically it is important that both the male and female partner to be evaluated. For the male, this involves a brief history and physical exam, including a semen analysis. Unfortunately, half of the time, a male cause for infertility is discovered — 20 percent of the time there will be a concurrent female infertility factor, while the remaining 30 percent of men will be the sole cause for infertility [Figure 1]. Again, male factor infertility is common; it is therefore imperative that both the male and female undergo a medical evaluation. In the absence of a clear medical or surgical condition (such as a vasectomy or a genetic condition), men are classified as having “idiopathic infertility.” After a complete workup, this is the diagnosis up to 50 percent of the time. Such men continue to have treatment options, with a recent survey reported that two-thirds of responding U.S. urologists would use empiric (off-label) therapies to treat men with idiopathic male factor infertility. The most commonly used medications are clomiphene citrate (Clomid), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and, anastrozole/

letrozole. In fact, a recent review of pooled data from four randomized, controlled trials using gonadotropins (hCG), demonstrated an improved pregnancy rate (13.4 percent versus 4.4 percent for those not being treated).

Off-label therapies Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) is an oral medication that works by tricking the brain to release more chemical to stimulate the testes — like putting high-octane fuel into the testes’ gas tank. Not everyone responds the same to Clomid. For this reason, it is imperative that clients on Clomid are carefully monitored to verify semen analysis improvement. When defining an adequate Clomid response as a “pregnancy” or a 100 percent improvement in total motile sperm count, more than 50 percent of patients (35 of 53 subjects) responded by three months. The remainder will take six to 15 months to respond. For this reason, it may take a year or more to realize improved semen parameters. Having said that, based on current evidence, it appears that Clomid may be effective in treating most cases of idiopathic male factor infertility. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) shots are indicated in men whose brain is not making “gas” to stimulate the testicles. hCG is a shot

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Infertile Couple: Source of infertility you give yourself three times a week, to replace the “gas” missing from the brain. This hCG replacement is like adding an accessory (or back up) fuel tank to a motor. The testis stimulation will only occur while the hCG shots are being administered. Anastrozole and Letrozole are prescription medications that belong to a class of aromatase inhibitors (AIs). Aromatases are a normal part of abdominal fat cells, which facilitate the breakdown of testosterone to another hormone called estradiol. Both testosterone and estradiol travel to the brain and turn off the brain’s production of “gas.” Less “gas” to stimulate the testes will result in lower sperm production. AIs block the aromatase enzyme, resulting in less inhibition of the brain’s “gas” production — resulting in greater testicular sperm production. A simple blood test is used to determine if a client would likely respond to AIs treatment. Treating men with AIs is associated with both improved sperm concentrations (from 5.5 to 15.6 million sperm/mL) and, increased testosterone levels. Testosterone replacement must be avoided. Testosterone is essential for the development of male reproductive organs (penis, prostate, seminal vesicles, vas deferens and epididymis) and for subsequent puberty, sex-

ual function, and fertility. Exogenous testosterone (gels, injections) will wipe out the brain’s “gas” production — resulting in a severe drop in sperm production. Unfortunately, stopping exogenous testosterone replacement does not guarantee return of sperm production. Only 65 percent of men will recover sperm production 6 months after discontinuing T-replacement. Treating the 50 percent of men with idiopathic infertility is a vexing problem. Treatment options include therapies such as Clomid, hCG, and/ or Anastrazole/Letrozole. Careful follow up is necessary to be sure that the expected semen parameter improvement is realized. Author’s note: Adapted from: Mahmoud Chehab, Alosh Madala, JC Trussell. “On-label and off-label drugs used in the treatment of male infertility.” Fert Steril 2015;103:595-604. Physician J. C. Trussell is the director of the Division of Male Fertility and Sexual Function at Upstate University Hospital.

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Shingles:

To Vaccinate or Not? For experts, it’s a no brainer. If you had chickenpox as a child and are over 50, you should get the vaccine By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ou faithfully receive your flu vaccination every fall, but have you thought about shingles? If you’re like most people who had chickenpox as a child, you have a risk of developing shingles once you hit your 50s or 60s. That’s why physicians — such as Ramsay Farah of Syracuse — recommend that adults age 50 and older who have had chickenpox should receive shingles vaccine. Farah is an associate professor of medicine, pathology and ear nose and throat at Upstate Medical University. He also works as a dermatologist at his family’s practice, Farah Dermatology in Syracuse. Caused by the varicella-zoster virus, shingles occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox reactivates later in life, usually after age 50. “If the zoster spreads beyond a small area, it can result in hepatitis, pneumonitis, or encephalitis,” Farah said. “This happens very rarely, but is more of a risk in severely debilitated or immunocompromised patients. “If the shingles occurs on the head and neck area, and involves important structures such as the eye

Page 18

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one can also get conjunctivitis, scleritis, episcleritis, keratitis iridocyclitis, Argyll-Robertson pupil, glaucoma, retinitis, choroiditis, optic neuritis, optic atrophy, retrobulbar neuritis, exophthalmos, lid retraction, ptosis, and extraocular muscle palsies.” Farah added that the only contraindications to the shingles vaccine include allergies to one or more of the components of the vaccine, gelatin or neomycin. The other contraindications are conditions or medication that suppress the immune system, such as chemotherapy drugs. Local reaction at the injection site is the most common side effect. Some insurance plans cover shingles vaccination. Shingles start out with a sensation of burning, pain or tingling in an area of the body, sometimes as a band, but only on one side of the body. Within two days, infectious lesions form (once they form a crust, the patient isn’t contagious). People at higher risk for shingles include those who have experienced chickenpox and who currently have a depressed immune system because of stress, injury, medication or unrelated

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2017

disease. “One in three people will get shingles during their lifetime, and at least half of all people 85 and older have had the ailment,” Farah said. He added that since 1993, the incidence of shingles has nearly doubled in the adult US population. It’s unclear as to why shingles is on the rise, but “the benefits outweigh the risks for most individuals to actually get the vaccine.” Elizabeth Arthur, dermatologist at Helendale Dermatology & Medical Spa in Rochester, agrees. She had shingles last summer at age 53. The illness landed her in the hospital five days. She advises patients to seek treatment for the disease within the first two days, since this tends to lessen its effects and reduce the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia, lifelong flare-ups in the same place manifesting lesions. About 20 percent of patients experience post-herpetic neuralgia. “The pain afterwards can be debilitating,” Arthur said. “For me,

it was the worst pain I’ve ever had in my life.” Some describe it as burning, stinging, shooting pain in the skin that any slight contact sets off, such as clothing brushing against the skin. Topical preparations can reduce pain at the site, while oral anti-viral medication can help reduce the duration and risk of post-herpetic pain. The vaccine reduces patients’ risk of developing shingles by 50 percent. “I wondered if it made a big difference,” Arthur said. “After having it, I’d say, absolutely. Even a mild case, if you can reduce it, isn’t that better?” Vaccination can also help prevent the spread of illness to others who are not or cannot be vaccinated, such as yet-unvaccinated babies, who can develop chickenpox from an adult’s case of shingles. Anyone approaching 50 should discuss shingles vaccination with a primary care provider.

Golden Years

Things You Should Know About Successful Aging By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

f being over 65 years old is truly going to be your golden years that doesn’t mean you won’t have to polish some of your daily habits to make that possible. As we get older, there are certain key elements that we must either maintain or eliminate for successful aging. Physician Julie Colvin, medical director at St. Joseph’s Physicians Family Medicine in Syracuse, discusses five tips to better living. “You can live a long healthy life, but it isn’t going to happen unless you focus on your health all the time,” said Colvin.

Physical activity

Research indicates that staying physically active can help prevent or delay certain diseases, including some cancers, heart disease and diabetes, and also relieve depression and improve mood. Inactivity often accompanies advancing age, but it doesn’t have to. Even 20 minutes of activity a day, three times per week, provides benefits. Thirty minutes every day is even better. “You have to keep active because it can increase your mobility and flexibility and decrease the likelihood of falls, which typically affects many seniors,” said Colvin. Among seniors, falls are the leading cause of injuries, hospital admissions for trauma and deaths due to injury. Strategies to reduce falls include exercises to improve balance

and strength and medication review. “One of the biggest issues I see from seniors is muscle decrease, which is a serious problem. There are studies that show that people with a significant decrease in muscle mass tend to have bigger medical problems and increase hospitalization stays,” said Colvin. “When you start experiencing muscle loss, that can cause balance problems, it could cause a chain reaction that leads to metabolism issues and really decrease your overall quality of life.”

Nutrition

Like exercise, eating habits are often not good if seniors live and eat alone. It’s important for successful aging to eat foods rich in nutrients and avoid the empty calories in candy and sweets. Being overweight or obese increases the chances of dying from hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, dyslipidemia and endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon cancers. “Eating healthy is essential for everyone, but especially seniors. They have to make sure they eat their fruits, vegetables and lean meats,” added Colvin.

Jumpstart your social life

Depression is a true and treatable medical condition, not a

normal part of aging. However older adults are at an increased risk for experiencing depression. If you are concerned about a loved one, offer to go with him or her to see a healthcare provider to be diagnosed and treated. One of the ways to attack or even avoid depression is having people you enjoy around you. Having an active social life really can lead to a fuller life. “As you get older, you have important people in your life pass away. It is important to stay close with the family members and friends that you have here,” said Colvin. “Isolationism can lead to depression. It can lead to you not taking your medication or not taking care of your physical health.”

See your physician

While most people don’t get excited anticipating their next doctor’s visit, checkups are essential for staying healthy. Getting regular checkups can lead to physicians finding problems early. Many cancers are preventable such as colon cancer, which can be discovered with a colonoscopy. Heart disease remains the No. 1 killer overall. “I tell my patients that you have to take care of your health and one of the areas is seeing your doctor. Speaking to your cardiologist, getting your mammograms and getting your screenings can be the difference be-

Physician Julie Colvin, medical director at St. Joseph’s Physicians Family Medicine in Syracuse tween life and death,” said Colvin.

Pay attention to your finances

Money can cause all kind of pleasure and pain. Not having enough of it though feels mighty painful. Under stress we may feel tense, nervous or on edge. The stress response is physical, too. Stress triggers a surge of a hormone called adrenaline that temporarily affects the nervous system. Colvin said when people are stressed out, that is when they fail to take care of themselves properly. “When people are worried about their finances what they tend to do is to save money — they stop buying their medication or doing anything to take care of themselves that might cost money,” added Colvin. “Plus the added stress of not having money also plays havoc on their minds and bodies.”

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Page 19

Golden Years

Caption: From left, Celestina Spinella, David Chelson and Kateri Spinella look over plans for Anthony House, a comfort care home for the terminally ill.

New Hospice Planned for Oswego County Anthony House to offer compassionate, 24hour care for the terminally ill By Lou Sorendo

eath is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to be a negative, lonely experience. Wellhouse Ministries, Inc. in Oswego is taking the sting out of what can be a taboo topic. Wellhouse Ministries — led by Kateri Spinella, her husband David Chelson and her mother Celestina Spinella — is raising money to start a comfort care two-bedroom hospice home in Oswego County. “Under Wellhouse Ministries, our mission is to open Anthony House, that place to call home for people with a terminal illness,” Kateri said. The trio represents the ministry, founded in 2015 as a 501(3)(c) nonprofit, charitable organization to help meet the needs of the terminally ill, their families and loved ones living in Oswego County. The team is hoping to have Anthony House up and running by the end of 2018. Chelson currently works for the Oswego County Highway Department while Kateri Spinella is a parttime emergency room nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse. They reside in Palermo. Wellhouse Ministries is headquartered at the Oswego County Business Expansion Center on East Seneca Street in Oswego. Page 20

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Caring hearts Spinella, who has more than 20 years in the nursing field, said the motivation behind the ministry came from the work she did as a hospice nurse with the Oswego County Health Department.” She said there are some “fantastic” nursing programs locally, “but there is not a lot to prepare us for end-of-life care.” Spinella said it was a real “eye opener” when she went into people’s homes and helped manage end-oflife symptoms while teaching families how to care for their loved ones. “It was something I had not encountered before in all my years of nursing, and I just saw some real needs that people had,” she said. “I was well educated in a good way.” Spinella said that she learned from her patients and their families. “That is so much a part of what motivated us. There’s such a great need,” she said.

Must meet criteria Spinella said for a patient to be admitted into a home hospice program, part of the requirement is to have a caregiver with them 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a variety of reasons.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2017

However, in many instances, families do not always have the resources to provide that round-theclock care. If individuals in need of end-oflife care do not qualify for any other placement, Spinella would have to refer them to a place such as Francis House in Syracuse, which features two homes for the terminally ill on the north side of the city. However, “that involves travel time and a lot of inconvenience, especially if one spouse is terminally ill and the other spouse has their own medical issues and can’t do a lot of traveling,” Celestina said. “It would be great to have a home here in our area so that we can take care of these people.” Wellhouse Ministries will provide the 24-care and supervisory pieces that individuals need in a homelike environment, while Oswego County Hospice would attend to medical issues. “They will make the determination that somebody qualifies for hospice care. Believe it or not, there is criteria,” Spinella said. Two physicians must attest a patient is in need of hospice care. If a person is affirmed, Oswego County Hospice provides a nurse to come to Anthony House to do weekly or as-needed evaluations while providing medicines and supplies needed to help manage an individual’s symptoms. Meanwhile, Anthony House would oversee personal care on a 24-hour basis, including tasks such as feeding and bathing.

Design, planning stages Anthony House is designed to feature two-bedroom suites on each side of a great room and kitchen. Two garages will exist on each side of the home, making transport of residents efficient and private. The design will offer privacy but also be a gathering place for family members. The suites will be large enough to accommodate family members who want to stay during the last several days of the person’s life. Also planned is a garden where residents and their families can spend time outdoors. The ministry wants Anthony House to be located in Oswego County, and preferably outside the city proper of Oswego in a tranquil environment. The team is entertaining both the option of building a new house or buying an existing one. “Eventually, we hope to open up additional homes. We really feel this is just the first step, and we foresee multiple homes within the county,” Chelson said. “There’s nothing like this in the county.” There are 14 homes of similar status in the Rochester area, and many comfort care homes across the state, Spinella noted. The team did its homework prior to developing its own concept. Spinella said Francis House — with its emphasis on excellence in care and contributing to the community — has greatly influenced Wellhouse Ministries. “What is brought into Francis

House is poured right back out into those that they serve and the families they care for,” Spinella said. Another source of mentorship has been the Matthew House in Auburn. It has been in existence for more than 13 years, and during that time, the two-bedroom home has served more than 300 families. “The way they are set up, they have taken away the sting of death or the negative aspects of death,” Celestina Spinella said.

Major fundraising event Wellhouse Ministries’ signature event will be its annual fundraiser, the Black and White Masquerade Ball. It will take place Jan. 13 at The American Foundry in Oswego. Food, entertainment by The Billionaires, and games and prizes will be featured. The ministry needs donors who either wish to make monetary donations or are willing to donate time to build the house. Chelson serves as the building coordinator. He estimates the home to cost approximately $200,000, with another $50,000 to get the doors open. “We definitely don’t have any monetary aspirations for this. This is spiritual,” said Chelson, noting there are no paychecks or compensation in the effort. “Our success or longevity in this ministry is going to be dependent upon the people, the community, and its dedication and commitment,” Kateri Spinella said. Her mother noted both Matthew House and Francis House have solid volunteer bases. “We do find there are a lot of people interested, so we need to develop training programs and get them on board,” she said. Ardent supporters of the ministry and Anthony House include SUNY Oswego, various foundations and several churches, according to Kateri Spinella.

Wellhouse Ministries Seeking Donations Officials from Wellhouse Ministries, who plan to start a comfort care two-bedroom hospice home in Oswego County, are organizing several events to raise money for the project. One of such event — the Black and White Masquerade Ball. —will take place Jan. 13 at The American Foundry in Oswego. They are also seeking donations from the public to make the project a reality. Here’s the information about the organization: Mailing address: PO Box 862, Oswego, NY 13126 Telephone: 315-992-4218 E-mail: info@whministries.org Website: www.whministries. org/donate.html Address: 185 E. Seneca St., Oswego, NY 13126 (Donations can be made through PayPal on the ministries’ website)

College of Nursing at Upstate Gets $1.8 Million Grant

four-year grant of more than $1.8 million to the College of Nursing at Upstate Medical University from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will be used to increase the number of family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (FPMHNP) in rural communities and in medically underserved communities, such as Syracuse. The grant is part of the behavioral health workforce education training program at HRSA and is designed to develop a culturally competent and diverse workforce. The grant will be used primarily to expand the college’s recruitment efforts to attract nurses from the targeted communities to its master’s and doctorate degree programs that specialize in family psychiatric mental health. The nurse practitioner students will focus on the management of patients with psychiatric disorders and comorbidities, such as substance abuse, and the integration of behavioral health into primary care. Upon graduation, the expectation is that these FPMHNPs will practice in medically underserved or rural areas. According to Bambi A. Carkey, assistant professor in the College of Nursing, the first year of the grant will provide up to 20 stipends to nurses enrolled in the college’s FPMHNP master’s degree program. Up to three stipends will be provided to FPMHNPs enrolled in the college’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program. The number of stipends will increase each of the remaining three years. “We are very excited about this HRSA award,” said Carkey. “Given the economic challenges of today, this support will enable more nurses to seek advanced practice education and help to meet critical and complex behavioral health care needs in our medically underserved and rural communities.” In addition to providing stipends, the grant will increase the college’s capacity to provide clinical experiences in behavioral health care for rural communities.

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Older, But Just as Active East Area Family Y takes age out of equation when it comes to fitness, fun By Matthew Liptak

he East Area Family YMCA recently changed the name of its program designed specifically for seniors, hoping to incorporate opportunities for people of all ages. But the program’s coordinator says most participants continue to be the 55-and-older crowd, and the programs it offers are just as relevant to seniors. “Basically, it is about programs offering health seminars, outings and tours of local facilities, or bus trips to farther locations, and social luncheons,” said active adults coordinator Eric Feldstein. “It’s really about enhancing the fitness aspect of the YMCA to go hand-in-hand with improving social interaction as well. We used to just call it Active Older Adults. It was catered to retired folks. It’s still mostly, because we tend to do activities during the daytime during the week, but we do try to promote it to the whole YMCA.” The Y comes up with outing ideas Feldstein itself and also takes suggestions from members. They go to varied destinations. Some might be seen as rather ordinary local facilities, but they wind up making pretty interesting and stimulating trips. “We just went to the water treatment plant earlier this week,” he said. “The tour guide talked about the process of how water is treated. We got to walk around the facility and do some nice physical activity along with [absorbing] some great information given to us as well. Other places program participants have gone to include Peterboro, home of the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum, to explore the community’s abolitionist roots; Syracuse Stage, for a behindthe-scenes tour, and they even went

Group activities organized by the East Area Family YMCA include a boat trip on Skaneateles Lake, a visit to the zoo and a look at the stadium where the Syracuse University football team plays. on campus to explore the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. One of their more popular outings is a bus trip to New York City.

Off to Big Apple “We did a bus trip to New York City, a one-day trip, [and] saw a matinee of “Waitress” the musical, and had a nice buffet dinner and came

back that night,” he said. Some of the longer bus trips can cost around $100, Feldstein said, but most outings are $15 or $20. YMCA members get a discount on activities. The coordinator said there about 500 core members who are usually most active with the programs. Programs usually have 20 to 70 people attending.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2017

New Life for Longtime Pediatrician After practicing medicine for 43 years, Stuart Trust, 81, still volunteering, teaching after retirement Q. When did you retire? A. “At the end of May. I’d been in practice in Fulton for 43 years. It wasn’t as smooth as one might think where you suddenly stop working. I had some anxiety because my routine was disrupted after so many years of doing the same thing. You wake up in the morning and you feel a little bit off kilter — somewhat discombobulated. “I was a child of the depression. When I was 15 years old, I went to work. When the school term ended in the summer, all that meant was more hours to work. So I’ve never stopped working. What I’ve done is I very quickly transitioned into some volunteer work and teaching, and doing more reading. I love to read. I love history. I’m keeping busy.” Q. Who are you teaching? A. “Second year medical students [at SUNY Upstate]. To me that’s brand new. I’ve always had medical students, interns, residents in our office, but they were always at that higher level. These are young kids. They just finished their first year of medical school. It’s called FRM, which means foundations for reasoning in medicine. It’s not that I lecture them. We present a case to them and I’m more of a facilitator. Then when we arrive at the correct diagnosis, which sometimes takes time, then I give a little brief discussion.”

College was never an option. Who would ever think? But as circumstances worked out I did. I met a lot of kind people along the way who were very helpful...for which I’ve always been grateful. “By me becoming a doctor, it was like holy smoke! And then a pediatrician to take care of children. That was such a blessing. Am I proud? I am proud because most of what I did was very, very positive, and worked out very, very well. There were a few glitches along the way.” Q. What motivates you? A. “The first few years, poverty. It’s the God’s-honest truth. We had nothing. I just wanted a job. But then once that was over, I think it’s just your own heart and soul. There’s hardly a day when you don’t have kids hugging you and kissing you.”

Q. What do you think when you look back at your career? A. “I’m amazed. In the Fulton War Memorial I was on my feet for eight hours last Saturday. Hundreds and hundreds of people [came out] to say hello, good bye, thank you. It was supposed to be from 1 o’clock to 4 o’clock. We didn’t leave till 8 o’clock. It was so overwhelming. People waited three and four hours — people who wouldn’t have waited 30 minutes at a restaurant. People were so gracious.” “I have hundreds of envelopes and cards, photographs, but I can’t get through them. I’ll read a few then I start crying. People talk about things I did in the 1970s and ‘80s.”

Q. What kind of changes in medicine have you seen? A. “When I started, the biggest thing, were infections. We didn’t have all the great immunizations. We didn’t have all the great antibiotics. Kids would get very sick and they would die with diseases like meningitis, sepsis, bone infections — horrible. Infections were a big thing. When you got a call after hours and it was a little kid with a fever, you didn’t say give him Tylenol and I’ll see him tomorrow. You had to get more information. I’d have the parent bring the kid to Upstate, to the emergency room, and I would go there myself. A lot of times it was trivial, but, as you read some of the letters that I have, sometimes it was life-saving.” “Prematurity — the neo-natal field was just beginning. A 2-pound premie, sometimes even a 3-pound premie — if they were good they’d live. If they weren’t good, no matter what you did, they would either die or be severely brain damaged. That was tough. “Childhood cancers, leukemia — it was usually a death sentence. I’d sit with the family. I’d tell them their child had leukemia. I would tell them we would do the very, very best we can. Most of them died.”

Q. What’s was your childhood like? A. “We were a poor family. We were five boys in a two-bedroom apartment — four boys in one room.

Q. How’d you deal with the highs and lows of your job? A. “You suffer. I’d get very upset. I never got to the point where I

Pediatrician Stuart Trust retired earlier this year, but he remains active teaching at Upstate and volunteering at local clinics. He is shown with his 7-year-old dachshund Harley.

Stuart Trust, 81, of Syracuse, was a practicing pediatrician in Fulton for 43 years until his retirement in May. Before that he was a pharmacist for nine years. He is the only doctor to have been awarded the SUNY Upstate Medical University Pediatrician of the Year Award five times. couldn’t function. Q. What does it take to be a good pediatrician? A. “To be a pediatrician nowadays you have to be good in dealing with mental health issues. You have to be good dealing with the breakup of the nuclear family, and the business of toxic behavior — drug use. “Throughout my career the acronym GRUSK has remained my foundation. It stands for gentle, respectful, understanding, sympathetic, kind. I heard that at a lecture I attended many, many years ago from a doctor named James McKay. He was chairman of pediatric at University of Vermont. He was like a saint. He said you have to be smart, you have to be up-to-date, you have to understand things, but remember that acronym.”

Q. Did you enjoy it as much at the end as you did at the beginning? A. “Oh, yes. I knew that I couldn’t be a surgeon because I’m a klutz. I wanted to be either a pediatrician or family physician or internist. I did develop an interest in pulmonary diseases. I came very close to becoming a pulmonologist. I was accepted into the Cleveland Clinic, but that would have meant another three years [of study] and I had to go to work.” Q. What do you like about teaching the students now? A. “I love it. The interaction is wonderful. You learn. I’ve been honored to get the post. I like the interaction. Nowadays I really, really find it fascinating because...all the students have the smart phones. When you’re discussing something you better know what you’re talking about [because they can look it up].

from previous page “Every month, I’ll send out all of what’s coming up for the month. We also do regular Mahjong and Scrabble games,” he said. “We even do bridge. We have a book club. I have a garden club we do every month as well. The first day of the month, we have a meet-and-greet where we try to have volunteers call any newer members to come and join us. They can meet some people and find out also what’s going on for that month

as well.” Feldstein said most activities and outings are scheduled for weekdays, but he is trying to expand the offerings. He expects to include more weekday evening opportunities for those who might have to work during the day. He wants the YMCA not just to be a center of physical health, but of social health too. “Most people think health,

wellness, or fitness when they think of the YMCA at first, but there’s all different programs,” he said. “It’s a great environment to not only just get fit, but to improve social interaction, find some great new friends, and give back to the community as well.” For now, most of the members who are participating in this newly named program continue to be seniors. It is just another opportunity for older folks to enjoy their Central November 2017 •

New York community. “Typically, our members are 60 to mid-80s range and we’re trying to incorporate more 30s, 40s, 50s,” Feldstein said. “We’re trying to fill that gap.” For more information, call Feldstein at 315-637-2025 ext. 229 or go to http://www.syracuse.ymca.org/ programs/healthy-living/fitness/ active-older-adults.html.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Paleo for Type 2 Diabetes? Proceed With Caution By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

insulin spikes,” he said. “I’m a big ietary changes to manage advocate of it.” Type 2 diabetes may seem He explained that since paleo confusing and hard to handle. restricts grains, that could help Following a well-known and publidiabetics, who need to cut back on cized paleo diet may seem an easier high glycemic index foods that cause way to manage the disease. blood sugar to spike. Paleo emphasizes meat, whole He added paleo also restricts fruits and vegetables and tree nuts, foods that, in many people, lead to eschewing dairy, processed foods, inflammation, such as grains and sugar, juice, alcohol, caffeine and dairy. grains. Other positive effects of effective Research from City of Hope dietary changes can include weight National Medical Center studied the effects of paleo diet on Type 2 diabet- loss in about three months and improved insulin resistance. ics. While some patients lost weight Registered nurse Jane Giamwhile eating paleo, some of the foods brone, certified diabetes educator and banned by the plan may cause deficlinical diabetes care manager for ciencies. Local experts agreed. Rochester Regional Health’s Unity Chris Purcell, certified personal Bugow’s Diabetes and Endocrinology Services, trainer, wellness coach and owner Driver Rehab agrees that “eliminating processed of Om Body Lifestyle in Syracuse, foods, refined grains and refined sugwrote his dissertation ondan@bugows.com paleo. He Senior adults Driver Evaluations ars may improve blood sugar levels.” said that restricting processed foods Teens, and disabled is a good idea for people who need to & Training Driver Evaluations lose weight. 315-341-8811 “That helps control blood sugar and also helps with reducing cancer “If you’re Type 2 diabetic, you www.bugows.com and heart disease risk per Dr. Raycan pay attention to foods that cause

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nald Samoa, an endocrinologist and assistant professor of medicine at City of Hope,” Giambrone said. Paleo comes with some drawbacks. Though more and more foods are labeled as “paleo-friendly” and followers can download apps to help them decide if foods fit the plan, it is highly restrictive. Many people would find this difficult to follow long-term. The narrowness of paleo diet may make it harder to eat enough natural sources of calcium since dairy’s off the menu. The only exception is heavy cream and butter. Animal fat is also fine. All of these contain high levels of saturated fat, which the American Heart Association associates with raised LDL cholesterol levels in the blood, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Paleo also forbids numerous foods rich in nutrients, such as cereal grains and legumes such as soy, peanuts, kidney beans, pinto beans, navy beans, split peas and black eyed peas. For people on a budget, the paleo diet may be more difficult to follow since many of its permissible foods are expensive, such as wild-caught salmon, coconut oil, more costly pasture-raised meat, and organic foods. “Everyone is different and what may be right for one person, may not be right for another person,” Giambrone said. “I do believe this may be an ideal option for some. With any diabetes meal plan it is important that the food plan is individualized. “It’s best to talk with a primary care physician to see if this is a meal plan worth trying if you have diabetes.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2017

Life’s Simple 7: Key to Brain, Heart Health By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

he American Heart Association developed the “Life’s Simple 7” program to help keep the brain and heart healthy from childhood through older adulthood. The steps are: • Don’t start smoking, or quit if you smoke • Manage blood pressure • Control cholesterol • Keep blood sugar normal • Eat a healthy diet • Lose extra weight • Get physically active The chances that you’ll develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) or experience a stroke are pretty high. According to the New York State Department of Health, “CVD accounted for nearly 40 percent of all deaths statewide in 2014.” The Health Department also states on its website that “an estimated 7.4 percent of adults in New York state reported they have had a heart attack, angina/coronary heart disease, or stroke in 2014. One out of five (20.9 percent) New Yorkers aged 65 and older reported having some type of CVD in 2014.” Stroke also represents a top killer. According to the American Heart Association, stroke is responsible for one out of every 20 deaths. Every four minutes, one American dies of stroke. It’s easy to see why smoking made the list. Smoking negatively affects every cell in the body. Many people find quitting extremely difficult, but Chris Purcell, certified personal trainer, wellness coach and owner of Om Body Lifestyle in Syracuse, said that for many, finding an important reason to quit, makes a huge difference. “When I was younger, I got my

father to quit smoking so he could be around to see me grow up and see his future grandkids,” Purcell said. “I wanted him to make it.” Physicians can help with smoking cessation, too. Patients don’t have to rely on willpower alone. Nicotine replacement therapy and medications to help suppress cravings can help, along with a good support structure. Managing stress can help lower blood pressure, among other health benefits. Avoiding stress isn’t possible and some stress is good. Eliminating stressors that can be nixed — such as toxic relationships — and prioritizing stressors that can’t be avoided helps mitigate the damaging effects of stress. “Define your lifestyle,” Purcell said. He challenges clients to think about their work, values and aspirations, and then to “create your own lifestyle that’s geared toward that,” Purcell said. Many people find that mindfulness, pursing enjoyPurcell able hobbies and exercise helps them better manage stress. Exercise also aids in weight loss. Some people dive headfirst into a gym membership or exercise class with daily attendance, knowing they don’t like that environment for exercise. It’s little wonder many quit soon, a pattern Purcell has observed. Instead of daily grueling sessions, he

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wants more clients to first find how their bodies react to cardiovascular fitness. “If you spend over an hour at a gym, you’re training for something or you’re not efficient,” he said. “You can fine tune fitness to fit into a very focused schedule to fit into your morning routine or evening routine.” It’s OK to split sessions and make them enjoyable. Some go solo to unwind and recharge. Regardless, “you’ve got to find a way to make it fun,” Purcell said. A vigorous hobby that elevates the heart rate for 30 minutes a few times per week can help maintain weight. Longer, more frequent or more intense sessions can help with weight loss. Healthful diet plays a role in blood pressure control and also in controlling cholesterol, stabilizing blood sugar and weight loss. Purcell said that like exercise, it’s a matter of making it fun and easy, not restrictive. “With some of my clients, they think they’re restrictDischner ed from all their foods, but they have to learn their options,” he said. For example, he makes sweet potato fries to replace standard French fries. Sweet potatoes are low on the glycemic index and offer beta carotene. He’s also not afraid to order offmenu items at restaurants, such as a salad with an extra serving of meat

on it to avoid simple carbohydrates. Kathy Dischner, registered dietitian and nutrition issue leader for Cornell Cooperative Extension Onondaga County, said that most people can benefit dramatically by choosing better beverages. “Rethink your drink,” she said. “Be aware of the amount of sugar and calories in alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. By switching from a sugary beverage like soda to water, you can save up to one-quarter cup of sugar and up to 150 to 200 calories per serving.” Flavoring water with citrus fruits, cucumber slices or mint keeps water more interesting without adding calories. She also controls portion size by using smaller dinnerware, eating slower, boxing half the entree at the restaurant and eating mindfully can help save up to 500 calories a day, on average. “Choose a more whole food, plant-based diet,” Dischner said. “Everyone hears it, but one of the tips that goes along with it is when you eat more fruits and vegetables, you consume more water and fiber in the foods. These foods fill you up with less calories. You won’t feel deprived.” She also advises families to cook and eat together, let children help prepare wholesome foods, and to shop the perimeter of the store to encourage lower-calorie, more healthful eating. “Create an environment where healthier foods are easier,” Dischner said. The My Plate (www.myplate. gov) can offer general guidelines for healthful food choices.

cnyhealth.com November 2017 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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of typically developing individuals differ from those on the Autism Spectrum!

Be a Researchers part of an important study to help want understand how thehow brains of typically at Syracuse University to understand developing individuals differ from those on the Autism Spectrum! children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing children process andwant puttotogether information. Researchers at Syracuse University understand sensory how children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Typically Developing children process and put together sensory information.

Participation would involve comingcoming to our lab to for our approximately 5, 2-3 hour visits and Participation would involve lab for approximately 5,completing paperwork and experiments while wearing an EEG cap (pictured left). Ages 6-30 invited to participate! 2-3 hour visits and completing paperwork and experiments while You willan earnEEG $10 an hour for each time youAges visit the lab. You will also contributing to science! wearing cap (pictured left). 6-30 invited tobeparticipate!

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Dashboard ‘infotainment’ systems can keep attention off the road for 40 seconds

new car’s “infotainment” screen that allows you to send text messages and navigate with GPS may have been a big selling point. But all that razzle-dazzle may distract you from the road — sometimes for as long as 40 seconds, a new study reports. Previous research has shown that the risk of a crash doubles when drivers look away from the road for just two seconds. “Some in-vehicle technology can create unsafe situations for drivers on the road by increasing the time they spend with their eyes and atten-

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tion off the road and hands off the wheel,” said David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, which conducted the study. “When an in-vehicle technology is not properly designed, simple tasks for drivers can become complicated and require more effort from drivers to complete,” he said in an AAA news release. The foundation asked researchers from the University of Utah to monitor 120 drivers as they drove and used infotainment systems. The drivers were between 21 and 36 years old. They drove 30 new 2017 vehi-

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2017

cles, ranging from a Toyota Corolla to a Tesla Model S. The study participants were told to use interactive technologies while driving, such as a voice command or touch screen to send a text message, tune the radio or set a location for navigation. Navigation distracted drivers for an average of 40 seconds. The

researchers also found that 23 of the systems required high or very high attention from the drivers. “Drivers want technology that is safe and easy to use, but many of the features added to infotainment systems today have resulted in overly complex and sometimes frustrating user experiences for drivers,” said Marshall Doney, AAA’s president and CEO.

By Jim Miller

A Cheap Death: How to Donate Your Body to Science Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about body donation programs? With little to no savings, I’m looking for a free or cheap way to dispose of my body after I die. Old and Broke Dear Broke, If you’re looking to eliminate your funeral and burial costs, as well as help advance medical research, donating your body to science is a great option to consider. Here’s what you should know. Body Donations It’s estimated that each year, at least 20,000 people donate their whole body, after death, to medical facilities throughout the country to be used in medical research projects, anatomy lessons and surgical practice. After using your body, these facilities will then provide free cremation — which typically costs $600 to $4,000 — and will either bury or scatter your ashes in a local cemetery or return them to your family, usually within a year or two. And, just in case you’re wondering, your family will not be paid for the use of your body. Federal and state laws prohibit it. Here are a few other things you need to know and check into, to help you determine whether whole-body donation is right for you: Acceptance rules: Most body donation programs will not accept bodies that are extremely obese, or those that have infectious diseases like hepatitis, tuberculosis, H.I.V. or MRSA. Bodies that suffered extensive trauma won’t be accepted either. Organ donation: Most programs require that you donate your whole body in its entirety. So if you want to be an organ donor (with the exception of your eyes), you won’t qualify to be a whole body donor too. Special requests: Most programs will not allow you to donate your body for a specific purpose. You give them the body and they decide how to use it.

Memorial options: Most programs require almost immediate transport of the body after death, so there’s no funeral. If your family wants a memorial service they can have one without the body. Or, some programs offer memorial services at their facility at a later date without the remains.

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What To Do If you think you want to donate your body, it’s best to make arrangements in advance with a body donation program in your area. Most programs are offered through university-affiliated medical schools. To find one near you, the University of Florida maintains a list of U.S. programs and their contact information at Anatbd.acb.med.ufl.edu/ usprograms. In addition to the medical schools, there are also private organizations like BioGift (BioGift.org) and Science Care (ScienceCare.com) that accept whole body donations too. Some of these organizations will even allow organ donation because they deal in body parts as well as whole cadavers. If you don’t have internet access, you can get help by calling the National Family Service Desk, which operates a free body donation referral service during business hours at 800727-0700. Once you locate a program in your area, call and ask them to mail you an information/registration packet that will explain exactly how their program works. To sign up, you’ll simply need to fill out a couple of forms and return them. But, you can always change your mind by contacting the program and removing your name from their registration list. Some programs may ask that you make your withdrawal in writing. After you’ve made arrangements, you’ll need to tell your family members so they will know what to do and who to contact after your death. It’s also a good idea to tell your doctors, so they know your final wishes too. 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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The 4 P’s of Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan

he annual election period for Medicare plans runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2018. Keep these four key areas in mind when comparing Medicare plans:

1. Price The overall cost of a Medicare

Advantage plan can vary, based on needs and income. Create a “health care budget” that outlines expected health needs, and compare overall costs. Key questions: • What is the plan’s monthly premium? • Is there a deductible you must meet first before coverage begins? • Are there copays for doctor or specialist visits?

2. Products Find out if the plan’s covered

services will help lower the cost of managing your health conditions, or if you will need to pay out of pocket for certain health care needs. Key questions: • Is there dental or vision coverage? • Can members receive help managing their chronic conditions? • Are in-home services or care covered?

3. Providers A Medicare plan should ideally

allow you to keep seeing the doctors you prefer. Many health plans require members to see doctors within a provider network. Key questions: • Are preferred doctors “in network”? • If the primary care provider is in network but specialists are not, is it possible to still get specialist visits covered by referral?

4. Prescription Drugs It’s important to know which

medications are covered. Make a list of your medications, then check the Medicare prescription drug formularies of the plans being considered. Key questions: • Will the Medicare plan cover needed prescriptions, or will they cost more? • If any medications are not covered, is there an acceptable alternative in the formulary? Do you have questions or need more information? Fidelis Care’s licensed sales representatives are available to meet with you. Please 1-800-860-8707 (TTY: 1-800-695-8544) or visit fideliscare.org/medicare. Submitted by Fidelis Care.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2017

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

One Fact You Should Know About Disability Disability is something many people aren’t faced with in a direct way. The reality is, a 20-year-old worker currently has a one-in-four chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age. That makes Social Security disability benefits something you should learn about and understand. One fact you should know is Social Security’s definition of disability: the inability to work because of a severe condition that is expected to last for a year or end in death. Social Security disability benefits replace part of your income when you become disabled and are unable to work. Other disability programs may have partial disability or short-term disability, but federal law requires a stricter definition of disability for Social Security benefits. The definition of disability used to qualify you for Social Security Disability Insurance is generally the same one that is used for Supplemental Security Income benefits. Most people focus on the medical severity of their condition when filing for disability benefits. They provide medical records that show how severe the condition is. Since Social Security defines severity in terms of being unable to work, we also need complete work information. You can read a description about the process of evaluating whether you can work or not and the severity of your condition in our publication, Disability Benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10029.pdf, under the section, “How we make the decision.” Understanding how we make the disability decision helps you see the importance of information you provide about your condition and the types of work you have

Q&A Q: My aunt is considering applying for Extra Help with Medicare Part D prescription drug costs, but she has about $10,000 in the bank. Would she still be eligible with this much money? A: Based on the resources you mentioned, it sounds like she may qualify. However, there are other factors to consider. In most cases, recipients of Extra Help are limited to $13,820 (or $27,600 if married and living with a spouse) in resources in 2017. Resources include the value of the things you own, such as real estate (other than the place you live), cash, bank accounts, stocks, bonds and retirement accounts. To learn more, visit the Medicare link at www.

done. For more information about how we evaluate your work, you should review this section on our website: www.socialsecurity.gov/ disability/step4and5.htm. Remember, when you provide the details about your condition and your work, you’re creating a picture of your individual situation. These details show the extent of your disabling condition. These are examples of some of the types of specific information we need about your prior work: • Main responsibilities of your job(s); • Main tasks you performed; • Dates you worked (month and year); • Number of hours a day you worked per week; • Rate of pay you received; • Tools, machinery and equipment you used; • Knowledge, skills and abilities your work required; • Extent of supervision you had; • Amount of independent judgment you used; • Objects you had to lift and carry and how much they weighed; • How much you had to sit, stand, walk, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, balance; • How you used your hands, arms, and legs; • Speaking, hearing and vision requirements of your job(s); and • Environmental conditions of your workplace(s). Disability is an unpredictable element in our lives. Help us help you by educating yourself about disability benefits, and by providing all the specific information we ask for when you file for benefits. Social Security continues to secure today and tomorrow by providing benefits and financial protection for millions of people throughout life’s journey.

socialsecurity.gov or call us at 1-800772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Q: If I get approved, how much will I receive in Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits? A: The amount of your SSI benefit depends, in part, on the amount of other income you have. For 2017, the basic, maximum federal SSI payment is $735 per month for an individual and $1,103 per month for a couple. However, some states add money to the basic payment. Other monthly income you have would begin to reduce the basic SSI payment. Other things, such as where you live and who you live with, can affect your payment amount. Learn more about SSI by reading SSI publications at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

H ealth News New boss for patient care services at St. Joe’s Christopher Jordan has been appointed administrator for patient care services at St. Joseph’s Health. Most recently, Jordan served as director of quality resources at the health system. As administrator for patient care services, Jordan will manage the entire system for evaluatJordan ing patient care services, outcomes and quality measures, including clinical transformation, emergency services and behavioral medicine services. Jordan earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Georgetown University, his Master of Health Services Administration from George Washington University and is certified as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. His experience includes clinical nursing in trauma intensive care, and progressive experience in developing multi-disciplinary teams focusing on quality improvement, improving clinical outcomes, patient safety and regulatory readiness.

OB-GYN joins Oswego County OB-GYN Oswego County OB-GYN, P.C. and Oswego Health recently welcomed obstetrician/gynecologist Ayesha L. Turner. A native of Brooklyn, Turner completed her medical training through a seven-year program that combined the required education for both her undergraduate and medical degrees. She attended the Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education in New York City Turner and took part in clinical rotations at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. She most recently completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Buffalo. “I’ve wanted to become a physician since I was 5 years old,” Turner said. “I love the specialty of women’s health and believe that women should take more interest in their healthcare. As I provide care I will assist women in recognizing the importance of good health and will work with them to achieve a healthier lifestyle.” Turner will provide a range of women’s services, including delivering babies, well women’s care and gynecological-obstetrical services. “As I was seeking opportunities of where to provide women’s health services, Oswego County OB-GYN and the staff of the Oswego Health maternity department were hands

Wendy Scinta Named President of Obesity Medicine Association Wendy Scinta, a board-certified weight loss physician who practices in the Syracuse area, was recently sworn in as the 34th president of the Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) during the organization’s fall meeting in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to her election, Scinta had served two-year terms each as president-elect, vice president, and secretary/treasurer of the association. “It’s a great honor for me to have been elected by my OMA peers to this position,” said Scinta. “The Obesity Medicine Association recognizes that obesity is a chronic disease and takes its mission to fight it on a global scale very seriously. As president I will work hard to call attention to the breakthroughs being made to treat this modern-day epidemic and to also advance the field of clinical obesity medicine around the world,” she added. Scinta earned her bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from Clarkson University, and a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Rochester. She graduated from Upstate Medical University in 1998 and served her residency in family medicine at Duke University between 1998 and 2001. She earned her certification in obesity medicine from the American Board of Obesity Medicine in 2007

Scinta and has been practicing obesity medicine for the last 10 years. “I was fortunate to have a physician as my mentor for my master’s thesis,” Scinta said about her transition from engineering to medicine. “I always wanted to be a doctor but I thought it might be too late for me to switch. He convinced me to pursue my passion and I’m so glad I followed his advice!” As the founder and medical

director of Medical Weight Loss of New York, Scinta has been at the forefront of obesity medicine research, treatment and management for more than a decade. Her practice, Medical Weight Loss of New York, has treated thousands of overweight and obese individuals, helping each to lose from 20 to over 200 pounds. Scinta’s book, “BOUNCE, a weight-loss doctor’s plan for a happier, healthier, and slimmer child”, has been used as a guide by both physicians and parents alike, and it currently has a five out of five-star rating on Amazon. Utilizing a multi-step approach, the BOUNCE program replaces negative eating behaviors by encouraging healthy eating patterns that will last a lifetime. BOUNCE has also been implemented internationally, most recently in Brazil. A former member of the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity, Scinta is a diplomate of the American Board of Family Physicians as well as the American Board of Obesity Medicine and she has been quoted in multiple media outlets from the New York Times to PBS. She also holds several patents in the fields of robotics and medical diagnostics and recently tapped into her computer expertise to found One Stone Technology, a software company focused on enhancing patient engagement through personalized, scalable texting.

down the most warm, welcoming and professional,” Turner said. “I felt that I could trust them with my own care and that they were a team I very much wanted to join.”

Crouse Medical Practice attains accreditation Crouse Medical Practice (CMP) in Syracuse has achieved Level 3 certification, the highest level, from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). “We are honored to have received the highest level of PCMH recognition,” said physician Carl Butch, medical director for CMP, a multi-specialty medical practice affiliated with Crouse Health. “Our providers are staying ahead of the curve by providing patient-centered medical care. This PCMH designation is a reflection of the adoption of this model of care.” PCMH accreditation is considered one of the leading standards of measuring a medical practice’s commitment to patient-centered care using evidence-based procedures. To gain recognition by the PCMH program, medical clinicians or sites must go through a rigorous application process and are evaluated on a set of standardized points, established by a 22-member committee comprised of practice, medical association, physician group, health plan, consumer and employer group representatives. If an applicant receives PCMH

continued on next page

St. Joseph’s Health Foundation Annual Golf Tournament Nets Over $187,000 St. Joseph’s Health Foundation netted over $187,000 at its annual golf classic, held Sept. 8, on three award winning courses at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona. Proceeds from this year’s event will help fund St. Joseph’s Health Cardiovascular Center of Excellence. Since its inception the classic has netted over $4.3 million. November 2017 •

The presenting sponsor of the 2017 tournament was Franciscan Companies, an affiliate of St. Joseph’s Health. Pictured from left are: John O’Connor, Kathleen O’Connor, Ellen O’Connor and Patrick O’Connor, longtime St. Joseph’s Health partners and supporters.

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Health News from previous page distinction, they are designated an award level of Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 — with Level 3 being the most prestigious, based upon total points received. The measurement standards are established in conjunction with the principles of the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association. Crouse Medical Practice has more than 80 medical providers in 10 locations throughout Onondaga County. In addition to primary care offices, CMP has specialty offices in cardiology; otolaryngology (ENT); neurology and neurosurgery. Neurosurgery patients can be seen in Syracuse and Utica. CMP provides a wide range of patient services covering adult family medicine; audiology; laboratory services; mental health services; pulmonology, radiology services; sleep medicine and spine surgery.

NOCHSI opens dental office in Fulton Northern Oswego County Health Services, Inc. (NOCHSI) has expanded its dental services with the opening of a new dental practice and the hiring of new dental providers. On June 5, NOCHSI opened its newly constructed and equipped dental practice immediately adjacent to its Fulton Health Center at 510 S. Fourth St. in the former A.L. Lee Memorial Hospital building in Fulton now owned by Oswego Health. The dental practice will provide a wide range of primary and preventive dental services. The practice will be staffed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by dentists Melissa Noel and Anna Gofman, both of whom will continue scheduled patient hours at the Pulaski Health Center. They will be joined in Fulton by recently hired dental hygienist Patricia Bendura. NOCHSI will continue providing a full range of primary and preventive dental services at its Pulaski Health Center at 61 Delano St. in Pulaski. NOCHSI acknowledges the

Health Resources and Services Administration for its oral health services expansion grant dollars that made the Fulton dental program expansion possible. NOCHSI operates health centers in Fulton, Mexico, Oswego, Parish, Phoenix and Pulaski. It also operates six school-based health centers located in the APW, Mexico, Pulaski and Sandy Creek School Districts. NOCHSI is accredited through The Joint Commission and is recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as a patient-centered medical home.

VNA Foundation’s event raises more than $80,000 More than 300 friends of the VNA Foundation of Central New York gathered at Owera Vineyards in Cazenovia Oct. 1 for the foundation’s annual fall fundraiser, “Raise a Glass.” Guests enjoyed a silent auction and gift basket raffles, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments catered by Owera’s Brick Oven Café, wine, hard cider and beer tastings from local cideries and breweries and a performance by SUNY Geneseo dance team Gajjda Bhangra. The event raised more than $80,0000 in support of the foundation’s mission to support and promote the provision of pediatric home health care services in the Central New York region. Major sponsors included KeyBank; The Hayner Hoyt Corporation; Siemens Industry, Inc.; Excellus BlueCross BlueShield; Gilroy, Kernan & Gilroy; Northland Communications; and TERACAI. The event was the first held under VNA Homecare’s new name and brand, Nascentia Health, which launched Sept. 15. “Held just weeks after the introduction of our new name, this event offered the perfect opportunity to reinforce the reasoning behind the rebranding and reiterate our continued commitment to providing exceptional care,” said President and CEO Kate Rolf. “We are so appreciative of the outstanding support shown by our sponsors and guests, and it was an honor to celebrate our next step as a healthcare system with each of them.”

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2017

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • November 2017