in good Meet Your Doctor
cnyhealth.com
May 2017 • Issue 209
priceless
CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper
Natasha Ginzburg, a SUNY Upstate urologist, talks about common issues affecting women’s urologic system, including bladder and pelvic floor issues, and what it feels to be one of the few women in her field
Cremated Ashes
You’ll be surpised by the number of ways you may scatter the cremated remains (ashes) of a loved one — including sending them into space
5
Seniors’ Major Enemy: Falls
They are the leading cause of injury among older adults in NYS — one in five seniors in the region fell at least once last year, according to a survey. Find out the main causes and how to prevent falls. Page 18
Saltiest Foods That May Surprise You
Why I Work as a Nurse
National Nurses Week, May 6–12
Heartburn?
Americans Are Spending Billions Nipping and Tucking
St. Joseph’s Health just opened its Heartburn Center, a comprehensive clinic staffed with gastroenterologist, robotics surgeon, bariatric surgeon, pulmonologist, dietitians and psychologist.
Buckwheat
Why eat buckwheat? Well, it’s tasty, easy to prepare, inexpensive and — above all — a nutritional powerhouse. It is gluten-free and safe for those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivities. Page 13
Find out what’s in, out and how much people spend on cosmetic surgery. And what’s the most popular procedure? You’ll be surprised. See page 2
Most Remaining U.S. Smokers Are Poor, Less Educated Behavioral health doctor says new interventions are needed to get these people to kick the habit. Page 6
Americans Are Spending Billions Nipping and Tucking New report details costs of most popular plastic surgery procedures
A
re Americans actually trying to keep up with the Kardashians — the celebrity family focused on looking good? Maybe, because people are spending more than ever before in the quest to look younger and more attractive. A new report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) found that Americans spent $16 billion on cosmetic plastic surgery and minimally invasive procedures in 2016. The most popular surgical procedures and their national average costs were: • Breast augmentation — more than 290,000 procedures at a cost of about $3,700 each; • Liposuction — about 235,000 procedures at $3,200; • Nose reshaping — 223,000 procedures at $5,000; • Tummy tuck — almost 128,000 procedures at around $5,800; • Buttock augmentation — nearly 19,000 procedures at about $4,400. But what if you’re lacking that Kardashian cash? Are there ways
you can boost your looks without emptying your wallet? The most popular minimally invasive cosmetic procedures and their national average costs were: • Wrinkle treatment injections (botulinum toxin type-A, or Botox) — 7 million procedures at a cost of $385 each, • Hyaluronic acid fillers — 2 million procedures at $644 each; • Chemical peel — 1.3 million procedures at $673 each; • Microdermabrasion — 775,000 procedures at $138 each; • Laser treatments — more than 650,000 procedures at $433 each. The cost of most procedures went up from 2015 to 2016. The only exception was the national average cost of breast augmentation surgery. This surgery was nearly 3 percent cheaper, the report found. Liposuction costs went up 6 percent, and nose reshaping surgery costs increased by nearly the same percentage. Botox injection costs went up less than 1 percent. Hyaluronic acid and chemical peel costs went up around 5 percent or more, the report said.
More than 290,000 procedures involving breast augmentation took place in 2016, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. It was the most common procedure for cosmetic surgeons, beating liposuction, nose reshaping and buttock augmentation.
A Celebration of Life! Sunday, June 4, 2017
Hematology Oncology Associates of CNY will honor those in our community who are living with and beyond cancer, and those who have supported them along the way.
Come celebrate the wondrous gift of life with our community’s cancer survivors at
Throop Fire House
Beech Tree Rd, Town of Throop
on June 4, 2017 from 12:00 pm until 3:00 pm Our celebration will include: •Inspirational Messages from Cancer Survivors •Music •Food •Raffles & Door Prizes •Games •Exhibits A Special Thanks for Community Support Lowe’s, Throop Fire Department, Aldi’s, and Vitale’s Farm Market Music by “Your Generation” DJ Service - Joe Szakalski RSVP email must include “RSVP" in the subject line.
Please include location you will be attending (Auburn or Liverpool) and survivor’s t-shirt size.
Please RSVP to: rsvp@hoacny.com Or (315)472-7504 ext 1312 Page 2
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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2017
NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVORS DAY
NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVORS DAY
On National Cancer Survivors Day®
The courage and determination of cancer survivors is an inspiration to all! On National Cancer Survivors Day® .
Sunday, June 4, 2017 Hematology Oncology Associates of CNY will honor those in our community who are living with and beyond cancer, and those who have supported them along the way.
Come celebrate life at Longbranch Park, Liverpool, NY on June 4, 2017 from 10:30 am until 1:30 pm.
HOPE GROWS HERE Our celebration will include: •Speakers • Fun Activities • Entertainment •Door Prizes • Picnic Lunch The event is free for survivors, family and guests. *RSVP email must include "RSVP" in the subject line.
Please include location you will be attending (Liverpool or Auburn) and survivor's t-shirt size.
Please RSVP to: rsvp@hoacny.com or (315) 472-7504 ext 1312
Quality health plans & benefits Healthier living Financial well-being Intelligent solutions
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Learn more about Medicare Call today to learn more
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John Karatzas 315-766-5290 (TTY: 711) 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday – Friday A licensed sales agent will answer your call. KaratzasJ@aetna.com
Aetna Medicare has plans that work hard for you. Our plans offer you: • $0 monthly plan premiums • $5 copay for primary care physician and $35 copay for specialist office visits • Allowance for eyewear and dental
Aetna Medicare is a PDP, HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Our SNPs also have contracts with State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, provider network, premium and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. Members who get “Extra Help” are not required to fill prescriptions at preferred network pharmacies in order to get Low Income Subsidy (LIS) copays. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. The Part B premium is covered for fulldual members. Our dual-eligible Special Needs Plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the state and Medicare. Premiums, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details. Other pharmacies, physicians and/or providers are available in our network. The formulary, pharmacy network, and/or provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary. Aetna complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATTENTION: If you speak a language other than English, free language assistance services are available. Visit our website at www.aetnamedicare.com or call the phone number listed in this material. ESPAÑOL (SPANISH): ATENCIÓN: Si usted habla español, se encuentran disponibles servicios gratuitos de asistencia de idiomas. Visite nuestro sitio web en www.aetnamedicare.com o llame al número de teléfono que se indica en este material. 繁體中文 (CHINESE): 請注意：如果您說中文，您可以獲得免費的語言協助服務。請造訪我們的網站 www.aetnamedicare.com 或致電本材料中所列的電話號碼。 Y0001_4002_9196_FINAL_1 Accepted 01/2017
©2017 Aetna Inc.
May 2017 •
72.12.579.1
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper
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U.S. Thyroid Cancer Cases Continue to Rise New study suggests a true increase, rather than just overdiagnosis
T
he rate of Americans diagnosed with thyroid cancer has more than tripled over the past four decades, and continues to rise more than 3 percent a year, new research shows. The rise can’t be completely attributed to better detection or “overdiagnosis,” said a team led by Cari Kitahara of the U.S. National Cancer Institute. The findings “are consistent with a true increase in the occurrence of thyroid cancer in the United States,” the researchers reported March 31 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ at the base of the throat. While the vast majority of thyroid cancers aren’t life-threatening, the death rate for a particularly aggressive form of the disease — advanced papillary thyroid cancer — has increased, the study found. One thyroid expert said the study helps clarify recent trends. “Historically, thyroid cancer incidence has increased from overdiagnosis, due to more readily available technology such as sonograms and fine needle biopsy,” explained Dr. Robert Courgi. But, he added, “the increase found in this study is greater than we expected.” Courgi is an endocrinologist at Northwell Health’s Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, N.Y. He wasn’t involved in the study. According to the American Cancer Society, close to 57,000 new cases of thyroid cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2017. The disease strikes women more often than men more than 42,000 of those new diagnoses are expected to occur in females. Luckily, thyroid cancer is one of the most curable tumor types. Still, the cancer society notes it will kill more than 2,000 Americans this year.
CALENDAR of May 6
HEALTH EVENTS
Kentucky Derby Party to help nonprofit If you can’t make it to the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Positively Pink Packages, a nonprofit organization that provides resources to breast cancer patients free of charge, welcomes you to one of the best bets in town: its 13th annual Derby-themed fundraiser to benefit local breast cancer patients. The event will take place from 5 to 9 p.m., May 6, at BAR in Armory Square in Syracuse. Exquisite hats, mint juleps, Kentucky cocktails, a sumptuous buffet and desserts, and a festive attitude will prevail as the crowd cheers on their favorite horses while watching the “Run for the Roses” on giant-screen TVs. Proceeds from the event will support Positively Pink Packages. The organization has provided more than 6,000 free care packages throughout Central New York. In support of this event, the first 50 women and men through the door will receive a fun, derby-fashionable hat. For the more fashion-forward and fearless, a derby hat contest is part of this year’s fun. Tickets are $75 in advance and $100 at the door. For more information or for tickets, go to www. positivelypinkpackages.org or call Positively Pink Packages at 315-2780645.
May 10
Workshop to focus on advance care planning St. Luke Health Services in Oswego will host a workshop featuring physician Renante Ignacio, medical director at Michaud Residential Health Service, St. Luke Health Services and St. Francis Commons Assisted Living Residence. He will discuss advance care planning and advance directives. The workshop will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 10, in the Riverview Room at St. Luke, 299 E. River Road (state Route 481), Oswego. The workshop is free of charge and the public is invited to attend. This workshop will highlight the
Free Hernia Screening W
hile hernias are more common in men, women can also develop them. Patients can experience groin pain, nausea or a bulge in the affected area. However, some patients have no symptoms, which is why screening is so important.
May 17
Seniors to be recognized at Syracuse luncheon The Onondaga County Office for Aging will hold a Celebration Luncheon for Onondaga County Seniors starting at 11 a.m., May 17, at Drumlins Country Club, 800 Nottingham Road, Syracuse. During the event, which coincides with the Older Americans Month, officials will honor several seniors who have made a difference in the region. Honorees this year are: senior citizen of the year, Clinton Woodford; esteemed elder of the year, Chuckie Holstein; serving seniors honorees of the year: Phyllis Moore, Dunbar Center and Betsy Ferner, Vera House. “Each year this event becomes more meaningful,” said Onondaga County Deputy Commissioner Pete Headd. “Onondaga County is enriched by those who have made it their home; worked and raised families. These seniors remain integral parts of our community, helping others with their knowledge and their time. It’s our honor and privilege to share a meal with them. It’s also a lot of fun!” All guests must register by Friday May 5. The meal costs are as follows: Seniors aged 60 and older $5 each and their guests, under age 60, $16 each. Checks can be made payable to Onondaga County Elders, Inc. and should accompany the registration form. For more information, or to
Crouse Hospital – Conference Room A 736 Irving Ave. | Free parking in Crouse garage | Continental breakfast available •
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2017
Run for Recovery to raises funds to fight addiction Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare (SBH) will host the 2017 Run for Recovery, a 5K walk/run to raise funds and awareness for recovering lives. Held at Willow Bay at Onondaga Lake Park, the race will begin at 5 p.m., Thursday, May 18, and will be followed by a family-friendly post-race celebration including food trucks, a bounce house, entertainment and more. Those interested in participating or donating to the event can do so at www.sbh. org/2017-run-recovery. Funds raised from this event increase access to live-saving treatment and support. All proceeds support the SBH Foundation and help people who are recovering from the effects of substance use and mental health disorders and other behavioral health issues. For more information, contact Ron Wood, development director, at RonaldW@sbh.org or by phone at 315-474-5506 ext 230.
June 4
Free picnics to celebrate cancer patients, survivors To celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day, Hematology Oncology Associates of CNY is sponsoring two events that will honor those in the community who are living with cancer and those who have survived the disease. Both events take place June 4. • “Hope Grows Here” will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Long Branch Park, on the shores of Onondaga Lake in Liverpool. It will include speakers, fun activities, entertainment, door prizes and picnic lunch. • “Celebration of Life” will take place from noon to 3 p.m., at Throop Fire House, Beech Tree Road in the town of Throop north of Auburn. The event will include music by Your Generation DJ Service, food, raffles, door prizes, games, exhibits and inspirational messages from cancer survivors. The events are free for survivors, family and guests. To participate, send an email to rsvp@hoacny.com — include RSVP in the subject line as well your location.
Crouse Institute for Robotic Surgery Presents Presented by three of the region’s leading robotic surgeons: Brian Anderson, MD
Jeffrey DeSimone, MD
Ben Sadowitz, MD
This screening is free, but pre-registration is required. Call 315-470-7701 or visit
• Watch a demonstration of our robotic-assisted technology • Free screening available following the presentation
Saturday, May 20 | 9-11 a.m.
May 18
importance of advance directives and of making your health care preferences known, and the necessary documents used to record your care preferences in New York state. Ignacio and staff from St. Luke will review the definition of advance directives; discuss life sustaining treatments, artificial hydration, nutrition, and the Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST). Pastoral Care Coordinator Debbie Greutman will discuss the role spiritual considerations can play in the process. A question and answer session will be a part of the program. For more information, call 315342-3166 or visit www.stlukehs.com.
Join our surgical experts to learn about this common but poorly understood condition, the importance of early detection and the latest minimally invasive procedure for repair available at Crouse.
Page 4
receive a registration form, call 315435-2362, ext. 4942 or go to www. ongov.net/aging
The Chris J. and Marshia K.
crouse.org/hernia | RSVP May 17
Witting Surgical Center at Crouse Hospital
Presented in partnership with CNY Surgical Physicians
Healthcare in a Minute By George W. Chapman
Trumpcare —“Take 2”
There were 60 attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) while its namesake was president. The first attempt to repeal and replace the politically charged ACA under President Trump has failed. The Freedom Caucus of the Republican Party refused to cooperate with the president and replace the ACA with the American Health Care Act — call it TrumpCare — because they felt there were too many components of ObamaCare leftover in TrumpCare. So, a second attempt (take 2) to repeal ObamaCare and roll out TrumpCare is forthcoming. If the Freedom Caucus gets its way, states would be allowed to opt out of the ACA’s most important features. The first being requiring insurers to cover 10 essential benefits including: drugs, mental health, hospitalization and maternity care. The second being the prohibition of charging higher premiums to those at higher risk of getting sick. If insurers can charge the sick and injured more, then the guarantee of covering pre-existing conditions (which Trump favors) is moot because the sick and injured won’t be able to afford the probably exorbitant premiums. Moderate Republicans will most likely be opposed to removing these important features of the ACA from TrumpCare: take 2.
ObamaCare 2017
Until it is repealed, the ACA remains law of the land and Americans are changing their tune about the ACA. A recent Gallop poll shows 55 percent of us approve of the ACA. That is up 13 points from survey taken before the election. A recent survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation finds 75 percent of us prefer we keep the ACA but continue to make it better. The biggest criticism of the ACA is insurers
are exiting, leaving only one insurer in some markets. Congress can easily stabilize the insurance markets and draw insurers back in by continuing to subsidize the premiums and waive some of the deductibles and co-payments of those who qualify based on income. Under section 1402 of the ACA, the government is required to reimburse insurers for the cost of these subsidies. This impacts the 7 million of us who purchase insurance on the exchanges. However, last year a district court enjoined HHS from continuing to reimburse the insurers. So, fearing they will be left holding the bag, insurers naturally fled the markets. Congress can also support/ fix the ACA by negotiating process for drugs. Other countries pay 40 percent less than we do for the same drugs. If Congress could lower drug prices 40 percent, that would cut premiums about 8 percent.
Psychiatrist Shortage
Two thirds of primary care physicians report having trouble arranging for psychiatric services for their patients. It often takes three to six months to get in and it is far worse in rural America vs. urban. There are about 40,000 practicing psychiatrists in the US or one per 8,000 people. Fifty percent of psychiatrists are over 50. Other than revamping how they are paid, (typically 45-60 minute increments) there needs to be much better integration of “step child” psychiatric and mental health services into developing hospital systems. Twenty percent of Americans have some sort of mental health disorder.
Healthcare Spending
The office of the actuary for Medicare projects total healthcare spending in the US will average 5.6 percent growth per year between now and 2025. The total gross domesticproduct
for the US is expected to grow at 4.4 percent a year. By 2025, healthcare will account for a staggering 20 percent of the nation’s total GDP. The projection is based on current healthcare law and does not speculate on growth should the ACA be amended or repealed and replaced altogether.
Urgent Care Facts
More and more consumers are ignoring/avoiding their primary care physician in favor of free standing urgent care centers. There are about 7,400 urgent care centers in the US and that number continues to grow. That’s up from 6,700 centers in 2015. According to their trade association, 92 percent of the centers had an average waiting time of 30 minutes or less. Twenty-seven percent of us visited an urgent care center in the last two years. The most common diagnoses were: acute upper respiratory infection, acute sinusitis, acute pharyngitis and cough/acute bronchitis. All could have been taken care of by their primary care provider. Most users of urgent care centers claim they could not get a timely appointment from their regular provider.
Daily Hospital Cost
Based on information from the 2015 American Hospital Association survey, the Kaiser Family Foundation has compiled a list of daily inpatient costs for nonprofit hospitals by state. The national daily average is $2,413. The five states with the lowest costs per day are: Alabama, $1,664; Arkansas, $1,649; Iowa, $1,481; Mississippi, $1,391; and Montana, $1,280. The five states with the highest costs are: Idaho, $3,241; Massachusetts, $2,965; Oregon, $3,397; Washington, $3,592; and Colorado, $2,922. New York is just above the national average at $2,456. The US spent $3.4 trillion on health care in 2016: $1.1 trillion or 32 percent
inpatient; $638 billion or 5 percent on physician services and $348 billion on drugs.
Pomco Sold
The East Syracuse based third party administrator (pays and manages claims for self-insured employers) was sold to United Healthcare. Pomco employs approximately 400. While Pomco is not an insurance company per se, the acquisition by United further reduces competition/choice in the market.
Overall MD shortage
There have been numerous predictions of a worsening physician shortage. Recently, the Association of American Medical Colleges projected the shortage to be anywhere between 40,000 and 103,000 by 2030. Most predictions do not account for the impact of physician assistants, nurse practitioners, advanced technology and miracle drugs, telemedicine, and significantly reduced times for major operations, consumerism, etc. Physicians are not fighting the battle alone. The dire predictions are also based on past and present fee for service reimbursement which rewards pure volume of services resulting in unnecessary utilization. Demand for services tends to decrease as insurance deductibles and co-pays increase. 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.
Community Information Seminar:
Bariatric Surgery May 9, 2017 • 6:00 pm Presented by
Dr. Obradovic, Medical Office Center St. Joseph’s Hospital Campus 104 Union Ave. • Suite 809 • Syracuse, NY Now approved for chronic pain
To register call 315-477-4740 or toll free 877-269-0355 Parking will be validated
Medical Marijuana now approved for chronic pain
May 2017 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 5
Meet
Your Doctor
By Chris Motola
Natasha Ginzburg, M.D. SUNY Upstate urologist discusses common issues affecting women’s urologic system, including bladders, pelvic floor
Most Remaining U.S. Smokers Are Poor, Less Educated Behavioral health doctor says new interventions are needed to get these people to kick the habit
S
moking rates in the United States have been falling for decades. Yet, about 15 percent of adults — more than 36 million — continue to smoke cigarettes. And of those smokers, half to three-quarters have at least one of the following disadvantages: low income, no college education, no health insurance or a disability. The findings come from a national survey done in 2012. The data show that smoking is concentrated among the least advantaged Americans, according to the researchers. “In the last half-century, public health efforts helped cut the smoking rate by more than half, but we probably need to change our strategies for helping smokers quit. The methods that worked for the upper half of society don’t seem to be working well for the other half,” said study author Arnold Levinson. He’s an associate professor of community and behavioral health with the University of Colorado Anschutz. “Americans with lower socioeconomic status today are suffering from epidemic smoking rates, and they make up nearly three-fourths of all our remaining smokers,” Levinson said in a university news release. “Now the nation’s public health system has a dual moral obligation toward smokers of low socioeconomic class. We must eliminate the disparity in smoking rates, and we must provide cessation-supporting services to the new majority of smokers,” he concluded. The study was published recently in the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved.
Page 6
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Q: Give us an overview of your specialty and the patients you see. A: I’m a female urologist. What that means is that I’m trained to take care of urologic systems. That’s the kidneys and bladder. In men, that would also include the prostate and the male genitalia. But I subspecialized in women’s urology. I’m looking at issues that specifically affect women, their bladders and their pelvic floor. I’ll see issues like dropped bladders. That’s when the bladder drops down through the vagina, which can happen after having a lot of babies. Or women who have incontinence issue, who may lose some urine when they laugh or simply can’t make it to the bathroom in time. That’s sort of the bulk of what I do, but there are more specialized issues that arise that I also take care of. Q: It seems like urology is often thought of as the male version of OB/GYN. What are some ways the female urologic system is different than men’s, aside from the obvious stuff? A: The kidneys, the bladder and the ureters are, for the most part, the same, but everything below the bladder is different. Women have a unique set of issues because of the pelvic floor. The
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2017
pelvic floor is kind of a broad term to describe all the structures that hold all the organs in place. That includes keeping the bladder, vagina and rectum all where they belong. Because of the setup of our bodies, and childbirth in particular, there’s a lot of pressure put on our pelvic floor. That puts women at risk of their bladder and urethra not working properly, with them shifting and changing the function over time. That’s unique to women, but not something they really talk about or deal with too often. The irony is that they’re very treatable conditions. It’s bothersome to a lot of people, but they don’t realize they can get help for it. Q: Seeing as pregnancy can shift a lot of things around, is there anything preventive women can do to minimize their risk of urologic issues? A: It’s tough to say. We’ve done some research that suggests that once you’ve had one vaginal delivery, it changes the way the bladder and the pelvic floor work. So you could just avoid childbirth or get a C-section, but those kinds of things are pretty drastic. You can do things like pelvic floor therapy to strengthen those muscles. People know about Kegel, which, if done correctly, can help strengthen those muscles. A lot of it we don’t have a really good explanation for — some of it can be genetic, some of it might be due to a job that involves a lot of heavy lifting — all of those things are tough to prevent. Q: On the topic of lifting, are women presenting with more lifting-related injuries to the pelvic area like you’d see in men? A: I wouldn’t say I see a lot of it. Even now there aren’t a ton of women doing jobs that require a lot of heavy lifting. Of course, the ones who do are putting their pelvic floors at risk. If you look at people who do Olympic weight lifting, you generally see more incontinence and even pelvic floor prolapse, even though they tend to be very fit people. The thought is that it puts all that pressure on their pelvic floor. Q: What kinds of interventions are available? You mentioned this was usually pretty treatable.
A: Depending on the problem and what caused it, the interventions might be medicine or physical therapy. The physical therapy is far more involved than Kegel exercises, so we have a lot of physical therapists who can help patients without us having to resort to surgery. And ultimately there are surgical treatments for most of these problems as well. Q: Are the physical therapies shortterm or more lifelong habits you need to develop? A: It depends on the problem. Some people can have a pretty short, four-to-six-week course, just learning the exercises, but like anything else, the more you do it, the stronger you’ll become. For other people, it can be a longer process, particularly if they’re not familiar with the exercises or that part of their anatomy. Most people take six to eight weeks. Some as long as 12. The results vary depending on the problem. Q: How did you come to this subspecialty? A: I really enjoy being able to help people and I like making a difference in a hands-on way, so surgery kind of appealed to me. I like urology because there’s such a variety of things you do in it. In addition to treating pelvic floor issues, I can also treat kidney stones or bladder cancer. But once I got involved in urology, I realized that there was a huge underserved area, which is women’s urology. On top of that, 92 percent of all urologists are men, and a lot of women prefer to see a woman for urologic issues. So it became something really interesting to be. I also appreciate how treatable a lot of the issues are. It’s satisfying to show people who think they have to suffer with something that they don’t have to. Q: Do you think the lack of female urologists has something to do with the perception that urology is specifically men’s health? A: It’s probably a combination of the culture of surgery in general. It’s a surgical field, and those are historically male-dominated. And a lot of what urologists do is treat men for things like prostate cancer. But about 30-40 percent of what urologists do is related to women. While it’s not the majority, it’s a large percentage. It’s just been secondary to the male issues. But as women are realizing that they don’t have to live with these issues, they’re demanding treatment, as they should. And in turn, you’re seeing more women getting involved in urology.
Lifelines Name: Natasha Ginzburg, M.D. Position: Director of Female Pelvic Medicine and Surgery at Upstate Medical; assistant professor, SUNY Upstate depart of urology Hometown: Groton, Ma. Education: Brandeis University (undergrad); Drexel University College of Medicine (medical and fellowship); Albert Einstein College of Medicine (residency) Affiliations: SUNY Upstate Medical University; Crouse Organizations: American Urologic Association; Society for Urogenital Reconstruction and Female Urology; The American Urogynecology Society; Society of Women in Urology Family: Husband; dog Hobbies: Hiking
Welcomes Sue A. Stucker, MSN, FNP-C
to
9677 Brewerton Road Brewerton, NY 13029 han, D.O. Joy Commisso, M.D. d Lane 8393 Elta Drive Phone: 315-668-3910 NY 13215 Cicero, NY 13039
7020
315.698.0290
Mary Geiss, D.O. 5566 Jordan Road Elbridge, NY 13066 315.689.1833
Accepting New Patients Visit our website at www.fcmg.org
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May 2017 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 7
Free Medical Care at Mary Rose Clinic in Oneida
The entire clinic’s staff, including doctors, nurses and clerical workers, is unpaid By Aaron Gifford
I
n the Oneida Valley, a somewhat rural area about halfway between Utica and Syracuse, a group of medical professionals is not waiting around to see what comes out of the ongoing national health care debate. Well before the Affordable Health Care Act’s inception, let alone its overhaul and proposed replacement program, volunteers affiliated with the Gorman Foundation opened up the Mary Rose Clinic, Oneida Free Medical Health for the Uninsured and Underinsured, in the Northside Shopping Center in Oneida, Madison County. As the name indicates, the clinic mainly serves people living in or near Madison County who are uninsured or underinsured. Services are completely free to those 16 years or older. The clinic is open two days a week — Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m., and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The entire staff, including doctors, nurses and clerical workers, is unpaid. From 2010 through 2016, a total of 5,506 patients were treated at the clinic. For this year, from January through the first week of March, 113 patients were treated there, said Alison Zeller, clinic manager. “We get patients coming from as far away as Boonville or Utica,” Zeller
M. Gorman. Grants are only awarded said. “We do get a lot of people.” to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizaOn a typical day, more than 18 tions that are within the Gorman patients will be treated. Foundation’s geographic focus and The clinic is staffed by physicians areas of interest. Riphika Martyn, Jennifer Cesana, In 2015, the foundation awarded Jennifer Quinn and John George, who retired from his employment as a phy- more than $1 million total; $99,919 of that went to the Mary Rose Clinic. sician but continues to practice on a The clinic is named after Mary volunteer basis. The staff also includes Rose Durfee, the sister of Alice Gornurse practitioners Sharon Jasek and man and the daughter of a hops farmDeborah Hayes, and physician assiser. Durfee ran a small diner in Oneida tant Kaitlyn Huysman. in the 1950s and 1960s. She worked Physician Martyn proposed the about 14 hours a day clinic in 2009. She Mary Rose Clinic and, even though she approached Amanda the business, Larson, president of services include basic owned she still didn’t make the Gorman Foundaenough money for her tion, about volunteerprimary care and own medical or dental ing her services. Marreferrals to specialists. care, according to the tyn had previously opened a clinic in Sri The clinic will also pay clinic’s website. One of the purLanka after the 2004 tsunami. The Gorman the bills charged by the poses of the clinic is to help people like Foundation was hapspecialists. Durfee who are workpy to help, providing ing their hardest to get facility space that was by but still need a hand with medical available in the shopping plaza. For care. Durfee currently lives in Sherrill, guidance, Martyn and Larson visited just outside of Oneida, and continues free medical clinics across the region and joined the National Association of to support and promote Central New York’s hops history. Free and Charitable Clinics. Clinic services include basic The Gorman Foundation is based primary care and referrals to specialin Oneida and was established in ists. The clinic will also pay the bills 2003. Its mission is to improve the charged by the specialists. The clinic quality of life for present and future cannot treat patients who have disgenerations, and serves as a living ability claims, workers compensation legacy to Owen T. Gorman and Alice claims, no fault injury claims, or other legal issues. In additional to medical care, the clinic provides patient education, disease prevention and screening, physical exams, and guidance for finding medical insurance. Providers there stress that patients with medical emergencies should not go to the clinic. Rather, they should call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room. Also, they do not write prescriptions or give prescription refills without a physical examination by one of the clinic doctors. In addition, as a matter of policy, they do not treat patients who qualify for Medicaid or Medicare, but will allow a one-time exception in urgent situations. Zeller said the underinsured, those who have some type of insurance plan but still can’t afford to pay for services, make up a significant
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The Mary Rose Clinic in Oneida is open only two days a week, on Wednesdays and Thursdays. chunk of the clinics patient load. The clinic also sees a fair number of patients from local Amish and Mennonite communities. “We’re here to serve as long as we’re needed,” she said. According to the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics, there are about 1,200 facilities like the Mary Rose Clinic across the United States. The Mary Rose clinic is listed on its website, along with Amaus Health Services in Syracuse and the Ithaca Free Clinic in Tompkins County. All told, the free clinics affiliated with the national organization report seeing about 1.7 million people annually for nearly 6 million patient visits. More than 160,000 volunteers are involved. The national agency estimates that there about 29 million people who have not been able to access health insurance or care. About 83 percent of the patients who access free medical clinics come from working households, and about 75 percent of the patients have health care insurance but go to the free clinics instead because they still can’t afford to pay for services. Locally, the staff at the Mary Rose Clinic continues to help those who fall through the gaps. The providers view this as a responsibility to be good neighbors. They partner with other agencies to give patients the best experience possible. For example, the staff of the PROS (Personalized Recovery Oriented Services) clinic located next door to Mary Rose cooks for the medical clinic staff and patients every Wednesday. “They bring us these big trays of lasagna,” Zeller said. “There are people who are able to bring some food home and they are so thankful for everything that they have tears in their eyes.”
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OFFERING MEDICARE PLANS Heartburn? New Center at St. Joe’s Offers Comprehensive Treatment St. Joe’s opens the first heartburn center in Syracuse area, which is able to treat complex cases of heartburn By Matthew Liptak
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ufferers of heartburn who want a more comprehensive review of their acid reflux along with the latest in care can now go to The Heartburn Center at St. Joseph’s Health. The center is located in the hospital in Syracuse and includes at least six specialties as well as a cutting-edge surgical procedure that was OK’d by the FDA just five years ago. The center, which opened in March, includes a gastroenterologist, robotics surgeon, bariatric surgeon, pulmonologist, dietitians and psychologist. Since there are a variety of causes of heartburn, the specialists work as a team on each patient’s case to determine the best treatment. “Every heartburn is not treated the same,” said Atul Maini, a surgeon at the center. “Every patient is different and every patient’s heartburn is different. You want to come to a center where experts are sitting there and they will evaluate you and decide what kind of heartburn you have; how much of it you have; how much damage has it done to your esophagus. Do you need medical management? Do you need to be sent to the bariatric surgeon? Do you need to have diet modifications? Do you need to be seen by a good psychologist?” Of course, there’s always overthe-counter treatment, but surgeon Maini says those suffering from heartburn for more than a few weeks should get medical help. Heartburn is a complicated disease of the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. It is the most common GI disease in the Unites States and growing in prevalence, Maini said. Some sources say that 60 percent of the population experience it each year and the National Institutes of Health says 20 percent have it chronically. But if it often seems like a minor inconvenience that can be treated with over-the-counter drugs, why should people seek medical help? “That’s where the crux of the problem lies,” Maini said. “Why even bother treating it? That’s a great question because if you leave it untreated, what can eventually happen, heartburn can also be associated with hiatal hernias. Heartburn itself, if you leave it untreated over the years, can
change the esophagus. It can give rise to something called Barrett’s esophagus which has a 10 to 15 percent association of esophageal cancers. There’s a massive increase in the United States of esophageal cancers because of these reasons.” If a case is serious enough, reflux may require surgery. The traditional fundoplication procedure involves wrapping the upper curve of the stomach around the esophagus and sewing it back into place. But a more recent development in the surgery is the LINX implant procedure. St, Joe’s is the only facility in Central New York to offer the procedure, according to the hospital. “LINX is an implantable device which looks like a bracelet you wear on your wrist,” Maini said. “It is made up of titanium beads with a magnetic core. Each bead is connected to the other beads. This is placed surgically under anesthesia around the junction of the esophagus and the stomach, basically creating a new sphincter. It acts like a two-way valve so when you swallow food the beads will expand and the food will go down. It will control the acid from coming back up into the esophagus. If you want to throw up or belch the beads will open up because of the pressure in the stomach and allow you to belch and throw up. But it will control the acid reflux coming back up. It’s the newest technology right now.” Maini said he is very excited to work at the center. He said he is motivated most by the 7 to 8 percent of patients who haven’t gotten relief from their heartburn through medical management. The center could offer a solution to them. But the Heartburn Center isn’t limited to the most severe cases. Anyone who is not satisfied with overthe-counter remedies or by being treated only by their primary care physician are welcome to contact the center, Maini said. Early evidence seems to support that there is a real need for the center in Central New York. “We have just started seeing patients and we already have a good number of 20 to 30 patients already signed up,” Maini said. “We get more calls most every day. I think if it continues like this we might have to even expand our services.”
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Live Alone & Thrive
Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone
Dreams Dashed: Finding Your ‘Happily-ever-after’ On Your Own
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met Lauren several years ago, when she attended one of my “Live Alone and Thrive” workshops. Below, she plaintively recalls the raw feelings she experienced following her divorce: “I opted to end my unhappy marriage and initiate a divorce about five years ago. Since then, I’ve been on my own. It wasn’t easy back then. I was surprised to discover that many married friends no longer wanted me around, fearing I might be interested in their husbands. Plus, I made my daughter the singular focus in my life, and lost contact with people. Over time, I developed the attitude that I had nothing to offer and slid into a very deep rut. Finances were another issue. I had stayed home to take care of my daughter but, after my split, found it necessary to get a job to make ends meet.” - Lauren Lauren, like many divorced men and women, found herself bewildered and fearful of the future after her marriage ended. For many, the experience of having a marriage of many years unravel is not unlike becoming the victim of an unwelcome catastrophe. No matter what, and even though more Americans are waiting longer to walk down the aisle, most of us still hold on to the dream of “happily ever after.” That dream is powerful. Letting go of it can seem next to impossible. While getting and being divorced can feel overwhelming, most women and men press on and, lo and behold, experience a change in attitude and perspective that ultimately enriches their lives and opens up possibilities — possibilities they couldn’t imagine when they were in pain and the throes of loss. Lauren continued: “It’s taken me a long time to get it together. I went back to college and graduated with an advanced degree in nursing. It keeps me busy, but now my only child is preparing to leave for college. Life will be very different (and a lot quieter) without her here, so I am being proactive. I’m running, I joined a rowing club, and I’m an active member of Meetup, the online social networking program that gives members a chance to find and join others who share common interests — things such as hiking, reading, food, movies, pets, photography, hobbies ...well, you get the idea. I also make a point of getting out more with my colleagues at work. And, I’m no longer waiting for an invitation; I’m initiating the get-togethers. That feels good! Attending Gwenn’s Living Alone workshop was the jump-start I needed to get moving. Listening to others made me realize that we were all struggling with
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By Gwenn Voelckers
the same issues. I no longer felt so alone and benefited from hearing how others dealt with similar problems. When the workshop was over, I made several small, but meaningful changes at home. I now create a nice place setting for dinner, indulged my long-standing desire for flat screen TV, and put fresh flowers in my foyer to welcome me home. I cleaned up my ever-present junk pile on the kitchen counter and made myself a quiet reading corner in my bedroom. These small changes made the house much more of a home, rather than simply a house.” While few women and men consciously decide to live singly, more and more are finding themselves on their own in midlife. The good news? Like Lauren, they are making healthy choices and learning to like it. While she acknowledges that there are trade-offs to being single, she has created a life that meets her needs and supports her new dreams. “After my divorce, I had this dreaded thought that I would be alone for the rest of my life. I identified with Whistler’s Mother, in a dowdy dress and rocker. I now realize that just because I choose to live alone does not mean that I am alone: I have many people around me, and I am very content. I am no longer frantically seeking the next relationship or the next big thing that will cause excitement in my life. I am happy to spend time at home alone, or to go out with friends. I even date from time to time. As I’ve discovered my contentedness, I have also realized that I am responsible for the positive changes in my life. That realization is empowering. I’m active, and I’m having fun for the first time in many years.” On her own, Lauren has fashioned a life that works well for her. You can, too. Being single can give you the time you need to sustain a diverse and interesting network of friends, to date, to pursue your professional or personal aspirations, and to experience adventures yet to be imagined. Some final words from Lauren: “My advice? Don’t close yourself off from people. It’s so easy to stay home, dig a rut and furnish it — but that’s a big mistake. Grab the weekend section of the newspaper and pick out something to do. Go ... even if you have to go alone. Who knows what you might discover?!” Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of “Live Alone and Thrive,” empowerment workshops for women held throughout the year in Mendon, NY. For information or to contact Voelckers, call 585-6247887 or email: gvoelckers@rochester. rr.com.
Meet Your Provider Bridging the Gap between Hospital and Home
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he Subacute Rehabilitation program at St. Camillus provides comprehensive, short term inpatient rehabilitation that effectively prepares individuals to return home after a hospital stay. Individuals receive all the care they need – everything from therapies to nursing – to facilitate recovery. The Short Term Rehabilitation Center at St. Camillus offers such a program to help “bridge the gap” between hospital and home. St. Camillus’ Subacute Rehabilitation program is intense and accelerated. It helps inpatients build strength and independence to achieve their maximum level of function before returning home. Both the patient and their family are involved from the very beginning to determine a clearly-defined treatment plan. This process takes the guesswork out of recovery, so the patient and family will know what to expect and how the rehabilitation will proceed. The entire process of going from hospital to home usually takes one to three weeks, depending upon the diagnosis.
The staff at The Short Term Rehab Center at St. Camillus recently surprised Dr. Faisal Siddiqui by honoring him with a special cake on National Doctor’s Day, March 30, 2017.
• Other medically complex conditions such as cardiac, pulmonary or pain management diagnoses which are impacting recovery
Patient Benefits
Patient Profile
The Short Term Rehabilitation Center at St. Camillus generally treats individuals age 16 and older who require or would greatly benefit from rehabilitative nursing and physical, occupational and/or speech therapy services and are motivated to work toward recovery due to conditions such as:
• Orthopedic injuries (hip/knee replacement, multiple fractures, etc.) Stroke
• Deconditioning due to illness or surgery • Neuromuscular disorders
• Highly tailored treatment plans • Effective rehabilitation addressing strength, independence and activities of daily living • Personalized care centered around individual needs such as diet, family participation
and ongoing education • A caring, professional staff to help the patient and family through a quick recovery • A home-like atmosphere for inpatients located on a separate, dedicated unit within St. Camillus • Additional St. Camillus services available to inpatients such as transportation to outside office visits and more.
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Parenting
CANCER SCREENINGS
By Melissa Stefanec Email: melissastefanec@yahoo.com
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SHERRI LALONDE AND SEKOU RAWLINS, MD, IN THE COLONOSCOPY SUITE WITH A PATIENT
UPSTATE CANCER CENTER CARES ABOUT YOU Colon cancer is one of the most treatable cancers if found early. Finding and removing polyps during a colonoscopy can also prevent cancer from forming. Colonoscopy patients are given the results of their procedure before they leave their appointment. Early diagnosis increases the potential for early cure. Upstate can help you get screened for prevalent cancers including colon, breast, lung and prostate. If there is a cancer diagnosis, patients receive a smooth transition to the advanced teams, technology and treatments of the Upstate Cancer Center.
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Re-writing Unwritten Mom Laws
hen you’re a mother, you can’t help but notice the seemingly ubiquitous societal pressures. They radiate from your family, friends and colleagues. They are ungraciously imposed on you from strangers in the street. They radiate from the soft glow of your tablet and phone. They are cloaked as wisdom from people who claim to know better. Though not tangible, the pressures are very real, and there isn’t a mother out there who doesn’t feel them daily. Pressure, even with the very best of intentions, still places a burden on moms. Get a glass or two of wine in just about any mother, and she can regale her listeners with all the ways she is struggling, failing or falling short of perceived expectations. Personally, I have never been one to assign myself to convention. I haven’t wasted much of my life worrying about what other people think I should do. However, the societal pressures placed on mothers to do certain things and act certain ways are relentless, and it’s hard to dismiss all of them. So, in the honor of standing strong against peer pressure and unnecessary convention, here is a list of things I am pressured by various members of society to change about myself or my family, and my reasons they won’t be changing — because like a great children’s book author once said, “It’s OK to be different.” I’m not taking my daughter’s lovey away My daughter has one of those stuffed animal-blanket combos that has been her best friend for a long time. That pink, grungy critter has spent more time with my daughter than I have. Stella is about to turn 6, and people are asking me when I am going to take it away from her. The answer is, never. It’s her comfort object, and she can quit toting it around when she sees fit. Coincidentally, this time will likely be around the same time she feels peer pressure to do so. I’m not cutting my son’s hair That’s right, my 2-year-old son’s hair is not being cut for the foreseeable future. I put son in italics because, if one more person references my two daughters, I might blow a gasket. Once I gently clue the accuser into the fact that the toddler wearing a blue t-rex shirt, cargo pants and green and black sneakers is indeed a boy, I am soon defending why I haven’t buzzed his hair off. If he wants his hair cut, I will cut it. Until then, I am happy to brush his adorable locks and keep educating strangers that some of the most attractive men in the world happen to have lots of hair. I’m wearing a bikini And I don’t plan on stopping. If you don’t like the little pouch of stretchy flabby skin that covers my
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midsection, then kindly (and quietly) look away. I am forced to look tons of guys that I would prefer not to see shirtless, but that’s life. People aren’t here for my visual satisfaction; they are here to live their lives in peace and without judgment from others. I am not baptizing my children This is a personal choice. I would never judge anyone for baptizing their kid, and I expect the same respect from everyone else. If my children find religions they want to adhere to when they are older, I am sure they won’t have any problems finding someone to welcome them into that religion by way of an official ceremony. I’m using real names for body parts If I hear you referencing my children’s “unmentionables” with some silly and confusing terminology, I will kindly remind my children that no part of their bodies is unmentionable by using that part’s real name. Getting uncomfortable about one’s body is easy to do if kids believe some parts are so shameful that they can’t even be talked about. On a separate and more terrifying note, if anything terrible were to happen in terms of my children’s’ bodies, I want them to be able to tell me what happened using concrete terms. I’m talking about the tough stuff Please see the entry above. This world is full of challenging topics and situations. Racism, discrimination, abuse and death are unfortunately part of life. I don’t want to dwell on these topics, but I also don’t want to pretend they don’t exist. I am personally (and age-appropriately) introducing these topics to my children. I don’t trust some bully on the bus to do it for me. I am not spanking, hitting or otherwise physically reprimanding my kids The literature is out there. The peer-reviewed studies are real. Physical punishment is much less effective than other types of non-physical discipline, and it often has dire consequences. There have been times when I have wanted to hit my kids, but as one of the most important adults in my kids’ lives, I am not going to teach that problems are solved with physical aggression. When I am not terribly angry and in the heat of the moment, the idea of hitting my kids makes me sick. When I am in the heat of the moment, I shouldn’t be following my primal instincts. So, I have never hit my kids and don’t plan on starting. I’m letting them eat ice cream for dinner Life is short. Sometimes, you have to break the rules. Sometimes, you have to eat ice cream for dinner and cake for dessert.
SmartBites
The skinny on healthy eating
While humming, add stock, about 4 oz. at a time, and simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until liquid is absorbed between each addition. Continue until buckwheat groats are creamy but al dente, about 15 to 20 minutes. You may not need all the stock. Remove from heat and stir in cheese, edamame, and toasted nuts. Top with additional shredded cheese and serve.
Health Secrets of Buckwheat
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ention buckwheat and many of us zero in on pancakes and waffles, perhaps soba noodles. In this neck of the woods, we might also think about Penn Yan, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of buckwheat products. Before I became hooked on buckwheat, I, too, only considered buckwheat in those terms. Fact is, I also thought it was a class of wheat. But buckwheat is neither a wheat nor a grain: it’s the seed from a plant related to rhubarb. And when it’s hulled, it’s known as a groat. While buckwheat is not a “true grain” — it’s often referred to as a whole grain — it is used like one in cooking, and boasts similar health benefits. A key difference, however, between buckwheat and some whole grains, is that buckwheat is gluten-free and safe for those with celiac disease and gluten sensitivities. Why eat buckwheat? Well, it’s tasty, easy to prepare, inexpensive and — above all — a nutritional powerhouse. One cup of cooked buckwheat provides a healthy dose of both soluble and insoluble fiber — nearly 5 grams. Insoluble fiber promotes regularity, while soluble fiber helps
keep our tickers in tip-top shape by ferrying cholesterol out. What’s more, numerous studies have shown that fiber helps slow down the rate of glucose absorption after a meal, an effect that might lower the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Buckwheat is also a mineral superstar, with notable amounts of manganese, copper and magnesium. Manganese is important for bone health, collagen production and blood sugar control; copper helps the body form red blood cells and maintain and repair connective tissues; and magnesium promotes a healthy cardiovascular system by helping to control blood pressure. And similar to other plant-based foods, buckwheat is loaded with phytonutrients — those remarkable compounds that work to ward off a host of maladies, from heart disease to diabetes to cancer. Phytonutrients do a body good by helping to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and fight free radical damage. Lastly, one cooked cup of low-fat buckwheat has only 150 calories and about 6 grams of complete protein, a vital nutrient we need to have energy, build and repair muscle, and boost immunity.
5 Y
Bread is one of the top five types of food loaded with salt, according to a new government report.
Buckwheat Risotto with Mushrooms and Edamame Adapted from Wolff’s Buckwheat Risotto (serves 4-5) 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil 1 small onion, chopped 8 oz. fresh mushrooms, sliced, hard stems removed 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ cup dry white wine (optional) 1 cup buckwheat groats 2½ cups chicken or vegetable stock ½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese 1 cup frozen edamame, thawed ½ cup slivered almonds, toasted (or nut of choice) Turn on some music, light a candle, get your groove on: risotto takes time. In a heavy skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and mushrooms and sauté until both are soft and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic and buckwheat groats and cook for two minutes. Add wine (if using) and simmer until liquid is completely absorbed.
Helpful tips Buckwheat comes in many forms: hulled raw groats, hulled roasted groats (referred to as kasha), flour and soba noodles. All can be found packaged; and raw groats can often be found in bulk bins. Place whole buckwheat in an airtight container and store in a cool dry place for up to a year. Always store buckwheat flour in the refrigerator. Rinse raw groats before using.
Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle colum-
nist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.
Saltiest Foods May Surprise You U.S. report names major and unexpected sources of sodium in the American diet
ou probably know that Americans consume way too much salt, but a new U.S. government report points the finger at some surprising sources of salt in the diet. The report said the top five culprits were: • Bread • Pizza • Sandwiches • Cold cuts and cured meats • Soup Surprisingly, potato chips, pretzels and other obviously salty snacks didn’t make it into the top five, though they did ring in at No. 7. “Most Americans are consuming too much salt and it’s coming from a lot of commonly consumed foods — about 25 foods contribute the majority of salt,” said lead researcher Zerleen
Quader. She’s an analyst from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Knowing which foods contribute the most salt is important for reducing your salt intake, she said. Sodium is an essential mineral that helps the body maintain fluid balance, according to the American Heart Association. But, too much in the diet increases the risk for high blood pressure, which in turn boosts the risk for heart attack and stroke. Table salt contains about 40 percent sodium. One teaspoon of table salt has 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium, which is the maximum amount recommended by health experts. The new CDC report found that in 2013-2014, Americans consumed about 3,400 mg of salt daily. That far exceeds the recommended amount, and is more than double the American Heart Association’s “ideal” intake of 1,500 mg daily. And, clearly, all that salt doesn’t May 2017 •
come from the salt shaker. Most comes from packaged, processed and restaurant foods, the report said. Many of these foods contain moderate amounts of salt, but are eaten all day long, Quader said. It’s not necessarily that foods such as bread are high in salt, but eating several slices a day quickly adds to the total amount of salt you consume. One way to reduce salt is to pay attention to food labels when shopping and choose the lowest salt option, Quader suggested. “When cooking at home, use fresh herbs and other substitutes for salt. When eating out, you can ask for meals with lower salt,” she added. Quader said the food industry can help by lowering the amount of salt it adds to its products. Gradually reducing salt in foods can help prevent high blood pressure (“hypertension”) and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and won’t even be noticed by consumers, she said.
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My Turn All About Lymph Nodes By Eva Briggs
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wollen glands is a misnomer, a term people often use for enlarged lymph nodes. Your body creates lymphatic fluid, which moves from your blood vessels to surround the cells in your body’s tissues. This fluid carries oxygen and nutrients that your cells need, and delivers white blood cells. The lymphatic fluid collects waste products and other unwanted substance, like bacteria and viruses. A system of lymphatic vessels gathers the lymphatic fluid for removal from the body’s tissues and eventual return to the circulation. The lymphatic vessels drain through lymph nodes, tiny filters for removing unwanted substance. The lymph nodes also contain immune cells to destroy invading viruses and bacteria. Lymph nodes are found throughout the body. Most people are familiar with cervical lymph nodes located in the neck — these are the ones that often swell with a sore throat. You also have spraclavicular lymph nodes above your collarbones, axillary nodes in your armpits, inguinal nodes in your groin, epitrochlear nodes near the elbow, as well as lymph nodes in your chest and abdomen. Normal lymph nodes are less than 0.5-1 cm, depending on their location. Painful lymph nodes, or nodes with an abnormal consistency such as hard or woody rather than rubbery, are abnormal. The mnemonic MIAMI indicates
the causes of lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes): Malignancies, Infections, Autoimmune disorders, Miscellaneous/unusual conditions, and Iatrogenic (caused by medical treatment). Malignancy, or cancer, includes lymphoma, cancer of the lymph nodes themselves, as well as spread from internal cancers or skin cancer. Cancer can spread to lymph nodes that drain lymphatic fluid from the region where the primary cancer is located. For example, breast cancer could spread to lymph nodes in the nearby armpit. Or the cancer can metastasize, spreading to lymph nodes in more distant body areas. The presence of cancer in lymph nodes is a feature used to determine the stage of many cancers. As with cancer, infection may cause lymph nodes to enlarge in the region of an infection, as when an infected cut on your leg causes lymph nodes in the groin to enlarge. Systemic, more widespread infections affect multiple lymph node areas, as in people with mononucleosis. Infectious causes can be bacterial, viral, or fungal. Autoimmune disorders encompass rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and others. An assortment of miscellaneous conditions may cause lymphadenopathy, such as Kawasaki disease and sarcoidosis. Serum sickness, a type of reaction to a drug, is an example of iatrogenic
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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2017
lymphadenopathy. Given so many possible causes, how might your doctor figure out the cause of enlarged lymph nodes? The first step will be history. How old is the patient? Most children with lymphadenopathy don’t have a dangerous or worrisome cause. How long has it lasted? If it’s less than two weeks it’s usually safe to watch. And if lymph nodes have been enlarged for more than a year without changing, it’s less likely to be serious. What have you been exposed to? Travel, animals and insects are clues. Any medicines or exposure to sick contacts should be noted. Use of tobacco products is a risk factor for malignancy. Do you have other symptoms? Fever, unexplained weight loss, weakness, night sweats can suggest possible etiologies. After exploring your history, an exam is the next step. This helps determine which lymph node areas are affected. Your doctor will look for things like rashes and skin lesions, enlargement of internal organs, heart and lung sounds. Based on the results of history and exam, your doctor might observe for a while or order testing. Laboratory studies can search for infection and autoimmune disease. CT, MRI or ultrasound can visualize the lymph nodes. Sometimes an actual sample of the enlarged lymph node will be obtained by a needle or by a surgical biopsy. Of course, the treatment will be tailored to the specific cause.
Lymphatic system showing lymph nodes of a human body. Eva Briggs is a medical doctor who works at two urgent care centers (Central Square and Fulton) operated by Oswego Health.
National Nurses Week, May 6–12
Why Work as a Nurse? By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
N
ursing is a field brimming with opportunities and challenges. Though it may seem more of the latter to many outside nursing, many of those called to nursing find it personally rewarding. Registered nurse Pam Scripa, nursing manager in a telemetry medical surgical unit at the Syracuse VA Medical Center, said that her mother inspired her to become a nurse. “I always liked helping people,” Scripa said. In her mother’s 44 years of nursing, Scripa never heard her mother complain about her work. “I have a very giving personality and have never been disappointed in my 29 years of nursing,” Scripa said. Her biggest day-to-day challenge is trying to bridge the gap between the demands of the floor versus the rest of the hospital. She said that her floor has the highest patient turnover of the hospital. In recent years, it has grown from 1,200 to 2,200 patients monthly. “We look at how to improve the patient experience and be efficient with diagnostic testing while making sure patient safety is the No. 1 priority,” Scripa. said. On her toughest days, she turns to her colleagues as sounding boards and sources of encouragement. She also likes the “open door” policy of the hospital, as employees are permitted to talk with the exec-
utives anytime they have an issue. Scripa feels that kind of access to the organization’s decision makers empowers employees who experience the most one-on-one time with patients. Nurse practitioner Heide Parreno has worked in private practice for about 50 years. She emigrated from the Philippines in the 1970s to obtain more education. Eventually, Parreno earned her nurse practitioner degree and received further training in holistic nursing. She serves clients in the Rochester area. Parreno said that she daily must advocate for patients and “deal with insurance companies” to obtain coverage for them. Operating her own practice has enabled her to treat patients holistically. She copes with the stressors of her profession by “keeping myself in balance and harmony, with others and with nature,” she said. Parreno said that she enjoys nursing because of the positive difference she can make in people’s lives. “I can help people obtain the good health that they want,” she added. “The way I define health is the ability to function in a manner acceptable to yourself and the community of which you are a part. That means that you have the right relationship with yourself, God and nature and the people you’re with. It’s not just the absence of disease.”
Pam Scripa, nursing manager in a telemetry medical surgical unit at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. “I always liked helping people,” she says.
Nursing at a Glance • “Nursing is the nation’s largest health care profession, with more than 3.1 million registered nurses nationwide. Of all licensed RNs, 2.6 million or 84.8 precent are employed in nursing. • “Registered nurses comprise one of the largest segments of the US workforce as a whole and are among the highest paying large occupations. Nearly 58 percent of RNs worked in general medical and surgical hospitals, where RN salaries averaged $66,700 per year. RNs comprised the largest segment of professionals working in the healthcare industry. • “Nurses comprise the largest single component of hospital staff, are the primary providers of hospital patient care, and deliver most of the nation’s long-term care. • “Most healthcare services involve some form of care by nurses. In 1980, 66 percent of all employed RNs worked in hospitals. By 2008, that number had declined slightly to 62.2 percent, as more health care moved to sites beyond the hospital and nurses increased their ranks in a wide range of other settings, including private practices, health maintenance organizations, public health agencies, primary care clinics, home health care, nursing homes, outpatient surgi-centers, nursing-school-operated nursing centers, insurance and managed care companies, schools, mental health agencies, hospices, the military, industry, nursing education, and health care research. • “Though often working collaboratively, nursing does not “assist” medicine or other fields. Nursing operates independent of, not auxiliary to, medicine and other disciplines. Nurses’ roles range from direct patient care and case management to establishing nursing practice standards, developing quality assurance procedures, and directing complex nursing care systems.” Source: American Association of Colleges of Nursing (www.aacn. nche.edu).
The Home Health Aide: An ‘Unsung Hero’ By Matthew Liptak
H
ome health aides are people who live and work with us every day, but few may take time to appreciate the vital work that they do. They impact lives on a personal level every day of the year. “They’re really unsung heroes,” said Andrea MacDonald, clinical operations manager of VNA Homecare. “It takes somebody special,” said Kimberly A. Graf, vice president of public relations and corporate communications at VNA Homecare. “I would say it’s like a calling. Somebody said it’s the most holistic approach to healthcare that there is. That’s stuck with me all these year. I’m like ‘You know what? It’s true.’” Home health aides are not nurses, but they do help those who need help in their homes with basic needs that they can’t do by themselves. Carolyn Adams, a home health aide from Mattydale, got into this line of work several years ago because she says she is a caregiver at heart. She previously worked operating a daycare for children. “I wanted to get into another field,” she said “I wanted to get into something that would be fulfilling for myself as well as others. I know that many of the elderly, because of aging, they get very depressed. They are also very limited in their ability. I wanted to make a difference as well
as giving them a chance to...bring more positivity to their lives. Even though they’re aging they can still be happy. They can still enjoy life.” Adams goes the extra mile for her clients. She said that’s just part of what it takes to be a good home health aide. “It consists of so many things: see that they take their meds; make sure they’re clean; make sure the home is clean; shopping for groceries; picking up prescriptions,” she said. “The main thing I’m concerned about is for the client to be clean and to be free from pain as much as possible.” The latter concern was one that Adams addressed with an elderly client who she had visited not so long ago. The woman’s husband discouraged Adams from coming in the house because he said there wasn’t anything that could be done for her. After being persistent she was able to get permission to enter the home only to find that the woman was in terrible pain. The husband had stopped giving his wife her medication because he thought it wasn’t doing any good. Adams immediately recognized that something should be done so she called the hospice nurse on the phone who came over right away. “After she gave her medication
Carolyn Adams (left), a home health aide for Home Aides of Central New York helps Joan Condlin, a participant at Eldercare Social Adult Day Care Program at VNA Homecare, over to join in on morning activities. we gave her a nice warm bath,” Adams said. “We put a beautiful gown on her and combed her hair. She looked like a princess. She was so comfortable after that. The husband, I sat and talked with him for a while and he had tears in his eyes. He loved her so much. He didn’t know what to do.” That’s just one small example of where a home health aide made a huge difference in two lives, Adams said. Home health aides may be unheralded, but they fill a role that is critical, according to people interviewed for this story. Being a good home health aide May 2017 •
requires being a good listener and having a nurturing nature, Adams said. You also need to observe for non verbal cues to try to detect any problem. Adams expects to continue her career well into the future. She even recommends it to others she sees in her community who are looking for work. For her, it’s a way of living as much as a job. “This is the best field to be in, really, to be dedicated not just because you’re in it for a job but because you care about other people,” she said.
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 15
National Nurses Week, May 6–12
Beyond the RN: Furthering Nurse’s Education By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
S
ome registered nurses view furthering their education as a means of opening further doors of opportunity, such as working in an area of particular interest, commanding a higher salary and increasing their skill set. For registered nurse Pam Scripa, nurse manager with the Syracuse VA Medical Center, completing her RN training was only the beginning. She earned her bachelor’s in nursing. “If you have a bachelor’s degree, it can get you into roles in various companies and roles,” she said. “The doors it opens are endless. So many industries will hire nurses to assess employees and get them into care.” Nurses can also pursue training
to work as a nurse practitioner (NP). In New York and a number of other states, NPs can see patients and operate their own practices under the supervision of a medical doctor. “A lot of patients prefer NPs because we bring in a different perspective with our nursing background,” Scripa said. Scripa’s not done learning. She’s looking into earning a master’s in leadership because she likes educating and encouraging nursing employees. It can take some time to discover what nursing specialty fits. Scripa advises nurses to talk to the different nurse leaders. “Research on the web. Call different universities to find out what opportunities are offered to you and see what’s best for your personal
As we celebrate National Nurses Week, HCR Home Care thanks its dedicated nurses for their exceptional patient care!
life. Most importantly, where is your gift and passion?” For Elizabeth Sheen, a registered nurse with University Rochester Medicine Home Care, obtaining board certification in holistic nursing and wellness coaching has given her additional tools to help patients. “I can offer complementary tools that I’m trained in, whether breathing exercises, aromatherapy or meditation that can help them,” she said. She has enjoyed learning about holistic nursing, which she said looks at the whole patient — body, mind, spirit and emotions — instead of tending to look only at treating disease processes. She feels confident that she could take these skills to any nursing setting, and provide any employer with more reason to hire her.
“Education can open doors in nursing,” said Mary Mahler, bachelor-trained nurse and emergency services quality coordinator for Rochester General Emergency Department. “Our current hospital president was an ED trauma nurse.” She added that other nurses she has known have pursued careers in education, quality, leadership, research, data analysis, and finance, “both internally and corporately throughout the health system,” Mahler said. She believes that every nursing position offers advancement opportunities with the right education. “Education is the fuel that feeds the fire to follow our dreams and get us to the place we want to be,” Mahler said.
Three in a
Row! Spring 2016 Fall 2016 Spring 2017
We have one goal — to provide the safest care close to home Oswego Hospital was awarded an “A” for patient safety for the third consecutive time by the Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit run by purchasers of health benefits.
“ Being a nurse has taught me to be decisive, compassionate and empathetic. Once while driving with my daughter, we witnessed an accident and pulled over to assist. After the patient was stabilized, my daughter told me how proud she was of me. The opportunity to help our community is why I love being a nurse. ”
Cancer Care Program Cardiology ER/Urgent Care Family Care Surgical Care Service Imaging / Laboratory Orthopedics Rehabilitation Services Senior Services Women’s Services
This Hospital Safety Score used 30 measures of safety data to calculate this single score representing the hospital’s ability to keep patients safe from infections, injuries, medical and medication errors. The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is an elite designation from the Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit that sets the highest national standards for patient safety, quality and transparency in healthcare.
Olga Orisyuk, RN, HCR Home Care Case Manager, Onondaga County SPRING 2017
HCR Home Care is always looking for amazing nurses to join our team.
800-270-4904 | HCRhealth.com |
Oswego Health oswegohealth.org/safety
I
315-349-5500
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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2017
5
Things You Should Know About How Nursing is Changing By Ernst Lemothe Jr.
J
ust like healthcare, the nursing profession has seen dramatic shifts over the past decade. Prevention has furthered elevated the profession. While challenges remain, nurses are excited about the evolution of their careers. “The nursing profession is one of my favorite topics,” said AnneMarie Walker-Czyz, senior vice president of operations at St. Joseph’s Health in Syracuse. “We are here to protect and help people heal every day, which is what makes nursing one of the most trusted professions.” Here are five ways the role of nursing is changing in today’s healthcare environment.
needs. Having that broader level of education makes sure we can treat the whole person and that we have even a higher level of critical thinking ability.”
2
Nursing at home In an attempt to help people who may need the most, many nurses are starting to treat people at home. The term “population health” and the idea of higher patient quality and the lowest cost has shifted the mentality that patients always have to be in the hospital. Any medical expert will actually tell you the longer a patient is in a hospital setting, the higher the likelihood of something going wrong such as infections or worse outcomes. “The health care movement is going to the direction of being with people outside the hospital setting,” said Walker-Czyz, who helped St. Joseph achieve “magnet” hospital status, one of the highest distinctions in healthcare. “We have found that keeping and treating people in their home helps people have a better outcome.”
1
More education and training Like many jobs, employees are being asked to expand their competency in various areas. When it comes to nursing, that involves additional education and training that was not previously part of the job description. For example, over the last several years, nurses have been expected to come in with a bachelor’s degree even for entry level positions. While that is not a standard requirement nationwide, it has become the assumed expectation. There has been Level of responsibility research proving that registered As they say, with great powMAY ISer comes nurses with bachelor’s degrees have great responsibility and MAY ISare having more responsibility better patient outcomes. nurses “Healthcare is changing quickly than ever before. Whether that is the and often it is changing on the backs MAYexpanding IS role of nurse practitioners of nurses,” she said. “With the extra or doing more with less, nurses are layer of education, we can even taking a greater role in everyday care. better meet all of our patients’ basic FOR YOUR #1 CHOICE STROKE CARE YOUR #1 CHOICE FOR STROKE CARE ISISrole Nurses are also taking a greater
3
NATIONAL NATIONALSTROKE STROKE AWARENESS MONTH AWARENESS MONTH NATIONAL STROKE AUBURN COMMUNITYMONTH HOSPITAL AUBURN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL AWARENESS MAY IS
in teaching one another and guiding patient care out of the hospital by being nurse navigators and nurse coaches. In the past, patients would be discharged and possibility left to their own devices with their families focused on the overall care. “For a number of patients that have chronic conditions, it is essential to have a nurse navigator who can give them the roadmap to good health as well as check in on them,” said Walker-Czyz. “We identify certain patients and we check on them daily, weekly and monthly depending on their health status. Sometimes we do home visits. That level of connection has really been shown to make a difference.”
4
Nursing shortage You’ve likely heard about the “nursing shortage” for years now, and perhaps you think it’s been resolved. However, registered nurses are near the top of the list when it comes to employment growth, according to the American Nurses Association. But there is an expected bubble that will burst. The U.S. is projected to experience a shortage of RNs that is expected to intensify as baby boomers age and the need for health care grows. Compounding the problem is the fact that nursing schools across the country are struggling to expand capacity to meet the rising demand for care given the national move toward healthcare reform. “We know there will be a short-
MAY IS ACH STROKE CENTER YOUR ACH #1 CHOICE FORSTROKE STROKE CARE IS NATIONAL STROKE CENTER NATIONAL STROKE RECEIVES AHA AND ASA’S AUBURN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL AWARENESS MONTH
AnneMarie Walker-Czyz, senior vice president of operations at St. Joseph’s Health in Syracuse. age on the horizon,” Walker-Czyz added. “Things are changing very quickly and we need more nurses especially who have a broader level of competency. Plus, we have to work on retaining the nurses that we have.”
5.
Creating specialized plans It’s a simple concept; everyone is different. Healthcare is starting to put together even more individualized service plans for patients in order to create even better outcomes. “That is really how we’re going to improve services and get phenomenal traction and results,” Walker-Czyz said. “Having a professional nurse focus on delivering the best outcomes for one patient at a time is the best method. We want to make sure that we help patients focus on taking care of themselves and not simply using the emergency department as their primary care physician.”
Nursing isn’t just a job
www.auburnhospital.org
IT’S A CALLING
(315) 255-7011
Stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911.
17 Lansing Street, Auburn
RECEIVES AHA AND ASA’S AWARENESS MONTH HIGHEST OF AWARD YOUR #1 CHOICELEVEL FOR STROKE CARE IS YOUR #1 CHOICE FOR STROKE CARE IS ACH STROKE CENTER HIGHEST LEVEL OF AWARD AUBURN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL AUBURN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL Not all of these warning signs occur in every stroke. If some occur, don’t wait. Get help immediately.
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
RECEIVES AHA CENTER AND ASA’S ACH STROKE ACH STROKE CENTER RECEIVES AHA AND ASA’S HIGHEST HIGHEST LEVEL OF AWARD RECEIVES AHA AND LEVEL OF AWARD ASA’S
With acknowledgment to the American Stroke Association, we remind everyone of the warning signs of stroke:
WARNING SIGNS OF STROKE
Auburn Community Hospital (ACH) received the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American Stroke Association’s(ASA) highest level of award, the Gold Plus Achievement Award, for the diagnosis, care and treatment of its stroke patients. Scott Berlucchi, ACH President and CEO thanked the entire ACH Stroke team for their coordinated and continued efforts to improve a stroke patient’s quality of life.
HIGHEST LEVEL OF AWARD
(L to R) Franklin Fry, AHA Executive Director, Greater Syracuse Division, Tammy Sunderlin, ACH Vice President of Nursing , Ann E. Doran, ACH Vice President for Quality Management Scott Berlucchi, ACH Chief Executive Officer, Karen Odrzywolski, MD, ACH Neurologist, Roseanne Hemmitt, AHA Director of Quality Improvement
(L to R) Franklin Fry, AHA Executive Director, Greater Syracuse Division, Tammy Sunderlin, ACH Vice President of Nursing , Ann E. Doran, ACH Vice President for Quality Management Scott Berlucchi, ACH Chief Executive Officer, Karen Odrzywolski, MD, ACH Neurologist, Roseanne Hemmitt, AHA Director of Quality Improvement
(L to R)
Auburn Community Hospital (ACH)
received theExecutive American Heart Association From left are Franklin Fry, AHA Director, Greater Syracuse Division; Tammy Sunderlin,and ACH Vicethe President of Nursing; Ann E. (AHA) American Stroke Doran, ACH of Vice President for Quality Management; Scott Berlucchi, AHA Director Quality Improvement Association’s(ASA) highest level of award, ACH Chief Executive Officer; Karen Odrzywolski, MD, ACH Neurologist; Auburn Community Hospital (ACH) (L to R) Roseanne Hemmitt, AHA Director of Quality Improvement
ACH STROKE CENTER RECEIVES AHA AND ASA’S HIGHEST LEVEL OF AWARD
(L to R) Franklin AHA Executive Director, Greater Syracuse Division,Tammy TammySunderlin, Sunderlin,ACH ACHVice Vice Franklin Fry,Fry, AHA Executive Director , Greater Syracuse Division, President of Nursing , Ann E. Doran, ACH Vice President forfor Quality Management President of Nursing , Ann E. Doran, ACH Vice President Quality ManagementScott ScottBerlucchi, Berlucchi, ACH Chief Executive Officer, Karen Odrzywolski, MD, ACH Neurologist, Roseanne Hemmitt, Chiefof Executive Officer, Karen Odrzywolski, MD, ACH Neurologist, Roseanne Hemmitt, AHAACH Director Quality Improvement
YOUR #1 CHOICE FOR STROKE CARE IS AUBURN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
the Plus Award, for the Franklin Fry, AHA Executive Director, GreaterAchievement Syracuse Division, Tammy Sunderlin, ACH Vice received theGold American Heart Association Auburn Community Hospital (ACH) President of Nursing , Ann E. Doran, ACH Vice President for Quality Management Scott Berlucchi, (AHA) andKaren Odrzywolski, the American Stroke ACH Chief Executive Officer, ACH (ACH) Neurologist, Roseanne Hemmitt, diagnosis, careMD,and treatment of itsthe stroke patients. Scott Auburn Community Hospital received theAssociation American Heart Association AHAreceived Director of Quality Improvement Association’s(ASA) highest level ofCEO award, American Heart (AHA) andand the American Berlucchi, ACH President thanked the entire ACH Stroke Association’s(ASA) highest level of award, the the Gold Plus Award, for the (AHA) andAchievement thefor American Stroke Stroke team their coordinated and continued efforts to Gold Plus Achievement Award, for the diagnosis, care Auburn Community Hospital (ACH) diagnosis, care and treatment of its stroke patients. Scott Association’s(ASA) highest level of award, and treatment of its stroke patients. Scott Berlucchi, ACH improve a stroke patient’s quality of life. Berlucchi, ACH President and Association CEO thanked the entire ACH received the President and CEOAmerican thanked the Heart entire ACH Stroke team for their coordinated Stroke team for their coordinated andthe continued efforts to the Gold Plus Achievement Award, for and continued efforts to improve a stroke patient’s quality of life. (AHA) aand the American Stroke improve stroke patient’s quality of life.
NATIONAL STROKE AWARENESS MONTH MAY IS
diagnosis, care and treatment of its stroke patients. Scott WARNING SIGNS Association’s(ASA) highest level of award, WARNING SIGNS Berlucchi, ACH President and CEO thanked the entire ACH OF STROKE WARNING SIGNS OFAchievement STROKE the Gold Plus Award, for the With acknowledgment to the American Stroke Association, Stroke team for their coordinated and continued efforts to OF STROKE With acknowledgment to the American Stroke we remind everyone of the warning signs of stroke: diagnosis, care and of its stroke patients. Scott Association, we remind everyone oftreatment the warning signs • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, improve a stroke patient’s quality of life. of stroke: or leg, especially on one side of the body Berlucchi, ACH President and • Sudden numbness weakness ofspeaking the face, arm, CEO thanked the entire ACH • Suddenor confusion, trouble or understanding or leg, especially on one side of the body • Sudden trouble speaking seeing in one orunderstanding both eyes Stroke team for their coordinated and continued efforts to •Sudden confusion, trouble or • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyesloss of WARNING SIGNS balance or coordination improve a stroke patient’s quality of life. • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of
In Celebration of National Nurses Week, VNA Homecare would like to honor nursing superheroes.
We’re especially proud of the 151 nurses who go above and beyond to support VNA Homecare’s mission and our community every day. Their contributions are immeasurable, and their skill, enthusiasm and commitment to providing the best possible care to those we serve is inspiring. Their effort, compassion and dedication ensures a stronger, healthier community for us all. And for that, we thank them. Visiting Nurse Association of Central New York, Inc. The VNA Foundation of Central New York, Inc. Independent Health Care Services, Inc. Home Aides of Central New York, Inc. Eldercare Social Day Program VNA Homecare Options, LLC Eldercare Foundation, Inc.
With acknowledgment to the American Stroke Association, we remind everyone of the warning signs of stroke: • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination • Sudden, severe headache with no known • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
OF STROKE WARNING SIGNS OF STROKE
cause balance or coordination • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause Not all of these warning signs occur in every stroke. acknowledgment to the American Stroke Association, If With some don’t wait. Get help immediately. Stroke isoccur, a medical Strokeemergency. is medical emergency. we911. remind everyone of athe warning signs of stroke: Stroke is a medical emergency. Call Call 911. Call 911. • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, Not all of signs these warning signs occurstroke. in every stroke. Not all of these warning occur in every If some occur, don’t wait. Get help immediately. If some occur, don’t wait. Get help immediately.
or leg, especially on one side of the body
With acknowledgment totrouble the American Stroke Association, • Sudden confusion, speaking or understanding we remind everyone of the warning signs of stroke: • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, • leg, Sudden troubleon walking, dizziness, loss of or especially one side of the body balance or coordination • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding • Sudden, severe headache with no known cause • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes Not all of these warning signs occur in every stroke. • Sudden walking, dizziness, loss of If some trouble occur, don’t wait. Get help immediately. balance or coordination
1717 Lansing Street, Auburn Lansing Street, Auburn
all divisions of
(315) (315) 255-7011 255-7011
www.auburnhospital.org
www.auburnhospital.org
315.477.HOME · www.477HOME.org
May 2017 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper
•
Page 17
Golden Years
Seniors’ Major Enemy:
New Yorkers aged 65 to 69
Falls
• 24 percent fell in the last 12 months; • 32 percent were injured from a fall.
Upstate New Yorkers aged 80+:
They are the leading cause of injury among older adults in NYS — one in four seniors in the region fell at least once last year
O
ne in five Upstate New York adults older than age 65 fell at least once in the last year, according to research by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Forty percent, or two in five of those who fell, experienced an injury. Using two years of self-reported survey data from government health agencies, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield found that falls are common among Upstate New York adults ages 65 and older. The risk for falling and the severity of an injury increase with age. “One finding of concern — but we frankly have no explanation for it — is the regional variation in the rate of falls per 1,000 population ages 65 and older,” said physician Patricia Bomba, vice president of geriatrics at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. The data show that adults aged 65 and
older in the Utica-Rome-North Country region reported falls at more than twice the rate of adults 65-plus in the Finger Lakes region, where the rate of reported falls was lower than state and Upstate New York averages. “Falling is not an accepted part of the aging process in any region,” said Bomba. “There are simple things that everyone can do right now for themselves and their loved ones to help reduce the incidence of falls and promote independent and active lifestyles.” Lower body weakness and difficulty with balance are risk factors for falling. Bomba advises staying active and maintaining a fitness routine. Simple activities, such as exercising in a chair or stretching in bed, can greatly improve strength and balance. Finding a fitness partner can add the motivation to go for walks,
• 31 percent fell in the last 12 months; • 44 percent were injured from a fall. take a dip in a local pool or even learn tai chi. Certain medications can affect balance. People also are more likely to fall if they have vision problems or inadequate nutrition. According to Bomba, proper vision care (including up-to-date eyeglass prescriptions), proper nutrition and a thorough medication review can help cut down on falls. Nationally, one in five falls causes serious harm, such as a broken bone or a head injury. Among older New York state residents who are hospitalized because of a fall, 60 percent go to a nursing home or rehab facility, 27 percent experience a hip fracture, and 11 percent suffer a traumatic brain injury. The estimated annual impact that
falls have on health care spending in Upstate New York is substantial, according to a report issued by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in 2012. That report shows $30.6 million in emergency room costs and $321.0 million in hospital costs directly related to falls. Home hazards contribute to the incidence of falls. “We all take great care to childproof our homes when there are toddlers running about,” said Bomba. “We need to give the same attention to eliminating tripping hazards for older adults, or anyone who has difficulty with walking or balance.” View Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s findings in more detail, online at http://tinyurl.com/jsbls4x.
Most Common Tripping Hazards • Throw rugs that bunch or slide. • Clutter. • Steps that are uneven, too steep or too long, and that have inadequate railings. • Lighting that’s either too dim, or so bright that it causes glare. • Pets that follow too closely or lie in prime walking areas. • Unstable chairs or tables that can’t support a person’s weight. • Extension cords across walkways. • Bathrooms that lack grab bars, or that have low toilet seats. • Sloping yards and driveways. • Cracks in sidewalks, or uneven transitions between bare floors and carpeted rooms.
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Golden Years Coordinating Care Vital to Older Patients Too many doctor’s visits, too many prescription drugs — potential for problems can be eased by coordinated care, experts say By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant Older adults get sick more often, have to see more doctors more frequently and usually take a great deal of prescription medicines — much more than young people. Four out of five older adults have at least one ongoing health condition and — despite being only 13 percent of the general population — they consume 34 percent of all prescription medicine and 30 percent of all over-the-counter drugs, according to the National Council on Patient Information and Education (NCPIE). No wonder older adults experience higher risk of drug-related complications. To make things worse, nearly 40 percent of older adults cannot read prescription labels and 67 percent cannot understand the information accompanying their prescriptions, according to the NCPIE. Coordinating care among providers can help reduce risk of medical complication, local experts say. Programs such as Loretto’s PACE CNY program, for example, offers older Onondaga County residents primary care and medication management through its central pharmacy. “It sometimes takes more than one person or one group,” said physician Douglas Tucker, PACE chief medical officer. We have the advantage of an interdisciplinary team.” Older patients can also hire independent health care managers or enlist a trusted family member to
help. “As health care continues to change in the US, it becomes increasingly important for care to be coordinated among the patient and his or her primary care physician and treating specialist physicians,” said Anne E. Zaccheo, practice director at Nephrology Associates of Syracuse, P.C. She is also president of the Central New York branch of the New York Medical Group Management Association. Practices using electronic medical records (EMRs) may help improve care coordination; however, if a patient uses providers from different health systems or private practice providers, their information may not exist on all the EMRs. Zaccheo explained that providers use different EMR vendors and the different EMRs aren’t compatible. Regionally, providers share EMRs through the Regional Health Information Organization (RHIO), HealtheConnections in Central New York, but since each region uses its own RHIO, people seeking care in different regions won’t have seamless records. “A number of groups are trying to build an effective health information exchange for a uniform database,” Tucker said. “But the EMRs aren’t there yet. About nine different zones statewide have EMRs. It’s better than it was, but not 100 percent.” New York is working on developing the State Regional Health Information Network (SHIN-NY).
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Golden Years Do Certain Foods Help Fight Arthritis?
grains such as wheat that contain the antioxidants. natural protein gluten. Springer said “They help give free radicals the that people with an autoimmune missing electron which neutralizes disease such as rheumatoid arthritis the free radical,” Springer explained. may have leaky gut “Those free radicals syndrome. are the things respon“The GI tract has sible for inflammabeen compromised tion. They cause havand large molecules oc all over the body. like gluten can go Eat the colors of the through the gut rainbow. We get lining too early and different antioxidants it causes inflammawith every color.” tion,” Springer said. Springer added By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant It’s also imthat omega-3 fatty portant to hydrate acids can also help ore than 50 million adults joints.” properly. Springer reduce inflammation. have been diagnosed with Kelly Springer, registered dietiestimates that 85 to Omega-3s are found arthritis, according to the tian and owner of Kelly’s Choice, 90 percent of people in found fish such Arthritis Foundation. LLC in Skaneateles, also wants remain chronically as salmon and tuna, No one “super food” or particclients to reduce their intake of dehydrated. and in chia seeds and ular diet can cure arthritis, but diet saturated fat that’s found in animal “Every living cell ground flax. Uzcategui does play a role in triggering arthritic products. in the body needs hy“They are anti-ininflammation. “It can be metabolized into dration to survive,” flammatory foods,” “Generally, our American diet is pro-inflammatory compounds,” she said. “If we’re not getting proper Springer said. “You can do frozen prone for inflammation,” said Jane Springer said. “If you choose leaner hydration, we’ll be out of balance. or canned. If you’re not eating fish, I MPdairy, Order Burrell Uzcategui, registered dietitian meats and reduced-fat it can Proposal# Even in your GI tract, all the bacterial recommend doing a supplement.” he classification and instructor inof: public health, food help reduce your intake of saturated Simple and refined carbohy- Ad cells in your gut require hydration as studies and nutrition at Falk College fat.” Letterwell. Just getting in more hydration drates include foods such as crackers, at Syracuse University. Many sources of red meat are is truly going to help reduce inflamwhite rice, white bread, white pasta She advises clients to develop high in saturated fat. A few excepmation.” and added sugars. 2014 a more plant-based diet, though it tions are lean cuts of beef, grass-fed She recommends at least 64 “When it breaks down, it can doesn’t haveSales to be vegetarian. Eating beef, buffalo andLvenison. Acct# A1ZGFE Rep: GRIMALDI, JENNIFER Size: HCN6 Ad Id: AMZHMA1 Contract# 5544766 ounces of water a day and more cause massive inflammation,” more vegetables supplies more nutriSpringer encourages clients to induring warm weather or while exerSpringer said. ents and reduces calories. corporate more plant-based proteins, cising. Whole grains provide nutri“If we over-consume and have including beans, nuts and seeds. Uzcategui recommends spicents, fiber and tend to not aggravate a positive energy balance, we gain She said that people with arthriing up dishes with seasonings such inflammation. They include quinoa, weight and that increases inflammatis should make sure they include as turmeric, curry, cinnamon, and brown rice, and oatmeal. tion,”Uzcategui said. “Losing weight in their diets a variety of colorful ginger, which support an anti-inflamPeople with an autoimmune also reduces pressure and trauma on produce. These foods are rich in mation diet. disease may benefit from eschewing
Experts say that while no diet can cure arthritis, certain foods can help alleviate inflammation
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early nine out of 10 Upstate New York adults are aware of the term, “health care proxy,” according to a new survey commissioned by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Among survey respondents who had heard the term, 89 percent know that it is a way to legally designate someone as your health care agent to represent you during a medical crisis if you can’t speak for yourself. “Despite high awareness and knowledge of the health care proxy term, our survey also revealed that only about four out of 10 Upstate New York adults have completed a health care proxy form,” said physician Patricia Bomba, Excellus BCBS vice president and medical director Bomba of geriatrics. “That’s disappointing, because so many people have had the experience of making gut-wrenching health care decisions for loved ones who were unable to communicate.” Excellus BCBS’s online survey regarding end-of-life care was administered by the polling firm One Research. Two-thousand participants completed the survey. A county-level quota sampling method was used to ensure that it would be a representative sample of the region’s U.S. Census Bureau demographic profile. According to Bomba, a health care proxy can make those decisions easier, and can help people avoid being faced with a situation like the Terri Schiavo case.
In 2005, the nation was transfixed by the family drama surrounding Terri Schiavo, a Florida woman at the center of a legal battle over the right to die. Schiavo was in an irreversible persistent vegetative state as a result of a cardiac arrest. Members of her family had differing views on what she would have wanted with regard to life-sustaining medical interventions. The various factions waged a highly publicized and prolonged series of legal challenges over who had the right to make health care decisions on Schiavo’s behalf. “When you select a health care agent, ideally it’s a person who knows your values, beliefs and goals for medical care,” said Bomba. “Your health care agent should be able to step into your shoes and choose interventions based on what matters most to you, and not what they would want for themselves.” About a third of survey respondents see the need to fill out a healthy care proxy, but have not successfully completed a form. “Being aware, and understanding the value, of a health care proxy is important,” said Bomba, “but unless you take the time to fill out the form, your wishes may not be carried out.” Excellus BCBS found that knowledge of the health care proxy is lower in Central New York’s Southern Tier region (Binghamton and Elmira) than in other parts of Upstate New York.
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Honoring Our Heroes On Memorial Day Service members can also receive Social Security in addition to military retirement benefits
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n Memorial Day, we honor the soldiers and service members who have given their lives for our nation. Social Security respects the heroism and courage of our military service members, and we remember those who have given their lives in defense of freedom. Part of how we honor service members is the way we provide Social Security benefits. The unexpected loss of a family member is a difficult experience for anyone. Social Security helps by providing benefits to protect service members’ dependents. Widows, widowers and their dependent children may be eligible for Social Security survivors benefits. You can learn more about Social Security survivors benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/ survivors. It’s also important to recognize those service members who are still with us, especially those who have been wounded. Just as they served us, we have the obligation to serve them. Social Security has benefits to assist veterans when an injury prevents them from returning to active duty. Wounded military service members can also receive expedited processing of their Social Security disability claims. For example, Social Security will provide expedited processing of disability claims filed by veterans who have a U.S. Department
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Q: I got an email that says it’s from Social Security, but I’m not so sure. They want me to reply with my Social Security number, date of birth, and mother’s maiden name for “verification.” Did it really come from Social Security? A: No. Social Security will not send you an email asking you to share your personal information, such as your Social Security number, date of birth, or other private information. Beware of such scams — they’re after your information so they can use it for their own benefit. When in doubt, or if you have any questions about correspondence you receive from Social Security, contact your local Social Security office or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800325-0778) to see whether we really need any information from you.
of Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation rating of 100 percent permanent and total (P&T). Depending on the situation, some family members of military personnel, including dependent children and, in some cases, spouses, may be eligible to receive benefits. You can get answers to commonly asked questions and find useful information about the application process at www. socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors. Service members can also receive Social Security in addition to military retirement benefits. The good news is that your military retirement benefit does not reduce your Social Security retirement benefit. Learn more about Social Security retirement benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/retirement. You may also want to visit the Military Service page of our Retirement Planner, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/retire/veterans. html. Service members are also eligible for Medicare at age 65. If you have health insurance from the VA or under the TRICARE or CHAMPVA programs, your health benefits may change, or end, when you become eligible for Medicare. Learn more about Medicare benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicare. In acknowledgment of those who died for our country, those who served, and those who serve today, we at Social Security honor and thank you.
Q: I suspect that someone I know is collecting Social Security disability benefits when they shouldn’t be. What is the best way for me to report fraud? A: You can report fraud online at http://oig.ssa.gov/report or call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. Social Security has zero tolerance for fraud and uses many proven tactics to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. Our Office of the Inspector General is relentless in its pursuit of people who conceal work activity while receiving disability benefits. We investigate and seek prosecution for people who receive benefits for a child or children who aren’t under their care, or who fail to notify Social Security of the death of a beneficiary and continue to receive and cash checks of the deceased. We also depend on you to help stop fraud.
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What to Do with Cremated Ashes? Dear Savvy Senior, When my father passed away a few months ago we had him cremated, but are now wondering what to do with his ashes. My sister and I would like to do something celebratory for his life, but aren’t sure what to do. Any suggestions? No Instructions Left Dear No,
If your dad didn’t leave any final instructions on what to do with his cremated remains (ashes), you have a wide array of choices. They can be kept, buried or scattered in a variety of ways and in many locations. Here are some different options to help you decide.
Keep Close By For many people, keeping the ashes of their deceased love one close by provides a feeling of comfort. If you fit into this category, you could keep his ashes in an urn on the mantel or in a cabinet, or you could also scatter some of them into your lawn or garden, shake them into a backyard pond or dig a hole and bury them. Another possible option is eco-friendly urns (like UrnaBios. com or EterniTrees.com) that contain a seed that grows into a tree or plant after being buried.
Cemetery Options If you want your dad’s final resting place to be at a cemetery, you have several choices depending on how much you’re willing to spend. With most cemeteries, you can either bury his ashes in a plot, or place them in cremation monument, a mausoleum or a cemetery building called a columbarium.
Scatter Them If you want to scatter his ashes, to help you chose an appropriate location, think about what your dad would have liked. For example, did he have a favorite fishing spot, camping area, golf course, beach or park
that held a special meaning? These are all possibilities, but be aware to that if you choose to scatter his ashes in a public location or on private land, you’ll need to get permission from the management, local government or the land owner. National parks, for example, require you to have a permit before you scatter ashes. If you wish to dispose of them at sea, the Environmental Protection Agency asks you be at least three miles from shore. Beach scatterings are also illegal in some states, including California, but are rarely enforced. And many public areas, like Central Park and Disneyland prohibit scattering ashes too, as do most professional and college sports stadiums.
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Untraditional Methods If you want to do something truly unique with his ashes, you have many choices here too, but they can get pricy ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Here are several to consider. Scattering by air: This free-spirited option lets you spread your dad’s ashes into the sky so the particles can be taken by the wind. To do this, you could hire a private plane, helicopter or hot air balloon service, or use a balloon scattering service like EternalAscent.com or Mesoloft.com. Or, you could even send his ashes into outer space with ElysiumSpace.com. Scattering by sea: If your dad loved the water, there are many businesses that offer ash scattering services at sea, especially close to coastal areas, or you could rent a boat and do it yourself. There are also companies like EternalReefs.com that offer reef memorials so your dad’s ashes can rest on the ocean floor. Ashes to keepsakes: If you want a keepsake of your dad, you can also turn some of his ashes into a wide variety of memorabilia, such as: diamonds (see LifeGem.com or DNA2Diamonds.com); jewelry or other handcrafted glass items (ArtFromAshes.com and Memorials.com); vinyl records (Andvinyly.com); gun ammunition (MyHolySmoke.com); or an hourglass urn (InTheLightUrns. com).
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Health News
Crouse foundation gets Susan G. Komen grant
The Susan G. Komen Twin Tiers Region has awarded a $19,752 grant to Crouse Health Foundation to encourage women in Syracuse and Onondaga County to seek breast cancer education and screening. The overarching goal of the project is to promote awareness of breast cancer to all women in the region, including those between the ages of 30 and 40 with strong family histories of breast cancer. “This project will also support our Spirit of Women program to continue Crouse Health’s mission and its focus on improving women’s health,” said Kathleen Miller Murphy, manager of community engagement. “We will now be able to build more relationships with women in our community and connect them with the breast care resources they need.” Crouse’s Spirit of Women program educates, engages and empowers its 6,000 members to make more informed healthcare decisions. The Komen grant will enable Crouse Health and Spirit of Women continue to collaborate with community groups, such as the local YMCA, Clear Path for Veterans and Breast Care Partners to increase breast health awareness, according to Murphy. Crouse will also be able to increase its outreach to women and their family members who may need financial help to receive the diagnostic services they need. For more information about mammography screening at the Falk Breast Health Center or to make an appointment, call 315-470-5880, or schedule your visit online now. To learn more about Crouse’s Spirit of Women, visit crouse.org/spirit.
New OB-GYN joins St. Joseph’s primary care St. Joseph’s Health welcomes OB-GYN Sunday Asaju to its team of women’s health providers at St. Joseph’s Primary Care centers. Asaju will see patients at St. Joseph’s Primary Care Center-West and at the Primary Care Center on the main campus of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. Prior to joining St. Asaju Joseph’s, Asaju was in practice with the Slocum-Dickson Medical Group, PLLC, in New Hartford, Oneida County. Asaju earned his Doctor of Medicine from University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago and completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the New York Medical College, Metropolitan Hospital in New York. He additionally completed a fellowship in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona in Tuscon, Ariz., and training in medPage 24
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ical acupuncture at Helm’s Medical Institute in Berekely, Calif. Asaju holds a Master of Medical Management (MMM) from Tulane University School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine in New Orleans and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management. In addition to his career as a physician, Asaju is active in the academic aspects of medicine through his current role as a clinical assistant professor of OB-GYN at SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse, an appointment he has held since 1997. He has also been a member of the medical faculty at Northeast Osteopathic Medical Education Network in Biddeford, Maine., and New York Medical College at Metropolitan Hospital in New York, N.Y.
Carr promoted to director of clinical nutrition Loretto has promoted Katie Carr to director of clinical nutrition at The Commons on St. Anthony in Auburn. Carr, a resident of Camillus, was previously a registered dietitian nutritionist with Loretto at The Commons on St. Anthony. She also has Carr several years of experience as a nutritionist from elder care facilities in New York and North Carolina. Carr holds a Bachelor of Science in medicinal chemistry from SUNY Buffalo, a Master of Public Health from Upstate Medical University, and a Master of Science in nutrition from Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C.
Loretto daybreak program receives NYS Award The Adult Day Health Care Council has awarded its annual Christine M. Fitzpatrick Advocacy Award to Christine Tanchak, pro gram director of Loretto’s daybreak adult medical day program. Loretto’s daybreak adult medical day program assists adults 21 and older with medical conditions they’re unable Tanchak to manage by themselves, helping people to remaining in their community while providing them with supportive medical services, structured activities and case management, among other services. “Christine is so passionate for the adults in our day health care program,” said Kim Townsend, president and chief executive officer at Loretto. “She advocates for our participants to receive the diverse
IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2017
Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists CEO Michael Humphrey (left) accepts the award for National Practice Executive of the Year presented by Jan West, president of American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives.
SOS CEO Mike Humphrey Named National Practice Executive of the Year Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists (SOS) Chief Executive Officer Michael Humphrey has been selected as the Practice Executive of the Year by the American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives (AAOE). Humphrey accepted the award at the AAOE’s annual conference in Indianapolis. “I am truly honored to have been recognized with this award from the AAOE,” said Humphrey. “Every nominee, who are peers and friends of mine, deserve to be recognized. I attribute this to the amazing medical personnel and staff I am fortunate to work with each and every day. They inspire me to want to do better for the practice and our patients.” The AAOE is a member organization providing education and resources to orthopaedic practice executives and their staff members. The AAOE annual conference services they need, and upholds the highest standards of care.” This year’s awards were presented April 20 at the annual conference awards luncheon at the Embassy Suites in Saratoga Springs.
Watertown Audiology at Fayetteville opens Watertown Audiology Hearing Aid & Balance Center has opened its new office at 544 Towne Drive, located above Panera Bread. In a news release, owners of the practice said they are opening its new office to meet the growing demand for individualized, patient-focused hearing health care services in Central New York. The new office will provide adult and pediatric hearing evaluations,
brings together more than 500 orthopedic practice executives and their staff from around the country for education and professional development. The conference allows practice professionals to stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends, provide strategic insight and training, and address what is on the horizon for orthopedic practice management. “We’re very proud, and not surprised, that Mike was selected as Practice Executive of the Year,” said physician Brett Greenky, president of SOS. “Since joining SOS in 2004, Mike has consistently brought efficiencies to our practice, implementing initiatives that help the medical team provide quality care for our patients, all the while keeping the practice abreast of and compliant with the changing field of healthcare.” the latest in hearing aid technology, tinnitus evaluations and balance and dizziness assessments. Watertown Audiology also offers BPPV treatment and auditory processing testing. The award-winning practice will be staffed by audiologists Sarah Sugden, Sarah Brady and Kelly Hemmingway, Au.D. “My priority has always been to provide patients with the best hearing health care available,” said Sugden, owner and president of Watertown Audiology. “Our Fayetteville office will offer more hearing services to the Central New York community while providing the latest hearing aid technology at affordable prices.” In addition to serving Fayetteville, Watertown Audiology’s original location is located on Public Square in downtown Watertown.
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Health News Oneida Healthcare, Oswego Hospital Get High Mark from Leapfrog Group Two region hospitals get prestigious recognition Oneida Healthcare For a consecutive time, Oneida Healthcare received an “A” from The Leapfrog Group for patient safety. It’s the only hospital to receive an “A” for patient safety throughout Onondaga, Madison, Oneida, Cayuga, and Herkimer counties. Besides Oneida Healthcare, no area hospital within a 50-mile radius received a hospital safety grade higher than a “C,” according to a news released issued by the hospital. “We’re proud of our staff for their ongoing commitment to quality outcomes and patient safety,” said Gene Morreale, Oneida Healthcare’s president and chief executive officer. “Earning an “A” grade in consecutive hospital safety reports is a difficult achievement and a reflection of our exceptional staff and physicians.” Oneida Healthcare represents just one of only 14 hospitals to receive an “A” throughout all of New York state. The Leapfrog Group assigns A, B, C, D and F letter grades to hospitals nationwide, which represents how well hospitals protect their patients from errors, injuries and infections. “Hospitals that earn top marks
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nationally in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, have achieved the highest safety standards in the country,” said Leah Binder, president and chief executive officer of The Leapfrog Group. “That takes commitment from every member of the hospital staff, who all deserve thanks and congratulations when their hospitals achieve an ‘A’ safety grade. Developed under the guidance of an expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses 30 measures to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice per year. To compare local hospital safety grades near you, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org. Oneida Healthcare serves an area comprised of approximately 24 communities in Madison and western Oneida counties with a population of about 100,000.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2017
Oswego Hospital Oswego Hospital has been awarded an ‘A’ for providing safe, high quality care to its patients by the Leapfrog Group. This is the third consecutive time the hospital has been presented an ‘A’ by the national organization. Oswego Hospital also earned the top letter grade in the fall and spring of 2016 and was the only hospital located in Oswego and Onondaga counties, to earn this distinction all three times. By earning an “A,” Oswego Hospital is recognized for providing the highest quality of patient care. “Our physicians, nurses and other clinical staff members are to be commended for consistently providing the high quality care that our patients deserve,” said Oswego Health Presi-
dent and CEO Chuck Gijanto. “To earn the top letter grade three times in a row shows they are working each and every day to provide safe, quality care.” Chief Medical Officer Renato Mandanas, who oversees quality at the hospital, added, “This award validates that community members can receive excellent healthcare services close to their homes and I encourage those who haven’t used our services to consider making Oswego Health their number one choice for healthcare.” The Leapfrog Group provided grades for 2,639 hospitals nationwide, with 823 earning the top letter grade. Only 19 percent of the hospitals in New York state earned an “A,” while 17 percent nationwide were presented the top grade three times in a row.
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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, Ernst Lamothe Jr. Eva Briggs (M.D.), Aaron Gifford • 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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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2017