In Good Health: CNY #293 - May 2024

Why You Should

Thank a Nurse This Month

Of course you should always thank a nurse, but May is a special month. That's when it's celebrated Nurses Week (May 6-12) and Nurses Month.

See releated stories starting on page 14

TAREK J. SOUSOU, M.D.

Can I Get Sick From My Pet?

Cuddly, friendly, fun: Your pet brings so much to your life, but experts warn that, in rare cases, they can also bring illness.

The health benefits of pet ownership are many, noted physician Stacey Rose, an associate professor of infectious diseases and internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

For example, the presence of a dog or cat in the home can desensitize a child's developing immune system to certain allergens. Pets are also well-known stress busters, helping to lower risks for high blood pressure and depression, Rose noted in a Baylor news release.

But there are hidden health dangers, especially for pregnant women or anyone with an immune system weakened by illness, organ transplant or infection with HIV.

For those people, there's the risk of toxoplasmosis, caused by the toxoplasma germ that can be found in cat feces, Rose said.

Hookworm — this time found in dog feces — is another infectious agent to be wary of, so always wash your hands after picking up after your dog.

Then there's the danger of getting bitten or scratched by a dog, cat or other pet.

Cats, especially, can transmit a

dangerous organism called Pasteurella multocida through a bite, and dog bites can pass along another hazardous germ called Capnocytophaga canimorsus.

Infections with these germs can be dangerous and even fatal for people with compromised immune systems, Rose said.

Cats and dogs who roam outside can also come into contact with rodents, possums, raccoons and other wild critters. Rose said the main health issue there is the insects that live on these animals, such as fleas and ticks — and the illnesses they carry.

For example, Murine typhus is a flea-borne illness that can bring on rash, fever and other symptoms in humans.

“You don't have to have direct

When every mom receives the care she needs, EVERYBODY BENEFITS

exposure with a rodent to be at risk; if your pets are gallivanting with those other animals and the fleas are transferred from the rodent to your pet, then your pet can help transmit that disease," Rose explained.

Bartonella henselae illness is another flea-borne bacterium that's so associated with felines that it's been nicknamed "cat scratch" disease. It's most associated with scratches from kittens, Rose said. If the kitten is carrying fleas, the fleas' infected feces can enter your body via a scratch.

According to the Baylor news release, "in kids or adults with a normal immune system, one might develop a big lymph node that will go away on its own," after a scratch, but "with a compromised immune system, that same bug can lead to far-reaching diseases including bloodstream infections or infections of the heart or heart valves, or the eye, liver or spleen."

Then there are illnesses caught from scaly cold-blooded pets such as turtles, lizards or snakes.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to issue alerts about people (often small children) catching salmonella from these animals after handling them.

Elderly people, or those with compromised immune systems, should also avoid handling pet reptiles, or wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water if they do.

“There are plenty of reasons why we can and should have pets, but you just need [to] be aware of your own immune system and the potential risks," Rose said. We have to be conscientious pet owners for our own health and the health of our families and neighbors."

Along with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, we’re committed to reducing racial and ethnic maternal health disparities by 50% in 5 years. Join us and take action today: Get the facts in our episode “Reducing Racial Disparities in Maternal Health” with Dr. Cuyler at

Childbirth complications are 46% higher among Black mothers. Anyone can help by learning more about this urgent issue. (Tip: start with our podcast episode)1

Every expecting mother should receive unbiased, high-quality care. Examine your own implicit biases. What might need to change?

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Support policies and organizations that increase access to affordable, culturally sensitive maternal healthcare. Let the expecting mothers in your life know they have a voice, are being heard, AND believed.

Meet Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Tarek J. Sousou, M.D.

Hematology-Oncology Associates’ board president discusses cancer’s latest trends, talks about the growth of the practice and addresses the expected competition that will arise from St. Joe’s new cancer program. ‘It’s unfortunate that St. Joe’s has decided to go in this direction,’ he says

Q: How long have you been board president of Hematology Oncology Associates of Central New York?

A: Since January 2023.

Q: What duties come with the position?

A: As board president my responsibilities, in addition to my clinical duties, are to help manage the practice. I address any issues with regard to the manner in which we see patients, our referral patterns and making sure everyone has the tools they need to practice medicine, to practice oncology efficiently and effectively.

Q: HOA is the largest cancer center in Central New York, correct? How did that hap pen?

A: Right. We see around 70% of all pa tients in the area that are receiving oncology treatment. I think the way things have devel oped for HOA have a lot to do with putting the patient first. Everything we do puts the patient first. Our philosophy is that if you put the patient first, everything else will follow. That’s how we’ve been able to be so successful seeing cancer patients. We offer patients physical therapy on site. We have access to a dietitian on site. We have various service lines that are more value-added than financially additive. We want to make it convenient for patients so they can get comprehensive cancer care keeping with our primary mission to take care of patients.

Q: You’re currently establishing a new office.

A: We’re going to be opening a brand new facility in Camillus. It’s projected to be complete sometime in early fall. It’s not a satellite office the way people think of them, it’s a full-fledged cancer center. Patients will be able to receive chemotherapy and radi ation at our

Camillus office. We’ll have a full-service lab. We’ll have an outpatient prescription pharmacy for specialty drugs and drugs related to oncology care. It will really be a comprehensive cancer center similar to our main office in Brittonfield.

Q: Why was Camillus chosen?

A: We thought Camillus was a good place for an office because we noticed it’s in close proximity to where a lot of our patients have been coming from. Camillus isn’t too far from our office in Onondaga Hill, which we’re leaving Onondaga Hill was a good location because it’s pretty convenient for patients coming from Marcellus and Auburn and since Camillus has been growing, we thought it would be a good place to relocate to for serving the entirety of Onondaga County. We’re really trying to make it easy for patients who travel to be able to see us.

Q: With St. Joseph’s starting a cancer center in Syracuse in conjunction with Buffalo’s Roswell Park, do you see the duplication of services as a good thing for cancer care in Central New York? Is competition good, or is there a danger of saturation and inefficiency?

A: Sadly, I don’t think anyone will benefit outside of St. Joe’s and Roswell Park. The truth about hospitals that have oncology practices affiliated with academic institutions is that they’re trying to capitalize on an abused government program called 340B. 340B is a drug-purchasing program designed to help hospitals offset the costs of chemotherapy drugs to provide care for those who are underserved and cannot afford chemotherapy. So the way that this works is that hospitals and academic centers are able to purchase drugs at a lower price point and then be reimbursed at a higher price point to offset caring for patients who are underserved. When this program is applied to include patients who are not underserved,

it can be very lucrative for hospitals. It’s unfortunate that St. Joe’s has decided to go in this direction. But when it comes to providing good patient care, it’s not about finances; it’s about providing things that allow you to care for the patient. You need to have radiation oncology, medical oncology, a full-service lab. You need to have social workers present. You need a team of pharmacists. You need to be able to obtain financial assistance for patients who need these drugs. Last year alone we were able to obtain a little over $11 million in patient-assistance. So it takes a whole village.

Q: What trends are you tracking in cancer treatment that you find interesting?

A: I think there’s a lot of exciting news. Treatments have become very personalized. It’s no longer a one-size-fits-all situation. The personalization allows us to be very innovative with regards to providing patients an extension on life while at the same time minimizing side effects and maximizing quality and quantity of life. It is very common now that patients are eligible for drugs like immunotherapy or drugs targeted to gene abnormalities in the cancer, which allows us to give chemotherapy and immunotherapy that’s easier and safer for patients. And it’s not associated with all of the side effects you expect with traditional chemotherapy like hair loss and weight loss. It’s very common now to pass by these patients in the grocery store and not know they’re receiving treatment. We’re already seeing the benefits of immunotherapy come through with lung and kidney cancers and even breast cancer. These patients are living longer, living better and having better responses to treatment. So we’re really breaking through these survival thresholds people my age were trained about.

Q: Are these treatments available to the average patient or still mostly constrained to major centers?

A: These are FDA-approved treatments available to all patients. We’re also excited about clinical trials we have that are coming. I think the outlook for cancer care in the next five years is very positive. It may not be curable, but neither is diabetes or hypertension. So you’ll see these cancers managed in a similar fashion with a combination of pills and injections to maximize quality and quantity of life.

Lifelines

Name: Tarek J. Sousou, M.D.

Position: Board president of Hematology-Oncology Associates of Central New York

Hometown: Liverpool

Education: SUNY Upstate Medical University; special training at University of Rochester Medical Center; board-certified in internal medicine, oncology and hematology

Affiliations: St. Joseph’s Health, Crouse Health

Organizations: American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Medical Association, American Society of Hematology

Family: Wife, three children

Hobbies: Wood working, travel, home remodeling.

Healthcare in a Minute

By George W. Chapman

O!-O!-O!-Ozempic!

Medicare spent $57 million to cover the drug in 2017. It spent $4.6 billion in 2022

The catchy tune in the commercial might be referring to its price.

Medicare approved the drug to treat diabetes in 2017. Part D spent a sensible $57 million on it for patients in 2018. But due to increased demand, new uses like weight loss and glaring price gouging by manufacturer Novo Nordisk, Part D spending on Ozempic rose to an astounding $4.6

Pharmacist Shortage

Not getting much attention, (like the nurse and physician shortage), is the increasing shortage of pharmacists.

In the past 10 years, the number of applicants to pharmacy schools has declined a precipitous 60%. Some of this decline could be self-inflicted as pharmacy schools unilaterally decided to mandate all students must get a Ph.D. starting in 2000. It has gotten so bad that CVS is offering $20,000 scholarships to 21 needy pharmacy students. While laudable, that won’t even make a dent in the shortage. Pharmacy is a great career. Pharmacists work in hospitals, supermarket, community retail stores, primary health centers, nursing facilities and research. Salaries are in the $130,000 to $170,000 range. Pharmacists are increasingly involved in direct patient interaction. The shortage of pharmacists and our dependence on the “goodwill” of corporations like

billion (with the “b”) in 2022.

Medicare has been prevented from using its vast purchasing power to negotiate drug prices literally by an act of Congress under George W. Bush. Recently, Congress has magnanimously allowed Medicare to negotiate 10 yes, just 10 drug prices in 2026. This shows how much influence and control the drug lobby exerts over Congress. Maybe one of

CVS to mitigate the shortage is just another example of our fragmented and uncoordinated healthcare system where individual components must fend for themselves because there isn’t a national strategic plan or vision.

Health Over Wealth Act

In an effort to control unscrupulous private equity firms notorious for realizing profits over patient safety and community welfare, this proposed bill would require medical groups, nursing homes and hospitals to reveal any PE affiliation.

Struggling healthcare organizations, particularly vulnerable rural nursing homes and hospitals, have resorted to partnering with PE for salvation. Typically, the PE firm will quickly turn around the finances of their client by immediately cutting staff and unprofitable services. Before the facility knows what has

contributions and copays are also rising (cost shifting) causing many families to postpone or even avoid seeking care because of high out-ofpocket expenses. As discussed in previous columns, medical debt is the No. 1 cause of personal bankruptcy. While the goals of the task force are laudable, they should also consider a functioning national healthcare system to replace our enormously expensive, confusing, inequitable, uncoordinated and fragmented healthcare system.

Kaiser Permanente acquires Geisinger Health

the 10 prices Medicare negotiates in 2026 will be Ozempic. This is another example of why our care and drugs cost so much and why we need to seriously consider/ study a national plan. As mentioned last month, total healthcare costs in the US are expected to increase from about $5 trillion last year to around $15 trillion in 2030.

hit them, their fledgling hospital or nursing home has been stripped to bare bones, leaving the remaining employees and the community high and dry.

Once the ephemeral profits are gone, so too is the PE firm. PE firms typically get paid a hefty management fee and then first crack at profits. The Health Over Wealth Act is intended to regulate PE in healthcare and to require healthcare organizations to reveal any PE involvement.

Task Force on EmployerSponsored Healthcare

Half of the US population is covered by employer-sponsored healthcare.

The Commonwealth Fund has recently created a task force comprised of representatives from politics, universities and insurers to identify market incentives and regulatory policies that would result in better access, delivery, outcomes and overall population health.

Employers are faced with rising premiums. Consequently, employee

California-based Kaiser has just added Pennsylvania-based Geisinger Health to its vast multi-hospital, multi-system, multi-state healthcare system, Now known as Risant Health, the multifaceted healthcare system boasted revenues more than $100 billion last year. Geisinger brings 10 hospitals (including Guthrie Cortland Medical Center) and 600,000 members to Risant.

Nonprofit hospitals have had to build large networks and capital in order to compete with well- heeled for-profit providers like Walmart, Amazon and CVS. Size helps Risant effectively negotiate with wealthy commercial insurers like United, Aetna, BCBS, Anthem and Humana. The ultimate goal is to further develop Risant’s own health insurance plan (Kaiser Permanente) by adding members which mitigates risk and keeps their premiums competitive. Profits generated by their proprietary insurance plan are then re-invested in the healthcare system and patient care.

Amazon RxPass

Medicare can’t negotiate prices, but Amazon can. Prime members are eligible for the RxPass which promises not only lower drug prices but drone delivery to your doorstep someday soon. This home delivery presents an existential threat to “mom and pop” pharmacies and huge corporate chains like CVS and Walgreens. Between 2009 and 2015, one of eight brick and mortar pharmacies closed, most in depressed and underserved communities. Innovation is great, but once again our lack of a national gameplan is apparent.

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.

Cancer Cases Set to Soar 77% by 2050, Thanks to Aging Population

As the world’s population ages, a new report warns that the number of people with cancer could climb 77% by 2050.

In the report, published in April in the journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, researchers from the American Cancer Society found there were about 20 million cancer cases and 9.7 million cancer deaths in 2022, the latest year for which data is available.

However, “we think that number will go up to 35 million by 2050, largely due to an increasing population in the aging population,” physician William Dahut, chief scientific officer for the American Cancer Society, told CNN.

“A lot of the drivers for cancer that we’ve traditionally seen in high-income countries, such as tobacco and obesity, these same cancer drivers are now moving into the low-income countries,” Dahut noted. “These are countries that do not have the tools to find cancer early, treat cancer appropriately and prevent it in ways that are often being done in other countries.”

The good news is that those risk factors can be minimized with lifestyle changes, experts said.

“With more than half of cancer deaths worldwide being potentially preventable, prevention offers the most cost-effective and sustainable strategy for cancer control,” senior study author physician Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice president of surveillance & health equity science at the ACS, said in a news release. “Elimination of tobacco use alone could prevent 1 in 4 cancer deaths,

or approximately 2.6 million cancer deaths annually.”

What did the data show?

The most common cancer types were lung, breast in women, colon, prostate, stomach, liver, thyroid, cervical, bladder and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, according to the report.

Lung cancer was also the leading cause of cancer deaths, followed by colon, liver, breast in women, stomach, pancreatic, esophagus, prostate, cervical cancer and leukemia.

Tobacco remains “the principal cause of lung cancer,” according to the report.

“While we do see lung cancers that are not related to smoking, the number one cause of lung cancer is smoking. And so obviously, there’s still much work to be done in the U.S. and everywhere to continue to address the epidemic of smoking,” said physician Harold Burstein, an oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

“Other things that people can do to reduce their cancer mortality include screening for early cancer detection and better outcomes. In the U.S., we have very vigorous opportunities for screening with mammography, colonoscopy and Pap smears, but these are still often under-utilized by many parts of our society,” he said. “In the more advanced economies, like the U.S., we have seen remarkable declines in the rates of mortality from breast cancer and colon cancer, probably about half of that due to early detection.”

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By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone Live Alone & Thrive

On Your Own: Rediscover Your True Self

Living alone after a divorce or the death of a spouse can be a challenging yet transformative experience.

I know it was for me.

My own path to contentment took some time, some growing pains — setbacks as well as successes — and some aching losses before I could find my way back to my true self.

For many, the transition from married life to being single marks a period of rediscovery and a time to redefine their identity.

After focusing on the needs of a spouse and family, it’s common to feel as if you’ve lost touch with who you are as an individual. However, I’ve come to realize that the key to living alone successfully lies in embracing this opportunity to explore who you really are and who you aspire to be.

My journey began with a set of soul-searching questions to identify and clarify my beliefs, values, likes and dislikes. I was careful to focus on what mattered to me and to steer clear of “shoulds” and other people’s agendas.

This exercise in introspection enabled me to create a life that is authentic, fulfilling and uniquely mine. Contentment followed.

To begin your own journey of self-discovery, you might start by asking yourself some fundamental questions:

1. When have you felt the most fulfilled and alive in your life? What were the circumstances surrounding those moments?

2. What dreams and aspirations did you have when you were younger? Are there any steps you can take now to work toward those dreams?

3. Who are the people in your life that bring out the best in you? What is it about those relationships that are so meaningful to you?

4. What are you curious about? What subjects or topics do you find yourself constantly wanting to learn more about?

5. When do you feel most like your ol’ self again? What are you doing in those moments? (I took up gardening again.)

6. What values are most important to you? Helping the less fortu-

nate? Working toward equal rights? How can you incorporate those values into your daily life?

7. What kind of books, movies or music do you enjoy? Could those subjects hint at a hidden passion or interest?

8. How do you spend your time when no one is watching, when you are just being you? (I like to sing to my cat!)

9. What activities or hobbies did you pursue as a young adult that gave you joy? Are there any ways you can incorporate those activities back into your life now?

10 What are some small, simple pleasures in life that bring you joy? How can you incorporate more of those into your daily routine?

These questions can help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your desires. They can also serve as a guide as you navigate this new chapter in your life.

Teresa, a good friend of mine, had spent most of her adult life caring for her family. She wouldn’t have traded that for the world, but after her divorce, she realized that somewhere along the way she had disappeared around the edges. She had lost her own sense of self.

Determined to reconnect with herself, she started exploring her family history through Ancestry.com. As she delved into her roots, she uncovered fascinating stories about her ancestors and their lives. Teresa began to see herself as part of a larger whole, which brought her a deep sense of fulfillment and belonging.

Similarly, Steve, my middle-aged neighbor, found himself at a crossroads after the death of his wife. He had been so aligned with her that he struggled to find his own identity after her passing.

Through therapy and self-reflection, Steve recalled his love of travel. On his first solo trip, he discovered a sense of freedom and adventure that he had been missing. It led to many more trips and a newfound appreciation for life’s possibilities.

Teresa and Steve’s stories highlight the transformative power of reconnecting with your true self. By taking the time to understand who you are and what you want out of life, you can create a new and fulfilling existence for yourself.

Remember, this journey is yours and your alone. Embrace it with an open heart and a curious mind, and you will be amazed at what you discover along the way.

Gwenn Voelckers is the author of “Alone and Content: Inspiring, empowering essays to help divorced and widowed women feel whole and complete on their own.” She welcomes your thoughts on this column as well as topic suggestion for future essays at gvoelckers@rochester. rr.com.

Q & A

with Dr. Ofrona A. Reid

Physician talks about his transition from chief medical officer to interim president and CEO at Syracuse Community Health Center, says one of his goals is close the health care disparities and accomplish better outcomes for the center’s patients

By Mary Beth Roach

Physician Ofrona A. Reid transitioned on Jan. 1, from the chief medical officer at the Syracuse Community Health Center to the interim president and CEO of that organization. It is anticipated that he will assume the role on a permanent basis.

Q: How has that transition been for you?

A: I’m an internal medicine doctor and former CMO [chief medical officer]. There’s no training to be an interim CEO. So, transitioning into spaces, such as business development, public policy and advocacy has been an adjustment. You’re going out, meeting people; you’re talking to elected officials.

nering to deliver quality care to our mutual patient populations. I have spent a great deal of time outside the four walls of SCH [Syracuse Commu nity Health]. I have attended advoca cy day in Washington, DC as well as the capital in Albany, advocating for the SCH.

Q: What do you see as the primary mis sion of the center?

A: To deliver equitable and affordable quality care to the disad vantaged, underserved, underpriv ileged and underinsured patient population. To provide optimal care to patients despite their ability to pay.

Q: What are your plans for the center moving forward?

A: My plan right now is really focused on integrated primary care, inclusive of behavioral health and dental. I think that model is appro priate for the complex patients that we see day to day. I also hope to cre ate a one-stop shop in which patients can receive multiple clinical services on the same day.

Q: You’re in a new facility. How do you see that helping in providing the ser vices that you do?

A: People are happy to be walk ing into a new facility, bright natural lighting and beautiful colors. Every thing is new. The operation through out for the patients is much easier to navigate. The clinical pods are designed for the clinical care team to work together rather than in private offices.

Q: What do you see as some of the biggest challenges that you and your staff at the center face, and overall, the medical care that’s provided in this community?

A: Zip code 13202 is the poorest zip code in New York state. You wit ness many patients with food inse curities and transportation barriers. When you’re trying to address someone’s blood pressure or diabetes, and they don’t have access to healthy options to food or transportation, it’s a challenge. Our goal now has been really focused on addressing food insecurity and transportation barriers so we can close the health care disparities and accomplish better outcomes for our patients with uncontrolled blood pressure and diabetes.

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Q: What prompted you to take on this new position?

A: I think I didn’t realize the skill set that I had to be CEO until I was given different responsibilities from our former CEO, in which I successfully completed. I was put into positions or situations where I had to make decisions for the organization that was beyond my chief medical officer responsibilities. I think that’s when I realized that I do have the skill set to be CEO.

Q: Can you give an overview of your new responsibilities?

A: Community engagement in the business development space with CEOs from community- based organizations and health systems in Syracuse, in which we discuss part-

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Q: There appears to be a shortage of primary care physicians in this area. Do you see the center as being able to help fill that gap, and if so, how?

A: Yes, I do. The Syracuse Community Health Center got approval for an ambulatory family medicine residency program. The residency program will allow us to hire four residents per year over the next three years for a total of 12 residents. Not only will our residency program decrease the primary care shortage for Syracuse Community Health, but it also has the potential to decrease shortages in Central New York. Some of those residents who train with us may consider practicing primary care at nearby institutions such as St. Joseph’s, Upstate Medical University, Crouse Health as well as far out to Oneida Health or Rome Health. I have high hopes a traditional ambulatory family medicine residency program will fill the gap in Central New York.

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By Eva Briggs, MD

My Turn Cancer in Young People Continues to Rise — It Represents 5% of All Cancers

I’m writing this in April, and learned that the first week of April is adolescent and young adult cancer awareness week. This encompasses patients aged 15 – 39.

Each year in the U.S. about 89,000 people in this age range are diagnosed with cancer.

Cancer in adolescents and young adults represents about 5% of all cancers.

Certain cancers occur most frequently in in adolescents and young adults: primary bone cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma and testicular cancer. Lymphomas and thyroid cancer are the most common cancers in 1524-year-olds.

Each year the incidence of cancer in this age group has been rising by 0.3%. Survival rates are also improving, but lag behind the progress made in children. This is due to differences in tumor biology, enrolment in clinical trials, treatment protocols, treatment tolerance, and compliance with treatment.

The most common cancers by age range are as follows:

• 15-19 year olds: testicular cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, thyroid cancer, and brain tumors.

• 20-29 year olds: testicular cancer,

thyroid cancer, breast cancer, and melanoma.

• 30-39 year olds: breast, thyroid, testicular, and cervical cancer.

Adolescent and young adult cancer patients face a variety of challenges and frustrations. Their peers often don’t understand what treatment entails and how life is changed for cancer patients and survivors.

Relationships may suffer because many young cancer patients feel isolated from friends and family. Young people are beginning to be independent, perhaps starting a job, attending college, or staring a family. Cancer can cause a frustrating loss of that independence.

Body image can be altered by the disease itself, by medications that induce physical changes such as hair loss, weight gain or weight loss, and by surgery.

Mental health takes a hit with emotions ranging from shock, fear, anger, sadness, loneliness, to embarrassment. Fortunately, many hospitals offer support programs such as art therapy, music therapy, and support groups.

Cancer treatments can affect fertility. Reproductive endocrinologists can counsel patients about options

to preserve fertility before starting treatment. Additional resources include the Oncofertility Consortium (https://oncofertility.msu.edu) and Livestrong Fertility (www.livestrong. org/what-we-do/program/fertility).

Cancer survivors face additional challenges. There may be worry that the cancer will return. Long-term side effects such as fatigue may take longer to resolve than anticipated. Late effects from treatment may develop months or years after treatment. For these reasons follow-up medical care is vital.

Unfortunately, not every cancer is curable.

Patients with terminal or endstage cancer will need to have discussions with their family and medical team to navigate choices about their care and support.

The National Cancer Institute has a wealth of information geared toward adolescents and young adults with cancer at www.cancer.gov/ types/aya.

If you want to hear some first-

hand perspective about surviving cancer, check out the podcasts and videos by Will Flanary. He’s an ophthalmologist and comedian who survived cancer not once but twice in his 20s. And then had a cardiac arrest in his sleep, saved by his wife performing CPR. He goes by the social media handle Dr. Glaucomflecken. He has plenty of funny videos but also some serious talks and discussion.

To get started, here’s an article about Flanary www.today.com/health/ health/doctor-known-dr-glaucomflecken-testicular-cancer-twice-rcna6319

Eva Briggs is a retired medical doctor who practiced in Central New York for several decades. She lives in Marcellus.

5

Things You Need to Know About Stroke

By Ernst Lamothe Jr

Stroke prevention is crucial because strokes can cause significant disability and even death.

Sometimes referred to as a brain attack, stroke occurs when the blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot, bursts or ruptures.

When that happens, part of the brain doesn’t receive the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die.

One in six deaths from cardiovascular diseases are due to stroke and every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke, according to the Centers for Disease and Prevention.

“One out of four strokes are recurrent strokes and therefore totally preventable,” said physician Julius Gene Latorre, medical director of Upstate’s Comprehensive Stroke Center. “Combining several preventive strategies to reduce risk of first or recurrent stroke are additive, and sometimes synergistic, cutting the risk by as much as 80%.”

By managing risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, individuals can reduce their chances of experiencing a stroke.

Latorre discusses five things you need to know about strokes.

1.Know the symptoms

Common symptoms of a stroke

include sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or legs, especially on one side of the body. In addition, there is confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech, vision problems, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination and severe headaches. Strokes are often compared to heart attacks due to their potential for serious and life-threatening consequences. Understanding causes of strokes is slightly complicated considering how it differs by gender, age and ethnicity.

“Less common symptoms include sudden dizziness, sudden blindness, sudden loss of consciousness or sudden severe headache,” said Latorre. “Symptoms may resolve within minutes to hours, but you have to go to the emergency room regardless, because it can recur and become permanent.”

2.Deficits linked to where the stroke occurs in the brain

Having a stroke means that the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, leading to damage to brain cells. This can result in various neurological deficits depending on the location and severity of the stroke.

“When someone suffers a stroke, a part of the brain dies resulting in loss of function related to that part of the brain,” said Latorre. “Different parts of the brain serve different neu-

rological functions such as the left side usually controls speech and language along with motor movement of the right side of the body. The right side controls the body’s awareness of the whole environment, along with motor movement of the left side of the body. The back part called cerebellum controls the balance and the brainstem connects the whole brain to the rest of the body.”

3.There are ways to reverse the effect of stroke

Some misconceptions about stroke include the belief that it only affects the elderly, when in fact, it occurs at various ages. “Stroke can happen at any age even in children,” said Latorre. “Some people think that having a stroke is an accident and you can’t do anything about it. If identified early, stroke can be cured completely and we have a lot

of acute treatments that can be done to completely reverse the effect of stroke. However, you have to come to the hospital right away.”

4.It runs in the family

Family history can play a role in stroke risk as genetics can influence certain risk factors such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

“Some causes of strokes run in the family. A number of risk factors for stroke such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis run in the family as well,” said Latorre.

5.Fatigue, daytime sleepiness, depression may arise

“A stroke is similar to a heart attack and is sometimes called a brain attack,” said Latorre. “In heart attacks, an artery supplying the heart gets blocked and patients experience chest pain or tightness. In brain attack or stroke, an artery supplying the brain gets blocked and patients experience loss of brain function in that region causing neurologic symptoms.”

After stroke, some patients may develop several problems including generalized fatigue, daytime sleepiness, depression and limitation of mobility leading to reduced quality of life. It is important to work closely with your physician to address these issues.

Physician Julius Gene Latorre, medical director of Upstate’s Comprehensive Stroke Center

TParenting

By Melissa Stefanec MelissaStefanec@yahoo.com

Confessions of a Bad Parent

onight, I feel like an awful parent.

I feel like a failure.

These feelings don’t happen very often, but when they do, they hit hard.

For me, these feelings usually result from my kids making big mistakes. When those big mistakes coincide with one of my weak days, I tend to make an ugly storm. Tonight was one of those storms.

Like most storms, this one started with rumblings. I worked later than I should have, so I was behind. It also happened to be family STEAM night at one of my kid’s schools. As I raced to get a decent dinner on the table, my kids chatted about what events would take place at the STEAM night. One of my kids predicted a science fair. The other assured us there would be a fair, but they wouldn’t be in it.

I asked my kid why their class wasn’t participating in the science fair. My kid said the class was invited to, but they didn’t want to do it. As

this was the first I was hearing about this science fair, I asked if the teacher had sent paperwork home.

Apparently, paperwork had gone home, but my kid chose to throw that paperwork rather than show it to me. I was immediately very frustrated. I told my child they wouldn’t be going to STEAM night because of that choice. Then I asked my kid if they had thrown out any other parent paperwork. Apparently, in tandem with Pick-A-Math-Partner and STEAM week, kids were supposed to be completing an activity packet with their parent partners. That packet had also gone in the trash. What came next rarely happens, but on this particular evening, I had reached my breaking point. I totally lost it.

You see, my kid is a straight-A student. They are an incredibly smart and wonderful human. But, as smart as they are, they sometimes make some very big mistakes. They have been known to lie and cover their trail. They also have trouble con-

trolling themselves. They live to test limits.

When they revealed their deceit, I started yelling. I let the consequences fall like rain from the Syracuse sky. I yelled about their behavior, expectations, life choices and the importance of character. I yelled about a lot of things.

In an attempt to right their wrongs, I made them do the pick-amath-partner packet by themselves and sent them straight to bed. I took away their laptop, tablet and TV privileges. I warned them there would be other consequences. I kept at it for a while.

So why am I sharing all of this? Because us parents need to share the ugly stuff. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try to instill good values, be a good role model and coach your kids to do the right thing, your kids are going to fail. Your kids are going to make poor choices, be deceptive and do it all over again. And within that process, you’re going to display some bad values and stop being a role model.

As a parent, you sacrifice so much and give even when your gas tank is so empty that it’s spitting rust up the gas line. And sometimes, everything you do (and don’t do) isn’t going to be enough to save your children or yourself from being human and erring.

And that is going to cut you, in the way that only your children deceiving you and you failing your child can. It’s a special pain. And if you behave like I did tonight, you’re going to turn that visceral pain into anger and you’re going to make it rain flames.

After you lose it, you’re likely to start reflecting. You’re going to become more disappointed in yourself than you’re in them. That realization is going to make the pain even worse. You’re the adult after all. You have a fully formed brain and years of experience, so you should know better than to let anger rule you.

But the thing is, knowing better doesn’t mean that you always do better. That’s one of the worst realities about being human. There will forever be times where you know the choice you’re about to make is regrettable and damaging. Then, you will go ahead and make that choice anyway.

In my case, after I reflected, I understood how my kid could have thrown that packet in the trash to avoid the science fair. I didn’t understand why, but I understood how. That packet went in the trash because they are an amazing human being who sometimes makes big mistakes. We are all bad sometimes. And as much as we deserve the consequences of our actions, we also deserve love, forgiveness and additional chances to do the right thing.

So, I went to my kid’s bedside and apologized. I told them we would talk about everything tomorrow. I reassured my kid I loved them and they didn’t deserve to be yelled at. I told them we both made mistakes today and I would try to learn from mine and do better next time. Because, that’s all we can ask of ourselves and others — to keep learning and forgiving.

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Cheeky Rhubarb Delivers the Goods

Some vegetables need to be tamed, and feisty rhubarb is one of them. It’s barely edible raw, it looks like celery, its leaves are poisonous, it’s beyond tart, and it thinks it’s a fruit!

With such a rebellious personality, is it any wonder rhubarb gets short shrift at the market?

My advice? Give this imposter fruit a chance!

All it takes is a good recipe and a little sugar to open your eyes to rhubarb’s delicious, nutritious side.

Rhubarb, like most fruits and vegetables, benefits heart health in several ways. Its fiber helps lower cholesterol; its diverse antioxidants keep inflammation at bay; and its potassium helps lower blood pressure. Indeed, a trifecta of nutrients to help keep our tickers in tiptop shape.

In addition, rhubarb teems with vitamin K, an essential vitamin for blood clotting, bone building and heart health. Recent studies from the Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging Women revealed that women who ate more vitamin K-rich foods significantly reduced their risk of bone fractures later in life. What’s more, a growing number of studies have demonstrated that vitamin K may play an important role in slowing, and even preventing, the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Rhubarb’s fiber benefits our

bodies in ways above and beyond our bowels.

Yes, it promotes regularity and reduces the risk of colon cancer, but it also improves digestion, helps to regulate blood sugar levels, and facilitates weight loss or maintenance because it’s so filling.

On the downside, rhubarb does contain oxalates, which are naturally occurring compounds in plants. Because oxalates can bind to calcium—and to a lesser extent—other minerals in the stomach and intestines, they can reduce the absorption of these beneficial nutrients, as well as increase the risk of kidney stones in some people. What to do? Cook rhubarb to reduce oxalate content; eat in moderation; drink plenty of water to dilute oxalates in urine; and consult your doctor if you have kidney issues.

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions

Helpful Tips

Choose firm, crisp stalks with shiny skin. Remove toxic leaves (if present), then wrap rhubarb in plastic wrap and store in fridge for up to a week. Don’t cut the stalks until you are ready to use or the rhubarb will dry out.

MUFFINS

Adapted from dishnthekitchen.com 12 standard muffins

FOR THE STREUSEL TOPPING

3 teaspoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed

1 tablespoon cold butter, cut into pieces pinch salt ¼ cup walnuts

FOR THE MUFFINS

¾ cup + 1 tablespoon white

1. For the streusel topping: Place flour, sugars, butter, and salt into the small bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add walnuts and pulse until the walnuts are desired size. Set aside.

2. For the muffins: Preheat oven to 425°F and line a standard muffin tin with paper liners.

3. Mix the flours, baking powder, and salt together in a small bowl. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar

whole-wheat flour

½ cup all-purpose flour

1½ teaspoons baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

6 tablespoons butter, softened

2 eggs

½ cup 2% milk

½ cup walnuts, chopped 1 cup strawberries, chopped 1 cup rhubarb, chopped

4. Gently add the dry mixture to the bowl until it comes together. Do not overmix.

Fold in the walnuts, strawberries, and rhubarb.

5. Evenly distribute the batter in the muffin cups. Top each muffin with some streusel topping.

6. Bake at 425°F for 15 minutes; then check for doneness with a toothpick. If it doesn’t come out clean, bake a few minutes more until toothpick looks clean. Cool in muffin tin for 10 minutes, then remove and cool

STRAWBERRY-RHUBARB

Wood works as a senior registered nurse of surgical services and oversees the recovery room at Oswego Hospital. Her mom, Kelly Montagna (right), is also a registered nurse with Oswego Health. “My mother won’t brag about herself, but I refer to her as Florence Nightengale reincarnated,” Wood says. “She is one of the best nurses I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”

Like Mother Like Daughter

These nursing duos have both a career and family in common

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Pamela Haines, registered nurse with Upstate transplant program at University Hospital, originally wanted to become a professional photographer.

However, her father talked her out of it, thinking that it wasn’t a good path for her.

Her high school guidance counselor assessed Haines and said she ranked high in her ability to work with people. Her uncle’s career as a nurse along with her mother’s position in a business office of an

extended care facility helped shape her career ambitions.

She started working as a nurse’s aide a few summers and decided to go to nursing school, including getting an associate degree from Alfred State, a nurse from SUNY Upstate and a master’s in management from Keuka College.

“I wanted to have more opportunity in the profession at Upstate,” Haines said. “I also wanted to be able to care for patients more thoroughly and have the critical thinking

necessary to provide better nursing care and collaborate with physicians and other members of the healthcare team.”

Katie Walburger, her daughter, observed her mother’s career trajectory and education, which Haines thinks influenced her path, as she also began as a licensed practical nurse and later registered nurse. They both have worked in Upstate’s pediatric intensive care unit, where Walburger now works.

“Listen to what your child is telling you,” Haines advises parents whose children may be interested in nursing. “Guide them in their thinking and their exploration of career choices. Support them in their decision-making without being the driver or making it a forced-upon decision. Ultimately, it is their decision. Especially in nursing, we want people to go into the profession for the right reason.”

She expressed pride in Walburger and shared that many people who worked with her in the 1980s speak highly of her — words that “are very nice to hear firsthand from people you’ve known for decades.”

Walburger freely admits that her mother was “a pretty big influence. Growing up watching her nursing made me want to be a nurse.”

She earned her associate degree at BOCES Cortland and graduated from Morrisville State with her bachelor’s degree in nursing.

“I enjoy being not only able to provide care to patients but interacting with families and caring for them as well,” Walburger said.

She encourages anyone seeking an education in nursing to use family as a resource to get through school.

“I was always asking my mom when there were things I didn’t understand,” Walburger said.

She likes working with some of the same doctors Haines worked with years ago.

“People always speak highly of her and that makes me proud of the kind of nurse she is,” she added. “I look up to her and don’t want to disappoint her.”

Kelly Montagna, a registered nurse with Oswego Health, also felt inspired to become a nurse from an early age.

After reading about Florence Nightingale in fourth grade, she knew that was the career for her. Unlike Haines, her father discouraged her from pursuing a nursing career. It wasn’t until years later that she

returned to the idea and earned her associate degree and later bachelor’s degree through Cayuga Community College.

She works at Oswego Health’s urgent care facility in Fulton and oversees their urgent care in Central Square.

Kayla Wood, Montagna’s daughter, works as a senior registered nurse of surgical services and oversees the recovery room at Owego Hospital. But originally, she didn’t want to follow in her mother’s footsteps. She had worked in a few jobs in community health education to use her SUNY Oswego bachelor’s degree in wellness management with a minor in health sciences. But “I wasn’t very happy doing that,” she recalled.

She was required to intern as part of her senior experience. Since her mom is a nurse, going to the hospital seemed practical. That experience changed her mind and nursing now seemed to be a means of educating the community.

She recalled as a child seeing her mother working on “1,001 care plans” after hours.

“She’d leave in her scrubs and not come back until we were in bed,” Wood said.

Nursing appeared pretty arduous then, but seeing it firsthand made her realize that she would enjoy working in nursing. She enrolled in Cayuga Community College and later returned to school to earn her bachelor’s degree.

Wood finds her mother’s career especially inspiring now that she is a nurse.

“My mother won’t brag about herself, but I refer to her as Florence Nightengale reincarnated,” Wood said. “She is one of the best nurses I’ve ever seen in my entire life. She is everything that every nurse should aspire to be. She is so smart and knowledgeable and is such a good leader and so compassionate. I try to channel my ‘inner Kelly.’”

Montagna encourages parents who are nurses to ask their aspiring children why they want to get into nursing. The pay can be good. However, “that shouldn’t be their motivation,” she said.

Wood feels like she has very big shoes to fill, which can be intimidating. However, she has always felt that her mom expects her to only be her own person, not a nurse exactly like herself.

Kayla

More Males Working as Nurses

In the past decade the number of male nurses increased by 59% but men represent only 125 of all nurses

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

From Florence Nightingale onward, nursing has been a female-dominated career. But more men are earning nursing degrees.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the percent of male nurses has grown by 59% in the past decade.

However, that still amounts to only 12% of all licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and nurse practitioners.

One of the reasons is the perception that only women work in nursing so that men don’t consider it as a career option.

“There still tends to be a stigma and stereotype that exists that labels nursing as a woman’s profession,” said Erik Zeiner, nurse and co-manager of the adult emergency department at Upstate University Hospital. “One such way that nursing programs are trying to overcome this perception is through the use of social media. The goal behind the content is to emphasize the numerous gender-neutral opportunities that are available that include competitive salaries, growth, and even travel.”

By repeatedly showing men in nursing, educators normalize the career. The strategy appears to be working.

Michael Casey, a nurse at Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders at Upstate Cancer Center, has also observed the “male nurse” stigma while he was in nursing school, but said it wasn’t widespread.

“Since the start of my career in school and professionally, I would say that the culture at both Crouse Hospital and Upstate have been very welcoming of male nurses,” he said. “Obviously, there are the outlying

people who do not see things the same way. For example, the nurse who told me that ‘as a male’ it was inappropriate for me to discuss breastfeeding with a new mom who asked me for help after struggling to get the baby to latch on the labor and delivery unit during my clinical experience.

“Luckily, I had an amazing instructor named Shannon who defended me by saying that nurse gender should not affect the fact that I was going to be a nurse and it was my job to help patients and educate them.”

Another of the barriers to seeking an education in nursing is the need to earn while you learn. It’s tough to hit “pause” on work to focus solely on the rigorous studying required to complete a nursing degree. Pew Research reveals that women are the primary breadwinner in only 16% of US households and men are the primary or sole breadwinner in 55% of them.

Of course, women who work full time also benefit from hybrid, weekend and online classes. However, the social stigma of quitting work to go to school is less for women than men, as women often take time away from work for family care giving duties. Traditionally, women aren’t expected to serve as the family’s main wage earner.

More nursing schools than ever offer night, weekend, online and hybrid classes to make access to an education easier. Many of the resources and textbooks are also online, which can help people who are working to fit in study time when they can.

For Jeremy Donohue, registered nurse in the emergency department

at Oswego Health, attending nursing school while still working made possible the shift from military medic to civilian nurse. He is still working on his bachelor’s degree while enlisted as a National Guardsman and working as a nurse.

He believes that many men feel drawn to the emerging roles in nurs-

ing including leadership positions. Emphasizing the science and technical aspects of nursing also helps draw more men to nursing.

“It’s almost a ‘STEM’ field that’s very science-based with specialized medication and maybe that appeals more to the male side of things,” Donohue said.

Erik Zeiner is a nurse and co-manager of the adult emergency department at Upstate University Hospital. “There still tends to be a stigma and stereotype that exists that labels nursing as a woman’s profession,” he says.

How to Become a Nurse Mid-Career

Shifting from a different career to nursing is easier than ever

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Tammy White had operated a hair salon making a good income to support herself and her children as a single mom with no other means of income.

But by her late 20s, she knew she wanted to become a nurse.

Once her sons were teens and less dependent on her help, she realized it was time to pursue her dream of nursing. Academically, the shift from salon owner to student was tough.

“Given it had been 19 years since I graduated high school, I had to start all over with the basics of English, math and sciences that were required prior to enrollment in a nursing program,” White said.

For White, taking part-time classes — just two per semester — helped her ease into the academic world again. She attended one class in-person and one online. After a couple of years of tackling the prerequisites, she applied to nursing school at Onondaga Community College.

“It was my choice because of the flexibility,” White said. “While it is a self-taught program for the most part, there are plenty of resources and educators available.”

Some hands-on classes required in-person attendance, but much of the theory classes were remote. This factor helped her balance working full time while obtaining her associate degree in nursing while in her 40s.

Six months after taking the NCLEX nursing exam and beginning her new role as a med-surg registered nurse, she enrolled in an online RN-to-BSN program through Utica College.

“Seven years later in my 50s, I am an assistant nurse manager with a bachelor’s degree in nursing,” White said. “It is never too late to pursue a new career if it is something you really want. It was not easy, but it is possible with the flexibility of hybrid courses.”

Pagliaroli said. “That’s one reason it’s important to offer these opportunities.”

Some people enter the healthcare field at an entry-level role and realize that’s what they want to do eventually. Because of the high demand for nurses, Pagliaroli said it’s vital to offer many pathways to nursing.

“We have a process where we will pay for their nursing education as they go through it and we ask for them to work for us for about two years after they’re done,” she said. “When they’re graduate nurses, we offer a great registered nurse residency program where people can get into a specialty program right after school. They’ll be a nurse for about a year in different areas before they transfer to a specific area.”

Pagliaroli encourages anyone interested in nursing to talk with a nurse and ask about their experience. It’s also helpful to talk with nursing schools and ask about how their program’s flexibility would mesh with family and employment commitments.

after

White works in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Upstate University Hospital.

For Kim Testa, who earned a Master of Science degree in nursing, registered nurse and critical care registered nurse certification, “Becoming an RN mid-career was challenging, but the best challenge I had ever set out for myself,” Testa said. She works as a nurse manager and nursing support services float and support pool at Upstate Community Hospital.

She already filled the roles of wife and mother of two girls and worked 30 hours a week as a newto-practice licensed practical nurse. It was tough to earn the additional credits to become a registered nurse, but having a determined mindset helped Testa, along with “being very structured and strategic with planning,” she said.

The support of the workplace makes a difference, especially for the LPN to RN path and for those studying nursing mid-career.

“We have a very strong educational foundation and we will support people throughout the health system if they decide they want to pursue a nursing degree,” said Katie Pagliaroli, registered nurse and chief nursing officer and senior vice president for clinical operations at Oswego Health.

It could include people beginning their nursing education parttime or taking classes at nights, on weekends or through hybrid arrangements. Pagliaroli said that many students begin with an associate degree earned through a combination of in-person clinical classes and remote classes. Within 10 years, they’re required to complete a bachelor’s degree and many of those classes may be completed online — perfect for working professionals.

“Nursing is a career that’s a calling and people don’t always know when they exit high school that it’s a pathway they want to go down,”

“If they had chemistry and algebra in high school no matter how long ago and meet the B average, they can apply to whichever partner program they’re interested in,” said Cathy Brownell, nursing department chairwoman at Le Moyne. “We look at it and the partners’ school looks at it and makes an enrollment decision. We start with general core courses focusing on anatomy, psychology, physiology, that are foundational to the clinical courses they’ll take with the partner school.”

After two semesters at Le Moyne, students can take classes through the partner school while still at Le Moyne for four more semesters to graduate with an associate degree.

“We are putting more and more of our nursing courses online and they’re all online if between the regular sessions,” Brownell said. “We’re putting some online even during the regular semesters. A lot of the core courses are also online. We have a lot of evening courses.”

The summer accelerated program offers three-credit classes that run five weeks.

“We are desperate for a well-educated nursing workforce,” Brownell said. “We need to meet students where they are.”

Where to Go to Become a Nurse

Looking for a nursing school?

You have plenty of options in the region.

• Bill and Sandra Pomeroy College of Nursing at Crouse Hospital

• Cayuga Community College

• Morrisville State College

• Onondaga Community College

• SUNY Oswego

• CiTi BOCES

• Falk College (Syracuse University)

• College of Nursing SUNY Upstate

• St. Joseph’s Health College of Nursing

from high school. “It is never too late to pursue a new career if it is something you really want. It was not easy, but it is possible with the flexibility of hybrid courses.”

Hospital.

Tammy White is an assistant nurse manager at Upstate University Hospital. Nursing was a career she considered pursing nearly 20 years

graduating

Kim Testa works as a nurse manager and nursing support services float and support pool at Upstate Community

Katie Pagliaroli is a registered nurse and chief nursing officer and senior vice president for clinical operations at Oswego Health.

Attracting Male Nursing Students

What can educators do to attract more men to the nursing field?

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

During the pandemic, 20% of medical personnel left the healthcare industry, including nurses.

Interestingly, the number of males working in nursing has grown since then.

According to statistics published in the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey in the Journal of Nursing Regulation, the current percent of men in nursing grew from 9.4% to 11.2% between 2020 and 2022.

One of these men is Michael Casey, registered nurse at Center for Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders at Upstate Cancer Center.

He had always felt interest in medical careers and helping people. While in high school, he began working at Wegmans Pharmacy as a technician and upon graduation, he enrolled at Le Moyne in a biology program.

“I wasn’t sure which path in the medical field I wanted to go with,” he recalled. “I thought about becoming a doctor and working with pediatric oncology patients because this

is a specialized field that has always connected with me deeply.”

About halfway through his bachelor’s program, he realized that his educational path didn’t connect with a career he wanted. He began looking into working as a pharmacist because of his past familiarity with that type of work and because he enjoyed it.

His boss’s wife, Sarabeth Wojnowicz, lead pediatric oncology pharmacist at Upstate, invited him to shadow her so he could learn what it’s like working as a pharmacist at a hospital.

“This experience would turn out to be the best experience of my life and one that would set my path moving forward, but not for the reason I was expecting,” Casey said.

While shadowing Wojnowicz, he realized that nursing was “the perfect fit,” he said, because of meeting the compassionate nurses there. He immediately changed his plans and enrolled at the Pomeroy College of Nursing at Crouse Hospital.

Some of his early career male mentors helped him learn how to deal with occasional negative com-

ments patients offer male nurses.

“These types of negative comments come and go over the years, but I would say there has been a massive shift both within the medical field and among the general population,” Casey said. “It doesn’t seem to be as much of a topic now when I tell people that I am a nurse whereas a few years ago I always heard, ‘Oh, good for you being a male nurse,’ as if we are different than any other nurse. We don’t care for patients or families any differently because of our gender.

“A person’s gender does not define their capacity to love or care for other human beings and I feel that the medical field, specifically the culture here at Upstate, has done a good job at reflecting that when it comes to men in nursing.”

For Jeremy Donohue, registered nurse in emergency medicine at Oswego Health, working as an EMT and combat medic in the military primed him to want to enter nursing. He studied at both Le Moyne and at St. Joseph’s before completing his associate degree. Donohue is currently working on his bachelor’s in nursing while still serving in the National Guard and working as a nurse. Donohue anticipates completing his BSN by the end of this summer.

It seems that the adrenaline rush of some areas of nursing tend to attract men more.

“I work in the ER and you see more men in the ICU and ER than in other nursing fields in general,” Donohue said. “We’re still a minority

but I feel like there’s a good presence of men in nursing. It is starting to grow.”

He thinks that men began making inroads in nursing at the end of the Vietnam and Korean wars, when veterans who had served as medics decided like Donohue to segue into nursing as their civilian career.

He also thinks that the science aspects of nursing, leadership opportunities and technical aspects “maybe appeals to a lot of men.”

Donohue said that occasionally older patients say they would prefer a female nurse to perform certain tasks. However some patients would prefer a male nurse. He’s not offended when patients state a preference, as it’s their right.

Donohue advises anyone interested in nursing to contact a hospital or health system to ask about shadowing nurses to learn more about it.

“There are many difference things a nurse can do,” he said. “If you shadow on a med-surg floor and don’t like it, there are so many different things you can do as a nurse. Get your foot in the door and see what you like for the first part of your career.

“Right now, male nurses are in a great spot and nursing is in huge demand. Men are just as capable and compassionate as females. If you’re a man looking for a career or looking to switch up, I’d recommend nursing to anybody.”

BURNOUT

Nurses face unprecedented risks for burnout

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Though the pandemic is now endemic, one of its many lasting effects is even worse staffing issues in healthcare than before.

Add to this combative patients, long hours, changing shifts, emotionally stressful work and plenty of physical challenges and it’s little surprise that nurses face high risk for burnout.

“Nurses work in an inherently stressful industry, doing work that is oriented toward caring for others,” said nurse Kerryanna Elhage. “Historically, our nursing education programs haven’t taught us to care for ourselves although fortunately this is slowly improving.”

Elhage, who is the manager of pediatric hematology-oncology and nephrology at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital, said she believes that it is “important we learn how to care for ourselves.”

One way is finding harmony between work and home life, along with “nourishing ourselves with healthy activities, nutritious food and engaging in fun social activities are essential elements for balance.

“Additionally, nurturing positive emotions and a resilient, adaptive mindset can be key to avoiding burnout,” she said. “Happily, we are living at a time where resources such as mindfulness and meditation apps and classes, yoga and other somatic exercises and in-person or online therapies are easily accessible.”

Elhage noted that nurses at Upstate can access numerous resources to help with self-care and wellness.

Unfortunately, some nurses turn to substance use and other unhealthy ways to cope. To prevent this and the negative outcomes of unhealthy coping, Tracy Carmody, licensed mental health counselor and master credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor, encourages engaging in self-care.

“At its core it can be some basic activities like going to the grocery store and making sure you have food for the week,” Carmody said. She serves as executive director

‘Historically,

our nursing education programs haven’t taught us to care for ourselves although fortunately this is slowly improving.’

and owns Paths To Recovery Mental Health Counseling, PLLC, in Baldwinsville and Manlius.

“Selfcare is deliberate,” Carmody added. “It’s easy to compromise yourself when you’re giving to others. Compromising self-results in less than exceptional patient care. Drug and alcohol use among nurses can be higher because of that reactive nature.”

It takes time to work through emotional trauma and nurses use substances to turn off the emotions it stirs up. It’s maladaptive, but it’s faster. Seeking mental healthcare can help deal with workplace trauma in a healthy way. Carmody said that checking in even once a month can make a big difference in mental health.

While some people may think that self-case is about getting facials and things like that, Carmody said it goes deeper, like getting enough sleep.

“The system is set up to create patient fatigue,” Carmody said. “There’s patient abandonment if a patient needs them. But there are ethical requirements to engage in self-care to provide good care and minimize mistakes.”

She also encourages nurses to exercise to combat stress, as it can help with both physical and mental health.

Some nurses who are starting to feel the effects of stress may not even realize it. Carmody calls it “tunnel vision.”

Processing stress with someone else can help ease its effects. Whether a professional therapist or trusted friends, emotional support can assist in diffusing stress.

Kerryanna Elhage is the manager of pediatric hematology-oncology and nephrology at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.

Tracy Carmody, licensed mental health counselor, is the owner of Paths To Recovery Mental Health Counseling, PLLC, in Baldwinsville and Manlius.

Viagra, Cialis May Help Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk

Could drugs that give a boost to men’s sexual performance help them stave off Alzheimer’s disease?

That’s the main finding from a study suggesting that erectile dysfunction meds like Cialis, Levitra and Viagra might lower the odds for the memory-robbing illness.

The study wasn’t designed to prove cause-and-effect, cautioned British researchers at University College London.

“More research is needed to confirm these findings, learn more about the potential benefits and mechanisms of these drugs and look into the optimal dosage,” explained study co-author Ruth Brauer, a lecturer in pharmacoepidemiology and medication safety at the university.

She also believes that, “a randomized, controlled trial with both male and female participants is warranted to determine whether these findings would apply to women as well.”

The findings were published Feb. 7 in the journal Neurology.

Erectile dysfunction medications work by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow.

The new study involved almost 270,000 men, averaging 59 years of age, who had all been newly diagnosed with erectile dysfunction (ED). A little more than half of them were prescribed an ED drug. None of the men had any cognitive or memory issues when they entered the study.

Over five years of follow-up, 1,119 of the men were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Bauer’s team reported that men who were taking an ED drug had an 18% lower odds of developing Alzheimer’s compared to those who weren’t. That finding held even after the researchers had adjusted for other risk factors, such as age, smoking status and alcohol consumption.

The jury is still out on whether the ED meds directly caused the drop in Alzheimer’s risk, and more study is needed. But Bauer believes the research points in interesting directions.

“Although we’re making progress with the new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease that work to clear amyloid plaques in the brain for people with early stages of the disease, we desperately need treatments that can prevent or delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease,” she said in a journal news release. “These results are encouraging and warrant further research.”

Golden Years

Untreated Hearing Loss

Further Linked to Dementia

A large Danish study confirms growing body of evidence

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Arecently released Danish study of 570,000 people over 14 years identified untreated hearing loss as increasing the risk for dementia compared with people with no hearing loss or those with treated hearing loss.

The study doesn’t surprise geriatrician Sharon A. Brangman at Upstate Medical University.

“Alzheimer’s is complex,” said Brangman, who is a distinguished service professor, chairwoman of geriatric medicine and director of the Upstate Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease and director of the Upstate Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease.

“It is a neurodegenerative disease. Nerve cells are dying. When you lose hearing, nerve cells are dying. A combination of things is happening that can increase your risk of Alzheimer’s. It’s never just one thing but a combination.”

The correlation between untreated hearing loss and a higher risk of Alzheimer’s has to do with brain changes. Those with untreated hearing loss receive less auditory stimuli than those with good hearing. Brangman said that the center of the brain that helps people interpret sound and connect it to a memory gets less use if the person isn’t hearing as much around them.

“That can increase disassociation with the world around you,” she said. “Research is looking at changes in the retina that may have association with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s. It’s all connected to what’s happening in the brain.”

During the pandemic, many older adults become more isolated as during the quarantine period and following, they stayed away from social gatherings to avoid catching COVID-19. Brangman said that she noted an increase in cases of dementia and cognitive decline as sensory

deprivation and lack of regular socialization were commonplace.

“There are many layers to making a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and talking with people about their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease,” Brangman said. “There are things we can do to reduce that risk. If someone has hearing loss, we recommend hearing aids and if they have visual problems to get their eyes checked. Sensory input is so important for brain health.”

Introducing hearing aids earlier can also make their use more effective so that the brain becomes accustomed to their input. For those who would develop cognitive decline, earlier adoption of hearing aids to treat hearing issues can delay onset of dementia by seven years.

Clayton Andrews, board-certified hearing instrument specialist at Upstate Hearing Solutions in Oswego, said that the Danish study draws “a very solid correlation. The latest data coming out of John Hopkins that the more severe your untreated hearing loss is and the longer it goes, the more likely you will be diagnosed with dementia. I see a correlation between dementia and untreated hearing loss.”

He said that many people delay treating their hearing loss because they don’t realize they have a hearing loss. Typically, family members notice before the patient himself. Some people believe that hearing instruments are too costly for them to afford. Andrew related that most insurance companies offer up to 100% coverage, which wasn’t the case 30 years ago.

“I implore people to get help,” Andrews said. “It will change their life. It breaks my heart when they don’t. God gave us eyes and ears for one reason or another. They’re kind of important.”

Unfortunately, many people wait

Geriatrician Sharon A. Brangman works at Upstate Medical University. “[Alzheimer’s] is a neurodegenerative disease. Nerve cells are dying. When you lose hearing, nerve cells are dying. A combination of things is happening that can increase your risk of Alzheimer’s. It’s never just one thing but a combination.”

eight to 10 years before treating their hearing problem, according to Doug Brown, audiologist and owner of DB Audiology Associates, PC in Syracuse.

By leaving hearing loss untreated, people “tend to withdraw more socially,” Brown said. “It’s a matter of clarity of speech. People have a tendency to withdraw because they don’t want to be put in that position of not understanding. You may make those changes to withdraw unconsciously. As you’re isolated and not interacting with friends and being challenged to think of different things, the cognition does change.” Brown thinks that many people choose to delay treating their hearing loss because of stigma of using hearing aids as something for “old people.” However, hearing aids help improve the lives of people of all ages.

“I’d say that fear of dementia shouldn’t be the reason you get a hearing aid,” Brown said. “It should be so you can participate in those important activities of life that you want to participate in. The other side effects of improved cognition and slowing down of dementia are nice side effects. The reason you get a hearing aid is to hear better.”

About Us:

Beltone Hearing Care Center

Through a dedicated, warm-hearted approach we strive to provide our patients with the best hearing healthcare, using the latest advanced technology and utmost professionalism and care.

We are dedicated to providing our patients with the highest level of hearing healthcare and guiding each individual through their journey to better hearing.

Fayetteville 4310 Medical Center Drive, Suite 310 315-329-6072

Liverpool 5112 West Taft Road, Suite W 315-907-4916

Services Offered:

Complimentary

Hearing Aid Cleaning & Checks

Service and supplies for most major makes & models of hearing aids

Refer a Friend Program

Currently Accep�ng New Pa�ents

Ithaca 200 Pleasant Grove Road 607-288-8835

Watertown 22113 Fabco Road, Suite 3 315-816-4512

– The Buranich Staff

Left to Right: Andrew Lucio (Student/Funeral Assistant); Infinity Stinson (Administrative Assistant); Matthew Vincentini (Funeral Director); Ann Buranich (Administrative Assistant); Samuel Buranich Jr. (Funeral Director); Samuel Buranich III (Funeral Director); Christina Fagan (Administrative Assistant); Gino Lustrinelli (Funeral Director)

Dangers of Polypharmacy

Taking a lot of medications? You could experience higher health risks

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

People aged 60 to 64 take an average of 13 prescription medications, according to Georgetown’s Health Policy Institute.

That number rises to 20 by age 65.

But just taking five or more daily medications is what Jinjiao Wang, Ph.D., assistant professor of nursing at University of Rochester Medical Center, calls “polypharmacy.”

“Its danger is not because of the number, but the risk of potentially unnecessary or inappropriate medications that increases along with the number of medications one is taking,” Wang said.

Wang is co-editor-in-chief of the research journal JMIR Aging.

Unnecessary polypharmacy or inappropriate polypharmacy happens when a patient is prescribed a medication initially intended for a specific time period or for specific symptoms but the patient is still taking it even though the issue it should address is no longer present.

“That this ‘legacy’ medication may no longer be needed or, even worse, causing side effects,” Wang said.

Some patients take medication to treat side effects caused from other medication which providers may mistake as new symptoms.

Wang calls this phenomenon “prescribing cascade.”

This often happens with older

adults who see multiple specialists. They may prescribe medication that the others don’t know about. Even with electronic medical records, if the patient sees providers associated with different health systems, that information may not be shared.

Jack Hess, pharmacist at Hannibal Pharmacy, calls it “polymedicating” when patients need more and more medication to take care of the side effects from other drugs. He believes that sometimes patients don’t ask providers for medications with fewer bothersome side effects.

“In today’s broken healthcare system, you have to be your own advocate,” Hess said. “Don’t take things for granted. Doctors have no time to communicate with each other or with the patients in front of them.”

As a result, patients may end up with medications they don’t really need or prescriptions that are contraindicated with other medications and cause further side effects.

Hess said he fills a prescription every 111 seconds on average which he attributes to the increase in unnecessary prescriptions.

“Build a personal relationship with the pharmacist; that’s the only way I know how,” Hess said.

Filling at only one pharmacy can provide oversight, as well as keeping all of the care providers up-to-date on all prescriptions, supplements and over-the-counter medicine.

“They can’t just call a random pharmacy to ask questions about their prescription,” Hess said. “I get that a lot. There’s the big issue with mail order pharmacies. You’re playing a dangerous game.”

Taking unneeded medication costs patients and insurance companies money. It also takes out of the drug supply medication that someone else may need and in some cases struggle to find. Unnecessary polypharmacy also taxes the patient’s body as it must process yet more prescriptions.

It’s also taxing on the patient. Swallowing numerous pills daily can cause pill fatigue. It can become troublesome to take them at the right time and in the right fashion, such as before breakfast, with food or at bedtime. Taking medication incorrectly can hamper its ability to work correctly and with more medications comes more chances to make mistakes.

Swallowing numerous pills increases risk for drug interactions.

Especially in older adults, polypharmacy can raise risk for side effects such as confusion, falls, loss of appetite, increased sedation and other contributors to hospitalization.

Part of the problem for excess prescription drug consumption, according to pharmacist David Dingman at The Medicine Place in Phoenix and Fulton, is that some people

rush to take drugs, even when they don’t need them. “You have patients seeking medications for issues they perceive.”

Trying to address the certain issue at home first can sometimes resolve it instead of rushing off to the doctor or urgent care for minor problems.

Common problems like a head cold need only rest and fluids to improve, not antibiotics, which don’t even treat viruses. Overusing antibiotics leads to “super bugs” that resist antibiotics.

Dingman also promotes preventing chronic health issues and reducing the need for medication through positive lifestyle changes instead of letting things go and demanding a prescription to treat the symptoms.

“You have a 30-year smoker saying they can’t breathe during allergy season they end up on cadres of medication but stopping smoking will resolve 90% of their issues,” he offered as an example.

Dingman believes that over medicating is “bankrupting health systems” and may be causing underlying health problems that will crop up later.

He encourages patients to drink more water, exercise and eat a healthful diet. Many health issues could be prevented or improved with taking these measures.

Services / Products Available:

n Baseline and monitoring testing for chemotherapy and other hearing – harmful medications

n Hearing measurements for personal (medical, communication) or occupational (OSHA, DOT, law enforcement) purposes.

n Hearing protection counseling and devices for loud recreational (music listening, hunting, motor sports, landscaping) and occupational (professional musicians, fire and police personnel) activities.

n Hearing aid selection, fittings and repairs

n Tinnitus evaluations and treatment.

n If you have any questions or concerns regarding your hearing or how to protect it.

Pharmacist David Dingman is the owner of The Medicine Place in Phoenix and Fulton.

May 29, 2024 from 9am - 1pm

CNY Regional Market, F-Shed 2100 Park Street, Syracuse

Presented by:

By Jim Miller

Choosing a Senior Community That Offers All Levels of Care

Dear Savvy Senior,

Can you help me identify some good senior living communities that offers all levels of housing and care from independent living to nursing home care? I am in my late 70s and know I need to downsize from my current house, but I want my next move to be my last.

One Move Mary

Dear Mary,

If you want your next move to be your last, an all-inclusive retirement community — also known as a continuing-care retirement community (or CCRC) — is a great option to

Here’s what you should know, along with some tips to help you

What are CCRCs?

CCRCs are different from other types of senior housing because they provide all levels of housing, services and care in one convenient location.

While the appearance and services of CCRCs can vary greatly, most provide apartments or sometimes single-family homes for active independent seniors. In addition, they also offer onsite assisted living for seniors who require help with basic living tasks like bathing, dressing or going to the bathroom, and nursing home care for residents when their health declines.

CCRCs also provide a variety of resort-style amenities and services that include community dining halls, exercise facilities, housekeeping and transportation, as well as many social and recreational activities.

But be aware that all these services come at a hefty price. Most communities have entry fees that range from less the $100,000 to more than $1 million, plus ongoing monthly fees that generally range from $2,000 to $5,000 for singles ($3,000 to $6,000 for couples) depending on the facility, services and the contract option you choose.

With more than 2,000 CCRCs in operation throughout the U.S, finding a facility that fits your lifestyle, needs and budget will require some legwork. Here are some steps that can help you proceed.

• Make a list: To find CCRCs in the area you want to live go to “MyLifeSite.net” and “Caring.com,” which provide online lists. Once you’ve located a few, call them to find out if they have any vacancies,

what they charge and if they provide the types of services you want.

• Take a tour: Many CCRCs encourage potential residents to stay overnight and have a few meals in their dining hall. During your visit, notice the upkeep of the facility and talk to the current residents to see how they like living there. Also, check out the assisted living and nursing facilities, and find out how decisions are made to move residents from one level of care to another.

• Do some research: While on your tour, find out who owns the CCRC and get a copy of their most recently audited financial statement and review it. Also find out their occupancy rate. Unless it’s a newer community filling up, occupancy below 80 percent can be a red flag that the facility is having financial or management problems.

To investigate the CCRC’s longterm care services call your state long-term care ombudsman (see “LTCombudsman.org” — type “New York” in the search menu) who can tell you if the assisted living and nursing care services had any complaints or problems. You can also use Medicare’s nursing home compare tool at “Medicare.gov/care-compare.”

• Understand the contract and fees: Most CCRCs offer three types of contracts: life-care, or type A contracts, which have the highest entry fee but covers all levels of long-term care as needed; type B, or modified contracts that have lower entry fees but limits long-term care services in the initial fee; and type C, or fee-forservice contracts, which offer the lowest entrance fees but requires you to pay extra for long-term care if you need it.

You also need to find out what yearly price increases you can expect? How much of your entry fee is refundable to you if you move or die? And what happens if you outlive your financial resources?

To help you sort through all this, consult with your financial adviser or lawyer before committing.

Proudly serving Cayuga, Madison, Onondaga, and Oswego Counties

Health News

Internal Medicine Associates of Auburn earns top rating

Internal Medicine Associates of Auburn (IMAA), located at 77 Nelson St. in Auburn, has placed in the top-tier as a participant in the Excellus Rewarding Physician Excellence (RPE) program. The goal of RPE is to support quality, efficiency and operational improvements within independent practices.

IMAA is focused on patient and provider collaboration, patient engagement, preventive medicine, early disease management and chronic disease management. As a result, the practice achieved a near perfect RPE performance score of 98.75 out of a 100-point quality rating system.

“We are honored to earn this outstanding rating for the 2023 performance year,” reads a press release issued by the practice. “The achievement is a direct result of a determined and systematic approach toward managing our patient population with an ‘all in’ team commitment at the practice level, as well as thoughtful collaboration with our patients. Additionally, we value shared communication within our medical community as we all strive to improve the health of our mutual patients.”

Serving the Auburn community since 1975, Internal Medicine Associ ates of Auburn includes four medical doctors board-certified in internal medicine, five nurse practitioners certified in adult or family medicine and forty-six support staff. The prac tice serves over 12,000 patients over all from Auburn and the surrounding areas and is accepting new patients.

Upstate appoints wellness coordinator

Christine Podolak has been named wellness coordinator at Upstate Medical University.

program manager for health systems science and community engaged learning at Norton College of Medicine and care coordinator in the department of psychiatry and clinical research coordinator in the Department of Emergency Medicine.

She holds a master’s degree in community health and a bachelor’s degree in health science, both from SUNY Cortland.

In her role, she is responsible for the planning, promotion and support of several Upstate wellness programs, including Pathway to Wellness, programming and initiatives within Upstate Well that focus on personal resilience and provide and promote well-being opportunities and resources for employees and learners.

Dr. Lanice Thomas joins St. Joseph’s Physicians Family Medicine

Podolak previously worked in a variety of positions, including as associate director of experiential education in the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Binghamton University. At Upstate she also worked as adjunct instructor for experiential public health courses,

St. Joseph’s Health is pleased to

and caring for the people in it. I hope to establish long-lasting therapeutic relationships with my patients and aim for a healthier city,” said Thomas. “What I love about St. Joseph’s Health is the sense of community that is present in each practice I walk into, as well as the intention to be a better organization every single day.”

Thomas is board-certified in family medicine and is a current member of both the American Academy of Family Practice and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Originally from central California, Thomas is married to her husband, Martin, who has been a sailor in the U.S. Navy since 2015. They share 4-year-old and 7-month-old sons. In her spare time, she loves traveling and enjoying any new thrilling adventure, playing water sports, volleyball, and reading fiction novels.

St. Joseph’s Health welcomes midwife

St. Joseph’s Health has welcomed

Jennifer MacBlane

Lanice Thomas

elor of Science in anthropology from The University of California in Los Angeles and her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies, earning high-achievement scholarship awards at both institutions.

Before joining St. Joseph’s, Thomas was a resident physician at Ellis Hospital Family Medicine Residency where she received additional training in OB/GYN care and worked with a low-income population in a diverse immigrant community.

“I am looking forward to becoming a part of the Syracuse community

Grand Opening of The Maples Assisted Living Facility in Fulton

The Maples Assisted Living Community, a new locally owned and operated 89-bed assisted living residence in Fulton, held its ribbon cutting in April, marking a significant milestone for the community and its senior residents.

The five-year long project began in 2019 with outfitting being completed in early 2024. Owners and equity partners are Atom Avery of Avery Rental Properties in Oswego, and physician Micheal Stephens, a 20-year resident of Oswego and associate chief medical officer for

“Returning to St. Joseph’s has been like coming home. It feels like I’m reuniting with family, even those that have just started here. I always felt so comfortable here and that feeling has only magnified with our growth.”

MacBlane is board-certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board and is a member of the American College of Nurse Midwives. She received all her education in New York state. She earned her bachelor’s degree with honors from Utica College. She has a Master of Science in nurse midwifery from Stony Brook University (honor society); an associate degree in nursing from St. Joseph’s College of Nursing (honor society); and a Bachelor of Science in humanities from Buffalo State College.

Psychiatric- nurse practitioner joins Oswego Health

Kyle Arnold, a psychiatric-men

Jennifer Mac Blane back to St. Joseph’s in her new role as a midwife at St. Joseph’s Physi cians Primary Care Center OB-GYN office in Syracuse. MacBlane has returned to St. Jo seph’s with more than 17 years of experience in the fields of obstetrical care, gynecology, pharmaceuticals, teaching and health care management.

Oswego Health.

The Maples occupies the premises once held by Michaud Residential Health Services, a nonprofit nursing and short-stay rehabilitation facility that ceased operations in 2017.

It will feature private or semi-private rooms, a wellness center, barber/beauty salon, computer lab and Wi-Fi access, housekeeping and laundry, in room cable TV, central bathing and spa on each floor, and a movie theater. The Maples will employ about 40 staff when the facility is fully operational.

MacBlane is no stranger to St. Joseph’s Health. She earned her associate degree in nursing from the St. Joseph’s College of Nursing. Prior to working in a private midwifery practice, she worked at St. Joseph’s Health Hospital as a labor and delivery nurse, a childbirth educator, a registered charge nurse and a medical biller as well as a clinical instructor at St. Joseph’s School of Nursing.

“From my education to my job experience, most of my professional career has been at St. Joseph’s. My mother, father and brother all worked at here and I’ve had all three of my children here,” said MacBlane.

Kyle Arnorld tal health nurse practitioner, has joined The Center for Mental Health & Wellness for Youth in Oswego, part of Oswego Health. Arnold is from Liverpool and earned a Master of Science in nursing in 2023 from Duke University. He completed his Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2015 from Utica College and also earned a bachelor’s degree in music from SUNY Empire State in 2002.

Arnold has nine years’ experience as a registered nurse working throughout Central New York and the northeast. In 2018 he transitioned to provide direct care to adult patients experiencing a psychiatric crisis, a field he soon discovered was his passion.

Most recently he was an intensive crisis stabilization practitioner at Helio Health where he provided walk-in care for adult and pediatric patients experiencing psychiatric or substance-related emergencies. Arnold is also an adjunct clinical Instructor at Utica University where he teaches clinical skills to students on an inpatient psychiatric unit.

Christine Podolak

Officials and guests at the ribbon cutting ceremony at the Maples Assisted Living Community in Fulton.

Health News

Crouse Health Named ‘Business of the Year’ by CenterState CEO

Crouse Health has been named a 2024 ‘Business of the Year’ by CenterState CEO, Central New York’s premier business leadership and economic development organization.

Crouse received the award in the “over 50 employees” category. The awards were announced during CenterState CEO’s annual meeting on April 11 at the Oncenter in downtown Syracuse.

Crouse was one of 30 companies with over 50 employees vying for the award, which was then reduced to four finalists in the over 50 employees category.

Business of the year nominations

were based on a number of criteria including customer satisfaction; innovation; financial performance; fiscal stewardship and fundraising; community leadership and impact; employee engagement; and efforts to support diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and the community.

“Winning Business of the Year in the ‘over 50 employees’ category is a remarkable achievement, and it reflects the collective effort of our entire Crouse family throughout all areas of the organization,” said Crouse CEO Seth Kronenberg, MD. “It would not have been possible without their dedication, passion and commitment

Crouse Launches Leadership Institute

Goal is to invest in workforce and attract and retain employees, according to CEO

With a goal of providing educational and career advancement resources and opportunities for its 3,500 employees, Crouse Health established the Workforce Development and Training Center earlier this year to support Crouse’s workforce development strategic focus for all Crouse employees — both union and non-union.

As part of the workforce development initiative, Crouse is establishing the Crouse Leadership Institute as a major focus moving forward.

In line with Crouse’s mission, vision and values, this supportive framework will provide introductory, ongoing and as-needed training in

to our mission and the Crouse culture. On behalf of senior leadership, we congratulate and thank our team for all they do for Crouse. They are the reason more people are saying ‘Take Me to Crouse.’ Moving for-

leadership and personal and professional development for all members of the Crouse Health.

Programs offered through the institute include: future leaders program; transformational leadership series; leadership growth series; leadership coaching program; community leadership and professional development training

Leading the institute as leadership and professional development coordinator is Jeremy Freund. He has worked in educational services and as a bedside nurse for a total of 13 years at Crouse and is an experienced John Maxwell team certified coach. In his new role he will help and guide

CALENDAR HEALTH EVENTS of

All Month

Oswego Health offers multi-organ blood analysis

Oswego Health’s annual multi-organ blood analysis will be offered throughout the entire month of May at select participating Oswego Health lab draw stations. This full battery of tests can help prevent potential health problems. The cost of the analysis is $55. Typically, these tests can cost more than $760. In addition, there are two optional tests that each cost an additional $20: prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, which is recommended to men older than age 50, and vitamin D levels. Community members are encouraged to make their appointment online at www.oswegohealth.org/bloodanalysis. Questions about the event, please

call 315-532-5813 weekdays, 8 a.m.

-3:30 p.m.

The analysis screens individuals for various conditions such as anemia, diabetes, as well as for coronary, kidney, and liver diseases. The most popular screening at the event is the portion of the analysis that assesses LDL and HDL cholesterol along with triglycerides. Results of the multi-organ blood analysis will be sent directly from the Oswego Hospital lab to the participant’s physician for review and then to the patient in an easy-toread format.

May 18

Cornell Coop. sponsors plant sale

The Master Gardener volunteers of Cornell Cooperative Extension of

ward, we’ll build on this momentum, energy and pride, creating even more success and opportunity for our organization, our patients, employees, providers and our community.”

Institute participants to accelerate learning, improve critical thinking skills, improve interaction within a team setting and increase self-awareness.

The format of the programs will include ongoing ‘lunch and learn’ sessions, classroom and online instruction and discussion, and oneon-one coaching based on individual needs. Additional content offerings will be developed based on staff input and feedback. The institute will support and complement the workforce development activities the

Onondaga County will hold their annual plant sale from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 18, at the Immanuel United Methodist Church (Church of the Bells), 303 Kasson Road in Camillus. Perennials, herbs, ferns and native plants will be available; all plants grown locally. Prices start at $3; come early for the best selection. Cash or personal checks only; no cards will be accepted.”

For more information, call 315559-7341.

May 18

Oswego Health offers free community health fair

Oswego Health will offer a free health fair with critical screenings and information from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., May 18, at the Fulton Medical Center, 522 S. Fourth St. in Fulton. The event will feature screenings provided by Oswego Health providers and is designed to equip individuals with the tools and resources needed to improve their health. Screenings and assessments will be provided for free for wound and foot ulcers, blood pressure, diabetes, BMI, bumps and lumps check, how to use an Epi-Pen,

hospital is developing in collaboration with 1199.

“Our goal with the institute is to invest in our current workforce and attract and retain employees who are passionate about the Crouse culture and want to develop or build on the skills and resources needed to become leaders within our organization,” says Crouse Health President and CEO Seth Kronenberg, adding “We want our employees to stay at Crouse for their entire career. The institute will give them the tools and support to do that.”

as well as an orthopedic evaluation. In addition, there will be an AED demonstration and resources available on colon cancer, nutrition, mental health, and vaccines. For more information, call 315-349-5649 or visit www.oswegohealth.org/health-fair.

May 29

Free senior housing expo slated for Syracuse

This year’s CNY Senior Housing & Information Expo will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., May 29, at the CNY Regional Market F-Shed, 2100 Park St. Syracuse. The event is brought by Loretto and coordinated by Community Living Advocates. This event is free and open to anyone over 55. Those helping care for an older loved one are encouraged to attend. Various representatives from will be available to help attendants discover new living opportunities, volunteer opportunities, care options and information about services and products. It will include a food truck, live music and 14 corvettes on display. Call 315-409-9361 or visit www. communitylivingadvocates.com/ seniorhousingexpo2024

SAY HELLO TO HEALTHY

Medical | Dental

Mental Health | Substance Use Disorder

Say hello to a more convenient way to stay healthy in Oswego County. ConnnextCare offers a comprehensive set of services - family and internal medicine, pediatrics, dentistry, psychiatry, substance use disorder treatment and social work all under one medical group. Patients within our network can visit any of our seven locations at any time.

ConnextCare also offers medical, dental and mental health services at eight School Based Health Centers in five Oswego County school districts.

WALK-IN APPOINTMENTS NOW AVAILABLE IN THE PULASKI OFFICE

MONDAY - FRIDAY 7:00AM - 6:00PM

Central Square (315) 675-9200 Fulton (315) 598-4790 Oswego (315) 342-0880 Pulaski (315) 298-6564 Parish (315) 625-388 Phoenix (315) 695-4700 Mexico (315) 963-4133