Q & A with Diane Kuppermann
CEO of Make-A-Wish Central New York talks about the organization’s 40th anniversary P.9
Dr. Mark Winsberg, a former medical director of Rochester Regional Health chemical dependency department, talks about his addiction and how he was able to overcome it. P.18
Gambling: The Silent Addiction Impacting All Ages P.21
Many Americans don't see anything wrong with taking daily low-dose aspirin, even though experts have concluded its risks outweigh its benefits, a new survey has found.
Nearly half (48%) of people incorrectly think that the benefits of taking low-dose aspirin daily to reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke outweigh the risks, according to the survey from the Annenberg Public
Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.
“Habits backed by conventional wisdom and the past advice of health care providers are hard to break,” Kathleen Hall Jamieson, the center's director, said in a news release. “Knowing whether taking a low-dose aspirin daily is advisable or not for you is vital health information.”
For years, healthy seniors were advised to take low-dose aspirin to
reduce heart attack and stroke risk.
The rationale was that aspirin acts as a blood thinner, reducing the risk that a blood clot could cause a heart attack or stroke by clogging an artery.
But in 2019, the leading heart groups — the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association — reversed that recommendation in a set of new guidelines. The groups concluded that daily
aspirin for healthy seniors 70 and older wasn't worth the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
"If you're over 70, taking aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke could do more harm than good," the AHA now says on its website.
Aspirin still is recommended for people with diagnosed heart disease who don't have an increased risk of bleeding. This updated guidance has failed to break through decades of advice supporting daily low-dose aspirin, the poll found.
Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults who have no personal or family history of heart problems report routinely taking low-dose aspirin. According to survey results:
• 10% say they take it “basically every day.”
• 6% take it “a few times a month.”
• 2% take it “a few times a week.”
Younger adults were more likely than older folks to correctly report that the risks of aspirin outweigh the benefits, the survey showed.
About 29% of 18- to 29-year-olds with no personal or family history of heart disease correctly said the risks of daily aspirin outweigh benefits, compared with 11% of those 40 to 59 and 7% of those 60 and older, researchers found.
That's likely because the younger folks haven't been exposed as much to the outdated guidance supporting aspirin use, researchers said.
The survey involved 1,771 people polled Nov. 14 to 24, 2024, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points.
Don’t wait to get the care you need. When you visit the St. Joseph’s Health Cardiovascular Institute, you can expect the best. They’re rated high-performing in more heart procedures than all other area hospitals.* You’ll be back home and feeling better in no time.
*U.S. News & World Report
By Chris Motola
New family medicine doctor at Crouse concentrates on women’s health, enjoys guiding teens and young adults into adulthood
Q: How long have you been with Crouse Health?
A: I’ve been with Crouse since last July.
Q: What put Crouse on your radar?
A: It was an easy decision. I wanted to come back to Syracuse. I was working in Cortland and we had moved to Jamesville. Luckily there was an opening at the Crouse Medical Practice at Brittonfield. When I came and met everyone the office dynamic was completely different than what I’d experienced in the past. Even now it’s still amazing how helpful everyone is to each other and how positive an environment it is. If there’s a problem we just discuss it. It’s great.
Q: You practice family medicine, but you also have a couple subspecialties.
A: I have a concentration in women’s health and addiction medicine; but I don’t really practice addiction medicine anymore. I also have a special track in geriatrics.
Q: Do you see a lot of synergy between them? For example, treating older women?
A: Yeah, all the time. Women I see from younger adults who are interested in contraception to
do contraception in the office as well, like IUDs.
Q: Have you built out your patient base yet?
A: I’m fairly new. I did acquire some patients from a previous provider who retired. But I wanted to build my patient base a little bit. One thing that I love, I love working with young adults and teenagers, people who are learning about their health. I feel like education is a really important part of being a primary care physician. After kids graduate from pediatric care to adult care they’re often a little bit stunned. Sometimes they’ll even have a mom in the room. I really find it enjoyable to be able to bridge that gap with them, doing it in a comfortable, relaxed setting where we can build trust. Especially with females; we can talk about things like contraception and things they might not be comfortable talking to anyone else about. I think one of my strengths is being able to help bridge that gap and setting up a foundation for how they’ll take care of themselves.
Q: I noticed you also have training in public health. What were some of the lessons to take away from the pandemic?
ing the internet more to try to learn.
Q: How do you split the difference between the broad prescriptions of public health and the very individualized recommendations of patient care?
A: I think they meld together. Preventative care and education are the major components of public health. They’re what’s beneficial in the individual setting, but also in the large community setting.
Q: Do you find it’s easier or more difficult to get younger patients to take preventive health advice?
A: I think it’s way easier. They’re so open-minded, not just in terms of their health but their lives. A lot of them are just coming out of pediatric environment. They’re often thankful to have someone to help guide them through the transition. They’re grateful to hear about what they should be doing. Most of them are pretty healthy, so the preventative care is especially important to them. “Maybe I should get a dentist?” It sets them up for life. And as they get a little bit older they’re starting to think about having a family. It’s bridging those stages of life that makes family medicine so rewarding.
Q: How does that contrast with your geriatric patients? Is it more disease management?
A: I think the importance of public health is even more emphasized. What I loved about public health is that I can reach a larger population than just my patient-to-patient interactions and I can use preventative care to do so. After COVID I think there’s been a shift in understanding about what public health is and preventative care. But, yeah, that was, and is, a scary thing. It’s still something that I’m grappling with every day with patient encounters. There’s definitely a shift in people trying to learn more about their health, us-
A: Honestly I think geriatrics is mostly about caring. It’s making sure everything is appropriately balanced. Making sure there isn’t too much pharmacology: making sure they aren’t on, like, 65 different medications. Making sure that their wishes are heard. Making sure that we’re doing whatever preventative care they want. A lot of it is also just making sure they’re able to take care of themselves. Are they able to shower by themselves? If not, how are they showering? Why did you lose 20 pounds? Oh, you’re not eating, let’s set up Meals On Wheels. Depression is really common in geriatrics. With the older generations there wasn’t the same culture of seeking help for it. The social aspect of geriatrics is key. I think that’s where you get to make the biggest difference for your patients. Things like that are important with geriatrics. They’re the hard parts that no one really talks about.
Name: Nidhi Simlote Villanueva, M.D.
Position: Primary care physician at Crouse Primary Care at Brittonfield
Hometown: Jamesville
Education: Medical degree from St. Georges University School of Medicine; Master of Public Health from University at Buffalo; residency at Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Elmira; internship at St. Joseph’s Health
Affiliations: Crouse Hospital
Career: Family medicine assistant clinical professor, SUNY Upstate Medical University; primary care physician at Cayuga Primary Care Family Medicine
Organizations: American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, Reproductive Health Access Project Family: Husband, son, beagle Hobbies: Trying new restaurants, photography, tennis
Even diseases usually thought of as affecting older people, like heart disease and diabetes, are contributing to early deaths
Young adults keep dying at higher-than-expected rates, falling prey to drug overdose and poor health, a new study says.
The death rate among adults 25 to 44 was 70% higher in 2023 than it would have been had pre-2011 trends continued, researchers reported in a new study published Jan. 31 in JAMA Network Open.
“Although mortality rates decreased after the core pandemic years, excess mortality remained higher than expected based on prepandemic levels,” the research team led by Elizabeth Wrigley-Field, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Minnesota, concluded.
This trend started prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, with early deaths among adults 25 to 44 nearly 35% higher than expected in 2019.
Then during the pandemic, excess deaths among young adults nearly tripled compared with 2019, researchers found.
By 2023, the pandemic-era death surge among young adults had subsided somewhat, but early deaths remained 70% higher than expected.
“These results suggest the possibility of a worsening mortality crisis unless these trends are reversed,” researchers concluded.
Drug overdoses accounted for nearly 32% of deaths among young adults in 2023, researchers found. About 14% died in accidents, nearly 9% due to alcohol use and 8% in homicides.
“The largest portion of 2023 excess mortality was driven by drug poisoning, but many other external and natural causes exceeded what prior trends would have projected,” researchers wrote.
Even diseases usually thought of as affecting older people, like heart disease and diabetes, are contributing to early deaths among young adults, said physician Sanjey Gupta, senior vice president and director of emergency medicine for Northwell Health in Hempstead on Long Island.
“Unfortunately, we have a much higher percentage of our youth who suffer from some of the diseases that we used to attribute to old age," Gupta, who was not involved in the study, said in a Northwell Health news release.
"So hypertension and diabetes and obesity — we're encountering children with these illnesses. And as they are aging, they're getting the additive effect of having these diseases for long term,” he added.
The two distinct phases of increasing early deaths, before and after 2020, might indicate that the pandemic continues to stalk the health of young adults, researchers said.
Some young adults might be dealing with the long-term consequences of severe COVID infections, while others might have overlooked impending health problems because the pandemic disrupted usual medical services.
By George W. Chapman
It’s been said here several times that the U.S. gets the worst bang for the buck when it comes to the cost of care versus results.
With the cost per capita of more than $14,000 a year, we rank around 40th in overall mortality. And nothing says how poorly we perform more than Black infant mortality. Per 100,000 births, it is three
Deferred Resignation Offer to VA Nurses
If any group has earned the right to receive healthcare, it is our veterans. Yet the White House is offering VA nurses, the govern ment's largest group of employees, deferred resignations. This is being done before any valid analysis and done when half of our VA hospitals are operating under severe staffing shortages. The nurse union is encouraging their members not to take the bait. When care eventually deteriorates further due to nurse shortages and the VA is finally allowed to hire more nurses, where do the powers that be think they will come from? The VA cares for more than 9 million veterans.
times higher than the mortality rates for Whites (14), Hispanics (12) and Asians (11). The infant mortality rate for Black infants is astounding 50 per 100,000.
The mortality report leaked out just after the official "temporary pause" on external federal health agency communications. (Pausing all federal health communication is a to-
down certain web pages by the new administration. The agencies are: CDC, OPM, FDA and HHS. The lawsuit is brought by the Public Citizens Litigation Group. One can only hope that science, not politics, determines what information is available to us all let alone our providers and researchers. Will any of these agencies even exist in the future? Scary. A judge has since ordered the pages reinstated.
The U.S. could make substantial inroads toward reducing the exorbitant cost of care in the US by hundreds of billions if Congress would simply take the handcuffs off CMS negotiators and let them negotiate the price of all drugs with Big Pharma on behalf of all 335 million citizens. But our purchasing power has been stilted/controlled by the powerful drug lobby which has reluctantly agreed (gun to head) to striking deals per the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on 10 drugs for 2026 for our 60 million Medicare recipients. (We actually had to pass a law to allow Medicare the ability to get our consumers the best bang for our bucks.) Instead of taking the 10-drug limit as a win, Big Pharma continues to lobby for the repeal of the Inflation Reduction Act. Will our newly created Department of Government Efficiency dare take on the drug lobby and recommend negotiating all drug costs and not just a few at a time? We'll see. In the meantime, with the initial 10 prices to take effect in 2026, CMS has indicated the second round of 15 drugs to be negotiated per the IRA. These 15 new prices take effect in 2027. Among them are: Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy and Trelegy. Instead of thwarting physician, hospital and nursing facility reimbursement, CMS should be laser focused on going after the fat in drug prices.
Uninsured Will Increase
Physicians Suing the Government
Doctors for America is suing several federal agencies over the removal of several web pages from websites covering a broad range of health-related (scientific and validated) data used daily by providers and researchers. In fairness, the agencies being sued were mandated to take
The leading cause of death among 18-45-year-olds remains fentanyl overdoses. In 2023, more than 107,000 of us died from an OD with 70% being from the opioid fentanyl. While measures are being taken to slow down, if not stop altogether fentanyl smuggling into the U.S., a new drug developed by the school of pharmacy at the University of the Pacific can save lives. naloxone is the chemical in Narcan which is used to counter overdoses. Narcan lasts up to two hours when delivered as a nose spray. Researchers at U of P found that the HD-5 molecule when added to naloxone allows Narcan to be delivered via
tally different problem. In the future, will we ever know what’s wrong?) Studies have shown that more Black docs lead to better outcomes. Unfortunately, the number of Blacks attending medical school has dropped off sharply the past several years. Attempts to curtail health insurance for at-risk populations will only exacerbate the mortality problem.
injection versus nose spray. Consequently, the medication lasts in the body for a week preventing overdoses for longer and more often.
No matter what the final outcome of the tariff war with Cana da, it will inevitably increase the cost of medical equipment we import from our friendly neighbors to the north. Medical equipment has typically been exempted from tariffs per the free trade agreement that existed between the US, Mexico and Canada. Guess who signed it? Anyway, unless the medical equipment exemption continues, we can expect higher costs for MRIs, ventilators, wheelchairs, pace-makers, insulin pumps and orthopedic implants. In 2022, Canada imported $5 billion of medical equipment from the US or 38% of their total medical imports. We imported $3 billion from Canada. Clearly, the trade imbalance favored the U.S. Any tariff on Canadian medical equipment will negatively impact both cost and access to both countries.
To reduce costs, the White House is proposing to cut $2.5 billion from Medicaid by disen rolling 25 million people that qualified for coverage during the pandemic via expanded eligibility. Currently, Medicaid covers more than 70 million people. If the Affordable Care Act is repealed, even more than the 25 million on Medicaid will lose affordable insurance they purchased via the health exchanges. In 2023, our uninsured rate was at an all time low of 8%. If Medicaid is cut and the ACA repealed, the uninsured rate could jump up to 15% or four million per year through 2034. This significant loss of insurance will create more uncompensated care for already struggling clinics, emergency rooms, hospitals and health systems. Making matters worse, patients without insurance tend to postpone or delay care so when they finally seek care they are much sicker. To make up for these losses, providers will be forced to negotiate higher rates with commercial carriers thereby forcing commercial insurance rates up. Is it time we gave serious consideration to a national health plan? We can't stop a boat from sinking if we only plug some of the holes. We need a new boat.
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.
By Eva Briggs, MD
As I am writing this article, the availability of many vaccines might be in jeopardy in this country.
In fact, at the current moment the vaccine information sheets (VIS) have disappeared — then reappeared — from the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) website.
VIS provide written information about each vaccine and by law must be provided to every patient or their parent-guardian, whenever a vaccine is given.
I’m old enough to have seen some diseases that are now far less common because of vaccination. I want to share some of my personal experiences to help foster an understanding of why vaccines are important.
First, chickenpox which is also called varicella.
Part of my family practice training in residency included a rotation in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). If a mother has had chickenpox, she will pass antibodies to her infant that protect the baby during the newborn period. That’s why the varicella vaccine is not given immediately after birth as those maternal antibodies would block the vaccine and prevent it from doing its job. This vaccine was licensed in the U.S. in 1995, so it was not available during my residency training in 1984-1987. One patient that I cared for was born to a mother who contracted chickenpox at the time her baby was born. The baby ended up covered from head to toe in the tiny blisters characteristic of the disease. She survived after a long hospitalization in the NICU. I don’t know whether she suffered scarring or other long-term aftereffects.
One of my fellow residents contracted chickenpox during his training. He didn’t wind up hospitalized, but he too was covered in blisters and missed about two weeks of work. When I was a teenager, I used to babysit. One of the kids I babysat for developed a serious bacterial infection of his chickenpox lesions and required hospitalization.
Then there is measles. This virus is one of the most contagious diseases. A measles patient can breathe virus particles into the air which can linger for hours after the patient leaves the room. My husband’s best childhood friend developed subacute sclerosing panencephalitis as a teen-
ager. This disease is due to reactivation of dormant measles virus from an earlier typical case of measles. The measles virus slowly destroys the brain. Essentially his friend Doug developed dementia as a teenager. Over several years it robbed his cognitive abilities, his speech, his motor functions, even the ability to swallow, until Doug died as a young adult.
It was incredibly stressful for his family, and his mother who was probably only in her 40s died shortly after of sudden cardiac arrest.
Another one of my husband’s friends, his college freshman roommate, contacted measles as an adult. In adults, measles can attack the testicles (or ovaries in women). This made him so sick and miserable that he wound up hospitalized, missing weeks of school and ultimately dropping out of college.
As an interesting historical note, at that time Crouse Hospital in Syracuse still had a leftover sign on the building from the Hospital of the Good Shepherd which they had previously taken over. I remember seeing this sign when we walked over to visit our friend in the hospital.
I also remember Hemophilus influenza type B (H. flu).
Before there was a vaccine, every parent whose small child used daycare (and plenty of others) feared this bacterial scourge capable of causing meningitis which could kill or disable a child. One of my oldest child’s daycare classmates contracted H. flu at age 2 and was rendered permanently hearing impaired.
As a resident, it seems like every week I cared for at least one child seriously ill due to H. flu. The improved vaccine for this illness was licensed in 1987.
Whatever your political leanings, I feel strongly that it is important to preserve the availability of affordable vaccines for all.
By Gwenn Voelckers
Editor’s Note: The column below was published years ago and has been updated by the author in celebration of the 20th anniversary of her solo trip to Paris and the launch of her “Live Alone and Thrive” column. We think the column’s uplifting insights remain as timely and relevant as ever. Enjoy!
This year marks the 20th anniversary of my solo trip to Paris to celebrate turning 50. It also marks the anniversary of a decision I made that changed my life.
It was in the "City of Light" that I decided to create a workshop series designed to help women live on their own with more confidence and joy.
Since launching the workshop in 2005, I have learned and experienced so much. I have also been inspired by the courageous, resourceful women and men I've met along the way who are now living alone with pride and gusto.
They reinforce what I practice every day and what I shared in my Live Alone and Thrive workshop (now on hiatus since COVID -19) — namely, that the relationship with ourselves is the most enduring of all and that it is worth nurturing.
Most of these women and men have overcome some very real and often painful obstacles, but they now embrace their independence and are busy leading interesting, full lives.
They are making it on their own. They have challenged, as have I, the age-old belief that marriage, as it has been traditionally defined, is the only state in which we can be truly happy,
fulfilled, secure and complete.
Whether divorced, widowed or a confirmed bachelor or bachelorette, they are not spending their time bemoaning their fate. They have conquered uncertainty and adversity and are the stronger for it.
They have taken their lives into their own hands and have come to appreciate the choices and opportunities that living alone has to offer.
This much I know:
1. Living alone doesn’t mean being alone. A single text or phone call can bridge the gap and foster connections.
2. Rediscovering your true self and identifying those things that bring meaning and joy into your life can turn living alone into an adventure of the spirit.
3. Loneliness is not a state of being reserved for single people. Were you ever lonely while you were married?
4. Accepting party invitations is worth doing, even if you suspect the party will be mostly couples. Remind yourself that guests often separate into groups of women and men, so singles blend right in.
5. Figuring out how to hire a contractor, buy a car or even replace the flapper valve in your toilet — all by yourself — can be very gratifying!
6. Sitting in solitude allows you to listen to your inner voice, process loss and begin a journey of self-awareness and compassion. Enlightenment can follow.
7. Pursuing a volunteer activity, part-time job, academic degree or
deeper role in your congregation can be invigorating and fun.
8. The stereotyped image of single women and men as desperate and miserable is exaggerated and just plain untrue. Not a believer? Check out this article about an older adult living by herself and thriving: A Centenarian Thrives Living Alone, Active and Engaged. Simply Google the title and be inspired!
9. Traveling solo can awaken your sense of adventure and passions you never knew existed. Whether it’s Paris or Poughkeepsie, traveling by yourself creates space for these discoveries.
10. Doing a random act of kindness is a great antidote when you’re feeling lonely and sorry for yourself.
11. Friends matter. Reach out. Nurture your friendships. Honor your commitments.
12. Turning your home into a personal retreat that reflects your own tastes, without compromise, can be liberating. Energizing. Even healing.
13. Letting go of the idea that you need to be married to have any chance of being happy and fulfilled is essential. This idea will only keep you mired in self-pity. “Build thy home in thy heart and be forever sheltered.” Anonymous
14. Treating yourself well builds self-esteem. Prepare healthy meals. Get enough sleep. Exercise. You’re worth it. Tell yourself so by taking good care of yourself.
15. Managing your own schedule becomes easier on your own. You can prioritize your time however you want, leading to greater productivity and personal growth.
16. Getting out of your comfort zone is worth the discomfort. Try something new — tap dancing, a cooking class, book club, drumming circle — or whatever piques your interest. It’s a great way to have fun and meet new people.
17. Isolating on holiday, birthdays, Sundays, etc. is for the birds. Solitary confinement is punishment for criminals, not single people. Make plans.
18. Comb your hair. Lose the sweats. Put a smile on your face. It’s
lives was also gleaned from parents and other caregivers and school records.
Even if a teen is at a healthy weight, just thinking they are overweight can greatly raise their odds for self-harm, a new study finds.
“What we found was that the perception of being overweight has a much stronger effect of suicidal ideation than the objective measure of weight,” said study lead author Philip Baiden. He's associate professor of social work at the University of Texas at Arlington.
In the study, Baiden and colleagues looked at 2015-2021 data on more than 39,000 U.S. teens, aged 14 to 18, collected by surveys conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Some of the data focused on key factors in these kids' lives: Their families' socioeconomic status, dynamics within the family, pressures at school and tough issues experienced in childhood.
Other information about their
important to create your own positive feedback. Looking your best can bring people, compliments and joyful energy your way.
19. There’s no shame in asking for help. It’s not a sign of weakness. On the contrary, asking for help shows courage and resourcefulness.
20. Self-confidence and humor can lead to rewarding relationships; neediness and desperation can thwart them.
21. Doing anything alone means you enjoy life and your own good company; it’s a reflection of your independence.
22. Expanding your definition of love beyond romantic love will stand you in good stead. Embrace passionate friendships — those relationships in which you can be yourself and feel completely comfortable.
23. Hanging out with negative people is a real downer. Put yourself with uplifting people who make you feel good about yourself and about life.
24. Living alone and loving it takes practice. Know that there is always someone you can call or something you can do to improve your situation.
25. Building your home in your heart can deliver peace as well as power. Harness that potential and your contentment will know no bounds.
Don’t I know it!
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.
The Texas team focused especially on any self-reports of suicidal thoughts (ideation). Teens who thought they were overweight had triple the odds of these intrusive thoughts, the study found.
“Even after adjusting for established suicidal ideation risk factors such as feelings of hopelessness, bullying, cyberbullying, substance use and demographic variables, we still found a connection between how adolescents feel about their weight and whether they are considering self-harm,” said study co-author Catherine LaBrenz.
“We also found that females were more at risk than males at perceiving themselves to be overweight," noted LaBrenz, an associate professor of social work at the university.
The team stressed, however, that parents, families, school and communities can all work together to boost teens' self image and prevent mental health crises.
“By investing in preventive measures and early-intervention programs,” Baiden said, “it is possible to reduce the long-term burden on the health care system and improve the quality of life for young people.”
If you or someone you love is in mental health crisis, help is at hand 24/7 at the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
The study was published in the March issue of Psychiatric Research.
border to Pennsylvania and Herkimer and Cayuga. We employ eight people.
Q: How are you funded?
A: We’re funded by individual donations, by special event fundraising, both internal and external. We get corporate support. We receive money from national corporate partners. That’s one of the roles our national office plays. They’re unique in that they’re there to serve chapters, but together, our partnership really makes things come true. Any child, regardless of where they’re treated, when they reside in our footprint, we are responsible for their wishes.
Q: What determines a child’s eligibility?
A: There’s a national set of criteria that defines what a critical illness is. Basically, it’s an illness that is progressive, degenerative or malignant at the time of referral. Our kids are really battling very serious health issues and are typically treated by a specialist.
Q: You mentioned referrals. How does that work?
A: The doctors are one of the primary referral sources or a medical professional; but it can come from the parents; it can come from the child him or herself, but most often we prefer that the referral comes from the child’s parent or the medical professional knowing that they have spoken to the child’s parent. We are all about hope and the power of a wish come true. When a parent makes that referral, then we are confident that we’re being invited into the family’s life, which is really important to us. Some people think of us as granting wishes to kids who aren’t going to make it. And that’s never, never something that we want to talk about because the truth is nobody knows. What we do know is the power of a wish has the possibility of changing a child’s medical trajectory.
us that the wish is a turning point, something that increased compliance with treatment. It gave them a renewed strength to keep fighting their illness and to be forward-thinking. Eight out of 10 “wish kids” reported that their wish gave them the strength to fight their critical illness. It just changed their story in so many ways. They were no longer the kid who was sick. They were the kid that got to (fill in the blank with their wish). And the long-term impact that medical providers have shared with us is that they’ve observed that the wish experience has had a positive impact on the child’s physical well-being and overall quality of life.
Q: Is there an age range for the eligible kids?
A: Yes. The kids must have reached age 2-1/2 to be referred and they must be referred prior to turning 18 and they must have an illness that is verified by their child’s physician. It goes through a process through the medical referral process. The only other criterion is that the kids have never had a wish before from any other wish-granting organization. Other than that, it’s regardless of race, religion or economic status.
Q: What keeps you motivated after 33 years as director of the organization?
A: So many things keep me motivated. I think the number one thing that keeps me motivated is the gift of having two healthy children and that gratitude for their health. But seeing the impact that a wish has, not only on the child, but her family and her community, her peers, her physicians; the impact that wishes have on everyone at Make-A-Wish and the people that we get to involve in making wishes come true. It really is an unbelievable experience to see the power of hope and then the strength and joy that it gives to children and their families.
Q: Is there one wish that really tugged at you?
By Mary Beth Roach
As the Make-A-Wish Central New York celebrates its 40th year, its president and CEO Diane Kuppermann discusses the organization and provides insights in how the agency grants wishes for children who are battling a critical illness in Central New York.
Q: How long have you been with MakeA-Wish?
A: This year, I am starting 33 years with the organization.
Q: Can you give us a brief overview of the organization?
A: It’s a global organization. Make-A-Wish America has 57 chap-
ters and each chapter is an independent 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is simply that together we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses and our vision is to ensure that every eligible child has a wish come true.
Q: What is your budget, your coverage area and the number of employees that you have?
A: This year, our annual budget is $2 million. It is the most aggressive budget that we have had to date; but that is necessary for us to continue to say yes to every eligible child. Our chapter serves 15 counties in Central New York. We go from the Canadian
Q: How many wishes has the organization granted?
A: Over the past 40 years, we have granted over 2,200 wishes to kids living here in Central New York. Last year, we granted a record number of 96 wishes in a single year and currently there are about 128 wishes in the pipeline — kids who are waiting to have their wishes come true. We were talking to Upstate Medical University Hospital and they’ve seen in the oncology unit, an unprecedented increase in their kids who were diagnosed with cancer. As we were looking at our year-over-year data through December (our fiscal year starts in September) — from September to December — our eligible referrals went from 16 to 30. We’re not quite sure why, but our hope is that every eligible child will receive a wish because it does make such a difference to their medical journey. And that’s certainly something that, we as an organization, have learned over the past 40 years.
Q: You talk about how it can change the trajectory of a child’s journey through whatever they’re battling. Can you give an example?
A: Nine out of 10 “wish kids” reported that the wish experience gives them relief from traumatic stress. Nine out of 10 “wish parents” saw their children’s emotional well-being improve during the wish process. For medical providers, they have told
A: I would say there are over 2,200 wishes that have tugged at my heart and primarily because the unique thing about the wish is when it is truly that child’s wish, when you see the change in the child from the time we get to meet them till the time that their wish is granted and for those who choose to stay in touch with us — which we hope is many, many of our wish families — when we get to see kids today who are thriving, who are parents, who are raising their own kids. It just really gives you a feeling of such incredible inspiration that the kids are so resilient and they are so full of hope and curiosity and often innocence. It never ceases to amaze me, also, the incredible power that we see when other people get to be involved in the wish experience, when you see the good in people every single day. All we have to do is ask, and we get a response because everybody wants to make a difference in the life of a child.
There have been some unique wishes that I was very surprised we were able to pull off. And yet I shouldn’t say that because nothing ceases to amaze me when you put together creativity and providing hope to kids. Volunteers who give everything of themselves to help us and our donors and this community. This community is so rich with support for not just Make-A-Wish, but for every organization.
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the world, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer with more than 1.9 million cases diagnosed in 2022.
It’s also the second most common cause of cancer death, amounting to more than 900,000 deaths annually worldwide.
The American Cancer Society predicts that 52,900 patients in the US will die from this colorectal cancer this year.
Knowing the early signs can help lower these numbers, but colorectal cancer doesn’t always have symptoms.
“Often, early-stage colon cancer has no symptoms, but can be more easily treated if caught at this early time, which makes screening important,” said Kristina Go, colon rectal surgeon with Upstate Medical University. “Most patients get diagnosed with colorectal cancer once symp-
toms start.”
Unfortunately, any disease process is more challenging to treat the later it is discovered.
When colon cancer presents symptomatically, the person may notice “unintended weight loss, and abrupt change in their bowel habits,” said physician Shannon Spencer, MD with Colon Rectal Associates of Central New York in Liverpool. “It’s not just someone who’s constipated after eating poorly during the holidays, but they’ve had problems for several months.”
They key is noticing a pattern of change — not just a one-time occurrence that’s easily explained.
In addition, Spencer mentioned blood in the stools. Sometimes hemorrhoids — inflamed veins in the anus and lower rectum — may bleed during a bowel movement. However, hemorrhoids typically resolve with at-home care within a week. If blood during a bowel movement continues,
Spencer encourages people to set up a doctor’s appointment to have it checked out.
According to the American Cancer Society, it takes about 10 to 15 years for abnormal cells to develop into cancerous polyps. Screening can help detect polyps so a healthcare provider can remove them before they become malignant.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists risk factors, including: inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis; a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps; a genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome); lack of regular physical activity; a diet low in fruit and vegetables; a low-fiber and high-fat diet or a diet high in processed meats; overweight and obesity; alcohol consumption and tobacco use.
“We recommend regular screenings to look for polyps,” said Mohammad Ali, gastroenterologist with Oswego Health. “Removing them can prevent colon cancer.”
The old standard was to begin screening at age 50. However, Ali
said that an uptick in earlier age diagnoses has caused that to shift to age 45. For people with a first-degree relative who experienced colorectal cancer, that age may be even younger.
“Screening doesn’t necessarily have to be colonoscopy only,” Ali said. “It can be done through stool and blood-based tests.”
These less-invasive tools typically are for people with no risk factors but age. Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard test, as providers can remove suspicious polyps during the procedure. Most providers would urge patients with any risk factors to screen with colonoscopy. Patients dislike the preparation process, which includes clearing the bowels with medication or enemas. The procedure involves inserting a lighted tube in the anus, rectum and colon after air has been pumped inside. It’s generally recommended every 10 years.
Virtual colonoscopy (CT colonoscopy) scans the colon and rectum through a small tube inserted just a small distance into the anus, but the patient must still prep the bowel and have air pumped into the rectum and colon. Any suspicious polyps will require a second appointment for removal. This procedure is recommended every five years.
Non invasive tests include stool sampling, the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) to find small amounts of blood in the stool, a sign of polyps. It’s recommended annually.
The guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) can also find hidden blood in the stool. Patients can take the sample at home. Beforehand, patients must avoid certain foods and medications for a few days before the test. The gFOBT is an annual test.
Recommended for every three years, at-home stool DNA testing looks for DNA or gene changes in cells that migrate from polyps into stool. It can also detect blood in the stool. The FDA-approved DNA test is Cologuard.
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
The American Cancer Society predicts that 154,270 people in the US will receive a colorectal cancer diagnosis this year.
As the fourth most common type of cancer in America and the second most fatal, colorectal cancer diagnosis is scary. Even people who genuinely care about the patient can find it difficult to connect in a meaningful way. A person coping with the stress of undergoing treatment and an uncertain future can only benefit from reaching out to others.
“It’s helpful to join a support group to get an idea of what to expect with treatment,” said physician Shannon Spencer, with Colon Rectal
Associates of Central New York in Liverpool. “There are four different stages of colon cancer. Some have surgery and that’s all they need. Others are followed by chemotherapy. Others go right to chemotherapy.”
Some people research online as to what to expect at their stage of cancer. Spencer advises asking medical care providers and talking with people who have colorectal cancer rather than searching on the internet for information.
“Google can be a very confusing place if you’re newly diagnosed,” she said. “A lot of what you read may not even apply to you.”
Local, in-person groups include:
• Peaceful Remedies, Oswego (www.peacefulremediesoswego. com, general holistic care for people with life-altering diagnoses)
• Maureen’s Hope, Baldwinsville (www.maureenshope.org, general practical support and assistance for people with life-altering diagnoses, including cancer)
Virtual-only groups:
• Colontown, Crownsville, Maryland. (https://colontown.org)
• Fight Colorectal Cancer,
Springfield, Missouri. (https:// fightcolorectalcancer.org)
• This Is Living with Cancer, New York City (www.thisislivingwithcancer.com/cancer-type/colorectal)
• Colorectal Cancer Alliance, Washington, DC (https://colorectalcancer.org) Hotlines
Cancer Helpline and Live Chat by the American Cancer Society (800-227-2345)
Counseling by CancerCare (800813-4673)
By Ernst Lamothe Jr
Congenital heart disease encompasses a range of structural heart abnormalities present at birth. These defects can affect the heart’s walls, valves and blood vessels, leading to improper blood flow and circulation.
CHD is one of the most common congenital conditions, impacting individuals across all demographics and often requiring lifelong management.
Advances in medical technology and surgical techniques have significantly improved survival rates and quality of life for those affected, but challenges remain in diagnosis, treatment and support.
Understanding CHD is crucial for raising awareness, improving outcomes and fostering empathy for those living with this condition.
“Raising awareness about congenital heart disease is crucial for several reasons. It helps in early identification and treatment, reduces stigma and fosters support networks for families affected by CHD,” said cardiologist Thomas Grady, who practices at Oswego Health. “Increased awareness can also lead to better funding for research, improved healthcare policies and resources for those living with CHD.”
Grady discusses five aspects of CHD.
1.How common is it?
Congenital heart disease is one of the most prevalent birth
defects, affecting approximately 1 in 100 to 1 in 200 live births globally. This means that around 40,000 babies are born with CHD each year in the United States alone.
“It is not uncommon that you know right away when it comes to heart diseases when the mother is having her baby,” said Grady. “As technology has gotten better, more congenital heart disease patients are surviving into adulthood and their life expectancy is normal.”
Physicians work with pediatric cardiologists to collaborate with options throughout their adulthood so they can monitor the situation and watch out for any additional signs.
2.What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of CHD can vary widely depending on the specific type and severity of the defect. Common symptoms may include rapid or difficulty breathing, a bluish tint to the skin, lips or fingernails, fatigue or weakness, poor feeding or growth in infants and swelling in the legs, abdomen or eyes. Some individuals may be asymptomatic, particularly in cases of mild defects.
“When we see shortness of breath that can tell us many aspects of whether your blood is not working properly and if the heart valve is not developing. It can affect the baby’s development and weight gain,” said Grady. “We also tell patients that if you have a history of passing out unexpectedly, there could be a correla-
tion with the rhythm of your heart.”
3.What are the causes and treatment options?
The exact causes of congenital heart disease are often unknown, but several factors may contribute, including genetic predispositions and environmental influences. Some CHD cases are associated with specific genetic syndromes, while others may be linked to maternal health factors such as diabetes, certain medications or infections during pregnancy.
“We use tools such as physical exams, EKG, ultrasounds of the heart and CT imaging to determine issues where we can determine if an infant has a genetic disease such as Down syndrome,” he added.
4.Family history
There can be a family history component to congenital heart disease. Having a family member with CHD may increase the risk of CHD in other family members. Genetic counseling is often recommended for families with a history of heart defects, as certain genetic conditions can be inherited.
“Many genetic defects are passed through chromosomes from first degree relatives,” said Grady. “That is why it is essential to receive a detailed family history from our patients because we have to unlock what could be serious underlying conditions.”
Thomas Grady, Jr. MD
5.It’s manageable
Not all cases of congenital heart disease are severe and many individuals with CHD lead healthy, active lives, especially those with milder forms of the disease. In addition, while CHD is present at birth, many individuals live into adulthood and may experience health issues later in life.
“I have also heard from patients who worry if congenital heart disease is the result of something done wrong during the pregnancy, which is not the case,” he said. “Whenever someone gets diagnosed, we work with the parents to put together a plan.”
Our free services include:
◘ Private, one-on-one counseling about health insurance options
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◘ Helping you decide what plan is right for you.
◘ Helping you solve problems with your managed care plan.
◘ Meeting with you over the phone or in-person.
◘ Conducting educational sessions for consumers, caregivers, and professionals
At Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY, you are never just a diagnosis or a number. We see you...the whole person, with passions, hopes, dreams, histories, and loved ones who share in your journey. From diagnosis, to treatment, to survivorship – our personalized care focuses on truly understanding and planning for your unique needs. We provide genuinely compassionate support, collaborating with you, your family, and caregivers every step of the way. Learn more about HOA today. We’ll see you and care for you – body, mind and spirit.
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Eating Disorders Awareness Week is Feb. 25 through March 2.
The World Health Organization estimated in 2019 that approximately 14 million people worldwide, including 3 million children and adolescents, have eating disorders.
These include anorexia nervosa (restricting eating), bulimia nervosa (bingeing and purging or abusing laxatives) and avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. Orthorexia, although not formally recognized, involves extreme food restrictions that exclude only “healthful” foods with no exceptions. Excessive exercising may also accompany eating disorders.
Eating disorders often represent maladaptive coping strategies for underlying mental health issues.
They can lead to nutritional deficiencies and disrupt normal digestive processes. Most people require professional help to overcome an eating disorder (aka disordered eating). Once professional care is enlisted, the patient’s family often provides much-needed support at home that can help towards health and recovery.
the family know what to do.
Most patients want loved ones to ask about what they’re going through. But don’t rush to offer solutions — or worse, tell them where they went wrong.
Bruce Brennan, registered dietitian with Liverpool-based Nutrition Service of Upstate New York, advises talking about anything but food at the table if that helps distract the patient from focusing too much on food.
“We want to take some of that tension away from the table,” he said. “Whatever kind of game you could play or topic of discussion might work and leave the discussions about food until after.”
Eating meals together as a family can be helpful but making the dinner table a battleground can generate negative outcomes.
manner,” said Afton Kapuscinski, New York state licensed clinical psychologist and associate teaching professor at Syracuse University. “Having a family member with an eating disorder is frightening and people often understandably feel desperate, but putting excessive pressure on the individual may make them less likely to discuss the problem with you in the future.”
Kapuscinski added that learning from experts in the field can help, along with learning from people who have undergone treatment for an eating disorder. This can help develop “a deeper sense of empathy for your family member.”
ing will not help the situation in the long-term and may adversely affect other members of the family in the process.”
Avoid any kind of comments about weight and size, even if not about the patient, such as, “I should lay off the doughnuts; I’m getting so fat.” Or “I look like a whale in this shirt.” Or “Chris has lost so much weight since last fall.”
“Eating disorders are often unintentionally reinforced by loved ones through their own responses to weight, shape and food,” Kapuscinski said.
Instead, she wants family members to act as advocates for their loved ones by avoiding body talk trying to change their own approach to weight and food.
In general, having less stress in the household can be helpful for improving the patient’s mental health.
Books that may help families better understand eating disorders include:
“I also think it’s helpful if the family be supportive but let the treatment team members be the ‘police’ rather than family members,” Brennan said. “They need to be supportive. When they’re in the police role, it becomes argumentative.”
It’s also helpful to remember that your loved one is receiving treatment from professionals, so it’s not up to you to try to fix them. Kapuscinski said that it’s better to focus on spending quality time together.
Learning what is helpful for people undergoing treatment can help
Any time you have concerns about their eating, it is important to go about expressing those concerns in the right way, “a direct but gentle
“Family should adhere to recommendations made by healthcare providers regarding meal-planning and groceries,” she added. “However, behaviors that accommodate the eating disorder are not recommended. For example, cooking only low-carb meals, not having dessert in the house or making excuses to others for why the person is not eat-
Life Without Ed: How One Woman Declared Independence from Her Eating Disorder and How You Can Too by Jenni Schaefer and Thom Rutledge (McGraw Hill: 2003)
Father Hunger: Fathers, Daughters, and the Pursuit of Thinness by Margo Maine (Gurze Books: 2004)
Believarexic by J.J. Johnson (Peachtree Publishers: 2015)
FCMG reminds our senior patients to schedule an annual exam and stay in touch with your clinician afterwards! In addition to yearly physicals, we offer:
• Endocrinology, including diabetes testing, care and education
• Sleep lab and treatment of sleep disorders
• Clinical Programs (Chronic Care, Palliative Care, Intensive Care and Transitional Care Management)
• And so much more!
All provided in one of 30 comfortable, conveniently located, and family-friendly offices across CNY! Call 315.802.5178 or visit fcmg.org today!
By Anne Palumbo
As winter drags on, many of us slump into a winter funk. Me? I’ve taken whining to an indecent level this year. And, honestly, it may have lasted indefinitely had I not spotted a bag of cheery clementines at the grocery store last week.
Clementines!
If there’s one fruit that brightens my mood, it’s the seedless clementine.
Clementines (like tangerines and satsumas) are a special variety of mandarin oranges. While both navel oranges and mandarins are healthy citrus fruits, they have some key differences that set them apart. Navel oranges are larger, more acidic and harder to peel, while mandarins are smaller, sweeter and a breeze to peel.
This potent little fruit delivers over a quarter of our needs for vitamin C, a powerhouse vitamin that contributes to wound healing, helps keep skin healthy and glowing, and boosts the immune system.
Although vitamin C won’t cure your cold, says research, it may shorten it. What’s more, vitamin C helps your body absorb “non-heme iron,” which is iron from plant-based foods like lentils and spinach.
If you’re worried about inflammation — a condition that can raise your risk of cancer, heart disease and other diseases — reach for a clementine. Particularly rich in antioxidants that help defend your body against an undesirable imbalance of free rad-
icals, clementines may help reduce inflammation and prevent cellular damage.
Hearts love clementines, too. From the antioxidants that protect the heart from damage to the fiber that helps lower “bad” cholesterol to the potassium that can help regulate blood pressure, these li’l “Cuties” might be better nicknamed li’l “Superstars.”
Lastly, this tangy citrus charmer helps support a healthy weight or weight loss, thanks to many factors: its decent dose of fiber that promotes a full feeling, its high-water content, and its low calorie count (only 35 per clementine). Plus, they’re ideal for kids because they’re peelable, seedless and sweet!
Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.
Look for fruits that are brightly colored, feel firm when gently squeezed, and smell strongly of citrus. Clementines will keep at room temperature for up to a week or in the fridge for up to two weeks. Wash clementines before eating to remove any residues. Like grapefruit, clementines may interfere with certain drugs: be sure to discuss concerns with your doctor.
Serves 4-6 Adapted from tasteofhome.com
Salad:
6-7 cups torn romaine
2 cups shredded chicken
1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped
½ cup shredded carrot
1 green onion, thinly sliced
2-3 clementines
¼ cup cilantro, minced
½ cup chopped nuts of choice
Dressing:
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1½ teaspoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons honey
Those who drink coffee exclusively in the morning benefit the most
For many, coffee is a beloved morning ritual, fueling the day ahead. But what if the time you drink it could influence how long — and how well — you live?
New research published Jan. 8 in the European Heart Journal suggests that when you enjoy your cup of Joe might be just as important as how much you drink.
The study shows consuming coffee only in the morning was linked to a 16% lower risk of premature death and a 31% reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to non-coffee drinkers.
“This is the first study testing coffee drinking timing patterns and health outcomes,” lead study author Lu Qi, a professor of public health
at Tulane University, said in a news release.
“We don’t typically give advice about timing in our dietary guidance, but perhaps we should be thinking about this in the future.”
Researchers analyzed data from over 40,000 adults aged 18 and up using dietary records collected between 1999 and 2018. Coffee consumption was divided into three timeframes: morning (from 4 a.m. to 11:59 a.m.), afternoon (from noon to 4:59 p.m.), and evening (from 5 p.m. to 3:59 a.m.)
Results show that those who drank coffee exclusively in the morning benefited the most in terms of longevity and heart health. Meanwhile, folks who drank
1-2 cloves garlic, minced ¼ teaspoon each: salt and coarse black pepper
1. In a large bowl, combine first 7 ingredients. Shake together all dressing ingredients. Just before serving, drizzle with ¼ cup dressing; toss to combine. Top individual servings with nuts; add more dressing if needed. Dressing will keep in fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Note: Save time with a rotisserie chicken.
coffee throughout the day saw no significant reduction in risk.
The findings held true regardless of whether participants drank caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee, and the amount consumed — whether they drank less than one cup or more than three — didn’t impact the benefits.
So, why does timing matter?
Experts agree that the timing of coffee intake may influence your circadian rhythm and hormone levels. Drinking coffee later in the day, even if we feel like we need it, may disrupt melatonin production, a hormone
that regulates sleep and influences heart health.
According to study authors, some inflammatory markers in the blood have their own clocks. And the anti-inflammatory effects of coffee may be more effective when consumed in the morning, when these markers peak.
However, the study was observational and cannot prove causation, noted Vanessa King, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics who wasn’t involved in the study, told CNN.
St. Joseph’s Health announced its school of cardiac sonography has officially received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
This achievement marks a significant milestone in the program’s commitment to excellence in cardiac sonography education and patient care.
Now in its fourth cohort, the St. Joseph’s School of Cardiac Sonography offers a rigorous 13-month certificate program that prepares students for careers as skilled cardiac sonographers. Accreditation ensures that the program meets high-quality educational standards and produces graduates with strong clinical competencies and positive outcomes.
“Achieving CAAHEP accreditation is a testament to our dedication to providing top-tier education and training in cardiac sonography,” said Danielle Gage, program administrator. “This milestone not only affirms the quality of our program but also expands opportunities for our students.”
With accreditation, students can apply for financial assistance to help offset the cost of tuition. Additionally, those with existing student loans may qualify for deferment while enrolled in the program, making education more accessible to aspiring sonographers.
The demand for cardiac sonographers continues to grow, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a 14% increase in employment for diagnostic medical sonographers from 2020 to 2030. St. Joseph’s Health remains committed to training highly skilled professionals who will enhance cardiac care and improve patient outcomes in Central New York and beyond.
By Melissa Stefanec MelissaStefanec@yahoo.com
In 2016, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine made some pretty wild recommendations about how much sleep kids should be getting.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and many others went on to endorse those wacky recommendations.
Why were these recommendations so wild?
Because, to many parents of school-age kids, those recommendations felt (and still feel) impossible.
AASM recommended that kids between ages 6 and 12 should get nine to 12 hours of sleep per night.
They also recommended that kids aged 13 to 18 should get eight to 10 hours per night.
These recommendations weren’t pulled from a land of fairy tales and whimsy. Instead, a panel of 13 sleep experts reviewed 864 scientific articles to create these recommendations.
If you ask most parents of schoolage kids if their kids are sleeping that many hours, they would look at you like you are cuckoo.
Things like early bus pickup times, after-school clubs, sports, activities, travel leagues, college prep and screen time claim a lot of hours in our kids’ lives. It’s safe to wager that many of America’s children are not getting enough sleep.
The evil lurking right beneath our noses
Most parents work hard to protect our kids from the dangers in life — things like bullying, drugs, alcohol, predators, abuse, too much screen time and ill-willed people. However, many of us fail to recognize one of the biggest dangers to our kids’ well-being and development: a lack of sleep.
Modern childhood is demanding. A lot of kids are in numerous extra-curricular activities. Those activities are often intense and time-consuming. When these activ-
ities are combined with homework, jobs and copious amounts of screen time, many young brains are being pushed to the max. When we push our kids to their limits and they don’t get enough sleep, it can be a dangerous cocktail.
does too little sleep do to a child’s brain?
Not getting enough does scary things to a kid’s brain. According to the National Institutes of Health, children who consistently get too little sleep experience a range of undesirable consequences.
Studies have shown that not getting enough sleep affects brain development. Not getting enough sleep can affect areas of the brain responsible for attention, memory and inhibition control. Getting too little sleep is associated with poor academic performance, behavioral issues and difficulty concentrating. Kids who get less sleep are more likely to develop depression, anxiety and aggressive behaviors than their wellslept peers. Sleep is wildly important to our children’s brain development.
Tricks for getting better quality sleep
It can be difficult for any of us to get a good night’s sleep. Our lives and habits are often contradictory to doing such. However, there are things we can do to help our kids sleep better. Making small and consistent changes can really add up over time. Here are some tips for helping your kid sleep better.
• Limit blue light — Exposure to blue light from screens suppresses melatonin production. Melatonin helps us relax and sleep. If your kid is watching TV, playing online games or looking at their phone before bed, it can be very disruptive to their sleep. Try to ditch screens at least 30 minutes before bed.
‘Most parents work hard to protect our kids from the dangers in life — things like bullying, drugs, alcohol, etc. However, many of us fail to recognize one of the biggest dangers to our kids’ well-being and development: a lack of sleep.’
• Keep a consistent bedtime and wake time — It’s probably not realistic to have kids in bed at the same time every day of the week, especially as they get older. However, as much as possible, keep your kids’ bedtime consistent. Same goes for wake times.
• Get natural light during the day — Natural light is hard to come by in Central New York, especially during the winter. However, getting natural light, especially in the morning, can help kids regulate their sleep and wake cycles.
• Be wary of scary or violent entertainment — Graphic or unsettling content, whether it’s in shows, movies or video games, can impact how quickly a child falls asleep and their sleep quality. Understand your child’s threshold for such content.
• Don’t let pets in bed — Pets, especially ones that move around a lot, can have a negative impact on your child’s sleep. Save the cuddling for the waking hours.
• Keep your kids’ room dark, cool and quiet — There are so many gadgets that emit light. Use electrical tape to cover them if you can’t turn them off. Set the furnace at a lower night time temperature. Try to be quiet once your kids are in bed.
• Exercise during the day — Regular activity during the day will help your child sleep more. Try having them get moving after school and on the weekends.
• Stretch or meditate before bed — If your child has a hard time winding down, try some stretching or breathing exercises before bed. Try doing this together to create a feeling of collective calm.
• Be weary of caffeine — Caffeine is in many sports drinks, sodas, chocolates, lattes and other treats. Try to limit your child’s caffeine intake, especially in the eight hours before bed. This will give your child’s body time to metabolize the caffeine.
So, now that we are talking about sleep club, maybe we rank it as one of the most important activities on our kids’ calendars. Sleep club is the one club we should over-commit our kids to. Let’s all work to make sleep gas, fire, lit, gucci, dope and all the other words our kids say to mean, cool. Maybe, if we all unite, we can make sleep a canon event for our kids.
Looking like something out of NASA’s mission control, Upstate University Hospital has opened a state-of-the-art Throughput Operations Center (TOC) designed to optimize patient flow across its two hospital campuses (downtown and community) and throughout the region with the goal of revolutionizing the way patient care is managed, ensuring more efficient use of resources and ultimately improving patient outcomes.
The $2.38 million center, located on the first floor of Telergy Building off Carrier Circle, is chock full of technology with 22 live feed monitors and 28 computer stations
offering hospital officials a real-time view of operations, including capacity demands, bed census, open beds, COVID-19 information and patient transport status, among other data feeds.
The center also features live feeds of Upstate’s helipad and EMS ambulance offload bays outside the region’s only trauma center.
“This facility is like our mission control,” said Upstate University Hospital CEO Robert Corona. “It’s like the heartbeat of the hospital. By streamlining patient flow, enhancing communication and minimizing bottlenecks, it enables the hospital to deliver timely, efficient care while
improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency across the board. Bringing real-time data and resources under one roof, we will ensure patients receive the right care, at the right time, in the right setting.”
Upstate Chief Nursing Officer Scott Jessie said this expanded Throughput Operations Center will have a great benefit on nurses. “This Throughput Operations Center plays a critical role in enhancing the care and efficiency that our nursing teams can provide to patients,” he said. “By streamlining patient flow and minimizing delays in admissions, discharges, and transfers, we enable our nurses to focus on what they
do best—delivering compassionate, high-quality care.”
The Throughput Operations Center will integrate a variety of critical data streams from all areas of the hospital system, allowing for real-time monitoring and management of patient progress. This will allow healthcare professionals to optimize care delivery, anticipate bottlenecks, and reduce delays in patient care, resulting in a smoother, faster experience for patients and clinicians alike.
Using integrated technologies from software provider TeleTracking Technologies Inc., the center will track patient movement, assign appropriate resources, and monitor bed availability in real time, ensuring the most efficient use of space and staff.
In addition to streamlining patient flow, the new command center will provide executives, clinicians, and administrators with comprehensive analytics and dashboards, enabling real-time reporting and strategic decision-making.
The center will be operational 24/7 and employ more than a dozen people. Among the professionals based at the center will be nurses specializing in bed management, transfer center protocols, dispatchers for patient transport services and environmental services. In the near future, the center is expected to house a dispatcher for AMR, telehealth nurses and case managers.
In developing the center, Upstate officials visited other sites to see similar throughput centers in operation, including Kettering Health Clinic in Ohio, Carilion Clinic in Virginia and Yale New Haven Hospital.
“It was important for us to see these centers in operation and to speak with officials about what works best,” said Kyle Choquette, associate director of nursing for throughput operations. “Understanding the successes and challenges faced by established centers will provide invaluable insights, allowing us to build a foundation of excellence and innovation tailored to the needs of our community.”
Prior to the opening of the new Throughput Operations Center in the Telergy Building, Upstate dedicated a small room in its basement with four monitors to track information. Choquette said that operation was key in helping Upstate manage patient flow during the pandemic, but it no longer fulfills Upstate needs to maximize operations.
By Mark Winsberg, M.D
Iam the youngest of four kids born to my parents in the span of six years. My father, Cornell-educated with a master’s degree in soil science, was just finding his way into farming in South Florida when I entered the scene.
My mother, also a Cornell student in home economics, had to cut her college career one semester short of graduating when my oldest sister was born.
I still find it hard to fathom how my parents held it together while Dad went from college student to fertilizer salesman, to dairy farmhand, to partner with another farmer and eventually to buying our 300acre farm, while Mom almost single-handedly raised us four kids.
I was a good student, a good athlete and good at holding my own in almost any social situation. But maybe because I was the youngest child, I came to the erroneous conclusion that I wasn’t and
would never be smart enough, strong enough or good enough to truly fit into my family or anywhere else for that matter. Ignoring mountains of evidence to the contrary, I spent much of my life trying to prove that assumption true.
Maybe that’s why my past is made up of such a crazy array of social and work situations.
Like the dog in the kids’ story “Are You My Mother?” it seemed I could never find my place in the world.
I was a farm boy, drove tractors, baled hay, raised cattle and dug ditches.
My playmates were the Black and Puerto Rican farmworker kids on the farm and in town, the lawyers’ and doctors’ kids in the advanced classes at school. I worked on a dairy farm, did house construction,
spent two years as a welder-pipefitter, lived in a kibbutz in Israel picking bananas and learning Hebrew.
I went to three different elementary schools, two junior high schools, two high schools, four undergrad colleges, two medical schools (graduated from Stanford Medical School), completed a residency in family medicine and ended up working in and becoming the medical director of a small emergency room outside of Rochester for 17 years.
I did well in every one of those environments, but the loop playing in my head always said, “You’re stupid, you’re weak and you don’t belong here.”
Alcohol and drugs first entered my life when I was about 16.
The self-demeaning brain loop was becoming intolerable when I met Bob, the first-chair drummer in the marching band (I was second chair). Bob invited me to a “church party,” which turned out to consist of meeting in the church parking lot, going to 7-Eleven for dollar bottles of Strawberry Hill, then heading to the beach to get drunk. That kicked off a six-month period of getting stoned at Bob’s house every day before school, getting stoned at rock concerts on the weekend and finally feeling like I fit in.
However, by the end of that time, the loop was back, louder than ever. I didn’t feel like I fit in anymore and realized I was being used because I was the one who always had money and a car.
Addicts and alcoholics often try to stop this disease on our own — drinking beer instead of liquor, using weed instead of cocaine, only using on weekends, etc. Another common tactic is the “geographic cure.” At the end of my teenage drug phase, I opted for that one. I suddenly decided to attend a small private hippie high school in the wilds of British Columbia, Canada. I told my parents I
was going and since I had the money saved up from farm work and other jobs, I went. And it worked — at least for the alcohol and drugs.
It wasn’t until much later that I figured out I was really trying to flee the self-demeaning brain loop.
Drugs and alcohol didn’t play a significant part in my life again until my early 40s. If you looked at my life from the outside at that time, you’d wonder why anyone in that situation would start using drugs.
I was the medical director of the ER, well respected by my colleagues and patients. My wife, also a doctor and I had two wonderful daughters, had paid off our medical school loans and owned our home outright.
But what you wouldn’t see was that toxic brain loop that never quit playing. That loop, combined with the stress of working in the ER day after day, left me subconsciously searching for a pressure relief valve.
That valve appeared in the form of a drug called Ultram (a combination of Tramadol and Tylenol), which hit the market in the late ’90s as a new non addictive pain reliever. The drug company’s reps would deliver grocery bags full of samples to the ER, encouraging us to hand them out to patients. I don’t remember exactly when I tried it for some ache or pain, but I do remember thinking it didn’t do much for pain. However, it did make my 12-hour ER shifts easier. It was quieting “the loop,” giving me a weird distance from the intensity of patients and a sense of calm amidst the ER storm. Later, researchers discovered tramadol has opiate-like and antidepressant-like effects, is highly addicting and is now classified as a narcotic.
Thus, I was inadvertently taking a narcotic and thinking I had everything under control.
Within a few months, I was taking three or four tablets at a time throughout the day, drinking tons of caffeine (standard ER fare) and adding a muscle relaxant to keep me from feeling too wired. When I got home, I drank wine and took Benadryl to sleep. This cycle continued for almost four years. My wife repeatedly asked if I was using drugs, but I always lied and would often turn the tables, acting hurt or angry that she would even ask.
Fortunately for me, the drugs I was using, combined with chronic sleep deprivation from constantly switching day and night shifts, resulted in me having a seizure in front of my wife, my daughters and my parents at a restaurant in Montreal in 2003. That night, frightened by what had just happened, I finally admitted to myself that I was in trouble, that my life was out of control. The next morning, I told my wife the truth.
What followed was truly miraculous. She didn’t leave me and take the kids. She helped me get in contact with and begin treatment through The Committee for Physician Health (CPH), an organization that helps doctors with substance use problems. I was mandated to go to AA meetings, which I initially resisted, then realized was a gift that’s turned into a lifetime “habit.” I told the CEO of the hospital, the medical staff director, and my ER colleagues what I was dealing with, and every one of them responded with encouragement and support. I felt like I’d been released from prison; my life was no longer controlled by drugs.
The rest is history. I left emergency medicine five years into my recovery. A friend told me he was leaving a part-time job at the JL Norris Clinic (inpatient rehab), which I took. There, I met Dr. Charlie Morgan, the rehab medical director, who became my teacher and mentor. That led to me getting board-certified in addiction medicine. And now I’m semi-retired with my own solo, part-time addiction medicine practice after 15
years as the clinical director and then medical director of Rochester Regional Health’s chemical dependency programs.
More importantly, I’ve regained the trust and love of my family. My two daughters, now grown, have loved me through every step of my recovery. My wife has never deviated from my side, treating me with love, care, and compassion that I’ll never be able to fully repay. I’ve learned to accept help from others.
And that brain loop?
It still plays occasionally, but not continuously. And I no longer believe its toxic message, nor do I have to try to silence it with drugs or alcohol.
Physician Mark Winsberg is the former medical director of Rochester Regional Health chemical dependency department. He now operates Medical Services, PLLC in Rochester. Contact him at drmark@ winsbergmd.com or via text message at 585-565-5220. For more information, visit www.winsbergmd.com.
By Mark Winsberg, M.D.
1. Acknowledge the Problem
The first step in recovery is admitting that there is a problem. Denial can be a significant barrier, and recognizing the impact of substance use on health, relationships and daily life is crucial.
2. Seek Professional Help
Addiction medicine specialists, therapists, and counselors can provide evidence-based treatments, including medication-assisted therapy (MAT) and behavioral therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or motivational interviewing (MI).
3. Develop a Strong Support System
Surrounding oneself with supportive friends, family or support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can provide encouragement, accountability and emotional support.
4. Identify and Avoid Triggers
Recognizing situations, places or people that contribute to substance use can help in developing strategies to avoid or manage them. Creating a structured and substance-free environment is essential.
5. Adopt Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Replacing substance use with positive activities such as exercise, meditation, yoga or creative outlets (e.g., music, art, writing) can reduce stress and cravings.
6. Establish a Routine and Set Goals
Having a daily routine with scheduled activities helps reduce idle time and provides structure. Setting realistic, short-term goals can provide a sense of accomplishment and motivation.
7. Address Underlying Mental Health Issues
Many people struggling with addiction also have co-occurring mental health conditions like depression, anxiety or PTSD. Seeking treatment for these conditions through therapy or medication can improve overall well-being.
8. Consider MedicationAssisted Treatment (MAT)
For some substance use disorders (e.g., opioid or alcohol addiction), medications like methadone, buprenorphine or naltrexone can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms under medical supervision.
9. Educate Yourself About Addiction
Understanding addiction as a chronic disease rather than a moral failing can help reduce guilt and self-stigma, making it easier to seek treatment and stay committed to recovery.
10. Practice Self-Compassion and Patience
Recovery is a journey with ups and downs. Being kind to oneself, acknowledging progress and learning from relapses instead of seeing them as failures can improve long-term success.
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Substance abuse is still very much prevalent in the U.S.
In 2022, 48.7 million Americans ages 12 and older experienced a substance use disorder (including drug and alcohol abuse) in the previous year, according to www.addictiongroup.org, a site that helps those struggling with addiction.
It further states that only “9.1% of those with co-occurring mental health issues and substance use disorders receive treatment for both conditions.”
Mental health issues are not the only reason that people abuse substances. Some people begin abusing drugs like fentanyl because of physical addiction to prescribed opioid painkillers such as after an injury or surgery. But others experience untreated mental health problems stemming from trauma and end up using substances as a harmful coping mechanism.
“Addressing underlying trauma is important as it is one of the most concurring disorders when it comes to substance use disorders and its potential treatment options,” said Linda Terrazas, licensed clinical social worker and owner of Linda Terrazas LCSW, PLLC in Syracuse. “Whether it is exposure to trauma, complex trauma from childhood, chronic PTSD or PTSD, there is a high probability someone presenting
with a substance use disorder has been impacted by trauma within their lifetime, even when using as it brings many high-risk situations. By seeing the underlying possible cause of the SUD, such as unresolved trauma, we can then treat the obsessive and compulsive pattern many people develop when they turn to alcohol and drugs, whether it be to experi ence plea surable times or to escape quality of life disrupt ing symp toms.”
She add ed that some people may not even realize they experience trauma responses like high anxiety, sleep issues, and intrusive thoughts or memories. This can increase their risk of relapse, disengaging from treatment and continuing use substances.
perienced provider can “help a client process, understand, become aware of what contributes to their [behavior] patterns,” she added.
Fortunately, more providers have begun looking at the root of why someone abuses substances.
“In the last 15 to 20 years, what we’ve seen in mental health and behavioral health is taking more of a trauma-informed approach to helping all people who present” [for care], said Shiann Brown, licensed clinical social worker in private practice in Syracuse. “I think that’s being intertwined in the substance use disorder field as well.”
She explained that people with substance use disorders try using substances to regulate their nervous systems that have been deregulated by trauma.
Substance use does not have to include illegal drugs bought on a street corner. Some people believe that vaping or using marijuana recreationally is safe because it’s legal. Some self-medicate their anxiety or depression or other mental health issues with over the counter or prescription medication that’s not their own or indicated for their condition.
But that’s not addressing the root cause, which often is trauma. Brown said that trauma is subjective. What’s traumatic for one person may not affect another person as deeply. But it’s a perceived or actual threat that dysregulates the person’s nervous system.
Working through trauma and building healthy coping mechanisms takes time. Unfortunately, many insurers provide coverage for only a few weeks, a factor which Brown said limits a person’s ability to resolve and overcome their trauma history and substance use problem.
“Getting to the root is a longterm process for aiding someone,” she said.
It takes time to create an environment where the patient feels supported and validated and ready to tap into community resources that help them continue in sobriety, even after their insurance will no longer cover their treatment.
“When someone has experienced some trauma or adverse trauma, they may not qualify for post-traumatic stress disorder, but they may have hypervigilance, belief systems that are negative and more,” Brown said. “Those are things that keep people from thinking they can go into recovery.”
She believes that a communitywide philosophy of trauma-informed care will help professionals in medical and mental health settings respond to people with substance use disorder in a way that supports recovery and healing.
Terrazas believes that treating the biopsychosocial factors contributing to substance use is the only way for a good chance of recovery. By using trauma-informed care, an ex-
“Drugs and alcohol do a good job of regulating nervous systems, but with major life consequences,” Brown said.
“We’ll approach it in a way that makes it easier for people to want to work with us and collaborate to achieve the goals they want for themselves and that we want for them as citizens,” Brown said.
Many more Americans are turning to ketamine for kicks, a new study reports.
Recreational use of the anesthetic drug among U.S. adults increased 40% between 2021 and 2022, researchers say.
That follows a nearly 82% increase in ketamine use from 2015 to 2019, results show.
The more recent increase occurred mainly among young adults 26 to 34, as well as in people with a college degree, researchers found.
“These findings are consistent with other research indicating increased use among nightclub attendees in New York City along with increasing law enforcement seizures of illicit ketamine in the U.S.,” wrote the research team led by Kevin Yang,
a third-year resident physician in psychiatry at the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine.
Ketamine — also known as “Special K” or "Super K” — is typically used an anesthetic for people and animals as.
In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of a nasal spray ketamine derivative called esketamine (Spravato) to treat depression in adults, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
Ketamine can cause changes in how people perceive reality, the NIDA says. Users might feel like they are floating outside their bodies or dissolving into their environment.
“At higher doses, a person may experience extreme detachment from
their body and reality, which is called being in a k-hole,” the NIDA's website on ketamine says.
A ketamine overdose can cause potentially life-threatening slow and shallow breathing, particularly when combined with other drugs. Longterm use is linked to memory problems, depression and anxiety.
For the new study, researchers analyzed data gathered between 2015 and 2022 by an annual federal survey on drug use and health.
They found that the surge in ketamine use during the 2010's was largely associated with people suffering depression. Adults with depression were 80% more likely to have used ketamine between 2015 and 2019, possibly self-medicating their mood disorder.
But the increase between 2021 and 2022 occurred only in people without depression, results show.
“These findings suggest a potential shift in the relationship between ketamine use and depression, such that recreational use became less associated with depression over time,” researchers wrote in study published recently in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
People with college degrees were more than twice as likely to have used ketamine during the latest surge, compared to those with a high school education or less, results show.
And young adults 26 to 34 were 66% more likely to have used ketamine than 18- to 25-year-olds, researchers found.
For example, in 2022 when mobile sports betting was legalized, an individual could gamble at any time without leaving home by simply using their mobile device. New York now ranks third in the total amount of dollars wagered in the U.S. with $1.55 billion collected in taxes.
This comes with a price. Consider the cost:
• Crime (robbery, embezzlement, fraud)
• Business (loss of productivity, unemployment-related employer costs)
• Bankruptcy
• Illness (stress, anxiety, depression)
• Treatment
• Family (divorce, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence)
• Social connection (loss of social capital —employer, family, friends)
While teens and young adults are certainly impacted by problem gambling, so are older adults, a segment of the population that is often overlooked.
The environmental factors for older adults differ from those experienced by youth and young adults. Older adults may be retired, have more time on their hands and may be seeking social interaction. Like so many addictions, gambling starts as a social connector and all too often ends in social isolation with the gambler betting alone.
Seniors may believe gambling is a way to foster a sense of independence. Their gambling activity may be a form of emotional escape. Senior centers and churches sponsor regular trips to casinos, normalizing and celebrating it as an activity without warning the seniors of the potential risks.
Upstate's revitalized and growing heart services provide benefits to you.
From six cardiology outpatient sites to the arrival of our new heart surgeons, and more doctors and advanced providers for procedures such as caths and TAVRs, we are here to work with you. Learn more about what The Upstate Advantage can do for you.
Know the warning signs
• Do you experience mood swings based on winnings and losses?
• Do you neglect other responsibilities to concentrate on gambling activities?
• Do you experience impatience with loved ones because they are interrupting your gambling activities?
• Are you willing to eat less or go without food so that you can gamble?
• Do you gamble with money needed for necessary expenses such as household supplies, groceries, medication, electricity and rent or mortgage?
• Are you spending your retirement funds or thinking about cashing in a life insurance policy for gambling money?
• Do you fantasize about big winnings and believe you will win back all your losses?
If you answered “yes” to any of these warning signs know that help is available.
For more information on problem gambling, visit NCADD-RA’s website at www.ncadd-ra.org/services/ finger-lakes-addiction-resource-center/ to find resources, including the Problem Gambling Services Directory and a flyer with the active Gambler’s Anonymous (GA) Meetings in Monroe County.
Jennifer Faringer is the director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence – Rochester Area (NCADD-RA).
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield was ranked No. 8 on the Forbes list of America’s Best Midsize Employers 2025. The health plan ranked No. 1 among midsize employers in New York state and among the insurance industry nationwide. This is the third consecutive year that Excellus BCBS has been named to the list.
This award is presented in collaboration with Statista Inc., a global statistics portal and industry ranking provider.
America’s Best Employers 2025 are selected using an independent survey from a vast sample of more than 217,000 U.S. employees working for companies from all industry sectors employing at least 1,000 people within the U.S. More than 6.5 million employer evaluations were considered.
The final ranking is based on two types of evaluations:
• Personal: Given by employees themselves.
• Public: Given by friends and family members of employees or members of the public who work in the same industry.
Personal evaluations are given a higher weighting.
The results are divided into two lists: one for the top large companies with more than 5,000 U.S. employees, and another for the top midsize companies with 1,000 to 5,000.
Based on the results of the study, Excellus BCBS has been recognized on the Forbes list of America’s Best Midsize Employers 2025.
See Forbes’ full list of America’s Best Employers on Forbes.com.
Physician Kathleen Knudson has
been named assistant professor and director of pediatric neurosurgery at in the department of neurosurgery at Upstate Medical University. She previously was a practicing pediatric neurosurgeon at ECU Health Medical Center, department of neurosurgery and spine in Greenville, North Carolina.
Knudson is board-certified in neurological surgery with a focused practice-board certification in pediatric neurological surgery. Knudson received her medical degree from Case Western University School of
Medicine. She completed a neurological surgical residency at George Washington University followed by a fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
Knudson performs numerous surgical techniques, including minimally invasive surgery for craniosynostosis, endoscopic surgery for hydrocephalus and selective dorsal rhizotomy for spasticity. She is an expert in surgery for epilepsy, craniotomy for tumor resection; the surgical treatment of congenital disorders such as spina bifida or Chiari malformation, as well as many others.
Oswego Health Helena Chiles to
its mental health and wellness team. With her extensive education, training and clinical experience, Chiles is poised to be a key provider in the ongoing mission to deliver comprehensive and patient-centered mental health care to the community, according to the hospital. Chiles will serve outpatients 18 years and older at the Lobdell Center for Mental Health & Wellness at Lakeview in Oswego.
Chiles holds a Master of Science in nursing as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner from Vanderbilt University in Nashville. She specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, emphasizing patient-centered care and evidence-based therapeutic interventions. She also completed her Bachelor of Science in nursing at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, in its FACT-1 accelerated one-year program and holds a post-baccalaureate certificate from Thomas Jefferson University’s P4 accelerated one-year program.
Before joining Oswego Health, she worked at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where she served as a registered nurse in the medical behavioral unit. Her earlier career included clinical roles in adult and pediatric care and experience in the pharmaceutical industry, where she worked in sales and training to promote medical devices and medications.
Chiles’s credentials include being an ANCC board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and registered nurse licenses in New York, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. She is also trained in advanced cardiac life support, pediatric advanced life support and suicide prevention, among other certifications.
St. Joseph’s Health Hospital announced its recognition as one of the top 10 hospitals in the United States for achieving the lowest 30-day mortality rates for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients, according to data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the years 2020-2023.
St. Joseph’s has the third lowest rate in New York state, after hospitals in New York City and Long Island.
CABG, commonly known as heart bypass surgery, is a procedure that improves blood flow to the heart by diverting blood around blocked or narrowed coronary arteries using a graft. This graft is typically a healthy blood vessel taken from the patient’s leg, arm, or chest. The surgery is vital for patients with severe coronary artery disease, aiming to reduce symptoms such as chest pain and decrease the risk of heart attacks.
The national 30-day mortality rate for CABG patients stands at 2.8%. St. Joseph’s Health has achieved a significantly lower rate of 1.5%, underscoring its commitment to exceptional cardiac care.
“This achievement is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our exceptional cardiac team,” said Charles Lutz, cardiothoracic surgeon at St. Joseph’s Health Cardiovascular Institute and co-medical director of cardiac surgery. “Our teamwork and commitment to excellence enable us to deliver the highest quality care and achieve remarkable patient outcomes.”
Crouse Health Foundation has received a $25,000 Health Equity Innovation Award funding from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for Crouse Health’s Standing in the Gap — Enhancing Maternal Health Experiences program.
The program aims to improve maternal health experiences for his torically marginalized communities served by Crouse Health across 14 counties in the state.
“Doula 4 a Queen is excited to implement our program, ‘Standing in the Gap’ aimed to enhance staff relations with community-based doulas and improve maternal health experiences at Crouse Health as both organizations work together to reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity in our region,” said Sequoia Kemp, Doula 4 a Queen, founder and CEO.
awards dedicated to reducing health disparities and improving health equity among underserved populations affected by racial, ethnic, disability, gender, and rural disparities, including but not limited to mental health and maternal health. This includes efforts to improve physical and mental health, decrease social inequalities in healthcare, and guarantee access to healthcare.
Farnham Family Services announced it has received a five-year grant from the Oswego County Department of Mental Hygiene that serves to combat suicide and mental health disparities in Oswego County. This funding directly supports the Oswego County Suicide Prevention Coalition, allowing it to continue working with local residents to raise awareness, share resources, and promote positive mental health in our community.
“We are thankful for this funding, which helps us keep building a stronger, more caring community,” said Tyler Ahart, coalition coordinator for the Oswego County Prevention Coalition. “Our community coalition works hard to bring awareness to suicide and the importance of mental health in Oswego County. This grant funding allows us to continue our work and elevate our education efforts”.
St. Joseph’s Health announced
physician Kiranpreet Dhother will continue her career at St. Joseph’s Health in a hybrid role where she will provide a full scope of family medicine services as an outpatient provider, while also working as a hospitalist on the inpatient team. Dhother is board-certified as a family medicine physician and will focus on pediatrics, adults, women’s health, and obstetrics.
“We are grateful to receive this Health Equity Innovation Award from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield,” said Kathleen Miller-Murphy, director of Women’s Health Integration and Community Engagement at Crouse Health. “This funding will allow us to make a significant impact on the health of our community by improving birth equity and providing much-needed support to expectant families.”
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield invited area organizations to apply for
Dhother received her Bachelor of Human Kinetics from the University of Windsor in Canada and her Doctor of Medicine from Saint James School of Medicine in Anguilla (in the Caribbean). She recently completed a three-year residency in family medicine at St. Joseph’s Health Hospital.
“I have always enjoyed practicing a wide scope of medicine, focusing on the health of families,” said Dhother. “My love for family medicine has only grown during my residency and I feel right at home here at St. Joseph’s Health Hospital.”
Dhother is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the New York State Academy of Family Physicians. She speaks fluent English and Punjabi. Her
Andrew Wolf has been appointed St. Joseph’s College of Nursing’s new dean, starting in December.
Wolf is widely acknowledged for his leadership in nursing education, known for pioneering teaching methods and program development. His proficiency in integrating advanced simulation technologies and competency-based learning has transformed health professions education to meet the demands of modern health care.
Throughout his career, he has
made significant contributions to faculty development, student success strategies and partnerships with health systems. His efforts have addressed critical workforce needs while ensuring excellence in admissions, curriculum design and program outcomes.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Andrew Wolf as dean of St. Joseph’s College of Nursing,” said Meredith
ConnextCare has been awarded a $73,000 grant from the Richard S. Shineman Foundation to assist in establishing schoolbased health center (SBHC) services at Frederick Leighton Elementary School (Leighton Elementary) in Oswego.
The SBHC will provide primary care, dental, mental health and telehealth services directly to Leighton Elementary and Oswego High School students. Additionally, students at the five other schools within the district are eligible for enrollment and
Price, senior vice president of acute operations at St. Joseph’s Health.
“His innovative leadership aligns with our mission to serve as a compassionate and transforming healing presence within our communities.
Dr. Wolf’s vision and expertise will enhance our efforts to prepare skilled nurses for the evolving demands of healthcare. We are excited for the transformative impact his vision and expertise will bring to our students, faculty, and the broader community.”
Wolf brings extensive leadership experience from roles at Marymount University, St. John Fisher University and the University of Rochester.
Among his many achievements, he has spearheaded curriculum innovations, launched online and hybrid
are encouraged to visit the schoolbased health center for convenient care.
The health center will be staffed by a family nurse practitioner, licensed master social worker and registered dental hygienist, with regular onsite supervision and care provided by a pediatrician. A ConnextCare physician is always available to provide consultation, when necessary.
Pictured are Chena Tucker, director of Richard S. Shineman Foundation, and Tricia Peter-Clark, ConnextCare president and CEO.
learning programs and led accreditation processes with exceptional results. As a board member of the Institute for Innovative Education at the University of Rochester, Wolf advanced interprofessional education to enhance quality and safety in health care through improved communication and teamwork. He also continues to practice as an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, applying clinical insights to shape forward-thinking nursing education.
Wolf holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from SUNY Empire State College, a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Johns Hopkins University and both a master’s in nursing and a doctorate in education from the University of Rochester.
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
What can you tell me about service dogs for seniors with disabilities? My 67-year-old father has chronic arthritis and Parkinson’s disease, and I’m wondering if an assistance dog could help make his life a little easier.
Dog Loving Leah
Dear Leah,
For people with disabilities and even medical conditions, service dogs can be fantastic help, not to mention they provide great companionship and an invaluable sense of security. But be aware that service dogs can be very expensive to purchase and the waiting list to get one can be long.
Here’s what you should know.
While most people are familiar with guide dogs that help people who are blind or visually impaired, there are also a variety of assistance dogs trained to help people with physical disabilities, hearing loss and various medical conditions.
Unlike most pets, assistance dogs are highly trained canine specialists — often golden retrievers and Labrador retrievers, and German shepherds — that know approximately 40 to 50 commands, are amazingly well-behaved and calm, and are permitted to go anywhere the public is allowed.
Here’s a breakdown of the different types of assistance dogs and what they can help with.
• Service dogs: These dogs are specially trained to help people with physical disabilities due to multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s disease, chronic arthritis and many other disabling conditions. They help by performing tasks their owner cannot do or has trouble doing, like carrying or retrieving items, picking up dropped items, opening and closing doors, turning light switches on and off, helping with balance, assisting with household chores, barking to indicate that help is needed and more.
Service dogs can also be trained to help people with medical conditions like epilepsy or other seizure disorders, autism, diabetes, PTSD and other psychiatric disabilities.
• Guide dogs: For the blind and visually impaired, guide dogs help their owner get around safely by avoiding obstacles, stopping at curbs and steps, navigate shopping centers and buildings, find doors, seats, pedestrian crossing buttons and more.
• Hearing dogs: For those who are deaf or hearing impaired, hearing dogs can alert their owner to specific sounds such as ringing phones, doorbells, alarm clocks, microwave
or oven timers, smoke alarms, approaching sirens, crying babies or when someone calls out their name.
If your dad is interested in getting a service dog, contact some credible assistance dog training programs. To find them, use the Assistance Dogs International website (AssistanceDogsInternational.org) which provides a listing of around 80 accredited members and 25 candidate programs in North America.
After you locate a few, you’ll need to either visit their website or call them to find out the types of training dogs they offer, the areas they serve, how long their waiting list is and what they charge. Most dog training programs charge anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000 or more for a fully trained service dog, however, most programs can assist with fundraising or grant applications for those in need. None of that cost is covered by health insurance or Medicare.
To get an assistance dog, your dad will need to show proof of his disability, which his physician can provide, and he’ll have to complete an application and go through an interview process. He will also need to go and stay at the training facility for a week or two so he can get familiar with his dog and get training on how to handle it.
It’s also important to understand that assistance dogs are not for everybody. They require time, money and care that your dad or some other friend or family member must be able and willing to provide.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
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Registered dietitian, certified dietitian nutritionist, owner of Rural Roots Nutrition PLLC
Q. What makes you different from other dietitians?
A. People of all gender identities see me with weight loss as their main goal. I honor their choice, but I also challenge them to dig deeper into their nutritional health. I connect how foods support their goal tomorrow while commending non-weight victories today.
Q. Why would someone seek your professional services?
A. Nutrition counseling is not about good vs bad food, the right or wrong way to eat, or the correct diet or meal plan. It is about examining the root cause of beliefs, challenging thoughts and behaviors, myth busting fad diets and diet culture claims, and allowing clients to make nutrition decisions based on science and facts.
Q. What’s one thing you love most about being a dietitian?
A. One thing that makes my heart sing is seeing clients make connections about food and their bodies. They let go of the manipulative misinformation portrayed by diet culture and finally give themselves permission to choose what food works best for them based on their needs, wants, and lifestyle.
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By Warren Beck Social Security District Manager in Syracuse.
Social Security imposter scams continue to be widespread across the United States. Scammers use tactics to deceive you into providing sensitive information or money. If you receive a suspicious letter, text, email, or call, do not respond.
We will NEVER:
• Text or email images of an employee’s official government identification.
• Suspend your Social Security number.
• Threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee.
• Require payment by retail gift card, wire transfer, internet currency, or cash by mail.
• Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
• Mail or email “official” letters or reports containing your personal information.
• We only send text messages in limited situations, including:
• When you have subscribed to receive updates and notifications
Q.: I recently retired and am approaching the age when I can start receiving Medicare. What is the monthly premium for Medicare Part B?
A.: In 2025, the standard Medicare Part B premium for medical insurance is $185.00 per month. Some people with higher incomes must pay higher monthly premiums for their Medicare coverage. You can get details at www.medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-6334227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
Q.: Do we have to withhold Social Security taxes from our housekeeper’s earnings?
A.: It depends on how much you’re paying the housekeeper. If you pay a housekeeper or other household worker $2,800 or more in cash wages throughout the year, you must deduct Social Security and Medicare taxes. This holds true for a cleaning person, cook, gardener, babysitter, or anyone else who provides services for you. In addition, you must report these wages once a year. There are exceptions, for example, when you are hiring a company or independent contractor and paying them a fee for services instead of wages to a person. You can learn more about household workers and tax deductions by reading our publication, Household Workers at www. ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10021.pdf.
by text.
• As part of our enhanced security when accessing your personal my Social Security account.
If you owe money to us, we will mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights. Social Security employees do contact the public by telephone for business purposes. Ordinarily, the agency calls people who have recently applied for a Social Security benefit, are already receiving payments and require an update to their record or have requested a phone call from the agency. If there is a problem with a person's Social Security number or record, Social Security will typically mail a letter.
We encourage you to report suspected Social Security imposter scams — and other Social Security fraud — to the OIG’s website at oig. ssa.gov/report. You can find more information about scams at www.ssa. gov/scam.
Please share this information with your friends, family, and colleagues to help spread awareness about Social Security imposter scams.
Q.: Can I get both Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security benefits based on my disability?
A.: Many people eligible for Social Security disability benefits also may be eligible for SSI. The disability decision for one program is the same as it is for the other, but you must meet additional resource and income limits to be eligible for SSI. Learn all about SSI and whether or not you may be eligible by reading the publication, "You May Be Able to Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI)" at www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-11069. pdf.
Q.: What can I do at www.ssa.gov?
A.: There are many things you can do on Social Security’s website — you can find a list at www.ssa. gov/onlineservices. You can get an estimate of future benefits, find out when you are eligible for benefits, and even apply for benefits. You can complete other tasks online, too, including requesting a replacement Social Security card in most states. If you have a personal my Social Security account, you can get an estimate of your personal retirement benefits and see the effects of different ages to begin receiving retirement benefits. If you don’t have a personal my Social Security account, create one at www. ssa.gov/myaccount. You can create an account if you are at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, and have a valid email address and Social Security number.
Hybrid Nurse Aide Training Program ELEMENTAL MANAGEMENT GROUP
Hybrid Nurse Aide Training Program ELEMENTAL MANAGEMENT GROUP
Equip your facility with our unstoppable HYBRID CNA program, empower your team to deliver top-notch care with the strength of a champion.
Equip your facility with our unstoppable HYBRID CNA program, empower your team to deliver top-notch care with the strength of a champion.
Are you looking for an innovative way to attract CNA students? We have your answer
Are you looking for an innovative way to attract CNA students? We have your answer
Are you looking to minimize and most importantly eliminate agency use? We have your solution
Are you looking to minimize and most importantly eliminate agency use? We have your solution
Are you looking to improve morale by increasing your direct care PPD? Reach out to us to hear more
Are you looking to improve morale by increasing your direct care PPD? Reach out to us to hear more
Are you looking to captivate and motivate the newer generation by offering unique and rewarding training opportunities? Look no further contact us today
Are you looking to captivate and motivate the newer generation by offering unique and rewarding training opportunities? Look no further contact us today
CONTACT:
Peg Reith BSN, RN
Phone: 315-529-3267
CONTACT:
Email: CNA_Training@elementalmgt.com
Peg Reith BSN, RN
Phone: 315-529-3267
Email: CNA_Training@elementalmgt.com
Say hello to a 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 nine School Based Health Centers in five Oswego County school districts.
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MONDAY - FRIDAY 7:00AM - 6:00PM
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