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JUNE 2022 • ISSUE 270
10,000 STEPS
INSIDE: WELLNESS SPECIAL ISSUE
Is 10,000 daily steps really the magic number for staying in great shape? Or have we all fallen for a marketing campaign? We discuss with local sources. P. 11
OPIOID CRISIS IN OSWEGO COUNTY Physician Michael Nupuf discusses the opioid crisis in Oswego County and why the new generation of drug user is more likely to die of overdose. P. 4
5
THINGS TO DO FOR HEALTHY JOINTS P. 10
Syracuse Physician Aids the People of his Homeland In the past urologist Gennady Bratslavsky (right) returned to his native Ukraine to visit friends, family or lecture at medical events — now he’s assisting victims of war. He spent time in that country in April and plans to return in June. P. 14
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Opening a New Door to Addiction Treatment Addiction affects all, regardless of background, race, ethnicity, gender, religion or socio-economic status. In recent years, communities across our nation — including Central New York — have experienced alarming increases in the number of people needing addiction treatment services. As the longest running treatment program in the region, Crouse Health’s Addiction Treatment Services remains committed to our mission to expand access to care and ensure delivery of high-quality addiction and mental health treatment in our community. We are proud of our new facility that matches the caliber of our staff and provides a nurturing, safe and uplifting environment that is already greatly enhancing our focus on holistic patient care: The Bill & Sandra Pomeroy Treatment Center at Crouse Health. If you, a loved one, friend or colleague is in need of treatment for substance use disorder, please contact us at 315-470-8304 or visit crouse.org/addiction. Bill & Sandra Pomeroy Treatment Center in Syracuse. The two-story, 42,000 square-foot facility at 2775 Erie Blvd., East, replaces the 100-year-old former location of Crouse’s outpatient treatment services at 410 South Crouse Avenue.
Page 2 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2022
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www.elementalmgt.com June 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 3
for example, or Xanax, but they’re getting something laced with fentanyl and this is causing a significant problem with overdoses and sudden death.
Meet
Your Doctor
By Chris Motola
Michael S. Nupuf, M.D.
Opioid treatment physician at Farnham discusses the opioid crisis in Oswego County and why the new generation of drug user is more likely to die of overdose Q: What is Farnham Family Service’s role in combating opioid addiction? A: Farnham started way back in the 1970s as an emergency call center for suicide prevention. They had a small room at SUNY Oswego and a phone line. And that’s pretty much how it started. They later started treating alcoholism through referrals from the justice center for things like DWIs. It became a counseling service for alcoholism, and then later drug abuse. Around 2017, they began to offer medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction. For many years the only treatment program in CNY was at Crouse Hospital, which had been around for many years. But they had capped their patient number at 800, so there was often a two-year waiting list, which isn’t ideal when you’re dealing with something like this. So the state wanted to set up more treatment programs in CNY to relieve the huge numbers of people waiting to get into treatment at Crouse. I was the medical director of Farnham around that time for the opioid treatment program. We had a separate medical director for the outpatient program. And it’s grown since that time. I’ve since stepped down, and Dr. [Mario] Magsino is the medical director of both halves of the program. Q: What’s your current involvement with Farnham? A: What Farnham wants to do now is set up an opioid treatment program in Mexico. We’re waiting
on licensure from the DEA [Drug Enforcement Administration] to open it up as a satellite office. We’ll be offering full services, including medication-assisted treatment dependency and counseling. It’s at the site where Harbor Lights used to be. So I said I’d help with that until we get it up and running. Then other individuals will run that. I retired for the fifth time in January 2021. I’m trying to retire; I’m just not very good at it. Q: What’s the situation look like in Oswego County with regard to opioid addiction? Is it fairly typical county? A: Like most places across the country, it’s still in dire straits. We know that Farnham continues to have new patients calling for assistance every week. And this has been going on for about four-and-a-half years. I recently stepped down as medical director at the Oswego County Jail, and I can tell you that about 50% of the individuals who are incarcerated had drug and substance abuse disorders, with a high incidence of opioid dependency. We don’t know about the actual number of overdoses — they weren’t as high in Oswego County as other counties. The big problem now is it’s not just the opiates, it’s individuals who think they’re taking one thing, but are being given something else. This is a problem across the country as well. Q: What are they being given? A: It’s fentanyl. It’s a big killer. People think they’re buying Valium,
Page 4 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2022
Q: Have the people getting hooked through unwitting consumption been displacing the older group who tended to become addicted through prescription pain killers? A: Yes, exactly. The ones who got addicted way back in 2010, 2011 due to previous use of opioids for pain, that population is on treatment or, unfortunately, dead by now. So we have an entirely new group of people who are experimenting with available drugs. The main drugs today are manufactured drugs. Molly, for example, is a synthetic cathinone. Synthetic cathinones are not illegal in the state of New York, because they’ve never figured out what chemical to make illegal. So they’re very inexpensive and very potent. Q: Are synthetic cathinones opioids? A: No, they’re a different category. The problem is they’re often laced with fentanyl. Basically people have no idea what they’re taking. Q: How might someone figure out if they’ve consumed laced drugs? A: There are actually strips available that can be used to test drugs to see if there are opiates in them. Some counties, like Oneida, are offering strips to individuals so they can test and see if the drugs they’re taking contain opiates, which I think is a great idea. I don’t know that Oswego County is doing that yet.
A: Significantly so. Not only is it more difficult for people to get into treatment, but we lose the ability to take a carrot/stick approach. We can’t offer treatment instead of incarceration because we don’t see them until after they’ve violated their court date or have been sentenced. What we do now is have a withdrawal protocol where we see them in jail. We get them off the drugs and usually find that they have a lot of mental health issues. And so we get them treatment for their mental health issues. They see counselors while they’re in jail. When they’re stable we try to get them involved in programs when they leave, but we don’t have any way of forcing them into it. It has to be all voluntary. So we lose a lot of those people back to drugs again. Q: What was the rate of voluntary enrollment? A: I would say less than 10%. Without the carrot/stick approach there’s no incentive, really. The other problem is that, because we’ve been locked down without visitation for two-and-a-half years, we haven’t been able to get Farnham into direct involvement with patients while they’re still in jail. So that’s what we want to do as soon as the jail opens again. We want to be able to do direct hand-offs and get people involved in treatment while they’re still in jail. For the last six months we’ve tried to get people onto treatment and have them follow-up, but again, we tend to lose those people because they just don’t follow-up. Some studies show that if you actually get them started on treatment in jail, there’s a higher rate of follow-up than if you don’t.
‘I recently stepped down as medical director at the Oswego County Jail, and I can tell you that about 50% of the individuals who are incarcerated had drug and substance abuse disorders, with a high incidence of opioid dependency.’
Q: As you’ve worked extensively in the corrections system, to what degree does opioid addiction complicate a person’s ability to return to society? In the sense of both process and safety. A: Here’s what’s happened. Before we had bail reform which is before January 2020, we had what we called opioid treatment court. Opioid treatment court allowed individuals who were incarcerated but not yet sentenced to go into a program of treatment. For that treatment they’d have to enroll in Farnham and see a judge every day for three months. At the end of that time, if they completed their work, they did not get sentenced. With bail reform that all went away. We no longer have the opportunity to send people to treatment before they’re sentenced, primarily because we never get the chance to see them at the jail before they, for example, failed to show up in court and were incarcerated. Q: That’s interesting. So you’re essentially saying that bail reform may actually be landing more opioid addicts in prison?
Lifelines
Name: Michael S. Nupuf, M.D Position: Opioid treatment physician at Farnham Family Services Career: Private practice for over 25 years, hospitalist at Oswego Hospital (2004-2012), physician at Oswego County Opportunities (2005-2008), medical director of the opiate treatment program at Farnham Family Services (2017-2021), medical director at Oswego County Correctional Facility (2019– 2021 Hometown: Canton, Ohio Education: Medical degree from Ohio State University (1974) Affiliations: Oswego Health Organizations: Oswego County Medical Society; American Medical Association Family: Wife Hobbies: Sports, reading, saxophone, plans to get into beekeeping
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Beverly Aubin, FNP Family Nurse Practitioner Oswego
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Anne Filipski, MD Family Practice Physician Fulton
Joseph Nimeh, MD Pediatrician Oswego
Patricia Bendura, DH Dental Hygienist Fulton
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Farzana Chaudhary, MD
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Dentist Fulton
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June 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 5
The Importance of Taking Medications as Directed
T
he World Health Orillness, but also long-term ganization says that medications to manage getting more patients chronic conditions such as to take their medications as diabetes, high blood pressure directed, known as medicaand high cholesterol,” says tion adherence, may have a pharmacist Mona Chitre, greater impact on the health chief pharmacy officer and of the population than any vice president clinical opimprovement in specific erations and health innovamedical treatments. tion at Excellus BlueCross However, according BlueShield. “When patients to the Centers for Disease with chronic conditions stop Mona Chitre Control and Prevention, at taking their maintenance any given time, 50% of patients are medications as directed, the consenot taking their medications as prequences can be severe.” Unregulated scribed: They are nonadherent. high blood pressure, for example, can Nonadherence includes not lead to kidney failure, heart disease filling a prescription, taking less than and stroke. the prescribed dose, skipping doses The National Institutes of Health or discontinuing medications sooner calculates that nonadherence may than advised. result in 100,000 preventable deaths “We’re not only talking about each year in the United States and prescriptions to treat a short-term $100 billion a year in preventable
medical costs. The American Heart Association puts the impact of nonadherence on health care spending at nearly $300 billion a year in additional doctor visits, emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Research into medication adherence by Excellus BCBS found that reasons for nonadherence fall into one of three categories: They are patient related, medication-specific or are health care system-related. Patients may forget to take their meds, misunderstand instructions or decide they don’t need them any longer, especially if they have no overt symptoms. A specific medication may be too expensive, have undesirable side effects or the dosing instructions may be complex. A lack of follow-through or support from a physician or pharmacist may also result in patients not taking their medications as prescribed. The CDC estimates that for every 100 prescriptions written, 50 to 70 are filled by a pharmacy, 48 to 66 are picked up by the patient, 25 to 30
are taken properly, and just 15 to 20 of those prescriptions are refilled as prescribed. Something as simple as arranging for prescription home delivery, offered by many pharmacies, may increase medication adherence. Other tips include establishing a routine for taking medications, using pill box organizers, downloading phone app reminders, or asking the pharmacy to organize medications in blister packaging and labeling them with instructions on what to take and when. “Patients who have issues with their prescriptions should reach out to their physician, pharmacy, or insurer with their questions or concerns, since those are the best sources for answers and assistance,” says Chitre. “When medications are taken as prescribed, health outcomes are improved, chronic conditions are managed, health care dollars are used efficiently, and lives are saved.”
Fraud
physicians and ancillary professionals and in many cases can be credited with saving smaller rural hospitals near closure. Hospital systems, covering large geographic areas with hundreds of physicians in virtually all specialties, are better positioned to form comprehensive all-inclusive health systems capable of accepting capitation and or value-based payments from insurers.
Submitted by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.
Healthcare in a Minute
By George W. Chapman
ACA Has Record Enrollment: 35 Million People Insured
T
he Affordable Care Act of 2010 has survived more than 60 attempts to repeal it. Twelve years later, a record 35 million people (one in 10 of us) will receive health insurance via discounted commercial insurance on an exchange or expanded Medicaid eligibility. The uninsured rate is 8.8% or about 29 million. Most of the uninsured are younger adults electing not to be
covered, lower income people living in states that did not accept Medicaid expansion and people who lost employer-based coverage. The increase from last year’s 31 million to a record 35 million covered this year is due partly to increased income eligibility for discounted insurance on the exchange and additional states (Oklahoma and Missouri) opting for expanded Medicaid.
Employers Focused on Healthcare
providers and patients that Medicare Advantage plans are requiring prior authorization for services normally covered by traditional Medicare. More than half of seniors are covered by a Medicare Advantage plans that are operated by commercial carriers like the Blues, United, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, etc. There is a push for electronic prior authorization which would standardize what services require prior authorization, reduce human error, speed up the approval and make it easier for medical practices.
Not surprisingly, the experience of running a business during the pandemic has sharply focused employers on healthcare. A recent survey found nine of 10 employers cite healthcare as their No. 1 priority this year. Healthcare premiums are rising again after a pandemic lull due to care being postponed or even canceled. But cost isn’t their sole focus. Employers have felt the impact of the pandemic on employee morale and mental health. Consequently, there is a concerted effort to expand mental health benefits, improve access to virtual care and lower employee out-of-pocket costs. Most employers surveyed believe virtual care will increase access and lower costs.
Medicare Prior Authorization
Critics view prior authorization for medical services as an unnecessary barrier to timely care and a way for insurers to reduce claims. Prior authorization has been an administrative nightmare for busy medical practices trying to provide appropriate care for their patients. Proponents of prior authorizations, namely the insurance industry, argue that prior authorizations ensure their members will receive the right care, at the right time, in the right setting. Recently, the Office of Inspector General is investigating complaints from
Deadly Milestone
According to health officials, we have transitioned from a COVID-19 pandemic to a COVID-19 epidemic, despite continuing related deaths and seemingly a new variant every week. On May 5, we surpassed a grim milestone: more than one million Americans have now died from COVID-19. There have been, reportedly, 15 million deaths worldwide, but experts are skeptical of numbers from autocracies like Russia, China, North Korea, etc. Early on, several epidemiologists and public health officials were scoffed at for their dire predictions of a million deaths if COVID-19 was not taken seriously and managed effectively. Another wave of infections is predicted for this summer, so we are urged to exercise caution.
Page 6 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2022
The OIG is constantly on the alert for fraud. Most of their investigations originate from tips from consumers or honest medical professionals. Every month, millions of Medicare dollars are recovered from fraudsters. OIG has issued a warning concerning COVID-19 scams whereby individuals offer free testing sites, free at home tests, free supplies etc. through telemarketing calls, texts, social media platforms and door-to-door visits. The scammers are trolling for your personal information and Medicare information. In the continuing saga of opioid fraud, in April the OIG convicted 14 defendants from Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, New Jersey and West Virginia of illegally prescribing more than seven million pills resulting in more than $7 million in losses to Medicare. Not to be outdone, a physician in California was recently convicted of defrauding Medicare of $12 million. The physician recruited Medicare patients and then performed medically unnecessary vein ablation procedures. He then upcoded (over charged) Medicare. To cap it off, he repackaged and reused single use disposable catheters.
Hospital Mergers
Last month’s (now prescient) column addressed the justification for hospital mergers. I did not anticipate the recently announced potential merger of SUNY Upstate Medical University Hospital with Crouse Health in Syracuse. If approved by the NYS Department of Health, it will be a merger of public and private organizations. Upstate acquired the former Community General hospital in 2011. Both Crouse and Community General were under financial duress. The Upstate/Community/ Crouse hospital and health system will be the dominant provider in Central New York with approximately 1,200 beds. This matches multi-hospital systems in Buffalo (Catholic), Rochester (Strong and Rochester Regional), Utica (Mohawk Valley Network) and Albany (Albany Medical). Multi-hospital systems are more successful at attracting and retaining quality
PBMs Face Scrutiny
Pharmacy Benefit Managers purportedly negotiate drug prices on behalf of insurance plans and self-insured businesses. Their effectiveness is questionable. The Senate Commerce Committee has conducted hearings on their role in the pharmaceutical marketplace and rapidly rising drug prices. Based on complaints from insurers, consumers and providers: PBMs lack transparency; there is very little competition; and there are potential conflicts of interest or collusion. Are they working for the drug manufacturer or the client? Prior to negotiating, a drug manufacturer could mark up the price then agree to a “discount” to the PBM. The client is then presented with a list of “savings” from which the PBM generates its fee. Retail pharmacies have complained about direct and indirect remuneration (DIR) fees paid to the PBM whenever the pharmacy fills a prescription for a PBM negotiated drug. The PBM industry has aggressively fought reform. If PBMs can negotiate drug prices, why isn’t Medicare? George W. Chapman is a healthcare business consultant who works exclusively with physicians, hospitals and healthcare organizations. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse. Email him at gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.
1 in 4 Hospital Physicians ‘Mistreated’ by Patients, Visitors
Female doctors are nearly two times more likely than male doctors to face this abuse
N
early 1 in 4 hospital doctors are mistreated at work by patients, visitors and other doctors, and female doctors are nearly two times more likely than male doctors to face this abuse, a new study reveals. “All members of the health care team share the responsibility to mitigate mistreatment,” said senior study author, physician Mickey Trockel, a clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Stanford University School of Medicine and director of evidence based innovation for the Stanford WellMD/WellPhD Center. “Those wielding leadership influence hold particular responsibility to establish policies and expectations of civility and respect from all members of the healthcare community — including patients and visitors,” Trockel added. In the study, researchers surveyed just over 1,500 doctors on the clinical faculty at Stanford University School of Medicine in September/ October 2020 and found that 23.4% reported mistreatment at work during the past year. Patients and visitors were the main culprits — reported by about 17% of physicians and accounting for more than 70% of all events — followed by other physicians. The most frequent forms of mistreatment were: verbal, reported by 21.5% of respondents: sexual harassment (5.4%); and physical intimida-
tion or abuse (5.2%). Women were two times more likely (31%) to report mistreatment than men (15%), and were more likely to encounter sexual harassment and verbal mistreatment. Mistreatment also varied by race but the number of respondents wasn’t large enough to conduct a detailed analysis by race or ethnicity, according to the authors of the study. The findings were published May 6 in the journal JAMA Network Open. The researchers noted that workplace mistreatment has been associated with increased burnout, lower job performance and depression, and that studies of U.S. physicians over the last decade have found job burnout rates of 40% to 60%. “To address the issue of physician mistreatment, organizations must first recognize its prevalence and then know where to look,” said study first author, Susannah Rowe, an ophthalmologist at Boston Medical Center and chairwoman of the Wellness and Professional Vitality Council at Boston University Medical Group. “With the strong association of mistreatment to workplace dissatisfaction and physician burnout, it is imperative that health care organizations take steps to address these issues as quickly as possible for the well-being of their staff, as well as their patients,” Rowe said in a medical center news release.
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In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2022 Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. P.O. Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126 Phone: 315-342-1182 • Fax: 315-342-7776 • Email: editor@cnyhealth.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Steve Yablonski •Writers: Deborah J. Sergeant, Jim Miller, Gwenn Voelckers, Anne Palumbo, Chris Motola, Melissa Stefanec, Eva Briggs (MD), Mary Beth Roach, Kimberly Blaker, Steve Yablonski, Molly English-Bowers, Chef Jim Mahler • Advertising: Amy Gagliano, Cassandra Lawson • Layout & Design: Joey Sweener • Office Manager: Kate Honebein
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June 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 7
Live Alone & Thrive
By Gwenn Voelckers
Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone
On Your Own: Finding Your ‘Happily Ever After’
I
recently heard from an “In Good Health” reader. Divorced and on her own for several years now, she shared by email how much she appreciated my advice and encouraging words over the years. I was touched by her kindness and also curious. I wanted to learn more about her journey in search of contentment after her marriage ended. And so began an email exchange in which she shared her early struggles, as well as her efforts to make ends meet, stay connected with others and, ultimately, find joy. With her permission (and using her first name only), I’ve included portions of Kathy’s email correspondence below, in hopes her story might offer some insights and inspiration for other readers. KATHY: I opted to end my unhappy marriage and initiate a divorce about five years ago. Since then, I’ve been on my own. It wasn’t easy at the beginning. I was surprised to discover that many of my married friends no longer included me in things, maybe fearing I was some kind of threat. But, I also dropped the ball. I made my daughter the singular focus in my life, and lost contact with family and friends alike. Over time, I developed the attitude that I had nothing to offer and slid into a mild depression, during which my world became very small.
B
Finances were another issue. I was a stay-at-home mom and enjoyed caring for my daughter but, after my split, found it necessary to get a job to make ends meet. Kathy, like many divorced women (including myself), found herself bewildered and fearful of the future when her marriage collapsed. For many, the experience of having a marriage of many years unravel is not unlike becoming the victim of an unwelcome catastrophe. No matter what, and even though more Americans are waiting longer to walk down the aisle, most of us still hold onto the dream of “happily ever after.” That dream is powerful. Letting go of it can seem next to impossible. While getting and being divorced can feel overwhelming, most women (and men, too) press on and, lo and behold, experience a change in attitude and perspective that ultimately enriches their lives and opens up possibilities — possibilities they couldn’t have imagined when they were in pain and the throes of loss. KATHY: It’s taken me time to get it together. I went back to college and graduated with a degree in nursing. Nursing keeps me busy, but now my only child is preparing to leave for college. Life will be very different (and a lot quieter) without her here, so I am being proactive. I like to be physically active, so I joined a walking group and became
When Is the Right Time to Tell a Child They Have Autism?
ella Kofner, a 24-year-old graduate student in special education at the College of Staten Island in New York, was 10 when her parents first told her she had autism. Developmental psychologist Steven Kapp, now 35, was 13 when he was told the same. So, is there a best time to tell children they have the developmental disorder? New research suggests that younger is better. Kofner, Kapp and their col-
leagues answered that question by asking 78 university students about how and when they found out they had autism. For the most part, the investigators found that telling kids when they are younger helped them feel better about their lives as they grew up. “Talking openly with autistic people about being autistic when they are young may help them grow into adults who feel happier and more comfortable with who they are
Page 8 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2022
a member of the YMCA. I also recently joined Meetup, which was reactivated after a hiatus during COVID. It’s social, it’s fun, and I’ve met some great people on my Meetup excursions. Note: Meetup is an online social networking program that gives members a chance to find and join others who share common interests — things such as hiking, reading, food, movies, pets, photography, hobbies ...well, you get the idea. KATHY: I also make a point of getting out more with my colleagues at work. And, I’m no longer waiting for an invitation; I’m initiating the get-togethers. That feels good! Reading your columns — always so positive and full of great tips — inspired me to take better care of myself, to get up off the couch, and to make healthy decisions. I often clip them out and hang [them] on the fridge. I’ve learned that even small changes can make a big difference in my day. I now create a nice place setting for dinner, stock my cupboards with healthy food, and try to keep my kitchen counter clear of clutter. I put a sweet “Welcome Home!” wreath on my front door, replaced some threadbare towels in my bathroom, and purchased a pretty comforter for my bed. These small changes and others turned my house into a home — my home. While few women and men consciously decide to live singly, more and more are finding themselves alone and on their own in midlife. The good news? Like Kathy, they are making healthy choices and learning to enjoy their newfound freedom and independence.
choose to live alone does not mean that I am alone: I have many people around me and I am very content. I am no longer frantically seeking the next relationship or the next big thing that will cause excitement in my life. I am happy to spend time at home alone, or to go out with friends. I even date from time to time. As I’ve embraced my singlehood, I have also realized that I am responsible for the positive changes in my life. That realization is empowering. I’m active, and I’m having fun for the first time in many years. On her own, Kathy has fashioned a life that works well for her. You can, too. Being single can give you the time you need to sustain a diverse and interesting network of friends, to date, to pursue your professional or personal aspirations, and to experience adventures yet to be imagined. Below are some final words from Kathy, in answer to my question: What advice do you have for others? KATHY: My advice? Don’t close yourself off from people. It’s so easy to stay home, dig a rut and wallow in it — but that’s a big mistake. Grab the Weekend section of the newspaper, check out Meetup, or look at an online “What’s Doing” calendar. Find something interesting and fun to do. Go ... even if you have to go alone. Who knows what you might discover?! Kathy has found her “happily ever after.”
KATHY: After my divorce, I had this dreaded thought that I would be alone for the rest of my life. I identified with Whistler’s Mother, in a dowdy dress and rocker. I now realize that just because I
Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Alone and Content, empowerment workshops for women and author of “Alone and Content,” a collection of inspiring essays for those who live alone. For information about her workshops, to purchase her book, or invite her to speak, visit www. aloneandcontent.com
than they might become if they don’t learn this key information about who they are until later in life,” said lead study author Kristen Gillespie-Lynch, an assistant professor of psychology at the College of Staten Island. “Learning that one is autistic at a younger age can aid better self-understanding as well as access to support, which in turn lays a foundation for well-being as an adult,” added study author Tomisin Oredipe, a graduate student at the College of Staten Island. The new study, which was published recently in the journal Autism, is based on Oredipe’s thesis paper. It’s not just age that matters though, Oredipe said. Other factors include your child’s developmental level, curiosity, support needs and personality. “Almost more important than when an autism diagnosis is disclosed is how it is disclosed,” said Kapp, a lecturer in psychology at the University of Portsmouth in Hampshire, England. Make sure to talk about your child’s strengths as well
as their challenges in a language they can understand, he said. “My mother said my brain worked differently, and I thought that was a good explanation,” recalled Kapp. It doesn’t have to be a one-and-done conversation either. “Do it in pieces over time,” Kapp added. Sharing a child’s diagnosis with them is a very personal decision, said Lindsay Naeder, vice president of services and support and community impact for Autism Speaks. “Your child may or may not seek more information and ask you questions after your initial discussion,” said Naeder. “All children, especially those with autism, need to hear certain information multiple times.” Help them understand how you, their teachers and therapists all want to help them. “Don’t forget to remind them that everyone needs help sometimes,” she said. It may comfort your child to hear that autism is common and that there are many children like them, Naeder added.
Kids Need Summer Break!
Good routine, schedule and nutrition are important in the summer By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
W
hile no school districts in New York schedule school year-round, numerous districts do nationwide, citing reasons such as decreasing remediation, reducing need for daycare and using school resources throughout the year. The districts typically sprinkle their time off throughout the rest of the year, with week-long breaks during each quarter (so much for decreasing daycare!). While parents of children who have a typical summer break may feel that scheduling academic camps and reading lists will keep them ahead scholastically, enjoying summer as a break from rig-
orous mental activity offers benefits, too. “Sometimes you feel you have to entertain children. You can cultivate a level of independence and comfort with self by giving opportunities for that,” said. Jodi Mullen, Ph.D., and licensed mental health counselor, registered play therapist and professor in counseling and Oswego’s Psychological Services Department. Mullen wrote the book Raising Freakishly Well Behaved Kids (Amazon, $14.95). She views summer break as a chance for children to step away from the busy grind of school and engage in opportunities to connect with nature. “It’s soothing for the soul,” Mul-
len said. Free time for play helps children learn how to entertain themselves. It is also good for cultivating a vivid imagination. While lessons may help children learn to take turns and follow rules, playing with other children in a more open-ended fashion offers benefits. “Go back to basic playing,” said Shawn L. Ward, Ph.D., in developmental psychology and associate professor of psychology at Le Moyne College. “We default to the screen to keep them quiet. There are some classic things we can still use and incorporate into our routine.” To make sure your children have the right tools for play, assess their
playthings. Are their toys outgrown, broken or missing parts? Provide some age-appropriate outdoor play equipment, such as sporting goods, bikes and skates, sidewalk chalk, water squirting toys and swing set and slide. Plan for rainy days with some new coloring books and markers or crayons; craft supplies and kits; modeling clay; Legos and other building kits; dolls, action figures and puppets; and pleasure reading material. “Do not overload the child with demands,” said Grace Puchalski, licensed clinical social worker and owner of Walk with Grace in Liverpool. “The school year is already demanding. They need time to play in the sand, dig up worms, play in water and create their own play.” While summer should represent a time of relaxation, it is important to for parents to not leave summertime as a completely blank slate. It is tempting to let all the rules drop during summer, that is not a good idea, since the “non-schedule” is stressful on the body and especially for children, who crave routine for when they sleep, eat and exercise. “Good routine and schedule and nutrition are important in the summer,” Puchalski said. “The child needs a regular routine of sleep and eating. “The routine should not be too much and should still be fun. It’s a time to catch up on rest and recharge their batteries. Be aware and present is so critical. That’s what kids want: simple. It doesn’t have to be a fancy vacation.” Sticking with a consistent bedtime and a cool, dark bedroom can improve children’s rest, even when the longer daylight hours throwing the body’s circadian rhythm out of whack.
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June 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 9
WELLNESS
5 I
Things to Do for Healthy Joints By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
f your joints hurt, it can be challenging to meet your fitness goals: cardiovascular health, flexibility, balance, and strength. To minimize and even prevent pain, try these strategies:
1.Keep moving
It may seem sensible to stop exercising if you experience joint pain, but Kamaljeet Banga, orthopedic surgeon for the Center for Orthopedic Care at Oswego Health, said that becoming sedentary will only cause chronic joint to begin earlier in life and make existing pain worse. “The patients we’re seeing the most are middle-aged,” he said. “One day they’re fine, the next day, they
Nonprofits in Oswego County Urged to Submit Grant Applications
T
he Oswego County Community Foundation is now accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations serving Oswego County. The grant application deadline is July 15. Proposals are encouraged from a variety of program areas, including education, health, social services, arts and culture, civic concerns and preservation of historic resources. Requests may range from $500 up to $5,000. The maximum grant awarded will be $5,000. Grants must directly benefit the residents of Oswego County. Nonprofit organizations [501(c) (3) or other publicly supported organizations, such as churches, libraries, etc.] serving Oswego County residents may apply. Organizations must submit their applications using the online grant application. Visit cnycf.org/oswego to learn more about the application process and guidelines. The Oswego County Community Foundation, created in 2013, is a geographically specific fund created to serve as a source of permanent charitable dollars available to nonprofits serving residents of Oswego
have pain. They’re getting younger for developing arthritis. Our parents and grandparents had minimal arthritis in older age. I’m seeing people in their 30s with arthritis.” He encourages people to engage in Kamaljeet Banga regular physical activity and to do it right. For example, running on the pavement is harder on joints than running on a softer surface, such as a grassy area or a treadmill. It is also vital to perform strengthening and stretching movements for 10 to 15 minutes daily.
County. Grants are awarded from the endowment fund annually to aid vital programs in education, health, social services, the arts, civic and environmental concerns, as well as the preservation of historic resources in Oswego County. The fund has awarded nearly $160,000 to support community-based projects and programs since inception.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment Now Available at Crouse Health
C
rouse Health now offers transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatment at the Pomeroy Treatment Center at 2775 Erie Blvd. E., Syracuse. TMS is an FDA-approved, noninvasive, outpatient treatment using magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain to improve symptoms of depression. This is typically used where other treatments for depression, such as antidepressants, have not been successful or in cases in which patients are unable to tolerate such medications. In depressed patients, there is a reduction in the electrical activity in certain areas of the brain. TMS uses a series of brief, repetitive and highly focused magnetic pulses to stimulate those dormant synapses in the brain.
Page 10 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2022
“Swimming is low-impact,” Banga said. “A lot of health clubs have a pool, as does YMCA.” Vary your cardio routine. Always engaging in high impact activities and excessively practicing a sport or physical activity can mean joints will wear out too soon. Banga encourages people to vary their exercise. For example, instead of running five days a week, try water-based exercise, using an elliptical machine or biking. He added that activities like yoga, Pilates and tai chi are good for joints. Of course, acute pain from an injury should be treated and the care provider will likely recommend rest. Providers tell most people with chronic joint pain from arthritis to continue exercising in a safe fashion.
2.Treat pain
“No pain, no gain” does not apply here. You should seek medical attention as needed and follow your care provider’s guidance for pain management to keep moving. “You should calm down that joint,” Banga said. “If there’s fluid, there’s inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medication, cream and light exercise may be recommended. Sometimes, you may need steroid injections. Once that’s calmed down, exercise is the best evidence to keep moving the joint to slow the progression of arthritis.”
3.
Lose weight
Banga encourages patients to lose pounds for overall health and to make life easier for their joints. Losing weight is not about temporarily “going on a diet” to drop a few
The magnetic pulses induce an electrical current, stimulating the nerve cells, increasing the brain activity to normal levels. TMS is available to all patients who meet the diagnostic and other criteria for the treatment. “Crouse is excited to offer this treatment option to patients, as a long-term solution to depression,” said Monika Taylor, director of Addiction Treatment Services. Referrals are currently being accepted; call Colleen Clark at 315470-8374.
Syracuse VA Has New Provider and Location for Oswego County Clinic
O
fficials at the Syracuse VA Medical Center have announced the transfer and relocation of the operation of the VA’s Oswego County Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), currently located at 437 state Route 104 East, from CR Associates to Valor Healthcare of Dallas, Texas. The newly expanded CBOC is now located at 293 state Route 104 East in Oswego. Valor Healthcare currently operates VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics in some 55 locations around the country and within
pounds. “You have to change your lifestyle,” he said. “It’s hard to follow a strict diet but make a habit of reducing the ‘bad things’ and eat better things. Eating the same amount as 20 years ago is not good for you. Intermittent fasting is a good thing and can help you lose weight.”
4.Eat right
While improving your diet will not reverse the effects of arthritis overnight, it certainly supports the effect of reducing inflammation and improving the chances of losing weight. “Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fatty fish like trout and salmon, nuts, and seeds, like flax and chia,” said Julie Mellen, registered dietitian with SUNY Upstate. “These are good foods for reducing inflammation.” Some people report anecdotally that they find relief taking supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin. Mellen said, “I don’t have enough research for recommending Julie Mellen them. With supplements, I question whether or not they contain exactly what you’re buying.”
5.Drink enough water
“Hydration is important for joint health,” Mellen said. Consuming water helps the body stimulate its generation of synovial fluid, which reduces inflammation. It also boosts circulation and promotes the generation of new cells.
New York state. All veterans currently enrolled in care at the clinic have received a letter outlining this change. There are currently more than 1800 veterans enrolled in care at the CBOC. This change will be seamless and will interfere with veteran care, officials said. “Valor Healthcare is the largest contract provider of VA CBOCs to the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs, caring for over 165,000 veterans across the nation. We are honored to be partnering with the Syracuse VAMC in delivering best-in-class healthcare to veterans in Oswego and surrounding communities,” said Scott Barrier, vice president of CBOC operations at Valor Healthcare. “Valor has done an outstanding job of relocating and expanding services available at the CBOC. Enhancements in the new location include additional space for Veterans and clinical staff including mental health and telehealth. We are very confident that our Veterans will be pleased with the new facility,” said Syracuse VA Medical Center Director Dr. Frank Pearson. For more information about VA services at the Oswego CBOC call 315-207-0120. For information regarding eligibility for VA health care visit the VA website at www.va.gov/ healthbenefits/apply or call 888-8239656.
WELLNESS
The 10,000 Steps Myth
Do you really need to take that many steps every day to stay in good shape? By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
D
o you really need to take 10,000 steps a day to stay in great shape? And where did that magic number come from, anyway? According to Harvard professor of epidemiology I-Min Lee, the notion of walking 10,000 daily steps finds its roots in a branding campaign for a Japanese pedometer. The Japanese writing for 10,000 looks like a person walking. While a clever marketing campaign, many people cannot find the time or muster the endurance to walk
10,000 steps a day. In her research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Lee related that women in the study averaging 4,400 daily steps experienced lower mortality rates during the study than those who logged only 2,700 steps. But the positive effect plateaued at 7,500 steps. Going for the 10,000 steps did not seem to bring additional benefit. The study included 16,000 American women. “It doesn’t mean you can’t benefit from additional steps, but for reducing heart disease and comorbidities, between 5,000 and 8,000 is
Planks for a Tight Core
‘It’s a full body approach to strengthening your core.’ Says expert
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
B
eyond gaining enviable washboard abs, the benefits of planks include greater core stability, lower likelihood of back injuries and improved balance. “It’s a full body approach to strengthening your core, upper body and lower body,” said Brandon Weaver, physician assistant with Center for Orthopedic Care at Oswego Health, who coaches varsity
lacrosse in Fulton. “It’s an easy exercise to engage those muscles.” He tells people of any athletic ability—from beginner to elite athlete—to not hold a plank position for longer than 60 seconds. Going longer can cause the person to switch to a passive, locked joint position that is more passive and not engaging muscles. “You need to use the correct positions where your glutes are engaged, core tight,” Weaver said.
ideal,” said Brandon Weaver, physician assistant with Center for Orthopedic Care with Oswego Health who also coaches varsity lacrosse in Fulton. “Ten thousand steps is a lot,” Weaver said. “It’s almost five miles. It’s hard to do routinely. Trying to live a healthy lifestyle is beneficial, but set goals you can get to or you won’t stick with it. A little goes a long way.” Walking five miles can take up to an hour and 45 minutes — a struggle for the time-strapped. Working out with a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) routine can offer many benefits without so much time invested, since it involves bursts of energy spent punctuated with short rests. Walking is not well-suited for everyone. For people with arthritic knees and hips, for example, swimming or water aerobics may be activities that they can perform longer and more regularly than walking. Tiago Barreira, assistant professor of the exercise science department at SU, prefers to take a more generalized approach to increasing activity for fitness than rigidly adhering to a specified number of steps. “The recommendation for physical activity is 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activities per week,” Barreira said. “The more recent information shows that it can be spread out through the day. It doesn’t have to be all at once.” This can include designated periods of activity, such as time spent engaging in a sport or other movement, or short, frequent spurts of activity, such as lifting free weights before breakfast, and going for a 15-minute
walk after lunch and dinner. For those dedicated to walking, it is important to realize that leisurely strolls have a different effect than brisk walking, with the arms pumping and swift striding. For anyone who wants to increase their level of fitness or lose weight, additional exercise at an increased level of vigor will be necessary, along with proper nutrition. “If I’m only walking, that is not going to make a big difference” for those goals, Barreira said. He added that walking will help maintain good health in areas like controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, decreasing mortality risk and improving quality of life. If tracking steps on a device helps provide motivation, there’s no harm in using it. Some fitness apps build in a social facet where walkers can compete with others’ logged steps. Most allow users to compare their own number of steps per day over time. But missing the 10,000 steps goal should not kindle discouragement. Any amount of physical activity is healthful and better than none. Choosing a physical activity or sport that is enjoyable helps ensure sufficient activity each day.
Improper form can lead to few gains or even worse, injury. Despite these potential drawbacks, Weaver likes planks as a convenient body weight exercise. Wherever you are, you can likely perform planks. “Talk with a healthcare professional before engaging in any exercise, especially if you have issues with the lower back or have had any surgeries,” Weaver said. “There are risks if you do not use proper form. You can hurt your lower back. If you overdo it, you can be hurt like doing it every day for long periods. It can lead to inflammation and overuse injury. Like anything, do it in moderation, and do other exercises as well.” The active plank engages the muscles to hold the position. The back should be straight with any style of plank (you know, like a plank). Perform several planks per session a few times per week. Try holding the position for 10 seconds and increasing the time by five seconds every week. For beginners, knee planks may be the way to go, as the person rests forearms and bent knees on the floor and then raises the torso and buttocks off the floor. The knees and feet stay on the floor and the head remains neutral. The classic plank is a little tougher, with the legs extended and all the body weight resting on the forearms and the balls of the feet. The body remains stationary. There is also the straight arm
plank, where the body is positioned like the classic plank, but the arms are straight, so the weight rests on the balls of the feet and the palms. The oblique plank turns the plank on its side with the weight resting on one forearm and the side of one foot (the other is on top of it). As with all planks, the body remains straight. Eventually, the free arm is raised straight in the air to increase the difficulty. Make it even harder by trying the walking plank. Begin with the straight arm plank and shift laterally with the right arm and right leg moving at the same time and the left arm and left leg moving at the same time to scuttle across the floor five steps right and five steps left to complete one set. Try performing a few sets. In a similar vein, try tapping a target ahead of you or your own shoulder or raising your feet on a low stool while performing a straight arm plank. Joe Fox, personal trainer, certified functional strength training coach and owner of Train Smart, Buffalo, created the around world plank. It begins in the classic plank position. The person sequentially lifts each hand and foot a little and holds each off the floor for a few seconds. “The key is to keep the hips and shoulder level, lumbar spine neutral,” Fox said. Numerous other planks can up the ante and challenge your body. Search online to find one appropriate for your level of fitness.
June 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 11
My Turn
By Eva Briggs, MD
Recommendations for Caretakers
O
ver the years I’ve seen elderly patients who were cared for and loved by their families, yet who still managed to develop serious medical problems that were neglected and missed for very long times. It’s not because their families were uncaring or neglectful. Rather it’s a slow combination of factors that gradually creep up on aging individuals. There is the independence factor. People may insist that they don’t need help with anything such as dressing, bathing, laundry or grooming. No one wants to make their parent or family member feel helpless or dependent. In the past, it has always been the parent who was in charge. There is the embarrassment factor. It can seem strange, or weird, or intrusive to examine a parent’s body — especially if it’s the private parts of an opposite gender parent. But over time, many people’s vision deteriorates gradually. They can’t see the skin changes of infections, cancers or rashes. People become less flexible. They struggle to reach their feet for proper foot or nail care. Loss of sensation from diabetes, poor circulation or other conditions
means that people may not experience pain from sores, skin ulcers or skin infections. Problems that a younger person might notice immediately may go unnoticed in later years. Some people resist change. Favorite comfortable clothes and shoes slowly fall apart and lose their protective function. Here are some examples I’ve seen over the years.
‘Problems that a younger person might notice immediately may go unnoticed in later years.’ Early in my career, my patient Mrs. X lived alone. Her memory was fading. Her equally elderly friend helped her with finances, meals and transportation to the doctor’s office. When Mrs. X changed into a gown for exams at the doctor’s office, her underwear and bras were stiff and yellow with age, full of holes. The elastic was shot. Eventually I realized that the friend wasn’t doing her
laundry or helping her dress, so she had no idea of Mrs. X’s deplorable undergarments. I discretely clued her in, and at subsequent visits Mrs. X was wearing new underwear. My patient Mr. Y had mild dementia. He lived in an assisted living facility with minimal help and supervision. He had always enjoyed walking and slipped out one day for a long winter stroll. He wound up with frostbite (fortunately minor and he made a good recovery) on his feet because the soles of his favorite shoes had holes worn through. No one in the family had thought to inspect them. Mrs. Z’s memory was poor, but she needed minimal help from nearby family. She was one of those people who never went to the doctor. She never complained about anything and insisted to her family that she didn’t need to see a doctor for checkups. Her normal activities were sedentary. She did nothing difficult or strenuous and seemed fine to her family. Until the day she was too weak and short of breath to walk to the bathroom. She turned out to have an advanced cancer that would probably have been discovered much earlier with regular exams. X, Y and Z all had loving and caring friends and family. But their
WE’VE DOUBLED OUR HEART TEAM
caretakers didn’t realize that that they needed just a bit more supervision. So, my recommendations for caretakers are: Inspect your loved one’s shoes, clothes and home. Fix, replace or repair items that are broken, dangerous or just too worn out. Make sure their body is examined or checked out. You don’t have to look yourself if it is embarrassing. See an appropriate primary care provider and any needed specialists (dermatology, podiatry, etc.) at least once a year. Make sure their doctor gets them undressed for exams and inspects for problems. Consider hiring an aide to help with regular bathing and grooming if needed. Even if the person you are caring for protests, be persistent and insistent. These simple measures can prevent little problems from spiraling into big deals. Eva Briggs is a retired medical doctor who practiced in Central New York for several decades. She lives in Marcellus.
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Cardiovascular Group Page 12 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2022
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Parenting
By Melissa Stefanec
MelissaStefanec@yahoo.com
What Makes a Great Father? E
very June, many of us celebrate Father’s Day. It’s a time to honor the father figures in our lives and reflect on how these people have impacted us. Father’s Day is a time for celebration and admiration, but it’s also a time for reflection. There’s no perfect set of qualities or actions that will add up to being a great dad. But, looking back on the father figures in my life and their contributions to my and my children’s wellbeing, there are some pretty clear patterns as to what makes for a healthy father-child relationship. Here are some of the many things the father figures in my life got right. Said another way, here is a list of some of the things awesome dads do. • Being able to say “I’m sorry” Strong men know and acknowledge they aren’t always right. Strong men realize they are human and make mistakes, especially when it comes to raising children. Men who say they are sorry to their kids aren’t weak; they’re role models. They teach their children they’re never too old, smart or powerful to repair the
harm they inflict on others. • Loving your kids, no matter how different they are Sometimes, the apple falls really far from the tree. That doesn’t mean the apple is better than the tree or the tree is better than the apple. It just means they’re different. Amazing dads embrace when their kids have different passions or belief systems. They keep loving them and showing that love. • Showing up to support kids at extracurriculars Kids often have demanding schedules. Dads don’t have to be present at every last game, presentation or concert. However, they should know enough about their children to know what stuff is important. Then, they find a way to be present at the important stuff. • Prioritizing time with the kids Your kids don’t have to be your whole life. It’s OK to make time for yourself and be your own person, but great dads find time to hang out with their kids. They actively engage with their kids. When they say they will
do something, they do that thing. Making your children a top priority teaches them to prioritize important people and relationships throughout their lives. • Learning about your kid’s interests The best dads are experts in strangest things. They know an awful lot about praying mantises. They know a lot about tabby cats. They know who their kids’ play with at recess. They don’t know any of these things because they have a personal interest in these topics. They know because they actively listen to their children. They take interest in their children’s lives. • Picking up the phone Whether their kids are in diapers or diapering kids of their own, topnotch dads stay in touch. Whether that’s through phone calls, text messages, emails or social media posts, a dad’s presence is almost always appreciated (even if that appreciation comes with an eye roll for a few years). • Talking to your kids about complicated things Strong dads encourage their children to think about complicated things. They encourage their kids to investigate gray areas. They teach their children to find nuance in complicated narratives. They talk about the stuff everyone is afraid to talk about. They don’t shut their children down. They answer questions and encourage their children to find personal safety and new answers. • Treating people besides men with respect Traditional manhood has often meant looking down on anyone who isn’t a cis-gendered male. Rockstar fathers, young and old, are willing to turn that script upside down. All people, regardless of sex, gender or
sexual orientation deserve respect. They deserve to be left out of cheap jokes. They deserve autonomy and recognition. Dads that can respect everyone teach their kids to do the same. And, they’re making this world a better place. • Being able to admit when you’re wrong Much like being able to say you’re sorry in the moment, great dads can admit they were wrong. They can admit they were wrong about little things. They can admit they were wrong about big things. Trying to be right all of the time in front of your kids just makes your children self righteous and oblivious. The best dads know how to acknowledge their wrongdoings and make amends for them. • Moving away from the rules of traditional fatherhood The best fathers are individuals who aren’t afraid to be themselves and, thus, teach their children to do the same. Fatherhood doesn’t have to adhere to practices and beliefs that do everyone more harm than good. The best fathers listen to their hearts and their children’s hearts to find a way to parent that leaves everyone feeling secure and loved. Speaking of which… • Making your kids feel secure and loved This is the cardinal rule of being a good father. Being a steady and reliable presence, whenever you are physically able to be, is a one-way ticket to a beautiful relationship. Dads who embrace their kids’ quirks, passions, strengths and weaknesses raise the sort of people who love themselves and can truly love others. To all the amazing fathers out there, happy Father’s Day. Keep doing all of the good stuff that makes you so irreplaceable.
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June 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 13
Syracuse Physician Aids the People of his Homeland
In the past SUNY Upstate urologist Gennady Bratslavsky returned to Ukraine to visit friends, family or lecture at medical events — now he’s assisting victims of war — he plans a second trip in June By Steve Yablonski
T
he Hippocratic Oath is said to compel doctors to “first, do no harm.” Urologist Gennady Bratslavsky of Upstate Medical University does good. “Give Back” is his motto, the doctor said, adding that it is also his initials. Bratslavsky, 48, is not only a surgeon and chairman of Upstate’s urology department—he’s also a humanitarian, bringing much-needed supplies to his war-torn homeland. “I used my own time, my vacation time,” he said of his sojourn into Eastern Europe. He visited Poland and Ukraine in April to deliver supplies and has gone back with more. “I have many memories—many friends growing up, a lot of sports and of course a lot of school work. Not much different from any child from Oswego,” he said. “Things have changed. I’ve returned to Kiev and Ukraine numerous times over the years since I immigrated to the U.S. I go to visit my family that I still have, or friends, or giving lectures at numerous international conferences held in Ukraine,” he continued. “I made sure to, every time I return, visit the neighbors in apartment buildings where we lived. I have even brought my own children before and showed them the apartments where we lived so they can actually appreciate their house in Fayetteville.” “They have taken a walk with me from my entrance at the apartment all the way to my school, as we did not do school buses and just had to walk through neighborhoods in shine and rain, or rain and shine, whatever is the right English saying,” he laughed. Growing up in the Soviet era, there was much propaganda and anti-Semitism. “The humans are built in such a way that they tend to remember the sweetest, kindest, warmest moments and this probably is the basis for such a visceral or such a sincere emotional reaction that all of us are experiencing now,” Bratslavsky said. “But hearing that there are shots fired in the neighborhood where you lived just gives you a sense of despair, sadness, anger and a desire to do everything possible that you can to help people of Ukraine.” Bratslavsky has, with the aid of family and friends, been helping in phases. “The first one was an immediate financial assistance where we just literally wired our own money to hospitals or for first responders,” he said. “The second phase was collection of medical supplies here in Central New York with Auburn [Community Hospital] to be the first one to make a donation of medication and supplies. Followed by Crouse Hospital, Upstate, Cayuga [Medical Center] and Mohawk Valley [Health System].” They collectively donated a truckload of medications and sup-
plies, Bratslavsky said. “I literally drove my SUV to each of these hospitals to pick up donations. And then, eventually, had to rent a U-Haul truck and drove to Albany where halfway I met my friend and the co-founder of the website Help Free Ukraine (http:// helpfreeukraine.com), Alex Golubenko,” he said. Golubenko is a childhood friend from Ukraine, Bratslavsky said. He now lives in New York City. “He drove a rental car up from New York and we just exchanged in Albany. He ended up driving the truck back to New York and me returning to Syracuse,” he said. “The supplies left and went to Ukraine.” The third part was his April trip. It actually included two trips, Bratslavsky explained. First, his friend, Alex Rohovyy, a pediatric orthopedic trauma surgeon working in a children’s hospital in Kyiv, brought bags of satellite phones for first responders in Warsaw and then Bratslavsky’s trip when he brought in gas masks, individual first aid kits, nuclear and biological warfare filters as well as two ambulances. “I had to drive [an ambulance] for 20 hours, Warsaw to Lviv, western Ukraine— a place that was bombed just 12 hours before my arrival,” he said. “I was afraid,” he said. “And my wife, Katya, and my younger two boys did not know about this trip. The only person who knew was my
Page 14 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2022
friend as well as my oldest son who is now 18 and needed to be told, just in case.” Bratslavsky said it was “an unpleasant feeling driving into a city that was just recently bombed and then staying there in a hotel that had beautiful large windows, in the middle of the city. Obviously, it gave me quite a feeling of anxiety. People in hospitals were depending on me I had to help. I didn’t think I had much of a choice.’’ “I had difficulty sleeping, yes. You could hear air raid sirens; I didn’t know if something was going to strike the hotel,” he added. “It was something that needed to be done.” He said no one shot at him during his humanitarian effort. “My childhood friends are those guys who are now dispatched to the eastern Ukraine in the hottest area,” he said. At the same time, they’ve delivered more than 65 tons of medical supplies donated by several nonprofit organizations—140,000 pounds. “That included more than 300 pallets of medication that were brought to Kyiv,” he said. “It was very challenging logistics.” The fourth phase, there are ongoing three projects now. They were working on another large donation from a pharmaceutical company that was expected to be in a warehouse in New Jersey on May 20. Bratslavsky said he would spend the entire weekend in New Jersey with many volunteers sorting through 150 pallets for medications that were scheduled to
Katya Bratslavsky, the wife of urologist Gennady Bratslavsky (left) has sold her paintings and donated the money to help war victims in Ukraine. She poses with friends in Ukraine.
Paintings Help Raise Money for War Victims
A
ccording to her website, www.katyabratslavsky.com, Katya Bratslavsky, the wife of urologist Gennady Bratslavsky, is a self taught artist who has been painting since early childhood. She cannot imagine a single day without the colors, brushes and canvases and puts all her effort and inspiration into her vibrant art. Being a free thinker and experimenting with new techniques and gel mediums she creatively applies the paint to the canvas using her imagination only as a way of expressing her ever changing mood. She is not afraid of bright colors or
variable textures. Painting comes naturally to Bratslavsky who is continually seeking out new ways to refine the depth and energy of her art. She was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, and lived in Moscow until she moved to the United States with her family when she was 17 years old. She holds a master’s degree in educational psychology and statistics. Bratslavsky is married with three children and currently resides in Fayetteville. When she is not with her family, she spends every free moment painting. Her paintings have been featured in several exhibitions since 2003 and are currently found in numerous private collections in the United States and around the world.
depart from Newark to Warsaw on May 27. (It cost about $300,000 for a cargo plane to transport the load). Bratslavsky said he has stayed in touch with more than 100 hospitals in Ukraine regarding “this major delivery.” “Where do I find the time? You just cut back in your sleep,” he said matter-of-factly. “And you spend all weekends and nights doing this. Yesterday I operated. Today I operated. But when you’re not operating or seeing patients, this is what you do. I am headed back to Poland with my middle son. He is interested in doing medicine. We are headed out there on June 4 for a few days as we will be purchasing more ambulances and bring in more medical supplies.” Ambulances take a big chunk from the donations. “But thanks to the generosity of numerous donors and my wife’s clients, we are getting things done,” he said. Katya, an artist, is supporting the cause by selling her paintings and donating all the proceeds to the Ukrainian medical relief effort. She has now sold close to a quarter million dollars of her works. “We have also gotten donations from friends and family—from patients. My wife has been working tirelessly making beautiful art, ship-
ping it all over the United States and even overseas; just trying to support the cause,” he said. The goal is to keep a minimal balance in the account because the money that they raise is money that is not supposed to sit in a bank account. “It must be spent, put to use for the poor people, the suffering people of Ukraine,” Bratslavsky said.
‘I proudly tell people that I am Ukrainian’ “I am a proud U.S. citizen. I came to United States on Feb. 18, 1992. And on Feb. 18, I had a big celebration with my friends— my big celebration being in United States 30 years. I praised US,” he said. Back in Ukraine, Jewish people were not considered Ukrainians when he was growing up in Soviet times, he recalled — “even though I had the same passport as everybody else,” he added. “In modern Ukraine this no longer is present. Even though for 30 years I used to say I am a Jew from Ukraine, now since the war has started, I proudly tell people that I am Ukrainian.” (Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is Jewish.) “It’s been the longest 85 days of my life,” Bratslavsky said during an
interview on May 19. “It has been disheartening, devastating, exhausting and there has not been a good night’s sleep for any of us since the war started. You’re checking news continuously. You check on your friends and family continuously. You get continuous requests from hospitals and friends. Somehow we are managing to satisfy all these requests and just make things happen.” Is there a light at the end of the
Help Free Ukraine
H
elp Free Ukraine was founded by two best friends who grew up in Kiev and are now proud US citizens. They are physical therapist Alex Golubenko, founder of Back to Health PT, PC and partner at JAG ONE Physical and Occupational Therapy and Gennady Bratslavsky, chairman of Urology at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse and oncologic urologist. They met when they were 12 years old and became best friends. Today, both “blessed to be citizens of the USA and enjoy our
SmartBites By Anne Palumbo
The skinny on healthy eating
tunnel? “I am afraid that this is going to be, unfortunately, a longer war than any of us hope for,” he said. Bratslavsky refers to the Russian president as “a creature” who should be removed from power. “As cleaning the Ukrainian land of the aggressors will unfortunately take much effort—many lives will be lost,” he said.
freedoms; to be able to sleep at night, knowing that our kids, family and friends are safe.” However, their peaceful worlds were forever changed on Feb. 24, 2022, at 4 a.m. “We, at Help Free Ukraine, along with other organizations and fundraisers, are committed to provide any resources available with the help of likeminded and good hearted people over to hospitals and families of Ukraine. We take absolutely zero profits or administrative fees and 100% of funds raised go directly to Ukraine and supplies for Ukraine.” For donations to Help Free Ukraine, go to www.helpfreeukraine.com
you’ve already reached more than one-quarter of the recommended daily limit (nearly one-half if you’re watching your salt intake). While our bodies need salt for many essential body functions, too much can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Homemade Dill Pickles 1 cup fresh dill sprigs 3-4 garlic cloves, chopped 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes (optional) ¼ cup chopped onion (optional) 1-2 English cucumbers (shrinkwrapped in plastic) 1 cup water 1 cup white vinegar 1 tablespoon Kosher salt 1 tablespoon sugar
Are Pickles Good for You?
W
e eat a lot of pickles here in the Palumbo household, and we are not alone. Americans eat about 20 billion pickles a year. Thatzalotta pickles! But, are pickles healthy? They can be for many, but pickles and their high salt content are definitely not for everyone. So let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this crispy, crunchy, salty snack. Since pickles start as cucumbers, their nutritional profile is quite similar to this non-starchy veggie’s. One dill pickle spear is high in water, low in calories and boasts a decent amount of vitamin K: nearly 20% of our daily needs. Vitamin K helps maintain strong bones, ensures proper blood clotting and may offer protective health benefits in older age. New research, published in “The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,” has found
that low levels of vitamin K among older adults may increase their risk of early death. While the exact reason for the link is unclear, scientists know that vitamin K helps prevent calcium buildup in arteries, which is associated with decreased blood flow throughout the body. Whether you’re watching your weight or are looking to lose some, pickles are a dieter’s dream food.
Helpful tips Read pickle labels carefully, as salt contents vary. When buying refrigerated pickles full of good bacteria, look for the words “probiotic” or “fermented” on the label (not all say it, though!).
They’re fat free, low in calories (only 4-5 calories per spear) and have scant carbs and sugar. What’s more, all the water and all the vinegar in these tangy babies may help you feel full longer. Pickles made by fermentation have probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria linked to better digestion, enhanced nutrient absorption and improved immune function. Fermented pickles, found in the refrigerated section of grocery stores, are made when bacteria break down the natural sugars found in the flesh and turn them into lactic acid. Most pickles you’ll find on grocery-store shelves, however, are unfermented vinegar pickles that don’t offer the same probiotic benefits that fermented pickles do. Pickles brim with salt, with an average spear delivering about 300 mg. Consume just two spears and
Place dill, garlic, red pepper flakes, and onion in a quart-size mason jar. Fill jar to the top with cucumbers that have been sliced horizontally for chips or quartered lengthwise into 4-5” spears. Heat the water, vinegar, salt, and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve, about 1 minute. Let cool slightly and pour over the cucumbers. Cool to room temperature, place top on jar, and refrigerate. Homemade pickles will be lightly pickled in 1 day, and will become more flavorful every day after that. Store in fridge for several weeks.
Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle colum-
nist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.
June 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 15
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Q A &
with Kristen Richardson In NYS 22.5% of high school students report using e-cigarettes, says director of the Regional Center for Tobacco Health Systems at St. Joseph’s Health. She discusses vaping among teens, its dangers and the rise in numbers By Mary Beth Roach Q: How prevalent is vaping among teens? A: In New York state, 22.5% of high school students report using e-cigarettes, which is really startling. For the last several decades, our rates of teen smoking have dramatically declined, and then to see this huge rise with this new product is really alarming. Nearly five times as many high school students in New York use e-cigarettes than smoke traditional cigarettes. Four percent of middle students and 13% of high school students in the U.S. report current use of a tobacco product, and 11% of middle school students and 34% of high school students say they’ve tried a tobacco product. One of the things I often will quote is if our smoking rates continue as they are currently in the U.S., 5.6 million of today’s Americans who are younger than 18 will eventually die early from a smoking-related illness, and that’s one of every 13 American children 17 and younger that are alive today. This would be both vaping and regular cigarette smoking. Q: What do you think is prompting such startling statistics? A: I think that, like most trends, it’s not one specific thing. I think that a lot of the stress and loneliness through the pandemic could have certainly been a trigger for some teens to start smoking and specifically to start vaping. It’s also portrayed glamorously in a lot of
Page 16 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2022
movies and shows that are aimed at adolescent people. There’s an organization called the Truth Initiative, a non-profit, national public health organization, and they recently released a report titled “While You Were Streaming – Nicotine on Demand.” That really highlights how tobacco use and e-cigarette use are widespread in shows and movies and videos, which really fuels that epidemic. I know in many areas there’re multiple smoke shops, and even though they’re selling items that aren’t necessarily traditional smoke, they’re often called smoke shops, and they’re located just beyond the required school zone limits that New York state has, which is just under 3/10 of a mile. It’s easily within walking distance of many high schools and then the flavorings are another draw for a lot of teens. They’re candy and dessert flavors, which makes them seem like they’re safe, and they are not. Q: Do you agree with some of the headlines stating that vaping has reached a national public health crisis and/or epidemic? A: Unfortunately, I do. It definitely has reached the level of being a public health crisis. Epidemic is an increase, often sudden, where you have levels above what is expected in a population, and what we’re seeing here is definitely substantially above what would be expected, especially
Q: What are some of the myths surrounding vaping that you have heard of or have heard about? A: Definitely the biggest about vaping is that it’s safe. More than half of young people do believe that it’s actually safe, when indeed it is not. The other is that people who smoke or vape don’t want to quit. And that’s also really not the case. Most adults and teens who smoke or use e-cigarettes do want to stop, but it’s really hard to do. The New York State Department of Health helped create a program with the Truth Initiative to create a New York State-specific version of their text-based intervention called “This Is Quitting.” Folks who sign up get a free, anonymous text message program. They get daily messages. The program was created with input from teenagers, college students and young adults who have either attempted to or have quit successfully. They are tailored into two age ranges: 13 to 17 and 18 to 24 to give age-appropriate quitting recommendations. In New York, any anyone who would like to be involved in that program can text drop the bait as one word to 88709. Q: What should parents look for? A: It’s really tricky because cigarettes have a standard size of the packaging, and they definitely smell. Vaping devices can look like an everyday object, a USB drive or a pen and have no discernible smoke. The signs typically that parents are told to watch for are things like coughing, complaints of chest pain, fever, weight loss, nausea, abdominal pain and any kind of recurring lung infections. But I can imagine it would be pretty easy for parents to dismiss those signs as a cold or the flu or seasonal allergies. It’s really important that parents pay close attention to watching if their child is experiencing shortness of breath doing something routine, like if they’re walking up the stairs or running across the lawn, something that would not be typical for that child at that level of exertion. If your child is an athlete and all of a sudden is getting winded during a practice, that would be another sign to watch. Q: Are there any tips that you have for parents to start conversations with their kids? A: The biggest tip I give is having open conversations with open-ended questions. You can’t really script it. You can begin by asking your child, ‘What do you think about vaping?’ ‘Do you know anyone who uses e-cigarettes?’ Having a few facts and resources that you can share ahead of the conversation can be helpful. The biggest thing I think that’s important for parents to know—whether it’s this conversation or any other about a topic that might make a parent uncomfortable—is it’s OK to say, ‘I don’t know’ to your child if your child asks a question that you don’t really know the answer to. You don’t have to be the expert to start those conversations. You can find the answers out together. That can be really powerful and it helps build that openness and trust in having conversations. Try really hard to mediate your own feelings and just ask questions, I think, is the best way to help kids open up.
Why Am I Burping So Much? Causes and remedies for excessive belching
time when eating and drinking at meals, and consider going for a short walk afterward to help move the gas through your system.
By Kimberly Blaker
B
elching, or burping, is a bodily process that helps expel a buildup of gas from the digestive system. Some people view it as rude or embarrassing, while others find it amusing. Some even consider it a show of appreciation for good food or drink. Regardless of your personal take on burping, it’s a normal, healthy function, that all of us do an average of three to six times after each meal. Still, if you find yourself burping excessively, it may cause you concern. A variety of causes of gas buildup can lead to the need to belch. Even though excessive burping may be frustrating, it’s most often a result of lifestyle factors that can easily be remedied.
2. Eating gassy foods or drinks Some foods are harder for your body to digest because of their high levels of starch, sugar, or fiber. Consuming these can cause a buildup of gas in your digestive system. Some of the most common gas-inducing foods include: beans, broccoli, cabbage, lentils, onions, dairy, peas, bananas, raisins and whole wheat bread. Carbonated drinks, like soda and beer, release carbon dioxide bubbles into your system. So these also can increase belching. A side effect of some medications is burping as well. Remedy: Keep a food diary to track everything you eat, along with the frequency and timing of your burps. This way, you can see any patterns between the foods you’re eating and the need to release trapped gas. Then reduce or eliminate your consumption of gas-producing foods and drinks.
1. Swallowing extra air One of the most common causes of excessive burping is taking too much air into your digestive system. The excess air must then be expelled. There are several possible causes of swallowing more air than your stomach can handle. These include loose dentures, hiccups, eating or drinking too quickly, using a straw, smoking, chewing gum, sucking on hard candies, and talking while eating.
3. Digestive issues Because burping is the release of gas out of your mouth from your digestive system, digestive issues are often the cause. Some of the most common associated problems are: • Acid reflux or GERD: Stomach acid rises back toward the esophagus and causes heartburn. This leads to
Remedy: Pay attention to what you were doing before the burping started. Take notes to look for a pattern, and see if decreasing the behavior resolves it. Also, take your
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an increase in swallowing and the potential for air to be taken in. Overthe-counter medications are available to treat it, though some of these also cause burping. • Hiatal hernia: This type of hernia involves part of the upper stomach pushing through an opening in the diaphragm. Hiatal hernias are relatively common after the age of 50, most often causing no symptoms. Hence, people are unaware of the hernia. When the hernia causes burping, lifestyle changes, and medication usually resolve the symptom. Only rarely is surgery required for a hiatal hernia. • Lactose intolerance: This is an inability of the body to digest lactose in milk that results in bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps, which lead to burping. Avoidance of dairy products is the easiest way to prevent symptoms. • Peptic ulcers: These are sores on the lining of the stomach, esophagus, and intestines caused by H. pylori bacteria (Helicobacter pylori) or irritation from pain relievers. The increase in acid that eats away at the lining can cause excess gas and belching. Ulcers may heal on their own with lifestyle changes like avoiding alcohol, controlling stress, eating a healthy diet, avoiding milk, and reducing the use of pain relievers. Some medications can treat ulcers or reduce stomach acid irritation.
• Irritable bowel syndrome: Also known as IBS, this is a disorder affecting the large intestine resulting in digestive issues including gas and bloating that can lead to burping. IBS is a chronic condition and requires longterm management of diet, lifestyle, stress, and possibly the use of medication. • Fructose malabsorption: This is when the body is unable to process foods or drinks containing fructose, leading to increased gas production or bloating. To resolve it, read labels and eliminate anything containing fructose from your diet. Remedy: In these cases, burping is a symptom of a more significant problem. By addressing the underlying cause with medication or altering your diet under the guidance of a medical professional, you should experience a reduction in gas production. When dealing with excessive belching, remember that generally, it’s temporary, harmless, and can quickly be dealt with by making minor changes in your lifestyle. But if an increase in belching continues for more than a couple of weeks, is accompanied by other symptoms like severe abdominal pain, or affects your quality of life, contact your doctor. It’s best to make sure nothing more serious is going on with your body that’s causing your burping.
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June 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 17
MEN’S HEALTH
Men: Beware of Osteoporosis That’s a common condition affecting women but about 25% of men will experience a bone break associated with osteoporosis By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
O
steoporosis is an often-overlooked health concern for men. About 25% of men older than 50 will experience a bone break associated with osteoporosis. About 20% of osteoporosis cases are men, but their hip fractures account for almost
Susan Brown, Ph.D., owner and operator of Center for Better Bones in East Syracuse.
30% of hip fractures. Overall, men’s long-term osteoporosis outcomes are worse. One of the reasons that men— and their care providers—do not think about osteoporosis is that its effects are not as apparent as with women. “Men start out with bigger bones,” said Susan Brown, Ph.D., of Center for Better Bones in East Syracuse. “You don’t see the bone loss as quickly.” Brown is a medical anthropologist, certified nutritionist and author of Better Bones, Better Body. She also said that men are not necessarily seeking bone density testing because their risk is perceived as small because of their heavier frames. This does not account for higher male risk factors, such as greater prevalence of smoking (17.5% of men vs. 13.5% of women, states the American Lung Association), drinking alcohol in excess (men are twice as likely to binge drink, states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and use of certain bone-weakening medication such as proton pump inhibitors and prednisone (although
More Than Annoying: Men’s Urinary Issues Tied to Shorter Lives
U
rinary incontinence can plague men as they age, but a new study suggests it may be more than just a bothersome condition and might actually be a harbinger of early death. “This indicates the importance of assessing the general health, risk factors and major co-morbidities among men with LUTS [lower urinary tract symptoms],” wrote the researchers, who were led by Jonne Akerla from the department of urology at Tam-
pere University Hospital in Finland. The team analyzed LUTS in more than 3,000 Finnish men who had enrolled in a study in 1994, when they were 50, 60 or 70. The research included a 24-year follow-up in 2018 of 1,167 of the men. About half had died during the intervening years. The team looked at the men’s lower urinary tract symptoms as a risk factor for death, adjusting for age and other medical conditions and considering whether the symptoms
Page 18 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2022
both genders take these medications at the same rates, women usually take lower doses sooner compared with men, according to the National Institutes of Health.). Men typically learn about their osteoporosis as a secondary diagnosis, usually after a fracture or because of low testosterone testing and not as part of a routine work-up. While most men have a larger frame than most women—a protective factor for guys—those men with a lighter body weight and smaller frame have a higher risk for lower bone density.
“Look at your family history,” Brown said. “If you have a history where a man’s father had fractures, what prescriptions did they use? What was their diet like? You could have genetic quirks like vitamin D metabolizing.” For those with higher risk factors, mitigating those risks is essential for preventing osteoporosis and debilitating bone breaks. Brown looks at the overall diet— and not just about consuming foods containing calcium. Foods rich in minerals such as magnesium, found in nuts and seeds, and vitamin C, inherent to citrus fruits, tomatoes and many other fruits and vegetables, help keep bones strong, along with other nutrients. Vitamin D, the “sunshine vitamin” also makes a difference. It takes moderate weekly sun exposure or supplementation to get enough as few foods contain D vitamin naturally. To ensure the body absorbs nutrients, Brown promotes an alkaline diet, which emphasizes eating eight to 10 cups (pre-cooking) of vegetables daily and eschewing
processed, empty-calorie foods. “One-third of people in New York don’t eat one fruit or vegetable daily,” Brown said. “They have the calories in their diet but not the nutrients.” For a “meat-and-potatoes” man, making dietary changes can be tough. However, incorporating more veggie-based meals in the week can help improve the diet, such as chicken taco salad. Maintaining muscle mass can also help protect bones. As people age, they tend to lose muscle and bone. Diminishing fitness can also include reduced sense of balance and less flexibility, which can contribute to falls. To prevent this cascade toward deconditioning, Brown stressed the importance of strength training and weight-bearing exercise. She also encourages people to manage their stress. “Surprisingly, stress damages bone,” she said. “It’s very important to recognize you’re stressed and worried and take time to have silent walks in the woods and meditate. You can nourish the nervous symptom in quiet.” Brown offers a library of bone health information and screening tools at www.betterbones.com. Julie Mellen, registered dietitian with Upstate University Hospital, encourages patients to meet their calcium needs through three servings of calcium-rich foods daily. “Milk, yogurt, cheese, kale and other dark, leafy greens provide calcium,” Mellen said. “Nondairy fortified products like almond milk that has calcium and vitamin D added to it can also help.” For those who do not consume calcium-rich foods, “a supplement would be good,” she added.
“bothered” the men. In general, moderate and severe lower urinary tract symptoms were markers of poor health, according to the team. Physician Craig Comiter, a professor of urology at Stanford University School of Medicine in California, found the study intriguing, as prior studies have not shown a link between mortality and incontinence. “The authors are to be lauded for their measured conclusions, hypothesizing that urinary symptoms are more of a marker of poor health than a direct cause of death,” Comiter said. He described LUTS as any disorder that affects urinary storage, including excess urine production, incomplete bladder emptying, neurologic and myogenic (muscular) disorders of the bladder and benign prostate obstruction. These urinary dysfunctions can be caused by a variety of common medical conditions, including heart disease or neurological conditions, diabetes, sleep disorder, restricted mobility, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, stroke and multiple sclerosis. In this study, men who had moderate to severe bladder-emptying symptoms (such as hesitancy, weak stream and straining) had a 20% increased risk of death during the study period. Those who had what are considered “storage” symptoms, such as frequent daytime urination, incontinence and nocturia (waking at night to urinate), had a
40% increased risk of death during the study. Even for those in the study with mild symptoms, if they had daytime frequency, death risk was increased by 30%. If they had nocturia, death risk was increased by 50%. Needing to urinate at night or more than every three hours in the daytime could be “patient-important,” especially if persistent, the researchers said. Frequent urinary incontinence had a particularly strong association with risk of death, which suggests that urinary urgency has a significant impact on health and functional status in aging men, the authors said, and may have been a reflection of long-term neurological or vascular disease. The findings were published online recently in The Journal of Urology. Physician Anthony Schaeffer, a professor of urology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, said he thinks the results may be statistically significant, but not clinically significant. “There’s a light increase in mortality, but co-morbidities [other health conditions] exist in those men,” Schaeffer said. “What do you do about it? What you do about it is what we all do, we treat these folks,” he said. Schaeffer said there is no evidence that treating people for LUTS improves their life expectancy.
Genetics also matters
Health Career
Dana Donovan, speech language pathologist with Oswego Health. “We like the variety and thrive on the daily changes.”
Speech Language Pathologist Annual mean wage of speech language pathologists in CNY is $80,330 By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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peech language pathologists do far more than teach preschoolers how to say the letter “r.” They assist with all sorts of health issues and work in many different settings with patients across the lifespan. Regardless of where and with whom they work, speech language
pathologists help patients. That is what drew Dana Donovan, speech language pathologist with Oswego Health, to the profession. “I knew I wanted to go somewhere in medicine,” she said. Through high school, she volunteered in a hospital and noted that some patients received only honey-thick liquids. At the time, she
did not know that was because the patients experienced swallowing difficulties. That is just one of the areas that some speech language pathologists treat. Eventually, Donovan learned about speech language pathology and decided that was for her. She addresses disorders of feeding and swallowing, speech and cognitive linguistics, both inpatient and outpatient. “I treat singers for voice therapy after getting nodules on their vocal chords,” she added. “I see some stuttering cases. We do a lot in the day.” After completing her master’s in speech language pathology, she completed her residency and clinical fellowship and then passed her clinical exam to receive her state license. Some bridge programs allow students with a high enough GPA to complete their academic program in five years instead of six. Beyond the education, Donovan believes that speech language pathologists need flexibility and compassion. “We treat—unfortunately—very sick people.” Since she sees so many different types of patients in her healthcare setting, remaining mentally agile helps her perform her work well. “You have to be good with thinking on your feet and making things up quickly,” she said. “We like the variety and thrive on the daily changes. I enjoy the collaboration. You can talk with a doctor or dietitian or ear-nose-throat specialist. I appreciate that.” She encourages anyone interested in the field to observe at a school, skilled nursing facility or hospital to get an idea about what the work entails.
Nicole Caballero, speech language pathologists with the communications sciences and disorders department at SU, also said that speech language pathologists “definitely have a broad scope.” Those who want to specialize in a specific area can earn a Ph.D. Many programs now offer a clinical doctorate, for example, for treating patients in a medical setting. Speech language pathologists also complete continuing education credits periodically to maintain their licensure and they can pursue those credits in an area of specialty that interests them. “A lot of speech pathologists are good talkers, but you have to also be a good listener,” Caballero said. “You have to be adaptable. We have multiple treatments for these disorders. We need to make these therapies individualized for each client.” She became interested in the field while working in college at a school for children with autism. Many had difficulty with communication. Caballero enjoys celebrating clients’ small victories with them as they progress toward their goals. She encourages anyone interested in the field to shadow a speech language pathologist. “While our broad scope of practice may be intimidating, it provides you as a pro with a great variety to challenge yourself with new things and you learn a lot about a great variety of people,” she added. “If you feel stuck in your career, you can make a change of setting. You won’t be stuck doing the same exact thing for 40 years.” The annual mean wage of speech language pathologists in Syracuse is $80,330, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Men’s health issues can be complex and numerous. Managing them doesn’t have to be. Occupation. Age. Lifestyle. Diet. Fitness. Heredity... These and many other factors combine to impact men’s health in a variety of meaningful and oftentimes complicated ways. With a diverse set of services and specialties, many of which directly relate to men’s health – FCMG can be a uniquely powerful ally in promoting good health and managing the care of male patients. Areas of expertise include: • Heart health, cholesterol management, and treatment of high blood pressure • Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes • Reproductive health, including prostate cancer screenings • Physical and occupational therapy
• • • • •
Nutrition Care of sports injuries Sleep disorders Chronic care and pain management Mental health issues like PTSD and chemical dependency issues
Even better, FCMG provides care in a comfortable and reassuring family-friendly care environment at convenient locations across CNY. To learn how FCMG can meet your men’s health needs – or those of someone you care about – contact us today or speak to your usual FCMG Let our family care for yours! 315-472-1488 • fcmg.org provider: New patients and families are welcome!
June 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 19
CNY RETIREMENT SHOWCASE FREE
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Pharmacists’ Role Expected to Expand Over Next Decade Nearly 80% of patients see pharmacists as a key component of their health care team, but more advanced training needed to meet growing demand and fill gaps in care
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Page 20 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2022
ew research released by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Express Scripts Pharmacy, an Evernorth company, reveals that amid growing provider shortages, pharmacists in the U.S. are well-trusted by patients and projected to play an increasingly integral role in care management. The Prescription of Trust report, which surveyed more than 3,000 patients, 1,000 pharmacists, and 500 providers (including physicians and nurse practitioners), was designed to more deeply understand the expanding role of pharmacists in transforming patient care. It is the largest study of its kind ever conducted and is the first to include the voice of patients. “The results of the report are clear. Most people trust pharmacists to play a greater role in providing their care. As the shortage of doctors and nurses persists, and as complex new therapies and digital health care technology solutions are developed, the role of the pharmacist will continue to evolve,” said John McHugh, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the department of health policy and management at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Key findings of the survey, conducted from November to December 2021, include: • Pharmacists Will Expand Responsibilities: Looking toward the field of pharmacy in 2030, a majority of pharmacists see a transition from transactional care to more direct patient care responsibilities. At the forefront of this trend are pharmacists in ambulatory clinics, health systems (hospitals) and home delivery pharmacies, who already often serve as specialists advising patients with specific diseases or interact with a larger health team to help manage complex patient care. • Providers, Patients Trust Pharmacists: Nearly 80% of patients said they see pharmacists as an integral part of their health care team. Providers reported a high level of trust, often exceeding 90%, in
pharmacists’ current professional activities, including dispensing medications, communicating with health professionals and patients about potential adverse drug interactions, counseling patients on their medications, and administering vaccines. Notably, providers who collaborate with pharmacists have increasing trust in pharmacists providing direct patient care and prescribing medications. • Advanced Care Requires Advanced Training: Pharmacists recognize that patients need more consistent clinical counseling and disease education, but say training will be a focus in key areas to fill gaps in patient care. More than half (53.3%) of pharmacists agreed their current training and education is sufficient to manage patients. However, pharmacists did identify opportunities for additional training in chronic disease education, diagnosing, and prescribing. • As Roles Evolve, So Does Patient Engagement: The study shows that nearly half (49.7%) of patients would find it very helpful to have routine testing and medical visits done from home. More than half of home delivery pharmacists report engaging more with patients via telepharmacy, while about 15% of retail pharmacists report using telepharmacy. Of pharmacists who use this technology, more than a third say it gives them more time to interact with patients, allowing them to provide crucial information and support when — and where — patients need it most. “While the role of pharmacists has been expanding in some areas of healthcare, the COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted their accessibility and the trust people have in them as health care professionals,” said pharmacist Susan Peppers, vice president of Express Scripts Pharmacy, one of the nation’s largest and most experienced home delivery pharmacies that fills 281 million prescriptions every year.
Summer Job Fair Saturday, June 11th By Jim Miller
How Medicare Covers Alzheimer’s Disease Dear Savvy Senior, What exactly does Medicare cover when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease? My husband was recently diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s, and we would like to find out what’s covered and what isn’t. — Planning Ahead
Dear Planning, I’m very sorry to hear about your husband’s diagnosis, but you’ll be happy to know that most medical costs to treat beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s disease are covered by Medicare. Unfortunately, long-term custodial care costs that most patients eventually need are not. Here’s a breakdown of what Medicare does and doesn’t cover when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, along with some tips that can help you plan ahead. • Medical care: For the most part, ongoing medical care to diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s disease is covered by Medicare Part B, including visits to primary care doctors and specialists, lab tests, speech and occupational therapy, home health care and outpatient counseling services. Medicare pays 80% of these costs, and you will be responsible for the remaining 20% after you’ve met your annual $233 Part B deductible. Sixty days of inpatient hospital care is also covered under Medicare Part A after you pay a $1,556 deductible. Beyond 60 days, a daily coinsurance fee is added. • Medications: Most Alzheimer’s medications are covered under Medicare’s Part D prescription drug plans, but coverage varies so check his plan’s formulary. The only exception is Aduhelm, the controversial new drug that is estimated to cost $28,200 per year. Medicare Part B will only cover this drug if your husband is enrolled in a clinical trial. • Long-term custodial care: It’s important to understand that original Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care. This includes nursing home care, the costs of assisted living facilities and adult day care. Medicare does, however, pay for some shorter-term nursing home care, but only up to 100 days following a three-day inpatient hospital stay.
Hiring home help for bathing, toileting and dressing (this is known as custodial care) is not covered by Medicare either unless your husband is also receiving skilled-nursing care or physical or occupational therapy. To help with these costs, you may want to look into getting a longterm care insurance policy or shortterm care plan (see aaltci.org/stc) if possible, or if your income and assets are very limited, you may qualify for Medicaid. To investigate your financial options for long-term care, go to PayingForSeniorCare.com. • Hospice: In the final stages of the disease, Medicare Part A covers nearly all aspects of hospice care, including doctor services, nursing care, drugs, medical equipment and supplies, physical and occupational therapy, homemaker services, counseling and respite care. To qualify, a doctor must certify that a patient has six months or less to live. • Other Insurance and Assistance: If your husband is enrolled in original Medicare and he doesn’t have a supplemental insurance (Medigap) policy, you should consider getting him one. A Medigap plan will help pay for things that aren’t covered by Medicare like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. To search for plans in your area, go to Medicare.gov/plan-compare and click on “Medigap policy only.” Or, if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (like an HMO or PPO), his plan must provide him at least the same coverage as original Medicare does. Some advantage plans may also offer additional coverage for home care services. If you can’t afford your Medicare out-of-pocket costs or need help with medication expenses, there are Medicare Savings Programs and the Extra Help program that provide financial assistance for medications. To learn more, see Medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/get-help-paying-costs. You can also get help through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see ShipHelp.org or call 877-839-2675), which provides free Medicare and long-term care counseling.
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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Where your neighbors are like family! InvitingInviting one bedroom apartments essential services one bedroom apartments close close totoessential services and stores, as well as emergency and health services for and stores, as well as emergency and health services for Seniors (over 62) or receiving SS with a permanent mobility Seniorsimpairment (over 62) or receiving SS with a guidelines permanent mobility within income
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Turning 65 or just confused about Medicare? Happy with your Prescription Coverage? Happy with your copays? Do you have extra $$$ set aside for burial expenses? Do you know if you qualify for help paying for your prescriptions?
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315-374-1783 Insurance Made Simple www.ballardassoc.com • ballardassoc@gmail.com Aaron Ballard is a licensed Insurance broker representing all the top Medicare carriers in CNY & beyond! June 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 21
Growing Trends: Foodies at Senior Living Communities By Chef Jim Mahler
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s director of food and beverages at an independent senior living community, I am noticing a new trend in senior dining: Foodies! A foodie can be defined as person who has an avid interest in new food fads. You may think this only applies to younger people, but that is not the case. Older Americans are jumping on the foodie wagon, and we have adjusted our menus to meet the growing needs of our residents. Smoothies, vegan menus and other healthy food trends are not only popular among millennials anymore. Healthy eating is becoming a hot topic for older adults too. Nationally, facilities like The Nottingham are adapting new menus and providing a wider variety of options as baby boomers demonstrate a desire for a heathier and more sophisticated palette. However, many older adults note that they don’t have the vigorous appetite that they once had — and are now replacing three large meals a day with smaller portions and more frequent snacks. They don’t enjoy the same foods as when they were younger, and they may even face restricted diets due to health concerns. This can present a challenge for older adults, especially when maintaining a healthy diet is so vital as we age. That is why we are constantly upgrading our menu, making sure we provide healthy and nutritious
alternatives, but we are having some fun with our new food fads too. Recently, we unveiled a new menu item with a twist at the Nottingham Independent Living Community. We hosted a smoothie-making demonstration for our residents, and let them be the judge for the newest flavor. We presented three different flavors ranging from the fruity to the green: 1. Strawberry banana smoothie 2. Carrot pineapple smoothie 3. Apple spinach avocado with yogurt smoothie Residents sampled all three and voted on their newest menu item. And the winner is … carrot pineapple smoothie! We’d like to share our simple and nutritious recipe with you: Ingredients 2 cups chopped pineapple 1 cup chopped carrot 1 cup ice ½ cup orange juice 1 banana Mix in blender until smooth and enjoy! Jim Mahler is the executive chef and director of food and beverages at The Nottingham.
Y
Fact Sheets Added to Your Social Security Statement
our Social Security Statement (statement) tells you how much you or your family can expect to receive in disability, survivors and retirement benefits. It also provides a record of your most recent earnings history and other valuable information. We also give you fact sheets with your online statement. The fact sheets provide clear and useful information, based on your age group and earnings situation. They can help you better understand Social Security programs and benefits. The statement fact sheets cover the following topics: • Retirement readiness for workers in four age groups. • Workers with non-covered earnings who may be subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset. • Social Security basics for new workers. • How people become eligible for benefits (for people who have not earned enough work credits). • How additional work can increase your future benefits.
Q&A
Need help getting long term care or behavioral health services through your managed care plan?
“Without the help of ICAN, my mother would not have received the home care services I requested.”
Call ICAN at (844) 614-8800 or visit icannys.org
A program of the
ICAN is funded by the State of New York Page 22 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2022
• Medicare readiness for workers aged 62 and up. We recently released a new fact sheet specifically for people with limited earnings. The new fact sheet covers how they and their family members may qualify for benefits, including: • Supplemental Security Income • Social Security retirement benefits. • Children’s benefits. • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. • Help with health care costs, including Medicare, Medicare Savings Programs, Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs, and Medicaid. The best way to get access to your statement and the new fact sheets is by using your personal “my Social Security” account. If you don’t have a personal “my Social Security” account, be sure to create one at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. You can even view your full earnings history there. To learn more, visit our Social Security statement webpage at www. ssa.gov/myaccount/statement.html. Please share these resources with your friends and family.
that allow you to work temporarily without losing your disability benefits. For more information about Q: What is substantial gainful activity disability benefits, read our pub(SGA)? lications “Disability Benefits” and A: We use the term “substan“Working While Disabled — How We tial gainful activity,” or “SGA,” to Can Help.” Both are available online describe a level of work activity and at www.ssa.gov/pubs. earnings. Work is “substantial” if it involves doing significant physical or Q: Often, I need assistance with day-tomental activities or a combination of day tasks. My daughter offered to help both. If you earn more than a certain me with my Social Security claim and amount and are doing productive wants to represent me. Is that OK? work, we generally consider that you A: You can choose to have a are engaging in SGA. For example, representative help you when you do the monthly SGA amount for 2022 is business with Social Security. We’ll $1,350. For statutorily blind individwork with your representative in the uals, that amount is $2,190. In these same way we would work with you. cases, you would not be eligible for Select a qualified person, because disability benefits if you made over this person will act for you in most those amounts. You can read more Social Security matters. First, you about substantial gainful activity and will need to fill out the Appoint a if your earnings qualify as SGA at Representative form at www.ssa.gov/ www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/sga.html. forms/ssa-1696.pdf. Keep in mind that an attorney or other individual who wants to collect a fee for proQ: Will my Social Security disability viding services in connection with a benefit increase if my condition gets claim must generally obtain our prior worse or I develop additional health authorization. problems? A: No. We do not base your Q: Are Supplemental Security Income Social Security benefit amount (SSI) benefits subject to federal income on the severity of your disability. tax? The amount you are paid is based A: No. SSI payments are not on your average lifetime earnings subject to federal taxes. If you get SSI, before your disability began. If you you will not receive an annual Form go back to work after getting disabilSSA-1099. However, your Social ity benefits, you may be able to get a Security benefits may be subject to higher benefit based on those earnincome tax. Learn more at www.ssa. ings. In addition, we have incentives gov.
AN EASIER MOVE TO MEDICARE. That’s the Benefit of Blue.
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If you’re turning 65 or retiring, don’t be intimidated by the move to Medicare. You got this – and you have local experts who are here to help. Connect with us to explore plans with more of the benefits that matter, lower costs and a trusted network of doctors and hospitals.
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Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is an HMO plan and a PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Excellus BlueCross BlueShield depends on contract renewal. Our Health Plan complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-877-883-9577 (TTY: 711). 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-877-883-9577 (TTY: 711)。 † 2022 CMS Medicare Star Rating. Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. A nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Y0028_8417_M
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June 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 23
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ACR Health promotes its 30th annual AIDS 5K
CNY Retirement Showcase takes place in Syracuse
The ACR Health announced its 30th annual AIDS 5K Run/Walk. The event, which helps raise funds for the organization, will take place starting at 10 a.m. June 5 at Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville. Cost to register is $35 or $40 after June 4. ACR Health is a nonprofit, community-based organization providing an array of support services to individuals affected by a wide range of chronic diseases, including HIV/ AIDS, with the goal of positive health outcomes; as well as navigators to help individuals and businesses make informed health insurance decisions. For more info about the run or sponsorship, contact Mary Beth Anderson at mbanderson@ACRHealth. org.
Join the first CNY Retirement Showcase from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 9, at the CNY Regional Market, Shed E at 2100 Park St. in Syracuse. Live music, food and representatives from over 30 local organizations from theaters, travel agencies, museums, volunteering, independent living will be available. Some of the vendors include: The Nottingham, The REV Theatre, Onondaga Coach Tours, YMCA, Chefs for Seniors, Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP), RedHouse Arts Center, Mid Lakes Navigation and many more. For more information, visit www. communitylivingadvocates.com and type in the search menu “cnyretirementshow.”
June 18
June 9
Free tickets to Auburn Doubledays baseball game, fireworks
June 5
Free medical education program focusing on breast health
Timothy R. Shope, MD, FACS, FASMBS Lauren A. Rabach, MD To learn more or to register for a free seminar visit:
WWW.UPSTATE.EDU/WEIGHTLOSS
Upstate Community Hospital 4900 Broad Road | Syracuse, NY 13215 Phone is 315-492-5036
Page 24 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2022
The 6th annual breast cancer update for medical providers is set for Thursday, June 9, at the Embassy Suites in Destiny USA, Syracuse. The three-hour training begins with registration and dinner at 5 p.m. and will conclude at 8:30 p.m. The program is sponsored by Breast Care Partners, a fully accredited Breast Center; and by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. Topics of discussion include advances in radiation therapy for early stage breast cancer, new information about genetics testing for breast cancer and a breast cancer tumor board review. Crouse Hospital designates this program for a maximum of three AMA PRA category 1 credits. Crouse Hospital is accredited by the Medical Society of the State of New York to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Some of the topics to be addressed will include “Modern Radiation Therapy for Early Stage Breast Cancer” and “Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer Risk: The Past, Present & Future.” Presenters will include physicians Tracy Alpert, Kavitha Prezzano and Scott Albert, and family nurse practitioners Kimberly Conboy and Kristen Weiler. Anyone wishing to register for the event should text or call 315-5596803 or email breastcarepartners@ gmail.com.
Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY (HOA) invites the Central New York community to a cancer care celebration with the Auburn Doubledays on Saturday, June 18, as a thank you to its patients and the city of Auburn for their long-standing support. Free tickets to the event are available while supplies last. To get a free ticket scan the QR code in the HOA ad in this newspaper or visit the HOA Auburn office at 37 W. Garden St., suite 301. In addition to the baseball game against Utica, the event will begin with a recognition ceremony for cancer survivors and end with a fireworks display. The celebration also includes: • A gift for each cancer survivor in attendance • A gift for the first 1,000 guests • An opportunity to meet the HOA staff • Experts to help you understand cancer genetics screening “We had so much fun last year, with more than 2,000 people in attendance, we decided to make this cancer care celebration an annual event,” says Maryann Roefaro, HOA’s chief executive officer. “Also, as a member of the Auburn medical community, we think it’s important to support other local businesses. Plus, we are celebrating the addition of Dr. Iqra Choudary as a full-time oncologist in our Auburn office.” Located at 130 Division St. in Auburn, the Doubledays stadium can seat 4,000 spectators, and offers concessions. Gates for the June 18 event open at 6 p.m. and the game begins at 7:05 p.m. An event rain date is scheduled for Saturday, June 25.
To submit a health-related item for this page, please send the editor an email at editor@cnyhealth.com
Health News Auburn receives high marks for patient safety Auburn Community Hospital is one of 16 hospitals in New York state to have earned a grade of “B” in a survey conducted by the Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care. The LeapBerlucchi frog Group has assigned letter grades to hospitals based on their patient safety performance twice annually since spring 2012. The latest ratings reflect care during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are extremely proud of our patient safety grade of B,” said Scott Berlucchi, president and CEO of Auburn Community Hospital. “Patient safety and quality of care metrics are the foundation for an excellent patient experience. The Leapfrog Group said its research showed the pandemic reversed years of progress in patient safety. I am extremely proud of all our employees who worked so hard to make sure the quality of care at ACH did not slip during this challenging time.” This safety grade is a composite score made up of 28 different patient safety measures that indicate how well hospitals protect patients from preventable injuries and infections. “This grade is a key indicator of the hard work all of our employees do every day to make sure our patients get the best treatment and have an excellent patient experience while they are in our hospital,” said Berlucchi. Auburn Community Hospital is the largest employer in Cayuga County, with a workforce of over 1,100 employees. The hospital has a combined medical staff of more than 200 healthcare professionals and multiple primary care sites. Today, ACH is a health care delivery system that includes the hospital, an 80-bed five-star long term care and rehabilitation center, three urgent care centers as well as primary care and specialty care services.
New physician joins HOA Auburn office Iqra Choudary, a board-certified medical oncologist and hematologist, has joined Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY (HOA) in a full-time capacity in its Auburn location. “Continuing our commitment to caring for patients Choudary where they live, we are thrilled Dr. Choudary will be
dedicated to the Auburn community,” said Maryann Roefaro, HOA’s chief executive officer. “Having most recently practiced rural cancer medicine in Northern Maine, Dr. Choudary is looking forward to continuing to serve patients in a smaller community, while also being closer to her family in Toronto, where she was born and raised.” A graduate of American University of Antigua College of Medicine, Choudary completed an internal medicine residency at Rochester Regional Health System and specialty training at the University of Rochester Medical Center-Wilmot Cancer Institute. As a fully staffed cancer center, rather than a satellite office, HOA Auburn offers patient care close to home in the Health Central building at 37 W. Garden St., which offers free parking. The center is staffed by a full-time physician, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, nurses and assistants. Among the services provided are: intravenous medication services for cancer, blood disorders and other non-oncology treatments; medication dispensing and nutritional consult appointments.
St. Joseph’s Health welcomes physicians St. Joseph’s Health recently welcomed three physicians to its staff. • Aleena Saleem joined the hospitalist team. She is a board-certified family physician who completed her
Crouse Raises Awareness for Maternal Mental Health Month
C
rouse Health raised awareness for Maternal Mental Health Month in May by giving out purple hats to all babies born in its Kienzle Family Maternity Center. One in seven moms and one in 10 dads suffer from postpartum depression. As the Central New York leader in deliveries, with nearly 4,000 births annually, Crouse Health’s perinatal family support program is an outlet for ongoing support and awareness-raising activities for parents
residency at St. Joseph’s Health in 2021. Prior to St. Joseph’s Health, Saleem gained experience as a physician in Pakistan and the U.S. From 2014 to 2017, she served as a physician and researcher in Pakistan and later as an observer at medical centers in Michigan. Saleem Aleena Saleem holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from Dow University of Health Sciences in Karachi, Pakistan and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. • Abigail Tillman joined the primary care team. She joins St. Joseph’s Health after two years of providing primary care to the Central New York community with another practice. Before that, Tillman Abigail Tillman provided inpatient and outpatient care at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, a member of Trinity Health of New England, in West Hartford, Massachusetts.
of new babies, as well as those dealing with perinatal depression. The stigma and judgment accompanying a diagnosis of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) make it an under-reported illness and, subsequently, the most under-treated obstetrical complication. The Crouse Family Support Program is open to all families, regardless of where they delivered their babies. The program is led by Christine Kowaleski, a doctor of nursing practice, who is certified in family, neonatal and psychiatric care. Learn more at crouse.org/familysupport.
Tillman earned her Doctor of Medicine from St. George’s University in Grenada, West Indies, and her bachelor’s degree from Colgate University. In 2017, she completed her residency at Middlesex Hospital, a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, in Middletown, Connecticut. Tillman is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. • Gregory Faughnan joined the team of primary care physicians. He is a board-certified family physician. He completed his residency at St. Joseph’s Health. Faughnan earned his Doctor of Medicine from SUNY Upstate Medical University and his Gregory Faughnan Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Saint Bonaventure University. Faughnan is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. A physician with a passion for giving back to the community, Faughnan volunteered at the Syracuse Refugee Clinic and provided primary care for refugees from 2014 to 2016. Faughnan sees patients at St. Joseph’s Primary Care in Camillus.
Sheeley, Owens join Christopher Community Christopher Community, Inc. recently announced the hiring of two professionals. • Jim Sheeley joined as director of facilities and construction after working previously in similar positions at the Pulaski Central School District and Hannibal Central School District. He also worked for several years in Jim Sheeley building maintenance at CITI BOCES. Sheeley holds an associate’s degree in school facilities management from Mohawk Valley Community College and is a certified director of facilities with the New York State School Facilities Association. A life-long resident of Pulaski, and graduate of Pulaski Academy and Central School, Sheeley and his wife of 28 years, Lisa, have four children. • Jason Owens joined as IT manager He worked previously for the past 24 years at Regal Cinemas, where he oversaw the operation of their movie theaters across the Central New York area. Owens’ computer and IT experience in that position, however, as well as his AAS degree in computer information, and (continued on next page)
June 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 25
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Upstate physician awarded grant for sarcoidosis research Upstate Medical University physician Auyon Ghosh has been awarded a $50,000 American Thoracic Society (ATS)-Foundation for Sarcoidosis research grant. The grant comes from the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research (FSR), the leading international nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving care for sarcoidAuyon Ghosh osis patients. Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs in the body, but mostly the lungs and lymph glands. In people with sarcoidosis, abnormal masses or nodules (called granulomas) consisting of inflamed tissues form in certain organs of the body. These granulomas
may alter the normal structure and possibly the function of the affected organs. Ghosh’s project, “Gene Expression Signatures of Extrapulmonary Sarcoidosis,” will look to identify possible genes, particularly from a part of the cell machinery called mitochondria, that could be associated with multiorgan sarcoidosis. “I’m hopeful that this project and my future work will help people with sarcoidosis for years to come,” said Ghosh. “I am so honored to be this year’s recipient of the ATS-FSR partnership grant. This award will help fund an exciting project that will investigate understudied aspects of sarcoidosis and provide me vital support as an early career physician-scientist studying this debilitating disease.” “I’m hopeful that this project and my future work will help people with sarcoidosis for years to come,” he said. FSR seeks partnership opportunities with organizations that share its passion for improving the lives of those impacted by sarcoidosis. FSR partners with the ATS to provide early career researchers the financial support to gather pilot data and pursue innovative research projects. This grant makes it possible for researchers to pursue early-stage research essential in establishing career independence and in obtaining larger grant funding in the future. “FSR is pleased to partner with ATS in order to provide funding support for this important research project. Collaborations like this one are vital to accelerating research in sarcoidosis,” said Mary McGowan, FSR’s CEO. “We look forward to the critical learnings that will stem from Dr. Ghosh’s research efforts.”
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