SUMMER 2011
COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
MOON HIGH SCHOOL’S production of
e r e d l l n a i C
CREATING BEAUTIFUL HEALTHY SMILES
DEL R. BONI, D.M.D. Specialist In Orthodontics Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics For Children and Adults
Boni Orthodontics is pleased to announce the opening of their newest location at 995 Beaver Grade Road, Moon Township. FREE CONSULTS • NOW ACCEPTING THE CHIP PROGRAM
BONI ORTHODONTICS
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BONI ORTHODONTI CS is pleased to announce the opening of their newest location at 995 Beaver Gr ade Road, Moon Township. Dr. Boni is a caring professional who delivers outstanding orthodontic treatment results. He and his skilled staff have made it the ir promise to provide each patient with the highest quality orthodontic care available. They offer a full range of services, including Invisalign , clear ceramic braces, and esthetic functional appliances, which assist in the proper growth and development of their young patients. So whether you’re child, teen, or adult, Dr. Bo a ni is highly skilled in utilizi ng the latest treatment techniques and technologies to ensure you receive optimal results. They offer flexible hours for your convenience and acc most insurance plans. ept Dr. Boni and his team loo k forward to meeting you and seeing you smile!
SUMMER 2011 Welcome to the Summer issue of Moon Township Magazine. And what a welcome to summer it is. After weeks of extreme temperature fluctuations, rain and wind, the warm, summer sun couldn’t be any more of a sight. Despite the cold of winter and the lackluster spring we’ve had, much has happened here with your magazine. We have restructured to accommodate our growth and I would like to introduce some people to you that are working behind the scenes to make sure your magazine is the best community magazine that we can produce. First off, I’d like to reintroduce Mark Berton as our new West Zone Editor. Mark is my longest-serving employee and has worked every position at Community Magazines throughout our growth from just three magazines to 32. He has been a resident of Moon Township since 2002, served on bo th the township cable TV advisory board and planning commission, and is an active member of Coraopolis Masonic Lodge 674, where he’s held officer positions. Mark also literally “wrote the book” on Moon Township, publishing that history through Arcadia Publishing in 2007. He also published “Dixmont State Hospital” through Arcadia, chronicling the history of the 150-year-old mental hospital in Kilbuck To wnship. Because of his longevity in the West Hills, Mark was the perfect choice to lead our Western magazines. I’ve also hired Sharon Cobb to work with Mark as the dedicated graphic designer for our western magazines. Sharon comes to us from the Seattle Times, where she spent more than a decade working with creative teams on editorial and advertising initiatives, earning her the distinctions of Adverti sing Design Person of the Year. Prior to that, she worked for Northwest Adventure Publishing, laying out all of the magazines under their umbrella and ensuring that they met deadline. Sharon’s experience, attention to detail and flair for creative and engaging designs quickly endeared her to us, as I am sure her work will endear itself to you. We invested in this team because we felt it would be the be st way to serve all of the residents of the West Hills, by offering the highest-quality magazine possible. But there is an even more important part of the team that I can’t hire – you. Your contributions of ideas and time have been invaluable to us and we thank you. We urge even more of you to contact us with your feature ideas and events. Email Mark at: mark@incommunitymagazines.com with your thoughts . We all know a neighbor who volunteers, or a scout that is working on a project. We all have children and grandchildren that are doing something special either at school or for community service. We also know seniors who deliver meals, or organize choirs. These are the people we are looking to tell you about. Because without community, we have nothing, so promoting the best in our communities we celeb rate that which is great within ourselves. Have a great summer!
Wayne Dollard Publisher
IN Moon Township is a community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Moon Township area and its comprising municipalities by focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PUBLISHER
Wayne Dollard M A N AG I N G E D I TO R
Marybeth Jeffries marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com R E G I O N A L E D I TO R
Mark Berton mark@incommunitymagazines.com O F F I C E M A N AG E R
Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com WRITERS
Pamela Palongue GRAPHIC DESIGN
Cassie Brkich Sharon Cobb Susie Doak Jan McEvoy
Joe Milne Gail Murray Tamara Tylenda
A DV E RT I S I N G S A L E S
Derek Bayer Brian Daley Gina D’Alicandro Tina Dollard Rose Estes John Gartley Jason Huffman Lori Jeffries Rita Lengvarsky Connie McDaniel
Brian McKee Tamara Myers Gabriel Negri Robert Ojeda Annette Petrone Vincent Sabatini Michael Silvert RJ Vighetti Nikki CapezioWatson
P H OTO G R A P H E R S
Brad Lauer Gary Yon This magazine is carrier route mailed to all district households and businesses. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2011. CORRESPONDENCE All inquiries, comments and press releases should be directed to: IN Community Magazines Attn: Editorial 603 East McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 Ph: 724.942.0940 Fax: 724.942.0968
Fall content deadline: 8/11/11 www.incommunitymagazines.com
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Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.
Contents Moon Township | SUMMER 2011 |
12 COMMUNITY INTEREST
38
21
18
| People's Gas | Community-Driven | 9 | Mercedez Linke | Winner of the Pittsburgh Technical Institute Annual Art Show | 12 | Moon High School Production of Cinderella | 14 | Advice for Great Grilling | 16 | Judy Elias | Motivating Others Through Pilates | 18 | UPMC | Health and Wellness News You Can Use | 21 | All About Chocolate | Supporting the Moon Township Public Library | 30
FEATURES
| Pittsburgh Botanic Garden | Soon to be Blooming Near Settler's Cabin | 6 | Samuel J. Foundation | Supporting Local Children with Brain Tumors and Their Families | 11 | 2011 American Cancer Society Relay for Life | 38 | Col. Jeffery Pennington | New Base Commander Committed to Country, Community and the Air Show | 42
BUSINESS INSIGHTS
| Pediatrics South | 5 | Be More "Water Wise" While Cooking in the Kitchen | 36 | Back Pain Myths‌Busted! | 40 | Deciding When to Retire | 41 | Varicose & Spider Veins | 46 | Elite Runners and Walkers | 48
ON THE COVER
| Moon High School stages a production of Cinderella in the new Moon Auditorium.
Moon Township | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 3
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Choosing a
PEDIATRICIAN
One of the toughest decisions that parents must make is who will provide healthcare for their child. As with any major decision, education is imperative. Whether seeking a pediatrician for their first newborn or changing pediatricians for their older children, parents are exposed to information about providers from many sources including family, friends, coworkers, advertisements, and the internet to name a few. H owever, in addition to these resources, parents should also consider scheduling a consult with the pediatrician that has been recommended to them. This is a valuable tool to help decide if the physician and the practice in which they work are a fit for them and their family. During the interview process many questions should be addressed and both the pediatrician and the parents should begin to know ea ch other. From concrete black and white questions to queries about philosophies of care, parents should be able to extract the information that they need to decide if a practitioner is a fit for them. Some of the questions that should be addressed during this initial meeting include the following: ❶ What insurances are accepted? ❷ What other providers give care at the same site? ❸ What are the credentials of the providers? Where did they train and are they board certified? ❹ With which hospitals is the practice affiliated? ❺ What are the days and hours of operation? Are there evening or weekend hours? ❻ How are calls handled during the daylight as well as evening hours? ❼ Can my child be seen the same day, if need be, for an acute illness? ❽ How are sick children kept separate from those visiting for a healthy check up? ❾ What is the schedule of visits in the first year of life and who do I notify at the time of delivery of my pediatrician choice? ❿ Lastly, any philosophical questions such as opinions about antibiotic usage, daycare choices, vaccine schedules, or any personal queries
that may help to make the physician choice should be asked. As a final word, parents should remember that in choosing the correct pediatrician a lifetime bond may be formed. Pediatricians are blessed with the privilege of caring for and nuturing your child throughout their lives. Not only is it a pleasure to provide quality medical care for your young child, it is absolutely a joy to watch these same children mature and develop into responsible young adults who come to develop a mutual trust and respect with us over the years. Several of us at Pediatrics South are presently providing care to the children of parents for whom we also cared. Forging this bond hinges on finding the right pediatrician by becoming an educated parent.
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http://www.pediatricssouth.com
Moon Township | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 5
Pittsburgh
Botanic Garden
soon to be blooming near Settler’s Cabin
K
itty Vagley started work on January 3 and already is deep in the development of one of the largest undertakings in western Pennsylvania—converting the brownfield just south of Settler’s Cabin Park into a botanical garden unlike anything seen before in the region.
The mission of the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden is to plan, build and operate the region’s first comprehensive outdoor botanic garden—a public institution with vast scientific and cultural value and beauty. Vagley, director of development, said that by the end of this year, the transformation on the 452-acre site will be dramatic.
“We are moving forward on the 452 acres that we have, which is in North Fayette and Collier townships,” Vagley said. “We’re doing reclamation work, getting rid of the coal, and minimizing the acid mine drainage, and we are just now working with the county to take over the historic cabin for which the adjacent park is named. It hasn’t happened yet. It will probably happen later this
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Moon Township
year. When it does, we can start work on the area around the cabin next year.” Named for the 18thcentury log cabin, Settler’s Cabin Park is owned by Allegheny County. A 99-year lease is in place, charging the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden $1/year for the property to the south of the park. By year’s end, Vagley said she anticipates that the maintenance barn, the old farmhouse and the cabin in the park will be leased to the Garden. Vagley said the barn is envisioned to become the welcome center, with a classroom, and a meeting-and-event rental space. A wedding garden will be nearby. The farmhouse will be used for administrative offices, and the cabin will be an educational program site surrounded by period gardens. North Fayette and Collier townships have been helpful and quite supportive to the project. About 90 percent of the park is in North Fayette, and 10 percent in Collier. Because of coal, oil and gas mining, the park was designated a brownfield by the state, which made the site eligible for special funding for remediation. That funding is keeping the botanical garden project moving forward. “We did receive some state funding,” Vagley said. “We got a PennVest grant, and Mashuda is onsite now doing a stellar job. The DEP is looking to make them a model as far as mining practices.” Mashuda Corporation was contracted in 2008 to reclaim 72 acres of abandoned mines
{} “We’re doing reclamation work, getting rid of the coal, and minimizing the acid mine drainage...” Kitty Vagley,
Director of Development
over a three-year period. Those mines polluted the main water source for the site with acid mine drainage. The remediation of the site will benefit Robinson Run, Chartiers Creek and the Ohio River. “It’s just a fascinating and marvelous project,” Vagley said. ”I’m thrilled to be involved. We did do some history on the site, and there was a farming family there for three or four generations. They would drive to get clean water because the water on the site was undrinkable for humans and farm animals. We are cleaning that whole area up, which will greatly help the Chartiers Creek Watershed.” The reclaimed area is part of Phase One of the project, which also
includes completion of the Woodland Gardens of the World and an ADA accessible trail throughout that area, which touches on a meadow area, a tree nursery, the Fred Rogers’ Garden of Make Believe and the visitors center. All of that work, slated to be complete by 2015, has a price tag of $12 million, which includes $5 million already granted by the Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program and the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development. All in all, the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden will have an estimated price tag of $75 million and take about 30 years to reach its full-grown capacity. The rewards to western Pennsylvania will be immeasurable. The nearest similar gardens to Pittsburgh are in Ohio to the west and Philadelphia to the east. “We’ll be proceeding with a woodland gardens and tree nursery this year,” Vagley said. “And, when we get the buildings from the county, we’ll be cleaning them up and opening them up for programming.”
Moon Township | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 7
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Samuel J. Foundation Supports Local Children with Brain Tumors and Their Families CHILDHOOD CANCER IS EVERY PARENT’S NIGHTMARE, BuT IF THAT DIAGNOSIS COuLD GET ANY WORSE, IT WOuLD BE ONE OF CHILDHOOD BRAIN CANCER. That’s because the developing brain of a child faces serious and challenging developmental hurdles when introduced to traditional cancer treatments. It’s the hurdle that Samuel Johnson and his parents had to face when he was diagnosed with brain cancer at 8 months old. “It depends on age, but typically, doctors don’t like to do radiation on children until they’re three years old. A lot of the treatments are very aggressive in order to be effective, and they target the brain specifically. They’re radiating the children’s brains,” Kelly Johnson said. “With Sam’s type of tumor, he had to undergo some aggressive therapies, including having a chemo port put into his skull where chemicals were injected directly into his brain. We’d get the MRI scan back and could see the volume of certain parts of his brain tissue was decreasing. We presumed it was because of the toxic substances to kill the cancer.” Kelly Johnson said that, at 3 years old, Sam started radiation—a decision that was excruciating for the family to make. “We delayed radiation until he was 3, because the doctors were concerned about what would happen if we did it sooner. It was the last resort. We had to make a choice: if we radiate his whole brain, he could be more impaired; he might lose his hearing entirely. He was already developmentally disabled and lost some of his hearing because of the chemo,” she said. “Do I want my son to have a 50 percent shot of surviving and be severely impaired for the rest of his life, never be able to walk or talk, or decrease his odds to 20 percent and give him a higher level of functioning? It’s horrible to be faced with these kinds of choices. And it happened more than once. I don’t know if I could make those decisions again. It shouldn’t be. Options can be limited for kids because of their age.” Despite his incredible spirit and fight, Sam passed away shortly after 6 a.m. on Nov. 5, 2003, at home with his family, a few months shy of his fourth birthday. After fighting by his side nearly his entire life, Kelly said that the emotional stresses of her family’s war on cancer necessitated her putting that energy into something positive to memorialize Sam and the light he brought to everyone who knew him. Kelly decided to start a foundation in Sam’s name to help children in similar situations and their families. And to date, the Samuel J.
President of Samuel J Foundation, Kelly Johnson and Daughter, Rachel
Foundation has been a successful tribute to a child who brightened so many lives. “Initially, you’re in this battle mode, and it’s hard to get out of it. When they’re gone, you still have that left. I needed to carry on this fight somehow. I couldn’t let it win anymore,” she said. “Another part was that I couldn’t bear the thought of people not remembering my son or not knowing him. There was a little bit of self-centeredness to that, of wanting people to know what a great kid he was and how inspiring he was. I also wanted to support people in the same situation.” For a small, local charity, the Samuel J. Foundation has raised more than $100,000 to date, most of which goes to supporting brain tumor research specifically, or to support the families who have to bring their children in for treatment. Because of the nature of brain cancer, and the See Foundation page 12 Moon Township | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 11
“We’ve had two high school seniors do their senior projects with us, and there’s an Eagle Scout who is planning a golf outing to benefit the foundation,” Kelly said.
Foundation continued from page 11
fact that there’s no definitive cure, most kids have to be enrolled in clinical trials. The research protocols mean lots of trips to the hospital. The Samuel J. Foundation helps families pay for transportation and expenses associated with those trips. The group has also facilitated in granting four wishes through Make-A-Wish for local children with brain cancer. The second biggest program the Samuel J. Foundation supports is Sam’s Snack Wagon, the snack cart at the oncology department at Children’s Hospital. “There’s a physical cart on the inpatient oncology unit at the hospital. We also buy snacks for the If you would like information on the outpatient clinic to benefit, volunteering or donating to have for children who The Samuel J Foundation, please have been there for visit their website at several hours. We www.samuelj.org. stock it with individual packages,
because, due to their weakened immune systems, they can’t drink out of communal pitchers or larger soda bottles,” Kelly said. “We fill the cart with this food and they bring it out every day. The kids pick out a snack every day. We’ve had families tell us that it’s the thing that the children look forward to the most. When they’re dreading the hospital, it makes it easier when they’re reminded that the snack cart’s coming back.” One of the big hits with the older kids at the hospital is Gatorade, which has been supplied by the Mt. Lebanon Blue Devils soccer team, which has donated five to six cases a month for the past four years, Kelly said. Thanks to drives and community support, similar donations have been contributed to the Samuel J. Foundation so that they can further their mission and help more kids. “We’ve had two high school seniors do their senior projects with us, and there’s an Eagle Scout who is planning a golf outing to benefit the foundation,” Kelly said. “We welcome the support from the community, and it really does make a big difference.” For more information or to donate to the Samuel J. Foundation, go to www.samuelj.org. Donations may also be mailed directly to: The Samuel J Foundation, P.O. Box 75, Oakdale, PA 15071.
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Congratulations to Moon Township Resident Mercedez Linke, winner of the Pittsburgh Technical Institute Annual Art Show Each year, students, friends and family members, and high school art teachers attend the opening of “Visions and Voices,” Pittsburgh Technical Institute’s high school student show, to admire the individual creativity exhibited. The 2011 opening had more than 700 pieces of work submitted by 389 students representing 70 high schools. “We are thrilled with the growth we’ve experienced in our nine years of hosting this high school student show,” comments Susan Rosa, PTI Director of Visual Communication. “To make this opportunity available to hundreds of students from dozens of high schools — not only throughout our region — is exciting and rewarding. “I think it’s an awesome opportunity to share our work with everyone.” said Linke. Her submission, “Give Me Space” was named Best of Show. Students from Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, New York and Virginia submitted entries.
Moon Township
Moon Township | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 13
MHS
Cinderella
M
On ce upo na time there l
ived a young girl call ed
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Moon Township
Cinderella. She was
MHS
her y b dly e k c i ted w a e r t w as t u b , t r a of he a lovely girl and pure
nd a r the o m step
on p u put
Moon Township | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 15
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Moon Township | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 17
s d in F t n e id s e R n Moo
Motivating
Through
“I struggle with the imagery sometimes,” Elias admits. “You need to come up with imagery for your students to convey a mental picture of how the exercise should look or feel. You have to say something about golf with a golfer, a lot of these phrases or images are things we pick up from our trainers. The trainer has to relate to something the client would understand.” Sawing off your baby toe, for the record, is a shoulder over the knee stretch where your hand meets the outside of the opposing foot like a saw blade. It’s an exercise that Elias particularly is proud of because, up until she discovered Pilates, she couldn’t even reach her toes. “I used to train for fitness shows with heavy weights and not stretching enough. If you’re tight, your muscles are restricting your movement,” she said. “I couldn’t touch my toes before Pilates. Now I can go past my toes. Every human should be working towards that.” Elias discovered Pilates when her younger sister, a dancer, got injured and started taking Pilates at Point Park University. Elias didn’t know what Pilates meant, let alone what the exercises were. “She said, “You should think about adding this into what you teach,’” Elias said. “So the first thing I did was go to New York and started with Power Pilates. That was about eight years ago.” Elias eventually returned home and found a studio in Wexford that had a certification program through Peak Pilates out of Colorado, which has a very stringent certification program that took three 18 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE
Moon Township
years for Elias to complete. Peak required logging 452 hours of instructor observation, practice hours and individual and group teaching hours prior to being fully certified. Elias’ zeal for Pilates and her desire to help other achieve their fitness goals got her thinking about maximizing her teaching potential. “I thought, ‘I’m already teaching some classes but getting a cable access show could give me more hours.’ I
approached someone who already had a show on Moon Township’s MCA-TV and asked them how to go about setting up a show. For me, it was a great way to get more people educated about this other avenue of fitness, as well as something new that sounded like fun.”
The Great White Shark Elias came to Moon when she enrolled at Robert Morris College’s marketing and quantitative business analysis programs. She fell in love with Moon Township and her future husband, Scott, during that time and was married in 1998. Never short on energy, Elias quickly became involv ed in the community through her church affiliations and her children’s school activities. She plays the organ and is the choir director at St. Margaret Mary Church, helps coach her 10-year-old daughter’s cheerleading team and volunteers with her softball team.
Enjoyment in
Others
Pilates
about yourself, but when you can help somebody else feel good, that makes you feel like a real winner right there.”
“Slide a penny down the wall” She began teaching fitness classes at the Joe Weider Fitness Center in college, but now teaches at a variety of fitness centers and at Robin Hill. “If I had more time, I probably would have more hobbies and involvements,” Elias said. “My husband calls me the ‘Great White Shark’ because I’m never happy sitting still. I have to always be moving. Fitness has always been a part of my life. When I was in high school, I played every sport that I could play. When I started teaching fitness classes, I didn’t just appreciate how it made me feel, but how it makes other feel. It’s great when you feel good
It’s 9 a.m. on a Wednesday, and Elias, who literally is as tall as her yoga mat is long weaves in and out of the three-camera set up at MCA-TV studios, straightening her bangs and making jokes with her long-time co-hosts: Diana Repack and Carla Villa. Both are students of Elias and Villa, in particular, has commented to Elias that since she began Pilates, she has gained an inch in posture and lost an inch off each of her hips. Two camera operators listen through their headphones for a cue from the board operators that the show is about to go on.
Elias, with perfect Pilates posture, sits on her mat and waits for the red light of the camera to come on. While she’s been teaching for decades, she said she always tries to put some thought into how she wants each show to unfold. “I try not to wing it. I try to make sure every session is a little different since we only tape once a month. I try to think of the things I want people get the most,” she said. “Some who watch it may not get to a gym ever, so I feel the pressure to make each show the best show ever, so they get the most out of it and enjoy it.” The women have weights and a rubber ball that they use during the routine, but Elias comments that the exercises can be done at home without them. She also demonstrates beginner as well as advanced positions for each exercise they do. It’s a lot packed into a 30-minute show, but Elias said she wants people to know that Pilates can be done by everyone. “I’d like to have a male cohost and a kid for a couple of shows, just to reach out to people and let them know that men should be doing these exercises and any kid can be doing them as well, especially if they’re enrolled in some kind of sports activity, ” she said. “I trained a man once who was 82. He could barely get out of his car. After Pilates, he could get out of that car all on his own in under 10 minutes. My passion is so big for this form of exercise. People think that if you’re not dripping with sweat or gasping for air, you’re not getting anything out of it. But you are, and you can do Pilates every single day.” The women turn to their sides and star t to do leg lifts. Elias conjures up another one of her images that of using your big toe to slide a penny down a wall. She credits that one on a former instructor of hers. The camera operators hold up a card indicating that 30 seconds are left in the taping and Elias starts to wrap up. The trio role up Continued on page 20
Moon Township | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 19
Continued from page 19
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their mats, and pose for some photos for the MCA-TV web designer, who happens to need fresh photos for the website. Elias said that every once in a while she’ll be recognized for her show in public. “Sometimes, I’ll be out in the grocery store and someone will say, ‘Hey, aren’t you the person who does that Pilates show. You wonder sometimes if they’re just watching the show or following along with the exerc ises at home,” she said. “The girls who tape with me, they’ve told me that several people have approached them. They’re not necessarily doing the exercises, but at least they’re watching it and that may get them thinking more about doing them or signing up for a class somewhere.” One person who doesn’t watch the show is Elias. “I watched it once. There was one thing my Pilates instructors always wanted you to be c areful about and that’s not talking too much,” she said. “It’s an economy of words. We want our clients to feel the movement on their own, and if you talk too much, they tend to tune you out. I was always being told, ‘You talk too much.’ I think I’m saying less and I watch the show and I realize I’m not. I think it’s important to say things when you need to say them, and many students have thanked me for e xplaining things through the class.” She does concede that when the show airs – 6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays – she’s usually running out to teach or attending one of her children’s sporting events. “Our trainers recommended that we record our practice sessions to see and hear what we’re teaching our clients,” she said. “Watching the show is something I certainly will start doing more. It would help me see how I actually cue the exercises and assist me in improving on the things I need to do.” Elias said that one day, she’d like to open up her own studio. But for now, she’s content doing what she’s doing. Her family has been extremely supportive, she said. “I’m sure my schedule is difficult for them at times,” she said. “But they know that’s my passion. That’s what I’m all about. I’m at this studio and tha t studio and the TV studio and back to the first studio. It’s never too late for people to start Pilates and to become healthier. And if I can help them do it, then that is something that gives me a lot of satisfaction.”
SUMMER 2011
Health and Wellness News You Can Use
What’s Inside page 2
A Woman’s Heart Is Special
page 3
The Good News About Heart Disease Six Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure
page 4
Young Athletes and Sudden Cardiac Death What Parents Need to Know Exercise: Too Much of a Good Thing Can Be Harmful
© 2011 UPMC
page 5
The Downside of Falls
page 6
Choosing the Right Doctor for You
page 7
Welcoming New Physicians
A Woman’s Heart Is Special It’s important to recognize you’re not immune to the dangers of heart disease Have you ever heard the adage, “Know your enemy?” Heart disease is pandemic in the United States — but many women remain unaware that it’s an “equal opportunity” disease. The symptoms of heart disease can differ between men and women, but if you have a heart, you can get heart disease.
Take action for your heart health
“Every woman, regardless of age, should know her risk factors and work with her doctor to develop a plan for good heart health,” says John R. Ward, MD, a cardiologist and specialist in women’s heart issues at UPMC Mercy, which is part of the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. “Taking action could save your life or the life of someone you love.”
The first step in becoming “heart smart” is to meet with your doctor or primary care physician. An honest conversation with your doctor will help ensure that you get the best possible care. Here are a few questions to ask:
Know your risks An astonishing 80 percent of women between the ages of 40 and 60 have one or more risk factors for heart disease. “Having just one risk factor doubles your chance for heart disease,” adds Dr. Ward. Having multiple risk factors significantly increases your potential for heart problems. Smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and family history are risk factors that men and women share. Additional risk factors specific to women’s heart health include: • Metabolic syndrome, a combination of excessive fat around the abdomen, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high triglycerides that increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. • Mental stress and depression, both of which make it difficult to follow a healthy lifestyle. • Low levels of estrogen after menopause, which pose serious risks of heart disease developing in a woman’s smaller blood vessels. “You can’t do anything about your genes and family history, but lifestyle changes can certainly help reduce your risk of heart disease,” says Dr. Ward.
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www.UPMC.com/Today
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women over the age of 65. And over the last 20 years, the rate of heart attacks in women between the ages of 35 and 54 has been on the rise. Given these statistics, every woman should pay close attention to her heart health.
• What are my risk factors for heart disease? • What should I know about the effects of menopause on my heart health? • What is my blood pressure? Is that healthy for my age? • What is my cholesterol and how could it affect my health? • Based on my history and risk factors, what can I do to lower my risk? Take action for your family, too The staggering increase in obesity and diabetes in children in the United States puts them at significant risk of heart disease. “We’ve learned that plaque can begin to build up in arteries in children as young as two years old,” says Dr. Ward. “Moms are role models for their children. By making healthy changes for yourself, you can help improve the heart health of the entire family.” To learn more about cardiac services at UPMC Mercy, visit www.UPMCMercy.com and click on Our Services. To schedule an appointment with a UPMC-affiliated physician, visit www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor, or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).
The Good News About Heart Disease Take charge of your heart through health screenings and heart-healthy lifestyle changes Heart disease is the nation’s leading cause of death for both men and women. Every 25 seconds, someone experiences a coronary event; every minute, heart disease claims a life. The good news? You can take steps to reduce your risk of heart disease through routine screenings and lifestyle changes — even if you’ve already had a heart attack or stroke.
If needed, you also can take advantage of the region’s only low radiation electron beam CT scan at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute. It looks specifically for calcium in the coronary arteries as a marker of the cholesterol accumulation that can cause sudden heart attacks. Dr. Fallert recommends regular health screenings that tell you your numbers and whether you need to take action. For example, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can damage your heart and blood vessels, but you wouldn’t know you have these conditions without testing for them.
“Heart disease is a disease we can do something about. In most instances, it is preventable,” says Daniel Edmundowicz, MD, associate professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, and director The more risk factors you have, the greater of preventive cardiology at the UPMC your chance of developing heart disease, Heart and Vascular Institute. says Dr. Fallert. While you can’t control “Screening absolutely saves lives. We genetics, you can take steps to control can help people change the outcome many other risk factors by eating a once we know the risk-factor levels,” healthy diet, exercising, not smoking, Dr. Edmundowicz says. and maintaining a healthy body weight. Some changes — like quitting smoking — Heart-Healthy Resources at can have an immediate impact. UPMC Mercy
Six Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure High blood pressure puts you at risk for heart attack, stroke, and other serious diseases. Follow these recommendations from Dr. Fallert to take charge of this “silent killer”: • Increase physical activity. Aim for at least 30 minutes each day (most days) of brisk walking, bike riding, or other aerobic activity. • Monitor your sodium. Limit your sodium intake to less than two grams (2,000 mg) a day. Beware of “hidden” sodium in processed foods, including canned soup, lunch meats, frozen dinners, and crackers. • Eat healthy. Follow a lower-fat diet that’s rich in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods. • Control your stress. Take 15 minutes each day to decompress and focus on yourself. Listen to music, read, pray, or meditate. • Don’t smoke! Nicotine causes your blood vessels to constrict and your heart to beat faster, which raises your blood pressure.
Michael A. Fallert, MD, chief of cardiology at UPMC Mercy, says doctors use tools such as EKGs, stress testing, ultrasound, and CT scans to look for signs of atherosclerosis in the heart, neck, legs, and arms — especially if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease.
“The bottom line is: If you know your numbers and know your risk, you can do something about it,” Dr. Fallert says.
Risk factors that can’t be chaged
Know your numbers
Become heart smart
Aim for these vital numbers to keep your ticker in good working condition:
Take time to educate yourself about heart disease and the treatments available. The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute website is a one-stop source of information about cardiac conditions, as well as UPMC’s full spectrum of cardiovascular services from routine screenings to advanced cardiac care.
• Family history of heart disease, carotid artery disease, or peripheral artery disease • Age (65 and older) • Gender (men have a greater risk of heart attack)
Risk factors that can be changed • • • • •
Smoking High blood pressure High cholesterol levels Obesity Physical inactivity
Monitor
Target Levels
Cholesterol
less than 200 mg/dL
Blood Pressure
below 120/80
BMI (body mass index) 18.5–24.9
Ask your doctor
• Take your medicine. If medicine is needed to control your blood pressure, make sure you take it as prescribed by your doctor.
Be sure to check it out at www.UPMC.com/HeartandVascular.
If you have questions or concerns about your heart health, call your physician to schedule an appointment.
1-800-533-UPMC
3
Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan
Young Athletes and Sudden Cardiac Death
What Parents Need to Know Is your child among the three to five million young people in the United States who play organized sports each year? If so, you know that a pre-participation physical examination can help identify young athletes who may be at risk for an injury or illness that could require additional medical evaluation. Recently, identifying young athletes who may be at risk of sudden cardiac death has become a hot topic among sports medicine professionals, focusing the attention of parents on the need for better cardiovascular screening of young athletes. “Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young athletes is extremely rare,” says Vivekanand Allada, MD, clinical director of pediatric cardiology at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and professor of pediatrics. “In fact, it’s a one in a million risk.” According to Dr. Allada, sudden death in young athletes is most often due to heart problems, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (an abnormal thickening of the heart). Other causes include congenital coronary anomalies, arrhythmia (which can be caused by a blow to the chest), and Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that can weaken the aorta and lead to a tear or rupture. “Unfortunately, there’s no perfect test to find a needle in a haystack,” says Dr. Allada. However, parents can take steps to uncover risk factors that may require more testing or a consultation with a pediatric cardiologist. The American Heart Association recommends that young athletes undergo a screening medical history to check specifically for: • Chest pain, palpitations, or fainting during exercise (red flags that require immediate attention) • A history of a heart murmur or hypertension • Family history of coronary disease, sudden death, or Marfan syndrome Children with any of these risk factors or an abnormal physical exam should see a pediatric cardiologist, who is specially trained to look for cardiac problems in children and teens, Dr. Allada says. Further testing might include an EKG, echocardiogram, and stress test. He offers these tips to parents: • Don’t let your child play through chest pain. Pain can be a warning sign. • Teach your child to avoid energy drinks that have high levels of caffeine. Such drinks can make the heart race and cause cardiac arrhythmias. They are particularly dangerous for athletes with undiagnosed cardiac problems. To learn more about caring for your child’s heart, visit www.chp.edu, then click on Child Health A-Z. To schedule an appointment with a Children’s-affiliated physician, call 412-692-PEDS (7337).
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www.UPMC.com/Today
Exercise:
Too Much of a Good Thing Can Be Harmful Regular exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy life. Many of us, however, still struggle to fit even a moderate amount of exercise into our schedules. But there are plenty of people who are getting too much exercise. If some exercise is good, they think more will be better. Not true. In fact, excessive exercise can lead to a host of physical issues, including injuries, the loss of lean muscle mass, a weakened immune system, sleep problems, irritability, and depression. A study in the American Journal of Cardiology suggests that too much vigorous exercise also can increase the risk of heart problems.
Are you exercising too much? Experts say that if your workouts suddenly seem more difficult than usual and you aren’t making progress, you may be overexercising. Other trouble signs include: • Insomnia • Aches or pain in muscles and/or joints • Fatigue • Feeling unmotivated and lacking energy • Increased susceptibility to colds, sore throats, and other illnesses If you’re experiencing any of these signs, see your doctor to find out if something else is causing the problem.
Just starting an exercise program? Congratulations on taking an important step to improve your health. Here are a few tips to help your body adjust to a new routine: • Create a reasonable exercise program based on attainable goals. • Exercise in moderation. • Begin slowly and build up gradually to avoid injuries. • Cut back the volume and intensity of your workouts at the first sign of injury. • Listen to your body. When it needs a rest, give it a rest. Sources: American College of Sports Medicine, American Heart Association
UPMC Spotlight
The Downside of Falls Preventing tripping, falling can be key to maintaining independence Falls may be funny on comedy shows, but they can be traumatic for older adults. Simply tripping on a rug or slipping on a wet floor can change an older person’s life in an instant — posing serious threats to his or her health and independence. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three people over 65 experience at least one fall each year, and more than two-thirds of them are likely to fall again within six months. Falls also are the leading cause of accidental death in seniors. And, as many as 30 percent of those who fall end up with debilitating hip, pelvic, or spine fractures that make it harder to get around and adversely affect self-confidence. Even those who don’t suffer serious injury can become fearful. “The most obvious concern when an older adult falls or trips is injury,” says Stephanie Studenski, MD, MPH, director of the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center at the University of Pittsburgh and associate director of research at the Aging Institute of UPMC Senior Services and the University of Pittsburgh. “But the fear of falling can cause people to restrict their activity and sacrifice their independence. In some cases, it can lead to social isolation,” she says. Everyone is at risk for falls, but that risk increases with the changes that come with aging, plus other medical conditions such as arthritis, cataracts and glaucoma, and balance problems. “Fortunately, there’s a lot people can do to prevent most risk factors,” says Dr. Studenski. “Taking care of your overall health, staying active, socializing with friends, and taking a few common-sense precautions can help you avoid falls and broken bones.” To learn more about the Falls Clinic, located at UPMC Senior Care-Benedum Geriatric Center in Oakland, call 412-692-4200.
Three things you can do to prevent falls Exercise! Exercises such as tai chi or other relaxation exercises that improve balance and coordination can help lower your chances of falling and make you feel stronger. See your doctor regularly. Annual physical and eye examinations can uncover underlying medical problems that can lead to falls. See your doctor if you feel unstable or dizzy, possibly due to medications. Tell your doctor if you fall; a medical evaluation can help. Make your home safer. Seventy-five percent of all falls occur at home. To help make your home fall-proof: • Improve lighting. As you get older, you need brighter lights to see well. Use night lights in your bedroom, hall, and bathroom. • Remove small throw rugs. Tack down all carpets and area rugs so they are firmly fastened to the floor. • Remove things you can trip over. Clear books, clothes, and shoes from stairs and places you walk. Keep cords and wires near walls. • Use handrails. Install grab bars near toilets, and both inside and outside your tub and shower. Always use the handrail when using the stairs. • Store items within easy reach. Don’t store things too high or too low. Avoid using stepladders or step stools. Most of all, think before you reach. • Wear shoes with non-skid, non-friction soles. Avoid going barefoot or wearing only socks or loose-fitting slippers.
Leading the Work in Falls Prevention Dr. Stephanie Studenski received the 2010 National Award for Falls Prevention Research and will be honored as the grand champion at the third annual Celebrating Senior Champions benefit dinner and auction Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011. For more information about the event, sponsored by UPMC Senior Services, the Aging Institute, and the Division of Geriatric Medicine of the University of Pittsburgh, call Peggy VanHorn, benevolent care advocate, at 412-622-9239.
1-800-533-UPMC
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Choosing the Right Doctor for You Taking the time to find “Dr. Right” is one of the most important investments you can make. We’ve all heard about the importance of the doctor/patient relationship, often described as the cornerstone of quality medical care. “In fact, the stronger that relationship, the better your chances of receiving the right care at the right time in the right way,” says Tami Minnier, vice president of UPMC’s Donald J. Wolff, Jr. Center for Quality Improvement and Innovation. “At UPMC, our goal is to help you develop a long-term partnership in which your doctor is your number one health care champion.” According to a 2010 survey by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, most of us are very satisfied with our physicians. It usually takes something major — like moving to a new area, changing medical insurance, or being diagnosed with a serious condition — to prompt us to look for a new doctor. “If you’re in the process of changing doctors, there are some exciting new options to consider,” says Ms. Minnier. “For example, UPMC’s Health Plan is working with a growing number of primary care physicians to implement patient-centered medical homes in their practices.” In this medical model, your family doctor becomes the hub for all your care by linking you to a collaborative team of medical professionals — from physician assistants to specialists. Medical homes are designed to ensure that you receive appropriate and comprehensive care over your entire lifetime, including preventive health care, treatment for acute or chronic illness, and assistance with end-of-life care. Studies show that medical homes are resulting in improved care, access, and communication between patients and their “medical team” — as well as improved quality, safety, and cost of care.
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www.UPMC.com/Today
When searching for “Dr. Right,” here are five helpful tips to locate the best match:
Determine what’s important to you “Finding the ‘right’ doctor often involves personal preferences apart from a physician’s skills or qualifications,” says Ms. Minnier. “For example, are you more comfortable with a doctor of your gender? Is a primary care physician right for you, or do you have a medical condition that requires treatment by a specialist? And if easy access is a concern, do you need a doctor located close to your home or workplace?”
Get the opinion of people you trust “Begin your search by asking your circle of family, friends, and co-workers about the positive experiences they’ve had,” she advises. “If you’re moving, or seeking a specialist, your current doctor also can be an excellent referral source.”
Do some homework “There are a number of credible online resources, including UPMC’s Find a Doctor (www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor), with information on more than 5,000 physicians, that allow you to confirm a physician’s medical credentials, board certifications, and specialties,” says Ms. Minnier. You also can check with the state medical board at docboard.org. In general, avoid “doctor ranking” sites, which are unregulated and difficult to verify for accuracy.
At UPMC, a variety of tools are used to assess physician quality, including patient satisfaction surveys. “We literally review thousands of surveys monthly, which provide us with invaluable insights and feedback,” says Ms. Minnier.
Verify your doctor’s insurance plans and hospital affiliations “Most practices accept a variety of insurance plans, but be sure yours is among them,” advises Ms. Minnier. “And should you ever require hospitalization or special tests, it’s important that your doctor be affiliated with a hospital you know and trust.”
Call for an appointment “Bring a written set of questions covering your concerns and expectations. When your visit is over, evaluate the experience,” suggests Ms. Minnier. “Was it easy to get an appointment? Were you treated with respect by both the doctor and the staff? If your answers are positive, you’re on the right path to a doctor/patient relationship characterized by quality care, compassion, and open communication.” For more information, or to schedule an appointment with a UPMC-affiliated physician, visit www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor, or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762).
Welcoming New Physicians to UPMC Mercy To schedule an appointment, or for more information about any of our physicians, visit www.UPMC.com/FindADoctor or call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Anesthesiology
Head & Neck Surgery
Nephrology
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Albert J. Carvelli, MD
Grant Shale Gillman, MD
Khaled Abdel-Kader, MD
Shailen F. Greene, MD
Steffanie J. Labate, MD
Andrea F. Lewis, MD
Jose F. Bernardo, MD
Margaret E. Reidy, MD
Joel M. Pomerantz, MD
Andrew A. McCall, MD
Patricia Khalil, MD
Maria F. Twichell, MD
David M. Ruttum, MD
Ryan Jeremy Soose, MD
Kelly V. Liang MD
Joseph F. Talarico, DO
Andrew Burchess Tassler, MD
Preethi V. Murty, MD
Psychiatry
Manisha Loomba Trivedi, MD
Kristin Woodbury, DO
Christopher J. Passero, MD
Saghir Ahmad, MD Anna M. Boettcher, MD
Cardiology
Infectious Diseases
Neuroradiology
Kristina M. Curci, MD
George S. Mendenhall, MD
Bernard J. C. Macatangay, MD
Vera Rachel Spelling, MD
Antoine B. Douaihy, MD
Kathleen Rebecca Sheridan, MD
Hoang Minh Trang, DO
Julie A. Kmiec, MD
Amesh A. Adalja, MD
Internal Medicine
Neurosurgery
Radiation Oncology
Lakshmipathi P. Chelluri, MD
Maliha Ahmad Kamal, MD
Robert M. Friedlander, MD
Ryan Patrick Smith, MD
Lillian L. Emlet, MD
Oksana Karpov, DO
Brian T. Jankowitz, MD
Kevin Ho, MD
Abdul Q. Khan, MD
Critical Care Medicine
Diagnostic Radiology
Radiology
Ashish Sharma, MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Neal J. Klitsch, MD
Adam Edmund Sohnen, MD
Michael F. Lupinetti, MD
Marios D. Papachristou, MD
Stephanie L. Nicholas, MD
Jamie L. Parent, MD
Sara A. Majewski, MD Iclal Ocak, MD
Laboratory Medicine
Daria Elizabeth Setlik, MD
Thomas S. Talamo, MD
Tineke L. Chan, MD
Urology
Emergency Medicine
Maternal Fetal Medicine
Vasiliki A. Christopoulos, MD
Ronald M. Benoit, MD
Michael C. Campbell, MD
David Collier Streitman, MD
Paul William Conrad, MD
Jodi K. Maranchie, MD
Amy Vogia, DO Ophthalmology
Kimberly V. Miller, MD
Ankur Ashok Doshi, MD Robert J. Hyde, MD
Neonatology
John M. Murray, MD
Charles V. Bender, MD
Troy Christian Sims, MD
Beverly S. Brozanski, MD
Orthopaedic Surgery
Barbara A. Clouser, MD
Lisa Blackrick, MD
Avni Patel Vyas, MD
Timothy Wu, MD
Endocrinology
Barbara Ann Cohlan, MD
Jennifer Pennock Holst, MD
Kara L. Gardner, MD
Orthopaedic Surgery/Podiatry
Jennifer L. Kloesz, MD
Nicholas J. Lowery, DPM
Family Medicine
Burhanuddin Mahmood, MD
Brent E. Clark, MD
William J. McCarran, MD
Pain Management
Richard Rocco Telesco, MD
Karsten Bartels, MD
Gastroenterology
Amy M. Urban, DO
Shahid Masood Malik, MD
Kalyani Rai Vats, MD
Pediatrics/General
Jon F. Watchko, MD
Rita Kaul, MD
Geriatric Medicine
Vascular Surgery
Toby Debra Yanowitz, MD
George H. Gleeson, MD James Richard Sahovey, MD
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UPMC Mercy 1400 Locust St. Pittsburgh, PA 15219
UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.
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The name you trust in women’s health is right here at Mercy. UPMC Mercy ob-gyn services are growing to provide comprehensive women’s services by bringing you the same experts who practice at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC. In addition to community-based physicians and midwifery, these expanding services for women are consistent with Mercy’s rich tradition of care. UPMC’s complete range of specialty services for women covers obstetrics and gynecology, maternal-fetal medicine, midlife health, women’s cancer, and much more. From checkups and preventive care to testing, diagnosis, and advanced treatments, the superb doctors, nurses, and caregivers at Mercy and Magee are with you every step of the way on the path to good health. We work closely with your primary care physician to provide seamless care. And every service is backed by UPMC’s world-class care, providing peace of mind when you need it most. To learn more about UPMC Mercy ob-gyn services or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-533-UPMC (8762), or visit UPMCMercy.com.
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all about Chocolate
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elicious chocolate cake, desserts, candies, snacks, a chocolate fountain, tea, coffee and champagne were offered to the “over 21” library patrons at the “All About Chocolate Event” held recently at Moon Township Public Library by members of Friends of Moon Public Library. Friends of the Moon Public Library served the beautiful confections and baked goods that were a treat for the eyes, as well as the taste buds. Tastefully decorated with crisp white table cloths with fresh flowers and candles, the library resembled a restaurant or upscale bakery.
event Supporting the Moon Township Public Library Photos by Kathy Rudolph
1. Ellen Northy, Friends of Moon Township Public Library 3. Pamela Krug and Rosemarie Thunell 4. Lucille and Sue and Daryl Reeves 7. Bill Northy and Norma Lofink 8. Sara 10. Deborah Connolly and the auctioned cake that she pur
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The Moon Township Public Library Staff Katie Jacob, Intern
Ellen Northy, President of Friends of Moon Public Library, helped to organize the event. “Friends of the Library support a wish list of things that the library needs. Current best sellers, computers, Battle of the Books trophies are some of the examples,” Mrs. Northy said. “We believe in reading and this is great organization of nice people that want to support our community library.”
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undraising is crucial to the library trying to rebound from last year’s cut in funding by the state. The library is also funded by the Allegheny Regional District,
Megan Goode, Children’s Librarian
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Elaine Sollinger, Library Board President
Suzy Ruskin, Adult Services Librarian/Assistant Director
and The Township of Moon, who financially ass isted the library last year after the cuts. Most importantly are the contributions from patrons that keep the library going in tough economic times. A Fall Wine and Hors d’oeuvres fundraiser and raffle are future events planned to help offset costs of the library. According the recent Census Bureau report on Moon Township, the township increased from 24,604 to 26,825 residents from 2000 to present. The libr ary, part of The Moon Community Service Center and the former Montour Heights Country Club, has been occupied since 1994 and is feeling the
growing pains of the population increase.
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ur goal is to find a bigger space to better serve the community,” said Elaine Sollinger, Moon Township Public Library Board President. “Right now we have waiting lists for Children’s programs. We want to improve this.”
If you would like more information on the Moon Township Public Library, or Friends of Moon Public Library, please visit www.moonlibrary.org.
President 2. Barb Karp, Phyllis Italia, Peggy West, Pamela Krug, Sue Vandertie and Mary Skinner Vandertie, President of the Moon Township Garden Club 5. Karen Henderson 6. Alacia Pollard Kobak, Friend of the Moon Township Public Library Member 9. Sid Moore and Melissa Macri rchased, donated by Just Yum 11. Barb Karp, Walter and Jan Gorr 12. Sisters, Jane Miller and Karen Kulek
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Moon Township | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 31
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We are interested in highlighting your church! If you are a member of the clergy from this area and would like to contribute an inspirational message that all of our readers might enjoy, please contact Marybeth Jeffries, Managing Editor at marybeth@ incommunitymagazines.com for more information.
A Restoration Church ...............................................724.941.3480 Berean Fellowship Church ......................................412.220.4673 Beth-El Congregation of South Hills ......................412.561.1168 Bethel Presbyterian Church....................................412.835.0405 Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church ...................412.561.5100 Bower Hill Community Church................................412.561.4114 Center Presbyterian Church....................................724.941.9050 Christ the King Church .............................................412.595.7181 Christ Community Church of South Hills ...............412.519.4097 Grace Fellowship Church ........................................412.334.3803 Christ United Methodist Church .............................412.835.6621 Covenant Family Church ..........................................724.263.7147 Faith Lutheran Church..............................................412.835.4590 First Church of Christ, Scientist ..............................412.561.1125 Good Shepherd Church............................................412.276.2446 Good Shepherd Church............................................724.941.9418 Holy Child Parish .......................................................412.221.5213 Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church .......................412.833.3355 Hope Lutheran Church .............................................724.941.9441 Lebanon Presbyterian Church ................................412.466.7184 Mt. Lebanon Christian Church ................................412.531.8554 New Day Assembly of God......................................724.941.1661 New Song Community Church................................412.341.1293
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Our Redeemer Lutheran Church.............................724.941.7467 Peters Creek Baptist Church...................................412.833.6111 Ruthfred Lutheran Church .......................................412.835.7140 South Hills Assembly of God ...................................412.835.8900 South Hills Bible Chapel...........................................724.941.8990 South Hills Church of the Nazarene.......................412.831.6333 South Hills Community Baptist Church..................412.833.1313 Southminster Presbyterian Church........................412.343.8900 St. David’s Anglican Church....................................724.941.4060 St. David’s Anglican Church....................................724.941.4060 St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church...............412.221.2277 St. Gregory Byzantine Catholic Church.................412.835.7800 St. John Capistran Roman Catholic Church .........412.221.6275 St. Louise DeMarillac Roman Catholic Church....412.833.1010 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.....................................412.531.7153 St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church ...........412.833.0031 Temple Emanuel ........................................................412.279.7600 Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills 412.561.6277 Upper St. Clair Alliance Church..............................412.835.4775 Westminster Presbyterian Church.........................412.835.6630 If your place of worship was not on our list, please e-mail the information to marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com.
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SPECIAL VALUES COMMUNITY MAGAZINES Moon Township | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 35
Water’s Impact on the Taste of Your Food
Stir Up Solutions…
Holiday and year-round recipes for soups, stocks, sauces and other dishes calling for H20 as the base ingredient demand the finest culinary finesse – and the purest water to promote the truest taste. Unknowingly, using untreated tap water may compromise the nuances of your cooking and contribute to environmental waste when it comes to cleaning pots, pans and appliances used to prepare your favorite recipes. Here’s how taste can be affected: • Unfiltered tap water – Water that comes from a municipal water supply is safely regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); however, nearly every water source contains some level of contaminants* that are addressed by adding commonly used disinfectants like chlorine. Traces of chlorine can produce an unpleasant taste and odor that can taint your water-based recipes; steam used for cooking vegetables, rice and pasta; and even ice cubes used to chill beverages. • Unsoftened hard water – Residents on private or community well systems are subject to hard water that may contain a number of odor- and taste-altering impurities*. For example, sulfur found in some hard water sources contributes to a “rotten egg” smell; iron or copper can produce a metallic aftertaste; and water that flows over rocks, soils and vegetation sometimes contains a salty or bitter taste.
If mixing your favorite beverage with stale-tasting ice cubes or dumping chlorinated water into your grandma’s chicken noodle soup isn’t on your recipe card, consider making the most of your tap water. Contact your local Culligan dealer to obtain a free, on-site water analysis to determine which in home solution is best for you. This might include…
…and Help Spare the Environment Optimizing the taste of your food with quality water also has other “green” benefits that extend to the environment. For example, using softened water can provide the following advantages: • Longer equipment lifespan – Minerals such as calcium and magnesium that are dissolved in your tap water tend to settle out when hard water is heated and evaporates. These minerals accumulate, corrode and clog water-using appliances (i.e. dishwashers, coffee makers, steamers) and other devices, causing increased energy use, a shortened lifespan and premature equipment disposal. Soft water can help eliminate these issues and extend the life of your appliances. • Less detergent – Removing spots, stains and scale caused by hard water from your cookware and dishes requires scrubbing with detergents and other harsh chemicals. The more stubborn the residue, the more cleanser required – contributing to unnecessary environmental waste. Soft water helps detergents to lather better so cleansing is easier and less soap is needed.
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SOCIETY R E C N A C ICAN TOWNSHIP N 2011 AMER O O M F LIFE O RELAY FOR
A bond of determination and generosity was recently demonstrated at the 2011 American Cancer society relay for Life of Moon Township at robert Morris university. Volunteer relay teams and oveer 400 community members donated and fundraised before and during the event. Cancer survivors and their families, coworkers and students that have been affected by cancer in some way participated in the event-filled relay. sponsored by Gold-Tec, upMC Cancer Centers, Dick’s sporting Goods, Doubletree Hotel and other businesses in the community, the relay benefitted cancer research. “At relay for Life, people come out and celebrate the progress being made in cancer research. They can celebrate their survival, remember their loved “I want to teach the kids ones that they have to give back,” said lost, or have a chance to fight back against Pander. “Participating in cancer,” said Nancy this is a reflection of their Verderber, of the commitment to fighting for American Cancer a great cause.” society and the event organizer. “The Moon Township relay for Life has been going on for 18 years is one of the largest events. it is a great way to get to know people in the community and a neat way of giving.” The event began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, of Tacoma, Washington, ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer society. it has since grown into the relay that more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the united states participate in each year. The American Cancer society designed the relay to be a 24 hour, overnight event because “cancer never sleeps.” The relay teams camped out at the stadium and took turns walking or running around the Joe Walton stadium path for all 24 hours. To keep the teams motivated, Volunteer Co-chairs Melinda fulton, Director of sales at Doubletree, and Natalie Mink, Kohl’s supervisor, helped to plan countless events. performances by The rMu Choir Dr. Mary Cothran, Pamela D. Paplham, MSN and Patti Patterson and identity X, DJ Jen, Games2u, sunrise Yoga, courtesy of Three rivers Yoga, and a pizza party, courtesy of Genoa pizza and pasta were some of the examples. The teams also added to the carnival atmosphere by offering food, games and prizes to raise more funds for their teams. “My mother passed away from cancer last year,” Sparklers Team Founders, Grace Rosus, said Mink, when asked why she volunteered as Co-
Volunteers participating to
“Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back”
Tracy and Casey Tokarski Doubletree Team Members, Shawn, Bryce and Jillian Kautzman
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Chair. “i wanted to find an organization that helps people with all types of cancer.” There were many poignant moments during the relay, including an opening ceremony where special guest and American Cancer society funded scholar pamela D. paplham, MsN and robert Morris university doctorate student, was awarded for her oncology research at roswell park Cancer institute in Moon Area High School New York. Accompanied by her mentor, Dr. Mary Deca Team Cothran, Assistant professor of Nursing at robert Morris university and a cancer survivor, paplham’s research includes graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and long-term complications of bone marrow transplants. “My vision is to teach other nurses and doctors how to deal with caring for oncology patients in a more positive way,” said paplham. “i am involved in a program at roswell, starting i n 2012, where we can help people recovering from cancer by providing them with re-immunization, product facts and counseling.” one of the teams that participated was Moon Area High school DeCA Team. Advisor and Moon Area High school Marketing teacher Betty pander is also cancer survivor. “i want to teach the kids If you would like to learn more to give back,” about the American Cancer said pander. Society Relay for Life of Moon Chick-Fil-A Cow and “participating Township please visit Nancy Verderber, in this is a Event Organizer www.relayforlife.org/pamoon reflection of their commitment to fighting for a great cause.” other events of the relay included a survival Cancer Survivor and Local Magician, Magical Myke Dinner, survival and Caregiver Ceremony, and Luminaria Ceremony; a lit candle set in sand inside a plastic container; each representing a person touched by cancer. “it is beautiful to see all of the luminaria in the evening honoring and remembering those who have died from cancer,” said fulton, Volunteer Co-chair. finally, there was a fight Back Ceremony where people make a personal commitment against cancer. G-Squad Team “Years ago people would come to this event and Members, Lyndy not talk about their cancer or ask if you had cancer. Stout, Cancer RMU Zeta Tau Team Mebers, Rachel Kroczek, Survivor, Eddie Now people share their stories with each other, and Elizabeth Wukitch, Lexie Intihar and Cathy Rich Moldovan and don’t look at cancer as a death sentence,” said Etta Moldovan Verderber, event organizer. “We have a long way to go in finding a cure but there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
2011 Relay For Life Of Moon Volunteer CoChairs – Melinda Fulton and Natalie Mink Moon Area High School Deca Team Chairs, Lyndsay Ottaviani, Moon Area High School Teacher And Deca Advisor, Betty Pander and Kaitlyn Augustine
Doubletree Team Members, Eddie Roose, Dawn Latkovic-Roose and Karen Yovick
Photos by Kathy Rudolph Moon Township | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 39
BACK PAIN MYTHS… During my career, i have frequently encountered patients who have suffered with conditions far longer than they needed to because they were misinformed. in fact, the reason i started writing an article years ago was to help people get the facts straight about spinal health and empower them with information and choices about how to take care of their health. Here are some of the most common myths peopl e believe: #1 Heavy Lifting Causes Back Pain. it’s more likely that someone will suffer a back injury from lifting improperly as opposed to just lifting something heavy. proper lifting uses the leg muscles and avoids loading the spine. it’s also important to avoid twisting while lifting because this is the number one way to cause a lifting injury. #2 Being Overweight Causes Back Pain. Although weight can aggravat e spinal conditions, it is rarely the cause. Most people who have back pain and are overweight suffer from the same underlying causes of back pain as thin people including spinal misalignment, degenerated discs, and poor muscle support. #3 Back Pain is Always Caused by an Injury. 80% of Americans report back pain but only a small percentage of sufferers can relate it back to a specific injury or incident. What is most common is that a series of small insults, over a period of years, weakens the spinal column and causes damage. This eventually, over a long time, leads to pain. These
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causes can include postural problems, unhealed injuries, degenerative changes, and how we use our body for everyday chores or our job (wear and tear). Now for some facts that can help you understand the “real Deal” behind getting better: #1 Muscle Relaxers and Pain Medicines are Not Recommended for Back Pain. especially at the initial onset. studies have shown that these medicines rarely have a positive effect for the patients taking them. Antiinflammatory medicines have been shown to delay the healing process. Also, the high risk of side effects and addiction to pain medicine makes them a poor choice. #2 Movement Helps Patients Heal Fas ter. it was believed that bed rest was good for back pain. Then studies started to show that it actually made the patients have more chronic and persistent pain. The new findings show that gentle walking, exercise, and stretching is better. #3 Chiropractic is the MOST EFFECTIVE treatment for low back pain. studies show that when patients have chiropractic care they heal faster and get back to normal activiti es sooner. They are also less likely to take medicines or have surgery. in fact, a Consumer reports Article showed that chiropractors have the highest satisfaction rating (over 90%). so my question for you is…How long are you willing to live with back pain? How long are you willing to give up doing the things you love and having a normal life? i hope the answer is that you’re not willing to live like that any longer! i have seen too many people who have told me “i should have done something a lot sooner. i never thought i’d feel this good.” i want to encourage you to do something good for yourself and take better care of your spine. You just get one and it should last a lifetime. Questions, comments etc. are always welcome. please send me an email by visiting my website at www.choicechiropracti c.net. We are an in-network provider with all major insurance companies. Brought to you as a public service by: Choice Chiropractic & Wellness Center, P.C. Dr. Leah Gallucci and Dr. Shannon Thieroff www.choicechiropractic.net Moon Twp (412) 424-0019 • McKnight (412)364-9699 Dr. Leah Gallucci earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh with a major in Neuroscience and minor in Chemistry. She attended Palmer Chiropractic College in Florida where she gained her extensive knowledge of Anatomy and Physiology, as well as Chiropractic adjusting techniques. Formerly, she practiced at the Choice Chiropractic McKnight location and is now accepting new patients at the Moon Township location.
your wealth compass
Deciding When To Retire:
Timing is Critical
Deciding when to retire involves a series of decisions. estimate your anticipated expenses, sources of retirement income, and how long you need your retirement savings to last. You need to take into account your life expectancy and health as well as when you want to start receiving social security or pension benefits in addition to tapping into retirement savings. each of these factors may affect others as part of an overall retirement income plan. THINKING ABOUT RETIREMENT? An early retirement means fewer earning years and less accumulated savings. The earlier you retire, the more years you need your retirement savings to produce income. According to a National Vital statistics report, people today can expect to live 30 years longer than they did a century ago. That means, not only do you need your retirement savings to last longer, but inflation will have more time to eat away at your purchasing power. if you factor inflation into your retirement equation, you will probably need your retirement income to increase each year just to cover the same expenses. Take this into account when considering how long you expect or can afford to be retired.
CHECK YOUR ASSUMPTIONS The sooner you begin to plan the timing of your retirement, the more time you will have to make adjustments to make your retirement years everything you hoped for. seCuriTies offereD THrouGH seCuriTies AMeriCA, iNC., MeMBer fiNRA/sipC AND ADVisorY serViCes offereD THrouGH seCuriTies AMeriCA ADVisors, iNC., sArVeY G CANeLLA, represeNTATiVe. CANeLLA fiNANCiAL Group AND THe seCuriTies AMeriCA CoMpANies Are sepARATe eNTiTies. seCuriTies AMeriCA represeNTATiVes Do NoT proViDe LeGAL or TAX ADViCe.
DELAYING RETIREMENT postponing retirement lets you continue adding to your retirement savings. That is especially advantageous if you’re saving in a tax-deferred account and/or receiving employer contributions. even if no longer adding to your retirement savings, delaying retirement postpones the date you need to start withdrawing, enhancing your nest egg’s ability to last throughout your lifetime. You may consider another endeavor such as a part-time job or opening a small business as a new career. postponing full retirement also gives you more transition time in considering these options. PHASED RETIREMENT some employers offer phased retirement programs, allowing you to receive all or part of your pension benefit once reaching retirement age, while continuing work part-time for the same employer. phased retirement programs are gaining more attention as baby boomers age. Traditional pension plans generally were not allowed to pay benefits until an employee quit working completely or reached the plan’s normal retirement age. phased retirement can benefit both employer, by retaining an experienced worker at a part time level, and employee, allowing for a more flexible schedule and smoother transition into retirement. Moon Township | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 41
New Base Commander Committed to Country, Community and the Air Show Colonel Jeffrey pennington hadn’t shoveled snow since 1983, PLAN ON GOING: but moving to Moon Township as the new Base Commander for the 911th Airlift Wing changed all that. As installation commander, he is the senior officer responsible for the wing organization, which includes WHEN: authorized manning of 1,263 Air September 10 and 11, 2011 force reserve members and WHERE: approximately 320 civilian 911th Airlift Wing Base, employees including more than Moon Township 184 dual-status Air reserve www.wingsoverpittsburgh.com Tec hnicians. reservists at the base represent the entire tri-state area, and most of them live within an hour’s drive. it’s a responsibility that no one in his position would take lightly, and pennington said that he is committed to his mission to the utmost. “We have many pilots here, and as the wing commander, i have a mission to organize training and equipment, taking our resources and making sure we’re r eady for war-time testing,” pennington said. “As equally important is taking care of the airmen, the people who are part of the air wing. There’s a reserve triad, as it’s known, which is [composed of] family, civic relationships (which are the employers of the reservists or their commitment to their communities) and the reserves.” pennington brings to the 911th a distinguished history of service. He com pleted undergraduate pilot training at Williams Air force Base, Ariz., in 1989 and was initially assigned to the 344th Air refueling squadron at seymour-Johnson AfB, N.C., flying the KC-10’s and T-38’s. While stationed there, he deployed supporting operations Desert shield, Desert storm, proud return, provide Comfort, restore Hope and Desert strike. pennington joined the Air force reserve in 1997 as an Air reserve Technician initially serving in the 70th Ars, Travis AfB, Calif. in May 2001, he was selected as the director of operations for the 70th Ars. During his tenure, he coordinated, deployed and supported his unit’s participation in operation enduring freedom and operation iraqi freedom. in January 2007 Col. pennington assumed command of the 452nd operations Group located at March ArB, Calif., remaining there until october of 2010 when he assumed command of the 911th Airlift Wing. He has been awarded the National Defense Medal with Bronze star Armed forces expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal to name a few. While his service has been a priority, pennington said family is his top priority. “i am extremely committed to my family – my wife and kids,” he sai d. “i am committed to my country through my service, and have a great passion for
Wings Over Pittsburgh Air Show
Colonel Jeffrey Pennington
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Moon Township
the team concept. Life’s a team sport and the team is everybody working together for the country.” Much of pennington’s duties are military in nature – drills and exercises, training and preparation – but one aspect of the triad involves everyone who’s willing to come to the 911th for the Wings over pittsburgh Air show. The air show gives the community the opportunity to see what goes on at the base, the me n and women who train endlessly for the common good of the nation, and the equipment that can be called up at a moment’s notice in defense of the nation. “i firmly believe as an American citizen that we’re all on the same team. Community relationship-building is an important part of our job here,” pennington said. “We want people to know who we are, what we do and the team role we play in Western pennsylvan ia. We foster the service component of our mission, so the local community can see that.” organizing the air show is an enormous endeavor, but one that has universal appeal to the general public. While naysayers might criticize the air show for too much taxpayer buck for too little bang in today’s economy, pennington said it’s
not all about proud displays. The majority of aircraft involved in the air show undergo rigorous drills and training before, during and after their public displays. “We weigh out what the investments are and prioritize the expenditures. Again, it’s all about fostering that civic relationship. Most aircraft do training on the way here and on the way back, and budgets are carefully considered. Budgets affect us all, and we respond to what our leaders give us as far as resources,” pennin gton said. “The military aspect of the equipment also is affected by the military tempo. scheduled displays may not materialize because they are called away for other missions. The military mission will always outweigh the training mission and that’s something we can’t control.” Aside from the “wow” factor for attendees, the air show does have a return to the base by way of recruitment. pennington said the metrics for calculating recruitment aren’t precise enough to gauge direct effects from the show, but air show exposure is a “phenomenal recruiting tool.” perhaps the biggest challenge to organizers comes from the popularity of the air show itself. “The numbers keep growing and the infrastructure isn’t designed to handle the
volume of people,” pennington said. “We’re sensitive to that and take steps to add ress the issues to mitigate those problems.” Lt. Col. Chuck sargent, who has helped organize the air show for the past several years, said there will be much for people to enjoy this year. “We’re going to [have] the AV-8 Harrier demonstration back. This is a civilian-owned harrier and it’s a fantastic demonstration,” sargent said. “The f-16 flies 200-500 mph. This goes 500 mph and goes backward 30 mph. it h as a normal jet engine that goes through a ducting system, so the pilot can rotate it so the harrier can hover as well as provide backward thrust.” sargent said the Heavy Metal Jet Team also is booked and will be performing in their firstever season. The team flies four L-39s and one T-33 painted in arctic camouflage. “Dale snodgrass, who’s part of the team, has the most time in the f-14 of anyone on th e planet,” sargent said. “He’ll retain that record for eternity because the f-14 has since been retired.” for a full listing of performers, as well as the most current information on the air show, go to: www.wingsoverpittsburgh.com. from there, you can also follow the air show on facebook. Admission and parking for the event are free.
Moon Township | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 43
Robert Friedlander, MD, left, and Michael Horowitz, MD, discuss treatment options with a patient who has an unruptured aneurysm.
On the
TO
ROAD By Mark Berton
Ashly Hunt
UPMC neurosurgery patient making strides after suffering a near fatal brain hemorrhage.
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Moon Township
When you think of someone who has suffered a stroke, common images arise: paralysis on one side of the body and difficulty with speech and coordination. While stroke can occur at any age, most people associate strokes with older people. So if you’re an athletic 24-year-old with no history of brain injury, on the beach at Ocean City, Maryland during the Fourth of July holiday with stroke-like symptoms, denial is a natural response. And for Ashly Hunt, she denied her symptoms until the moment she was loaded into a helicopter. “I remember thinking I wanted water. I am a huge runner. I ran before this and thought I was dehydrated,” she said. “It literally took the life-flight to believe that I wasn’t dehydrated. When it’s happening to you you’re not thinking the worst.” Within a matter of hours, what she thought was a simple headache evolved and robbed her of her sight and ability to speak. She also had trouble moving her arms and hands. Emergency responders decided to life-flight her to the nearest hospital in Baltimore, where she was diagnosed with a brain stem hemorrhage. Blood from the hemorrhage was pooling in an area that connects her brain to her spinal cord, causing her to lose movement on her right side, and creating a major dilemma for the neurosurgeons because they believed the site was too risky to treat with surgery. Soon after the diagnosis, Ashly entered a rehabilitation program in her hometown of Johnstown, Pa., to help her regain movement of the extremities that were affected by the hemorrhage. However, after several weeks in rehabilitation and slight improvements in her vision and speech, Ashly’s overall condition began to worsen. Ashly still maintained her hearing, but what she heard going on around her, she didn’t like. Until she met Robert Friedlander, MD, at UPMC.
“I’m pretty close to 100 percent now. My hand and foot are the last things I’m waiting for to come back. I’m writing again. It’s like a 3-year-old, but I am. I’m going to be 100 percent.” Ashly Hunt
From left to right, Brian Jankowitz, MD, Paul Gardner, MD, Daniel Wecht, MD, and L. Dade Lunsford, MD, discuss a complex neurovascular case.
Dr. Friedlander was called after Ashly’s family doctor consulted with a neurosurgeon at The Johns Hopkins University, who recommended that Dr. Friedlander manage this complex situation. Within four hours of the initial consultation, Ashly was in an ambulance headed for Pittsburgh where, she said, she met the doctor who made all the difference. “I couldn’t speak and had a hard time seeing, but my brain was processing everything. All of the other doctors were talking above me and not looking at me, not doing anything with me even though I understood them all,” she said. “Until I went to Dr. Friedlander and he worked with me through my condition to give him the answers he needed. He never came off as pompous. He’s the most caring person I’ve dealt with to this day.” Ashly’s hemorrhage was caused by an underlying condition called a cavernous malformation, which is an abnormal, berry-like patch of blood vessels located inside her brain stem. Because the brain stem is deeply situated within the base of the brain and controls important functions such as movement, sensation, breathing, and instructing the heart to beat, surgery to remove the malformation was extremely risky. However, if left untreated, the malformed vessels could again bleed and result in additional critical neurologic damage or even death. Dr. Friedlander and the neurosurgeons at UPMC faced the challenging task of removing the malformation without causing further complications. Using advanced brain imaging technology known as High Definition Fiber Tracking, pioneered at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Friedlander was able to view the detailed wiring of Ashly’s brain fibers to determine the best way to execute the surgery with as little damage to her brain as possible. In order to obtain appropriate access to the brain stem, Dr. Friedlander turned to Dr. Barry Hirsch, a skull base ENT surgeon at UPMC. Using a special microscope and image guidance device, Dr. Friedlander approached the brain stem and was able to completely remove the cavernous malformation.
After surgery, Ashly’s vision and speech began to improve. She also could move her right hand, which had been paralyzed. She improved daily, making strides with her balance, speech, movements, and other functions, and credits her improvement to her strict discipline in following her doctors’ recommendations and her physical therapy program. “If I could say one thing to inspire anyone going through this it’s that you can’t just sit there. It becomes your job,” she said. “I’ve seen a lot of people who have had strokes. You can’t just sit down and think you’ll get better. You have to follow the therapy and give your body time.” While she’s been living with her parents in Johnstown during her recovery, Ashly is looking forward to getting back to her life in Baltimore. “I’m pretty close to 100 percent now. My hand and foot are the last things I’m waiting for to come back,” she said. “I’m writing again. It’s like a 3-year-old, but I am. I’m going to be 100 percent.” Her road to recovery has been long. Approaching the anniversary of her ordeal, she and her family are thankful to Dr. Friedlander and everyone on the UPMC staff who helped her through this challenging time. She maintains a blog at ashlystatus.com, where family and friends post updates on her condition. “I’ll never forget, Dr. Friedlander said to me, ‘We’re a team. I’ll do my part as long as you do yours,’” she said. “That’s big in my mind. That made an impact.” For more information, please call the UPMC Department of Neurological Surgery at 1-866-979-1336 or visit UPMC.com/nv. This patient’s treatment and results may not be representative of all similar cases.
Moon Township | Summer 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 45
Varicose & Spider Veins By Dr. Christina Teimouri DPM We’ve all got ‘em...those squiggly little red and purple lines on our legs, or worse around our eyes. Or those roapy hand veins (Am I turning into my mother?). But what are they? Better yet...How can I get rid of them? Spider veins are small broken blood vessels, just under the skin. Varicose veins are larger bumpy dark superficial vessels. Because they are just under the skin, both are very safe and easy to treat by many different ways. At the Advanced Vein Center, we specialize in treatment of troublesome veins of the calves, thighs, hands, around the nose and eyes, and even pelvic veins the ones that add to your monthly pain and discomfort and heaviness in your back, abdomen and thighs. By a certain age, varicose veins affect up to 30% of the population, mostly women, because female hormones relax the walls of the veins, but men are affected too. Age or a job requiring a lot of sitting or standing increases your chance of forming varicosities. Symptoms include: • Swollen, aching legs • Restless leg syndrome • Itchiness, cramping, charlie horses • Tired heavy legs when standing • Ropey blue or purple lumps under your skin • Bleeding when you shave or bump them Blood goes to your legs through arteries, and returns to the heart against gravity in your veins. When you’re walking, the muscles in your legs help to pump the blood toward your heart. Valves in the veins keep the blood from leaking back in between contractions. If these valves are not working properly, they leak and
increase pressure like a backed up sink; blood then pools in the legs. The veins swell and weaken (varicose veins). Without treatment: Varicose veins don’t get better without treatment; they slowly get worse over time. Left untreated you may get: Venous Stasis Dermatitis - brown or purple discoloration of the skin at the ankles. Phlebitis - inflammation or blockage of your veins. Calves become painful and red. Venous ulcers – Blood products leak out of the varicose vein into the surrounding tissue causing the tissue to weaken over time and break open. Bleeding - veins can bleed if you shave or bump your leg. You should lie down and raise your leg. Apply pressure to help stop the bleeding. Varicose veins are easy to see in your leg. However, to work out the position and extent of any valve damage that you have, we perform some tests including the following: Color duplex ultrasound scanning is used to look for any abnormalities in the structure of your vein, and to look at the blood flow through it. A Doppler test is an ultrasound technique that uses
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sound waves to produce an image of the inside of your leg. This gives your doctor information about the direction of blood flow in your vein and whether your valves are working properly. treatment of varicose veins If your varicose veins don’t cause you any discomfort, you may decide not to have any treatment. If you do decide to have treatment, we will explain your options and develop a personal treatment plan best for you. The most common treatment options are listed below. compression stockings Compression stockings may relieve the swelling and aching of your legs but they won’t prevent more varicose veins from developing. Compression stockings can help the blood in your veins to flow up towards your heart, and some people won’t need any other treatment. sclerotherapy (Liquid or foam) this involves injecting an agent into your smaller veins which irritates the veins, causing them to close. Liquid sclerotherapy is often used to treat smaller varicose veins. For larger veins, foam sclerotherapy is sometimes used. Studies have shown that this treatment is effective at treating varicose veins in the short-term. However, the long-term benefits of this treatment aren’t definitive. It is useful on the veins around your eyes, on the hands, thighs, and lower legs. endovenous Laser treatment or radiofrequency ablation RF involves using a high frequency energy wave to heat the wall of your varicose vein. This causes it to close. Laser uses a fine wire which is passed inside your varicose vein heating the inside of the vein. These are very safe quick office procedures causing minimal local discomfort. There is no down time, and you are encouraged to walk and resume normal activity immediately. The benefits are enormous, relieving symptoms and swelling and decreasing further worsening of your legs. You have ten miles of veins in your body. By simply rerouting the flow in a small section of them, your symptoms will greatly improve. This also allows nonhealing ulcers around the ankle to close and help prevent their reoccurrence. external Laser Therapy Removes/ cleans up small cosmetic spider veins after the larger problematic ones are cared for. This is used on the face, broken capillaries on the nose, thighs and lower legs! What You can Do at home... Walk regularly and lose excess weight, elevate legs when resting, and use compression stockings. Also, do not sit or stand for long periods of time. Don’t cross your legs when sitting. There are NO effective medications or creams that prevent or help varicose veins. Unfortunately, the leading cause of Varicosities is genetics, so once they appear, it is best to come in and have them evaluated by a Vascular Lab accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR) such as the Advanced Vein Center, where we strive to use the latest technology to treat you in the most safe and comfortable manner, by experienced Board Certified doctors specializing in the care of veins. For more information go to www.AdVeinCenter.com or call 724987-3220 today to look and feel your best!
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for 12 Great Years and still going! Elite Runners & Walkers Pittsburgh’s Running & Walking Headquarters In June of 1998 the idea for Elite Runners & Walkers was born during the Anchorage, Alaska Marathon. It was here, while running a marathon with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team-inTraining group that our owner, Kevin, realized the Pittsburgh region needed a store dedicated to people who really cared about their feet and the sports of running and walking. So with the blessing of his wife, in Januar y 1999 he opened our store in Chiodo’s Plaza in Robinson. Over 12 years the run has not always been easy, but thanks to all of you, we are still here and growing fast. Celebrating 12 years is huge for any small business and it is made even better due to the fact that you have helped make us one of the TOP 50 RUNNING STORES IN AMERICA for 4 of the last 5 years. Although we just missed the Top 50 in 2010, we plan on being back up there in 2011 with your help and with a stronger commitment to the community and superior service to all who visit our shop. Since there are an estimated 1000 running specialty stores in America, this is a huge deal. At Elite Runners & Walkers, our professional staff can help determine the best shoe for you as well as help outfit you from head to toe with the proper apparel and accessories for year-round outdoor or indoor running and walking. Our fit process includes: a
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detailed shoe wear analysis; proper foot measurement; sock evaluation (yes they make a huge difference); running and walking form evaluation; and finally and most importantly, we listen to your feedback as you wear test each pair we have selected to meet your needs. Together we help you make the final decision based u pon the fit, feel, and the best mechanical match for your needs. Many aches and pains are attributed to ill-fitting shoes. Back, leg, hip, and foot pains are the main symptoms as well as blisters, broken toenails and in extreme cases foot deformities. At Elite Runners & Walkers, we will ensure that you have the right shoes for the activity you enjoy and make sure you do not encounter any of the aches and pa ins mentioned above. Finally, we want you to know that our staff is always striving to learn more about running and walking mechanics, injury prevention, developing training programs for various race distances, and of course keeping up on the latest technologies coming from our shoe vendors. If we can help you in any way outside the shop as well, be it basic or advanced training programs hosted from our shop, or a simple referral to a good specialist for an injury, we are here to help you each and every day. Once again, on behalf of our staff and our supportive families, THANK YOU for the last 12 years and to many more!
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