IGH - MV #188, OCTOBER 2021

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OCTOBER 2021 • ISSUE 188

ACHIEVING WORK-LIFE BALANCE

A new survey shows that 25% of all workers are planning to find a new job once the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer an issue.

For those aged 25-40, the number of people planning to switch positions is a whopping 34%.The main reason? They said they want to get a better work-life balance. Page 7

BLIND SPORT EXPO October event near Syracuse provides opportunities for children with visual impairments to participate in sports. Page 6

SLEEP SWEET SLEEP What you can do to get a restful night’s sleep. P. 13 Story on page 9

Are Your Devices Messing With Your Brain?

We’re flooded by interruptions and notifications from our devices. Our tablets or phones buzz to wake us up, texts stream in, alerts bubble up on our screens, and “assistants” chime in with their soulless voices. Oh boy!

New ‘Mu’ Coronavirus Variant: What You Need to Know

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new coronavirus variant called "mu" that may be able to evade existing antibodies, including those from vaccines, is under close watch by U.S. health officials.

The variant hasn’t taken extensive hold in the United States at this point, but the U.S. National Institute

of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is taking it "very seriously," according to its director, Anthony Fauci.

“We’re keeping a very close eye on it... but it is not at all even close to being dominant,” Fauci told CBS News. “As you know, the delta is more than 99% dominant.”

He noted that while mu, technically known as B.1.621, has mutations suggesting “it would evade certain antibodies,” there isn’t a lot of clinical data to suggest that.

“It is mostly laboratory in vitro data,” Fauci explained.

He added that officials “don’t

consider it an immediate threat right now,” CBS News reported.

Early September, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated mu a “variant of interest,” and said more research is needed to determine if it can evade existing antibodies.

Mu was first detected in Colombia in January.

Mu has been responsible for the country’s third wave of coronavirus infections from April to June, Colombian health official Marcela Mercado told a local radio station. She said there were nearly 700 deaths per day during that wave, and nearly two-thirds of tests from people who died came back positive for the mu variant, CBS News reported.

In the past week, Colombia has seen just under 14,000 new cases of COVID-19 and 530 new deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. Less than 30% of the country's citizens are fully vaccinated, CBS News reported.

“Although the global prevalence of the mu variant among sequenced cases has declined and is currently below 0.1%, the prevalence in Colombia (39%) and Ecuador (13%) has consistently increased,” according to the WHO, CBS News reported.

Some larger outbreaks of the mu variant have been reported in South America and Europe.

Johns Hopkins University reported that Colombia has had about 14,000 new cases of COVID-19 and 530 deaths in the first week of September, CBS reported. Its vaccination rate is below 30%.

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View our online informational video — and then consult with members of our bariatric team via telemedicine visits to start your journey.

It’s time — and now easier than ever.

Start today at crouse.org/weightloss or call 315-470-8974.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2021

15 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Wasted in U.S. Since March 1

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t least 15 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been thrown away in the United States since March 1, government data shows.

That’s a far greater amount than previously known, but it is still just a small fraction of the total doses administered in this country, according to NBC News.

The data is self-reported by pharmacies, states and other vaccine providers, but does not include some states and federal providers, and it also does not explain the reasons doses were thrown away, NBC News reported.

Four national pharmacy chains each reported more than 1 million wasted doses, led by Walgreens with 2.6 million, the most of any pharmacy, state or other vaccine provider, followed by CVS (2.3 million), Walmart (1.6 million) and Rite Aid (1.1 million), NBC News reported.

There are numerous reasons why doses may be marked as wasted, from a cracked vial or an error diluting the vaccine to a freezer malfunction to more doses in a vial than people who want them. A wastage report can also happen when a vial contains fewer doses than it should, NBC News said.

As early September, 438 million doses have been distributed in the

United States, while an additional 111.7 million doses have been sent to other countries since Aug. 3, NBC News reported.

The data was released as many countries struggle to get COVID-19 vaccines.

“It’s really tragic that we have a situation where vaccines are being wasted while lots of African countries have not had even 5% of their populations vaccinated,” Sharifah Sekalala, an associate professor of global health law at England’s University of Warwick who studies health care inequalities in infectious diseases, told NBC News.

But Kristen Nordlund, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the portion of wasted doses “remains extremely low.”

“As access to COVID-19 vaccine has increased, it is important for providers to not miss any opportunity to vaccinate every eligible person who presents at vaccine clinics, even if it may increase the likelihood of leaving unused doses in a vial,” Nordlund told NBC News.

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4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 Phone: 315-749-7070 • Email: IGHmohawkvalley@gmail.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Contributing Writers: Barbara Pierce, Deb Dittner, Gwenn Voelckers, Deborah Jeanne Sergeant, George W. Chapman, Mary Beth Roach, Daniel Baldwin Anne Palumbo • Advertising: Amy Gagliano • Layout & Design: Joey Sweener Office Manager: Nancy Nitz

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October 2021 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 3

Meet

Your Doctor

By Steve Yablonski

U.S. Kidney Transplant Outcomes Are Improving

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ong-term survival rates have improved for kidney transplant recipients over the past three decades, a review published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine shows.

“There has been a gratifying improvement in kidney transplant survival, both for patients and the kidney graft itself, from 1996 to the current era,” said review author Sundaram Hariharan, a senior transplant nephrologist at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

The five-year survival rate of recipients who received kidneys from deceased donors increased from about 66% in 1996–1999 to just over 78% in 2012–2015. Survival increased from 79.5% to about 88% among recipients who received kidneys from living donors.

“These improvements have occurred despite unfavorable increases in obesity, diabetes and other conditions in patients and donors,” Hariharan said in a university news release.

“We have learned a lot through research and by taking care of kidney transplant patients.”

Hariharan explained that improvements in tissue matching, organ distribution systems, surgical techniques, immune-suppressing medicines and after-transplant medical care have helped contribute to better survival rates.

Longer survival times not only benefit kidney transplant patients and reduce health care costs, they also mean more kidneys are available for the approximately 90,000 Americans waiting for a kidney transplant, the researchers noted.

Despite progress in U.S. kidney transplant patients’ long-term survival, rates are below those of other developed nations. That’s likely because immunosuppressant drugs are covered by Medicare for just three years after a transplant, according to the study authors.

Those drugs must be taken by transplant recipients for the rest of their lives to help prevent their bodies from rejecting the new organ. A new law passed last year will eventually provide U.S. transplant recipients with lifetime coverage of these essential medications.

“The passing of this law is a great victory for kidney transplant patients, and we anticipate further improvements in long-term kidney transplant survival over the next decade,” said Hariharan.

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Max Greenky, M.D.

Orthopedic surgeon returns to Syracuse to join his father and uncle at Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists. He discusses the move.

Q: So, you’re sort of joining the family business at Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists.

A: Yes, I’m joining my dad and my uncle, which I’m really excited about. In addition, just being able to come back to Syracuse. I loved growing up here and, professionally, there was no better opportunity than having my family as mentors. So I’m pretty psyched about that.

Q: Did you get your interest in orthopedic surgery from them?

A: Yeah. I did try to go to medical school with an open mind. Sure, I liked a lot of stuff, but just seeing how much they loved their job and going to work every day, it really piqued my interest. And I saw it for myself when I worked through my rotations. So, yeah, absolutely.

Q: What’s it like working with family in a professional capacity?

A: I’m starting in a week and a half. I have operated with them, though. It’s pretty wild learning to do my first hip replacements, first knee replacements with them. It was a pretty cool experience. But, yeah, I’m sure there will be some great things about it and some challenges, too. I’m really excited for it though.

Q: Was your intention always to practice in CNY? A: I left the area for my training, but it’s always been in the back of my mind to come back. I’m very lucky that I can. I think Syracuse is a wonderful place to raise a family and for kids to grow up. SOS is a great practice. I think they work together as a team to do things that are right for patients.

And just having my dad, my uncle, and the other senior partners there who are world-class physicians with years of experience. They seem to foster a great learning environment. They work together to make everybody better.

Q: Since you’re very familiar with Syracuse and have a connection to it, how would you go about talking a physician who isn’t from here into practicing in CNY? A: I’m biased, of course, but I think it has everything you’d want.

Hiking in the summer, skiing in the winter. It’s an easy place to raise a family. Some of the best schools in the country. The Adirondacks and the Finger Lakes. You’ve got SU [Syracuse University]. It’s just an easy place to live. I also think it’s easy to break into the community here.

Q: What kinds of surgeries will you be doing?

A: I’m trained to do general orthopedics and took an extra year to do a fellowship in hip replacements and knee replacements at Duke [University]. So while I’ll take anything that comes my way, hopefully I’ll be focusing on joint replacements. The thing I like about joint replacements is the surgery is fun. I like doing it.

And it’s one that can really give a patient their quality of life back. These are people who generally are active, maybe a little bit older, who want to be able to walk with their grandkids or be able to hike or do sports. There are very few things in medicine that let you have that kind of impact on quality of life.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2021

Q: Having more recently come up through medical school and training, do you feel you can bring some knowledge of newer techniques and devices to the practice?

A: Yeah, absolutely. Surgery requires a lot of knowledge and experience, but it also requires being up-to-speed on what the latest and greatest things are.

I’m sure I’ll be learning a lot from the people who have been doing this for many years, but I can also teach them a thing or two from what I learned. And there’s also just different ways of doing

In the News Orthopedic surgeon Max Greenky in August joined Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists’ joint replacement team. He joins his father, Seth Greenky, and uncle, Brett Greenky, both founding partners of SOS and joint replacement surgeons.

Greenky completed a fellowship in adult reconstruction surgery at Duke University department of orthopedic surgery. He completed his residency and internship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia where he was named academic chief resident in 2019. He received his medical degree from the Sydney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, graduating magna cum laude. He has already published in several peer-reviewed journals and presented at many conferences. things. I trained in places nobody here has been yet, working with some of the finest minds in joint replacement, so hopefully I’ll be able to contribute that as well.

Q: What’s an example of something you hope to offer to practice?

A: Duke’s a big tertiary referral center where you see the hardest of the hard cases, the biggest challenge.

While you’re never fully prepared, I think I’m as ready as I can be. I think they hopefully prepared me to think through challenges and working through anything that comes my way.

Q: What’s the most complex case you’ve had so far?

A: So obviously we do primary hip and knee replacements. That’s the first time someone has a bad knee or hip. But the thing you really do fellowships for is revisions. So that’s people who have had a replacement 15, 20 years ago who we need to go into and make adjustments. That can be very complex and challenging. I saw a lot of that in fellowship and residency.

Q: How much more life can a revision get out of a joint?

A: It’s very case-dependent, but the ideal is that the first surgery lasts forever. That’s our goal. And that’s the goal with a revision as well. It’s really specific to each patient. It can mean pulling everything out and starting over or just changing out the weight-bearing surfaces.

Lifelines

Name: Max Greenky, M.D. Position: Orthopedic surgeon at Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists Hometown: Syracuse Education: Sydney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University Affiliations: Crouse Hospital; St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center Organizations: American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons; Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Family: Wife (Samantha); daughter, 6; son, 2 Hobbies: Skiing, running, hiking, cooking, exercising

Still Using Hand Sanitizers?

Some Contain CancerCausing Ingredient

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

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or more than 18 months, much of the world has been slathering on hand sanitizer to protect against COVID-19.

That may not be a good idea.

A new study found in several brands of sanitizer high levels of “contaminants” — including benzene, a cancer-causing agent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The FDA has issued a list of sanitizer brands to avoid.

Valisure, a product testing company in Connecticut, examined 260 bottles of sanitizer from 168 brands and discovered that 17% of the samples contained detectable levels of benzene. Of those, 21 bottles contained levels of benzene above two parts per million. The FDA set that amount as a temporary measure to help supply sanitizer during the pandemic. Ordinarily, the FDA ranks benzene as too toxic for inclusion in personal care products.

Ramsey Farah, dermatologist with Farah Dermatology in Syracuse, said to simply “avoid the sanitizers on that list. Common sense dictates that if you have one on that list to not use it and get a different one. If possible, wash with water and soap.

Use that as much as possible as a replacement for hand sanitizer if hand sanitizers are a concern for you.”

He does not see the hand sanitizer contamination issue as resulting in a rise in cancer.

“The amount of hand sanitizer getting into your body is pretty low,” he said. “Your skin is warm. Some harmful chemicals will evaporate away before absorbed. Some people are going to be at higher risk than others for absorption.”

He listed people in healthcare, who use hand sanitizer constantly.

But those not using it repeatedly all day should have no concern about its use. Farah does not advocate abandoning use of hand sanitizer when hand washing facilities are not available.

Although sanitizing stations have become part of most public facilities, taking your own bottle from home can ensure you have a safe product to use.

Rich Pinckney, pharmacist at Rx City Pharmacy in Central New York, advises clients to properly wash whenever possible.

“We’re trying in the pandemic to keep everyone healthy and kill as many germs as possible,” Pinckney said. “If you can’t get to soap and water, which kills COVID for sure, hand sanitizers will kill it. You should still wash with soap and water.”

Washing all surfaces of the hands for a total of 20 seconds and rinsing should suffice.

Using sanitizer to try to scrub off soil uses much more of the product and is not as effective as washing for

removing soil.

Reducing the amount of sanitizer used can help reduce exposure to any possible contaminants and minimize drying of the skin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention page on hand hygiene recommendations at www.cdc.gov/handwashing, which recommends using hand sanitizer of at least 60% alcohol content when soap and water are not avail-

able to clean hands.

Pinckney encourages those who use sanitizer—especially those who use it regularly—to seek a name brand.

Off brands could be sourced from countries not as stringent with ingredients as the United States, which means contaminants not deemed safe by the FDA could be present.

New Specialist: Dr. Asad Khalid

Sports Injuries & Joint Pain Orthopedic Specialists

357 Genesee Street, Oneida • 315-363-4651 • www.oneidahealth.org October 2021 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 5

Blind Sport Expo

October event provides opportunities for children with visual impairments to participate in sports

By Mary Beth Roach

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dapted sports for children with visual impairments and different ways to play soccer for children of all abilities are the themes of year’s Fitness Inclusion Network’s (Fit-IN) annual conference.

For those families interested in finding recreation outlets, teachers and coaches, the expo is designed to show them that there are some options available to them, according to Peyton Sefick, of Fit-IN. Currently referred to as the Blind Sport Expo, it is free and slated for Oct. 26 at the CNY Family Sports Centre in Baldwinsville. Organizers are planning to feature demonstrations to show children with visual impairments how to play five-a-side soccer, beep baseball, goalball, power wheelchair soccer, how to take part in track and field, and how to cycle on a tandem bike. There will be adapted equipment there for families and physical education teachers to try out.

Those involved with the expo include Neinke Dosa, a developmental pediatrician at the Golisano Center for Special Needs, SUNY Upstate Medical University, and a provider in the Fitness Inclusion Network; Peyton Sefick, with Fitness Inclusion Network; SUNY Cortland; and Lauren Lieberman, distinguished service professor with SUNY Brockport in the area of adapted physical education and co-founder of Camp Abilities, for children with visual impairments.

Lieberman’s students will be assisting in the set-up of the expo and helping the children with the sports and equipment.

Fitness Inclusion Network, as described by its website, promotes adapted sports and inclusive recreation in Central New York and consists of athletes, students, families, and professionals in adapted physical education, medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, engineering, therapeutic recreation, special education, social work, and disability policy and law. It was begun in 2013, with support from the Upstate Foundation/Golisano Children’s Hospital, the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University, and SUNY Cortland Department of

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Peyton Sefick, with Fitness Inclusion Network, (right) playing powerchair soccer.

Above, kids playing open air soccer. Photos provided Adapted Physical Education.

As defined by the United States Association of Blind Athletes, fivea-side soccer consists of teams made up of four outfield players, who are classified as completely blind, and the goalkeeper must be sighted or partially sighted. The ball makes a noise because of a sound system inside it that helps players orient themselves. In goalball, according to the same association, two teams, each with three players, face one another across a court. The object of the game is to get the basketball-sized ball with bells inside it over the opponent’s goal line.

Recreation and sports are part of any family’s and any child’s experience, said Dosa. “It’s what brings us together, it helps with social development. It builds families.”

The expo and instruction on five-a-side-soccer, in particular, could help to give children the necessary skills to compete at the elite level and even at the Paralympics, since that sport is expected to be included in the games in 2028.

“With inclusive fitness and adaptive sports, you need to have a base of opportunities in the community to bring the kids to even learn about the sports, to get the skills and to have those social experiences. If you don’t have that base, it’s hard to get to the

elite level,” Dosa explained.

Sefick knows well what it means to be able to participate in sports.

He called his introduction to power wheelchair soccer as one of the “biggest defining moments of my life.” As a youngster growing up in Baldwinsville, he said he was always very competitive. But because he has arthrogryposis, a rare joint condition, he could only sit on the sidelines and cheer on his friends. But after learning the sport and eventually forming a team in Syracuse, he was able to compete on higher levels and was part of Team USA in the 2012 and 2017 Fédération Internationale de Powerchair Football Association (FIPFA) World Cups. He also plays and coaches locally for CNY United.

Showing children the steps to playing on these higher and more competitive levels will also be explored during the Expo, Sefick said.

Key to promoting adapted sports for children of all abilities is fostering a greater sense of inclusion and community.

Dosa suggested that one should think in terms of the environment around the child rather than focusing on that child’s physical or developmental challenge.

“It’s a much broader way to thinking about how to help the child and the family. What can we do at

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2021

the community level?” she said.

The sense of community is at the core of this expo, as well, since a number of area organizations are taking part. In addition to the organizing participants, funding for the event came from a grant from the Central New York Community Foundation.

“We believe that all children should have access to social opportunities and organized physical fitness. The field of adapted sports and inclusive recreation can alleviate the isolation that blind children and children with visual impairments often face when it comes to these types of opportunities,” said Danielle Johnson, senior director for grants and programs for the Central New York Community Foundation. “We hope that through this partnership more youth will be able to enjoy and participate in events that build social relationships and enhance physical fitness.”

That funding also helped to provide “camp in a bag” kits for 12 children with visual impairments so they could attend the virtual version of the Camp Abilities program at SUNY Brockport. The program, co-founded by Lieberman, offers a week of activities, which not only promotes fitness but also socialization skills and self-advocacy.

For more and updated info on the expo, Sefick suggested checking the websites and social media sites for Fitness Inclusion Network; AT (Adaptive Technology) Village and Camp Abilities at Brockport.

How to Get More Info Those interested in Blind Sport Expo, which will take place Oct. 26, can get more information through the following websites: Fitness Inclusion Network: www. facebook.com/FitInNet; http:// fitnessinclusionnetwork.org/ AT Village: www.atvillage.org/ Camp Abilities Brockport: www.facebook.com/ CampAbilitiesBrockportNY; www.campabilities.org/

Achieving a Work-Life Balance Many workers want to get a better work-life balance; not overworking

By Barbara Pierce

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t’s shocking to hear that approximately 55% of us are planning to switch jobs once the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer an issue, according to data from a survey by Bankrate and YouGov. In another survey, Prudential Pulse of the American Worker, 25% of all workers said they’re planning to find a new job when things return to normal. For those aged 25-40, the number of people planning to switch positions is a whopping 34%.

The main reason workers want to leave their current jobs is to get a better work-life balance.

Work-life balance refers to the way in we prioritize our time and effort between work and personal obligations. It’s not necessarily about evenly distributing the time, but

rather creating a lifestyle in which we’re not overworking. A good work-life balance will leave us with enough time and energy to focus on our personal life, making sure to see friends, enjoy time alone, and do things we enjoy.

With so many of us torn between juggling heavy workloads, managing relationships and family responsibilities and squeezing in outside interests, it’s no surprise that more than one in four of us say we’re super stressed. And that’s not balanced—or healthy.

In our rush to get it all done at the office and at home, it’s easy to forget that as our stress levels spike, our productivity plummets. Stress can zap our concentration, make us irritable or depressed and harm our personal and professional relationships.

How to Buy the Best Blood Pressure Monitor for You

By Jim Miller

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veryone with elevated or high blood pressure should consider getting a home blood pressure monitor.

Home monitoring can help you keep tabs on your blood pressure in a comfortable setting. Plus, if you’re taking medication it will make certain it’s working, and alert you to a health problem if it arises. Here are some tips to help you choose a good monitor.

Types of Monitors The two most popular types of home blood pressure monitors sold today are automatic arm monitors, and automatic wrist monitors that are electric or battery powered.

With an automatic arm monitor, you simply wrap the cuff around your bicep and with the push of one

button the cuff inflates and deflates automatically giving you your blood pressure reading on the display window in a matter of seconds.

Wrist monitors work similarly, except they attach to the wrist. Wrist monitors are also smaller in weight and size, which makes them more portable, and a bit more comfortable to use than the arm monitors, but they tend to be a little less accurate.

To help you choose the best monitor for you, here are several things to check into: • Make sure it fits: Be sure the cuff fits the circumference of your upper arm. Using a cuff that’s the wrong size can result in an inaccurate reading. Most arm models have two sizes or an adjustable cuff that fits most people. Wrist models also fit most people.

• Choose one that’s easy to use:

Over time, stress also weakens our immune systems and makes us susceptible to a variety of ailments from colds to backaches to heart disease.

While we all need some stress to spur us on and help us perform at our best, the key to managing stress lies in that one magic word: balance.

Not only is achieving a healthy work/life balance an attainable goal but workers and businesses alike see the rewards. When workers are balanced and happy, they are more productive, take fewer sick days and are more likely to stay in their jobs.

By many accounts, most of us are both overworked and overwhelmed: Work days bleed into personal time and some complain about the inability to control, or even plan for their constantly changing schedules. That leads to high stress levels.

To achieve a healthy work life balance is also known as self-care.

Dietra Harvey has managed to accomplish a healthy work life balance. Well-known in the Mohawk Valley for her involvement in human services, she makes a daily positive impact on our community.

Employed by the United Way of the Mohawk Valley, she serves as the Utica administrator for the Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative. By mayoral appointment, Harvey also serves as a civil service commissioner for the city of Utica.

“I love my work!” said Harvey.

Her favorite United Way event is “Women United” because it addresses self-care and the importance of taking time to take care of yourself.

“To mitigate stress in my life is my top priority,” she said. “To do that, every day could be different. I go with the flow. I ask myself ‘What could I do right now? What do I need right now? Eat chocolate? Take walk in the park? Call a friend?’ That’s what self-care is.”

“What self-care means to me: It’s quality of life,” she added. “That’s what I’m doing; I prioritize myself.

I remind myself that if I care for myself, then I’m caring for my family and my friends, and my community.”

One thing that helps Harvey achieve a balance she described as: “All the things I’m involved with are connected; one supports another. I’m

a firm believer that my time is best spent when I can accomplish multiple responsibilities simultaneously.

For example, if I’m attending one meeting, typically I’m representing multiple organizations. All the things I’m involved with have one thing that connects them. I meet with three groups, that has a spin off to three others. My involvement has to be used in a broad way.”

Experts say at the heart of selfcare is your connection to yourself.

That means that you’re attuned to and understand what you need to be your most constructive, effective and authentic self.

“Become who you truly are,” is how Carl Jung expressed it.

Harvey discovered that she was not connected to herself a following surgery a few years ago.

“I had no clue that I was that disconnected from myself!” she said.

“I was so frightened. I kept asking myself ‘What’s happening to me?’”

“It took me a year and half to learn how to cope, how to go on with life. For the first time, I became in tune with my body,” she said. “I did that by allowing myself to halt and to connect to myself. I’m far more awake now. I no longer ignore the signals.”

Be sure the display on the monitor is easy to read, and that the buttons are large. The directions for applying the cuff and operating the monitor should be clear.

• Consider what extra features you want: Many automatic monitors come with additional features such as irregular heartbeat detection that checks for arrhythmias and other abnormalities; a risk category indicator that tells you whether your blood pressure is in the high range; a data-averaging function that allows you to take multiple readings and get an overall average; multiple user memory that allows two or more users to save their readings; and downloadable memory that lets you transmit your data to your computer or smartphone.

monitor, but if you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a private health insurance policy it’s worth checking into, because some plans may provide coverage.

The best automatic arm monitors as recommended by Consumer Reports include the Omron Platinum BP5450 ($75), Omron Silver BP5250 ($50) and the Omron 10 Series BP7450 ($100); A&D Medical UA767F ($45); and Rite Aid Deluxe Automatic BP3AR1-4DRITE ($37). And the top wrist monitors are the Omron 7 Series BP6350 ($80); and the Equate (Walmart) 4500 Series ($40).

After you buy a monitor, it’s a good idea to take it to your doctor’s office so they can check its accuracy and teach you the proper techniques of how and when to use it.

You can also get more detailed information on how to accurately measure your blood pressure at home at Heart.org/HBP — click on “Learn How to Monitor Your Blood Pressure at Home.”

Where to Buy You can find blood pressure monitors at pharmacies, medical supply stores or online, and you don’t need a prescription to buy one.

Prices typically range between $40 and $100.

In most cases, original Medicare will not cover a home blood pressure

October 2021 •

Dietra Harvey works at United Way of the Mohawk Valley, where she serves as the Utica administrator for the Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative: “To mitigate stress in my life is my top priority,” she says.

Jim Miller is the author of “Savvy Senior,” a column that runs in every issue of In Good Health.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Having the Courage to Live Alone

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was inspired to write this column on courage after receiving this email below from a reader:

Dear Gwenn, You would appreciate this. I just have to share these two recent experiences I had as a single woman.

Last week, on the spur of the moment, I got up and off my couch and went to an outdoor concert at a cool, rustic music venue called Lincoln Hill Farms overlooking Canandaigua Lake. It’s the first live music I’ve heard since COVID turned me into a couch potato.

A self-described old hippie, I thought this Woodstock-ish farm setting would be a safe bet for me. So, I mustered the courage to make a solo trip to the lake to listen to an acoustic duo play oldies, but goodies.

Easy, right? Well, not so much.

After ordering a salad (delicious!) from the food truck, I took a seat at one of the picnic tables near the stage and tried to adopt the carefree posture of a single confident woman on her own. I faked it for a while, then retreated to the safety of my car, and ultimately to my couch at home. Still, I felt good I made the effort!

Then this week, I went to meet a “match date” — only I went to the

right place on the wrong day. I waited an hour, established rapport with the single-mom hostess, and then gave up. I moved inside to a high-top near the bar and ordered a glass of wine and an appetizer.

I could tell the waitress thought it was odd I was alone. (I did not have the courage to eat outdoors where all of the other couples had seen me waiting for an hour). Last night, I met the guy at the right place on the right day.

Being single requires courage!

Erica (not her real name)

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How right this reader is. Living alone does require courage. In fact, “Erica’s” email got me thinking about all the many and varied ways that living alone asks (demands) that we demonstrate courage, almost on a daily basis.

On my own, I’ve discovered it takes courage to: • Sleep alone. That “bump in the night” can test even the strongest among us. Thank goodness for my white-noise maker.

• Get up alone. Where did all this anxiety come from? I just woke up for cripes sake! This is when I repeat my mantra: “All I need is within me now.” Then I set my intentions

for my day.

• Show up alone. Early on, this was hard for me, especially if I suspected my ex might be at the event.

I discovered that a little preparation goes a long way. I would visualize handling the encounter with grace and, importantly, brevity.

A few pleasantries and a “take care” helped me move past the encounter in a relatively quick and painless manner.

• Throw a party. What was I thinking? Will anyone show up? The bathroom still needs cleaning! As a single host, I found that starting small was key. Having a few friends over for a “breakfast at Wimbledon” get-together got the ball rolling for me. And it was easier than I thought.

Since then, inviting friends and family into my home has been a tremendous source of joy.

• Ask for help. It took me a while to overcome my fear of being seen as weak or vulnerable after my divorce.

When I finally acknowledged that I did, indeed, need help from time to time, I was pleasantly surprised by the kindness of others and deeply touched by their willingness to pitch in and offer a helping hand.

• Set a mousetrap. Or worse, dispose of one that’s “occupied.” Mice, spiders, pet accidents, a plugged toilet: you name it, I’ve dealt with it.

And so can you. All it takes is a little resolve and a heavy-duty pair of rubber gloves. One exception: I found a bat in my living room a few years ago and needed to call in reinforcements.

• Say “yes” to a welcome invitation. He’s kinda cute. But then what?

At my age? I say give it whirl! One of the advantages of being a little older is increased self-awareness and the confidence to be who you truly are “as is.” Pretending to be otherwise will only compromise your chances of meeting someone who loves you

just the way you are.

• Say “no” to an unwelcome advance. The ring on his finger is a real turn-off! Depending on the situation, and with a clear unapologetic voice, consider one of these responses: I don’t welcome this kind of attention; No, I’m not interested; This makes me uncomfortable, please leave me alone.

• Travel alone. Traveling alone, just like living alone requires the right frame of mind to be successful and enjoyable. When people hear about my solo travels, many exclaim, “Oh, you are so brave!” I want to respond, “Well, not really.”

With thoughtful planning and precautions, going it alone can be empowering and exhilarating. When was the last time you experienced the freedom to do whatever you wanted to do on your terms, your budget, your time table?

• Make a major purchase. I knew I should be practical, but what I really wanted was that sporty, little red sedan. What to do? I bought it! All on my own.

In my teens, I relied on my father’s advice when making major purchases. When I got married, I relied on husband’s. Now, I rely on myself. And that’s major.

When we demonstrate courage, when we take risks, we grow. We become stronger, more resilient, more independent, and more able to live the life of our dreams.

We become better at living alone.

Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Alone and Content, empowerment workshops for women and author of “Alone and Content,” a collection of inspiring essays for those who live alone. For information about her workshops, to purchase her book, or invite Voelckers to speak, visit www.aloneandcontent.com

Kids’ Accidental Poisonings Are on the Rise: Protect Your Child

A

s the COVID-19 pandemic grinds on and stress on families mounts, more kids are falling victim to accidental poisoning.

Experts attribute the surge to disrupted sleep patterns, work schedules and parenting routines.

“I think what’s happening is, parents are challenged with a couple of things,” said Helen Arbogast, manager of the injury prevention program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “One is working from home, so they may be incredibly distracted and leave things around that they ordinarily use. And I also think we can’t underestimate the impact of the stress caused by the pandemic. Medical marijuana is one of the strategies people use to alleviate some of that.”

The hospital, which typically sees one or two poisoning cases a week, saw that double in the second half of 2020. Edible marijuana and

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prescription meds are the most common ingested substances.

To keep kids safe, Arbogast suggests parents and caregivers start by making sure medications are locked up and out of reach. Keep them in the childproof container supplied by the pharmacy, she urged, and not in a Sunday-through-Saturday pill box, which can be easy for a child to open.

If pills have expired, dispose of them responsibly.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a primer on safely getting rid of unused meds. The best way with most is to take them to the pharmacy or designated take-back site. Some meds can be placed in household trash and a few can be flushed down the toilet, Arbogast said. The FDA has a list of those.

She said the whole family needs to be educated and on top of safety.

While grandparents may be caring for young grandchildren, their home

Edible marijuana and prescription meds are the most common ingested substances by kids. may not be childproofed.

“Now grandma’s doing the work, and it’s been a long time since she’s had a small child,” Arbogast said. “So she doesn’t even think to put her heart medication away.”

Make sure everyone who cares for your child is aware of the potential for poison ingestion. Remind them to put all medications or cannabis away.

Keep the poison control number (800-222-1222) handy. Call it immediately if you suspect your child has swallowed something poisonous.

Don’t wait for an adverse reaction to confirm it, because reactions vary by the toxin consumed.

“Some may cause vomiting;

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2021

some may cause lethargy where the kid is kind of non-responsive; some might cause a stomach illness,” Arbogast said. “If you think they ingested edibles, that’s not going to have the same kind of reaction as prescription medication. We can’t say, ‘If they look like this, do this.’”

Poison Control can help you determine next steps.

“This pandemic is not behind us yet, and families are still trying to figure out what normal is,” Arbogast said. “So, it’s time for us to think about having our children in new environments. We just want them to be thinking about their child’s safety at every destination.”

Are Your Devices Messing With Your Brain?

We’re flooded by interruptions and notifications from our devices. Our tablets or phones buzz to wake us up, texts stream in, alerts bubble up on our screens, and “assistants” chime in with their soulless voices. Oh boy!

By Barbara Pierce

A

ll day long, we’re flooded by interruptions and notifications from our devices. Our phones buzz to wake us up, texts stream in, alerts bubble up on our screens, and “assistants” chime in with their soulless voices.

This seems only right — we do need technology to help with our busy lives. There are plenty of benefits to the latest and greatest technologies. But many questions remain when it comes to the true cost of our digital distractions.

Scientists offer scary predictions about the consequences of smartphones and the other digital devices to which we’ve grown so attached.

They aren’t sure exactly what technology is doing to our brains, but they’re pretty confident of several things.

First, it can lead to anxiety and depression.

We’re hardwired to be social creatures; there’s almost nothing more fascinating to us than social information, experts say. Social stimuli — laughing faces, positive recognition by our peers, messages from those we care about — activate the reward system of our brain, releasing dopamine. This reinforces whatever we did to cause the rush of dopamine.

Dopamine plays a starring role in motivating our behavior. It gets released when we take a bite of delicious food, when we have sex, after we exercise, and importantly, when we have successful social interactions. It rewards us for beneficial

behaviors and motivates us to repeat them.

The strength of our social connections has a huge impact on our mental health and happiness. Being socially connected to others eases stress, anxiety, and depression, provides comfort and joy, prevents loneliness, even adds years to our life.

On the flip side, lacking strong social connections can pose a serious risk to our mental health.

We need face-to-face contact.

Nothing reduces stress and boosts our mood better than in person contact with someone who cares about us. The more we prioritize social media interaction over in-person relationships, the more we’re at risk for developing mood disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Spending too much time engaging with social media can actually make you feel lonelier and more isolated, maybe even anxious and depressed. There’s clear evidence showing a link between social media use and depression.

Licensed therapist Luis Ramirez of Rising Potential Counseling in Frankfort, agrees.

“I like to back up my opinions with journal articles,” he said. He cited research done by Fordham University which states: “It was found that phone usage predicted depression and anxiety later in life.

Phone usage was associated with fear of missing out, poor academic performance, poor sleep and poor interpersonal relationships.”

Another study of 1,513 Saudi University students concluded that smartphone use was linked with de-

pression and anxiety, he reported.

Another way our technology is harmful to our brains: the constant alerts jolt our stress hormones into action, igniting our fight or flight response; our heartbeats quicken, our breathing tightens, our muscles contract.

Those automatic actions from our body and brain are intended to help us outrun danger, not answer a text.

As much as 86% of us say we check our devices “constantly” and find it really stressful. The notifications cause our brains to be in a near constant state of stress.

Being in a state of stress means that the part of our brains that normally deals with some of our highest-order cognitive functioning, goes completely haywire and basically shuts down.

High levels of the stress hormone not only wear down our brain’s ability to function properly, but can lead to significant health problems—heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and can weaken the immune system.

Another way our phones interfere with our brains: combine that sudden beep with the promise of new social information, and you have a near-perfect, not-ignorable stimulus that will pull your focus away from whatever task your brain is working on. And while you may think you can quickly check a text or email and pick up that task where you left off, you really can’t.

While this isn’t a big deal if you’re doing something simple and rote; it can be a big deal if your brain is trying to sort out a complex

October 2021 •

Licensed therapist Luis Ramirez of Rising Potential Counseling in Frankfort warns against excessive use of electronic devices, such as smartphone or tablets: “It was found that phone usage predicted depression and anxiety later in life.

Phone usage was associated with fear of missing out, poor academic performance, poor sleep and poor interpersonal relationships.” problem. It can take your brain 15-25 minutes to get back to where it was after stopping to check an email.

How do I break the cycle?

Smartphones and social media apps aren’t going anywhere. So it’s up to us to decide how much of our time we want to dedicate to them.

Here is what experts recommend: Use an app to track how much time you spend on social media each day, then set a goal for how much you want to reduce it. Disable your notifications for social media apps and keep your display in black and white to reduce your phone’s ability to grab your attention.

Set clear blocks of time without technology; turn off your phone at certain times of the day.

Leave devices in another room overnight to charge.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 9

Between You & Me

Text or Phone?

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t’s just too easy.

Running late to meet my friend MaryLou, I text “Sorry, running late, be there soon.” After an argument with my daughter, I text my apologizes and try to make things right in a few sentences. My friend Sheila is going through significant health challenges, so I text her a quick “How are things going?”

No matter the undertaking, I’d always rather text rather than phone.

If all else fails, I’d simply prefer not to get what I wanted rather than talk to a live human. Phone calls force me to contend with the messy reality of other people and myself.

Most people agree with me: The majority of us would rather text than talk.

Texting is by far our preferred method of communication these days.

We want our conversations to occur quietly, privately, at our own convenience. Texting is a less obtrusive, more discrete, instant way to communicate.

It gives us a kind of freedom that calling doesn’t. We can answer when it’s convenient for us and we have time to think about how to answer.

Texting encourages a shorter and more efficient exchange of information. Texting requires just part of our attention; it’s doable along with anything else we’re doing.

Text messages are, naturally, indispensable. It could be argued that the ability to exchange text messages

By Barbara Pierce

is a major marker of our development as human beings.

Instant communication has transformed the way we interact in our personal and professional lives.

But a new study suggests that we’d be better off picking up the phone or setting up a video call—doing something where we can actually hear another person’s voice.

These experiments, published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, suggest there’s something about the hearing the voice of the other person, in particular, that increases intimacy. It creates stronger social bonds than communicating through texting or email.

Subjects in the study were randomly assigned to reconnect with an old friend. Calling gave them a stronger feeling of being bonded without additional awkwardness they had expected. People form significantly stronger bonds when they’re talking on the phone rather than texting or emailing.

The sound of a person’s voice tells us so much about their thoughts and feelings. After a few moments, you can tell if someone is distracted or a bit below par or full of energy.

You can sense the hesitation which means that your friend needs to think about a suggestion, say, even if their words indicate agreement. You can hear that your mother isn’t well, even when she claims to be in robust health. A text message wouldn’t reveal these things.

And it even makes people feel more connected to strangers. In another experiment, the researchers had strangers connect by either texting, talking over video chat or talking using only audio. They found that both forms of voice communication— whether video or audio only—made the strangers feel significantly more connected than when they communicated via text.

Turns out that phone calls are good, actually. Very good. Text messages, the one-sided sharing of information that’s supposed to pass as conversation, often leave the receiver feeling short-changed, confused or devalued.

Texting can be useful if you need to just pass on a quick message or set up a time to get together with someone. But if you want stronger social connections—and the happiness and well-being that come with those— calling is the better way to reach out.

At root, texting is lazy and our relationships suffer when we don’t invest in them. A “Happy Birthday!” text — even with cake and champagne emojis — will never bring the same smile as a card in the mail or a phone call. A text to offer condolences after the death of a loved one — no way. No matter how many crying emojis are used, this is just wrong.

A card and a stamp take effort that demonstrates the sender understands the importance of the event in the other person’s life. A conversation allows deep emotions to be shared, and the risk involved in opening up this way is not only worth it but necessary for real connection.

When it comes to maintaining

and building the social relationships that are so integral to our well-being, we would be wise to connect with others using our voices—by talking rather than typing.

Text messages which hit the right note tend to be those which exchange clear-cut information. Practical arrangements, instructions, short observations are likely to be fine. Other types of communication are more likely to miss the mark and prompt misunderstanding and negative reactions.

Feeling connected to others is essential to our health and well-being.

So when it comes to relationships, I’ll choose phone calls more often.

Barbara Pierce is a retired licensed clinical social worker with many years of experience helping people. If you would like to purchase a copy of her book, “When You Come to the Edge: Aging” or if you have questions for her, contact her at barbarapierce06@yahoo.com.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2021

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

Healthy Vegetable Cabbage Soup

The skinny on healthy eating

Why Often-Overlooked Cabbage Deserves a Closer Look

I

always love a good nutritional surprise; and cabbage doesn’t disappoint.

Although many varieties abound, today’s column focuses on the most popular cabbage consumed in the US: green cabbage.

So what’s so surprising about this underrated vegetable? One, it’s a nutritional powerhouse, on par with many of its cruciferous cousins: broccoli, cauliflower and kale. Two, it’s inexpensive and versatile: as delicious raw as it is cooked. Three, it’s climbed to the top of pandemic cooking for this mundane reason: it lasts longer in the fridge than most vegetables!

Let’s start with one of cabbage’s most noteworthy health perks: its potential to keep chronic inflammation in check. Although inflammation plays a vital role in healing, chronic inflammation may increase the risk of certain diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and some autoimmune diseases. Cabbage teems with powerful compounds and vitamins that quell inflammation by gobbling up toxins that attack tissues and subsequently cause a high inflammatory response.

Another perk to ponder? Cabbage is surprisingly good for hearts, and in more ways than one. Its fiber helps prevents heart disease by lowering both blood pressure and cholesterol and also by filling us up, which helps us eat less and maintain a heart-friendly weight. Its vitamin K benefits tickers by preventing a

build-up of calcium in our blood—a buildup that can harden arteries, a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. And, as mentioned, its inflammation-busting antioxidants— from vitamin C to manganese to phytonutrients—are a heart’s best friend.

If cancer concerns you, this leafy superfood should find its way into your diet on a regular basis. According to the National Cancer Institute, cruciferous vegetables, like cabbage, contain unique sulfur-containing compounds—glucosinolates—that help the body fight cancer. They do this by impeding the growth or development of cancer in a number of ways: by causing carcinogens to become inactive, by inhibiting the formation of blood vessels in tumors, by hindering the migration of cancer cells, and much more.

More good reasons to reach for this nutrient-dense hero: it’s super low in calories (only 20 per chopped, raw cup); it has no fat or cholesterol; and it’s available year-round.

Just How Healthy Are Pomegranates?

P

omegranates can be a little intimidating. Cutting one open requires some precision. And are they even worth the work to free all those little ruby red buds inside?

Nutritionists think so.

“Pomegranates are high in dietary fiber and antioxidants,” said Penny Kris-Etherton, the Evan Pugh University Professor of Nutritional Sciences at Penn State University in University Park, Pennsylvania.

The fruit’s red color comes from plant pigments called polyphenols found in many plant-based foods that work as antioxidants in the body and help fight inflammation and aging.

When you open a pomegranate, you find a bounty of red, round arils that have a sweet but tart taste.

Inside each aril is a small seed. It’s OK to eat the arils as a whole or stick with the juice and spit out the seeds.

But don’t eat the rind and white areas, called membranes, around the arils.

Half of a cup of arils has 72 calories, 16 grams of carbohydrates and

three grams of fiber. Pomegranates also have a lot of folate, potassium and vitamin K. Originally from Iran and India, the “jewels of autumn,” as pomegranates are called, are actually considered a berry. They grow primarily in the Mediterranean, Middle East, South Asia and parts of Arizona and California. Even long ago, pomegranates were associated with abundance, fertility and luck.

Pomegranates are believed to boost heart health, although according to the National Institutes of Health, so far research on the berry is still limited.

Kris-Etherton said the antioxidant content in pomegranates could help lower inflammation and, as a result, promote healthy arteries. How

Helpful tips Select cabbage heads that feel solid and heavy in your hand, with leaves that are tightly attached to the head. Avoid buying precut cabbage (including shredded); once cabbage is cut it begins to lose its vitamin C content. To store in the fridge (preferably in the crisper drawer): Keep your cabbage whole, don’t rinse it, and place it in a plastic bag.

Properly stored, cabbage can last from 3 weeks to up to 2 months.

When preparing cabbage, avoid long cooking methods and boiling, which cause vital nutrients to diminish.

pomegranates affect heart disease, however, is not known and requires further study.

A 2017 review published in Pharmacological Research of eight clinical trials showed pomegranate juice reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The effect remained even when consuming pomegranate juice at different amounts. The authors concluded it “may be prudent to include this fruit juice in a heart-healthy diet.”

Results, however, are mixed on whether pomegranate juice helps lower cholesterol.

Researchers in a 2019 review published in Complementary Therapies in Medicine examined 17 trials but did not find any significant effects on cholesterol. Researchers said it was hard to compare the trials because they were designed differently and did not use consistent amounts of pomegranate.

Keep in mind a few precautions before you go pomegranate crazy.

October 2021 •

Adapted from Delish.com Serves 6 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 large carrots, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped ½ teaspoon chili powder ½ teaspoon cumin ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper 1 (15 oz) can white beans, drained and rinsed 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon dried thyme 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth ½ large head cabbage, cored and chopped 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice pinch of red pepper flakes (optional) In a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3 minutes; then add carrots, celery, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper and cook for about 5-6 minutes more, stirring often. Stir in beans, garlic, and thyme and cook for 1 minute more. Add broth and bring to a simmer.

Stir in tomatoes and cabbage and cook on low until cabbage is wilted, about 6-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice and red pepper flakes, if using. Adjust seasonings and serve.

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle colum-

nist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.

Because it can lower blood pressure, Kris-Etherton cautions to first check with your doctor if you take blood pressure medicine. The two together could lower blood pressure too much.

Also, pomegranates could slow the speed at which the liver breaks down some types of medicines.

This includes cholesterol-lowering medication like statins. Pomegranates also may interact with the blood thinner warfarin, decreasing the blood-thinning effect and increasing the chance of clotting. To be safe, talk with a health care professional before regularly consuming pomegranate fruit or pomegranate juice.

A small number of people may experience digestive issues such as diarrhea from eating pomegranates, the National Institutes of Health reports.

Although you probably won’t eat the root, stem and peel, consuming too much of these parts of the fruit may not be safe.

For most people, pomegranates offer yet another tasty option to eat more fruit. At the store, look for pomegranates that feel heavy and have firm skin. Enjoy the fruit on its own, or add it to smoothies, soups and salads.

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Page 11

Tips for Student Athletes to Play Hard and Smart During the Sport Season

Above SPI Strength and Conditioning Coach Jared Smaldon (in red T-shirt) trains student athletes at the fitness center, preparing them for the fall sports season.

Push yourself — to a certain point, says athlete

By Daniel Baldwin

W

hat does it take for a typical high school and college student athlete to make the team, score many goals and points on the field, become the best and reliable player on the team, improve his or her performance from last year, help his or her squad get into the playoffs and win the conference or state championship?

Joey Nare, a college student who is playing his third season for the Utica College Pioneers’ football team, said that the most obvious way, for a student athlete to have a great season, is to work out and train more, whether it is on the field or in a gym.

“Work out a lot and just get into your playbook,” Nare said. “If it’s something you really want to be good at, you’ve got to put a lot of work into.”

His college football teammate, Nick Billand, agrees.

“You definitely want to stay strong,” Billand said. “You definitely want to keep your mobility up. You want to stretch every day. Definitely do lift (weights) during the season and just be mentally prepared for each practice and game.”

Working out and training more not only gives the student athletes the strength and speed to compete on the field, but it also reduces the risk of them getting injured, according to Jared Smaldon, the strength and conditioning coach at SPI Fitness in New Hartford.

“What we do [at SPI] is we prepare [high school and college student athletes] bodies and we make it so that they can go perform their sport better in that season,” Smaldon said.

“We also make them increase their strength, which also helps injury prevention. One of our biggest focuses is strength training, so that we could decrease the risk of injury. You want to start developing them younger so that they can decrease their risk of Page 12

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injury when they’re playing, they can play longer and make them perform better, physically stronger, and faster than their opponents.”

While it is important for student athletes to work out and train most of the time, in order to keep up with the competition and increase stats, it is not a good idea for them to work out all the time. They must also listen to their bodies and not push them over the strength limit. Students must find time, during the season to put the dumbbells, weights and balls aside, for at least one day, and let their bodies recover from hours of playing, practicing and working out. Working out more might reduce the risk of injury, but working out too much and too hard might increase that risk.

“You’re actually going to push yourself in sports,” Billand said.

“But, there’s a threshold to everything. You definitely want to push yourself, but you don’t want to push yourself to the point where you’re not going to be able to play or hurt yourself.”

Smaldon agreed.

“During their season, we typically say that we only want them to workout two-three times per week,” Smaldon said. “And that’s just to avoid burnout and to avoid increasing the risk of injury because they’re already playing and practicing so many hours that their body just needs recovery time and when you’re bringing them into the weight room five times per week, you’re not letting their bodies recover, but we want to see them two to three times per week, so that they can maintain their strength.”

It is also important for a student athlete to have a good amount of energy while running up and down the field. One way to boost their energy is to consume food.

On game day, James LaFountain, the president of the All-American

Fitness Center in New Hartford, said that it is best for student athletes to have a pregame meal full of carbohydrates and protein three or more hours before the start of the game, but also not eat anything less than three hours before kickoff.

“No food should be consumed less than three hours before a game,” LaFountain said. “A balanced pregame meal, including carbohydrates, protein and some quality fats will provide the necessary energy for nearly all athletic contests.”

Nare said that one player on the UC football team ate less this season and his under-eating tactics took a toll on his health and performance.

“We had a kid, this year, who wasn’t eating a lot of stuff in the cafeteria,” Nare said. “He got dizzy and he couldn’t practice for a couple days because of it.”

According to Nare, Utica College football coaches constantly remind their players to eat and drink something before the start of the game.

They were also kind to provide their players pregame meals hours before kickoff. “[Coaches] preach before game day to eat a lot of carbs, so that we can have a lot of energy for the games,” Nare said. “We have a little pregame routine where we go into the cafeteria and there’s food out for us. We all eat before the game. You’ve got to have fuel in your body. You’ve got to at least get something in your stomach so you are ready to go.”

Working out more often and eating before a game are two good ways for student athletes to stay fit, prepare for an upcoming game, and reduce the risk of injury. But when it comes to the on-field performance, where the students are actually playing their sport on the turf in the middle of the game, it is important for them to remain calm and not become angry while running, throwing, kicking, and shooting.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2021

Smaldon said that he worked with student athletes who used frustration to motivate themselves and play well. But no matter how much that emotion benefits them on the field, Smaldon said that frustration is not the best method of improving their performance, playing well and being a respectful player on the team.

“It’s always best to play more calmly,” Smaldon said. “We always try to teach our athletes to keep their composure and not play angry.

Kobe Bryant always said that ‘you really shouldn’t even be thinking about your next move. It should just fluidly happen.’ That only happens when you just let your mind go to a point of focus and you’re just going through the movements fluidly. You can’t do that when you’re angry and aggressive. You don’t allow yourself to go through these motions naturally.”

Being the best athlete is not all based on strength, working out more and eating.

“It’s not all about talent,” Nare said. “It’s a lot of mental preparation.

Knowing what you are doing and being able to execute. Everyone could play, it’s just the fact that you’ve got to be able to see what you’re doing, being able to process it the fastest, and execute.”

LaFountain agreed with key ingredients for student athletes to find success on and off the field.

“Aside from conditioning, mental training is essential for student athletes to put into practice,” LaFountain said. “Being ‘in the moment’ and totally focused on the task at hand is a priority. Preparation, including mental rehearsal, along with clear-cut present moment goals, is a recipe for athletic success. Lack of physical and mental preparation is at the core of most athletic failure.”

The Balanced Body

By Deb Dittner

Sleep Sweet Sleep

What you can do to get a restful night’s sleep

S

leep is so very important and needs to be taken seriously when it comes to your overall health.

Going to bed at the same time each evening and waking at the same time each morning is important.

Falling asleep within approximately 20 minutes of resting your head, then remaining asleep throughout the night without waking up more than a couple times is a goal. Looking at your lifestyle will help you in achieving a healthy sleep.

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that you may experience from time to time, consisting of difficulty falling or staying asleep then not achieving that well-rested feeling. Insomnia can be due to poor sleep habits, stress, anxiety, depression, a lack of physical movement, certain medications and certain illnesses. Identifying the cause of sleep issues and treating them appropriately can take time while searching for the root cause.

What might cause your inability to get a good night’s sleep? Let’s explore the possibilities: • Caffeine – Caffeine has a long half-life, taking its time to get out of your system. Consider minimizing the amount of caffeine you have by eliminating the mid-afternoon pickme-up and substituting with a small

green tea. Stopping caffeine intake by noon may also be beneficial.

• A midnight snack – Eating your last meal of the day (especially if it’s a heavy meal) at least three hours before resting your head will allow for appropriate digestion to occur. If you feel the need for a bedtime snack, consider something light, avoiding fatty, spicy or acidic foods.

Adding a magnesium-rich snack such as pumpkin seeds or whole grain crackers with hummus can also aid in better sleep.

• Stress – Stressful situations or events throughout the day can cause you to be unable to shut the mind down come nighttime. Consider activities that slow the heart rate down such as meditation or yoga. Journaling or creating a gratitude journal by writing down three things you are grateful for that day may help.

• Travel – A new environment with different sounds and smells or possibly jet lag can cause difficulty in falling asleep. Melatonin may be considered but do consult your health care provider first.

• Alcohol – Drinking alcohol before bed may be thought to have a calming effect on the body and mind but it actually reduces sleep quality and length while increasing disturbances. Timing is of the es-

sence. Having a glass or two at least three hours before bed will allow for digestion. Drinking a glass of water for each alcoholic drink will help to rehydrate the body and prepare it for restful sleep.

• Exercise – You know the need to physically move is important, but right before bed is not necessarily a good time. Exercise can actually get you wound up and raring to go.

Working out at least three to four hours before resting your head will reduce your core body temperature needed to acquire that restful sleep.

You still need to make sure you are moving daily and doing something you enjoy, like running or walking, yoga, kick-boxing or whatever makes you move. Without enough exercise, your body won’t feel the need to rest come bedtime.

Now that you may have determined the cause of your sleep difficulties, let’s explore what you can do to improve a night’s sleep: • Prepare your room – A bedroom that is cool, quiet, and dark will produce the best night’s sleep. Consider darkening shades or curtains or an eye mask possibly scented with lavender (a calming essential oil).

Turn the temperature down in the winter months or cool the bedroom down in summer heat. Add a noise machine to drown out busy streets or if you live in the country, the sound of crickets is delightful. A good quality mattress and firm pillow allow the body to relax.

• Consistent bedtime and

awakening – A sleep schedule will help encourage your natural melatonin, a hormone telling you it’s time for sleep. Getting into a rhythm will allow for restful sleep.

• Pre-Sleep – Approximately one hour before resting your head, turn off all electronics (iPhone/iPad, TV, computer, etc.) as these devices stimulate the brain, not allowing you to wind down as needed. Consider this time to journal or read. Consider an Epsom salt bath with therapeutic grade essential oil of lavender. Consider a calming cup of tea. Consider evening yoga such as child’s pose, legs up the wall, and corpse pose.

Consider breathing techniques to calm the mind.

If you still find that sleep does not come easily consider consulting with your primary provider as there may be underlying causes to your situation. A restful night of sleep allows you and your body to be prepared for the next day and all it has to offer.

Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner and health consultant.

Her mission is to transform as many individuals as possible through nutrition and lifestyle changes.

For more information, check out her website at www.debdittner.com or contact her at 518-596-8565.

AN EASIER MOVE TO MEDICARE. That’s the Benefit of Blue.

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If you’re turning 65 or retiring, don’t be intimidated by the move to Medicare. You got this – and you have local experts who are here to help.

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Connect with us to explore plans with more of the benefits that matter, lower costs and a trusted network of doctors and hospitals.

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1-877-406-8562 TTY: 711 Open hours: 8:00am – 8:00pm, Monday – Friday

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is an HMO plan and a PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Excellus BlueCross BlueShield depends on contract renewal.

Our Health Plan complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-877-883-9577 (TTY: 711). 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-877-883-9577 (TTY: 711)。 A nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association October 2021 •

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 13

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romehealth.org/breastcenter Page 14

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Women’s Health

13thirty Cancer Connect Group helps teens, young adults battle cancer

By Mary Beth Roach

I

t all started with a promise between a mother and her daughter.

As Melissa Sengbusch battled acute myeloid leukemia from 1998 to 2000, she told her mother, Lauren Spiker, that “if you have learned anything from me through all of this, do something with it to make a difference — to make things better.”

Cancer would claim Sengbusch’s life in 2000, when she was only 19.

However, Spiker, of Rochester, has made good on her promise to make a difference and make things better. She formed 13thirty Cancer Connect: Amy Bobbette, left, Erin Melissa’s Living Legacy Beitz and Lauren Spiker, founder and executive Teen Cancer Foundation in director of the nonprofit.

2001 in Rochester, a peer support group for teens ester and Syracuse locations that with cancer. In 2015, Spiker said the fall into three categories, Spiker organization felt it could expand explained. its programming to include young The wellness programs focus on adults through the age of 30, and it nutrition and the development of became known as 13thirty Cancer new and healthy habits. The Syracuse Connect. In 2019, the group opened site has a workout area and fitness its Liverpool site at 1035 Seventh N. programs are led by a local trainer.

St. Spiker is the executive director.

The Rochester site has a full gym in The mission, she explained, is “to its building and its fitness coach is a help our teens and young adults live physical therapist. Another initiative their very best lives today.” is the expressive arts program, which “What we observed when our provides time and space for them to daughter was sick was that teenagexpress, reflect and help them cope; ers and now young adults needed and the third is what Spiker calls the to know right now how to move “for fun” programs, which encourage forward,” Spiker said. “They needed social interaction among the particito know right now, how to go back to pants. school bald, how to go back to work While the COVID-19 pandemic after my cancer treatment. How do prevented 13thirty from doing any I, right now, tell my first significant in-person programs for more than a other that I have cancer? Those were year and hampered the team’s ability the issues we saw our daughter wres- to visit patients in the hospital, it did tle with.” provide some silver linings, Spiker These issues have also been said. “We discovered we could use recognized by the American Cancer technology to better reach not only Society. It has said that for teens and more kids, but kids who weren’t able young adults, a cancer diagnosis can to come to the programs for various make them feel cut off from friends reasons,” she explained. and family who don’t understand Turning to virtual programs also what they’re going through. Often, led the team to create the 13thirty they feel like they’re losing their Cancer Connect Wellness App, which independence just when they’re start- they hope to launch at the beginning ing to gain it. Also, many of them are of the year, and it will allow the supposed to be enjoying their senior organization to expand its outreach year in high school and preparing for beyond its geographical boundaries. college, like Sengbusch, or beginning Spiker has also been instrumentheir careers or a new family. tal in the creation of the CNY Cancer Statistics from the National Alliance, an effort begun just prior Cancer Institute show there is an to the COVID-19 pandemic, to bring estimated 88,260 new cases among as many cancer support agencies in people between the ages of 15 and 39, the Central New York area togethin 2021. er to provide a central resource for When Spiker and her team first information. Spiker heads up the started the project in 2001, she said alliance. Its other members include: there had been very little attention The KEYS program, Hope for Heathbeing paid to teens and young adults er, Camp Good Days and Special with cancer, especially as compared Times, CancerConnects, On My Team to other age groups. Today, she sees 16, Upstate Cancer Center, and the more support and services available YMCA of Central New York. Access that did not exist when Sengbusch is available via Facebook. was sick. She believes 13thirty Can13thirty Cancer Connect has cer Connect is one of those groups become a lifelong resource for “our that have helped to focus attention kids,” she said. on this issue.

For more information, visit It offers programs at the Roch13thirty.org or call 315-883-1862.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2021

Women’s Health

Sen. Amy Klobuchar: Routine Mammography Reveals Breast Cancer

U

.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar revealed in early September that she’s been treated for early-stage breast cancer, including surgery to remove a lump and radiation therapy.

The 61-year-old Minnesota Democrat said in a statement posted on social media that Mayo Clinic doctors found worrying signs during a routine mammogram in February, including "small white spots called calcifications."

A follow-up biopsy revealed that Klobuchar — who campaigned in the Democratic presidential primary in

2020 — had stage 1A breast cancer.

Based on Klobuchar’s description on Twitter, “it sounds like she is very fortunate that the cancer was in an early stage, picked up on a screening mammogram,” said breast cancer physician Paul Baron, who wasn’t involved in her care.

“You always want to find your cancer on a screening mammogram because most of the time it's very early and very curable," said Baron, who directs the breast cancer program at Lenox Hill Hospital, in New York City.

Klobuchar said that after oth-

Upstate Mammography Van Provides Women a Safe, Private Screening Since the van was first introduced in 2019, 1,359 patients have used the service

By Mary Beth Roach

I

t’s pink and blue. It’s 45 feet long and travels hundreds, if not thousands, of miles each year throughout Central and Northern New York to provide breast cancer screenings for women.

The Upstate University Hospital’s Mobile Mammography Van offers screenings at more than 20 locations throughout the region over the next six months.

From September to March 2022, it will have been to at least one community in the eight counties it serves — Onondaga, Oneida, Oswego, Madison, Herkimer, Lewis, Jefferson and St. Lawrence.

The goal is to reach more women and get more women screened “because we can go to them, instead of them having to come to us,” said Wendy Hunt, program manager.

The screenings are done in private on the van, using 3D mammography equipment, the same that’s used in Upstate’s breast imaging center, Hunt said. Results are usually available in two to 10 days.

Women, 40 or older, interested in a screening should make an appointment (contact information is below),

although walk-ups with a doctor’s order for the mammogram may be able to be accommodated, if time allows, Hunt said.

The unit does mammogram screenings only. Women who have problems with their breasts should contact their physician.

Women need a doctor’s order for the mammogram. If they don’t have a primary care doctor or an OB-GYN, a nurse at the van can do a breast exam and obtain an order from one of the doctors for the mammogram.

The turnaround time for the order is quick, so the exam and screening can be done in all one visit.

The screening process takes about 30 minutes with another 30 minutes if a breast exam needs to be done.

The van is climate-controlled.

There’s a lift for those who have difficulties navigating stairs.

The Upstate team has provided for a very safe environment for the testing, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its protocols.

Hunt said patients wait in their cars, instead of a waiting room, until they’re seen. If another patient is hav-

er tests, she returned to Mayo for a lumpectomy that removed the cancer from her right breast. She completed radiation treatment in May, and by August her doctors reported that her therapy went well.

“Of course this has been scary at times, since cancer is the word all of us fear, but at this point my doctors believe that my chances of developing cancer again are no greater than the average person," Klobuchar said.

Women with breast cancers detected before they spread to other parts of the body have a 99% fiveyear survival rate, according to the ing a breast exam done while there’s a screening going on, the patients are in separate parts of the van. Their paths never cross.

While insurance should cover screenings, it’s suggested to check with the carrier to verify. Women without insurance or those who don’t have primary care providers are also eligible for a screening at the mobile unit. The staff will not only connect them with the New York State Cancer Services Program for payment, but will also connect them with a provider who can manage their care for the long term, Hunt explained.

The Cancer Services Program is by the New York State Department of Health. There is a Cancer Services Program in each county in the state.

For women aged 40 and older, who don’t have insurance, the program will pay for a mammogram and clinical breast exam yearly, and will pay for follow-up services if needed.

It also covers cervical and colorectal screening for people without insurance, Hunt added.

Since the van was first introduced in 2019, 1,359 patients have used the service. From June 2019, when it was first introduced, until December 2019, they saw 286 patients. In 2020, there were 539 patients and from January through mid-September of this year, there have been 534 patients.

They’re on pace to see an increase between 2020 and 2021.

“Our numbers are increasing. Of course I would love to provide this service to as many women as possible,” Hunt said.

That increase is, in part, due to the pandemic. They were off the road for 3-1/2 months in 2020. Hunt believes that another factor is the unit

October 2021 •

American Cancer Society.

Klobuchar urged Americans to not put off routine medical exams because of the pandemic, noting that more than one in three adults have delayed or not sought health care because of concerns over COVID-19.

“Over and over, doctors are seeing patients who are being treated for more serious conditions that could have been caught earlier,” Klobuchar said. “[Americans] are constantly balancing their families, their jobs, and their health. It’s easy to put off health screenings, just like I did. But I hope my experience is a reminder for everyone of the value of routine health check-ups, exams and follow-through,” she continued.

One breast cancer specialist agreed.

“Sen. Klobuchar’s experience is similar to that of many women — during the early days of the pandemic many routine tests such as mammography were delayed," noted physician Nina Vincoff, chief of breast imaging at Northwell Health in Lake Success in Long Island. “But for those who did not have their regular preventative care, including mammography, because of the pandemic, it is critical to return to care now.”

Klobuchar described herself as fortunate “to have caught the cancer at an early enough stage and to not need chemotherapy or other extensive treatments, which unfortunately is not the case for so many others."

Upstate Mammography Van will visit more than 20 locations in the next six months. provides a safe option for patients, with its protocols. In addition, the van is traveling more extensively.

The unit has been very well-received by patients.

“We’ve such a wonderful response from our patients. They are so appreciative for the service. Some telling us that they would not have gotten a mammogram if we had not come to their town or to their employer,” Hunt said. “Our staff is very compassionate and warm with the patients. We get many amazing comments about them from the patients as well.”

Those interested in a screening need to pre-register. To arrange for an appointment, to check out their schedule this fall, winter and spring, or for organizations or employers inquiring about the unit visiting their locations, visit www.upstate.edu/ mobile-mammography/ or call 315464-2582.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 15

‘Light Flash’ Treatment Might Help Slow Alzheimer’s

W

hile efforts to develop Alzheimer’s medications have so far borne little fruit, new research highlights the therapeutic promise of two non-drug tools: light and sound.

According to a pair of small new studies, exposing Alzheimer’s patients to an hour a day of carefully modulated light or sound appears, over time, to slow down the telltale brain degeneration that typifies disease progression.

How? By bolstering and reinforcing a particular type of rhythmic brain wave pattern — called gamma waves — which are known to diminish in power among patients battling Alzheimer’s.

“Our completely noninvasive approach to manipulate the power of gamma brain waves works by simply showing mice or people flickering light and buzzing sound at a particular frequency,” explained Li-Huei Tsai.

Tsai is director of the Picower Institute for Learning and Memory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 2016, she was among a team of researchers who first pioneered testing of this sensory stimulation technique — nicknamed “GENUS” — among mice.

That earlier effort yielded encouraging results. After exposing mice with Alzheimer’s to visible light flashes at a frequency of 40 Hz, the animal study team found they were able to cut down amyloid beta plaque levels in the brain’s visual cortex region.

Amyloid plaque buildup in the brain has long been considered a key sign of Alzheimer’s. The specific light flash frequency deployed in the study was designed to match the natural frequency sweet spot of gamma brain waves.

The two new investigations set out to see whether that initial success with mice could be replicated in people.

One was led by Diane Chan,

Page 16

•

a neurologist and postdoctoral clinical fellow at MIT, and a member of Tsai’s lab.

Chan and her colleagues enlisted 15 patients diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s. Over a three-month period, part of this group was given equipment to self-administer a daily bout of carefully patterned and synchronized light and sound. Each daily session for this treatment group was an hour in length.

As a point of comparison, the other patients were exposed to daily “sham” sessions of constant light and white noise.

Three months out, brain scans revealed that brain wave potency improved in the treatment group, while signs of Alzheimer’s-related brain degeneration slowed. The treatment group also performed better on subsequent face and name recognition tests, with no notable side effects.

The second study was led by Mihaly Hajos, a neurophysiologist and professor adjunct at Yale University School of Medicine, and chief scientific officer at Cognito Therapeutics, Inc. in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Hajos and his colleagues worked with 74 mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s patients. For six months, half the patients underwent similar one-hour daily 40 Hz audio-visual exposure sessions. The other half underwent daily sham sessions.

This team determined that while brain degeneration linked to Alzheimer’s did continue to unfold among the treatment group, it did so at a 65% reduced rate when stacked up against the non-treatment group.

Both studies were presented recently at the Alzheimer’s Association annual meeting, held online. Such research is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Tsai cautioned that since both investigations involved small groups of patients, more and larger studies will be needed.

Ask The Social

Security Office

From the Social Security District Office

Social Security Benefits You We take pride in having provided vital benefits and services to this great nation for 86 years. America has a diverse population with a variety of needs. To meet those diverse needs, we’ve created web pages that speak directly to groups of people who may need information about our programs and services. These pages are easy to share with friends and family on social media. Here are just a few resources that might help you or someone you love: • We proudly serve wounded warriors and veterans, who made sacrifices to preserve the freedoms Americans treasure. Many veterans do not know they might be eligible for disability benefits from Social Security. Please share this page with them to make sure they get the benefits they deserve: www.ssa.gov/ people/veterans.

• Social Security plays an important role in providing economic security for women. Nearly 55% of the people receiving Social Security benefits are women. A woman who is 65 years old today can expect to live, on average, until about 87. A 65-year-

Q&A

Q: If I retire at age 62, will I be eligible for Medicare?

A: No. Medicare starts when you reach 65. If you retire at 62, you may be able to continue medical insurance

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2021

old man can expect to live, on average, until about 84. With longer life expectancies than men, women tend to live more years in retirement and have a greater risk of exhausting their sources of income.

Women often have lower lifetime earnings than men, which usually means lower benefits. Women need to plan early and wisely for retirement. We’re here to help with valuable information. Please share this page with someone who needs this information and may need help planning for their golden years: www.ssa. gov/people/women.

• Do you know someone who is just starting their career? Now is the best time for them to start preparing for retirement. Social Security benefit payments provide only a portion of retirement income. Those starting their careers should begin saving early to have adequate income in retirement. Please share this page with a young worker you know: www.ssa. gov/people/earlycareer.

These are just a few of the web pages tailored to specific groups’ needs. You can check out our People Like Me home page at www.ssa.gov/ people to see all of them.

coverage through your employer or purchase it from a private insurance company until you become eligible for Medicare. For more information, read Medicare at www.ssa.gov/pubs, or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

HOW CAN NY CONNECTS HELP? Free, easy, local access to information and assistance about long term care services and supports… regardless of age, income, or payor source.

Get help with community services/supports designed to help people remain healthy and independent for Older Adults, Adults or Children with Disabilities as well as their Families and Caregivers.

By Jim Miller

How to Handle Your Medicare Coverage if You Move

For answers to all your questions Contact us at 800-342-9871 or call one of the NY Connects partnering agencies at 315-697-5700 (Madison Office for the Aging) or 315-427-3122 (ARISE). You may also look for services and support at www.nyconnects.ny.gov

contact your plan to find out if it will serve your new area. If it of MADISON COUNTY doesn’t, you’ll need to (800) 342-9871 (315) 427-3122 (315) 697-5700 enroll in a new plan that does. To shop for new Advantage or Part D prescription drug plans in your new location, see Medicare.gov/ plan-compare.

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Page 17

AAMZHM

Health News Excellus elects new regional advisory board members

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has named three people to its regional advisory board.

“As a local health plan our mission is to help people in our communities live healthier and more secure lives through access to high quality, affordable health care. With their wide range of experience and expertise in community impact, healthcare, education and law, these individuals add breadth and depth to our board as we work to fulfill our mission,” said Eve Van de Wal, Excellus BCBS Utica Regional president.

They are: • Dietra Harvey — she has served as the Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative (ESPRI) administrator for United Way of the Mohawk Valley since 2017. She is also an independent consultant with Destiny Does Happen where Dietra Harvey she specializes in helping clients design their vision through customized curated workshops and facilitation for personal and professional development.

Harvey previously served as the community resource specialist for the Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency for four years. She earned an associate’s degree in human services from Mohawk Valley Community College and a bachelor’s degree in nonprofit/public/organizational management from Keuka College.

• Daniel Welchons — the medical doctor is a member of Associated Medical Professionals (AMP) Urology practice in New Hartford and has admitting privileges at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Danial Welchons Elizabeth Medical Center. Welchons earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He completed his residency in urology and internship in general surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. He is a member of the American Urological Association and the American Medical Association.

• David Wippman — he has held the role of president of Hamilton College since 2016. A recognized authority in international law, he has taught public international law, international criminal law, international human rights, and ethnic conflict.

He received his bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Princeton David Wippman University, his master’s degree through a fellowship in the graduate program in English literature at Yale University and his law degree from Yale Law School.

Wippman served as dean of the University of Minnesota Law School, was a professor and associate dean at Cornell Law School and served as vice provost for international relations at Cornell University. Additionally, he served as a director in the National Security Council’s Office of Multilateral and Humanitarian Affairs. Before joining Cornell, Mr. Wippman practiced law for nine years in Washington, D.C. In 2019, he was named to the Advisory Council of Refugees International, and in 2021 he was elected to the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities. Since joining Hamilton College, Wippman has led the development of a strategic plan; launched a $400 million capital campaign with a focus on increasing need-based student financial aid; prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion; and written extensively on issues affecting higher education.

Other Excellus BCBS regional advisory board members include physician Kristin Ambler of Ambler Medical, physician James Cesare of Slocum-Dickson Medical Group P.L.L.C., Richard Creedon of Utica Mutual Insurance, Ronald Cuccaro of Rising Phoenix Holdings Corporation, Frank C. DeRiso of UFCW Local One, physician Brian J. Gaffney of Central New York Cardiology P.C.,

Marianne W. Gaige of Cathedral Corporation, attorney Camille T. Kahler of Saunders Kahler L.L.P., Cathleen C. McColgin, Ph.D. of Herkimer College, Cathy M. Newell of Mohawk Ltd., V. Daniel Robinson II of New York Central Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Judith Vicks Sweet, CPA of Strategic Financial Services, physician Eric B. Yoss of Mohawk Valley Health System, and Jill D. Wynne, CPA of Masonic Care Community.

MVHS welcomes new provider to Rome medical office

Brittany Bonanza has joined the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) Medical Group, Rome Medical Office as a certified family nurse practitioner, where she will provide care to patients of all ages.

Bonanza is the first in the new MVHS post-graduate family nurse practitioner residency program. The program’s mission is to provide a supportive entry into primary care practice for a new family nurse practitioner graduate.

She has more than five years Brittany Bonanza of experience as a registered nurse, including the past four years at MVHS. Bonanza earned her Master of Science in family nurse practitioner from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Marcy. She earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Utica College in Utica.

MVHS receives stroke achievement award

The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines — Stroke Gold Plus with Honor Roll quality achievement award for the 11th consecutive year.

The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific

evidence.

MVHS earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

“MVHS is dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients by implementing the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke initiative,” said Varun V. Reddy, MVHS stroke and neuroendovascular surgery director.

“The tools and resources provided help us track and measure our success in meeting evidenced-based clinical guidelines developed to improve patient outcomes.”

This year, the program also received the Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed with more than 90% of compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “overall diabetes cardiovascular initiative composite score.”

“We are pleased to recognize MVHS for its commitment to stroke care,” said physician Lee H. Schwamm, national chairperson of the quality oversight committee and executive vice chairman of neurology, director of Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. “Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get With The Guidelines quality improvement initiative can often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.”

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States.

On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and speeding recovery times.

IS PROUD TO WELCOME

MAX R. GREENKY, MD

Specializing in Joint Replacement Surgery

Dr. Max R. Greenky is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in joint replacement surgery of the knees and hips. He is joining our team of specialty trained joint replacement surgeons this August and is now accepting new patients.

Request an appointment on sosbones.com or call 315.251.3100 - Option 4, Option 2 Page 18

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