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‘Miracle Child’
The annual $100,000 Miracle Drawing to benefit the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in Utica is under way.
Men’s Health
JUNE 2018 • ISSUE 148
Special Edition
Page 17
Quality of life function of healthy habits See Page 7
Confident Smiles!
Child Lead Poisoning
Page 14
Summer Sensation! Crystal Hein knows what it takes to get in shape for summer. Page 16
The MV Lead-Free Coalition, a product of The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, is focused on testing children and reducing the risk to lead exposure.
A cross between snow peas and regular green peas, sugar snap peas have a lot going for them. See SmartBites, Page 12 June 2018 •
Bhutanese refugees find peace, meaningful careers in U.S.A. Page 8
For story, see Page 5
Boost Vitamin C with sugar snap peas
Survivors
Blood sugar watch
Tick Attack
RMH’s patient staff educator doesn’t sugar coat diabetes.
MVHS FNP Briana Button knows all too well the danger of ticks.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 1
CALENDAR of
HEALTH EVENTS
HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED Family Medicine Routine Preventative Exams Well child care and Immunizations Diabetic Care Physical Exams
Got a health-related activity or event that you would like publicized? Call Lou Sorendo at 315-749-7070 or email lou@cnymail.com.
Gynecological Care Podiatry Laboratory
1001 Noyes Street Utica, NY 13502
Call 315-624-9470
205 W. Dominick Street Rome, NY 13440
“I had cancer...
Mondays
June 1
Food Addicts in Recovery to meet
‘Knock Your Socks Off!’ foot clinic set
Food Addicts in Recovery holds an anonymous meeting from 6:308 p.m. Mondays at Trinity United Methodist Church, 8595 Westmoreland Road, Whitesboro. For more information, call Helen at 315-794-2314.
The Mohawk Valley Health System’s Central New York Diabetes Education Program is offering a free “Knock Your Socks Off!” foot (podiatry) clinic for people with diabetes at noon June 1. It will take place at the CNY Diabetes education program office located on the fourth floor of the Faxton St Luke’s Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica. An area podiatrist will conduct a brief educational seminar followed by a personal foot exam. For more information or to register, call CNY Diabetes at 315624-5623.
Tuesdays
Insight House offers family support group
cancer never had me.”
Meet Della: Wife, mother, grandmother, and advocate!
“I was scared when I found out that I had breast cancer. I had seen my brother go through cancer treatment and knew that I wanted a more patient-centered, nurturing experience for myself. I found all of that—and more—at HOA. Their windows were what drew me in; they were like a ray of hope. And while I was overwhelmed by the amount of information presented to me at my initial appointment, my nurse practitioner walked me through every detail of my treatment; and when I saw the doctor, he explained everything in a way that was easy for me to understand. At HOA, they get to know you and your personality, and they want to make you comfortable, and their goal is to keep you out of the hospital as much as possible, which was the opposite of what my brother had experienced. If you find yourself on the path of being a cancer patient, trust me, it’s HOA that you want on this journey with you.”
Insight House Chemical Dependency Services, Inc. is offering a family support group meeting from 6:15-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Insight House, 500 Whitesboro St., Utica. The group is free and open to anyone who is concerned about a loved one’s relationship with alcohol, opiates/heroin, or other substances. For more information about the group, call 724-5168, ext. 265, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. All calls are strictly confidential.
June 4
CNY Diabetes to host grocery store tour On June 4, people with diabetes,
Continued on Page 22
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2018
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October 17, 2018 WEDNESDAY, OWednesday, CTOBER 18, 2017 Reception d’oeuvres- 6:00 - 6:00PMPM Dinner & Program - 6:45 PM RECEPTION & &HHors ORS D'OEUVRES DINNER & PROGRAM - 6:45 HotelPMat Utica Centre Formerly the Radisson Hotel
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PLUS THE EAGLE SCOUT COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT OF THE YEAR
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Health Briefs SDMG makes addition to family practice unit Kathleen Garbooshian will be joining the family practice department of Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford on July 2. Garbooshian provides a full spectrum of primary care services for patients 10 years of age and older. She specializes Garbooshian in the prevention and treatment of a variety of adult and adolescent conditions, providing lifelong quality care. Her scope of practice includes women’s preventive care. “I enjoy learning about my patients and finding ways to connect with them to motivate them to become healthier,” said Garbooshian. Garbooshian is board certified in family practice and has over 20 years of experience. She completed her family practice residency at Middlesex Family Practice in Middletown, Conn. where she also served as chief resident. Garbooshian earned her medical degree from the SUNY Health Science Center at Syracuse. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Born and raised in Central New York, Garbooshian has been practicing medicine locally since 2001.
Boilermaker charity bib partners announced
T
he Boilermaker Road Race has determined its 2018 charity bib partners from a competitive pool of nonprofit applicants. The 10 organizations are Abraham House, Compassion Coalition, Food Bank of CNY, Griffin’s Guardians, Johnson Park Center, Joseph Michael Chubbuck Foundation, The Root Farm, Salvation Army, Stanley Theatre and Young Scholars. A committee of volunteers — organized by Boilermaker Community Outreach Director Rebecca Kearns — selected the organizations. Since its inception in 2013, the Boilermaker Charity Bib program has raised over $500,000 for area nonprofits. In addition, the Boilermaker will be conducting its second “Run for U” fundraising campaign during 2018 race registration after a successful inaugural campaign in 2017 that raised over $25,000 for the Boilermaker Urban Initiative. While registering for the race, Boilermaker runners will have the option to make a donation to support the initiative. More information on the Boilermaker Urban Initiative and its programs can be found at boilermaker.com. The 41st running of the Boilermaker Road Race will take place on July 8. Page 4
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Meet
lot of state-of-the-art technology.
Your Doctor
By Chris Motola
Theresa J. Waters, D.O. Want to keep heart in good shape? ‘Diet and exercise are the biggest things,’ says Theresa J. Waters, a new cardiologist at St. Joe’s. ‘I usually recommend the Mediterranean diet as a heart-healthy diet’ Q: How did you come to be at St. Joe’s? A: I’m a native Syracusan. I did my training at Upstate in Syracuse. I would say that, to me, St. Joseph’s is the heart hospital of our town, so I always wanted to practice where we had the best cardiac care. So I’d been wanting to interview at St. Joe’s. The cardiologists here are smart, easy to work with and have excellent camaraderie. Q: What got your interested in cardiology? A: Most doctors in training change their interest multiple times. When I first started out, I wanted to be a pediatric oncologist. When I was in medical school, the first system we did was cardiology. I took a liking to the heart. It’s a system that has so much. I love science. I like to study
pathology, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology. The heart has all of that. You need to know the anatomy, how it functions, lots of medications that you have to know about. It’s pretty much everything I love about medicine in one system. There’s a lot to learn and a lot you have to keep learning. I rotated with cardiologist at St. Joe’s as a medical student and took a liking to it. Q: What’s your typical patient profile? A: I’d say my typical patient profile is a male between the ages of 45 and 60 years old. Their typical complaints are chest pains or palpitations. Heart attacks, heart failure, valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, aortic stenosis. These are some of our most common diagnoses. Q: In addition to your previous experiences as a student at St. Joe’s what other factors weighed into your decision to practice at St. Joe’s? A: I feel that we offer top of the line cardiac care. We have bypass surgery — for a while we were the only hospital in town that had an extensive bypass program. We do structural heart disease. We’re introducing the Watchman procedure. We have a
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2018
Q: Do you perform surgeries yourself? A: No, I’m not an invasive cardiologist. Q: What should people approaching middle age do to keep their heart in good shape? A: Diet and exercise are the biggest things. I usually recommend the Mediterranean diet as a heart-healthy diet — and exercise 30 minutes a day five days a week. And I’d say meet with your primary care doctor to monitor for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Those would be your best bet for avoiding heart disease. And if you do develop a chronic condition, of course you’ll want to get it under control. Q: What’s something you find patients either don’t know about their heart or underestimate the impact of? A: I think people may not realize just how important your BMI [body mass index] is. Obesity is a problem. When you’re obese, you’re at higher risk for heart problems. Your weight is very important to your heart health. So it’s important to move more and eat less and make sure you have a healthy BMI. Q: What’s your strategy for helping patients lower their BMI? A: I tell people portion control. When you go out to eat, cut your meal in half, put half in a to-go box. Everything is super-sized in America. I also tell people to get into an exercise routine. When the weather’s nice, walk. I like to ball room dance. I try to find what patients like to do and add a healthy touch to it. When it’s something they like to do, they’re more likely to be able to work it into their routine and be more successful at losing weight. Q: I’ve talked to a few physicians who were talking about ways and strategies for “prescribing” exercise. One actually went so far as to get personal training certification. A: As an osteopathic physician [D.O.], my medical training is a little bit different. We’re taught to approach the patient as a whole, so we learn about muscle strengthening and alignment. So we have stretches and exercises that I show patients in the office. But cardio activity is really the most important. I can’t really show them how to do that in the office, but I can recommend activities for them to try. I can also send them to physical therapy for evaluation and therapy.
Lifelines
Name: Theresa J. Waters, D.O. Position: Cardiologist at St. Joseph’s Medical Center Hometown: Syracuse Education: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine; Albany Medical College (internal medicine internship and residency); SUNY Upstate (cardiology fellowship program) Affiliations: St. Joseph’s Medical Center Organizations: Camp Good Days and Special Times; American College of Cardiology, American Medical Association Family: Husband, one son, one daughter Hobbies: Ball room dancing, golf, boating, church
Welcoming
New Patients to their Five Local Family Health Centers!
New fingerstick tests make it easy to test children for lead in their blood, often in the family doctor’s office, rather than in a laboratory.
Get the Lead Out
MORRISVILLE
13460 SOUTH STREET, MORRISVILLE, NY 13408 (315) 684-3117 MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. THURSDAY 8:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M.
Collaborative effort under way to mitigate effects of childhood lead poisoning By Patricia J. Malin
T
he high level of childhood lead poisoning cases in Oneida County has become a concern for many local municipal and community officials in recent years. In 2015, The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties decided to take action. In January 2016, it launched a coalition that addressed childhood lead poisoning and invested $1 million to begin testing of children. It also launched the West Utica housing pilot program and conducted lead-related workshops and training sessions. The Community Foundation recently announced a more significant lead prevention program with an additional $5 million in funding to attack the problem over the next 10 years. “Childhood lead poisoning is an issue that’s deeply entrenched in our community and many other communities around the country,” said Mark Warfel, Lead-Free MV Coalition chair. “This is a problem that manifested itself over decades and will take an equal amount of time, if not more, to remedy.” The Community Foundation organized the Lead-Free MV Coalition and made the $5 million avail-
Oneida, Herkimer in good
HAMILTON
164 BROAD STREET, HAMILTON, NY 13346 (315) 824-4600
Cardiology • Pediatrics • Laboratory Pulmonology • Surgery
CAZENOVIA
3045 JOHN TRUSH JR. BOULEVARD SUITE 1 CAZENOVIA, NY 13035 | (315) 815-1430
Pediatrics • Primary Care
MUNNSVILLE
5180 SOUTH MAIN STREET, MUNNSVILLE, NY 13409 (315) 495-2690 MONDAY 9:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M. TUESDAY-FRIDAY 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.
WATERVILLE
117 WEST MAIN STREET, WATERVILLE, NY 13480 (315) 841-4184 MONDAY-FRIDAY 7:30 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.
Continued on Page 18
and
Health MV’s Healthcare Newspaper
able through a resolution passed by its board of trustees. The coalition is governed by a steering committee comprised of representatives from multiple lead-related organizations and agencies. “As The Community Foundation’s single largest investment, we are making an unprecedented step forward in fulfilling our role as a community leader and change agent,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Alicia Dicks. The new funding allows the foundation to “stay the course” on lead testing and prevention and expand the efforts started in 2016. “In the last two years, we’ve gained a system of understanding and have been able to test solutions and build a better future protecting children’s lives, their families and their neighborhoods,” she said. During the press conference, the foundation showed a video that included an interview with a homeowner, Angel Ramirez, who applied for a lead test and energy audit from the West Utica housing pilot program. “It’s for my kids,” said the father of two. (See related sidebar,Page 18). The foundation also presented a breakdown of its efforts over the last
Madison
counties
A monthly newspaper published by Local News, Inc. 20,000 copies distributed. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 315-749-7070.
In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2018 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 • Phone: 315-749-7070 Email: lou@cnymail.com
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Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Patricia Malin, Barbara Pierce, Kristen Raab, Deb Dittner, Pauline DiGiorgio, Brooke Stacia Demott Advertising: Amy Gagliano Layout & Design: Dylon Clew-Thomas Office Assistant: Kimberley Tyler No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement — not to take the place of — the recommendations of your health provider.
June 2018 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Men’s Health No backing down Stricken by devastating blood disease, Frankfort native stays in fight for his life By Patricia J. Malin
J
ames Thorp has battled disease his entire life, but you won’t hear him complaining. In fact, he is more than anxious to get the word out there about his survival. The Frankfort native began suffering from Langerhans cell histiocytosis — a rare blood disease — from the time he was eight months old. “I had my first round of chemo when I was 2 years old,” he said in an interview at his parents’ home in Frankfort. Now 34 years old, he has under-
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gone countless operations, radiation and chemotherapy treatments — including five brain surgeries. Ever since the beginning, he has gone to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse on both an in-patient and outpatient basis. LCH is related to other forms of blood diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma. WebMD explains that LCH — which was discovered by 19th century German biologist-pathologist Paul Langerhans, is identified by an accumulation of a specific type of white blood cell in the various tissues and organs of the body. Thorp thought the disease was pretty rare. “One in a million people are diagnosed with this,” he said. However, it is more common than that. As Wikipedia noted, “Among children under the age of 10, yearly incidence is thought to be 1 in 200,000; and in adults even rarer, in about 1 in 560,000.” LCH usually affects children between 1 and 15 years old, with a peak incidence between 5 and 10 years of age, and affects males twice as often as females. “I am the oldest person living with the rarest blood disease in the world — 95 percent of the time it’s fatal,” he said. The disease is related to other cancers. “My body makes too many white blood cells,” he explained. “In return, they grow mutant and attack my body in the forms of tumors and lesions.” Thorp said the majority of chil-
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James Thorp shows a photo of being consoled by American model and actress Cindy Crawford in 1993. dren diagnosed with LCH are not expected to live more than 10 years, but he has more than defied those odds. “At the time (he was born), they didn’t know much about the disease,” he said. His parents — Dennis and Marie — took him to St. Luke’s Hospital in Utica and he was later sent to specialists at Upstate Medical in Syracuse. To this day, he travels to Upstate several times a month to be treated and tested by a team of oncologists, neurologists and pulmonologists. He has undergone, by his count, 14 surgeries plus radiation therapy. He has suffered two strokes, the first one when he was 10, which left him in a wheelchair for 18 months. His parents photographed him during that particularly difficult stay in the intensive care unit at Upstate in July 1993, which fell on his 10th birthday. Although saddened to be in the hospital, some of his birthday wishes came true. “At that time, we thought I only had one year left to live,” he recalled. Through the Syracuse chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, he received get-well wishes and autographs from actors Bruce Willis, Melanie Griffiths and Don Johnson.
Draws global attention
Back home in Frankfort, Thorp’s courageous fight drew the attention of the men’s lacrosse team at Herkimer County Community College. He became an unofficial mascot and was pampered by attention from the players and their coach, Ray Lenarcic. Word of the team’s devotion to the sickly boy even drew a mention in Sports Illustrated For Kids in 1995, according to Thorp’s scrapbook. “Everyone around the world was praying for me,” he said. He insists the prayers made a difference. “I got lots of get-well cards in the mail. God helped me. I know it was a miracle.” In 1999, Make-A-Wish assisted the ailing teenager once more and treated him and his family, including his brother, Dennis, and two sisters, Dianne and Denise, to an all-expens-
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2018
es-paid trip to the grand opening of Planet Hollywood in Chicago. Thorp posed for photos there with a number of celebrities, such as Arnold Schwarznegger, Tom Arnold and his wife, Roseanne Barr, Patrick Swayze and Cindy Crawford. “My mom liked Patrick Swayze,” said Thorp. “I thought Cindy Crawford was so beautiful and she kissed me on the cheek.” He managed to get his high school diploma at Frankfort-Schuyler Central School despite missing a lot of classes due to his hospitalizations. From that point on, he struggled to prepare himself to transition to life as an adult, if one were possible. “I flunked out of Herkimer after one year, and then I dropped out of Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica after two years,” he said. He traveled to the west coast on his own, but ended up meeting the wrong people. He said he got into trouble and became more aware of temptations. In the end, though, it helped him rediscover his faith. “I prayed and meditated a lot,” he said. “I talked to God and listened to God.” He said no one should blame God for the maladies that afflict humans. “God doesn’t give (us) cancer. Everyone has a choice, a path to happiness. He doesn’t promise you all sunshine.” Four years ago, while living in Phoenix, Ariz., he suffered another stroke and became partially paralyzed following surgery. When he left the hospital, Thorp had no choice but to return home and get care from his family. Since then, he has focused on improving his health through nutrition. He lost 85 pounds in two years, mostly through a 53-day fast and healthy diet. He also attended the Utica School of Commerce, then successfully passed a set of New York state exams and qualified for the insurance business. He worked briefly for a national insurance chain. He recently started his own business, The Alpha & the Omega, at Emmanuel Insurance and Financial Services.
OneidaRADONC24.791x10.444.qxp_Layout 1 1/25/18 11:38 AM Page 1
Men’s Health Men prone to certain cancers
TRUEBEAM RADIOTHERAPY AVAILABLE IN ONEIDA
June is Men’s Health Month: Recognize the most common forms of cancer in males By Rachel Evans
J
une marks not only Father’s Day, but Men’s Health Month as well. It’s a time to take care of the father, husband, brother, son, or friend in our life. Men’s Health Month is a time for us to make sure all the men in our life are taking a step in the right direction toward a healthier lifestyle. Encourage all men in your life to take better care of themselves by eating healthy, exercising and staying up-to-date on screenings. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the three most commonly diagnosed cancers among males are prostate, lung and colorectal cancer. All of these can be prevented or detected early with screening.
Upstate’s radiation oncologists: Paul Aridgides, MD, Seung Shin Hahn, MD, Anna Shapiro, MD, Alexander Banashevich, MD, Jeffrey Bogart, MD, Michael LaCombe, MD, and Michael Mix, MD
The expansion of cancer services in Oneida includes the TrueBeam Radiotherapy System, providing the same advanced image-guided radiation oncology technology used at the Upstate Cancer Center in Syracuse. Fast and powerful, TrueBeam provides highly precise three-dimensional, IMRT and SBRT treatment for tumors in critical locations such as prostate, head and neck and CNS cancer as well as tumors affected by breathing motion, including lung, breast, liver and pancreatic cancer. When faced with a diagnosis of cancer, turn to the Upstate Cancer Center. With a comprehensive team-based approach, an individualized treatment plan is created for each patient. Upstate cancer physicians offer the latest technology and state-of-the-art treatments including access to national clinical trials.
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among males in the United States. The following risk factors increase a male’s chance of getting prostate cancer: — The older a man gets, the higher his risk for getting prostate cancer. — Males with a family history of prostate cancer are at increased risk. — Prostate cancer is more common in African American men. Screening tests are available to potentially detect prostate cancer, but you should consult with your doctor on whether they are right for you. There are two screening tests for prostate cancer, including a digital rectal exam and a prostate specific antigen test. A DRE involves a doctor inserting a gloved finger into the rectum to examine the size of the prostate and check for lumps and abnormalities. A PSA test is a blood test done to check for prostate-specific antigen that is a substance produced by the prostate. A high level of PSA in the blood may indicate prostate cancer. Other health conditions can cause an increased level of PSA in the blood as well. If prostate cancer is suspected, a doctor would likely perform a biopsy.
Lung cancer
Between 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer cases are attributed to cigarette smoking or use of other tobacco products. Smoking occasionally or even a small amount puts a person at increased risk for lung cancer. Quitting smoking at any age will lower the risk for lung cancer, as well as other illnesses. Secondhand smoke can also cause lung cancer. About 7,300 peo-
ple who have never smoked die from lung cancer caused by secondhand smoke each year. Radon, a naturally occurring gas, is the second-leading cause of lung cancer with 20,000 cases of lung cancer detected each year. According to the CDC, lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography is recommended only for adults who are at high risk for developing lung cancer, including people between the ages of 55-80. These include individuals who have a history of heavy smoking, is a current smoker or quit in the past 15 years.
If you’re facing a diagnosis of cancer, explore your treatment options — close to home.
Upstate Medical Oncology 603 Seneca St., Oneida 315-361-1041
Cancer Center at oneida
Colorectal cancer
A person’s risk for getting colorectal cancer increases as they age — greater than 90 percent of colorectal cancer occurs in people 50 years of age and older. The following risk factors increase the likelihood for colorectal cancer: — Those with inflammatory bowl disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) — A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps — A genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome) — Lifestyle factors such as lack of physical activity; diet low in fruit and vegetables; low fiber or high-fat diet; overweight and obesity; alcohol consumption and tobacco use Adults aged 50-75 should be screened for colorectal cancer. Screening can detect precancerous polyps (abnormal growths in the colon or
Upstate Radiation Oncology 605 Seneca St., Oneida 315-606-5045
upstate.edu/cancer
Expertise Compassion Hope l
rectum). Polyps can be removed before they turn cancerous. Those at increased risk for colorectal cancer should be screened prior to age 50. Screening is extremely important for early detection of colorectal cancer. There are several types of screening tests for colorectal cancer. Talk with your doctor about which test is right for you. — Stool tests: There are several forms of stool tests available from a doctor. A stool test looks for blood or altered DNA in stool. A guaiac-based fecal occult blood test and a fecal immunochemical test both use a brush to obtain a small sample of stool. This is then sent back to the doctor or a lab for analysis. Both tests are done yearly at
June 2018 •
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home. A FIT-DNA test is another stool test that looks for altered DNA in the stool. An entire bowel movement is sent to a lab to check for cancer cells. A FIT-DNA test is done usually once every one to three years. — Flexible sigmoidoscopy: A short, thin tube is inserted into the rectum. A doctor checks for potentially cancerous polyps inside the rectum and lower part of the colon.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Men’s Health Unparalleled perseverance After enduring rigorous conditions as a refugee, NP in Mohawk Valley finds his niche in health care By Patricia J. Malin
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ikash Regmi is among thousands of immigrants who have come to the Mohawk Valley in recent decades to fulfill the dream of a new life. Not only is he living his dream with a rewarding career, a wife and family, he is already giving back to his community, despite living in the United States for just 10 years. Regmi, a native of Bhutan, is a nurse practitioner at Mohawk Valley Health System’s outpatient clinic in Barneveld, just north of Utica. He is also a member of the nursing program faculty at SUNY Polytechnic Institute. Last month, he was honored by the Genesis Group of the Mohawk Valley at its annual Striving for Success banquet, honoring young professionals and entrepreneurs for their dedication and commitment to their profession and community. Regmi, 33, was nominated for his volunteer work with OnPoint College in Utica, one of various educational facilities in Central New York that helped pave the road to his success. Regmi’s early life was very difficult. When he was just 7 years old, he and his parents and two sisters were evicted from their homeland in Bhu-
tan and exiled to refugee camps. There, they spent 17 years living in a crowded hut in Nepal, an unhealthy environment, not always knowing where their next meal would come from. The indignities, the clinging to life, the sorrows of others, the disease and death he witnessed there did not discourage him or wear him down. Instead, it molded his character in good fashion. It instilled in him a large measure of compassion and influenced him to choose a health care profession. Bhutan is a tiny Asian country squeezed in between Pakistan and India and the Himalayan Mountains. “It was (traditionally) a monarchy, a small kingdom,” he said. “We are Hindu and we had a different culture than the ruling king (a Buddhist). The Hindus lived in the north and west. It was a peaceful kingdom through the mid-1980s until the government (took over). People were deprived of an education; people were arrested without cause.” One day, his father, a teacher, was inexplicably arrested and imprisoned. “My mother, my sisters and I didn’t know where he was,” said Regmi. “We didn’t know if he had been killed or arrested. Finally someone told us he was a prisoner.” Nine months later, his father
Bhutanese refugees Biskash Remgi and his wife Kumari enjoy a brief moment of down time. was released, but warned he could be locked up again. Within days, Regmi’s father decided to leave the country for good. Looking back, it was like jumping from the frying pan into the fire. Trading prison for an arduous experience in the refugee camp was an unwelcome choice. “The life in the refugee camp was very miserable,” Regmi pointed out. There was a lack of basic sanitation, which led to disease — hepatitis A was most common — contamination, and very little drinking water at first. “I have seen the death of many people, because of the lack of nutrition and poor sanitation. We stayed in the hut, which was made of bamboo and plastic. When there (was) strong wind, we needed to secure it, otherwise it will be blown (apart) by the winds. In the beginning, there were no toilets. The surrounding forest was contaminated with feces and urine. When the wind blew we could smell it and it was heartbreaking.”
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Amazingly, the cruel environment that surrounded them did not crush Regmi and his family. “I thought I could do something to help people,” he stated. “I told myself, one day I will go into medical care.” He didn’t have to look far for inspiration. His father used his teaching position to benefit others. His father taught classes in a number of refugee camps. His modest income gave his family a slightly better standard of living than the other hopeless individuals in camp. Other nations, including the U.S., Great Britain and Australia sent supplies to the refugee camps. Bhutan, meanwhile, refused to offer assistance or to take anyone back. While in the camp, Regmi was able to take secondary and college
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2018
courses. Although he was interested in nursing, those courses were not available, he said. He did obtain a bachelor’s degree in physics from a college in Nepal. Seventeen long years later, in 2008, the family’s application for asylum came up. “I was very excited,” Regmi said. “We could have gone to Denmark, but we had learned about the U.S. and saw it as a land of opportunity.” The refugees’ hopes were nearly dashed again considering the paperwork and approvals that took another year before they were approved. In September 2009, InterFaith Works and The Center for New Americans adopted the Regmi family. The organizations provide resettlement and post-resettlement services for refugee families in Syracuse. Approximately 1,500 refugees from Bhutan have been settled in the Syracuse area, plus another 300 in Utica, Regmi noted. “I met a lot of people who wanted to help; kind, helping people,” he said. Regmi was 24 when he arrived in the area. He attended English language classes and volunteered with Catholic Charities in Syracuse and later was hired as an interpreter. While volunteering there, he met another Bhutanese refugee, Kumari, who was also interested in nursing and is now his wife. Regmi eventually got a GED diploma and studied biology at Le Moyne College while still hopeful of pursuing his passion for nursing. “It was very hard,” he said of studying a technical subject like biology while learning English at the same time. “I was lost for a few months.”
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Creating Healthy Smiles
Sherrill Dental Arts Kurt A. Gormley, D.D.S. Francis P. McKevitt, D.D.S.
New hospital in downtown Utica stirs widespread debate
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By David L. Podos
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he nine-story, 670,000 squarefoot, state-of-the-art new downtown hospital proposed by the Mohawk Valley Health System in Utica is not a done deal — yet. State and local officials have expressed both support and dismay at what is shaping up to be a massive renewal project. One thing for sure: Controversy is alive and well as the debate continues. Grandiloquence about the hospital hangs heavy in the air, while hyperbole versus truth accents the debate on where the most advantageous site for the hospital should be. Local residents have expressed fear and concern about a development of this size and have been vocal on social media and in the mainstream media. Take for example the issue of eminent domain. A number of businesses in the proposed downtown location would face eminent domain. It is defined as “the right of a government or its agent to expropriate private property for public use, with payment of compensation.” “Some business owners believe no amount of money would be suitable compensation for their property. Emotional attachment to a family business that has been passed through a number of generations is viewed as priceless. Mohawk Valley In Good Health newspaper conducted a survey asking local residents — ranging from business owners to college students — what their views are on the new hospital. — Ericka, a Utica resident and student: “I think in theory having a new hospital in downtown Utica is a good thing. However, I do have some
concerns. On the positive side for example, I feel it gives people with a lower economic status easier access to health care just by the nature of the downtown location. “I do have some concerns regarding logistics. People and ambulances moving through an already congested area, particularly when there are events for instance, when the Stanley (Performing Arts Center) has performances, or the auditorium (Adirondack Bank Center) has a hockey game or other event. I live very near to the area that is being proposed. Sometimes the congestion is so bad I have a hard time getting around. “What about people entering and exiting the hospital, as well as ambulances moving through a congested traffic pattern?” — Anne, a Utica resident and a local business owner: “I think it is a good idea; we need a state-of-theart health facility. I really don’t want to go to Syracuse or Rochester, for example, to have a special procedure done, for myself or anyone else in my family. I also think it will bring in better doctors. It might be a draw for people to relocate to this area. “This could only help our economic environment as those people would need to buy a home, a car, eat at local restaurants and so forth. Having it located in downtown Utica, I am not positive if that is the best area. It might be, but I am unsure. I just know we need a new state-ofthe-art hospital.” — Doug, a New Hartford resident and employee benefits adviser: “I think on the flip side we need an updated facility as long as we can
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Dialysis Center offering chronic kidney disease program
This photo, courtesy of the Observer-Dispatch, shows the location in downtown Utica for the proposed Mohawk Valley Health System hospital. Looking east toward the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Utica, the tall brick building at upper right, and the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium (round, white building at left), the campus will cover approximately 25 acres and include State, Lafayette, Cornelia and Columbia streets, along with Broadway.
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he Dialysis Center at the Mohawk Valley Health System offers an educational program for those who have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. The program will take place from noon to 2:30 p.m. June 5 in the Weaver Lounge at the Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica. Registration is required as seating
June 2018 •
is limited. Contact Cindy Christian, program coordinator, at 315-624-5635 or email her at cchristi@mvhealthsystem.org. According to the National Kidney Foundation, 26 million Americans have CKD and millions of others are at risk for developing the disease.
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Diabetes Destructiveness of Diabetes High blood sugar could lead to grave consequences
immune function decreases, leaving you susceptible to all sorts of illnesses and even damaged kidney function.
By Barbara Pierce
T
he warning signs of diabetes are often so mild that you don’t even notice them. Some people don’t find out they have it until they get problems. That’s what happened to me. My feet began hurting, my shoes didn’t seem to fit, and walking for long was excruciatingly painful. The podiatrist diagnosed neuropathy, meaning my peripheral nerves were damaged. I was in my 50s, slender, fit, with no family history of diabetes. No Spellicy one considered that I might have diabetes. But that was the cause. I had Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 is usually diagnosed in children and young adults; only 5 percent of people with
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diabetes have Type 1. There are many of us with have diabetes, or high blood sugar. The statistics are staggering: About one person in four of those aged over 65, and one in 10 for persons of any age. Even more amazing is that more than one out of three adults has what’s called pre-diabetes. “With pre-diabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but they are not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes,” explained Mary Rose Spellicy, Rome Memorial Hospital patient staff educator. Diabetes is real. It’s common. It’s dangerous to ignore and the disease results in a long list of serious consequences. Believe me, it’s a formidable opponent — and the odds are not on your side. On their own, the symptoms seem more like annoyances than signs of a dangerous condition. Your best hope is early diagnoses if you want to avoid serious complications — like kidney disease, vision problems, and thyroid issues.
Spellicy shared the most common early warning signs of diabetes: — You’re always thirsty: High blood sugar levels can cause dry mouth, dehydration, and increased thirst in those with undiagnosed diabetes. While a little thirst may seem like a minor inconvenience, over time, dehydration damages the body and leads to other symptoms. Once blood sugar becomes managed, thirst will generally return to normal. — You’re hitting the bathroom a lot: Since increased thirst may lead to increased drinking, you might not notice at first, but if urine output seems to be more than what you’d expect based on what you’re drinking, it may point to high blood sugar. And you’re waking up during the night, maybe several times, to urinate. You might have an overwhelming urge to urinate, and when you do urinate, the amount is quite significant. Increased urination will often result in severe dehydration. So it’s vital to keep your fluid levels high. If you become dehydrated,
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— Your vision is blurry: You may already know that diabetes can lead to vision issues, even blindness, if left untreated. It’s true — blurred vision is a common cue of diabetes. When blood sugar levels are too high, the lens of the eye swells, making vision blurry. Lowering blood sugar should return vision to normal. My ex-husband, who also had diabetes that he ignored, woke up one morning with double vision. He needed a patch over one eye to drive and get around. When he got his blood sugar under control, his vision went back to normal. — You could use a nap: Fatigue is one of the most prevalent and frustrating diabetes symptoms. You just don’t have adequate energy to do what you want to do. When your blood sugar is high, your blood can become thick and “sludgy,” resulting in decreased circulation that prevents nutrient and oxygen transportation to cells, which causes fatigue. And you might have trouble concentrating. — Your pants are looser: Although it might seem like a positive side effect, weight loss caused by high blood sugar is extremely unhealthy. It’s because the body is burning fat instead of using glucose for energy, and because large amounts of glucose leave the body through urine. If you’re losing weight without changing your diet or exercise habits, it could be a sign of high blood sugar. — Your hands or feet are numb or tingly: Numbness that starts as a tingling in the hands, fingers, legs, or feet is often an early warning sign, caused by damage to nerves. For many, this is often the first sign of diabetes. That was my warning sign. It took years, but my painful feet did get better with effective control of my blood sugar.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2018
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Diabetes busters stave off disease Smart diet critical for proper sugar levels
I
f you have followed my columns over the years, you may well know I am somewhat of a foodie. Somewhat you ask? Well, indeed I love whole nutrient-dense food and, if given the opportunity, you know I’ll talk about food and its importance to continue on your life journey. And then, there is the rise in a number of health-related issues occurring today that food can definitely play a role by improving symptoms and eradicating the diseases that may follow. One of these concerns is diabetes. Over recent Dittner years, many have been diagnosed with “pre-diabetes” as the fasting blood sugar levels rise, giving concern toward full-blown diabetes in years to come. So what are you to do? Schedule a consultation with a practitioner who not just looks at “numbers” in blood work but also looks toward the root cause of symptoms. This practitioner will do a complete medical history, ask a variety of questions associated with the systems of the body, review past and present blood values, and delve into your food and lifestyle habits. By eating whole nutrient-dense foods daily, you will be restoring your immune system and increasing your liver’s ability to cleanse and detoxify protecting cells and tissues. Eating foods with just one ingredient is the best way to go. For example, broccoli, a cruciferous vegetable, is simply that — broccoli. And then there are carrots, kale, green beans, beets, sprouts, spinach, and celery to name a few — all one ingredient. Put a number of those “one” ingredients together and you get a delicious meal. Aim to make one half of your plate vegetables in a meal or 8-to-10 servings daily. Eating vegetables is only one piece of the puzzle to keep you healthy. Swapping out grains and sugar for high-quality sources of clean protein is essential. Fruit should be limited to 2 to 3 servings daily because of the amount of fructose contained in each. Yes, fruit is excellent for anti-oxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals, but they also contain fructose. The body is unable to differentiate sugar from a doughnut (pure sugar, flour, flavorings) compared to a banana (7.1 grams of fructose, plus potassium, magnesium, protein, iron, vitamin C and more). The body
sees sugar as sugar. The remaining ingredients are added benefits.
Get off the couch
Another important factor in preventing diabetes and protecting your heart is to add in regular exercise. There are varied opinions on the amount of exercise you need, but you need to start somewhere. If you haven’t exercised in quite a while, check with your health care provider to make sure all is good to go. A consultation with a personal trainer to determine your capabilities may be a good way to get you started. There are so many ways to get exercise these days. Simply walking out the front door to take your children or dog for a walk burns calories, gets you moving, gives you fresh air and a dose of Vitamin D. As you improve, add 5 minutes then 10 minutes and so on. Or search out classes of yoga, tai chi, sculpt and stretch, high and low intensity interval training, swimming, running groups, and group sports such as soccer and volleyball. You don’t like to exercise you say? Experiment and try a variety of different activities. A reasonably priced way is through continuing education at local high schools. But, you need to start somewhere. By combining nutrition with exercise, two key factors in preventing diabetes and heart disease, you can shed unwanted weight that in turn can reduce the risk of diabetes by nearly 60 percent. A third factor is stress management. Keeping your emotions in check can be accomplished through meditation (a good app on your phone is “Simple Habit”), yoga, relaxation activities (reading a book, soaking in a bath tub with Epsom salts and therapeutic grade essential oils, taking a walk, talking with a friend, or using emotional freedom techniques. Stress creates an acidic environment in the body that leads to imbalances causing medical issues such as pre-diabetes, diabetes, and heart disease. Taking care of your body should be your No. 1 job as this is the only place you have to live for your entire life. “Body Balance Empowering Performance” which I authored contains more in-depth information and can be found at: http://www.northshire.com/ book/9781605712260. • 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.
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AHA names new executive director
T
ony Ceresoli has returned home to the Mohawk Valley to serve as executive director of the Greater Utica division of the American Heart Association-American Stroke Association. Ceresoli is a native of Rome, but has spent the past 28 years serving the YMCA in progressive Ceresoli roles that took him
June 2018 •
around the country. Most recently, he has been the executive director of the Northwest YMCA, YMCA of Southern Arizona. “Being involved with the American Heart Association-American Stroke Association has been a lifelong dream of mine,” Ceresoli said. “I’m excited to be a part of the Utica team and come back to the Mohawk Valley. I understand not only the incredible impact the association has on this community, but also the outstanding support this community provides to its lifesaving work. I look forward to many great things to come.”
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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SmartBites
The skinny on healthy eating
Boost vitamin C with sugar snap peas
A
cross between snow peas and regular green peas, sugar snap peas have a lot going for them. One, the entire pea is edible, including the pod. Two, they’re a fantastic source of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that promote good health. And three, they’re low in calories (only 40 per one-cup raw), deliciously crunchy and a terrific vehicle for hummus and vegetable dip. One of the most notable health benefits of sugar snaps is their high vitamin C content: one cup boasts nearly 100 percent of our daily needs. This workhorse vitamin speeds wound healing, boosts immunity and aids in the production of collagen. A powerful antioxidant, vitamin C also helps to neutralize free radicals — unstable atoms that can damage cells, causing illness, aging and premature wrinkling. During the summer, vitamin C is especially important for heat regulation. According to research, vitamin C helps to prevent serious problems caused by excessive heat — such as
heat stroke and heat rashes — by keeping sweat glands in good working condition. Sugar snaps are surprisingly good for bones, as they boast decent levels of four important nutrients that contribute to normal bone growth and overall bone health: vitamins A and K and the minerals manganese and iron. Beset by osteopenia now, I’m always on the lookout for foods that will fortify my bones and prevent osteoporosis later. Hearts benefit from this tasty pea, too. From its low fat content to its cholesterol-clearing fiber to its folate (a B vitamin that may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by nearly 20 percent), sugar snaps may keep our tickers tocking longer. Are sugar snaps full of sugar and bad for diabetics and others watching their sugar intake? No! According to the American Diabetic Association, we should snap up this non-starchy vegetable with its complex carbs, low glycemic index and relatively low amount of sugar. Non-starchy veg-
Helpful tips
Look for pods that are bright green and crisp (when broken in half, they should make a snapping sound). They can be refrigerated for two to three days, but will be sweetest if cooked or eaten raw as soon as possible after purchase. Do not wash until ready to use.
etables like sugar snaps keep blood sugar in check and can actually aid in the prevention of diabetes.
Sugar Snap Peas and Noodles with Ginger-Sesame Sauce Adapted from Cookie and Kate 8 ounces soba noodles or spaghetti noodles of choice 3 cups sugar snap peas, trimmed and cut diagonally in half 2 cups frozen edamame 3 large carrots, peeled and julienned 1 medium red pepper, chopped 2 tablespoons minced shallots (optional) ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro Ginger-Sesame Sauce ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 small lime, juiced 2 teaspoons sesame oil 2 teaspoons honey or agave nectar 1 clove garlic, minced 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger 1 teaspoon Sriracha or pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Bring a big pot of water to boiling. Add the soba noodles and cook for five minutes. In the last 20 seconds of cooking, add the sugar snap peas. Drain and rinse the noodle-pea mixture in cool water. Drain again. Prepare edamame according to package directions. Drain. Place the noodles and peas in a large bowl. Add the carrots, pepper, edamame, and shallots. Whisk together the dressing ingredients and add to the noodle mixture. Top the salad with cilantro 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.
Unlock the ‘American Dream’ Plan your work, work your plan By Dr. Patricia Laino
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y job has involved teaching and coaching aspiring entrepreneurs for over 20 years on how to really start up their own business and succeed. The odds of you succeeding in business without guidance and specific skills are only about 20 percent. Over 80 percent of my entrepreneur students who open their own business succeed. The rationale for Laino this is that they learned the specific steps to successfully create their plan to start up their business before wasting time and money. In my opinion, a profitable business is the target to staying healthy when in your own business. The “prescription” for health is to research and develop your own individualized business plan and then plan your work and work your plan. The healthy entrepreneur has Page 12
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the ability to effectively manage his or her time and make stress work by taking control of stressful situations. Initially, I ask my entrepreneur students whether or not they have the expertise and experience in the business that they want to open. This creates a great deal of research and further discussion of the pros and cons of starting the business that they have in mind. Many of them have the technical skills, but lack management skills so vital to success. Applying specific and effective skills are what make the difference between business malfunction and your success. Successful entrepreneurs tend to see opportunities that others don’t and they focus on “real” money-making priorities. They find a need and let nothing stand in their way. They know that it’s hard at the start, chaotic in the middle and terrific at the end. Most successful entrepreneurs see problems as challenges and not as threats. When the problems are solved, they become ecstatic. I have discovered that winning entrepreneurs are extremely self-confident and accept risks as opportunities. They think that the greater the risk, the greater the reward.
The six-figure entrepreneur resists the temptation to do what comes easy instead of what’s really essential to making money. It’s not how hard you work but rather the way you work that truly counts in operating business operations. Through the years, I have discovered that one of the major “keys” to business success is the ideal location with ample parking, lots of lights, numerous potential customers driving by and targeted advertisement that makes it easy to find the site where customers can come to shop and buy. Many times, aspiring entrepreneurs will want to sell something that they like but soon find out that there are only a few people who will ever purchase it. You must also find out what the market will bear for those who purchase products or services. They need to determine if they can generate a healthy profit by developing and assessing their threeyear pro forma data, or present or projected figures. When entrepreneurs start working on their business plan, they need to ask themselves how much money do I need to start this business and where can I go to secure it? It’s al-
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2018
ways wise to have some cash to inject into your start-up to show that you are serious. When the news media asked the famous Hilton Hotel chain owner, Conrad Hilton, what he attributes his success to, he quickly replied, “location, location, location!” Through the years I have found that this is one of the major “keys” to business success. If your customers can’t easily find you, then how can they buy from you? Successful business owners usually have a single-minded, almost compulsive desire to start a business by selling something that their customers can’t live without, at a price that makes a healthy profit. Hence, all their efforts are focused on just that! Follow my blogs on drpatlaino@ aol.com if you want to succeed in your own business, or purchase my book called “Unlock the American Dream” from Amazon or Barnes & Noble for more of my business advice. • Dr. Patricia K. Laino is the executive director of the Women’s Business Center of New York State.
Mental Health Stressreducing strategies
cises or recite a gratitude list. Brainstorming or thinking of as many solutions to any given problem is key. In the above example, can you think of other viable ways to reduce stress?
Challenging life events
How to manage when life throws you a curveball By Marie Kouthoofd
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adison was in college when she was hit by a truck and left on the side of the road to die. The truck shattered her hips, left her mostly deaf and completely blind. Shawn was still in high school. The medically induced coma was supposed to save him from a bad case of pneumonia. He miraculously came through, but never saw light again. Me, I have a degenerative disease that progressively causes blindness. And so my talk began at a Parkinson’s disease support group. The point? None of us asks for tragedy but it knocks on our door anyway. For some, it knocks harder and more often but it knocks indiscriminately, nonetheless. The goal then, was not to promise a miracle cure. Nor was it to spew some Pollyanna-ish anecdote for pure happiness. The purpose was to deliver some solid, research-driven strategies for coping with the curveballs of life.
Mary Yost enjoys a blissful moment while battling Parkinson’s disease.
Two ways to cope
Problem-focused coping assumes we hold the key. We either change ourselves or change our circumstances. Emotion-focused coping is used when we can’t change our self or circumstance. In this case, we must tend to our emotional response to the situation. Take traffic for example. If we find ourselves getting easily irritated in traffic, we can use one or both
Personality, gender differences
Generally speaking, the way each and every one of us responds to tragedy or stressors in part depends on our personality and gender. For instance, if you are the type A, competitive, hard-driving person with a touch of hostility under your belt, you may not bounce back as quickly as your easy-going type B counterpart. In fact, research indicates the former rather than the latter to be at higher risk for heart attack. The type D or distressed personality, like the type A, is next in line for sickness and coronary heart disease. Having a pessimistic world-view, type D’s tend to hold it all in. In a sense, their distress eats them from the inside out.
Men vs. women
Whether genetic or socially conditioned, gender can also play a role. Men on average in comparison to women tend to isolate and withdraw. Men may turn to alcohol or respond with aggression, whereas women may “tend and befriend;” that is, seek and serve others and in doing so form close bonds that provide social support. While personality and gender differences are interesting and beneficial to know, these differences do not have the final say, but skills and strategies do.
approaches. Using problem-focused coping, we rearrange our schedule to avoid rush hour or take a less-traveled route. We might give up driving all together and use public transit. If we are Warren Buffet, we buy our own jet. With emotion-focused coping, we can avoid or ignore the situation and work more at strategies to reduce our stress. We might play stress-reducing music or an audiobook, engage in deep breathing exer-
Can you cope?
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few simple strategies can serve as a driving force to minimize the ill effects of stress in your life. The more skills you have to fall back on, the better. Do what you can with what you have. Brainstorm your way out of difficult situations. The more solutions you search for, the more you’ll find and the better you’ll get. A good question to ask your self is, “What’s the worst that could happen?” American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr said it well in his 1930’s serenity prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change (emotion-focused coping) “Courage to change the things I can (problem-focused coping) “And the wisdom to know the difference”
Don’t talk to me that way!
If we don’t like the way someone talks to us, we might first observe our self. See if we may be facilitating the behavior. Perhaps
we talk offensively, as well. If so, change your communication style. If this is not the case, tell them how you feel. If no change ensues, you may consider ending the relationship (problem-focused coping). If ending a relationship is not an option, alleviate your stress in other ways. Change the way you respond. Limit your interaction with this person or avoid conversations that create disharmony. Ignore what you can, accept the person for who they are, warts and all. Better yourself by seeking out and learning new coping strategies and enjoy your self-created serenity. “So often times it happens, that we live our lives in chains “And we never even know we have the key” — The Eagles (1974) Don’t let the stressors in your life chain you — learn new coping strategies and set yourself free!
June 2018 •
Stress is inevitable and sometimes not so easily resolved as traffic irritations. Beginning this article with some extreme cases of life-changing obstacles, it seems appropriate to finish with one brave Parkinson’s disease survivor’s not-so-easy solutions to her difficult and immovable situation. Mary Yost, having been first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, stated her biggest struggle was not the diagnosis in and of itself; rather, it was her marriage. It seems her husband was put off by her diagnosis. Whether he lacked the ability or desire to care for her as the disease progressed is unknown. One thing was clear: She knew she could not manage both her marriage and Parkinson’s. With that, she filed for divorce and moved into the health-related facility of her choice (problem-focused coping). She now participates in support groups, exercise classes and enjoys the support of friends and family (emotion-focused coping). Yost knew she had little power over her diagnosis, created the environment she needed to thrive, engaged in activities that would help her manage her Parkinson’s and is living a peaceful existence the best way she knows how. Stress is inevitable and life will throw us curveballs, but how we manage through is up to us. If you don’t like your life, find a way to change it (problem-focused coping). If you can’t change it, change the way you respond (emotion-focused). Better said, if life serves you lemons, make lemonade (problem-focused coping) and if someone is pushing your buttons, then move your buttons (emotion-focused coping). What will you do the next time life throws you a curveball?
Corrections
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n the April edition of Mohawk Valley In Good Health, an error appeared on Page 12 in the health care careers story. Roberto Gonzalez is in charge of the syringe exchange program at ACR Health. The syringe exchange and other services offered by ACR Health are located at 287 Genesee St., Suite 3, Utica. Information about all of ACR Health’s services can be found online at ACRHealth.org. — A story titled “Giving Solace” which appeared on Page 6 in the May edition of Mohawk Valley In Good Health newspaper contained an error. Tom and Barbara Myslinski of New Hartford were the major contributors to the Siegenthaler Center’s reception area.
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Dental Health Smile with Dr. Suy
By Dr. Salina Suy
Cosmetic Dentistry 101: Teeth Whitening (Part I)
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ast month, we spoke about the different variables that may have an effect on how our teeth whiten — each one of us is so unique! This month, we will be talking about the different ways to whiten, products, and what whitening really is. “Whitening” is any process that will make the teeth seem whiter — usually Suy a bleaching agent that changes the natural tooth color or a non-bleaching agent that contains ingredients that physically or chemically remove surface stains.
hydrogen peroxide itself is three times as strong as carbamide peroxide. These work equally as well for whitening. The main difference is that hydrogen peroxide breaks down faster (30-60 minutes) while carbamide peroxide has 50 percent of its whitening power in the first two hours but can last up to six hours. On the shelf, your carbamide peroxide product will last longer but refrigeration can extend the life of both products. With many patients, the product efficacy depends on the individual. If you don’t use the product correctly or drink coffee right after, you may need more maintenance.
these ingredients will assist in scrubbing off surface stains.
Sometimes, teeth will have what we call “rebound” where they are very bright and then they get less bright a couple days later. This effect Ways to get products to whiten can happen due to dehydration of — From your dentist: Professionthe tooth and once the tooth is hyal-grade products can be delivered in drated again, it appears less bright. the chair by a hygienist or the doctor. This depends on the product you are — Over-the-counter: Most drug using and is not unusual. stores have a oral health section Whitening is not a permanent, where you will find an array of once-in-a-lifetime procedure. Like products. many things, whitening needs to be — At-home “remedies”: We will maintained with regular oral hygiene Non-bleaching agents not get into home remedies; however, and periodic touch-ups. Non-bleaching agents in toothif you choose a concoction of your Remember that using whitenpaste whiten through gentle polown, avoid citrusy foods like lemon, ing products such as mouthwash, ishing, chemical chelation, or some oranges and strawberries whose acid whitening pens, strips or trays are Bleaching agents other non-bleaching actions. These can break down your enamel. good ways to supplement your Carbamide peroxide and hyingredients will vary depending on The aftermath normal hygiene habits. If you choose drogen peroxide are the two main the company but can include aluTooth sensitivity and irritation of a bleaching product,MP you Order should only Propo This ad will appear at the classification of: bleaching agents. Carbamide peroxmina, silica and calcium carbonate, the oral tissues is our No. 1 concern. do so after consultation with your ide breaks into hydrogen peroxide; along with many others. Essentially, This can cause pain, irritation and in dentist. That is especially important Rome NY rare cases, irreversible tooth damage for patients who have fillings, crowns with in Home Date 05/2014 has been reported. If these symptoms and extremely dark stains. occur, you have options to try to Regular cleanings and check ups alleviate some of that pain.GRIMALDI,twice a year is the wayHCN6 to main-Ad Id: AM Date: March 17, 2014 Acct# A1ZGFE Sales Rep: JENNIFER L best Size: Options include using sensitivity tain a healthy, bright smile. toothpaste, which will help cover sensitive areas; chewing more gum, • Salina Suy is a health and because more saliva can protect the wellness advocate and general denteeth; warm saltwater rinses to help tist in Utica. Want to learn more? gum healing and avoid whitening Visit Facebook @smilewithdrsuy or for a while to take a break from the www.smilewithdrsuy.com. agents.
Diabetes? Flat Feet? Plantar Fasciitis?
You may be eligible for shoes at little or no cost!
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2018
AMZHMDNLM 14-Mar-2014 07:57
Milk & Honey
By Brooke Stacia Demott
Serenity NOW! How to find peace in any circumstance
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ou know the phrase, “Put your money where your mouth is?” Ever since I started writing this series on spiritual fruit, life has demanded that I ante up. In other words, it’s gotten difficult around here. Writing about love made me painfully aware that I was pretty selfish, and just how much it was hurting my family. I realized that I needed God to show me how to Demott really love these people. When I wrote about joy, we suffered a miscarriage. My chronic health problems became worse, and at times I felt overcome with depression. I struggled to remember that joy is rooted in God’s reassuring presence. And now, writing about peace, I confess that this season has me absolutely drowning in worry. It makes sense, really. God is compassionate, and He uses suffering to make us compassionate toward one another. Nobody can teach from a spir-
The world’s peace
itual ivory tower and expect to be relatable. Even Jesus didn’t do that. He walked with broken people like us and shared in our suffering, so we could trust Him. God is bringing me through difficulty, to make me useful. That gives me a sense peace. Why? Even in trial, peace can be found in knowing our purpose.
Grappling with worry
Worry builds its own momentum. Problems snowball in our minds, gaining size and strength as we roll them down the mountain of fearful uncertainty. Sooner or later, they will bury us. Without confidence in the future, worry is the natural inclination of our hearts. Unchecked anxiety and stress reach an ugly crescendo in depression; often, we find ourselves paralyzed with fear of the unknown. Young folks, equipped with strong bodies and adventurous spirits, stride toward the future with a sense of authority. But as we get older, there is a gradual shift. Our kids grow up and start making decisions independent of our hopes for them. Mundane careers send us strolling down the day-
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dream-lit roads of missed opportunity. Health declines; our thoughts turn to life insurance, medical expenses, and retirement. We begin to understand just how little control we ever had. Believe it or not, this is the first step toward real peace. The world’s version of peace is only available to us when all the stars align. The American dreamer (or, perhaps, any human dreamer) strives endlessly for financial security, new experiences, perfect health, and a good reputation. Something out there convinces us that having it all will bring us lasting happiness. And when we are close, we think to ourselves, “If I just had … then I would be happy.” Right now, it’s tempting to reason to myself that if only my health were restored, then I could be at peace. But inevitably, another disruption will replace this one, and I have to recognize the truth: No matter what I gain, there will always be something I lack.
God’s peace
There is a powerful, steady peace available to us irrespective of situation. It’s the assurance that God is working out a plan that we can’t fully see, but one day, we will. We must accept the reality of our greatest fear: We aren’t really in control. Our best-laid plans could turn out brilliantly, but they might not. And that’s OK. Watch closely for God’s hand in your life; His plans are often different than ours. Sometimes that means unforeseen obstacles, but pay attention — He is using the difficulties of
the present season to prepare you for the next one. Because trial brings perseverance, perseverance molds character, and character gives us the strength to withstand difficulty with confidence and hope. Take every opportunity in hardship to learn from Him; He is growing your character. Worldly peace can only be sustained as long as life goes according to our plans. God’s peace comes when we surrender ourselves to His plan and ask Him for wisdom to navigate it. Don’t let that word “surrender” fool you. Surrender in God’s economy isn’t “doing nothing.” Do everything you can — and trust Him for what you can’t. He is already in control; to surrender just means to rest in that. Instead of being anxious, pray for what you need with gratitude for what you have. You will find that the peace of God will guard your heart when problems threaten to drag you under. And since there is nothing you can do about tomorrow, focus on today. When you are tempted to worry, remember that “this too shall pass,” and put your hope in God. • Brooke Stacia Demott is a columnist with In Good Health newspaper. Got a question for Demott? Feel free to email her at brooketo@aol.com.
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OUR LOW AVERAGE MARGINS MEAN YOU CAN SAVE FOR OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS.
From 2012-2016, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s annual operating margin has averaged 0.3 percent, considerably lower than the average of the four major for-profit health plans. Based on a comparison of earnings before interest and taxes, we would have needed to collect $1.6 billion more in premium revenue to achieve the same level of earnings as the major carriers over that period. Because we’re a business, not a charity, we need to earn a margin. But we do not pay dividends to shareholders. That works in your favor. We’re a nonprofit health plan, so we deliberately budget for low margins to keep coverage more affordable. We know you have other important things that matter. We’re neighbors helping neighbors build healthier communities.
A nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
June 2018 •
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Diet & Fitness Slim down for summer Here’s a valuable guide to losing weight quickly By Barbara Pierce
Be physically active
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ummer’s almost here. If you’d like to drop a few pounds so you’ll look awesome in that amazing sundress, your new shorts or bikini, or maybe there’s even a wedding gown in your June plans, read on. Registered dietitian Crystal Hein offers some no-fail tips for you to look better quickly. Hein is the owner and operator of Crystal Clear Nutrition in Herkimer. “Never skip breakfast,” she said. “Or any Hein meal for that matter! Skipping meals slows your metabolism. Eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full. Listen to your body’s natural cues.” Studies show that people who skip breakfast are much more likely to be overweight than those who eat this most important meal of the day. It’s an important meal because it gets your metabolism going. “Skipping meals may cause you to make poor food choices because you’re starving,” she added. “If you skip a meal, your body will switch
plate vegetables. Ask the server for alternatives to French fries and other high-fat side dishes. Get your salad dressing and other extras (like sour cream) on the side,” she suggested. Also, instead of eating out as a get together with friends, go to a coffee shop or go bowling. “Limit your alcoholic beverages, as they can be a source of extra calories,” she added. And drinking alcohol fuels overeating by loosening your inhibition and making you less aware of what — and how much — you’re eating.
to starvation mode, meaning it will hold onto any calories you do take in.” So instead of skipping a meal, make the right choices about what to eat. “Make sure to include a good quality protein at every meal, like eggs, nuts, peanut butter, chicken, beans, fish, or milk products. This will help keep you full and satisfied,” she advised. For protein-rich snacks to keep your metabolism fueled, good choices are a hard-boiled egg, a protein
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bar with at least 10 grams of protein or a stick of string cheese with a few whole-grain crackers, Greek yogurt, or peanut butter on celery.
Get enough sleep
Recent studies have shown a link between inadequate sleep and weight gain. Ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates hunger, increases with sleep deprivation and leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite and makes us feel full, decreases with inadequate sleep, according to Hein. “It’s recommended that adults get between seven to nine hours of sleep a night. And if you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t have the energy to be as physically active as you should every day. Avoid caffeine late in the day to help you fall asleep at night.” Be careful when eating out. “This is obvious,” said Hein. Take that basket of warm, wonderful smelling bread, add a large plate of food, throw in some good friends and a glass of wine, and you have the perfect storm for overeating. “Instead, when eating out, choose baked, broiled or grilled lean protein sources. Make half your
“Start a planned daily exercise routine,” recommended Hein. “Find something you like to do. Make time to do it most days of the week. Sometimes it helps to find a partner to keep you motivated.” “Do something that fits into your day and do it the time of the day when you feel your best. Some people like early morning workouts and others prefer later afternoon workouts,” she said. “The best workout is the one that works for you and your schedule. Start slow and increase time, intensity or frequency as you go. Gradually increase each of these.” “Walking is the best exercise. It’s free and can be done almost anywhere. Exercise is also a great way to reduce stress.” While offering these tips for quick weight loss, Hein adds, “trying to lose weight quickly isn’t the solution.” Because, when you lose weight quickly, you usually put it back on before long. That’s because you haven’t learned to make healthier food choices. “Instead, focus on the longterm benefits of losing weight,” she suggested. “You’ll live a longer and fuller life, you’ll feel better, and you’ll have more confidence and more energy.” “Make a long-term commitment to being healthy and try not to focus too much on the number on the scale,” she advised. She said low-calorie diets aren’t healthy, because when we limit food volume, essential nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamin and minerals that our bodies need will also be limited. “Choosing nutrient-dense foods will supply your body with energy, protein and essential vitamins and minerals you need for your body to function at its best,” Hein said. As a dietitian-nutrition educator and coach, Hein provides nutrition and behavior counseling for general nutrition and wellness needs, weight loss, and various medical conditions for adults and children.
Address_________________________________________
Root Farm offers fresh local produce
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In Good Health
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re you interested in savoring healthy, farm fresh produce each week this summer? The Root Farm is in its second year of offering its community supported agriculture opportunity, enabling participants to enjoy 15 weeks of locally grown vegetables and flowers beginning June 28. Full shares cost $450 each and can be picked up at the Root Farm, 2680 King Road, Sauquoit, from 3-6:30 p.m. every Thursday. Half shares are also available for $300. “This is a wonderful way to support The Root Farm and the services
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2018
it provides to so many children and adults from our community, while also enjoying a wide variety of fresh, local produce,” said a Root Farm spokesperson. For more information or to sign up, email info@rootfarm.org or call 315-520-7046. The Root Farm, a nonprofit organization, has expanded to a new location on over 100 acres in Sauquoit. The Root Farm is focused on learning and healing for people of all ages and abilities through the power of equine, agricultural and recreational experiences.
Dangers of Self Diagnosis How self-diagnosis can lead you down the wrong path By Barbara Pierce
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e’ve all been there — wideawake in the middle of the night with our heart rapidly pounding, a severe pain in our stomach, can’t swallow, or have another symptom that scares us. The first thing we do is fire up our search engine and begin nervously Googling our symptoms. What could it mean? Am I having a heart attack? Appendicitis? Am I dying? Should I go to the emergency room? The temptation for people Morell to reach their own conclusions about their symptoms is strong and it can be dangerous. While sometimes Internet searches can lead to the right answers, other times it can cause problems. That’s what happened to Debbie Kaufman of Hidden Hills, Calif. She told her story to CBS news: She felt a pain in her stomach, so went to an urgent care clinic. The MRI showed spots on her liver. The doctor didn’t provide details on what exactly they were. “He’s like, ‘Well, you have about three to four nodules on your liver. We don’t know what they are. They could be cancer. They could be benign,’” she said. She went home and searched the Internet on liver cancer. What she read told her the situation could only be bad or worse. “I was so upset, sad, devastated, thinking about what I need to do before I die,” Kaufman said. She was convinced she was dying. When she finally got to a specialist, she learned the spots were benign tumors that could be easily removed. “Here I was, panicking. I was so scared. I misdiagnosed everything; I wasted so much of my energy,” she said. A new report suggests Americans are increasingly turning to the Internet to assess and monitor their health, with a significant 44 percent admitting they consult Google or other search engines rather than a medical professional. The research, conducted by The Tinker Law Firm of Seattle, is based on a survey of 3,000 adults. This survey found that 49 percent of people in New York state
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prefer to diagnose online. A spokesperson for The Tinker Law Firm says, “The Internet is a fantastic source of medical information, but in the hands of patients who have trouble handling uncertainty, it can be endangering. Our survey results show nearly half of Americans seek answers to their health concerns online, and many suffer anxiety because of this. If you have symptoms, don’t put off going to the doctor because you have consulted the Internet. It’s always best practice to seek a professional diagnosis.”
Read between the lines
There’s no shortage of health information available online. Yet studies have found that much of the information online is incorrect or out of date. Harvard researchers analyzed 23 online symptom checkers and found that only 34 percent of the time did they produce an accurate diagnosis as the first result. The kinds of conditions that Internet checkers diagnose the best are milder conditions like a cold or the flu. “It’s better to use the range of symptom checkers that are offered by medical schools, insurance companies, and government agencies,” said Martin Morell, who owns and operates Arthritis Specialists in New Hartford. He specializes in the treatment of rheumatology-related diseases. Morel recommends the following sites that are verified and good resources for specific problems: — mayoclinic.org; for arthritis: arthritis.org; rheumatoid arthritis: rheumatology.org and the-rheuma-
tologist.org; lupus: lupus.org; osteoarthritis: nof.org; celiac awareness: celiac.org; neuropathy: foundationforpn.org. “If you notice the address ends in .org, this identifies the address as a credible source for information,” Morell added. “Users should be cautious and not take the information they receive from online symptom checkers as gospel,” said Ateev Mehrotra, professor of health care policy at Harvard Medical School, online on the Harvard Gazette. “The Internet is a tool,” says Dr. Rajnish Mago online. “You can use the tool appropriately or you can misuse it.” “I don’t think people should diagnose themselves, but they should use the Internet to become educated,” Mago says. He said patients should use the Internet constructively to research their symptoms and the possible conditions they can lead to in order to come up with questions to ask a doctor. In a way, this helps both parties. “When you self-diagnose, you are assuming that you know the subtleties that diagnosis constitutes. This can be very dangerous, as people who assume that they can surmise what is going on with themselves may miss the nuances of diagnosis,” says Dr. Srnin Pillay, online. The Internet is here to stay in health care. The information should be taken for what it’s worth — something that may be useful to help educate us as patients and possibly guide further questions, but not a substitute for visiting the doctor in real life for checkups and tests.
Eating nuts linked to lower odds of having AFib
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n a large study, Swedish researchers found that eating nuts three or more times a week was associated with an 18 percent lower chance of having AFib. It also helped cut the odds of heart failure. “Even a small increase in nut consumption may have large potential to lead to a reduction in incidence of atrial fibrillation and heart failure in this population,” the study said. Lead research Susanna C. Larsson, PhD, of the Karolinska Institutet
Annual Miracle Drawing kicks off
in Stockholm, Sweden, said nuts are rich sources of unsaturated fatty acids, protein, fiber, minerals, vitamin E, folate, and other chemicals. Previous studies have suggested that eating nuts may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and can improve blood cholesterol, help blood vessels work better, and prevent weight gain. The researchers analyzed data from two Swedish studies in which 61,364 people had completed a ques-
tionnaire about their eating habits and were followed for 17 years. People who ate nuts tended to be better educated and to have healthier lifestyles than those who didn’t. They were less likely to smoke or to have a history of high blood pressure. They weighed less, got more exercise, drank more alcohol, and ate more fruits and vegetables. Each extra portion of nuts eaten during the week was associated with a 4 percent decrease in the chance of having AFib.
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he Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation, in partnership with WKTV NewsChannel 2, The Observer-Dispatch and PJ Green, announce the start of the 22nd annual $100,000 Miracle Drawing to benefit the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at FSLH in Utica. One lucky person will win $100,000. A maximum of 4,300 tickets are available. For the past two decades, the project has helped create “miracles” Sadie for the children of the community and raised more than $4 million to benefit women’s and children’s services at FSLH. The winner of the Miracle Drawing receives a $100,000 cash prize. Bonus prizes will also be given away. Tickets may be purchased for $100 cash or check at one of several participating ticket locations. Participating ticket locations include AmeriCU Credit Union locations, the MVHS Boonville Medical Office, Chanatry’s Hometown Market, Countryside Stove & Chimney, Mohawk Valley Health System campuses, GPO Federal Credit Union locations, Jay-K Independent Lumber Corp., and Remington Federal Credit Union. Tickets may be purchased with a credit card beginning June 18 per guidelines of New York State Gaming Commission. To purchase with a credit card, visit mvhealthsystem. org/miracle-drawing. The drawing will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at the St. Luke’s Campus in New Hartford.
She’s a ‘miracle child’
The 2018 Miracle Child is Sadie of Brookfield. When Sadie was only 7 months old, she visited the emergency department at the St. Luke’s Campus where she was later admitted to the pediatric department and received treatment for Group B Streptococcus. During her time in the pediatric department, Sadie received care from staff, including child life specialist, Erin. Child life professionals help infants, children, youth and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness, injury and treatment. They provide evidence-based, developmentally appropriate interventions including therapeutic play, preparation and education to reduce fear, anxiety and pain. The child life specialist position is funded through CMN Hospitals at the St. Luke’s Campus. For more information or to purchase a ticket, call the FSLH Foundation at 315-624-5600.
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MV mobilizes in fight against lead Continued from Page 5 two years to reduce childhood lead poisoning through prevention, treatment and addressing the causes. LeadCare II blood lead level testing systems have been placed in four local clinics and physicians’ offices. Point-of-care testing can take blood from a finger prick, thus making it easier for parents to have their children’s blood lead level tested compared to traditional intravenous methods. The LeadCare II machines were purchased through a two-year, $50,000 community and member health improvement grant from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield awarded to coalition partner Herkimer County HealthNet. The machines are available at Adirondack Internal Medicine & Pediatrics (New Hartford), Herkimer Family Nurse Practitioners (Herkimer), and Little Falls Hospital’s patient-centered medical homes (Newport and Dolgeville). Three more units will be purchased and installed before the end of this year. With this test, parents can take their children to a physician’s office that is usually located closer to home than a specialized lab that draws blood, particularly in
the more rural areas of Oneida and Herkimer counties. Using the Lead Care II units, only the child’s fingertip is pricked, and it gives a better reading and gives minimal discomfort compared to the previous method of drawing blood from an arm of a frightened or fidgety baby. “You get immediate results and the child can get tested at the point of contact,” said Alison J. Swartz of Herkimer County HealthNet. The Community Foundation’s West Utica healthy housing pilot program targets a select number of homes in west Utica, a neighborhood prone to higher levels of childhood lead poisoning, according to statistics from the New York State Department of Health. The pilot seeks to demonstrate the effectiveness of multiple local agencies working collectively to streamline the home hazard remediation process. Partner agencies include the Home Ownership Center, Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency, the city of Utica, Rust to Green Urban Studio, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County and the Oneida County Health Department. The lead-free coalition has conducted lead-related workshops, training and conferences with state and federal partners, including the
Department of Housing and Urban Development, Environmental Protection Agency, New York State Department of Health and New York State Homes and Community Renewal. The initial $1 million also allowed the coalition to purchase advertising space on Centro buses in Utica and on billboards to spread the message of the need for lead-free testing, and to distribute informational pamphlets to doctor’s offices. Despite a state law requiring early childhood testing for lead exposure, one-third of pre-school children in Herkimer and Oneida counties have not had the required blood test, The Community Foundation asserts.
Getting parents involved
“Parents need to be their child’s advocate and get their children tested,” said Kathy Paciello, coordinator of the Oneida County Health Department’s secondary lead poisoning prevention program, in discussing the value of advertising and promotion of this important program. “Parents need to be educated.” Paciello said The Community Foundation’s initial grant has already proven effective. “As the number of 1 and 2 year olds who have been tested increases, the high levels of lead exposure goes down,” she pointed
out. “Lead from paint chips causes dust that can be inhaled and cause lead poisoning in the lungs. It can cause permanent damage, but it is 100 percent preventable.” Oneida County has one of the highest levels of childhood lead poisoning in the state as a result of its high percentage of homes built before World War II. Federal laws banning the use of lead in paint did not take effect until the 1970s. “Oneida County is only one of 15 counties in the state with a lead prevention program because of its high exposure rate,” stated Helen Madden, supervisor of the childhood lead poisoning primary prevention program for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County. “Lead is a hot topic nationally. There are laws in place to reduce or eliminate lead in consumer products, so we assume there is no longer (a danger of) lead exposure, but that’s not true,” she said. “A lot of our homes are up to 50 years old. With wear and tear in the homes, there can be chipped and peeling paint. It’s a never-ending process.” Madden refers parents and the public to information by accessing the Lead-Free MV Coalition’s website at www.leadfreemv.org as well as the Oneida County and New York State departments of health.
Utica couple battles to stem threat of lead poisoning By Patricia J. Malin
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fter living in the Bronx, Angel Ramirez and his wife, Elvia, dreamed of more wide-open spaces in which to raise their children. The couple thought they found an ideal location in Upstate New York, specifically in Utica, in the fall of 2015. “My sister lives in Connecticut and we looked around there, and then a friend of mine told me about Utica,” said Angel, whose family emigrated from Mexico to New York City when he was in his teens. “I grew up in New York and got married there, but we wanted a more affordable place,” he said. In the spring of 2016, Ramirez moved into a 145-year-old woodframe structure in west Utica. He not only found a home, but also became the landlord of two more apartments. An elderly couple occupies the firstfloor unit, while college students rented the upstairs space. The Ramirez family lives in a side apartment on the first floor. Shortly after he moved in, Ramirez learned of a big problem — the siding on the two-story house, built in 1873, contains lead. While it’s cost-prohibitive to remove the siding and repaint the entire house, he learned he could make one small remediation. First, he needed to replace some broken windows to get the house inspected and insured. Fourteen large windows for his unit only were replaced last summer at a cost of $5,000, paid out of his own pocket. “It took time to fix them,” he said. “The apartments were vacant Page 18
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Angel Ramirez holds his baby girl, Ariana, in their home in west Utica. (when we moved in). We tried to get the house fixed before we rented it. I spoke with our tenants and made them aware (of the lead). It doesn’t affect the older people, but it does affect our children.” Angel Jr. is now 3 and baby Ariana is almost 18 months old. “We were getting dust from the window frames,” said Elvia, who
explained that she has to constantly clean and inspect the windows and keep them closed, even in summer, to minimize the danger of her children inhaling fumes from the lead paint. “No, they’re not getting sick, but they still need to get tested every year,” her husband said. Their apartment does have an air conditioner now. He was relieved to learn
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2018
there was no indication of lead inside when the house passed its inspection. It’s been a long process to reach this point, and despite frustrating delays, Ramirez said the expense has been worth it. “A friend of mine told me about the neighborhood homeowners association and I needed to find out if I qualified (for lead removal),” he said. Instead, the association issued a deadline and threatened to fine him if the windows were not replaced. He said he made numerous phone calls to city of Utica officials, but could not get any assistance, so he was under pressure to fix the windows sooner than he expected. “Sometimes you keep spending money and your taxes keep going up,” he said. Ramirez, 42, who works as an investigator for the Bank of NY-Mellon in Oriskany, is still committed to living in west Utica. “I love this house,” he said. “I understand the association wants to make the community better and I know it’s good for my kids.” Now that The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties is involved, he said they plan to pay for and replace the 26 windows in the other two units, as well as replace the top half of the siding.
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Between You and Me
By Barbara Pierce
The trust bond
Prepare for the worst! By Megan Postol
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To err is human, and it actually makes you seem more trustworthy By Barbara Pierce
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rust is a tricky thing. When you’ve got someone’s trust, it’s great: You can sell them more stuff, get more favors, ask for more, and generally benefit a great deal. But when someone doesn’t trust you, forget about it, you’re in big trouble. But, if you’re a trustworthy person, you’re probably not trustworthy just because you can sell people more stuff or get more favors. Getting someone’s trust means you’ll get hired for that job you really want, that hot girl you’re meeting tomorrow night will really like you, and Pierce you’ll make friends easily. Getting the trust of others smoothes the path for much in life and helps you accomplish what you want. The No. 1 quality that makes a good leader is trustworthiness, experts say. The question “Can I trust you?” is always in the back of our minds whenever we interact with other people, especially when we meet for the first time, though we usually aren’t aware that we’re asking ourselves this. And I’m learning that weird, awkward things may help people see you as trustworthy. Research shows that showing your awkward side, your imperfections, can be a key to being considered trustworthy. — Spill on yourself: Yes, that’s right, spill on yourself. As humans, we’re all flawed. And while many of us are quick to admit that to ourselves, we do everything to hide it from others. However, decades of research show that perfectionism can work against us: to really make someone comfortable with you quickly, spill coffee on yourself. In one famous study, participants listened to recordings of students interviewing for a Quiz Bowl team. In two of the recordings, the student sounds highly qualified, and in the other two, he does not. One candidate from each group is also heard saying, “Oh my goodness, I’ve spilled coffee all over myself!” As you might expect, the qualified student was judged more favorably than the unqualified student, but the qualified student who spilled coffee on himself was the unanimous favorite. The clumsy candidate who showed his human side appeared easier to empathize with. A superior person may be viewed as superhuman and, therefore, distant; a blunder tends to humanize him and increases his attractiveness.
Be a doofus
Yes, people like a person who is a bit of a doofus. I lead workshops and
Ticked Off
people seem to like me and give me high ratings. I always thought it was because I was presenting information they were glad to have and presenting it in an interesting way. But maybe they like me because I’m a bit of a doofus, someone who spills on herself and reveals other flaws. — Swear (in moderation): A little profanity can build a lot of trust. It promotes bonding. I’m not sure why, but I do believe it can make you more likeable. In my workshops, I sometimes use mild profanity; people always laugh in a way that feels like they’re bonding with me. As a rule of thumb, never swear at the person you’re trying to build a bond with. Instead, swear about some mutual inconvenience. — Apologize: Say something like “Sorry for the traffic.” People are quicker to trust people who start a conversation by apologizing for something they weren’t responsible for. They rated a hypothetical Craigslist seller as more trustworthy when the person apologized for the rain rather than made a neutral comment about it or didn’t mention it at all. You might think mistakes will kill your credibility, but accepting your shortcomings actually builds trust by showing that you’re human. People who are imperfect are more attractive to us. We like them more than people who seem too perfect. — Pay attention: Make eye contact, and hold it — both when you’re speaking and listening. Put your phone down, maybe even out of sight. If you keep glancing at your phone, or scanning the room, you won’t gain the trust of the person with whom you’re speaking. Listen with your eyes. Nod from time to time to show you understand what’s being said to you, and if you don’t understand, ask. Smile, especially when they do. Above all else, really focus on what’s being said to you — everyone needs to feel that they have been heard. — Be warned: There is such a thing as too much eye contact. About four seconds of uninterrupted eye contact is about as long as the average person can take before feeling awkward. If you’re the speaker, glance off every few seconds. The listener can follow. — Uncross your arms and legs: Crossed arms or legs close you off. You’ve positioned your body in a way that is a defense mechanism that blocks any basis for building trust. — Touch (appropriately): Lightly touching someone communicates empathy. • 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.
he prevalence of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses has increased steadily over the past few years, and this year is gearing up to follow that trend. Between 2004 and 2016, diagnosed Lyme cases went from approximately 19,000 to 36,000 per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. That’s an 80 percent increase. The center estimates that 10 times as many cases either go unreported or misdiagnosed, making the actual number upwards of 300,000 cases per year. The local area, like the rest of the state, has seen Button an increase in tick populations, and therefore a surge of the sicknesses those insects carry. Many North Country residents have had to battle Lyme disease in recent years. Remsen resident and SUNY Poly student Ryan Polce was bitten by a tick while in the Adirondacks. “I felt the symptoms about two weeks after the bite,” he said. “It included my joints shutting down almost completely and an insane amount of pain. I couldn’t lift my arms above my head and could not get out of bed without a struggle.” According to the CDC, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transferred to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks, also known as deer ticks. These ticks are the type common in Central New York. Ticks can also carry other pathogens, and people can be “co-infected” with more than one tick-borne illness. Different kinds of tick-borne diseases include the Powassan virus, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and ehrlichiosis, among others. There are three stages of Lyme. After being bitten, sometimes symptoms show up shortly after, which is early stage Lyme. Symptoms at this stage are often flu-like, according to Mohawk Valley Health System Family Nurse Practitioner Briana Button, who works in the Boonville office. She said early symptoms include fever, chills, headache, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, and rash. The next stage is early disseminated Lyme, which occurs up to 30 days after being bitten by an infected tick. At this point, Lyme often presents itself as flu-like, but with additional indicators, including pain, weakness, numbness, visual changes, chest pains, heart palpitations, rash, and facial paralysis.
Hidden health hazard
At times, it can take years for symptoms to surface, which is labeled late disseminated Lyme. This was the case for Meaghan Cooley of Remsen. After she was bitten, she did not develop a fever or related symptoms, so doctors said she was in the clear. Three years later, symptoms presented. “She would complain of achy
June 2018 •
joints, then out of nowhere she started getting circular rashes all over her body,” Meaghan’s mother Wendy Cooley said. “I took her to urgent care, but they said it was bug bites. As a nurse, I had already viewed the CDC page and it showed pictures of atypical Lyme rashes. So the next day I took her to her doctor.” Cooley tested positive for Lyme disease and began treatment. “She felt worse for the three weeks of treatment and about three months after, and then slowly better,” Cooley said. “Finally after about six months, I think it’s pretty resolved.” Other problems related to late stage Lyme include arthritis, sleep disturbances, vertigo, severe fatigue, and mental confusion. Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses often present symptoms that can mimic other conditions, so correct diagnoses can be tricky. Button said the best approach to combating Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses is prevention. Button suggests wearing light-colored clothing, long sleeves and long pants while spending time in grassy or woody areas, and tucking pants into socks. “When you’re outdoors, check for ticks every couple of hours,” she said. “Wearing tick repellant with DEET is definitely helpful. If you don’t want to use DEET, a combination of lemon oil and eucalyptus oil can be used, and this mixture is also safe for pets and small children.” N, N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide, also called DEET or diethyltoluamide, is the most common active ingredient in insect repellents. Button said ticks cannot jump or fly, so they grab onto a host when it passes by. The ticks then attach to the skin and become engorged as they feed on the host’s blood. The increase in tick population has been linked to an increase in carrier populations, reforestation, and overall warmer seasonal temperatures. More people are moving to and living in areas closer to deer and mice, which are the dominant vessels for ticks. The increased temperatures and milder winters are bringing people outside more, thus increasing exposure to ticks and the diseases they transmit. Even this past winter’s substantial snowfall contributed to the preservation of tick populations. “People are probably thinking that because this winter was really long and really cold that this tick season isn’t going to be so bad, but that’s not going to be the case at all,” Button said. “The heavy snow is actually a good insulator for ticks, so it’s going to be just as bad, or not any better.”
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Health News LFH employee goes the extra mile Jean Lamphere was recently recognized as a GEM (going the extra mile) at Little Falls Hospital, an affiliate of the Bassett Healthcare Network. The GEM award recognizes staff for going above and beyond their typical job duties and making a significant difference Lamphere by improving the quality of health for those LFH serves while exceeding its customer service standards with patients, clients, guest, and co-workers. “The satisfaction that comes from knowing you’ve done your job well is rewarding in and of itself. Still, it is always good to know that your efforts are recognized,” Lamphere said.
LFH employee earns nursing degree Little Falls Hospital, a part of the Bassett Healthcare Network, recently recognized Kimberly Lewis for earning her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Southern New Hampshire University, Hooksett, N.H. Lewis obtained her RN degree from Morris County Community College in New Jersey and in 2016 received her certification in the specialty of Lewis gastroenterology. Prior to joining LFH’s surgical unit in 2017, she was employed in the endoscopy unit at Bassett Medical Center, Cooperstown, for 10 years. Lewis lives in Springfield with her husband, two teenagers, four horses and a dog.
VHS welcomes new human resources director Valley Health Services in Herkimer recently welcomed Lynn Hocking in her new position as human resources director. She began her service with VHS in November 2005 as a payroll clerk and then assumed the position of human resources assistant in June 2017. Hocking Hocking has a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from SUNY Empire State College as well as an Associate of Applied Science Page 20
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degree in accounting from Herkimer County Community College, now Herkimer College. Hocking lives in Frankfort with her husband, Thomas. They have two children, Amanda and Adam.
Valley Health Services offers scholarship Herkimer County high school students scheduled to graduate in June are eligible and encouraged to apply for the Valley Health Services scholarship. Applicants must be planning to pursue higher education in a field employable by a nursing home, such as nursing, accounting, health care administration, social work, dietetics and rehabilitation. Preference will be given to a senior who has worked or completed volunteer work in a nursing home. In order to be eligible for selection, the student must submit an official school transcript showing a grade point average of at least 85 and a typed essay of 500 words or less addressing: — Specific educational plans and goals — The reason for career choice — Pertinent experiences in a nursing home — Volunteer time or employment in a nursing home The essays must be submitted by May 4 to Connie M. Castellano, director of community relations and fund development at Valley Health Services, 690 W. German St., Herkimer, N.Y. 13350.
VHS names top employee of quarter Michelle Neff has been named as Valley Health Services’ employee of the first quarter of 2018. Neff has been a home health aide and weekend supervisor at Valley Residential Services since 2015. Neff’s co-workers said she displays a strong work ethic Neff and it shows in the quality of her work. “Residents’ wellness and care is one of her utmost priorities. She demonstrates exemplary judgment, kindness and compassion at all times,” her co-workers said. Prior to her work at VRS, she had been in private duty health care since 2001. Neff lives in Salisbury with her spouse, Eric, and their two daughters, Brianna, 19, and Savannah, 17.
VHS names assistant director of social services Valley Health Services in Herkimer recently welcomed Kristen Guernsey, assistant director of social services, to its professional staff.
A native of Herkimer, Guernsey said she is excited about the new opportunity and a chance to diversify her career experience. Guernsey earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Albany. Her previous experience was through Liberty Resources, Syracuse, serving Guernsey in the role of care management for Madison County, and primarily for services that address mental health, population health, homelessness, and substance use. She also has been coaching volleyball for the Herkimer Central School District for the past 11 years. Guernsey lives in Herkimer with her husband, Fred, and their four pets — two dogs and two cats.
Assistant director named at Valley Health Services Amanda Hocking has been promoted to the assistant director of the adult day health care program at Valley Health Services in Herkimer. Hocking began her career at VHS as a resident assistant in April 2007. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in speech pathology from St. Rose College, Albany, Hocking and an Associate in Applied Science degree in nursing from St. Elizabeth Hospital, Utica. Hocking said she will encourage more community engagement and provide more excursion opportunities for residents such as dining out in restaurants which they have indicated an interest in doing.
CHBS to benefit from increased funding Community Health and Behavioral Services, a division of Upstate Cerebral Palsy, has been approved to participate in the NYS Behavioral Health Value Based Payment Readiness Program as a behavioral health care collaborative. Governor Andrew M. Cuomo recently announced that New York will issue $60 million in awards over three years to mental health and addiction services providers as part of the transformation of the state’s Medicaid system, ultimately rewarding quality of care and better health outcomes, rather than the volume of services provided. CHBS, working in conjunction with Syracuse Brick House Inc. (doing business as Syracuse Behavioral Healthcare), Liberty Resources, Syracuse Community Health Center,
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2018
and the leadership of the Inclusive Alliance IPA and Upstate Community Health Collaborative plan to form a single BHCC in the region. It was recognized that the merger of eligible leads provides better coordination of services for the Central New York community and an award of $2,418,000 will be distributed over the three-year funding period. Funding will assist CHBS in enhancing the quality of care patients receive in order to improve behavioral and physical health outcomes and will be used for a variety of health care improvements. These include identifying gaps in the continuum of care to better connect the patient to the next level of integrated health care and identifying opportunities for performance improvement and cost reduction. CHBS has been serving the Mohawk Valley for over 30 years.
UCP names VP of information services Harold Coleman of Oriskany Falls has been promoted to vice president of information services at Upstate Cerebral Palsy. Coleman has been with the agency for 11 years, initially starting at the information technology help desk. Coleman quickly moved into a network Coleman desktop specialist role and in 2012 was promoted to network administrator. He was again promoted in June 2017 to director of networks and telecommunication. Coleman obtained a bachelor’s degree in IT management from Morrisville College in 2007 and most recently earned his Master of Business Administration in health care management from Utica College in May 2017.
Delta Medical welcomes nurse practitioner Nurse practitioner Lynne Philley has joined the staff of Delta Medical. Philley joins Patricia Marrello, Bridget Arquette, Libby Gleasman Katherine Freeman at the adult primary care practice, 1819 Black River Boulevard, Rome. A graduate of St. Elizabeth College of Nursing Philley in Utica, Philley earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Keuka College.
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Health News Continued from Page 20 She also completed her post-master’s certificate for adult and gerontology nurse practitioner at Keuka College. In addition, Philley also earned national certification in vascular access as well as gastrointestinal nursing. With over 22 years experience as a registered nurse, Philley has been employed at Rome Memorial Hospital since 2006. Prior to completing her certification as an adult NP, she served as clinical nurse educator at the hospital.
Physicians Urgent Care at Griffiss open Saturdays Physicians Urgent Care at Griffiss is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday. The Saturday hours come shortly after the office expanded its weekday hours to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is located in the Mohawk Glen medical building in Suite 120 located in the rear of the building. “Providing Saturday and evening hours when most physician practices are closed gives our community an alternative to the emergency department for minor illnesses and injuries,” Rome Memorial Hospital President-Chief Executive Officer David Lundquist said. “We’re pleased that our collaboration with Slocum-Dickson Medical Group has enabled us to expand hours once again to meet the needs of our community.” Physicians Urgent Care provides prompt walk-in care with no appointment needed for patients aged 2 and older and participates with most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. With providers from SDMG, Physicians Urgent Care provides a physician working onsite in collaboration with nurse practitioners and physician assistants to provide the community with care, according to an RMH spokesperson. For more information, call 315356-7777.
RMH’S SBHU names new nurse manager Janine M. Little has been named nurse manager of the senior behavioral health unit at Rome Memorial Hospital. RMH’s SBHU provides individualized care for adults aged 55 and older who are suffering from acute symptoms associated with a major mental health illness, Little such as clinical depression, anxiety disorders or bipolar illness. Inpatient hospitalization offers stabilization and treatment for adults in crisis, who are experiencing seri-
ous behavioral or mental changes. “Janine brings more than 15 years of experience in psychiatric nursing to her new position, including several years working here in the SBHU,” said Wendy R. Goetz, administrator. Little graduated from Hartwick College, Oneonta, with a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. “I am extremely happy to be back at Rome Memorial Hospital and the SBHU,” Little said. “I worked as a unit nurse at the SBHU more than 12 years ago. I have learned over the years that geriatric psychiatric nursing is where I am meant to be.” In addition to her psychiatric nursing responsibilities, Little will be responsible for facilitation of services between patients and staff to ensure optimal care of the patient and family in crisis.
Neurosurgeon joins Rome Memorial Hospital Neurosurgical services are available at Rome Memorial Hospital with the addition of board-certified neurosurgeon Nicholas Qandah. Qandah will serve as medical director of neurosciences at RMH, where he will perform surgery and treat patients with neurosurgical disorders. Qandah, who is fellowshipQandah trained in both orthopedic and neurosurgical spine, has opened a new office in Rome at Chestnut Commons, 107 E. Chestnut St., Suite 105. Fellowship trained in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery, Qandah has special interests and expertise in regenerative and less-invasive treatments of the spine to get his patients better and back to enjoying life. “For the last several years I have been treating patients from the Rome area in my New Hartford office,” said Qandah. “It makes a lot of sense for me to offer convenient access for my patients in Rome.” Qandah earned his medical degree from Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Ill. After completing neurosurgical residency training at Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, Va., he was awarded the prestigious AO Complex Spine Fellowship in orthopedics and neurosurgery at the University of Washington-Harborview in Seattle, Wash. He served as the director of complex spine at the Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic and assistant professor of neurosurgery for its residency program.
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RMH introduces craniosacral therapy Chestnut Commons Physical and Occupational Therapy in Rome has a certified therapist to provide craniosacral therapy for patients suffering with chronic pain and medical concerns such as migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, central nervous system disorders or post-traumatic stress disorders. Occupational therapist Trista Richardson has received advanced Richardson certification focusing heavily on the workings of the anatomy of the brain and spinal cord, the importance of cranial nerves and how these all relate to the complete craniosacral system. Richardson earned her certification from Upledger Institute International in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., a health care resource center recognized world-wide for its comprehensive education programs and advanced treatment options. She is certified to treat adults and children aged 4 and over, including children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism. CST is a hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system. This system is comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. The therapy focuses on the role the musculoskeletal system plays in the functioning of the nervous system and complements the natural healing processes of the body. Richardson became a member of RMH’s occupational therapy services team in 2012, after earning her master’s degree in occupational therapy from Utica College.
RMH names corporate compliance officer Darlene Sovey has been named the new corporate compliance officer at Rome Memorial Hospital, announced Manon Gouse, hospital vice president-chief quality officer. With 27 years of experience in the administration of health care services, Sovey comes to RMH from Central New Sovey York Cardiology where she served as executive director. Prior to that, she was director of operations for Upstate Cerebral Palsy, Inc.
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At RMH, Sovey will provide daily oversight for the hospital’s overall compliance and privacy programs. Working with the hospital’s trustees, legal counsel, employees and medical staff, she will ensure that the hospital’s business and privacy practices strictly adhere to all state and federal regulations. A graduate of SUNY IT, Sovey earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and accounting and has nearly completed course work for a Master of Business Administration degree.
RMH OT provides pelvic floor help Weakened or impaired pelvic floor muscles can be a result of aging, after childbirth, or illness. Dysfunctions involving the pelvic floor muscles can contribute to urinary incontinence, chronic pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction. Pelvic floor rehabilitation is a non-surgical approach designed to help women strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, to identify the source Barone of pelvic pain, or to improve or resolve conditions such as stress, urge urinary incontinence and chronic constipation. RMH Occupational Therapist Jennifer Barone is now providing pelvic floor rehabilitation at Chestnut Commons Physical and Occupational Therapy, 107 E. Chestnut St., Rome. She received her advanced training as a pelvic rehabilitation practitioner from the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute, Seattle, Wash., recognized for excellence in pelvic floor-girdle rehabilitation. Barone became a member of RMH’s occupational therapy services team in 2012, after earning her master’s degree in occupational therapy from Utica College in 2010.
Valley Health Services accepts syringes Valley Health Services is accepting the community’s medical waste of needles, syringes and lancets from noon until 2 p.m. on June 20. The service is available on the third Wednesday of every month. The waste must be in approved puncture-resistant containers available at local pharmacies and properly marked “biohazard.” The containers may be brought to the outpatient receptionist on the ground floor at VHS, who will contact the personnel responsible for medical waste disposal. VHS is located at 690 W. German St., Herkimer. Questions may be directed to Tammi King, infection control nurse, at 866-3330, ext. 2308.
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Health CALENDAR of in good
EMPLOYMENT
HEALTH EVENTS
Got a health-related activity or event that you would like publicized? Call Lou Sorendo at 315-749-7070 or email lou@cnymail.com. Continued from Page 2 pre-diabetes and their family members are invited to grocery shop with a registered dietitian and learn more about their food choices. The grocery store tour, hosted by the Mohawk Valley Health System’s Central New York Diabetes Education Program, will run from 6-8 p.m. at Hannaford Supermarket, 4593 Commercial Drive, New Hartford. Call CNY Diabetes at 315-6245623 to register, which is required.
June 7
Parents bond to battle addiction A support group — Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — meets from 7-8:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of every month at the Canajoharie Fire House, 75 Erie Boulevard, Canajoharie. The next meetings are June 7 and June 21. The support group is for parents with a son or daughter who is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. PAL is a nonprofit organization run by a volunteer board of parents. For more information, visit www. palgroup.org or call PAL at 480-3004712.
June 7
Experience the ‘Magic of Herkimer’ The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc., is this year’s honoree for the 16th annual Magic of Herkimer, sponsored by Valley Health Services. The Magic of Herkimer is scheduled from 5-8 p.m. June 7 at Herkimer College’s Thomas McLaughlin Center, Herkimer. In addition to honoring an outstanding community member or organization, the event features specialty hors d’oeuvres donated by Herkimer County restaurants complemented by wine and ale, as well as musical entertainment and a Chinese auction. For more information, contact VHS at 315-866-3330 ext. 2329.
June 11
Support forum for patients, cancer survivors The Mohawk Valley Health System’s Cancer Center’s monthly support forum for patients and cancer survivors will be held at 6 p.m. June 11. The cancer support forum meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of every month in the Cancer Center’s fireplace lounge on the main floor of Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica. Page 22
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The forum, led by the Cancer Center’s social worker, offers support to anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to RSVP, call 315-624-5241.
June 11
Support group to meet at RMH
LPNs 1,000 Hiring Bonus
The brain aneurysm, AVM (arteriovenous malformation) and stroke support group will meet from 5:30-7 p.m. June 11 at Rome Memorial Hospital’s second-floor classroom. The group meets on the second Monday of every month. RMH is located at 1500 N. James St., Rome. For more information, call Deb Dunn at 315-533-6467 or email RomeNY@JoeNiekroFoundation.org.
The primary purpose of this position is to carry out the assignment of nursing care on an assigned resident care unit (s). Provide direct nursing care to residents at the facility to ensure that the highest degree of quality care is maintained at all times.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
•Implementation of each resident plan of care.
•Monitoring resident physical and psychological status-documents and reports concerns to supervising RN. •Directing the Nurse Aides and Resident assistants regarding resident care practices.
June 14
•Insuring each resident's care plan is understood by direct care givers.
Laryngectomy support group to meet The Laryngectomy Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at noon June 14 in the Sister Regina Conference Room on the first floor of the St. Elizabeth Medical Center hospital building, 2209 Genesee St., Utica. The support group is sponsored by SEMC. Laryngectomy support group meetings are held at noon on the second Thursday of each month. A laryngectomy is the procedure to remove a person’s larynx and separates the airway from the mouth, nose and esophagus. The laryngectomee breathes through an opening in the neck, called a stoma. The public is welcome to attend. Those with questions can call the speech therapy department at 315801-4475.
June 18
Community Recovery Center there to help The Community Recovery Center of Rome Memorial Hospital, certified by the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, provides outpatient services for the treatment of adults and adolescents who are chemically dependent on alcohol, prescription medications and illegal drugs. The group is led by substance abuse counselor Russell Danielle Russell, who has 10 years of experience in the field of addiction.
MV’S HEALTHCARE NEWSPAPER
•Maintaining an environment conducive to providing quality of care. •Give and receive nursing report at the beginning and ending of shift. •Attends Resident Care Conference as directed by Nurse Care Coordinator. Keep informed of new medical and nursing measures as related to the needs of residents. Responsible for completion of documentation of daily supervisor report on the status of resident conditions as per facility polices and protocols. Follow Standards of Practice and facility policies and protocols for medication and treatment administration. VHS offers a competitive package that includes paid vacation, personal, sick, paid holiday time, 401K pension plan, health and dental insurance. Applications/resumes accepted at:
Human Resource Director
Valley Health Services, Inc. 690 W. German St. Herkimer, NY 13350 EOE FAX# 315-866-6546 | EMAIL: lhocking@valleyhealthservices.org The group is free and open to everyone but focuses specifically on the problems faced by those who have a love one who is suffering from addiction. The group meets from 6-7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month in the second-floor classroom at Rome Memorial Hospital. The next meeting is June 18. Located at 264 W. Dominick St., Rome, the Community Recovery Center operates from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Friday and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. For more information about the Community Recovery Center, call 315-334-4701.
June 18
Family support group focuses on addiction Families who are dealing with the problems of addiction can find help and information at a support
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2018
group meeting from 6-7 p.m. June 18 in the second floor classroom at Rome Memorial Hospital. The group meets the third Monday of each month and is free and open to everyone. Offered by the hospital’s Community Recovery Center, the support group provides an opportunity to discuss issues with others who are in the same situation. Certified by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the Community Recovery Center, 264 W. Dominick St., Rome, offers alcohol and substance abuse treatment for adolescents and adults. Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Friday and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, the center participates with most major insurance programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. A sliding scale fee is available for self-pay clients. For more information, call 3344701.
Public sounds off on new hospital project Continued from Page 19 bring in new talent, such as new doctors and other health care professionals. However, because of the congested area, I have some concerns, particularly if there happens to be a disaster. “Just one example: CSX runs trains every day through the city. What if there was a derailment of toxic chemicals and the entire area had to be closed down? How would that affect the hospital being so close to the rail system? “Perhaps having a smaller clinic in downtown and then putting the larger facility in another area might make better sense . It also would eliminate the need to demolish any existing businesses.” — Jim, a Herkimer resident and retired financial adviser: “I feel that this might be the last chance for any true revitalization of the city. The hospital being placed in downtown is strategically located for access with the Thruway and Route 5 nearby, and of course the arterial being close as well. “We obviously need a more
39 Reasons Why
modern facility. I also think it will be a major boost to the economy.” — Scott Truett, a Utica resident and business owner: “My brother (Brett) and I are adamantly opposed to having the hospital in downtown Utica. It would be more cost-effective to build on the existing St. Luke’s (Hospital) campus. Having the hospital downtown just increases congestion and puts patients and the community at risk, especially if there should happen to be any kind of rail disaster being that the trains run so close to downtown. “Having it at St. Luke’s would also eliminate any need for eminent domain. We also feel the city has not been open and truthful about this entire project.” — Dean, a Utica resident and LPN: “We need a new hospital, but not downtown. Use the existing land at St. Luke’s. No businesses would have to be displaced if it was located there. Downtown is too congested. Another concern I have: Will we be able to attract the high-quality skilled staff needed for the new facility regardless of its location?”
Central New York Moms Choose Crouse T
Duo earns community leadership awards
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he Boy Scouts of America Leatherstocking Council will host its annual leadership dinner at the Hotel at Utica Centre (formerly the Radisson) Oct. 17. Eve Van de Wal, regional president of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, and Harold “Tom” Clark, Jr., chairman of Adirondack Bank and president of Mac-Clark Restaurants Inc., will be presented BSA Community Leadership Awards. The award is presented to those who exemplify in their daily lives the ideals of Van de Wal the Boy Scouts of America as expressed in the Scout oath and law. The recipients are chosen for their outstanding community service as evidenced by the interest and leadership given to many worthwhile organizations as well as the respect and esteem in which they are held by their colleagues. Van de Wal Clark will be the first woman to receive the award. The announcement follows the recent expansion of BSA membership to include young women in the ranks of Cub Scouts and
Scouting BSA programs. Young women have been participating in BSA’s Explorer Posts and Venture Crews since the 1970s; however, now young women will be able to achieve rank advancements, including the coveted rank of Eagle Scout. “By focusing his philanthropy on the youth in our region, Mr. Clark has made a generational impact on Ronald McDonald’s Children’s Charities of Central New York, many United Way agencies; the Utica Rescue Mission; his alma mater Utica College; Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired; The Salvation Army; EDGE, the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and many others,” according to Sam Berardino, chairman of the BSA Leadership Dinner committee. Clark’s mother Mary Tilton Clark was active in Cub Scouting. He has served as the president of Ronald McDonald’s Children’s Charities of Central New York. In recognition of his involvement with the McDonald’s Children’s Charities, Clark was awarded the Ronald Award, a top national recognition by McDonalds Corporation. The annual Eagle Scout Community Service Project of the Year award will again be a highlight of the event. The dinner begins with hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m. Individual tickets are $125; tables of eight are available for $1,500 and include a half-page recognition in the event program. For more information, call 315735-4437, ext. 223. June 2018 •
here are many reasons why Crouse delivers more babies than any other hospital in upstate New York, not the least of which are the amazingly skilled, compassionate and highly regarded OB providers who choose to deliver at Crouse Health. If you’re pregnant — or planning to be — don’tyou want the very best for both you and your baby?
Crouse Obstetrical Care Providers Cathy J. Berry, MD & Associates Cathy Berry, MD Krystal Foree, MD Carol Lopes, MD Janet Ortolani, CNM Alia Rezek, CNM Christian Health Services Eugene Bailey, MD CNY Obstetrics & Gynecology PC Leonard Marotta, MD CNY Women’s Healthcare PC Catherine Bailey, MD Stephen Brown, MD Maria Ciciarelli, MD Mai-Anh Thi Doan, MD Jaya Nemani, MD Sarah Schoch, MD Crouse Midwifery Group Mary Thompson, CNM Family Medicine Services Group Cinthia Elkins, MD James Greenwald, MD Loftus, Ryu, Bartol, MDs PC Reem Akkawi, MBChB Suzanne Bartol-Krueger, MD Kelli Corniello, DO Erin Hill, MD William Loftus, MD Richard D. Semeran, MD PC Richard Semeran, MD University OB/GYN Associates, Inc. Nicholas Baranco, MD Helene Bernstein, MD Maureen Burke, MD Hans Cassagnol, MD John Folk, MD Leah Kaufman, MD Jennifer Makin, MD Renee Mestad, MD John Nosovitch, Jr., MD Robert Silverman, MD George Stanley, MD Brian Thompson, MD Jodi Wallis, DO Charina Carissimi, CNM Kathleen Dermady, CNM Mary Hartman, CNM
For more information about the full spectrum of maternity and obstetrical services available at Crouse, visit
crouse.org/babies.
CROUSE
Kienzle Family Maternity Center
Women’s Wellness Place Sara Quinn, MD
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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I invite you to join me in creating a legacy gift through your will or financial plans. Together we can do great things for Central New York. – Jack Gorham
UPSTATE LEGACIES: Lifesaving and life-changing “She and I were one. What they did for her, they did for me.” The appreciation is evident in Jack Gorham’s voice when he talks about the “angelic” way Upstate University Hospital physicians, nurses, physician assistants and staff treated his wife Colleen throughout her 17-year journey with cancer.
For Jack it’s personal!
Jack and Colleen were overwhelmed by the compassion of the Upstate team, particularly in the radiation oncology department. Over the years, Colleen was treated for three different cancers beginning with breast cancer, followed by skin cancer and eventually throat cancer. As she came out of her 60th (and final) treatment, the physicians and staff gave her a standing ovation for her courage and bravery. Jack wants to help maintain this level of care and compassion for future cancer patients. That is why he has remembered The Upstate Foundation in his will. It’s also personal for you. Every dollar donated to the Upstate Foundation has an impact on our community’s health and well-being as every dollar stays right here in Central New York to help assure happy, healthy and longer lives for your loved ones, friends and neighbors.
For free and confidential information on how to make a low cost, high impact legacy gift contact, or have your professional advisor contact, John Gleason at 315-464-4416 or email us today at FDN@Upstate.edu Our legal name is THE UPSTATE FOUNDATION INC. Page 24
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • June 2018
www.UpstateFoundation.org