In Good Health: Mohawk Valley #195 - May 2022

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MAY 2022 • ISSUE 195

Sneezing, Itchy, Watery Eyes…

Fight allergies the alternative way…

Q&A WITH DANIELLE SMITH HEAD OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP CENTER

HELP STOP AVIAN FLU: TAKE DOWN YOUR BIRD FEEDERS

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f you suffer from headaches, you have plenty of company.

Headaches afflict half of the world’s population, and women are more likely to get them than men, a new paper says.

“We found that the prevalence of headache disorders remains high worldwide and the burden of different types may impact many. We should endeavor to reduce this burden through prevention and better treatment,” said study lead author Lars Jacob Stovner, of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.

The researchers reviewed 357 studies published between 1961 and the end of 2020. They found that 52% of people have a headache within a given year, including 14% with migraine, 26% with a tension-type headache and about 5% with a headache for 15 or more days a month.

On any given day, almost 16% of people worldwide have a headache and nearly half (7%) have a migraine, according to the findings. The results were published April 12 in the Journal of Headache and Pain.

All types of headache are more common in women than men, especially migraines (17% in females vs. about 9% in males) and headaches on 15 or more days a month (6% in females vs. less than 3% in males).

“Compared to our previous report and global estimates, the data does suggest that headaches and mi-

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graines rates may be increasing.

However, given that we could explain only 30% or less of the variation in headache estimates with the measures we looked at, it would be premature to conclude headaches are definitively increasing,” Stovner said in a journal news release.

“What is clear is that overall, headache disorders are highly prevalent worldwide and can be a high burden. It may also be of interest in future to analyze the different causes of headaches that varied across groups to target prevention and treatment more effectively,” he added.

Most of the studies in the analysis included adults aged 20-65, but some also included adults older than 65 and children as young as age 5.

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Page 2 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2022

Kristen A. McNeil, PA-C Breast Specialist

“My wife knew that I was mixing things up at work.”

— Mario, living with Alzheimer’s

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May 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 3

Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

David G. Heisig, M.D. U.S. Life Expectancy Drops for 2nd Year in a Row

R

esearchers report that life expectancy in the United States dropped in 2021, continuing a troubling trend that began in the first year of the pandemic.

Specifically, average U.S. life expectancy tumbled from 78.86 years in 2019 to 76.99 in 2020.

It then fell by a smaller amount in 2021, to 76.60 years, the new report found.

One thing was different about the latest longevity numbers: Losses in life expectancy among white Americans were largely responsible for that continuing trajectory, the new study found.

In 2020, Black and Hispanic Americans were disproportionately impacted by the pandemic amid chronic health disparities.

The research team speculated that the reason for the changing dynamics in 2021 could be vaccine hesitancy among some white Americans and a resistance to pandemic restrictions, including in states with disproportionately white populations.

“We already knew that the U.S. experienced historic losses in life expectancy in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. What wasn’t clear is what happened in 2021. To our knowledge this is the first study to report data for 2021, and the news isn’t good,” corresponding study author, physician Steven Woolf, director emeritus of the Center on Society and Health at Virginia Commonwealth University, said in a university news release.

“Early in 2021, knowing an excellent vaccine was being distributed, I was hopeful that the U.S. could recover some of its historic losses,” said Woolf. “But I began to worry more when I saw what happened as the year unfolded. Even so, as a scientist, until I saw the data it remained an open question how U.S. life expectancy for that year would be affected. It was shocking to see that U.S. life expectancy, rather than having rebounded, had dropped even further.”

The emergence of the faster-spreading delta and omicron COVID-19 variants played a big role, the experts said.

Medical director of PACE CNY explains how his program helps people age in place. “If you join our program, we basically take care of you,” he says Q: What does “all-inclusive” mean in the context of elderly care?

A: PACE [Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly] is a program that’s been in effect since the early ‘80s. And the concept began in San Francisco in the 1960s. What we do is provide a series of comprehensive healthcare services for the elderly. Elderly is defined here as 55 and older. The program is largely sponsored by the federal government through Medicare and Medicaid.

What we provide is primary care, clinic nursing, home care nursing as needed, physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, dietitians and transportation appropriate to healthcare, i.e., to our clinics, specialists or labs. We also cover dentistry and podiatry within our own system. And we have consultants in the community as well if our clinics are full. We also have social workers. So if you join our program, we basically take care of you.

Q: What’s not covered?

A: We don’t take care of housing you. We don’t pay your rent. We don’t necessarily take care of feeding you, although you will be given a meal at our day centers if you come.

And we won’t clothe you, per se. We are a full spectrum healthcare delivery system designed for older folks who need that kind of comprehensive service.

Q: So it’s mainly to support people still out in the community?

A: That’s a great question. We’re designed to essentially help people age in place. So this service is largely designed for patients who are in their own home, in their family home or in senior living. But we do also take care of people in facilities, including skilled nursing facilities if necessary. But the bulk of our patients and the focus of our program is to help folks stay in their homes or with their family members and to avoid having to move into facilities.

Q: On that note, you recently published a piece in In

Page 4 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2022

Good Health on helping families make the decision to seek senior services for their elder family members. What are some of the considerations families should make, and why are they so difficult?

A: If you look at the cycle of life, when people are young, you see growth and the promise of the future, even when you’re cleaning up after them. Towards the end of life, when people become more frail and need assistance, it’s not as charming.

It’s not as hopeful. It’s depressing and sad at times. So as we deal with our loved ones aging and needing more support, we work through those difficult decisions to help people meet those needs throughout the remainder of their loved ones’ lives.

You might have someone who is relatively healthy, relatively independent, but can’t do all their cooking and cleaning. We may be able to set them up in their own home with support, and they can live the rest of their lives there very happily. On the other hand, you may have a more extreme situation where someone isn’t able to self-toilet, feed themselves or do anything like that at all. And if they don’t have a family support network, they might end up in a skilled nursing facility. So we deal with that full spectrum. Each individual person needs a very comprehensive assessment to see what they have, what resources they bring to the table, what family support they have, and to work through that process to help them come up with a decision that best suits them. Some-

times there have to be compromises.

Sometimes wish and need align, and sometimes they don’t. When I talk about the extreme of someone having to enter a nursing home, when we talk about safety and stability and good medical care. If someone is home alone with no support and wanders, turns on the oven, or falls or burns themselves, we have to think about supervision. On the other hand, if the person just can’t buy their own groceries, can’t mow their lawn or needs a reminder to take their medication, those people can be great candidates for living in the community with support.

Q: How far ahead should people plan for this kind of thing?

A: Plan ahead. Most of us will age. Most of us will require some support as we age. The better families plan ahead, the better things generally turn out to be.

Q: You mentioned the services can kick in as young as 55. How do you do with the broad range of ages you serve?

A: PACE and Loretto look at the individual. The people joining our programs at 55 are generally people who have multiple medical problems and need significant support. Many people at 55 are healthy, working and do not need PACE services. For that matter there are people who are 85, working and don’t need us. So the program was initially designed by the government to use 55 as the early cut-off point. That number’s up for debate. It could one day be lowered to a younger age. The patients that we see are not healthy in general. So it’s not so much the diversity of age, but people who are older by illness.

So we try to provide help in a more universal way. Do you need help paying your bills? Do you need help remembering to take your medication? Do you need transportation?

Do you get bored alone? Those are the sorts of things we provide in a PACE program.

Q: We’re coming off of a period of extreme isolation on a societal level.

How do you help seniors who are struggling from having been isolated?

A: During normal times we have active day centers where people can socialize, see their physician, social worker, get a shower, a meal, have their clothes washed. When COVID-19 struck, we started doing a lot more telehealth, including recreational therapy. Or we’d use mobile care units rather than having people congregate in a central location. That will get better, hopefully very soon.

Then we’ll start bringing people back to our day centers and the resocialization can begin.

Lifelines

Name: David G. Heisig, M.D. Position: Medical director of PACE CNY Hometown: Quaker Street (Schenectady County) Education: Albany Medical College (1979–1983); resident in medicine, SUNY Health Science Center (19841986); fellowship in gastroenterology, SUNY Health Science Center (1989– 1991) Organizations: American College of Physicians; Onondaga Medical Society; Medical Society of the State of New York Family: Wife

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500 New Yorkers Die Every Year Waiting for Transplants increasing the number of people who register to be donors.”

In New York state, the need for donors is among the highest of any state in the union, but just 45% of state residents who are eligible have enrolled in the Donate Life Registry.

All New York state residents age 16 and older can enroll to donate their organs, eyes, and/or tissues after their death. One organ donor can save eight lives and heal 75 more through eye and tissue donation.

• Donatable organs include the heart, kidneys, pancreas, lungs, liver and intestines.

• Donatable tissues include the eyes and corneas, skin, heart valves, bone, blood vessels, nerve, cartilage and connective tissues.

Following registration, donors receive a letter or email providing information on how to change or limit their donation. Registration is a legal document ensuring the person’s wish to be a donor is carried out. Family will be told of the decision and given

information about the process, but their permission is not needed for the donation to proceed.

“New Yorkers are generous, kind and want to help others — they just need to know how. Anyone aged 16 and older can join the New York State Donate Life Registry and potentially save the lives of up to 8 people through organ donation and heal

75 more through tissue donation,” says Aisha Tator, executive director of Donate Life New York State.

“Registering as an organ and tissue donor is an extraordinary act, and we encourage every New Yorker to sign up today and give someone in need the gift of life.”

New York state has simplified the process to register as an organ and

You can also complete a paper or online registration form, or check to see if you’ve already registered to be an organ donor, atwww.DonateLife.

NY.gov. More information is also available at The Center for Donation & Transplant (www.cdtnyvt.org), a federally designated organ procurement organization in Upstate New York.

Health: American Women Rank Last Among Women in Developed Countries

have been influenced by commercial carrier “upcoding” in Advantage plans. Upcoding, which is technically fraud, occurs when a commercial carrier claims that their members are “sicker” than the average Medicare member, so the carrier requires higher payments from Medicare to operate. About 50% of seniors are enrolled in an Advantage plan versus traditional Medicare. To be fair, Advantage plans DO offer more services than traditional Medicare.

of insulin to the Medicare program.

Again, our representatives continue to kowtow to the drug industry with this rather harmless bill. As of this writing, it is remains uncertain if Congress will finally pass a bill that minimally allows Medicare to negotiate prices (versus set prices) with drug manufacturers. Without any compunction, Congress has no problem setting prices for physicians and hospitals.

M

ore than 8,500 New York state residents are waiting for an organ transplant that can save their life, according to a review of state data by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Unfortunately, time will run out for around 500 of them, as that is the average number of New Yorkers who die each year before a compatible organ becomes available.

“These aren’t just statistics, but rather our loved ones, coworkers, and neighbors,” says physician Lorna Fitzpatrick, vice president medical affairs and senior medical director at Excellus BCBS. “We can increase their odds for a successful donor match by

tissue donor, including allowing registration through the Department of Motor Vehicles when you apply for a driver’s license or permit (www.

DMV.NY.gov), through the Board of Elections when you register to vote, and through the NYS of Health marketplace when you sign up for, or renew, a health insurance plan (www.NYStateofHealth.NY.gov).

In New York state, the need for donors is among the highest of any state in the union.

Healthcare in a Minute

By George W. Chapman

T

he US belongs to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Most of the economically advanced countries in the world are members.

The OECD tracks costs, morbidity, access and outcomes among member nations. (Spoiler alert: The US has historically underperformed in most categories.) In a recent study of women’s health, in age group 19-49, involving the top 11 countries by income, the US placed last in most metrics covered. (Notably, the US is the only country in the top 11 without universal healthcare.) The US ranked last in the death rate from avoidable causes like pregnancy-re-

lated complications. The US maternal mortality rate was three times the 11-country average. US women have the highest out-of-pocket costs of all 11 countries in the study which can account for delayed, postponed or put off care. Fifty percent of US women said they had trouble paying a bill versus an average 10% in the other countries surveyed. The US ranked last in meeting mental health needs.

US women have the highest rate of multiple chronic conditions. Finally, US women are least likely to have a “regular” provider. The US did manage to retain its No. 1 ranking in per capita cost of care.

Affordable Care Act: Fixing the Glitches

cial insurance online. Individuals who must spend more than 9.5% of their income on employer provided insurance may opt to purchase more affordable commercial insurance (discount based on income) through an exchange. The problem has been that while it helped the individual, it didn’t help their dependents. Five million families were negatively impacted. A proposed rule that will fix the “family glitch” has recently been introduced. The entire household will be eligible for discounted insurance if employer family coverage exceeds 9.5% of family or household income.

Also referred to as “Obamacare,” the ACA became law 12 years ago after intense negotiations with stakeholder trade associations representing commercial insurers, physicians, hospitals and the 50 states. All stakeholders agreed to participate in the ACA with the notable exception of drug manufacturers. At the time, more than 50 million people lacked health insurance. They typically earned too much to qualify for Medicaid and not enough to afford expensive commercial insurance. The ACA has survived more than 60 politically motivated attempts to repeal it. The unanswered question was always “so what is the problem?” Promises to replace the ACA with something “better” were just talk. The goal of critics was simply to repeal it.

Today, a record 31 million people are covered by the ACA through either expanded Medicaid eligibility or by purchasing discounted commer-

Medicare Premium Increase After several years of nominal increases, CMS is proposing an 8.5% premium increase for Advantage Plans (Part C) and Drug plans (Part D) for 2023. The rate increase reflects more claims than normal during the pandemic and overall inflation.

Skeptics believe the higher rates may

Page 6 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2022

All-purpose Clinics: Walmart At It Again Is this the future of healthcare?

Like it not, Walmart will open five new clinics in Florida later this year.

The retail giant already operates 20 “full service” clinics in Georgia, Arkansas and Illinois. Walmart is capitalizing on its high foot traffic to offer health services under one roof including: in-person primary care, telemedicine, dentistry, pharmacy, durable medical equipment and basic medical supplies. Walmart claims its all-purpose clinics are typically located in “underserved” areas. Allowing Walmart to solve healthcare inequities in cost, access and quality, is either laudable or scary.

Insulin Costs There are more than 30 million diabetics in the US and about 7.5 million rely on insulin. By a vote of 232-193, Congress recently passed the Affordable Insulin Now Act. Unbelievably, 193 of our representatives voted no! Why? The bill caps outof-pocket costs for Part D Medicare members at $35 per month or 25% of the “negotiated” price. Since drug manufacturers consistently refuse to negotiate prices, it looks like the $35 cap will apply. This is hardly a victory for taxpayers. While welcome relief for seniors by capping out of pocket costs, the bill does absolutely nothing to reduce the actual COST

Birth rate down again It’s not just the US. It’s worldwide. Our birthrate has been declining since 2008. In 2020 there were 3,376,000 deaths and 3,605,000 births for a net gain of just 229,000 people, which is just a fraction of 1% of our 332 million people. The net is being impacted from both ends. There has been an increase in preventable deaths among younger people (drug overdoses, suicides, gun violence) combined with increasing reluctance among younger people to procreate because of climate change, the economy, cost and availability of childcare, the pandemic, a rapidly morphing job market and general anxiety. This trend worries health planners because as our average age increases, so do the costs of healthcare. There are fewer healthy, younger people not only to offset or subsidize the COST of caring for the elderly but to literally PROVIDE care to the elderly.

George W. Chapman is a healthcare business consultant who works exclusively with physicians, hospitals and healthcare organizations. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse. Email him at gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.

Free, easy, local access to information and assistance about long term care services and supports… regardless of age, income, or payor source. Get help with community services/supports designed to help people remain healthy and independent for Older Adults, Adults or Children with Disabilities as well as their Families and Caregivers.

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For answers to all your questions Contact us at 800-342-9871 or call one of the NY Connects partnering agencies at 315-697-5700.

You may also look for services and support at www.nyconnects.ny.gov

U.S. STD Cases Spiked During Pandemic

E

ven as the COVID-19 pandemic kept people isolated at home, sexually transmitted disease (STDs) cases increased across the United States.

Although cases fell in the pandemic’s early months, infections rose again by the end of 2020, with gonorrhea, syphilis and congenital syphilis surpassing 2019 levels, according to a new U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report.

“STDs have been increasing now for maybe seven years in a row,” said physician Leandro Mena, director of the CDC’s Division of STD Prevention.

“These increases have roots in a decrease in funding public health, which has affected health departments’ ability to provide screening, treatment, prevention and partner services,” he added.

Increased substance use, which is linked to social practices and socioeconomic conditions making it difficult to access services, also plays a role, Mena said.

The new 2020 STD Surveillance Report, released April 12, found that at the end of 2020: • Cases of gonorrhea and primary and secondary syphilis rose 10% and 7%, respectively, compared with 2019.

• Syphilis among newborns, called congenital syphilis, also rose

by nearly 15% from 2019, and 235% from 2016. Primary and secondary syphilis and congenital syphilis cases continued to rise in 2021.

• Cases of chlamydia dropped by 13% from 2019.

• Chlamydia accounts for the largest proportion of reported STDs. Researchers suspect the reported drop in cases owes to reduced STD screening and underdiagnosis during the pandemic, and not a true reduction in new infections. The decline in reported chlamydia cases contributed to a drop in the number of reported STDs in 2020 —from 2.5 million cases in 2019 to 2.4 million in 2020.

The researchers cited several factors contributing to the decline in STD cases in the first part of 2020, including: • Less screening.

• Public health workers sidelined to work on COVID-19.

• Shortages of STD tests and lab supplies.

• Lapses in health insurance caused by unemployment.

• A surge in telemedicine that resulted in less frequent screening and left some infections unreported.

•The highest rates of new STIs were seen among gay and bisexual men and teens, the CDC reported.

“Over 50% of all STDs are reported among people who are younger than 24 years old,” Mena said.

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

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May 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

5:30 a.m. — Rising and Shining I’m an early riser, so my perfect day began like every other — before sunrise.

It seems the older I get, the less sleep I need. For me, it’s bonus “me time” in the morning to gently ease into my daily routine.

No jarring alarm clock startles me awake; I rely on my biological clock. My eyes naturally open when my body is rested after a good night’s sleep. I stretch in bed and then roll out to pull on yesterday’s jeans to start my perfect day.

6 a.m. — Contemplating and Reflecting After feeding my cat Little Merry and brewing a cup of coffee, I settled onto my couch to meditate and set my intentions for the day. Little Merry popped up on my lap and together our breathing synced in the stillness.

I began my day feeling grounded with an open heart, filled with gratitude.

7 a.m. — Moving and Communing with Nature As the sun rose over the tree tops, I made my way to the trail head of a nearby park. Walking is a daily ritual for me, which — no surprise — was part of my perfect day. Not only was I moving (my joints thanked me), I was moved by the serene beauty, earthy aromas, and the warmth of fresh spring air.

I find my spiritual bearings in nature.

8:30 a.m. — Taking Care of Business After my invigorating walk, I returned home to enjoy a healthy breakfast, while scanning the news headlines. Then, I turned my attention to taking care of some household chores and tasks that come with being solely responsible for my home and property.

Far from burdensome, I take these responsibilities in stride and feel pride and, yes, even joy when I fulfill my obligations to myself and others.

I made my bed, answered emails, paid bills, confirmed several Airbnb reservations, took out the trash, did laundry, you name it. I did what needed to be done. And that felt good!

10 a.m. — Practicing for Perfection (well, not quite) As a budding percussionist for the New Horizons community jazz band, I picked up my drum sticks, tambourine, shaker and cow bell for a good 45 minutes of practice.

On this perfect day, I decided not to admonish myself for my fledgling attempts to better my technique. I love supporting my fellow percussionists and I gave myself a big high-five for making progress — however slowly.

11 a.m. — Playing Pickleball My perfect day would not be complete if I didn’t indulge in my new obsession: pickleball.

I arrived at the court to find my new community of friends ready to slam the wiffle ball across the net (not!). We are a kind clan. We laugh, we encourage each other to stop apologizing for our mis-hits and we valiantly try to keep track of the score.

It’s so much fun! And it’s great aerobic exercise — good for the heart on so many levels.

2 p.m. — Pampering Myself Exhausted (in a good way) after two hours of pure exhilaration on the pickleball court, I decided to do something just for me. Goodness knows my muscles needed some TLC and I wanted some pampering.

In anticipation of my perfect day, I booked a Swedish massage for May 1. It goes without saying — it was “perfekt!” That’s perfect in Swedish.

3 p.m. — Committing a Random Act of Kindness My day wouldn’t be perfect without doing a little something for someone else, without expecting anything in return.

On my perfect day I made it happen. On my way home from the spa, I saw the contents of my neighbor’s recycling bin blown helter-skelter. I stopped, gathered up the paper and plastic and returned the items to the bin.

This small act kindness put a spring in my step!

“We are proud to be one of only two “best maternity hospitals” in the state. The funding for a dedicated C-section suite will enable Rome Health to take the next step in advancing our bold plan for the future,” Czyz said. “While navigating the pandemic, we broke ground on our new physician center, became a nationally accredited bariatric center and invested in revolutionary 7D technology for spine surgery.”

The hospital plans to renovate 2,000 square foot of existing space and convert it to a modern surgical suite adjacent to the maternity department for enhanced patient safety and to optimize the hospital’s existing operating suites on the first floor.

Although the hospital’s C-section rate is better than the state average, the hospital’s overall obstetrics volume grew 28.5% between 2020

and 2021 with reduced access to care in neighboring communities and the hospital’s designation as one of only two “best maternity hospitals” in the state.

In addition, the hospital’s overall surgical volume increased 26.4% with the addition of new service lines and new surgeons. Currently, one of the four existing operating rooms is reserved for emergent C-sections.

Creating a dedicated women’s surgical suite for both scheduled and emergent C-sections will increase available capacity for general surgical growth. In 2021, 744 babies were born at Rome Health. Of those 282 were by C-section, including repeat procedures.

“The county’s investment will help us to accelerate our plans for expanding access to the best care out there, here in Rome,” Czyz said.

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

In May: Create Your Perfect Day!

T

he month of May is all about new growth and new beginnings.

If you could do anything your heart desires, how would you spend a perfect day in May? I was presented with this question a while ago, and it got me thinking. I began to fantasize about what my perfect day would include. The more I thought about it, the more excited I got about making my perfect day a reality.

One of the many benefits of living alone is that you have the freedom to choose exactly how you spend your time and energy. Maybe you’re looking for some introspective time to yourself. Or maybe you’ve had enough “alone time” lately and would enjoy the company of friends.

Perhaps, like me, your perfect day would include a little bit of both.

Like anything worthwhile, creating a perfect day takes a little thought and pre-planning. In preparation, you might ask yourself these questions: • With whom do I want share this precious day?

• Which activities bring meaning to my life?

• What brings me joy? And, conversely, what steals my joy?

• What inspires me to be my best self?

Of course, there’s no such thing as a universal perfect day. Each of us is unique and will define our perfect day differently.

And by “perfect,” I don’t mean a day without hiccups or disappointments. Perfect, in my mind, includes all the imperfections that come with being human and living in the real world.

A day that includes changes, challenges and snafus is also an opportunity to demonstrate your smarts. Not to mention your resilience! You get the opportunity to solve problems and prove to yourself that you are resourceful and wise.

How perfect is that?!

Rome Health to Get $3 Million from Oneida County

O

neida County Executive Anthony Picente announced during the State of the County address in April that Rome Health will receive $3 million to help fund a dedicated C-section suite adjacent to the maternity department on the fourth floor.

“We are grateful to County Executive Anthony Picente for making an investment in the women’s surgical suite at Rome Health,” said Rome Health President and Chief Executive Officer AnneMarie Czyz. “Thank you for helping Rome Health ensure that the best maternity care is easily accessible to the women of Rome and the surrounding rural communities.”

After giving the questions above serious consideration, I designed a perfect day for myself in early May. I’ve included it here, in hopes that it might inspire you to embrace this exercise and seize the day.

Page 8 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2022

3:30 p.m. — Taking a Catnap Need I say more?

4 p.m. — Enjoying Some Free Time Feeling rested, I enjoyed a few hours of unstructured time to do whatever struck my fancy. On this particular day, I did some spring clean-up in my yard and gardens, swept out the barn, and refilled my birdfeeders. Then, I came inside to relax, read and do a little online shopping.

A perfect day for me will always include free time to do nothing or to do something, to work or to play, or experiment and learn something new.

7 p.m. — Sharing a Meal with People I Love I’m lucky this way: It’s not unusual to find myself at my sister Anne’s home to enjoy one of her incredible gourmet meals and the good company of her family.

Spoiler alert: I was there on my perfect day. We ate, we laughed, and just hung out (until it was time to do the dishes and I made a bee-line for the door). Kidding!

It was a perfect and delicious ending to a perfect day. I was with people I love.

What could be better?

10 p.m. — Hitting the Sack Early to bed, with a Rick Steves travel guide in hand, is the perfect nightcap for me. So that’s how I wrapped up my wonderful day.

Before I nodded off to sleep, I asked myself: What made this day so perfect? Why do I feel so content? The answer came quickly: connections.

My perfect day was filled with connections — with myself, with nature, my best friends, and with family.

So, what’s your perfect day?

Whatever it is, make it happen. Trust me, you’ll feel renewed and reinvigorated from the inside out.

And that’s a perfect combination!

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

The maternity department at Rome Health has been selected by Newsweek as one of the best maternity hospitals in the state. Overall obstetrics volume grew 28.5% between 2020 and 2021.

Q A &

with Danielle Smith

Helping improve housing conditions in Oneida County is main goal of HomeOwnershipCenter, says its chief executive officer

By David Podos Q: What are the main programs and services that you offer and whom do you offer them to?

A: Our main program is housing rehabilitation; this is our leading service. This service is offered to both new [first time] homeowners and

current homeowners. For existing homeowners, we have funding for Oneida County, specifically here in the city of Utica and Madison County. So, for example, someone may need major roof repair but cannot afford it, we will step in to make sure

Help Stop Avian Flu: Take Down Your Bird Feeders

By Amy Barkley

H

ighly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a serious, fatal disease of poultry that is at top of mind for many.

Since the beginning of the year, it’s been identified in over 350 wild birds in 20 states, including New York.

New York has also had three cases of HPAI to date in backyard

the roof is fixed. We also help with other major high-end cost expenditures to keep the house safe and standing. We have a lead safety program as lead poisoning for children is a big issue here in Utica. Other issues that homeowners may be experiencing that can cause sickness is mold in the house, so we look at that as well. The recipient must meet certain income standards to receive these services.

For first-time home buyers we have what is called a down payment and rehab grant. You get a certain amount of down payment based upon the buyer’s income level. Once the home is purchased, we as an agency come in to make sure the house meets housing quality standards and assist with needed repairs if needed.

Q: Do these kinds of problems you mentioned —homes that are decaying structurally, high levels of mold and or lead paint dust — happen just in our area or is this much more widespread?

A: We are not an anomaly here in Oneida County. In fact, we see these kinds of problems in homes in small cities all across the United States.

Q: How do your services affect the well-being and health of your clientele?

A: So, for first time home buyers, who wouldn’t want to come home to a place that they actually owned?

Having a safe, secure, and healthy home is so important to the overall health of anyone. For existing homeowners, for example, we are doing radon testing; we are testing for lead paint [dust]. By offering these services and remedies we are making the occupants much healthier.

Q: How many homes on average do you “clean up” and rehab so the occupants are safe and not exposed to hazardous situations that could cause severe health issues?

A: Around 40-60 homes per year.

Q: What do you see in regards of your organization in the next three years?

A: Certainly, I see us growing our capacity in helping first-time buyers of homes as well as continuing to assist current homeowners. I also see us as a team, (and I have a phenompoultry flocks, which resulted in the death of 268 birds. It is up to us as to help protect domestic poultry flocks.

One of the ways that we can do this is to take down our wild bird feeders for a little while.

While this disease is mostly carried by wild waterfowl, research has shown that other wild bird populations can carry it too, especially if they share nesting and feeding grounds with wild waterfowl. These populations include perching birds and songbirds. For this reason, we recommend that folks that feed wild birds who also have poultry at home or who work with poultry take down their bird feeders until the threat of the disease has passed.

It is uncertain as to when it will be safe to put feeders back out, but scientists believe that caseloads should decrease over the summer months.

The highest risk of spreading the disease is now, during the spring migration. That said, this is a disease of the colder months, and we may see cases spike again during the fall migration.

For those who have poultry at home, taking down bird feeders is

enal team) increasing the number of homes available in Oneida County for purchase.

Q: How long have you been the CEO of Home Ownership Center?

A: This past January it has been six years.

Q: What other work experiences did you have before you became the CEO of HOC? A: For two years prior to my current position, I was chief operating officer for HOC. I also have a banking background where I was a marketing director for a couple of local financial institutions for about 13 years.

Q: What is your educational background?

A: I have an Associate of Science degree in computer information systems, and a Bachelor of Science degree in communications and marketing. While in the banking profession I received my CFMP, (certified financial marketing professional) certification from American Banking Association School of Banking.

Q: How many staff do you have?

A: Presently we have 14 staff.

Q: What is your annual operational budget?

A: $2.5 million.

Q: Where does HOC receive its funding?

A: We have a mixture of funds through the government; we receive funding from both the state and federal level, as well as local city funding. We also have private grant funding through private foundations.

Locally we have received financial support from the Herkimer-Oneida Community Foundation. We are also fortunate to have received support from a number of banking institutions, M&T Bank, Berkshire Bank, MBT, Bank of Utica, Adirondack Bank, and Bank of America.

The HomeOwnershipCenter is located at 1611 Genesee St., Utica. Their web site is unhs.org Phone: 315-724-4197. especially important. Additional ways to protect flocks include keeping your flock away from wild birds, especially wild waterfowl, keeping people who aren’t responsible for poultry care away from your flock and, if you must visit other poultry or areas that wild birds frequent, change into clean clothing and footwear before entering poultry housing.

This disease can cause unusual deaths and illness in both wild and domestic birds.

Concerns about dead or sick wild birds can be directed to your local Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) office. Unusual whole-flock illnesses or deaths in poultry can be directed to NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets (518-457-3502); the USDA (866-5367593); or your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Office.

Amy Barkley is a livestock and beginning farm specialist with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Program.

May 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 9

The Balanced Body miso, fermented vegetables, apple cider vinegar and coconut yogurt.

Always try to incorporate food first but you can consider adding a probiotic supplement if you need added support when working to improve a compromised gut. There are many probiotic supplements to pick from which can lead to confusion. A dose of anywhere from a billion to 10 billion CFUs (colony-forming-units) per day should be sufficient. Consider speaking with your health care provider for guidance. Also adding bone broth, rich in nutrients, can also calm a healing gut.

• Avoiding fragrance in perfumes, dish soap, body wash, laundry detergent, cleaning products and more causes a buildup of toxins in the body causing not only allergy symptoms but other conditions.

Sneezing, Itchy, Watery Eyes…

Fight allergies the alternative way…

By Deborah Dittner

D

uring the spring, many begin to experience sneezing, itchy, watery eyes and nasal conges-

tion.

Spring starts with tree pollen allergies moving then into grass pollen in late spring to mid-summer.

Spring can also contribute to mold growth and mold allergies due to the dampness from increased rainfall.

Seasonal allergies (also known as allergic rhinitis) are the hyper-activity of the body’s immune systems. Uncomfortable inflammation and irritation in the nasal passages can cause harm. Some react more forcefully than others as the immune system is being compromised causing the production of antibodies to defend from the attackers on the body.

Approximately 70%-80% of your immune system is located in the gut. When the gut is weakened, the immune system is weakened.

What weakens the gut? Poor nutrition, increased exposure to toxins, and stress cause inflammation and the imbalance between good bacteria and bad bacteria.

What is the best way to support the gut and the immune system? Prevention is first and foremost. There are many ways to treat seasonal allergy symptoms and the root cause of inflammation.

Seasonal allergies can be uncomfortable, but they are treatable.

Avoiding the allergens causing your symptoms should be encouraged.

Discussing your symptoms with your health care provider can help determine the cause of your symptoms and help in planning the necessary steps to decrease or eliminate the symptoms.

So, what are you going to do?

• Have a mocktail! A blend of apple, one quarter

cup pineapple, add six ounces water and a drizzle of local raw honey not only tastes fantastic but helps to support your immune system to keep allergies at bay. The apple is anti-inflammatory as it contains quercetin. Pineapple contains bromeliad which is a naturally occurring antihistamine. Yum! • Apple cider vinegar has many uses but this time of year it helps to fight allergies. One ounce a day added to water will help maintain your alkaline pH, improve inflammation, and stabilize digestive health.

• Eliminate dairy from your diet. Dairy can aggravate the immune response of the body and increase inflammation causing an increase in mucous production. By going dairy-free, your symptoms may improve.

• Using a Neti pot a minimum of once daily. Irrigation of your sinus passages will remove pollen and decrease the thickness of mucus leading to lessen congestion. It is important to wash your Neti pot regularly with a mixture of vinegar and water to eliminate increased bacteria and/or mold from forming inside the chamber and entering your nasal passages.

• A combination of therapeutic grade essential oils can help with allergy symptoms. I recommend a mixture of lemon, peppermint and lavender oils diffused into your home, bedroom or office. You can also inhale a few drops of each placed under your nose or on your temples avoiding the eye area. This combination may act as a natural antihistamine while decreasing the overall inflammatory response of allergens.

• Acupuncture has been shown to decrease allergy symptoms. Acu-

pressure can also be helpful by holding pressure to the sides of your nose, between your eyebrows, and between your thumb and finger.

• For itchy, watery eyes with clear nasal discharge, consider Eyebright tea. Drinking a cup twice daily can help with allergy symptoms.

• Raw, local honey contains local pollen to sensitize you creating fewer allergy symptoms. The exposure to the pollens in the honey helps to stimulate the immune system creating a protective response.

• The homeopathic remedy, Allium cepa, is acquired from allium (otherwise also known as onions) decreasing allergy symptoms. The micro doses of allium in homeopathic remedies act as an antihistamine.

• “All disease begins in the gut” said Hippocrates.

To improve gut health, consider taking a probiotic. Without proper digestive health, the other systems of the body become imbalanced. Probiotics as a supplement or through food can help to lower your histamine response decreasing allergy symptoms. Boosting the health of the gut is essential as it can take between 12 and 24 months for the adult gut to heal whether it be from types of food or drink, medications or stress. The bacteria in your gut can be thrown off by poor digestion, travel, diets high in sugar and artificial ingredients, environmental toxins, certain medications from antacids to pain medications and the use of antibiotics. Make sure you incorporate prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods. Prebiotics consist of wheat, walnuts, asparagus, Jerusalem artichokes, bananas, legumes, onions, and garlic.

When you eat these foods, your good gut flora feast on the prebiotics and multiply crowding out bad bacteria making the good bacteria produce substances to boost immunity. Probiotics consist of sauerkraut (example: eat a couple tablespoons about 15-30 minutes before a meal), kimchi, kefir, pickled ginger, organic

Page 10 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2022

• Water…water… water! Hydration is very important for many bodily systems. Water will thin out mucus and help to eliminate toxins from the body.

• Some herbal remedies to consider: 1. Butterbur is a plant extract used for medicinal purposes. It is most commonly used to treat migraines and hay fever.

2. Stinging nettle may squelch allergy symptoms according to some research by inhibiting the body’s histamine production and therefore decreasing inflammation. Stinging nettle can be taken as a tea or in capsule form to decrease allergy symptoms and inflammation as the plant contains chlorophyll and vitamin C providing support to the immune system.

3. Quercitin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and may reduce allergy symptoms. Quercitin can be found in fruits, vegetables and grains.

Such remedies need to be started four to six weeks before you anticipate allergy symptoms to begin.

Incorporate any of these allergy fighting remedies into your daily routine and enjoy warm weather ahead.

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.

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

Helpful tips

The skinny on healthy eating

Cream Cheese: the Good, the Bad, and the Lovely

E

very May, in honor of my mother, I make her favorite dessert: cheesecake with sliced strawberries.

I typically don’t feature desserts, because they’re often full of empty calories. But, today, I’m making an exception.

On occasion and in moderation, it’s OK to indulge. And, the good news is, most nutritionists agree!

(FYI: the recipe that follows is lighter and healthier than most cheesecakes.)

The star of cheesecake — and today’s column — is cream cheese.

Produced from unskimmed cow’s milk, cream cheese is a soft cheese (yes! a true cheese) that gets its firm but creamy texture from lactic acid.

Let’s begin with the good. Although cream cheese doesn’t provide as much calcium or protein as many hard cheeses, it still has some nutritional merit.

Cream cheese is a good source of vitamin A, with an average serving (two tablespoons) providing about 10% of our daily needs. Vitamin A promotes healthy eyesight and helps reduce the risk of vision-related problems, such as night blindness and macular degeneration.

Gut health may improve with the consumption of cream cheese. Some of the bacteria used to make cream cheese are probiotics, which are friendly bacteria that keep us healthy by restoring the balance between good and bad bacteria, supporting immune function, and controlling inflammation.

Lactose intolerant? You’ll be delighted to know that cream cheese is low in lactose (less than 2 grams per ounce) and so may not cause the GI discomfort associated with some dairy products. Experts recommend tasting a small amount at first to see how your body reacts.

Now for the bad. Hold onto your hats, bagel-lovers, a two-tablespoon

Stop High Food Prices From Inflating Your Waistline Excellus dietitian talks about the 4 P’s of food

F

illing our plates with healthy food and avoiding unhealthy temptations can be challenging, particularly as we see prices rise at the grocery store.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield wellbeing engagement consultant, registered dietitian Pat Salzer, offers some simple tips to help navigate the supermarket aisles and avoid the side dish of guilt. “Food is the spice of life, not the enemy,” she explains.

Pat Salzer The key is to set yourself up for success. To do that, Pat advises using “the 4 P’s”: plan, purchase, prep and plate.

• Plan — “Plan your meals for the week, taking into account what items are on sale, as well as what is already in your kitchen,” says Salzer.

Planning will ensure a more productive trip to the store.

• Purchase — When grocery shopping, stick to your list and avoid impulse purchases. “The grocery store is the gateway for what comes into your home—invite in healthy foods,” she says.

• Prep — A little preparation can go a long way not only in stretching a dollar, but in ensuring that healthy options are readily available when hunger strikes. “Prep overnight oats for an easy grab-and-go breakfast in the morning,” suggests Salzer. “Have some vegetables sliced up for a quick snack or faster meal prep.”

• Plate — What you put on your plate matters. Load it with vegetables. Keep salad and vegetables on the table and main dishes on the stove. “When we go for seconds, we are more likely to grab the food within arm’s length rather than walking to the stove.”

Keeping costs down When it comes to keeping nutrition up and costs down, two main

serving of regular cream cheese is pretty high in fat and calories: 100 calories, 9 grams of fat. Unfortunately, 6 of the 9 grams of fat is saturated fat, the kind that drives up cholesterol and raises the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Of course, we must end with the lovely. Oh, where to begin with luscious cream cheese? Let’s see, its creamy texture, its sweet and tangy taste, its versatility, and its important role in a classic dessert that so many mothers love.

Lighter Cheesecake with Fresh Fruit For the crust: 2 cups crushed graham crackers 6 tablespoons butter, melted ¼ cup sugar ½ teaspoon cinnamon For the filling: 2 (8-ounce) packages of reduced-fat cream cheese, softened ¾ cup sugar 2 eggs, room temperature 2 tablespoons flour 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice Fresh fruit for topping Preheat oven to 375 F. Lightly oil a 9-inch springform pan (or spray with nonstick cooking spray). Set aside. principles apply: extend the life of your groceries, and go for less expensive options when possible. Trail mix, for example, can be a pricey item. Instead, try a homemade option made from popcorn, cereal, nuts, raisins, and pretzels.

When cooking a meal, use what you already have on hand and make substitutions. “For example, green beans can be substituted for asparagus, and sweet potatoes for squash,” explains Salzer. Extend the life of herbs by cutting the bottoms off and placing them in a glass of water. Expensive greens, such as romaine, arugula, and escarole, can be cooked and stored in the fridge so they last longer. When it comes to saving money and eating healthily, the freezer is your friend. Freeze leftover items such as bananas, tomato paste, and cooked rice.

“I often add frozen bananas to my oatmeal or whip them up into a frozen dessert,” says Salzer.

And, contrary to common belief, shopping the

Choose reduced-fat or nofat cream cheese to cut calories and fat. Many stores also have vegan options. An unopened package of cream cheese is good one month past the “Best When Purchased By” date on the carton. Once opened, cream cheese should be used within 10 days.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon. Pour melted butter over crumbs and mix well.

Pour crumb mixture into center of prepared pan and using your hands or a spoon, press the crumbles down and around the pan in an even layer.

Bake your crust for 10 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let it cool while you prep your filling. Lower the oven temperature to 325 F. With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth, about 4 minutes.

Add eggs, one at a time, beating until just incorporated, about 1 minute.

Beat in flour, vanilla, and lemon juice just until combined, about 1 minute.

Pour the mixture into the cooled crust and bake the cheesecake for 4555 minutes or until the middle is set.

Let the cheesecake cool for 1 hour, and then transfer it to the fridge.

Serve with fresh fruit of choice.

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.

inner aisles is encouraged. There, you will find less expensive items with longer shelf lives and often packaged in bulk. Not all items in the inner aisles are healthy, but oats, canned vegetables, peanut butter and brown rice are good options. “Frozen and canned vegetables are processed at the peak of freshness and can have more nutrients than fresh vegetables that are past their prime,” explains Salzer.

With a little extra effort, you can eat healthy foods and stick to your budget.

May 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 11

Nursing

Amanda Haines Talks About a Typical Day of a CNA

A 17-year veteran in the nursing industry offers details of her day as a certified nursing assistant at Waterville Residential Care Center

By Barbara Pierce

A

manda Haines is a certified nursing assistant (CAN) at Waterville Residential Care Center in Waterville. It’s a 92-bed skilled nursing cacility that offers both short- and long-term rehabilitation.

At WRCC, like all nursing homes and assisted living facilities, the foundation of the care that is given to residents rests in the hands of the CNAs. Under the supervision of registered nurses, CNAs provide the intimate, hands-on, day-to-day care to residents.

Q: As a CNA, what is your typical day like?

A: I work days, so I start by getting the residents up and ready for the day, I sponge bathe or shower them, help them get dressed and ready for breakfast. I serve breakfast, feeding those who need help. I make their beds, then get ready for lunch.

I serve lunch, and help them if they need help. After lunch, I settle down those who want a nap.

As I work in the rehab unit, I help with the therapy that is given to residents, therapy that helps them get to where they can go back home.

I may walk someone up and down the hall, maybe someone who’s had a broken hip. The next day we go a little further up and down the hall, then before long, they’re ready to go back home. Many of our residents do get better and are able to return to their own homes.

Q: How long have you been a CNA at WRCC? A: I’ve been working here as a CNA for 17 years, since 2005; I’m 34 years old. I love working with the residents. I live near Waterville, so I don’t have a long drive to and from work.

Q: What training did you have to begin working as a CNA? A: I was trained here at the

Nurses’ Long Shifts May Have Downside: Study

N

urses who work long shifts are more likely to experience job dissatisfaction and burnout, and their patients’ care may suffer, according to a new study.

The research included nearly 23,000 registered nurses in California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida. Sixty-five percent of the nurses worked shifts of 12 to 13 hours.

The three-year study found that nurses who worked shifts of 10 hours or longer were up to 2.5 times more likely than nurses who worked shorter shifts to report job dissatisfaction and burnout.

In addition, seven of 10 patient outcomes assessed in the study were significantly worse when nurses worked the longest shifts, the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing researchers found.

In hospitals with more nurses working longer shifts, a greater percentage of patients reported that

nurses sometimes or never communicated well, pain was sometimes or never well controlled, and they sometimes or never received help as soon as they wanted.

The study was published in the November 2021 issue of the journal Health Affairs.

“Traditional eight-hour shifts for hospital nurses are becoming a thing of the past,” Amy Witkoski Stimpfel, a registered nurse and postdoctoral fellow at Penn Nursing’s Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research, said in a school news release.

“Bedside nurses increasingly work 12-hour shifts. This schedule gives nurses a three-day work week, potentially providing better work-life balance and flexibility.”

However, when “long shifts are combined with overtime, shifts that rotate between day and night duty, and consecutive shifts, nurses are at risk for fatigue and burnout, which

facility and got my CNA certification through that training. I was paid while I trained. To begin training requires a high school diploma; they train you for one to two weeks, depending on how fast you learn, then you’re on a 90-day probation, under close supervision of a nurse.

Q: What personality characteristics does it take to do your job?

A: This isn’t a job for everyone.

You have to have a whole lot of patience. You have to have feelings for people — you’re caring for someone else’s family member. Caring about people is the most important personality characteristic to have.

Q: Do you have any plans to become an registered nurse?

A: I’m thinking of getting my RN; it would take two or three years.

I haven’t looked into how I would achieve it. job?

Q: What’s most rewarding about your

A: The best thing about this job is taking care of the residents — that’s what I love. It’s especially exciting to see someone who has had a broken hip or some other problem gets better and go back home. I am especially happy when someone I’ve been walking up and down the hall walks further every day, and is finally ready to return home. Many of our residents do go back home and I’m always happy for them.

Not long ago, I took off for a week of vacation. When I came back, the residents laughed as they told me: “You can’t take any more time off; we missed you too much!” I liked hearing that!

Q: What’s the most challenging about your job?

A: There’s really not anything that’s difficult. I love it!

For more information about Waterville Residential Care Center, call 315-8414156 or see https://watervillecares.com.

“[When] long shifts are combined with overtime, shifts that rotate between day and night duty, and consecutive shifts, nurses are at risk for fatigue and burnout, which may compromise patient care”

may compromise patient care,” she added.

The researchers recommended that the number of consecutive hours worked by nurses should be restricted, nurse management should monitor nurses’ hours worked (including second jobs) and state boards of nursing should consider possible restrictions on nurse shift length and voluntary overtime.

Page 12 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2022

“Nursing leadership should also encourage a workplace culture that respects nurses’ days off and vacation time, promotes nurses’ prompt departure at the end of a scheduled shift and allows nurses to refuse to work overtime without retribution,” Witkoski Stimpfel said.

“These types of policies that facilitate manageable work hours can contribute to the development of a healthier nursing workforce, prepared to manage the complex care needs of patients and their families,” she added.

Congratulations to Amanda Haines

on her success as CNA at Waterville Residential

Ms. Haines has provided exceptional work for over 17 years as certified nursing assistant at Waterville Residential Care Center in the Mohawk Valley region.

Join Ms. Haines and our team.

No experience? We will train you!

Apply Online

or visit any of our listed facilities.

Waterville Residential in Waterville watervillecares.com Currently recruiting CNA, LPN, RN Aaron Manor Nursing and Rehab in Fairport aaronmanor.com Currently recruiting CNA, LPN, RN Shire Senior Living Adult Home/Assisted Living, Rochester shireseniorliving.com.

Currently hiring HHA, PCA, Medication Technician Morningstar Residential, Oswego morningstarcares.com Currently recruiting CNA, LPN, RN The Gardens by Morningstar, Oswego Currently recruiting Adult Home/Assisted Living, HHA, PCA and Medication Technician

www.elementalmgt.com May 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 13

Nursing to technology to actual workforce, trying to regroup and make sure we have enough staff, which is clearly our biggest challenge currently.

Q: Have you always worked at Upstate?

A: I worked one year in Auburn in the coronary care unit. I had experience and exposure to Upstate as an EMS provider and an EMS student and was always amazed whenever we brought a patient here. It was always the plan I was going to end up here, and thankfully I did.

Scott Jessie: “Nursing remains the most trusted profession in the country.”

Chief Nursing Officer at Upstate Oversees Staff of 3,000 Scott Jessie became the first male chief nursing officer for SUNY Upstate Medical University in September

By Mary Beth Roach

S

cott Jessie became the first male chief nursing officer for SUNY Upstate Medical University in September of 2021. As such, he oversees about 3,000 healthcare staff at Upstate’s Community and downtown campuses. He has worked in

a variety of nursing roles since first coming to the hospital in 1999.

Q: What are your responsibilities as the chief nursing officer?

A: I think the biggest one is ensuring that the staff has what it needs to provide patient care across the system, from supplies and equipment

Q: What was it that impressed you about Upstate?

A: The skill of the people, the high-tech approach to care, the ability of this organization to take care of the sickest of the sick across the region, and the fact that the sickest of the sickest patients came to this facility intrigued me a lot because you have to know so much to be able to care for those types of patients.

The academic difference in being a part of the college really to me was very attractive. I like that constant approach to education. I like working with physician partners and trainees and people across all specialties.

Q: When you say that Upstate treats “the sickest of the sick,” is there a reason for that?

A: We are a specialty center for a lot of things. We are the level one adult and pediatric trauma center for the entire region. We cover about two million people. We are the burn center for a large portion of New York state; actually from about halfway to Rochester all the way down the Westchester County because Albany several years back closed their burn center. We’re the only children’s hospital in the entire region. We are a designated stroke center. We have multiple specialties across the board in terms of care that are not available in a lot of smaller hospitals. By the type of hospital that we are, we have resources other places tend not to have, so we are a regional referral center for a lot of patients.

Q: What do you see as your accomplishments in this profession?

A: I’m definitely proud, over the years, to have grown more leaders. I think that is a very important part of the leader job at any level. Certainly day to day, I’m just tremendously proud of our staff and the work that they do. It is very hard work and they provide incredible care. They are amazing people and to be able to be a part of that is a privilege.

Q: What are some of the best aspects of the job?

A: In my job, I do truly like the complexity and the challenge. I love the team that I work with. The officer team here is fantastic. We are a tightknit group and we are really collaborative. We support each other. That’s a great environment to be in when you do a job that’s very hard. I love nursing, love Upstate. The things I do to help the team take care of patients is rewarding to me.

Q: What are some of the more challenging aspects of the job?

A: The pace of the job is very fast. Every day is different. You have to be able to pivot on a dime, address

Page 14 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2022

the issues that come up, support and build a strong team that can handle that type of environment.

Q: According to some national reports, the current percentage of males in the nursing workforce is about 12% and that appears to be an increase from the 9% in 2017. Do you see that percentage increasing in the future?

Why or why not?

A: I think it will continue to slowly increase. Nursing is a tremendous profession for anybody. The opportunities are very wide-ranging.

There’s a lot of opportunity for jobs in all avenues. You go back even further, like in 1960, ‘65, there was like 2% male. I do think, over time, there will continue to be more, just because of the strength of the career and what it offers people. There’s a lot of options and it’s not just bedside nursing. You can get a lot of advanced education to become nurse practitioners and multiple other different advanced practice opportunities. I think that attracts all sorts of people and will continue to do so.

Q: What do you see for the future of the nursing profession overall and how has the pandemic impacted that?

A: There’s going to remain tremendous need for nurses, for all sorts of healthcare workers actually.

The pandemic has definitely impacted it. Obviously with bedside nursing, they can’t work from home, but there are other kinds of nursing they can. That may pull some of the workforce in a different role. Staffing in the hospitals is a challenge nationwide right now. Travel nursing has become a very popular option across the country, due to tremendous spikes in needs across the country.

They get paid very well. The rates have gone up tremendously during the pandemic, so it has become quite appealing for some segment of our workforce. Travelers have been around for a very long time. The pandemic really caused an explosion in their utilization and a need across the country and the rates have gone up. It’s very stressful and challenging for the hospital systems to pay for them and to find staff. I think over time you will see hospital systems do everything they can to attract and retain people and look at compensation and different strategies to encourage them to stay with them throughout their careers.

Q: With May being National Nurses Month, is there anything that you would to add?

A: Nursing remains the most trusted profession in the country, according to national research. It has been that way for many years. Nurses—all healthcare workers—have stepped up beyond belief during this pandemic. It was very hard during the peak of the pandemic for our staff who had to take care of patients who ultimately did not survive and to help their families cope with that when they really couldn’t be here or very few could be here. The emotional toll of that was significant. But day to day, nurses and other healthcare workers keep coming to work. They keep caring for communities they live in. That’s our job and we take that very seriously.

CELEBRATING

NURSES WEEK 2022 Thank you to our nurses for the care they give to all the people we support at Upstate Cerebral Palsy.

We appreciate and honor you each and every week!

To join our team of exceptional nurses, visit upstatecpjobs.org for current openings.

May 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 15

Nursing

Thank you!

Pandemic’s Early Days Hit Nurses Hard: Report

Frontline nurses have faced exceptional physical and mental health demands during the COVID-19 pandemic

In honor of National Nurses Week 2022 (May 6th – May 12th), thank you to the nursing staff at the Oneida County Health Department clinic for their dedication to public health.

F

frontline nurses have faced exceprontline nurses were plagued tional physical and mental health by “moral distress” in the early demands during the COVID-19 days of the pandemic because pandemic, and their opinions could they lacked the support to provide help guide efforts to reduce nurse high-quality care, a new report burnout and keep them on the job. reveals.

“People need to listen to nurses Between May and September more, and nurses need to feel em2020, researchers interviewed 100 powered to share their experiences nurses across the United States who at every level of leadership,” Sicared for COVID-19 patients. monovich said in a university news The nurses reported moral release. distress caused by knowing how to What’s needed? Clear, safe treat patients and protect themselves, standards for nurses that will be but not having the necessary staff, legally binding and hold hospitals equipment or information. This led to feelings of fear, frustration, power- and health care agencies accountable, according to the researchers. lessness and guilt.

They noted that 65% of the “We go into nursing with the nurses in the study identified as a intention of saving lives and helping member of a racial, ethnic or gender people to be healthy,” said study minority group, providing a realistic co-author Shannon Simonovich, an representation of U.S. nursing. assistant professor of nursing at DeAs media coverage of “nurse Paul University School of Nursing, in heroes” in the pandemic fades, the Chicago. “Ultimately, nurses want to experiences described by the nursfeel good about the work they do for es in this study should be a call to individuals, families and communiaction, said Kim Amer, an associate ties.”

The study participants expressed professor at DePaul with 40 years of nursing experience. many types of frustration, including “Nurses need toMP come together Propo disappointment with health care offiOrder This ad will appear at the classification cials being out ofof: touch with frontline as a profession and make our standards and our demands clear,” Amer staff.

Rome NY said. “We are a largely female profesNurses felt powerless to protect themselves and others from infection, sion, and we don’t complain enough with in Home Date 05/2014 and said they faced difficult patient when things are tough. As a faculty we teach that it’sAd Id: AM care experiences that triggered guilt Date: March 17, 2014 Acct# A1ZGFE Sales Rep: GRIMALDI,member, JENNIFER L students Size: HCN6 about letting down patients and their OK to refuse an assignment if it’s not safe. We need to stand by that.” families, as well as others on the MP Order Propo This ad will appear at the classification More than 3,300 U.S. nurses, health care team.of: doctors, social workers and physical The report was published online Rome NY therapists died of COVID-19 between recently in the journal SAGE Open w i t h i n H o m e D a t e 0 5 / 2 0 1 4 Nursing.

February 2020 and February 2021, according to DePaul researchers.

The study authors noted that Date: March 17, 2014 Acct# A1ZGFE Sales Rep: GRIMALDI, JENNIFER L Size: HCN6 Ad Id: AM

Thank you!

Bassett Healthcare Network salutes the dedicated caregivers and practitioners who make miracles happen every day.

We take a moment to celebrate the physicians, advanced practice clinicians, nurses, therapists, aides, environmental care and food service workers, non-clinical professionals, volunteers, administrators and many more who work tirelessly for our patients each and every day.

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Celebrating Crouse Nurses.

Making a Difference Every Day.

Thank You. Crouse Health nurses make a difference — to our patients, their families, our community and their colleagues.

We honor them during Nurses Week — and every day — for their dedication, commitment, resiliency and hard work.

Thank you for making every moment matter.

NATIONAL NURSES WEEK | MAY 6 -12 crouse.org/RN

May 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 17

Between You & Me

Golden Years

By Barbara Pierce

to go on, got to just keep taking one step at time.”

“Be ready for anything!” is Denise Filhan’s advice about aging. Filhan is co-owner of Daughter for Hire in the Mohawk Valley town of Clinton, assisting older folks, making it possible for them to stay in their home.

“Aging will present challenges, be ready for anything!”

Becoming older means a constant process of adjustment and accommodation. Adjustment to the changes that are inevitable. Accommodating them as best we can.

When we were young, we learned ways that worked to help us cope when going through a difficult time. Now we need to remind ourselves of things that worked for us in the past.

I got through those bad times aging hurled at me, sometimes just minute by minute, hoping and praying that tomorrow would be better.

And it usually was. And by doing all I could to resolve the issue facing me.

When I did all I could, then accept it.

And it helped me to remind myself and just go on, day-to-day. of the huge obstacles I’d overcome in Two years later, I had my chest my younger life. cracked open — I didn’t know how It is not the challenges that come to recover from open heart surgery. with aging that will destroy us. It is Few are spared. Most of my the attitude with which we face these friends are struggling. challenges that makes all the differEighty-two-year-old Donna lost ence. We don’t get a choice in life of her husband to dementia. Exhausted what happens to us, but we do get to by his care, she placed him in memchoose how we respond. ory care where he died a few months “The great secret: One can change ago. A few weeks ago, she learned things by the manner in which one she has Parkinson’s disease, which looks at them,” said author Tom will gradually rob her of her physical Robbins. and mental abilities. She goes on, day We don’t get a choice about what by day. Mostly, by distracting herself. happens to us. But we do get a choice She keeps busy every minute to in how we respond. avoid thinking.

Complaining only makes things Seventy-one-year-old Carol, worse. “Keep your sense of humor recently married, woke up bleeding and enjoy laughter no matter how from the rectum. Her new husband you feel,” said my friend Sara Dick, couldn’t do cancer — she’s strug86. Though she had many aches and gling alone with a colostomy. pains, Sara always kept smiling.

Grace’s husband has terminal In his book “Coping with Advercancer and she’s just been diagnosed sity,” Michael J. Fox said: “It was only with dementia. “I’m sorry Art and when I could accept the fact that I I can’t go on,” she said. “It’s a big had Parkinson’s disease that I began change. But I’ve got to do it. If I fall to think what haven’t I lost? I haven’t apart, things will be worse. I’ve got lost my enthusiasm. I haven’t lost my

Aging: My Life Wasn’t Supposed to Be Like This!

Y

ou’ve changed as the years have ticked by. All lives change.

You may have changed gradually, barely perceptible. The changes and the deterioration are slow but sure, gaining momentum until they must be dealt with. Or, things may have changed suddenly for you, in ways you never expected.

The luckiest suffer small losses and minor health issues. Others face dire emergencies. Most fall in between the two extremes. We work harder at being healthy and yet we experience more and more illnesses and pain. We suffer a setback, we forge on, and soon life becomes “normal” again — though maybe a new normal.

“This isn’t how my life was supposed to go!” I’ve said this and I’ve heard most of my friends say something similar.

For me, it was falling out of bed in the middle of the night with a stroke. I didn’t know the first thing about recovering. I didn’t know how to learn to walk again, to feed myself,

Out-of-State Residents Can Now Seek Medical Aid to Die in Oregon

O

regon will no longer require terminally ill patients to be residents of the state to use its law allowing physician aid in dying.

A lawsuit that challenged the residency requirement as unconstitutional was settled in March, with the Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Medical Board agreeing to stop enforcing the requirement and to ask the Legislature to remove it from the law that was first enacted in 1997, the Associated Press reported.

“This requirement was both discriminatory and profoundly unfair to dying patients at the most critical time of their life,” Kevin Diaz, an attorney with Compassion & Choic-

es, the national advocacy group that sued over Oregon’s requirement, told the AP. Compassion & Choices sued on behalf of Nicholas Gideonse, a Portland family practice physician

and associate professor of family medicine at Oregon Health and Science University who couldn’t write terminal prescriptions for patients who lived just across the Columbia River in Washington state.

While Washington has a similar law, it can be hard to find providers who will do it in the southwestern part of the state, where many hospital beds are in religiously affiliated health care systems that prohibit it, according to the AP. “Any restriction on medical aid in dying that doesn’t serve a specific medical purpose is difficult,” Gideonse told the AP. “In no other way is my practice restricted to Oregon residents, whether that’s delivering babies in the past or other care that I provide.”

A group called National Right to Life opposes physician-assisted death, and spokeswoman Laura Echevarria said that without a residency requirement, Oregon risked becoming the nation’s “assisted suicide tourism capital,” the AP report-

Page 18 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2022

“‘This isn’t how my life was supposed to go!’ I’ve said this and I’ve heard most of my friends say something similar.” intelligence. I haven’t lost my passion for life, my love of my family.”

(Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 29.)

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars,” is an old Persian proverb.

You take one small step at a time, like the South American tribe who travel only at night. As they live in a rugged area dotted with steep cliffs, their night time journeys are dangerous. They carry makeshift lanterns that cast only enough light to see just one step ahead. By walking slowly, one step at a time, they keep from falling off a precipice.

Aging can be like that, you take one small step at a time, with the precipice dangerously close.

You endure. You endure for one day more, because you must. Because there are others depending on you. You endure, because, maybe, things will be a little better tomorrow.

And often they are.

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.

ed.

But that’s unlikely, according to Diaz.

He pointed out that Oregon’s law has a number of safeguards, including a requirement that physicians determine whether patients are mentally capable, and that it’s extremely difficult for terminally ill patients to make long trips to another state, and that many people want to die near home with their loved ones by their side, the AP reported.

“There’s no tourism going on,” Diaz said.

Over 2,100 people have died after ingesting terminal drugs under the law since it took effect, according to data published in February by the Oregon Health Authority.

California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Vermont, Washington state and Washington, D.C., have approved similar laws, all with residency requirements. Montana’s Supreme Court has ruled that state law does not prohibit medical aid in dying.

AFib: A Common Heart Problem That’s Often Ignored

By Jim Miller

H

eart palpitations can be harmless if they are brief and infrequent. But if you’re experiencing an erratic heart rhythm, you need to get checked out by a doctor for atrial fibrillation, or AFib. AFib — which is marked by rapid, fluttering beats — can lead to serious complications such as stroke and heart failure, when the weakened heart can’t pump enough blood to the rest of the body.

Normally, your heartbeat follows a steady rhythm as your heart contracts and relaxes. But when you have AFib, the upper chambers of your heart (atria) beat rapidly and irregularly, sending blood to the lower chambers (ventricles) less efficiently.

These episodes can last for minutes to hours or longer, and can cause palpitations, lightheadedness, fatigue or shortness of breath. Over time, AFib tends to become chronic.

Age is a common risk factor for AFib, which affects roughly 10% of people older than 75. Other factors include genetics, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and alcohol and tobacco use. The condition has also been linked to viral infections, including COVID-19.

Diagnosing AFib If you’re experiencing AFib-like symptoms you need to see your doctor who will listen to your heart and likely recommend an electrocardiogram (EKG) or a treadmill heart test, or you may wear a portable monitor for several weeks to look for abnormal heart rhythms to confirm a diagnosis of AFib. Such tests can help distinguish AFib from less serious conditions that may cause the heart to flutter, like anxiety and stress.

AFib affects some three million adults in the United States, a number that is expected to quadruple in the coming decade as the population ages and risk factors like obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure become even more common. The lifetime risk of developing AFib is greater than 20%, yet many people don’t even know they have it.

Treatment Options A growing body of research underscores the importance of lifestyle

steps such as exercise, a healthy diet and limiting alcohol for treating AFib. Depending on your age and symptoms, your doctor may prescribe drugs to help control your heart rate, like beta blockers such as metoprolol (Toprol XL); or rhythm, such as antiarrhythmics like flecainide (Tambocor).

You may also need an electrical cardioversion, an outpatient procedure that delivers an electrical shock to the heart to restore a nor-

‘AFib affects some three million adults in the United States, a number that is expected to quadruple in the coming decade as the population ages and risk factors become even more common’ mal rhythm. You will be sedated for this brief procedure and not feel the shocks.

Catheter ablation is another outpatient treatment for AFib that scars a small area of heart tissue that causes irregular heartbeats. This procedure is becoming more common based on evidence of its safety and ability to normalize the heart rhythm and ease symptoms. Ablations can be effective in people 75 and older, but medication may still be required afterward.

If you’re at higher risk for stroke, you may be prescribed a blood thinner, too. In the past, Coumadin (warfarin) was the only such drug widely available, but it requires monitoring with regular blood tests. Newer anticoagulants, like apixaban (Eliquis) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto), don’t have that requirement and have been shown to be just as effective at preventing strokes.

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

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UPSTATE.EDU / NURSING May 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 19

The Importance of Vision Awareness

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By David L. Podos

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any of us are hardly aware of just how incredible our eyes are until something goes wrong. Then we appreciate how magnificent they truly are.

This writer knows all too well how important eye health is and the need to properly care for them.

Eye disease runs in my family; like glaucoma, which I have due to macular degeneration.

Vision awareness is crucial if we want to have healthy eyes throughout our lives.

Bringing excellence in eye care to his patients throughout the Mohawk Valley is Alexander Harris. His practice is located at the Slocum-Dickson Medical Group near Utica. His education is extensive.

“My undergraduate degree is from Boston University. My medical degree is from the Common Wealth Medical College in Scranton, Pennsylvania. I completed my internship at Leigh High Valley Health Network in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and my former ophthalmology residence training was done at SUNY Upstate in Syracuse,” said Harris, a credentialed board-certified ophthalmologist.

There are many disorders and diseases of the eye that he treats.

“One of the more common eye problems I encounter is dry eye, especially in the colder months when home heating systems are on and the air in the house is very dry. Symptoms of dry eye are generally burning and irritation of the eye, as well as eye redness. This condition is treated safely by lubricating eye drops,” he said.

Harris also treats serious eye conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

“Another common eye condition I see in my patients is cataracts.

Cataracts are natural changes in the eye over time where the lens of the eye gets cloudy,” he said. “The treatment is (if symptoms warrant) surgery, which I do at my surgical center in Rome. During the surgical procedure, I change out the cloudy lens for a clear plastic one. Glaucoma is another common eye condition that is associated with higher pressures inside the eye. It affects the side vision of a patient, not the central vision. So most patients aren’t aware they even have it until the condition worsens. That is why routine eye exams are so important.”

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, macular degeneration, often called age-related macular degeneration, is an eye disorder associated with aging and results in damaging sharp and central vision.

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide and the leading cause of vision loss in the United States. Glaucoma occurs when the normal fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises. If not treated, it can result in optic nerve damage, causing vision loss.

The National Eye Institute has some sobering statistics regarding eye disease. Its research shows that (as of 2013) 2.1 million Americans have advanced AMD and by 2030 it is estimated that 3.7 million Amer-

Page 20 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2022

Physician Alexander Harris’ practice is located at Slocum-Dickson Medical Group. He recommends making eye exams a regular part of your healthcare routine. icans will have advanced AMD. A staggering 7.7 million Americans have diabetic retinopathy. The estimate for 2030 is 11.3 million. It said 2.7 million Americans have glaucoma and it is estimated that 4.3 million will have glaucoma by 2030; 24.4 million people have cataracts with an estimate that by 2030 that number will be close to 38.7 million.

“Diabetes is another very common condition that we see in our patients. We are constantly talking about high blood sugar levels and what they do,” Harris said. “It damages the small blood vessels of the eyes. Ophthalmology plays a big role because it is the only part of the body where, when I look into your eye and see those fine blood vessels that are directly impacted by diabetes. I can see the changes happening in realtime and we can then prevent vision loss over time.”

In the same manner, if you’re experiencing hypertension, (high blood pressure) he can also see if those fine blood vessels have been damaged and can start a treatment program to prevent further damage, he added.

Harris said with certain lifestyle changes, along with routine eye exams, patients can keep their eyes healthy for years to come. If they are experiencing an eye condition, in many cases, they can minimize the severity.

“First, make eye examinations a routine. That is so important so my staff and I are able to help you. If you should have any of the eye conditions I spoke about, we can intervene and help. For example, recently I had a couple whose cataracts were so severe they were only able to see hand motion vision. They were only able to see a hand waving in front of them. Within one surgery, their eyesight improved to the point where they could actually drive again,” he said. “I know I mentioned this before but this is one reason why keeping up on eye exams is so very important. Another thing a patient can do to keep their eyes healthy, if you are out and the sun’s rays are intense and bothering your eyes, wear sunglasses.”

If you smoke, stop, he added.

Smoking increases your chances to develop AMD as well as cataracts. If you do smoke and stop, you can slow the progression of these eye diseases.

Opening a New Door to Addiction Treatment Addiction affects all, regardless of background, race, ethnicity, gender, religion or socio-economic status.

In recent years, communities across our nation — including Central New York — have experienced alarming increases in the number of people needing addiction treatment services.

As the longest running treatment program in the region, Crouse Health’s Addiction Treatment Services remains committed to our mission to expand access to care and ensure delivery of high-quality addiction and mental health treatment in our community.

We are proud of our new facility that matches the caliber of our staff and provides a nurturing, safe and uplifting environment that is already greatly enhancing our focus on holistic patient care: The Bill & Sandra Pomeroy Treatment Center at Crouse Health.

If you, a loved one, friend or colleague is in need of treatment for substance use disorder, please contact us at 315-470-8304 or visit crouse.org/addiction.

Bill & Sandra Pomeroy Treatment Center in Syracuse. The two-story, 42,000 square-foot facility at 2775 Erie Blvd., East, replaces the 100-year-old former location of Crouse’s outpatient treatment services at 410 South Crouse Avenue.

Frank Guido couldn’t be happier he had a choice for treating his prostate cancer!

Frank chose non-surgical CyberKnife® at HOA – offering 5 treatments instead of 35!

“The original diagnosis was to treat my prostate cancer with seven weeks of radiation, five days a week. I was kind of upset that I was never given the option of CyberKnife,” said Frank. “The precise radiation achieved by CyberKnife, far fewer treatments, and the personalized care I received from Dr. Chin and his team made my decision an easy one.

Better, the treatment was a real success!”

To hear more of Frank’s story and learn if CyberKnife is right for you, visit hoacny.com

May 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 21

By Jim Miller

When to Expect Your Social Security Checks Dear Savvy Senior,

I am planning to retire and apply for my Social Security benefits in July. When can I expect my first check, and is direct deposit my only option for receiving my monthly payment?

— Almost 62

Dear Almost, Generally, Social Security retire-

ment benefits, as well as disability and survivor benefits, are paid in the month after the month they are due.

So, if you want to start receiving your Social Security benefits in July, your July benefits will be distributed in August.

The day of the month you receive your benefit payment, however, will depend on your birthdate. Here’s the schedule of when you can expect to receive your monthly check.

If you were born on the: • 1st through the 10th: Expect your check to be deposited on the second Wednesday of each month.

• 11th through the 20th: Expect your check to be deposited on the

third Wednesday of each month.

• 21st through the 31st: Expect your check to be deposited on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

There are, however, a few exceptions to this schedule. For example, if the day your Social Security check is supposed to be deposited happens to be a holiday, your check will be deposited the previous day. And, if you are receiving both Social Security benefits and SSI payments, your Social Security check will be deposited on the third day of the month.

You should also know that for Social Security beneficiaries who started receiving benefits before 1997, their Social Security checks are paid on the third day of the month.

To get a complete schedule of 2022 payment dates, visit SSA.gov/ pubs/EN-05-10031-2022.pdf.

Receiving Options There are two ways you can receive your Social Security benefits.

Most beneficiaries choose direct deposit into their bank or credit union account because it’s simple, safe and secure. But if you don’t want this option, or you don’t have a bank account that your payments can be deposited into, you can get a Direct Express Debit MasterCard and have your benefits deposited into your card’s account.

This card can then be used to get cash from ATMs, banks or credit union tellers, pay bills online and over the phone, make purchases at stores or locations that accept Debit MasterCard and get cash back when you make those purchases, and purchase money orders at the U.S. Post Office. The money you spend or withdraw is automatically de-

ducted from your account. And you can check your balance any time by phone, online or at ATMs. There’s also no cost to sign up for the card, no monthly fees and no overdraft charges. There are, however, some small fees for optional services you need to be aware of, like multiple ATM withdrawals. Currently, cardholders get one free ATM withdrawal per month, but additional monthly withdrawals cost 85 cents each not including a surcharge if you use a non-network ATM. To learn more, visit USDirectExpress.com or call 800-333-1795.

When and How to Apply The Social Security Administration recommends that you apply for benefits three months before you want to start receiving checks.

This will give you enough time to make sure you have all the needed information to complete the application. See SSA.gov/hlp/isba/10/ isba-checklist.pdf for a checklist of what you’ll need.

You can apply for your Social Security benefits online at SSA.gov, by phone at 800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office – call first to make an appointment.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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

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

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

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ExcellusForMedicare.com

Call

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

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

Our Health Plan complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-877-883-9577 (TTY: 711). 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-877-883-9577 (TTY: 711)。 † 2022 CMS Medicare Star Rating. Every year, Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system.

A nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Y0028_8417_M Page 22 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2022

Health News Oneida Health CEO Gene Morreale retires

After over 15 years as the president and CEO of Oneida Health, Gene Morreale retired April 1.

Since his appointment in 2007, Morreale has been a champion for bringing the latest technology to Oneida.

From the implementation of da Vinci robotic Gene Morreale surgery to advanced imaging including PET/CT, 3 Tesla MRI and 3D mammography, to a linear accelerator for radiation oncology, today Oneida Health provides technology that is often only thought to exist within larger city healthcare systems.

Along with his leadership team, Morreale has also overseen the modernization of the hospital with significant renovations to the operating room, intensive care unity, post anesthesia care unit, emergency department, and development of a Wound are Center. Campus additions include the construction of both the medical and radiation oncology buildings, the Gorman Imaging Center, and most recently a new women’s health building which is due to open this summer.

Morreale’s leadership has also drastically expanded Oneida Health’s primary and specialty care network in Madison and western Oneida County with the addition of new patient services, including breast care, cardiology, oncology, podiatry, quick care, vascular, neurology and

others.

Another highlight of Morreale’s term as president and CEO is the national recognition of Oneida Health’s patient safety and patient experience results. Over the past decade, Oneida Health has received some of the highest ratings in patient safety and patient experience in Upstate New York from national rating agencies, including LeapFrog, CMS, Healthgrades and Women’s Choice, among others. Most recently, the hospital was rated five stars for safety by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, representing only one of seven hospitals in the state to receive the coveted five-star rating.

“I couldn’t be prouder of all we have accomplished during my tenure as president and CEO,” said Morreale. “All of the success we have experienced would not have been possible without the teamwork and support of the board of trustees, senior leaders, medical providers, and staff.”

The Oneida Health board of trustees engaged the healthcare consultants at WittKieffer to select the new CEO. WittKieffer placed 55 CEOs into hospitals in the US in 2020 alone.

Charles “Chuck” Gijanto will serve as interim president and CEO of Oneida Health during the transition. Gijanto has over 32 years of healthcare leadership experience and has served as an interim CEO at several hospitals since retiring in 2015.

Boonville Health Center welcomes nurse practitioner

Leah Boek was born and raised in Boonville so she is happy to be

serving her community as a family nurse practitioner at Rome Health’s Boonville Health Center.

She joins Boonville native Corrine Kelley, another family nurse practiLeah Boek tioner, in providing primary care for patients of all ages in the community.

Boek worked as a nurse for nearly 17 years before pursuing her master’s degree as a family nurse practitioner at Utica College. She earned her associate’s degree in nursing at Mohawk Valley Community College and her bachelor’s degree at Utica College. She’s had a broad range of experience in critical care, pediatrics and nursing education.

Her foundation as a nurse fueled her passion for treating patients with a holistic approach that focuses on prevention and helping people make healthier lifestyle choices. “If someone has high cholesterol, we want to do more than just manage the condition with a pill,” she said. “The better approach is to take a holistic full body approach that helps people make small changes that improve their overall health.”

Rome Health names pharmacist as chief quality officer

Pharmacist Scott Burns of Rome, has been named vice president/chief quality officer at Rome Health to lead and support the system’s quality management infrastructure to yield

the best in class quality, safety and patient experience.

“Scott has served as the interim chief quality officer for the last six months and has clearly demonstrated his leadScott Burns ership in bringing stakeholders together to develop systems and processes that support high reliability organizations,” said physician Cristian Andrade, Rome’s chief medical officer.

A 2000 graduate of Northeastern University, Burns joined the hospital as a staff pharmacist in 2008 after working in the retail pharmacy sector for eight years. He was promoted to pharmacy director in 2010.

Born and raised in Rome, Burns values the opportunity to expand beyond pharmacy to lead the system’s quality management program, which touches every part of the organization.

“At Rome Health, our goal is to keep patients at the forefront of everything that we do as we continuously refine our processes to enhance patient care,” Burns said. “When we have a structure where everyone knows what we measure and why we measure it, departments have the tools to work together to achieve the best patient outcomes.”

In addition to providing leadership for quality management, Burns will provide administrative oversight for risk management, compliance, infection prevention, employee health and well being, population health and pharmacy.

Upstate Medical University Seeks Approval to Acquire Crouse Health

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rouse Health and SUNY Upstate Medical University jointly announced in April their intention to bring the two healthcare systems together to enhance care delivery to Central New Yorkers.

Under the proposed combination, Upstate Medical University will acquire the operations of Crouse Hospital, which will become part of the Upstate Medical University Health System.

The proposed combination will include all of Crouse Hospitals’ inpatient and outpatient services. Crouse Hospital will become part of Upstate University Hospital and the Crouse campus will be branded as Upstate Crouse Hospital. Crouse Medical Practice will remain intact and will be branded as Upstate Crouse Medical Practice.

Upstate and Crouse believe that the combined organization would generate new career opportunities in the region. No staff reductions are anticipated as a result of the transaction. It is anticipated that union employees at each hospital will continue to be represented by their current respective unions.

By coming together, Upstate and Crouse propose to create a coordinated, highly integrated system with the objective of improving quality of care, and increasing access to care

for the communities they serve. The combination will create a system with more than 13,000 employees, 1,200 licensed inpatient hospital beds and offer more than 70 specialties.

It will markedly increase clinical training opportunities for tomorrow’s healthcare providers studying in the College of Medicine, College of Health Professions and two complementary Schools of Nursing.

“There has been a natural progression in our relationship over the years. Between the two organizations, there are many clinical services that complement each other.

Formalizing the relationship with Crouse—and making it a key component of our University Hospital system—would allow these services to flourish,” said physician Robert Corona, CEO of Upstate University Hospital.

“Our board has always focused on the best way to meet community health needs and this joining of two highly-regarded institutions committed to Central New York will help ensure the quality care our communities deserve,” said Patrick A. Mannion, Crouse Health board chairman. “Discussions between Crouse and Upstate have always revolved around creating the best environment possible for patients, medical professionals and dedicated staff. The board determined that integration with a local partner was the best option for Crouse, and given our history, Upstate was the preferred choice, one that the community will embrace.”

The cultures at the two institutions have evolved in recent years, becoming similar in many ways, said Kimberly Boynton, CEO of Crouse

Health. “In fact, the two cultures are more aligned now than they have ever been. Both organizations believe in mutual trust, respect, strong leadership and a shared commitment to providing the best in patient care.”

“Our combined expertise will enable us to deliver high quality, seamless patient care for Central New York and preserve jobs as we continue to benefit the economic health of the region,” said physician Mantosh Dewan, president of Upstate. “Building upon our combined strengths will be a significant step in shaping the future growth of the region’s only academic medical center as we expand educational and training opportunities for the medical professionals of tomorrow. Moving forward, our exceptional medical staffs will continue to provide great value to our community as we work together to enhance patient care for our region.”

Both institutions are currently engaged in obtaining regulatory approvals, including a Certificate of Need from the New York State Department of Health, which is expected to take several months.

During this time, the two institutions will remain independent and their respective focus will continue to be on patients, employees, medical staff, faculty and students.

May 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 23

Writing Your Worries Away Writing your thoughts and feelings can relieve stress, improve your mental health

By Daniel Baldwin

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or those of you who are dealing with a lot of stress right now, have a mental problem or are dealing with any other problems in life, just stop whatever you are doing, grab a pen and a sheet of paper and write how you feel.

Write down the problems that you are currently dealing with and how you feel about them.

Once you are done, ask or think to yourself how you feel now after writing.

Do you feel the same; any better or worse? Have you gotten rid of all the stress and worries just by writing them down on a sheet of paper?

Whether this writing practice has helped you or not, it is the best and effective way to reduce stress and anxiety, according to verywellmind. com, a website focusing on mental health issues.

Writing your thoughts and feelings down on paper (also known as journaling) helps gain control of your emotions, improves your mental health and gets rid of all the stress that you are currently dealing with, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center’s website.

Kate Warden, a psychologist and director of behavioral medicine at MVHS, said she offered this sort of writing practice to most of her patients. Journaling, to Warden’s perspective, helps get the worries out of peoples’ heads.

Journaling helps Kate Warden

people define their problem, get more details on it, and find solutions to it. “[Journaling] helps people get a better understanding of the problems they’re facing, so that we can take a look at what they’re actually worried about and if it’s ruminating on something,” Warden said. “It could help us track behaviors and feelings that are problematic for us and it simply can help get the worries out of our head. It can define the problem, get more details, and evaluate solutions.”

Warden said journaling has worked for some of her patients.

Warden encourages her patients to write their thoughts and feelings daily, but some only do it when they feel sad or depressed.

“We often encourage people to have healthy habits regardless of how they’re feeling,” Warden said.

“It could help during those times when they feel sad or depressed, but I think it could also be helpful to keep a journal of some kind and do it consistently, but it’s not necessary. Some people do it for a period of time and then they feel better and don’t do it anymore, but when they start to feel bad again, they come back to the journal. Some people really love it and they do it all the time. It really depends on that person.”

Warden also said that there are different kinds of journaling. There is free thought journaling where the person writes whatever is on their mind today. Then there are thought and behavioral logs, a more specific type of journaling.

“Free thought logs are exactly what they sound like,” Warden said.

“At the end of the day or during the day you just write down the thoughts

or worries that you have. They just journal whatever is on their minds for that day.

Sometimes there’s a specific recommendation to track certain types of thoughts. We have people keep thought or behavioral logs to kind of track their thoughts or behaviors. If a patient comes in and they say that they have anxiety, then we’ll explore the thoughts that they have from their anxiety, how they feel, and what Kate Warden, Psychologist and director of behavioral behaviors manifest medicine at MVHS from that. Then we will ask them to specifically track or journal those thoughts or feelings throughout the week, and then when they come things I’m thankful for puts negaback, we can take a look and see if tive things in a better perspective. any of our interventions have worked Throughout the day, my mind keeps or not and if we need to change our working on thoughts I wrote down that morning and it helps me find treatment.” new perspective. I try to ask myself MVHS communications specialist Tara Swanson has gotten into difficult questions and answer them journaling. She has been doing it for honestly. What is stressing me out?

22 years.

Why? What would make it better or “I do this practice in the morning easier to face? It’s a creative process. about three times a week,” Swanson Admitting my feelings in writing is said. “I do this to access feelings different than just thinking it to myperhaps I was avoiding before. The self. When I write down, it becomes day is always a little better when I try real, concrete. I can figure out my to do a little problem solving in my next steps once I identify the cause of journaling process. I write about my stress and anxiety.” day, what was bad about it, what was Swanson does not see journalgood about it. I write about what’s ing as the best No. 1 way to relieve going on with me, with friends, fami- stress and anxiety. She just sees this ly members, and work.” writing exercise as one of many ways Swanson said that journaling to deal with it. brightens her spirit, improves her “This is one of several ways I mental health and helps her find a use to deal with stress and anxiety,” new perspective in life.

Swanson said. “There is no one ‘best “The key for me is to try to find way,’ but rather several different acthe positive aspects of my situation,” tivities that work together to relieve Swanson said. “Writing a list of stress and anxiety.”

Page 24 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2022

‘[Journaling] could help us track behaviors and feelings that are problematic for us and it simply can help get the worries out of our head.

It can define the problem, get more details, and evaluate solutions.’