in good Dr. Rebecca LaValley:
Team approach to battling breast cancer See Page 7
June 2015 • Issue 112
MVhealthnews.com
free
Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
Silent Stalker Chronic kidney disease threatens millions See Page 3
Keep your furry friends frisky See Page 9
Mercy Flight back in action See Page 20
Men’s Health Edition
Meet Your Doctor
Welcome to the world of transgender
Dr. Debora Lee Herkimer Health Center
See Page 5
Big reasons to eat more black beans
Page 10
Page 11
ACR HEALTH Access Care and Resources for Health continues to provide, prevent and promote Page 19
The best in healthcare get worthy recognition Page 13
CALENDAR of
HEALTH EVENTS
Got a health-related activity or event that you would like publicized? Call Lou Sorendo at 315-749-7070 or email lou@cnymail.com. Mondays
OCD support group to meet
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Perinatal Network plans scavenger hunt race
M
ohawk Valley Perinatal Network, Inc. is planning its third annual “Run, Sherlock, Run!” scavenger hunt race in the Mohawk Valley. It will be held on Oct. 4 and will start from the St. Francis DeSales Center on Genesee Street in Utica. Clues will be provided to teams of two, three or four runners, directing them to secret checkpoints in Utica. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams finding all checkpoints in the shortest time, and a post-race party will be offered to participants. Register by Aug. 14 through Active.com or by mail, and get a special
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early bird rate of $25 per person. Participation is capped at 300 runners. The mailing address is Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network, 1000 Cornelia St., 2nd Floor, Utica, N.Y. 13502. The Perinatal Network’s mission is to improve birth outcomes and maternal, child and family health, facilitate collaboration among providers and community organizations and advocate for change. For more information about getting involved in “Run, Sherlock, Run!” visit www.runsherlockrun. com or call the Perinatal Network at 732-4657. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015
one. For more information, contact Tanya at 315-735-6210, tanya@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit online at www. thegoodnewscenter.org.
The Central New York Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, Inc., a registered nonprofit agency, has offered OCD sufferers in the region a weekly support group since 1997. Brian’s OCD Support Group meets from 6:30-8 p.m. every Monday except holidays in the Sister Regina Conference Room, first floor, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, 2209 Genesee St., Utica. Meetings are professionally assisted the third Monday of each month. For more information, call founder Susan Connell at 315-768-7031, email her at info@cnyocf.org, visit www. cnyocf.org or check out Cen NY OCD Support Group on Facebook. A speakers’ bureau is available at no cost.
Insight House offers family support group
Women’s support group to get together
Overeaters Anonymous plans meetings
A women’s support/therapy group is meeting weekly from 5:30-7 p.m. on Mondays. Groups will be held in a confidential location in New Hartford and group size will be limited to protect anonymity. Topics of discussion may include family issues, stress, anger, relationships, grief, and more. Clinical therapist Cynthia Davis, who has over 20 years of experience, will lead the group. To pre-register, contact Davis at 315-736-1231, 315-794-2454 or email cindycsw@yahoo.com
Insight House Chemical Dependency Services, Inc. is offering a family support group meeting from 6:15-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Insight House, 500 Whitesboro St., Utica. The family support group is free and open to anyone who is concerned about a loved one’s relationship with alcohol, opiates/heroin, or other substances. For more information about the group, call 724-5168, ext. 265, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. All calls are strictly confidential.
Wednesdays/Thursdays
Overeaters Anonymous meets from 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Wednesday in Room 101 (first floor) at Rome Memorial Hospital, 1500 James St., Rome. It also meets from 7-8 p.m. every Thursday at Oneida Baptist Church, 242 Main St., Oneida. Participants are asked to use the rear door. There are no dues, fees, weigh-ins or diets. For more information, call OA at 315-468-1588 or visit oa.org.
Saturdays
Tuesdays
Saturday hours established for hearing tests
Insight House Chemical Dependency Services, Inc. is offering a family support group meeting from 6:15-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Insight House, 500 Whitesboro St., Utica. The group is free and open to anyone who is concerned about a loved one’s relationship with alcohol, opiates/heroin, or other substances. For more information about the group, call 724-5168, ext. 265, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. All calls are strictly confidential.
June 3
Insight House offers family support group
Support for the grief stricken Grief Survivors meets from 6-7:30 p.m. every Tuesday at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. Drop-ins are welcome. This is a faith-based support group for those suffering the loss of a loved
Mohawk Valley Health System’s Hearing and Speech Department, located at the Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica, is accepting walkin appointments from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays for patients in need of hearing aid adjustments, assessments or repairs. Additionally, patients can pre-schedule hearing tests from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. To schedule an appointment, call 315-624-4600 or visit www.faxtonstlukes.com for more information.
Hands-only CPR training available The first week of June (1-7) is National CPR Awareness week. In honor of this week, Slocum Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford is teaming up with the American
Continued from Page 18
Cover Story
Kidney disease a killer Disease process insidious in nature
Causes of CKD
By Barbara Pierce
O
ne in three of us are at risk for chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is a potentially fatal illness that can progress to advanced stages with few or no symptoms. We have two kidneys, each the size of a fist. They are essential: They filter waste out of our blood and remove extra water from our blood to make urine. They also control our blood pressure and make hormones that our bodies need to stay healthy. In chronic kidney disease, the kidneys gradually stop working. As the disease progresses, the kidneys lose most of their ability to function. In the end stage, the only chance for survival is through dialysis or a kidney transplant. Cindy Christian, program coordinator of the Dialysis Center of the Mohawk Valley Health System, recently advised an audience at an informational session on how to prevent kidney disease and how to slow the loss of kidney function. Twenty-six million Americans have chronic kidney disease and millions of others are at risk for developing the disease, said Christian. Kidney disease is silent; people don’t know they have it until it is too late. You don’t feel any symptoms until it has progressed to end-stage renal disease. Christian urges early detection so the disease can be treated before it progresses to end stage kidney failure. Kidney disease affects people of all ages, from birth to old age.
Oneida, Herkimer in good
Symptoms of CKD
Like most organs, the kidneys have impressive reserves, and the slower they deteriorate, the longer they can keep up a good front. Most people may not have any symptoms until their kidney disease is advanced. Signs include frequent urination, especially at night; swollen hands, feet, and ankles; loss of energy; muscle cramping at night; dry, itchy skin; poor appetite; and trouble concentrating.
and
Health MV’s Healthcare Newspaper
Diabetes is the No. 1 cause of kidney disease, explained Christian. If you are diabetic, it is vitally important to keep your blood sugar in range by eating right, and to monitor your hemoglobin A1C. It is also important to monitor your GFR (glomerular filtration rate, the best evaluation of your kidney function). Prevent diabetes by losing weight and having a healthy lifestyle, urged Christian. Hypertension is the second leading cause of kidney disease. Keep your blood pressure under control, advised Christian. If you are on medication for high blood pressure, continue to take it regularly. People sometimes say, “My blood pressure is good; I don’t need the medication anymore.” This is wrong, said Christian. Don’t stop taking it unless your doctor discontinues it. For two out of three persons with kidney disease, diabetes or high blood pressure is the cause. Other causes include genetics, birth defects, kidney inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and some medications and street drugs.
Madison
Learning you have kidney disease at an early stage can help you take action to slow down the progression of the disease. Once kidney function is lost, it may not come back. Through treatment, you can make changes to help keep your kidneys working longer. Diagnosis comes through blood work. GFR measures how well the kidneys are removing wastes and excess fluid from the blood. Normal value for GFR is 90 or above. A GFR below 60 is a sign the kidneys are not working properly. A GFR below 15 indicates a treatment for kidney failure, such as dialysis or a kidney transplant, will be needed. A creatinine level of greater than 1.2 for women and greater than 1.4 for men may be an early sign that the kidneys are not working properly. Creatinine is a chemical waste product in the blood that passes through the kidneys to be filtered and eliminated in urine. The chemical waste is a by-product of normal muscle contractions. Creatinine is made from creatine, a supplier of energy to the muscle. Another blood test focuses on urea nitrogen levels. A normal BUN level is between 7 and 20. As kidney function decreases, the BUN level rises. A BUN test can reveal whether your urea nitrogen levels are higher than normal, suggesting your kidneys or liver may not be working properly. Having protein in the urine is one of the earliest signs of kidney disease, especially in people with diabetes. See your primary physician and get blood work regularly so you can become aware if your kidneys are not functioning properly, Christian urges.
by weight loss, regular exercise, reducing alcohol intake, quitting smoking and not taking street drugs. Treatment consists primarily of medication and lifestyle interventions to lower blood pressure and control diabetes, which can prevent CDK from advancing. A key thing is to keep blood pressure normal, Christian emphasized. High blood pressure is a silent killer. To keep your blood pressure down, reduce your salt intake. This is the one thing that has the most impact on blood pressure. Dialysis or a kidney transplant are treatments for end-stage renal disease. “Dialysis is my prison,” said 26-yearold Matthew Purvis, born with kidney disease, online. And thousands are on the waiting list for a donor. People aren’t lining up to give up one of their kidneys. Neither are good options.
Treatment options
Treatment for CKD depends on the cause, said Christian. Progression can be slowed, no matter what the cause,
counties
A monthly newspaper published by Local News, Inc. 20,000 copies distributed. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 315-749-7070.
In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2015 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 • Phone: 315-749-7070 Email: lou@cnymail.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Patricia Malin, Barbara Pierce, Kristen Raab, Malissa Allen, Mary Stevenson, Deb Dittner, Amylynn Pastorella, Mary Christopher, Traci DeLore Advertising: Donna Kimbrell, Marsha Preston Layout & Design: Chris Crocker Office Manager: Alice Davis 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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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Meet
Your Doctor
By Lou Sorendo
Dr. Debora S. Lee, D.O.
Debora S. Lee recently joined the staff at Herkimer Health Center, part of the Bassett Healthcare Network. She has been a long-time faculty member with the St. Elizabeth Family Medicine residency program. Recently, Mohawk Valley In Good Health Associate Editor Lou Sorendo interviewed Lee regarding her career and thoughts on healthcare. Q.: You are a long-time faculty member of the St Elizabeth Family Medicine residency program. How fulfilling is teaching and how much of instructing do you take on? A.: When I was in fourth grade, the teacher gave an assignment to draw ourselves as adults participating in our future profession. Without much contemplation I drew myself as a teacher. Joining the St. Elizabeth residency program was a perfect marriage of two passions — teaching and applied science-medicine. As a full-time faculty member, I had three half-day clinic sessions and the rest of my time was spent teaching. Teaching adult learners is especially satisfying because they are highly motivated and ultimately responsible for their education. It is the intent of all residency programs to graduate competent physicians. As teacher-student, we will forever be closely bound together and represent both the training program and our profession. The residency program and the faculty create a culture of learning so residents feel safe and naturally seek knowledge through “doing”. It is very fulfilling to see residents gain confidence and skills and turn into colleagues and lifelong learners in their own right. Q.: How much of your time is spent teaching versus clinical work? Which do you prefer? A.: I now work for Bassett Hospital in a large primary care office in Herkimer. I joined a talented group of physicians and nurse practitioners in a clinic setting. I find myself on the other end of the spectrum, learning valuable things from my colleagues and staff in Herkimer. I work collaboratively with NPs and nurses and do some teaching, which is more informal. Teaching and clinical work present challenges and pleasures in different ways, and I can’t say I have a strong preference. Q.: Why the decision to specialize in family medicine? Were there any particular influences on that decision? A.: I know it sounds cliché, but I enjoy the full spectrum of human development. Family practice gives me the opportunity to care for babies, children and adults. I am not confined to one body system. I can do some procedures, minor surgeries and assist major surgeries. I chose to become a physician so I could make a difference. Family practice allows me to develop long-term relationships with Page 4
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people. Physicians cannot dictate care to patients; it is a team approach, and a solid, trusting doctor-patient relationship is the foundation the team is built around. It has always amazed me how intimately people will reveal themselves when you actively listen and empathetically respond. I have discovered my patients are fascinating people with interesting life stories. It is my job to work with them and guide, not “fix” them. I care about my patients and hope I make a difference to them; they certainly make a difference to me. My husband was and is a big influence on my career choices. He is my biggest fan and support. He is Norwegian and does not want to live in a busy urban center. My specialty allows us to settle and raise our family in nice places like Upstate New York without the stress of big cities. Q.: What are some of the more common ailments/illnesses you see at the Herkimer Health Center? Do you have any subspecialties? A.: Preventive health maintenance such as cancer screening and immunizations is an important part of primary care. Currently, we see only adults at the health center, so we are caring for chronic diseases such as hyperten-
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015
sion, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and all of the many complications stemming from chronic disease. Obesity, smoking and depression are obstacles for many of our patients. Chronic pain is a huge challenge while trying to keep people as mobile and functional as possible. Pain contracts, controlled substances and urine testing are necessary aggravations to patients and doctors. I have a strong background and interest in women’s health, an area I championed at the residency program. I spent many hours with residents in the labor and delivery room welcoming the new generation into the world. The practice of obstetrics incorporates all levels of knowledge: factual, conceptual, and procedural and lends itself quite well to conceptual knowledge about self. Who doesn’t reflect about the wonder of new life and one’s role in doing that safely and responsibly? During my years in private practice, obstetrics helped my practice grow. I went in with one patient and left the hospital with two. Babies and children bring a
fresh energy and spirit to my practice. Q.: Is there a lack of family practitioners in the Mohawk Valley and statewide? If so, why is there a shortage and what can be done to rectify the situation? A.: There is a national shortage of family practitioners and the Mohawk Valley is no exception. Medical school is very expensive. New physicians come out of school and residency with huge debts. This pushes many to pursue specialties that are more lucrative. There has always been a bias toward specialists when it comes to payment. Insurance companies and payers value “doing” — for instance, surgery — over “thinking”. There is a perception that specialists garner more respect than generalists. Others shy away from traditional family practice for control and choice of their own lifestyle. Balancing family demands with a heavy call schedule can be tricky. We see more family practitioners choosing careers such as a hospitalist or in the emergency room as a lifestyle choice. Recruitment to Upstate New York can be difficult for many reasons. Spouses have problems finding good jobs in the area. There is some economic uncertainty in the Mohawk Valley that makes it less appealing on paper. It is always nice to find practitioners who are from the area or committed to settling in beautiful Upstate New York because they are already aware of what the area offers. As health care reform continues, I think we will see more resources directed toward primary care that will
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Lifelines Birth date: Dec. 31, 1955 Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Mich. Current residence: New Hartford Education: Bachelor of Science with honors, Lyman Briggs College of Math and Sciences at Michigan State University (1979); Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (1984); Master of Medical Education and Education, University of New England, Biddeford, Maine (2011) Affiliations: Board-certified in family practice; member in good standing, American College of Osteopathic Practitioners (1987 to present) Personal: Married to Arne Bjerke; four children Hobbies: Golf, swimming, reading
Between You and Me
By Barbara Pierce
Gender roles blur Transgender in spotlight as former superstar athlete ‘comes out’
T
he tall young student in my English as a Second Language class recently had a four- or five-day stubble on his face. Why is this notable? Well, because the student’s carefully arranged long curls, red lipstick, layers of mascara, and miniskirt were such a jarring contrast to the stubble and the football-player physique. Why is this notable? Well … umm … maybe it shouldn’t be. To the other students, he or she was just another student struggling with Pierce English, trying to learn the difference between me and you and he and she. The difference between he and she is not so clear to any of us anymore, now that former Olympic athlete Bruce Jenner is out of the closet as transgender. In an emotional, two-hour prime time interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer, Jenner confessed: “For all intents and purposes, I am a woman.” There’s a lot of confusion about what it means to be transgender, transvestite or transsexual. Transgender, or trans, is any person who does not fully identify with the sex he or she was born with. It is an umbrella term referring to those that cross over the borders between the genders. Some experts say gender is an internal sense of being male or female. Sex is a matter of the body, while gender occurs in the mind. A transgender person may or may not use hormones and surgery to cross over to the other gender. A transvestite is someone who dresses in clothing of the opposite sex. A transsexual is a person who transitions from one sex to the other. He or she does not identify with the sex they were born with and realigns their gender through medical intervention. They are mostly successful in the transition, and become recognized for the sex to which they transitioned. Trans are unable to change their genetics and cannot acquire the reproductive abilities of the sex to which
they transition. The sexual orientation of a trans person is not relevant. They can be straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or asexual. Recent scientific research suggests these are all neurological conditions, conditions an infant is born with. We don’t know what causes this neurological development. Most of us hold overwhelmingly negative attitudes toward transgender people. Hopefully Jenner’s story will begin to change that. It’s a fact that when we know a transgender person, our distaste and negativity does go away. That’s what happened to me when a man transitioning to a woman began coming to my church. I gawked at the awkward-looking, totally unattractive man with long straggly hair and a dress that didn’t fit and wouldn’t have looked OK even if it did fit. “What a weirdo!” I thought. “How could he?” Then Bobbi began coming to the support group I led for people who are going through loss. Bobbi was grieving over the death of his wife. He talked about being transgender only when he was alone with me. I got to know the difficult life of a little boy who thought he was a girl, who tried to wear his sister’s dresses.
Breaking loose
Through a career in the Navy and as a demolition expert, married with children, he struggled to hold his impulses in check, until he retired. Then he allowed himself to live life as he wanted. He became a woman, willing to face the distaste and scorn of others. As I got to know Bobbi, I learned she is much like most men in many ways; meaning she’s a pretty normal person other than being transgender. And she wants to be called “she,” not “he.” This is important to her. Bobbi’s wife was a female and they had a normal heterosexual relationship. It’s a sad life, a very lonely life, but Bobbi feels it is the only way she can
MVHS honors employees with distinction awards
D
uring National Nurses Week recently, the Mohawk Valley Health System honored 23 employees with nurse and caregiver of distinction awards and scholarship awards at celebration dinner. The following employees were honored: • Nurse of Distinction Award — Lynn Crowley, charge nurse, ambulatory surgery, St. Luke’s Campus; Katherine Dellerba, registered nurse, neuro/peds unit, St. Elizabeth Campus; Shannon Holtslag, nursing edu-
cation instructor, St. Elizabeth College of Nursing • Caregiver of Distinction Award — Luisa Batista, care attendant, critical care unit, St. Luke’s Campus; Crystal Brown, nurse technician, 3C, St. Elizabeth Campus; Russell Milano, ward clerk, pediatrics, St. Elizabeth Campus; Leslie Paulson, department secretary, radiation medicine, Faxton Campus; Christina Rios, nurse technician, 4C/special care unit, St. Elizabeth Campus; Gina Welch, unit secretary, maternity, St. Luke’s Campus
Crash course in ‘trans’ terms
T
here is often a lot of confusion about what it means to be transgender, transexual or transvestite. Here’s the breakdown: • Transvestite is someone who dresses in what would conventionally be worn by the opposite gender, and acts in that manner. • Transgender is the term given to someone whose gender identity does not match up with his or her assigned sex. • Transexual people also feel that they are not the gender that they were assigned, but this comes from a neurological condition and often needs to be treated with medical intervention, including gender reassignment surgeries and hormone therapy.
live. I deeply admire her for the courage it takes to face a world that looks at her and exclaims: “What a weirdo!” Yes, it is a sad life. Most transgender adults are depressed and anxious. Nearly half have attempted suicide. And many become victims of hate crimes, murdered for their differences. I was stunned recently as NBC “Nightly News” presented stories on transgender children — A 2-year-old girl who was certain he was a boy, and a boy who was a girl at the same young age. Though both sets of parents initially tried to stop the cross dressing, it couldn’t be stopped. This is strong evidence that it is not just a behavior one arbitrarily chooses. People who don’t identify with their given sex assignment have been around as long as people have been around. There are numerous stories of transpeople in Native American tales, in symbols in caves, in pre-language days. The executive director of the National Centre for Transgender Equality, Mara Keisling, said online: “All of us who have struggled with coming out know what a monumental thing it is to have Bruce Jenner come out as trans. It takes a lot of courage,” Keisling said.
• Barbara Pierce is a retired licensed clinical social worker with many years’ experience in helping people. If you would like to purchase a copy of her book “If I’m so Fantastic, Why am I Still Single?” or if you have any concerns you would like her to address, contact her at BarbaraPierce06@ yahoo.com.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Men’s Health Lose-win situation
Bariatric surgery proves pivotal for overweight, obese patients By Patricia J. Malin
D
espite having a solid background in health education and medicine, Judith Balch still fell prey to a common problem that afflicts millions of Americans: obesity. Balch, a family nurse practitioner with Northeast Nurse Practitioners in New Hartford, weighed 200 pounds at one time. “I was heavy for a good portion of my life,” she said, adding that family genetics played a small role. Her weight contributed to health problems, including sleep apnea and lethargy. “My biggest problem was that I had no energy,” she said during a recent visit to the office of William A. Graber, a bariatric surgeon. To add insult to injury, her son, Gary, then just 5 years old, was taunted because of his mother’s appearance, Balch recalled. “They called me fat. I didn’t want my son to have to defend me,” she said. Balch might continue to be concerned about her son. Children of obese parents are 10 times more likely to be obese than children with parents of normal weight. Like the ordinary Americans who are diagnosed as obese, for Balch it was a serious problem that can be difficult to control and requires professional treatment. “It’s a chemical (imbalance) in your brain,” added Balch, 60, who underwent weight loss surgery in 2008. “You can’t always (lose weight) on your own. You can’t starve yourself like that. There is a learning curve (to losing weight).” Balch was among a number of former patients of Graber who attended the grand opening of his new office
in the Utica Business Park recently. The William A. Graber, MD, PC, Bariatric Surgery Medical Office, which has been in business since 2002, moved to an expanded location at 125 Business Park Drive, Suite 150. Graber’s office has three additional surgeons on staff: Gregory Dalencourt, January Hill and Vladan Obradovic, who specialize in laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Scott Perra, CEO of Mohawk Valley Health System remarked, “This is a huge program for Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare.”
New digs
The new office is twice the size of his previous location on Burrstone Road opposite Notre Dame High School. During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Utica Mayor Rob Palmieri thanked Graber for moving into a building that had been empty for several years. The new facility is a testament to the popularity of Graber’s practice, well-known even among Canadians. While the surgery is becoming safer and more standardized, it also reveals the growing epidemic of obesity in the United States. “Obesity is a disease, not a cosmetic issue caused by overeating and a lack of self control,” Graber said. Two-thirds of the American population is overweight and one-third are obese, Graber pointed out, and he sees those numbers increasing. Another 7 percent require surgery to alleviate obesity. Plus, New York state, he adds, has a higher average of overweight and obese individuals than the rest of the U.S. The terms overweight and obese
Slocum-Dickson Medical Group opens new pain management suite
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locum-Dickson Medical Group PLLC in New Hartford recently announced the opening of its newly renovated pain management suite. The suite brings the pain center procedure room and the pain management patient areas together in one location. The current pain management area located in the upper level west wing of the Burrstone Road building has been expanded and renovated creating a state-of-the-art pain management suite. This suite includes two procedure rooms and six patient recovery rooms. A patient nourishment center is also included, providing added convenience. Page 6
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SDMG features three interventional pain management specialists: Nathaniel Gould, Ivan Antonevich and Michael McNulty. These physicians specialize in the latest treatments to reduce and relieve pain. They work with their patients to improve their quality of life and return them to their normal activities. They have expertise in spine care, musculoskeletal medicine, electro-diagnostic medicine, headache management, concussion management, ultrasound-guided injections, sacroiliac and facet joint blocks, and spinal cord stimulation. For more information, visit www.sdmg.com.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015
William Hart, right, of Syracuse displays the size 56 shorts he used to wear prior to having gastric bypass surgery. Enjoying the moment is Dr. William A. Graber. are defined by one’s body mass index. BMI is calculated by dividing weight (in kilograms) by height (in meters) squared, but it’s easier to consult a chart. Adults with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 are considered overweight. Those with a BMI greater than 30 are considered obese. An individual who is more than 100 pounds overweight is considered morbidly obese. Graber was a conventional general surgeon when he began his career in 1987, but noted he was first introduced to weight loss surgery during his residency in the 1980s. He entered the business of bariatric surgery in 2001 “because I saw a critical need,” he explained. “It’s the most common surgery now.” He started the bariatric surgery program at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in 2002. He has performed more than 6,000 surgeries since then, an average of 40 procedures a month, and it includes surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. He and his staff handle two types of surgeries: gastric bypass and gastric sleeve. In bypass surgery, the surgeon creates a small pouch from the stomach and attaches the first section of the small intestine directly to the pouch. Food then goes into the pouch and, because it is smaller than the stomach, the patient feels fuller sooner and stays fuller on less food. According to the National Institutes of Health, the bypass is suited to those who are morbidly obese, who are significantly overweight and have a life-threatening condition such as heart disease, diabetes or severe sleep apnea. The second procedure is more extensive and has been practiced for about 3-4 years, said Graber. With the gastric sleeve operation, most of the stomach is removed, leaving only a thin tube. The tube functions like a
pouch and the individual eats considerably smaller portions of food.
Mental factors
Graber’s surgery center is not just about operating on patients. He believes in a team approach that includes psychiatric counseling, advice from a dietitian/nutritionist, a medical workup prior to surgery, post-operative care that includes establishing regular exercise, support from family, friends and other bariatric patients, plus “lifelong” visits with the bariatric team. “Through a multi-disciplinary approach, we are able to help individuals change their lifestyle and their life,” Graber explains. Three years ago, Kathy Fischer-Handzel met with Graber’s staff and decided a sleeve gastrectomy procedure would fit her needs and goals. This procedure reduces the stomach to around 25 percent of its original size by surgically removing a large portion of the stomach along the greater curvature. Fischer-Handzel has lost 75 pounds and isn’t finished. “I decided to look into bariatric surgery because I could see my weight was starting to negatively affect my health and I wanted to take steps to fix it before it became too late,” she said. “Within the first week of my surgery, I no longer needed blood pressure medication and my blood sugars were no longer elevated.” Heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney and gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis and a higher risk of cancer are among the devastating effects of obesity. Bariatric surgery is a lifesaving technique that can reverse common complications of obesity, including Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea, while reducing the risk of
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Women’s Health Team tactics Breast Care Partners emphasizes team approach By Hannah McNamara
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ne in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime and it’s the second-leading cause of death among females. Breast Care Partners, a new collaboration of breast-health professionals in Central New York, are working to provide the community the most effective and beneficial treatment for breast cancer. This new model of breast care is a collaborative approach called “multidisciplinary care” and has proven to be the most effective way to beat breast cancer. Under the multidisciplinary approach, each patient is evaluated with a team of numerous breast-care professionals. The team is experienced in the Kort evaluation of breast abnormalities in order to develop the best possible treatment options for each individual patient. “It’s becoming the new model of cancer care and it’s a real partnership,” said Dr. Kara Kort, a surgeon at St. Josephs Medical Center in Syracuse. Since every woman has different circumstances and health concerns, the health care providers within this collaborative unit understand how important it is to make sure every patient has her own tailored breast care treatment plan. William Schu, a surgeon at Crouse Hospital, and John Gullo, an oncologist at Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY, first discussed the concept of Breast Care Partners about two years ago. “I was motivated to start this program because I felt we take care of breast cancer patients and breast health in general, but we don’t have an organized care system,” Schu said. For the past two years, Breast Care Partners has focused on gathering all of the best breast care physicians from
local health care centers such as Hematology Oncology Associates of CNY, CNY Surgical Physicians, Crouse Hospital, Crouse Radiology Associates, St. Joseph’s Physicians Surgical Services, St. Joseph’s Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Imaging Associates. Although they are separated by location, together they are committed to changing the lives of women in the community.
Cream of the crop
“I recognize we have excellent physicians in the city who provide top level care for patients and I just wanted to bring them all together,” Schu said. “The final product will be a multi-disciplinary breast care system that will offer a connectedness between all levels of breast health specialists and navigation between all of the processes, so it will be carried out smoothly for patients even though we’re not in one building,” said Schu. At Breast Care Partners, a team is commonly made up of a primary care physician, a breast surgeon, a breast care nurse, medical and radiation oncologists, as well as a nurse navigator, which is a unique aspect to the multidisciplinary system. Nurse navigators guide patients through the system in order to better
help them understand processes and outcomes. “The nurse navigator really gets the process moving forward and they are very well thought of by patients because they are the first person to connect with them,“ Schu said. “They are really the glue to the process of moving the patients through the care.” In Breast Care Partners, there are two nurse navigators. One navigator is located at each of the hospitals involved in the collaboration. In cases where a patient is referred from their primary care doctor or gynecologist for abnormal imaging, then a practice navigator picks up the baton and moves forward with the patient and their breast care treatment. “There are so many steps through the process and they are all different procedures that the patient has no experience with,” said Katie Tindall, a certified nurse navigator at Crouse Hospital. “I can make sure the next step is already taken care of and they don’t have a wait time that can cause any anxiety.”
More efficient process
“As a practitioner, if I have the nurse navigator engaged in the process,
it’s a much more fluid process,” Schu said. “Patients connect with them and they are available to the patients at all times through the process for moral support, questions or scheduling.” Patients are offered direct access to nurse navigators and are able to call them at any time with questions, which is important to make sure their experience runs smoothly, Tindall stated. “Our overall job is to evaluate the patient, consult and discuss the patients amongst ourselves and the multidisciplinary team and come up with a consensus for care,” Schu said. “Since we’re situated in a broader region and not just in one place, we straddle the whole community so there’s a lot of avenues into this system that aren’t just going to one place, so that’s the beauty of it.” Breast Care Partners also offers a handful of patient support groups for women in the breast care program. These include programs for caregivers, children learning to adjust, online coping classes and patient mentor programs. The practitioners recognize that although support groups may not be for everyone, it’s vital that they offer the connections for support groups in order for patients to warm up to the idea of them. “There are a lot of other psychosocial needs that women have going through this and I think that’s where the support groups come in,” Kort said. “Physicians do a great job of taking care of what they know best, but there are a lot of other components to health care and things like support groups are very vital in the whole process.” Breast Care Partners is in the stage of finalizing the process and hope to have all the credentials for a multidisciplinary breast care system by the end of this year. “My long-term goal for Breast Care Partners is to create a system of care that’s credentialed in that all players are practicing cutting-edge medicine,” Schu said. “In terms of expanding our role or our geographical presence, I’m hoping that over time there will be more recognition of this system of care.”
MVHS honors top-flight employees at recognition event
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he Mohawk Valley Health System recently honored the organization’s top employees and volunteers at a recognition event held at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro. MVHS recognized 1,142 employees who reached milestones in service ranging from 5 years to 45 years of service and an additional 311 employees who have been with the organization for more than 25 years. The top honorees, with 45 years of
service, included: • Melanie Bowie, nuclear medicine, St. Elizabeth Medical Center • Alice Browar, cardiac rehab, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare • Sharon Jensen, nutrition services, FSLH • Barbara Mierek, operating room, FSLH • Carol Pecor, maternity services, FSLH Thomas Waters, AC 3 Medical/
Surgical Unit, FSLH MVHS also honored two employees with the prestigious Denise Taurisano and John Weakley Awards in recognition of significantly fostering a positive work environment with excellent customer service, professionalism, responsiveness, compassion and a caring nature. The awards are named after Denise Taurisano, a SEMC radiology employee, and John Weakley, a volunteer and May 2015 •
greeter at FSLH, who exhibited all of these qualities and were an inspiration to all who had the pleasure of working with them before their passing. Robert Tan, director of medical imaging for MVHS, is the 19th recipient of the Denise Taurisano Award. Tan has been an employee at SEMC since 1980 and has served as a staff radiologic technologist, quality control technologist, assistant manager and manager of the department of radiology.
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Healthcare in a Minute By George W. Chapman
Attention hospitals: Medicare is watching!
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edicare has developed a fivestar hospital ranking system. The number of stars a hospital earns is based on how it did according to an 80-question survey of patients who received care, inpatient or outpatient, within the last six months. The survey covers 3,500 Medicare-certified hospitals. Hospitals are graded on pertinent issues like how patients were treated by business and clinical staff, communication with physicians and other caregivers, medication administration and instructions, and overall care received. The survey does not inquire about the non-clinical amenities or lures that have little to no relevance on the quality of care received such as valet parking, executive chefs and free cable TV. So far, only 7 percent of hospitals have received five stars. Forty percent of hospitals garnered three stars. Fortunately, only 3 percent of hospitals received just one star. Thirty percent of a hospital’s Medicare reimbursement is based on this survey. Hospital ratings are updated quarterly. While critics argue that no survey can accurately reflect the quality of care received, advocates argue that, nevertheless, hospitals need to understand that the consumer is always right.
Individual insurance mandate
Fifteen million Americans had an individual policy last year, a 46 percent increase over 2013, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The report does not give the breakdown between policies purchased on the exchange or directly from carriers. Fifty percent of the increase last year came from California, Florida, Texas and Georgia, which coincidentally are some of the
states with the highest uninsured rates. More individuals would have purchased insurance if the penalty for not having insurance was more onerous. It’s still far cheaper to pay the penalty versus buy insurance. The individual mandate penalty for not having insurance in 2014 was only $95. It increased to $325 this year, which still is a bargain compared to buying insurance, even if one qualifies for a discount based on income.
Wellness incentives
The Affordable Care Act affords employers the opportunity to offer financial wellness incentives to their employees. Participation in wellness programs — like weight loss and smoking cessation — must be voluntary. Participation cannot be mandatory. Participating employees (family members are ineligible) can receive as much as a 30 percent discount on their individual premium. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called for a prevention-based society in a recent Washington Post story. He suggested that all institutions — including government, private employers, schools, churches and providers — need to emphasize wellness and physical activity. Healthiness must become part of our culture.
ACO growth slows
While the growth rate slowed last year, there are now about 600 accountable care organizations, putting 70 percent of us in a market served by one of them. There are 5.6 million Americans, or 11 percent, who receive care from an ACO. The majority of ACOs are still Medicare sponsored. Commercial ACOs are slower to develop.
Transformative technology
Though long overdue, healthcare innovation and technology has exploded onto the scene in just the past few years. Mahek Shaw, founder of Symplexi, says consumers will benefit from three technological advances in particular. First, cloud-based electronic records are proving to be more accessible, agile, adaptable and flexible for both consumers and providers. Epic and Cerner currently dominate the client-server based electronic record systems. Shaw predicts that within five years, they will be outmoded. Second, patient-centric devices like TEDMED, Jawbone, Fitbit and SXSW will transmit your data directly to your provider, allowing the doctor-patient relationship to be more of a partnership. Third, big data analytics will progress from improving operations and lowering costs to actually improving the care of the population being served by the provider organization. All of this cannot come quickly enough as both consumers and physicians are frustrated with the amount of paperwork and red tape involved in receiving and delivering care.
Impact of hospital closures
early death. While Fischer-Handzel’s operation was successful in improving her health and jump-starting her weight loss, her treatment isn’t finished. “This type of surgery may not be the ‘magic bullet’ people think it is. I still need to diet and exercise and am working to lose the remainder of the weight in order to achieve my goal,” she said. That’s why Graber’s office employs a diverse range of specialists. Even Balch, a healthcare professional, recognized the order (it’s mandatory) to see a psychiatrist in order to ensure she was ready, not only for the weight loss operation, but to stick to the dietary and exercise guidelines afterwards. “It’s about (evaluating) your body image,” she explained. “You have to see a psychiatrist before surgery to Page 8
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make sure you can handle the changes.” The doctors also determine whether the patient has outside support. “My husband (Gary Sr.) was very supportive,” she said. “He never nagged me or criticized me. Now I don’t snack and I stick to portion control.” There are some risks to any surgery, but backsliding or reverting to old habits is a physical and mental possibility following bariatric surgery. It’s something Graber’s staff seeks to prevent with regular monitoring of patients after they return home. “I got 200 pounds off my back,” William Hart of Syracuse told the guests at the open house about his gastric bypass surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital more than two years ago. Hart, 63, said he was in his mid-30s when he began putting on weight. He was at 280 pounds one year and before he knew it, he reached 400.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015
Opposition to ObamaCare losing steam
There have been over 50 attempts to repeal the ACA. For several reasons, opposition has become less vociferous in Congress. First, 16 million people would lose their insurance. Second, the early glitches in enrollment have been fixed. Third, employer-sponsored plans remain strong with 93 percent of full-time workers eligible for employer-sponsored coverage and 70 percent choosing to participate, which is unchanged since 2013. Fourth, insurance premiums have increased an average of only 6 percent since 2013. Fifth, younger people are enrolling: 3.4 million are young adults under 26 elected to stay on their parent’s plan. Sixth, dire predictions of providers being overwhelmed with an influx of newly insured sick patients has not happened. Finally, the public is better educated and the fear of the unknown has dissipated.
According to a study published in Health Affairs, hospital closures do not significantly impact hospitalizations or mortality rates of local residents. Harvard researchers looked at 195 closures between 2003 and 2011 using Medicare data. Closed facilities tended to be for profit, in the South and urban. According to the study, the impact of most of the closures was negligent be-
Guidelines in effect for bariatric surgery Continued from Page 6
cause in most urban-suburban markets, there is more than an adequate inventory of beds as opposed to rural-isolated areas. Most of the hospitals in New York state in danger of closing are within 30 minutes of another facility.
“I don’t know how it happened, but I wasn’t getting any exercise,” he said. “I tried a whole bunch of diets and none of that stuff worked.” For years, he was plagued by sleep apnea and shortness of breath. His wife, Margaret, admitted she nagged him to get help and one day his family doctor, Joseph Barry, referred him to Graber. Hart smiled broadly as he held up an old pair of plaid shorts and posed for pictures with Graber. “I went from a size 56 to 36. I know that not carrying all that weight has made a big difference [in longevity]. I’m going to be walking my daughter, Kathleen, down the aisle at her wedding on June 22.” The National Institutes of Health (www.NIH.gov) and its National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) provides a convenient table listing a body mass index range at www.nih.gov.
GEORGE W. CHAPMAN is a health consultant who operates GW Chapman Consulting in Upstate New York. To reach him, email gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.
HEALTH NEWS IN BRIEF Health fair in Waterville
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he Waterville Health Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 15 at the Waterville Firehouse, 222 Main St., Waterville. Featured will be the Waterville Farmers’ Market. Breast exams, mammograms and pap-pelvic exams with the Bassett Mobile Mammography Unit are available. To schedule an appointment, call the Oneida County Health Department’s Cancer Services Program of Oneida, Herkimer and Madison counties at 798-5248 or online at OHMcancerservices.org. The screenings on the coach will be free to women who are uninsured. You must call to find out if you are eligible before July 15. For more information, call Terry Rockwell at 404-0265 or Wendy Hunt at 798-5229.
Pet Health The Balanced Body
By Deb Dittner
Make Health a Pet Project Keep your furry friends in fantastic shape
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ogs, cats, bunnies, chickens, goats … you name it. Once any of these become part of the family, they are always part of the family. So we need to keep them healthy and active so they can stay with us as long as possible. Personally, I have had a number of dogs and cats. Each one of them was special in their own way. Most lived to a ripe old age of 17–19 human years, which is quite old in dogcat years. So what do we need to do to make sure that our pets stay healthy and happy? • Maintaining a healthy weight. As in today’s society where obesity Dittner is at epidemic proportions, obesity in animals is also on the rise. Specific breeds of dogs in particular (Labrador, German shepherd and other large dogs) can have joint and hip issues causing pain and inflammation. Be aware of over-feeding for the specific size and breed of dog. Kibble ingredients should be looked at carefully just like you would read the label on any item that you would buy for your family. Kibble should have no fillers, high fructose corn syrup, GMO corn/soy or an extended list of ingredients. Some even prefer to make their own meal for their pets consisting of brown rice, veggies and grass-fed meat. I recently needed to make this meal for my smaller dog and she gobbled it right up. An evening snack could be a dog cracker with a dollop of
plain yogurt (a good probiotic aiding in intestinal health). Pureed pumpkin is also good for intestinal issues in dogs. • Pure, clean filtered water. Whether indoor or outdoor, your pet needs plenty of water in order to stay hydrated and to flush their system, just like us. If you have an outdoor animal, a special heater may be needed to keep the water from freezing in winter. In summer, water has a tendency to evaporate so refilling the bowl frequently is a must. Don’t forget to wash out the bowl daily as bugs sometimes like to take a dip also. • Preventing fleas and ticks. With
Lyme disease being quite prevalent, you want to make sure to check your pet daily for ticks and fleas. Some years seem to be worse than others but still this poses a threat to the pet’s overall health. For a number of years now, I have been using a homemade spray of purification oil (Young Living Essential Oils) and distilled water. My dogs get brushed daily followed by a “spraying” of this mixture. It smells wonderful and totally does the job. Cats generally don’t like a spray of anything, so put a few drops of the oil in your hands, rub them together and then rub over the fur. If a tick is found, a drop of purifica-
tion oil on the tick causes it to back out and die. This spray mixture also can be used for humans too if going into the woods for a hike, walk or while gardening. • Movement. Just like we need to move every day, so do our pets. Keeping them active will help to keep their heart strong and maintain a good body weight. Some dogs can be obsessed with ball or Frisbee throwing and catching, so we need to know when enough is enough. If overdone, injury can occur — especially as they age — and they can’t tell us what or where it hurts. For my dogs in the past, I have used acupuncture specifically for hip and joint inflammation. Reiki is also a welcome therapy. Another treatment is making a blend of essential oils. Combine the oils in a small glass bottle with a roller top and apply to the affected area. Initially, the pet may wonder what you are doing (as mine did), but once they start getting relief, the bottle and you are a welcome site. • TLC (tender loving care). Have you hugged your pet today? The following are great reference books that I recommend for continued pet health care: • “The Encyclopedia for Natural Pet Care” by C.J. Puotinen • “Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats” by Richard H. Pitcairn and Susan Hubble Pitcairn • “Animal Desk Reference: Essential Oils for Animals” by Melissa Shelton • “Essential Oils for Natural Pet Care” by Melissa Shelton • Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner specializing in Reiki and holistic nutrition. Visit her at www.The-Balanced-Body.com.
Pastor Jack lost 175 lbs. and found a whole new life. A simple trip to the mailbox used to be a grueling excursion. But since Jack had weight-loss surgery at Crouse, he’s found his old self. Jack also found a caring and compassionate team to help him along his journey. From trusted surgeons to nutritional experts to a support group that shares everything from flavorful recipes to a healthy dose of inspiration. Come to our next weight-loss surgery seminar and discover what you can find.
Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You? Upcoming Free Seminars: June 18 • July 6 • July 16 To register: crouse.org/weightloss 315/472-2464
crouse.org/weightloss
May 2015 •
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Diet & Nutrition Super Foods
Apples, pecans and omega-3 prove beneficial from nutritional standpoint By Kristen Raab
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ave you had your super foods today? The word is so overused as part of a marketing strategy that we may ignore it and miss out on the benefits such foods provide. A healthy diet includes a variety of nutrients, and apples, pecans and omega-3-rich foods are three beneficial food groups worth considering.
Apples
Does an apple a day keep the doctor away? Research suggests apples can help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and a variety of other diseases. Also, this tasty fruit typically has less than 100 calories and both fiber and vitamin C. Apples are considered part of the “dirty dozen” group, so you might want to consider buying organic apples. The dirty dozen is the 12 fruits and vegetables containing the most pesticides. Make sure to wash whatever apples you buy. Pick the variety you prefer, but note there are nutritional differences. “If you are eating according to the season of apples, it will be taken care of for you,” said Pat Salzer, a registered dietitian and health and wellness consultant for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Eat the apple peel. “It gives you about double the amount of fiber,” Salzer explains. It also contains antioxidants that help with lung function, memory, reducing risk of cancer and
weight control.” Consider different recipes to avoid boredom. Bake apples with cinnamon, or dip them in Greek yogurt or a small amount of peanut butter for a filling snack. They are also a delicious, crunchy addition to salads.
Pecans
Pecans contain oleic acid. As a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid, oleic acid can lower blood pressure and decrease stroke and heart attack risks. Salzer explains, “It dissolves fatty deposits on our blood vessels, which prevents blocked arteries.” In addition, it lowers LDL and increases HDL cholesterol. LDL is the bad cholesterol and HDL is good. However, it’s easy to go overboard when eating these tasty nuts. Suggestions include: • One ounce of these nuts is about 20 pecan halves. Because this yields 200 calories, a good idea is to cut the serving in half. • Add cut up pecans to yogurt or salad. • Use crushed up pecans to make a crust for chicken or fish. • Toasting nuts enhances the flavor, but Salzer warns to “keep a close eye” on them, or they will burn.
Omega-3 foods
The American Heart Association recommends eating fish twice a week. Salmon, sardines and tuna are just three of the seafood options that contain Omega-3. Other Omega-3-rich
SmartBites
By Anne Palumbo
The skinny on healthy eating
Big reasons to eat more black beans
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o many beans, so little time: it’s the feeling that washes over me whenever I’m in the canned-goods aisle of the grocery store. And while I’m crazy about all beans, my heart belongs to the black bean. There’s just something about the taste and texture of this versatile little bean that bowls me over. Despite its small size, black beans are nutritional powerhouses. In fact, America’s top heart hospital, the Cleveland Clinic, cited this bean first in its best four legumes for boosting heart health. I’m keen on this bean because it’s particularly high in nutrients I care about — protein, fiber and antioxidants
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— and admirably low in substances I want to avoid — saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Black beans are an excellent protein source, with one cup providing 15 grams or about 30 percent of our daily needs. Although it’s not a “complete” protein (meaning it does not have all nine essential amino acids), black beans
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015
possibilities include flaxseed, walnuts, soybeans and tofu. How does Omega-3 help us stay healthy? Here are just a few of the benefits: • Help regulate triglyceride levels, which reduces the risk of heart disease. • There is evidence that they decrease the pain that comes with rheumatoid arthritis. • May reduce the risk of heart attacks. There’s “still so much we do not know, but the research is promising,” explains Salzer. Some findings indicate benefits to those with asthma, cancer, psoriasis and irritable bowel syndrome. • Use caution when taking supplements. As always, Salzer notes the importance of a continued dialogue
with our doctors. She says, “Discuss it with your physician because there are some risks.” Experiencing digestive issues while taking these supplements is one potential side effect. People with preexisting conditions must talk to their doctors before taking these supplements. In addition, “Be informed consumers. Just because some is good, it doesn’t mean more is better,” Salzer said. There are no miracle foods. However, we do have the ability to make smart, healthy choices to maintain or improve our overall health. Include these three staples in your diet, and enjoy the health benefits that come along with endless recipe possibilities.
can easily be paired with a grain, such as rice, to equal one. A workhorse nutrient, proteins function as building blocks for bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, blood, enzymes and hormones. Looking to add more fiber to your diet? One cup of black beans has a whopping 15 grams or about 60 percent of our daily needs (a little less for men). Since black beans contain both soluble and insoluble fiber, we’re looking at a mighty bean that not only improves digestive-tract functioning and prevents constipation, but one that also lowers cholesterol and blood-glucose levels. Thanks to its rich black coat, black beans are antioxidant superstars, boasting more antioxidant activity than any of its bean brethren and providing levels that rival those found in apples, grapes and cranberries. Antioxidants neutralize damaging free radicals and may help lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other age-related diseases. Black beans teem with folate, arguably one of the most important B vitamins for reducing risk of cardiovascular disease. We’re talking nearly two-thirds of our daily needs in one cup! Hearts love folate because it effectively lowers levels of homocysteine,
an amino acid in the blood that can lead to dangerous blood clots, hardening of the arteries, and heart disease. As for carbs, yes, black beans do have carbs, but they’re the goods ones — the complex carbs that provide a steady stream of energy because they take longer to digest. And as for calories, black beans rock with only 220 calories per cup. Swimsuit season, here we come! In general, canned beans have the same amount of nutrients as dried, but are usually higher in sodium. Look for canned beans with no added salt; some organic brands have less. Thoroughly drain and rinse canned beans before using. Cooked beans, whether prepared from the dried state or retrieved from a can, can be covered and chilled for up to five days. Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, 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.
Ace’s Angle
HEALTH NEWS IN BRIEF
By Amylynn Pastorella
Sizzling Summer Sensations
Little Falls Hospital plans annual golf tourney Little Falls Hospital-Bassett Healthcare Network will host their 13th annual golf tournament on Aug. 20 at The Cedar Lake Golf Club in Clayville. Registration will be from 9-10:45 a.m. and golfers will tee off at 11 a.m. The cost per golfer is $130. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact the administration department at 315-823-5262 or via email at c.daley@ lfhny.org.
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ummer is upon us and the thing ate until chilled about an hour. that fancies me most is to sit out3. Serve with ice and garnish with side or by the pool with a refreshstrawberry ing drink. There is nothing more reCucumber Lemon Water laxing then to sip a flavored drink that cools the palate on 2 quarts water a hot day. Being that I am a 1 sliced cucumber fan of Pinterest, I dove into 2 sliced lemons researching some fascinat1. Mix everything togething beverages that can be er in a pitcher and let sit for a enjoyed in a single glass couple hours in the refrigeraor passed around during a tor. Enjoy over ice! summer gathering. In addition to taste, each Classic Lemonade drink has detoxifying benefits for the body to rid itself ½-cup sugar Pastorella of unnecessary toxins. 1-cup fresh lemon juice Here are some of my (from about 6 lemons) favorites: 1. In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and ½-cup water. Bring to a boil, Homemade Strawberry Lemonade stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved. Let cool. In a pitcher, combine the syrup with the lemon juice 1 1/2 cup strawberries and 2 ½ to 3 cups water. Serve over ice. Juice of 2 large lemons ¼-cup agave nectar Watermelon Ice 2 1/2 cups cold water (To jazz up your drink) Extra strawberries for garnish Watermelon 1. In a blender, combine 1 1/2 Water, sparkling water, seltzer wacup strawberries, juice of 2 lemons, ter, lemon-lime soda or lemonade and agave nectar. Blend on high until 1. Cut watermelon into small smooth about 2 minutes. cubes. Lay in a single layer on a baking 2. Pour into a pitcher and whisk sheet and place in the freezer. Once frotogether with the cold water. Refriger-
KIDS Corner
Noah and Emma: Most Popular Baby Names
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mma and Noah are America’s most popular baby names for 2014, according to figures from the Social Security. Emma returns to the top spot she held in 2008 and hangs out in first place with Noah. There are a few new names in the top 10 in 2015 — James (a former No. 1
from the ‘40s and ‘50s) on the blue side and Charlotte on the pink side, her first time ever in the top 10. Makes you wonder if the Duke & Dutchess of Cambridge got a sneak peak at the list, since naming their baby girl Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte (which lands at No. 10) Elizabeth (which fell from the top 10 to No. 14) Diana (No. 297) of Cambridge. Each year, the list reveals the effect of pop-culture on naming trends. This year’s winners for biggest jump in popularity in the Top 1,000 are Aranza and Bode. Aranza jumped an amazing 3,625 spots on the girls’ side to number 607, from number 4,232 in 2013. The Latin soap opera “Siempre Mi Amore” was aired on Univision from 2013 to 2015. The show featured a young lead character
Perinatal Network plans scavenger hunt race
zen, store in a freezer safe zip-top bag. 2. Fill a glass with the watermelon ice and pour your favorite beverage over it. What kind of yummy drinks do you sip on during the summer months? Share them and any other news with me at acesangle@gmail.com. • Amylynn Pastorella is a contributing writer for Mohawk Valley In Good Health. To reach Amy, send correspondence to In Good Health, 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, 13502 attn: Amy or email her at acesangle@ gmail.com.
named Aranza, and obviously had its effect on naming trends last year. Bode raced ahead 645 spots, from number 1,428 in 2013 to number 783 in 2014. This might have had something to do with the Winter Olympics in early 2014, where Bode Miller continued his outstanding alpine skiing career by collecting his sixth Olympic medal. Not only is he the most successful male American alpine skier of all time, he is considered by many to be an American hero. The second fastest riser for boys was Axl, a nod to both rock legend Axl Rose of Guns N’ Roses and Axl Jack Duhamel, son of Stacy Ann “Fergie” Ferguson and Josh Duhamel. For girls, Montserrat, the lead character in a very popular Latin soap opera, was number two, joined by another Monserrat (spelled just one letter differently) at number three. For all the top baby names of 2014, go to Social Security’s website, www. socialsecurity.gov.
Here are the top 10 boys and girls names for 2014: BOYS GIRLS 1 Noah Emma 2 Liam Olivia 3 Mason Sophia 4 Jacob Isabella 5 William Ava 6 Ethan Mia 7 Michael Emily 8 Alexander Abigail 9 James Madison 10 Daniel Charlotte May 2015 •
Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network, Inc. is planning its third annual “Run, Sherlock, Run!” scavenger hunt race in the Mohawk Valley. It will be held on Oct. 4 and will start from the St. Francis DeSales Center on Genesee Street in Utica. Clues will be provided to teams of two, three or four runners, directing them to secret checkpoints in Utica. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams finding all checkpoints in the shortest time, and a post-race party will be offered to participants. Register by Aug. 14 through Active.com or by mail, and get a special early bird rate of $25 per person. Participation is capped at 300 runners. The mailing address is Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network, 1000 Cornelia St., 2nd Floor, Utica, N.Y. 13502. The Perinatal Network’s mission is to improve birth outcomes and maternal, child and family health, facilitate collaboration among providers and community organizations and advocate for change. For more information about getting involved in “Run, Sherlock, Run!” visit www.runsherlockrun.com or call the Perinatal Network at 732-4657. Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available.
MVHS Balance Center offers free screenings Approximately 15 percent of Americans experience a balance or dizziness problem each year. Vestibular disorders of the inner ear, affecting balance or producing vertigo, impact 35 percent of adults aged 40 and older in the United States, which equates to nearly 70 million Americans. The Balance Center at the Mohawk Valley Health System is offering free balance screenings to help community members with questions or symptoms related to balance, vertigo and inner ear disorders. The screening evaluates patients for specific balance concerns, risk for falls and symptoms of vertigo to determine if they will benefit from formal testing and therapy. Screenings are conducted in outpatient rehabilitation at the Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica. Appointments are required. To schedule a free screening, call 315-624-4632.
Story idea? Call 749-7070
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Community Information Seminar:
Present Tense Psychiatry
Bariatric Surgery
Deanna Brady, NPP-BC, PLLC • 2 Fountain Street, Clinton, NY 13323
ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS Children and Adults Welcome Call (315) 853-2125 for an appointment today www.PresentTensePsychiatry.com
June 10, 2015 • 6:00 pm
Personalized consultations, medication management, and psychotherapy Disorders include: depression, anxiety, bipolar, sleep disorders, behavioral disorders, ADHD No third party payments: fee-for-service provider
Presented by
January Hill, MD
Breast Care Center offers new method for early detection of lymphedema
Utica Business Park 125 Business Park Drive, Suite 150, Utica, NY The offices of William A. Graber, MD, PC
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he Breast Care Center at the Mohawk Valley Health System offers a new method for early detection of lymphedema thanks to the support of a donor. This measurement system, called the lymphedema index (L-Dex), helps assess and detect lymphedema at its earliest stages, even before it becomes visible. Women who have had treatment for breast cancer are at risk of developing lymphedema, which is a chronic condition in which lymph, a clear fluid that circulates through the body, begins to collect in tissue causing swelling and discomfort. Lymphedema most commonly develops in the limbs, but can also develop in the breasts, underarms and back. “L-Dex allows us to identify lymphedema at the extracellular level utilizing bioimpedance spectroscopy prior to it being visibly evident,” said Debra Walz, women’s health and oncology nurse practitioner. “As a
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result, the L-Dex allows us to detect lymphedema four to 10 months sooner compared to traditional methods. When lymphedema is caught at stage 0 or 1, it can be better managed and often reversed, allowing patients to regain normal function and appearance in the affected limb or area.” Prior to acquiring the L-Dex system, the Breast Care Center relied on visual assessments, measurements and symptom evaluation to monitor for the onset of lymphedema. “We are extremely grateful for the wonderful generosity of the Beatrice Cavaretta Faga & Maryellen Faga Kieffer Fund, a donor-advised fund of The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, who made it possible for the Breast Care Center to offer the L-Dex technology to our patients,” said Nancy Butcher, executive director of the Cancer Center. “Our patients and their families benefit greatly from the generosity of our community.” For more information, call 315-6245764 or visit www.faxtonstlukes.com.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015
Crème de la crème
The Social Ask Security Office
Outstanding healthcare professionals get recognized By Patricia J. Malin
W
hen you work at a cancer center, there are few “ordinary” days. For Carly Sperati, the chief radiation therapist at the Regional Cancer Center at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, most days are hectic as she balances the needs of her patients with those of her fellow therapists. Tuesday, May 5 was one of those extraordinary days. Sperati was slated to receive an award at the 10th annual healthcare recognition luncheon presented by The Genesis Group & The Medical Societies at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro. As Ray Durso, president of the Genesis Group explained in his opening remarks, Sperati was so devoted to her patients and her work that she was reluctant to take time out to attend the luncheon. However, she did make it and the attendees got to acknowledge Sperati as the outstanding allied healthcare professional of 2015. The Genesis Group, a nonprofit business alliance, and the medical societies presented a total of eight awards to recognize excellence in the local healthcare field. The class of 2015 included the following award winners: • Outstanding physicians: Ankur Desai; Lauren Giustra; and Julie A. Perlanski • Outstanding nurse: Linda Lyon • Outstanding healthcare leadership: Janine Carzo • Outstanding direct care professional: Debbie Rice • Outstanding nurse practitioner: Valerie Yager • Fred Talarico, a Utica cardiologist, and Joseph Maldonado Jr., a retired urologist from Rome, were inducted into the Genesis Group’s Healthcare Hall of Distinction. Sperati, 42, a native of Pulaski, said she became interested in medicine as a child. She received her associate’s degree in math and science from Jefferson Community College in Watertown in 2000. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in radiation technology education from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. In 2000, while attending community college, her mother, Cathy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her mother was so impressed with the radiation treatment she was receiving that Sperati decided to study it closer. “I’m in the field because of my mother’s diagnosis of breast cancer,” she explained. Sperati started working as a radiation therapist at Faxton in 2002. In 2009, anxious to do more in her career, she was selected for Faxton St. Luke’s Aspiring Leaders program. The program allowed Sperati to improve her leadership skills and become the lead radiation therapist for the last six years. She is responsible for the daily functions of the cancer center. She supervises six radiation therapists and ensures they are trained with the evolving technologies used to treat cancer. “Where I work is extremely busy,” she noted. “It’s very busy. We treat about 50-to-60 patients a day and that includes CT scans. I didn’t want to leave the floor (to go to the luncheon). We have six therapists, but it was over-
Social Security supports Cancer Survivors Day
I
Sperati ly busy that day.” Her mother lived to see her daughter achieve a higher position, but Cathy passed away in January. As the nomination form for the award pointed out, “Carly is amazed with the level of technology available to her and her patients. Most importantly, Carly strives to do well in all aspects of her career, most importantly taking care of her patients.”
Other healthcare honorees
Desai and his wife, Lauren Giustra, are a team specializing in obstetrics-gynecology. They started their practice, the Mohawk Valley Women’s Health Associates, in Rome in 1996. Perlanski is a family medicine physician at Little Falls Hospital and is affiliated with Mohawk Valley Health Systems. She believes in “integrated holistic medicine” and collaborative healing. She said she tries to “empower patients to make decisions” about their health. Lyon is a certified breast center navigator in the Women’s Imaging Center at Rome Memorial Hospital, and was selected as outstanding nurse of the year. Carzo is chief operating officer of the Utica Community Health Center, part of the Regional Primary Care Network of Rochester. A veteran administrator from Utica, she was hired to direct the opening of UCHC in east Utica five years ago. She describes UCHC as “a (place) for those who have nowhere else to go, nowhere to turn,” including the homeless, refugees, sick children, those with AIDS, and people lacking health insurance. The federal government established the nonprofit healthcare facility to provide primary health and dental services for the uninsured and low-income population. Rice was named the outstanding direct care professional for her work at the Masonic Care Community. Her co-worker at the Masonic Care Community, Valerie Yager, a registered nurse and nurse manager, received the outstanding nurse practitioner award.
n 2015, more than a million people will be diagnosed with cancer. This alarming statistic affects people and families all over the world. On June 7 we observe National Cancer Survivors Day in the United States. In support of this day, Social Security encourages checkups, early detection, and awareness, while honoring the survivors who have gone through this battle and defeated the disease. Social Security stands strong in our support of the fight against cancer. We offer services to patients suffering from this disease through our disability program and our compassionate allowances program. Compassionate allowances are cases with medical conditions so severe they obviously meet Social Security’s disability standards, allowing us to quickly process the cases with minimal medical information. There is no special application or
Q&A
Q: What is the maximum Social Security retirement benefit? A: The maximum benefit depends on the age you retire. For example, if you retire at full retirement age in 2015, your maximum monthly benefit would be $2,663. However, if you retire at age 62 in 2015, your maximum monthly benefit would be only $2,025. If you retire at age 70 in 2015, your maximum monthly benefit would be $3,501. To get a better idea of what your benefit might be, visit our online Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/ retire/estimator.html. Q: Can I refuse to give my Social Security number to a private business? A: Yes, you can refuse to disclose your Social Security number, and you should be careful about giving out your number. But, be aware, the person requesting your number can refuse services if you don’t give it. Businesses, banks, schools, private agencies, etc., are free to request someone’s number and use it for any purpose that doesn’t violate a federal or state law. To learn more about your Social Security visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. Q: How can I check the status of a pending application for retirement benefits? A: If you applied for retirement or disability benefits online, you can check the status of your application at www.socialsecurity.gov by selecting “Benefits” and “Check Application Status” under “Apply.” You will need to enter your Social Security number and the confirmation code you received when you filed online. May 2015 •
form you need to submit for compassionate allowances. Simply apply for disability benefits using the standard Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application. Once we identify you as having a compassionate allowances condition, we’ll expedite your disability application. Social Security establishes compassionate allowances conditions using information received at public outreach hearings, from the Social Security and disability determination services communities, from medical and scientific experts, and based on our research. For more information about compassionate allowances, or to view the conditions currently listed, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances. If you think you qualify for disability benefits based on a compassionate allowances condition, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov to apply for benefits.
Your application status will show: • The date we received your application; • Any requests for additional documents; • The address of the office processing your application; and • If a decision has been made. Q: How do I appeal a decision on my application for disability benefits? A: When we make a decision on your application, we’ll send you a letter explaining our decision. If you don’t agree with our decision, you can ask us to look at your case again, or appeal it. You must appeal within 60 days from the date you get our decision letter. You can: • File a disability appeal online with our new, improved process and electronically provide documents to support your request, even if you live outside of the United States; or • Visit your local Social Security office. For more information, call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. To learn more about Social Security’s disability programs, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov/ disability. Q: How can I become a representative payee? A: If you know someone who receives Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and who needs assistance managing his or her payments, contact your local Social Security office about becoming his or her representative payee. Go to www. socialsecurity.gov/payee for more information.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Meet
Your Doctor
By Lou Sorendo
New physician at Herkimer Health Center Continued from Page 4 eliminate the present economic hurdle. Primary care is the foundation of medicine — the need for family practitioners is only going to increase with time. Q.: You once owned Harbour Pointe Medical Associates in Muskegon, Mich. What were some of your foremost challenges as a top administrator at a healthcare facility? What did you enjoy most about it? A.: Harbour Pointe Medical Associates was a practice I founded with two other osteopathic women doctors. The building was completed three years after I finished my training. I think the biggest challenge was learning the business end of medicine. We were on staff at three hospitals at the time. We had X-ray on sight, casted uncomplicated fractures, did many office-based procedures, and cared for our patients in the hospitals. Two of us delivered babies and did moonlighting work in the ER. It was a busy, hectic clinical schedule and on top of that, we were expected to know how to run the business. None of us had any background in business. It was hard work but we were working for ourselves. What I enjoyed most was the camaraderie I shared
with my partners and the control we had over the practice. We all got better at choosing good support staff and managing people. It felt like a freer time with less outside regulations — but that didn’t last. Managed care and health management organizations soon took over the market in Western Michigan, eventually a partner left to teach in a residency program, and we ended up selling the practice to the local hospital. Q.: What skill sets are necessary in order to be a successful and effective family practitioner? A.: I think you need to genuinely like and care about the patients. At times, the only intervention that can be offered is listening and showing concern through caring, which can be therapeutic. With the explosion of new knowledge in medicine, it is imperative to remain curious and up to date. Seek guidelines, investigate evidence-based information and be flexible enough to evolve and change. Understand your own limitations and be willing to admit you don’t know everything but you can look it up and educate yourself. Ultimately, all physicians need to be lifelong learners. The goal is to transform into true healers; not just physicians monitoring “dis”-ease.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015
Mary in the Middle
By Mary Stevenson
Planting a Rainbow Mom-daughter activity has colorful meaning
A
s I am working on this month’s column and various other work-related projects (read: skimming Pinterest for fun summer-related projects), my 4-year old asked me to read her a book. She has chosen “Planting a Rainbow” by Lois Ehlert. It was a gift from a friend and her daughter a couple of years ago and had been sitting patiently on the bookshelf, waiting to be read. Today was the day. In the book, the mother and child plant rainbows, as the title implies. They start with bulbs in the fall; through the winter hibernation to the spring growth to Stevenson freshly cut flowers in every color ROY G BIV has taught us. Some of the flowers I recognize and can pronounce — tiger lily, daffodil and iris. Some of them, I would know by sight and not by name (delphinium, for example). They are beautiful and gave me a wonderful idea. I am not well known for my cultivation of plants, flowers or vegetables. I think I have grown a total of two plants in my lifetime and I am sure I killed them just as quickly. But I do love a garden and have grand visions of a beautiful vegetable garden with cucumbers, peppers, onions, carrots, potatoes and many other products from seed packets that line my I-want-
to-do-this-but-not-right-now drawer. I have three boxes of flower seeds to grow a plush carpet of colors wherever I decide to sprinkle the seeds. I don’t think I have mentioned I have moved these same boxes from house to house to house and have yet to sprinkle anything anywhere. It’s safe to say they’d probably have better luck growing in the trash if I actually got around to throwing them out. (Anyone see a pattern here?) But I am determined this year. I have a bigger house with a bigger yard and the motivation has struck (it’s probably the sunshine and not really motivation). And now since my daughter asked, I have to. We will go to the store to pick out seeds and design where we want to plant them when we get home. She is thoroughly excited and I love to see that in her eyes. How can I turn that down — green thumb or not? I hope the end result is more lucrative than my previous attempts at any type of gardening or plant growing. I also hope that we not only can have a rainbow in our garden, but my daughter can have a colorful and fun memory to look back on when she gets older. • Mary Stevenson is a contributing writer for Mohawk Valley In Good Health.
Presbyterian Homes Foundation sets new goals
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resbyterian Homes & Services in New Hartford is in the midst of a transformation. Regular visitors will see changes on an almost daily basis, as the facility upgrades and renovates its buildings, rooms and infrastructure. A parking lot and new sprinkler system were installed; the main lobby, corridors, and many rooms in Presbyterian Home for Central New York have been upgraded to provide a feel of home; a major renovation is planned for the Taggart Dining Room in the rehabilitation services area, where residents, outpatients and visitors relax, eat and share time together. While the Presbyterian Homes Foundation has secured funding for a portion of the ongoing work, it is appealing to local donors, foundations, and especially corporate sponsors to help it transform these living areas for those it serves in the community. To that end, it has announced a new corporate sponsorship program to inspire corporate donors to give once, and reap the benefits year round. Traditionally, the foundation reaches out to donors periodically for each major fundraising event. The new program
eliminates multiple appeals in favor of a single annual appeal, automatically giving them representation at every major event for that year, and benefiting the thousands PH&S serves each year. The new corporate sponsorship program offers options from platinum sponsorship to gold, silver, and bronze levels, with benefits ranging from major partner recognition at all events, to name and logo appearances, free tickets to public events, recognition on the PH&S donor wall, and invitations to the annual donor reception. For more information on the Presbyterian Homes Foundation and the corporate sponsorship program, contact Lenora D’Apice, executive director of advancement, at ldapice@presbyterianhome.com or 315-624-9972.
Local recycler gets artsy
Empire Recycling introduces a taste of culture to Earth Day By Amylynn Pastorella
E
arth Day is an annual event celebrated worldwide on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection and to promote awareness of environmental issues. It is also time to protect natural gifts. Since its first appearance in 1970, Earth Day is now recognized in more than 192 countries. Earth Day started when Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin wanted a nationwide teach-in on the environment. He brought the idea to state governors, mayors of big cities, editors of college newspapers, and to Scholastic magazine, which is circulated in U.S. elementary and secondary schools. Earth Day was a big success. It has now become a universal concern and many people are now aware of what is happening to the planet because of global warming. The local effort for recycling is strong and the amount of recycled material continues to grow annually. The staff at Empire Recycling in Utica said recycling is important and helps keep down the cost of solid waste disposal. “Saving landfill space for waste helps create longevity and it is directly related to the ultimate costs of waste removal and disposal,” said Dave Levitt, facility and project manager at Empire Recycling.
Calling all artists
To celebrate Earth Day, Empire Recycling invited artists from Sculpture Space to pick up scrap metal from Empire and use it for various new pieces of art. In turn, the artwork is auctioned and brings in revenue for Sculpture Space. The unique partnership between Empire Recycling and Sculpture Space mixes a love for the arts and the company’s philanthropy with an environmental effort and a special opportunity for artists from many countries to lend their talents in a fundraising effort for the nonprofit artists’ organization.
V
How to recognize stroke symptoms and what to do Dear Savvy Senior, What are the symptoms of a stroke? My 66-year-old aunt had a stroke a few months ago and neither she nor my uncle had a clue it was happening. Concerned Relative
Dear Concerned, Unfortunately, most AmerThis is artwork created by recycled metal. icans don’t know the signs of a To further promote recycling and stroke, but they need to. Stroke saving the planet, people can become is the fifth leading cause of death more involved in recycling by helping with school bottle and can drives, in the United States and the No. purchasing products that consist of recyclable materials and making an effort 1 cause of disability. Being able to know what items can be recycled. to recognize a stroke and getting “The recycling effort and continued to the hospital quickly can make growth in available recyclable markets for materials has helped reduce the a huge difference in reducing its need for more landfills and burning potentially devastating effects. plants and therefore a reduction of the Here are some tips that help you possibility of continued water and air pollution from such,” said Levitt. recognize a stroke, and what you Other ways to celebrate the Earth should do if it happens to you or and make it a better place, suggested by ecoadmirer.com, are to reuse items; your loved one. borrow and share before buying; repair it before discarding or buying new; buy gently used items and buy eco-friendly items. Keeping in mind quality over quantity, purchasing eco-friendly products will let companies know how much consumers care about the environment. Julian Koenig, who was a member of Nelson’s organizing committee in 1969, said the idea to name Earth Day came to him by combining his birthday (April 22) with the date selected. With Earth Day rhyming with birthday, the connection seemed natural.
VHS selects employee of quarter
alley Health Services in Herkimer recently selected Danielle Rickard as the employee of the first quarter. Rickard rejoined the staff at VHS in July 2014 as a dietary aide. She previously worked for VHS from October 2009 through August 2013. Rickard’s primary Rickard responsibility as a dietary aide is to provide assistance in all dietary functions as directed by
By Jim Miller
her supervisor. The co-workers who nominated Rickard stated, “Danielle has proven to be an asset to the dietary department since she started in July 2014. She comes to work on time, in uniform and with a smile on her face. She completes her work in a timely manner and never makes errors.” Rickard resides in Salisbury.
Types of stroke
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every year more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke — three-quarters of which are over the age of 65. A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries blood to the brain is suddenly blocked by a clot (ischemic stroke), or burst (hemorrhagic stroke), causing parts of the brain to become damaged or die. About 87 percent of all strokes are ischemic. Depending on the severity of the brain damage, strokes can cause mild to severe disabilities including paralysis, loss of speech, vision and memory, along with other health and emotional issues, and death.
Stroke signs
Because stroke injures the brain, the person having a stroke may not realize it. Stroke victims have the best chance if someone around them recognizes the symptoms and acts quickly. The five most common symptoms include: • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. • Sudden, severe headache with no May 2015 •
known cause. The easiest way to identify a stroke is to use the F.A.S.T. test to identify the symptoms. • F (Face): Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? • A (Arm): Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? • S (Speech): Ask the person to say a simple sentence. Is their speech slurred? • T (Time): If you observe any of these signs of stroke, call 911. To help you remember the signs, the American Stroke Association has a free “Spot a Stroke FAST” app (see strokeassociation.org) that you can download on your smartphone or mobile device. Or, visit the National Stroke Association at stroke.org and print their “Act FAST” wallet card to keep as a reminder.
Act quickly
Remember that stroke is a medical emergency and every minute counts. Even if you’re not sure a stroke is happening, call 911 anyway. The longer blood flow is cut off to the brain, the greater the damage. Immediate treatment can save a person’s life and improve their chances for a successful recovery. Ischemic strokes are treated with a drug called t-PA that dissolves the blood clots that block the blood flow to the brain. The window of opportunity to start treating a stroke is three hours. But to be evaluated and receive treatment, patients need to get to the hospital within 60 minutes. If you have a choice, wait for the paramedics rather than driving the patient yourself. Patients who are transported by EMS are evaluated and treated much quicker than people who are driven in. And, of course, don’t drive if you are the one having a stroke. It’s also very important that you call 911 even if symptoms go away. When symptoms of stroke disappear on their own after a few minutes, a “mini-stroke” or transient ischemic attack (TIA) may have occurred which is a warning that a major stroke may be coming. That’s why mini-strokes need to be treated like emergences too. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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H ealth News Chairwoman aboard for ‘Go Red’ luncheon Joanne Donaruma Wade is the chairwoman of the 2016 Utica-Rome Go Red For Women Luncheon, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Wade will lead the fundraising efforts for the luncheon in the Greater Utica/Mohawk Valley area to help achieve the AHA’s 2020 impact goal. The goal is to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while Wade reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent. Money raised at events like the Go Red For Women Luncheon goes toward lifesaving research, advocacy and education programs. The Go Red For Women movement focuses on raising awareness among women that heart disease is their greatest health threat. Cardiovascular diseases and stroke kill one in three women each year. Wade recently retired from The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter, NYSARC, where she served as the director of the employment service division. She has volunteered her time and talents to help young women with organizations such as the Good Old Summertime Festival Board of Directors and the Miss Greater Utica Pageant. Wade serves on several boards, including the Kelberman Center, the Leatherstocking Ballet, the MVCC Foundation, and the Sitrin Health Center Foundation. The 2016 Go Red For Women Luncheon will be held on May 4, 2016 at Daniele’s Banquet Specialists. The 2015 event recently raised $112,400 with help from more than 470 luncheon attendees.
Go Red For Women Luncheon raises funds More than 470 local women and men, many of them professionals with area businesses, packed the room at Daniele’s Banquet Specialists in New Hartford recently to help fight heart disease in women. The event raised more than $112,400 for the Go Red For Women campaign. Macy’s was the national sponsor and was joined by local signature sponsor First Source Federal Credit Union. This year’s luncheon honored former Passion speaker Chrissie Hughes. She survived multiple strokes and open-heart surgeries, but passed away last November from an unrelated heart problem. Her daughter, Meaghan Bahr, shared her family’s story and urged women to visit a cardiologist to find out their risk. Before the luncheon got under way, attendees had the opportunity to attend a heart health fair to learn about Page 16
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stress management, cooking healthy and their personal risk of stroke.
New executive director at Root Farm Jeremy Earl of Utica was recently appointed executive director of the Root Farm, an affiliate of the Upstate Cerebral Palsy Parent Corp. Earl will maintain oversight of the Root Farm equine, horticulture, hydroponics and agriculture programs at a new facility in Sauquoit, which is the combined effort of the Root Farm and Upstate Cerebral Palsy. Their collaboration in the building of this comprehensive venture will provide state-of-theEarl art services and programs to thousands of children and adults with physical, social, emotional or cognitive challenges throughout Central New York. Earl has worked at UCP for 15 years, where he is the associate vice president for therapy services, overseeing the occupational, physical and speech therapists. He is a licensed physical therapist and also holds his master’s degree in healthcare administration. Earl is active in the community and is board president of Leadership Mohawk Valley. UCP is the premier provider of direct-care services and programs for individuals who are physically, developmentally, or mentally challenged and their families, employing more than 2,000 full and part-time employees at 81 locations throughout a seven-county area.
Kelberman Center walk raises $135,000 The Kelberman Center Walk for Autism was held recently in Boonville, Oneida, Hamilton, Cooperstown and the Mohawk Valley. Altogether, the walks raised a total of $135,000 for programs at the Kelberman Center. Over 2,000 people participated in the walks this year, demonstrating the impact that autism has within families, schools and communities. Through partnerships with event sponsor the Utica Comets and the center’s committee members and volunteers, the Kelberman Center is able to host this event and raise awareness. All funds raised remain local to support the many families living with autism in Central New York. The Kelberman Center is a regional center for excellence for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and related learning challenges.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015
FSLH receives best value award Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica, an affiliate of the Mohawk Valley Health System, has been recognized as one of New York state’s 10 “Best Value Hospitals” for 2014 by Verras Healthcare International. The award was based on Verras’ medical value index which compared similar New York state hospitals (250plus beds) and measured three years of trended medical outcomes using six universally accepted metrics of quality and cost efficiency. “It is an honor to receive a top-10 ranking when being compared to the many fine healthcare institutions across the state,” said Albert D’Accurzio, senior vice president and chief quality officer for MVHS. Verras’ clinical variation solution has earned the endorsement of the American Hospital Association. The Verras’ MVI uses data sources from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services MedPAR data, trended over three years (2010-2012) and weighted against a top score of 800.
Annual Miracle Home Makeover kicks off The Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation, in partnership with WKTV NewsChannel 2, Lite 98.7FM-WLZW, The Observer-Dispatch, Lewis Custom Homes and Home Builders and Remodelers Association of the Mohawk Valley, recently announced the start of the 19th annual $100,000 Miracle Home Makeover to benefit the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital at FSLH. One lucky person will win a $100,000 Miracle Home Makeover or $100,000 in cash. Tickets are $100 each and must be purchased with cash. No checks, credit cards or money orders can be accepted. A maximum of 4,300 tickets are available. The FSLH Foundation is working with long-time CMN corporate supporters First Source Federal Credit Union and GPO Federal Credit Union to have tickets available at the local branches. Visit www.faxtonstlukes.com/mhm or call the foundation office at 315-6245600 for ticket locations. The drawing for the Miracle Home Makeover will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at the St. Luke’s Campus of FSLH in New Hartford.
St. Elizabeth College of Nursing names top grads St. Elizabeth College of Nursing recently announced its 2015 weekday and weekend valedictorians and salutatorians. • Weekday valedictorian — Amber Dietrich Dietrich, of Nassau, is the daughter of Jeannette and David Dietrich. She is
Dietrich
Vincent
Ramsey
Winchell
a graduate of the Academy of Christian Leadership in Valatie. • Weekend valedictorian — Tracy Vincent Vincent, of Marcy, is the daughter of Diane Phillips and Louanne and Russell Clawson. She is a graduate of Poland Central High School. Vincent is the mother of twins: Landon and Gage Vincent, aged 5. • Weekday salutatorian — Ashley Ramsey Ramsey, of Cornwall, is the daughter of Donna and David Ramsey. She is a graduate of Cornwall Central School. • Weekend salutatorian — Jennifer L. Winchell Winchell, of Westmoreland, is the daughter of Phyllis and Joseph Kierpiec. She is a graduate of Westmoreland High School. Winchell is married to Charles Winchell and has a daughter, Kayla, 12.
MVHS names information technology directors Cathy Miller has been named director of clinical applications in information technology for Mohawk Valley Health System. In this position, she oversees the MVHS IT staff that supports the clinical applications used on inpatient units and in the emergency departments. Miller has served as manager of clinical informatics at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Miller since 2007. She and her team successfully implemented and continue to support the Allscripts/ Sunrise inpatient electronic health record. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, a Master of Science degree in family clinical nursing from Binghamton University and a certificate in nursing informatics from the
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H ealth News Continued from Page 16 University of Minnesota. The American Nurses Association has certified her as a nurse informaticist. Audrey Snow has been named director of financial and ambulatory applications in information technology. In this position, she oversees the MVHS IT staff that supports the applications used at MVHS Medical Snow Group, St. Luke’s Home, The Cancer Center and all other outpatient, ambulatory and home healthcare services. She also oversees IT staff that supports all financial, patient access, revenue cycle IT and integration systems. Snow has served as the director of process integration in IT at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare since 1998. Her team successfully implemented and continues to support the GE Centricity Ambulatory Electronic Health Record, Lawson/Infor financial, materials management, payroll and HR systems, and Cloverleaf/Infor interface engine. The Mohawk Valley Health System Medical Group management team, from left, is Mamie Bowdish Aquino; Christine Grabski, RN; Brad Crysler; Shannon Mathewson; Dr. Michael Attilio; Karen Casab, RN; Amy Ferguson-Victor and Marie Barnes.
New director of nursing at St. Johnsville Bridget Seeley is the new director of nursing at St. Johnsville Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Seeley holds an Associate of Applied Science degree from SUNY Morrisville. She is a New York state-licensed registered nurse. Seeley joins St. Johnsville with 20 years of health care experience starting as an intensive care and emergency room nurse, and now director of nursing services of the 120-bed nursing facility. Seeley is a native of Salisbury and resides in Gloversville with her family.
St. Johnsville worker ‘Caught Caring’ Toni Snell has been named recipient of April’s “Caught Caring” award at St. Johnsville Rehabilitation & Nursing Center for demonstrating its values by being an effective supervisor. “She is able to oversee many residents and staff while working through stressful situations. She keeps her cool, remains calm and runs her shift flawlessly,” said Kara Neet-Marsh, who nominated her.
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Mohawk Valley Health System renames primary care, specialty groups
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axton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center affiliated in 2014 to form the Mohawk Valley Health System. As MVHS celebrates its first anniversary, the medical group offices of the two former organizations have joined together under a common name: MVHS Medical Group. The new primary and specialty care network encompasses 32 locations and 130 providers. Last year, the two groups combined had more than 272,600 patient visits. “Although the name MVHS Medical Group replaces the names of Adirondack Community Physicians and St. Elizabeth Medical Group, patients and their families will see few, if any, changes,” said Michael Attilio, medical director for the MVHS Medical Group. “They will still see their same physicians and providers at the same locations. Patients may also continue to use their online patient portals.” The National Committee for Quality Assurance accredited the ACP medical offices as a patient-centered medical home. The recognition notes their use of evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long-term provider-patient relationships. “The patient centered medical home is a model of care that holds
significant promise for better healthcare quality, improved involvement of patients in their own care and a reduction of avoidable treatments and costs over time,” said Brad Crysler, executive director of the MVHS Medical Group. “The model promotes partnerships between each patient and his or her provider. The provider manages the office visit and works with referral physicians throughout the treatment of the patient. We anticipate that in the coming year our entire MVHS medical group will be moving to this model of care.” Setting up the practices to be more accessible to patients with pro-active follow-up means healthier patients who have fewer hospitalizations and emergency department visits in the long run.
“One advantage we have as a large group is our ability to have office locations and provide services throughout the Mohawk Valley,” Attilio said. “Our future goals include looking at areas that are underserved, lacking primary care providers, and expanding our reach to make primary and specialty care more accessible. Another advantage is our relationship with the SEMC family medicine residency program. Working with physicians who are completing their residency in our area at one of our affiliated hospitals provides us with increased opportunities for physician recruitment.” Office locations are in Barneveld, Boonville, Clinton, Herkimer, Little Falls, Mohawk, New Hartford, Utica, Sauquoit, the town of Webb (Old Forge), Washington Mills, Waterville and Whitesboro.
Little Falls Hospital plans annual golf tourney
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ittle Falls Hospital-Bassett Healthcare Network will host their 13th annual golf tournament on Aug. 20 at The Cedar Lake Golf Club in Clayville. Registration will be from 9-10: 45 a.m. and golfers will tee off at 11
May 2015 •
a.m. The cost per golfer is $130. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact the administration department at 315-823-5262 or via email at c.daley@ lfhny.org.
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Page 17
CALENDAR of
HEALTH EVENTS
Continued from Page 2 Heart Association to host a free community hands-only CPR training class. The class will be held June 3 at SDMG, 1729 Burrstone Road. Participants can choose from two times — 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. The class will be conducted by American Heart Association hands-only CPR trainers. The class is free and open to the public. Sign up by calling 798-1885. Hands-only CPR is a technique that does not involve any mouth-to-mouth contact. Although it differs from traditional CPR, it still has the potential to save a life. According to the AHA, 90 percent of people who suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests die. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or triple a cardiac arrest victim’s chance of survival.
MVHS Stroke Support Group to meet The Mohawk Valley Health System will host a free stroke support group presentation at 6 p.m. in the Soggs Room at St. Luke’s Home in the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services, 1650 Champlin Ave., Utica. Depression is a common factor among stroke survivors, as well as caregivers and family members. Megan Schlater, an inpatient rehabilitation recreational therapist, will discuss ways to combat depression from a therapeutic recreation perspective. Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare is an affiliate of MVHS and is the area’s only designated primary stroke center. For more information or to RSVP, call 315-624-6847.
St. Luke’s Home to feature job fair St. Luke’s Home is holding a job fair with on-the-spot interviews from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 3 in the community room at the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services on the St. Luke’s Campus, 1650 Champlin Ave., Utica. St. Luke’s Home has immediate openings for certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses and registered nurses. CNAs must have current New York state certification along with a high school diploma or equivalent. LPNs and RNs must have licensure in the state and basic life support certification, as well as one to two years experience in a geriatric or acute care setting. RN supervisor positions are also available and require two years experience in management of a long-term care facility or nursing home in addition to the general RN job requirements. All candidates must meet minimum qualifications in order to be considered for an interview. Candidates should bring their resume and be prepared for on-the-spot interviews. For more information, call 315-6248912. Page 18
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June 7
National Cancer Survivors Day breakfast set On June 7, cancer survivors from the Mohawk Valley as well as their family and friends are invited to gather with employees, medical staff and volunteers from the Mohawk Valley Health System’s Cancer Center at the 28th annual National Cancer Survivors Day. The breakfast will take place at Hart’s Hill Inn, 135 Clinton St., Whitesboro, with doors opening at 9 a.m. and the breakfast beginning at 9:30 a.m. Cancer survivors are free and are allowed to bring up to two guests at the cost of $10 per guest. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing cancerinfo@ mvhealthsystem.org or calling 315-624HOPE (4673). Those making reservations must provide contact information. Checks for $10 for guests should be made payable to The Cancer Center and mailed to: The Cancer Center Program Office, Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica, NY 13502.
June 8
MVHS features cancer support groups The Cancer Center at the Mohawk Valley Health System’s monthly support forum for patients and cancer survivors meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of every month in the cancer center’s fireplace lounge on the main floor of the Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica. The next meeting will be held on June 8. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to RSVP, call 315-624-5241.
Support forum for cancer patients, survivors The Faxton Campus Cancer Center’s monthly support forum for patients and cancer survivors will be held at 6 p.m. June 8. The cancer support forum meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of every in the cancer center’s fireplace lounge on the main floor of Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica. The forum, led by the cancer center’s social worker, offers support to anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to RSVP, call 315-624-5241.
June 9
Dialysis Center offers kidney disease program The Dialysis Center at the Mohawk Valley Health System offers an educational program for those who have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. The program will take place from
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015
1-3:30 p.m. June 9 in Weaver Lounge at the Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica. Registration is required as seating is limited. Contact Cindy Christian, CKD program coordinator, at 315-624-5635 or cchristi@mvhealthsystem.org.
June 10
Baby Care Basics helps parents prepare Parents-to-be can learn about childbirth, newborns and other related topics by attending the upcoming Baby Care Basics program from 7-9 p.m. June 10 at Rome Memorial Hospital in the classroom. Sandy Graichen, a maternity nurse at the hospital, will teach the free educational program. No advance registration is required for the free program. Refreshments will be served. Participants are asked to meet the instructor in the hospital lobby, North James Street entrance. For more information, call 3387143.
June 11
Support group for those with diabetes, pre-diabetes The Mohawk Valley Health System’s Central New York Diabetes Education Program adult support group for those with diabetes and pre-diabetes, “Trading Up,” will host the first meeting of the year at 6:30 p.m. June 11 in the community room in the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services, 1650 Champlin Ave., Utica. New members are welcome to attend. The group provides an outlet for people to give and receive both emotional and practical support as well as to exchange information. RSVP by June 9 by calling 315-6245620 or email cjacobus@mvhealthsystem.org. Those responding should leave their full name and telephone number.
June 14
Separated? Divorced? There is support The Separated & Divorced Support Group will meet from 5-6:30 p.m. June 14 at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. The group meets every other Sunday. The meetings are free and open to all. For more information, contact Judy at 315-735-6210, judy@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit www.thegoodnewscenter.org.
Ready to explore The Third Option? The Third Option support group for married couples will meet from 6:30-8:30 p.m. June 14 at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. The group meets every other Sunday. For more information, contact Tanya at 315-735-6210, tanya@TheGoodNewsCenter.org or visit www. thegoodnewscenter.org.
June 15
FSLH Foundation golf open set to tee off The Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation will hold its 33rd annual golf open June 15 at Yahnundasis Golf Club, 8639 Seneca Turnpike, New Hartford. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the F.E. Romano Family Radiation Oncology Department in the Cancer Center at the Mohawk Valley Health System. The $300 per person donation includes 18 holes of golf, a continental breakfast, lunch, dinner for the golfer and a guest and a golfer gift. Two tee times are available at 7:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Registration and continental breakfast will begin at 6:30 a.m. with a shotgun tee time of 7:15 a.m. A lunch buffet will be available starting at 11:30 a.m. with the second shotgun tee time of 12:45 p.m. Hospitality tents will be set up throughout the course along with oncourse contests to win prizes. Following play, a dinner and awards banquet will be held from 6:309 p.m. Tee times will be filled on a firstcome, first-served basis and are open to men and women. For more information, contact Stacey Manno in the foundation office at 315-624-5718 or smanno@mvhealthsystem.org.
July 8
Diabetes prevention program offered The Mohawk Valley Health System’s Central New York Diabetes Education Program is offering the National Diabetes Prevention Program that focuses on treating pre-diabetes to prevent Type 2 diabetes. The program begins at 6 p.m. July 8. Type 2 diabetes threatens one in three Americans and 90 percent of these individuals don’t even know they’re at risk. At the pre-diabetes stage, blood sugar levels are elevated but not so high they can’t be lowered. Lifestyle changes are the key. By taking practical, everyday steps, patients may reverse pre-diabetes and avoid Type 2 diabetes and associated dangers such as heart attack, stroke, blindness and amputation. For more information or to register, contact CNY Diabetes at (315) 624-5620 or mjenning@mvhealthsystem.org.
Aug. 6
Children’s grief program on agenda Brave Hearts, a one-day program for children aged 6-12 who have experienced the death of a loved one, will be presented by Hospice & Palliative Care and the Munson-Williams -Proctor Arts Institute. Brave Hearts is not just open to hospice families; any bereaved child can attend. The program will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 6. Registration is required by July 20. There will be fun, friendship and recreation with activities designed to help children understand and cope with their grief. There is no charge for the program. For more information or to request a registration form, contact Kate Doran, bereavement and volunteer services supervisor, at 735-6487 ext. 240.
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Spotlight on Nonprofits
ACR Health
ACR Health expands services, looks for bigger space in Utica By Mary Christopher
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hat started as a small agency to help local residents living with HIV and AIDS is now a multi-service organization that offers services to individuals with any chronic illnesses and outreach in several Central New York counties. ACR Health (Access Care and Resources for Health) continues to rebrand itself and is seeking a larger space to relocate its Utica office, currently on Columbia Street, so all programs can be housed at one site. “We try to provide services to Deveny populations that don’t have the same level of care or who are underserved,” assistant director of youth services Nicole Deveny said. “There is no such thing as a ‘typical day’ here.”
Mission and services
ACR Health is a nonprofit community-based organization that provides services in nine counties, including Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Cayuga, Jefferson, Lewis, Onondaga, Oswego and St. Lawrence. It has a three-fold mission that includes: • Providing support services to those who are living with chronic diseases, including HIV/AIDS • Preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases • Promoting sexual literacy and improved medical outcomes Focus areas shifted from originally offering support to those living with HIV/AIDS to prevention services to recently adopting a “wrap-around” approach of care that incorporates individuals with chronic diseases and a variety of youth and quality of life programs. ACR Health’s most recently imple-
mented outreach include: — Youth programs that provide education in schools — A Q2 Center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth and their families and allies to gather for support and education. Special events are planned for young people to connect with others and realize they are not alone. — Helping clients enroll in health care plans and navigate the marketplace for appropriate and reasonable coverage — A syringe exchange program for the safe disposal of used syringes and provide new sterile syringes to reduce the risk of contacting HIV or viral hepatitis — Narcan training courses to combat fatal opioid overdoses — Assisting with the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS federal program dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS Agency staff is always looking to fill gaps where care is needed and not being met. “Our belief is when people have stable housing and health they can flourish,” Deveny said. “We are always very forward with our thinking.” Utica’s Q2 center is the only program that specifically targets outreach for the LGBTQ community in Oneida and Herkimer counties. As issues surrounding sexuality and transgender individuals are being covered more regularly in the media, stigmas are being lessened, case manager and educator Kelly Conroy said. “It’s something people struggle with, but there are more resources they can turn to today,” Conroy said. “Now with more visibility (in the news), people feel more comfortable to come out because there is more support.”
A history of caring
The organization started in 1983 under the name AIDS Task Force of Central New York. “The agency had a very emotional and chaotic start” because many of the staff members and volunteers cared
The 17th annual AIDS Hike for Life was held in April at Hamilton College in Clinton. All money raised will stay in the Mohawk Valley to support programs offered by ACR Health in Utica. for people living and dying with AIDS, Deveny said. Then in 1994 it changed its name to AIDS Community Resources (ACR). When the organization rebranded and implemented several new programs, it adopted the name ACR Health. As HIV and AIDS, with proper diagnosis and treatment, are being viewed as more chronic than fatal, the agency placed more emphasis on health and wellness and not just disease management. None of these initiatives and services could be possible without May 2015 •
adequate funding. Its biggest fundraiser is the AIDS Hike for Life held at Hamilton College. The 17th annual run/walk took place in April and all money raised stays in the Mohawk Valley. As ACR Health continues to look for new space to accommodate more clients and services, staff will continue to look for ways to enhance an already flourishing organization. “We are constantly changing and evolving and I believe that is how you stay relevant,” Deveny said.
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Help Takes Flight Mercy Flight re-establishes itself in the Mohawk Valley By Patricia J. Malin
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ercy Flight Central, a provider of air medical services in Upstate New York, is making a second go of establishing a base in the Mohawk Valley. Flight Air Medical Transportation has set up a base at Griffiss International Airport in Rome and was expected to begin operations on June 5. This will be the third base for Mercy Flight. It serves nearly 4 million Upstate residents and 13 counties from its headquarters in Canandaigua and from Marcellus, a Syracuse suburb. From Rome and Griffiss Airport, Mercy Flight will be able to service residents in Oneida, Herkimer, Madison and Lewis counties. It can also travel farther east, south or north if needed in an emergency. Mercy Flight Bartkoski Central was founded in 1992 and provides critical care air medical services at accident scenes and responds to hospital requests for inter-facility transports. The company has transferred over 13,000 patients in the last 23 years. The Oneida County Board of Legislators and its aviation committee met rcently and approved a short-term lease for Mercy Flight at Griffiss. The county lured Mercy Flight Central here with the promise of a $12,500 subsidy for just three months, June 5 until Labor Day. The company will operate 12 hours a day this year, with the goal eventually of getting to 24/7. Mercy Flight Central was founded in Canandaigua as an independent, community-based nonprofit provider of air medical services. Canandaigua serves the greater Rochester area while Marcellus services greater Syracuse. Its air medical services include trauma management, critical-care medicine and advanced airway procedures.
The air medical personnel are trained in all aspects of critical care for inter-facility and on-scene transports. Mercy Flight — and other area medical helicopter services — responds to serious car accidents, transports burn and stroke victims, and handles pre-transplant and post-organ donation and transplant patients. Sixty-five percent of Mercy Flight’s patients come from the scene of an accident and another 35 percent are flown from outlying hospitals to a hospital providing specialty care. MFC President Jeff Bartkoski said Mercy Flight has already reached agreement with Mohawk Valley Health Services (St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare) to transport patients. Though Marcellus is only 15 minutes from Rome by air, company officials believe the Mohawk Valley and points south and east, between Binghamton and Albany and the North Country can be better served by having a centralized base near Utica. MFC utilizes both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. The helicopters are capable of flying 75 miles without refueling, but at the county-run Griffiss Airport, they will have access to fuel tanks, something that was not readily available at its Schuyler location. Mercy Flight Central had a shortlived operation on Shortlots Road, off Herkimer Road just past the Utica city line for about six months in 2013. The company later experienced some upheaval and the Herkimer County base was shut down while the company reorganized, according to a Mercy Flight official.
Crew ready for action
Bartkoski joined the company last year following his retirement from the U.S. Navy with the rank of captain. Bartkoski said the highly trained crew consists of a pilot, a registered nurse and a paramedic on each flight. The nurses have a minimum of three years’ experience, including two years in a critical-care environment. The paramedics are state-certified and have experience in ambulance
Mercy Flight Central has reestablished itself in the Mohawk Valley with its new Rome location. The area medical helicopter service responds to serious car accidents, transports burn and stroke victims, and handles pre-transplant and post-organ donation and transplant patients. Page 20
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015
Paramedic/pilot Don Kane attends to duties as part of the Mercy Flight Central team. work. They are required to have three years of experience in high-volume ground ambulance service. Both nurses and paramedics go through an extensive interview process that includes written and verbal tests. Pilots require 2,000 hours of flying time before they qualify at Mercy Flight Central and Bartkoski said most of those pilots have military experience. Two crewmembers — paramedic/ pilot Don Kane and flight nurse Joe Paciello — live locally. Kane, who has 13 years’ experience, is from Schuyler and Paciello hails from Sauquoit. Kane is a certified emergency medical technician and is the lead crew-member at the Rome base. The copter is kept fully equipped with medical instruments and supplies to the “exact level” of an intensive care unit, he explained. As a nonprofit, Mercy Flight will transport patients regardless of ability to pay. “Seventy-five percent of our revenue comes from insurance,” Bartkoski noted, “and 25 percent from donations.” According to MFC’s 2013 annual report, 60 percent of the calls it handled were on the scene of an accident, generally car accidents where injuries are serious enough to warrant imme-
diate transport to a local hospital or a specialized trauma facility. Ninety percent of patients are adults and just 10 percent are children. The 2013 statistics showed that 70 of the on-scene transports originated in Ontario County, followed by Seneca, Yates, Wayne and Seneca counties. Ontario County also led the way in inter-facility transfers in 2013. Wayne and Oneida had about 20 each, followed by Yates County (10), with another 10 patients transferred out of state. Strong Memorial in Rochester was the top hospital destination of patients in 2013 (nearly 300), followed by Upstate Medical in Syracuse (less than 150); Rochester General (50); Guthrie Robert Packer (Sayre, Pa.) and Albany’s St. Elizabeth Hospital (about 10-20 apiece). Trauma was the most frequent cause for patient transport (66 percent), according to the 2013 report. The other categories were cardiac problems (14 percent) and other medical emergencies (13 percent). An 11-member board of directors led by chairman Tom Kubiak, a retired Paychex executive, runs the organization. The 2013 report also lists 10 medical control physicians.