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June 28
GriefShare, a faith-based support group for those in mourning, meets from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. For more information, contact Andrea, program coordinator, at 315-735-6210 ext. 228, andrea@thegoodnewscenter.org, or visit www.thegoodnewscenter.org.
Little Falls Hospital’s Lunch & Learn Series will feature “The Gift of Life—Organ Donation,” presented by Linda Belden and Stella Ouellette, from noon to 1 p.m. June 28. It will be held in the Little Falls Hospital conference room A, located on the fourth floor. Space is limited. RSVP by calling 315-823-5326. Upcoming Lunch & Learn Series programs include “Vascular Disease,” presented by Dr. Stratton Danes, on July 18.
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July 1
Separated & Divorced Support Group to meet The Separated & Divorced Support Group meets from 5-6:30 p.m. on the first and third Sunday of each month
Macular Degeneration Dr. George Kornfeld uses miniaturized binoculars or telescopes to help those with vision loss keep reading, writing and maintaining independence.
By Elana Lombardi, Freelance Writer Just because you have macular degeneration or other eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy doesn’t mean you must give up driving. “People don’t know that there are doctors who are very experienced in low vision care.” Dr. George Kornfeld, a low vision optometrist. “My new telescopic glasses make it much easier to read signs at a distance.” Says Bonnie, “Definitely worth the $1950 cost. I don’t know why I waited to do this. I should have come sooner. ”Low vision devices are not always expensive. Some reading glasses cost as little as $450 and some magnifiers under $100. Every case is different because people have different levels of vision and different desires. “Our job is to figure out everything and anything possible to keep a person functioning visually.” Says Dr. Kornfeld. Dr. Kornfeld sees patients in his five offices throughout upstate New York.
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Have you considered The Third Option? The Third Option, a support group for married couples, meets from 6:308:30 p.m. every other Sunday beginning July 8 at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. For more information, contact Andrea, program coordinator, at 315-735-6210 ext. 228, andrea@thegoodnewscenter.org, or visit www.thegoodnewscenter.org.
July 17
CNY Veterans Outreach Center hosts bike night events The Central New York Veterans Outreach Center will be hosting two separate bike night events this summer at 726 Washington St., downtown Utica. They will be held from 6-9 p.m. July 17 and Aug. 14. The events are free and open to the public. All motorcycles and scooters are welcome. There will be live music performed by the John Halpin Band and a raffle to win two tickets to see Bruce Springsteen on Aug. 29 at Vernon Downs. This is an alcohol-free event. All proceeds raised will go to benefit the CNY Veterans Outreach Center. The Central New York Veteran’s Outreach Center was formed to provide and conduct charitable, education, social and housing services for veterans in need. For additional information, contact William Lavier at 315-525-0451 or Terésa Fava-Schram at 315-765-0975/315601-5685.
July 23
The Arc to hold annual golf tournament The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter,
Continued on Page 14
Untreatable gonorrhea poses new threat
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as treatment, including penicillin, tetracyclines and quinolones. “We are very concerned about recent reports of treatment failure from the last effective treatment option — the class of cephalosporin antibiotics — as there are no new therapeutic drugs in development,” says Lusti-Narasimhan. “If gonococcal infections become untreatable, the health implications are significant.” Antimicrobial resistance is caused by the unrestricted access to antimicrobials, overuse and poor quality of antibiotics, as well as natural genetic mutations within disease organisms. In addition, gonorrhea strains tend to retain genetic resistance to previous antibiotics even after their use has been discontinued. The extent of this resistance worldwide is not known due to lack of reliable data for gonorrhea in many countries and insufficient research. Untreated gonococcal infection can cause health problems in men, women and newborn babies including: • infection of the urethra, cervix and rectum; • infertility in both men and women; • a significantly increased risk of HIV infection and transmission; • ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, stillbirths and premature deliveries; and • severe eye infections occur in 30-50 percent of babies born to women with untreated gonorrhea, which can lead to blindness. Gonorrhea can be prevented through safer sexual intercourse. Early detection and prompt treatment, including of sexual partners, is essential to control sexually transmitted infections.
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In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2012 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 Advertising: Jennifer Wise Layout & Design: Chris Crocker Office Manager: Laura Beckwith
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Gonorrhea is becoming a major public health challenge, according to health officials illions of people with gonorrhea may be at risk of running out of treatment options unless urgent action is taken, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Already several countries, including Australia, France, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom are reporting cases of resistance to cephalosporin antibiotics — the last treatment option against gonorrhea. Every year an estimated 106 million people are infected with gonorrhea, which is transmitted sexually. “Gonorrhea is becoming a major public health challenge, due to the high incidence of infections accompanied by dwindling treatment options,” says Manjula Lusti-Narasimhan, from the department of reproductive health and research at WHO. “The available data only shows the tip of the iceberg. Without adequate surveillance we won’t know the extent of resistance to gonorrhea and without research into new antimicrobial agents, there could soon be no effective treatment for patients.” In new guidance issued recently, WHO is calling for greater vigilance on the correct use of antibiotics and more research into alternative treatment regimens for gonococcal infections. WHO’s global action plan to control the spread and impact of antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoea also calls for increased monitoring and reporting of resistant strains as well as better prevention, diagnosis and control of gonococcal infections. Gonorrhea makes up one quarter of the four major curable sexuallytransmitted infections. Since the development of antibiotics, the pathogen has developed resistance to many of the common antibiotics used
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Health plan exceeds government minimums
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xcellus BlueCross BlueShield spent $255 million more on hospital and physician services, prescriptions and other medical benefits for its commercial members than federal and state standards required in 2011, under the provisions of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, officials reported recently. “We seek to provide competitive, affordable access to coverage in our markets that maximize benefits for our customers,” said Christopher Booth, chief operating officer for the health plan and its CEO-elect for 2013. “By exceeding the standards, it means our members collectively got more in medical benefits throughout the year than the minimum amounts set by federal and state governments.” Federal standards, as they apply to New York state commercial insurance customers, set the minimum level of benefits to be 82 percent of premium revenues in the individual direct pay market along with small groups and 85 percent for large groups. Excellus BCBS reports that it spent 93.4 percent of premium revenues on medical benefits for its individual direct pay membership, 90.9 percent for small groups and 90.9 percent for large groups. Converting the percentage differences to dollars means that the health plan exceeded the standards of medical benefit payments on behalf of its membership by $255 million. Federal officials have estimated that hundreds of millions of dollars in refunds will be owed by other health plans throughout the country, even in states where the minimum standards are lower than those in New York. While exceeding the standards, Excellus BCBS is required to send out notices to members reporting that no refunds will be made. Those notifications will take place later this year.
ALS Walk & Run proves successful
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he eighth annual ALS Walk & Run was held recently at the SUNYIT Campus in Marcy. Over 1,200 people attended the event and over $132,000 was raised. All money raised stays local to help families in Oneida and Herkimer counties that are battling ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Sherry DePerno, executive director of ALS of Utica, received the “Unsung Hero Award” at the event. DePerno did not know she was receiving the award. The award was given to her for her 10 years of dedication to local families battling this devastating disease. The Luckiest Fan Raffle winner was also drawn at the ALS Walk & Run. Denise Barr of Whitesboro won the $13,000 prize. The Luckiest Fan Raffle is a suite at Yankee Stadium for 28 people to see the Yankees play the Red Sox July 28. The prize package includes food and beverage, luxury bus transportation, and $2,000 cash. Page 4
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Meet
Your Doctor
By Patricia J. Malin
Dr. Mark Schug
For Dr. Mark Schug, a lifelong athlete and distance runner from Utica, the practice of podiatry goes hand in foot with his own lifestyle. He recently spoke with Mohawk Valley In Good Health senior correspondent Patricia J. Malin about the close relationship between his work and his avocation. Q.: Please explain your duties as a podiatrist. Who is a typical patient? A.: Podiatric medicine is the branch of medicine devoted to the medical and surgical treatment as well as prevention of all foot and ankle disorders. My practice has developed over the past 30 years with a focus to provide foot care for the diabetic patient, those with peripheral vascular disease, and athletes. Q.: Is the spring and summer a busier time of year for podiatrists? A.: A large segment of our area’s population is very fitness-oriented year round. America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk [in March] provides motivation and inspiration for runners and walkers to remain active through the fall and winter. Folks participate because they believe in the mission of the American Heart Association, because the event is truly fun, and has the added benefit of maintaining fitness. Q.: What is your interest in running? A.: I was on the track team in high school. I have been a volunteer for the American Heart Association for over 25 years and have seen runners and walkers participate year after year. After 26 Boilermakers and 15 marathons, and hopefully more to come, many of the injuries I see in my practice I have experienced in one degree or another. Q.: What prompted you to become a doctor? Why did you choose to specialize in podiatry? A.: I majored in science in college and thought I wanted to get into sports medicine, but then a friend introduced me to podiatry. Q.: How long have you been in practice? A.: Since 1982 in Lowville and Utica. My goal is to help patients be mobile regardless of their age, to partake in activities that will help them have a healthy lifestyle, and be comfortable with everyday movements. Q.: Do many of the runners you treat get injuries from participating in America’s Greatest Heart Run or the Boilermaker? A.: As a podiatrist who treats athletes, I find injuries may occur when an individual does too much too soon. Fitness activity, whether it be running, walking or other endeavors, should be gradually increased. Over-use injuries such as tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, etc. may be triggered by not following a slow gradual training program. Q.: What are the latest advances in the field of podiatry? A.: Podiatric medicine has seen great strides over the last three decades. New technology for the treat-
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2012
ment of wounds has helped to prevent the loss of limbs. The podiatrist is an important team member caring for the diabetic or vascular-impaired patient. We are very fortunate to have excellent facilities in our area to provide education, counseling and support for
the diabetic or vascular-impaired patient. New surgical techniques and hardware are constantly being introduced to promote results that will allow patients to return to full activity level. The field of podiatric biomechanics, which is a special interest of mine, has seen changes in techniques to aid in the area of gait abnormalities. Additionally, orthotic therapy has improved with the creation of new fabrication materials and methods of measurement for gait abnormalities. Q.: The sport of running really began to take off in the 1970s, due mostly to the baby boomer generation. Now those people are aging. Do you see them slacking off from running or incurring more injuries? A.: The Boilermaker provides a goal and motivation to remain active through the spring and summer. Our area also provides opportunities for other activities for all age groups. Running in our region continues to be
popular. This is evident by the fact the Boilermaker Road Race (field) was filled to capacity almost four months before the
Continued on Page 14
Lifelines Age: 59 Birthplace: Utica Residence: Clinton Education: Notre Dame High School, Utica, 1971; Utica College, Bachelor of Science, 1974; Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, DPM, 1981 Employment: Private practice 1982-present, 2021 Genesee St., Utica; Lewis County General Hospital, 7785 North State St., Lowville Professional affiliations: American Podiatric Medical Association, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Lewis County General Hospital, Sitrin Health Care, Masonic Care Community Family: Wife, Molly; daughters, Emily, speech pathologist, Rome; Molly, third-year resident, St. Elizabeth Medical Center Hobbies: Running (15 marathons); canoeing, woodworking
Women’s Health The Balanced Body
By Deb Dittner
Have a sizzling hot summer! Follow these nutritional guidelines and have a happy summer season
O
K, so who is ready for beach season? Who is ready to pack up the picnic basket, put the kids and dogs in the car, and head to the beach? I’m not hearing a rousing number yelling “I am!!” And why is that? You say you’re not ready to put on a bathing suit? Well, it’s time we get busy and start working on making that happen. To begin this process, I’m not talking about a master cleanse, a juice fast or starvation. Let’s talk about eating from an assortment of real foods and groups of foods to get you on your Dittner way to a healthy summer full of fun and activity. Eating real food and groups of food will encourage our bodies to eliminate harmful ingredients such as poisons or toxins from the body. Toxic ingredients can be found in the water we drink, the air we breathe, the clothing we wear, the products we use to clean our bodies and our homes. So, let’s take a look at what detoxification is and how we can deep clean our bodies. “Detoxification,” a word that many of you may have heard time and time again, is the flushing of your system of harmful toxins so your body can perform at its very best. Certain organs of the body such as the liver, kidneys, colon, blood and skin all work hard to help remove these toxins. Some toxins are eliminated easily but others can build up in the cell membranes causing reactions in our bodies such as fatigue, headache, skin rashes, mental fogginess, allergies, and
can lead to hormone imbalances that in turn can lead to more severe issues such as obesity and diabetes. • Eliminate stress. Dayin and day-out stress leads to imbalances in the body that can cause medical issues to flare from obesity, heart conditions, diabetes, and cancer. Stress reduction through meditation, yoga, exercise, journaling and breathing techniques are ways to take the stress off. • Drink less caffeine. Drinking too much caffeine can disrupt endocrine and liver function, increase heart rate and add inflammation.
Go-to foods
more intense issues such as hormone imbalances, autoimmune disorders, nutritional deficiencies and cancer. The more exposure to toxins, the more damage will occur.
Healthy approach
The bottom line is we need to take action now and how we do that is by eating real, quality-laden food that is fiber rich, nutrient dense and balanced. Here are seven sure-fire ways to detoxify the body and prepare it for a full-steam-ahead summer: • Eat more vegetables and fruits. Eat a variety of colors—the colors of the rainbow—to give you foods rich in fiber and numerous vitamins and minerals that help your body to detoxify and remove free radicals. Choose organic as often as possible. Avoid foods that have been sprayed, dyed or waxed. To get a listing of the Clean 15 and The Dirty Dozen, go to www.ewg.org. • Increase fiber intake. Fiber is found in vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes and whole grains (brown rice,
quinoa, whole grain bread, whole grain couscous) and encourages the body to eliminate toxins through the body by adding bulk to your stool for elimination. Remember the old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Fiber!! • Drink more water. Recommendations of eight full glasses of pure clean water daily will help to push toxins through the digestive system and the kidneys for elimination. Don’t like the taste of water? Add a slice of lemon, orange, lime, cucumber or sprigs of mint to change up the flavor. • Decrease/eliminate preservatives and additives. Toxins such as BPA, MSG, nitrites, nitrates, and BHA can build up in the cell membranes causing a multitude of issues. • Sweet dreams. Sleeping eight hours a night in a darkened room can help to manage hunger, cravings, anxiety and mood. During sleep hours is when your body gets the most rest, repair and recovery. Poor or lack of sleep
These ideas may seem apparent to some but when you get right down to it, they are so very true and they work. Real food is where we get our fuel to function at its best. Need some suggestions? Here are a few of my favorites: • Avocados • “Rainbow” vegetables like red peppers, spinach, kale, and carrots • Brussell sprouts, red and green cabbage • Fruits like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapefruit, and tomatoes • Lean protein from wild-caught seafood, eggs and chicken • Sweet potatoes • Beans and legumes like peas and lentils • Nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts and pumpkin seeds • Garlic and onions Do you have a favorite way to detoxify? Post your comments on my blog page at www.The-Balanced-Body. com. Happy summer!! • Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner who specializes in Reiki and integrative nutrition.
‘Give Kids A Smile’ event gives back with $43,000 in free dental care
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t the third annual Give Kids A Smile event recently, more than 180 children received $43,000 in free dental care. Children between the ages of 4 and 10 without a dentist were eligible to participate and received preventive treatment including an exam, cleaning, sealants and fluoride varnish. Dentists in Utica, Rome, Camden, West Winfield and Waterville opened their offices for the GKAS event, pro-
viding many children with their first dental experience. Event coordinators are grateful for the dental community’s support and encourage others to join the initiative to provide follow up care. The annual event is organized by Faxton St. Luke’s Dental Health Center and a community-based steering committee. It is made possible by grants from the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital at Faxton St. Luke’s
Healthcare, the New York State Dental Foundation and the United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area. “We want to be able to create dental homes for the children in Oneida, Madison and Herkimer counties,” said Lisa Shaw, community dental coordinator at FSLH. “Many of the children we see have insurance, but dentists in our community may not accept what they have. It’s not that dentists don’t want July 2012 •
to treat these children. We just need to find ways to overcome the barriers created by insurance.” Some dentists are reluctant to accept Medicaid because of low reimbursement rates, late payments from states and a sometimes challenging program structure. The latest national estimates indicate that nearly 30 million children are covered by Medicaid, making them the most likely to suffer if unable to access necessary dental care.
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Women’s Health Does love hurt? How to recognize and break the pattern By Barbara Pierce
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ove hurts; love scars; love wounds,” goes a hit from the ‘70s, the pain of the hurt evident in the voices of the musicians. “Sometimes it lasts in love; sometimes it hurts,” sings Adele, the anguish of the hurt visible in her voice and in her eyes. Listeners, males and females, young and old, choke up as they identify with her. We’ve all known the pain of love—the hurt, the agony, the emotional torture. However, love should not cause you pain—relationship experts agree on this. Pain is a symptom that the relationship is not healthy. Just like a pain in your body lets you know something is wrong in your body, the pain over the person you love lets you know he or she is not the right person for you. Actually, that pain you feel—all that pain and agony—comes from the uncertainty of the relationship. That agony is really just the excitement that comes from uncertainty. You aren’t sure whether this person you love will be there for you tomorrow, or even tonight. You aren’t sure what he will do today that will hurt you. That is why you feel pain. Some of us get out of one painful relationship only to jump into another with the same kind of partner. We don’t learn from our mistakes. It is common to be drawn to a certain kind of person. Experts say we develop a taste for a certain type of partner when we are young—in childhood or adolescence. “We often mirror the relationships our parents had, or are attracted to people with the same qualities as the men in our lives growing up—whether or not we had a good relationship with them,” says Barbie Adler, coach and relationship expert online. It’s deep in our unconscious.
Been there done that
“If you’ve been in a long-term relationship with a man who treated you poorly, it’s possible that you’ll seek those same qualities in your next mate. It’s natural to go back to the things that
are familiar and comfortable. Some women even begin to equate arguing and other negative forms of attention with love,” according to Adler. If you are drawn to partners who cause you pain, over and over, take a look at your relationship pattern. Think about your past relationships. What is the common denominator in the partners you choose? What is the thing they all have in common? Relationships should be give-andtake. The rights of each person should be respected. If you are involved with someone who talks down to you, or criticizes you, this is disrespecting you. If he or she doesn’t listen to your thoughts and opinions, this is disrespecting you. If you feel you must “walk on eggshells” so you don’t upset him or her, this is not right. If he or she
calls you names, has angry outbursts at you, scaring you with his rage, this is not respecting your rights in a relationship. Each of those characteristics is a red flag that mean this is not a healthy relationship. Each of those characteristics is what causes the pain, the hurt that you feel in your love.
Break the cycle
So how do you change the type of person you’re attracted to? The first step is to believe that the hurtful relationships you have had are not how love should be. What you have experienced is not love. Love does not hurt. Believe it. “Understand and believe that relationships don’t have to follow the pattern you’ve established in the past,”
Dermatologist: no such thing as safe tan
D
espite the fact that young adults are generally in constant communication via social media and texting, a new survey finds many in this age group are not getting the message that there is no such thing as a safe tan. The survey, conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology, determined that young adults are not aware of the dangers of tanning beds and how to properly protect their skin from sun damage. “It’s troubling that so many young adults do not fully understand the Page 6
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consequences of tanning — whether from tanning beds or natural sunlight — particularly in light of the trend of more young people developing skin cancer,” said board-certified dermatologist Amanda Friedrichs. “Our survey confirmed that age was highly associated with use of tanning beds, as respondents ages 18-29 years old were much more likely as those over age 30 to report using a tanning bed.” For young adults who insist on looking tan, Friedrichs recommends using a self-tanner rather than exposing one’s skin to harmful
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2012
ultraviolet radiation. While in the past self-tanners had a reputation of turning skin orange, streaking and splotching, Friedrichs offered these basic tips for applying a self-tanner to get even coverage and longer-lasting results: • Exfoliate. Prior to applying a selftanner, use a washcloth to exfoliate the skin. Using an exfoliating product also will help remove the dead skin cells. Spend a little more time exfoliating whether the skin is thickest, such as the ankles, knees and elbows. • Dry the skin. Drying your skin before you apply a self-tanner helps it
advises Adler. “Don’t stand for a man who constantly treats you poorly or talks down to you. Enlist a few trusted friends to give you their honest opinions if you’re feeling unsure about a relationship. While it’s easy to be blinded by infatuation, true friends will let you know if you’re going down the wrong path. Talk to your friends who are in healthy and happy relationships to learn more about their interactions and try to incorporate those into your own dating life.” Consider seeing a therapist to help you. If you are in an abusive relationship, the YWCA of the Mohawk Valley provides support and advocacy to victims of sexual or domestic violence. The Mohawk Valley Community College Counseling Center offers services to learn about healthy relationships. go on evenly. • Apply in sections. Apply the selftanner in sections, such as the arms, legs and torso. Massage the sunless tanner into the skin with a uniform circular motion. Lightly extend the tanner from the wrists to the hands and from the ankles to the feet, taking care not to treat the entire hands and feet, such as the palms and soles. Wash and dry your hands after applying self-tanner to each body part to avoid tanning your palms. • Dilute tanner on joints. Dilute the self-tanner on the knees, ankles and elbows since these areas tend to absorb more self-tanner than the rest of the skin. To dilute, lightly rub these areas with a damp towel or apply a lotion.
Women’s Health Birth control Women have several options when it comes to preventing pregnancy want long-term pregnancy protection without the bother of taking a daily pill. Implanon is surgically inserted under the skin at your doctor’s office.
By Barbara Pierce
U
nless you’re ready to start a family, birth control is a part of your sex life. Lifescript.com describes the latest in pregnancy prevention:
Emergency Contraception (Plan B)
The Pill
The pill is the top form of birth control. Newer versions of the pill come with an added bonus—shorter periods or none at all. Regular birth control pills offer 21 days of hormones with seven days of placebos. The newer versions have 24 days of hormones with four days of placebos. “This is to decrease the level of hormone fluctuation and hormone withdrawal symptoms—such as pelvic pain, headaches, bloating and breast tenderness—that some women have during the seven days of placebo pills,” said Dr. Julie Tantibhedhyangkul of the Cleveland Clinic OB/GYN and Women’s Health Institute. “There’s no danger from having none or shorter periods while on birth control pills,” adds Tantibhedhyangkul. The pill must be taken every day to prevent ovulation. Taken properly, both the traditional and the newer forms of the pill are at least 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. Side effects that typically improve in two to three months include nausea, breast tenderness, bloating, mood changes, and breakthrough bleeding. No version of the pill protects against sexually transmitted diseases. All daily oral contraceptives are available by prescription only.
The Sponge
Yes, it’s back, says Lifescript. The sponge was pulled from shelves in 1995 because of manufacturing problems. Re-introduced in 2009, the Today Sponge (the only brand available in the United States) is a non-hormonal, barrier method. It’s a disc-shaped foam device containing nonoxynol-9, which kills sperm. It prevents pregnancy by covering the cervix and blocking semen. The sponge is not the most effective form of birth control. With typical use, including slipups, about 16 percent of women will get pregnant in the first year of use, says Margaret Lewin, chief medical director of Cinergy Health in New York. It doesn’t protect against STDs. The sponge may be a good option for women who want a non-hormonal option that won’t interfere with spontaneous sex—and for those who won’t be devastated by an accidental pregnancy. The Today Sponge is available over the counter and doesn’t require any special fitting. Plus, at $13.99 for a three-pack, it’s an inexpensive way to stay baby-free.
The IUD
“This isn’t your mother’s IUD,” says Nancy Stanwood, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Rochester School of
Medicine. “They’re effective and great, and a lot of women in the U.S. are using them.” About 1.8 percent of U.S. women choose the IUD, she says, and they have two options: copper or hormone. “The copper IUD is the most commonly used reversible method of contraception around the world, hands down,” Stanwood says. “It just works so well and for so long, and it’s so convenient.” The hormone IUD is more than 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. The copper is 99 percent effective the first year, 98 percent the second year. The hormone IUD relieves heavy, crampy periods. Women with normal periods will notice lighter, shorter flows. After a year, 50 percent stop having periods, and that’s not something to worry about, says Stanwood. All IUDs come with small risks: About 5 percent of the time, they fall out. They can be re-inserted, but the risk of a second one falling out increases to 30 percent. About three in 1,000 women develop infections. In one out of 1,000 women, the IUD can cause pain, Stanwood says. It can be repositioned or removed and re-inserted. IUDs don’t protect against STDs. Both IUDs require a doctor’s visit. The device is inserted into the uterus during a 10-minute procedure.
Implanon
Approved in 2006, the hormonebased Implanon is a single flexible, plastic rod inserted in the arm. “It’s the only implant contraceptive system available in the U.S.,” Tantibhedhyangkul says. Norplant was taken off the market in 2002 because of problems removing its six rods. Implanon contains a hormone
which is slowly released into the body to prevent pregnancy for three years. It is more than 99 percent effective—even better than the pill, Tantibhedhyangkul says. Most women experience lighter periods on Implanon, she says. And many have no periods at all after the first year of use. Many women have spotting. It’s the main reason that about 15 percent of women in the U.S. discontinue it, Tantibhedhyangkul says. Implanon also can trigger acne and breast pain and does not protect against STDs. It is for women who
Approved in July 2009, Plan B One-Step is a singledose backup method for preventing pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. “If a woman takes Plan B when she’s pregnant and doesn’t know it, it won’t cause a miscarriage and birth defects,” Stanwood says. “Sperm can make a woman pregnant for three days after sex, so if you can postpone the egg from being released for at least three days, it works as a contraceptive,” Stanwood explains. According to the manufacturer, Plan B One-Step prevents pregnancy in seven out of eight women. It’s most effective if taken within 24 hours of having unprotected sex. It shouldn’t be used as a regular birth control method. Plan B One-Step is available at drugstores without a prescription. “The bulk of our service is providing birth control, said Cheryl Lincoln-Lovely, center manager, Planned Parenthood of Utica. “Everyone is different in what birth control is right for her. We do an assessment, and talk about options.” Planned Parenthood accepts all insurances, Medicaid, and has a sliding scale.
Mosquitoes become more resistant to insecticides By Laura C. Harrington
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his issue has been building for some time. It is really no surprise as insects have become resistant to nearly all insecticides given time and selection pressure. Few new chemicals are in development for malaria vector control, because there is little profit to be made by the poorest of the world’s poor — who feel the brunt of the malaria burden. There is a tremendous need to identify new ways of controlling malaria vectors that are practical, low cost, and sustainable or even looking at the existing technology with a new perspective toward using them in ways that prolong their efficacy. Unfortunately, this type of practical research is not viewed as “sexy July 2012 •
science” and it is nearly impossible to obtain funding by the large agencies to support it. Another critical need is to sincerely train and provide support for in-country, field-based scientists and technicians to manage resistance development. Many Western scientists pay lip service to this notion, but few really devote effort and resources to make it happen. Training and enabling in-country scientists will lead to sustainability and independence for countries with high malaria burdens instead of helplessly relying on the ebb and flow of philanthropic dollars. Laura C. Harrington is a mosquito expert and an associate professor of medical entomology at Cornell University
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Women’s Health Is there an NP in the house? Nurse practitioners increase in numbers, influence in Mohawk Valley By Lou Sorendo
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hat’s up, nurse practitioner? While this is a clear deviation from the catchphrase of the cartoon character Bugs Bunny, it is a question that will most likely be asked more frequently by patients across the state. Nurse practitioners are on the rise in the Mohawk Valley and throughout the state for a variety of reasons. According to Brenda Carney, president of the Nurse Practitioner Association’s Mohawk Valley chapter, the increase in NPs is coming at the right time within a troubled healthcare system. Carney works at the Utica Community Health Center, a federally qualifying health center started by the Rochester Primary Care Network about two years ago. Carney said one-third of the center’s patients are refugees. “We have helped so many of the underinsured and underserved in our community,” she said. NPs are advanced practice nurses who provide healthcare services similar to those of a physician in primary care and are able to diagnose and treat a wide range of health problems. Over the last five years, there have been approximately 5,000 new NPs educated and licensed in New York. Each year, the numbers of graduates has risen. In 2007, there were 831 newly licensed NPs. A year later, that number increased to 946. In 2009, the number of newly licensed NPs in the state stood at 917. That number vaulted in 2010 to 1,102 and in 2011, increased to 1,163. The state has a total of 16,877 licensed NPs and features the secondhighest number of NPs in the nation, second only to California. There are 236 NPs in Oneida County, 71 in Madison County, 42 in Herkimer County, and two in Hamilton County.
NPs have history
Nurse practitioners have been on the health care scene for nearly 50 years. A nursing leader, Loretta Ford, with the assistance and guidance of Dr. Henry Silver, first developed an NP program in Colorado as a direct result of the need for pediatric providers. The advanced practice-nursing role began to take shape in the mid-20th century in the United States with nurse anesthetists. According to Carney, the presentday concept of the APN as a primary care provider was created in the mid1960s, spurred on by a shortage of physicians. The first official training program for NPs in the U.S. was created in 1965, with a vision to help balance rising health care costs, increase the number of health care providers, and correct the inefficient distribution of health resources. Page 8
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NPs are also being utilized due to physician shortages. Many NPs staff health care centers in rural areas, inner city health centers and easy access arenas such as urgent care centers or clinics to provide care. Carney said many physicians utilize NPs because of the cost effectiveness of having a health care provider who can essentially evaluate and treat a patient just as they can, at less than half the cost to the health care establishment. Funds saved by using NPs can offer a physician planner opportunity to expand services, offer innovative treatment modalities and support needed ancillary staff, Carney added. Wages of NPs vs. MDs results in beneficial financial support to any healthcare delivery system. An NP is likely to receive slightly more than one-third of an MD’s wage, Carney said. An NP in family practice earns approximately $85,000 a year, which is 8 percent lower than the average in the state. “As demand for primary care providers continues to rise, which it is and will continue to do so, pay for NPs should increase also,” Carney said. There are many antiquated issues surrounding costs to the NP, such as requirement to pay for a license as an RN, she added. Additionally, NPs are Family nurse practitioners Viktor Petrovets and Brenda Carney attend to healthcare duties at the restricted from signing home Utica Community Health Center, 1651 Oneida St., Utica. care referrals to their patients in need and restricted from admitting The upward swing of NPs as health Other recognized tracts of educasomeone with acute mental health care providers occurred most signifition include acute care, OB/GYN, needs. cantly in the 1980s. women’s health, palliative care, and These issues are in front of the state The Mohawk Valley was an early oncology, to name a few. Assembly and Senate in the “Valid leader of NPs in the state. The Mohawk “During the ‘80s, specialty practice Signature Bill” which could lift restricValley Nurse Practitioner Association was soaring in the medical education tions and limitations on NPs. is one of the first organizations of these arena. Family practice physicians were Roles defined licensed professionals in the state. opting for specialty practice and conThe role of an NP is diverse. NPs Carney said NPs were working tinue to do so,” Carney said. are educated under the nursing model in the community in the ‘70s. “In fact, Less than 5 percent of all graduatthat is designed to provide holistic and some were brought up on charges of ing MDs are planning a future in fampreventive care. This engages the papracticing without a license,” she said. ily practice. Meanwhile, educational tient as the primary leader in his or her The state passed a law in 1988 programs are graduating NPs at a rate own care and well-being, Carney said. granting title, licensure and scope of of 3-to-1 to MDs. NPs—well armed with the tradipractice to these and other aspiring NPs Benefits of NPs tion of patient advocacy—partner with in the state. This meant legal protecNPs are utilized more in the patients for mutually agreed-upon tions and educational support and healthcare industry today because they treatments and optimal health outoversight by the New York State Educa- are cost effective and have documented comes, she added. tion Department. successes with patient outcomes, CarCarney said NPs often view the Currently, there are 16 recognized ney said. health and wellness of individuals educational tracts for NPs in the state “These outcomes are dependent within the family or community syseducational system. Just as physicians upon education, prevention, and health tem and attempt to incorporate culhave specialty practices, NPs also do. promotion to the patient with early intural relativism within their treatments Family practice (6,005) is the top tervention. It is tempered by the mediand recommendations. NP practice in the state, followed by cal model physicians follow to evaluadult health (4,941), pediatrics (1,744) ate, diagnose and treat,” she added. Continued on Page 13 and psychiatry (1,307).
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2012
Women’s Health
Shake it!
Madonna, AC/DC, or Vivaldi? What gets you moving? Music enhances workout regimen By Barbara Pierce
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istening to catchy, upbeat music while you work out not only motivates you to get moving, it helps you exercise harder and more effectively, and puts you in a better mood. “Music definitely has the ability to help push people through workouts,” says Steve Krebs, personal trainer, owner/operator of Next Level Athletic Performance in Marcy. “Instead of having people listen on their headphones, we play music through our system, so they can hear us as we coach them. We keep all of the music we play at Next Level upbeat and fast—pop, Krebs hip hop, dance, house, techno.” (House and techno music emphasize rhythm.) “Music—fast, slow or simply smoothening—if it catches the person’s attention, will bring his mind to a happy and positive mood, which is crucial in ensuring that he works out in the right and productive way,” says personal trainer Scott White of Phoenix online. “It is not the fast, hip-hop type of music that always brings results, but the one that sounds comfortable and smoothening for an individual.” Krebs agrees that the effect music has all depends on the individual’s personal tastes in music. The iPod work out play list for 58-year-old Bruce Persky, Punta Gorda, Fla., starts with a medium fast beat,
like Bob Seger’s “Like a Rock,” progresses to high-energy, fast-beat music like Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs,” or Billy Idol’s “White Wedding”, and winds down with Cat Stevens’ “Peace Train.” “Music keeps me moving at a faster pace,” adds Persky. “The TV at the fitness center is distracting because I can’t get a pace going. Anything good to dance to is good for a workout.”
Tempo is the key
The one key element to workout music—the most important thing all good work out music must have—is tempo, says the art of manliness website. “The right song can make an otherwise dull workout become our finest hour,” the website said. The site lists the 52 best workout songs, skewed in favor of the ‘90s, including: “No Woman No Cry,” Bob Marley; “Thunderstruck,” AC/DC; “Sabotage,” the Beastie Boys; and “Should I Stay or Should I Go,” The Clash. (See www.artofmanliness.com for the complete list.) Research shows music does make you exercise harder. British researchers had 12 men ride a bike while listening to music. When the tempo of the music was slowed down, so did their pedaling. Their heart rates fell. Their mileage dropped. They reported that they didn’t like the music much. When the tempo of the songs was upped 10 percent, they covered more miles in the same period of time, produced more power with each pedal stroke and increased their pedal cadences. Their heart rates rose. The music seemed to motivate them to push themselves. They reported enjoying the music—the same music—about 36 percent more. Another study found that basketball players who tended to perform poorly under the pressure of games performed significantly better during high-pressure free throw shooting if they first listened to catchy, upbeat music and lyrics. The Monty Python classic “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” was used. The author of the study determined that the
music distracted the players from themselves.
Mood, thought process improves
In a study at Ohio State University, researchers observed that, for people who listened to music during exercise, after the exercise, their mood was improved and the speed of their decision-making processes increased. Even their ability to speak in a more confident, easy manner improved. Participants in this study listened to Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” while exercising. Following the exercise, they did twice as well on tests of their mental ability and verbal ability than
Battery-related ER visits by youngsters escalate
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n today’s technology-driven world, batteries, especially button batteries, are everywhere. They power countless gadgets and electronic items that we use every day. While they may seem harmless, button batteries can be dangerous if swallowed by children. A new study conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy of The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital found that the annual number of batteryrelated emergency department visits among children younger than 18 years of age more than doubled over the 20year study period, jumping from 2,591 emergency department visits in 1990
to 5,525 emergency department visits in 2009. The number of button batteries swallowed by children also doubled during this period. The study, appearing in the June 2012 print issue of Pediatrics, found that more than three-fourths of batteryrelated visits to emergency departments by children were among children 5 years old or younger, with 1-year-olds having the greatest number of emergency department visits. Of the cases where the battery’s intended use was mentioned, only 29 percent involved batteries that were used for toys and games. The majority of cases involved batteries
from products not intended for use by young children, such as watches (14 percent), calculators (12 percent), flashlights (9 percent) and remote controls (6 percent). “We live in a world designed by adults for the convenience of adults, and the safety of children is often not considered,” said Gary Smith, director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Among cases that described the type of battery, 84 percent involved button batteries. Recommendations to prevent July 2012 •
when they exercised without music. The researcher, psychologist Charles Emery, believes this classical music stimulated better mental performance because it is complex. But he acknowledged that other music might work better for some people. He is confident that music definitely does make a difference, whether it is hip-hop, jazz, or classical. So the next time you head out for a run, a bike ride, or a trip to your fitness center, increase the tempo of a Lady Gaga download, or Justin Bieber, or Katy Perry, whatever your taste, and load them on your iPod. these types of injuries include: • Taping the battery compartments of all household devices shut • Storing batteries and products with batteries out of the reach of young children • Being aware of this potential danger when your child is visiting other homes Researchers also recommend that manufacturers ensure that packaging for batteries and products containing button batteries is child resistant and that they design all battery compartments to either require a screwdriver to be opened or that they be secured with a child-resistant locking mechanism, regardless of whether the product is intended for use by children or adults.
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Herkimer HealthNet identifies communities making healthy efforts Organization’s mission is to keep county healthy
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ne community at a time, Herkimer County HealthNet continues to support its mission: to promote the well-being of individuals who live, work, play, and learn in Herkimer County. HealthNet’s wellness committee recently visited the village of Poland and town of Russia after the committee identified that the community has made many efforts toward improving the health of its residents. Adam Hutchinson, executive director of Herkimer County HealthNet, said, “This community serves as a model as a rural community that is making a commitment to the health and well-being of its residents on multiple levels. This collaborative effort among various organizations in their area is crucial to our mission.” Hutchinson also mentioned that many communities in Herkimer County are making an effort through various grants, but this particular community is showing improvements through many aspects. Some of the projects taking place in the Poland area include the following activities: • Havers Nice N Easy is working with HealthNet and Cornell Cooperative Extension with increasing the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables as part of a grocery/convenience
HELP REDUCE ER CROWDING. FOR COLD AND FLU SYMPTOMS, SEE YOUR DOCTOR. A recent study found that each year there are hundreds of thousands of emergency room visits in upstate New York that could be avoided. Minor conditions like cold and flu symptoms, congestion, back pain, earaches and sports injuries are best treated by your doctor. If your doctor isn’t available, consider visiting an urgent care facility. And do your part to relieve ER crowding.
Sponsored by the Medical Societies of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. A nonprofit independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2012
store project through the Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work, and Play program. • The Poland Central School District cafeteria has a fresh express food center for its middle and high school students, which was partially funded by HealthNet’s Rural Health Network grant. • The town of Russia recently made improvements to its playground through HealthNet’s Creating Healthy Places grant and is participating in the development of HealthNet’s trail guide. Just this year, the town made the playground smoke-free. Herkimer County HealthNet’s wellness committee meets every month and is working together with communities to further support their healthy efforts. For more information about Herkimer County HealthNet, call 315-8671499 or visit www.facebook.com/CreatingHealthyPlacesInHerkimerCounty. If you would like to contribute to the services provided by Herkimer County HealthNet, consider a donation by visiting www.herkimerhealthnet. com. Herkimer County HealthNet’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals who live, work, play, and learn in Herkimer County.
Nutrition Diabetes and food choices Those suffering from diabetes can help themselves through proper nutrition By Kristen Raab
tional information in one simple number between 1 and 100, according to the website. It is a tool that can take the guesswork out of picking the best foods, and it is something that everyone can benefit from
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here are plenty of myths surrounding what is healthy for people with diabetes. Some people assume that there are foods that are completely off-limits, but the truth is moderation is the best way to manage one’s health. This is true for all people, as is the recommendation of getting regular exercise. Kim DeBuono, clinical dietitian for the CNY Diabetes Program, said it’s important to look at carbohydrates. Saturated fat and sodium are important as well because people with diabetes often have cholesterol and high blood pressure as well, she noted. DeBuono recommends the Nuval website at www.nuval.com when making choices. It is an “evidence-based scoring system, derived from some of the best nutrition experts in the country,” she noted. This system does the math to show people the best foods to eat. DeBouno says it’s easier than a person evaluating it alone. The NuVal nutritional scoring system provides comprehensive nutri-
DeBuono using, DeBuono said. Some of the foods that diabetics should eat are the same as non-diabetics. Vegetables, whole grains and beans are some of the best. The American Diabetes Association’s website—www.diabetes. org—has a list of 10 super foods. These include dark green leafy vegetables, berries, and fish that have Omega-3 fatty acids. What is the importance of carbohydrates when dealing with diabetes? “People with diabetes have to count how many carbs they take in with meals,” DeBuono said.
SmartBites
By Anne Palumbo
The skinny on healthy eating
Today’s hottest go-to grain? Quinoa
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f you haven’t tried quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah), it’s high time you did. Once revered by ancient Incas as the “mother of all grains” and now hailed by nutritionists as the “supergrain of the future,” quinoa’s day is long overdue. Although technically a seed, quinoa is often called a grain because it looks and cooks just like a grain. I refer to it as my “go-to grain” because it’s appealing on so many levels: cost, taste, ease of preparation and nutritional value. What attracted me to quinoa from the get-go was its high protein content. Since I’m no longer the carnivore I once was, I’m always looking for alternate sources of this vital nutrient, which helps to build and repair body tissue. Not only is quinoa high in protein (8 grams per 1 cup, cooked), but, unlike most plant sources, its protein is
This is because of the importance of how much insulin they have to come up with to maintain health. DeBouno said it is a balancing act among food, exercise and medication, if a person is on them, to remain healthy over time. It is easy to overdo it on artificial sweeteners when one is unable to consume sugar. DeBouno explains, “The problem with artificial sweeteners is that there’s some research that is saying when people uses those, they stimulate parts of the brain that make people want more sweet things.” The benefit is they won’t have a direct impact on blood sugar. Moderation is the best solution, DeBuono added.
Can you eat out?
Is it possible to treat yourself to a meal at a restaurant? If you keep the following tips in mind, you can enjoy an occasional meal at your favorite restaurant: • When you go to a buffet, remember that the more foods and flavors you have, the more it stimulates your appetite. • Fat, sugar and sodium make
may promote cardiovascular health. Research also suggests that an increased intake of magnesium may offer some relief for migraine sufferers, because it prevents the constriction and rebound dilation characteristic of this particular headache. Looking to whittle your middle now that swimsuit season is in full swing? Add quinoa to your nutritiousfoods list. Rich in heart-healthy fiber and low in fat and calories (about 200 per 1 cup, cooked) quinoa is digested slowly, a plus that thwarts the urge to snack. Additionally, it has a low glycemic index, another plus that affords you a much steadier stream of energy. One more great reason to go for this grain: Quinoa teems with manganese, a powerful antioxidant that helps to prevent cell damage and diseases associated with aging.
Helpful tips
“complete” with all nine essential amino acids. What this means is, you don’t need to combine quinoa with another protein source to immediately reap this nutrient’s benefits. Quinoa is a very good source of magnesium, a mineral that helps relax blood vessels. Since low dietary levels of magnesium have been linked to increased rates of hypertension and heart disease, this ancient grain
Quinoa is available in prepackaged containers, as well as in bulk bins. After purchase, transfer the quinoa to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to six months. Before cooking, quinoa must be thoroughly rinsed to remove the bitter taste. Place it in a strainer, then run cold water over it for several minutes. Unlike many grains, quinoa is gluten-free.
Colorful Quinoa and Black Bean Salad Adapted from Gourmet July 2012 •
food taste good. It’s hard to avoid these when you go out. • Order salad dressing on the side • Limit the portion of starch. Choose a baked potato instead of fries, and eat half. • Choose grilled chicken. Fast food should be restricted. DeBuono notes that it tends to be dense in calories, and it’s cheap cost makes it more appealing. While it may seam like a cost-effective and convenient meal, careful consideration might help a person find better options. “Think about the number of calories in many fast food meals (700 or more) and that walking one mile only burns off 100 calories,” DeBuono said. A salad is a good choice, but don’t get fried or breaded chicken. Avoid croutons, and pick a dressing that is low in calories and sugar. The CNY Diabetes Program provides tours of grocery stores to teach people how to make healthy shopping decisions. For more information, call 315-6245620
Serves 6 – 8
1 cup tri-colored quinoa, rinsed and drained 2 cups water 1 can corn, drained 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1 poblano pepper, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1⁄4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1 cup feta cheese (optional) For dressing: 1 fresh lime, juiced 1 1⁄2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon salt 1⁄2 teaspoon coarse black pepper 3 tablespoons olive oil Combine quinoa and water in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until quinoa is tender and water has been absorbed, about 20 minutes. Transfer quinoa to a large bowl and cool for about 10 minutes. Add corn, beans, peppers, garlic, cilantro and feta cheese (optional). Whisk together dressing ingredients and drizzle over salad. Toss well; adjust seasonings to taste. Salad may be made one day ahead.
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.
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The Social Ask Security Office Column provided by the local Social Security Office
By Jim Miller
How to challenge your medical bills Dear Savvy Senior, I need some help understanding my medical bills from my knee replacement surgery earlier this year. My wife and I live on a pretty tight budget so I like to keep track of our costs as closely as possible. But the bills I’ve received are vague and confusing, and we think we’re being overcharged. What can you tell us? Trying To Recover Dear Trying, Errors and overcharging have become so commonplace on medical bills today that doublechecking them is a very smart move that may save you some money. Here are some tips and tools that can help. Challenge Your Bills According to the Medical Billing Advocates of America, nine out of 10 hospital bills have errors on them, most of which are in the hospital’s favor. Bills from doctor’s offices and labs have mistakes too, but they tend to be fewer and further apart. To help you get a handle on your medical bills and check for costly errors, the first thing you need to do is request an itemized statement from the hospital or health care providers detailing the charges of the procedures, supplies, tests and services they provided you. They are legally required to provide you with this information. If the statement contains confusing billing codes or abbreviations that you don’t understand, call the billing office for an explanation. You can also look up most medical billing codes online by going to any online search engine and typing in “CPT” followed by the code number. Once you receive and decode the statement, review it carefully and keep your eyes peeled for these mistakes: • Double billing: Being charged twice for the same services, drugs, or supplies. • Typos: Incorrect billing codes or dollar amounts. • Canceled work: Charging for a Page 12
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test your doctor ordered, then canceled. • Phantom services: Being charged for services, test or treatments that were never received. Up-coding: Inflated charges for medications and supplies. • Incorrect length of stay: Most hospitals will charge for the admission day, but not for day of discharge. Be sure you’re not paying for both. • Incorrect room charges: Being charged for a private room, even if you stayed in a semi-private room. • Inflated operating room fees: Being billed for more time than was actually used. Compare the charge with your anesthesiologist’s records. To make sure the charges on your bill are reasonably priced, use the Healthcare Blue Book at healthcarebluebook.com. This is a free resource that lets you look up the going rate of health care costs in your area. If you find errors or have questions about charges, contact your provider’s billing office and your insurer. If they don’t help you and the discrepancies are significant, you should consider getting help from a trained professional who specializes in analyzing medical bills and negotiates with health care providers, insurers and even collection agencies. Most medical bill reviewing professionals charge an hourly fee — somewhere between $50 and $200 per hour — for their services, or they may work on a contingency basis, earning a commission of 25 percent to 35 percent of the amount they save you. To find help, check out resources like Medical Billing Advocates of America (billadvocates. com), MedReview Solutions (medreviewsolutions.com), Hospital Bill Review (hospitalbillreview. com) and Medical Cost Advocate (medicalcostadvocate.com). You can find others by doing an Internet search under “hospital bill review.” If you’re a Medicare beneficiary, another resource that may help is your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). They provide free personalized counseling and may be able to help you get a handle on your medical bills and Medicare coverage. To find a local SHIP counselor visit shiptalk.org, or call 800-677-1116. 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 • July 2012
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Get your Social Security statement online
f you would like to get a Social Security Statement, which provides estimates of your future benefits, it is now available online at www. socialsecurity.gov. “Our new online Social Security Statement is simple, easy-to-use and provides people with estimates they can use to plan for their retirement,” said Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. “The online statement also provides estimates for disability and survivors benefits, making the statement an important financial planning tool. People should get in the habit of checking their online statement each year, around their birthday, for example.” In addition to helping with financial planning, the online statement also provides workers a convenient way to determine whether their earnings are accurately posted to their Social Security records. This feature is important because Social Security benefits are based on average earnings over a person’s lifetime. If the information is incorrect, the person may not receive proper benefits. The online statement provides you the opportunity to save or print the document for future reference, or to have handy for discussions with family
Q&A Q: How do I change my citizenship status on Social Security’s records? A: To change your citizenship status shown in Social Security records: • Complete an application for a Social Security card (Form SS-5), which you can find online at www. socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.html; and • Locate documents proving your: – New or revised citizenship status (Only certain documents can be accepted as proof of citizenship. These include your U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, Social Security will ask to see your current immigration documents); – Age; and – Identity. Then, take (or mail) your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office or card center. All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. For more information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov” www. socialsecurity.gov. Q: My husband and I are both entitled to our own Social Security benefits. Will our combined benefits be reduced because we are married? A: No. When each member of a
members or a financial planner. According to the American Customer Satisfaction Index, users are giving the online statement a score of 89, making it competitive with our other top-rated, best-in-government online services, such as the Retirement Estimator and online retirement application. To get a personalized online statement, you must be age 18 or older and must be able to provide information about yourself that matches information already on file with Social Security. In addition, Social Security uses Experian, an external authentication service provider, for further verification. You must provide identifying information and answer security questions in order to pass this verification. Social Security will not share your Social Security number with Experian, but the identity check is an important part of this new, thorough verification process. When your identity is verified, you can create a “My Social Security” account with a unique user name and password to access your online statement. In addition, your online statement includes links to information about other online Social Security services, such as applications for retirement, disability, and Medicare.
married couple works in employment covered under Social Security and both meet all other eligibility requirements to receive retirement benefits, lifetime earnings are calculated independently to determine the benefit amounts. Therefore, each spouse receives a monthly benefit amount based on his or her own earnings. If one member of the couple earned low wages or did not earn enough Social Security credits (40) to be insured for retirement benefits, he or she may be eligible to receive benefits as a spouse. To learn more about retirement, visit www. socialsecurity.gov/retirement. Q: I just got back from an overseas military deployment and I want to plan ahead for my retirement. How will my military retirement affect my Social Security benefits? A: Your military retirement won’t affect your Social Security benefits at all. You can get both. Generally, there is no offset of Social Security benefits because of your military retirement. You will get full Social Security benefits based on your earnings. However, your Social Security benefit might be reduced if you also receive a government pension based on a job in which you did not pay Social Security taxes. You can find more information in the publication Military Service and Social Security at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10017.html or call 1-800-772-1213.
Hiring a Hero Job fair offers opportunities for those who served country By Patricia J. Malin
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ow do you find a job for a “hero?” That was the difficult question facing both applicants and employers who attended the “Hire Our Heroes” job fair at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica recently. The event was directed at military veterans and sponsored chiefly by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. A few veterans, already discouraged by bouts of unemployment, came away from the job fair feeling more discouraged. Doug Berry, 64, of New Hartford, has been out of work for three years. He served in the Army in 1967-68 and was trained as a clerk. He spent a year at administrative headquarters in Thailand. When he returned home, he held a series of jobs in the Mohawk Valley with the then-Oneida National Bank, The House of the Good Shepherd and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. “I guess my chances [of finding a job] are as good as anybody’s,” he said as he left MVCC. “I’m on Social Security now, but I’m concerned because I don’t have any medical insurance. I do go to the VA Clinic in Rome, but I’m going to apply for Medicare now.” Berry had met earlier with Ashley Novak, a vocational rehabilitation counselor at the VA Clinic, who was staffing a booth at MVCC and helped organize the job fair. “We invited a lot of companies to come here today who had jobs to offer and some service organizations, too, such as the Central New York Veteran’s Outreach Center and the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, so the veterans know what services are out there for them,” she said. Among the employers were Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and Bassett Healthcare; other insurance companies like Prudential and MetLife; private
Shawn Carter, left, of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, speaks with Gary Payne of Utica, a veteran who attended the Job Fair at Mohawk Valley Community College recently. firms like Bartell Machinery of Rome; retailers like Aaron’s Sporting Goods; a cellular phone company; a business to train people for commercial driver’s licenses and jobs as truck drivers; federal agencies like the post office and the Transportation Safety Agency; the Syracuse VA, and even the National Guard.
‘Payne-staking’ search
Gary Payne, 59, of Utica, said he gave his resume to seven employers, but didn’t get any job offers. Payne served with the Army Signal Corps from 1981-92, and was stationed in Hawaii when he came out of the service. Although he considered making the Army a career, he had to move back here to help his wife care for her elderly parents. He said he worked for ChicagoPneumatic tool company for four years, but the company left Utica and moved its operations to Japan. He then worked
as a truck driver from 2006-09. This was the first job fair he had attended since then. Like Berry, Payne wonders if his age is defeating his efforts to find steady work. “I think age discrimination has a lot to do with it,” he said. “I know damn well they do, even though they say they don’t discriminate on the basis of race, gender or sexual orientation. But you can’t prove age discrimination. I have a lot of background in heavy equipment, carpentry and woodworking.” Shawn Carter, a representative from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce office in Chicago and a veteran himself, tried to address Payne’s concerns. Carter, 27, had served with the U.S. Air Force’s security forces in Greenland, the United Kingdom and in Saudi Arabia, and thought he could identify with the plight of local veterans. He was working as a broadcaster in Chicago
and had interviewed the chamber’s “Hiring Our Heroes” executive director Kevin Schmeigel, when he was offered his current job with the chamber. “He believes in veterans and he practices what he preaches,” Carter said of his boss. “We expected 100 to 150 veterans to come here today. We think we have an electric mix of employers on hand. They show up knowing they will be facing a vast array of people from all ages and backgrounds. We do a lot of these job fairs. We will also be hosting a ‘Vets On Wall Street’ job fair in New York City on June 21.” At the Bassett Healthcare booth, Leonard Morrison, 44, of Utica, inquired about a job in customer service. Although he wasn’t a veteran, he had spent two years in the National Guard. Morrison said he recently lost his job at a nursing home. He also worked two years in customer service at Upstate Data Corporation, a telephone call center in downtown Utica. He is a parttime pastor at a church, but he noted it’s not enough income to live on. Christine Young, director of human resources at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, said she had spoken with 15 applicants during the first hour of the job fair, but could not offer any jobs on the spot. “We have various positions open, including in nursing, administration, food service, housekeeping, transportation and maintenance. We also have our own mail center.” Bassett welcomes veterans. “We’d love to have them,” she said, “It’s heartbreaking to realize they can’t find work. We think this is an opportunity for us to show our support and try to help them. Even though we can’t offer them a job today, they can go through the interview process by filing online.” Young said the employees’ ages are irrelevant if they’re qualified. “We would hire a 59-year-old. We have nurses who are old enough to retire, but they keep on working because they love what they do. We have nurses who have spent 30 or 40 years with us.”
NPs make their mark in MV healthcare world Continued from Page 8 To be a successful NP, Carney said personal qualities must include commitment to education as the curriculum is simply the entry to practice as an NP. “There is a continuous evolving environment with medications and intervention. An aspiring NP must plan to stay abreast of this,” Carney said. “Personal professional health is also of importance, she said. Commitment to their professional organization helps to maintain influence, development and support of NPs in healthcare, she said. “It provides networking, social support, and resource and community involvement,” Carney noted. The healthcare industry is benefited by NPs and the sheer increased availability of health care providers. The number of people who are underinsured, non-insured and lack establishment in a medical home in the community is staggering, Carney said. “If you notice, BlueCross BlueShield came out with a commercial depicting an overcrowded ED and over
utilization of our urgent/emergent centers,” she said. “If there are more NPs, thus more access to health care provisions, those numbers could surely decrease.” With a decrease of numbers of over utilized services such as EDs, health care costs can also decrease, she said. NPs are a logical, cost-effective and growing alternative to high-cost provision of health care, she said. “I also believe the health and wellness of our communities are improving one person at a time. When an individual comes to an NP, we listen, intervene and provide encouragement and support. These qualities help build trusting relationships and personal responsibility. Personal responsibility is most important in one’s health, Carney said.
What’s the difference?
NPs differ from “doctors” or “physicians” in the level of education and the curriculum they engage in. The NP program demands the completion of advanced anatomy and
physiology, pathology, pharmacology and social sciences. NP education also incorporates medical management by utilizing national organizational standards of care. “NPs are truly a development of nursing curriculum which is holistic in origin, striving to incorporate the essence of family, community, cultural and socioeconomic factors when considering the medical needs of the patient and their families,” she said. An NP today must hold a master’s degree. Carney said there is a major movement for NPs to have a minimum of a Doctor of Nursing Practice for future practice. “Just as other sciences have doctoral programs such as in medical practice, psychology, and physical therapy, the nursing science is also making great strides in graduating significant numbers of DNPs,” Carney said. No one wants to replace or use the title of “physician” other than a medical doctor, Carney said. “NPs respect their academic acJuly 2012 •
complishments and collaborate with their physicians prudently and professionally, just as physicians do with each other,” she added. NP’s can and do own NP practices in the state and in the Mohawk Valley. State law requires an NP to have a collaborating physician. This collaborating MD is responsible to review records of the NP every three months. MDs charge NPs in private practice for this required stipulation of their license. There is currently a “Modernization Act” on the Senate and Assembly roster in Albany challenging this requirement of collaboration. Meanwhile, the differences of an NP and a physician’s assistant are the PA works under the supervision of a physician to provide preventative, diagnostic, and therapeutic health care services. The key wording here is collaboration vs. supervision. MDs do not supervise NPs; they collaborate.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Meet
Your Doctor
Between You and Me
By Barbara Pierce
IN DENIAL Take proper steps By Patrician J. Malin
before exercising Continued from Page 4 event (on July 8). Running and walking are activities one can enjoy hopefully for a lifetime. We have excellent programs, running clubs and fitness centers for individuals to achieve their goals and remain active. Q.: What advice do you have for people who want to get involved in healthy exercise? A.: My advice is to first get clearance from their family physician, then to find the activity they enjoy. Exercise should be fun, convenient and enjoyed for a lifetime. Start slow and easy and build from there. If a foot problem does occur, please see your podiatrist, so hopefully full activity can be resumed. The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine recommends the
following tips to continue an active lifestyle: • The proper selection of an athletic shoe is of paramount importance. The shoe selected is dependent on activity, an individual’s foot type and structure as well as their size. It is important to keep in mind shoe size may vary from one manufacturer to another. Our area is fortunate to have athletic shoe stores that provide knowledge, selection and expert fitting. • It is advised that shoes be fitted with the socks that are to be worn with the activity. Socks should be fitted well and be of a material that wicks away moisture. • Stretching and slowly building momentum is suggested to allow the body to warm up and decrease muscle strain. Cool down, stretch, and resting after activity are also important.
CALENDAR of
HEALTH EVENTS
Continued from Page 2 NYSARC will hold its third annual Lynda Ford Memorial Golf Tournament July 23 at Valley View Golf Course in Utica. This year’s tournament will benefit the Lynda Ford Award Fund at The Arc, which assists students in the CollegeWorks program, as well as other unfunded services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The cost per golfer is $125 or $500 for a foursome. Reservations are suggested. For more information, call 272-1528 or julian.galimo@thearcolc.org.
July 24
Rite Aid to feature shingles vaccine clinics Rite Aid Pharmacy is featuring shingles vaccine clinics at its locations throughout the Mohawk Valley. All clinics will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The following is a list of upcoming clinics: • July 24: 40 Kellogg Road, New Hartford (735-1252) • July 25: 1616 Black River Boulevard, Rome (339-5290) • July 26: 104 Genesee St., Oneida (363-3170) Page 14
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• Aug. 28: 208 Herkimer Road, North Utica (735-6081) • Aug. 29: 141 Oriskany Boulevard, Whitesboro (736-4943)
July 29
Paddle with the Sitrin STARS Sitrin is welcoming new participants for its paddling program. The Sitrin STARS (Success Through Adaptive Recreation and Sports) adaptive paddling program offers several outings for individuals with physical disabilities. Family members and caregivers are also invited to participate. Dates for upcoming events include: • July 29—Brown Tract Pond (Old Forge) • Aug. 18—Nick’s Lake (Old Forge) • Sept. 16—Moose River and Rail (Old Forge) • Oct. 6—Chenango River (Earlville) Kayaks, canoes, and other paddling equipment will be provided. Participants should register at least one week prior to the paddling date. There is no cost to participate. Transportation is not included. Participants must meet Sitrin staff at the paddling locations at 10 a.m. For more information about Sitrin’s paddling program, or to register for an upcoming event, contact Marc DePerno at 315-737-2459.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2012
Jerry Sandusky’s wife: How could she not have known?
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ottie Sandusky is the 68-yearold wife of former Penn State football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Sandusky is being prosecuted for the sexual abuse of 10 boys, over a 15year period. Dottie Sandusky denies allegations that her husband sexually abused young boys in their home. She denies allegations that she ignored their cries for help. “We don’t know why these young men have made these false accusations, but we want everyone to know they are untrue,” she reportedly said to ABC News. Yes, it seems hard to imagine that the churchgoing, soft-spoken woman really did not know what dark and terrible things were going on in the basement of her home. How on earth could she not know? Researchers say such cluelessness is typical: Pedophiles’ wives are usually in the dark. “People find ways of excusing a lot of different behaviors,” explains Maia Christopher, executive director of the Association for the TreatPierce ment of Sexual Abusers, in a recent Newsweek article. If you see your husband coming out of your daughter’s room every night at midnight, you might say maybe he is sexually abusing her, but more likely, you will think he’s just checking her to see if she had a nightmare. The same article describes Jane of Jacksonville, Fla., happily married to Rick (names have been changed), until one day she got a call from him. He had been arrested for setting up a meeting with a girl he believed to be 12. Jane’s friends assumed she must have known; perhaps even enabled him. “But I had no idea,” said Jane. “There was not a single sign. There just wasn’t.”
Overseeing abuse
Probably the most extreme example of not seeing something that is clearly in front of us is when someone we love is abusing others. Our need to deny their behavior is so strong that it overrides our ability to see it. What seems to fool us over and over says University of Arizona psychologist Judith Beck in Newsweek is that the abusers are usually charismatic and popular—not creepy loners. “They don’t come across as angry or aggressive,” says Becker, who has evaluated more than 1,000 of these men. “And they tend to be kind and loving around children.”
We get fooled over and over, about all kinds of things. We are all capable of having something clearly in front of us, and not seeing it. Being blind to it. That is hard to believe unless you have experienced it. I did experience it. My experience with having something in plain sight, right in front of me, and I did not see it happened several years ago. I had a great working relationship with a divorced man in my office, Bob. We consulted with each other frequently, worked late on projects together, and had long lunches. We even went to out of town conferences together, with a few other co-workers. In my mind, I saw us going to the next level. I was so happy around him, happily envisioning what would soon happen at the next conference, and on.
Reality strikes
Reality crashed down when someone mentioned that Bob and Margaret was a couple. Co-worker Margaret had been at the conferences, had been in the background on projects. Of course! Once I knew it, it was so obvious. I was flabbergasted at myself. How did I not see the evidence right there, clearly in front of me? I’m sure it was because I didn’t want to see it. I was totally blind. Before I had that experience, I was skeptical. I was skeptical when I heard that the partners of abusers are often blind to what is going on right under their noses. She can be in the same room while he is touching their young daughter inappropriately. She really does not see it. She is blind, because to acknowledge what is happening is just too horrific. So I believe that Dottie Sandusky really doesn’t know why those young men made accusations against her husband. I believe she really did not see a shred of evidence that made her suspicious. The evidence would not have fit with her picture of Jerry. That’s another thing about us as humans—we make judgments about each other. Then we stick with those judgments. We don’t allow any evidence in that differs. We’re very good at denial. • Barbara Pierce is a retired licensed clinical social worker with many years’ experience helping people. If you have a concern or question that you would like Pierce to address, send your concerns to her at BarbaraPierce06@yahoo.com.
Pet Health Fido needs fitness
Type and duration of exercises depend on dog’s shape, size, health
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umans aren’t the only ones who can benefit from daily exercise. A Kansas State University veterinarian says dogs need it, too. “Dogs should get exercise at least twice a day, generally around 15 to 20 minutes each session for small dogs and 30 to 40 minutes or more for large dogs,” said Susan Nelson, clinical associate professor at the university’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, a part of the College of Veterinary Medicine. However, how long and the type of
exercise depend on the type of dog, its age and its health, Nelson said. “It really depends on what the dog can do,” she said. “For short-legged or arthritic dogs, walking is good. Running is good for dogs that are bigger and are in good shape, but how much running to do depends on the dog and how in shape it is. Remember, you can’t run a basset hound like you would a Great Dane.” Choosing the type of exercise for your dog depends on how fit it is and if it has any health conditions that limit its activity level. For example, running and jumping aren’t good for a dog with arthritis. Waking and hiking are good low-impact activities. Swimming can be good for many dogs, especially those who have joint mobility problems — but make sure the dog knows how to swim first, Nelson said. In general, Nelson said small dogs can walk up to a mile or two, while large dogs may be able to handle three or more miles of walking or running. Just letting a dog out to play on its own in a fenced-in yard isn’t good enough. The dog should be kept active while exercising, so playing a game of fetch with a ball or flying disc are good forms of exercise, Nelson said. While getting your dog active is good, Nelson said it’s also important
KIDS Corner Learn to reduce drowning risk Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States and kills more toddlers 1-4 years old than anything but birth defects
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hen you’re spending the day splashing around at the pool, beach or lake, drowning may not be the first thing on your mind. Yet drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States and kills more toddlers 1-4 years old than anything but birth defects. About 10 people die
every day from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children 14 or younger. The good news is that most of these deaths are predictable and preventable. Being aware of the risks and taking safety precautions are proven ways to prevent drowning injuries and deaths. Learn the facts and take action to protect yourself and the ones you
to make sure your canine friend isn’t overdoing it. “Some signs to look for include an obvious limp, if they are tugging on their leash and don’t want to go forward, or if they start to lag behind,” she said. “As the weather gets warmer, watch out for overheating your dog. Signs include panting really hard; producing thick, ropey saliva; and getting a dark, red tongue. Taking water breaks along the way is a good idea.” If your dog gets weak, collapses or seems to struggle while exercising in warm weather, it’s important to get them cooled off and to a veterinarian quickly, Nelson said. Once temperatures climb into the 80s, Nelson said monitor your dog closely when exercising and consider switching your sessions to early morning and evening when temperatures are cooler. For some dogs even temperatures in the 70s can be hazardous to their health. “Don’t forget about humidity levels in the heat, too,” she said. “High humidity can make it tough for dogs to breathe and they can’t get proper cooling through panting. This is especially true for dogs with short, stubby noses like boxers and bulldogs.” Nelson said dogs with these types of noses can have a hard time moving
air in and out, and the tissues in their throats can start to swell when they have to pant a lot. “It is a vicious cycle that can lead to overheating because they just can’t pant as effectively as dogs with longer noses,” she said. “Very young and very old dogs also don’t have a high tolerance for the heat.” Heat can be hard on a dog’s feet, too, Nelson said. “As the weather gets warmer, pavement and asphalt can get hot and burn the pads on their feet,” she said. “Gravel can be a painful surface, too, especially if they aren’t used to running on it. Many dogs will develop severe injuries to their pads if they aren’t conditioned to run on rough surfaces.” Another concern at this time of year are fleas and ticks, so make sure your dog is protected against them before heading outside. If your dog did fine on its walk or run but woke up stiff or lame afterward, Nelson recommends having a veterinarian check it out to ensure it’s not something exercise will continue to aggravate. Scheduling a physical with a veterinarian is a good first step before starting an exercise routine for your dog, Nelson said, especially if the dog is overweight or has had a sedentary lifestyle.
love from drowning.
of your age, always swim with a buddy. • Look for lifeguards. Select swimming sites that have lifeguards whenever possible. • Heed warning flags. Know the meaning of and obey warnings represented by colored beach flags, which may vary from one beach to another. • Know the terrain. Be aware of and avoid drop-offs and hidden obstacles in natural water sites. Always enter water feet first. • Avoid rip currents. Watch for dangerous waves and signs of rip currents, like water that is discolored and choppy, foamy, or filled with debris and moving in a channel away from shore. If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore; once free of the current, swim diagonally toward shore. • Use U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets. Do not use air-filled or foam toys, such as “water wings”, “noodles”, or inner-tubes, in place of life jackets. These toys are not designed to keep swimmers safe. • Avoid alcohol. Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, or water skiing. Don’t drink alcohol while supervising children. • Don’t hyperventilate. Swimmers should never hyperventilate before swimming underwater or try to hold their breath for long periods of time. This can cause them to pass out (sometimes called “shallow water blackout”) and drown.
Take Action to Reduce Risks • Learn to swim. Formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by as much as 88 percent among young children aged 1 to 4 years, who are at greatest risk of drowning. However, even when children have had formal swimming lessons, constant, careful supervision when in the water, and barriers to prevent unsupervised access are necessary to prevent drowning. • Closely watch swimmers in or around the water. Designate a responsible adult who can swim and knows CPR to watch swimmers in or around water — even when lifeguards are present. That adult should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading or talking on the phone) while watching children. • Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In the time it might take for lifeguards or paramedics to arrive, your CPR skills could save someone’s life. • Fence it off. Barriers to pool access should be used to help prevent young children from gaining access to the pool area without caregivers’ awareness when they aren’t supposed to be swimming. Pool fences should completely separate the house and play area from the pool, be at least four feet high, and have self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward, with latches that are out of the reach of children. • Use the Buddy System. Regardless July 2012 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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H ealth News FSLH names officers of 2012 board of directors Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica recently announced its officers for the 2012 board of directors: • Richard Tantillo has been named chairman. Tantillo is vice president of communications and development for Hamilton College. He is a member of several boards, including The Community Foundation of Oneida and Herkimer Counties, Springbrook in Oneonta and the National Alumni Board of St. Bonaventure University. • Gregory McLean has been named vice chair. McLean is the owner of Caruso McLean & Co., Inc., Registered Investment Advisors. He is chairman of the Presbyterian Homes & Services Foundation board and has served as board president at the Children’s Museum and Samaritan Counseling Center. • Dr. Todd Hutton has been named secretary. Hutton has served as the president and chief executive officer of Utica College for 14 years. During his tenure, Hutton is credited with an increase in freshman enrollment by 77 percent and an overall student body increase of 57 percent. He is actively involved in professional associations and community organizations, and is a member of several boards. • Stephen Sweet has been named treasurer. Sweet is the owner of Sweet Products, LLC, the parent company for an industrial supply distribution company. Previously, Sweet was an eastern sales representative for House of Flavors, Inc., president of Pride O’Utica Ice Cream Company and vice president of Central NY Coach Lines, Inc. Sweet is on the board of SpecTape, Inc, and has served on several boards.
FSLH, St. E’s awarded state grant Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica have each been awarded a $7.135 million grant from New York state. It allows them to focus on joint efforts to enhance access to care, increase efficiency in operations, and improve patient outcomes. The award is a direct result of a grant opportunity offered by the NYS Department of Health and the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York to fund projects that help health care facilities address bed capacity in the health care system, improve primary and community-based care, and reduce over-reliance on inpatient care in hospitals and nursing homes. The funding is provided through Phase 20 of the Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law of New York State and the Federal-State Reform Partnership. The two organizations employ nearly 4,900 employees and have combined operating budgets of more than $535 million. Several cooperative initiatives by the hospitals have helped raise the level of care for the region’s communities, including the Mohawk Valley Heart Page 16
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Institute and the Central New York Diabetes Education Program.
The Birthplace at FSLH changes visiting hours Visiting hours for The Birthplace at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica have changed. Visiting hours have been adjusted to help promote a more family friendly environment and to align the quiet time with the rest of the hospital. The new visiting hours are as follows:
Maternity unit
Newborn’s father, or a designee, may stay with mom at all times if the mother is in a private room or has no roommate. If the patient is in a shared room, the hours are 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Open visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Quiet time is observed from 2-4 p.m., the same as the rest of the hospital. No visitors—except for the father or designee—are allowed during this time.
Labor and delivery
Visitors are limited to two per patient, must be designated by the mother and are not interchangeable with other individuals. They must be over the age of 16 while patient in is labor and throughout delivery.
FSLH Foundation announces board officers The Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation recently announced the 2012 officers for its board of directors: • Marolyn Wilson has been named president. Wilson is co-owner of Holland Farms Bakery and Deli. She joined the foundation board of direcWilson tors in 2003, and is involved with FSLH’s Children’s Miracle Network $100,000 Miracle Home Makeover, the annual Stomp Out Cancer Telethon, wine tasting and auction and the business partnership program. • Dean Kelly has been named vice president. Kelly is president of Jay-K Lumber Corp. Before joining the foundation board of directors in 2003, Kelly was an active participant in many FSLH Foundation fundraisers and is a major supporter of many events, including the annual $100,000 Miracle Home Makeover to benefit the local CMN hospital. • William R. Wilson has been named secretary. Wilson is the career exploration specialist for the School and Business Alliance at Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES and has been a member of the foundation board of directors for a number of years. He has chaired the FSLH Foundation Golf
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2012
Staff at Melrose Supermarket in Frankfort includes, from left, Mary Chard, Jim Romeo, and Patty Easton. They are sharing “Recipe of the Month” ingredients as part of the “Creating Healthy Places to Live Work and Play” through Herkimer County HealthNet working with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Herkimer County. The goal of this effort is to enhance the variety and visibility of vegetables offered to help families choose, prepare, and enjoy healthier meals.
Vegetable promotion at Herkimer County stores new project promoting increased vegetable consumption in Herkimer County is under way as part of “Creating Healthy Places to Live Work and Play” through Herkimer County HealthNet working with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Herkimer County. The goal of this effort is to enhance the variety and visibility of vegetables offered to help families choose, prepare, and enjoy healthier meals. Melrose Supermarket in Frankfort, The Country Store in Salisbury Center, Haver’s Nice-n-Easy in Poland, and Dolgeville Big M are participating in this pilot project. Customers were sur-
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veyed in each of the stores to determine fresh fruit and vegetable purchasing interest including healthy grab-and-go items. Survey questions were tailored to each individual store. Over 200 store customers participated in the survey at the four locations providing valuable insight to help increase access to and promote fresh fruits and vegetables. For more information about Herkimer County HealthNet, LIKE it on Facebook by linking to www.facebook. com/CreatingHealthyPlacesInHerkimerCounty, follow it on Twitter @hchealthnet, check out its website www.herkimerhealthnet.com, or call 315-867-1499.
Open Committee, and volunteered at the Stomp Out Cancer Telethon and the CMN Hospitals Telethon. • Harrison Hummel IV has been named treasurer. Hummel is the chief operating officer at Hummel’s Office Plus. He joined the foundation board of directors in 2005, and is involved with FSLH’s annual wine tasting and auction, Stomp Out Cancer Telethon and the business partnership program.
FSLH makes staff announcement Mini Malhotra has been named vice president of strategic integration at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica. In this position, Malhotra administratively oversees and provides leadership, strategic direction, business development, growth and vision
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H ealth News Continued from Page 16 for rehabilitation services, St. Luke’s Home, adult day health care and home care services including Visiting Nurse Association, Senior Network Health and Mohawk Valley Home Care. Malhotra’s previous position with FSLH was as program director/ administrator for rehabilitation services. Malhotra Prior to joining FSLH, Malhotra was director of occupational therapy services at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pennsylvania and has extensive management, leadership and clinical background in comprehensive integrated inpatient rehabilitation services, skilled nursing facilities, sub-acute, medical/surgical rehabilitation, acute care, outpatient and home care occupational therapy services. Malhotra received her Master of Business Administration from Katz Graduate School of Business and her Master of Health Administration from the Graduate School of Health Administration, both at the University of Pittsburgh.
RMH has new prenatal care manager Dwynn Golden is the new manager of Rome Memorial Hospital’s Prenatal Care Services Clinic, located downtown at 155 W. Dominick St. The program offers complete pregnancy care and other health services to women who meet certain income guidelines and who Golden live in Oneida and Madison counties. A nurse practitioner and certified nurse midwife, Golden has delivered many babies and knows well the importance of good prenatal care for the health and well-being of both the mother and her unborn child. “Having a baby isn’t just physical; it also has psychological and even social aspects,” Golden said. For more information about eligibility or to schedule an appointment, call 338-7057.
RMH provides help for lymphedema sufferers Lymphedema services will be available at Rome Memorial Hospital beginning July 2, announced therapy director Manon Gouse
“We are pleased to be able to expand our services to meet the needs of the community,” Gouse said. “In our area, patients are waiting in excess of two to three months for lymphedema services.” “The lymphedema program complements the hospital’s Jock services offered through the breast center,” she added. Lymphedema is often a complication of breast cancer as well as diabetes, venus insufficiency, and other diseases or injury. RMH’s full-time therapist is Megan Jock, doctor of physical therapy and certified lymphedema therapist. RMH’s lymphedema therapy program is located in the therapy department on the lower level of the hospital with easy access from the Bartlett Wing entrance. Treatment sessions are typically 60-90 minutes, weekdays for four to five weeks. For more information, call 3387154.
RMH names new ED nurse manager Rome Memorial Hospital Registered Nurse Kelly West has been appointed as the new nurse manager of the hospital’s emergency department. “Kelly’s appointment was based upon her excellent communication and leadership skills, clinical expertise and desire to improve and advance the development of the emergency department patient care staff,” said emergency department director Loretta Myers. “I am very excited about my new posiWest tion,” West said. “I knew going into school that I wanted to do something that would make a difference in my community. That’s why I went into nursing and why I came to work at Rome Memorial Hospital.” West began working at Rome Memorial Hospital in 2007, just after graduating from the Mohawk Valley Community College nursing program. She participated in the hospital’s RN Bridge Program, which provided extended training to new nursing graduates and one-on-one support from veteran nurses. West is in charge of the daily flow of the emergency department, handling staffing and serving as an advocate and problem solver for staff issues. West and her husband, Michael, re-
St. E’s Medical Center honors volunteers
St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica has named Peggy Goldstein of New Hartford volunteer of the year. Mary Margaret Napoli of Utica has received the St. Elizabeth Guild’s Eleanor Nelson Award, named for an active, former guild member who passed away many years ago. Pictured from left are Peggy Goldstein; Grace DeFazio Bouse, director of volunteers; and Mary Margaret Napoli. The two top volunteers were announced at the medical center’s annual volunteer breakfast recently, where special recognition pins were awarded to 48 people who have each logged from 100 to 38,000 hours of volunteer service. Those 48 volunteers have volunteered a cumulative total of 159,200 hours. Sandra Fentiman, manager of marketing and public relations, was the guest speaker. side in McConnellsville with their three sons, Gage, Dakota and Ryeland.
Excellus BCBS announces board appointments Excellus BlueCross BlueShield announces the appointments of Marianne Gaige, Ronald Cuccaro and Judy Sweet to the Utica regional advisory board. Gaige is president and CEO of Cathedral Corporation. The comGaige pany employs 175 people and is headquartered in a 60,000-square-foot facility at Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome. Cuccaro is president and CEO of Adjusters International, one of the nation’s premier disaster recovery consulting organizations. He is also the publisher of “Adjusting Today” and “Disaster Recovery Today”—technical periodicals distributed to over 50,000 property insurance claim and FEMA grant professionals. Sweet is a partner and CFO of Strategic Investment Advisors. She is a chartered financial analyst charter holder and received her Bachelor of Arts in economics from Bucknell July 2012 •
University.
Hospice staff earns national certification Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., a community-based, nonprofit hospice provider serving Oneida, Herkimer, and Eastern Madison counties since 1977, recently announced nationally certified staff from the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses. Currently, Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. clinicians and administrators hold advanced hospice certification for their respective discipline. Ann Tonzi, chief executive officer, has received her certified hospice and palliative care administrator certification. Tonzi has also been appointed to the national board’s exam writing committee. Receiving their certified hospice and palliative nurse certification are Donna Ramsey, clinical supervisor; Joyce McKevitt, admissions nurse; Jane Nieman, primary nurse. Receiving their hospice and palliative care licensed nurse certification are Irene Kurtelawcz and Renée Miranda. Georgia Harney, hospice aide, has received her hospice and palliative nursing assistant certification. Since 1977, Hospice & Palliative Care has provided comfort and care for seriously ill patient and their families. Hospice also provides bereavement
Continued on Page 18
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H ealth News Continued from Page 17 and grief support to patient, families, and their caregivers. For more information, call 315-735-6484 or visit www. hospicecareinc.org.
New doctor on the scene at SDMG Ivan Antonevich will be joining Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford in the specialty of physical medicine and rehabilitation/pain management. Antonevich completed his pain medicine fellowship at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital. He is a graduate of the physical medicine and rehabilitation residency program at New York Medical College at Saint Vincent’s Medical Center in New York City. Antonevich completed a general surgery internship at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City and earned his medical degree from Donetsk State Medical University in Ukraine. He is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation as well as pain management. Prior to joining Slocum–Dickson, Antonevich was the clinical director of a multidisciplinary pain center in Florida.
Pulmonary, sleep medicine specialist joins SDMG Tatyana Antonevich will be joining Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford in the specialty of pulmonary and sleep medicine. Antonevich is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine, and sleep medicine. She provides treatment for pulmonary conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis, emphysema), asthma, interstitial lung disease, diagnosis and screening for lung cancer, as well as sleep disorders including excessive daytime sleepiness, snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Antonevich completed her sleep medicine fellowship at Seton Hall University School of Graduate Medical Education, Center for Sleep Disorders Treatment Research and Education, JFK Medical Center in Edison, N.J. She completed her pulmonary medicine fellowship and internal medicine residency program at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Cabrini Medical Center in New York City. Antonevich earned her medical degree from Donetsk State Medical University in Ukraine. She has over nine years of experience in pulmonary and sleep medicine.
Mac-Clark Restaurants support Sitrin’s program
Mac-Clark Restaurants are supporting the Sitrin Health Care Center’s new military rehabilitation program with a promotion that end July 4. For a donation of $1, patrons can place their name on a commemorative, patriotic-inspired pin up that will be Page 18
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prominently displayed in all 16 McDonald’s Restaurants owned by Harold (Tom) Clark, president and owner/operator of Mac-Clark Restaurants. Sitrin recently implemented a new military rehabilitation program for injured service members and veterans. Sitrin also plans to build a lodge/medical treatment center at Camp Sitrin, which will house specialized programs to help wounded warriors recover from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, traumatic amputation, depression, substance abuse, and other combat-related trauma, as well as provide services for their families. Year-round adaptive sports opportunities will also be available to help the healing process. The pin ups will be available at the following McDonald’s Restaurants: • 37 Meadow St., Clinton; 8522 Seneca Turnpike, New Hartford; 3918 Oneida St., Washington Mills; 500 Oriskany Boulevard, Yorkville; 1134 Mohawk St., Utica; 171 N. Genesee St., Utica; 2300 Town & Country Plaza, Utica; 401 W. Erie Boulevard, Rome; 103 N. Caroline St., Herkimer; 30 E. Clark St., Ilion; 274 Genesee St., Oneida; North Peterboro Street, Route 13, Canastota; 1707 Black River Boulevard, Rome; Walmart, 710 Horatio St., Utica; 1700 Genesee St., Utica; 3207 Erie Blvd., East Syracuse
Next stop for duo: National Guard The dietary department at St. Johnsville Rehab & Nursing Center recently held a celebration for two of their employees, Keith Ferguson and Corey Scofield. Both employees have left the department to enter basic training for the National Guard. Ferguson has been working in dietary for nearly four years. Scofield has worked in dietary for a year. At the surprise celebration, close family members, all dietary staff, and other departments and residents were invited and were present. “Both of these young men will be greatly missed, not only by staff, but the residents as well,” a spokesperson said.
Abraham House offers volunteer training class
Judy Galimo of Utica has recently joined the board of directors of Abraham House in Utica. Galimo is CFO of L.B. Security & Investigations, Inc., a local family owned security guard Galimo agency. Galimo’s experience serving on numerous committees and community involvement will be an asset to Abraham House, a spokesperson said.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2012
From left, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare employees Cristina Pedulla, Sister Maureen Denn, Ginny Marris and Delores Wojcik pour coffee for 600 cancer survivors at the 25th annual National Cancer Survivors Day breakfast.
FSLH observes National Cancer Survivors Day with breakfast
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ancer survivors from the Mohawk Valley as well as their family and friends gathered with employees, medical staff and volunteers from Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Regional Cancer Center in Utica recently at the 25th annual National Cancer Survivors Day breakfast. More than 600 people were in attendance. The breakfast is sponsored annually by FSLH at Harts Hill Inn in Whitesboro. This day provides an opportunity for all people living with a history of cancer—including America’s 12 million cancer survivors—to connect with each other, celebrate milestones and recognize the healthcare providers, family and friends who have supported them along the way. “Our employees look forward to
the survivors day breakfast all year long because it is a chance for us to see our past patients and see how well they are doing,” said Carrie Pulaski, cancer center executive director. “Cancer touches everyone and these patients have touched our lives in so many ways. We love getting together with them every year to celebrate their personal triumphs over cancer.” National Cancer Survivors Day is the world’s largest and fastest-growing annual cancer survivor event that celebrates advances made in cancer research and treatment, recognizing those who are dedicated to caring for cancer patients. Cancer survivors are honored for their strength and courage, and the contributions of their families, friends and healthcare providers are recognized.
Abraham House provides a secure and loving home without charge to the terminally ill in the community. For more information about Abraham House, call 733-8210.
Neverusky most recently served as director of nursing for the Loretto Center. In speaking of her hopes for St. Joseph Nursing Home, Neverusky said, “I hope to improve the organization of care so that the staff can deliver greater Neverusky quality of care more efficiently.” She lives in her Herkimer with her husband, George, and has four children and one grandchild.
St. Joseph Nursing Home has new director of nursing
Carolyn Neverusky is the new director of nursing for St. Joseph Nursing Home in Utica. Neverusky received her RN diploma from Albany Medical School and she graduated cum laude with her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Utica College. She is also nationally certified in infection control, is an instructor in CPR, and has served as adjunct faculty at MVCC.
The Ragin’ Cajun
By Malissa Allen
Taking aim at Domino’s ‘gluten-free’ pizza A closer look reveals a whole different story
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here is no doubt that the food industry is jam packed with competitors spending billions of dollars hoping to be the one that finds that perfect product everyone will want. Doesn’t take long to ride through any town and see the main fast food chains going toe to toe with food offers they feel are top notch, and will bring people in by the dozens. One of the things that I found shocking here in Rome is the number of pizza places here. Back home in Louisiana, yes we have pizza places, but not on every corner. I realized real quick that pizza is a necessity with folks in New York. The thing to figure out is which one to order from? Each one advertises it has “the best pizza in town.” In my family, it’s pretty simple; none of these are an option. I have to make homemade pizza, spend $15 for a very small, very dull, store-bought one, or drive out of town to spend $10 on a single-serve pizza. The reason why? My son cannot have gluten. Gluten is the protein found in wheat that gives breads and baked goods their texture. Remove that and well, it becomes very tricky. Not impossible, but tricky. There are different reasons why people cannot eat gluten, the biggest being that they suffer from celiac disease. I have friends that are so allergic to gluten that the dust from flour can send them to the E.R. in so much pain they have to be sedated.
Bane of autism
My son isn’t celiac, he is autistic. It has been proven that a lot of children on the autism spectrum have underlying gastro issues; certain foods cause a horrible negative reaction. Two of the biggest demons are gluten and casein. Gluten is in wheat while casein is in dairy. When Joseph was first diagnosed with autism, once I decided to crawl out of my “pity shell”, I began searching for ways to help him have a better quality of life. With every hit on the Internet, the gluten free-casein free diet seemed to be popping up everywhere. Of course, like most people, I too thought this is ridiculous. Here I have a son who cannot speak, play with other children or do the things other 4-year-olds are doing. If I take away everything he enjoys eating, he is going to become a different child. Seriously? Well, let’s just say I am humbled enough to admit my arrogance was put to the test and failed horribly. Not only did removing gluten and casein for his diet change him, it changed him so dramatically that people, including myself, were stunned at the boy that emerged. But we will talk about all that in a different story; today it’s all about the food. Not just any food, but people’s favorite, pizza.
Domino’s weighs in
One pizza place, a well-known national chain, decided to jump on board with the other ridiculously overpriced gluten-free foods: Domino’s Pizza. This pizza savior has “created” the perfect, “gluten-free pizza”. For all the gazillion people out there that must have gluten-free, the wait is over. Now you can order the entire family pizza and little Johnny even gets a “gluten-free” pizza like everyone else, delivered right to his door. Well, almost. Here is where it becomes tricky. When advertising began, so did the questions. Seems “gluten free” means, “ALMOST” gluten free. This is the report that found its way onto CNN news: “Domino’s’ Pizza is creating a buzz about gluten-free pizza crust it is now offering. However, some critics say if you’re allergic to gluten, you can’t go anywhere near it. Suzanne Simpson, a nutritionist, has celiac disease, which means she cannot eat gluten. If she does, it causes gastrointestinal pain, rashes, headaches and joint pain. She says the Allen problem with Domino’s is that the gluten-free pizza crust is made right next to the regular piecrust and there is a risk of cross-contamination. If you order gluten-free online from Domino’s, a warning pops up telling you that if you have celiac disease, don’t eat the gluten-free crust. The company also issued a statement saying that “ ... while the crust is certified as gluten free, current store operations at Domino’s cannot guarantee that each handcrafted pizza will be completely free from gluten. The pizza is intended for people who have mild gluten intolerance, not those who have celiac disease.”
Why bother?
OK, so here is where I have a problem. Being a parent of a child that cannot have gluten, and a student studying to become a gluten-free chef, my question is, why bother? Calling this
gluten free is like me saying I have the skills of a heart surgeon because I own a very good set of knives and a needle and some thread. My curiosity got the best of me, so I did what any good parent and chef would do, I called them. Yep, dialed the number on their website and actually was able to speak to a live person. As I began the conversation praising them for now giving my son the same privileges as every other pizza-loving American, I wanted to ask a few “simple” questions. So I began with “Are all your employees trained on how to prevent cross contamination?” Her answer, “Mmm, I am really not sure what you mean by “cross contamination.” OK, this I must admit stunned me. So I decided to give this lady the benefit of the doubt because maybe knowing this requires a few semesters in culinary arts, so I offered her a little assistance by saying, “What I mean ma’am is, are your employees trained to make the ‘gluten-free’ pizza in its own area that is guaranteed NOT to have had ANY traces of gluten?” Her answer, “We cannot guarantee that, no.” OK, that was not the answer I was looking for. Nervously, I pushed forward. “Well, are they trained to use color-coded equipment that tells what products are to be used with each color? For instance, red handles and cutting boards are for meat products, green for veggies, and perhaps blue, for gluten free ONLY, and surely you are cooking the gluten-free pizzas in their own separate ovens, correct? And, the employees are wearing gloves that can be replaced after touching products that contain gluten.” Surely I was safe to assume this. The long silent pause here told me the answer before this lady even answered. But still I waited anxiously for her response, and then, she spoke.
Autism seminar slated at Vernon Downs
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adison Cortland ARC, The Arc Oneida-Lewis Chapter and Herkimer ARC are hosting the fourth annual autism seminar Sept. 24 at Vernon Downs, 4229 Stuhlman Road, Vernon Downs. The conference begins at 8:30 a.m. The cost for admission is $50 for family members, $80 for NYSARC staff, and $130 for teachers and profession-
als.
For reservations, call Carolyn Roy at 315-574-7780. The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter, NYSARC is a nonprofit human services agency which provides advocacy and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Oneida and Lewis counties. July 2012 •
Concession made
And, I quote, “As much as I would love to tell you that yes, Domino’s employees are well trained and we guarantee our product to be 100 percent gluten free, I am unable to do so. The purpose behind offering the ‘gluten-free’ pizza was never meant for those with ‘serious’ gluten issues, but for those with only mild allergies.” “We here at Domino’s thank you for your interest in our products and we hope to continue being your #1 choice for your family. We would like to send you some coupons for $5 off your next purchase when ordering a large ‘gluten-free’ pizza. Would you be interested in this offer?” OK, did she REALLY just offer me a coupon for a pizza that if I allowed my son to eat it, I’d spend the next week holding a bucket for him to throw up in, cleaning him from the diarrhea he would have, and begging my doctor for Valium in order to tolerate the behavior of an 8-year-old who acts like aliens had replaced him with a more hyper, screaming, throwing, punching kid that I didn’t recognize? Yes, she did. My response to her was not what you’re thinking. I didn’t use one curse word. No, I did not accept the coupon, but as a mother and a gluten-free chef, I did feel anger. I did not say what I was hoping to say, but I did respond.
Who they foolin’?
“Ma’am, are you aware that there are people out in this world that if they ate your ‘gluten-free’ pizza, they could become very ill, some even in the hospital and yes, there are people that have a bad enough reaction that they could actually die from eating your pizza?” I asked. “I am appalled that your company would advertise that you are indeed offering a ‘gluten-free’ pizza, at twice the cost of your regular pizza, and it really being no different at all. I am sure that I speak for all the mothers who have children with gluten issues and the ones with celiac when I ask you, why bother”? “By the time you pay out for all the lawsuits you are going to have, you could have paid for that employee training, and the colored-coded equipment, and probably several separate ovens, because truth is, your pizza is as gluten free as Pizza Huts, or Tony’s or any of the other 50 pizza joints around.” So, on this note, I will advise anyone who has any type of gluten intolerance to stay away from Domino’s “gluten-free” products. You will be better off making your own crust and letting your kids pile up in the kitchen to add the cheese and their favorite toppings. I will continue to play gluten detective and happily report the good, the bad and even the ugly to you all in the gluten-free world. Until next time, happy gluten-free eating from Chef Malissa’s kitchen, where it is ALWAYS
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Beating back demons Local man describes his struggles from addiction to sobriety By Barbara Pierce
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atrick McGraw discovered alcohol when he was 13. It quickly became a means for him to escape life. By the time he graduated from grade school, he knew he had a problem with alcohol. Using alcohol to escape became his life. “Alcohol and I were best friends,” he said. Despite several accidents that should have killed him, and one that nearly killed his young son, the Utica resident continued to abuse alcohol. During periods of sobriety, he earned a degree as a registered nurse. He is married and has two sons. “I was in a state of personal and financial ruin,” he said. “I was powerless, and my life was unmanageable. I knew I had to do something before I lost my whole world.” With the help of his wife, he was admitted to Tully Hill Treatment Center, a rehab center in Tully. For 21 days in 2006, McGraw was a patient there. “A Healing Journal,” the inspiration book that describes McGraw’s path to recovery and spiritual peace, has just been published. It is a collection of poetry that he wrote as he went through recovery. In his 21 days at Tully Hill, which he describes as a humbling experience, he learned about the disease of alcoholism, learned about himself, how to cope without alcohol, and how to achieve and sustain his sobriety. “One of the projects in the program was to write something about how alcohol harmed someone we know. I began writing ‘Dear Daddy,’ about my dad.” Though McGraw had not written before this, he found a strong voice through writing this letter to his dad. He continued writing as he went through the program.
Process of healing
Through the powerful images of “A Healing Journal,” the reader goes through the process of healing with McGraw. From his decision to go into treatment: “A feeling of hopelessness came over me with my last drink. I was tired of being sick and tired; I could not think. My outlook on life looked so dim. I was lost, tired, hopeless. Black clouds gathered over my head.” Then, as he makes a commitment
to sobriety: “Most addicts don’t make it out alive … Continue using, you may never grow old … This has been an awful affliction … This asking for help is a new direction.” As he makes progress: “Ongoing recovery is a long road toward continued healing. Make it one day at a time, this is all you can ask. Keep it as important as it was to fill up that flask.” And as he finds peace: “A new beginning, gentle, clean, the crisp air blows … A new warm feeling of peace to my heart … Thank you for my second chance, to see the world as it was
meant to be seen.” The 47-year-old McGraw, who is employed as an RN at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica, held a book signing for his book recently. He donated 100 percent of the proceeds to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital FSLH. “I’m not trying to make a profit,” said McGraw. “I’m trying to get the word out there. I give the book away to people it might help. I wrote this book for myself, and I use it every day. It’s helped me and many of my friends stay focused.”
People have responded very well to “A Healing Journal,” added McGraw. “People say they cry as they read it, as they can identify with so much.” The book has helped those struggling with many different problems. McGraw is especially appreciative to his wife Sue McGraw for her support, for staying by his side all these years. And he is appreciative that FSLH held his job for him. For information on “A Healing Journal,” go to www.Friesenpress. com/bookstore and search for “A Healing Journal.”
Smoking rate down among kids, young adults
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new report shows that while a significant segment of minors and young adults are still current smokers, there was a decrease in the rate of cigarette use among these populations between 2004 and 2010 (the year with the latest available data). The report, based on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), shows that the rate of current cigarette use (having smoked at least once in the past month) among adolescents decreased from 11.9 Page 20
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percent in 2004 to 8.3 percent in 2010. Similarly, the level of current cigarette users among young adults decreased from 39.5 percent in 2004 to 34.2 percent in 2010. “Although some progress has been made in curbing youth smoking, the fact remains that one in 12 adolescents currently smoke and one in three young adults smoke — which means that far too many young people are still endangering their lives,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. “As the recently released Surgeon General’s Report
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2012
on Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults notes, smoking is the nation’s leading cause of preventable death and we must take every opportunity to prevent kids and young adults of today from becoming the hooked, ailing adult smokers of tomorrow.” The NSDUH report revealed that the percentage of daily smokers among adolescents declined from 3.3 percent in 2004 to 1.9 percent in 2010. The percentage of young adults who smoked daily also declined from 20.4 percent in 2004 to 15.8 percent in 2010.
Among these daily young adult smokers, the percentage who smoked 26 or more cigarettes per day (about one and a half packs or more) decreased from 6 percent to 3.4 percent over this time period. Additionally the percentage of young adult daily smokers using 5 or less cigarettes per day rose from 24.4 percent in 2004 to 28.6 percent in 2010. SAMHSA works to prevent illegal tobacco sales to underage youth and subsequent use through the Synar Amendment program -- a federal and state partnership.