In Good Health

in good Avoid winter sports injuries See Page 14

Mohawk Valley man deals with diabetes Story, Page 6

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Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

January 2013 • Issue 83

Deflating obesity High incidence of obesity in Mohawk Valley kids. See Page 5

Da Vinci Robotic surgery takes great strides at Oneida Healthcare See Page 11

Women’s Health RMH has new ED director Story, Page 4

• What does it take to age gracefully?

See Page 9

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• Unleash the warrior in your mate See Page 8 January 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 1

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GriefShare is a faith-based support group.

For more information, contact Andrea, program coordinator, at 315-7356210, andrea@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit www.thegoodnewscenter.org.

Jan. 8-June 18

Video series explores Bible The series will be presented from 10 a.m. to noon or from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesdays from Jan. 8-June 18 at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

Jeff Cavins, renowned Bible teacher and evangelist, will teach the Bible timeline through a 24-part video series.

A $30 registration fee includes workbook, Bible timeline chart, memory-bead wristband and color-coded bookmark.

A $20 registration fee will be assessed to former study participants with original student pack.

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Jan. 9

RMH offers smoking cessation program If your New Year’s resolution is to stop smoking, Rome Memorial Hospital is here to help.

The next four-week smoking cessation class starts Jan. 9 in the hospital’s conference room. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Call Rome Memorial Hospital’s Education Department at 338-7143 by Jan. 4 to register.

The class is open to adults 18 and older. A $10 registration fee is due at the first session.

Participants meet at 6:30 p.m. each Wednesday, Jan. 9, 16, 23 and 30, in Rome Memorial Hospital’s conference room.

Participants should plan to attend all four sessions for best results.

It would be advantageous to call Quitline at 1-866-NY-QUITS before attending the first class to receive the free “start kit” of nicotine replacement patches.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about smoking cessation can call the hospital’s education department at 338-7143 or contact the New York State Smokers’ Quit site at 866-NY-QUITS (866-697-8487) or www. nysmokefree.gov.

Other information may be obtained by visiting www.smokefree.gov.

Continued on Page 12

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

Healthcare titans affiliate St. E’s, Faxton St. Luke’s on brink of forming historic allegiance

By Patricia J. Malin

CEO of the new parent corporation if the transition occurs.

W

hether or not St. Elizabeth Medical Center and Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica proceed with a formal consolidation in 2013, patients in the Mohawk Valley will see no visible changes or impacts for at least another year.

“We won’t be closing any campuses,” emphasized Richard Ketcham, president and CEO of St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

“This is about how we can operate more efficiently.

Both Faxton St. Luke’s and St. Elizabeth are sticking to their missions of Ketcham taking care of the health care needs of people in the community. This will be for the long-term.”

Back in December 2011, the boards of directors of both FSLH and SEMC began looking at the feasibility of an agreement that would link the hospitals, improve their financial stability, increase efficiency and end duplication of services.

Then recently, the boards held a joint press conference and said they have reached a memorandum of understanding to proceed with a formal affiliation, which could become finalized in October.

Spokespersons for both hospitals said this is not a merger since they will not combine assets. If they consolidate, the hospitals will retain their names and missions—a vital issue especially SEMC—and their foundations. Under consolidation, they will operate under a new parent corporation with one CEO and one board of directors, but become subsidiaries. They can then share staff, services, supplies, plus financial liabilities and any surpluses.

Both hospitals are nonprofit organizations, and SEMC will remain faithful to its Catholic mission and FSLH will continue to be secular. The consolidation is contingent on third-party approvals, including from the New York State Department of Health. The boards of directors are seeking approv-

The man in charge

From left, Gregory McLean, vice chair of the Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare board, and Scott Perra, president-CEO of FSLH, talk about the impending affiliation with St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica. al, too, from the Sisters of St. Francis, who have operated SEMC under the auspices of the Syracuse Diocese since the hospital was founded in 1866.

Sisters express support

“To date, the Sisters of St. Francis have been fully involved in our discussions and endorse the MOU and the opportunity to explore an affiliation,” said Ketcham. Hospital officials have also discussed their plans with Bishop Robert J. Cunningham of the Syracuse Diocese.

“We don’t do abortions and neither does Faxton St. Luke’s,” Ketcham added in a separate interview. “But they can do tubal ligation, which is something we don’t do. There are certain things we will continue and they will continue to do. Even if we consolidate, the state mandates that there will not be a reduction in the reproductive rights of women.”

The rising cost of providing healthcare is the key to their interest in consolidation. Ketcham noted it would give the hospitals more leverage with health insurance companies, such as Excellus and MWP. He pointed out that Medicare provides 60 percent of SEMC’s revenue.

“Medicaid is another 16 to 18 percent

and we can’t negotiate with them.

They pay us on a fixed schedule,” he said.

Looking at each hospital’s budget, Ketcham said consolidation is an opportunity to save as much as 5 to 10 percent. “It’s not just about what services to cut, but to add; how we can grow,” he said. “I hope the patients view this as a positive if we can provide new services and improve quality. We also did a survey among our doctors and 70 percent found it positive. Many of them practice at both hospitals and they think it will be great if they can use the same computer systems and electronic records. We have millions of dollars invested in computer equipment at two hospitals.

“Much of the change will come in back-office operations. Possibly the greatest benefit of consolidation is if we standardize buying supplies, such a stents used in cardiac surgery. We can make one call to one vendor. We spend $50 million on supplies and if we can save 10 percent, that’s a real opportunity.”

Scott Perra, 55, the president-CEO of Faxton St. Luke’s, will become the

Our FOCUS is to provide a higher quality of life

ONEIDA, HERKIMER, MADISON AND OTSEGO COUNTIES in good A monthly newspaper published by

Health MV’s Healthcare Newspaper

Local News, Inc. Distribution: 20,000 copies. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 315-749-7070.

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2013 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, Amylynn Pastorella, Mary Stevenson, Deb Dittner Advertising: Jennifer Wise Layout & Design: Chris Crocker Office Manager: Laura Beckwith

No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider.

The new chairperson of the combined board will come from SEMC. In the meantime, Ketcham, 58, will remain in charge at St. Elizabeth. He said he plans to retire if and when the final transition is approved by all parties.

There are no guarantees the consolidation will take place, despite the guidelines in place for moving forward. In the first quarter of 2013, both boards will undertake a thorough review of each other’s financial and legal records.

According to the timetable, by the second quarter of 2013, each board will be ready to give thumbs up or thumbs down. Third-party approvals will be expected during the third quarter. The activation of the affiliation could occur in the fourth quarter.

SEMC and FSLH have successfully collaborated in other areas. Ketcham said one should consider the Mohawk Valley Heart Institute at SEMC, which is jointly owned by the two hospitals.

They also coordinate the Central New York Diabetes Education Program at the Faxton campus.

The heart institute was started 15 years ago. “We got together and made it happen,” said Ketcham.

Through a similar effort, the consolidation of the two hospitals will be “for the greater good of the community,” he continued. “Just like local police departments or school districts, somebody has to take the lead in consolidation. For us, the rate of increasing healthcare costs is not sustainable.”

The two organizations employ nearly 4,500 employees and have combined operating budgets of more than $542 million. FSLH is slightly larger than SEMC in its operating budget, but St. Elizabeth has more medical staff and offers more affiliated services and stand-alone facilities. While FSLH provides both acute care and long-term care, the medical center has no longterm care beds.

New York state and the federal government are providing incentives for hospitals to consolidate through grants known as HEAL (Phase 20 of the Health Care Efficiency and Affordability Law of New York State and the Federal-State Reform Partnership).

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 3

Miracles do happen Woman wins home makeover

C

athy Jubis of Sauquoit found out recently she has 100,000 more reasons to celebrate this holiday season.

She became the 16th winner of the Children’s Miracle Network $100,000 Miracle Home Makeover.

The project that benefits womens’ and children’s services at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica has raised more than $3.125 million over the past 16 years. All 4,000 tickets were sold.

Jubis had been purchasing Miracle Home tickets for the past five years with more of an Jubis intent to donate to a worthy cause than believing she would win the $100,000. “I bought the tickets year after year because I was donating to an excellent charity and I knew my money would stay in our area,” Jubis said. “I loved knowing that my money actually helps make a difference in the lives of the miracle children in our community.”

Jubis was caught off guard when her name was read as the winner.

“You never think it’s going to be your name that is called,” said Jubis.

“Every year the winners were names I was unfamiliar with. I never believed that one day it would be my name to be called out.”

Jubis has been looking forward to redoing her family’s kitchen and will use a portion of the winnings to do just that. The rest will go into a college fund for her children. “I am thankful that my family now has an excellent start to our children’s college fund,” she noted.

Partners of the $100,000 home makeover include WKTV NewsChannel 2, Lite 98.7FM, Quadsimia, The Observer-Dispatch, Lewis Custom Homes, and Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Mohawk Valley.

“We are so thankful to these businesses for their amazing generosity,” said Eileen Pronobis, CFRE, executive director of the FSLH Foundation. “They are all important to the project’s success. Each year more than 85 local businesses donate their time, products and services to make miracles happen for the children in our community and for one lucky winner.

Their support makes a difference in the lives of so many of the families we care for at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare.”

For more information, call the foundation at 315-624-5600 or online at www.faxtonstlukes.com/foundation.

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Meet

Your Doctor

By Lou Sorendo

Dr. Andrew Bushnell Andrew Bushnell has been named the new medical director of the emergency department at Rome Memorial Hospital. He is responsible for overseeing the operation of the department and will handle physician coverage and staffing. He recently spoke with In Good Health Associate Editor Lou Sorendo about his career.

Q.: Is this a new position at Rome Memorial Hospital or is the emergency department moving in a new direction now?

A.: Just over one year ago, Rome Memorial Hospital started a partnership with TeamHealth, a national organization that focuses on managing and staffing emergency departments to deliver high-quality efficient care. Although the position of emergency department director is not a new title, I am the first full-time director in this position since the partnership between TeamHealth and Rome Memorial. I firmly believe the emergency department will continue to deliver high-quality healthcare while providing a patient-friendly environment. Our goal is to provide the highest level of customer service.

Q.: Why did you decide to practice in the Mohawk Valley when you could have remained in Vermont or Baltimore?

A.: Central New York is a hidden treasure. There are so many opportunities here from great school systems, cultural opportunities in the towns and cities in the area, to the ease of accessing the outdoors either on the water or on land. Additionally, I have had a certain fondness for the area since I completed an emergency medicine residency at SUNY Upstate in 1997.

Q.: What prompted you to get into medicine originally?

A.: I always enjoyed a challenging academic course load. While an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins University, I realized that my favorite subjects were in the biological sciences. Although these studies were the focus of my interest, my other joys came from interacting with people. Medicine was a simple concluding step that combined the challenges of an ever-changing scientific field combined with the privilege of being able to communicate with and positively impact many people’s lives.

Q.: Why do you prefer emergency care rather than going into private practice?

A.: Medical school offers every student the same vast number of career choices that range from such intensive specialties as neurosurgery and cardiothoracic surgery to those primary care office-based practices that we all know well such as family practice and pediatrics. Near the end of a student’s time in medical school, we choose the type of medicine or surgery we want to practice.

Then the student applies to that type of residency program. Residency is specialty training after medical school

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

that can last from one to eight years in the particular type of medicine or surgery that the physician would want to spend the rest of his or her life doing.

I chose emergency medicine and

was granted the privilege of completing that residency here in Central New York. Emergency medicine was the perfect career choice for me. It combined the high-intensity environment that I love with the ability to interact with many people. It is an environment where I can make a real difference in the lives of my patients every shift I work and every time I step into the emergency department.

Q.: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

A.: Emergency medicine is both challenging and rewarding continually. One of the hardest things that an emergency physician must do is to deliver bad news to a patient or the loved ones of a recently deceased patient.

These situations require the greatest amount of compassion and understanding. They frequently take an emotional toll on the physician

Continued on Page 16

Lifelines Age: 44 Birthplace: Trenton, N.J. Residence: Manlius Education: Graduate of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md. (1990); University of Maryland School of Medicine (1994); residency at SUNY Upstate University Hospital, Syracuse (1997) Board certification: Emergency medicine Employment: Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, N.Y., July 1997-August 1998; assistant professor, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, attending physician, emergency department, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, Md., August 1998-November 2002; attending physician, division of emergency medicine, department of surgery at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vt., associate professor for the department of surgery, division of emergency medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine, November 2002-November 2012

Cover Story

Getting the skinny on obesity MV endocrinologists run tests to determine causes of obesity

By Patricia J. Malin

machine. Within a few minutes, the patient will receive a readout evaluating his or her metabolism, and compare calories burned versus calories consumed on that day.

“It’s an instrumental way to determine what the patients can do to lose weight,” said Perez-Cheron. “We can identify those who can’t lose weight.

We know that if we get rid of obesity, we can also treat its effects, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, back pain and other chronic conditions.”

Perez-Cheron has a personal interest in helping patients and learning whether their genetic or biological makeup contributes to obesity. Though she has always been physically fit, she had a family member who was just the opposite and required bariatric surgery.

In another move to help their patients stay active, MV Endocrinology will soon begin offering Zumba exercise classes at Our Lady of Lourdes School, across the street from its office.

A certified instructor, Laurie Hotaling, has been hired. The classes will be open to the public on Tuesday evenings. One does not have to be a patient to attend the classes.

N

ow that the holidays are over, the real Grinch is here: you know, the gloomy, dark days of winter descend, bringing a lethargy that makes it hard to drag yourself to the gym.

There’s a realization that those extra calories you packed on during those holiday parties won’t be coming off soon.

Let’s be honest-- there is a history behind those sticky calories. They didn’t arrive overnight, regardless of how much fruitcake and alcoholic drinks you consumed in December.

That extra tire around the middle has been hanging around longer than you want to admit.

Whether this is your first or your 50th New Year’s resolution, the outcome is always the same—those extra pounds won’t come off or won’t stay off.

Now is the time to evaluate your condition.

Among the many factors responsible for obesity are a lack of exercise, too many calories or large portions, a hormonal imbalance, diabetes or a thyroid disorder. You can’t find the cure until you find the cause.

“You could have a genetic predisposition to obesity,” explained Robert Cheron, founder of Mohawk Valley Endocrinology and fellow of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. “People are more aware of obesity today and the impact of sugar.

A thyroid problem or diabetes contributes to heart disease, kidney disease and damages your tissues.”

Mohawk Valley Endocrinology, 2305 Genesee St., Utica, has a clinic and on-site physicians, nurses and therapists who can diagnose and treat common diseases associated with the endocrine and thyroid systems, such as diabetes, pituitary gland disorders and adrenal diseases.

Obesity rampant in Utica

Cheron has been practicing 35 years, and is originally from Brooklyn.

He has made a surprising observation since coming to MV Endocrinology 10 years ago: “The amount of obesity is greater (in Utica),” he said. “There seems to be a genetic predisposition to obesity here.”

The 11-member staff at MV Endocrinology includes Cheron’s wife, Dr. Margarita Perez-Cheron, and two family nurse practitioners, Kelly Weaver and Helen Dolan.

Perez-Cheron also specializes in women’s health issues, such as osteoporosis and bone density, and is the only certified menopause practitioner in Central New York.

MV Endocrinology specializes in medical obesity management, offering body composition analysis and the measurement of resting metabolic rate.

Since he began his career, Cheron said doctors have developed a better understanding of the role of exercise in healthcare and seen a steady supply

of new drugs to treat obesity. Nevertheless, there is no single solution to reducing obesity.

“I tell my patients that while going to a fitness center is more focused, it can be used as an excuse,” he added.

“You might tell me that you can’t get to the fitness center or it’s too expensive.

It’s more important to change your lifestyle.”

That might mean going up and down the stairs at home everyday or several times a day, for example. It requires a commitment to change.

“Just last summer, the FDA approved three new drugs for weight loss,” said Perez-Cheron. “The medications are safe and they can be integrated into a good exercise plan.”

Medicine can’t work miracles on their own, but they can help certain

individuals who have pinpointed the source of their obesity and work with a professional to reduce weight gain.

Research shows that diseases associated with diabetes and obesity might also be related to a biochemical form of depression, because the hypothalamus region of the brain controls appetite, she said.

How is your metabolism?

That’s why MV Endocrinology recommends its patients begin with a test to determine their metabolic rate and measure their body mass index using a REE (resting energy expenditure) machine. The test takes 10 minutes.

The patient, who has fasted for a few hours, relaxes in a large, comfortable chair, and then is asked to breath into a plastic tube connected to the

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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.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 5

Men’s Health Dealing with diabetes Utican has game plan in approach to controlling illness

By Kristen Raab

M

ichael Velazquez of Utica looks like a typical 33-year-old man.

He is average height and weight, and he appears to be healthy.

What is not visible to the eye is that Velazquez has been living with type 2 diabetes for the last 11 years.

Diabetes is a chronic disease involving high levels of sugar in the blood. According to the National Institute of Health, there are more type 2 diabetics than type 1 diabetics. Statistics show that there are more than 20 million Americans who have diabetes. Further, the American Association of Diabetes reports there are 79 million people who have pre-diabetes.

Type I diabetes usually begins in childhood or adolescence. A misfiring autoimmune response within the body starts destroying the pancreatic cells that create insulin, the hormone that removes Velazquez glucose from the blood.

Sometimes called slow-onset diabetes, Type 2 generally appears over the course of several years. The body produces insulin, but cells don’t respond to it correctly.

Velazquez, a school bus driver who is originally from Lawrence, Mass., was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after feeling flu-like symptoms. As it turned it, the symptoms were not flu symptoms and Velazquez had come very close to death. “I was brought into the ER with a blood sugar level of 1,212 (micrograms per deciliter.)”

A normal sugar level is considered to be less than 100 mg/dL when fasting and less than 140 mg/dL two hours after eating. But in most healthy people, sugar levels are even lower.

While happy to be alive, Velazquez felt depressed about the diagnosis.

“Everything had to change just to keep living,” he said.

It was an adjustment. He offers this advice to others:

“Be vigilant with your meal and medication schedule,” he said. That doesn’t mean that Velazquez has completely given up eating his favorite foods. “As for my diet, I count my carbs. I try to keep them at a certain level for the day,” he noted. However, he admits to treating himself at times, and says, “If I want to cheat a little, I won’t eat as much on a previous meal to get that extra something sweet on the next.”

Symptoms of diabetes include blurry vision, excessive thirst, hunger, frequent urination, weight loss and fatigue. For Velazquez, the symptoms that accompany low blood sugar are the hardest to handle. “I get this shaking feeling that goes all the way to the core. At first it’s my hands that visibly shake. Then it goes internal. You can feel it deep in your chest,” he said.

Following these physical reactions, Velazquez says he breaks into a cold sweat that is “a little scary.”

Devastating consequences

However, what worries Velazquez most is the potential to lose vision or limbs. This is a legitimate fear as the long-term effects of diabetes can be serious.

Blindness is a possibility. In fact, the American Diabetes Association says that it is now the leading cause of new blindness among the 20-74 age group.

In addition, nerve damage may occur, which may result in pain, tingling or numbness. It is also possible that a limb will need amputation.

Medication is essential for Velazquez to manage his diabetes.

He takes 1,000-mg Metformin twice a day and 20-mg Glipizide once a day.

He also visits his doctor every three months to have a hemoglobin test done. Velazquez says people with diabetes must “keep a good line of communication” with their doctors.

From his own experience with the

disease, Velazquez has learned to properly take care of himself. He says this is important for all people with diabetes.

“Care for all your cuts and scrapes as you have no immune system left, especially in and around your feet.

We are prone to infection, and we take longer to heal,” he said.

The American Diabetes Association offers many tips and tools for diabetics. Eating healthy can be challenging, so the site offers a free tool called “My Food Advisor” that offers recipes and meal plans.

This tool can be found at www. diabetes.org.

It is important for everyone to find a balance of aerobic, strength training and flexibility exercises, and the site offers advice about getting the right amount of exercise.

Diabetes does not have to limit one’s happiness in life. There are plenty of delicious meal options and fitness is a part of any healthy lifestyle. With the help of a trusted physician, this disease can be managed, and in some cases, it can even be prevented.

Symptoms of Type II Diabetes

S

ome of the symptoms of type II diabetes include:

• High amounts of glucose in the urine, which leads to dehydration and causes increased thirst and water consumption • Weight loss despite an increase in appetite • Fatigue • Nausea • Vomiting • Bladder, skin, and vaginal infections • Blurred vision • Lethargy

Medical workers vulnerable to computer-related injuries

A

s U.S. health care goes high tech, spurred by $20 billion in federal stimulus incentives, the widespread adoption of electronic medical records and related digital technologies is predicted to reduce errors and lower costs, but it is also likely to significantly boost musculoskeletal injuries among doctors and nurses, concludes a Cornell University ergonomics professor in two new papers.

The repetitive strain injuries, he said, will stem from poor office layouts and improper use of computer devices.

“Many hospitals are investing heavily in new technology with almost no consideration for principles of ergonomics design for computer Page 6

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workplaces,” said Alan Hedge, professor of human factors and ergonomics in Cornell’s College of human ecology’s department of design and environmental analysis. “We saw a similar pattern starting in the 1980s when commercial workplaces computerized, and there was an explosion of musculoskeletal injuries for more than a decade afterward.”

For a paper published in the Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 56th Annual Meeting, held Oct. 22-26 in Boston, Hedge and James asked 179 physicians about the frequency and severity of their musculoskeletal discomfort, computer use in their clinic, knowledge of ergonomics

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

and typing skills. The most commonly reported repetitive strain injuries were neck, shoulder and upper and lower back pain — with a majority of female doctors and more than 40 percent of male doctors reporting such ailments on at least a weekly basis.

About 40 percent of women and 30 percent of men reported right wrist injuries at a similar frequency.

“These rates are alarming. When more than 40 percent of employees are complaining about regular problems, that’s a sign something needs to be done to address it,” said Hedge. “In a lot of hospitals and medical offices, workplace safety focuses on preventing slips, trips and falls and on patient

handling, but the effects of computer use on the human body are neglected.”

The gender differences, the authors write, appear to be in part because women reported spending about an hour longer on the computer per day than men.

In a second study of 180 physicians and 63 nurse practitioners and physician assistants in the same health system, published in a new volume, “Advances in Human Aspects of Healthcare” (CRC Press), more than 90 percent of respondents reported using a desktop computer at work. On average, they spent more than five hours per day using computers.

Men’s Health Single? Go where the women are Forever lonely? These words of advice may lead to your soul mate

By Barbara Pierce

“

I just can’t find anyone I really want to be with,” said 37-yearold Mike Cinelli. “I do want have someone in my life, maybe even get married. I just can’t find anyone.”

“Sure, I want to be with someone,” said 42-year-old Bob Dwyer. “But I’m too busy to look. I meet women to hang out with, but someone I would live with? That’s hard. That takes time.”

Like Cinelli and Dwyer, are you looking for more than a short-term sex partner? If you really want to be in a relationship, you will succeed if you make it your priority to find someone.

Like you did to find a job.

Go where the single women are.

Go for volume to find the one who is right for you. For example, if you Google “Meet-ups near Utica,” you’ll find a long list of singles activities.

There are dances, kayaking, crosscountry skiing, social networking events, and small events. Single women love these things, and they usually outnumber men. If you go to one meetup and don’t like it, try another. And another.

“We use Meet-up as a way for people to learn about us and see what events we provide to our members,” said Christine Ames, president, Chapter 796 of Parents Without Partners, Single Parents of the Capital District.

“We are the largest PWP chapter in the northeast region with 170 members.”

The group is evenly divided between parents with children at home and older singles, over 55.

Singles groups at churches are good for meeting marriage partners, says Wikibooks online, in a blog called “Where Couples Met.” Where you work is one of the best places to meet someone. Look around your work place. If all you see is other males, consider changing jobs, or even careers.

What are friends for?

Friends are the best way to meet someone. Let all your friends, relatives,

and neighbors know you’re looking.

Then remind them from time to time.

They all have a network of people, one of whom might become single at any time. Sure, they all have a weird cousin they want to set you up with, but go for the “screen-her-in” approach.

With the screen-her-in approach, you meet anyone who might be a remote possibility. You meet her for coffee. In a few minutes, you may not be able to tell whether you have met your soul mate, but it’s usually enough time to tell you have not. If you’re not sure, see her a second time. Give a second chance to anyone who interests you in the least little bit. The idea is to screen her in, not out.

Family members are good for helping you meet potential marriage partners. Take your mom to the Sons of Italy festival, the Purim carnival, or an Irish festival. She’ll find half a dozen mothers with daughters for you to meet.

Parties and bars are good places

to meet people, both for long-term relationships and short-term sex, says Wikibooks.

Don’t turn down any invitation to a party; a party at a friend’s ranks much higher than a bar for finding a long-term relationship.

Take an acting class, advises Wikibooks.

Actresses are interesting, fun, unconventional—and beautiful. You’ll develop confidence in expressing emotions. Acting classes will make you more attractive to women.

Reveal softer side

Acting or creative writing classes

Relieving Pain

in a Professional Medical Environment • Many Different Types of Pain Treated • Several Noninvasive & Invasive Methods

Insight House recognizes award recipients

O

ver 200 people attended the Insight House Chemical Dependency Services ninth annual recovery recognition dinner recently at the Radisson Hotel in Utica.

Insight House annually recognizes those persons in the community who unselfishly contribute their time and energy to the agency’s mission, and whose dedication and service positively impacts the lives of countless individuals.

This year the agency honored John Kolczynski with the prevention youth award; Kathleen Spatuzzi, with the recovery community award, and Rev. John A. Buehler, with the Paul F. Vitagliano, Sr. “President’s Award.”

Mary Friedlander, Francesca Ta-

larico, and Beverly Fellone were named Insight House employees of the year.

Special guest speaker J.D. Hill, former NFL All-Pro receiver for the Buffalo Bills, spoke about his battle with addictions and his own recovery from drugs and alcohol.

Insight House began serving the local community in January of 1971. The agency has two locations in Utica and treats up to several hundred people each day.

Insight House offers a full range of New York state Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services-certified services and programs, including an intensive residential component, an outpatient clinic, and day treatment programs.

show you each student’s inner character. The gorgeous woman that you lusted after from day one will read a poem that makes you gag. The woman you didn’t notice for the first three weeks will perform a scene that moves your heart.

Mohawk Valley Community College offers a class on acting in films.

And check out all its other classes in subjects that maybe outside your box, like creative writing, dance, art and theater classes. Go where women are.

Grab your dog and go to a dog training class. Classes are small and people do make friends there, said Judy Curtin, training director for the Humane Society of Rome.

Call Curtin at 315-866-6772 for details. Dogs are great for attracting women; sit on a bench, your dog at your feet and the women will be swarming.

Take a class in something that’s not macho because that’s where the women are, such as cooking, writing, or dance.

“My experience has been that I don’t meet women doing things I’m good at, like running marathons or designing circuit boards,” according to an author on the Wikibooks blog. “I meet more women—and the women are interested in me—when I do something I’m bad at, e.g., dance classes. Women like men who aren’t afraid to show their soft and vulnerable side.”

Meeting online is the third best way to meet someone, says Match.com.

This is definitely a way that works for more and more people.

Whatever you try, have fun. And make it your priority. You will succeed.

Adirondack Kurt Foxton, M.D. Michelle Johnston, M.D. Lorina Aiello, N.P. Welcoming Lisa Holmes, NP 110 Lomond Court, Utica (315) 292-1264

January 2013 •

Pain Management

Accepting New Patients

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 7

Women’s Health

Let him be the warrior What men really want from their partners Then we must know when not to take care of ourselves, to turn the job over to him. And make him feel good for doing it.

Muraco’s perspective is supported by research. Women were asked what made them choose their partner, and why did you decide on this particular man to be your partner?

Their answers were not what you would expect. The majority of women choose their partner because he took care of them by providing for them.

They gave reasons like: “When I was sick, he brought over a couple of bags of food for me and my kids.” Or, “He loves to cook for me.” And, “I feel deep down in my unconscious mind that he will protect me if anything bad comes along.” And, “I feel safe when I’m with him.”

Just as men carry the warrior deep within them, women carry the desire deep within them to have a man who will care for and protect them and their children. Subconsciously, they choose a man who will be there for them, even if they don’t need it.

By Barbara Pierce

A

s women, we spend our lives trying to figure out what men want from us.

We second-guess him, trying to please him, trying to read his mind.

But here, direct from a happily married man, is the straight scoop on what men really want from us. As a professional life coach and a motivational speaker, David Muraco of Utica has had much experience with both men and women.

“What men want from their partners is simple,” he explained. “Men want to be the ‘warrior.’”

“You might ask: ‘What the heck does that mean?’” Muraco continued.

“Well, let me explain. A long time ago--like during cavemen times---men were the hunters.”

The man fought for everything he needed for himself and his mate and children. He hunted for food to feed them; he fought for shelter for his family. He fought off their enemies, the strangers who might harm them, and the wild animals.

“And the woman loved that most about her man,” Muraco continued.

“Because, no matter what, she knew that she and her children would be protected.”

Though centuries have passed, and our society has evolved immensely, the innate nature of men and women has survived. However, now, more and more women have careers, run businesses, and sometimes earn more than their partners.

“Women are becoming more and more like the warrior,” Muraco said.

“If women are becoming more like the warrior, then the man becomes less and less of a warrior. That doesn’t mean that she needs to make less money than him, but it does mean he wants to be reminded that he is still the warrior.”

“The important thing is that men want to feel like they matter,” explained Muraco. “He wants to feel like he is the hunter he used to be. He wants to feel that he is the protector of the family, and the provider of the family.”

“I have been working with people long enough to know that a man will do anything that he can to protect his partner and to provide for her.”

The shining knight

“He wants to be the one she comes to for help, when she can’t get the lid off the pickle jar, or fix the broken door.

If you love him, you must let him be the warrior,” he advises women. Let him help you, let him show he will protect you and he will provide for you. Even you are perfectly capable of letting him get the lid off the jar or fix

the door. Don’t do it.

The modern gal

That is hard for modern women to do. As women, we must be self-sufficient. Because some of us are single mothers, if we can’t do it, it won’t get done. As single women of any age, we must know how to take care of ourselves.

Other men support Muraco’s perspective. An Internet survey of what men want defined what they want from their partner: “I want to feel like I’m needed, like I’m her knight in shining armor,” said one.

“I believe the answer of what women want from their men is simple,” said Dennis Prager of the National Review. “He most wants to be admired by the woman he loves. One proof is that one of the most devastating things a woman can do to her man is to show contempt, which calls his manhood into question.”

“Men want you to support them and boost their confidence,” said Scott Andrews. “Women who understand men don’t ever put them down.

Instead, they boost him up. They are a cheerleader and a prime supporter.”

“Let him be your warrior. Let him be your protector. Let him know you have his back. Be his rock at home, which is what a man wants most from his partner. And I promise you great things are coming,” Muraco added.

For more on Muraco, see his website at www.in-the-zone.biz.

Teens increasingly abuse prescription painkillers

T

oday’s teens and young people are abusing prescription painkillers more than any other age group or any other youth in history.

Availability of these drugs from their parents’ medicine cabinets may be to blame, according to new research in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Prescription painkillers are the second most abused drugs by adolescents in the U.S., only behind marijuana, reports the study. In fact, use of prescription painkillers by teens between the Page 8

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ages of 12 and 17 has jumped 10-fold since the 1960s.

“I think many parents just don’t realize how dangerous unsecured prescription drugs are to their children and their children’s friends,” said lead author Richard Miech of the University of Colorado in Denver.

Researchers used data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 1985 to 2009 and analyzed the prevalence of nonmedical painkiller use for all age groups, genders

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

and races. They found that for youth born between 1980 and 1994, the use of painkillers was 40 percent higher than any other age group and any youth that came before them. This trend was present for both genders and among whites, blacks and Hispanics.

“The fact that the trend is present across all racial and ethnic groups [just] highlights that this is a problem that affects everyone,” Miech said.

The study concluded that one cause of the epidemic is the increasing

availability of prescription painkillers in medicine cabinets at home.

The researchers say more intervention is needed to make parents aware of the problem.

“For instance, parents should keep track of the quantity of pills in a bottle and the frequency of refills,” she said.

“If you discover that you have to refill medication more often than anticipated, this may be a sign that someone is taking these medications without your knowledge.”

Women’s Health The Balanced Body

By Deb Dittner

Aging gracefully W

hen I was in my teens and 20s, I felt that age was never going to be an issue.

I thought I would be young forever.

Turning 30 was no big deal. Turning 40 was again no big deal. A few months before turning 50 though were OMG … half a century!

As I am getting older, I realize that one’s health is the key to life. When you have your health, you really have everything.

So to help you feel great today and into the future, healthy habits need to begin when young but also need to be continued through the aging process. It’s never too late to take on a new healthy habit.

Your body will thank you.

• Keep moving. A regular moderate exercise program of 2½ Dittner hours per week or a minimum of 30 minutes most days will help to keep your bones strong.

Bone tissue is constantly being renewed and will grow stronger with movement and proper nutrition. As we age, some bone density will decrease and this is normal. One can delay this by continuing to stay active throughout life.

Weight-bearing exercise and musclebuilding exercise combined give the greatest impact by beckoning bones to encourage growth.

Weight-bearing exercise consists of walking, jogging, running and squats.

Muscle building exercises that includes resistance consists of weight lifting and certain yoga poses.

• No smoking. Smoking decreases

Seven simple steps for healthy aging

oxygen to all tissues of the body. Skin becomes wrinkled, lungs weaken, and respiratory issues arise.

It becomes harder to exercise as it becomes more difficult to breathe.

Flights of stairs find you short of breath. Kicking the habit is a difficult one, but well worth it in the long run.

It is recommended to drink fresh carrot juice daily as a preventive against lung cancer. Also eating more asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, garlic, onions, spinach and sweet potatoes can help to offset the damage caused by smoking.

• Enjoy the colors of the rainbow.

Women generally want beautiful skin, especially as we age. Beautiful skin comes with eating an increased amount of orange/red fruits and vegetables such as squash, carrots, peppers, tomatoes, and papaya.

Studies have shown that those who eat foods with a higher concentration of carotenoids have fewer wrinkles and fewer signs of sun dam-

age. Over time, antioxidants from these foods build up in your skin acting as a natural sunscreen by boosting the sun protection factor by two to three points.

Carotenoids also help in fighting collagen—damaging enzymes that increase the signs of aging.

• Sleep tight. Quality sleeping consisting of 7-9 hours nightly is important.

Sleep is when the body rests and repairs many functions necessary for daily activities. Injuries heal, damaged tissue is repaired, and the immune system is recharged to fight against illness and generalized fatigue. Each individual requires a specific amount of sleep that is based upon age, diet, and physical movement. Choose a high quality mattress, a firm pillow, and a dark and quiet room for restful, blissful sleep.

• Positive attitude. Looking on the positive side of life may help in lowering your risk of cardiovascular disease that includes high blood pressure,

stroke, and heart attack. Changing to a healthier lifestyle will assist in keeping you happier. Positive lifestyle changes include social connections with likeminded people, having and showing gratitude, helping those who are less fortunate, and creating a regular selfcare routine.

• Enjoy healthy fats. Eating more monounsaturated fat found in nuts, seeds, olive oil and avocados, and less saturated fat found in butter and meat may preserve memory and cognitive abilities as women age. Studies show that poor cardiovascular health compounded by chronic inflammatory processes within the body worsen by the over indulgence of saturated fats all of which may decrease cognitive health.

• Avoid sugar-high fructose corn syrup. Increased amounts of sugar in the diet boosts obesity and creates dental problems and inflammation in the body.

Chronic inflammation has been associated with many disease processes.

Sugar increases the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes and creates lower levels of HDL (the good cholesterol) and higher levels of triglycerides.

High fructose corn syrup can be found in processed foods, soda and other sweetened drinks, some yogurts, salad dressings, and peanut butter. To decrease the desire of sugars, include lean protein in every meal, drink eight glasses of water daily, eat healthy sweets such as fruit and sweet vegetables, and breathe deeply.

By including these seven simple steps into your daily routine, you will be led toward a happier and healthier aging process with a decrease in disability, chronic disease and mental health issues.

Here’s to successful aging from the inside out!

• Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner specializing in Reiki and holistic nutrition. Visit her website at www.The-Balanced-Body.com.

Synthetic marijuana linked to thousands of ER visits

S

treet forms of synthetic cannabinoids — so-called “synthetic marijuana” — were linked to 11,406 of the 4.9 million drug-related emergency department (ED) visits in 2010, according to a new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Commonly known by such street names as “K2” or “Spice,” synthetic cannabinoids are substances that are not derived from the marijuana plant but purport to have the same effect as the drug. Though an increasing number of states have passed laws against the sale of synthetic cannabinoids, they have been marketed as a “legal” alternative to marijuana during the past few

years.

In July 2012, a comprehensive, national ban was enacted against the sale of synthetic cannabinoids under Title XI of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act. The new report points out that the use of synthetic cannabinoids is tied to a variety of reported symptoms including agitation, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), elevated blood pressure, tremor, seizures, hallucinations, paranoid behavior and non-responsiveness.

The report found that youths between the ages of 12 to 29 constituted 75 percent of all hospital ED visits involving synthetic cannabinoids, with males

accounted for 78 percent of the ED admissions among this age group.

The average age for people involved in synthetic cannabinoid-related ED admissions was younger than for marijuana-related ED visits (24 years old vs. 30 years old).

“Health care professionals should be alerted to the potential dangers of synthetic cannabinoids, and they should be aware that their patients may be using these substances,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. “Parents, teachers, coaches and other concerned adults can make a huge impact by talking to young people, especially older adolescents and young adults, about the potential

January 2013 •

risks associated with using synthetic marijuana.”

“This report confirms that synthetic drugs cause substantial damage to public health and safety in America,” said Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Gil Kerlikowske. “Make no mistake — the use of synthetic cannabinoids can cause serious, lasting damage, particularly in young people. Parents have a responsibility to learn what these drugs can do and to educate their families about the negative impact they cause.”

To learn more about synthetic cannabinoids, visit the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s website: www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 9

Florica Ochotorena,

M.D.

Board Certified

Adult&Geriatric Psychiatrist 315-337-2582 • 117 West Liberty Street, Rome, NY

& Palliative Care Oneida, Herkimer and Eastern Madison Counties

Call us today to make a referral!

Saintly gesture Mother Marianne Cope, founder of St. Elizabeth’s, becomes a saint

C

entral New York has a reason to celebrate. Recently at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI canonized Mother Marianne Cope. She is one of the founders of St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center in Syracuse and St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Utica.

Mother Marianne was born in Germany in 1838 and immigrated to Utica a year later. She became an American citizen as a child. At the age of 24, she joined the Sisters of Saint Francis in Syracuse where her desire to become a nun was fulfilled. She served as a teacher and principal in Oswego, Utica, Rome and Syracuse.

Mother Marianne didn’t stay in one place long. In 1868, she became the superior at St. Teresa’s Convent in Oswego. Later, she was involved in opening two Catholic hospitals: St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Utica, and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. She was an innovator in hospital management, always trying to provide better service to patients. She worked there as the administrator instilling that all healthcare workers wash their hands properly before ministering to patients.

She was also instrumental in relocating the College of Medicine from Geneva to Syracuse. The move was accredited to Mother Marianne’s willingness to accept its medical students for clinical instruction at St. Joseph’s Hospital. In negotiations with the Medical

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 • January 2013

College, she gave patients the right to decline treatment by students.

Respect for all

Mother Marianne was criticized by some for treating alcoholics and prostitutes. However, she was known and loved for her kindness, wisdom, and down-to-earth practicality. Her legacy is her great respect for all people regardless of their human frailties.

The sisters of St. Francis in Syracuse are particularly proud of Mother Marianne. Sister Grace Anne Dillenschneider, resident of St. Francis convent, smiles as she describes Mother Marianne as the beloved mother of all outcasts. “She was ahead of her time, not discriminating against anyone,” she said. “She had enormous respect for all people.”

The sisters of St. Francis have done immense work to catalog the events and accomplishments of her life. It’s all on display at the motherhouse on Court Street in Syracuse.

For more information, visit www. saintmariannecope.com or visit the shrine and museum of Saint Marianne Cope, located at Sisters of Saint Francis Motherhouse, 1024 Court St., Syracuse.

Visiting hours are 1-5 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Call 422-7999 ahead for possible holiday closings or for large group tours.

The Art of Precision Oneida Healthcare performing innovative surgeries with da Vinci robot

By Aaron Gifford

W

hile the larger Syracuse hospitals have made Central New York a hot bed for robotic surgery, a smaller facility outside the metro area has become the first in the region to use the emerging technology for an innovative new procedure.

At Oneida Healthcare Center in Madison County, a surgical team led by physicians (and brothers) Pedro DelPino and Alberto DelPino recently began performing a single-site procedure where the da Vinci robot is used to remove gallbladders through a oneinch incision in the patient’s navel.

Alberto DelPino OHC officials say this type of gallbladder surgery, which results in no scars, minimal pain and a quicker recovery time, is unique to the Syracuse area as well as the Mohawk Valley.

“Neither robotic surgery or single-incision surgery is new, but combining the two to remove the gallbladder requires additional training and special equipment,” Pedro DelPino Pedro DelPino said. “To be the first hospital in the region to offer this technically advanced surgery demonstrates Oneida Healthcare’s leadership with the most up-to-date minimally invasive surgical options.”

OHC officials say the procedure takes about an hour and the proceeding hospital stay is less than 24 hours.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of the da Vinci system for gallbladder removal in 2011, but surgeons were first required to complete extensive training. Coincidentally, Alberto DelPino was among a small group of surgeons in the country who had just finished a training program for that type of surgery when the approval was announced.

Role to expand

The da Vinci system is used for many different types of complex minimally invasive surgery. OHC acquired the $2 million device in 2011 and was expected to complete about 100 procedures with it in 2012, including colon surgery. In the coming years, OHC surgeons expect to increase the da Vinci’s uses to include prostate removal and surgery in the chest and lungs.

Before acquiring the da Vinci system, OHC surgeons were still able to perform laparoscopic surgery using a camera to help them see the tissue better so they could cut and sew in tighter spaces. Although these procedures

At Oneida Healthcare Center, a surgical team led by physicians Pedro DelPino and Alberto DelPino recently began performing a procedure where the da Vinci robot is used to remove gallbladders through a one-inch incision in the patient’s navel. could also be done with a single incision, the cuts made by human hands were still larger than that of the robot and the stitches weren’t as tight, resulting in more blood loss, more pain and longer recovery times.

With the da Vinci, the surgeon looks into a console and uses a control panel to operate robotic hands. These hands allow the user to position a surgical instrument at seven different angles. The controller moves like a human wrist but has much more dexterity, maneuverability and precision. It also filters hand tremors. If the user pulls his or head out of the console, the machine shuts down. The surgeon can use a magnifier to focus on certain areas, and the console also produces 3-D images.

“He can actually tell the robot to make both hands left handed for a better angle. It enhances their own hands and allows them to get behind organs and tissue,” explained physician Janis Kohlbrenner, OHC vice president for clinical service. “This is just one more piece of equipment we bring to the table. It’s great to listen to the surgeons talk about it. The excitement for this [technology], it’s like watching analog TV and then getting HDTV.”

Nerves of steel

“These arms don’t shake,” added Alberto DelPino. “And they’re very meticulous.”

According to the da Vinci Surgical System website, the technology does allow the surgeon to “feel” things inside the patient’s chest or abdomen by relaying feedback sensations through the robotic arms.

After acquiring the da Vinci, OHC personnel introduced the technology to the public during the Heart Run & Walk event in Utica. People had a chance to witness the machine’s amazing capabilities first-hand by operating the robotic arms to pick up thumbtacks and paper clips. Since then, patients from as far away as Herkimer County have selected OHC for non-invasive surgeries, as no other hospital between Syracuse and Albany has a da Vinci robot, Kohlbrenner said.

“We’ve had great satisfaction rates from the folks who traveled here,” she said.

Alberto DelPino said the device will help OHC to recruit new surgeons.

Training with this type of technology is becoming the norm in medical school while the technology is continually

January 2013 •

improving. He said the next generation of robots will probably be smaller, with arms that are even more agile and better able to staple and seal tissue more seamlessly than current devices.

“We get new technology all the time,” he said. “This is essentially moving into the realm of 3-D high-definition. It’s another step in the process.

If we never have to open a person up [using our own hands], that’s great.”

In Syracuse, SUNY Upstate Medical University, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, Crouse Hospital and Upstate Community Campus also have da Vincis.

According to the da Vinci Surgical System website, the robots are currently being used throughout the United States as well as Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, India, Japan, Holland, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Australia and Turkey. The website also said da Vinci systems are “theoretically” capable of being operated by remote control over long distances, though such procedures are not the focus of the company at this time and are not available with the current da Vinci Surgical System.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

Between You and Me

KIDS Corner

By Barbara Pierce

First impressions are lasting Read through whole book not just cover

I

n an instant, you form your impression of a new person you meet.

You make an instant judgment.

In seven seconds. About the time it took you to read these words.

We don’t even realize how quickly we judge others. Our subconscious mind makes snap judgments. It’s how we are genetically wired.

Be beware of your first impressions; they do matter. They matter a whole lot.

The reason they matter a whole lot is because we continue to believe our initial impressions; that first impression that we made in a few seconds stays with us. Even when we get subsequent information that shows we were wrong.

We ignore the subsequent Pierce information. We stick with our initial impression.

Say you are meeting a person for the first time. You met him or her online. Now you are meeting in person for the first time. He walks through the door, looking even better than his picture. “OK!” your subconscious thinks. Your heart sings as you hear his gravelly, sexy voice. “He’s the one!” your subconscious shouts.

After the “Hellos,” he says you should both order caramel frappuccinos because they’re the best. You really don’t want all that fat and sugar but you agree. You ignore all the orders he gives the waitress about how to make it; you ignore his snide remarks to her about the cost; you ignore his rude, sarcastic comment to the older woman at the next table when she does not move her chair out of his way fast enough.

You don’t notice all these huge red flags because your first impression was that you liked his looks and you liked him. Your first impression does not let you be open to information that shows you were wrong, information that would show you he is not a likeable person.

However, if, when he walked through the door for the first time, you saw an ordinary looking guy who acted shy and un-cool, your subconscious sank. This is not anyone you would ever be interested in, you say to yourself in an instant.

You might not notice what a nice guy he is, how sensitive, caring, etc.

You would ignore all these great characteristics because he didn’t make a good first impression on you.

Because your first impression was negative, that negative impression will stay with you. No matter how perfect he might be when you get to know him, you probably won’t even get to

know him, because it takes so much to overcome an initial negative impression.

A first impression is like a filter.

Based on your initial impression, you form an impression about how you expect this person to behave in the future.

Then you see him or her through that filter. You seek information that is consistent with your first impression; you ignore behavior that does not fit this impression.

It is important to be aware of this, any time you meet any one new to you. Especially when you are looking for a potential partner. It is important to be wary of your first impression; be skeptical; be open.

Here’s how it plays out: Studies have shown that more than 50 percent of the impression is based on appearance alone. Not just how the person looks, but posture, gestures, facial expression, clothing, and hair.

Nearly 40 percent of the impression is based on sound, the tone of the person’s voice, and the mood he or she projects.

Less than 10 percent of a first impression is based on the words that are said. This is good news for those of us who are self-conscious, who worry excessively that we will say the wrong thing. It doesn’t matter what you actually say. How you say it is the thing.

The tone of your voice, the mood you convey. Fake it if you can’t make it.

Here’s the thing you need to remember: Listen to those words; trust the words more than the 90 percent.

Listen to how he or she treats others, with consideration or rudely.

Does he or she order you around?

Is he or she sincerely interested in who you are and what you have to say? Do they ‘get it?’ and really understand what you are saying? Or just waiting for you to stop talking so they can start again.

You will have that first impression, that first reaction; it’s how we are wired. But don’t trust it; be open to all the other clues that will reveal themselves and trust them more.

• Barbara Pierce is a retired licensed clinical social worker with many years’ experience in helping people. If you would like to purchase a copy of her book “If I’m so Fantastic, Why am I Still Single?” contact her at BarbaraPierce06@yahoo.com, or contact her if you have any concerns you would like her to address.

STORY IDEAS?

Email them to lou@cnymail.com Page 12

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

Toys responsible for eye injuries each year

W

ith the holiday season behind us, children are busy playing with their new toys. But parents may need to check them yet again to ensure toy safety. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 250,000 toy-related injuries are treated in emergency rooms each year. Most of these injuries affect children under age 15, and almost half affect the head or face. In light of these dangers, the American Academy of Ophthalmology encourages parents to be eye smart about toys this post-holiday season.

Some toys, like airsoft guns, BB guns and paintball guns, can be particularly hazardous, with the potential to propel foreign objects into the sensitive tissues of the eye. Common eye injuries from these toys include corneal abrasion, ocular hyphema, traumatic cataract, and increased intraocular pressure. These and other injuries sometimes require children to undergo eye surgery. In most cases, the victims of these toy-related injuries were not

wearing protective eyewear.

The good news is that most eye injuries can easily be prevented. To keep children’s eyes safe from injuries, the American Academy of Ophthalmology offers a few tips: • Avoid letting your kids play with toys with sharp or projectile parts.

• Make sure children have appropriate supervision when playing with potentially hazardous toys or games that could cause an eye injury.

• Along with sports equipment, give children the appropriate protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses. Check with your eye doctor to learn about protective gear recommended for your child’s sport.

• Check labels for age recommendations and be sure to select gifts that are appropriate for a child’s age and maturity.

• Keep toys that are made for older children away from younger children.

For more information about keeping eyes healthy during the holidays and all year round, visit www.geteyesmart.org.

CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Continued from Page 2

Jan. 11-12

Learn to master art of marriage The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica, will host a two-day video event called “The Art of Marriage” on Jan. 11-12.

Cost is $20 per person that includes lunch, snacks and workbook. Register online at www.thegoodnewscenter.org or call Tanya at 735-6210.

Jan. 16

Good News Center to feature special luncheon The Good News luncheon series will feature Rev. Brian McCaffrey, chaplain for LutheranCare, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 16.

The Good News Center is located at 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

McCaffrey has over 25 years experience of ministry teaching others about the relationship between aging

and spirituality.

For details and registration, call The Good News Center at 315-735-6210 or visit TheGoodNewsCenter.org— events calendar.

Feb. 2

Makeover My Heart event to send hearts racing The fifth annual Makeover My Heart will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 2 at the Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre, 200 Genesee St., Utica.

Tickets are on sale for $25 each and may be purchased through the Makeover My Heart website, makeovermyheart.org, or by calling 315-624-6669.

Tickets include all lectures, interactive workshops, the health and wellness fair, breakfast and lunch.

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in America. Makeover My Heart is a heart healthy day for women designed to raise awareness about the effects of heart disease among women.

For more information, visit the Makeover My Heart website at makeovermyheart.org or call 315-624-6669.

Mary in the Middle

By Mary Stevenson

Dusting off fond memories

M

By Jim Miller

How to find a lost pension Dear Savvy Senior How does one go about tracking down a lost pension?

About 35 years ago, I worked at a manufacturing company for a few years that offered employee pensions, and I want to find out if I’m eligible for any money now that I’m about to retire.

Searching Steven Dear Steven, Losing track of a small pension from years ago is actually quite common, especially if you’ve have had a lot of jobs throughout your working life. To help you locate a lost pension, here are the steps to take along with some free resources that can help you search if your previous employer has gone out of business, changed names or merged with another firm.

Pension proof If you think you have a pension from a previous employer, and the company is still in business, your first step is to call their human resources department and ask them to give you the contact information of the pension plan administrator. Then you’ll need to contact them to find out how much your pension is worth and how to claim it.

Depending on how complete the plan administrator’s records are, you may need to show proof that you once worked for the company and that you are pension eligible.

Your old income tax returns and W-2 forms from the years you worked at the company will help you here. If you haven’t saved your old tax returns from these years, you can get a copy of your earnings record from the Social Security Administration, which will show how much you were paid each calendar year by each employer.

Call 800-772-1213 and ask them to mail you the “Request for Social Security Earnings Information” form SSA-7050, or you can download it at www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-7050.pdf.

You’ll pay a small fee for the report, depending on the number of years of data you request.

Some other old forms that can help you prove eligibility are your Summary Plan Descriptions (SPD) that you should have received from your

employer when you worked there, or any individual benefit statements.

Check the PBGC If you can’t find your former employer because it went out of business or if the company ended its pension plan, you need to check the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s (PBGC) online pension search directory at search.pbgc.gov/ mp/mp.aspx. Or, you can call 800-4007242 and get help over the phone.

The PBGC is a federal agency that guarantees pensions of bankrupt companies. The agency also maintains information on any pension plan that has been terminated, even if the company is still in business.

The PBGC, however, does not cover or have information on lost pensions that are still active, nor will they help you locate lost 401(k) plans.

Get help The best resource to help you track down a lost active pension from a company that has moved or merged with another firm is the U.S. Administration on Aging Pension Counseling and Information Program.

This free program encompasses seven pension assistance programs around the country that serve workers in 30 states. To get the contact information of these counseling programs and the states they serve, visit the Pension Rights Center website at pensionrights. org.

If your pension happens to be outside the area served by the pension counseling centers, or if you’re trying to locate a federal or military pension, use Pension Help America at pensionhelp.org. This resource can connect you with government agencies and private organizations that provide free information and assistance to help your search.

For more information, the PBGC has a free publication called “Finding a Lost Pension” that provides in-depth information that can aid in your search.

See pbgc.gov to see it online, or call 800-400-7242 and ask them to mail you a copy.

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.

y parents were always on the move.

They weren’t nomadic hippies trying to quench an unfulfilled desire or to find themselves. They more likely had adult ADD and just felt the urge to move every so often. We lived in many places over the years and I probably wouldn’t trade any of them.

It does cut down on the amount of stuff they accumulated over the years.

Moving often tends to cut down on the clutter.

The last home they had was a three-bedroom, two-bath home in a quiet suburban setting. They had tote after tote, box after box, moved in and ready for unpacking. Each box was clearly labeled—“living room,” “kitchen” and “open first.”

Dad had a system; after all, he’d been doing this for a few years.

Mom followed along, wrapping dishes with newspapers and remembering the holidays that went along with each china dish and where the collection of coffee mugs came from. They had this down to a science.

This time, it was my turn to pack and move their belongings. Many of their Stevenson things held memories for me—a cookbook that we made peanut butter cookies from when I was a child to a hand-written recipe for scalloped potatoes from a great aunt, who’s writing I recognized immediately.

I found many old black-and-white pictures with the skinny white border surrounding the edges. I didn’t know many of the people in the photos but mom sure remembered each one. And with each memory she was transported

back in time to that exact party, the reason for that gathering and the people she loved. I said to myself to remember what she said and write on the back of each photo so I could remember along with her.

There were a lot of things that I thought were junk and wanted to discard. They were not things that I would have saved but it wasn’t my place to throw them away. There was a reason some things have survived 42 years and almost as many moves. Those reasons belonged to mom and dad and it would be up to them to decide what to do with those.

So everything has been boxed and moved to their new home. With each box I packed and labeled, I wasn’t sure which ones they would ever go through again. Will the memories be boxed up forever? Or at least until I have to go through them again for their final disposition. Then it will be my decision on what to do with everything.

That is not something I look forward to at all.

It’s a difficult decision for adult children to decide on the care their older parents will receive. “What do they need?” “Where is the best place for them?”

“What can I do to help make it easier?” are some of the questions going through your mind at that time.

Much like the same questions our parents had when they had their children.

Ah, the circle of life.

• Mary Stevenson is a staff writer for Mohawk Valley In Good Health newspaper.

Report: 20% of adults experienced mental illness in past year

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ne in five American adults aged 18 or older, or 45.6 million people, had mental illness in the past year, according to a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The rate of mental illness was more than twice as high among those aged 18 to 25 (29.8 percent) than among those aged 50 and older (14.3 percent), the report said. Adult women also were more likely than men to have had mental illness in the past year (23.0 percent versus 15.9 percent), it said.

Mental illness among adults aged 18 or older is defined as having had a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder (excluding developmental and substance use disorders) in the past year, based on criteria specified in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association.

The 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health also shows that 11.5 million adults (5 percent of the adult population) had serious mental ill-

January 2013 •

ness in the past year. Serious mental illness is defined as mental illness that resulted in serious functional impairment, which substantially interfered with or limited one or more major life activities.

The rates of mental illness remained stable between 2010 and 2011.

“Although mental illness remains a serious public health issue, increasingly we know that people who experience it can be successfully treated and can live full, productive lives,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. “Like other medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, the key to recovery is identifying the problem and taking active measures to treat it as soon as possible.”

The report says that among adults with mental illness in the past year, about four in 10 adults (38.2 percent of adults with mental illness) received mental health services during that period. Among those who had serious mental illness in the past year, the rate of treatment was notably higher (59.6 percent).

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Injuries make winter even more numbing Take precautions and ensure a safe and happy winter recreation season

By Kristen Raab

I

n 2010, a staggering 440,000 people sought medical treatment for winter sports injuries.

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons said these injuries were mostly the result of snow skiing, snow boarding, ice skating, sledding and tobogganing.

Following certain guidelines and tips can go a long way in preventing such injuries.

Orthopedic surgeon Madana Vallem says some Vallem of the most common injuries include thumb ligament injuries, wrist and forearm sprains/ fractures, ankle sprain/fractures, knee ligament injuries and head injuries.

Vallem is a member of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Adirondack Community Physician’s Orthopedic Group in Utica.

At the practice, he sees many patients during the winter who have suffered injuries from winter sports.

How can you prevent being injured while still having a good time? Vallem said one should always wear safety gear and be aware of his or her skill level. “Don’t try to go beyond too early,” he said. Safety gear includes helmets, wrist guards, elbow and kneepads. Vallem also points out the importance of properly fitted boots and skates.

In addition to wearing proper gear,

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participants should make sure that they stretch before and after engaging in activity. “Stretching helps improve flexibility, reduces risk of injury, and increases blood flow to your muscles, which increases mobility and can help decrease muscular soreness afterward,” he noted.

Children are often injured due to lack of experience. Vallem recommends parents have children take lessons with a professional before letting them go out on their own. Parents should also use caution when the weather is unstable, and ensure conditions are not too harsh for their activity.

Additional tips are offered on American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons websites. They recommend layered clothing, and water-resistant, ankle-supportive boots. Another safety measure is to always do activities with a friend. Everyone should know how and where to get help if any injury occurs.

Drinking water is a smart choice when doing any physical activity.

Make sure you get enough before, during and after you play sports.

For more information from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, visit www.orthoinfo.aaos.org.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

FSLH awarded for perinatal prevention program Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica has been awarded a certificate of excellence by the New York State Department of Health’s Hepatitis B Perinatal Prevention Program following a quality assurance-medical record review conducted at the hospital.

Celebrating the occasion are, from left, FSLH staff members Michelle Parker, Kim Gruenwald, Julie Wells and Aida Hozanovic. A record review is performed on a rotating basis at birthing hospitals every two to three years in order to ensure compliance with New York State Public Health Law mandating hepatitis B documentation in all maternal and infant medical records.

The Ragin’ Cajun

By Malissa Allen

Down and Out Depression can literally take you completely out of the game

D

epression shows its face in many ways, especially at the holiday season.

Many times, someone who suffers from depression has learned to put on a very happy face on the outside, but right under the skin, a complete different emotion lies in wait of the opportunity to surface. For many years I have battled this, not knowing what it was.

“Ms. Allen, I am assuming that you will not be surprised if I tell you that your son’s testing, along with analyzing his actions and behaviors, reveals classic signs of autism.”

Time stood still. It was like I was inside a tunnel, hearing voices, but not Allen understanding any of it. I focused on the 2-year-old little boy that was dressed so handsomely, in the corner, opening and closing a cabinet door over and over, never looking up, never looking over when his name would be called.

Something in me died right there at her table. The little boy I had dreamt of on dates, playing football, basketball or in the school band wasn’t at all the same little guy I sat staring aimlessly at. I prayed he would turn around and begin rattling away at the lady, proving she was way off with this.

I kept telling myself that this was all a mistake and he was just having a really bad day and if she’d give me just a few minutes, I could get him to talk and focus as she was wanting him to. I realize now just how desperate I was to prove her wrong, thinking he is a boy and boys are late bloomers. Surely she is wrong. Turns out she was anything but wrong.

I had to grieve for two people now.

My mother, who was my very best friend, had just died a week before this.

Now this was just like losing another person. You do grieve when the child you think will experience various milestones and years as he grows into a man isn’t at all the life he will actually have.

This is where depression came knocking on my door and found a very vulnerable target to make its home.

I stopped going places and talking to people I had known my entire life and became obsessed with “fixing” my boy. Life was over as far as I was concerned.

I got to the point that I wanted to be alone, all the time. This became worse as time went by.

Depression takes away so much and it is hard to recognize. I knew something was wrong with me, but I had no control of it. I would lie on my sofa, telling myself over and over that I needed to snap out of this “blah” mood I stayed in. I couldn’t wait for bedtime just so that I could be alone, by myself with no sounds. Crying became an everyday, all-day-long ritual. Tears were uncontrollable. I would sneak away from my kids so that they would not see me hysterically crying and trembling. It is so overwhelming, controlling each and every part of me.

My phone would ring and instead of answering it, I simply ignored it.

Most that know me are going to read this and say, “No way, you are always happy, smiling, extremely funny, and talk with others as if you were celebrating your own life.” This is what you see. What is real inside me is totally different.

I have to make myself leave my house or just go places. I battle this daily and I can tell when it wants to reappear and shut me down for a while.

Signs of depression

A

ccording to the National Institute of Mental Health, symptoms of depression may include the following: • Difficulty concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions • Fatigue and decreased energy • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and/or helplessness • Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism • Insomnia, early morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping • Irritability, restlessness • Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex • Overeating or appetite loss • Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive problems that do not ease even with treatment • Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” feelings • Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts Feeling these feelings, and finding the courage to talk to my doctor about it, was the best thing I ever did for myself.

Today, there are many medications on the market that do amazing things.

Most days I am happy, outgoing and have a positive outlook on life. I do still have a few days where I can feel it coming on and as hard as it is, I make myself call or text a friend, or go to the store and just walk around.

With women, there are so many things that can cause depression: hormones, thyroid, motherhood, marriage, money, to name just a few.

Please do not take depression symptoms lightly if you began to see a change in someone.

Please reach out to someone if you feel any of these. If you know someone

you feel suffers from depression, the best gift you can give them is yourself and helping them get the help they need.

By the way, that boy that was playing with the door over and over is now 8, He is the most incredible child, with a brilliant mind, awesome personality, amazing imagination, and is more than I could ever wish for in a son.

• Malissa Allen is a native Southerner straight from the heart of Louisiana. The Rome resident is a food writer for The Autism File and Something Special magazines and a renowned gluten-free chef. She can be reached at jman41904@gmail.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ MalisaAllenGlutenFreeChef.

Patients receive Thanksgiving dinner at Utica Health Care Center

By Patricia J. Malin

T

ake-out for Thanksgiving dinner?

Not exactly.

Although it wasn’t your conventional “fast food” takeout, 31 patients of the Utica Community Health Center received a complete Thanksgiving turkey dinner in a box Nov. 17, compliments of United HealthCare Community Plan.

Doctors, dentists, nurses and other medical and administrative staffers from UCHC identified a number of their patients whom they felt could use some assistance at Thanksgiving.

The patients were invited to the health center at 1651 Oneida St. to pick up tote bags stuffed to the brim with everything they needed for a feast: canned vegetables and fruit, rolls, stuffing mix, instant mashed potatoes, marshmallows, apple pie, even a Sesame Street toy for the children.

In addition, patients and their families were given a voucher to pick up a free frozen turkey at the Sav-ALot supermarket next door. They took home their bags and prepared a hot Thanksgiving dinner at their convenience.

This inaugural Thanksgiving giveaway was made possible by a $1,000 donation from United Health Care Community Plan and local vendors, such as Holland Farms Bakery and Deli, which provided the pies.

Staffers from UCHC and United Health Care joined together on that Saturday morning to pack the tote bags before the patients arrived.

“We don’t want to see anyone in our community go hungry or struggle to provide a traditional Thanksgiving dinner,” said UCHC Patient Access Manager Nicole Cocomazzi. “We’re grateful that United Health Care and our staff are able to provide some of

our patients with another reason to celebrate this holiday season.”

Dianne DiMeo, operations manager for UCHC, said the center didn’t have a specific number of patients in mind to receive the dinners. The center estimated it based on the amount of the monetary and food donations it received and the number of deserving families.

Michelle Virginia, marketing and sales manager for United HealthCare of Upstate New York, said the insurance company provides donations regularly to charities in Oneida, Onondaga, Broome, Tioga, Chenango and Clinton counties, but the donation to UCHC was its largest in the region. “We’ve never gotten quite as involved in the community before,” she said.

Meanwhile, UnitedHealth Group and its benefits and services businesses, UnitedHealthcare and Optum, also recently announced a $1 million donation

January 2013 •

to support relief efforts for New York and New Jersey communities devastated by Hurricane Sandy.

United HealthCare’s interest in community health care also makes it a natural fit to partner with Sesame Street/PBS Kids to produce videos for children about healthy food and nutrition. One of these videos played continuously at UCHC during the giveaway.

UCHC is a federally qualified health center owned and operated by Regional Primary Care Network, which provides primary care medical and dental services.

RPCN is a nonprofit network of community health centers with 23 service locations throughout Upstate New York in Oneida, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Wayne and Yates counties.

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Page 15

Meet

Your Doctor

By Lou Sorendo

New ED medical director expresses views Continued from Page 4 as well. These situations provide the greatest opportunity to comfort patients and their family members by providing knowledge and access to services that might assist them through difficult times that they may be facing in the near future.

Q.: What is the most fulfilling aspect of your job?

A.: The simple answer would be when I save a life, but it is probably not the correct answer. What gives me the greatest joy is the interaction with people that I have truly helped. Whether it is the 4-year old that just had stitches and gives me a “high-five” thank you, or the grateful older patient whose complicated medical problem I was able to explain in a way that they clearly understood.

These encounters are the ones that leave me smiling at the end of a very busy shift.

Q.: What are the newest developments in ER care and how can they help patients?

A.: Emergency medicine continues to develop as advancements in technology continue. Additionally, emergency departments continue to support a larger role in providing healthcare in the United States, largely in part to a lack of primary care physicians.

Thus, emergency medicine provides a greater number of patients with those aspects of both primary and emergent care. Our abilities to now treat heart attacks and strokes more rapidly with greater success rates have been the stories of the last decade.

I think we will see an expanding use of real-time technologies such as bedside ultrasound and other bedside testing to diagnose and treat illness more rapidly in the future.

Q.: How do you keep up with the latest research and developments in healthcare? Approximately how much time does it take?

A.: Physicians must complete continuing medical education requirements annually to continue to be certified in their specialty and maintain their license to practice. I utilize a variety of media formats and meetings to stay on top of the current standards of evidence-based practice.

Q.: What challenges do you foresee in the future regarding healthcare?

A.: There are many challenges regarding the future of healthcare in our nation. Certainly there has been a lot of coverage concerning the cost of healthcare and how to provide healthcare to the uninsured.

Many politicians and economists have delved into this and I will leave that to the experts. My concern is that America has had some of the brightest and best students enter healthcare in the past.

Let’s face it: We all want our doctor to be very smart and to be extraordinary to provide the best care possible. One of the attractions that brought many of these gifted men and women into healthcare despite the very long hours of training, the cost of education and long hours of practice has been the personal and financial rewards of practice.

My concern is we have young

men and women graduating medical schools with $300,000-$400,000 of debt due to the escalating costs of education.

These same men and women are at their earliest starting their career at age 30. This presents a huge negative pressure for those students inclined to pursue a career in healthcare.

Q.: Do you see a problem recruiting physicians and nurses to Central New York or to smaller facilities like Rome Memorial Hospital? Do you anticipate growth or decline in the number of healthcare providers in Central New York in general and at RMH? A.: Certainly recruitment is a critical issue for smaller hospitals and Rome is not the exception. Unless your hospital is located on the coast or near the biggest ski slope, there will be challenges in recruiting. However, the area has a lot to offer and Central New York has many sons and daughters who are physicians.

It would be great to bring physicians to Rome who think of the hospital as their home town hospital or one where their parents or extended family go when they need care. I anticipate growth for our hospital and its physician staff over the next several years.

Q.: What suggestions do you have to improve your specialty in the future?

A.: Emergency medicine remains a newer specialty and has been growing in importance since its beginnings in the early 1970s.

Currently with changes in healthcare, emergency medicine physicians have an important role as the safety net to ensure that all patients receive care. We will do what is necessary to provide the same quality care for every patient that we see. This is an overwhelming task to emergency departments nationwide as we continue to provide emergency care and an evergrowing proportion of primary care to those patients who lack access to their primary care physicians.

One of the biggest improvements to emergency medicine in the future is already the focus of government initiatives. That is to increase the number of and utilization of primary care doctors nationally. This would reduce the volume burden on emergency medicine and give its providers greater efficiency to see and treat patients in the ED. Additional improvements with

technology will also improve our abilities. In the last several years, the federal government has mandated the use of electronic health records. Although most physicians will attest that this has slowed down their ability to see patients, it has certainly reduced medical errors and improved documentation.

Unfortunately, I think the original vision of the electronic health record was more of a record that was portable from hospital to hospital and readable electronically whether you are in Rome, N.Y., Miami or San Francisco.

This currently is not the situation.

Currently, each hospital purchases an electronic health record that is proprietary to that company and does not “talk” with other company’s records or even records sold by that same company to other hospitals.

I envision a time that when a patient arrives we can use either a chip, media or even biometric data to access a database and have the complete medical history of the patient no matter where the patient may be or may come from. That would be a great asset to healthcare delivery.

Q.: Is it possible for a doctor at the local level to make changes in healthcare or is it best left to full-time researchers working at universities or private labs?

A.: It is certainly possible for doctors to make changes in healthcare.

Physicians may notice trends in patient symptoms and may bring these to the attention of the health department.

This can result in the discovery of new diseases as such was the case with Lyme disease. Local physicians also understand healthcare delivery and can impact medicine by getting involved in hospital administration, local and regional politics.

In this way, they make changes in healthcare. It is unlikely for community-based physicians to perform bench research or run clinical trials because they lack the resources of large universities and pharmaceutical companies.

Q.: What do you do to relax from a stressful job?

A.: I like to get outside. Whether it is gardening, hiking, skiing, golfing, hunting or fishing. Just taking a little time with my family outdoors allows me to recover from the stressful environment in which I work.

Twigs’ Tree of Lights campaign brilliant $10K generated to support nonprofit group

M

ore than 150 people recently celebrated the success of the Twigs’ 2012 Tree of Lights Campaign with the annual lighting of the tree that stands over Rome Memorial Hospital’s North James Street main entrance.

Every light on the tree has been placed through donations, either in honor or in memory of a loved one, or to

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express thanks. This year’s campaign raised more than $10,000 to help the Twigs, a nonprofit organization, continue their long tradition of service in support of the hospital and its mission.

This year’s fundraising campaign was dedicated to Dr. Fred Grabo for his many years of service to the hospital.

Ann Pohl, assistant vice president of NBT Bank of Rome, principal sponsor of the campaign, was given the honor of flipping the switch to light the tree that has been a visible symbol of the season at the hospital since 1989.

The evening’s events included the unveiling of the scroll that lists each of the individual donors and honorees, as well as entertainment by the Roman Rogues and refreshments provided by the Twigs.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

Dr. Fred Grabo looks up at the tree as Ann Pohl, assistant vice president of NBT Bank of Rome, flips the switch to light the 2012 Twig’s Tree of Light in front of a cheering crowd.

H ealth News FSLH introduces new medical staff Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica recently made several medical staff announcements.

• Eric K. Ofori has joined the practice of Kidney and Hypertension Consultants with Emile Wassel and Yekaterina A. Kashtanova.

The practice is located on the fourth floor of the Faxton Campus at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica.

Prior to joining FSLH, Ofori worked Ofori as a hospitalist for Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, N.J. Ofori earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from City College in New York City and his Doctor of Medicine from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse.

He completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J., and a fellowship in nephrology at Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Ill. Ofori is board certified in internal medicine and is a member of the American Society of Nephrology, American College of Physicians, Renal Physicians Association and American Medical Association.

Ofori is accepting new patients and can be reached at the Kidney and Hypertension Consultants Office, 1676 Sunset Ave., fourth floor, Utica, at 315624-8100.

• Jessica L. Wilbert has joined the office of Emile Wassel at FSLH as a nurse practitioner. Wassel is a nephrologist with the regional dialysis program at FSLH. Wilbert is also a nursing instructor at St. Elizabeth College of Nursing in Utica.

Prior to joining Wilbert FSLH, she was a family nurse practitioner in cardiothoracic surgery at Mercy Hospital and SURGXL in Buffalo.

Wilbert earned her Associate of Science degree in nursing from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from SUNYIT Utica/Rome in Marcy, and her family nurse practitioner Master of Science from the University at Buffalo in Buffalo.

She is pursuing her post-master certificate in nursing education from SUNYIT Utica/Rome.

FSLH announces medical staff additions Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Adirondack Community Physicians recently made several medical staff announcements.

• Brenda Marie Carney has joined FSLH’s ACP Boonville Medical Office as a family nurse practitioner.

Prior to joining ACP, Carney worked as a family nurse practitioner for the Utica Community Health Center and TeamHealth, Northeast Division, both in Utica.

She has also worked as a registered nurse for St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica, Four Winds Carney Hospital in Saratoga Springs and FSLH in Utica.

Carney earned her Associate of Applied Science in nursing from Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, and her Bachelor of Science in nursing and family nurse practitioner Master of Science from SUNYIT Utica/Rome in Marcy.

• Melissa A. Collver has joined FSLH’s ACP North Utica Medical Office as a family nurse practitioner.

Collver previously worked for ACP as a registered nurse. Prior to joining ACP, Collver held registered nursing positions at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica and Presbyterian Nursing Home in New Hartford.

Collver earned her Collver Associate of Applied Science in nursing from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing in Utica, and her Bachelor of Science in nursing and family nurse practitioner Master of Science from SUNYIT Utica/Rome in Marcy.

FSLH makes staff announcement Lisa Volk has been named executive director of St. Luke’s Home for Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica.

St. Luke’s Home is a 202bed nursing home located on the St. Luke’s Campus of FSLH. The facility Volk has a 40-bed sub-

FSLH volunteers raise funds for hospital The Faxton St. Luke’s Volunteer Association recently presented the hospital with a $100,000 donation at its annual holiday gathering. Funds are raised through the proceeds of the volunteer association’s gift shops and vendor sales throughout the year. In above photo, Faxton St. Luke’s Volunteer Association President Jane Gwise, left, presents Eileen Pronobis, executive director of the FSLH Foundation, and Anthony Scibelli, senior vice president of operations for FSLH, with a check for $100,000 to support patient care. acute rehabilitation unit as well as an adult day health care program.

Prior to joining FSLH, Volk was CEO/administrator at St. Johnsville Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in St. Johnsville.

She also held the positions of director-assistant director of nursing services and staff development coordinator for the St. Johnsville Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Volk received her Associate of Applied Science from Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica and her Bachelor of Professional Studies from SUNYIT Utica-Rome in Marcy.

Three physician specialty practices relocate Three of Rome Medical Practice’s specialty physician groups and their billing office will be moving to the Griffiss Business and Technology Park early in January, announced practice administrator Tracey Hamilton.

Although the addresses will change, the phone numbers for each practice will remain the same.

The move dates for each office are as follows: • Jan. 3—Rome Surgical Services: from 1617 N. James St. to 267 Hill Road, Suite 300, Rome, 337-0202 • Jan. 4—Rome Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine: from 1617 N. James St. to 267 Hill Road, Suite 300, Rome, 337-3071 • Jan. 4—Rome Medical Practice Billing Office from 1819 Black River Blvd. to 245 Hill Road, Rome, 337-0429 • Jan. 7—Upstate Urology: from 107 E. Chestnut St., to 267 Hill Road,

January 2013 •

Suite 300, Rome, 356-7390 The physicians will be relocating to the same complex as Rome Medical Practice’s neurologist Glady Jacob.

Hamilton and the billing office will be located in an adjacent building. The offices can be accessed by turning onto Avery Lane, which is located between the traffic circle and AmeriCU. “The new location at Griffiss Professional Complex will provide our patients with a modern, welcoming environment, while enabling our offices to come together to enhance our operations through the sharing of knowledge and resources,” Hamilton said.

Rome Memorial Hospital created Rome Medical Practice to ensure the community’s access to specialty physician services in Rome, Hamilton explained.

A fifth practice, Rome Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, will remain at Chestnut Commons where X-ray and physical therapy services are available for patients.

Boonville Family Care offers extended hours Boonville Family Care is offering extended office hours.

The family practice will open earlier and remain open later four days per week, according to Tracey Hamilton, practice manager. The new hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays.

“The changes in our office hours

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H ealth News Continued from Page 17 were made so we have more hours to see patients, and also to accommodate patients’ busy schedules,” Hamilton said. “This adjustment is another testament to our commitment to providing our North Country patients with convenient, quality care, close to home.”

The Boonville Family Care staff includes Beth Lykling, family practitioner; Vivienne Taylor, pediatric and internal medicine; and nurse practitioners Melissa Muha and Libby Gleasman.

Located at 13407 state Route 12, Boonville, Boonville Family Care is a family practice that also offers an on-site laboratory collection center for blood work and other tests.

SDMG names top employee of quarter Seherzada Fox has been named employee of the quarter for the fourth quarter of 2012 at Slocum-Dickson Medical Group PLLC in New Hartford.

Fox began her career SDMG in 2006.

She is working in the radiology department as a full-time radiographer performing various imagFox ing procedures.

Fox is being recognized for her outstanding service to patients, exceptional rapport with colleagues and overall outstanding commitment SDMG, a spokesperson said.

SDMG supports disaster relief efforts The physicians and staff at Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford wanted to do their part in supporting relief efforts for people who were displaced from their homes by Superstorm Sandy.

Recently, SDMG held an employee casual day to benefit the American Red Cross and raise money for its disaster relief fund.

One hundred percent of the money collected will be donated to the American Red Cross.

The employees of Slocum-Dickson will help people affected by disasters like Superstorm Sandy, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, with their donation to support the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

These gifts enable the Red Cross to prepare for disasters and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters.

For more information about the American Red Cross and how to make a donation, visit redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS.

Hospital celebrates opening of new Verona facility Oneida Healthcare recently marked the opening of its new Verona Health Center with an open house and ribbon cutting. Long-time Verona family physician John D. George III and his staff, along with Erin Thompson of Tri-Valley Family Practice, is staffing the new facility. The center, located at 5547 W. Main St., provides a full range of primary care services, including ready access to Oneida Healthcare’s expanding complement of surgical services and specialty practices. Shown celebrating the occasion are, from left, Fred Sherz, Jr., town of Verona councilor; John Wight, Tri-Valley Family Practice; state Sen. Joseph Griffo of Rome; Thompson of Verona Health Center and Tri-Valley Family Practice; Gene Morreale, Oneida Healthcare president and CEO; Peter Hedglon, Oneida Healthcare trustee; Kenneth Brewer, town of Verona councilor; and George.

Arc butterfly house to take flight The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter will be building a butterfly house for the growth and preservation of butterflies.

The house will be built in the spring. Funding for this project was made possible through a NYSARC grant of $5,000.

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities that are served by The Arc will maintain the butterfly house. They will do the planting, gardening and be responsible for its upkeep.

“The grant provided by NYSARC allows us to build an environment that will serve as a means to educate and enrich the lives of the individuals we serve,” said Mary Beth Redmond, director of community and family services at The Arc. “This house will encourage interest in gardening, butterflies and their necessity in our environment. It will also allow men and women to build relationships as they work together toward the yearly butterfly release ceremony.”

To learn more about programs at The Arc, visit www.thearcolc.org.

UCP Parent Corporation names new directors The United Cerebral Palsy Parent

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

Corporation recently appointed two new executive directors.

Geno DeCondo is the new executive director of affiliate Mohawk Valley Handicapped Services, Inc. and Laura Eannace is the new executive director of affiliate Central New York Health Home Network LLC. Other UCP Parent Corporation affiliates DeCondo include Upstate Cerebral Palsy, Kelberman Center and Cerebral Palsy Association.

UCP Parent Corporation is the governing body that oversees numerous agency affiliates.

DeCondo, of Whitesboro, will maintain oversight and responsibility for Mohawk Valley Handicapped Services, Inc., which is a separately incorporated agency that serves as a holding corporation for many UCP facilities.

DeCondo is also executive vice president of UCP, where he oversees management of the finance, management information systems, payroll, purchasing and buildings and grounds departments and reviews strategies

and proposals for short- and long-term capital acquisitions and needs.

Eannace, of Utica, will oversee and maintain responsibility for the Central New York Health Home Network LLC., an innovative model of care that provides personalized clinical and social support and service Eannace coordination aimed at improving the health and well-being of the community.

In her current role, Eannace is an UCP executive vice president overseeing management of human resources, community health and behavioral services, compliance and quality development departments.

UCP is the premier provider of direct-care services and programs for individuals who are physically, developmentally, or mentally challenged and their families, employing more than 1,900 full- and part-time employees at over 75 locations throughout central New York.

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The Social Ask Security Office

H ealth News Continued from Page 18

Agency ‘Creating Healthy Places’ in Herkimer County With the assistance of the Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work, and Play grant in Herkimer County and the Herkimer County Daycare Association, more children now play in the physical activity areas of their childcare providers.

Many providers recently had to shut down their play areas because they lacked the playground surface material required to meet child-care playground health standards in New York state.

One of the projects of the Creating Healthy Places grant is to create or enhance areas to be physically active. Herkimer County HealthNet pre-purchased playground surface material for playgrounds in Herkimer County in the spring of 2011 in which municipalities and organizations could apply for through a mini-grant process. HealthNet has covered more than 1,500 cubic yards of playground throughout Herkimer County.

In addition to playground enhancements, Herkimer County HealthNet is also seeking two structured group child-care facilities to take part in a free nutrition and physical activity self-assessment during the winter.

Incentives and awards are given to child-care programs whose staff completes the workshops. In addition, they will receive recognition at the Creating Healthy Places recognition luncheon March 1.

Those interested may call 315-8671499.

The Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play in Herkimer County grant is a program of the New York State Department of Health and serves to prevent type 2 diabetes and obesity in Herkimer County.

St. Johnsville Rehab selects top employee Jerry Bushey, director of rehab services, has been elected St. Johnsville Rehab and Nursing Centers employee of the quarter for the months of October-December 2012.

“As a gym member and physical therapy recipient, I’ve been using the Bushey facilities for the last five years,” said patient Tony Susi. “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Jerry Bushey during that time. Jerry is an outstanding physical therapist, runs an excellent program and cares a great deal about his patients and gym members.”

MMRL scientist wins award Brian Panama, research scientist at Cardiac Research Institute of the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory, was awarded first prize in the Gordon K. Moe Young Investigator Award Competition at the 22nd annual meeting of the Upstate New York Cardiac Electrophysiology Society held at the University of Rochester Medical School in Rochester.

Panama’s presentation dealt with a new therapy for Brugada syndrome being developed at the MMRL. Brugada syndrome is an inherited cardiac arrhythmia syndrome capable of producing sudden cardiac death in young adults as they enter their third and fourth decades of life.

The anPanama nual meeting of UNYCES brought together 90 cardiologists and scientists from Utica, Ithaca, Rochester, Buffalo and Toronto. The meeting provides an opportunity for young scientists and physicians to present the results of their research work, all competing for the coveted Young Investigator Award named after Moe, who served as director of research of the MMRL in Utica from 1959-1984.

The Cardiac Research Institute at MMRL has gained international renown and wide acclaim in the scientific and medical community as a leading cardiac research center.

Visit www.mmrl.edu for more information or to arrange a tour or presentation.

Get revved up for Sitrin’s Harley raffle Less than 2,000 tickets remain for Sitrin’s 17th annual Harley-Davidson fundraiser.

This year’s model is a 2013 Street Glide FLHX. It is valued at $20,094 and features the twin cam 103 engine.

Tickets are only $10 each, and a total of 4,250 will be sold. They can be purchased online at www.sitrin.com, in person at Sitrin, or by calling 315-7372245.

The drawing will be held at noon Feb. 14 at the Sitrin Medical Rehabilitation Center, 2050 Tilden Ave., New Hartford.

Ticket buyers do not need to be present at the drawing to win. Entrants must be 18 years of age. Tickets are available to U.S. residents only.

Proceeds from this fundraiser benefit the Sitrin Medical Rehabilitation Center, which provides a variety of comprehensive medical rehabilitation services for children and adults, including the STARS adaptive sports program for people with physical disabilities.

STORY IDEAS?

Email them to lou@cnymail.com

Column provided by the local Social Security Office

Financial wellness can be yours in 2013

J

anuary is “Financial Wellness Month,” a great time to think about your own financial future. It also happens to be at this time that many people make resolutions for the New Year. Why not combine the two and make your own financial wellness a resolution for 2013?

Here are our suggested resolutions for your financial wellness.

• Start your financial plan with your Social Security statement. The online statement is simple, easy to use and provides estimates you should consider in planning for your retirement. It provides estimates for disability and survivors benefits, making the statement an important financial planning tool. Your statement allows you to review and ensure that your earnings are accurately posted to your Social Security record. This feature is important because Social Security benefits are based on average earnings over your lifetime. If the information is incorrect, or you have earnings missing from your record, you may not receive all the benefits to which you are entitled in the future. Visit: www.socialsecurity. gov/mystatement • Work the numbers. Once you get your online statement, you can use the other free resources provided by Social Security. Use our retirement estimator, where you can get a personalized, instant estimate of your future retirement benefits using different retirement ages and scenarios. Visit the retirement estimator at www.socialsecurity. gov/estimator • Once you are in the know, choose to save. The earlier you begin your financial planning, the better off you will be. Social Security replaces about

Q&A What is the difference between the disability application and the disability report? Do I have to complete both?

A: The disability application is an application for Social Security disability benefits. To receive Social Security disability or Supplemental Security Income disability benefits, you must file an application. The disability report, meanwhile, is a form that provides Social Security with information about your current medical condition.

We need this information to process your disability application. To start a claim for disability benefits, you need to complete a disability application, a disability report, and an authorization release form that allows us to obtain your medical records. You can get the disability application process started at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability.

January 2013 •

40 percent of the average worker’s pre-retirement earnings. Most financial advisers say that you will need 70 percent or more of pre-retirement earnings to live comfortably. You also will need other savings, investments, pensions or retirement accounts to make sure you have enough money to live comfortably when you retire. Visit the ballpark estimator for tips to help you save: www.choosetosave.org/ballpark • Do some light reading. Learn more about Social Security, the benefit programs, and what they mean to you and your family, by browsing through our online library of publications. In particular, our publication titled “When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits” provides helpful information regarding the things you should consider when making a decision on when to collect retirement benefits. Many of our publications also are available in audio format and other formats. Our library at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs is always open.

• Help someone you love. Sometimes we get the most satisfaction out of helping someone else. If you have a grandparent, parent, relative or friend who could benefit from Social Security, share our website and the features of our online services with them. You can even help a loved one apply for Social Security benefits in as little as 15 minutes — or for extra help with Medicare prescription drug costs. Whether you forward a publication or sit down to help someone apply for Social Security, the place to go is www.socialsecurity. gov.

There are a number of ways you can celebrate Financial Wellness Month, so start off the New Year by looking out for your own financial wellness at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Q: I’ve been turned down for disability benefits. How do I appeal?

A: Visit www.socialsecurity.gov and click on the “Appeal a disability decision online” link in the left-hand column. This is the starting point.

There you can ask us to review our medical decision. There are two parts to the Internet appeal process: 1) An appeal request Internet form; and 2) An appeal disability report, which gives us more information about your condition.

You can complete both forms online. To appeal online, the only form you are required to submit is an appeal request (Part 1). However, we encourage you to submit an appeal disability Report (Part 2) because it will give us more information about you and help us process your appeal more quickly.

The place to start is www.socialsecurity.gov.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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DER SURGERY? FACING GALLBLADDER

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Ask your doctor about Single-Site da Vinci Gallbladder Surgery at Oneida Healthcare or call (315) 361–2988

A compassionate team approach to breast care.

As health care providers, we understand that seamless, coordinated care offers our patients clarity of diagnosis and treatment options, reduced wait times and an opportunity to be active participants throughout the continuum of care. As women, we appreciate the emotional impact that breast cancer has on our patients and their families. As a team, we provide quality care that is truly patient focused.

C A L L 315 . 6 2 4 . 5 7 6 4 T H E R E G I O N A L C A N C E R C E N T E R AT

Suzy Burns, RN, CBPN-IC Nurse Navigator

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Nancy Shaheen, MD Radiologist

Debra Walz, RN, MS, WHNP-BC, AOCNP Women’s Health and Oncology Nurse Practitioner

Alicia DeTraglia, MD Medical Oncologist

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

We care. Body, mind and spirit.