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Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

April 2011 • Issue 62

STDs Run Rampant Alarming rates unveiled in the Mohawk Valley See Page 5

Is Charlie Sheen really winning? Page 6

Health issues

Therapy dogs Tap, a 225-pound Irish Wolfhound, owned by Judy Curtain, visits with Leo Durham at Masonic Care Community. See Page 15. • THE FUTURE Local rep shares perspective on healthcare. April 2011 •

• ADVICE AIDS group raises awareness about safer sex.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Kelberman Center hosts ‘Walk for Autism’

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Autism affects one out of every 110 children in the United States. Autism Awareness Month is celebrated throughout April and the Kelberman Center will host its annual “Walk for Autism” on April 2 in Oneida and Utica and also on April 30 in Boonville, Cooperstown, New Hartford, Northern Community and Rome. Registration will take place at each location at 9:30 a.m. and walks begin at 11 a.m. The walks take place at the following locations (some include runs as well): • April 2 locations include Oneida Walk (Oneida High School) and Utica Walk (Kelberman Center). • April 30 locations will include Boonville Walk (V.F.W.), Cooperstown Run/Walk (Glimmerglass State Park), New Hartford Walk (Recreation Center), Northern Community Run/Walk (Holland Patent Middle School) and Rome Walk (Rome Free Academy). Each walk site features music, refreshments, activities, prizes, and the opportunity to socialize with those united by this common cause. The Walk for Autism is the initiative of a group of parents heightening autism awareness in local communities and raising needed funds that will remain in the Mohawk Valley. Participants may register at 9:30 a.m. on the date of the walk at their specific walk locations. Visit kelbermancenter.org to download pledge forms or to create an online fundraising page. If not already preregistered (with full amount of pledges turned in), walkers should bring their pledge form and pledges on the morning of the walk. For more information on the Walk for Autism, contact Ann Custodero-Aery at the Kelberman Center at 315.797.6241.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • April 2011

April 4

Seniors’ sign language class scheduled Seniors’ sign language class will be held from 6:15-7:15 p.m. Mondays from April 4-May 2 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 8595 Westmoreland Road, Whitesboro. This class is specifically designed for older adults 55 years and older to learn the basics of sign language. Call Nancy at 736.6872 or email nsigning@gmail.com for registration information by March 30.

April 7

Sports injuries featured at hospital’s health night Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Elemer A. Raffai, Rome Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, will discuss the importance of prompt diagnosis of sports injuries as well as current surgical and non-surgical treatment at Rome Memorial Hospital’s Health Night. The free presentation Raffai will be held at 7 p.m. April 7 in the hospital’s classroom. “I grew up playing hockey so I understand the importance of a prompt diagnosis, as well as receiving the best treatment to get back into the game,” Raffai said. Raffai will use models of joints and bones to describe common sports injuries such as a torn meniscus or anterior cruciate ligament in the knee or a torn rotator cuff in the shoulder. He will review sprains, bone spurs and wrist injuries including carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as the most current approach to joint replacement. Health night is sponsored by Rome Memorial Hospital. Advance registra-

Continued on Page 16

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Rehab grad surpasses goal, bikes over 30 miles Theme of National Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week: ‘Our Aim is to Inspire You’

ust the thought of riding a bicycle for any distance in August’s heat and humidity might deter even the best of us; not Lee Hansen, even with the added challenge of limited lung capacity. When Hansen began pulmonary rehabilitation at Rome Memorial Hospital, his sights were set on riding in the Livestrong Challenge—a bike ride through the Pennsylvania countryside to help raise money to fight cancer. But, first he had to deal with the shortness of breath that he faced after losing his right lung to cancer. Lee, 63, was determined to accomplish his goal. On Aug. 22, just three weeks after completing the pulmonary rehab program, he crossed the Livestrong Challenge finish line. “The 80 degree temperatures, pouring rain and high humidity made it a little harder to breathe,” Lee explained. “Throw in a few hills and some wind and it made for an interesting morning.” He planned to ride 20 miles but with unexpected weather and road construction detours, he clocked over 30 miles. “I ended up riding about 32 miles,” Hansen said. “I thought of my rehab team at Rome Memorial Hospital with every pedal stroke. I couldn’t have done it without their help.” Hansen attended the pulmonary rehabilitation program while going through chemotherapy and worked hard to increase his strength and endurance in spite of working with one lung and being treated for COPD, explained Lynda Ferris, Rome Memorial Hospital’s pulmonary rehabilitation coordinator. “He is an inspiration to us all,” Ferris said. “Lee is an example of how hard work, determination and a positive attitude can pay off in the end.”

Determination prevails

Hansen participated in the Livestrong Challenge, an event supporting the Lance Armstrong Founda-

tion, for the first time in September 2006 just eight months after his first lung surgery and two months after finishing chemotherapy for the first time. “I rode again in 2007,” Hansen noted. “Unfortunately, pneumonia prevented me from taking part in 2008, but I rode again in 2009. After surgery that removed the remainder of my right lung, I became even more determined to meet my rehab goal and ride in 2010.” Hansen has already registered to ride in this year’s Livestrong Challenge, to be held Aug. 20-21 in Philadelphia. As a five-year survivor of lung cancer, a milestone about only 15 percent of lung cancer patients reach, Lee hopes his accomplishments will spread the word about the benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation and give hope to others battling cancer and lung disease. “Everyone I met in the pulmonary rehabilitation program had their own goal,” Lee continued. “The staff helped each of us develop a realistic plan that included education and exercise.” “But we shared one common goal,” he said. “We were all working to regain the parts of our lives taken away by lung disease. It didn’t take long before we realized what was possible.” Certified by the American Association for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Rome Memorial Hospital’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is a hospital-based outpatient program for patients with chronic lung disease or other conditions that affect breathing.

Lee Hansen, an avid cyclist, is back on course with help from pulmonary rehabilitation. Just three weeks after completing the program at Rome Memorial Hospital, Lee competed in a 30-mile bike ride to help raise money to ﬁght cancer.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Glaucoma testing prevents blindness

erkimer County Public Health is encouraging residents, especially seniors, to be checked for glaucoma. Good vision is an important component of avoiding consequences from falls and general wellness. Local eye doctors of optometry are ready to perform all the tests mentioned here. With Medicare, this testing is usually without cost. Glaucoma gradually steals sight without warning. In the early stages of the disease, there may be no symptoms. Glaucoma causes optic nerve damage and visual field changes, or a narrowing of the eyes’ usual scope of vision. Glaucoma is the second-most common cause of blindness in the U.S., affecting nearly 3 million Americans. Experts estimate that half of the people affected by glaucoma may not know they have it. Statistically, there may be over 600 Herkimer residents with glaucoma, and 300 Herkimer residents may be unaware of their condition of glaucoma. Glaucoma occurs when high fluid pressure in the eye presses against the optic nerve, causing damage. The damage to optic nerve fibers can cause blind spots to develop. These blind spots usually go undetected until the optic nerve is significantly damaged. If glaucoma continues to damage the optic nerve, blindness may result. While anyone can get glaucoma, certain groups of people are at higher risk for the disease. These include African Americans and Hispanics, and people with diabetes who are nearly twice as likely to develop glaucoma as adults without diabetes. Medicare covers annual glaucoma screening for people at high risk for the disease. Medicare covers annual glaucoma screening for the following persons considered to be at high risk for this disease: • Individuals with diabetes • Individuals with a family history of glaucoma • African Americans over the age of 50 • Hispanics 65 and older Medicare will pay for glaucoma screening examinations when they are furnished by or under the direct supervision in the office setting of an ophthalmologist or optometrist. If you already have lost some vision from glaucoma, ask your eye care professional about low vision services and devices that may help you make the most of your remaining vision. Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired offers information about low vision counseling, training, and other special services for people with visual impairments. Contact CABVI at 507 Kent St., Utica, N.Y. 13501, at 797.2233 or toll free at 1.877.719.9996. More information on glaucoma and other disease conditions is available by calling Herkimer County Public Health at 315.867.1176 or visiting www. medicare.gov. Page 4

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Meet

Your Doctor

By Patricia J. Malin

Khalil Alshaer Dr. Khalil Alshaer recently completed his residency in family medicine at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse and joined the Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford. Recently, he became the attending physician at Slocum-Dickson’s new urgent care clinic in Ilion. He discusses his career and outlook with In Good Health senior correspondent Patricia J. Malin. Q.: Why did you decide to practice in the Mohawk Valley? A.: I earned my medical degree in 2006 and I did my training in Upstate New York. I liked the area and the environment and I wanted to practice in an area that was in need of medical services. I felt that my services would be most valuable in an area where access to healthcare can sometimes be difficult. I have been in the Upstate New York area since 2008. I’ve found that I prefer the quaint peaceful environment of a rural area over the hustle and bustle of the city. Q.: When did you become a doctor? What prompted you to become a physician? Do you have any other family members involved in healthcare? A.: My father was a veterinarian and my mother was a biology teacher, so I developed an interest in science and biology early in life. I was also interested in helping people, so medicine was a natural choice since it allowed me to combine both of my interests. Q.: What is your specialty? Why did you choose to specialize in family medicine? What ailments or disorders do you treat? A.: I will be seeing patients full time at the new Ilion walk-in care center. I will be providing prompt care for minor illnesses such as colds, earaches, sore throats, or urinary tract infections, as well as sprains and minor injuries. I am trained as a family practitioner, so I am equipped to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. I chose to work in this type of setting because there is a lot of variety in the conditions that I will see and the procedures that I will perform. Another positive aspect of working in this type of setting is that the results of treatment are usually seen quickly and that is very rewarding. Q.: What are your expectations concerning this new urgent care center. What difficulties might you anticipate? What are your duties? How much staff will be working at the center?

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • April 2011

A.: The Ilion walk-in care center is a new venture and we have high hopes for the center and high expectations. Our hope is that the walk-in care center will flourish and become estab-

lished in the community as a place where patients can get the care they need when they need it. Once the center is up and running, we will need to be able to quickly adapt to any challenges in order to accomplish our goal of helping the people of the Mohawk Valley receive acute care. Q.: What is the most challenging aspect of your job? A.: The most challenging aspect of my job is maintaining a good balance of quality patient care and efficiency. Q.: What is the most fulfilling aspect of your job? A.: The most fulfilling aspect of my job is being able to address the patients’ concerns and provide effective treatment, seeing the results of my actions. Q.: What challenges do you foresee in the future regarding healthcare? A.: The greatest challenge I foresee in healthcare is the effort to provide access to good quality healthcare for all those who need it. It is an important issue and one that will hopefully continue to be addressed in the future.

Lifelines Residence: New Hartford Education: Family medicine residency, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, Syracuse, 2011; medical degree, Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies, 2006 Memberships: American Academy of Family Physicians Previous employment: St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, Syracuse Family: Engaged Hobbies: Travel, outdoor activities

teen health Shocking news: High rate of STDs among Mohawk Valley teens Statistics show STD rates in area higher than rest of country to reason. They act on their instincts. They don’t reason things out, the pros and cons, the possible consequences of their behavior.” Rice is also concerned that teens in the Mohawk Valley lack access to learning about safe sex and that they don’t know where to go to find out, or where to go to get protection. “Preventing pregnancy is a big factor for teens,” she said. “They use the birth control pill and assume they are having safe sex.” Also, a myth among young people is that they think they can be infected only through sexual intercourse. That is wrong information.

By Barbara Pierce

he statistics are disturbing. Teens and young adults in the Mohawk Valley have a higher rate of sexually transmitted diseases than young people elsewhere in the state or the United States. These are the findings of AIDS Community Resources, Inc., a nonprofit community organization dedicated to educating people to prevent the spread of STDs. In the United States, 50 percent of teens/young adults aged 15 – 24 have an STD. This means that more than one out of two of the teens/young adults in the Mohawk Valley have an STD. “This is pretty shocking,” said Elizabeth Alderman in an interview with MSN. Alderman specializes in adolescent medicine at Montefiore Medical Center Children’s Hospital in New York. It is a blunt message to Mohawk Valley teens and parents of teens: Odds are that you or someone you know has an STD. STDs can affect males and females of all backgrounds and economic classes. STDs are transmitted primarily through sexual intercourse. Most STDs show no symptoms or signs; they show up through testing. “There are several possible reasons that the rate of STDs in Mohawk Valley kids is higher,” said Marissa Rice, director of youth services at AIDS Community Resources. “Either our kids aren’t getting the message, or they don’t have access to safer sex methods. Or, maybe it just reflects that more of our kids are getting tested than in other areas.” Most people are unaware of the consequences of STDs. STDs are far more than just an embarrassment. They are a serious health problem.

Families first

Consequences can include infertility, cancer of the reproductive organs, or lifelong illness, even death. Infants born to infected mothers may have blindness, mental retardation, and a high risk of infant mortality. And, according to the Centers for Disease Control, they add an estimated $14.7 billion each year to the nation’s health care costs.

Show stopper

STDs can end your life. A diagnosis of HIV/AIDs can mean death; the life expectancy for a person diagnosed

RMH hosts M.A.S.H. Camp for students

dolescents interested in a career in healthcare can register for an interactive summer camp at Rome Memorial Hospital. Students entering eighth or ninth grade in the fall who are interested in exploring a career in healthcare are invited to apply for M.A.S.H. (Medical Academy of Science and Health) Camp to be held at the hospital Aug. 17-19. “This three-day, hands-on experience exposes students to a wide variety of healthcare professions such as respiratory therapy, medical imaging, physical and occupational therapy, pharmacy and nursing,” said Rome Memorial Hospital’s Community Health Educator and Volunteer Coor-

dinator Julie Chrysler. “The campers will have the opportunity to meet with health care workers, discuss what they do and see them in action, in addition to participating in interactive activities.” Every student will be provided with a set of hospital scrubs, a lanyard with name badge to wear at camp, breakfast, lunch, snacks, T-shirt, certificate of participation, and attention from health professionals. Applications are available online at www.cnyahec.org. For questions and assistance, contact Rome Hospital’s Education Department at 315.338.7134 or email Chrysler at jchrysler@romehospital.org.

as HIV positive is now 24 years. It is disturbing that half of those who are newly infected with the HIV virus are under the age of 24. Fortunately, ever since potent anti-HIV medication became available in 1996, the number of AIDs-related deaths has decreased dramatically for patients in the U.S. However, it is still a lifelong illness, a very serious illness. The immune system fails, which leaves the body susceptible to a variety of life threatening infections. Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD in the Mohawk Valley. Many with this disease have no symptoms. Untreated, chlamydia can lead to serious reproductive problems and other health problems. Gonorrhea is the second most common STD, and can cause serious problems in both males and females. Though antibiotics can cure gonorrhea, drug resistant strains of the disease are developing. HPV (human papilloma virus) is very contagious. As there are no symptoms, it is easily passed along. It usually clears up on its own. However, when it does not clear up, it causes genital warts on both males and females, and cancer of the female reproductive system. Genital warts must be treated by a physician. “Biological factors make teens more susceptible to getting an STD,” added Rice. “Also, it’s harder for teens April 2011 •

Families should be the primarily place that teens learn about being sexually active, safe sex, and the risk of STDs, Rice said. Parents should teach their children and share their own values. AIDS Community Resources welcomes the opportunity to help parents talk with their children about these issues, as this is never easy for parents to deal with. They will talk with parents individually or in small groups. Also, AIDS Community Resources has a teen task force. The teens are trained to be peer educators, letting their friends know the risks and how to protect themselves. Also, staff talks to teens in health classes in schools, in after-school programs, and in residential facilities. They teach teens to be aware of the risks and where to find protection. They also support teens to abstain from sexual activity. “We meet kids where they are, so we can help them learn to make good decisions,” said Rice. There are serious long-term health consequences that result from undiagnosed and untreated STDs. It’s time to start talking to young people about safe sex and about getting tested and treated. Rice encourages people to contact them and ask for someone in youth services. Their headquarters are in Syracuse, with several branch locations in the Mohawk Valley. They can be reached at 1.800.475.2430.

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addictions

In Denial Charlie Sheen situation epitomizes curse of addiction By Mark Briggs It took the largest Japanese earthquake in recent memory, the subsequent tsunami, and the threatened meltdown of several of that country’s nuclear reactors to shift the American public away from Charlie Sheen’s meltdown. We have followed the drug dramas of Robert Downey, Jr., Brittney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and many others. We are to be fascinated by the rich and famous self-destructing, but their antics offer us valuable lessons in regard to drug and alcohol abuse as well. I have treated addictions for nearly 40 years. I see the curse of addictions destroying not only addicts, but families and friendships. As I am writing this article on March 14, Charlie Sheen is headed for a cliff. It appears to me that he has a mental illness as well as addiction. But dually diagnosed people are saved from the ravages of addiction every day. Sheen’s public pronouncements have been so infused with denial that even common people can see it. He denies the seriousness of his problems, his need for outside help, and even the role he has played in bringing his problems on himself. He has lost his children and a job which paid him over $2 million per episode and he has rendered unemployed most of the staff of his awardwinning television show, “Two and a Half Men.” Like most addicts, he sees himself

Sheen as the victim of “fools” and “trolls”. He embodies the best acronym for the word DENIAL—Don’t Even Know I Am Lying. He lies to everyone, but his chief perpetration is lying to himself. If you have known active addicts up close,

you have seen this lying to self and others. Addiction commandeers the addict’s intelligence and uses it in its own service. Sheen is very smart, but his intelligence is now an employee of the addiction. The denial is also seen in Sheen’s superiority and grandiosity. He calls himself a “tiger” and a “warlock”, and he blatantly says he is a superior man. This arrogant grandiosity is one of the Briggs hallmarks of addiction. Active addicts tend to believe they are exempt from moral, civic, psychological and even spiritual laws. Sheen further displays his addiction with his assertion that he can stop on his own. From time immemorial, the idea that they can quit without help is a delusion that addicts have chased to the gates of insanity and death. What Sheen needs first is to readmit his powerlessness over his drugs of choice, including alcohol. Then

he needs to be around clear minds— whether professional or experienced 12-steppers—long enough to clear out his own chemically addled brain. And due to his apparent psychiatric condition, he may also need proper medication. I hope that his statements about breaking free from the cult of AA are not taken seriously by active local addicts. In his denial, Sheen forgets that AA helped him to rebuild his career, gave him the clarity of mind to use his prodigious acting talents, and enabled him to keep one of the highestpaying jobs in American television. To say that Sheen is headed for a cliff is only half-correct, because he’s already halfway over. He has lost his marriage, his beloved children and the salary that pays for his lavish lifestyle. Only time will tell what hitting the rocks at the foot of the cliff will cause him: Imprisonment, impoverishment, health problems, and death are all serious possibilities. For more information or help, contact the Mohawk Valley Council on Alcoholism and Addictions, 502 Court St. # 401, Utica, at 733-1709. • Mark Briggs, a licensed clinical social worker and a clinical hypnotherapist, is the director of Alternative Hypnosis in East Syracuse. He can be reached at 315.432.1514. For more information, visit www.AlternativeHypnosisNY.com

CDC releases estimates of inactivity, diabetes, obesity

tatistics were released by the Centers for Disease Control recently that rated local counties for levels of inactivity and obesity, which are associated with the development of diabetes. Most local counties ranked better than the national average of 25.4 percent inactivity. The rate of Inactivity relates to physical activities or exercises other than regular job duties. Otsego County, at 22.8 percent, and Hamilton County, at 22.9, were lowest, or best among the seven neighboring counties. Herkimer County was third best at 24.6 percent while Montgomery County was fourth best at 24.8. Lewis County had a 25.5 rating, while Oneida County showed 25.6 inactivity. Fulton County had a rate of 27.2. The 2004-2008 estimates, posted online at www.cdc.gov/diabetes/statistics, provide county-level estimates for leisure-time physical inactivity for Page 6

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all U.S. counties. A 2008 CDC survey found that 25.4 percent of U.S. adults did not spend any of their free time being physically active, including activities such as walking for exercise, gardening, golfing or running. States where residents are the least likely to be physically active during leisure time are Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee. In those states, physical inactivity rates are 29.2 percent or greater for more than 70 percent of the counties. CDC previously released maps with estimated levels of diabetes and obesity for all U.S. counties. Combining all three factors produces a map that shows the highest levels of diagnosed diabetes, leisure-time physical inactivity and obesity in the South and parts of Appalachia. The regions with the lowest levels of all three are the West and Northeast. Physical activity can help control weight, reduce the risk of type 2 dia-

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • April 2011

betes, heart disease and some cancers, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve mental health. “Physical activity is crucial to managing diabetes and reducing serious complications of the disease,” said Ann Albright, director of CDC’s Division of Diabetes Translation. “Moderate intensity activities such as dancing or brisk walking, for just 150 minutes a week, can significantly improve the health of people with diabetes or at high risk for the disease.” “Chronic diseases, like diabetes, are a burden on our health care system,” said Janet E. Fulton of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity. “We need changes in communities that make it safe and easy to be active. Sidewalks, street lights, and access to parks or recreation areas can encourage people to get out and move more.” CDC, the New York State Department of Health, each of the county departments of health, as well as many

school districts and community organizations have been working on a variety of initiatives to increase physical activity, reduce obesity and prevent type 2 diabetes. All the activities of the American Heart Association’s “Greatest Heart Run and Walk” support improvement in the health and wellness of Central New York. For more information, contact www.heartrunwalk.org. CDC’s National Diabetes Prevention Program supports establishing a network of lifestyle intervention programs for overweight or obese people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. These interventions emphasize dietary changes, coping skills and group support to help participants lose 5 to 7 percent of their body weight and get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity. To see county-level estimates of physical inactivity, obesity and diagnosed diabetes, go to www.cdc.gov/ diabetes/statistics.

health careers Wide World of Sports Medicine Treating athletes has become an exact science and wrapping pre-game and take care of anyone injured during the game. Sometimes during a game someone will be injured and I’ll be able to tape, wrap or make a brace for them that allows them to keep playing even with an injury,” said Corbin. For patients who are injured and need to see a physician, sports medicine professionals can act as a liaison between patient and doctor. Sports medicine professionals work closely with their patients, form a partnership, and can become their go-to medical contact for any medical needs they may have.

By Amylynn Pastorella

t’s a profession that demands a sporting attitude. Dawn Corbin is an assistant athletic trainer at Utica College. Her main responsibilities are to provide health and wellness in the fall to the football team, the basketball team in the winter and the baseball team in the spring. Corbin is one of three athletic trainers who are on staff at Utica College. Sports medicine is practiced by athletic trainers. Athletic trainers are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities. For Corbin at Utica College, athletic trainers work closely with patients to prevent injury if possible, go to practices and games, treat and assess any injuries that occur to athletes and refer them to team physicians if necessary. Once an athlete is injured, Corbin will work them through a rehabilitation program to return them to play as safe and quickly as possible. “Athletic training is a very dynamic and time consuming job. We are not a 9-to-5-type job. Any time that our athletes are working, we are as well,” said Corbin.

Close interaction

“The best thing about athletic training to me, and something that sets us apart from other medical professions, is that we get to be involved with our patients care from the time they are injured, through their doctor visits, rehabilitation and return to play.

Career requirements

Utica College Athletic Trainer Dawn Corbin, left, uses sports medicine training and techniques to condition athletes who have suffered injuries. She is shown working with Courtney Crawford, a women’s basketball player at Utica College. Crawford is doing therapy after having meniscus surgery on her knee. We work closely with our athletes and develop a bond and trust with them that not all medical professionals get to have,” said Corbin. When working with a football team for example, athletic trainers are available for players’ daily treatment and rehabilitation and responsible for attending games both home and away. Corbin is in the athletic training room daily to help athletes with any injuries they might have. “When it is time for practice, I make sure the field is set up with water

and other supplies that they will need. I am on the field with them the whole practice,” said Corbin. Corbin, like other professionals working in sports medicine, take care of any injuries that may happen during practice as well as use the time on the field to do functional rehab with athletes that are already injured. After practice, they will do treatment again and see anyone who might have been hurt during practice. “On the weekends, I travel with the team to their games to do taping

For a career in sports medicine, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is needed. Baccalaureate and graduate degrees are in athletic training or are complementary degrees with an athletic training major. After graduation, athletic trainers must pass the National Athletic Training Board of Certification exam to become a certified athletic trainer. Certified athletic trainers must be licensed in the state they choose to practice in. Although not required, nearly 70 percent of athletic trainers have a master’s or doctoral degree. Athletic trainers are employed in a variety of settings outside of schools and professional sport settings. They are seen at physical therapy clinics, hospitals, physician’s offices, community facilities and corporate and government workplaces among others. Sports medicine is also a branch of medicine concerned with the effects of exercise and sports on the human body. Sports medicine can be divided into three general areas: clinical sports medicine, sports surgery, and the physiology of exercise.

Hospital offers free wireless Internet access

With free wireless Internet access, it’s easier to spread the news when a baby is born at Rome Memorial Hospital. John Hussey and his wife, Laura, share a family photo featuring their newest addition, Jaiden Nicholas Hussey, with family and friends. The free guest network is now available throughout the hospital for patients and visitors to stay connected.

ome Memorial Hospital now offers free wireless Internet access for patients and visitors to stay connected and pass the time while they’re at the hospital. Using their own personal wireless devices, patients and visitors can access the World Wide Web anywhere in the hospital to catch up on e-mail, connect with loved ones, surf the Internet or even get a little work done. Patients can keep family posted on their condition or even e-mail those first precious baby pictures to friends, all without leaving the comfort of their room. Patients and visitors can access the free wireless network using their personal wireless-enabled device, a standard Internet browser and a Wi-Fi card. April 2011 •

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc. and The Rome Community Foundation-Stevens Kingsley Fund each awarded the hospital a $40,000 grant to help underwrite the cost of the network, which is a key component of the infrastructure needed for the hospital’s new health information system and nurse call management system.

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health issues Living with Time to an amputation ‘CONNECT’ Lost limbs don’t mean the game is over By Joshua J. Mullen, CPO

or many individuals who have lost a limb due to a traumatic event or health issue, readjusting to life as an amputee is a difficult process. Activities that were once simple can become challenging and frustrating for a new amputee. However, the trauma of limb amputation can also be a motivating factor to change one’s lifestyle and adopt healthier habits. With physical therapy, rehabilitation and a well-fit prosthesis, it is possible to resume normal life and participate in physical activity after the loss of a limb. Not all prosthetic limbs are alike. Every prosthesis is a custom made device designed to address the specific needs of each patient to best suit his or her physical ability and activity level. Creating a comfortable, stable prosthesis is a multi-step process that requires a good relationship with a prosthetist who can understand an individual’s needs and design a device that will assist the patient in his or her return to activity. The most important component of a prosthesis is the socket. This is the portion of a prosthetic device that interfaces with the patient’s body. A well-fit prosthetic socket provides the wearer with control over the prosthetic limb while protecting the skin from abrasion

or irritation. Advances in prosthetic technology allow amputees more freedom and flexibility to participate in activities at any level. A person interested in returning to golf can do so with a foot that incorporates multi-axial rotation, allowing the individual to rotate through their swing while the foot stays in contact with the ground and the socket remains in place on the limb. Similarly, adaptations can be made to prosthesis to allow a person to run, swim or ride a bike. A prosthesis can also be designed to accommodate the demands of uneven terrain when walking at a park or hiking while minimizing forces to the residual limb. The latest technology in prosthetic knee joints include microprocessor knee units that automatically adjust to a person’s walking speed and can prevent falls with internal angle and force sensors. It is possible to have an active, healthy lifestyle after an amputation. Discuss with your doctor, therapist and prosthetist your activity level and what you wish to do. With the help of a skilled prosthetist and support of other amputees, a person with an amputation can find a way to resume the activities that bring them enjoyment. • Mullen is a certified prosthetist/orthotist at Empire Orthopedic Labs, Yorkville.

the

Pink Parlour Celebrates The

IDS Community Resources in Utica hosted a “Safer Sex Gathering” at That Place on Bleeker Street recently to promote education for Men who have Sex with Men (MSM). AIDS and STDs are on the rise and have shown an increase in many communities. MSM still continue to become infected with HIV. Many men do not reach out for services as they may feel alone and not supported by their family or community. The purpose of the event is to provide updated information about HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in a casual setting where men feel comfortable to talk to others and seek help or assistance for their needs. “It is so important to reach everyone and to have an event that is comfortable for most MSM to reach out to learn and educate themselves and others, to seek services including HIV testing and STD screenings and for men to feel better about themselves to ask and share knowledge,” said Bob Forbes, HIV prevention specialist with AIDS Community Resources. The Safer Sex Gathering is a service of the CONNECT program of AIDS Community Resources. CONNECT is a program designed to reach MSM to offer one-on-one healthy conversations on risk and ways to reduce the risk of HIV and STDs. The program is about a safer healthier connection to information that empowers one’s self to know facts and one’s HIV status.

In the context of the global AIDS epidemic, sex between men is significant because it involves anal sex—a practice that, when no protection is used, carries a higher risk of HIV transmission than unprotected vaginal sex. Historically, AIDS was first discovered among self-identified young gay men in the United States, and throughout the course of the global epidemic, consistently high levels of HIV infection have been found among men who have sex with men in many countries. In many countries however, MSM are less visible. Sex between men is stigmatized, officially denied and criminalized in various parts of the world. This adds to the vulnerability of MSM, and makes it nearly impossible to carry out relevant HIV prevention campaigns in some countries. In places where homosexuality is not tolerated, MSM often hide their same-sex relations from their friends and families to avoid persecution. “You’re not alone. Get ‘CONNECTED’ to information and others,” said Forbes. ACR is a not-for-profit, community-based organization providing prevention, education and support services to those infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS in the central, northern, and Mohawk Valley regions of New York state. Created in 1983, ACR serves Cayuga, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, and St. Lawrence counties in New York state. AIDS Community Resources is financially supported by both public and private funds.

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‘Safer Sex Gathering’ geared to increase awareness of AIDS, STDs

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • April 2011

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health issues In Recovery Local Congressman talks about his personal rebound, healthcare reform By Patricia J. Malin

n the afternoon of Feb. 23, the Central New York media received a stunning press release that U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna (R-C-I, Barneveld) had undergone a heart operation. Hanna’s Chief of Staff Justin Stokes announced in an email: “Representative Richard Hanna had successful, scheduled mitral valve surgery this week. He is doing very well, with a complete recovery expected.” Few people knew of Hanna’s condition initially. There was no notification in advance and his staff declined to provide other details of the operation. On March 8, as Hanna was preparing to return to Washington from his home north of Utica, he agreed to a brief telephone interview with In Good Health to discuss his operation, his health and other issues on the national health care debate. Hanna said he chose the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic for the repair of the mitral valve. Although he underwent what is called openheart surgery, Hanna he made it sound almost routine. “I knew I would have to have it eventually, but I thought I could put it off a year,” he said. Then he started developing some problems in January and his doctor pushed him to have the operation as soon as possible. “I was having leakage, so when we (Congress) had a week off, I decided to go to the Cleveland Clinic,” Hanna said. According to its website, “Cleveland Clinic heart surgeons have the world’s greatest experience with mitral valve repair, the best option for most patients with a leaking mitral valve (mitral regurgitation).” Hanna said he was not in any danger during the operation. He noted that he spent nine days there, “a few in intensive care.” Since then, he described his cardiovascular condition as “100 percent.” As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Hanna is entitled to government insurance. However, he explained that his operation was covered by his private insurance. “I kept my own insurance that I’ve

had for 25 years with my company,” he said, referring to Hanna Construction. “My personal insurance is my primary care and will pay for most of the operation, not government insurance.” He disclosed that his private insurance costs $1,600 a month and it also covers his wife and two children. He said he pays an additional $600 a month for government insurance. Hanna was elected last November to represent the sprawling 24th District, succeeding two-term Congressman Michael Arcuri, a Democrat, so he is still feeling his way around Washington and getting up to speed with his committee assignments. He has been appointed to the Congressional Committee on Education and the Workforce, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and just recently, the House Small Business Committee.

Carries some clout

He was asked if he would have direct influence on the healthcare legislation in Congress. “Yes, as a member of the Education and Workforce Committee, I’m sure some of the decisions will come through us,” he said. During the decades-old debate about health care, some Americans have grumbled that Congressional representatives and U.S. senators are covered by an alternate federal health care plan, while simultaneously these same representatives have spent years formulating a separate plan they consider appropriate for the average citizen. The House is currently engaged in a debate over what is termed “Obama care,” a wide-ranging healthcare plan that has been promoted by President Obama since he took office two years ago. “I can see people’s concerns,” said Hanna, “but (under healthcare reform)

everyone pays into their own insurance. Even though I also have government insurance, I’m still paying for private insurance. My goal is to see that affordable health care is available to everyone.” Generally, most Republicans in Congress have opposed the Obama healthcare bill, but Hanna is more moderate. “The Republican Party has gone a long way to undo an affordable health care system,” he said, “but they’ve also taken on the responsibility of coming up with something more affordable and lower cost. They have a responsibility in their rhetoric and actions and making it a goal to make it more sustainable over time. Clearly, we don’t have that now.” He said he expects to see “more debate” among the various committees before the final package is submitted for a vote. However, he hopes there will be bipartisan support for the revised healthcare bill. He added, “There are parts of the Obama bill that I like, for example that nobody with a pre-existing condition should be denied coverage; and keeping our children on their parents’ insurance until they’re 26 years old … or it could be (younger). Keeping young people in the system would be better for all of us because they would be accessing the system—which is preventative care. And if we can put more people back to work, more people will be paying into the system.” Interestingly, Hanna had such a pre-existing coverage, and if he didn’t already have health care insurance now, he could have been denied coverage under many current insurance plans or else be forced to pay a significantly higher premium.

Bill has potential

He said he hopes the new healthcare bill will contain other features, such as “increased competition, tort reform, and better access to medical records.” He defined increased competition to mean it would allow discussions “between the states for the best ideas and between insurers, like cooperatives, (and) group insurance.” Tort reform, defined broadly, refers to litigation, medical malpractice and lawsuits. Hanna did not go into additional detail on tort reform. However, a blog called tortreform. com said the legal system would have to be changed, in general, to make “it more difficult for injured people to file a lawsuit, to make it more difficult for injured people to obtain a jury trial, and to place limits on the amount of money injured people receive in a lawsuit.” Some of the details of tort reform might have legislators putting a “price” on the value of a human life, setting a cap on damages an individual can receive as a result of medical malpractice, and imposing a time limit on discovery of injury and filing a lawsuit. Hanna said he would like to see the new healthcare bill provide for better processing of medical records. Already many local hospitals and medical offices are beginning to institute a streamlined processing of records and implementing electronic storage. When asked about a timetable before the House concludes tinkering with the healthcare bill, he said, “I think we will really have it laid out by the end of the calendar year, or probably over the next year and a half. It’s a big project, one of the biggest ever, and so many people get bogged down in the details.” Hanna will be getting a close-up look at healthcare practices in the Mohawk Valley. He has been invited to tour the Utica Community Health Center, a branch of the Rochester Primary Care Network, located on Oneida Street, on April 19. This health center was opened last October and is staffed by a physician and nurse practitioners. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment and for walk-in emergencies by people in the community who do not have health insurance or Medicaid or Medicare.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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HIGH CHOLESTEROL? Brand-name drugs are just

generics in disguise. If you take a brand-name prescription drug, you should know that there are new generic and over-the-counter options that can save you money. Not every brandname drug has a generic equivalent, but there are generic and over-the-counter alternatives for treating many conditions, including high cholesterol. Generic drugs are real medicine. They are approved by the FDA as safe and effective, but they cost less. A lot less. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if generic drugs are right for you.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • April 2011

From obesity to marathon runner Utican earns Olivari Lifestyle Change Award Award,” Christopher said. “Hopefully, my journey and this award will help inspire others to live healthier, balanced lives.” Sovena USA is the largest importer of olive oil in the United States. Formerly East Coast Olive Oil, the company was established in Utica in 1991 by brothers Bert and Steve Mandia. Sovena USA and Olivari Mediterranean Olive Oil recently received the 2011 Product of the Year in the cooking category at a ceremony at the Edison Ballroom in New York City. To view a short video of the award presentation and America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk, visit www.youtube.com/olivarimediterranean.

By Patricia J. Malin

lbany dentist John Christopher packed a little extra “weight” when he ran the 30-kilometer race during America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk recently. This time, it wasn’t physical weight. After all, Christopher recently dropped 80 pounds after switching to a healthy lifestyle. Now he’s happily carrying the weight of knowledge and responsibility. The changes that Christopher voluntarily undertook—quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, cutting back on fatty foods and devoting himself to exercise—made him a poster boy for the American Heart Association. The greater Utica chapter of the AHA teamed up with Sovena USA and presented the first Olivari Lifestyle Change Award at the closing ceremony of America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk in the Clark Athletic Center at Utica College. Christopher, a Utica native, received a plaque and a gift basket with a year’s supply of olive oil and specialty oils from Sovena, which is based at the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome. He received his recognition after completing the 30-kilometer (18.6 mile) run from Barneveld to Utica College. Christopher, who turns 43 on April 10, said his concern about his obese condition started two years ago. He encouraged his children, Caroline and Johnny, to participate in sports, including karate, soccer and baseball. However, it occurred to him that he was having more trouble keeping up with them. “I realized I was the one who had to get in shape,” he said. “As they got older, I didn’t want them to follow my lifestyle.” Christopher grew up in Utica and works as a dentist in Albany. After he made the decision to change to a healthy lifestyle, he started on a diet. Then he hit the gym and began running. He established realistic goals. He weaned himself off cigarettes and fatty foods. He dropped 80 pounds over 14 months, and his cholesterol and

Event raises $1.1 million

John Christopher, right, accepts the inaugural Olivari Lifestyle Change Award during America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk ceremonies at Utica recently from Eryn Balch, marketing manager at Sovena USA, left. Christopher said he wanted to set an example for his children, Caroline and Johnny. blood pressure have returned to normal levels. He said he no longer relies on prescription medicine. “I made several key changes to my living habits and worked hard every day,” he stated. “It truly became more than just a quick diet; it was a change in my entire lifestyle.” Christopher, who stands 5-foot-7, now weighs a lean 154 pounds. One of his goals was to run the Utica Boilermaker 15-kilometer (9.6mile) road race. “My older brother and my younger brother have run the Boilermaker several times, but I was willful enough to resist it all those years,” he said, laughing. Last July, he completed his first Boilermaker and proudly received the finisher’s pin as he crossed the finish line in front of the F.X. Matt Brewery. Christopher later competed in the Mohawk Hudson River Marathon (26.2 miles) in October. Other friends in the Utica area also

1 in 13 older adults report elder abuse

ifespan of Greater Rochester Inc. recently released the summary report of a groundbreaking study of the prevalence of elder abuse in New York state. The study found that one in 13 older adults suffered some form of elder abuse in the year preceding the survey. The results also point to a dramatic gap between the rate of elder abuse reported by older residents in the survey and the number of cases referred to and served by formal elder abuse service systems. The major findings included: A total one-year incidence rate of 76 per 1,000 older residents of New York state for any form of elder abuse. Applying the incidence rate to the general population of older New York-

ers, an estimated 260,000 older adults in the state were the victims of at least one form of elder abuse in a one-year period in 2008 and 2009. However, the survey of documented cases identified just 11,432 victims in all service systems in New York state in 2008 — meaning for every known case, 24 were unknown. The highest one-year rate of elder abuse occurred for major financial exploitation (theft of money or property, using items without permission, impersonation to get access, forcing or misleading to get items such as money, bank cards, accounts, power of attorney) with a rate of 41 per 1,000 surveyed.

encouraged him to try the Heart Run. Interestingly, he picked the hardest and longest route, the 30-kilometer, which starts at Van’s Tavern in Barneveld and ends at Utica College. “It’s a hilly course; it has a lot of ups and downs,” he reported. He completed the run in 2 hours, 55 minutes. Now Christopher is helping train his 11-year-old son for the 2011 Boilermaker. Nominations for the Lifestyle Change award were accepted by the AHA office in January and February. Judges from the AHA Utica chapter and Sovena USA then selected a candidate who made a significant change in his or her lifestyle throughout the past year. The award will be presented annually. “Christopher was the perfect fit for the award,” announced Dick Mattia, executive director of the Utica AHA. “I’m honored to be the inaugural winner of the Lifestyle Change

A total of 8,444 walkers and runners lined the streets of Utica recently and helped raise $1,100,510 during America’s Greatest Heart Run and Walk. The total was just shy of the fundraising goal of $1.2 million, which is used to support research and public health education. It was the 11th consecutive year that the Heart Run and Walk has raised at least $1 million. This year’s amount was the lowest since 2003 when the event raised $1,066,515. However, the total of 8,000 runners and walkers was the third highest since the event began in 1975. This year’s top fundraiser was Anthony Scott, who raised $22,000, while the top team fundraiser, Team Stasaitis, led by Heart Run/Walk director Jim Stasaitis, donated $36,225 to support the AHA. The awards ceremony also featured the winners of the Two of Hearts/Ace of Hearts raffle winners. The grand prize went to Shawn Hast and Charles T. Hast of Rome. They received two 2011 Honda Fit automobiles. The Hasts also have a choice of one 2011 Honda Accord LX, a 2011 Chevy Camaro or a 2011 Harley-Davidson FLHX Street Glide. The first prize, a $500 Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppe Gas Card, went to Anne Ratcliffe of Bridgewater. The second prize, a $250 Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppe Gas Card, was presented to Bob Maciolek of Clinton.

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Preparation, Classroom Teacher Gifts, and Business person’s mid-day respite

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

The Social Ask Security Ofﬁce Column provided by the local Social Security Office

Survivors benefits explained More than 6.4 million survivors receive benefits averaging $1,129 a month

he loss of a loved one can be painful. The death of a wage-earner upon whom a family depends also can be financially devastating. If you’re like most young or middle-aged workers, you probably think of Social Security only as a retirement program. But some of the Social Security taxes you pay go toward providing survivors insurance for workers and their families. Think of it as a life insurance policy you never knew you had — paid for by the same taxes that cover you for retirement or disability. When you die, certain members of your family may be eligible for survivors benefits. These include widows, widowers (and divorced widows and widowers), children, and even dependent parents. In many cases, there also is a one-time lump-sum payment of $255 that can be made to a surviving spouse or minor children who meet certain requirements. You may not think it will happen to you, but the stunning truth is that one in eight of today’s 20-year-olds will die before reaching their full retirement age of 67. In fact, 98 of every 100 children could get benefits if a working parent dies. More than 6.4 million survivors receive benefits. The average survivors

Q&A Q: Can I get a new Social Security number if someone has stolen my identity? A: We do not routinely assign a new number to someone whose identity has been stolen. Only as a last resort should you consider requesting a new Social Security number. Changing your number may adversely affect your ability to interact with Federal and

Kurt Foxton, M.D. Michelle Johnston, M.D. Lorina Aiello, N.P.

benefit is $1,129 a month. If you are a survivor, you should apply for survivors benefit right away. You can apply by telephone or at any Social Security office. Call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778). To help prepare you, here is the information we will need: • Proof of death — either from a funeral home or a death certificate; • Your Social Security number, as well as the deceased worker’s; • Your birth certificate; • Your marriage certificate, if you are a widow or widower; • Your divorce papers, if you are applying as a divorced widow or widower; • Dependent children’s Social Security numbers, if available, and birth certificates; • Deceased worker’s W-2 forms or Federal self-employment tax return for the most recent year; and • The name of your bank and your account number so your benefits can be deposited directly into your account. To learn more about survivors benefits, please read the online publication at www.socialsecurity.gov/ pubs/10084.html. Visit the Survivors page at www. socialsecurity.gov/pgm/survivors.htm.

State agencies, employers, and others. This is because your financial, medical, employment and other records will be under your former Social Security number. We cannot guarantee that a new number will solve your problem. To learn more about your Social Security card and number, read our online publication on the subject at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10002.html.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • April 2011

Healthcare’s elite joins to celebrate Mohawk Valley’s finest recognized By Patricia J. Malin

ndrea Lazarek-LaQuay, executive director at Senior Network Health, and Patricia Roach, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, agree that Leadership Mohawk Valley is a good organization to promote networking and business opportunities. More importantly, it is a means of letting them serve their community. Lazarek-LaQuay and Roach were among the individuals and businesses honored at Leadership Mohawk Valley’s 10th annual Follow the Leader Awards dinner at the Radisson Hotel recently. Jeremy Earl, associate vice president of therapy services at Upstate Cerebral Palsy, was also recognized in the health care field. Among the businesses cited were Home Care Services of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and The House of the Good Shepherd. William Holicky, executive director of The House of the Good Shepherd, gave the keynote address at the dinner. He based his talk on what makes an effective leader and he called upon members of his staff to recite the top 10. Those qualities include open communication and feedback with employees; providing resources to help the team manage effectively; establishing a vision and setting realistic goals, and celebrating the team’s wins.

Inspirational source

Leaders inspire and provide a role model for their employees, he added. “Remember, someone is always watching,” he said. His No. 1 piece of advice: “Leaders are only as good as their team. You have to put the right people in the right seats.” Leadership Mohawk Valley was founded in 1990 to develop greater community leadership, civic responsibility and community trusteeship. Businesses enroll one or more employees in a 10-month curriculum and are assigned projects to benefit a not-forprofit organization in the Mohawk Valley. Following his presentation, Holicky accepted LMV’s business award. The House of the Good Shepherd has been in business 139 years, the fourth longest of any nonprofit in the area. Twenty-five applications for the award were submitted, and HGS was recognized for its accomplishments in changing children’s lives. “We have started 14 new programs in the last 15 years,” Holicky said. “We are now focusing our growth on preventative care and shorter stays for the most vulnerable children of our community. Since 1995, we have made $7 million in improvements to our campus.” The House of the Good Shepherd was founded in Utica in 1872 as an orphanage. It has since evolved into an agency to help local children and families who are struggling with serious emotional, social and behavioral problems. It provides treatment to more than 600 children and their families each year. HGS employs 400 full- and parttime staff and has more than 200 volun-

teers and student interns, plus a satellite foster care facility in Watertown. Roach, a registered nurse, graduated from LMV in 2008. Her team was asked to develop a new marketing plan for the Thea Bowman House, a shelter in Utica for abused women and children.

Leaders unite

“Leaders come together and learn about different entities and network,” she said of the organization. “Great business relationships and friendships are formed. It’s something I can give back to my community. “It also related to my work at Faxton because it informed me of the services we might need. Don Polczynski, who was also being honored tonight, was on my team and he helped us learn about insurance.” Polczynski is vice president of Gilroy, Kernan and Gilroy Insurance. Through the insights she gained at LMV, Roach was also able to bring fresh ideas to her workplace. She said Faxton-St. Luke’s is developing a new hospitalist program, improving its partnerships with surgeons and putting more emphasis on safety in the hospital. Lazarek-LaQuay, a registered nurse and an LMV alumnus from 2009, supervises 170 employees who comprise the Visiting Nurse Association, a certified home health agency approved by the New York State Department of Health. The staff includes 40 full-time equivalent RNs on staff, plus home health aides, physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapists, medical social services specialists and nutritionists. In addition, Faxton-St. Luke’s Home Care Services received the LMV business award for providing longterm in-home care for the Mohawk Valley’s aging population through such services as Meals on Wheels. Lazarek-LaQuay noted that FSLH recently obtained a $31.3 million grant from New York state to improve longterm care services and develop community-based alternatives to traditional nursing home care for seniors in Oneida County. “Through LMV, we work with other leaders to achieve our goals by drawing on our respective resources,” said Lazarek-LaQuay. “There is an increased awareness in the community of the resources we have, like Visiting Nurses. It helps to get the word out about all the nonprofits that can fill the gaps in the community and how to get our leaders involved.” Lazarek-LaQuay’s goal of making healthcare available to all people extends well beyond the Mohawk Valley. As a nurse educator at SUNYIT, she encourages student nurses and prospective nurse practitioners from the School of Nursing & Health Systems to volunteer in a humanitarian mission to bring healthcare to at-risk populations along the Amazon River in Brazil. Lazarek-LaQuay participated in the program for two years and described it as “phenomenal.” Working in a Third World environment “makes us really appreciate what we have here compared to their limited resources,” she said.

Between You and Me

By Barbara Pierce

Expectations—Why to drop them Don’t set yourself up for disappointment!

“

Blaming others for the pain we feel when they don’t live up to our expectations is like burning your tongue on scalding hot coffee, then calling the cup an idiot!” says author and teacher Guy Finley. He’s right. Having expectations about how others will behave always causes problems. Whenever you expect that people will behave in a certain way, you can expect to be disappointed. My sister-in-law expects that her son, in his 20s, will come by to help her out with whatever she needs help with. He never does. He may drop in to borrow money from her, or grab some food, but he has no time for her. And she gets so upset every time this happens. “I don’t see why he can’t even walk the dog!” Or, “Why should I lend him money? What did he ever do for me? Kids should help their parents!” Wrong way to think. And she gets angry and hurt every time this happens. My friend Elsy expects that her teenage stepdaughter will treat her like she cares about her. “Why can’t she at least be nice to me?” says Elsy. “I just bought her a Pierce bunch of clothes, and a new cellphone. I don’t understand why she treats me this way!” Wrong way to think. And she gets angry and hurt every time this happens. I used to expect that my husband would pick up his stuff that is littered all over. Dirty socks on the dining table, with the baseball caps, his keys buried under all the other stuff. He never does pick it up; more just gets added to the litter. But, I don’t get hurt and angry. I stopped expecting him to do it. It’s never going to happen, so I don’t waste any energy expecting he will do it and getting bothered that he doesn’t do it. And I even stopped getting mad when he makes it my fault when he can’t find his keys.

Setting yourself up

Whenever we expect another person to do something, to behave in a certain way, we’re setting ourselves up to be disappointed. People just don’t do what we want them to.

Then we get angry at them. And, behind that anger is hurt. Hurt that they didn’t do what we wanted them to do. Save yourself a world of hurt—don’t expect anybody to do anything. But you do need to let others know what you want. If you expect something from someone, you need to let them know what it is you want. Clearly. You can’t get angry at your partner for not giving you the perfect gift for your birthday if you haven’t told him what that perfect gift is. Or even to remind him that your birthday is coming up. In your mind, you clearly know what you expect of the other person. But he or she does not know what is in your mind. Expectations are in the eye of the beholder. Can you see the problem? The primary problem in relationships is communication. Much of our frustration with each other results from misunderstood communication. You have got to be clear on what you expect from the other person. You still may not get it from them, but the odds increase in your favor. The second most important problem in relationships is unmet expectations. Unmet expectations always cause problems. The solution: Try dropping your expectations of others. Another way we cause ourselves anguish is by having expectations of ourselves. When we don’t meet these expectations, we are hard on ourselves. We know we could have done better. We may find excuses for ourselves, defend ourselves. The solution: Stop beating up on yourself if you don’t meet your own expectations. See everything as a learning experience. There is something to be learned in every experience. There are no failures or mistakes, only opportunities to learn.

• Barbara Pierce is a licensed clinical social worker who has many years’ experience in helping people with relationships and parenting. She resides in Florida. Her “Between You and Me” column appears monthly in Mohawk Valley In Good Health. Do you have a concern or question that you would like Barbara to address? Send your concerns to her at barbarapierce06@yahoo.com for her consideration.

Vendors wanted for summer bazaar

t. Joseph Nursing Home, 2535 Genesee St., Utica will celebrate its seventh annual summer bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 7. Featured will be a “Made in New York” theme. The home is looking for quality vendors to participate in an event that includes a chicken barbecue, refresh-

ments, and games for children. Proceeds from the event will be used to upgrade the rehabilitation services at St. Joseph Nursing Home. For a registration form and more information, contact Kathy Poupart at 315.797.1230 or email at development@stjosephnh.org.

By Jim Miller

How to keep up with your medications Dear Savvy Senior, What devices can you recommend to help forgetful seniors keep up with their medications? My 76-year-old mother takes nine different prescription drugs and that doesn’t include all the vitamin supplements or over-the-counter medicines she takes. Any suggestions? Concerned Daughter Dear Concerned, The challenge of juggling medications can be a problem for anyone, especially seniors who take multiple drugs for various health conditions. Here are some different solutions that can help. Medication Helpers

Getting organized and being reminded are the two keys to helping your mom stay on top of her medication regimen. To help achieve this, there are a wide variety of inexpensive pill boxes, medication organizers, vibrating watches, beeping pill bottles and even dispensers that talk to you that can make all the difference. To find these types of products go to epill.com (800-549-0095) and forgettingthepill.com (877-367-4382) where you’ll find dozens of affordable options. If your mom needs a more comprehensive medication management system there are several good options here too. One of my favorites is the Maya from MedMinder (medminder. com, 888-633-6463), a computerized pill box that will beep and flash when it’s time to take her medication, and will call her if she forgets. It will even alert her if she takes the wrong pills. This device can also be set up to call, e-mail or text caregivers letting them know if your mom misses a dose, takes the wrong medication or misses a refill. The cost for Maya is $20 per month which covers rental and service fees. Some other good medication management systems worth a look at are TabSafe (tabsafe.com, 877-700-8600) and the Philips Medication Dispensing System (managemypills.com, 888632-3261), both of which will dispense her medicine on schedule, provide reminders and will notify caregivers if her pills aren’t taken. These systems run under $100 per month.

Reminding Services

Another option that can help April 2011 •

your mom keep on top of her meds is with a medication reminding service. These are services that will actually call, e-mail or text your mom reminders of when it’s time for her to take her medicine and when it’s time to refill her prescriptions. Some even offer extra reminders like doctor and dentist appointments, wake-up calls and more. Companies that offer such services include mymedschedule.com, which provides free medication reminders via text message or e-mail. Their website can also help you make easy-to-read medication schedules that you can print out for your mom to follow. Other similar companies worth a look are rememberitnow.com which also offers free text message and e-mail reminders and pillphone.com which charges around $4 per month. If, however, your mom doesn’t text or use a computer, OnTimeRx (ontimerx.com, 866-944-8966), Snoozester (snoozester.com) or Daily Pill Calls (dailypillcalls.com, 866-532-6855) may be the answer. With starting prices ranging between $4 and $10 per month, these services will call your mom on her home or cell phone (they can send text messages too) for all types of reminders including daily medications, monthly refills, doctor appointments and other events. Or, if you’re looking to keep closer tabs on your mom, services like Care Call Reassurance (call-reassurance.com, 602-265-5968) or CareCalls (parentcarecall.com, 888-275-3098) may be a better fit. In addition to the call reminders to your mom’s phone, these services can be set up to contact you or a designated caregiver if she fails to answer or acknowledge the call. Care Call Reassurance costs $15 per month if paid a year in advance, and CareCalls costs $39 per month plus a one-time activation fee of $99.

Savvy Tip:

If you have questions or concerns about the medications your mom is taking, gather up all her pill bottles (including all prescription drugs, overthe-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements) and take them to her primary physician or pharmacist for a drug review so he or she can look for any potential problems.

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.

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Stepfamilies How to ‘blend’—not collide By Barbara Pierce

he statistics are staggering. At least one child out of three will be part of a blended family by age 18. In a blended family, or stepfamily, one or both of the partners have children from another relationship. While you may be happily anticipating remarriage, your kids may not feel at all happy. They will be concerned about the big change in their lives. They wonder what life be like for them. Everything will be turned upside down and changed. What will this new person in their home mean to them? They may have to move, leaving their security and comfort zone behind. When kids are upset, they act it out with bad behavior. Especially younger kids. They can’t really tell you what’s on their mind, so they show it by being difficult, uncooperative, obstinate. Yes, stepfamilies are more complicated. Setting up a life together when children are involved has many challenges. But most stepfamilies do work out the problems and live together in harmony. They can provide emotionally rich and lasting relationships for all. Most will help the children develop the self-esteem and strength to enjoy the challenges of life. “Being a step parent can be a wonderful experience,” says Gregory Kovacs, licensed marriage and fam-

ily therapist and executive director of Samaritan Counseling. “Stepfathers and stepmothers add so much to the lives of their stepchildren. They play a powerful role in the lives of the children whom they parent,” says Kovacs. The following are ways that he recommends to reduce the problems that most stepfamilies run into.

Go slow, very slow

Go slow from the very beginning. “Don’t even meet the kids of the person you’re dating, or introduce your kids to him or her until you are sure that the relationship is serious,” advises Kovacs. This is important to protect the

KIDS Corner Are our kids oversnacked?

ids aren’t the only ones who smile when the words “snack time” are heard. We are obsessed with snacking. Aisle after aisle in the grocery store is filled with sweet, salty, savory and, yes, even healthy snacks. Do we live in an oversnacked society? Is this fixation adding to the dangerous level of childhood obesity and playing a role in the growing number of poorly nourished kids in our country?“Despite the increase in weight of our children, there are still critical nutrient gaps,” said Gina Bucciferro, registered dietitian and pediatric nutrition expert at Loyola University Medical Center. “Snacks can either make or break the nutritional quality of a kid’s daily intake.” Page 14

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Research has shown that 88 percent of U.S. children do not meet the recommended daily intake for fruit and 92 percent do not meet the same for vegetables. Though obesity is a major concern for kids with poor nutrition, there are other health risks as well. These include heart disease, depression, high blood pressure, tooth decay, anemia, osteoporosis and diabetes. According to Bucciferro, snacks are a great way to bridge the nutritional gap. Parents need to be aware of what is being served and when it takes place to help keep snack time a good time.

When to snack

1. After physical activity. In addition to needing high-quality energy for

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • April 2011

children emotionally. They may not have yet recovered from their parent’s separation. They don’t need to get attached to another person who will leave them. They may get to like you, then you’re not there. There is no way this turns out well for kids. They need stability and security. Moving in with another person when one of you has kids is never OK, until you’re sure you are going to make it permanent, recommends Kovacs. And you can’t know that you are going to make it permanent until you have spent much time with each other and with the kids. And most children secretly wish for their parents to reunite. No matter how many years have gone by, no matter how much evidence there is to show that it will never happen, the child may still have hopes.

Discuss before living together There is much to discuss before you decide to combine two families. By dealing with these issues beforehand, you can keep potential problems from arising. Without the children present, discuss the roles you each will have as disciplinarians, suggests Kovacs. Talk about what you expect from each other in terms of discipline. This will take more than one talk to hash out. “You can’t be the disciplinarian at first,” says Tom Bober, who recently married a woman with two young children. “Their mother has to be the disciplinarian and you have to strongly

growth and development, children involved in sports and other physical activities need to replace the extra energy they are burning. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy can provide the carbohydrates needed to replenish little athletes without added sugar and fat. Fluids also are important in making sure active kids stay hydrated. According to the American Dietetic Association, school-age children need to drink six 8-ounce cups of water per day and another 8 ounces for every half-hour of strenuous activity. A sports drink is only necessary for activities lasting longer than 60 minutes. 2. Scheduled between-meal times. Children do have increased nutritional needs, so providing snacks between meals can help them stay focused and healthy. The goal should be to offer as much nutrition as possible without providing excessive sugar, fat and calories. Fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy are an easy way to meet this goal. These types of foods, eaten two to three hours before a meal will not spoil an appetite, whereas high-fat foods might.

When not to snack

1. As a reward. Our relationship with food is formed at a very young age. When food is provided as a reward an unhealthy relationship with food can be formed. Rewarding chil-

support her in this.” Expect to hear the words “You’re not my dad!” Or, “You’re not my mother! I don’t have to listen to you!” says Kovacs. Respect the fact that you aren’t their biological parent. Consider the fact that you may be acting like you are. This is something you should not do. It’s not divorce and remarriage that hurts kids. It’s the conflict between divorcing parents that causes the hurt. A divorce does not end a family; it just restructures it. Children never get divorced from their parents. What causes problems for kids and causes them to act out has little to do with stepfamilies. The biggest source of problems for kids in stepfamilies is the conflict between their original parents. The solution is for both parents to work cooperatively together around the kids. This is hard to do. One way to do it is to consider the relationship like that of someone you work with. You may not like that person, but you have to have a working relationship. You have to pretend to be cordial and polite. And don’t ever put down the child’s biological parent in front of him, recommends Kovacs. This is probably the most important step in developing a strong relationship with your stepchild. Remember, the child has half of both parents in his genetic makeup. When you talk down about the absent parent, you are putting the child down. And, you may not like the children of your new spouse, much less feel any love for them. Don’t feel guilty about this. Liking and loving another person comes as you get to know them. Good relationships take time. In the meantime, treat each other with respect. Both parents must require that both the kids and stepparents treat each other with respect. Once stepfamilies make it over the early hurdles, they are even stronger and better than traditional families.

dren with playtime or fun, educational activities can form much better habits than indulging in high-fat, high-sugar fare. Also, providing these types of foods after an accomplishment can lead the child to place a higher value on low-nutrition food items. Also, don’t treat these foods as forbidden. Encourage everything in moderation. 2. To cure boredom. Starting a habit of eating when bored can become a slippery slope. If you notice your child requesting snacks at off-times, make sure to assess the situation. If your child’s normal meal times have been thrown off due to a hectic schedule or if they’ve had increased activity, provide them with a small, low-calorie snack such as fruit and low-fat yogurt or veggies and light ranch dip. However, if it’s been a typical day and you notice your child is just antsy, provide a fun activity instead. Depending on your child’s age coloring and other activity books can be a good option for minimal supervision while not encouraging increased television time. “Snack time can be beneficial for kids. Just make sure kids are snacking at the right time and that snack items are closing the nutrient gaps, not worsening a child’s nutrient deficit which be detrimental to a child’s health,” said Bucciferro.

Doggone effective Therapy dogs a howling success at MCC By Barbara Pierce “Folks just brighten right up when the dogs visit,” said Jay Snow, director of community life at the Masonic Care Community in Utica. “It’s a wonderful program, with so many benefits.” Trained therapy dogs make regular visits to the residents of the Masonic Care Community Nursing Home and the Acacia Village Independent Living Retirement Community. The dogs go room to room to visit each resident. “The visits boost the mood of residents and staff alike,” added Snow. “Everybody—residents and staff— stops what they’re doing to come and pet the dog. It’s wonderful to see their face light up when they see the dog. They look forward to the visits.” The visits lower blood pressure, slow the heartbeat, decrease tension, and help people relax. Even those with behavior problems change as a result of the visit. And those folks that don’t talk come out of their shell when the dogs visit, added Snow. Therapy dogs also go into the schools to help children read. That program, called Reading Education Assistance Dogs, or R.E.A.D., brings a unique and exciting way to get kids to love reading. In just 20 minutes a week of reading to a dog, children show dramatic improvement in their reading. The dog takes away the stress of trying not to make mistakes. “They blossom when they get to be the storyteller, the one who knows the most,” said one official in the R.E.A.D. program to explain the program’s success.

Training regimen

In the Mohawk Valley, dogs are

said. Gatto began investigating training programs that were available, and went on to initiate the current program, modeled after Therapy Dogs, Inc. Annika continues her visits to nursing homes, schools, and daycare centers.

Testing phase

Kya is a Labrador retriever in training to become a guide dog. trained to be therapy dogs through the Canine Therapy Program, developed jointly by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County and the MidYork Child Care Coordinating Council. Once trained, the dogs and their owners perform a wide range of volunteer work in various settings, from nursing homes, to libraries, adult day care, and schools.

Donna Gatto initiated the program in 2008. Since that time, 15 to 20 teams of dogs and their owners have graduated from the program. It is a four-session course and prepares the dog and owner to become a therapy dog. Gatto became interested in the program because of her Golden Retriever, Annika. “She was special and I knew she would be a good therapy dog,” she

When the dogs and owners complete Gatto’s course, the team is registered with Therapy Dogs, Inc., a nationally recognized program. To be registered, the team must be tested. They are observed in three visits to nursing homes, where they must be comfortable with different smells, beeping machines, walkers, and wheelchairs. The mission of Therapy Dogs, Inc. is to form a network of caring individuals who are willing to share their special animals in order to bring happiness and cheer to people, young and old alike. Becoming a therapy dog is not for every dog, Gatto added. And there is no perfect breed to be a therapy dog. The dog must have the correct temperament. The dog should be at least one year of age, be healthy and well mannered, and enjoy human contact. Also, the dog should have a lot of basic obedience skills. Once the dog team is registered as a therapy dog, the owner is able to schedule visits to a nursing home, a school, daycare center, rehabilitation facility, or any place that believes a therapy dog has much to contribute. For more information about the program, call Donna Gatto at 315.223.7850, extension 224.

Herkimer BOCES trains next generation of LPNs Local program breeding ground for healthcare professionals By Amylynn Pastorella

or a well-rounded and practical nursing program of study, Herkimer is known for its long tradition of training nurses to work in the Mohawk Valley. Graduates come from diverse backgrounds and ages, and programming has been adapted to be reflective of those needs. Although students enter the program with a mix of experience, all students hold in common the desire to continue their education and provide a brighter future for themselves and their families. “Our program is strictly an LPN training program. We draw from as close as two blocks to as far as 50 miles. Ages are variable but they range from 18 to 60 years old. We also have a lot of single parents who are juggling home, work and school,” said Sara Nicolette, the LPN coordinator for Herkimer BOCES. The goal of the LPN program is three fold. First, students are given the knowl-

edge and practical skills to enter the healthcare field and pass the National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nursing (NCLEX PN) test. Second, they develop professional skills that will enable them to obtain and retain sound employment in the healthcare field. Lastly, instructors make efforts to teach their students how to be good students. In doing this, they not only assist students in succeeding, but it opens educational opportunities for a lifetime. “Our student population for the most part is highly motivated. On average we graduate 75 percent of those that start our program,” said Nicolette. The LPN program of study at Herkimer BOCES trains graduates to work in the areas of clinics, home care, physicians’ offices, extended care facilities and acute care facilities. Many have continued on in their educational experiences. Anyone interested in considering a career in nursing is invited to visit the program’s website at www.herkimerboces.org/lpn or call 315.895.2210.

Shannon Mead, left, is shown being instructed by Janet Vickers on proper medication administration in the school lab. April 2011 •

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Health careers: of massage HEALTH EVENTS therapist

CALENDAR Continued from Page 4

tion is not required. Refreshments will be served. Rome Memorial Hospital’s classroom is located on the second floor of the hospital. Participants are asked to enter the North James Street entrance of the hospital. For more information, call 338.7143.

April 7

Insight House to host alcohol screening day event The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence has designated April as Alcohol Awareness Month, in an effort to inform people that alcoholism is a treatable disease, not a weakness, and that alcoholics are capable of recovery. National Alcohol Screening Day, April 7, is designed to help determine how alcohol affects one’s health. This one-day education and screening event is available to help individuals evaluate their alcohol use and offers referrals to local treatment and support resources for those desiring further evaluation. In Utica, Insight House will offer free and confidential alcohol screenings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 7 at 2512 Genesee St., South Utica. Agency staff will be on hand to inform and educate attendees regarding a variety of alcohol-related topics. Appointments are desirable, although walk-ins are also permitted. For appointments or additional information, call Steve Smith at 724.5168, ext. 230.

April 9

Wine-tasting, auction to beneﬁt St. Luke’s Home The annual wine tasting and auction to benefit St. Luke’s Home will be held from 6-9 p.m. April 9 at the Blue Flag Room at Utica’s Historic Union Station, 321 Main St., Utica. Ticket price is $65 per person, and attendees must be at least 21 years old. For reservations and information, call 315.624.5718. For more information, call Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation at 315.624.5718 or visit www.faxtonstlukes. com/winetasting.

April 10

Masonic Care Community Campus slates open house The Masonic Care Community Campus, 2150 Bleecker St., Utica, will hold an open house from 1-5 p.m. April 10. The facility will offer a variety of opportunities to explore healthcare and medical research in the 21st century. The Masonic Care Community and the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory welcome the public to come spend an hour or an afternoon learning about exciting new developments and opportunities in Page 16

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science and healthcare delivery.

April 12

Spring baby sign language classes slated A class on baby sign language will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. April 12 and 19 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 8595 Westmoreland Road, Whitesboro. Baby signing is a way to communicate with your infant and toddler before they can talk. Call 736.6872 or email nsigning@gmail.com for more information by April 1.

April 15

Autism Awareness Month event scheduled April is Autism Awareness Month. Mary Beth Redmond, director of children’s services at The Arc, OneidaLewis Chapter, will lecture on autism spectrum disorder at the Ava Dorfman Senior Center, 305 E. Locust St, Rome, at noon April 15. All are welcome.

April 21

Free rabies clinic set in Herkimer County Herkimer County Public Health will provide free rabies clinics in 2011. Animal owners can pre-register their pets by following links from www.herkimercounty.org, or by going directly to www.ehealthscheduling. com/Herkimer. On-line pre-registration will save pet owners time at the clinic in completing paperwork and pet certificates. The next free rabies clinic is scheduled from 6-7:30 p.m. April 21 at the Town of Russia Garage, 9274 state Route 28. The complete rabies clinics schedule for 2011 is posted at www.herkimercounty.org. Call Herkimer County Public Health for assistance, advice, and testing of possibly rabid animals and on safe handling of dead animals. Call 315.867.1176 anytime. Regular hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

April 30

Disposal day set for medical waste products A free collection and disposal of waste medication and pharmaceuticals will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 30 at the Madison County Landfill, 6663 Buyea Road, town of Lincoln. The landfill is three miles south from the Wampsville traffic light on Route 5. There are signs for the landfill on Buyea Road.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • April 2011

An ancient healing art Barbara Pierce

“

It’s so powerful! It changes people!” said Alice Kenly about her skills as a licensed professional massage therapist. Massage therapy is a therapeutic stroking, rubbing, or kneading of the skin and underlying muscle and tissue to promote healing. One of the oldest healing arts, records dating back to 3,000 years ago document the benefits of massage therapy. Today, the positive effects of massage therapy are Kenly varied and far reaching. It relieves pain, prevents falls, lowers blood pressure, relieves insomnia, relaxes and calms, speeds up recovering from surgery, and even prevents the need for surgery. Massage therapists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, fitness centers, spas, cruise ships, and in private practice. Kenly has a private practice in Utica. It is a growing field and is becoming an accepted part of modern medicine. Scientific research proves the value of massage in healing. Kenly has much passion for her career. “Massage is a therapy of hope and healing,” she noted. “It’s a natural approach to help the body, to heal pain after surgery, and to heal chronic pain. “I believe the body heals itself when a person provides a healing space for his or her body to heal,” said Kenly. “I am there to help provide that space. I aid that healing through touch.” “The therapist is a listener first, moving healing energy to where it needs to go to heal,” she said. “There are many reasons why a career as a professional massage therapist has become so appealing recently,” wrote Sara Corkery of the Chicago School of Massage Therapy, online. “In a fast-paced, high-tech culture such as ours, massage therapy can be a very rewarding choice for those interested in helping people slow down, take stock, and improve the quality of their lives.” “As the mechanization of our society becomes more pervasive, individuals who enjoy interacting with others on a personal basis will find the focused, one-on-one nature of massage therapy very compelling.”

What training does it take?

To become a massage therapist, completion of a vocational course of

study is needed. There are many schools of massage therapy. To be licensed as a massage therapist in New York state, one must complete a training program that includes courses in anatomy, neurology, physiology, first aid, and much training and practice in theory and techniques of both Oriental and western massage. This course of study in most schools averages from seven to nine months, or at least 500 hours of in-class instruction. Some schools offer weekend and evening classes. It is important to attend an accredited school. Kenly took a different route to arrive at her career. In her early years, she was busy raising her family of four children and working in the family business of building houses and building roads. After her children were grown, she went to college. Through the process of attending college as an older student, she realized she was part of something bigger—the changing role of women. “Young women today take it for granted—going to college and doing the work they choose to do. When I was young, things were very different for women,” she said. In the process of finding herself and recreating her role in life, she found that she especially loved her courses in health and the human body. She made the decision to specialize in massage therapy, and, following graduation from college, attended the Onondaga School of Therapeutic Massage in Syracuse. After graduating from massage school, and passing her New York State board exam, “The sky hasn’t been the limit for me,” she said with a laugh. “I uncovered what I believe I was born to do.” With much enthusiasm, Kenly describes her specialty: lymphatic drainage therapy. This focuses on the lymph system of the body. Lymph is a free-floating liquid, flowing through the body. At times it gets stuck, and the area becomes swollen and painful. For example, after surgery, the area around the scar becomes puffy. Through the additional training she has had in this area, she is able to relieve much of this pain in just one or two sessions. “I came to know that swelling in one part of the body can by caused by trauma (such as surgery) in a completely different part of the body. For example, ankles may swell after spinal surgery or the neck swells after dental work. “Seeing how this therapy has helped people who thought they had nowhere else to turn has been more rewarding than words can say.” To determine whether this might be the field for you, receive a massage. You will have the opportunity to experience what a massage session is like and to talk to someone who is knowledgeable about the field.

H ealth News St. Luke’s announces late night visiting procedures The main entrance to the St. Luke’s Campus of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare closes to visitors each evening at 9 p.m. Visitors arriving after 9 p.m. must use the emergency department entrance. Effective now, any late night visitors who arrive at the campus between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. will be asked to present a photo ID to security. This new policy is for the safety and security of patients, staff and visitors. Upon entering the emergency department, visitors will be asked to show a photo ID. Those without photo ID will be asked to provide an item showing their full name and will have their picture taken by security. Each visitor will be given a security badge before proceeding to the unit. FSLH encourages family members and friends to visit during daytime hours to allow patients adequate time to rest. However, the hospital recognizes that there are instances when overnight visits may be necessary. Daytime visitors expecting to return after 9 p.m. can be pre-registered with security by unit staff members. For more information, contact FSLH’s Communication and Marketing Department at 315.624.5600.

Perra elected to healthcare boards Scott H. Perra, president/CEO of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica, has recently been elected to serve on both a regional and statewide healthcare board of directors. He serves on the Iroquois Healthcare Alliance/Association Board of Directors and was recently elected to be a member of their executive committee. The IHA represents 57 hospitals and health systems in 31 counties in Upstate New York. IHA’s mission is to serve as a resource and leader to support members and the communities they serve through advocacy, education, information, cost-saving initiatives and business solutions. Perra has also been elected to the board of directors for the Healthcare Association for New York State. HANYS is the only association that represents and advocates on behalf of all New York’s hospitals and health systems at all levels of the federal and state government. “Serving on both the regional and statewide healthcare boards is a tremendous opportunity for our organization. Their work, support, advocacy, business initiatives and insight into the ever changing field of healthcare provide a wealth of information that I can bring back to our team at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare,” said Perra. “It’s also helpful to be at the table and provide feedback about the challenges we face as a healthcare system in Upstate New York.”

FSLH employees earn ‘Black Belt in Healthcare’ Jack Zito and Bob Starsiak from the Office of Performance Excellence at

Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica have received their Lean Six Sigma Black Belts in Healthcare from Villanova University. The 16-week certificate course is designed for experienced process improvement practitioners and includes training on how to lead quality improvement projects, coaching Zito and mentoring others on Six Sigma projects, and executing Six Sigma techniques and strategies at what is termed the black belt level. “Lean Six Sigma is an important part of today’s care environment at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare,” notes Roger McReynolds, vice president of performance improvement. “It helps identify areas of duplication and inefficiencies throughout our organization and provides us with tools to Starsiak make changes that become best practices. Our goal is a culture that continually improves how we delivery care to our patients, catch errors before they occur and eliminate unnecessary activities that waste time.” The course, with an extensive list of materials that help improve the quality and productivity of an organization, is taught by the Six Sigma best-selling author George Eckes. Eckes is a best-selling author, and founder of Eckes & Associates, Inc., a consulting group specializing in results-driven continuous improvement, Six Sigma training and organizational development. His clients include Motorola, General Electric, Hewlett-Packard, Volvo, and others. “By acquiring this special Black Belt training, Zito and Starsiak have attained unique skills and experience that will assist in driving changes within our hospital,” said McReynolds. “Having two members of our performance Improvement team with Lean Six Sigma Black Belts helps us to educate and train the rest of the organization. Providing the right care, with the right resources, at the right time is better for our patients and our healthcare team.”

FSLH earns ACR accreditation Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in mammography as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology. Mammography is a specific type of imaging test that uses a low-dose X-ray system to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women. “The American College of Radiol-

Charles Webster, left, a patient at the Whitesboro ACP ofﬁce, and Georganne Garnsey meet with Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare pharmacist Kevin Hoehn to discuss Webster’s diabetes medications.

Diabetes Awareness Day featured

axton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Adirondack Community Physicians recently held a Diabetes Awareness Day at its Whitesboro ACP Medical Office, 37 Main St., Whitesboro. As part of the offices’ recent national recognition as a patient-centered medical home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, they are dedicated to building proactive relationships between patients and their doctors to prevent illness. “The Diabetes Awareness Day was held to assist our diabetes patients who are at risk for complications in determining their needs to maintain control of their diabetes,” said James Frederick, a family practice physician at the Whitesboro and Boonville ACP medical offices. “Patient self management is an important part of the patient-centered medical home model and by bringing the resources directly to our patients, we were able to conveniently teach them how to assist in their own care and diabetes management.” Each participating patient received a letter in the mail describing what to expect when they arrived in the office. In addition to meeting with their provider, they were escorted by a staff member to several education stations. Charles Webster has been a patient at the Whitesboro ACP office for more than 15 years and was diagnosed

with diabetes four years ago. “I’m so glad this Diabetes Awareness Day was organized because even though I’ve had diabetes for a few years, it was nice to learn what I can do to make sure I remain healthy,” said Webster. “The nutrition station was also really helpful because Caroline (Jacobus) taught me that I can still enjoy the foods I like, I just have to keep portion sizes in mind at every meal. I think all doctors’ offices should have awareness days like this because I feel like I learned so much about diabetes that I wasn’t aware of before.” “A cornerstone of successful diabetes management is education,” said Jacobus, director of FSLH’s Central New York Diabetes Education Program. “We hope those who attended the Diabetes Awareness Day feel excited and empowered to seek resources that will continue to motivate them to balance their meal plans through carbohydrate counting, learn how physical activity can improve their blood sugar, and achieve weight loss.” There are eight ACP primary care locations: Barneveld, Boonville, Herkimer, New Hartford, North Utica, Washington Mills, Waterville and Whitesboro Visit www.faxtonstlukes.com/acp for more information.

ogy accreditation of these new digital units is a testimonial to our commitment to quality and the ability of our staff to meet its high standards,” said Brian James, operations manager of medical imaging at FSLH. “Digital mammography provides highly detailed images with significant reduction in radiation exposure to our patients. In addition, digital mammography provides the ability to review all images prior to the patient leaving, thus reducing their exam times,” James said. The ACR gold seal of accreditation

represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR practice guidelines and technical standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed. The findings are reported to the

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H ealth News Continued from Page 17 ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement. The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 34,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

Director earns hospital medicine designation The Society of Hospital Medicine has announced that Andrew J. Faber, medical director of the hospitalist program at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica, has earned the fellow in hospital medicine designation. “Until now, hospitalists have not had a way to distinguish themselves from their colleagues,” said SHM’s CEO Dr. Larry WelFaber likson. “The FHM designation gives hospitalists a chance to set themselves apart and be recognized for all of their work that continues to make hospital medicine the fastest growing medical specialty in history.” To be designated as a fellow in hospital medicine, an applicant must be a hospitalist for five years, a member of SHM for three years, demonstrate their dedication to quality and process improvement, commitment to organizational teamwork and leadership, as well as lifelong learning and education. Approximately 175 hospitalists will be inducted as fellows in May at the Hospital Medicine 2011 conference in Dallas, Texas. Faber holds a bachelor’s degree from Union College in Schenectady and his medical degree from New York Medical College in Valhalla. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Gelsinger Medical Center in Danville, Pa. Faber has been a member of the FSLH staff since 1986 and is board certified in internal medicine. SHM is the premier medical society representing hospitalists. Over the past decade, studies have shown that hospitalists decrease patient lengths of stay, reduce hospital costs and readmission rates, all while increasing patient satisfaction. Hospital medicine is the fastest growing specialty in modern healthcare, with over 28,000 hospitalists practicing and an upward growth trajectory in full force. For more information about SHM, visit www.hospitalmedicine.org or for more information on the fellows program, visit www.hospitalmedicine. org/fellow. Page 18

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‘March Meatball Madness’ winners announced Abraham House’s second annual fundraiser, March Meatball Madness, took place recently at the Utica Train Station, where the public voted for their favorite meatballs and sauce recipe. Despite the inclement weather, there were over 600 people in attendance and Abraham House raised approximately $12,000. There were nine restaurants vying for the four coveted trophies. Rosa’s Italian Bakery & Deli, Utica won for both the People’s Choice and the Kid’s Choice Award; Caruso’s Pastry Shoppe, Utica, who was participating in memory of Carmen Caruso, won the Celebrity Judge’s Panel Award, and Maria’s Pasta Shop, Utica won the Kid’s Judges’ Panel Award. Fundraisers such as March Meatball Madness allows Abraham House to continue its important mission of providing a loving home without charge to the terminally ill. For more information, call Abraham House at 733.8210.

Folts’ resident celebrates 100 years of living During the year 1911, many now famous events took place including the Mona Lisa being stolen from the Louvre, the first transcontinental airplane flight from New York to Pasadena taking 82 hours and 4 minutes, and in Herkimer, Plida (Peggy) Warkowski Sosnoski was born on March 11. Certainly a birthday of 100 years deserves to be celebrated and that is exactly what Folts Sosnoski Home’s resident Peggy Sosnoski did recently. Sosnoski moved into the Folts Home’s Judd Mansion in 2003 and then slowly transferred from independent living to the Claxton Manor and finally to the health center, where she now resides on the fifth floor. “I met Peggy five years ago when we were both outside listening to Fritz’s Polka Band during one of Folts Home’s summer concerts,” commented Folts Director of Public Relations Pat Walczak Frazier. “She asked me if I wanted to dance and so we did—not just one polka but two! I was out of breath but Peggy, at the age of 95, was doing just fine. We have since shared a number of polkas and much laughter at ourselves. When Peggy smiles, her bright blue eyes just sparkle, and it’s been such a delight having her be part of our Folts Home family.”

St. Elizabeth’s calls for volunteers St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica is looking for volunteers to work

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • April 2011

Ace’s Angle

Wash your hands! Simplest way to prevent illness By Amylynn Pastorella A few weeks ago, I was stricken with a severe case of the stomach bug. I wanted to sleep in my bathroom. That is how sick I was and I have not been that sick since the age of 8 years old. I’m a teacher, so I most likely contracted germs from school. I am not telling you this to gross you out, but to remind you all to follow basic sanitation rules we learn Pastorella at a very young age: Wash your hands!! Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness. Hand washing requires only soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer—a cleanser that doesn’t require water. As you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day, you accumulate germs on your hands. In turn, you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Although it’s impossible to keep your hands germ-free, washing

in various departments throughout the hospital. The St. E’s volunteer team is highly regarded for its talents and its members reap a rewarding experience. Hours are flexible and a meal is included on the days the volunteers works a minimum of four hours. Current open positions include: clerical, greeter, gift shop, surgery and cath lab waiting rooms, cafeteria, health information management, medical staff library and in the patient advocate department. For more detailed information on specific opportunities, call Catherine Southwick-Lee, volunteer coordinator, at 798.8275.

Valley Health Services welcomes new COTA Val Johnson recently joined the rehabilitation staff at Valley Health Services in Herkimer as a certified occupational therapy assistant.

your hands frequently can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes. Always wash your hands before: • Preparing food • Eating • Treating wounds or giving medicine • Touching a sick or injured person • Inserting or removing contact lenses Always wash your hands after: • Preparing food, especially raw meat or poultry • Using the toilet • Changing a diaper • Touching an animal or animal toys, leashes or waste • Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands • Treating wounds • Touching a sick or injured person • Handling garbage or something that could be contaminated, such as a cleaning cloth or soiled shoes Of course, it’s also important to wash your hands whenever they look dirty.

• Do you have a health-related question for Amy “Ace” Pastorella? Send your questions to acesangle@gmail.com or mail to In Good Health, 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 Johnson is a graduate of Herkimer County Community College. She spent the first 19 years of her career working with schoolaged children at Fulton-Montgomery BOCES and then for the West Canada Valley School district. Most recently, Johnson worked in a short-term Johnson rehab in the Utica area. When asked about her transition from working with children to assisting the elderly, Johnson said, “I just fell in love with the residents, the life experiences they share and the bonds I developed.” In describing her new position at

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Health in good

H ealth News Continued from Page 18 Valley Health Services, Johnson said, “I am very comfortable with the residents and the staff. The atmosphere is relaxed and my conversations with the residents are unique and upbeat. I love my residents already and it is a real perk to work closer to my home.” Johnson resides in Ingham Mills with her husband, Lance. They have three grown children.

Upstate Cerebral Palsy staff gets promotions The leadership and board of directors of Upstate Cerebral Palsy recently announced three new staff promotions. • Patricia Carey of Clinton was promoted to associate vice president of school age services where she works collaboratively with the vice president of the school age division to Carey develop and operate systems and lead key processes across the division. Carey has worked at the agency for 14 years and is a Leadership Mohawk Valley graduate and a member of the Kirkland Arts Center.

• Jeremy Earl of Utica was promoted to associate vice president of therapy services, where he is in charge of overseeing the therapy programs for the preschool, promise, school age and adult divisions. Earl has worked at Upstate Cerebral Palsy for 11 years and is on the Leadership Earl Mohawk Valley Board of Directors as chair of the alumni committee. • Catherine McGuiggan of Whitesboro was promoted to director II of the community services division. In this role, she provides leadership to the Medicaid service coordination, home and community based waiver and family support teams. McGuiggan has been with the agency for 17 years and is a member of McGuiggan the Upstate Cerebral Palsy Caring Partnership.

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