in good More than a survivor
Patti McGee was director of the Oneida City Recreation Department when she found out she had cancer. That changed her life. Literally.
Going meatless: Exploring the life of a vegetarian
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Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
July 2011 • Issue 65
Secrets to Happiness Free yourself from life’s drudgery. Here’s how. See Page 9
Sharing the love: Community rallies for cancer patient
Keys to attaining a healthy body Meet Dr. Stornelli: Healthcare Heroine
Cancer & Bankruptcy Bankruptcy rates among cancer patients increase along with survival time
Proper balance of diet and exercise lead to better quality of life
How is your self-esteem?
In the Mohawk Valley
• The Boeheims exert full-court pressure on cancer • Cancer survivors celebrate their triumphs July 2011 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Got a health-related activity or event that you would like publicized? Call Lou Sorendo at 315.749.7070 or email lou@cnymail.com. Sundays
Separated, divorced support group to meet The Separated & Divorced Support Group meets at 5 p.m. on the first and third Sunday of each month at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. Free and open to all. For more information, call 735.6210, email separated.divorced@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit www.thegoodnewscenter.org. Inquire about free childcare.
Sundays
Third Option offers support for troubled couples The Third Option meets from 6:30–8:30 p.m. every other Sunday at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. The Third Option is a a support group for married couples who may be seeking new ways to handle old problems. Call 315.735.6210 extension 228, email andrea@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit www.thegoodnewscenter.org for more information. Inquire about free childcare.
Tuesdays
Women’s Spiritual Direction Group to meet The Women’s Spiritual Direction Group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. This group offers an opportunity for scriptural reflection, prayer and sharing. It is free and open to women of all faiths. Call 735.6210 or visit www.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2011
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July 21–22
Primer offered at training session The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc., in partnership with the Oneida County Dual Recovery Training Coalition, announce a program on “Alcohol and Other Drug Primer.” Paul Vitagliano, Jr., will present the two-day training from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 21–22 at the Radisson Hotel in Utica. Registration fee is $50 and includes lunch and program materials for both days. CASAC/CPP hours will be given. To learn more, contact Miranda Nieto at mnieto@cflrinc.org.
July 22
Motorcycle ‘Ride for Miracles’ to take place On July 22, the Ride for Miracles will be held to raise funds and awareness for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica. Now in its second year, the Ride for Miracles is reaching out to all motorcycle riders in the Mohawk Valley and beyond to help fuel the commitment and passion of last year’s riders to continue to make miracles happen in the community. The event will start at the St. Luke’s Campus of FSLH with kickstands up promptly at 9 a.m. Registration is from 7:30–8:30 a.m. All proceeds benefit maternal and children’s services at FSLH. To register, call 315.624.5600 or visit faxtonstlukes.com/cmn. The registration fee is $30 and passengers are an
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Boeheim Foundation hits game-winner for SEMC SU hoops coach, wife step up big By Patricia J. Malin
W
ould Jim Boeheim trade a winning season to enrich the lives of children? Whatever it takes, the Syracuse University head men’s basketball coach has proven to be deeply committed to two causes in his life: kids and cancer patients. And he answers with his checkbook. Boeheim and his wife, Juli, came to Utica on June 20—the day after Father’s Day—to present the St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica with a grant to support cancer patients on the oncology unit. The Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation grant was used to purchase four sleeper chairs that will provide in-room accommodations for family members of critically ill patients. St. Elizabeth Medical Center applied for a grant to the Boeheim Foundation last year. The foundation was started in 2010 and has already raised a stunning $1 million. “This is a good cause,” said Juli. “We’re happy to do it.” “The foundation is not just for Syracuse,” added Jim. “It’s for Central New York.” The foundation supplies funds for cancer research, as well as for notfor-profit organizations that provide comfort and aid to cancer patients. As one who survived a fight with prostate cancer eight years ago, Boeheim said his desire to help cancer patients is personal. Needless to say, the couple has a strong empathy for children. Jim and Juli have three children, including twins. Jim also has a daughter, Elizabeth, from a previous marriage.
Juli earned a master’s degree from SU in child and family studies with a focus on infant and young children with disabilities. The foundation grants are not necessarily allocated for kids and cancer, but can go to groups that help one or the other, such as with the Boys and Girls Club of Syracuse, Boeheim explained.
Fundraising champion
Boeheim, who has been the head coach at his alma mater for 32 years, has been a champion of many charitable causes for many years, according to the foundation’s website. He is also described as one of the most successful fundraisers in Central New York. “In the last 15 years, we’ve raised $5 million for cancer,” he said. The funds have been disbursed throughout the Upstate region, including Watertown, Binghamton, Utica and Western New York outside Rochester. In the past, he has been most active with “Coaches vs. Cancer,” a national fundraising organization affiliated with the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society. Unlike Coaches vs. Cancer, the Boeheim Foundation takes an extra step and provides grants for patient care, enabling St. Elizabeth to purchase the sleeper chairs. Suzanne Burns, manager of the oncology unit at SEMC, said the hospital has always invited families to stay overnight with their loved ones who are getting cancer treatment. “We’re thrilled to give the families a pleasant place to sleep instead of spending the night in a straight-backed chair,” said Burns. The four sleeper chairs, which recline into a bed, were
Bankruptcy rates among cancer patients increase
A
n analysis linking federal bankruptcy court records to cancer registry data from nearly 232,000 adult cancer cases in western Washington during a 14-year period has found a hidden cost to survival: Insolvency rates increase along with the length of survival. “Patients diagnosed with cancer may face significant financial stress due to income loss and out-of-pocket costs associated with their treatment,” said Scott Ramsey, a health care economist and internist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center who led the study. “On average, bankruptcy rates increased fourfold within five years of diagnosis.” Ramsey presented the findings recently at the 2011 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago. The study found that compared to the general population, bankruptcy rates were nearly twice as high among cancer patients one year after diagno-
sis, and that the median time to bankruptcy was two and a half years after diagnosis. “The risk of bankruptcy for cancer patients is not well known, and previous studies have relied on individual self-reports about medically related reasons for bankruptcy filing,” said Ramsey, a member of the Hutchinson Center’s public health sciences division. “By linking two irrefutable government records of cancer and bankruptcy, we are able to determine how financial insolvency risk varies by cancer type, treatment and other factors,” he said. For the study, Ramsey and colleagues linked Washington state cancer registry data with federal bankruptcy court records in 13 western Washington counties. They measured the rate of bankruptcy after a first cancer diagnosis and identified factors that increased bankruptcy risk among people with common cancers.
Celebrating the recent donation are, from left, St. Elizabeth Medical Center CEO Richard Ketcham; Juli and Jim Boeheim; and Terry Mielnicki, president of the SEMC Foundation Board. Shown are one of the sleeper chairs purchased by funds from the Juli and Jim Boeheim Foundation. purchased just over a month ago. The oncology unit has 19 beds and is always 100 percent occupied, she said. There is also a waiting list. Unlike many major cities, Utica does not have a facility like the Ronald McDonald House in Syracuse. The Boeheim Foundation in 2010 gave a grant to support operating expenses at a new facility for Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc. “We don’t have a home attached
to the hospital, but we do have some arrangements with local hotels,” Burns added. “But it’s always good to keep the family together.” Boeheim has also donated his time to Crouse Hospital’s Kienzle Family Maternity Center, the Children’s Miracle Network, and the Make-AWish Foundation. St. Elizabeth Medical Center is a partner in the Faxton St. Luke’s Regional Cancer Center.
St. Elizabeth Medical Center Laboratory:
HealthCare Near You
New locations now open in North Utica, East Utica and Mohawk!
MC Contact: (315) 798-8294 • Central Scheduling (315) 734-3471 • www.stemc.org July 2011 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Studies: Docs not addressing patients’ weight By Valerie DeBenedette
F
ewer than half of primary care physicians for adults talk to their patients about diet, exercise and weight management consistently, while pediatricians are somewhat more likely to do so, according to two new studies. These findings come from two National Cancer Institute surveys of family physicians, internists, obstetrician-gynecologists and pediatricians. Participants reported how often they advised patients on diet, exercise and weight control; how often they tracked patient weight or assessed their body mass index (BMI); and how often they referred patients for further management of their weight. The differences in weight-related counseling among medical specialties stood out, said Ashley Wilder Smith, program director in the Applied Research Program at the National Cancer Institute, and lead author of the studies. ”Obstetrician-gynecologists were much less likely to be participating in a number of areas of counseling. That was a surprise, especially considering the focus on overweight and pregnancy.” Both studies appear online and in the July issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. One study evaluated the responses of physicians who treat adults and the other those who treat children. In the pediatric study, about 61 percent of all primary care physicians treating children, either family physicians or pediatricians, regularly assessed obesity using the BMI percentiles of their patients, although almost all measured height and weight regularly. However, Smith said, pediatricians were more likely than family physicians to assess BMI—74 percent compared with 53 percent—and to provide behavioral counseling to patients and their parents. Tracking BMI is one of the National Institutes of Health guidelines for all physicians. In treating children, pediatricians were much more likely to consult on all areas of weight control than family physicians, Smith said. “But family physicians held together as a specialty on the separate surveys. Those treating adults had strikingly similar findings to those treating children.” “We found that physicians were more likely to counsel on physical activity than on diet or weight control, and more likely to counsel on diet than on weight control,” Smith said. “Though I was surprised that physicians discussed physical activity the most, in retrospect, I think diet is a more complicated behavior. The messages are a bit more difficult to deliver.” Part of the problem could be the limited time that physicians have with patients during the usual office visit and the attitude that this is not enough time to address weight issues. • Valerie DeBenedette is a contributing writer with Health Behavior News Service. Page 4
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Meet
Your Doctor
By Patricia J. Malin
Dr. Kathleen Stornelli To say that Kathleen Stornelli has experience in “urgent care” is an understatement. She is a former U.S. Army Major who spent seven years on active duty, including spending a year in an urgent care clinic during the war in Iraq. She recently arrived in Utica to begin her family practice at the Slocum-Dickson Medical Group. She recently spoke with In Good Health senior writer Patricia J. Malin about her career. Q.: Why did you decide to practice in the Mohawk Valley? A.: I grew up in the Albany area. My commitment with the Army brought me to North Carolina, Alaska, and Iraq. After resigning in 2009, I had been doing locum tenens (temporary) work in various locations in Alaska and Florida. In December 2010, I got married and my husband and I decided to locate close to family in a permanent place and position. I visited several practices within two to three hours of Albany and felt that the Utica area and Slocum Dickson Medical Group was a place I could stay, practice family medicine with patient continuity and a long-term commitment, and raise a family. Q.: What prompted you to become a doctor? A.: I had an aptitude for science in grade school, and an interest and fascination with biology. I wanted to join the Peace Corps in high school because of a desire to help people in great need and probably in part because of the adventure of it. I was always strong in academics. I knew I would need the right skills in order to help people, so it was a very natural step to pursue medicine. I knew upon starting college that this was my path. Q.: What specific ailments or disorders do you treat? A.: I consider myself a full scope family practice physician. I prefer to see families in my practice, but I treat ages 0–100 for all primary care needs. It’s a broad practice, but essentially I am the first point of contact for my patients’ health care needs. I would say 95 percent of what I see in the clinic I can manage. If I can’t manage well for my patients, I can make accurate consultations to sub-specialist physicians to assist in diagnostics or treatments. The conditions I treat are too long to list here. Q.: How did you decide to enlist in the Army? How long were you deployed in Iraq? Did you consider staying in the Army and making it a career? A.: I decided to join when I was considering the costs of medical school. I didn’t want to take out a loan and I wanted to be debt-free. I also felt patriotic. I believe I live in the greatest country in the world, and I am generally a service-oriented person. Later I began to value more the importance of
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2011
Lifelines Age: 35 Birthplace: Albany Residence: New Hartford Education: SUNY Stony Brook, B.S. in biology; New York Medical College, Doctor of Medicine; Bassett Army Community Hospital, Fort Bragg, N.C., family medicine residency Board certification: family medicine Awards: Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society Family: Husband, Soner Guzelyurt Hobbies: Ballroom dancing
Women’s issues
Beating Cancer Patti McGee was director of the Oneida city recreation department when she found out she had cancer. She beat the disease and changed her life. Her latest project: a book “Hope: An Inspiring A-Z Guide for Cancer Patients, Survivors and Caregivers” By Aaron Gifford
P
atti McGee beat breast cancer but refused to stop fighting. After going into remission, the Oneida resident focused on a new career, continued raising her son and started to enjoy life to the fullest. And yet, she found herself spending hours a day reflecting on her ordeal. Beating the disease was not enough. “I was just lying there and thinking about the things I would have changed,” McGee, 47, recalled. “How can I help other people?” So McGee founded local cancer support groups and established the Oneida Relay-for-Life event, which has occurred annually since 2004. Last year, the event surpassed the $1 million mark in total funds raised. Along the way, McGee corresponded with hundreds of cancer survivors. Many of McGee’s peers beat the disease, many did not, but anyone who lives with cancer for one day is considered a survivor. To share the variety of perspectives and situations of cancer survivors, McGee recently published a book, “Hope: An Inspiring A-Z Guide for Cancer Patients, Survivors and Caregivers.” The book, published by Amazon, is expected be released in June. “Cancer changed my life,” she said. McGee was diagnosed in 2002 at the age of 39. It began with a sore shoulder. McGee didn’t think too much of it at the time, and assumed she had just injured herself slightly taking down some Halloween decorations. Later, she noticed a lump above
her breast. The tumor was malignant, surgery was required and McGee spent her Christmas holiday that year terrified and on edge, waiting to hear back whether her cancer had spread. The cancer had not spread, but McGee still required radiation and chemotherapy. It was an especially challenging time for McGee, who was a single mother and had a high-stress job as director of the Oneida city recreation department. She couldn’t go back to work for nearly a year. McGee’s son, who was 10 at the time, helped with household chores and comforted his mother during her weakest hours. McGee’s written dedication to Dylan, who will head off to college this fall, is her favorite part of the book. “He was always there to remind me — ‘It’s OK…you’re not ugly.’ And he kept the humor going. He had to give up a lot of things and he had to become a grown-up when I was sick. He definitely sees things differently that a lot of other kids.” McGee said one of the worst parts of her experience was dealing with the side effects of medication that made her shift from happy to extremely depressed. Another low point was when she asked her sister, Kelly McGee, a cosmetologist, to shave Patti’s head. “That was really hard for her,” Patti said. “We were both crying.” As a cancer patient, McGee realized the benefit of massage therapy, so she decided to become a caregiver in that field. She quit her job as Oneida recreation director, enrolled in a massage therapist licensing program and was forced to go on public assistance
ONEIDA, HERKIMER, MADISON AND OTSEGO COUNTIES in good A monthly newspaper published by
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In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2011 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 • Phone: (315) 749-7070 E-mail: lou@cnymail.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Amylynn Pastorella, Patricia Malin, Barbara Pierce, Kristen Raab Advertising: Donna Kimbrell, Marsha Preston Layout & Design: Chris Crocker Office Manager: Laura Beckwith
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it and talking about it helps tremendously.” “Anyone with cancer should write a journal and talk to people,” McGee added. “And it’s so important to remember that you’re not alone.” McGee wrote an introduction for each chapter, which begins with A and ends with Z. Each chapter contains a story by or about a different survivor. The first chapter, “A is for Attitude,” is dedicated to McGee’s friend Sandra Miller, who passed away in February at the age of 47. She’s the same age as McGee and began treatment the same year. She also went into remission, but the cancer later came back. “I wanted to get the book done before she died,” McGee “Cancer changed my life,” Patti McGee says. She is now said. “Her’s [tumor] publishing a book, “Hope: An Inspiring A-Z Guide for Cancer spread to the brain. Patients, Survivors and Caregivers,” where several survivors She lived eight years longer than they said share their experiences. she would. And by her great attitude, you for about one year until she could open wouldn’t have even known she had her own practice. cancer. We’re inspired by her.” “I was a single mom with a job that Several contributors are breast provided good pay, vacation time, and cancer survivors, but there are chapgood benefits. I wouldn’t have had the ters from those who survived colon, courage to leave that to go after somethyroid and other types of cancers. thing new. After going through cancer, There’s also a story from a woman I found the motivation,” McGee said. who gave birth to a healthy baby after Today, her business, Time for surviving cancer, as well as letters from Reflection Massage Therapy and oncologists, surgeons, cosmetologists Resource Center, has offices in Oneida and others from the treatment or cancer and Whitesboro, where she works with support community. several cancer patients. McGee also became a certified yoga instructor and is McGee said friends and relatives currently working on her certification helped her edit and format the book to become a personal trainer. before the package was submitted to She started working on the book in Amazon.com, which will sell the book 2005, inspired by letters she received on its website for $14.95. McGee said $1 from cancer patients she met at Camp from each sale will go toward helping Good Days and Special Times. McGee cancer patients who incur unexpected asked her peers if they would be willexpenses during their treatments. ing to share their stories, and reached Lynne Browne, a cancer survivor out to others in her community that she from Utica who helped McGee format met in cancer support groups or fundthe book, told McGee: “Many of the raising events. stories had me crying because they “The hardest part of the book is were so similar to my story. I think this getting someone to tell their story,” book will be very helpful. Congratulashe said. “They want to hold it all in, tions!” all that frustration. But writing about July 2011 •
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Women’s issues The keys to women’s health Diet, exercise vital for a fulfilling lifestyle Palmisano notes, “We want to lose that weight by Saturday at 6 o’clock.” People often think about starting a healthy lifestyle, but it’s a “different skill set to figure out how to do it.” Women often say they wish they had the willpower to eat better or exercise more. Palmisano agrees that willpower is a necessary tool to becoming more fit. She says there is a “willpower muscle and a giving in muscle.” Similarly to exercising to improve strength, women must work to build up the willpower muscle. “If you keep caving to temptations, it’s harder to resist next time. Every time you resist temptation, it’s easier to resist temptation,” Palmisano said. Cravings might feel comparable to the worst enemy imaginable. Couple a strong craving for chocolate with a stressful day at work or with your family, and caving seems unavoidable. Stop and consider where the desire for that sweet emerged from before unwrapping it. Palmisano recommends diverting attention away from the food because eating due to stress or other emotions actually creates an additional problem. “The first problem is still there, plus now you are overeating,” Palmisano said. It’s easy to become discouraged if the weight is not coming off. It is also normal to make mistakes. Palmisano said, “If you slip, get right back on track. It’s inevitable that you fall off track.”
By Kristen Raab
I
t is Monday morning, and you scan through all of your clothing before settling on what you hope is a slimming outfit. The words “If only I could lose 20 pounds” run repeatedly through your mind. Perhaps you even call yourself fat, and feel unworthy of happiness. It’s time to stop the unhelpful negative talk, and to create a plan for improving your overall health. Reports claim that model Amber Rose is 5-foot-9 and weighs 148 pounds. Recently, the media began calling her fat. The Centers for Disease Control lists healthy weight for a 5-foot-9 woman as between 125 and 168. It’s more likely that average women would strive to look like Amber than to view her as overweight. These negative attacks on women’s bodies increase self-esteem issues. Patricia Palmisano, a registered dietitian and a health promotion supervisor for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, said women need to stop the negative self-talk. Palmisano suggests creating healthy mantras for ourselves. These can motivate us to work toward being healthy in a positive manner. Some of Palmisano’s suggestions include: • I can be healthier. • This craving will pass. • This stress in life will pass. According to the CDC, the average Body Mass Index (BMI) of American women is 26.5. Healthy BMI falls between 18.5 and 24.9.
Make those changes!
This means while women are definitely too hard on themselves based on physical appearance, lifestyle changes are essential to achieving health. Writing down why weight loss is important and regulating eating time are two of
Don’t quit
Palmisano’s top tips to starting your own healthy lifestyle. With food ever-present virtually everywhere, people have to make choices of whether to continuously eat or eat at set times. Palmisano uses the comparison to our sleep schedules. “We sleep for a set amount of time; we don’t sleep all day.” However, “we are constantly
grazing.” Try setting up a schedule of three meals a day with set snacks inbetween or try the six smaller meals a day approach. Planning meals every day and incorporating more fruits and vegetables into each meal will improve your health. It’s not necessary to “eliminate the discretionary calories”, but Palmisano recommends changing “to a smaller allowance: one a day.” Be careful of portion sizes, and have water with each meal. People often drink an astonishing number of calories a day by consuming soda, high calorie coffee concoctions, fruit juices and alcohol. A moderate amount of protein and fat with meals helps the body stay full. People want to lose weight, but they become discouraged with the amount of time it takes to be successful.
Instant gratification
Palmisano explains that we want a “quick and easy fix.” However, “It’s about an ongoing lifelong plan for health and wellness.” If we realize that it took years to put on weight, we can understand that the weight will not immediately be removed from our bodies by wishful thinking or an intense week of working out. Page 6
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2011
She compares dieting mishaps to driving mistakes. If a person accidentally cuts another car off or drives through a red light, they do not keep doing that for the rest of the day. “You get right back on track driving safer. Why not apply that to eating healthier?” Palmisano asks. Every small change counts. Start taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Decrease portions of fatty foods by increasing the amount of vegetables. As spring approaches, consider taking a short walk during lunch breaks at work. Keep cold water available at all times, and stop buying soda and other drinks with high fructose corn syrup. The little improvements can add up to impressive results over time. Eating better and exercising more can make a difference in one’s physical and mental health. Excess sugar, salt and fat can cause feelings of sluggishness. Finding recipes full of healthy flavors such as garlic or spicy pepper seasonings can help our taste buds readjust to new ways of eating. Palmisano reminds everyone that “it takes a while to form new healthy habits, just like it took a while to form unhealthy habits.” If weight loss is the goal, do it the right way. “The way you lose the weight is the way you’ll keep it off. Ask yourself: “Can I do this for the rest of my life?”
Women’s issues Breaking the gender barrier ‘Non-trad’ male student cutting his teeth at SUNY Canton dental program Getting to know you
By Patricia J. Malin
Recently, Ropatski reported to duty with his classmates at the clinic. Each student was handed a folder with an individual patient’s X-rays and charts. The students followed their patients into an examination room where they took time to get to know the patients and review their oral health history. Dr. Robert Fangio of Baldwinsville, one of four teaching instructors at the clinic, went from room to room to supervise the students. Ropatski got the luck of the draw because he was assigned to examine his father, Peter, who came in from Wampsville. The elder Ropatski admitted to an erratic history of dental care and even some “bad experiences.” He had some routine dental care up until the time he served two tours of duty with the Air Force in Vietnam, 1965-67. “I didn’t care about going to the dentist while I was there,” said Peter, a former sergeant, “and I let my teeth go.”
C
hris Ropatski wears the standard-issue blue tunic and pants, identical to every other student enrolled in the SUNY Canton dental program at the Griffiss Business Park in Rome. He takes the same load of classes and worries about passing the same tests. He shares a common goal as his classmates—to graduate with a twoyear Associate of Science degree and go on to achieve a bachelor’s degree in dental hygiene technology. At 31, he is older than his classmates, most of whom are just entering college. The Canastota native has one advantage since he worked in the medical field briefly before entering the dental program. Though it’s easy for him to blend in, no one notices that he has one remarkable characterRopatski istic that sets him apart from his fellow students. He is the first and only man to enroll in the SUNY Canton dental program. Ropatski doesn’t view himself as a trailblazer. He is more focused on wrapping up his freshman year here. He still has another full year ahead of him before he earns his AAS degree in May 2012. “He’s a non-traditional student,” said dental school curriculum coordinator Pamela Quinn. Although she was referring to the fact that he is returning to college after being in the workforce, she nevertheless appreciates having one man in a class of 32 freshmen. “There has been some genderstereotyping in the dental hygiene profession,” she explained. “It’s a lot like nursing used to be. The American Dental Association reports that less than one-third of dental hygienists are male.” “I think it brings some balance to the classroom,” Quinn continued. “Men offer a new perspective. They think differently from women and we hope to attract more men.” The dental program is ADA-accredited and affiliated with Mohawk Valley Community College in Rome. Students spend eight to 15 hours a week in the clinical setting. The clinical and lab courses are taught in a clinic adjoining the Veteran’s Administration Outpatient Medical Facility at 125 Brookley Road. Ropatski doesn’t think of his dental studies as a departure from anything unusual, but rather an extension of his natural interest in science. A 1997
Dental student Chris Ropatski, left, prepares to attend to his father, Peter, who got a free cleaning at the SUNY Canton-MVCC dental clinic at the Griffiss Business Park in Rome recently. graduate of Oneida High School, he took courses in chemistry and biology part time at Le Moyne College and Utica College.
Options wide open
Ropatski worked for 10 years as a retail manager at the Oneida Indian Nation. He said he came to dislike the daily grind of the business world. Instead, he found a more rewarding pursuit as a volunteer for the Greater Lenox Ambulance Service outside Oneida. It was during that time he considered going into nursing. Meanwhile, his wife, Robin, got a job with Albino Ballini at Rome Family Dental PC on North Washington Street. Ropatski soon became a patient. “I was in the chair and got talking to Dr. Ballini,” he explained. “He said dentistry was a great profession. The hours are good, Monday through Friday. But I think I’m too old to be a dentist. That takes six or seven years of college,” he said. Since enrolling in the dental program last fall, Ropatski has discovered that he enjoys the interaction with patients. “I like the science of it, learning it. It’s a great facility here and the faculty has a lot of experience,” he noted. The freshmen study pre-clinical dental hygiene lab, dental radiology, infection control, oral anatomy, histology and embryology and receive 18 credits in their first semester. Semester II includes courses in microbiology, anatomy and physiology, head and neck anatomy, clinical dental hygiene theory, clinical dental hygiene, dental health education, dental pathol-
ogy and radiographic interpretation and features 19 credits. Ropatski was not surprised to be the rare male in this year’s class. “There was one other guy in our orientation, but I guess he decided to do something else,” he said. Quinn observed that Ropatski is well suited for the job. He explained how during his childhood, he never adequately cared for his teeth and ran into some problems. “He is able to identify with the patients and has empathy for them,” Quinn noted. The clinic is open to the public by appointment on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and provides free examinations, cleanings and other dental treatment for adults as well as children.
Chris pulled on his blue-green gown, his mask, gloves and safety glasses, and laid out the sterile tools he needed to clean his father’s teeth. He lowered the chair so his patient was fully reclining and at ease. Fangio came in to the room and with Chris, they studied Peter’s chart and discussed treatment. “Men are few in numbers,” Fangio pointed out. “I’ve been a dentist for almost 30 years and in the history of the (dental hygiene) program, it has always been a female-dominated profession, just as mine used to be a male-dominated profession. Now I hear that women make up almost half of the graduating class in dental school. I don’t see any reason why it can’t be open.” In addition, dental hygiene is a family friendly career. “It’s a profession that demands a lot of study for two full years,” Fangio said. “You can study at night while still balancing your family life.”
Hospice names clinical services director
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ospice & Palliative Care, Inc., New Hartford, has appointed Beth Ireland as director of clinical services. She has been functioning in this role since July 2010. Prior to this role, she was a hospice consultant for Heartland Hospice. As a consultant, she oversaw regulatory compliance, education to staff regarding end of life care and made recommendations for quality improvement. She also held multiple positions in Avow Hospice in Naples, Fla. She earned her associate’s degree from SUNY at Morrisville in nursing July 2011 •
and her bachelor’s degree in health administration from SUNY IT. She also obtained her palliative care nurse certification as well as her infusion nurse certification. Ireland is originally Ireland from Herkimer and resides in Hamilton with her husband.
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Women’s issues Matter of survival
Mohawk Valley gathers to recognize those who triumphed over cancer By Patricia J. Malin
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andee Simpson, her husband, Patrick, and their three little girls looked as if they were enjoying a post-Mother’s Day breakfast at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro recently. The family looked as if it had just come from church, especially since the girls were dressed in their Sunday best identical dresses. But this was no ordinary breakfast. This was a celebration for Kandee and several hundred other Mohawk Valley residents on National Cancer Survivor’s Day. In communities across the United States, cancer survivors gather to celebrate the more than 10 million Americans who are alive on this National Cancer Survivor’s Day. Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Regional Cancer Center sponsors this event locally. Kandee Simpson was diagnosed with stage B breast cancer at the age of 34 in November 2004. She is alive today due to the advances made in cancer research and treatment. “I was nursing my 6-month baby at the time (of diagnosis),” Kandee told the gathering at Hart’s Hill. Not only did she recover, she went on to bear two more healthy children in the years since then. As Kandee told her story at the podium, her daughters seemed a bit perplexed by all the attention. Kayleigh Simpson is the eldest child who at 7, is too young to remember her mother’s battle. Kierstin, 5, sat at the head table quietly, while Keelyn, 3, ran to her father and climbed into his lap. Kandee said Dr. Jeffrey Simon did the initial biopsy. He recommended that the Simpsons get a second opinion either at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo or at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Institute in New York City. “Because of Dr. Simon, we were able to get an appointment with a specialist at Sloan-Kettering within a week,” Patrick added. Nevertheless, it was the same devastating diagnosis. “Time stopped for me,” said Kandee.
Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Herceptin for breast cancer nationwide in 1998, it was still being evaluated by the Mohawk Valley medical community in 2004. Kandee proudly points out, “They stopped the trials after I went through it at Faxton. It was so successful and they had gathered enough results.” Through the survivor’s day celebration, cancer survivors are honored for their strength and courage and triumphing over the dreaded disease. In addition, the Kandee Simpson, a breast cancer survivor, poses with her contributions of their husband Patrick and their three daughters, Kayleigh, Kierstin families, friends, and and Keelyn, at the American Cancer Society’s annual Survivors’ healthcare providers Breakfast at Hart’s Hill Inn. are recognized. It was difficult Long journey begins at first to accept his wife’s diagnosis of The Simpsons returned home for breast cancer, Patrick explained. “Initreatment. That decision was easy, she tially, I felt fear, but then I went from recalled, because she and her husband feeling fearful to getting in a proactive live in Utica, about two miles from Fax- mode after seven months of educating ton Hospital. “We learned you educate ourselves. Dr. Simon offered us a lot of yourself and you take advantage of the information. We also went online.” facilities in your area,” she explained. Kandee said cancer patients are She underwent four rounds of chefrequently asked how they go on with motherapy at Faxton. their lives after the initial diagnosis. “They put me on a clinical trial “You don’t have a choice,” she told with Herceptin due to my age. I went the guests, many of whom nodded in once a week for treatment for a year. I approval. had radiation for six weeks, but they Patrick was an important ally in stopped after four months because they Kandee’s fight. He said he relied on discovered I was pregnant. And then “positive thinking and hope” to get they resumed about six months after through the painful struggle. Kierstin was born,” she said. Clean bill of health Herceptin (trastuzumab) is a treatSimon performed a mastectomy ment for women with breast cancer and also removed some lymph nodes. whose tumors have too much HER2 Since then, Kandee—whose family protein. HER2+ tumors tend to grow had no previous incidents of breast and spread more quickly than tumors cancer—reports that all of her mammothat are not HER2+.
grams have come back clean. Employees and other volunteers from Faxton-St. Luke’s donate their time and help serve breakfast at Hart’s Hill on NCS Day. Jana Worden of Utica, another survivor, gave a blessing before the start of breakfast. She asked the guests to thank the doctors, nurses, administrators, even the support staff drivers for giving their time to the patients and to put their faith in Jesus. Christopher Max, a general surgeon and liaison for Faxton-St. Luke’s cancer center, gave the keynote address at the breakfast. He stressed the need for greater individual awareness about the warning signs of cancer. He admitted that nurses and doctors sometimes fail to discuss the warning signs with their patients. “I urge all of you to become ambassadors and talk to your families,” he said. He then asked the guests to fill out a cancer survivor’s day survey that will help Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare determine which services are of the greatest importance to the local community. “How do you think we do in providing emotional, psychological and spiritual support?” he asked. “How well do we do in helping you navigate the healthcare system? How many doctors did you get to see? Do we help you with your physical fitness and exercise? How about smoking cessation?” He asked for a show of hands in response to a question about who the cancer patients prefer to consult when seeking a follow up—a cancer specialist (oncologist), a nurse practitioner or their own family doctor. Bob Elinskas, coordinator of special events for the Utica chapter of the American Cancer Society, said survivor’s day is one of the biggest one-day gatherings in the Mohawk Valley. He also cited the Relay for Life weekends that were occurring throughout the area in June. The cancer survivor’s day breakfast at Hart’s Hill is also marked with colorful balloons, door prizes and raffles.
Excellus issues facts about costs of medical malpractice coverage
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edical malpractice premiums for physicians in different regions of the state can vary as much as five times the amount paid between regions and the difference can exceed $100,000 for some specialties, according to an analysis issued recently by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “Medical malpractice rates for Upstate New York physicians are considerably less than those in downstate regions and are similar to the amounts paid by physicians in states that report the lowest premium rates in the country,” said Frank Dubeck, chief medical officer for medical policy, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “The Facts About New York State Medical Malpractice Coverage PremiPage 8
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ums” shows that the standard malpractice premium for an internist in Buffalo, Syracuse, Binghamton and Utica ($9,874) is significantly lower than for an internist practicing on Long Island ($35,028). A similar differential exists for physicians in other specialties. For example, a general surgeon’s premium rate in those same Upstate areas is $32,663, contrasted with a Long Island surgeon’s rate of $115,872; and obstetricians/gynecologists in many Upstate regions may pay $52,650, while their Long Island counterparts face a standard rate of $186,772. Physicians pose varying risks of liability based on their specialty, experience factors and the experience of other physicians in the regions where they
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2011
practice medicine. Standard rates are reviewed and approved by the New York State Insurance Department. From the standard rates, discounts, credits, experience factors and other considerations are used to determine the actual premium paid by individual physicians. The data presented in the fact sheet for New York state physicians is based on current standard premium rates of the Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Co., which insures most physicians in the state. Standard medical malpractice premiums for typical physicians in New York state are referred to as “occurrence policies” that provide up to $1.3 million in liability coverage for a single injury and up to $3.9 million for
a single policy year. “Regardless of the regional differences in premium rates, physicians and hospitals that pay their physicians’ medical malpractice insurance premiums believe that the rates are too high and want to see them lowered by reforms to the state’s tort system,” Dubeck said. The fact sheet reviews reports that provide cost estimates on the impact that malpractice insurance coverage and defensive medicine may have on total health care spending. A free copy of the “The Facts About New York State Medical Malpractice Coverage Premiums” fact sheet can be downloaded at excellusbcbs.com/factsheets.
Women’s issues Stuck in a rut? How to live life to the fullest By Barbara Pierce
now,” he explains.
our alarm goes off Saturday morning. What are you most looking forward to? That yummy doughnut you’ll have for breakfast? Or are you eager to get out on your morning run? When was the last time you learned something new? Is your favorite part of the week Saturday, when you can lounge around in your pajamas, or is it when you can share the latest gossip with your coworkers during the week? Your answers to these and other questions will show whether you’re stuck in a rut, or you’re living life to the fullest. www.Lifescript.com wants you to get back on track, if you’re wandering around without a compass, hoping to find your way. Here are some of the ways Lifescript suggests you get back on track:
If you believe money is the key to happiness, consider this: A study found the Forbes 400 (the wealthiest billionaires in America) and the Maasai tribes of Africa (simple, herdsmen) exhibit the same levels of happiness. In plain English: Money can’t buy happiness. Teddy Allen concludes: “The best advice I can give to women is don’t take no for an answer, pursue your dream, and network with other women. If you hit a road block, go around it and find a new route.”
Don’t try to buy happiness
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Pursue your passions
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“Passions ignite us and keep us going,” says Dr. Alan Gettis, author of “The Happiness Solution: Finding Joy and Meaning in an Upside Down World.” “But some of us are so entrenched in our daily lives that we’ve lost sight of our passions.” James Dean once said: “Dream as if you’ll live forever; live as if you’ll die today.” Do you take time to pursue your passions, or are you a slave to the daily grind? Carol Buczek of Hinckley pursued her passion. “I love it!” she says about her business, Tours By Design. Buczek designs motor coach tours for clients. “It took me awhile to get to my dream job, but this is it!” she said. In her ninth year of operating Tours By Design, Buczek customizes trips for groups, trips that are designed with the group so that clients have the trip they want. “’It’s all about fun!’ is our slogan,” said Buczek. “I definitely have fun!” Stumped about your passion? What did you love to do as a child? Which clubs did you join in high school? When did you last feel truly happy, and what were you doing at the time? The answers can help you rediscover your passions. For more ideas, make a list of things you’ve always wanted to learn, and then learn them. Dance the tango, study German, take up rock-climbing, write a poem; anything goes as long as you’re doing it for you.
quilts or weaving baskets. “Networking with the strong women at the Mohawk Valley Women’s Business Network was a great thing,” said Teddy Allen of Poland. Allen was encouraged to join the group by a woman she met in developing a plan for her business. “The women in the organization own many of the area’s top businesses. Some are involved in speaking in nationwide arenas, and they advocate on behalf of women,” she said. Sound Investment Entertainment Group, Allen’s business, is considered to be the top DJ service in the area. They provide DJ services for major national fundraising events, such as the Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association. Allen was especially intrigued by the DJ business because, with a hearing impairment, breaking into the field presented major challenges. She proved that a hearing impaired women can be a successful DJ.
Could seeing a movie with friends lengthen your life? Maybe so, when you consider that loneliness can raise your risk of heart disease and depression. Connecting with friends helps you handle stress and causes your brain to release a chemical that soothes and calms. Maybe that’s part of the reason women have been gathering in groups for centuries, grinding corn, knitting
Airlines have a limit on carry-on luggage. Too bad we can’t set limits on ourselves when it comes to emotional baggage. Dwelling on the past only prevents us from being happy in the present. You can’t change what has happened to you, but you can change how you view the situation. “Dwelling on past injuries is unproductive. It is also harmful, because it releases into your system all kinds of toxic
Go for a girl’s night out
substances that raise blood pressure and strain the heart,” said Deepak Chopra. “Leave the past in the past.”
Live in the moment
Most of our lives are made up of ordinary moments—pumping gas or standing in line at the supermarket. These moments don’t count, we say. They’re not a part of our real life. With this attitude, you’ll waste 80 percent of your life, notes Gettis. “If there’s anything resembling a magic bullet or a key to the universe, it’s the ability to be fully present, here and
Forgive yourself
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Turn to nature
Go outdoors. It will lower your stress levels, strengthen your immune system and leave you feeling blissfully tranquil. Can’t spare time away for a weekend camping trip? You’ll get the same benefits by a quick stroll through the park or an afternoon of gardening. Even a glance at a tree or blue sky through your office window will boost your mood and productivity.
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Helping Adults, Students, Children, and Families Psychotherapy for & Psychological Evaluation of: Anxiety Difficulties • Depression Family & Couple Relationship Problems Learning Disorders & ADHD Stress Management • Trauma Experiences OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF Brad Bennett, PhD Susan Dewey, LCSW-R Kristina Berg, PhD Kim Gearhart, LCSW-R Carol Blackburn, LCSW-R Heather Lester, PhD Christine Bolton, LCSW-R Kathryn Muller, LCSW-R Andrew Cole, PsyD Jean Morris, LCSW-R Mary DeAngelo, LCSW Nancy Rayne, APRN, BC Julia Grant, PhD July 2011 •
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.
Generics are
A nonprofit independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association
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go.excellusbcbs.com/generics
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2011
By Patricia J. Malin
F
ran King gives thanks not to his lucky stars, but to his “lucky knee” for saving his life. In early 2010, King, a resident of Clinton, decided to schedule knee replacement surgery at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. He went to his local physician first, who put him through a battery of tests in preparation for the surgery. It included a routine digital prostate exam. His doctor noticed an elevated prostate-specific antigen level and also found a lump. King decided to go to Strong for a second opinion. “I didn’t wait long,” said King, now 76 years old. He got a diagnosis of prostate cancer. The cancer, though it was caught early, had already spread. Three months later, in June 2010, he had a biopsy at Strong. The diagnosis was disheartening for another reason: Other than it being a sometimes fatal disease, he was told he needed to undergo eight weeks of radiation treatment and it would require frequent trips to Rochester. At first, he and his wife, Claudia, expected to stay at the home of his wife’s cousin in Rochester. But they soon realized they needed a place that was more suitable for someone recovering from illness. The Kings soon checked into a facility informally called “the Lodge,” which became their second home. The Hope Lodge Hospitality House on South Goodman Street in Rochester is almost as good as home, too, since it is rent-free. It’s the equivalent of the Ronald McDonald House for ill children. In New York state, the only lodges for
July 2011 •
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The Social Self-esteem: Ask Security Office Column provided by the local Social Security Office
Is it real?
Self-esteem is the way in which you see yourself
Spend quality time on Social Security’s website “ S
By Barbara Pierce
ummertime is here, and for many people that means vacation. Some of the best vacations are the ones that allow you to spend time with family members who live far away. If you’re planning to visit your kids and grandkids this summer, why not make the most of your time with them? You may know your way around a computer. But youngsters today who grew up on a computer can teach most of us some new tricks. And they’d probably be thrilled to share some online time with their grandparents. Ask them to pull out their tablet, iPad, or laptop and show you how to find your way around Social Security’s website, www.socialsecurity.gov. Ask them to show you how to use www.socialsecurity.gov to avoid unneeded trips to a Social Security office. Have them show you our library of online publications containing all the information you might want to know on an array of Social Security, retirement and Medicare subjects. The publications can be found at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/index.html. If you’re thinking about retirement, for example, you may want to check out “When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits” at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10147. html. (Unlike some libraries, there’s no due date to remember). That was easy! With the young ones helping you, you might as well go ahead and spend another 15 minutes to get the job done. No need to put on your shoes and sunglasses — you can apply online without having to leave your home. Visit www.socialsecurity. gov/applyonline where you can apply for retirement benefits in as little as 15 minutes. Once you click the “submit” button, you’re done; in most cases there are no forms to sign or documents to mail in. Here’s a way to get the attention of the young ones: ask them about Facebook and Twitter. Once they’ve got you on Facebook, you’ll have a new way of connecting with them. Did you know Social Security is on Facebook and Twitter too? Just go to www.socialsecurity.gov and click the Facebook and Twitter icons on the main page. Visiting your kids and grandchildren can be a lot of fun. Make it productive as well by asking the young whiz kid in your family about www. socialsecurity.gov.
Q&A Q: When a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, who is eligible for survivors benefits? A: Social Security survivors benefits can be paid to: • Widows or widowers — full benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60; • Disabled widows or widowers — as early as age 50; • Widows or widowers at any age if they take care of the deceased’s child who is under age 16 or disabled and receiving Social Security benefits; • Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 if they are attending high school full time. Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren, or adopted children; • Children at any age who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled; and • Dependent parents age 62 or older. Even if you are divorced, you still may qualify for survivors benefits based on the earnings record of a former spouse. For more information, go to www.socialsecurity.gov. Q: What is a Social Security “credit?” Page 12
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A: During your working years, earnings covered by Social Security are posted to your record. You earn Social Security credits based on those earnings. The amount of earnings needed for one credit rises as average earnings levels rise. In 2011, you receive one credit for each $1,120 of earnings. You can earn up to a maximum of four credits a year. Most people will need a minimum of 40 credits (or 10 years of work) to be eligible for retirement benefits. Learn more by reading the online publication How You Earn Credits at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072. html. Q: How does Social Security decide if I am disabled? A: For an adult to be considered disabled, Social Security must determine that you are unable to do the work you did before and, based on your age, education, and work experience, you are unable to adjust to any other work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy. Also, your disability must last or be expected to last for at least one year or to result in death. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability (less than a year).
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2011
I have low self-esteem,” read the teenager’s letter to Dear Abby. “I always find a flaw in the way I look or act. I find it hard to trust guys who tell me I’m pretty. Can you please help me learn to trust people and be comfortable with my body?” A high percentage of teens have low self-esteem, according to professionals that are involved with teens. And, sadly, there are a high percentage of adults who admit to having low self-esteem long after the challenging teen years. Some estimates say that half of the population suffers from low self-esteem. Accurate statistics are hard to come by. Things that may show you have low self-esteem are characteristics like unwillingness to try anything new, inability to say no, avoiding others, indecisiveness, needing to be liked by others, even depression. Self-esteem. It is not a real thing, though all of us have it. It is an abstract concept. It’s something that we do. And that is a good thing. It is a good thing because things we do can be changed. Self-esteem is the way we talk to ourselves about ourselves. That’s all it is. If you say things like: “I’m not going to try that new class; it sounds too hard,” or, “I won’t talk to the new guy at work; he’d never be interested in me,” or, “I didn’t say anything in the meeting because what I thought wasn’t as important as what others said,” you are putting yourself down as you talk to yourself. How do we learn to put ourselves down? “Children look to their parents and caregivers for non-verbal messages for their physical, emotional, and social survival,” said Gregory A. Kovacs, executive director of The Samaritan Counseling Center of the Mohawk Valley. From infancy, they look up to their parents to help them determine the safety of their environment. That message might be the sound of their mother’s heartbeat, or the gentle whisper of their soothing father. These non-verbal messages are a powerful foundation toward the development of a child’s self-esteem, Kovacs noted. Through repeated gestures of security, the child begins to believe he is worth being cared for. And as parents give more verbal positive messages to him about himself, he grows more confident and sure of himself. If parents repeatedly give their child messages that he is capable, he will feel confident that he can effectively achieve his goals, said Kovacs. He will have good self-esteem as an adult. On the other hand, if parents repeatedly give their child verbal and non-verbal messages that he is not capable, that he is not safe to try new things, he will believe he is not a capable person. He will have low selfesteem as an adult.
Our thoughts about ourselves were given to us in our childhood, usually by our parents. By adulthood, they become our belief systems—and beliefs can be hard to change, said Kovacs. “To be a great champion, you must believe that you are the best,” said the boxing great Mohamed Ali. “If you’re not, pretend you are.” He’s got that right. To accomplish any undertaking, you must believe in yourself. If you don’t believe in yourself, pretend you do, talk yourself through it. Since all that self-esteem is the way you talk to yourself in your head, you can change your self-esteem by changing the way you talk to yourself about yourself. As Kovacs said, as children, if we got messages from our parents that we were not capable, these same messages may still be playing in our head. The first step is to recognize what is playing in your head. And evaluate it critically. Marjorie Brown, 56, put herself down all the time. She can recall many instances when her mother criticized her about one thing or another. She can’t recall any time when her mother told her she had done well, she was proud of her. That never happened. She remembers her mother talked critically about everyone; she was especially critical of her sister Rose; she even criticized the pastor of their church. Marjorie said Aunt Rose was really a good person, and her mother was definitely wrong in her criticism. Same with the pastor. When Marjorie realized her mother’s judgment about others was wrong, she could start challenging the way she talked to herself. (Which was the way her mother used to talk to her.) As you begin to recognize negative messages in your head, start to challenge them. Talk back to that voice saying I don’t think I can do this. Replace those negative messages with positive ones: “I can do this!” “I’m a good person.”
Between You and Me
By Barbara Pierce
Our inner vision
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e’re all concerned about protecting our eyesight. We want it to function well, so that we can see clear, sharp images. We rely on our vision to help us navigate through life, to show us the path ahead, help us avoid obstacles, and see ahead to plan our course. There is another kind of vision that can help us navigate through life. It can show us the path ahead, help us avoid obstacles, and see ahead to plan our course. It is the vision inside our head, the mental images that most of us have. Our mind’s eye, some call it. We all think in words, and most people also think in images. You may not even be aware of the images that flit through our minds much of the time. A mental image is like a thought, with sensory qualities. It is something we can see in our mind, or hear, or smell. For example, as you’re thinking about what to eat, you might mentally run through your refrigerator to see what’s there, or see yourself standing at the stove frying eggs. Or, you’re back from vacation, and I ask: “How was your vacation?” The mental image of yourself lying on the white sandy beach might pop into your mind. And the image of the dingy, smelly hotel room that disappointed you. And you standing in front of the cute shop with a flower box spilling brilliantly colored flowers. You sift through those images to choose how to answer me in words, without even being aware Pierce that you are doing it. Mental imagery helps athletes improve their skill and their confidence. Research shows that when they visualized themselves making a perfect pass, or a perfect swing, they performed better than those who did not first visualize the action. Imagery can help you prepare for a job interview, or a tough conversation you’ve been avoiding. When I’m stuck and can’t see my way out of a situation, I see myself talking with a trusted friend. I figure out what I need to do, and my friend has no idea how helpful she has been. By tapping into the images in your mind’s eye, you tap into a rich resource to help you navigate through life. You tap into your own wisdom, wisdom that comes from the intuitive part of your brain, rather than the analytical part. It is a vast area of incredible richness. The intuitive wisdom of our mental images can help us find new ways to solve problems, and improve the quality of our life. If you are anxious, you can tune into the reason for your anxiety and therefore decrease your reaction to it. For example, Joanne got anxious every time her son went out for the evening. She always saw the same im-
age in her mind: The car was totaled and he was lying on a stretcher. By becoming aware of this image, she was able to talk herself through it rationally. Images can defuse a tense situation or relieve anger. Cynthia had left an abusive husband. Her court date was approaching; she was scared to be in the same courtroom with him. As we talked about him, her stomach was upset; her breathing got rapid as she saw him in her mind, bullying her. I suggested she make a caricature of him, think of his worst qualities and make him into a cartoon in her mind. She said he reminded her of a big fat turkey proudly strutting around. The whole time she was in the courtroom with him, she held this image of him in her head, smiling rather than being scared. Eleanor grew up with an abusive father. When she came to see me, in her 70s, his mean eyes still haunted her in her mind, though he had long been dead. She used alcohol to cope. Now she was sober and tired of seeing those mean eyes. I helped her see that though she couldn’t change what happened to her as a child, she could change the image playing in her mind. We worked out how to shrink that image down every time she became conscious of it. She came back to say: “Thank you for the wonderful gift you gave me. He’s finally gone.” Images lie at the core of who we think we are. I think of myself as a tree, with deep roots. Storms and winds blow, sometimes very strong; they can’t knock me over as I have deep roots. Each week, when Anne came to see me, something different challenged her; she went from bad to worse on a daily basis. She described herself like a leaf, blown about by the least little breeze. When she could see herself as a rock, her emotions became more stable. In problem solving and making decisions, our intuition—as revealed by our images—can be a good guide. A boyfriend was pressing me to get married; I wasn’t sure. When I tuned into the images in my head, I saw us heading down the road to the poorhouse. And I saw us naked, in front of all my friends. I had a clear answer to my dilemma. Try tuning in to your images. You have much wisdom within you.
• 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.
By Jim Miller
Simplified computers for seniors Dear Savvy Senior Do you know of any home computers that are specifically designed for senior citizens? I would like to get a computer for my 73-year-old mother, but she’s not computer savvy at all. Look Around Dear Looking, There are actually several computers on the market today that are designed specifically for older boomers and seniors who want, and need, things simple. Here are some top options to check out. Telikin
For seniors that have little or no computer experience the new Telikin “touch-screen” computer is a wonderful option. Ready to go right out of the box, this innovative computer comes pre-loaded with simplified software that makes accessing the web, email, games, video chat, photo sharing, news, weather and more, just a touch of the screen away. And since it runs on Linux software instead of the standard Windows or Mac OS, it’s a virus-free computer too. The Telikin comes with a sleek 18.6-inch LCD touchscreen (a 20-inch touchscreen will be available within a month), 320-gigabyte hard drive, builtin speakers, webcam, microphone, wired keyboard and mouse, and provides a unique “tech buddy” feature that can help seniors get computer assistance when needed. Priced at $700 (the 20-inch model will retail for $995), Telikin comes with a 60-day trial period, one-year warranty and free support for the first 60 days. Visit telikin.com or call 800-230-3881 to learn more. It’s also worth noting that Telikin has a partnership with firstSTREET (firststreetonline.com, 800-704-1209), a senior product direct marketing company which is also selling this computer rebranded as the “WOW! Computer for Seniors.”
Senior PCs
Sold through Enablemart (enablemart.com, 888-640-1999), Senior PCs are Hewlett-Packard computers that also come completely set up and July 2011 •
ready to use, but depending on your mom’s needs, you’ll have several options to choose from. If you’re your looking for simplified “goof-proof” operation, the Autopilot desktop is the best model. This PC comes equipped with QualiWorld software that provides one-click solutions for tasks like letter writing, preparing a document, surfing the Internet, sending and reading e-mails and much more. The Autopilot also comes with OnTimeRx medication and appointment reminding software, HOYLE Crossword and Sudoku puzzles, a high contrast keyboard, mouse, 17-inch monitor, speakers and a color printer all for $1,125. They also offer this same Autopilot computer in a laptop edition for $1,165. Or, for seniors with low vision their Vision Plus model may be a better fit. This computer comes pre-configured with everything you need to see your PC, including state-of-the-art screen magnification software, a high visibility keyboard, and an all-in-one printer/ scanner for scanning in books, mail and other reading materials for magnification. It also comes with OnTimeRx medication reminder software, HOYLE Crossword and Sudoku puzzles, a 17-inch monitor, mouse and external speakers. The price: $1,255 for the Vision Plus desktop, or $1,895 for the laptop edition.
Kiwi PC
If you’re looking for something more affordable, the new Linux-powered Kiwi PC for seniors is another option to consider. Priced at just $380, this user-friendly computer provides a simplified navigation system, with oversized tool bar, large icons and text that makes it easier to see and use. Other features include a customizable “Me Menu” that provides quick and easy access to frequently visited websites, email and programs straight from the desktop, a color-coded keyboard, 19-inch monitor, and a toll-free phone support line that’s available 24/7. See kiwipc.com, or call 855-255-5494. Savvy Tip: While it’s not designed specifically for seniors, the Apple iPad2 ($499) is another user-friendly option that has gotten great reviews from older users. See apple.com to learn more.
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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Meet
Your Doctor
By Patricia J. Malin
Where’s the beef? Taking a look at the vegetarian lifestyle
Medal winner returns from the Middle East D
By Kristen Raab
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every American giving in some way to their country through civil or military service, even being proud just to vote in a free election. I was deployed for one year to Iraq. I did not consider staying in the Army once my obligation was up because it was a priority for me to have a family. I did not see the Army or my role in the Army to be very compatible with that. Q.: What did you learn during your Army practice that can be applied to a civilian setting? A.: Discipline, working hard regardless of reimbursements, working with the demands of an ever-changing environment, and doing what’s needed for the greater mission. Also having a picture of what that greater goal is, improvising when resources are stretched thin, and being able to do what I need to do within austere and non-traditional environments for medicine. It’s a more humbling environment in the military. Especially during deployment, the physician is one supporting role out of many to the focus of the military and the unfolding events day by day. Most of the time you have no input, idea or understanding of events until perhaps after they occur. There is a lot less control in the matters that our training typically gives us some control over. In the military, especially during deployment, you are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I also learned that it’s a privilege to serve the men and women who do what they do for our
country. Knowing their sacrifices gives me pride and joy in doing what I do. This all extends to the civilian setting. My experience and character because of my time with the military is part of who I am now in my civilian practice. Q.: What is the most challenging aspect of your job? A.: It’s meeting my expectations for excellence in health care with the time and resource constraints I work within. There are also constraints placed on healthcare delivery in general, and I’m constantly guarding against burnout. Q.: What is the most fulfilling aspect of your job? A.: Putting years of training and experience into practical use where I can see the direct impact on the health, quality of life or satisfaction of my patients. Also being motivated to continue expanding my knowledge and skill because of the encouraging feedback when a life has been positively impacted. Q.: What are the newest developments in the field of family practice? A.: Perhaps the emphasis toward medical homes and re-valuing preventive care. In other words, we see a benefit to patients when they have an established primary care physician and clinic that is their “medical home.” It translates into reduced health care costs, a reduction in mistakes and unnecessary tests and interventions. Also it’s important that I’m not only practicing with a strong eye for prevention, but having that quality recognized by healthcare payers as valuable and reimbursable.
Don’t let allergies, asthma spoil summer
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ummertime means outdoor fun at weddings, graduations, festivals and picnics. But uninvited guests ranging from stinging insects to grass pollen can ruin the fun for the millions of Americans with allergies and asthma. Allergies and asthma can lead to sneezing, wheezing and itchy misery—and sometimes more serious reactions—turning a joyous occasion into agony. “By planning ahead, people with allergies can still enjoy outdoor events,” said Dr. Myron Zitt, past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). The ACAAI and its allergist members suggest following a few simple tips to make summer soirees more enjoyable: • Treat before you go. Take allergy medication before walking out the door. If you wait until symptoms kick in, the medication won’t be nearly as effective. • Go undercover. Big, wraparound sunglasses help keep pollen Page 14
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from getting into your eyes. • Avoid bees. If you’re allergic to bees or other stinging insects, avoidance is your best bet. Keep your distance from uncovered food, be cautious of open soft drink cans and resist wearing bright clothing or perfume, all of which attract bees. If someone near you gets stung, move away—some bees give off a chemical after they sting that can attract other stinging insects. • Be cautious at the food table. Avoid foods in which nuts, dairy and other common allergens can be lurking, such as mixed salads, barbecue sauces and salad dressings. If grilling is involved, have your portion cooked on aluminum foil to avoid cross-contamination with other foods. • Stick to the middle. Poison ivy can lurk in bushes and other foliage, so stay in open areas where you’re less likely to brush up against it. • Pay attention to ozone alerts. High temperatures mixed with pollution can pose a problem for people with asthma. Carry a quick relief inhaler.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2011
oes becoming a vegetarian doom an individual to a life full of nothing but tofu? Will choosing to give up meat force a person to eat salads twice a day? Are supplements necessary to meet daily nutritional values? These are not facts, but myths that have emerged over the years, and seem to be burned into our brains. Today, there are many tasty, healthy options for people who choose to go meat-free. First, meal choices will depend on individual preferences, the reason for giving up meat, and personal limits placed on seafood, dairy and dairy byproducts that are chosen. Some of the reasons to choose a vegetarian lifestyle include ethical concern for animals, a desire to lessen environmental burden, a push toward Severs improving health, and due to a dislike of the taste of meat. Living as a vegetarian for three years, Erin Severs of New Hartford says her decision to give up meat was fueled by several factors. The first reason is twofold and based on avoiding cruelty to animals She explains: “I looked in my dog’s eyes and realized how horrific it was to eat something capable of love and a personality.” Additionally, Severs worries that most meat “comes from factory farms. These places are literal torture chambers for animals and are harmful to the environment.”
Expert view
Pat Palmisano, registered dietitian and regional health promotion supervisor at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, negates the myth that supplements are necessary. Some of the same nutrients, such as iron, are available in meals that do not contain meat. Iron-fortified cereals and breads as well as spinach, dried fruit and many other foods offer plenty of iron. Additionally, Palmisano recommends cooking in an iron skillet to boost iron intake. Including vitamin C when one eats these foods helps with the absorption of the essential nutrients. It is easier to transition to a meatfree lifestyle if you have support. For Severs, this support came from her husband. “My husband had been a vegetarian for nearly a year before I became one, so I stopped buying products with meat in them prior to becoming a vegetarian,” she said. For Severs, life before vegetarianism was not full of meat. She did eat chicken and deli meat, and also con-
sumed fast food. “Even when I did eat meat, I only liked it as a filler or additive or as the base upon which to glop cheese, mayo, ketchup or relish,” Erin admits.
Preferring soy meat
Severs finds soy meat to be tastier and better textured than animal meat. She said soy meat she now eats “has a very similar flavor and considerably better texture (no fat or gristle).” Typical dinners at Severs’ house include spaghetti with soy meat added to the sauce, soy sausages (bratwurst style), with all the trimmings and fries, soy hamburger made into patties for cheeseburgers or homemade veggie stew with dumplings and sometimes soy meat added. Meals that do not include soy meat are almost always packed with nutrient-rich veggies such as store brand organic black bean chili or homemade vegetable and rice stir-fry, to which the couple often adds an egg or peanuts. To keep vegetables from becoming boring, Palmisano suggests buying seasonal foods such as butternut squash in the fall as it will mean fresher food and more variety. She also believes people should give old disliked food a second chance. “If there’s something you didn’t like at 10, try again,” she said. Grilling and roasting are two of the most flavorful way to prepare vegetables. Palmisano cautions that following a “vegetarian diet does not necessarily mean it is super healthy. Fried foods, even veggies, have extra calories and fats.”
A healthy decision
Including more vegetables in one’s diet is a smart decision for everyone, even those who also eat meat. Eating more vegetables is a nutritious way to increase nutrient intake and it also helps a person feel full, which might reduce overeating. Palmisano said making fruits and vegetables a “big part of your plate” can lead to “complete nutrition.” The change has made Severs feel healthier. Fast food has basically been cut from her diet, and she believes she is getting all of the nutrients she needs. “Between the protein in soy meat, beans and eggs, a habit of snacking on nuts, and a serious cheese addiction problem, I have no concerns about getting the nutrients I would otherwise get from meat,” she said. Moreover, she feels good about her decision, and suggests that “even cutting back on meat” or “choosing to only eat free-range or cage-free meat is a healthy choice that will promote a healthier environment.” Starting slowly might be the best approach to trying the vegetarian lifestyle. Prepare vegetables with every meal, and eat more fruit throughout the day. Eliminate meat from your plate for a day or two a week, while adding in foods rich in protein and iron to feel satisfied. If the switch is based more on health and not ethical or moral issues, small changes can make a big difference over time.
Reaching out
Community rallies around brain cancer patient, Mike DeLouisa Jr. By Patricia J. Malin
M
ike DeLouisa Sr. of New Hartford made a lot of friends through his music over the
years. DeLouisa, a drummer, was a founding member of The Fulton Chain Gang. Now his friends are rallying around him as he battles stage four, inoperable brain cancer. Even if his feet weren’t up to the task, DeLouisa’s heart was dancing to the beat recently at a music festival held in his honor at 12 North Sports Bar in Marcy. The festival featured seven hours of local music on two stages with performances by The Syndicate, The Bomb, The Fulton Chain Gang, Fritz’s Polka Band and many others. And there was plenty of food and drink to keep the listeners occupied. The DeLouisa Benefit Festival will help him and his family defray some of the expenses for his treatment. DeLouisa, 58, was accompanied by his wife of 39 years, Donna (Kelly) and their three children, Mike Jr., David and Tara. His brother, Joe, and his sister, Maria, also were present on a day when everyone gave DeLouisa a hug and seemed to be a part of his extended family. DeLouisa ran his own painting and wallpapering business for 30 years, but he was better known as an entertainer. “Over the years, his big heart and willingness to help others brought him
to perform at numerous benefit concerts for friends and family in need,” Donna said in explaining why the benefit proved successful. “Today, he has retired because of his illness, but keeps positive and knows with his love of God and support from his loving family and friends he will overcome this obstacle,” she added. DeLouisa said his illness began in February when he was working on a contracting job at a friend’s camp in the Cayman Islands. “When I came back on the plane, I felt disoriented, nauseous; I didn’t feel good,” he said. Maria, who stood by his side as he told his story, added that his family doctor thought at first DeLouisa had suffered a minor stroke (a TIA, transient ischemic attack). Its symptoms include numbness, confusion and blood loss in the brain. DeLouisa had an MRI, but the hospital still couldn’t identify his problem. The next step was a spinal tap and a biopsy when they discovered the cancer. These malignant tumors grow very aggressively and attack brain tissues, destroying healthy cells and capturing their space.
Trying journey
After Dr. Clifford Saults of St. Elizabeth Medical Center diagnosed brain cancer, his family decided to seek two more opinions. They met with doctors at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse and at Strong Memorial in Rochester, a
KIDS Corner Most U.S. kids get recommended vaccines
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lthough nearly all American children get the recommended vaccinations to prevent serious diseases, many parents express concerns about the shots, and a small number refuse to have their kids inoculated, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 95 percent of parents said their kids had received all the vaccinations or would get them all, which was a record high, a 2010 survey found. But about 5 percent of parents said they would decline some vaccines, and 2 percent said their little ones would receive no vaccines, the researchers said. “We are reassured that, overall, parents are vaccinating their kids according to the recommended schedule,” said lead researcher Allison Kennedy, an epidemiologist in CDC’s
Immunization Services Division. “But we did find that most parents do have questions or concerns about vaccines,” she said. Better education efforts could resolve those doubts, Kennedy said. Doctors need information on the value and safety record of vaccines so they can help parents make an informed decision. Recent outbreaks of mumps, measles and whooping cough show that these deadly diseases still exist, Kennedy said. “Because of successful vaccination programs,” many young parents don’t remember when these diseases were epidemic, she noted. The report is published in the June issue of Health Affairs. For the study, Kennedy’s team used data from the annual HealthStyles
DeLouisa clinic associated with Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. At that point, it was decided that DeLouisa could not survive an operation to remove the tumors. “It’s in the left middle part of his brain that controls speech and emotions,” Maria explained. He then underwent radiation and later chemotherapy at Faxton Cancer Center. At one point, he had trouble
survey, which gathered information on parental attitudes toward childhood vaccination from 376 households. While 23 percent of the parents said they had no concerns about vaccines, most had one or more concerns, the researchers found. Parents mentioned pain from the injection, getting too many shots at one time and the safety of ingredients in the vaccines. Some parents also worried that vaccines could cause disease or are being given for illnesses children are unlikely to get, the investigators found. Parents who said their kids would not get all the recommended vaccinations were likely to think too many vaccines are given in the first two years of life or that vaccines can cause learning difficulties, especially autism. The autism theory has been widely refuted. One in three parents added that they are not satisfied with the information they get from their children’s doctor about the safety and necessity of vaccines. Much of the information parents get about vaccines comes from their doctor or friends, Kennedy said. Onequarter said they took their information from the Internet, twice the number seen in a different survey in 2009, the researchers pointed out. Paul Offit, chief of the division of infectious diseases and director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, is concerned — but not surprised — that resistance to vaccination still exists. July 2011 •
breathing as blood clots filled his lungs. The clots later migrated to his legs. Nevertheless, on the day of his benefit, DeLouisa was up and walking around the pavilion. He wore a big cowboy hat to cover his bald head and to protect himself from the sun on a cool, breezy afternoon. He was asked if he was scared. “I’m taking it one day at a time,” he replied. “What can I do about it? There are some days when I feel good and I can function.” His son and daughter have had various reactions. “It was hard at first,” said his son, David. He said his sister was reluctant to attend the benefit because it was an “emotional” time. She is living at home and helping her parents. “Life goes on,” said Joe. “We’re getting a lot of prayers,” Maria remarked. “We’re hoping for a miracle.” DeLouisa completed his six weeks of radiation treatments. Once a month, he returns to Faxton for five consecutive days of chemotherapy. His next round started on June 20. The event included 50/50 raffles, auctions, and entertainment for the kids. The family has also set up “The DeLouisa Benefit Festival” account at M&T Bank. Contact Dave Montany at 315.796.3534 or Claudine Laskowski at 315.865.4977 for further information.
Offit, an outspoken advocate of vaccination, said the movement against vaccinations has resulted in outbreaks of diseases all but unheard of just a few years ago. “I try to reassure parents with the science,” he said. And he tells them that a decision against vaccination is not risk-free. “It’s a choice to take a different and more serious risk,” he explained. “We are seeing outbreaks of measles, mumps and whooping cough to degrees we haven’t seen in the previous 10 years. It’s a dangerous and, frankly, a misinformed choice not to get a vaccine,” he said. Before vaccines, whooping cough killed 8,000 children in the United States annually, diphtheria was a common cause of death among young people, and polio caused tens of thousands of cases of paralysis, he pointed out. Measles resulted in 3,000 to 5,000 deaths, Offit said. Even though the data linking vaccines to autism has been discredited, some people still believe it, he noted. “We are far more compelled by fear than reason, and fear wins,” Offit said. “We don’t fear the diseases, so it’s very easy to scare us about these other things,” he stated. But as outbreaks of preventable diseases become more common, “we will get to a level where we will be scared enough of the diseases again that we will start to vaccinate again,” Offit said.
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Continued from Page 4 additional $25. Riders and passengers who pre-register by July 15 will receive a 2011 Ride for Miracles T-shirt and those who pledge and donate more than the registration fee are eligible for prizes and incentives. Checks should be made payable to the Children’s Miracle Network. When registering, make sure you have your motorcycle’s year, color, make, model, license number and insurance company name available. The ride will be approximately 100 miles round-trip, with stops along the way at various FSLH Adirondack Community Physicians Offices. Dr. James R. Tichenor Jr., is this year’s Ride for Miracles honorary chairperson. For more information, visit www.faxtonstlukes.com/cmn or call 315.624.5600.
July 25
Upstate Cerebral Palsy Women’s Golf Classic set The Upstate Cerebral Palsy Women’s Golf Classic will be held July 25 at Valley View Country Club in Utica. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $85 per person for this captain and crew event, which includes green fees, on-course refreshments, prizes, continental breakfast and a luncheon. All proceeds will benefit autism services at Upstate Cerebral Palsy. Call 724.6907 ext. 2308 to register a team or for more information. Upstate Cerebral Palsy is the premier provider of direct-care services
and programs for individuals who are physically, developmentally, or mentally challenged and their families.
July 31
Zumbathon to ‘Dance Out Diabetes’ The American Diabetes Association will host Zumbathon to Dance Out Diabetes from 2-5 p.m. July 31 at Daniele’s Banquet Specialist, 8360 Seneca Turnpike, New Hartford. Doors will open at 1:30 p.m. For tickets, call Carolyn Faccioli at 315.797.5971 or Cheryl Jassak at 315.735.6434 ext. 3696 or email at cjassak@diabetes.org. There will be two hours of Zumba followed by a relaxing hour of healthy refreshments including fruit, vegetable crudités, cheese and crackers. At $20 tax-deductible donation is requested.
Sept. 30 ‘Sex Addiction’ topic of training session The Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc., in partnership with the Oneida County Dual Recovery Training Coalition and the National Association of Social Workers, announce a program on “Sex Addiction.” Dr. Patrick J. Carnes will present the training from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 30 at Hart’s Hill Inn, Whitesboro. Registration fee is $65, and includes lunch and program materials. CASAC/CPP hours will be given. To learn more, contact Miranda Nieto at mnieto@cflrinc.org.
UCP names employees of year
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ammy Szala of Rome and Christine Luvera of New Hartford were recently recognized as employees of the year at Upstate Cerebral Palsy for 2010-2011. Both were honored with the distinction at the Upstate Cerebral Palsy annual meeting recently at the Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre. Szala has been an employee within the residential services division of the agency for close to 11 years and moved into her manager position a little over four years ago. A resident manager really is a “Jack of all Trades.” Szala easily fills this role, but in addition to just filling the role, she brings great passion to the work that she does. accordSzala ing to a UCP spokesperson. She manages staffing, planning and ensures that the individuals’ needs are met, including hair care, menus and Page 16
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everything related to daily living. Luvera, a preschool special education teacher, has worked for Upstate Cerebral Palsy for five years and has assisted with the opening of three New Discoveries Learning Center Preschool sites and teaches at the new Sauquoit location in the Sauquoit Elementary School. She is in charge of a classroom of children with special needs and provides direct services to help each student work toward his or her individual goals. She says the most rewarding part of her job is watching the children grow and make progress each day. Luvera Upstate Cerebral Palsy is the premier provider of direct-care services and programs for individuals who are physically, developmentally, or mentally challenged and their families.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2011
Pictured from left are Barbara Hauck, volunteer of the year; Richard H. Ketcham, president/CEO of St. Elizabeth Medical Center; and Grace DeFazio Bouse, Eleanor Nelson Award recipient.
St. E’s honors volunteers; 56 serve 126,000 hours
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t. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica has named Barbara Hauck of Yorkville Volunteer of the Year. Grace DeFazio Bouse of Utica has received the St. Elizabeth Guild’s Eleanor Nelson Award, named for an active, former guild member who passed away many years ago. The two top volunteers were announced at the medical center’s annual volunteer breakfast recently, where special recognition pins were awarded to 56 people who have each logged from 100 to 33,000 hours of volunteer service. Those 56 volunteers have volunteered a cumulative total of 126,000 hours. Hauck has been a volunteer for five years and has accumulated over 2,200 hours of service to the medical center. Hauck primarily volunteers in the gift shop, but has assisted in the volunteer office and employee health office. She has helped guild members with their daffodil project and the fashion show. Hauck worked at Lerner’s and Doyle Knower. Following her retirement, she found being home every day was not for her and took a position at Westmoreland Road Elementary School working in the cafeteria. Hauck is the mother of five daugh-
ters and one son. Her husband, Ralph, passed away after 53 years of marriage. Bouse has been a member of the Guild of St. Elizabeth Medical Center for 31 years and has accumulated over 3,900 hours. She has been chairwoman of many of the guild fundraisers including the Christmas bazaar, the country store and fashion shows. She is director of volunteers and president of the guild. Bouse is a graduate of Thomas R. Proctor High School and Mohawk Valley Community College. She has previously served as a chapter representative of the New York State Association of Director of Volunteer Services, chairwoman of the Advisory Council of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Oneida County and on the board of Elderlife and Your Neighbors, Inc. Bouse has been a volunteer with the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She is currently a member of the American Italian Heritage Association and a lector at St. Anthony and St. Agnes Church. Bouse was married to Joseph Bouse for 23 years prior to his passing last year.
49 percent rise in drug-related suicide attempts by females aged 50 and older
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new national study shows that from 2005 to 2009 (the most recent year with available figures) there was a 49 percent increase in emergency department visits for drugrelated suicide attempts by women aged 50 and older — from 11,235 visits in 2005 to 16,757 in 2009. This increase reflects the overall population growth of women aged 50 and older. The report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration also shows that, while overall rates for these types of hospital emergency department visits by women of all ages remained relatively stable
throughout this period, visits involving particular pharmaceuticals increased. For example, among females, emergency department visits for suicide attempts involving drugs to treat anxiety and insomnia increased 56 percent during this period — from 32,426 in 2005 to 50,548 in 2009. Similarly, emergency department visits for suicide attempts among females involving pain relievers rose more than 30-percent from 36,563 in 2005 to 47,838 in 2009. The rise in the number of cases involving the misuse of two narcotic pain relievers, hydrocodone and oxycodone was particularly steep.
H ealth News Cuomo proclaims Healthcare Auxilian Day Gov. Andrew Cuomo proclaimed May 11 as Healthcare Auxilian Day in New York state to recognize the dedicated auxilians who annually donate more than five million hours of service to their healthcare facilities and to their communities. Annually, the St. Elizabeth Medical Center Auxiliary provides scholarships and awards at the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing graduation. Each year, daffodils are purchased from the American Cancer Society, “dressed up,” and distributed to patients. The gift shop has an assortment of items and floral arrangements for patients, visitors and employees. The Medical Center Chapel is decorated at Easter and Christmas with flowers donated by the auxiliary. Volunteers assist medical personnel at the annual American Heart Association’s Health & Fitness Expo sponsored by the Mohawk Valley Heart Institute. Auxiliary members not only volunteer at all its fundraisers, but also volunteer in various departments throughout the medical center. For more details regarding the guild/auxiliary or becoming a volunteer at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, call Catherine Southwick-Lee, volunteer coordinator, at 798.8275.
St. E’s tech receives hyperbaric credentials Deanna Eychner has served in the capacity of safety director/hyperbaric technician at the Advanced Wound Care of St. Elizabeth Medical Center for the last year. She has successfully completed the requirements and is nationally credentialed as a certified hyperbaric technologist by the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine. This national certification demonstrates an advanced Eychner level of knowledge in hyperbaric medicine. Advanced Wound Care, located at the St. Elizabeth Medical Arts Building on Middle Settlement Road in New Hartford, provides advanced modalities to promote healing of chronic wounds. Eychner is a graduate of BOCES Continuing Education Licensed Practical Nursing Program. She and her husband, Josh, live in Verona with their two children, Shea and Dallas.
HealthNet awards grants to parks, trails, playgrounds Herkimer County HealthNet presented five awards recently to local organizations as part of the “Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play” initiative in the county. Herkimer County HealthNet’s goal is to enhance and create places
to be physically active in Herkimer County. HealthNet, along with other organizations in New York state, are working to prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes and improve productivity by encouraging residents to be physically active and to eat healthy foods. The village of Dolgeville received a grant of $11,950 to construct a Salisbury-Dolgeville Greenway (Main Street to Spencer Street). Additional awards went to the village of Frankfort’s Operation Playground Safe Move-Hilltop Park, $6,500; Herkimer Area Resource Center, accessible recreation in the community, $6,000; the village of Ilion, safe playgrounds, $5,064; and the town of Russia, get fit program, $4,304. Herkimer County HealthNet has pre-purchased playground surface material and is offering it to organizations who want to improve their playgrounds. The Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play grant is funded by the New York State Department of Health and is administered locally by Herkimer County HealthNet. For more information about Herkimer County HealthNet, call 315.8671499 or visit www.facebook. com/CreatingHealthyPlacesInHerkimerCounty. To make a donation to Herkimer County HealthNet, go to www.herkimerhealthnet.com.
Herkimer County HealthNet awarded grant Herkimer County HealthNet has been awarded a of $2,600 from The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc. These funds will be used for the charitable purpose of expanding its website to include information about area farmers’ markets and online/onsite buying opportunities for the community. Herkimer County HealthNet is working with Vertiglo, a Little Fallsbased Web development and brand management firm. The foundation has made more than 4,300 grants totaling over $34.3 million in support of causes ranging from education to health care, the arts to the environment. For more information about Herkimer County HealthNet, call 315.867.1499 or visit www.herkimerhealthnet.com. Herkimer County HealthNet’s mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of individuals who live, work, play, and learn in Herkimer County.
Herkimer County goes live on Facebook In an effort to support the “Creating Healthy Places to Live Work and Play” grant initiative, Herkimer County HealthNet has created a Facebook page titled “Creating Healthy Places in Herkimer County.” “If you, your family, and friends have profile pages on Facebook, please ‘like’ us and encourage them to do so, too,” said Alison J. Swartz, project coordinator.
Sneaker Store donates to UCP Special Olympians
Richard Karaz, owner of the Sneaker Store in New Hartford, recently donated new pairs of sneakers and socks to Upstate Cerebral Palsy Special Olympians, Emily Brown and Trevor Breen. The two successfully competed in the 100- and 200-yard dash events held at Proctor High School recently. Karaz and the Sneaker Store allowed the children at Upstate Cerebral Palsy to experience the excitement of receiving new sneakers, while inspiring them to try their hardest at the Special Olympics Games. Celebrating the occasion are, front row from left, Danielle McQueary, Breen, Brown and Karaz; back row from left, Raechel Frink, Amber Jones and Cassandra Gleason. Swartz said people can type “Creating Healthy Places in Herkimer County” in the search section of their Facebook page. “When our page comes up, please click the option to like us,” Swartz said. “We will post the many activities that we are working on as part of this grant initiative with photos of local supporters and suggest helpful links to other great organizations that work to prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes,” she added.
FSLH Foundation names board officers The Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation recently announced the 2011 officers for its board of directors. • John Kogut has been named president. Kogut is president of Kogut Electric, Inc. He joined the foundation board of Directors in 2001, and is involved with FSLH’s annual Stomp Out Cancer Telethon, Children’s Miracle Network fundraisers and the Business Partnership Program. • Dean Kelly has been named vice president. Kelly is president of Jay-K Lumber Corp. Before joining the board of directors in 2003, Kelly was an active participant in many FSLH Foundation fundraisers and is a major supporter of many events, including the annual $100,000 Miracle Home Makeover to July 2011 •
benefit the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. • William R. Wilson has been named secretary. Wilson is a substitute teacher in the community and has been a member of the board of directors for 11 years. He has chaired the FSLH Foundation Golf Open Committee four times, and volunteered at the Stomp Out Cancer Telethon. • Cynthia Brandreth has been named treasurer. Brandreth is a founding member of the FSLH Foundation and volunteers for The Women’s Fund of Herkimer and Oneida Counties. Brandreth raised funds to help build The Regional Cancer Center at FSLH and continues to chair the Stomp Out Cancer Telethon annually.
Faxton St. Luke’s makes staff announcement Julie Wells-Tsiatsos has been named assistant nurse manager of maternal child care for Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica. Wells-Tsiatsos is responsible for maternity, nursery and pediatric services. Prior to joining FSLH, Wells-Tsiatsos was a nursing and clinical instructor at local healthcare facilities and also
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H ealth News Continued from Page 17 has more than 20 years of experience as a registered nurse in obstetrics and pediatrics at FSLH and other area hospitals. Wells-Tsiatsos received her associate’s degree in nursing from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital School of Nursing and her bachelor’s degree in nursing from SUNYIT Utica-Rome. She also earned her Wells-Tsiatsos master’s degree in nursing from Graceland University in Independence, Mo. She is a member of Professional Nurses of Central New York, the Sigma Theta Tau-Iota Delta Chapter of the Honor Society of Nursing, the National League of Nursing, the Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.
tory. Prior to joining Slocum-Dickson, she was an attending pulmonary/ critical care physician at Bethlehem Pulmonary Associates in Bethlehem, Pa. Gesualdo earned her medical degree at New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, Gesualdo completed her fellowship in pulmonary, allergy and critical care medicine at Penn State Health System in Hershey, Pa., and completed her residency in internal medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem. She is board certified in pulmonary and critical care medicine and serves on the pharmacy and therapeutics committee and critical care committee at FSLH. She has also served on the high alert medication committee and the computerized physician order entry taskforce at FSLH.
Program expands coverage MVHI holds inaugural Heart Teaching Day of cessation counseling Recently the federal government announced that smoking cessation counseling will be covered by all Medicaid enrollees allowing for six counseling sessions during any 12 continuous months, provided on a face-to-face basis. The smoking cessation counseling will complement the use of prescription and non-prescription smoking cessation products, also covered by Medicaid. “This is a great step in helping our community to quit smoking,” said Deborah Domagal, tobacco intervention specialist at Tri-County Quits Smoking Cessation Center at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica. Local cessation classes are available at The Regional Cancer Center at FSLH. Classes are also available to Herkimer and Madison counties. Call Tri-County Quits Smoking Cessation Center at 315.624.5639 for more information and a list of upcoming classes. The expansion of Medicaid coverage, which includes cessation counseling, can directly impact the nearly 50 percent of all smokers who are covered by Medicaid or have no health insurance. “The overall prevalence of smoking in New York has fallen nearly 22 percent since 2001, but cigarette use still results in an estimated 25,500 deaths in New York each year,” Domagal said.
The Mohawk Valley Heart Institute recently held its first annual Heart Teaching Day which featured keynote speaker Dr. Charles Antzelevitch, an internationally renowned scientist and physician in the field of cardiology. This event, sponsored by MVHI and Masonic Medical Research Laboratory, took place at the Masonic Care Antzelevitch Community in Utica and provided an educational opportunity for physicians, mid-level providers, nurses and other healthcare workers to learn about the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. The event included presentations on numerous cardiac topics by MVHI providers and Antzelevitch, as well as a reception and tour of the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory. Antzelevitch is the executive director and director of research of the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory. The MVHI is a collaboration of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center.
FSLH Board of Directors takes on new member
Marcia Phalen, administrator of medical staff services at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica, has been elected to the New York State Association of Medical Staff Services Board of Directors. Phalen will serve as a representative for the Adirondack region, which consists of 20 hospitals and various medical groups located throughout nine counties in northern New York. She will mentor those who are new to the field, coordinate regional network-
Dr. Maria Gesualdo has joined Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Board of Directors in Utica. Gesualdo is an attending pulmonary/critical care physician and medical director at Slocum-Dickson Medical Group, where she also serves on the board of managers and is director of the pulmonary function testing laboraPage 18
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FSLH employee named to NYSAMSS board
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2011
Long-time RMH employees honored
Rome Memorial Hospital President/Chief Executive Officer Basil J. Ariglio, center, presents years of service pins to Mary Lou Wilson, a licensed practical nurse in the employee health department, and Donald Allen, a nurse assistant. Wilson received her pin for her 45 years of service at the hospital, while Allen was recognized for his 40 years of service. ing opportunities and serve as the liaison between her regional colleagues and the NYSAMSS Board of Directors. NYSAMSS is a statewide organization comprised of medical staff services professionals. Established in 1981, the organization seeks to increase awareness of the value and importance of medical staff services in the increasingly complex healthcare industry. This is accomplished by creating opportunities for professional skill enhancement and networking.
Shop offers services for cancer survivors The Pink Parlor, 25 W. Mill St., Little Falls, provides for the needs of women who are survivors of cancer or in the process of receiving cancer care. Items unique to the shop include Bea’s lumbar support cushions, Palma’s satchels for cushioned relief to tender under arm mastectomy areas, and Cindy’s wrist rests for comfort during long chemo stays or to ease pressure when placed between the seal belt and tender areas. Another key area of service provides confidential alterations and fittings for mastectomy patients and lymphedema problems by talented owner and tailor, Marcella Asselta. A portion of all purchases is donated to breast cancer research.
Medical Imaging Department heads named April Whip has been named CT supervisor and Leigh Rodgers has been named diagnostic X-ray supervisor at the Rome Memorial Hospital Medical Imaging Department. Whip, who has worked at the hospital since October 2008, developed
an interest in medical imaging from an early age. “I decided to become an X-ray tech when I was 14 years old because I had multiple Xrays and thought it looked fun,” she explained. “While it’s still fascinating to this day, there is so much more to this job than I ever realized.” Whip Whip works with her staff of seven CT technologists to ensure quality images, review and develop protocol, with an emphasis on customer care. Originally from Springfield, Ohio, Whip graduated from Sinclair Community College of Dayton, Ohio with an associate’s degree in applied sciences in radiologic technology. She lives in Clinton with her husband, Sean, and their chilRogers dren, Mason, 14, and Abigail, 11. Rodgers began working in Rome Memorial Hospital’s Radiology Department in 1999 as a tech aide. After graduating from St. Elizabeth’s School of Radiography in 2003, she advanced to a full-time X-ray technologist at the hospital. As a diagnostic X-ray supervisor, Rodgers works with her staff of 20 Xray technologists with the shared goal of placing the patients’ needs first. Rodgers lives in Rome with her
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H ealth News Continued from Page 18 husband, Rick, and their children, Ruby, 13, and Aiden, 7.
RMH features master exercise practitioner Planning a disaster drill requires months of planning to develop the scenario, coordinate the agencies involved and establish the training objectives. Allan Chrysler is a master of disaster planning. Chrysler, Rome Memorial Hospital’s disaster preparedness coordinator, recently graduated from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Master Exercise Practitioner Program. Graduates complete prescribed training and demonstrate, through hands-on application, a high degree of professionalism and capability in the arena of emergency management exercises. “Much of the value of conducting an exercise is in the planning. We strengthen communications between agencies and validate our assumptions as we develop the scenario and training objectives,” said Chrysler, who together with Rome Police Captain Edward Stevens led the planning team for the active shooter drill at Rome Free Academy in November 2010. Scenarios are developed based upon actual tragedies that have occurred in other communities. “It’s often difficult for people to imagine tragic events, such as the Columbine or Virginia Tech shootings, happening in our own community. But,
the unimaginable can become reality, so we take the training and the drills seriously,” Chrysler said. Chrysler lives in Ava with his wife, Julie, and their three children.
Rehab Therapy Services names assistant director Rena Hughes has been named assistant director of Rehab Therapy Services at Rome Memorial Hospital, announced Manon Gouse, director of Rehab Therapy Services. Hughes has been helping people reduce pain and regain their mobility since graduating from Utica College in 2001, with a bachelor’s degree in health studies and master’s degree in physical therapy. Certified in the McKenzie Method, a specialized protocol for treating neck and back pain, she joined Rome MemoHughes rial Hospital’s staff at its off-site physical therapy center in May 2009. She is responsible for the day-today operations of outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation services at Chestnut Commons Physical Therapy, 107 E. Chestnut St., Rome, and assists in matters related to physical therapy practice for both outpatient and inpatient physical therapy services at the hospital.
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2011