Mohawk Valley In Good Health

in good September 2011 • Issue 67

Meet M. Kate Rolf, the new CEO at VNA Systems

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Sibling rivalry

The art of relationships See Page 12

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Kids’ Health • Today’s children reflecting a ‘sexy’ society • Kids’ Corner: ADHD kids at risk when crossing road September 2011 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 1

CALENDAR of

St. Elizabeth College of Nursing

HEALTH EVENTS

A Reputation of Excellence, A Tradition of Caring, A Future of Opportunity!

OPEN HOUSE

Got a health-related activity or event that you would like publicized? Call Lou Sorendo at 315.749.7070 or email lou@cnymail.com.

Thursday, October 6, 2011 • 6 PM Multi Purpose Room 2215 Genesee St, Utica, NY 13501 Open House Registration www.secon.edu 315-798-8347

Sept. 1

Having trouble sleeping?

Check this out Sleep apnea, its symptoms, testing and treatment options will be addressed at Rome Memorial Hospital’s Health Night lecture at 7 p.m. Sept. 1.

Nurse practitioner Laura Carnevale will discuss the stages of sleep, the risks and consequences of sleep apnea and the importance Carnevale of a sleep study. Other sleep issues such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome and the importance of overall good sleep hygiene for adults and pediatric patients will also be discussed.

Karen St. Louis, supervisor of Rome Memorial Hospital’s Sleep Disorder Center, will also be on hand to answer questions.

Health Night is a monthly lecture series sponsored by Rome Memorial Hospital.

Advance registration is not required. Refreshments will be served.

Rome Memorial Hospital’s classroom is located on the second floor of the hospital. Participants are asked to enter the North James Street entrance of the hospital.

For more information, call 3387143.

EMPIRE

ORTHOPEDIC LABS Joshua J. Mullen, CPO

Now Accepting New Prosthetic Patients Call to schedule a free evaluation (315) 736-0161 44 Oriskany Boulevard, Yorkville, NY

Page 2

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Joshua Mullen

Sept. 11

Sitrin presents paddling program The Sitrin STARS (Success Through Adaptive Recreation and Sports) adaptive paddling program offers several outings for individuals with physical disabilities.

Family members and caregivers are also invited to participate.

The next event will be on Sept. 11 as participants enjoy the Black River out of Kayuta Lake in Remsen.

Kayaks, canoes, and other paddling equipment will be provided.

Participants should register at least one week prior to the paddling date.

Transportation is not included.

Participants must meet Sitrin staff at the paddling locations at 10 a.m.

New participants are required to complete a training session on the Friday night before the trip. Snacks and

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

water will be provided, but participants should bring their own lunch.

Created in 2001, STARS provides people with physical disabilities a number of athletic opportunities that enable them to compete throughout the country, and around the world. In addition to paddling, the STARS program includes golf, basketball, curling, and road racing, shooting, and biathlon.

For more information about Sitrin’s paddling program, or to register for an upcoming event, contact Marc DePerno at (315) 737-2459.

Sept. 13

FSLH Regional Cancer Center to host seminar Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Regional Cancer Center and The American Cancer Society’s Man to Man program will be hosting a prostate cancer awareness program from 6-7 p.m. Sept.

13 at the Soggs Room, St. Luke’s Home, 1650 Champlin Ave., Utica.

During September, which is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Man to Man and The Regional Cancer Center will host speaker Kenneth Hoogs, a urologist. Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in men, and in 2010 there were 217,730 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in the United States.

Hoogs has been in private practice since 1980. He is an attending urologist at Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital, Upstate Medical University and Syracuse Veterans Administrative Hospital.

Reservations for this program are required. Call 315-624-5321 by Sept. 9 to reserve a seat.

For any questions or information about Man to Man, contact Jason Warchal at (315) 433-5645 or by email at Jason.warchal@cancer.org.

Sept. 19

Insight House to host recognition dinner To promote the hopeful and healing message of recovery, Insight House will participate in the 22st annual observance of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, a nationwide initiative every September supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Insight House will host its 40th anniversary celebration and eighth annual recovery recognition dinner on Sept. 19 at the Radisson Hotel in Utica.

Award recipients for 2011 will include deputy sheriff Neil Larrivey, Prevention Youth Award; Colleen Callaghan-Kirkland, Recovery Community

Continued on Page 16

Health issues Billion-dollar baby Oneida County hospitals contribute more than $1 billion to local economy

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he three hospitals in Oneida County contribute a combined total of more than $1.043 billion to the area economy per year, according to an economic impact analysis that projects the ripple effect of industry spending.

The Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare system contributes $562 million to the local economy, St. Elizabeth Medical Center adds $346 million and Rome Memorial Hospital contributes $135 million.

As some of the largest employers in the Utica/Rome area, the hospitals also support 5,380 full-time equivalent positions in total, which fund more than $21 million in state and local taxes.

“As major employers and purchasers of goods and services, our hospitals have a significant impact on the local economy,” said Rome Memorial Hospital’s Vice President/Chief Financial Officer Nicholas Mayhew. “Jobs are the lifeblood of a community. Each paycheck pulses through the economy, supporting businesses as dollars are

spent on housing, groceries and other goods and services. Jobs fuel more jobs.”

Construction at the three organizations is also having a positive impact on the local economy. Building projects such as the Rome Memorial Diagnostic Center, the renovation of St. Luke’s Home to improve long-term care services and the addition of outpatient services at St. Elizabeth Medical Arts will generate local jobs and revenue and result in improved health care delivery for the community. These projects alone pour millions of dollars into the economy through construction costs and equipment purchases.

The hospitals treat approximately 115,000 people in their emergency departments and urgent care and deliver more than 2,750 babies annually. More than 34,700 infants, children, adults and seniors are hospitalized annually and there are also thousands of outpatient visits per year for diagnostic testing and treatment.

The economic impact study is

based on U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis models that project the “multiplier effect” of industry spending on local economies.

The primary findings of the analysis, based upon 2008 hospital data, include: —Hospitals as employers • In 2008, FSLH employed approximately 2,800 full-time equivalents, SEMC employed approximately 1,770 FTEs and Rome employed approximately 810 FTEs. • The hospitals’ total payroll and benefits was more than $317 million.

Dollars earned by health care employees are spent on groceries, clothing, mortgage payments, rent, etc., generating approximately $583 million in total economic activity for the local economy.

—Hospitals’ purchasing • Combined, SEMC, RMH and FSLH spend about $212 million per year on the goods and services they need to provide health care; for ex-

Study up for sneeze-free school year The classroom is a breeding ground for an array of illnesses

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he new school year means new clothes, new classes, new teachers — and the same old misery due to sneezing and wheezing for children who have allergies or asthma.

From the class hamster to dust mites residing in carpet to germs from cold and flu viruses, asthma and allergy triggers lurk throughout the classroom.

It’s not so surprising, then, that back-to-school season is associated with a 46 percent increase in asthmarelated emergency department visits by grade school children. And allergies and asthma account for more than 14 million school day absences. But seeing an allergist can keep kids in the classroom: studies show patients treated by allergists for asthma have better symptom control, including less wheezing and fewer absences, at lower costs.

“To keep kids focused on their studies instead of their allergy and asthma symptoms, it’s important that they see an allergist for proper diagnosis and treatment, as well as work with their parents to develop a plan for avoiding classroom triggers,” said allergist Myron Zitt, past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

Make sure your child doesn’t suffer or miss school by following the below advice from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) and its allergist members.

• Dust and mold and pollen, oh my — many common triggers lie in wait for the allergic student. Dust mites and other allergens multiply in the class carpet, so suggest your child sit in

a chair to read a book. Mold can grow in bathrooms and other dank areas, but are easily cleaned if brought to the janitor’s attention. And ask teachers to keep windows closed this fall and next spring to keep sneeze-prompting pollens out of the classroom.

• The germ incubator — It’s tough for the child with asthma to avoid germs at school, since they are pretty much everywhere from the pencil sharpener to the edge of the teacher’s desk. The best defense is a good offense, so be sure your child gets a seasonal flu shot. Washing hands regularly and using tissues and antibacterial hand sanitizers also can help.

• Tag, you’re — huff, puff — it.

Jumping jacks during gym, tag during recess, soccer after school — these and other common school activities can trigger exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), commonly referred to as exercise-induced asthma. About 80 percent to 90 percent of those with asthma have EIB and 10 percent of people without asthma have EIB. If your child has difficulty breathing during or after exercise, see an allergist who can work with you on a prevention and treatment plan. Be sure to give teachers, from gym to homeroom, a heads-up and make sure your child has medication available at school.

• Fear of furry friends — Kids love class pets, but many have allergies to the hairy or furry variety. Allergic children should be reminded not to touch the pet. You also might suggest the teacher consider a non-furry pet, such as fish or a hermit crab, which

offer plenty of learning opportunities without the allergy-triggering dander.

Children who have pets at home also may have pet dander on their clothes, triggering symptoms in a pet-allergic child. A new seat assignment may help.

• Food safety patrol — If your child has food allergies, potential problems can crop up almost anywhere, from the lunchroom to the classroom.

Tell the teacher about foods that cause problems for your child. Also be sure to alert scouting and other club leaders, and suggest an allergen-free snack policy). It‘s also important to teach your child about what foods might trigger a reaction and advise them to ask a teacher or adult before eating food they are unsure about. Share a plan with teachers, coaches and the school nurse for dealing with an allergic emergency and make sure your child has medications with them like injectable epinephrine.

• The back of the class — Sitting at the front of the classroom — near the chalkboard — is a bad idea for kids whose allergies or asthma are triggered by chalk dust. And washing hands after writing on the chalk board is a must.

If your child is sneezing, wheezing and itching at school and you’re not sure why, see an allergist to find out what’s causing the problem and find relief.

For more information about allergies in children, asthma in children, and to find an allergist or take a selfrelief test visit www.AllergyAndAsthmaRelief.org.

September 2011 •

ample, medical supplies, electricity for their buildings and food for patients.

Funds spent to buy goods and services flow from the hospital to vendors and businesses and then ripple throughout the economy for a total direct and indirect impact of $407 million.

—Health care employees’ impact on state and local tax collections • Hospital employees and those jobs supported indirectly by the hospitals paid $17.7 million in state income taxes in 2008.

• The three hospitals’ employees and those jobs supported indirectly by the hospital paid $13.3 million local sales tax and $12.4 million in state sales tax.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 3

Cancer mortality rates higher in men

Meet

Your Doctor

By Patricia J. Malin

Dr. Cynthia Jones

Males more likely to die For Cynthia Jones, all medicine starts and ends with the community. In 2010, she decided to leave Chicago after 16 years and take on the challenge from disease than of organizing a new health center and practicing family medicine at the Utiwomen ca Community Health Center. Jones recently spoke with In Good Health severall cancer mortality rates are higher for men than women in nior correspondent Patricia J. Malin about her numerous duties at UCHC.

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the United States, according to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

Michael B. Cook, an investigator in the division of cancer epidemiology and genetics at the National Cancer Institute, and colleagues used U.S. vital rates and survival data from the SEER database for 36 cancers by gender and age. They assessed whether cancer mortality rates and cancer survival differed by gender.

“Men are more likely to die from cancer than women,” said Cook. “We found this to be true for a majority of specific types of cancer.”

Results showed that the cancers that had the highest male-to-female mortality rate ratios were: lip cancer (where 5.51 men died compared to 1 female); larynx (5.37-to-1); hypopharynx (4.47-to-1); esophagus (4.08-to-1); and urinary bladder (3.36-to-1). Cancers with the highest mortality rates also showed greater risk of death in men than women: lung and bronchus (2.31to-1); colon and rectum (1.42-to-1); pancreas (1.37-to-1); leukemia (1.75-to1); and liver and intrahepatic bile duct (2.23-to-1).

In their analysis of five-year cancer survival, the researchers adjusted for age, year of diagnosis and tumor stage and grade, when this information was available. Cook and his team found that a person’s gender did not play a major role in cancer survival.

For many cancers, men have poorer survival than women but the differences are slight. It is difficult to assign any singular root cause, but influences include differences in behavior of the tumor, cancer screening among people without symptoms, presence of other illnesses and health care seeking behaviors.

“Our research suggests that the main factor driving the greater frequency of cancer deaths in men is the greater frequency of cancer diagnosis, rather than poorer survival once the cancer occurs,” said Cook. “If we can identify the causes of these gender differences in cancer incidence then we can take preventive actions to reduce the cancer burden in both men and women.”

In Good Health will work for you!

Call 315-749-7070 Page 4

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Q.: Why did you decide to practice in the Mohawk Valley?

A.: I heard about an opportunity from a friend in Rochester and decided to come here and see what it was about.

We had a large immigrant population in Chicago, but it was not a community with as many languages and backgrounds as Utica. This [health center] was something new. In 2009, my parents, my husband and I drove here with Michael Leary, CEO of Rochester Primary Care Network. We realized we could work and live here. I think God wanted us to be here.

Q.: What was your practice like in Chicago?

A.: I spent 16 years in family medicine in Chicago. After my residency, I decided to get a master’s degree in public health and I went to work at Cook County Hospital. At that time, I worked for a hospital when the hospitals were still employing physicians.

In 1999, four of us separated from the hospital and formed our own Family Christian Health Center. It later grew to 30 physicians. We called it Christian health because it was faith-based.

Q.: What prompted you to become a doctor?

A.: I’ve always liked helping people. My mother found a paper I wrote in school and I said I was going to become a doctor. I knew it from a young age. My mother was a head nurse in radiology at the University of Rochester. When she worked late, I would spend time waiting for her in the hospital.

I got to see patients, [the business of] radiology; I was influenced by medicine at a young age. I also helped take blood pressure screenings at my church. I’ve always enjoyed medicine and science.

Q.: Is there much difference between working in a hospital and a community-based practice?

A.: I have always worked in community health care. When I worked at the hospital in Chicago, I also worked in a community health center. It was important for [physicians] to understand what community medicine really means. I’ve never been out of it.

Even though we were employed by a hospital, we were still working in the community.

Q.: What ailments or disorders do you treat?

A.: I treat everything, nothing specific. I believe in a holistic approach to medicine. You have to look at a person’s social aspect, their cultural

beliefs, their financial situation. What are their barriers?

For example, for someone who has diabetes, what is their access to getting low-carb food? I treat the whole per-

son, not just the disease. I want to know a patient’s outlook on their disease; what’s going on with them mentally and emotionally.

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

A.: My most challenging aspect is seeing patients getting access to specialty care at times. I want to make sure people can get a ride to the doctor’s office or the hospital.

I wish I could fix that, but I don’t now how. Then there are language barriers; it’s frustrating for me.

I feel I’m here to improve access to care, but there are a lot more barriers to care here. People in Chicago had more access to transportation. Here, there’s a big gap.

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

A.: I feel like I’m needed. There’s a large population of underserved patients here.

Some patients literally have not had care in 10 years. In this country, people cannot afford to get care or you’re afraid to go to a doctor because of the cost.

Continued on Page 15

Lifelines Age: 46 Birthplace: Rochester Education: University of Illinois College of Medicine, Department of Health, Policy, and Administration, Master of Public Health, Chicago, 1994-96; Cook County Hospital, Department of Family Medicine, faculty development fellowship, 1994-95; Department of Family Medicine, Cook County Hospital, residency program, 199194; University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria, Ill., 1986-91; Duke University, Bachelor of Science, psychology, Durham, N.C., 1982-86.

Professional memberships: American Academy of Family Physicians, member; Christian Community Health Fellowship, member; Illinois Primary Healthcare Association, member Hobbies: Singing, church, spending time with family

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

Kids’ Health Electronics dominate children What ever happened to personal interaction with our youngsters?

By Barbara Pierce

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ou’ve seen them; they are all around us.

Robot kids, texting on their cell phones or hunched over their computers, oblivious to the world around them.

Though they are physically present, they seem controlled by an outside source.

Even at the dinner table they are clicking away. Even while talking to you, their thumbs and fingers fly over the keys. Even when talking to a therapist, like Greg Kovacs.

Kovacs is concerned about the new phenomenon, very concerned. The licensed marriage and family therapist and executive director of the Samaritan Counseling Center of the Mohawk Valley notices an upsurge in kids and their use of texting and social media networks such as Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter.

“The most advanced cell phones allow access to Facebook from anywhere: school, sports, family, and social activities,” he said. “Even in mental health counseling!

“It’s not uncommon for me to redirect a child hurriedly typing into their phone during therapy sessions, no doubt impeding their focus and progress in treatment. It is not uncommon for me to see teenagers skillfully walking down the street on a beautiful sunny day, ignoring social interactions, nature and fast-moving vehicles, because they have their eyes glued to their cell phones.”

The social lives of many kids depend on logging on to their favorite websites frequently each day. Most every kid has his or her own Facebook or MySpace page. They use Facebook to keep in touch with friends, share photographs and videos and post regular updates of their movements and thoughts. And they have signed up to Twitter, to circulate text messages about themselves.

Numbers Shocking American kids from 8 to 18 spend an average of six and a half hours a day using some kind of electronic device, researchers found. Much of that time they are online. That is a huge chunk of their day. Parents feel shut out and many are worried.

Though Facebook requires a child to be 13 years old to sign on, many younger children are lying about their age to get on.

“Because it’s a relatively new phenomenon, there are no definite findings of the effects of social networking and Facebook on our children,” said Kovacs.

“However, after working with children and families for many years, I don’t need statistical evidence to warn parents about the dangers—and the benefits—of social technology.”

Kids are focused on their cell phones much of the time. We laugh when we see teenagers on TV, like Jake in “Two and Half Men,” texting to a friend who is right in the room.

But it isn’t really funny. Focusing that much of time requires a great amount of time and energy, Kovacs cautions.

It obstructs their focus on homework, family interaction, face-to-face social interaction, and, most importantly, sleep.

If you’re the parent of a teen, you

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

Health MV’s Healthcare Newspaper

are probably familiar with the warm electronic glow in his room late into the night.

Sleep, in fact, is a common difficulty given the fact that computers and cell phones are often on stand-by all night, awakening kids when messages are sent and creating complex and stimulating information processing that makes it difficult to go back to sleep.

“Kids—and adults—can become addicted to technology,” says Kovacs.

“This impairs their judgment, attention, and focus, as they are obsessed with ‘staying connected’ to their peers.”

Epidemic proportions A growing number of psychologists and neuroscientists agree with Kovacs that there is much reason for concern.

The child’s focus on electronic devices may effectively “rewire” his brain. The brains of teens continue to develop into the 20s. The connections that he uses will survive and flourish. The connections that are not used will wither and die. So if he is doing music or sports, those are the connections that will be hard wired into his brain.

If he is texting, those are the connections that will survive. His brain is wired by his activities and interests.

Short attention spans may be one lasting consequence. Parents and teachers complain that many of their

“Parents should be aware that Facebook and cell phones offer sexual perpetrators and ill-intentioned adults access to our children. Parents, you have a responsibility to monitor cell phone and Internet usage. Even if they don’t like it, you must monitor anyway—and continue to control when and where they access cell phone and Internet services. It’s not worth the risk.”

And as kids do not understand the risk, you must teach them not to share their password, to be skeptical of what they see, or to accept a “friend request” from someone they do not know.

And talk with your kids about their time online. Be open-minded; don’t be judgmental or criticize.

The website www.commonsensemedia.org has good information for parents.

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A Healthy Approach to Physical Activity A Progressive Program For Physical Fitness, Martial Arts & Nutrition Education For Youth & Teens Ages 7-18

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

students lack the ability to concentrate away from their screens. And they are deficient in their ability to communicate in face-to-face interactions.

Kovacs recommends that parents monitor their children’s use of social networking to minimize problems.

“Cell phones and computers should be turned off at bedtime— even an hour or two before. Cell phones should be left home and not used during appointments and meetings where focus is necessary, such as therapy, medical appointments, family time, sports, church, and most importantly, school.

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

September 2011 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 5

Between You and Me

By Barbara Pierce

So Sexy, So Young No age minimum when it comes to being ‘sexy’

By Barbara Pierce

“

There’s a fire starting in my heart … We could’a had it all,” sang Crystal, gyrating her hips and shaking her body to the catchy lyrics

by Lady Gaga or someone similar.

Crystal knows all the lyrics to Lady Gaga’s music, the outlandish pop singer whose bizarre appearance makes Madonna look like a church lady.

But then, some teenagers in New York City found that even cockroaches sway their bodies to Lady Gaga’s music.

Watching my 7-year-old granddaughter, so sexy, so young, makes me ache for her, and for other young girls. She’s typical. She dresses like a teenager in body-hugging jeans and graphic tees. Even boots.

But then teenagers, with perilously high heels, midriff bearing tops, and dangling earrings, aren’t looking like teenagers anymore.

Seven-year-old Crystal has a “boyfriend,” whatever that means to her. She Pierce tells me that Will is her boyfriend; Silas is her good friend who happens to be a boy. She does seem to have some understanding of the difference.

The media bombards children growing up today with graphic messages about sex and sexiness.

Take a look at the Bratz dolls, so popular with young girls today. They have surpassed Barbie dolls as the favorite of 4- and 5-year-old girls.

I don’t see their appeal; I find their anorexic-looking bodies, their overthe-top sexual appearance, with huge lips and hooker-like clothing definitely unappealing.

Fat not where’s it at

Crystal’s best friend, also seven, worries about being too fat. If she’s too fat, boys won’t like her. These girls will have a lifetime of worrying about being too fat and men not liking them. Starting in grade school is cruel.

The innocence that should be the right of Crystal and other young girls in childhood is lost. Completely gone.

Boys and girls are routinely exposed to images of sexual behavior.

Behavior without any emotions or any consequences attached. They are too young to understand. Research has shown that children, up to the age of seven, cannot even distinguish between a real character and a cartoon character. However, can they put all that is pushed at them on TV into perspective?

I’m really not a prude. Far from it. My grandkids even think I’m cool.

But I don’t think what is happening to Page 6

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Reduce screen time

‘Desexualize” childhood

Make age-appropriate conversa-

Researchers probe reasons why Americans are so fat

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them is cool. I’m upset.

Many industries make huge amounts of money by marketing “sex” to children. Girls learn at a very young age that their value is determined by how they look. Boys get a narrow definition of masculinity that promotes macho behavior, and are taught to judge girls based on how close they come to an impossible ideal.

It’s never been easy to be a parent.

It’s much harder now. How can we help our children and grandchildren through this? Here are some suggestions from the book “So Sexy So Soon”

by Diane Levin and Jean Kilbourne.

First, we must protect our children as much as possible from sexual imagery—from TV and movies to toys and clothing.

Set limits on how much “screen time” they can have each day.

In setting limits, try to work out solutions with your kids. If they are involved, they will better understand and be more invested in solutions they have helped create.

You will probably have to help them find ways to have fun that don’t involve sitting in front of a TV, computer, or video game. Turning off the screen with its fast pace and connecting to their own resources will be a difficult transition.

Learn about the media and popular culture in your child’s life. Talk to your kids about their TV shows, music, video games, websites—what they like and don’t like about them. Then look at their favorites a few times so that you can talk with your child about them.

The Internet has resources that can help you make decisions about what to let your kids see or not see.

The website www.newdream.org offers offers a free download of “Tips for Parenting in a Commercial Culture.”

Keep the lines of communication with your children open. They need to know that you are there to clear up confusion and answer their questions.

Let them know it’s OK to bring up uncomfortable stuff with you.

Have meaningful conversations with them about sexual issues.

Don’t blame them or make them feel ashamed when they do or say something inappropriate. Try to see things through your child’s perspective of the world.

Don’t overwhelm them with information. Answer their questions simply and casually; don’t elaborate or make it a big deal. If they want more information than you are giving, they will ask.

Does obesity run in the family?

Bratz tions about sexualization of childhood issues an important part of your relationship with your child.

Reduce gender stereotypes by helping your children focus on what they do, not on how they look. Counteract the narrow stereotypes of boys and girls that are so prevalent in our culture.

Ask your child’s school to take seriously its vital role in working with children and family to help counteract the harm caused by the sexualization of childhood.

Of course, we can’t change overnight all of the things that contribute to taking away childhood. But we do need to be a voice for change.

Sing along with popular children’s singer Raffi: “You are neither alone, nor a drop in the ocean. You are the ripple, the wave, the gathering swell at a historic turn of the tide.”

• 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.

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

esearchers out of Arizona State University recently published an article in the American Journal of Public Health titled “Shared Norms and Their Explanation for the Social Clustering of Obesity.” It looked at why obesity seems to be common in some families and groups of friends.

Along the lines of the old saying, “Birds of a feather flock together,” the study showed that people do cluster according to size, but few clues explain why.

“Although inconclusive, this study has provided some important information about trends in obesity and the public health implications,” according to co-authors Dian Griesel, and Tom Griesel of the new book, TurboCharged: Accelerate Your Fat Burning Metabolism, Get Lean Fast and Leave Diet and Exercise Rules in the Dust.”

“Obese families and friends usually have two things in common: food choices and activity levels or, more accurately, lack of activity. Obese parents tend to raise obese children. Obese family and friends hang out and eat the same kinds of detrimental foods and participate in the same kinds of detrimental habits,” say the Griesel’s.

Yet, it is interesting that most people do not want to be obese. Study participants revealed that if given the choice, they would select some pretty serious diseases like alcoholism, depression or herpes instead. In fact, 25.4 percent preferred severe depression and 14.5 percent actually preferring total blindness over obesity.

So why are they stuck?

Does a rising frustration level from past dieting efforts result in permanent discouragement and a resolve to be fat? Or is “misery loves company,” another “clustering” clue?

The Griesel’s say: “Obesity is not from lack of will-power but rather the result of bad diet and exercise advice. It is difficult to follow the usual prescription for 30-90 minutes of aerobic exercise five-six times per week. Add the usual recommendations of a reduced calorie, “balanced” diet based around the USDA food pyramid and you have a recipe for failure. Sugar is too often a prevalent ingredient in packaged and refined foods that are so often touted as ‘healthy.’ With the consumption of all these low nutrition manufactured foods, the body is left craving more in an attempt to make up for the deficit. Consequently an unhealthy cycle begins.”

Kids’ Health

Sibling Rivalry Building a better relationship among siblings

By Barbara Pierce

“

Oh, how I hated my little brother.

And how I loved him at the same time.”

Author Anna Quindlen nails it with her description of a sibling relationship.

Watch two young siblings: One minute, they will be hugging lovingly, the next minute the battle that drives parents crazy begins, with screaming, name calling, crying, punching, hitting.

Quindlen is right. That’s what it’s all about: Hating and loving him at the same time.

“I get along fine with each child individually,” said one mother, “but when the two of them are together, I can’t stand either one of them.”

“I believed that sibling rivalry was something that happened to other people’s children. Somewhere in my brain lay the smug thought that I could outsmart the green-eyed monster by never doing the things that all other parents did to make their kids jealous of each other,” say Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish in their book, “Siblings Without Rivalry.”

“I would never compare, never take sides, never pick favorites,” she added. “Both boys knew they were loved equally. Sure, there might be a little squabble now and then. But what could they really have to fight about?

“Whatever it was, they found it.

From the time they opened their eyes in the morning, until they closed them at night, they seemed committed to a single purpose: making each other miserable.”

Experts acknowledge that parents have an incredibly difficult task. They have to find ways to reassure each

child that he or she is safe, special, and beloved. They need to lay the groundwork so that the embittered siblings might one day see each other as a source of pleasure and support.

It’s easy to see why most homes with more than one child are a battleground: Take two kids competing for their parents’ love and attention.

Add to that the resentment each child feels for the privileges of the other; add their personal frustrations that they don’t dare let out on anyone else but a brother or sister.

When a new sibling is coming

Building a better relationship among siblings begins before the second child is born.

When you bring a second child home, the first child loses his place in the household. Much of the attention he is used to is now focused on the new baby.

The Mohawk Valley Network offers a sibling preparation class for children and parents expecting their second child.

“We talk about what babies look like, what babies act like, and what it means to be a big brother or sister,” explained Melissa Racioppa, child life specialist.

“We tour the maternity unit (at

Faxton St. Luke’s); they see where mommy will sleep when she comes here. We take them to the nursery to see a newborn,” she added.

The free of charge class is held every two months. For more information on the class, email Melissa Racioppa at MRacioppa@mvnhealth.com.

It is important to prepare your child’s heart and mind for the new baby. Talk about what will happen.

Even if your child is so young he doesn’t understand much, talk about the new baby coming and the importance of brothers and sisters.

Encourage him to do things to welcome the new baby.

Once the new baby is home, be sure to find ways to regularly reassure your older child that he is just as loved and special. Find alone time with him.

And let the two children have time alone together, the older one talking to the younger in his crib. Give positive reinforcement for the loving gestures he shows to baby.

Avoid comparisons

The surest way to breed jealousy is to compare.

You will fan the fires of their frustrations with each other. Comparisons can stir up feelings of inadequacy in kids and pit them against one another.

Be cautious not to say things like “Look how good your sister ate all her carrots.

Why can’t you?”

Don’t play favorites goes without saying.

And, when it is necessary to reprimand one child, do it in a private place, not in front of his sibling.

Squabbles

Depending on your children’s personalities, there will be bickering, squabbling, and maybe even slug fests.

The kids will benefit the most if you let them learn to solve their differences on their own, without your intervention.

You will need to repeat the household rules time and time again, like no hitting, no biting, no name calling, etc.

Help them find ways to express their frustrations through their words. Let them know that if they fight, you will separate them.

They do want to play together, and that may be a strong motivator to keep from fighting.

Siblings with special needs

Siblings of children with special needs have special needs themselves.

Their sister or brother with special needs will get a bigger share of attention. Recognizing this, the Herkimer ARC, Advocacy and Services for People with Disabilities, offers “sibshops.”

“Siblings often feel left out, because the child with special needs gets much attention, special trips, special events,” said JoAnna Keeler, Sibshop facilitator.

“We talk about how important it is to be a sibling. It’s like a support group for kids. And we do fun things. The kids love it!”

For more information on the Sibshops, offered at no charge, contact JoAnna Keeler at the Herkimer ARC, (315) 574-7846.

Groundbreaking treatment at St. E’s removes precancerous cells

A

n outpatient treatment that destroys pre-cancerous tissue in the lining of the esophagus is available at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica.

The procedure, endoscopic radiofrequency ablation therapy using the HALO System, was recently featured in the New England Journal of Medicine as a highly effective treatment for complete eradication of Barrett’s esophagus, a pre-cancerous condition that affects one to two million adults in the United States each year.

According to Garth Garramone, a gastroenterologist on the medical staff at St. Elizabeth Medical Center who is specially trained in the ablation therapy, Barrett’s esophagus occurs when the esophagus is chronically exposed to gastric contents of the stomach caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly known as GERD. With prolonged acid exposure, normal cells in the esophagus can

undergo a genetic change and are then vulnerable to further changes that can lead to cancer. Garramone is one of two physicians certified in radiofrequency ablation with the digestive disease medicine group that perform the procedure.

Individuals with Barrett’s esophagus have a 40 to 130 times’ higher incidence of developing esophageal cancer than those without the condition. Esophageal is presently the fastest growing form of cancer in the United States.

“The main purpose of the ablation procedure is to ablate, or remove, the abnormal lining of the esophageal,” said Garramone. “The tissue then regenerates and normal tissue grows back. This eliminates or markedly reduces the chances of cancer developing. Data from studies shows that the treatment is highly effective. In fact, it looks very promising.”

During the procedure, an ablation

catheter is positioned on the abnormal esophageal tissue. Using the HALO Energy Generator, the physician delivers a rapid burst of ablative energy that removes a thin layer of the diseased esophagus.

The procedure is performed in an outpatient setting, without incisions, and takes less than 30 minutes on average, said Bradley Sklar, the second certified gastroenterologist with the digestive disease medicine group on the medical staff at St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

For a person with Barrett’s esophagus, Sklar said the risk of developing esophageal cancer is similar to the risk of developing colon cancer for patients who have a colon polyp. However, unlike a colon polyp, which is removed immediately upon diagnosis through a colonoscopy, prior to the availability of the HALO System, the standard treatment for Barrett’s esophagus was “watchful waiting” or surveillance to

September 2011 •

monitor the progression of the disease.

“Previously we could use ablation therapy to remove or destroy pre-cancerous tissue, but the technology had limitations and wasn’t widely used,” he said. “The HALO System provides uniform and controlled ablative therapy, which not only removes the abnormal cells but also allows for regrowth of normal cells. It’s also easier to effectively treat patients using the HALO System without injuring healthy underlying tissue.”

Esophageal cancer is often incurable because the disease is frequently discovered in the advanced stages.

Esophageal cancer has a five-year patient survival rate of just 16 percent.

“It usually starts with GERD, which can cause Barrett’s esophagus, which can lead to esophageal cancer,” Garramone said. “That’s why it’s important to seek medical treatment for symptoms of GERD, the most common being heartburn.”

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 7

Kids’ Health

KIDS Corner ADHD kids at increased risk when crossing street

C

hildren with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk of being hit by a vehicle when crossing a street, according to new research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

The findings, published July 25, in “Pediatrics,” indicate that children with ADHD don’t process information as well as non-ADHD children and tend to make incorrect decisions on when to begin crossing a street to a greater extent than non-ADHD children. According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, one of the leading causes of unintentional injury in middle childhood is pedestrian injury.

“The kids with ADHD in our study displayed the behaviors parents want to see — they stopped at the street and looked both ways. But that doesn’t mean they are ready to cross a street by themselves,” said the study’s first author, Despina Stavrinos, assistant professor in the UAB Injury Control Research Center.

As a result, the researchers suggest parents of children with ADHD may want to delay the time when their children are allowed to cross a street by themselves.

The UAB study involved 78 children aged 7 to 10 years old, 39 with ADHD and 39 without. The children completed 10 simulated street crossings in UAB’s Youth Safety Laboratory, which houses a virtual street environment. The simulator shows a typical street scene, with vehicles approaching on monitors from both left and right.

Children are asked to gauge the proper

moment to safely cross the virtual street and then step off the curb, initiating the cross.

Stavrinos said children with ADHD did the right things when approaching a street — waiting to cross and looking left and right before crossing — in a manner similar to the non-ADHD control children.

“However, at some point in the decision-making process, things appear to go awry, resulting in a dangerous crossing environment,” Stavrinos said. “It seems children with ADHD are attempting to properly assess the environment’s safety, but are failing to process the information in a manner that enables them to cross safely.”

The children with ADHD picked shorter gaps between oncoming traffic, had more “close-calls” with traffic and a shorter amount of time left to spare upon reaching the other end of the crosswalk.

Stavrinos suggests the cause may be executive functioning, a term that describes the processes by which the brain controls behavior. Poor executive function has previously been identified in children with ADHD. Executive function includes aspects such as timing, inhibition and planning and executing action.

“Proper executive functioning would entail recognizing the speed of the oncoming vehicle, the interval between vehicles and the speed of the walker as they cross the street,” Stavrinos said. “Children with ADHD seem to be behind their typically developing peers in these sorts of computing skills.”

Program focuses on youth fitness, tae kwon do

T

he United States Centers for Disease Control identifies that over 17 percent of the child population and over 34 percent of the adult population in America are at a high risk of coronary heart disease, type two diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and other life-threatening diseases due to obesity.

Obesity is defined as body fat percentage of more than 25 percent in males and 32 percent in females.

Poor dietary habit and sedentary lifestyles are two primary factors the CDC attributes to this result.

According to 2008 projections from the CDC and a report from Penn State College of Agriculture, the current generation of children is expected to have a shorter life span than their parents.

Two local fitness professionals have joined together to create a program that offers youth and families of Central New York an opportunity to defy the national statistics on health.

Program director Jim LaFountain, of The All American Fitness Center in New Hartford, and program creator Daniel Fusco, certified personal trainer and master of tae kwon do, have created the Youth Fitness and Tae Kwon Do program combining modern researchbased exercise science principles with the 2,000-year-old Korean martial art tae kwon do.

Youth Fitness and Tae Kwon Do is a healthy approach to physical fitness for children of all levels of fitness involving endurance training, resistance training, core strength development, agility drills, athletic performance drills and Olympic and traditional style tae kwon do in a fun, safe, and healthy format.

Fusco states, “This program is designed to go beyond the general demands of sports activity and focuses on proper development of the individual as a whole for maximum benefit. We address posture, balanced muscular development, cardiopulmonary health, flexibility, injury prevention, and nutrition.

All instruction is done under the control of a certified fitness professional.

LaFountatin adds, “Each participant will receive individualized supervision, specific to their level of physical and emotional ability. It is imperative that all children in America begin to adapt healthy physical activities and sound nutritional lifestyles.”

Classes are held each Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at The All American Fitness Center in the group activity room, 1 Campion Road, New Hartford.

For information and to register, call Daniel Fusco at 292-4819 or email dfusco@ntcnet.com.

UCP Family Expo on agenda

C

hildren, adults, families and friends are invited to join Upstate Cerebral Palsy at its Family Expo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Armory Drive Campus, located at 1601 Armory Drive in Utica.

The expo is a free event that will bring families together to have fun and learn about the many opportunities available at the agency and within the community for products, programs and services.

This event is for people and Page 8

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families who already receive services from the agency, as well as people who would like to learn more about the many services that Upstate Cerebral Palsy provides.

There are also opportunities available for businesses to reserve booth space and/or program book ad space.

Vendors who wish to participate or families who would like additional information can contact Kathy Hartnett at (315) 724-6907 ext. 2308 or kathy. hartnett@upstatecp.org.

‘Caring Persons of the Year’ Gretchen and Charles Sprock of Rome were named the Caring Persons of the Year at Upstate Cerebral Palsy for 2010-2011. Shown from left in photo above are Gretchen Sprock, UCP Executive Director Louis Tehan and Charles Sprock. They were honored with this distinction at the Upstate Cerebral Palsy annual meeting recently at the Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre. The award recognizes people who have consistently served the community in their commitment to supporting individuals with special needs as well as taking an active role in making the Mohawk Valley a better place to live.

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

Ace’s Angle School bells are ringing!

Are you and your children ready for the classroom?

By Amylynn Pastorella

B

ack to school!

It is here and we are all getting back into the process of new schedules, anxiety and apprehension to be readily prepared.

As a teacher, I want to be ready for a fun year from the first day. Let’s face it, back to school can be easy but admit it, it can be very chaotic.

I found this website, www.itsschooltime.com, and I wanted to share with you. It provides abundant information for parents, students and teachers.

It is easy to forget something or the other dur- Pastorella ing this time when stores are mobbed by anxious parents and excited children. With so much on your mind preparing for your child’s new school year, you could make things

easier for yourself and your kid by using this complete back-to-school checklist.

Here is an extensive checklist the website above offers: • First things first—Ensure that all form registrations and other school formalities have been taken care of and that the school has updated information regarding your address and phone numbers in case of emergencies.

• Decide how your child will get to school. If walking, educate your child about road safety rules.

• If biking to school, see to it that the bike is in good condition. Get any repairs done if needed. Check the bell and brakes. Check the helmet and its lock. Educate your child about traffic rules and safety issues.

• If going by school bus, make arrangements for the school bus and educate your child about school bus safety and bus stop etiquette.

• Contact your child’s school to check if they have a supply checklist.

If they do, shop for all items well ahead of time. If they don’t, here is what is generally needed: notebooks, paper, pen, pencil, crayons, poster colors, eraser, ruler, sharpener, glue, pencil pouch or case, backpack, lunch box and water bottle.

Allow kids to help you choose their supplies. This will create excitement about going back to school.

• Shop for clothes and shoes and if required, the school uniform. Allow kids to buy some accessories they want to add to their wardrobe.

• Shop for gadgets needed by kids at school. This will include things like cell phones, calculators, notebook computers or PDA, etc. depending upon your child’s age and requirements.

• Plan lunches for the first week depending upon your child’s choices.

Involve the kids in this process as they are more likely to eat stuff that they themselves choose to have.

Breaking the language barrier Communication can be obstacle in the healthcare community

By Amylynn Pastorella

F

axton-St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica recently hosted a discussion on overcoming communication barriers.

The session took place in the Allen Calder Conference Room at the St. Luke’s campus. Ezio Poccia, language assistance coordinator for the healthcare center, led the session and discussed the history behind Utica’s diverse population, as well as the reasons for breakdowns in communication.

Cultural barriers come in many forms. Poccia thinks of them in terms of cultural challenges that are met while people do their best to overcome them.

Challenges include language, gender roles, and age. Specific issues when parents or elders are not addressed directly due to the fact that they cannot communicate properly arise often.

It may involve lifestyles, and people who have lived in refugee camps for years are not used to the amenities they are now afforded.

It could involve issues of time and schedules, which may be important to some and not others.

“Some barriers are put up in our own minds, preconceived notions of how some people are perceived simply

because they act, sound or dress differently,” said Poccia.

“This certainly can be a two-way street. Some of the refugees that come here may think that all Americans are rich because they have what the refugees can only dream about,” said Poccia.

Mohawk Valley ‘melting pot’

The barriers have come to the forefront in the Mohawk Valley in recent years because of the large number of refugees and immigrants from many parts of the world that have decided to call Utica home.

The Utica area has certainly done its best to live up to the “melting pot” title that was so much a part of the jargon that defined the United States for so many years.

Times, however, have changed a great deal. As a nation, we simply cannot wait for a recent arrival to learn the language.

The melting pot has turned into a blast furnace. Today in our fast-as-light technological world, everything happens at an incredible rate with those unable to keep up getting left behind.

Situations that can be life threatening are seen on a daily basis, specifically at FSLH or at other health care facilities in the area.

A woman about to deliver a baby, a

man with severe chest pains, a child brought in that has had an accident are situations that need to be addressed at a moment’s notice.

FSLH—like many other institutions—is doing all it can to overcome these barriers.

The Utica area itself has an extremely diverse population. In the 1940s and ‘50s, it was primarily Italians that came in large numbers.

Before them it was Germans, Poles, Irish, Welsh, English and many others.

Today, the population features over 5,000 Bosnians, 2,500 Russians, 1,200 Vietnamese and almost 10,000 Spanish-speaking people.

That means over a quarter of the population of Utica speaks a language other than English.

According to Poccia, communication barriers can be prevented and improved through knowledge.

Food for thought

“Find out as much as you can about the people you are working with. Nobody is perfect. We have to understand there are many positive aspects in every culture we encounter,” Poccia said. “I always found that food was a common thread. You could get a group of people together

September 2011 •

• Shop for groceries, juice boxes and bottled water along with brown paper lunch bags (if not using lunch boxes).

• Prepare a study table at home for your child to complete homework.

Create a comfortable desk space away from distractions such as TV and games.

For more information, visit this website and let it help you and all those going back to school. I want to wish all of you a very successful school year.

For students, study hard; for parents, have patience and encourage your children; and for teachers, let’s build great minds and classroom memories.

• Do you have a health-related question for Amy “Ace” Pastorella? Send your questions to acesangle@gmail.com or mail to In Good Health, 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502

from all over the world and not have them say a word to each other. As soon as bowls, plates or baskets of food appears, it seems the walls come down and people want to try things from around the world. Then smiles and words of encouragement come out, not to mention curiosity about how certain dishes are made. Interpreters come in handy here,” said Poccia.

Once a patient with limited English proficiency is identified, a language assistance coordinator or designated agencies are notified that a non-English speaking patient needs assistance.

That assistance may come in the form of a face-to-face interpreter for the facilities’ main languages or perhaps a telephonic interpreting service or even booklets and papers translated into the patients’ language.

In addition to foreign languages, FSLH also provides sign language interpreters for the hearing impaired.

“Steps have been taken in conjunction with local professional interpretation and translation agencies in order to train and certify personnel in interpreting and translating so that the patient may be better served,” said Poccia.

Poccia hopes that he can be a resource for questions and a sounding board for comments.

This session addressing overwhelming communication barriers was offered as a part of FSLH’s dedication to provide quality community education programs.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 9

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Sunny summer will bring sweeter apples

A

pples and cider will be super sweet this year. That is the consensus of state apple growers of the crop that got off to a wet start last spring but has been basking in sun all summer.

The abundance of sun means apples will have higher sugar content. Sunshine generates higher sugar levels in apples—known as brix levels.

“Sunny weather means sweeter fruit, and happy apple eaters,” said Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association, based in Fishers, near Rochester.

“New York is going to have a strong, tasty crop and we are going to have plenty of our apples in the marketplace before anyone else,” he said.

“Consumers are going to be delighted with our quality this year,” Allen said.

The annual NYAA crop prediction is determined by a consensus of growers representing six apple growing districts throughout the state.

The crop consensus was reached during a conference call held on July 28.

The season will get underway in earnest in early September when the McIntosh variety is picked. The harvest

will last through late October or early November.

The crop is pretty much right on time, despite a slower start to bloom in the spring due to heavy rains, growers said.

New York apple growers predict the statewide crop will be at or near last year’s crop size of approximately 30.3 million bushels.

That number will still easily keep New York ranked second in apple production nationwide, behind Washington state.

High demand for ‘home grown’ fruit is driving consumers to fresh New York apples in bigger numbers than ever before, according to retailers and growers.

More and more data from the world’s top research institutions are proving that apples really do help keep the doctor away, which is also helping move apples off the produce shelves in record numbers.

“Apples are a tasty and convenient way for families to enjoy a healthy snack,” Allen said.

The state’s crop of traditional varieties like McIntosh and Empire look promising, growers said. Popular varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala and Cortland also look good.

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

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

go.excellusbcbs.com/generics

September 2011 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

Ask

The Social Security Office

Column provided by the local Social Security Office

If it’s not .gov, it’s not Social Security

W

hen you go on a road trip, you need to follow the signs to arrive at the right place.

Going online can be very much the same. Look for the “.gov” at the end of the Web address — if it isn’t .gov, it isn’t the real Social Security website — www.socialsecurity.gov.

Countless consumers nationwide are victimized each year by misleading advertisers who use “Social Security” or “Medicare” to entice the public to use their services. In many cases, these companies offer Social Security services for a fee, even though the same services are available directly from Social Security, free of charge. These services include: • updating a Social Security card to show a bride’s married name; • replacing a Social Security card; and • getting a Social Security number for a child.

These for-profit businesses may cleverly design their websites, so when people use Internet search engines, their advertisement pops up. They may even make their advertisement look similar to the real Social Security website.

Some of these sites, at first glance, appear to be affiliated with Social Security, but upon closer examination,

Q&A Q: I received a notice from Social Security recently. It said my name and Social Security number do not match Social Security’s records. What should I do?

A: It’s critical that your name and Social Security number, as shown on your Social Security card, match your employer’s payroll records and your W-2 form. If they don’t, here is what you need to do:

these are for-profit companies charging individuals for a service that is provided free by Social Security.

For instance, a quick Google search on “replacing a Social Security card” brings up paid advertisements for websites that charge a fee just to get an application for a new card. That service is absolutely free from Social Security.

The law that deals specifically with misleading Social Security and Medicare advertising prohibits people or non-government organizations, like for-profit businesses, from using words or emblems that mislead others.

Their advertising cannot lead people to believe that they represent or are somehow affiliated with or endorsed or approved by Social Security or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicare).

But that doesn’t stop advertisers from trying.

For more information, you can read our publication “What You Need to Know about Misleading Advertising” at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10005. html.

When you go to www.socialsecurity.gov, make sure you look for the “.gov” sign along the way.

Don’t be tricked into paying a fee for a service that’s free.

And remember: if it isn’t .gov, it isn’t Social Security.

• Give your employer the correct information exactly as shown on your Social Security card or your corrected card; or • Contact your local Social Security office (www.socialsecurity.gov/locator) or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-3250778) if your Social Security card does not show your correct name or Social Security number.

For more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Building a foundation for a strong bond Relationships between men, women can be tenuous

By Barbara Pierce

“

A guy in a good relationship is, for the most part, a pretty happy guy.

Seventy-five percent of men would grade their relationship an A or a B.” The is the conclusion that David Zinczenko came to after polling over 2,000 men for his new book, “Men, Sex, and Love.” Zinczenko is the editor of Men’s Health magazine and best known for his popular book, “Eat This, Not That.”

David Muraco of Oneida is one of the 75 percent, a pretty happy guy in a good relationship.

A professional life coach and CEO of In the Zone—Personal and Professional Coaching Solutions—Muraco offers suggestions to men on what makes a relationship happy and what makes for a real relationship.

“Within a real relationship should be a bond that is unbreakable,” advises Muraco. “People and life circumstances will change over the years. What each partner wants from the relationship is bound to change. But the bond, the basic commitment to stay with each other, should remain strong.”

The commitment of two persons to one another has become more rare and more difficult these days.

Each partner encounters pressure and failure most days. The weight of the issues each face, both individually and together, can pull a marriage down. There is much temptation to “fight or flee.”

Both people in a relationship will change over time; the relationship will change. This is a normal progression of life. “A relationship is like a shark; it must keep moving or it will die,” said Woody Allen.

When you see the woman in your life changing, this can be threatening. “But just because someone wants something different in their life doesn’t mean they don’t want you in their life,” Muraco continues. “Often, relationships suffer when one person wants

                         Page 12

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

something different and the other can’t understand why.”

Try to emphathize

Put yourself in her shoes; try to see the world from her eyes. If you don’t understand, ask her, gently, probing so you can learn more about what she is thinking and feeling.

“The secret of a long marriage is to stay married,” said marriage and family therapist Cora Taylor. Our parents and grandparents didn’t have the options we had. They stayed married because they had no other options.

(And their life span was shorter than ours.)

“When I get an emergency call from someone who is upset with his or her partner, I say, “You’re a woman; he’s a man. You’re not always going to get along. Get over it. Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.”

To Muraco, it is important to focus on the things that made your relationship work in the first place. “Early in the relationship, you build up integrity toward each other, trust in each other, and make it a point to be honest with each other,” he said. Lasting relationships are built on these qualities, this solid grounding.

Also, never forget the good things you initially liked about your partner, the qualities that attracted you to that person.

The best marriage and family therapists know that helping a couple focus on the good things that brought them together, the things they especially liked about each other, is the way back when a relationship is troubled.

Identifying what is wrong in the relationship, and all the details of what she does that drives you crazy, and talking and talking about it, only makes that problem bigger and bigger. Focus instead on the positives.

As Muraco sees it, the base of a REAL relationship is: Respect for Everyone And Love. “With that formula, any real relationship can withstand any situation or circumstance.”

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Kids’ Health Infant massaging Family coaches use massage to aid interaction

By Amylynn Pastorella

K

im K. Gruenewald and Deborah LaScala are registered nurses at the Birthplace of Faxton St. Lukes Healthcare in Utica where they have been working with newborns and their families for the last 35 and 26 years, respectively.

Because they love and value organization and simplicity as a means to achieve greater life satisfaction, they teamed up to form Simply Organized Spaces, an organizing service designed to take your spaces from “chaos to calm.” They work with clients of all different backgrounds from hoarders to the mildly disorganized.

While this has been both challenging and gratifying, their desire to help young families has led them both to certify as newborn infant massage instructors and also as family manager coaches.

“It is our goal, especially during these trying times, to help young families communicate on a deeper level with their children through the art of infant massage and enjoy the lifetime benefits this bond will provide,” said LaScala.

A family manager coach gives families the skills and tools they need to achieve the families and homes they most desire.

Infant massage is a centuries-old tradition practiced in many cultures, having been recently rediscovered in the West. Infant massage is a way for infants and parents/caregivers to communicate through loving, nurturing touch. One important benefit of this is

to promote a bond and communication between child and parent.

“This is especially needful in this hectic, fast-paced society,” said LaScala.

Benefits of massage

Infant massaging relieves discomfort from teething, congestion, gas,

colic, emotional stress and emphasizes growth and development, better digestion and elimination, and longer and deeper sleeping patterns.

“Please note that infant massage supports well being and is appropriate for the medically stable newborn. It is

Excellus BCBS names new executive VP, CFO

D

orothy A. Coleman has been hired to be the executive vice president and chief financial officer for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and its parent corporation, The Lifetime Healthcare Companies, officials announced recently.

Currently serving in the same capacity for BlueCross BlueShield of Rhode Island, Coleman will be replacing Zeke Duda upon his retirement after 39 years of service for the company that serves about 1.8 million Upstate New York members.

Coleman will report directly to Christopher Booth, president and chief operating officer of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and chief operating officer of the parent corporation.

“Dorothy brings both a great depth of financial and operational experience in the health care sector and a strong sense of community that make her a perfect fit for our mission-driven organization,” Booth said.

As CFO of BlueCross BlueShield of Rhode Island, Coleman is responsible for all aspects of the company’s

financial operations as well as several other business functions.

She oversees finance operations, sales, strategic sourcing, contracting services, and statistical, actuarial, and underwriting services.

A 27-year veteran of the health care industry, Coleman spent Coleman eight years with UnitedHealthcare, most recently as chief operating officer and interim president for the organization’s $5 billion public sector national line of business. She also served in executive leadership roles, including CEO for the group’s Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky

and Indiana health plans.

Before leading several initiatives at UnitedHealthcare, Coleman was CFO/ COO of Cigna Healthcare Medical Group Practice of Arizona and CFO/ associate administrator at FHP Inc. Hospital. She has an extensive understanding of diverse health care delivery systems, physician practices, government programs and insurance.

A certified public accountant licensed in Arizona, Coleman studied finance at Arizona State University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Phoenix.

An active community volunteer, Coleman has served on the Cincinnati Museum Board of Trustees, chamber of commerce boards and United Way board and was instrumental in establishing the Women’s Initiative in both Ohio and Rhode Island. She was also the co-founder of a teen center in Liberty Township, Ohio.

She is married to her husband Steve and they have two college-age children.

September 2011 •

not a substitute for medical treatment,” says LaScala.

Along with infant massaging, another beneficial system is family management.

A family manager is a coaching system developed

by Kathy Peel, founder and CEO of Family Manager, which trains coaches to teach families the skills they need and equip them with the tools to create a balanced lifestyle.

Ultimately homes become happy, simplified and organized through this way of management. Life will feel balanced and fulfilling, stress reduces, decisionmaking becomes easier and wiser and a family learns how to operate as a team leaving everyone enjoying life.

To learn how to manage family and communication with infants through touch, Gruenewald and LaScala will be offing a combined infant massage class and family manager workshop on a regular basis beginning in October.

It will consist of three sessions approximately two and a half hours long. Individual private classes will also be available.

For information or class registration, contact either LaScala at 542-6128 or Gruenewald at 736-2854.

St. E’s Guild to hold membership luncheon

T

he St. Elizabeth Medical Center Guild will hold its annual “Bring a Friend” membership luncheon on Sept. 9.

The luncheon will begin at 12:30 p.m. at 14 Foery Drive, Utica. Prospective members are welcome to attend.

If you or someone you know is interested in participating in guild fund-raising projects or volunteer opportunities, come to the luncheon.

Reservations are required by Sept. 7 by calling 736-1783 or 732-4383. Parking is available.

The St. Elizabeth Medical Center Guild has a long history of assisting the hospital in various projects. The original guild began in 1890 when the hospital was located on Columbia Street. Members of the early guild volunteered two hours monthly making towels, sheets and pillow cases, which at the time were sewn by hand.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 13

Health

issues

New choices for male birth control More options may be available for contraception cate for increased and expedited government research, and serve as a resource for journalists writing about the subject.

Its website is one of the top sources online and offers a summary of which methods are most likely to succeed.

By Amylynn Pastorella

F

orty-year-old Chad McCallaster says he’s glad that men may soon have a new choice when it comes to birth control.

But, he adds, he would not even consider taking a male hormonal contraceptive.

McCallaster is like many men who are pleased to hear they may have a new option but are wary of taking any type of hormones.

“I would rather rely on a solution that doesn’t involve medicating myself and the problems women have had with hormone therapy does not make me anxious to want to sign on to taking a hormone-type therapy,” says McCallaster.

For the first time, a safe, effective and reversible hormonal male contraceptive appears to be within reach.

Several formulations are expected to become commercially available within the near future.

Men may soon have the options of a daily pill to be taken orally, a patch or gel to be applied to the skin, an injection given every three months or an implant placed under the skin every 12 months, according to researchers.

Over the past five years, researchers around the world have had a great deal of success with male contraceptive pills, patches, implants and creams that deliver various amounts of hormones.

It is now believed the variety of contraceptives could be available on the market within five to seven years and implants could arrive even sooner.

Array of choices

There are multiple methods in development, including plant-based pills (such as gandarusa in Indonesia, carica papaya in India, and tripterygium wilfordii in China), retinoic acid receptor antagonists (being studied at Columbia

Open to new methods

University and the University of Washington Seattle), ultrasound application (being studied in the U.S. and Italy), and vas deferens-based methods (such as RISUG in India/Vasalgel in the U.S).

Women have had the option of a safe, effective and reversible form of contraception since the development of the female oral contraceptive pill in the 1960s.

Female contraceptives use hormones, estrogens and progestins to shut off the release of eggs to prevent pregnancy. Male hormonal contraceptives work pretty much the same way:

Hormones, such as testosterone and progestins, are used to turn off sperm production.

“Several new forms of male contraception have made scientific advances recently. The ones closest to market are RISUG (in India), gandarusa (in Indonesia), and Vasalgel vasectomy alternative (in the United States),” said Elaine Lissner, director of Male Contraception Information Project.

San Francisco-based MCIP is entirely nonprofit and works to raise public awareness of promising nonhormonal male contraceptives, advo-

According to Lissner, in multiple surveys worldwide, a majority of men have expressed interest in using a new male method. Some men are quite passionate about wanting more choices for control over their reproduction. For example, over 6,400 people—the majority of men—have signed a petition at MaleContraceptives.org calling for development of new methods.

The choice of what contraceptive—or contraceptives—to use is different for every couple.

When a new method is available, it will give men their first non-permanent option to bring to the table, both as a way to contribute to the couple’s contraception and a way to have control over their personal reproductive destiny.

It will change the dynamics between men and women. In particular, many men will be grateful to be able to relieve their partners of the side effects many women experience from the Pill—side effects that can be challenging to relationships.

For more points on this new development, visit http://www.newmalecontraception.org/quotes.htm.

Award recipient presents grant to Samaritan Counseling Center

R

ichard (Dick) Suhr, director of corporate education in the Center for Corporate and Community Education at Mohawk Valley Community College, was the winner of MVCC’s second annual “Aeries Award.”

This award is accompanied by a $1,000 grant that is presented to a local non-profit organization of his choice.

Suhr selected the Samaritan Counseling Center of the Mohawk Valley, Inc., to receive this check during a ceremony on the Utica campus. Suhr earned this privilege as the winner of MVCC’s Aeries Award, which recognizes a faculty or staff member for dedication to giving back to the community through volunteer service activities.

The award was presented to Suhr at the conclusion of MVCC’s 2010-2011 academic year during the “Hawks Who Page 14

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Soar” employee recognition luncheon.

Funding for the grant is provided by the MVCC Foundation, Inc. Suhr, a resident of Clinton, is serving as chair of the Samaritan Counseling Center Board of Directors, where Suhr he has served on the board for four years.

He has continually demonstrated his commitment to the Samaritan Center’s mission of providing assistance and help to residents of the Mohawk Valley through faith and understanding.

In addition to his involvement with the Samaritan Counseling Center, Suhr has shown his dedication to the A Bet-

ter Chance (ABC) Program at Clinton High School, where he has served as president of the board and has sat on the general fundraising committee for the past 10 years.

The ABC Program is a residential program which brings students from

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

disadvantaged homes and environments and provides them with the opportunity to live in housing at Hamilton College and attend Clinton High School to better prepare for a successful future.

Suhr is also a volunteer with the Clinton Historical Society.

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Meet

Your Doctor

By Patricia J. Malin

Physician helps anchor community health site Continued from Page 2 I hope we can end that and give everyone access to primary care.

Q.: What are the newest developments in family practice?

A.: Electronic health records and how it’s going to improve health care.

We started it at the Utica Community Health Center last October. In my previous practice in Chicago, we transitioned into it and it took two or three years. It’s a lot easier here and it has its advantages With electronic records, you will have the ability to be anywhere in the

By Jim Miller

U.S. and access your records. There should also be fewer errors in writing and reading prescriptions.

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

A.: It depends on the economy. If the economy doesn’t turn around, I see that access to healthcare is going to get more challenging. On the flip side, community health centers have more opportunities to have a greater impact on healthcare.

We work with underserved populations. We will have to do more. And in a place like Utica, you have refugees coming in on top of a population that’s already struggling.

Social Security help for those nearing retirement Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good resources that can help me decide when to start my Social Security retirement benefits? I’ll be 62 early next year and want to carefully weigh all my options but could use some help.

Nearing Retirement Dear Nearing, Figuring out the best age to start claiming your Social Security retirement benefits is an important financial decision.

The difference between a good decision and a poor one could cost you tens of thousands of dollars over your retirement, so doing some homework and weighing your options now is a very smart move.

What to Consider

Shown from left are Peter Boufford of Utica, Megan Manno of New Hartford, Cassandra Pagnotta of Ilion and Eve Van de Wal, Excellus BCBS. Missing from the photo are Shaun Loomis of Ilion and Claire Kondella of Rome. The campers recently attended a special summer camp designed for children with diabetes.

Excellus funds diabetes camp

F

ive children with diabetes attended a special summer camp recently through scholarships funded by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield awarded the American Diabetes Association a $2,500 Community Health Award to fund the scholarships.

The camp fee is approximately $500, which helps cover costs such as medical supplies, site fees and meals.

The ADA spends more than $1,000 caring for each camper.

The campers ranged in age from eight to 16. In a supervised setting, the children engaged in fun activities and learned about the best ways to manage their diabetes. The children also received tips on what to eat, how to test their blood sugar, and how to spot warning signs that their blood sugar is too high or too low.

“We continue to support the ADA

camp because it is critical that children learn how to properly manage their disease, avoiding serious health complications down the road,” said Eve Van de Wal, regional president, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “At camp, they do that in a fun, relaxed setting.”

“Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s grant helps us reach more families who otherwise might not have the resources to send their children to camp,” said Sylvia Hough, area director for the ADA. The American Diabetes Association’s Summer Camp is in partnership with the Rotary Sunshine Campus. The residential diabetes camp is held on 133 acres at the Rotary Sunshine Campus in Rush, which includes cabins, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, nature trails, athletic fields and a fishing pond.

For more information on the program, parents can call (585) 458-3040.

As you may already know, you can claim Social Security any time from age 62 to 70, but the longer you wait, the larger your monthly check. But there are actually many factors you need to take into account to help you make a good decision, including your current financial needs, your health and family longevity, whether you plan to work in retirement, whether you have other retirement income sources, and if you’re married, your spouse’s situation.

To help you compare your options and make an informed decision, there are a number of resources and services available depending on how much assistance you need.

SSA Tools

A good place to start is at the Social Security website. Just go to socialsecurity.gov and click on the “Retirement” tab at the top of the page and access their “Plan for Retirement” tools where you can estimate your benefits at different ages and get guidance based on your personal situation.

Or, if you would rather have faceto-face assistance, call 800-772-1213 and schedule an appointment to visit with a claims representative at your nearby Social Security office.

The Social Security Administration also offers a bevy of free publications (see ssa.gov/pubs) that you can have mailed directly to you. “Retirement Benefits,” “When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits” and “How Work Affects Your Benefits” are three popular publications for those nearing

September 2011 •

retirement.

Other Resources

If you need help in addition to what the government offers, some good resources include the “Social Security Claiming Guide,” which is published by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. This easy-to-read 24-page guide sorts through all the options, spells out how much you can get, and answers frequently asked questions. Go to socialsecurityclaimingguide.info to read it online or to print a copy for free.

Another good publication is “When to Take Social Security Benefits: Questions to Consider” (see whentotakesocialsecurity.info). Offered by the National Academy of Social Insurance, a nonprofit research and educational group, this 16-page booklet uses a question-and-answer format to guide you through the key issues. To get a free hardcopy mailed to you, call 202452-8097.

You can also get help online at websites like analyzenow.com, which offers a free tool called “Social Security Planner” that helps singles and couples calculate the best time to take their retirement benefits. And AARP’s new Social Security Benefits Calculator (www.aarp.org/socialsecuritybenefits), which lets you estimate how much you’ll receive in monthly and lifetime benefits, based on your salary and your age when you file. Or, for a $40 annual fee, maximizemysocialsecurity.com provides a comprehensive new tool to help retirees, spouses and survivors make decisions to maximize their benefits.

If, however, you’d like more personalized help, there are financial advisors and investment advisor firms that for a fee can assist you by taking you through the specific claiming strategies.

One such firm is Social Security Solutions (socialsecuritysolutions.com, 866762-7526), which offers three levels of service including their “Premium Plus” plan that runs multiple calculations and comparisons, recommends a best course of action in a detailed report, and gives you a one-on-one session with a Social Security specialist over the phone to discuss the report and ask questions. Fees for their services range between $20 and $125.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 15

CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Continued from Page 4 Award; and Scott A. George, the Paul F. Vitagliano, Sr. president’s award.

Others to be recognized include the Insight House employees of the year.

The public is invited to attend.

Tickets are $40 per person or $375 for a table of 10.

Call 724-5168, ext. 264, for reservations or additional information.

Sept. 24

Alzheimer’s Association plans walk The Alzheimer’s Association invites Central New Yorkers to unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

The Masonic Care Community in Utica will be the site of the walk at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 24.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s is more than a walk.

It is an experience for hundreds of participants who will learn about Alzheimer’s disease and how to get involved with this critical cause, from advocacy opportunities, the latest in Alzheimer’s research and clinical trial enrollment to support programs and services.

Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic and is now the nation’s sixthleading cause of death.

Start or join a team at alzcny.org/ walk.

Sept. 30

Training set to address sexual addiction 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 will present a program on sex addiction.

It will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 30 at Hart’s Hill Inn, 135

Clinton St., Whitesboro.

Registration fee is $65, and includes lunch and program materials.

Those expected to attend include social workers, clinical supervisors, addiction counselors, case managers, crisis workers, criminal justice workers, residential providers, parole and probation staff and mental health court staff.

Patrick J. Carnes, psychologist and author, will be a featured guest.

Carnes is an author and a speaker on sexual addiction.

For more information, contact Miranda Nieto, training committee member, at mnieto@cflrinc.org or 7331709.

Oct. 1

Crohn’s, Colitis chapter plans ‘Take Steps’ walk The Upstate Northeastern Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America will host its first annual Take Steps Walk Oct. 1 at the Masonic Care Community in Utica.

Check-in begins at 2:45 p.m. and the walk begins at 3:30 p.m.

The walk encourages those living with Crohn’s and colitis, their families, and the community to come together and raise the critical funds needed to find a cure or develop better treatments for these two chronic and often debilitating diseases.

The Upstate Northeastern chapter honors a local hero who is courageously battling either Crohn’s or colitis. This year, the walk and the community will be honoring 20-yearold Hilary Althoff from Whitesboro.

Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis affects more than 1.4 million Americans.

Like Althoff, a growing number of those being diagnosed are under the age of 17, making for a lifelong and tireless battle against these diseases.

This year’s walk is sponsored by Herb Philipson’s and the Carbone Auto Group.

For more information and to pre-register or donate, visit www. cctakesteps.org/utica.

New website promotes bladder health

T

he National Association For Continence (NAFC) recently announced the launch of a new website in support of its bladder health awareness campaign.

This NAFC-hosted website will focus on educating the public about bladder health, with all activities channeled in a countdown to National Bladder Health Week, Nov, 14-18. The website can be accessed at www. bladderhealthawareness.org.

It’s estimated that more than 25 million adult Americans routinely experience loss of bladder control.

Because age is a risk factor for such health problems, the prevalence of those experiencing these problems is likely to grow as a result of the aging baby Page 16

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boomer generation.

Bladder control problems can result from a variety of causal factors, including obstetrical, surgical or other trauma and neurological diseases in addition to the aging process itself.

The bladder health awareness campaign is aimed at socially engaging others to talk about their concerns with their bladder control problems.

Often people lack sufficient knowledge to understand the causes and remain in the dark about treatment options and even means of managing symptoms. To help overcome such obstacles, educational articles and blogs are shared and updated regularly on this new website.

H ealth News New Hartford acupuncturist earns certification Joyce Marley, licensed acupuncturist and owner of Acupuncture Services of Central New York in New Hartford, has joined the ranks of nearly 200 other acupuncturists throughout the United States and Canada who have met the requirements of the American Board of Oriental Reproductive Medicine to become a board-certified fertility specialist.

According to Marley, “Couples seeking help with fertility issues is probably the fastest growing segment of my practice. Becoming affiliated with ABORM keeps me up to date with the latest research in the field of traditional Chinese medicine and fertility.

It also provides me with a network of colleagues specializing in the treatment of fertility.”

ABORM was formed four years ago by leading professionals in Oriental reproductive medicine. The nonprofit organization is devoted to teaching, research and the practice of Oriental medicine as it relates to the treatment of reproductive disorders.

Oriental medicine has been treating gynecological and reproductive disorders for thousands of years and certification by this organization is not a necessary requirement of licensed acupuncturists to treat fertility patients. But founders of ABORM felt that ongoing advanced knowledge in both eastern and western medicine as it relates to reproduction would benefit the health of patients and gain the respect of western physicians as the trend to incorporate acupuncture into the treatment process grows exponentially.

ABORM requires its members to complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain certified status.

How can acupuncture effect reproductive health?

“Acupuncture has been shown to increase blood flow to the reproductive organs, regulate the menstrual cycle, induce ovulation at the appropriate time, balance hormones and reduce stress. For those women choosing assisted reproductive techniques like in vitro fertilization, acupuncture can help alleviate the side effects of hormone therapy and double the success rate of that procedure,” Marley said.

To learn more about acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine or to contact Marley, visit her website at www.acupuncture-services.com.

FSLH makes staff announcements Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica recently made the following staff announcements.

• Beth Boshart has been named director of perioperative services at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare.

Boshart has been employed at FSLH since 2009 working at the Faxton Campus as the nurse manager of the operating room and PACU Boshart and was the interim

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

director of perioperative services prior to her promotion.

She came to FSLH with prior experience as a cardiothoracic operating room manager and practice manager for an area hospital’s primary care health system.

Boshart graduated from Mohawk Valley Community College and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Canyon College, where she is also pursuing her master’s degree in healthcare administration.

• Mary Pike has been named nurse manager for AC 3rd floor at FSLH. Pike joined FSLH as a staff registered nurse on the rapid admission unit and was promoted to the assistant nurse manager position for AC 3 East and West in October 2009.

Prior to joinPike ing FSLH, Pike was the director of nursing services for the Betsy Ross Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rome. She received her nursing degree from Mohawk Valley Community College and is attending Keuka College working toward a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

• Jerry Plows has been named relationship-based care coordinator for FSLH. Prior to his new position, Plows was a care attendant on the outpatient observation unit and first floor at FSLH. He is a certified health unit coordinator and a Plows recipient of FSLH’s Spirit of Caring Award.

Plows has been a unit practice council member and has served as the outpatient observation unit’s UPC chairman for the past two and a half years.

FSLH features medication assistance program As the nation’s number of uninsured patients continues to rise, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica is helping contain pharmaceutical costs by connecting low-income patients with pharmaceutical manufacturer programs that offer free or discounted medications.

Thanks to the medication assistance program, inpatients and outpatients who qualify can have the cost of their medications covered.

“Through the medication assistance program, we are able to provide the patient with the medication they need and then recover the cost of that so there is little to no out-of-pocket expense for them,” said Carl Whittemore, pharmacy purchasing coordinator at FSLH. “Many companies help patients who don’t have insurance or the financial ability to pay.”

A number of pharmaceutical manufacturers offer assistance programs

Continued on Page 17

H ealth News Continued from Page 16 to provide patients receiving care at hospitals like FSLH, who meet specific requirements, with access to free or discounted medications.

When uninsured patients are enrolled in these programs, hospitals are able to reduce their overall drug spending by not having to absorb the cost of those patients’ medications.

Each manufacturer has different program qualifications and application processes. FSLH’s program coordinator, Lori Winston, helps the patient navigate the system.

To apply, patients may have to provide proof of application into other assistance programs and financial records. For more information, contact Winston at (315) 624-5736 or email her at lwinston@mvnhealth.com

NP joins pulmonary, sleep medicine practice Nurse practitioner Laura Carnevale has joined Anwar Wassel in his sleep, pulmonary disease and critical care medical practice.

His office is located at 1617 N. James St., Suite 800, Rome.

Carnevale, who has more than 19 years of nursing experiCarnevale ence, became a certified nurse practitioner five years ago. She believes in spending time with each patient to assess their individual needs and develop a treatment plan so they can sleep better and improve their overall health.

“Patients come to our office because they are not getting a good night’s sleep,” she said. “Whether they are not waking up feeling refreshed, having a hard time staying awake throughout the day, or have a problem with chronic snoring, a sleep study can make a big difference in their overall health picture.”

In addition to sleep disorders, the practice provides care for patients with pulmonary diseases such as lung disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and lung tumors.

Carnevale became a licensed practical nurse through the New York state nursing program for adults through BOCES in Verona in 1991.

She then earned her Associate degree of Applied Science of nursing in 2003 from Mohawk Valley Community College.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the SUNY-IT, where she also earned her Master of Science degree in nursing, and certification as a family nurse practitioner.

She and her husband Fred have two grown children.

Visiting scientist departs for Brazil Emiliano Medei recently completed a seven-month tenure as a visiting

scientist at the Cardiac Research Institute of the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory in Utica.

Medei was introduced to the MMRL by Serge Sicouri, a long-standing research scientist at the MMRL. Medei had previously worked under Sicouri as a medical student at the Ramos Mejia Hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Medei is currently a member of the faculty of physiology and biophysics at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

His main research interest is Medei in understanding the relationship between the autoimmune system and ventricular arrhythmias. He came to the MMRL in order to obtain training in cardiac electrophysiology methods that were pioneered at the institute and to participate in studies involving induced pluripotent stem cells at the MMRL’s Stem Sicouri Cell Center.

The MMRL has a long record of scientific achievements regarding cardiac electrophysiology and is credited with either discovering or unraveling the mechanisms of the majority of known cardiac arrhythmias. According to Dr. Charles Antzelevitch, executive director and director of research, “Dr. Medei’s visit will facilitate future collaboration between the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory.”

Undergraduates participate in MMRL program Since 1960, the Masonic Medical Research Laboratory in Utica has recognized the importance to encourage talented young men and women to pursue a career in science or medicine.

This year, Alexandra Chico (Providence College), Alyssa Cortese (Utica College), Nadime Issa (Syracuse University), Tyler Surman (Albany College of Pharmacy), Suveera Dang (University of Rochester), Dana Giannandrea (Cornell University), Lauren Graniero (Union College), Dona Occhipinti (Hobart and Williams College), Vanessa Roach (William Smith College), Richard Trevisani (University of South Florida) and Yang Liu (Tonji Medical College, China) will join a distinguished group of over 400 students who have participated in the MMRL summer fellowship program.

The 10-week program permits students direct involvement in research projects under staff guidance in the fields of experimental cardiology, molecular biology, molecular genetics and stem cell research.

HealthNet delivers fruit, vegetable sectionizers Herkimer County HealthNet recently delivered commercial grade, fruit and vegetable sectionizers to Herkimer County School District cafeterias as part of a rural health development grant from the New York State Department of Health. Adam Hutchinson, right, executive director of Herkimer County HealthNet, said, “The fruit and vegetable sectionizers work well in high-volume food service atmospheres like school district cafeterias.” Hutchinson also said that they are safer to use than utility knives for cutting fruits and vegetables and saves time for cafeteria staff while preparing healthy food alternatives to students. Cafeteria managers stated that sectioned—as opposed to whole— fruits and vegetables are more attractive to students.

During their tenure, students gain an appreciation for how scientific problems pertaining to medical disease are approached and examined, and experience the day-to-day running of a cutting-edge research facility.

The summer session closed with a scientific symposium presented by the students followed by an awards luncheon honoring the summer fellows and local sponsors at the laboratory.

Visit www.mmrl.edu to learn more about the summer fellowship program.

Application for the 2012 program will be available online as of Jan. 2.

HOACNY’s Kirshner appointed to cancer board Dr. Jeffrey Kirshner is one of the founding partners of Hematology Oncology Associates of CNY and has served as principle investigator of the Hematology Oncology Associates Community Clinical Oncology Program for over 24 years.

HOA is one of only two CCOPs in New York State—the other is located on Long Island.

In addition to being the only CCOP in Central New York, HOA has the greatest number of active clinical research trials available in the community.

Research offered through the

September 2011 •

CCOP is funded by the National Cancer Institute. This prestigious affiliation allows cancer patients in the community to access clinical research trials and collaborate with major cancer centers across the nation.

Through the CCOP, staff and patients maintain the opportunity to contribute to the improvement of cancer care and prevention.

Kirshner was recently elected to the board of directors and appointed chair of the Community Oncology Committee for the newly formed Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology.

This organization resulted from the merger of three of the most prominent U.S. cancer research cooperative groups—The Cancer and Leukemia Group B, The North Central Cancer Treatment Group, and The American College of Surgeons Oncology Group— the most prestigious and highly respected cancer research entities in the country.

Kirshner was also elected to a term on the NCI’s Symptom Management and Quality of Life Clinical Trials Steering Committee, the committee that reviews all proposals for clinical trials and decides whether they should be approved or denied.

He was also appointed to the

Continued on Page 18

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 17

H ealth News Continued from Page 17 American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Practice Guideline Implementation Network.

This network is charged with working on methodologies to implement cancer practice guidelines throughout the country.

St. E’s appoints radiography director St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica has announced the appointment of Douglas W. Gleasman as the new director of the St. Elizabeth School of Radiography.

Gleasman succeeds Janice Lutz, who will retire later this year.

Gleasman has been employed

by St. Elizabeth Gleasman Medical Center since 1999 as a CAT scan technologist.

He is a graduate of St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital Center School of Medical Radiography and received an Associate of Applied Science degree from Mohawk Valley Community College.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the SUNY Albany and a doctorate of chiropractic degree from New York Chiropractic College, Seneca Falls and maintains his private practice in Clinton.

Gleasman and his wife, Lucia, reside in Clinton. They are the parents of two sons, Cory and Gavin.

St. E’s College of Nursing appoints new leader The St. Elizabeth College of Nursing in Utica welcomed its freshmen class recently.

In addition, the St. Elizabeth College of Nursing Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Marian Kovatchitch as Kovatchitch the new president of the college of nursing.

The new students consist of 96 women and 13 men. They have come from a 15-county region with two from out of state.

A total of 35 percent of freshmen have advanced degrees and many are entering second careers. The senior class will soon begin its pediatric and maternity rotations, gaining clinical experiences at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica and Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital in Syracuse.

Kovatchitch has been employed by St. Elizabeth College of Nursing since 1977. She joined the faculty as a medical-surgical instructor and served as Page 18

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Rome Memorial recognizes its nurses of the year Rome Memorial Hospital recently recognized nurses in each clinical area for their caring attitude toward patients, superior clinical skills and critical thinking ability. The hospital honored all its nurses during National Nurses Week, May 6-12. The special week focuses attention on the value of nursing and helps educate the public about the role nurses play in meeting their community’s health care needs.

Recognized nurses include, front row from left, Brandy Kirk, acute care services nurse of the year; Rachel Gubbins, non-clinical services nurse of the year; and Heather Wilcox, Nightingale nurse of the year; back row from left, Mary Rife, behavioral services nurse of the year; Krystina Piekielniak, maternal/child care services nurse of the year; Rebecca Mix, peri-operative services nurse of the year; Paula Vetrone, critical care services nurse of the year; Rose Tubbs, geriatric services nurse of the year; Kimberly Weiler, nurse of excellence and leadership nurse of the year; and Kelly West, emergency services nurse of the year. Not shown is Cora Anna, licensed practical nurse of the year.

curriculum coordinator from 1988 until 2001.

Most recently, she has worked as dean of academic affairs for the past 10 years.

She holds a Master of Science degree in nursing from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Evansville, Evansville, Ind. She has vast experience in faculty organization, planning, implementation of curriculum, and evaluation of the theoretical and clinical components of the curriculum.

Kovatchitch and her husband, Joseph, reside in Herkimer. They are the parents of four children and have seven grandchildren.

Film focuses on St. E’s physician assistant A film crew from the National Health Service Corps recently filmed a documentary at the St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Center in Utica.

The focus of the documentary was Kevin Mahoney, who works at the Family Medicine Center on Hobart Street. Mahoney spent 31 years work-

ing in the New York Mental Health System and upon his retirement decided to begin a new career.

He attended Albany Medical College in its physician assistant program and became a member of the NHSC. The NHSC is a network of primary healthcare professionals that work in underserved communities across the country and provides clinicians with financial support in the form of loan repayment and scholarships.

Corps members must agree to work for certain periods of time. In return, members receive payments toward their student loans.

“The St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Center is pleased to have Kevin on our team,” said Dr. William Jorgensen, residency program director. “His dedication and commitment to his patients is an inspiration to co-workers.”

The Family Medicine Center embodies the core mission of St. Elizabeth: providing care for the underserved.

Meanwhile, Mahoney’s career spanned diverse challenges, preparing him for work at St. Elizabeth.

After the attack of Sept. 11, he trained to become an emergency medical technician. “In my second career, I wanted to do something that was

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

hands-on, such as be a nurse,” said Mahoney. “A friend suggested looking into a career as a physician assistant.”

On Jan. 3, 2006, the day of his retirement, he started classes at Albany Medical College.

Mahoney and his wife, Kathy, reside in Utica. They are the parents of three adult children.

Physician joins St. E’s faculty team The St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency announced that Satish Gedela, a recent graduate of the St. Elizabeth Family Residency Program, is working as a full-time faculty member of the program.

Gedela will Gedela be responsible for resident education in both the inpatient and outpatient family medicine

Continued on Page 19

Health in good

H ealth News Continued from Page 18 settings and St. Elizabeth’s outpatient obstetrical care site.

Additionally, Gedela will continue to see his own patients at St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Center.

Gedela was born in Panasalavalsa, India. He received his medical degree from Gandhi Medical College, Hyderabad, India and earned his Master’s degree in Public Health from Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo. Gedela received both Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees from Gandhi Medical College in Hyderabad, India Gedela completed his final year of residency training as one of two chief residents for the program. He excelled in his position as a role model and leader for other residents and provided additional support for the program’s faculty and administration.

Gedela resides in Utica with his wife, Sowjana.

Herkimer County HealthNet supports projects Herkimer County HealthNet recently presented checks to five municipalities and organizations in Herkimer County for playground, park, and trail development and enhancement projects.

The grants were funded by the New York State Department of Health’s

“Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play” grant.

The awards are as follows: • Village of Frankfort: Operation Playground Safe Move-Hilltop Park, $6,500 • Herkimer Area Resource Center: Having accessible recreation in the community, $6,000 • Village of Ilion: Safe playgrounds, $5,064 • Town of Russia: “Get Fit” program, $4,304 • Village of Dolgeville: SalisburyDolgeville Greenway (Main Street to Spencer Street), $11,950 Herkimer County HealthNet is a New York State Department of Healthfunded Rural Health Network that administers the “Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play” grant.

“Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play” focuses on preventing obesity and type 2 diabetes by supporting environmental changes in Herkimer County.

In an effort to save money related to health care costs and productivity losses, “Creating Healthy Places” contractors such as Herkimer County HealthNet are working to prevent obesity and Type 2 diabetes by working on projects and promoting messages that aim to increase good nutrition and physical activity.

Those organizations interested are encouraged to contact Herkimer County HealthNet at (315) 867-1499.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • 

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Rolf and Ready M. Kate Rolf recently became the new president and chief executive officer of VNA Systems (Visiting Nurse Association) Inc. of Central New York

By Aaron Gifford

M

. Kate Rolf was still in high school when she recognized the need for more home-based health care services. At the age of 16, the Oneida native tirelessly accompanied her mother to medical centers for cancer treatments.

“The last eight months of her life,” Rolf recalled, “we were always going back and forth to the hospital. A hospital isn’t always such a nice place to be.

I knew back then that there should be a way to keep chronically ill people in their homes.”

Rolf initially went to college for accounting, but never lost sight of that ideal. After starting a family she returned to school for an advanced degree in health services administration, climbing the career ladder at Faxton-St. Luke’s Health Care in Utica until her recent appointment as president and chief executive officer of VNA Systems (Visiting Nurse Association) Inc. of Central New York, where she oversees about 300 employees who provide home care for people of all ages in Onondaga County.

The agency’s caseload often exceeds 1,000 patients per month.

The list of clients includes elderly residents who don’t want to live in nursing homes, children discharged from hospitals after an intense illness, heart condition patients and those who are recovering from major surgery at home. The range of services spans home health aides, to occupational therapy, speech therapy and social work.

Her overall goal remains to keep the young and the old out of hospitals as much as possible without compromising any patient’s medical needs.

That involves working with area medical providers to establish pathway plans for transitioning patients from hospital back to the home and, in certain cases, vice versa.

“Transitional care programs, no matter how specialized, are crucial for meeting the community’s needs,” Rolf said. “The transition has to be smooth, and the patients must always be monitored. We have to make sure patients are getting that high level of care at home.”

Rolf said home-based care, regardless of the patient’s age or condition, is significantly cheaper than institutional care. Placing an elderly person in a nursing home, for example, costs about 66 percent more than keeping them in their home with the assistance of home health aides or related services.

Moreover, technological advances have allowed hospital patients to return home from the hospital in two or three days, compared to an average stay of a week or more 10 years ago, Rolf said.

“We’re caring for the sickest of the sick at home right now,” she said. “We can really assist the hospitals and help keep the costs down for everyone.”

room.

And during most home visits, the nurses use a laptop computer and document everything they do at the time of service.

“The technology is very exciting,” Rolf said.

Despite the emerging technology and the increase of home-based care, Rolf still believes America’s health care system, as a whole, “is in crisis,” mainly because of continued cuts to Medicaid and Medicare cuts at a time when people are living longer and the population of seniors on fixed incomes is increasing across the country.

“How do we manage those costs?” she said. “We’re already close to the brink on Medicare and Medicaid.”

VNA Systems accepts Medicare, Medicaid and several insurance plans.

It also offers non-medical private pay services like transportation and companionship visits.

M. Kate Rolf

Time-honored business

Even though home-based care sounds like a modern concept, VNA Systems dates back to 1890 and remains the oldest organization of its kind in the region. It was founded by three women who wanted to provide medical care to the poor. In its early years, the Visiting Nurse Association mainly served pregnant woman and young children, and placed a strong emphasis on proper nutrition. In 1938, VNA handled about half of all home births in Syracuse. In the early 1950s, the agency began offering parenting classes that were well attended by men and women. VNA played a major role in reducing infant morbidity rates locally.

“To this day,” Rolf said, “we still have a very strong pediatric population.”

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A growing industry

According to the National Association for Home Care and Hospice, about 12 million people in the United States were served by 33,000 home health care providers in 2009. The cost of that

care totaled $72.2 billion, 41 percent of which was funded by Medicare.

Meanwhile, employment in the home health care industry increased from 667,200 in 1996 to 1.02 million in 2009. The average Medicare charge for a day of care in a hospital increased from 4,999 in 2005 to 6,200 in 2009. By comparison, the per-visit cost for home health care increased from $125 to $135 during that time period, according to the National Association for Home Care and Hospice.

The national agency also reported that monthly treatment for low birth rates at a hospital cost about $26,190 compared to $330 for a home health care provider. Hospital care for a ventilator-dependent adult cost $21,570 compared to $7,050. Chemotherapy for children costs about $68,870 compared to about $55,950. And a month of congestive heart failure treatment for an elderly patient at a hospital costs about $12,510 compared to $4,650 for the same type of treatment by a home health care provider.

The AARP estimates that the cost of unpaid family caregiver support for ailing relatives is about $450 billion a year.

We are proud to honor our patients by sponsoring the

2011 CNY Walk from Obesity at MVCC on October 1, 2011 To learn more visit www.walkfromobisity.com

Equipment ‘mind-boggling’

Rolf said the equipment available for home-based care these days is mind boggling. For patients with heart problems or other types of serious illnesses, there’s an online system that monitors indicators like blood sugar levels and alerts on-call nurses to any signs of trouble. That technology, the Honeywell HomMed Health Monitoring System, was first implemented in 2005.

It also asks patients a variety of yes or no questions to help evaluate health conditions on a daily basis.

VNA Systems nurses can even care for wounds with a special “wound vac” device that ensures a sterile environment by utilizing negative pressure.

Twenty years ago, medical professionals would never consider providing that kind of care outside of a hospital

In Good Health

Your source for Mohawk Valley health news!

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

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Surgeries are performed at Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. Dr. Graber is the Director of Bariatric Surgery at both hospitals.

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