in good
Diet & Fitness
MVhealthnews.com
March 2018 • Issue 145
Marathon woman Fitness sensation Pauline DiGiorgio takes on her latest challenge: marathon running
Page 13
Are you at risk for cancer?
free
Mohawk Valley’s Health Care Newspaper
Find out what main triggers are! See Page 3
Dog Bites
Men’s Health Special Edition
Men are nearly twice as likely to have been bitten as women. See Page 9
Who is who on your dental crew? Dr. Salina Suy explains role of each team member in a dentist’s office.
Feet first
Chasing down a dream Kevin Burnside Jr. of Little Falls does not let his physical disability get in the way of Paralympic hopes.
Leah Milheiser, an expert in female sexual medicine, talks about what causes low libido in women.
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Yogurt: Greek vs. Regular
Meet Your Doctor
Which one is better for you? The answer may surprise you.
Dr. Kevin J. Crable recently opened Oneida Health Podiatry Care.
See SmartBites. Page 11
Page 4 March 2018 •
What is spiritual health? Columnist Brooke Stacia Demott breaks it down
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Food Addicts in Recovery holds an anonymous meeting from 6:308 p.m. Mondays at Trinity United Methodist Church, 8595 Westmoreland Road, Whitesboro. For more information, call Helen at 315-794-2314.
Tuesdays
Insight House offers family support group Insight House Chemical Dependency Services, Inc. is offering a family support group meeting from 6:15-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Insight House, 500 Whitesboro St., Utica. The group is free and open to anyone who is concerned about a loved one’s relationship with alcohol, opiates/heroin, or other substances. For more information about the group, call 724-5168, ext. 265, from 8:30-4 p.m. weekdays. All calls are strictly confidential.
Feb. 27
Free pancakes benefit CMN hospitals For the 13th consecutive year, IHOP restaurants nationwide will offer each guest a free short stack of their buttermilk pancakes on National Pancake Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 27. The local IHOP, located at 535 French Road, New Hartford, participates in National Pancake Day each year to raise awareness and funds for the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, an affiliate of the Mohawk Valley Health System. In return, guests are asked to help make a difference by leaving a donation of any size with all local funds going to FSLH. “Every pancake served on IHOP National Pancake Day has a purpose, and every $1 raised goes a long way in making a meaningful impact on children and families in our community,” said Andrea MacDiarmid, CMN coordinator for MVHS. CMN-generated funds are used for equipment, education and services. All funds raised remain in the community to help save and improve the lives of the more than 19,000 local children cared for each year at FSLH.
Feb. 28
Rome Memorial to host recruitment event Rome Memorial Hospital will host its spring reception and job fair for nurses from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 28 at Page 2
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2018
Vescio’s Franklin Hotel, 301 S. James St., Rome. All experienced, graduating and enrolled RNs are invited to attend for appetizers, refreshments and to learn about the nursing opportunities available in patient care units. LPNs are encouraged to attend to discover opportunities in RMH’s skilled nursing facility and outpatient clinics. Attendees are asked to bring their resumes as preliminary onsite interviews will be available. For additional information or to RSVP, contact Joan Marquette at 315-338-7198, email jmarquette@ romehospital.org or visit www.romehospital.org.
March-April
Spring workshops, support groups offered Hospice & Palliative Care in New Hartford will be offering the following spring workshops and support groups: — “Grief After the First Year”: This is an educational session for adults who are beyond the first year of grief. This workshop will be facilitated by Linda Clark and will meet from 2:30-4 p.m. March 7. To register, contact Clark at 315735-6487 ext. 1015 by Feb. 28. — “Young Widows”: This group is for widows aged 30 to 60. This group will be facilitated by Clark and will meet from 5:30-7 p.m. from March 14 through April 18. To register, contact Clark at 315735-6487 ext. 1015 by March 7. — “Grief 101”: This is an educational opportunity for any adult experiencing grief. This workshop will be facilitated by Adrian Bartholomeo and will meet from 3-4:30 p.m. March 9. To register, contact Bartholomeo at 315-735-6487 ext. 1070 by Feb. 28. — “Adult Parental Loss”: This is for any adult who has experienced the death of a parent. This group will be facilitated by Bartholomeo and will meet from 4-5:30 p.m. March 12 through April 16. To register, contact Bartholomeo at 315-735-6487 ext. 1070 by March 5. All groups are free and open to the public. Meetings will be held at Hospice & Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford.
March 1
Parents bond to battle addiction A support group — Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — meets from 7-8:30 p.m. on the first and third
Continued on Page 19
Cancer
Know risk factors of cancer Surprising things that can raise risk By Barbara Pierce
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t least 50 percent of cancer is preventable, said Nigel Brockton of the American Institute for Cancer Research. AICR funds cutting-edge cancer research and educates people about choices they can make that will reduce their chances of developing cancer. There’s no explanation for why Brockton one person develops cancer and another does not. But research shows that certain behaviors increase the chances that a person will develop cancer. Brockton, director of research at AICR, shared some of AICR’s recent findings with us. We all know that smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke
increases our risk, but here are some other risks of which you may not be aware. Many of these risks can be avoided. You can help protect yourself by avoiding these known risk factors whenever possible: — You never say no to a drink: Yes, alcohol can cause cancer. Even in small amounts. “Don’t drink,” advised Brockton. “What we’ve found at AICR is that any amount of alcohol increases your risk for cancer. There’s no safe amount you can drink. Any dose of alcohol increases your risk. There are six types of cancers associated with alcohol. The more you drink, the greater your risk of developing one of these cancers.” For cancer prevention, AICR advises no alcohol. Yes, that’s none. “If you must drink, follow the guidelines for responsible drinking. The guidelines say one drink a day
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Tips to prevent cancer Recommendations for cancer prevention by the American Institute for Cancer Research — Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight. — Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day. Limit sedentary habits. — Avoid sugary drinks. Limit consumption of energy-dense foods. — Eat more of a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes such as beans. — Limit consumption of red meats (such as beef, pork and lamb) and avoid processed meats. — If consumed at all, limit alcoholic drinks to two for men and one
for women a day. — Limit consumption of salty foods and foods processed with salt (sodium). — Don’t use supplements to protect against cancer. — It is best for mothers to breastfeed exclusively for up to six months, and then add other liquids and foods. — After treatment, cancer survivors should follow the recommendations for cancer prevention. And always remember — do not smoke or chew tobacco. March 2018 •
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Sleepy drivers may cause more crashes than thought
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river fatigue causes many more car accidents in the United States than previously estimated, a new report suggests. The finding comes from an analysis of several months’ worth of video recordings taken of nearly 3,600 Americans while they were driving. During that time, participating drivers were involved in 700 accidents. All participants’ vehicles had been outfitted with a dash-cam video recorder. That allowed researchers to analyze each driver’s face in the minutes right before crashing. The researchers also had video of the road scene in front of the drivers. Together, the footage suggested that the percentage of accidents involving sleepy drivers was about eight times higher than current federal estimates. The finding was highlighted in a report released recently by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The foundation describes the investigation into drowsy driving as the most in-depth of its kind to date. “Driver drowsiness is a notoriously difficult problem to quantify because it typically doesn’t leave behind evidence that a police officer can observe after the fact when investigating a crash — in contrast to alcohol, for example,” said Brian Tefft, a senior research associate with the foundation in Washington, D.C. “Thus, we expected that our study would find that the problem was substantially bigger than the official statistics from the U.S. DOT [Department of Transportation] suggest,” he said. “But we were still surprised by just how many crashes we found to involve driver drowsiness in our study.” The study found that “approximately 10 percent of all motor vehicle crashes involve driver drowsiness,” Tefft said. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about one-third of American drivers aren’t getting the minimum seven hours of daily sleep that experts recommend. A recent AAA survey found that nearly three in 10 drivers said that in the past month they’d been so exhausted while driving that they weren’t able to keep their eyes open at some point. To identify driver fatigue during car crashes, the researchers examined video taken during the one-to-three minute period preceding each accident. They then tallied the amount of time each driver’s eyes were closed in that timeframe. Drivers were deemed to have been “drowsy” if their eyes stayed closed for more than 12 percent of the time.
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Meet
Your Doctor
By Barbara Pierce
Kevin J. Crable, DPM Kevin J. Crable, DPM, recently opened Oneida Health Podiatry Care in Oneida, joining Oneida Healthcare’s Circle of Care network. Crable sees patients for surgical and non-surgical treatments of all foot-related conditions. Recently, Mohawk Valley In Good Health senior correspondent Barbara Pierce interviewed Crable regarding his career. Q.: As a podiatrist, what is your goal? A.: My goal is to get people back on their feet. Your feet are the most important parts of your body. We tend to take our feet for granted until something goes wrong.
can head off small problems so they don’t grow into larger ones. How often you should see your podiatrist depends on the level of risk you are at for developing problems. If you are at low risk, it should be every six months.
Q.: What training did you have to become a doctor of podiatric medicine? A.: After earning my Bachelor of Science degree from Fordham University, I had a four-year post-graduate education in podiatry and surgery to earn my DPM, similar to the four-year program a dentist goes through to earn his doctorate in dentistry. At New York College of Podiatric Medicine, I learned everything about the body and internal medicine, with emphasis on the feet and extremities. After obtaining my DPM degree, I completed a residency at Staten Island University Hospital.
Q.: We understand the vast majority of those who are aging are likely to have some type of foot problem. What should we know about our feet as we age? A.: It’s essential to care about your feet as you age. One thing that happens is the blood flow to our feet slows. The blood flow to your lower extremities is compromised. When blood flow is lessened, wounds don’t heal. Small foot problems develop into major problems. Peripheral vascular disease and peripheral arterial disease are prevalent among older adults. These diseases cause foot pain, cramping, and many other foot and ankle problems.
Q.: What influenced you to become a podiatrist? A.: While attending Fordham University, I was a trainer for the football team. The team had a podiatrist. I shadowed her, was impressed by what she did, and as a result of her influence, decided on this as a profession. Q.: What is most gratifying about being a podiatrist? A.: I like being a podiatrist because it’s multifaceted. I’m able to see young people and those who are elderly. I’m also able to treat a variety of problems, from little injuries to more serious conditions. What’s most rewarding is getting people back on their feet, improving things for them so that they can get through a day without pain, and helping someone get back to being able to do activities of daily living.
disease can cause. They aren’t aware that the disease can cause foot problems. They are heading down a road where there could be problems. Q.: What should people with diabetes know about the care of their feet? A.: People with diabetes especially need to care about their feet. One consequence of diabetes is decreased blood flow to the feet. This makes any minor foot problem, like a newshoe blister or stepping on a sharp object, slower to heal. Combine that with the nerve damage that diabetes often causes and you might not even notice a worsening infection, which can result in an ulcer that won’t heal. If you have diabetes, see your podiatrist regularly to keep your feet in good shape, just like you see your ophthalmologist for your eyes. You
Q.: What problem do you see frequently that is easily preventable? A.: Ingrown toenails are common and unpleasant. They usually happen because people cut their toenails in the wrong way, or cut them too short. The correct way to cut your toenails is straight across, instead of digging in. Q.: What else do you see that may be preventable? A.: I see patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes who aren’t aware of the complications the
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2018
Q.: What is the most important thing you would like people to know? A.: Don’t neglect your feet. We don’t think much about them, we take them for granted, but they really are the most important parts of our body, necessary to get us through the day. As soon as you have a concern, seek help. Don’t wait. Q.: What led you to choose to practice in the Mohawk Valley? A.: I’m originally from western New York and wanted to move back here. I heard of the opportunity here in Oneida and was excited to take advantage of this opportunity. I’m extremely happy here and I love being here.
Lifelines Birth year: 1987 Birthplace: Rochester Current residence: Syracuse Education: Bachelor of Science degree, Fordham University, Bronx; Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree, New York College of Podiatric Medicine, New York; residency, Staten Island University Hospital Affiliations: Oneida Healthcare; CNY Foot Surgery & Podiatry Care P.C. Personal: Married
Men’s Health
How Fitting!
CrossFit: It could quite possibly change your life By Barbara Pierce
lowered blood pressure, and lowered their risk for osteoporosis.
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rossFit is popping up all over the place. It’s showing up in magazines everywhere and has a huge presence online. If you have friends or coworkers who work out, you might have heard them talking about the newest CrossFit “box” (gym) that just opened up down the street.
Q.: What is CrossFit anyway? A.: “It’s hard to explain in words,” said Anthony Mucurio, owner and head coach of CrossFit Utica. “It is popular here. When we opened in 2015, we were the second to open in the area. Now there are five.” “It’s different from a gym,” explained Mucurio. “You won’t see any machines. There are no treadmills or pull-down machines. It’s all free weights, just using your body.” “Our training methods produce undisputed, tangible results for all levels of fitness — from children to elite athletes, and everything in between,” says CrossFitUtica.com.” “Our program efficiently combines the most effective training methods of weightlifting, gymnastics, and high intensity cardio,” the website stated. “It makes me happy. I’m healthier and I’m stronger,” says a woman on CrossFitUtica.com. “I love it!” claims another. “The team atmosphere makes you better. You’re part of something bigger,” declares a man. “It’s awesome!” says another. “CrossFit is a training philosophy, coaching people of all shapes and sizes to improve their physical well-being and cardiovascular fitness in a hardcore yet accepting and encouraging environment,” stateswww. CrossFit.com. Mucurio caught the CrossFit bug when he was a high school teacher, coaching a football team. “One of my former athletes was into it and he introduced it to me,” he said. “I tried a few of the workshops. All have a little different flavor, though all use
Oneida, Herkimer in good
ry?
Anthony Mucurio, left, owner and head coach of CrossFit Utica, takes charge during a recent training session. the same methodology based on what was created by the originators.” He liked the concept so much he opened his own CrossFit box. Q.: Why are people drawn to CrossFit? A.: “The camaraderie,” said Mucurio. “The community aspect — you meet others going through similar things; it’s a group thing. We motivate one another, cheer one another on.” “Community is at the root of what we believe in,” says CrossFitUtica.com. “Working out wouldn’t be the same without a built-in friend group cheering you on. You won’t just find friends here; you’ll find family.” “We dig deep and pat everyone on the back,” says one fan online. “You see, we get it. No matter how heavy or light your load is during a workout, we get it. I saw your determination, and you saw mine. We
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Q.: Is it for me? “CrossFit Utica is for people of all ages,” said Mucurio. “We help improve the lives of everyone. Everyone can participate. We do movements that you do in your everyday life, such as standing up and sitting down, picking things up off the ground, and putting things over your head.”
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A monthly newspaper published by Local News, Inc. 20,000 copies distributed. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 315-749-7070.
In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2018 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 • Phone: 315-749-7070 Email: lou@cnymail.com
Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Patricia Malin, Barbara Pierce, Kristen Raab, Deb Dittner, Pauline DiGiorgio Advertising: Amy Gagliano Layout & Design: Dylon Clew-Thomas Office Assistant: Kimberley Tyler 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.
suffered together. We get it.” “Accountability is another reason why people like it,” said Mucurio, “If you go to a gym by yourself, you have no accountability. It’s hard to stay motivated. But our coaches and the people in your group are what keep you going.” “We keep our classes small,” added Mucurio. “There are usually eight to 12 people. It’s like having a personal trainer. You get individual attention.” Q.: Is it really challenging? A.: “Yes, it’s challenging,” said Mucurio. “Partially because it’s unfamiliar. It can be intimidating but we offer the safest way: small groups and individualized training.” “Don’t come to watch,” he advises. “That’s intimidating and discouraging. Just do it. Take that leap. It could change your life. Many members have been here since we opened. They’ve had good health outcomes,
Q.: What about the risk of inju-
“If you’re doing any kind of sport, you’re more likely to have an injury,” said Derek Ochiai, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine expert in Arlington, Va. “The group dynamics in CrossFit make people push themselves,” he added. “People get excited and overdo it. But the cardio benefits far outweigh the risks.” “Start at a reasonable pace and work your way up,” he advised. “Then your chances of getting injured are less. It’s best to do it with friends, a gentle friendly workout. Make it fun.” “And don’t expect to make major gains in six weeks, or even three months,” he cautioned. “Just go slow and don’t aim too high.” “Anything that gets people excited is beneficial. Yes, you can get injured. But you’re getting your blood pumping and your muscles moving and that’s good,” he added. Q.: How can I get involved in CrossFit? “We offer a free introductory meeting and a free initial training session. We’ll go over your goals, your strengths and weakness, and your history of sports. We’ll take you through a workout and then set up goals and priorities for you,” said Mucurio. To learn more about CrossFit Utica, see www.crossfitutica.com or call 315-765-6351.
Childhood vaccination rates in CNY among highest in nation
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hildhood vaccination rates in Central New York are among the highest in the nation, according to a new study of medical claims by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The study examined United States’ claims data for 843,610 children, born in 2010-2013 and commercially insured by BCBS plans, and followed their care continuously from birth to 3 years of age. Focusing on completion rates of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommended seven-vaccine series for children, the
March 2018 •
study found that 73.5 percent of them nationwide and 64.2 percent in New York state were up-to-date on their CDC-recommended vaccinations during the seven-year span. In Syracuse, the total childhood vaccination rate was 84.4 percent, a rate that is in the top-20 among all metropolitan statistical areas examined in the study. While overall vaccination rates are strong nationwide, 23 percent of children are still not getting the CDC-recommended seven-vaccine series within the first three years of life.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Be aware of cancer’s risk factors Continued from Page 3 for women, two for men,” Brockton added. “But even if you drink less than the guidelines suggest, there is still a risk.” — You are overweight: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of several cancers. “There’s a very strong link,” stated Brockton. ”And 60 percent of Americans are overweight; this is a big concern.” Being overweight is clearly linked with an increased risk of many types of cancers. Very obese women are seven times more likely to develop endometriosis (cancer of the lining of the uterus). Overweight people are twice as likely to develop kidney cancer. Obese people have a 50 percent greater risk of a brain tumor. And there are several other cancers where your risk is elevated if you are overweight.
Sedentary lifestyle deadly
— You sit too much: “Sitting too much increases your risk of developing cancer. Being active reduces your risk. It doesn’t have to be exercise as such; any activity is good, like walking around the house or doing the laundry,” explained Brockton. “Any level of activity is better than none.” “Limit your sedentary habits,” advised Brockton. “Be physically active for at least 30 minutes every day. Intense vigorous activity is best.” Research consistently shows that people who increase their physical activity reduce their risk of colon cancer by 40 percent.
— Your mom or dad got cancer at a young age: If your mother, father, or siblings were diagnosed with cancer when they were younger than 45, that’s a sign that their cancer may have been caused by a faulty gene. You may have inherited this gene. “Genetics have an effect,” said Brockton. “Five to 10 percent of breast and colorectal cancer have a strong genetic component. “But even if you have the faulty gene, that doesn’t mean you’ll get it. You do have a higher risk. Even if you have a strong family history, your lifestyle can impact whether you develop cancer or not.” If you have a family history of relatives who developed cancer at a younger age, talk to your primary health care provider, who can refer you for testing to determine whether you have the gene. — You’ve turned 65: Twenty-five percent of new cancers are diagnosed in people between 65 and 74. File this under the “out-ofmy-control” category of things that cause cancer and focus on the risk factors you can control. One more thing about smoking, and burn this into your head if you haven’t quit: Smoking can cause 15 different types of cancer, and nine out of 10 lung cancers are from puffing away on cigarettes. “There’s no magic bullet that will prevent cancer,” Brockton said. “Just because you have a perfectly healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean you won’t get it. It’s like the lottery: You might play a lot and never win, or you might win with just one try.”
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hirty-eight Upstate New York hospitals and health centers last year earned $24.2 million in quality improvement payments from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield as part of its performance incentive program. Since 2005, Excellus BCBS’s program has paid out more than $256 million. “We are very pleased that continued collaboration with our provider partners has resulted in improved quality of care for the communities we jointly serve. Aligning incentives across payers and providers will continue to advance care delivery and related outcomes,” said Carrie Whitcher, Excellus BCBS vice presi-
PROOF DUE: 02/24/17 12:59:55 Page 6 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2018
dent of health care improvement. Ten hospitals in the Utica-RomeNorth Country region participated in the program in 2017, sharing $948,447 in quality improvement incentive payments. Participating hospitals included Adirondack Medical Center, A.O. Fox Hospital, Bassett Medical Center, Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, Community Memorial Hospital, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, Oneida Healthcare, Rome Memorial Hospital, Samaritan Medical Center and St. Elizabeth Medical Center. In 2017, Excellus BCBS’s Hospital Performance Incentive Program evaluated participating hospitals on 48 unique performance measures.
Men’s Health The Balanced Body
By Deb Dittner
Gut Instinct
Spring clean your health
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hhh, spring!! The days are getting longer. The sun is shining brighter and higher in the sky. These changes certainly brighten your day (no pun intended!) but you may need to do more to increase energy, balance your hormones, and heal your gut. Wellness consists of small daily lifestyle changes to get and keep you on track with your goals. Start your day by completing one simple undertaking that Dittner likely will lead to the completion of others throughout the day. Attend to simple tasks such as making your bed, repeating a positive affirmation or mantra each morning before heading out the door, completing a five-minute or longer yoga or stretching practice (there are some great apps for this as well), writing in your journal, meditating, or reading a chapter in the latest best-selling novel. This morning ritual of completing one task followed by another and then another provides you with overall encouragement and a sense of pride. So how did you sleep last night? Sleeping less than six hours nightly contributes to chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and increased risk for obesity, cardiovas-
cular disease, and Type 2 diabetes. This lack of sleep may leave you feeling tired and moody throughout the day. By starting your day with a complete protein breakfast (lean meats, eggs, or protein shake) will increase the chemicals in your brain to improve mood and later sleep. Serotonin makes you feel happy and stimulates you throughout the day. Serotonin then turns into melatonin, which aids in sleep at night. Hippocrates said “All disease begins in the gut” and research now is showing how critical this is to today’s health issues. There are both good bacteria and bad bacteria in your gut. The gut also is responsible for your immune system. By treating your gut with whole, nutrient-dense foods and adding a fermented food daily will result in fewer digestive issues, improved skin, and increased energy. Incorporate a couple forkfuls of sauerkraut or a few sips of kombucha daily to enjoy the benefits.
Hail to hydration
Your body consists of more than 70 percent water in the form of blood, excretion and metabolism. Sufficient hydration helps balance the body by providing your muscle’s the ability to contract and relax, maintains proper bodily temperature, keeps you focused, and lubricates the joints for flexibility. Remember to drink half of your body weight in ounces of water every day as a rule of thumb. I encourage you to fill either stainless-steel or
glass water bottles (no plastic please) at the start of the day and then drink all before the end of the day to make sure you get all you need for proper hydration. Nourish your body with clean, nutrient-dense foods. What you put into your body will determine how well it will perform for you on a daily basis. Daily detox helps the liver function and keeps you ready for action. You don’t need fancy cleanses or detox programs. Eliminate late-night snacks. You regenerate best between the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m., but if your body is too busy digesting foods at this time, the detoxification process will be disturbed. Aim for approximately 12 hours between last and first meal of the day and a bedtime of 10 p.m. On arising, add lemon to your morning water and continue drinking this throughout the day. The phytonutrient d-limonene in lemon aids in detoxifying liver enzymes. In days of past, your ancestors were physically active in search of
ACA enrollment, marketplaces ‘remarkably stable’
A
fter much drama leading to this year’s open enrollment for Affordable Care Act coverage — a shorter time frame, a sharply reduced federal budget for marketing and assistance, and confusion resulting from months of repeal-and-replace debate — the final tally paints a mixed picture. With all states now reporting, ACA plan enrollment ticked downward this year, a report out recently shows, but states running their own marketplaces saw slight gains and did better than those relying on the federal exchange. About 11.8 million Americans enrolled in 2018 coverage, down 3.7 percent from last year’s total, according to the National Academy for State Health Policy. Open enrollment began shortly after the Trump administra-
tion sharply cut federal enrollment outreach efforts and ended a type of cost-sharing subsidy paid directly to insurers, which generally responded by raising premiums to make up for the loss. “Despite all that, enrollment in the marketplaces across the nation was remarkably stable,” said Trish Riley, executive director of the academy, a nonprofit, non-partisan group. Enrollment in marketplaces fully or partially run by states, for example, showed a small overall increase of 0.2 percent over the previous year, while the 34 states that rely entirely on the federal hub saw sign-ups drop by 5.3 percent, the report said. Officials from states operating their own exchanges said their ability to make changes led to their gains.
food and shelter, and staying safe from the elements and uncertainty. Life today is much different. Many of you sit at a desk or in the car for a good portion of the day, exerting little energy. Sitting is now considered the new smoking and associated with many chronic health issues. So what can you do? Simple lifestyle changes create great benefits. Appropriate hydration will also cause you to get up every couple hours to use the facilities. Setting an alarm on your phone every half hour to stretch (there’s an app for that too) will also be helpful. Other possibilities are to enjoy a workout class either before work or after or a walk during lunch. • Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner and health consultant. Her mission is to transform as many individuals as possible through nutrition and lifestyle changes. For more information, check out her website at www.debdittner. com or contact her at 518-596-8565.
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March 2018 •
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Page 7
Men’s Health Between You and Me
By Barbara Pierce
It’s all in the talk
How conversation goes on first date is tell-tale sign of success or failure
T
he way she talks with you on your first date tells you whether she’s interested. If she talks about herself a lot, she’s interested in you. For a man looking to connect with a woman, when she’s saying “I” often, it’s a good thing, a sign she feels comfortable with you. If she uses phrases such as “I mean,” or “You know?” those are Pierce a good signs too. These phrases are warm and friendly and suggest she is looking to connect with you. One of the ways a man signals he’s attracted to her is by laughing at her jokes. Another is that he limits the range of his pitch. Research suggests women associate a monotone voice as masculine. These predictions of whether a man and woman will go on a second date are based on how they talk with one another on their first date. A team of scientists studied hundreds of daters to determine what predicts whether a couple will feel a connection and want a second date. Daters took tape recorders with them to collect data. They are reported in the book “Everybody Lies: What the Internet can tell us about who we really are,” by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz. The author says that in the privacy of their keyboard, people confess the strangest things. They lie when you ask them in person; they don’t lie to their keyboard. This is because there are no consequences to our online answers and no real person reacts with disgust when we tell the truth. He surveyed Google trends regarding how many people searched
for what topics to find data that supports his premise. We search for things we’d never admit to anyone. This data gives us a new look at human behavior. “Google searches reveal a hidden world very different from the one we think we see,” he states. For example, more people search for porn than search for weather. In sharing his data showing this hidden world, the author takes what seems to me a detour to discuss the analysis of how people speak on their first date. But it’s an interesting detour.
Men, women have preferences
In addition to the way men and women speak, the researchers found women, on average, prefer men who are taller and share their hobbies. Men, on average, prefer women who are skinnier and share their hobbies — Nothing new there.
The data tells us there are plenty of ways a man can talk to raise the chances that she will like him. Women like men who follow their lead. Maybe not so surprising, a woman likes him more if he laughs at her jokes. Also, it’s beneficial if he keeps the conversation on things she has brought up, instead of changing the subject to those he wants to talk about. Women also like men who express support and sympathy. If a man says things like “That’s awesome!” or “That’s really cool!” she is more likely to report a connection. Same thing with phrases like “That must be really tough,” or “You must be sad.” Those show he “gets” her. For women, there’s some bad news here: The data confirms something we’ve suspected about men. Conversation plays only a small role in how men respond to women.
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Physical appearance trumps everything else in predicting whether a man will report feeling a connection with her. For a man, it’s a great sign on a first date if she talks about herself a lot. She is more likely to report a connection after a date where she has talked a lot about herself. A second date is likely. One clear indication of trouble in a date is lots of questions. If there are lots of questions asked, it is less likely that both the man and woman will report a connection. You might think questions are a sign of interest, but not on a first date. On a first date, questions are a sign of boredom. That’s what happens when conversation stalls. Other interesting data Stephens-Davidowitz found: “Men Google more questions about their sexual organ than any other body part. One common question is “How big is my penis?” Women don’t care about penis size, he says. “Women have as many questions about their vaginas as men have about their penises. A strikingly common concern is how to improve its odor.” We’ve said that women prefer men who are tall and men like women thinner, but the author has reassurance for those who don’t fit this mold: “A point that becomes quite clear is that there is someone for everyone.” There are women who search for “chubby guys” and “fat ugly old men.” Also, there are men who search for “big women” and “women with tiny breasts.” • Barbara Pierce is a retired licensed clinical social worker with many years of experience helping people. If you would like to purchase a copy of her book, “When You Come to the Edge: Aging” or if you have questions for her, contact her at barbarapierce06@yahoo.com.
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Men’s Health
Lost Libido
Females’ sexual desire quite different than that of a man By Barbara Pierce
“
I just can’t get interested in having sex anymore,” said 51-yearold Liz of Charleston, S.C. Married for several years, Liz is concerned because, until recently, she was always eager and ready to get it on with her husband. Now she just doesn’t care. She’s typical of many women. Sexual desire is leaving the American bedroom fast. And many men can’t figure out why they’re not having it. Milheiser “It’s completely normal for a woman’s level of sexual desire to fluctuate throughout her life,” said Leah Milheiser, director of the female sexual medicine program at Stanford University. “It’s due to many factors, including hormonal changes like menopause or breastfeeding, or life stressors. Many things get in the way of having the sex life both partners want.” When it comes to libido, medical experts agree that there is no “normal.” “The reason sexual response in females is so varied has to do with factors that impact sexual function, including overall health, medications, hormone levels, relationship factors, and life stressors,” said Milheiser. To help you understand why your partner may not want sex and what you can do, here are suggestions from experts, found online under several websites. — Is she too tired, too stressed, or too distracted? If her job, children, aging parents, or finances could be wearing her out, it may be difficult for her to
find the energy to connect with you sexually, even if she wants to. Things in her life may be exhausting and worrying; it may not be easy for her to put aside those worries. Raising children is exhausting and this can kill one’s sex drive. If the only time you have sex is at the end of the day, you likely will not be having much sex. What you can do: Find ways to relieve some of her burdens, like take the kids out for a day, run errands, or clean the house. Give her a massage. Turn on her music and light candles. Make time for sex other than at night. — Are physical problems affecting her? The side effects of certain medications, including antidepressants, can affect sexual desire. Many physical conditions can cause problems with sexual functioning. Also, women go through hormonal changes that can affect her sexuality, like menopause. A woman’s sexual response is more complicated than a man’s, and it’s worth getting a doctor to evaluate
for any underlying physical problems. What you can do: Encourage her to see a physician; offer to go with her.
Where is the love?
— Does she feel loved by you? Many women will only be able to get turned on sexually if the emotional temperature between you is warm. She may have a hard time getting past “unfinished business” involving you. What you can do: “The most sensitive sexual organ in a woman’s body resides between her ears,” said Dear Abby in a recent column, in response to a woman in her mid-20’s who used to have a high libido but hasn’t wanted to have sex with her mate in years. Foreplay doesn’t start when you crawl into bed; it starts with all the little things you do and say all day. A woman needs to feel that she is desirable, attractive, and cherished. Let her know she’s attractive and desirable to you, and show how
much you love her. If there are conflicts, work through them together. — Maybe she doesn’t feel sexy? Her body has changed over the years. She needs to know that she’s still sexy and attractive. The best place she can get it is from you. What you can do: Let her know your passion for her in your words, body language, and eyes. Tell her she’s sexy and why. Greet her with a hug and kiss. Look into her eyes and don’t be in a hurry to look away. Yes, lie if you must. You’ll make two people happy. — Her sexual appetite isn’t as strong as yours. Over the course of a relationship, a woman’s desire for sex decreases while her desire for tenderness increases. The problem is a man’s desire for sex stays just as high as always. Her appetite might not have been as high as yours and maybe never will be. What you can do: “Women with low sexual desire who find that while that initial spark that drives them to want sex isn’t always around when they want it to be, they usually enjoy sex once they get going,” said Milheiser. Liz, mentioned above, finds this happens. A sex toy can stimulate key erogenous zones that a man doesn’t always find or doesn’t always know exist, areas that are highly sensitive for women. Most women are intrigued but don’t know where to start in choosing a sex toy, so go with her. Milheiser recommends a new personal arousal device called Fiera that works to increase female sexual arousal and gets her body excited and ready for sex. The lack of female desire is a profitable industry as attested to by the availability of adult sex toys. There are thousands of books full of “theories” on why women lose desire that fill bookstores, along with drug companies that make Viagralike pills for women.
Dog bites more common for anxious people
M
aybe there’s some truth in the long-standing belief that dogs can sense fear in a
human. According to a new British study, anxious people may be at increased risk for dog bites. The finding came from a survey of nearly 700 people in northern England, done by researchers from the University of Liverpool. As part of the study, participants were asked if they were ever bitten by a dog, whether they knew the dog that bit them, and the severity of the bites. They also took a 10-item personality test. The more emotionally stable and
less neurotic the participants were, the less likely they were to have been bitten by a dog, the study found. As a person’s emotional stability score increased by a single point, between one and seven, their likelihood of having been bitten fell by 23 percent. “Dog bite prevention schemes may also need to target particular behaviors around dogs by different victim personality types,” wrote the authors led by Carri Westgarth, from university’s Institute of Infection and Global Health. Overall, one in four participants had been bitten by a dog. Men were nearly twice as likely to have been
bitten as women. More than half of the participants — 55 percent — had been bitten by a dog they didn’t know. Also, people
March 2018 •
who owned several dogs were three times more likely to have been bitten than those who didn’t own dogs. Dogs’ characteristics — sex, age and breed — were not taken into account. The study only found an association between human personality traits and frequency of dog bites. The study results were published online in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. “It is essential that previously assumed risk factors are reassessed as this study has revealed that prior beliefs — such as bites typically being from familiar dogs — are contested,” the study authors said in a journal news release.
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Mental Health
Stop musterbating! Spring clean your most important organ —your brain By Marie Kouthoofd
T
he No. 1, quintessential, most important cleanse you will ever need. In the age of fad diets, body cleanses and rejuvenating health hacks, it’s hard to know which way to go. This spring, why not try something new? How about a technique that promises to minimize suffering and maximize joy? Does this sound too good to be true? Well, it’s not. Great success has come to those who conquer this one stumbling block. What is this coup de grace, end-all be-all remedy? Ellis Here it is: You absolutely, positively must stop “musterbating.” Yes, you read that correctly, STOP MUSTERBATING! Dr. Albert Ellis (1913-2007) introduced the term musterbation to the field of psychology in 1955. According to Ellis, if you believe you or the world has to (or must) be other than it is, then you my friend are a “musterbater.” We are stuck in traffic and we say to ourselves, “I can’t stand this.” We get in an argument with our partner and we yell, “You always do this!” A politician acts a certain way and we lament, “Politicians should not act that way!”
Reality check
People will cut us off in traffic. Our partner, at some time, will be short with us. Politicians will be politicians and people will continue to act any way they want. To believe or demand otherwise, will only create instability and frustration.
We all live by a certain life philosophy, a set of rules to bring order to an otherwise chaotic world. When our life philosophy is flexible and harmonious with our environment, all is good. Conversely, when we begin to expect and demand our selves and others to live by our standards, we are on the road to musterbation. We all know what happens to avid musterbaters, don’t we? They live a frustrated, angry, unhappy existence. Our thoughts and beliefs create our reality. Each thought we have is a practice session for our future thoughts.
Cleanse your mind
How often do you lament, “I can’t stand this” or “this is driving me crazy”? Perhaps you’re the “it’s horrible” or “this is killing me” type? Ellis would tell you to dispute the lie. Stop lying to yourself and start speaking the truth. Is it really killing you, or is it uncomfortable? Is the whole state of affairs horrible or do you dislike it? Should you or others act in a certain way or would you prefer that to be so? Eliminate extremes like awful, horrible, killing me, can’t stand, never and always. Try to stick with objective, justifiable, rational and flexible preferences such as “I prefer,” “I dislike,” or “I’d rather.”
Give it a try
Take a look at the below statements. Which seems less rigid and
hence evokes a more rational emotive response? “I can’t stand your behavior” versus “I don’t like your behavior.” “You should not act that way” versus “I’d rather you didn’t act that way.” “I hate being cut off in traffic” versus “it’s frustrating when I get cut off in traffic.” Can you see how the latter statement or appraisal might leave you feeling a bit more balanced and a little more in control?
Musterbation turnaround
My husband and I went on a hike together a while back. At the mouth of the trail, a man had his car temporarily standing while unloading passengers. As the passengers exited the vehicle, another driver began erratically and excessively honking. Although the standing car was not blocking the honking man’s vehicle, he seemed infuriated by the situation. At the finale of his car horn symphony, he exited his car, approached the driver of the standing car and angrily barked, “This is a turnaround!” The driver of the standing car looked at the disgruntled man, paused and remarked, “Yep, so turn around.” In this example, each individual clearly demonstrated his philosophy or belief system for this situation. Can you guess which one was the musterbater? One exhibited a more flexible notion about turnaround etiquette, while the disgruntled man had a clear belief that the turnaround should be used solely for its named
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2018
purpose. His musterbatory rules: — You should not use the turnaround for anything other than turning around. — You have to adhere to the rules. — If you do not follow the rules, you will make me angry. — This rule MUST not be broken. Did you catch me musterbating in this example? Just by the way I wrote my description, it is clear I am not a fan of excessive horn blowing. My musterbatory rules: — It irritates me to no end. — I can’t stand it when people lay on their horns. — People should not abuse their horns. — Horns MUST not be used in this way! Get the point? Your thoughts create your emotions. If you’re unhappy about how you feel or act in any given situation, then change the way you think. Kick off this spring with real change. Cleanse your mind and change your world. Cleanse the most important organ you possess — your brain — and for goodness sakes, do yourself a favor and stop musterbating.
Innovative thinker Ellis, a native New Yorker and known by many as the father of rational emotive behavior therapy, held a master’s degree and doctorate in clinical psychology. A mover and shaker of his time, his humorous and provocative approach to therapy took the field of clinical psychology by surprise. Had you acquired Ellis’s services in the mid-1950s, you may have been diagnosed with a bad case of “I can’t standitis” or be surprised to find your struggling with the “Chicken Little syndrome.” Then there were the “shouldisms,” a daily habit of “shoulding” all over yourself. Finally, he may have noted your repeated “awefulizing.” Ellis theorized that situations, people or places did not cause emotional upset; rather, it was the individual’s belief about the above said conditions. To learn more, visit albertellis. org.
SmartBites
The skinny on healthy eating
The Lowdown on Nutrient-Rich Yogurt Is Greek yogurt better than the regular one?
I
s Greek yogurt better for you than regular yogurt? Based on all the press it’s received lately, along with its takeover of the dairy aisle, you might automatically think “yes.” I know I did. While indeed Greek yogurt has certain benefits that surpass those of regular yogurt, its nutritional profile is not necessarily better. It all depends on your dietary needs. Since one of my dietary needs is protein, Greek yogurt is better for me. On average, Greek yogurt contains nearly twice as much protein as regular yogurt. One cup of FAGE nonfat Greek yogurt, in fact, provides a whopping 22 grams. Why is the 60-plus me (who is no longer in a growth spurt or running three miles a day) concerned about getting enough protein? According to research, boosting your protein intake or at least getting an adequate supply helps combat the natural loss of muscle mass and strength that occurs with aging. Greek yogurt, however, is not necessarily better than regular yogurt
whey reduces all three. Less lactose, the sugar in dairy products that can sometimes upset stomachs, is especially helpful for those who have lactose intolerance. And fewer carbs and sugar hold huge appeal for those looking to lose or maintain weight. Both Greek and regular yogurts boast the Holy Grail of stomach health: probiotics, aka the “good” bacteria that promote a healthy gut and boost immune health. Eating yogurt with probiotics helps im-
Avocado Hummus with Yogurt Adapted from FAGE recipes
for my friend who suffers from osteoporosis and seeks calcium. The straining process that creates Greek yogurt — and gives it its thicker, richer texture — unfortunately removes some calcium. On average, regular yogurt provides 30 percent to 40 percent of the daily recommendation, compared to Greek’s 20 percent to 25 percent. Concerned about carbs and sugar? Lactose? If so, Greek yogurt might be the better choice for you, since the straining process to remove
0.3%
2 garlic cloves ½ jalapeno (optional), seeded 2-3 tablespoons fresh cilantro (or 2 teaspoons dried) 15.5 oz. can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 2 avocados, peeled and cubed ½ cup plain, low-fat yogurt: Greek or regular 2 limes, juiced Salt and coarse ground pepper, to taste ½ teaspoon cumin 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil Place garlic, jalapeno and cilantro in food processor; pulse to mince. Add chickpeas and pulse for about 2 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Serve with toast, tortilla or pita chips, or cut-up veggies.
prove digestion and potentially ease conditions like constipation, inflammatory bowel disease and diarrhea. Doctors often suggest eating yogurt while taking antibiotics (which can cause “bad” bacteria to flourish) to help reduce the side affects of this treatment. Both yogurts are rich in vitamin B-12, an essential nutrient for nerve and brain function and for forming red bloods cells and DNA. This all-important vitamin also helps prevent a type of anemia that makes people tired and weak. One cup of plain, nonfat yogurt provides about half of our daily needs. What’s more, the B-12 in dairy products, such as yogurt, tends to be more readily absorbed by the body.
Helpful Tips
Read yogurt nutrition labels carefully (some have more sugar than you may expect) and look for the words “contains active cultures” to assure the brand you choose has probiotics in it.
Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle colum-
nist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.
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A nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
March 2018 •
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Page 11
Business relocation needed for new hospital By Patricia J. Malin
W
hile construction and completion of a new downtown hospital is still three or four years away, the Mohawk Valley Health System continues to build up its public relations message. MVHS recently invited the media
to view a “mock up” of a typical patient room in the new hospital. MVHS announced earlier this year that it is getting additional funding from The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, a local nonprofit agency, to aid MVHS in acquiring property from 23 business owners located in
the proposed hospital’s downtown footprint. There are 40 businesses in the downtown area where MVHS wants to build its facility, but only 23 of those businesses are active. The city owns the 17 remaining structures, most of which are vacant and dilapidated.
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CF and MVHS announced the foundation would award up to $1 million in relocation funding for affected property owners in the project footprint. The money would help support businesses looking to relocate within the city or Oneida County. Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri remains an enthusiastic supporter of the downtown hospital, saying it will help “transform downtown by economic development.” He praised MVHS for making an “investment” in downtown. He pointed out that in recent years more businesses are locating downtown and spurring new development. “With the new hospital, we’ll have more drugstores and restaurants. A medical campus will bring more medical offices and medical professionals into the city and improve the quality of life,” he said. The next stop is for the city to retain and assist the businesses that will have to be uprooted. “It’s incumbent on the city to relocate those businesses in the city of Utica,” he added. That’s where the CF comes in. It proposes to offer the business owners a cash incentive to relocate or to offset the expense of relocating. Relocation assistance will be determined on a case-by-case basis. MVHS and Bond, Schoeneck & King, the law firm handling the property acquisition process, will remain the direct points of contact for any property acquisition communications. MVHS also announced that property owners in the footprint of the new campus will not be responsible for cleaning up any environmental problems caused by previous owners. The county recently began to undertake its state environmental quality review of those properties, a process that could take up to a year. MVHS said it will take care of any necessary environmental remediation once the property is acquired. In addition to relocation assistance and remediation relief, officials announced a new full-time project coordinator will help affected businesses identify potential options and funding for relocation. The coordinator will be funded and employed by CF. “The coordinator will also work with MVHS, MV Economic Development Growth Enterprises and community stakeholders on the development of plans for the repurposing of the St. Elizabeth Medical Center and St. Luke’s campuses,” an MVHS press release stated. The downtown hospital is projected to have 373 beds and would cover 672,000 square feet on 25 acres opposite the Utica Memorial Auditorium on Oriskany Street, adjoining the Utica Police Department on Oriskany Street near Broadway, and encompassing parts of Seneca, Cornelia, Lafayette and Columbia streets. In addition, city officials have discussed building a 1,550-car parking garage for the new hospital. MVHS currently provides 700 beds. It consists of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (370 acute care beds and 202 long-term care beds on two campuses) and St. Elizabeth Medical Center (201 acute care beds, two campuses).
Pauline’s Pieces
By Pauline DiGiorgio
Don’t like running? Let’s reconsider! Taking on half-marathon in Paris an eye-opening adventure
B
y the time you read this, I will be in Paris, France, hopefully with a big smile on my face, completing my first half marathon and post run, soaking in an Epson salt tub, and probably swearing off ever signing up for another distance race. I know, polar opposite reactions to my decision to start training for the 13.1-mile FitBit Semi de Paris. There were many mixed emotions, but my friend and DiGiorgio running coach Donal Feeney from Dublin convinced me with my own mantra I had recited to him earlier on: “2018 is the year to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.” Feeney is a great friend who travels the world and chose our race in Paris. He is an excellent runner and has been an amazing support system, even across the ocean. Running was and still is very uncomfortable to me. Although I’m pretty well-rounded and take on all sorts of fitness challenges — from CrossFit, to indoor spin, and even jumping on stage for professional body building shows — running scared me! Who in their right mind enjoys pounding pavement for hours? So much time, energy spent, and such a pointless, empty, mindless activity. Sorry!! These are just some judgmental thoughts that came to me initially. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized this was exactly what I needed to incorporate into my
best as I can. The mental game your mind plays before your weekly training sessions is dreadful. It’s worse than actually being sore post-run with your legs feeling like they’re about to break off. I was able practice on negative thoughts that crept in pre-run and transform them to work for me, not against. I soon realized that if I can get over that hump and turn those thoughts into positive ones, I was soon applying the same process later in the day. I believe this “mind training” I was using before running could also be incorporated into my work and personal life. Your mind is like a muscle on your body — you must repeat reps, practice and it will become stronger.
life at this moment. I’d like to express some of my thoughts and tips that might help readers with that deciding factor to start training and get race ready. Utica Boilermaker, anyone? If you are already a seasoned runner, pass along this article to a friend or family member who has contemplated strapping on the running shoes.
Spiritual gains
My training runs offered not only a major endurance gain for my leg days, but more so provided psychological benefits. I used the time as a form of meditation. Your mind is completely calm, body is relaxed and breath is effortless (that is, after a few practice runs). I already have a daily morning meditation practice in play, but I think readers having trouble finding their zen might consider running as their golden ticket! Here is a way to try it out: First, set an intention for your run, maybe a question or a challenge you’ve been dealing with, then put it out there in the universe and have faith that this run will help solve it. Second, choose a mantra, words that mean something to you, I like “I am strong”; “I can do anything” or “I can run forever, I’m giving my body a gift.” Think about how lucky you are to be able to physically run and become immersed in your steps to cultivate a positive spirit. Remember, “I get to run” instead of “I have to run.” Lastly, think about your other body parts. I don’t like to focus strictly on my legs. I perform a “body scan” and use ever sense, every muscle to develop a stronger connection
Tap into expertise
with mind to muscle, which helps a ton outside of the training run with other workouts. Running outside at first sounds like a nightmare when it comes to Central New York weather, but hear me out. Once you get the nice warm clothes out, blood circulating, and the sun out, you’ll be looking around and feeling immense amounts of gratitude. Trust me, studies even show improved mood, lower levels of anxiety, lower stress levels and decreased signs of depression as a result of running.
Time to train your mind
I’m going to try to explain this as
This is more of a tip: Get yourself a running coach. They don’t have to be a professional coach and are a lot easier to find than you think. Just find someone more experienced than you. Check the race event’s Facebook group and you will find that runners are super sweet and hang in groups! The coach will help you get started on your novice training program, which most likely you can find online on the race event’s registration webpage. Find a person that has a few races under his or her belt and will allow you to text or email them every time you finish a training session to keep you accountable. • Pauline DiGiorgio is a fitness ambassador and Group X instructor at Retro Fitness gyms. Questions? Email her at ptlifts@gmail.com.
Mohawk Valley armed, ready for war on drugs
F
or many, the struggles of overcoming an addiction are difficult to understand, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing someone can “just quit.” For most, especially someone who has lived the pain of withdrawal and who maybe hasn’t had the tools to deal with the daily hurdles of everyday life, Daniel it’s far more complicated than “just” quitting. Recovery begins with understanding the science behind addiction and the physical changes that occur in the brain with long-term use. Ambi Daniel, former clinical counselor in the field of addiction, offers frequent workshops on the
science of addiction. In her role as family support navigator at the Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc., Utica, she works to educate area residents in recovery, their family members, health professionals, and the community at large. “It’s a common misconception that someone dealing with a substance use disorder can just walk away and that they ‘should know better.’ It’s important to understand that using drugs and alcohol impacts the actual function of the brain,” she said. If there are mind-altering substances being used, natural dopamine release is altered. “Our brain relies on this reward-memory system for our basic primitive needs and is driven by it. The brain looks for this release,” she said. Daniel said the brain can take 18 months to heal. “Retraining the brain to recognize that and to begin functioning normally takes time,” she said.
That’s where both short-term interventions and long-term recovery methods can help someone get through intense withdrawal and onto a path of recovery, she added. “Without a solid recovery plan in place for addressing routines of home, health, purpose and community changes, it’s easy for someone to fall back to other methods of comfort and release,” Daniel said. “Relapsing back to those substances is far easier in the short term. In the long run, though, recovery gives people a new lease on life that leads to better fulfillment and joy within the hard work of life.” Typically, addiction treatment programs can last from a few months to several years. “In fact, recovery is ongoing, and while the intensity decreases, recovery is life-long.” Following the initial detox, treatment options range from day treatment to outpatient to long-term residential programs. It can include stabilization
March 2018 •
services, medical treatment, mental health services and more. But, how does someone who needs help get help? “We are very fortunate in the Mohawk Valley to have a variety of resources available,” according to Gina Hobika, director of community relations at CNY Services/Milestones. “We have an array of local agencies and organizations who offer addiction treatment, stabilization and recovery services. Hobika said someone in need of services can walk into any of the treatment facilities, doctors’ offices, hospital emergency rooms, churches, counseling centers, or any human service agency and they will be referred to the appropriate program. “We also have the 211 helpline that is a great resource,” Hobika noted. For more information, contact Kathy Peters, advocacy coordinator, Center for Family Life and Recovery, Inc., at 315-733-1709.
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Dental Health Smile with Dr. Suy
By Dr. Salina Suy
Introducing the team A squad of professionals awaits your arrival at dentist’s office
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very day in the office, I talk to patients about their care and try to educate them as best I can about the different reasons why we do things the way that we do, how everything is done and who is involved in the process. After many conversations with everyone, I could not believe how many people were unaware of the different types of people on the dental team. Suy I always stress the importance of everyone’s individual role and how together as a team, great patient care is delivered. When I tell people I am a dentist, the first question usually is: “So, are you the one that cleans my teeth?” Yes, dentists can clean teeth. This procedure is one of the first procedures we learn in dental school. Regular cleanings and exams provide a great health service for patients and allow them to maintain their smiles for a long time. That being said, if you are getting your teeth cleaned regularly, rarely is it that your dentist is giving you the cleaning. Most likely, you will be seeing the dental hygienist.
Salina Suy, right, and her office assistant Kayla Almond attend to a patient. Still confused?
Let’s define the dental team
— Dentist: A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a surgeon who specializes in dentistry, the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity. Dentists are licensed dental professionals who specialize in the treatment of the diseases and conditions that affect teeth and gums, especially the repair and extraction of teeth and the insertion of artificial ones.
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The dentist’s supporting team aids in providing oral health services. — Dental hygienist: A licensed dental hygienist specializes in scaling (cleaning) and polishing teeth and in giving advice on proper oral hygiene instructions. A dental hygienist can diagnose periodontal (gum) disease and use ultrasonic cleaners, lasers and hand instrumentation to improve your overall oral health. A hygienist can also place sealants and other preventive treatments to your teeth to prevent cavities. Your dental hygienist is a key team member for maintenance of your oral health and in the prevention of disease. — Dental assistant: The duties of a dental assistant are among the most comprehensive and varied in the dental office. The dental assistant performs many tasks requiring both interpersonal and technical skills. They assist the dental operator (dentist or other treating dental auxiliary) in providing more efficient dental treatment by preparing the patient for treatment, sterilizing instruments, passing instruments during the procedure, holding suction devices, exposing dental radiographs, taking impressions, and fabricating provi-
sional crowns. As a result, dental operators can focus more time on the procedure. The dental assistant then effectively becomes the operator’s extra hands.
Behind-the-scenes players
— Dental office manager and/ or receptionist: Depending on your office, there may be a manager and receptionist or an individual acting in both roles. A dental office manager is responsible for all of the administrative duties in a dental office. These managers must coordinate marketing, budget office expenses, arrange staff meetings and handle payroll. They may also schedule patient appointments, staff schedules and perform billing and bookkeeping duties. A dental receptionist is responsible for greeting and assisting patients the moment they enter the dental office. Receptionists also maintain patients’ accounts. They help coordinate the dentist’s schedule and bill patients and insurance companies. The office manager-receptionist is a key member for the patient experience and ensures a smooth running office for patients and the dentist so that they may focus on patient treatment. — Dental lab technician: Dental laboratory technology is both a science and art. Since each dental patient’s needs are different, the duties of a dental laboratory technician are comprehensive and varied. Although dental technicians seldom work directly with patients, except under the direction of a licensed dentist, they are valuable members of the dental care team. They work directly with dentists by following detailed written instructions and using impressions (molds) of the patient’s teeth or oral soft tissues to create dentures, crowns, veneers, partial dentures and bridges among many other dental appliances and prosthetics. As you can see, there are many people involved in the dental team, dedicated to providing you with quality care. Until next time … • Salina Suy is a health and wellness advocate and general dentist in the Utica Business Park. Want to learn more? Visit Facebook or Instagram: @smilewithdrsuy or www.smilewithdrsuy.com.
St. Luke’s Home changes its name
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t. Luke’s Home, the Mohawk Valley Health System’s longterm care and sub-acute rehabilitation center, is changing its name to MVHS Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Officials received approval documentation from the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Nursing Home Licensure and Certification. MVHS Rehabilitation
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2018
and Nursing Center remains in the same facility located in the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services building on the St. Luke’s Campus, 1650 Champlin Ave., Utica. MVHS Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is a 202-bed facility with a 40-bed sub-acute rehabilitation unit. Additionally, St. Luke’s Home Adult Day Health Care will now be titled MVHS Adult Day Health Care.
Spiritual Health Milk & Honey
By Brooke Stacia Demott
Fruit of the Spirit A tree is known by its fruit
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ast fall, my family planted a cute little apple orchard on our 3½-acre lot. I say orchard because that makes me sound like I know what I’m doing. But really, it’s just 10 trees. When we picked them up, our farmer friend gave us detailed instructions about how to keep the trees healthy during the next three crucial years. They would require a lot of care and cultivating in order to bear good fruit. Demott Only a healthy tree can bring forth good fruit. Although many factors contribute to a tree’s health, the most critical are the quality of the soil and the strength of the root system. Strong roots must be established over time in good soil before any worthwhile harvest can be expected. Consequently, if the soil is poor, or the tree has weak roots, then no amount of sun and rain can save it — inevitably, it will fail to thrive. We aren’t much different. Where we are “rooted” determines whether we thrive or struggle. Far too often when we are struggling, we don’t understand the cause, and so we resort to treating symptoms. We line up for depression meds, kill ourselves at the gym, painstakingly manage our diet, and try to eliminate stress looking for lasting fulfillment. Addressing our physical and emotional health is a no-brainer; but it’s not enough. We need to fix our attention on our spiritual condition. Nothing is more important than our spirituality. Why? Because everything we do is filtered through what we put our faith in. How we care for our bodies, treat our kids, love our spouse, work, and relax — it all depends on what our “god” is. Whatever we chase after to give us meaning, this is our “god.” Today’s world offers a host of “gods” to choose from — instant gratification, sex, technology, optimal physical fitness, and money, to name a few. And each one fails to deliver the happiness they promise. There’s only one God who promises abundant life — and delivers. If we are rooted in Jesus, the son of God, everything in our lives centers
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around God’s direction and life starts to make sense. Like my apple trees, if our spirits are fixed in good soil, they will be healthy; and a healthy spirit will bear fruit that is good for us in every respect. We will be happier, more productive, healthier, and a benefit to our families and community.
Spiritual fruit
So, what does good spiritual fruit look like? “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22) This is evidence of a healthy spirit. If we “bear good fruit,” our lives will be transformed. Good fruit takes cultivating; but when cultivation falls by the wayside, we can be easily overtaken. Last summer, Japanese beetles swarmed our plum tree. There were so many that the leaves looked iridescent in the sunset. I was busy with the kids’ schedules, so I didn’t give it the attention it needed. The leaves got chewed to pieces. It made the most pitiful, sour plums you’ve ever tasted — they were terrible. In the same way, a neglected spirit will produce bad fruit. What is bad spiritual fruit? “Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.” (Galatians 5:20-21) Big difference. Bad fruit is evidence of an unhealthy spirit. This list probably isn’t shocking to you; and in our desensitized, desire-driven culture, we might be tempted to think that there aren’t going to be ramifications for these actions. But don’t be fooled. We will reap what we sow, and sowing in this soil pro-
duces a harvest of bitter regret. Why? Because this fruit eats you. It will wear away at your soul until you don’t know who you are anymore. In the coming months, I want to take a look at the good fruit that a healthy spirit can produce, and the bad fruit that will come without proper cultivation. To do this, we must understand that God loves us. He loves you. As the creator and sustainer of life, He is both the good soil and the gardener.
He will nourish our spirits and prune the bad fruit from our lives, if we would only ask. For Jesus’s sake, God will bring to fruition in us the stunning harvest of an abundant life — one full of peace and purpose, hope and joy. So ask yourself: What is the “fruit” of your life? Where are you rooted? • Brooke Stacia Demott is a columnist with In Good Health newspaper. Got a question for Demott? Feel free to email her at brooketo@aol.com.
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Page 15
Health News Excellus BCBS offers paid internships Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has about 60 summer internship positions available for college students at its locations in Upstate New York. Summer internship positions include jobs in information technology, marketing, customer operations, finance, human resources, and corporate communications. Internships are available at health plan locations in Syracuse, Buffalo, Rochester and Utica. “Our goal is to attract students from a wide range of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences to represent all forms of diversity within our community,” said Joseph Searles, corporate director, diversity and workforce inclusion. “It’s important to us, because it is a way to usher in the innovation needed to best serve our customers.” The 10-week paid internships will run from June through August. To qualify for an internship, students must be actively enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at the time of the internship. Goals of the internship program include providing professional career development opportunities for students, helping them gain hands-on work experience and jump-starting their careers. Students are encouraged to
apply for these competitive internships as soon as possible. Positions will close as candidates are selected for the internships. To apply for the internships, go to excellusbcbs.com/ careers.
Hospice & Palliative Care names CEO Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. has appointed Shannon Cayea as its new chief executive officer. Cayea was most recently the CEO at Elderwood at Wheatfield in Wheatfield. She will replace Ann Tonzi. “Shannon is an experienced administrator with a breadth of health care experience. Her years of experience in health care and her ability to lead an organization will enhance hospice’s position within our health care community and at the state level,” stated Rudolph von Bernuth, HPCI’s board president. Cayea holds a Master of Science in public health administration from the New School University in Manhattan, and a Bachelor of Science degree in geriatric psychology from SUNY Brockport. Cayea is a licensed nursing home administrator and has served as a nursing home administrator and as an executive leader at several health care facilities throughout New York state.
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HPCI has been providing end-oflife care to residents of Oneida, Herkimer and Eastern Madison counties since 1977. For more information about hospice, call 315-735-6484 or visit www. hospicecareinc.org.
She’s a real GEM at Little Falls Hospital Shelly Cole, RN and team leader of the inpatient unit at Little Falls Hospital, is the recipient of the 2017 fourth-quarter GEM (going the extra mile) award. The GEM award recognizes staff for going above and beyond their typical job duties and making a significant difference by improving the quality of health Cole for patients and exceeding customer service standards for patients, clients, guests and co-workers. “Shelly is a hard-working nurse who is always willing to help everyone and maintains a positive and motivated disposition. When at work, her goal is to improve the quality of a patient’s life one moment at a time,” says Paul Campbell, manager of the inpatient unit. Cole lives in Cedarville with her husband, Mike, of 31 years. Cole has three children and six grandchildren.
Rome Memorial Hospital awarded accreditation Rome Memorial Hospital has been awarded a three-year accreditation by the American College of Radiology for vascular ultrasound services, according to medical imaging department director Sharon Carson. A vascular ultrasound is a noninvasive ultrasound method used to examine the circulation in the blood vessels of the body. Vascular ultrasound can be used to evaluate arteries or veins in nearly any part of the body, including blood vessels in the neck, abdomen, arms and legs. “ACR accreditation is considered the highest standard in the imaging field,” Carson said. “Rome Memorial Hospital was the first facility in the area to earn ACR accreditation for mammography more than 20 years ago, and since that time, we’ve also earned additional accreditations for ultrasound, breast ultrasound, MRI, CT, nuclear medicine imaging and now vascular ultrasound.”
VHS welcomes physical therapist Valley Health Services in Herkimer recently welcomed welcomes Mary Scalise, physical therapist, to its professional staff. Scalise comes with a wealth of experience and said she is enthusiastic about her new role within the
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2018
rehabilitative services department. With a Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy, Scalise has over 16 years’ experience working in long-term outpatient settings and some acute care. Scalise has been at VHS since November and enjoys working with residents and interacting with Scalise staff. Scalise and husband, Joseph, live in Schuyler with their three children — Isabella, Brianna and Jacob.
Valley Health Services names top employee Anthony Palmitesso has been named Valley Health Services’ employee of the fourth quarter of 2017. Palmitesso joined VHS in 2015 as an information technology assistant. His colleagues attribute his success on the job to his desire to Palmitesso keep ahead of the trends in technology and computer networking. “Palmitesso’s innovative ideas and solutions enable employees to effectively utilize technology in their day-to-day career tasks,” a VHS spokesperson said. Palmitesso has an Associate of Applied Science degree in computer networking from Herkimer College.
Valley Health Services adds administrator to staff Dodilee Murray recently joined the staff at Valley Health Services as the assistant director of social services. Murray said she was encouraged to apply at VHS because her mother-in-law had worked there previously “and had a fantastic experience.” Murray Murray was previously a Herkimer County Department of Social Services caseworker and also worked in foster care. She is a graduate of SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. Murray and her husband, Ted, live in Herkimer County with their twin daughters, Megan and Morgan.
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Slocum-Dickson names employee of year Jennifer Gonyea has been named employee of the year for 2017 at Slocum-Dickson Medical Group PLLC in New Hartford. Gonyea began her career at SDMG in 1998 as a medical assistant working in various offices, but quickly found a home in the office of endocrinologist, diabetes and meGonyea tabolism specialist Gunnar Anderson, where she has remained for over 15 years. Gonyea can be described as professional, knowledgeable and kind, according to co-workers. “She is a true team player,” said Anderson, noting that her efforts are vital to keeping his office running smoothly and her pleasant interaction with patients has garnered many compliments. “Her coworkers have remarked that her upbeat attitude and positive disposition helps to boost morale around the office,” he added.
MVHS names new project manager Audrey Cross has been named project manager of support services for the Mohawk Valley Health System. In this role, Cross is responsible for the management of construction, renovations and other support services projects. Prior to joining MVHS, Cross was employed at Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield in Utica as Cross facilities manager and she was also employed as project superintendent at Hayner Hoyt Corporation in Syracuse She serves as an adjunct professor at Utica College. Cross earned her Master of Science degree in construction management with a minor in business management from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in construction management at Utica College. She is a volunteer with the United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area and American Heart Association.
MVHS names vascular coordinator Lisa Perry has been named vascular coordinator for interventional radiology and neuroendovascular services for the Mohawk Valley
Health System. In this role, Perry is responsible for day-to-day operations of interventional radiology and neuroendovascular services, patient care coordination and staff development. Prior to this position, Perry had served as a staff Perry registered nurse in the emergency department, operating room, post anesthesia care unit, cardiac catheterization lab and interventional radiology at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare. Previously, she was nurse manager for the emergency department and telemetry department at Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton. Perry earned her associate degree at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica and is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Utica College.
MVHS announces new board members The Mohawk Valley Health System recently announced four new members of its board of directors — Waleed Albert, Catherine Brownell, Alicia Marie DeTraglia and Karen Leach. — Albert is a board-certified physician and chairman of the antibiotic stewardship committee for MVHS. Albert earned his medical degree from the Faculty Albert of Medicine of Damascus University in Damascus, Syria. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Trenton Affiliated Hospitals in Trenton, N.J., and a fellowship in infectious diseases at Albany Medical College and the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center. Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine and infectious diseases, he is a fellow of the American College of Physicians and a member of the American College of Physicians Executives. — Brownell is a tenured associate professor of nursing at Utica College, where she serves as director of nursing programs and associate dean of health professions and education. Prior to teaching at Utica Brownell College, Brownell was a nursing instructor at Syracuse University and a public health nurse with the Visiting
Nurses Association. She received her master’s degree in nursing from Syracuse University, and her doctoral degree in nursing from Binghamton University. — DeTraglia is a private practitioner in hematology and oncology with Atul Butala and Samir Desai in Utica. She previously worked as an attending physician in hematology-oncology at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, also in Utica. Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine, she completed her undergraduate DeTraglia degree at Hamilton College in Clinton and received her medical degree from Albany Medical College. She has served as a board member of the Clinton Central School District Foundation. — Karen Leach is the vice president for administration and finance at Hamilton College in Clinton. She previously held the position of associate provost and chief information officer at Colgate University in Hamilton. She received Leach her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie and her master’s degree in business administration from Syracuse University. She has numerous publications and was a Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare board member from 2009-2014.
MVHS recognized for quality bariatric surgery Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has recognized the Mohawk Valley Health System with a Blue Distinction® Center+ for Bariatric Surgery designation as part of the Blue Distinction Specialty Care program. Blue Distinction Centers are nationally designated health care facilities that show expertise in delivering improved patient safety and better health outcomes, based on objective measures that were developed with input from the medical community. Each year, more than 450 bariatric surgeries are performed annually at the St. Luke’s campus of MVHS. William Graber, a bariatric surgeon, is the medical director for the program and is supported by Angela Soja, the bariatric clinical coordinator. “We have a very successful bariatric program at MVHS and this distinction is a direct reflection of our expertise, teamwork and commitment to our patients,” noted Graber. “This distinction is a product of collaboration between specialty trained bariatric surgeons and
March 2018 •
MVHS,” Soja said. To receive a Blue Distinction Center+ for Bariatric Surgery designation, a health care facility must demonstrate success in meeting patient safety measures as well as bariatric-specific quality measures.
MVHS names facilities field supervisor Allen Hurd has been named facilities field supervisor for the Mohawk Valley Health System. In this position, Hurd will supervise the facilities staff at the Faxton campus and oversee facilities of the MVHS Medical Group medical offices. Prior to joining MVHS, Hurd was the maintenance and facilities manager for TECT Corp. in Whitesboro. Hurd attendHurd ed the residential, commercial and industrial electrical program at Area Occupational Center in Auburn, and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
MVHS names nurse manager Erica Kennerknecht has been named nurse manager for 3A at the St. Elizabeth Campus of the Mohawk Valley Health System. Kennerknecht has been employed by MVHS since 2013 and has served as a staff nurse for the neuro peds 3A and 3B units at the St. Elizabeth campus. She has most recently served as clinical educator for 3A. Kennerknecht earned her Associate of Applied Science degree from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing Kennerknecht in Utica, and her Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Ariz. She maintains certification in medical surgical nursing from the Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses.
MVHS names patient access services manager Matthew Young has been named patient access services manager for the St. Luke’s campus of the Mohawk Valley Health System. In this role, Young is responsible for overseeing patient access services staff in the emergency department and in the general admitting area at the St. Luke’s campus. Young has been an employee of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare since
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Health News Continued from Page 17 2010, serving as a telecommunications operator, bed control coordinator and financial coordinator for cancer services. He is a 2017 graduate of the Aspiring Leaders Program. Young is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in health care administration at Young DeVry University in Chicago, Ill. He is a certified application counselor.
MVHS RNC celebrates centenarians The Mohawk Valley Health System Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, formerly St. Luke’s Home, held a birthday celebration recently in the Soggs Room at the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services on the St. Luke’s campus, 1650 Champlin Ave., Utica. MVHS RNC has four residents — Brenda Baldwin, Rocco DeRocco, Mildred Rokeach and Martha Pietsch — of the Barton East unit, who recently turned 100 years of age or older. The unit celebrated with a special lunch attended by family members. Each resident chose his or her favorite meal to eat for the celebration. “We are so fortunate to have not one, but four centenarians living in our facility, and each one is still active in the life of the facility,” said Jacquelyn DeLuca, director of therapeutic recreation at MVHS. MVHS RNC offers coordinated inpatient rehabilitation, long-term and continuing care services for the community. For more information on MVHS RNC, visit mvhealthsystem.org/rnc.
Insight House gets funds for upgrades The Indium Corporation & Macartney Family Foundation has awarded $14,000 to Insight House Chemical Dependency Services, Inc. in Utica for building upgrades. The funding will allow Insight House to renovate and repair the agency’s main restroom facilities,
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2018
which are open to patients and visitors. “These necessary renovations are extremely welcomed and appreciated. They will update equipment that is more than 25 years old and frequently under repair,” said Donna Vitagliano, Insight House president and CEO. The renovations are expected to be complete by March. The Indium Corporation & Macartney Family Foundation, a philanthropic 501(c)(3) organization, is focused on primary needs including food, shelter, health care and education. The Foundation directly serves the four United States-based communities in which Indium Corporation operates: Utica, Clinton, Rome and Chicago, Ill. Since 1971, Insight House has provided professional and confidential drug and alcohol treatment services.
Telehealth program gets funding The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter has been selected as one of only 72 recipients nationwide to receive a 2017 distance learning and telemedicine grant for $474,258 administered by the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service. This was the second largest grant given to an organization in New York state as part of this USDA program, which is awarding $23.6 million in total for the purchase of equipment that uses broadband to help rural communities connect to educational and health care services. “We are beyond thrilled that The Arc has been chosen to receive these funds as we continue to develop our cutting-edge telehealth program — project NVITE, “ said Arc Oneida-Lewis CEO Karen Korotzer. “Residents of Oneida and Lewis counties will benefit greatly from this program, which, among other things, will virtually eliminate existing barriers to quality health care for people living in rural areas.” Fewer emergency room visits, increased continuity, convenience, and efficiency are some of the immediate benefits of NVITE. In 2016, The Arc also received $960,000 in funding through the New York State Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program, which it has invested in project NVITE.
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Continued from Page 2 Thursdays of every month at the Canajoharie Fire House, 75 Erie Boulevard, Canajoharie. The next meetings are March 1 and March 15. The support group is for parents with a son or daughter who is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. PAL is a nonprofit organization run by a volunteer board of parents. For more information, visit www. palgroup.org or call PAL at 480-3004712.
March 8
Laryngectomy support group to meet The Laryngectomy Support Group will hold its monthly meeting at noon March 8 in the Sister Regina Conference Room on the first floor of the St. Elizabeth Medical Center hospital building, 2209 Genesee St., Utica. The support group is sponsored by SEMC. Laryngectomy support group meetings are held at noon on the second Thursday of each month. A laryngectomy is the procedure to remove a person’s larynx and separates the airway from the mouth, nose and esophagus. The laryngectomee breathes through an opening in the neck, called a stoma. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, call 315-8014475.
March 12
Support forum for patients, cancer survivors The Mohawk Valley Health System’s Cancer Center’s monthly support forum for patients and cancer survivors will be held at 6 p.m. March 12. The cancer support forum meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of every month in the Cancer Center’s fireplace lounge on the main floor of Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica. The forum, led by the Cancer Center’s social worker, offers support to anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to RSVP, call 315-624-5241.
March 12
Support group to meet at Rome Memorial Hospital The brain aneurysm, AVM (arteriovenous malformation) and stroke support group will meet from 5:30-7 p.m. March 12 at Rome Memorial Hospital’s second-floor classroom. The group meets on the second Monday of every month. RMH is located at 1500 N. James St., Rome.
For more information, call Deb Dunn at 315-533-6467 or email RomeNY@JoeNiekroFoundation.org.
March 19
Family support group focuses on addiction Families who are dealing with the problems of addiction can find help and information at a support group meeting from 6-7 p.m. March 19 in the second floor classroom at Rome Memorial Hospital. The group meets the third Monday of each month and is free and open to everyone. Offered by the hospital’s Community Recovery Center, the support group provides an opportunity to discuss issues with others who are in the same situation. Certified by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the Community Recovery Center, 264 W. Dominick St., Rome, offers alcohol and substance abuse treatment for adolescents and adults. Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Friday and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, the center participates with most major insurance programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. A sliding scale fee is available for self-pay clients. For more information about the support group or the Community Recovery Center, call 334-4701.
March 21
Valley Health Services accepts syringes Valley Health Services is accepting the community’s medical waste of needles, syringes and lancets from noon until 2 p.m. on March 21. The service is available on the third Wednesday of every month. The waste must be in approved puncture-resistant containers available at local pharmacies and properly marked “biohazard.” The containers may be brought to the outpatient receptionist on the ground floor at VHS, who will contact the personnel responsible for medical waste disposal. VHS is located at 690 W. German St., Herkimer. Questions may be directed to Tammi King, infection control nurse, at 866-3330, ext. 2308.
April 1
Office for Aging seeks nominations The Oneida County Office for Aging/Continuing Care and the Long-Term Council are seeking nominations for their 2018 Older American Awards. Nominations for outstanding community contribution by a senior citizen or couple and for outstanding community contribution by an organization or business are due by
April 1. Nomination forms are available at area community senior centers, for download at http://www.ocgov.net/ ofa and by calling the Office for the Aging/Continuing Care at 315-7985465. An awards ceremony for the winners will take place during Older American Month in May. This year’s theme is “Engage at Every Age,” which emphasizes that you are never to old (or young) to take part in activities that can enrich your physical, mental, and emotional well-being and celebrates the many ways older adults make a difference in the community.
April 13
Prohibition Party to support St. E’s campus The Mohawk Valley Health System Foundations and F.X. Matt Brewery will hold the 10th annual Prohibition Party from 6-9 p.m. April 13 at the historic F.X. Matt Brewing Co., 830 Varick St., Utica. Theresa Flemma, senior vice president of Flemma-Gornick Financial Group and M. Griffith Investment Services, Inc., is sponsoring the event. Tickets cost $45 per person if purchased by March 30 and $50 per person if purchased after March 30. Admission includes Saranac beverages, hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, a 1930s costume contest and a silent auction. Participants must be 21 years of age and over. Proceeds from this year’s event will be used to invest in state-of-the-art equipment and technology to improve patient care at the St. Elizabeth campus of MVHS. A limited number of tickets are available and the foundations anticipate selling out early for the event. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit mvhealthsystem. org/foundation, call 315-624-5718 or email jbecker2@mvhealthsystem.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the MVHS Foundations Office at 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica, or the F.X. Matt Brewing Co. Gift Shop/Tour Center at 830 Varick St., Utica.
April 15
‘Delight’ event to support hospice services Hospice & Palliative Care in New Hartford is planning its Epicurean Delight on April 15. Are you creative and interested in supporting hospice services in the community? If so, consider donating a basket for the Epicurean Delight auction or raffle. Wine and food baskets are always popular as are spa, jewelry, Italian, family fun and kitchen baskets. Gift certificates for restaurants, stores, hotels and donations of vacation timeshares are also appreciated and businesses offering goods or services are encouraged to donate. In 2017, Hospice & Palliative Care served more than 700 patients and their families in Oneida, Herkimer and eastern Madison counties. For more information, contact Laurie Barr at 735-6487 ext. 1004 or email labarr@hospicecareinc.org.
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March 2018 •
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April 26
Senior health and wellness fair slated Valley Residential Services will host a Senior Health & Wellness Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 26 at Herkimer College. If your business is interested in exhibiting products or services, contact the office of community relations and fund development at 315-8663330 ext. 2329 for more information.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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Page 19
No mountain too high Paralympic athlete from Little Falls unafraid of big obstacles By Patricia J. Malin
W
atching the Winter Olympics from Pyeongchang, South Korea, on TV was bittersweet for Kevin Burnside Jr. of Little Falls. While it was fun to cheer on two Mohawk Valley athletes, Erin Hamlin in luge and Maddie Phaneuf in biathlon as well as other Americans, he has his own Olympic dream. It’s one he’s had to put on hold for now. He just returned from a trip to the U.S. Nationals in Nordic skiing in Montana, but he missed qualifying for the Paralympics. For Burnside, the sport is not the same as you see on prime time Olympic TV. His athletic pursuits have come from the seat of a wheelchair or in his sport of biathlon or skiing, from a sit ski. But he insists he is already training seriously for next year’s nationals, and long range for the next Paralympics in four years. The 28-year-old Utica native was born with spina bifida, a genetic defect in which the spinal column is not completely enclosed and results in a gap or sometimes a bony protusion in the back. Although he has long played adaptive sports, he didn’t need a wheelchair until last year when he became a bilateral below-knee amputee. He is awaiting a set of prosthetic devices that will get him up on his feet again. For now, Burnside is training three days a week in the fitness center at Sitrin Rehabilitation Center in New Hartford and supplementing it with workouts at home. He began his athletic career with the Sitrin STARS, a team of local wheelchair athletes, when he was 14. “My first love was wheelchair basketball,” he said, which he played for about the last 10 years. Oddly enough, he said he didn’t feel comfortable in the wheelchair since he didn’t use one in daily life. The Thomas R. Proctor High School graduate used to walk. “It felt weird (to play wheelchair basketball) because I wasn’t permanently in a wheelchair,” he said.
“Now I’m in a wheelchair, but I’m waiting for my prosthetic legs to be done.” A local company, Empire Orthopedics in Yorkville, is making his new legs, which he hopes to have within a few months. Five years ago, his left foot became infected and he needed an amputation. Last September, his right leg developed an infection, so he underwent a second below-the-knee amputation. Despite this, he made it to the U.S. Paralympic Nationals 2018 for cross-country skiing and biathlon. “I must use a sit ski, due to my disability,” he explained on his Facebook page. “I had an amazing time and absolutely loved it. I even enjoy it more than wheelchair basketball.” Burnside said he discovered Nordic skiing and biathlon just five years ago after watching it on TV. He then found some YouTube videos that further piqued his interest. Skiing isn’t difficult considering the usual availability of snow during an ordinary central New York winter, so he practices his skiing skills at local resorts when he can. Biathlon, which combines skiing with a rifle and target shooting, is a lot more complicated, but he found support for it at Sitrin. Even though he had one good leg at the time, he didn’t think his disability disqualified him. “It’s called ‘BI-athlon,’” he joked. But he was able to adapt. “It’s a hard sport and not many people want to try it. It’s cross-country skiing and shooting. It’s very tiring. I didn’t always ski, but after I found out about it, I heard that a lot of amputees do it.”
Stiff competition
He was allowed to compete in Nordic skiing at the Empire State Winter Games on the weekend of Feb. 4-5 at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid. He finished last among three competitors. “What a weekend,” he posted on his Facebook page. “(They) didn’t have (the) biathlon event, but (I) got some shooting in on the electric gun. It was pretty cool. I’m gonna have to get one of these so I can use it inside!!
Kevin Burnside, Paralympic hopeful, works out on the ERG machine and bench press at Sitrin Rehabilitation Center in New Hartford. But overall had an great time; can’t wait until next year!!!” Sitrin Rehab covered his expenses in Lake Placid then sweetened the pot by sending him to Bozeman, Mont., to compete in the nationals in the hopes of qualifying for the Paralympics. The qualifiers were to be held in March in Pyeongchang, South Korea, a few weeks after the conventional Olympics. He learned, to his dismay, that most of the competitors at the nationals have a lot more experience than him. Many of them are members of college teams and some are disabled
military veterans. The U.S. Paralympic Nordic ski team consists of 10 men and five women, and two of the women were gold medalists in cross-country skiing in the 2014 Paralympics. These athletes can compete either standing or sitting, while two of them are visually impaired, and another two use guides. Five of the team members are military veterans. “I finished eighth in one race and second in another, but I still have to go through the process of qualifying and getting IPC (International Paralympic Committee) points,” Burnside said.
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Page 20
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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • March 2018
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