Gv igh 109 sept14

the big two After dramatic changes, healthcare landscape in Rochester area is now dominated by two players: UR Medicine and Rochester Regional Health System. Is this good for the community?

in good

priceless

Rochester–Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

September 2014 • Issue 109

CONCUSSION SEASON IS ON Back to school means a high incidence of sport-related traumatic brain injuries, predominantly concussions.

Boxer Ray Ciancaglini shares his own experience with concussion hoping other people can avoid his mistakes Page 10

Can it Help Prevent Cancer?

A recent British study says it can

Artificial Heart URMC physician, H. Todd Massey, leads the team that successfully placed an artificial heart in a Syracusearea man. He discusses the procedure, the first in Upstate New York

Formerly Conjoined Twins Celebrate 10-Year Anniversary of Surgery Page 16

Faith-Based Addiction Programs

Say ‘Yes’ to Cottage Cheese

Celebrate Recovery program is now available at more than 20,000 churches nationwide and has helped people like Nancy Haight at the First Baptist Church of Newark.

Page 17

It deserves to stand alone.

From its nutrient content to its ease of consumption to its low cost, cottage cheese is a bona fide powerhouse September 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 1

Daily Aspirin May Help Prevent Cancer: Study

Managing celiac disease may be more than just a gluten-free diet.

Taking low-dose pill each day fights numerous malignancies, and benefits outweigh any risk

If you are ready to take action, this clinical research study may be right for you.

You may qualify for the study if you: • Are diagnosed with celiac disease • Are on a gluten-free diet • Have experienced at least one moderate or severe symptom in the past month

To learn more, call toll-free

1-855-5385-ACT or visit

CELIACTION STUDY

™

CeliActionStudy.com

A research study for symptomatic celiac disease patients maintained on a gluten-free diet

© 2013 Copyright – CELIACTION STUDY

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aking aspirin every day appears to reduce the odds of developing and dying from colon, stomach or esophageal cancer, a new study suggests.

Based on a review of available studies, researchers determined that the benefits of aspirin therapy for preventing cancer outweigh the risks. Millions of people already take this inexpensive drug to prevent or treat heart disease.

“We came to the conclusion that most people between the ages of 50 and 65 would benefit from a daily aspirin,” said lead researcher Jack Cuzick, head of the Center for Cancer Prevention at Queen Mary, University of London.

“It looks like if everyone took a daily aspirin, there would be less cancer, and that would far outweigh any side effects,” added Cuzick.

Gastrointestinal bleeding is the most serious side effect associated with aspirin.

Taking aspirin for 10 years could cut colon cancer risk by around 35 percent and deaths from colon cancer by 40 percent, the researchers reported Aug. 6 in the Annals of Oncology.

Daily aspirin also can reduce the risk of esophageal and stomach cancers by 30 percent and deaths from these cancers by 35 to 50 percent, the investigators reported.

Dr. Leonard Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society, said this study falls short of a recommendation that everyone take aspirin to prevent cancer. “But it rises to the level that people should have a discussion with their doctor,” he

said.

However, Lichtenfeld pointed out that the evidence for aspirin’s benefits is circumstantial. “These are not randomized trials, which provide us with the best quality evidence to answer the question.

You don’t have a study that compares aspirin with no aspirin,” he said.

Although the studies reviewed for this report don’t prove aspirin prevents cancer, they offer strong evidence that it might, Lichtenfeld said.

Still, taking aspirin has risks. “Some people will be at risk of stomach bleeding, but very few,” Cuzick said.

People 60 years old who take daily aspirin for 10 years have an increased risk of stomach bleeding of about 3.6 percent. Bleeding could be life-threatening in less than 5 percent of people who develop bleeding, the researchers noted.

The risk of serious bleeding, however, increases dramatically after age 70. Cuzick recommends that people 70 and older not start taking aspirin to prevent cancer because of this increased risk.

As to why aspirin is protective, Cuzick can only speculate. It’s known that aspirin interferes with blood-clotting by reducing platelets in the blood.

Platelets are thought to help cancer cells travel throughout the body, so limiting them might make it harder for cancer cells to spread.

Another theory is that aspirin, an anti-inflammatory agent, might stop cells from dividing. This lowers the odds that a cell will mutate when it divides, Cuzick explained. “You are less likely to have a mutation that will cause cancer,” Cuzick said.

Scam Alert Excellus BCBS warns consumers about telephone fraud scam

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xcellus BlueCross BlueShield is warning consumers, particularly senior citizens, to be aware of a telemarketing scam that appears to be aimed at people in the Rochester region.

Telemarketers claiming to work for companies called Health Care Advocates or United States Health Care have been phoning claiming to be involved with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and then trying to get the consumer to purchase a topical cream for pain, according to people who have received

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

the calls.

Excellus BCBS does not have any connection with the telemarketers and does not solicit consumers to purchase drugs or other products over the telephone, a spokesman for the insurer said.

The best advice for consumers who receive these calls is to simply hang up and end the call without revealing any personal information to the telemarketers.

State and federal authorities have been notified of the scam.

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2014 - 2015 Public Flu Clinic Schedule Our experienced Registered Nurses will vaccinate all 3 years of age and older, plus pregnant women.

Most insurance accepted. No up-front out-of-pocket cost. We bill insurance directly!

Employers, call us today to schedule a flu clinic for your employees and their families!

Flu Prevention Partners has expanded its locations and is now serving New York State areas from Buffalo to Albany and Downstate to New York City. We offer multiple cost-effective vaccination services for the community and employer organizations.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get a flu vaccination and for people to get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine becomes available. Please see below for a complete list of scheduled public flu clinics for the 2014-2015 flu season. Preservative-free vaccine will be available on request.

If none of the clinics listed below work with your schedule, call us to make an appointment to get vaccinated.

BRIGHTON 09/07 Jewish Community Center 09/18 Jewish Community Center 09/19 Lifespan 09/20 Legacy at Clover Blossom 10/04 Brighton Fire District 10/11 Brighton Fire District 10/12 Jewish Community Center 10/26 Jewish Community Center CANADAIGUA 09/13 Quail Summit 10/15 Finger Lakes Community College FAIRPORT/PERINTON 09/05 Perinton Community Center 09/11 Perinton Community Center 09/22 Perinton Community Center 10/04 Perinton Community Center 10/12 Perinton Community Center 11/02 Perinton Community Center GATES 09/09 Italian American Community Ctr. 09/20 Westside YMCA 10/10 Italian American Community Ctr. 10/25 Westside YMCA GENEVA 09/23 Geneva CSD: North St. School 10/21 Geneva CSD: North St. School GREECE 09/07 Ridge Road Fire District 09/12 Greece Town Hall 09/21 Ridge Road Fire District 09/26 Greece Town Hall 09/27 Georgetown Pk. Apartments 10/09 Greece Town Hall 10/11 Ridge Road Fire District 10/20 Greece Town Hall 10/26 Ridge Road Fire District 11/03 Greece Town Hall 11/08 Ridge Road Fire District HENRIETTA 09/09 River's Run 10/03 Legacy at Erie Station

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5102 Parrish St Ext 4355 Lakeshore Dr

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1350 Turk Hill Rd 1350 Turk Hill Rd 1350 Turk Hill Rd 1350 Turk Hill Rd 1350 Turk Hill Rd 1350 Turk Hill Rd

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150 Frank Dimino Way 920 Elmgrove Rd 150 Frank Dimino Way 920 Elmgrove Rd

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400 W North St 400 W North St

03pm-06pm 03pm-06pm

1299 Long Pond Rd 1 Vince Tofany Blvd 1299 Long Pond Rd 1 Vince Tofany Blvd 510 DeGeorge Cir 1 Vince Tofany Blvd 1299 Long Pond Rd 1 Vince Tofany Blvd 1299 Long Pond Road 1 Vince Tofany Blvd 1299 Long Pond Rd

10am-02pm 09am-04pm 10am-02pm 09am-04pm 11am-01pm 09am-04pm 10am-02pm 09am-06pm 10am-02pm 09am-04pm 10am-02pm

50 Fairwood Dr 1545 Erie Station Rd

02pm-05pm 04pm-06pm

IRONDEQUOIT 09/14 Herrema's Marketplace 09/14 Laurelton Fire Department 09/16 Irondequoit Senior Center 09/17 Rochester Urgent Care 09/27 Herrema's Marketplace 10/05 Laurelton Fire Department 10/09 Herrema's Marketplace 10/15 Rochester Urgent Care 10/19 Herrema's Marketplace 10/21 Irondequoit Senior Center 11/09 Laurelton Fire Department PENFIELD 09/04 Legacy at Willow Pond 09/18 Penfield Racquet Club 09/26 Eastside Family YMCA 10/09 Eastside Family YMCA 10/19 Penfield Racquet Club PITTSFORD 09/06 Pittsford Fire Station #1 09/13 Pittsford Fire Station #1 09/29 Pittsford Fire Station #1 10/05 Pittsford Fire Station #1 10/14 Pittsford Ambulance 10/25 Pittsford Fire Station #1 11/08 Pittsford Fire Station #1 SPENCERPORT 09/30 BOCES II, ESC Bldg.

11/04 BOCES II, ESC Bldg.

12/09 BOCES II, ESC Bldg.

VICTOR 09/13 Legacy at the Fairways 10/18 Victor Fire Department WEBSTER 09/06 Hegedorn's 09/20 Hegedorn's 10/01 Hegedorn's 10/13 Christian Reformed Church 10/18 Hegedorn's

125 Pattonwood Dr 405 Empire Blvd 154 Pinegrove Ave 2701 Culver Rd 125 Pattonwood Dr 405 Empire Blvd 125 Pattonwood Dr 2701 Culver Rd 125 Pattonwood Dr 154 Pinegrove Ave 405 Empire Blvd

09am-12pm 09am-12pm 09am-12pm 10am-01pm 09am-12pm 09am-12pm 04pm-07pm 10am-01pm 09am-12pm 09am-12pm 09am-12pm

40 Willow Pond Way 03pm-05pm 667 Panorama Trail West 04pm-06pm 1835 Fairport Nine Ml Pt Rd 07am-09:30am 1835 Fairport Nine Ml Pt Rd 08am-10:30am 667 Panorama Trail West 08am-11am 8 Monroe Ave 8 Monroe Ave 8 Monroe Ave 8 Monroe Ave 40 Tobey Rd 8 Monroe Ave 8 Monroe Ave

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681 High St 34 Maple Ave

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09am-12pm 09am-12pm 04pm-07pm 09am-12pm 09am-12pm

Flu Prevention Partners accepts the following insurance plans:

● BCBS/EXCELLUS/RMSCO ● MVP ● AETNA ● BCBS of WNY ● CIGNA ● INDEPENDENT HEALTH ● ● MEDICARE ● POMCO ● UNIVERA ● UNITED HEALTHCARE ●

Please be sure to bring your insurance card. For those with different plans and for those who are uninsured, the cost is only $45 (cash or check).

For more information about Flu Prevention Partners please visit www.flupreventionpartners.com or contact Rebecca Locke at 585-737-7673 or email Rebecca at rlocke@wpvinc.com. As we may add more public flu clinics, please visit us online for the most up-to-date schedule at schedule.flupreventionpartners.com or call us at 585-568-8340. Follow us on Twitter for flu tips and information at @flu_prevention.

WELLNESS SOLUTIONS FROM NURSES WHO CARE September 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 3

CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Sept. 6

Sept. 8

Sept. 9

‘Cars For Prostate Cancer’ takes place in Penfield

Alzheimer’s conference at Museum & Science Center

Doctor to discuss findings in fibromyalgia research

In recognition of September as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Us TOO Rochester NY, East Coast Hot Rod and BayTowne invite the public to enjoy viewing between 200 and 400 classic cars, trucks and motorcycles where important information about many aspects of prostate cancer and men’s health will be available.

Vehicle registration begins at 8 a.m.

Judging begins at noon; awards and prizes at 2 p.m. This event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 6 in the parking lot of BayTowne, 1900 Empire Blvd. in Penfield/Webster. Additional sponsors include UR Medicine Urology, Highland Radiation Oncology, Center for Urology and Elmer’s Garage in Webster among others.

Attendees will also learn about a free prostate health assessment and men’s health testing clinic to be conducted later in September. The health assessment includes a consultation with an urologist and PSA, lipid Panel, testosterone and glucose blood testing (valued at over $700), sponsored by the Prostate Conditions Education Council and the Pints for Prostates nonprofit organization. In Rochester, participating agencies conducting the health assessment include the Center for Urology & UR-Medicine Urology.

Medical insurance is not required but advance registration is necessary. For appointments, call 303-999-2574 and ask for Renee.

For more information about the event, visit: www.baytownecarshow. com. To arrange for an information table or exhibit booth or to make a donation, call 585-787-4011, and ask for Patrick.

The Alzheimer’s Association Rochester & Finger Lakes Region Chapter invites members of the community to an “Early Stage Conference” from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 8, in the Eisenhart Auditorium at the Rochester Museum and Science Center’s EIsenhart Auditorium. The free conference provides education and support to those who have been diagnosed in the early stages of dementia as well as their caregivers, friends and family members. (There is a $50 registration fee for health professionals.)

Hear about current and future Alzheimer’s research at a presentation by physician Anton Portsteinsson, director of the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Alzheimer’s disease care, research and education program (AD-CARE). Portsteinsson has devoted his career to the care and study of individuals with memory disorders.

Carol Podgorski, director of family and community programs for the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Memory Care Program, discusses how a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia changes “life as we know it” and “life as we planned it.”

Participants are invited to share their questions and participate in a moderated discussion with a panel of experts including a physician, a lawyer, a wellness expert, an individual with the diagnosis, and a caregiver.

Displays offering information about community resources will also be available.

Registration is required. Please call 800-272-3900 to register or visit alz. org/rochesterny.

John Condemi, a rheumatologist and chairman of the board of Allergy Asthma Immunology of Rochester (AAIR) will be the keynote speaker during an event sponsored by Fibromyalgia Association of Rochester New York titled “Fibromyalgia Research Findings.”

It will take place from 7 – 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 9 at Greece Town Hall Meeting Center, 1 Vince Tofany Blvd., Rochester. The event is free and open to the public.

Condemi has been involved in research and conducting clinical trials for more than 40 years.

The Fibromyalgia Association of Rochester New York serves people in Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties.

For more information, visit www. farny.org, email publicity@farny.org or call 585-225-7515.

Sept. 9

Event highlights risks of alcohol consumption while pregnant The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence-Rochester Area (NCADD-RA) is joining national and international partners to increase awareness of the risks of drinking alcohol while pregnant. The U.S. Surgeon General advises pregnant women and women who are considering becoming pregnant to abstain from alcohol con-

Sept. 20

RocAcupuncture promotes free acupuncture event RocAcupuncture, a group of 40 licensed acupuncturists in the area who have formed a regional professional association to spread the word about acupuncture, is sponsoring its first community event from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. at Kings Bend Park in Pittsford. Titled RocAcupuncture in the Park, it will include educational talks, demonstrations, experiential classes and free treatments.

Officially founded in 2012, RocAcupuncture is led by four licensed acupuncturists, each representing different acupuncture and wellness centers throughout the Rochester area. They are Molly Branch of Branch Acupuncture Center in Bushnell’s Basin; Laura Chey of Balance Acupuncture in East Rochester; Dawn Mamikunian of Dawn’s Acupuncture in Pittsford; and Leslie Mentel of StillPoint Acupuncture Healing Arts in Rochester.

“RocAcupuncture’s members are all committed not only to our patients, but to our community,” acupuncturist Chey said. “We want to encourage people of all ages to consider every treatment available to them, to improve their health and that of their loved ones.”

According to Chey, acupuncture is very helpful as preventive medicine, and is increasingly accepted as a viable alternative and complement to western medicine. It has been used successfully for over 3,000 years and continues to grow in wider acceptance across the globe.

The three-part formal mission of RocAcupuncture is to foster mutual support within the profession; to build alliances with other health professionals for the purpose of education and referrals; and to develop resources for patients and families seeking information about acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine.

For more information about RocAcupuncture in the Park or the group, visit www.RocAcupuncture.com or check out its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/RocAcupuncture.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

sumption to eliminate alcohol-exposed pregnancies (FASDs); yet it is estimated that 40,000 babies are born each year with FASDs, which describe a range of effects that can happen to a fetus when a woman drinks alcohol during her pregnancy.

FASDs are caused by a woman drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

Alcohol in the mother’s blood passes to the baby through the placenta and the umbilical cord. When a woman drinks alcohol so does her baby. There is no known safe amount or type of alcohol to drink during pregnancy.

There is also no safe time to drink during pregnancy, including before a woman knows she is pregnant. FASDs can impact children’s physical, mental, behavioral, or cognitive development.

The most recognized condition along the continuum of FASDs, fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), is characterized by growth deficiencies, central nervous system disabilities, and specific facial characteristics, and is the most preventable form of intellectual disability.

The number of children born with FAS alone is comparable to spina bifida or Down syndrome.

To prevent FASDs, a woman should not drink alcohol while she is pregnant or if she might be pregnant.

This is because a woman often does not know she is pregnant for up to four to six weeks after conception. In the United States, nearly half of all pregnancies are unplanned. If a woman is drinking alcohol during pregnancy, it is never too late to stop drinking. Because brain growth takes place throughout pregnancy, the sooner a woman stops drinking the safer it will be for her and her baby.

NCADD-RA hosts a FASD Parent Network/Support Group held monthly at 1931 Buffalo Road in Rochester.

For more information, contact jfaringer@depaul.org or call 585-719-3480.

For more information on alcohol use during pregnancy and FASDs, visit www.ncadd-ra.org and www.cdc.gov/ fasd.

Sept. 11

Diet and hypertension is topic of discussion Mended Hearts Rochester, in its 48th year of giving support to people with heart disease and their families, is inviting the public to attend its “10 Principles for Healthy Cooking,” a series of discussions on DASH — Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The event will take place from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 at Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua. The DASH program emphasizes portion size, eating a variety of foods and getting the right amount of nutrients. It’s a lifelong approach to healthy eating that’s designed to help treat or prevent high blood pressure.

Organizers say participants will pull together all they have learned and feel confident using the DASH diet in the real world, not only at home but at restaurants and gatherings. Registration is required and space is limited.

To sign up for this class, call Thompson Health’s Wellness Department at 585-396-6111. Payment may be made via MasterCard, Visa, a check or cash. In return for each $10 class fee, participants will receive a $5‑coupon good toward a meal at the New York Wine & Culinary Center’s restaurant, the Upstairs Bistro.

For more information, please visit

Continues on page 21

U.S. Hospitals See Big Rise in Drug-Related Suicide Attempts Spikes noted among young and middle-aged adults; experts cite easy access to prescription meds

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rug-related suicide attempts in the United States increased over a recent six-year period, with dramatic increases seen among young and middle-aged adults, health officials reported in August.

Overall, suicide attempts involving prescription medications and other drugs jumped by 51 percent among people 12 and older between 2005 and 2011, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

In two reports, the agency examines trends in ER visits for drug-related suicide attempts. The most significant increases occurred among adults younger than 30 — up 58 percent over the six years studied — and people between 45 and 64, who experienced a 104 percent spike in drug-related suicide attempts.

“We probably are seeing an increase in overall suicide attempts, and along with that we are also seeing an increase in drug-related suicide attempts,” said Peter Delany, director of the agency’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality.

“People have access to medications, and they are using both prescription and over-the-counter meds,” he said. “It is clear that there are more drugs out there.”

Sampson Davis, an emergency room physician at Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center in Secaucus, N.J., agreed. “What we are seeing are the ramifications of the overuse of prescription drugs,” he said.

Davis added that the combination of these drugs and alcohol can be lethal.

“Patients who are taking [the pain-

killer] oxycodone and chasing it with a glass of wine only increase the chances of overdose,” he said.

By 2011, young and middle-aged people accounted for about 60 percent of all drug-related suicide attempts seen in emergency rooms, the researchers said.

The significant jump in suicide attempts by middle-aged men and women may reflect the aging population as baby boomers enter middle-age, Delany said.

He’s concerned that middle-aged people get less attention than teenagers or the elderly who attempt to kill themselves. Many middle-aged patients who attempt suicide are released from the emergency room without a follow-up plan, Delany said.

“We know the No. 1 indicator of future suicide attempts and even suicide completion is a previous attempt,” he said. “For professionals in the emergency room, it’s really important that there be a really good discharge plan and some clear follow-up.”

In addition, you have to bring the family in, Davis said. “There really has to be a community effort to help people,” he added.

In one report, SAMHSA zeroed in on suicide attempts by people aged 45 to 64. In 2011, 96 percent of emergency room visits for attempted suicide involved the nonmedical use of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications, the agency found.

These included anti-anxiety and insomnia medications (48 percent), pain relievers (29 percent), and antidepressants (22 percent).

Alcohol accounted for 39 percent of those mid-life suicide attempts and illegal drugs for 11 percent, the report said.

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Serving Monroe, Ontario and Wayne Counties in good A monthly newspaper published by

Health Rochester–GV Healthcare Newspaper

Local News, Inc. Distribution: 30,000 copies. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 585-421-8109.

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2014 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved.

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• Phone: 585-421-8109 • Email: Editor@GVhealthnews.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo • Writers: Jim Miller, Deborah J. Sergeant, Gwenn Voelckers, Anne Palumbo, Ernst Lamothe Jr., Chris Motola • Advertising: Donna Kimbrell, Marsha Preston • Layout & Design: Chris Crocker Officer Manager: Laura Beckwith

No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen.

September 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 5

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In Good Health Rochester ’s Healthcare Newspaper

All About Health Care.

On a Monthly Basis

Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

H. Todd Massey URMC physician in charge of successfully placing artificial heart in Syracuse-area man.

He discusses the procedure, the first in Upstate New York Q: You and the University of Rochester Medical Center made news a year ago for performing the first fully artificial heart transplant in Upstate New York. Can you give us a background on mechanical heart implants and how you got to where you are?

A: Over time there’s been an evolution in the technology as well as our methods and practices. Definitely if you went back 15 years ago, the devices I was using then were completely different than the devices we use today. There’s been an evolution, particularly in the LVAD (left ventricular assist devices) world, where the devices have become more durable and able to provide a better quality of life.

So now we have people going 10 years on one LVAD. When I first started, we were looking at months at best. Now we can routinely get many years. There are still some drawbacks to it, but the quality of life is pretty good. Most people are able to live their lives and do things they haven’t been able to for a long time.

Q: Have there been unforeseen consequences?

It’s not really negative, but there’s been a kind of natural progression.

We look at the LVADs in and of themselves. Before we had robust mechanical support therapy, at the end of the year, pretty much half of your transplant list would be dead, half would be transplanted. Over time we’ve decreased wait-list mortality substantially, and it’s due to the mechanical support devices.

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Q: What has that meant so far as the number of people able to receive a heart transplant?

Unfortunately it’s been a zero sum game. We’re doing exactly the same number of transplants this year that we did 15 years ago. We’re not adding to it substantially in any manner. And that’s while we have more and more people who are dying of heart failure. So the LVAD therapy has greatly increased the life expectancy of bridge patients, but it’s also increased the waiting times for transplants. When you have an individual now who can’t receive an LVAD, your options are to go with a BiVAD (biventrical assist device) — they’re older pumps that carry fairly significant adverse event risks.

Q: What advantages does the Syncardia Total Artificial Heart have?

When you look at the data on the Syncardia Total Artificial Heart, it’s probably some of the best bridge data available. So we started to incorporate that system into our overall strategy

and we’ve been pretty happy with it. The IVAD (implantable ventricular assist device) and PVAD (paracorporeal ventricular assist device) worked well, but overtime the adverse event rate was substantial.

You’d end up with a guy who was on a system that makes him non-transplantable. The [transplant queue system] isn’t robust enough to account for the different systems and bump someone with a BiVAD/PVAD up to the front of the list over, say, someone with an LVAD, even though the LVAD has a better longterm adverse event rate.

Q: So the heart completely comes out with the total artificial heart?

A: We completely take out the native heart. We do it for patients who we’re convinced would not be able to get away with an LVAD system. People with a lot of arrhythmias, or severe bi-ventricular heart failure, or a prior transplant. So certain clinical situations dictate.

Q: Do patients with these devices have to take anti-rejection drugs?

A: No, they won’t reject the system at all. It does have four mechanical valves, though, so we do what we do with patients who have a mechanical valve: we put them on coumadin blood thinner to avoid clots.

Q: How is the system powered?

A: It’s pretty basic, really. It’s a pneumatic system powered by air that’s shuttled in and out by tubes.

It drives diaphragms that project the blood. So we have some tubes that come out and connect to a compressor that runs the system.

Q: Where does the compressor sit?

A: When we first started using them, there was this thing called Big Blue — there were only so many of

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

them ever made — these were ultra-powerful compressors. The unit was huge and required a person just to push it around. We have much smaller compressor units now. We’ve got one called the C2 driver that uses airflow from the hospital compressor.

We were part of a trial for the recently FDA-approved Freedom Driver, which is a really step forward. It allows us to actually be able to send the patients home. It weighs about 10 pounds and is about the size of a suitcase. It has straps on it, so you can actually wear it like a backpack. You can also put it on wheels, like an airport suitcase. Some guy in Europe actually hiked up a mountain with it.

Q: How long does the procedure take to do and recover, as much as you can, from?

A: These are really sick patients. A lot of their recovery is dictated by how sick they are going into it.

Many have lung, kidney, liver dysfunction. The surgery is about four to six hours. Most people end up spending about three months in the hospital.

Q: How did your own interest in cardiac surgery develop?

A: I was trained first in general surgery and, as I went along, I became attracted to the technical aspects of heart surgery and heart physiology. I was very drawn to that. It’s an area where you can make a big impact on a patient, very quickly.

It’s a group that a lot people didn’t want anything to do with.

They were very, very high risk. I became interested in heart transplants as a possible therapy for that group. You not only increase their longevity, but you also substantially improve their quality of life. Barring major developments in tissue engineering, though, you just won’t see heart transplants become a common therapy for end-stage heart disease. It’s a great therapy, and if I had a bunch of hearts sitting on a shelf, I’d probably be doing one of these every day. We just don’t have that many good donors (who die of brain death) who are under 65.

That’s where my interest grew for the mechanical support devices. They’re one of the more promising therapies for the population dying and suffering from end-stage heart disease. So that was about 28 years ago that I became interested. We’ve made progress, but it’s been slow. Now we can count on these people being alive for years. It’s the most realistic solution for the near future.

Lifelines Name: H. Todd Massey, M.D. Hometown: Athens, Ga. Education: Medical College of Georgia (medical doctor), University of Louisville (general surgery), University of Texas (cardiac and thoracic), Duke University (cardiac, heart and lung transplantation) Affiliations: Strong Memorial Hospital Organizations: Society of Thoracic Surgeons, International Society for Lung Transplant Surgeons, American Society of Artificial and Implantable Organs Family: Son (Josh), Daughter (Rachel) Hobbies: Running, biking, scuba diving, snow skiing, outdoor activities

… And Then There Are Only Two Rochester Regional Health System and UR Medicine now dominate the healthcare landscape in the region.

Is this a good thing for the community?

By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

J

ust like in musical chairs, it always comes down to the last pair standing. In a short period of time, the regional health system has dramatically changed.

Before, there were large hospitals such as the University of Rochester Medical Center and Unity Hospital.

They were followed by separate medium sized hospitals such as F.F Thompson and Lakeside Memorial as well as smaller entities operating on an individual basis.

Fast forward to 2014.

And then there were two.

With the official merger of Rochester General and Unity Health Systems, they joined the newly rebranded UR Medicine as the big two Clement health organizations in the Rochester area.

After almost a yearlong planning and approval stage, the merger of RGH and Unity is now complete.

Under the banner of Rochester Regional Health System, the combined organization has a full board of directors. The volunteer board is comprised of community, business and physician leaders.

With only two heavy hitters left in the market, Hern some wonder if it is a good thing for the community. They wonder how it will affect patients or if that means fewer choices in their lives?

Both organizations touted their specialties and services as the main reason why patients won’t see a decrease in quality or overall care despite the trend of healthcare mergers and acquisitions. Actually, both organizations individually felt that the moves they made during the past six months to a year made their institutions stronger.

“It is all about getting organized and being more efficient,” said Warren Hern, co-CEO of Rochester Regional Health System. “When you go for a primary care visit, your records will be in front of any doctor within our system.

If something unexpected happens and you have to go to the emergency room, your full records will be in front of doctors. That makes it easier for everyone involved.”

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act — known as Obamacare — has caused many health organizations to tighten their expenses and bottom lines. With tougher regulations, most hospitals are receiving less Medicaid reimbursement and are

being judged by a higher standard of readmission. The merger made Rochester Regional Health System the second largest employer in the area with 14,500 employees. Hern and Mark Clement, CEO of Rochester General Health System, took over the new organization as co-CEOs for the time being. A search for a solo CEO has begun and when that’s complete, both Hern and Clement will step down.

Whenever Parrinello a new leader is selected, she or he will have two recent assets under the new umbrella. Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic in Ontario County and United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia are expected to join Rochester Regional by the end of the year, said Hern. “We Goldstein are still a community-owned hospital that is bringing great medical staffs on both sides that will help patients receiving the best quality of care,” he said. “That doesn’t change because we got bigger.”

With those systems absorbed, Rochester Regional would include five hospitals, and a host of primary care

and research organizations in various countries such as England and China.

“We are officially open as one organization,” said Clement. “There is a lot of work that needs to be done whenever you merge two large legacy organizations.

We have two of everything, which is normal in a merger.

But the work to get everything together is underway and patients will be excited to see everything when it all comes together.”

Goal is to improve healthcare

UR Medicine has continued to extend its reach as well. The Wilmot Cancer Institute earlier this year announced the opening of UR Medicine’s Comprehensive Breast Care at Pluta Cancer Center. They have also formed a collaboration with Interlakes Oncology and Hematology. “People in areas as far as Geneva can have top notch treatment and services in their area,” said Kathy Parrinello, chief operating officer for Strong Memorial Hospital, based on the acquisitions over the past few years.

Two years ago, Thompson Health agreed to become an affiliate of UR Medicine.

“If you are a patient in Canandaigua, you now have services that were not available at F.F. Thompson before, like nephrology, pulmonary, vascular surgery and dialysis,” said Parrinello.

“Patients don’t need to come to Rochester to receive that care. They can stay right there in their hometown and that

convenience is what people want in their lives.”

Steve Goldstein, CEO of Strong Memorial and Highland Hospital, said the organization has a symbiotic relationship with all its hospitals. In everything they do, he views the health systems must offer the highest quality of care, while keeping costs reasonable for both providers and patients. He believes the stricter penalties that are levied at hospitals that are not measuring up are a good thing for the healthcare system; keeping everyone accountable and reaching for the stars. That is one of the main dominos that created the nationwide trend for hospital mergers.

“We are here to give patients the best level of care we can, and when hospitals can come together and merge for that benefit, it really does benefit everyone involved,” added Goldstein.

“Patients get real time and a higher level care.”

When it comes to Rochester Regional Health System, because there remain elements that still that have to be streamlined and planned, officials agreed that patients might not see a significant difference right away.

However, they believe they won’t have to wait long before they do. Officials point to the former Rochester General Hospital, having a top notch cardiology department, cancer care and a leading stroke care team as an example of what the community will still see. The former Unity Health System has decorated orthopedics and neurosciences programs and is the leader in aging and senior services.

“Now as one organization, you have the best of these services working together,” said Hern. “Our goal is to improve healthcare, improve patient experience and lower costs.”

Both officials — Hern and Clement — emphasized that RGHS and Unity patients will enjoy continuity of care as the new combined organization continues to evolve. “They won’t see major changes or any compromises in the care they are accustomed to receiving at Unity or Rochester General health system sites,” Hern said.

Clement added that he understands if people see this as too much change too fast in the community. But at the end of the day, it is all about being better and providing the right care at the right time in the right place, and he views the merger as making the health system able to do just that.

“We are here to work together and get healthcare done the right way and to receive great clinical outcomes. We know that patients want their health cost lowered as well,” he said. “At the end of the day, we will be able to do more together than we could ever have done separate.”

The new regional hospital configuration Rochester Regional Health System • Rochester General Hospital • Unity Hospital • Newark-Wayne Community Hospital • Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic * • United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia *

UR Medicine • Strong Hospital • Highland Hospital • F. F. Thompson Hospital • Lakeside Memorial Hospital

* Expected to join later this year

September 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Growing Through Loss: Lessons Learned Editor’s note: Below is an encore column by Gwenn Voelckers, written in 2011 when her brother Mark died unexpectedly. More recently, in August, Voelckers lost her mother. She has updated this column for publication this month.

I

n the past six years, I have lost my father, my dog Lillie, a dear friend to a rare cancer, and then my brother Mark, who left this world far too soon at age 60. I was barely recovering from one loss, when another would make an unwelcome entrance.

Just last month, my mother, who endured cancer, passed away one day short of her 88th birthday.

I’m still trying to make sense of it all.

Just as living with a spouse doesn’t guarantee “happily ever after,” living alone doesn’t guarantee safe shelter from life’s losses and heartaches. Loss comes with living. It is inevitable and sometimes predictable. And not all loss is bad. That’s what I’ve come to know.

Whether a loss is caused by death, the end of a relationship or other life circumstances, most of us struggle to comprehend and cope with the emotions that result. That certainly was the case for me after my divorce.

The breakup of my marriage was the first major loss in my life, and my recovery was slow and painful. It was also transforming. Loss became my “teacher” and I learned profound life lessons about grief, self-compassion and, ultimately, acceptance.

If you are in the throes of loss, perhaps some of my reflections below will help soothe some pain and ease your anxiety. While there’s no best way to manage loss, I’ve discovered some things along the way that may help you feel a sense of renewal and hope.

Loss is as personal as it is profound.

Fortunately, in my times of loss, I have had my family, friends and therapist to remind me that each of us is unique and each of us manages loss and grief in our own, individual way. I was not urged to “move on” or “find closure.”

I appreciated everyone who simply let me be me, on my timetable — to cry or not, to return to work or not, or to enjoy an evening out, when I was ready for company and in need of a

good, hard laugh.

Loss can inspire honest expression.

As a young adult, being emotive was not my style. Stoic is probably how most people viewed me (including myself). But, as my losses grew, so did my need and desire to express my true feelings. I became more able and willing to be vulnerable.

At this point in my life, I wouldn’t have it any other way. My losses have inspired me to be more real, more spontaneous and more authentic. I wouldn’t change that for anything.

Loss can facilitate self-awareness.

This was especially true for me, in terms of getting in touch with myself and some unfinished business and unresolved feelings. When I thought about what I wished had been different or what I would have liked more of in a relationship, my losses helped me clarify my preferences and priorities.

Past disappointments around not

being truly seen or heard told me that I highly value relationships where respect is demonstrated. It is a “must have” in my relationships — both personal and professional — going forward.

Loss can open doors and hearts.

If you are struggling with a loss and feeling isolated and alone, I encourage you to draw trusted confidants and loved ones close. Whether they be friends, family members, colleagues, a counselor or pastor, reach out and ask for help and support. Or warmly welcome love’s embrace, when it shows up at your doorstep.

While grief can take its time, my experience tells me that time can also be a friend. With each day that passes, I am finding increased comfort and discovering the inner strength to rejoice in the wonderful relationship I shared with my mother. I know that slowly, steadily my sorrow will give way to gratitude and, eventually, to recovery.

Loss can be soothed with the written word.

I can suggest this book: “Healing After Loss — Daily Meditations for Working through Grief,” by Martha Whitmore Hickman. It was highly recommended to me by several people, including a reader of this column and a former workshop member. The daily meditations in this book have brought me tremendous comfort. Its thoughtful messages may soothe and enlighten your way, too.

Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Live Alone and Thrive, empowerment workshops for women held throughout the year in Mendon, New York. For information about her fall workshop or to invite Gwenn to speak, call 585-624-7887, or email her at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com

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Page 8

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

NYS and Rochester region lag nation in organ donor registrations N

ew York state adults register themselves as organ and tissue donors at less than half the rate of adults nationwide, but the need for lifesaving organs in New York state is among the highest in the country, according to a recent report issued by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

While less than half of American adults (48 percent) are registered organ and tissue donors, only 22 percent of New York state adults are on the registry. Upstate New York’s percentage of registered donors (31 percent) is higher than the state number. In the Finger Lakes region, 29 percent of adults (240,000) are registered organ and tissue donors, according to the Excellus BCBS report.

Lustick “When I first saw the analysis, I thought this can’t be right,” said Martin Lustick, a physician who serves as senior vice president and corporate medical director at Excellus BCBS. “Then I realized that the numbers are less about New Yorkers being less inclined to donate organs, and more about the barriers that exist to becoming an organ donor in our state. ”Additional donors on the registry would increase New York state’s adult organ and tissue donor registration participation rate, which currently is lower than rates in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Montana, at 84 percent, has the nation’s highest rate of adult participation, while Puerto Rico (17 percent) and Vermont (18 percent) have the lowest donor registration rates. Thirty-two states each have at least 50 percent of the adult population enrolled as donors.

According to the Excellus BlueCross BlueShield analysis, “The Facts About Organ Donor Registration in Upstate New York,” approximately 10,500 New Yorkers await organ or tissue transplants. They account for nearly 10 percent of the 123,000 Americans on the waiting list maintained by the United Network for Organ Sharing, a private, nonprofit organization that contracts with the federal government to manage the nation’s transplant system.

Only California and Texas have more residents than New York state has on the transplant waiting list. Approximately 1,500 New Yorkers have been on the waiting list for five years or longer.

“Greater education about the need for organ and tissue donations and improving the process to become a donor will help save lives,” Lustick said.

On average in the U.S., 18 people die each day while awaiting a suitable donor. In 2013, 6,100 Americans died before receiving a transplant. Last year, 381 New Yorkers became too sick to

remain on the waiting list, and 539 died awaiting a transplant.

“Individuals on the organ transplant waiting list are our family members, friends and neighbors, and it takes just a few minutes to sign up to give the Gift of Life,” said Rob Kochik, executive director, Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network.

Kochik encourages everyone to have a conversation with family members and enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry.

Over the past 15 years, New York state has taken a number of steps to simplify the organ donation registration process. This past spring, the New York state budget included funding to contract with a nonprofit organization to administer and modernize the Donate Life Registry, creating an interagency workgroup dedicated to increasing organ, eye and tissue donations.

According to donor advocacy groups, eight of the top 10 state registries are run by nonprofits.

“NYAD is grateful for the governor’s and the legislature’s commitments to simplifying the registration process and to funding efforts to increase enrollments in the New York State Donate Life Registry,” said Aisha Tator, executive director of the New York Alliance for Donation (NYAD), a statewide non profit dedicated to increasing organ, eye and tissue donations. “There are too many New Yorkers, our friends and family, losing their lives when they could and should be saved. New Yorkers have an inherent generous nature, which is why I am confident we can improve the number of registered donors in the state.”

This work received a boost in 2013, when the Ad Council of Rochester began working with several community partners to focus one of its community impact campaigns on increasing the number of New Yorkers on the registry.

“Studies — and data from other states — show there is actually broad support for organ donation. We’re excited about the changes made by New York state and are looking forward to the combination of an easier registration process and messages that remind area residents of the life-changing impact a simple action can have,” said Todd Butler, president and CEO of the Ad Council of Rochester.

To make an organ and tissue donation available in your name, New York state residents can enroll in the Donate Life Registry when they register to vote or obtain or renew a driver’s license.

Adults in New York state also can enroll as donors anytime, online, at my.dmv.ny.gov, the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Web portal or by completing a registration form available at health.ny.gov.

To view the entire Excellus BCBS report, The Facts About Organ Donor Registration in Upstate New York, go to excellusbcbs.com/factsheets.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 9

CONCUSSION CONCUSION Boxer Ray Ciancaglini’s main mission is to share his own experience so other people can avoid his mistakes

By Jessica Spies

W

hen Ray Ciancaglini retired from boxing due to continued headaches and slower reflexes, he wanted to become a physical education teacher.

Once he entered college, he faced the same issues that he did while boxing and left after his first semester.

When he couldn’t be a teacher in the classroom, Ciancaglini didn’t let that stop him. Despite the challenges he continues to face, Ciancaglini, 63, has become a physical education teacher in his own right, forming the nonprofit organization The Second Impact. As part of The Second Impact’s efforts, Ciancaglini, of Romulus, travels to schools and organizations in New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts to speak about the dangers of not properly addressing a concussion.

Ciancaglini, who typically has two to three speaking engagements a week, has spoken to crowds from 100 to over 2,000 athletes. But the size of the crowd doesn’t intimidate him. The bigger crowds are “just like a fight,” he said.

Ciancaglini uses the skills he picked up in boxing in his current work, prepping for his speeches “just like I did for

a fight. I train hard, prepare hard and don’t eat six hours before I go,” he said.

Ciancaglini always has a paper copy of his speech on hand and it must be slanted so he won’t lose his spot or become dizzy when making eye contact with the audience.

The focus of Ciancaglini’s speech is concussion awareness and his personal experience but he also spreads other important messages including the importance of having good character and being a role model.

“Never give up. Just keep punching,” he tells the athletes. “You’ll get better; just keep at it.”

Ciancaglini was driven to speak up about the dangers of not letting a concussion recover after he suffered permanent brain damage as a result of not allowing back-to-back concussions heal properly.

According to the Mayo Clinic’s website, a concussion is a “traumatic brain injury that alters the way your brain functions.” There are two ways to concussion recovery, said Jeff Bazarian, associate professor of emergency medicine at the University

Ray Ciancaglini poses with Lois Tannenbaum, president of the Brain Injury Association of New York State’s Board of Directors, at its 32nd annual conference in Albany.

Page 10

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of Rochester. One way is natural as some people can recover without much intervention; the other way to recovery is to quickly treat the symptoms.

The symptoms of a concussion, at the time of the impact, are “anything that causes your head to whip around,” and usually ends up leaving the injured person dazed, Bazarian said.

Ray Ciancaglini in his boxing days.

What happens after the initial diagnosis of the concussion includes headaches, trouble sleeping or concentrating and io himself. Ciancaglini said he aimed to irritability. Repeated concussions or emulate Basilio who was a “champion hits to the head can cause permanent inside the ring and outside the ring.” brain damage.

Ciancaglini started fighting at 14 Bazarian, who conducts concussion years old in an amateur organization. research and runs a sport concussion His trainers included Chuck Jennings clinic, said while most people can recover from repeated concussions, some of Elmira and Monsignor Franklin Kelliher of Buffalo, and he ended his people don’t. boxing career with Al Gavin of New “Usually it takes longer to recover York City. from that second concussion,” he said.

At 16, Ciancaglini would have a Ciancaglini was diagnosed with career-ending injury that would affect Dementia Pugilistica, a disease with him for the rest of his life. features of dementia common among He had his “bell rung” during a boxers who suffer concussions, and match in Buffalo but ended up winParkinson’s syndrome, a degenerative ning the match. Afterwards, he had disorder of the central nervous system. a headache but didn’t think much of “Life, for me, is not what I want to it. Shortly after, he got his “bell rung” do. It’s what I can do,” he said. Cianagain in Syracuse. caglini said he has good days and bad Ciancaglini uses the term “bell days, but every day requires a lot of rung” to describe the feeling of being supervision and help. Some days, he’s dazed, experiencing blurred vision in a “fog” and “it’s hard to get things and impaired hearing after a hit to the going,” and other days he struggles head. In his boxing days, a crowd of with tying his shoes. people would become muffled when “I’ve had a headache ever since I Ciancaglini had his “bell rung.” was 16,” he said.

It was after Ciancaglini got his Ciancaglini’s wife, Patti, has been “bell rung” twice that he experienced there for him through even the toughest days.“[She’s] my left hook,” he said. significant issues. He once was an honor student but then started miss“Every boxer knows the importance of ing school, sleeping during class and a good corner.” having overall behavioral problems.

Ciancaglini said without Patti, he He was experiencing headaches and “wouldn’t be where I am today.” fatigue and didn’t realize there were The two have two children, Raymore serious problems at play. mond, Jr., 29, and Anessa, 33, and a “I had never been knocked out or 1-year-old grandchild, Paige. knocked down,” Ciancaglini said. “My Ciancaglini was moved to become resiliency and durability fooled me.” an advocate of concussion awareness The advice from veteran boxers because “I knew where I went wrong,” was to “just deal with it,” he said. he said. “I couldn’t rest with knowing “I just kept battling the symptoms.” what I knew.”

Nobody understood the symptoms of a Ciancaglini developed an interest in boxing at 6 years old when he would concussion were invisible.

“Nobody knew I was carrying this. watch the Gillette Friday Night Fights I just kept thinking it would go away,” that his parents would air at their Italhe said. ian restaurant.

Ciancaglini was taking aspirin for One night, Carmen Basilio was the headaches and antacid to fight the fighting. “I was so impressed,” Cianstomachaches from the aspirin. The caglini said. So he grabbed a laundry aspirin thinned his blood and after a hit bag, propped it up and turned it into a during a fight, he couldn’t stop bleedpunching bag. ing.

“My grandmother saw me and Because he didn’t allow time for asked: ‘Raymond, what are you doing?’ recovery, “I beat myself,” he said.

‘I’m Carmen Basilio,’ I said. ‘There’s The skills that helped Ciancaglini only one Carmen Basilio,’ she said.” succeed at boxing deterred him from Nevertheless, this sparked an seeking adequate medical help. interest in boxing for Ciancaglini who “My relentless determination and would later become friends with Basil-

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

desire defied common sense and logic,” he said.

As a result of his injuries, Ciancaglini became less aggressive.

“They were questioning if my head was still in the game,” Ciancaglini said.

“They asked if I had lost the eye of the tiger.”

Ciancaglini stayed in boxing due to peer pressure, not taking one day of training off. He realized that the headaches weren’t going away and knew he would have to leave the sport, retiring from boxing at age 23.

Ciancaglini took some time off traveling to parks across the country, and eventually would return to Rochester, working several years at Kodak.

For some time, he was holding his own, but he retired at the age of 44.

Since his retirement, he formed The Second Impact.

As part of his efforts, Ciancaglini has educated himself and others about the dangers of not letting a concussion properly heal. Healing means that a person is symptom-free and has been following his or her doctor’s protocol, Ciancaglini said.

“You challenge a concussion and you’re going to get beat,” Ciancaglini said.

Ciancaglini shares his story through The Second Impact and was recently the keynote speaker for the 32nd annual Brain Injury Association of New York Conference and is expected to speak at the Burke Medical Research Institute and Nazareth College in September.

Ciancaglini has recently completed another segment of the ongoing chronic traumatic encephalopathy research study at the Boston University School of Medicine, along with several other retired professional sports players.

Upon his death, his brain will be donat-

ed to the university’s study.

Ciancaglini was integral in getting the Concussion Management Awareness Act passed, which “establishes minimum guidelines regarding removal from play, physician clearance, and ‘return to play’ protocols,” according to the New York State Senate’s website.

The acts allows for a concussion management team at each school district comprised of health professionals and sports staff who are responsible for educating parents and staff, and for monitoring students who have suffered a concussion.

Of his accomplishments inside and outside the ring, Ciancaglini is most proud of helping to get the Concussion Management Awareness Act passed and it’s his way “just to make sure no one falls through the cracks. Athletes sometimes have to be protected from themselves. That’s why you have regulations across the board,” he said.

Current concussion research is aimed at improving concussion diagnosis. After an athlete is hit in the head, it’s not easy for them “to tell you if they have a headache or if they are confused,” Bazarian said. These studies are focused on looking at a more objective way to determine if an athlete has experienced a concussion.

“There’s some growing evidence that you can prevent concussions by strengthening neck muscles,” Bazarian said, and noted that the research is in the early stages. Strengthening the neck muscles “keeps the head from bobbing around,” Bazarian said.

Ciancaglini said while he advocates for concussion awareness, he encourages athletes to play whatever sport they like.

“Play hard but if you have your bell rung, have it checked out by a professional.”

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Concussion Myths Jeff Bazarian, associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Rochester, said there are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to concussions.

“For athletes, the biggest mistake is not telling anybody,” Bazarian said. Athletes will sometimes mask symptoms so they won’t be taken out of the game.

“Part of the trepidation of that is not realizing their symptoms are treatable,” he said. Bazarian added it’s easier to treat someone who just experienced a concussion as opposed to a person who has attempt-

ed to hide his or her symptoms.

“For parents, the biggest mistake is sending them back to school too quickly,” Bazarian said. Parents may want to send their child back to school the next day after the child experiences a concussion but the child should be permitted to rest a few days, he said.

Bazarian said he encourages coaches to listen to their athletic trainers when an athlete suffers a concussion.

To protect yourself from concussions, the “best way is to play properly,” he said.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 11

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Say ‘Yes!’ to Cottage Cheese

O

h, cottage cheese. Poor, stodgy cottage cheese.

Never to be taken on lover’s picnics, never to be slathered on rustic baguettes, never to sit alongside its comrades during hip cheese tastings. No, this cheese — this lumpy stepsister to all cheeses smooth and sexy — stands alone.

And to that I say: Amen.

Cottage cheese deserves to stand alone. From its nutrient content to its ease of consumption to its low cost, cottage cheese is a bona fide powerhouse.

Let’s begin with why my husband and I — baby boomers who fret about shrinking muscle mass — consume cottage cheese on a daily basis. Yes, daily. In a word, it’s one of the best low-fat, low-calorie protein sources we can easily consume, with the key here being “easily.” By that I mean, we eat big spoonfuls directly from the carton.

Since cottage cheese packs a whopping 16 grams of protein per half cup, it only takes but a few spoonfuls to knock off nearly half of our daily needs.

We need to be diligent about

ries than many proteins. The brand we like (Friendship 1 percent) has scant fat and only 90 calories per half cup.

We also reach for cottage cheese because it serves up decent amounts of phosphorous and calcium — two more nutrients that contribute to healthy bones—along with healthy doses of B vitamins that help convert food to energy and keep our red blood cells going strong.

On the downside, cottage cheese does have more sodium than you’d expect from such a mild-mannered cheese: we’re talking about 350 mg per half cup. Cottage cheese gets some of its sodium from the natural sodium of milk (it takes a lot of milk to make cottage cheese) and the rest of it from the manufacturer. That said, choose lower-sodium brands if you’re watching your intake.

Helpful Tips

consuming protein, especially as we age, because it is an important component of every cell in the body: hair, nails, bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and blood. Without enough of this workhorse nutrient, we can experience weakness, edema, dry hair and skin, and muscle wasting — to name just a few of the symptoms.

Cottage cheese is an excellent protein source because it is “complete” (meaning it has all nine of the amino acids necessary for human dietary needs), as well as lower in fat and calo-

Not thrilled with the flavor of reduced-salt cottage cheese? Do what I do: Combine equal portions of regular and reduced-salt cottage cheese and—voila!—you have a much better tasting cottage cheese.

Cottage Cheese Salad with Diced Vegetables and Sunflower Seeds Serves 4

2 cups cottage cheese 1 medium carrot 1 medium tomato, seeded

1 green pepper 1 hot cherry pepper (optional) 1 clove garlic, minced 1 small stalk celery ½ cucumber, peeled and seeded ½ cup fresh basil, chopped salt and pepper to taste juice of ½ to 1 lemon ½ cup toasted sunflower seeds (or chopped nut of choice) Chop vegetables and place in medium bowl, along with spices and lemon juice. Add cottage cheese and gently mix. Serve, topped with toasted seed or nut of choice.

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, 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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Rochester Regional Health System

Improving Our Community’s Health, Together Mark Clement

Warren Hern

To the People of the Rochester Region: We’re excited to introduce Rochester Regional Health System, the union of Rochester General Health System and Unity Health System. This partnership joins some of the country’s most talented providers – 14,000 physicians, nurses, caregivers and highly skilled professionals – in a mission to deliver community-focused, nationally recognized care that results in better health and the best patient experience.

What does this mean for you and your loved ones? First, rest assured that as a Unity or Rochester General patient, you’ll see the same familiar, trusted faces at your doctor’s office and your hospital of choice. And you’ll continue to experience the same high quality care and compassionate service you’ve come to rely on from us.

Looking ahead, Rochester Regional Health System will do even more for our growing community of patients throughout greater Rochester and beyond. Soon this system will include five hospitals in four counties – vital hubs of a seamlessly connected regional network of primary care, ambulatory services, senior programs and facilities, and more. This means patients in rural, suburban and urban areas will all have consistent, convenient access to exceptional health care, whenever and wherever that care is needed.

This partnership is grounded in our shared patient and community-focused cultures, and is the result of years of careful planning including thoughtful input from our employees, our patients and the business community. And we’re just getting started! In the months to come, you’ll hear more about Rochester Regional Health System, and our philosophy of care that puts patients and families first – everywhere, every day.

Sincerely,

Mark Clement

Warren Hern

Co-Chief Executive Officers Rochester Regional Health System

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

8/14/14 5:13 PM • Page 13

Trend: Alternative Tobacco on the Rise Among Teens

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

From 2011–2012, electronic cigarette use doubled among middle and high school students, a trend that concerns health officials

R

ecent studies from the Centers for Disease Control report that teens’ use of cigarettes has declined steadily in recent years, thanks in part to vigilant promotion of the dangers of cigarettes and the “smoke-free” culture many organizations have developed.

But an alarming trend is on the rise: teens’ use of other forms of tobacco, including hookahs, e-cigarettes, and cigars.

Cassie Gratton, director of the Smoking Health Action Coalition of Monroe County, has observed this trend locally, and it troubles her.

“What we’ve known from the research is that cigarettes are detrimental to health and Ryan that’s part of the education on cigarettes,” Gratton said.

“With the new products, they need more research on what they’ll do with your health to let teens [know] what those health consequences will be. I believe that there is a perception that these are safer than cigarettes because there’s not the traditional second-hand smoke.”

The liquid used in hookahs and e-cigarettes is made of various chemical compounds that are heated and inhaled as a vapor. Although smoke isn’t involved, the liquid is not regulated or inspected for safety and many companies source their products from overseas, which could mean even less quality control.

Hookah and e-cigarette liquid also comes in a variety of candy-like flavors, which Martha Ryan, senior director of community engagement with the American Cancer Society, says attracts teens to them.

“Just the fact that [e-cigarettes] have a lot of nicotine in them predisposes youth to become more addicted quicker and eventually switch to smoking,” Ryan said.

Page 14

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Ryan believes that the main reason youth try alternatives such as e-cigarettes is the massive marketing campaigns employed by the devices’ manufacturers.

“Big Tobacco has done so much in promoting alternative tobacco usage,” she said. “Electronic cigarettes [use] is increasing dramatically. Public health researchers are concerned that it normalizes everything we’ve done in changing the culture about tobacco use.”

Most places ban cigarette smoking, but e-cigarettes are new and not part of many ordinances or policies about

cigarette smoking.

“A lot of individuals use e-cigarettes where cigarettes are not allowed,” Ryan said.

The smokeless aspect of hookahs and e-cigarettes also makes the devices harder for parents to detect.

Movies and television glamorize cigars as classy and “old school” means of relaxing or celebrating. But they expose users’ lungs and other body tissues to the same harmful effects as cigarettes.

Ryan promotes preventing teen tobacco use because habits started young are hard to shake.

More than 20% of High School Students Use Tobacco Products From the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov): • In 2012, 6.7 percent of middle school and 23.3 percent of high school students currently used tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, snus, smokeless tobacco, pipes, bidis, keteks, dissolvable tobacco, and electronic cigarettes.

• Current cigarette smoking among middle school and high school youth declined between 2000 and 2011.

• From 2011–2012, electronic cigarette use doubled among middle and high school students, and hookah use increased among high school students.

• Concurrent use of multiple tobacco products is prevalent among youth. Among high school students who report currently using tobacco, almost one-third of females and one-half of males report using more than one tobacco product in the past 30 days.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

“The majority of smokers start as adolescents,” Ryan said. “Very few tobacco users start after age 26. Ninety-nine percent of tobacco users start before then.”

Teens usually feel invincible and that mouth, throat or lung cancer in 20 years is too far in the future to worry.

Ryan said parents, teachers and other leaders need to focus on educating youth “about the dangers of all of this stuff under the premise of tobacco is bad and all these new devices are not safe or that we don’t know if they’re safe.”

Advertising does work. Ryan said that whenever her agency promotes an anti-tobacco campaign, requests for help on quitting increase dramatically.

Gratton said that keeping teens tobacco-free “goes back to supporting a healthy lifestyle. A teen needs to remember that tobacco doesn’t support a healthy style.”

She thinks teens should understand the manipulative nature of tobacco advertising and that any form of tobacco is addictive.

New York’s Reality Check Program (www.realitycheckofny.com) underscores these themes so youth can choose to remain tobacco-free, not just smoke-free. Gratton said that the program emphasizes teens’ education and “empowerment in making that healthy life decision,” Gratton said.

“They can have that control over the decision of remaining tobacco-free. It is very effective.”

Head lice not a problem affecting only the poor Experts explain ways you can stay lice-free during this school year

T

he bell is about to ring for the first time for the upcoming school year, meaning maladies, ailments and other health nuisances are coming soon.

One of those annoyances comes in the form of head lice — itchy, bothersome, parasitic insects that live solely on the scalp hair of humans and usually on children 10 and younger. As do all insects, head lice develop in stages from egg, or nit, to nymph and finally to louse.

There are many fallacies about lice, says D’Ann Somerall, an assistant professor and family nurse practitioner specialty track coordinator in the University of Alabama at Birmingher hair,” Somerall ham School of Nursing. said. “Of course I The biggest misconcepwas mortified at first. tion, Somerall says, is I had no idea she had that lice are a problem them. But it is not someonly for the poor. thing parents should panic “It has nothing to do about. You can take care of it. It with how clean or dirty is tedious because treatment can your home or school play out over the course of days and may be, or how clean weeks, but it can be done. The main or dirty your kids may thing is to recognize, identify and be,” Somerall said. treat as soon as possible.”

“Affluent schools, The first sign that lice may be an rural schools, urban schools — anyone issue is bad itching on the nape of the from any socioeconomic background neck and behind the ears. Children can get head lice, no matter how clean with long, thick hair also are more their hair or home.” prone to acquire lice. The bugs are Somerall, a mother of six children, more difficult to see than the nits, experienced firsthand the issues lice can create in her own home. Her oldest which can be white or dark. If they are dark, it means the louse is inside of the daughter came home from school one egg. If nits are white, it means the louse day and was violently scratching the has hatched. back of her head. When Somerall first Because the nits are bloodsuckers, looked, she believed it was dandruff. they are typically found one-quarter of A closer inspection revealed that it was actually nits, the eggs lice leave behind. an inch from the skin. The louse itself is hard to find in part because of its size “My daughter has really thick hair, and because it travels quickly, moving and when we pulled it up and looked, up to nine inches in one minute. she had probably thousands of nits in

Somerall says all infested persons and their bedmates should be treated at the same time. Rid and Nix are popular over-the-counter medications used to treat lice; but if crawling lice are still seen after a fullcourse treatment, it is recommended that you contact your health care provider. Parents with children age 2 and younger should call their pediatrician before using any over-the-counter treatment for lice.

Home remedies to treat lice, including the use of mayonnaise, vinegar or petroleum jelly in the hair and covering with a shower cap for several hours or days, do not work, according to the Centers for Disease Control. However, Somerall says one of the home remedies did work for her daughter.

“It was a moment of desperation, really, because we used over-the-counter products to treat, and we thought they were all gone until a hairdresser found them again while my daughter was getting her hair cut,” Somerall said. “We covered her head in Vaseline and put a shower cap on for eight hours, and it did get rid of them.”

Somerall also says to use a lice comb on your child’s hair as directed, including after you get rid of the lice.

“It’s best to use a metal comb instead of a plastic one,” Somerall said.

“Remember that lice infestation can be an ongoing battle, especially in group settings. There’s no doubt that they can be hard bugs to get rid of, so being persistent and following the directions of the medications used to treat your child’s hair is key.”

When you do good,

! d o o g l e e f u o y

The number of children and adults enrolled in school throughout the country in October 2012 — from nursery school to college. They comprised 26.4 percent of the entire population age 3 and older.

25 Percent Percentage of elementary through high school students who had at least one foreign-born parent in October 2012.

$82,720 Average earnings of fulltime, year-round workers 18 and older with an advanced degree (bachelor’s degree or higher) in 2012. Workers whose highest degree was a bachelor’s had mean earnings of $70,432. Mean earnings for full-time, year-round workers with a high school diploma (includes GED certificate) was $41,248, while workers with less than a ninth grade education had $26,679 average earnings.

Source: U.S. Census

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www.quailsummit.com IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 15

Expert Offers School Bus Safety Tips More High School Math, Science Linked to More Dropouts As U.S. high schools beef up math and science requirements for graduation, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found that more rigorous academics drive some students to drop out.

The research team reported in the June/July issue of the journal Educational Researcher that policies increasing the number of required high school math and science courses are linked to higher dropout rates.

“There’s been a movement to make education in the United States compare more favorably to education in the rest of the world, and part of that has involved increasing math and science graduation requirements,” explained first author Andrew D. Plunk, a postdoctoral research fellow in the department of psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine.

“There was an expectation that this was going to be good for students, but the evidence from our analyses suggests that many students ended up dropping out when school was made harder for them,” he added.

Nearly 140 children and adults die every year in school transportation accidents

N

early 140 people die every year in accidents related to school transportation in the United

States.

But there are several simple ways to prevent school bus-related catastrophes, Dawne Gardner, injury prevention coordinator at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center’s Comprehensive Children’s Injury Center, said in a medical center news release.

“As families begin to prepare for children returning to school, it’s important for parents and children to go over school bus safety tips together,” Gardner said. “This will help ensure a safe, enjoyable start to the school year for everyone.”

It’s especially important, she said, to take care when kids are getting on or off a school bus. “A blind spot extends about 10 feet in front of the bus, obstructing the driver’s view,” she says.

“Oftentimes, children are not aware of this blind spot and might mistakenly believe that if they can see the bus, the bus driver can see them.”

Here are some of Gardner’s tips on how to avoid accidents: • To keep them out of the blind spot, encourage kids to stay 10 feet away from the front or back of the

school bus.

• Get children to the school bus stop at least 5 minutes early so they won’t put themselves at risk by running to catch the bus.

• Teach kids to avoid horseplay while waiting for the bus. This will prevent children and their belongings from ending up in the roadway.

• Tell kids to take three big steps backwards from the curb when a bus arrives. Don’t start approaching the bus until it has stopped and its doors are open.

Also, children should take care getting on the bus. They should let the driver know if they drop something and make sure the driver can see them

if they try to pick it up. They should use handrails and be careful to not catch drawstrings, backpack straps, scarves and loose clothing on rails, doors or seats.

In addition, kids should remain seated and face forward, avoid yelling and horseplay in the bus, and never throw anything.

When it’s time to leave the bus, kids should wait for a complete stop before getting up from their seats. They should use handrails and take five big steps in front of the bus while making eye contact with the driver. The child should cross only when the driver says it’s safe and look left, right and left again prior to walking across the street.

Formerly Conjoined Twins Celebrate 10-Year Anniversary of Surgery

F

ormerly conjoined twins Carl and Clarence Aguirre celebrated the tenth anniversary of their separation in August with the medical team that successfully separated and cared for them at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM).

“We are thrilled to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of one of the first successful staged separations of craniopagus twins in the world, also known as twins joined at the heads.

The surgery was groundbreaking and our knowledge from the procedure has helped guide similar successful surgeries around the world,” said physician James T. Goodrich, director, pediatric neurosurgery at CHAM, who led the surgical team that separated the children.

One in two and a half million live births are craniopagus and, according to documented medical history, the Aguirre boys were among the first sets of twins to undergo a successfully staged separation. Their delicate separation surgeries, performed in four stages over a period of 10 months, represented a new approach to an especially devastating medical condition. Since then, this method has been replicated around the world.

“We are honored to have played a part in helping these boys develop into the unique individuals they are today,” Page 16

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said Steven M. Safyer, president and CEO of Montefiore Medical Center. “ When Carl and Clarence arrived at Montefiore from the Philippines in September 2003, they were already dying from complications of their condition. Doctors believe that without the surgery, both boys would have died within six to eight months. Ten years following the surgery, Clarence and Carl are happy 12-year-old boys, enjoying time in the seventh grade.

While Carl loves playing video games, eating ice cream and playing with his brother, Clarence is very outgoing and active, and enjoys swimming, dancing and singing.

“The doctors at Montefiore saved the lives of my sons and I am so grateful for every moment spent with them,” said Arlene Aguirre. “While they have distinctly different personalities, it is heartwarming to see them interacting, with Clarence acting as a big brother.”

Carl and Clarence continue to see Goodrich twice a year for check-ups in addition to seeing a pediatrician and neurologist on a regular basis. While the boys are still wearing helmets to protect their heads, doctors are optimistic that their bone will become more fully developed and there will soon come a time when they no longer need them.

Conjoined twins Carl and Clarence Aguirre before and after surgery. They recently celebrated 10 years since the surgery that separated their bodies. Also in the photo is their pediatrician, Robert Marion, chief of division of genetics, department of pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

RECOVERY

40 Percent of Americans Church-based Addiction Programs Will Develop Offer Faith and Freedom Diabetes, Celebrate Recovery CDC Projects program is now available at more than 20,000 churches nationwide

Rates for black women and Hispanics even higher at 50 percent

A

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

N

ancy Haight had been an alcoholic for 20 years. While working toward sobriety in a secular alcohol treatment program, she wanted more. Eighteen months into her treatment, she found it at a Celebrate Recovery group at First Baptist Church of Newark.

Haight said that she heard a speaker on a Christian radio program talk about anger, bitterness and resentment in one’s heart.

“I wondered, ‘How did he know I had that in my heart?’” Haight said.

“After hearing him speak more, I realized that Jesus would be able to clean me up.”

She finished six more months with the secular program and also began attending First Baptist’s Celebrate Recovery program. Eventually, she became a leader.

She said that she felt God used the secular program to help her sober up, but she thinks that the faith-based program helped her more. The secular program leader told her she needed to answer to a higher power.

“I couldn’t understand it,” Haight said. “She said it could be anything, even my car if I Haigh wanted. Anything greater than you can be your higher power, but in Celebrate Recovery, your higher power is Jesus Christ. I think it’s better because I know who I’m dealing with. I know Jesus Christ and his promises to me and I have hope of what he has for me.”

Originating a single church, 20,000 churches now offer Celebrate Recovery programs to help people struggling with “hurts, habits and hang-ups by showing them the loving power of Jesus Christ through a recovery process,” states the website (www.celebraterecovery.com).

Other churches in the area with Celebrate Recovery programs include Crosswinds Wesleyan Church in Canandaigua, First Bible Baptist in Greece, Lakeshore Community Church in Rochester, CrossCreek Church in Palmyra and Browncroft Community Church in Rochester.

Debra Erbland leads the Celebrate Recovery ministry at Browncroft. Between 30 and 50 attend weekly.

“It is a 12-step program that is not unlike other 12-step programs, but the additional, spiritual component adds just immeasurable value to the success of the program because it isn’t

Left to right - Jen and Jaelyn Young of Webster, Janice Carter of Penfield and Werner and Renee Zorn of Fairport help Adam Hartman promote Reformers Unanimous, a faithbased recovery program. ourselves or other people fixing us, but being open to divine work that God intended to do in our lives,” Erbland said. “It’s for anyone on recovery journeys no matter where they are spiritually, but it is a Christ-centered recovery group.”

Erbland said that only about 20 percent of the people attending Celebrate Recovery have drug or alcohol problems.

“No one is judged or criticized, no matter what their issues are,” Erbland said. “The core issue is the same.”

The free program leads participants through workbooks and facilitates group sharing. All program leaders must have completed the program themselves and are carefully screened by local Perticone church leadership.

Reformers Unanimous represents another type of faith-based recovery program available in the area. Founded by a former cocaine addict, the program has spread worldwide (www. reformu.com).

Pastor Joe Perticone heads the program at Trinity Baptist Church in Rochester. About 25 meet weekly, seeking help for issues that include divorce, depression, anxiety and addictions.

“We don’t concentrate on their issues,” Perticone said. “We go after the heart and that’s the basis of the problem. At our program, we teach people how to be free, based on John 8:32 and 36.”

The verses read, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. If the Son [Jesus] therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

He claims a 90-plus percent success rate for the program.

“I tell them we don’t have a magic

wand, but if you do exactly what I tell you to do and work the program, you’ll have a guarantee in beating your addiction,” Perticone said.

Typical meetings involve three segments, prayer and testimony time, a group discussion, and a Bible-based workbook lesson Perticone leads.

Volunteers operate the free program and the church provides training for them. Participants who want to contribute to the program may, but no one is required to pay any kind of fee or dues.

Reformers Unanimous began at Southeast Bible Baptist Church in Penfield in 2004. Adam Hartman currently leads the group, and knows from his experience as a former alcoholic that freedom from addiction is what the participants of his group really want.

Hartman loathed the label of “recovering alcoholic.”

“It made me feel that at any moment, if something bad happened, I would be a hopeless alcoholic again,” Hartman said. “For me, it didn’t help me move forward. That [kind of labeling] hurt my students in the past, but when they got into my program and they got victory over alcoholism, they don’t refer to themselves as alcoholics.”

He acknowledges that secular programs help a lot of people find sobriety, but he said, “Sobriety wasn’t good enough for me. Freedom is exactly what we find in the program we offer.”

About 15 to 20 students attend, including a few from the deaf community. Hartman said his group is the only chapter in the state offering interpretation for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.

“It’s amazing that God can take someone from absolutely unable to function — crying on the phone to me at 2 a.m. — to a place where they’re whole, in their right mind, and God’s given them families or given their families back. They’re working and happy and functioning in society. And they came from a place where they would’ve ended their lives in a moment.”

September 2014 •

pproximately two out of every five Americans will develop Type 2 diabetes at some point during their adult lives, according to new U.S. government estimates.

The ongoing diabetes and obesity epidemics have combined with ever-increasing human lifespans to increase lifetime risk of Type 2 diabetes to about 40 percent for both men and women, said lead study author Edward Gregg, chief of the epidemiology and statistics branch in the division of diabetes translation at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

“We weren’t necessarily surprised that it increased, but we didn’t expect it to increase this much,” Gregg said. “Forty percent is a humbling number.”

The odds are even worse for certain minority groups. Half of black women and Hispanic men and women are predicted to develop Type 2 diabetes during their lifetime, the researchers reported.

Results of the study were published online Aug. 13 in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology.

Although the study didn’t separate diabetes by type, the vast majority of people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. In Type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or is resistant to the effects of insulin, a hormone needed to use the sugars from foods to fuel the cells in the body and brain.

Obesity is a major risk factor for Type diabetes, but it’s not the only one. Genes also appear to play a role in the development of Type 2 diabetes.

In the current study, researchers evaluated medical information and death certificates for about 600,000 adults between 1985 and 2011, to estimate trends in lifetime risk of diabetes as well as years of life lost to diabetes.

During the quarter-century studied, lifetime risk of Type 2 diabetes increased for the average 20-year-old American man, jumping from nearly 21 percent in the late 1980s to just over 40 percent in 2011.

For an average 20-year-old woman, the risk increased from 27 percent in the 1980s to almost 40 percent, the investigators found.

The “diabesity” epidemic is the main driver of these increased risks, said Minisha Sood, an endocrinologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 17

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If Your Child Is Disabled, Social Security Can Help

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ancer is a terrible disease that, although sometimes beatable, can strike a blow to anyone unfortunate enough to face it. It is especially difficult to see children struck by cancer.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, designated to bring attention to the types of cancer that largely affect children. About 13,000 children under age 21 receive cancer diagnoses every year. About a quarter of them will not survive. Those who do will likely suffer with the disease for some time.

While Social Security cannot help with the cure, we can offer financial support to children with cancer — or any other severe disability.

If your child has cancer or another disabling condition, and if your family has low income and few resources, you may be able to get Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, for your child. If you are receiving retirement or disability benefits, your child may be eligible for Social Security disability insurance when he or she turns age 18 as a “Disabled Adult Child.” To receive SSI

Q&A

Q: Is it true that Congress does not have to pay Social Security taxes?

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Page 18

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A: No, that urban legend is false.

Members of Congress pay Social Security taxes and are covered by Social Security just like almost everyone else.

Prior to 1983, members of Congress did not pay Social Security taxes but that was because they, like most federal employees, paid into a separate retirement system. In 1983, all newly hired government employees began paying Social Security taxes. Social Security is not an optional system. Unless exempted by law, everyone working in the United States must pay Social Security taxes on earnings under covered employment. And most people who have retired, become disabled, or lost a supporting loved one are thankful to have that safety net. For many, it can mean the difference between poverty and a better life. Learn more about the benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Q: I’m trying to decide when to retire. Can Social Security help?

A: Deciding when to retire is a personal choice, and you should consider a number of factors, but we can certainly help. First, take a few minutes and open a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount With a my Social Security account, you

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

or disability insurance benefits, your child’s condition must be expected to last for at least 12 continuous months or result in death.

For both Social Security and SSI, you will need to file an application for disability benefits. A good place to start is by visiting www.socialsecurity. gov/disability and selecting the “Disability Starter Kit” under “Apply for Benefits.” There, you’ll find a “Child Disability Starter Kit” that includes a factsheet to answer your questions, a link to the “Child Disability Report” for you to complete, a checklist for your in-office interview with a Social Security representative, and a “Medical and School Worksheet.” A printable version of the “Child Starter Kit” is available.

Although going through the disability decision process and obtaining disability benefits may not help your child get well, the financial support can alleviate some of the stress. And the time to get started is now.

To learn more, view, print, or listen to an audio version of our publication, Benefits For Children With Disabilities by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov. pubs.

can access your Social Security Statement and estimate your retirement benefits at age 62, your full retirement age, and age 70. Also, we have several online calculators that can help you decide when to retire. Our Retirement Estimator gives estimates based on your actual Social Security earnings record. You can use the Retirement Estimator if: • You currently have enough Social Security credits to qualify for benefits, and • You are not: • Currently receiving monthly benefits on your own Social Security record; • Age 62 or older and receiving monthly benefits on another Social Security record; or • Eligible for a pension based on work not covered by Social Security.

You can find our Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. Also available at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/benefitcalculators. htm are several other calculators that will show your retirement benefits as well as estimates of your disability and survivor benefit if you become disabled or die. You may want to read or listen to our publication, “When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits,” available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

“Successfully helping the disabled obtain their Social Security Disability/ SSI benefits for 23 years.”

Mary Perry, ADR

By Jim Miller

Food Assistance Programs Can Help Seniors in Need Dear Savvy Senior, I run a community counseling program for needy families and am frustrated that so few eligible seniors take advantage of the food stamp program. Can you write a column on this to help educate seniors to this underutilized benefit?

Reaching Out Dear Reaching, It’s hard to imagine that a government program serving more than 46 million Americans each month is considered severely underutilized. But that’s the reality of the federal Food Stamp Program when it comes to serving seniors.

Nationwide, food stamps (now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP) reaches around 80 percent of those eligible, but the numbers are much slimmer among the seniors aged 60 and older. Recent statistics indicate only 39 percent of eligible seniors receive SNAP benefits.

There are a number of reasons for the lack of participation. Some seniors are too embarrassed or too proud to apply. Others think that if they receive SNAP they will be taking food benefits away from others (which they won’t).

Some think it is too difficult to apply for SNAP, and others don’t even know the program exists.

With all that said, here’s a run down of which seniors are eligible for SNAP, what they get and how they can apply.

Who’s Eligible?

For seniors to get SNAP, their net income must be under the 100 percent federal poverty guidelines. So, households that have at least one person age 60 and older, or disabled, their net income must currently be less than $958 per month for an individual or $1,293 for a family of two. Households receiving TANF or SSI (except in California) are also eligible.

Net income is figured by taking gross income minus allowable deductions like medical expenses that exceed $35 per month out-of-pocket, and shelter costs (rent or mortgage payments, taxes and utility costs) that exceeds half of the household’s income.

In addition to the net income requirement, a few states also require that a senior’s assets be below $3,250, not counting the home, retirement or pension plans, income from SSI or TANF, and vehicle (this varies by

state). Most states, however, have much higher asset limits or they don’t count assets at all when determining eligibility.

The SNAP pre-screening tool at www.snap-step1.usda.gov/fns can help seniors, and their family members, figure out if they qualify.

To apply, seniors or an authorized representative will need to fill out a state application form, which can be done at the local SNAP office or it can be mailed or faxed in, or in many states it can be completed online.

If eligible, benefits will be provided on a plastic card that’s used like a debit card and accepted at most grocery stores.

Depending on the person’s financial situation, the amount of SNAP a beneficiary may be eligible for will range between $15 and $189 per month as an individual, or $15 to $347 for a family of two.

To learn more or apply, contact your local SNAP office – call 800-2215689 for contact information or visit www.fns.usda.gov/snap.

585-385-6855 | www.disabilityrep.com 57 Monroe Avenue - Suite C - Pittsford, NY 14534

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• Personal Care Assistants • Medication ordering, assistance and supervision • Assistance with personal care needs • Case Management Services — Liaison with physicians and other health care professionals • Housekeeping, laundry and linen service • Chef Prepared meals • Transportation • And a host of other services

Produce Coupons In addition to SNAP, the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program is another underused program that provides coupons that can be exchanged for fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs.

This program is currently available in select counties in 43 states, seven Indian reservations, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, to seniors, age 60 and older, with gross monthly household incomes below 185 percent of the federal poverty line, which is currently below $1,800 for individuals, or $2,426 for a family of two. For more information visit www.fns.usda.gov/ sfmnp or call 703-305-2746.

Other Programs Seniors that are eligible for food assistance may also be eligible for a host of other programs that can help pay for medications, health care, utilities and more. To locate these programs, visit benefitscheckup.org, or call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116.

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

September 2014 •

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H ealth News UofR doctor to bike across the U.S. for ALS Catherine (Carly) M. LaVigne, director of UR Medicine’s Headache Center, and an associate professor of neurology, will bike from Astoria, Ore., to Portland, Maine, to raise funds for and awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Starting Sunday, Aug. 24, and extending through Tuesday, Oct. 7, on her “Cycling for Sally” journey, LaVigne will average 90 to 100 miles of biking a day, with the exception of four rest days breaking up LaVigne the 45-day stretch.

LaVigne, who has been training for the expedition for a year, is cycling in honor of her mother, Sally Hanan Oliver, who died of the disease at the age of 42. To chronicle her preparation for the tour and then the trip itself, LaVigne has begun a “Cycling for Sally” blog. Follow her progress at cyclingforsally.tumblr.com.

LaVigne aims to update the blog daily

with new content, ranging from photos (pictures reach back to her mother’s childhood and through her illness, and will include shots from the bike trail) to ruminations and poems.

Those interested in giving can make a secure donation online, or call 585-273-2499. Cycling for Sally donations are one-time events; contact information will not be used for future requests.

At any given time, as many as 30,000 Americans are living with the disease.

To contact UR’s ALS Clinic, please call 585-275-2559. To schedule an appointment or to speak with a neurologist there, call 585- 275-1200.

NYCC included in“Great Colleges to Work For” List For the sixth straight year New York Chiropractic College not only earned a position on the Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Great Colleges to Work For” list and made its coveted “Honor Roll” (for the fifth consecutive time), but also earned top rankings in a very respectable 10 out of 12 categories: collaborative governance; compensation and benefits; confidence in leadership, facilities, workspace, and

Clifton Springs Hospital introduces new CT imaging technology Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic has further solidified its commitment to higher diagnostic quality images at a lower dose to inpatients and outpatients with the addition of GE Healthcare’s leading CT imaging technology. The new CT scanner delivers high quality images, while delivering optimized dose levels.

“I want to thank Mrs. Marjorie Morris for her continued support of the hospital and specifically for her generous contribution toward the purchase of a new CT scanner,” said physician Lewis Zulick, CEO and President of Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic. “I am also grateful for the assistance rendered by Rochester General Health System whose long-standing relationship with GE made the process of replacing our CT scanner extremely streamlined and efficient. This technology has matured to a point that it is now a commonly ordered test for a variety of conditions. As such, it is extremely important to have stateof-the-art equipment that uses a lower radiation dose while still Page 20

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providing superior images. This addition is part of our overall strategy to provide the most advanced medical care in a convenient setting for our patients.”

The Optima CT660 system is a 64-slice scanner that is equipped with the exclusive ASiR (Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction) low dose reconstruction technology that provides physicians with a premium image they need for accurate diagnosis and allows for fast, high- quality acquisition at optimized dose for patients young and old, large and small and can be used across a wide spectrum of procedures including cardiac, angiography, brain, chest, abdomen, orthopedic, and more.

It is environmentally friendly with electric innovations that cut power consumption by 60 percent.

security; job satisfaction; professional/ career-development programs; respect and appreciation; supervisor or department chair relationship; teaching environment; and work/life balance.

NYCC President Frank Nicchi, delighted to have once again earned the publication’s distinguished honor, said, “At New York Chiropractic College we empower our people to achieve exceptional results and trust they will summon their very best in achieving them. As a result, I firmly believe that they enjoy their work, feel great pride in their accomplishments and care deeply about the college’s success.”

This year, of the nation’s 92 colleges distinguishing themselves based on surveys completed by administrators, faculty members, and professional support staff members, only three exceeded NYCC’s laudable 10-category recognition.

To learn more about NYCC, please visit www.nycc.edu.

Dentist Pellittieri opens new office in Webster Peter J. Pellittieri, a long-time Rochester-area dentist, has recently opened a new office in Webster. After 20 years in the same location on Empire Boulevard, Pellittieri has split off from his former practice and moved to a new, modern facility in Webster.

His new office is located behind the Holt Road Wegmans.

Pellittieri and his team offer comprehensive dental care, including adult orthodontics by Invisalign Pellittieri and ClearCorrect, dental implants, smile redesign, crowns and bridges, and dentures. His new office features state-of-the-art technology, including DEXIS CariVu cavity detection, digital X-rays and intra-oral cameras to provide clear, precise images of the teeth and gums that may be missed by standard examinations.

Pellittieri completed his undergraduate work in nuclear medicine technology at SUNY University at Buffalo and his graduate work at Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia, where he earned recognition for his work in periodontics and endodontics, received an award for highest achievement in the class on national boards and was one of a select number elected to the national dental honor society.

A lifelong resident of the Penfield-Webster area, Pellittieri and his wife, Alison, live in Webster. They have two grown sons.

ACM Medical Lab now opened in Greece ACM Medical Laboratory has recently opened a new patient service center for collection of samples

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

for medical laboratory testing at 2655 Ridgeway Ave. in Greece. All aspects of the new center are designed to enhance patients’ comfort and convenience.

The state-of-the-art facility is easily accessible, has ample parking and will offer extended service hours.

ACM has several other service centers across Monroe, Genesee, Wayne, and Cattaraugus counties. It is a division of Unity Health System and a full-service testing laboratory with operations in the United States, United Kingdom and India.

URMC awarded $2.1M to study e-cigarettes Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have started a study that will be used to help shape the Food and Drug Administration’s regulations on e-cigarettes, hookahs, and miniature cigars in the coming years.

The five-year study, which is supported by a $2.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, in conjunction with the FDA, began Aug. 1.

“We know that traditional tobacco cigarettes cause numerous diseases,” said Thomas J. Mariani, associate professor of pediatrics, medicine, and environmental medicine at URMC and the study’s lead researcher. “We intend to determine the disease risk associated with nontraditional tobacco-related products, like e-cigarettes.”

Mariani’s team is taking a threepronged approach to the issue, studying the effects of e-cigarettes and other nontraditional tobacco products on humans, in rodents, and on the cellular level. The studies will place an added emphasis on how these products affect newborns and children.

The research comes in the wake of an explosion in the market for nontraditional tobacco products. When e-cigarettes first arrived on the market, only a small handful of manufacturers were producing smokeless tobacco. Now, the market is being flooded by a wide variety of products, each with their own distinct formulas.

“If we spent an hour driving around, we could probably find 10 different e-cigarette chemical mixes or ‘juices,’” said Mariani. “In part, our research will compare these e-cigarette ‘juices’ — which contain nicotine, some inert substances, and flavoring — and determine if any of them show responses that would create health concerns.”

Last year, the FDA began seeking proposals from research teams to study the effects of nontraditional tobacco. The administration is hoping to develop a better understanding of the effects of the products before issuing regulations.

Mariani has been studying the effects of cigarettes on lung disease for more than a decade. His study, part of the Pediatric Molecular and Personalized Medicine Program, includes Tirumalai Rangasamy, research assistant professor of medicine.

H ealth News Episcopal Seniorlife Communities, Valley Manor Affiliate The boards of directors of Episcopal SeniorLife Communities (ESLC) and Seniorsfirst have approved an agreement in which Valley Manor will become an affiliate corporation of ESLC. The affiliation process was supported by the Synergy Fund of the United Way of Greater Rochester which made available the professional services of the New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. Valley Manor’s heritage as a premiere faith-based senior living community, coupled with ESLC’s vision to expand senior housing and neighborhood programs, make Valley Manor the perfect affiliate for ESLC, according to a new release. ESLC brings the scale of corporate support and depth of resources to make it possible to invest in the expansion of programs and services at Valley Manor, as well as update the physical environment, for today’s and tomorrow’s residents.

Seniorsfirst will continue operating Kirkhaven, which will not be affected by this agreement. It will continue to function as a quality skilled nursing and rehabilitation provider of care, and align its programs and services with the rapidly changing health care landscape in the region. Services include longterm care, short-term transitional care, dementia and memory care, and end-of-life care.

ESLC offers a full continuum of

care, specializing in senior housing and neighborhood programs, currently operating four campuses, seven communities, and three neighborhood programs in the Rochester area. Services include skilled nursing, transitional care, assisted living, memory care, hospice, independent living, affordable housing, and patio homes.

“Valley Manor holds a unique city living niche in the heart of the Rochester cultural district and is a well-known and respected senior living community,” said Loren Ranaletta, president and CEO of Episcopal SeniorLife Communities.

“It fits nicely with our vision of supporting and growing housing and community-based services for seniors.”

“I am impressed with the leadership that Episcopal SeniorLife Communities has shown in the past seven months,” said James DeVoe, president and CEO of Seniorsfirst.

“As I focus on Kirkhaven, I am very confident that the repositioning of Valley Manor under ESLC will provide the opportunities and support necessary to maintain the high quality service that Valley Manor is known for in the years to come.”

The two organizations were founded on Christian values: ESLC has roots in the Episcopal faith and Valley Manor has Presbyterian ties.

Both organizations welcome and embrace residents of all religious backgrounds.

CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Continued from page 4 our web site: www.mendedheartsrochester.org.

Sept. 12

Poster contest draws attention to gambling The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence-Rochester area invites area youth between the ages of 12 and 17 to help raise awareness about the truth surrounding problem gambling by participating in the New York Council on Problem Gambling’s 2014 YOU(th) Decide NY poster contest.

Posters should focus on facts about gambling, including: • Good luck charms play no part in winning or losing;

Brigadier General (Retired) Rebecca Halstead earns NYCC Leadership Distinction

• Most people who gamble lose; • Gambling cam become an addiction; • Gambling comes with no guarantees; • Underage Gambling is not safe.

For more information on rules and requirements, visit www.ncadd-ra.org/ awareness-campaigns/underage-gambling. All entries must be received by Friday, Sept. 12. Judging will take place first locally at NCADD-RA, with top local submissions then taken to the New York Council on Problem Gambling 2014 Annual Conference in early October. For more information contact NCADD-RA at 585-719-3480 or 585719-3485.

The 2014 Youth Decide NY project aims to increase teens’ media literacy skills and dispel myths about gam-

At its annual homecoming celebration, New York Chiropractic College President Frank Nicchi presented retired Brigadier General Rebecca Halstead with the college’s Leadership Award recognizing “her commitment to leadership and devoted service to chiropractic and natural healthcare.”

Nicchi cited General Halstead’s strong support for the college and the chiropractic profession.

Halstead’s favorable personal experience with chiropractic and natural healthcare resulted in her championing the Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) and serving as an outspoken advocate for chiropractic care for military personnel.

The first female graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point to achieve the rank of Brigadier General, Halstead was also the first woman in U.S. history to command in combat at the strategic level. Her distinguished military

bling. In addition to the poster contest, it includes face-to-face presentations targeting youth between the ages of 12 and 17, collection of youth surveys and other outreach activities.

Sept. 15

The Labyrinth Society holds event The Labyrinth Society of Rochester is sponsoring its Community Labyrinth Walk from 7–9 p.m., Monday, Sept.

15, at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, 220 South Winton Road in Rochester. The event is free but organizers will accept donations. Organizers say the event will provide free energy work, chair massage and music.

They say participants will experience the transformational power of the labyrinth combined with the restorative energies of reiki and chair massage. The event is free, however, donations are appreciated to help cover expenses. A 15-minute orientation from 7-7:15 p.m. will be available. For more details, contact Kay Whipple at 585-392-3601. Future meetings are scheduled for the same location and time in the following dates: Oct. 16, Nov. 20 and Dec. 15.

September 2014 •

career and considerable leadership experience culminated in her authoring a book titled “The First Person You Must Lead Is You.”

Sept. 21

Law professor to discuss history of veganism The public is invited to attend the September meeting of the Rochester Area Vegan Society to hear Gary Francione, J.D. speak on the history of veganism.

Gary Francione is professor of law at Rutgers University and the author of many well-known works on animal rights, including, most recently, “The Animal Rights Debate: Abolition or Regulation?” It will take place at from 5:30 – 7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 21, at Brighton Town Park Lodge, 777 Westfall Road. It will include a potluck vegan diner at 5:30 p.m. Vegan means no animal products (no meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products or honey). Please bring a dish with enough to serve a crowd, and a serving utensil; also bring a place setting for your own dinner.

Help to non-vegetarians or others uncertain about how to make or bring a vegan dish is avaialble by calling 585234-8750. Free to RAVS members; $3 guest fee for non-members.

Continued on page 22

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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HEALTH EVENTS Sept. 24

Hope & Recovery Luncheon features Judy Collins The Sixth Annual East House Hope & Recovery Luncheon will take place Wednesday, Sept. 24, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center and will feature Grammy award-winning singer and songwriter Judy Collins as the keynote speaker.

As one of the reigning icons of folk music from the 1960s and 1970s, Collins has thrilled audiences worldwide with her music. With songs like “Send in the Clowns,” “Someday Soon,” and her Grammy award winning recording of “Both Sides Now,” Collins was catapulted into international fame with gold and platinum albums. What many may not know is that Collins has been in recovery for alcohol addiction since 1978. She has written extensively about her addiction and its footprint within her family (her father was an alcoholic). One of her biggest challenges was surviving and maintaining her sobriety after the suicide of her son Clark in 1992 at the age of 33. Since that time, she has made it her mission to start a conversation about addiction, loss and hope.

Tickets for the luncheon are available for $60 for an individual seat and $130 for the VIP reception, which offers an opportunity to meet Collins. Call 585-238-4800 for more information.

East House is a private, nonprofit rehabilitation agency. Founded in 1966, East House now serves over 1,000 clients and families each year as they recover from mental illness or chemical dependency through residential, rehabilitation and career service programs.

Sept. 26

Facilitating recovery workshop held in Rochester The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence-Rochester

A TASTE OF WAYNE COUNTY

Continued from page 21

Area (NCADD-RA) is co-sponsoring with the Northeast Addiction Technology Transfer Center Network a free workshop on the “Core Competencies of Facilitating Recovery.” This workshop will be held from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26 at the NCADD-RA headquarters located at 1931 Buffalo Road, in Rochester.

This six-hour workshop will offer participants the opportunity to learn about and immediately practice core competencies for facilitating recovery in their local communities and programs as well as identify strategies to overcome barriers to programmatic implementation of recovery-oriented practices. Although the workshop is free, pre-registration is required as space is limited.

For more information and online link to registration go to www.ncaddra.org.

Sept. 26

Cloverwood Senior Living sponsors antiques event On Friday, Sept 26 from 1-4 p.m the Cloverwood Senior Living will host its Antiques Appraisal Day featuring expert antiques appraisers, including three who are nationally recognized and have been featured on the television program “Antiques Roadshow.”

Cloverwood Senior Living is located at 1 Sinclair Dr. in Pittsford.

Guests can bring any precious heirlooms and prized collectibles to Cloverwood and meet one-on-one with these experts to find out what their treasures are worth. Each attendee can bring up to three items for a verbal appraisal. Appraisal for each item costs $10 at the door, and all proceeds will benefit Camp Good Days and Special Times, which was damaged by flooding earlier this year.

Items must be small enough to carry into Cloverwood. Photos are accepted for larger items.

For more information or to RSVP call Cloverwood at 585-248-1100.

Sept. 27

Sept. 27, 28

Play ‘Pass it On’ to be shown in Geneva

Book sale to benefit Mercy Bridges in Rochester

To celebrate National Recovery Month, which happens in September, the Council on Alcoholism and Addictions of the Finger Lakes presents the play “Pass it On ... an Afternoon with Bill W. and Dr. Bob,” by Stephen Bergman and Janet Surrey. Featuring Gary Kimble, actor, writer and executive producer, this live stage performance is inspirational, educational and often hilarious. It’s designed to educate people about the history of recovery as well as appreciate and celebrate recovery in local communities. Bill W. and ‘Dr. Bob’ are credited with creating the groundwork for Alcoholics Anonymous in the 1930s. The event will take place from 2 – 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 at Smith Opera House, 82 Seneca St. in Geneva.

A donation of $10 ($20 per family) is suggested. For more information call 789-0310.

Sept. 27

Prescription Drug TakeBack Day Announced More than 42,000 pounds of pills have been collected in the Finger Lakes region through Take-Back Days since 2010, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence-Rochester Area (NCADDRA) is once again partnering with the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration’s Office of Diversion Control (DEA) on the Fall Prescription Drug Take-Back Day scheduled for 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 27. Drop-off sites were expected to be announced after at www. dea.gov.

For local Safe Take Back sites near you visit www.dea.gov. For Monroe County calendar of sites throughout the year visit www.monroecounty.gov/ hhw. To learn more or to schedule a presentation on prescription drugs and heroin contact jfaringer@depaul.org or call 585-719-3480.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014

A book sale will be held from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27 and 28, at Mercy High School, 1437 Blossom Road, Rochester. The sale will benefit Mercy Bridges, a ministry that provides free, one-on-one tutoring to Rochester adults at a time and location that suits them. Formed to address the literacy gap highlighted by then-Mayor Duffy, Mercy Bridges has served more than 500 learners since its inception. To donate books or volunteer at the sale, call Natalie at 585-2882710, extension 121. For more information about Mercy Bridges, visit www. mercybridges.org

Oct 28, Nov. 4 and 11

Workshop for women who live alone Do you live alone? Is it a challenge for you? “Living Alone: How to Survive and Thrive on Your Own” is a three-part workshop offered for women who want to find joy again and gain the know-how to forge a meaningful and enriching life on their own.

You’ll meet others in similar situations and learn practical strategies to overcome loneliness, rediscover your true self and socialize in a couples’ world.

The workshop takes place from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at House Content Bed & Breakfast in Mendon on three consecutive Tuesdays: Oct. 6, Nov. 4 and 11.

The workshop fee of $125 includes a Living Alone binder, empowerment exercises, and lots of helpful resources.

To register, contact Gwenn Voelckers at 585-624-7887 or E-mail gvoelckers@ rochester.rr.com

WOMEN’S ISSUE Don’t miss the next edition of In Good Health

Cornell: Daylight Is the Best Medicine, for Nurses For the health and happiness of nurses — and for the best care of hospital patients — new Cornell research suggests exposure to natural light may be the best medicine.

In a forthcoming Cornell study published in the journal Health Environments Research and Design, Rana Zadeh, assistant professor of design and environmental analysis, discovered nurses who had access to natural light enjoyed significantly lower blood pressure, communicated more often with their colleagues, laughed more and served their patients in better moods than nurses who settled for large doses of artificial light.

Letting natural light into the nurses’ workstations offered improved alertness and mood restoration effects.

“The increase in positive sociability, as measured by the occurrence of frequent laughter, was significant,” noted Zadeh in the paper.

Nurses work long shifts, during non-standardized hours. They work on demanding and sensitive tasks and their alertness is connected to both staff and patient safety. Past evidence indicates natural light and views have restorative effects on people both physiologically and psychologically.

Maximizing access to natural daylight and providing quality lighting design in nursing areas may be an opportunity to improve safety though environmental design and enable staff to manage sleepiness, work in a better mood and stay alert, according to Zadeh.

“Nurses save lives and deal with complications every day. It can be a very intense and stressful work environment, which is why humor and a good mood are integral to the nursing profession,” Zadeh said. “As a nurse, it’s an art to keep your smile — which helps ensure an excellent connection to patients. A smart and affordable way to bring positive mood — and laughter — into the workplace, is designing the right workspace for it.”

Access to natural daylight and a nice view to the outside should be provided for clinical workspace design, said Zadeh. In situations where natural light is not possible, she suggests optimizing electric lighting in terms of spectrum, intensity and variability to support circadian rhythms and work performance.

“The physical environment in which the caregiver work on critical tasks should be designed to support a high-performing and healthy clinical staff,” she said “ improving the physiological and psychological wellbeing of healthcare staff, by designing the right workspace, can directly benefit the organization’s outcomes.”

U.S. Lung Cancer Rates Falling Overall, Study Finds Overall lung cancer rates are dropping, according to a new analysis of nearly a half million Americans with lung cancer. But the news wasn’t all good — the study also found that the rates of certain types of lung cancer are increasing, according to researchers from the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Over nearly three decades, the overall lung cancer rate has dropped approximately 12 percent, said the study’s lead author Denise Riedel Lew-

is, an epidemiologist at the NCI. “The good news is that lung cancer rates are declining. However, it’s not as clear for certain subtypes, and we are not exactly sure of the reasons behind these increases,” Riedel Lewis said.

Riedel Lewis said that while she cannot draw a definitive conclusion about what’s causing the decline in

lung cancer rates, she can infer that it’s mostly due to decreases in smoking.

Since 90 to 95 percent of lung cancers in the United States are caused by smoking, these changes in lung cancer rates likely reflect that fewer people are smoking, she said.

One type of lung cancer that’s on the rise is called adenocarcinoma,

Riedel Lewis said. Adenocarcinomas account for about 40 percent of all lung cancers, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). They usually start in the outer part of the lungs.

They tend to grow slower than other types of lung cancer and are more likely to be found before spreading outside the lung.

Now Available in Monroe County

Remain safely at home with help from HomeFirst.

More and more people on Medicaid who might otherwise be in a nursing home won’t have to because of HomeFirst.

HomeFirst is one of the oldest managed long-term care (MLTC) plans in the state. Our Personal Care Workers provide assistance with bathing, dressing and meals. You can keep your own doctor, and we provide transportation to medical appointments. There is no cost to participate.

HomeFirst is an affiliate of MJHS, which was founded on the core values of compassion, dignity and respect for every culture. Those core values date back to 1907, when MJHS began a tradition of caring every minute, every day.

Call 1-866-384-3509 or visit homefirst.org

Services covered by HomeFirst are paid for by New York State Medicaid. The services not part of HomeFirst benefits continue to be covered by Medicaid and/or Medicare benefits. All services are coordinated, even those not included in the MLTCP benefit package. EPHF13197 12062013 September 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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WITH THE NUTRIMOST ULTIMATE FAT LOSS SCAN WE ARE ONE OF THE ONLY OFFICES IN THE WORLD UTILIZING NRF TECHNOLOGY WITH THE NURTIMOST ULTIMATE FAT LOSS SCAN!

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Check Out What Makes Our System Superior!

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • September 2014