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Special Needs Webster to build sports complex for kids with special needs

Rochester–Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

December 2014 • Issue 112

The Long Wait for a Kidney

Winter = Cracked Heels Experts share tips to avoid the problem

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CHARITY CARE declines but not in Rochester Yep, it’s not just your impression. Prices of generic drugs are going up

Note to Parents

VNS geriatrician Thomas Caprio talks about the growing number of hospice patients

Playing Action Video Games Can Boost Learning Kids can’t stop playing video games? Just look at the bright side: A new study shows for the first time that playing action video games improves not just the skills taught in the game, but learning capabilities in general.

The amazing benefits of pomegranates

Overcoming Tragedies Henrietta resident Jackie McCullough just published a book — “Kathy Said, You’re Not Lost to Me” — discussing how people can overcome tragedies to live a happy life Page XXX

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Eat Eggs, Feel Full Eggs are one of seven foods that can make you feel full without overeating

Does the fruit warrant all the recent hype? Is it still in the limelight? Page 11

Sure, the schools have healthier food, but are kids eating it? Page 8

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December 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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U.S. Prices Soaring for Some Generic Drugs Supply and manufacturing problems, plus fewer companies in the market among causes

arket forces are dramatically driving up the cost of some generic drugs, prompting U.S. investigations into the pricing of what should be cheap alternatives to brandname medications. Generics that should cost pennies per dose have undergone radical increases in price in recent years, said physician Aaron Kesselheim, author of a new commentary in the “New England Journal of Medicine,” and director of the program on regulation, therapeutics and law at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Example: • The widely used broad-spectrum antibiotic doxycycline has increased from 6.3 cents to $3.36 per pill. • The long-established antidepressant drug clomipramine has increased from 22 cents to $8.32 per pill. Supply chain and manufacturing problems have caused some of these price hikes, but Kesselheim believes that other increases have resulted from too few companies making the generic versions of these drugs. “We take for granted that generic drugs are low-cost, but they’re only low-cost because there’s competition. When that competition goes away, the prices rise,” said Kesselheim. “Because we leave this up to the free market, this is a risk we take on.” In response to these increases, both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Department of Justice have undertaken investigations into generic drug pricing.

Federal prosecutors have issued subpoenas to two generic drug makers, seeking information about possible collusion between competitors, according to a published report. At the same time, the Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging has sent letters to executives of 14 pharmaceutical companies asking for answers. Generic drugs are a “critical part of system-wide efforts to hold down health care costs,” said Ralph Neas,

president and CEO of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association, a trade group. Neas noted that the world’s leading health care analytics firm, IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics, found that generics saved $209 billion in 2012, $239 billion in 2013 and almost $1.5 trillion over the recent decade. That data was compiled by the IMS Institute on behalf of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association, according to an association news release.

Hospital Noisy Alarms Project reduces “alarm fatigue” by 80 percent

he sound of monitor alarms in hospitals can save patients’ lives, but the frequency with which the monitors go off can also lead to “alarm fatigue,” in which caregivers become desensitized to the ubiquitous beeping. Researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center have tackled this problem and developed a standardized, team-based approach to reducing cardiac monitor alarms. The process reduced the median number of daily cardiac alarms from 180 to 40, and increased caregiver compliance with the process from 38 percent to 95 percent. “Cardiac monitors constitute the majority of alarms throughout the hos-

Attention Medicare Part D Members

pital,” says Christopher Dandoy, a physician in the Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute at Cincinnati Children’s and lead author of the study. “We think our approach to reducing monitor alarms can serve as a model for other hospitals throughout the country.” The main accrediting body for healthcare organizations and programs, the Joint Commission, reported 80 alarm-related deaths between January 2009 and June 2012. Dandoy’s study of this project was published Nov. 10 in the eFirst pages of the journal Pediatrics. The researchers developed a standardized cardiac monitor care process on the 24-bed, pediatric bone marrow

transplant unit at Cincinnati Children’s. The project involved a process for initial ordering of monitor parameters based on age-appropriate standards, daily replacement of electrodes in a manner that was pain-free for patients, individualized daily assessment of cardiac monitor parameters and a reliable method for appropriate discontinuation of the monitors. “With fewer false alarms, the staff can address significant alarms more promptly,” says Dandoy. “We believe the roles and responsibilities entailed in this process can be applied to most units with cardiac monitor care.”

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December 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Living Alone workshop leader. The event will take place from 7 – 9 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 11, at the Henrietta United Church of Christ at 400 Lehigh Station Road. Voelckers’ talk, titled “Living Alone: How to Find Joy and Meaning During the Holidays and Beyond,” will cover coping strategies for overcoming loneliness, how to socialize in a couples’ world, and the opportunities and surprises that await people who embrace their new-found independence. The talk is open to the public. $5 donation ($4 for Neutral Ground members) For more information, visit www. neutralground1.com or www.meetup. com/Neutral-Ground.com or call 585234-2212.

Hearing, April 10-12 at RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf in Rochester. Deadline for registration is Dec. 15 This competition is designed to promote math as fun and engaging and features three rounds that test speed and accuracy, teamwork and additional math skills. Coaches and students can find the registration form and more information online at www.rit.edu/NTID/mathcompetition. There is a $90 registration fee for each team of four students, and a $25 registration fee for students who register individually. Parents and teachers are encouraged to attend as well. One of nine colleges of RIT, NTID was established by Congress in 1965 to provide college opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals who were underemployed in technical fields. Today, 1,387 students attend NTID; more than 1,200 are deaf or hard of hearing. Others are hearing students enrolled in interpreting or deaf education programs. RIT is the most accessible campus for deaf students, providing unparalleled support services with more than 150 interpreters, tutors and notetakers who support students in and out of the classroom.

Dec. 13

Dec. 21

CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Dec. 2

HLAA to explore captioning in movie houses Hearing Loss Association of America, Rochester Chapter, will explore captioning at local movie houses and communication problems at the group’s two meetings on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Meetings take place at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, East Avenue at Westminster Road, across from George Eastman House. At the noon meeting a panel of three Regal Theatre managers will demonstrate hearing devices offered to motion picture viewers. Regal provides captioning glasses, neck loops, and seat-mounted captioning devices on request. The emphasis will be on SONY captioning glasses which have elicited negative comments by some local moviegoers. “Did I do that?” the 8 p.m. program is a panel reacting to a DVD of how maladroit communication between a person with hearing loss and their partner can lead to hurt feelings and damaged relationships. Especially appropriate for the holiday season, it features a trio of HLAA couples. For more information visit www. hlaa-rochester-ny.org or telephone 585266-7890.

Dec. 9

Integrative approach to fibromyalgia relief Physician Leslie James, a boardcertified family physician and integrative medicine professional, will be the speaker at the Dec. 9 meeting organized by Fibromyalgia Association of Rochester New York Support Group. She will discuss integrative approach to fibromyalgia relief. The event will take place from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at Greece Town Hall Meeting Center, 1 Vince Tofany Blvd., Rochester. James received her medical degree in 1997 and completed studies in 2011 with Dr. Andrew Weil, best selling book author and leader in integrative medicine. James says her mission is to enrich conventional medical practice with a more natural approach to prevention and healing in one holistic practice. She said she can serve as a bridge between your doctors and your overall lifestyle. The event is free and open to the public. No prior registration needed. More information is available at www. farny.org.

Dec. 11

Columnist to discuss how to enjoy the holidays alone Neutral Ground, a support organization for “single again” people, will present a talk by Gwenn Voelckers, a columnist with In Good Health—Genesee Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper and Page 4

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Shopping opportunity at Legacy in Rochester

Six holiday concerts take place in Rochester

The Legacy at Park Crescent, 1000 Providence Circle in Rochester will provide the community a holiday shopping opportunity from 11 a.m. – to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13 at the facility. Independent consultants from Vera Bradley, Hallmark, Mary Kay, Planet Botanica, Jamberry Nails, Premier Designs and Scentsy will be available for on-site sales and to any questions about their products. Deadline to register is Monday, Dec. 7. Attendees will be entered into a raffle drawing. To register or for more information call 585-865-0680.

Students from the Rochester Academy of Music & Arts will take the stage

Dec. 15

Clifton Springs to hold Tree of Lights Celebration The Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic Auxiliary will host its 29th annual Tree of Lights Ceremony at 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014 in the hospital’s main lobby, 2 Coulter Road, Clifton Springs. The public is invited to join the celebration. For a tax-deductible donation of $5 or more, community members may have a star placed on the tree located in the main lobby in memory of a loved one. Names will be read aloud during the Tree of Lights Ceremony. Donations will benefit the auxiliary and be used for various projects throughout the hospital. To contribute to the Tree of Lights, go to the hospital’s information desk in the main lobby, call Clifton Springs Hospital at 315-462-0120 or visit CliftonSpringsHospital.org.

Dec. 15

National math competition for deaf and hard-of-hearing Middle school students can participate in Rochester Institute of Technology’s eighth annual Math Competition for Students who are Deaf or Hard of

at the Memorial Art Gallery auditorium on Dec. 21. A selection of Rochester music students will show off their holiday spirit with six concerts on the Memorial Art Gallery’s main stage. The performers are attendees of the Rochester Academy of Music & Arts — Western New York’s largest privately-owned music school. For this event, the Academy has partnered with Memorial Art Gallery, one of Rochester New York’s most important advocates of the arts. The concerts, featuring rock, pop, and holiday favorites, will run from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., with a show every hour. For more information, interested parties may contact 585-506-9437. Since opening in 2007, the Rochester Academy of Music & Arts has grown into a major community institution. According to academy owner Brannon Hungness, “My musical career has taken me all over the world, and I’ve had the opportunity to experience the arts culture of many major cities. Even still, Rochester remains a highlight.” Hungness continues, “I’m proud and honored to be contributing to such a rich local culture.”

Time to make health insurance decisions for 2015

Open enrollment for the New York State of Health marketplace started in November: Here are the deadlines to keep in mind

t’s time for individuals with a health insurance plan on the New York State of Health Marketplace to make their health plan decision for 2015. Open enrollment for the New York State of Health marketplace started Nov. 15. “If you’re happy with your current health plan, renewing your plan is easy,” said Lynne Scalzo, vice president, business strategy and administration, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “You don’t have to do anything. Your plan will renew automatically. Just remember to continue to pay your bills on time.” If you have questions, or if your situation has changed, Scalzo encouraged individuals to call their health insurer. At Excellus BCBS, members can call 888-316-4549. “If you already have a plan from the marketplace, you will receive a letter from them detailing your plan’s new rates and your new financial assistance amounts for 2015,” she added. But if you’re enrolling in a new plan on the marketplace, here are some

questions to keep in mind: • Do your doctors participate in the plan’s network? You typically pay less for services from in-network doctors. If you break your leg, for example, you might pay $4,000 more out of your pocket if you see doctors not in your plan’s network, according to an Excellus BCBS. • Can you get financial help? Individuals earning up to $46,680 a year or a family of four earning up to $95,400 a year may be eligible for financial assistance when purchasing a health insurance plan on the marketplace. Here are key dates for those looking to buy a new health plan on the marketplace for 2015: • Dec. 15: Deadline to buy a health plan for coverage starting Jan. 1. • Jan. 15: Deadline to buy a health plan for coverage starting Feb. 1, 2015 • Feb. 15: Deadline to buy a health plan for 2015. Coverage will start March 1. But if you experience a major life event, such as a marriage or a birth, you may be able to purchase coverage for 2015 after the Feb. 15 date.

Share your event with our readers editor@GVhealthnews.com

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

Big-Name Diets All Work for a While, Review Found

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No eating plan stood out in terms of lasting weight loss, researchers noted

here are plenty of famous-name diets for weight loss, but none stands out from the pack when it comes to lasting results, a new review suggests. Looking at a dozen clinical trials, researchers found that three big-name diets — Atkins, Weight Watchers and the Zone — were all “modestly” effective over the course of a year. In studies that compared the plans head-to-head, people lost anywhere from 4 to 10 pounds, on average. Meanwhile, a fourth commercial diet — South Beach — was no better than traditional advice to eat a low-fat diet, the study authors said. And in the few trials that lasted two years — all looking at Atkins or Weight Watchers — people often regained some of the pounds they lost. “From our results, no weight-loss diet came across as a clear winner,”

said study leader Renee Atallah, a research assistant at Jewish General Hospital/McGill University in Montreal. Atallah and her colleagues report the findings online Nov. 11 in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality & Outcomes. A registered dietitian who was not involved in the research said he is glad more and more clinical trials are putting commercial diets to the test. “Americans have been jumping on these diets and spending a lot of money,” said Jim White, a spokesman for the National Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “We need studies like these to know whether they actually work in the long term,” White said. As most dieters know, he noted, “keeping the weight off is the hardest part.”

Skin Cancer Costs Soar Findings underscore importance of prevention efforts

he cost of skin cancer treatment in the United States more than doubled between 2002 and 2011, and rose five times faster than treatments for other cancers, a new study found. “The findings raise the alarm that not only is skin cancer a growing problem in the United States, but the costs for treating it are skyrocketing relative to other cancers,” said study lead author Gery Guy, of the division of cancer prevention and control at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “This also underscores the importance of skin cancer prevention efforts,” he added in an agency news release. The analysis of national data showed that the average annual number of adults treated for skin cancer increased from 3.4 million in the years 2002-06 to 4.9 million during the years 2007-11. At the same time, the average yearly cost of skin cancer treatment

climbed from $3.6 billion to $8.1 billion, an increase of 126 percent. During the same period, the average annual cost of treatment for all other cancers rose 25 percent. The study findings were published online Nov. 10 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and nearly 5 million people are treated for the disease every year. Exposure to ultraviolet light in the sun’s rays is a major cause of skin cancer. The CDC said you can reduce their risk of skin cancer by: • Trying to stay in shade, especially during midday hours. • Wearing clothes that cover your arms and legs, a hat with a wide brim, and sunglasses that block both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays. • Using sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher and both UVA and UVB protection.

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In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2014 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. 106 Cobblestone Court Dr., Suite 121 – P.O. Box 525, Victor NY 14564. • 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, George W. Chapman, Zoe Fackelman, Jessica Gaspar • 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.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Thomas Caprio, M.D. VNS geriatrician talks about the growing number of hospice patients and what it means to be one of the first in the nation to earn hospice certification Q: You recently had the distinction of becoming one of only 300 individuals in the country with the hospice medical director certified (HMDC) credential. A: Yes, it’s a new certification that’s come out of the Hospice Medical Director Certification Board. It’s a credential that’s been in the process of development for years. It distinguishes a physician’s commitment to not just the clinical side of hospice care, but the administrative side as well. The idea behind it is that we’re trying to elevate the standard of practice and recognize those who have achieved a level of specialized training and competency. Prior to this there was no uniform curriculum. Q: Why do you think this is only just happening now? A: The background to this is that the whole area of hospice care has become very complex over the years, not only in terms of the volume of patients, but the complexity of multiple symptom management needs and support of the family. This is all occurring within an increasingly complex regulatory environment for hospice, particularly under Medicare. Q: Can you give some examples of the complexities? A: Requirements to justify and support the sorts of services that we’re providing and making sure they’re appropriate for patients at the end of life. From the Medicare perspective, they’re seeing not only an increase in volume, but also an increase in expenditures going into hospice. The idea is that they want to ensure that there’s quality in terms of outcomes and benchmarks and that there’s a process to follow. Also, the design of the program is that we’re not just caring for the patient, but we’re providing support to the families of the patient as well. So that creates some complexity in terms of care coordination and support in education of caregivers. The vast majority of care that we provide is given within the home setting. A lot of our care has been shifted away from the hospitals. Many people want to spend their last days at home or in a home-like setting. So a lot of what we do is educate caregivers, which means we have to have a very intensive educational effort and infrastructure to support those family members.

A: There’s an increase in the number of patients. The reason for that is largely demographic; the population is aging and living longer with chronic and debilitating illness. Those folks will eventually reach the point where it becomes end-of-life care. They may have a diagnosis that has a prognosis of less than six months, which is the main hospice eligibility factor. It may be end-stage cancer, end-stage heart disease, end-stage dementia. Many of our patients also have other chronic conditions, so we may have someone with a diagnosis of lung cancer, but they may also have dementia, chronic cardio disease, which all have their own symptoms that have to be managed. We have a growing number of patients receiving hospice care for non-cancer diagnoses. There’s also the time factor. Some of our patients may only be receiving hospice care for a few days, but some can be experiencing these symptoms for months or even years. So we have to make sure that they not only do, in fact, have a terminal diagnosis, but that we are effectively managing their symptoms. Q: A lot of our rising health care costs are attributed to services consumed by patients at or near the end of life.

Q: What’s behind the growth in hospice care?

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

What’s the argument you’d make for investing in hospice care, relative to preventive or similar services? A: That’s a great question and a big part of the discussion. There are a couple points I’d make. Medications, technology and intensive unit care — those are our highest cost level of care that we provide. But on the flipside, for patients who have chronic or life-threatening illness, it has the lowest yield in terms of benefiting that person from a longevity or even symptom standpoint. In other words, they’re receiving the most expensive interventions, but they’re not always getting the best quality out of that. These are folks that are many times experiencing needless pain and suffering while we’re pushing ahead with high-cost care that may have limited benefit to them. So that’s the first frame to think about. With palliative and end-of-life care, the focus is less on interventions, but on what will benefit the patient most from a symptom-management perspective and what is consistent with their own goals. Many of these patients want to be at home. They don’t want that extra trip to the intensive care unit. So the important discussion is that we’re not talking about rationing care, but providing care that is helpful to our patients and align that care to be patient-centered and relevant to their goals. Hospice is one of the most cost-effective types of care we can provide to patients. Medicare provides a defined amount of dollars to a hospice agency, which means we have to be very mindful about costs and make sure we’re spending those health care costs wisely. We have no kind of cost structure like that elsewhere in the health care system. Hospitals and providers are usually paid fee-for-service; as they do more, they get paid more. There aren’t any checks and balances. With hospice, we get a payment and are told to do the best job possible. Q: How did you personally become interested in palliative and end-of-life care? A: My interest initially grew out of geriatrics. I’m a geriatrician by training. I really enjoyed the care of older adults, and a lot of the care I provided in nursing homes was end-of-life care. My work extends across all areas of the health system: I see patients in the community, during home visits, in an in-patient setting. To me, it’s the closest to the ideal for what I believe a physician should do. You get to know the patient, the family, you get to the make the home visits. You develop that therapeutic relationship with them. You have to be nimble in developing and altering treatment plans.

Lifelines Name: Thomas Caprio, M.D. Position: Medical director at Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester Hometown: Buffalo, NY Education: SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine; University of Rochester (fellowship) Affiliations: University of Rochester Medical Center System, Medical Director at Visiting Nurse Service, Monroe Community Hospital Organizations: American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, American Geriatric Society, American College of Physicians Family: Single, no children Favorite Regional Attraction: The Finger Lakes Hobbies: Music

Forget Ebola. Focus on the Flu: Experts By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ith Ebola’s surge in the news, communicable diseases have gained center stage in public attention. But according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and just about every medical source, the risk of getting Ebola in the United States is very low, even when working with West African communities in the United States. Although the common cold or influenza generally do not grab the number of headlines that Ebola has, they can cause deadly complications and will most likely kill more than Ebola in the U.S. this year. The CDC reports that 153 children under age 18 died of influenza in the 2013/2014 flu season, for example. Children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems represent three groups especially prone to lethal flu and cold complications. Several steps can help prevent the spread of colds and flu. Help your immune system stay strong. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help your body fight off illness. “Nutrition is paramount in creating a strong front to fight off illness,” said Sarah Christian Carlson, CEO and

founder of 365 Lemons and a certified health coach and consultant in Rochester. “What you feed your body, it becomes who you are. It goes into your cells and reaches every part of your body. The research is irrefutable at this point.” Since every wholesome, natural food contains a different panel of nutrients, Carlson advises clients to “eat a wide variety of plant foods of all colors daily. Aim for half of each plate you eat to be vegetables. Split the remaining half between lean protein and whole grain carbohydrates. It’s also vital to drink a good amount of water.” She added that “alcohol and cigarettes suppress the immune system.” Although not regulated by the Food & Drug Administration nor proven to reduce illness, supplements may offer help in maintaining a healthy immune system for people whose diet lacks nutrients. Take a daily multi-vitamin per package directions. Mega doses of vitamins do not offer any additional benefit and may be harmful

to your health. Get enough rest and manage stress, too. Your body needs rest and relaxation so it can fight off germs that cause illness. “Conscious breathing is the one way the body has to control and reach speak to the body’s involuntary nervous system,” Carlson said. “Yoga is a great exercise. Relaxation releases interleukins, which are leaders in immune system response. They fight against colds and flu in the blood stream.” She also encourages clients to engage in regular exercise to boost their health and immune response. Become immunized for flu. Even though flu season has already begun, it’s not too late. Although not 100-percent foolproof, flu vaccination can lower your risk of flu and it lessens the effect of the illness should you succumb. “There are really great options available,” said Kate Ott, public health educator with Ontario County Public Health. She said that this flu season, a variety of vaccinations can help, including a variety that protects against three strains of flu, another that battles four strains and a super vaccination for seniors. “As people’s immune system ages, their immune system is less responsive, so we have a high dose flu shot that offers more of the substance that causes your immune system to sit up and take notice,” Ott said. “That’s very exciting.” Vaccination is available in the form of a nasal spray, injection and intra-der-

mal that just goes under the skin. “People often say I don’t get the flu shot because I get the flu after it,” Ott said. “If you ask the symptoms, they say, ‘A runny nose and cough for a few days.’ That’s not the flu. Flu is when you have a fever, are flat out and ache all over. It’s a lot more severe and comes on more suddenly. A cold takes a few days to develop and you’re not that sick.” Since flu vaccination takes two weeks to become effective, the person who claims he “got the flu from the flu shot” has likely been exposed to the virus before the vaccination had opportunity to become effective. Succumbing to an illness after receiving flu vaccination is coincidental, not causative. Ott also advises people to wash their hands whenever returning home, before touching their faces or handling food, and after using the restroom. “Hand washing is your best method for preventing most illnesses,” Ott said. “If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.” Resist exposing others to viruses if you become ill. “Stay home when you’re sick,” Ott said. “We’re all workaholics and we tend to come in when we’re not feeling well. When someone else touches a surface you’ve touched, they’re going to pick up your germs.” Use your own hand towel at home and don’t share utensils. Frequently clean commonly touched surfaces such as doorknobs and faucet handles. Dispose of used facial tissues immediately. Sneeze into the crook of your elbow or a facial tissue. Don’t demand an antibiotic from your doctor. It won’t help fight your cold or flu. Antibiotics fight bacteria; viruses cause colds and flu. If you take antibiotics needlessly, your body may not be as adept at fighting off bacteria in the future.

Healthcare in a Minute By George W. Chapman Healthcare job growth. The healthcare industry has done its share of hiring, contributing to the steady decline in the U.S. unemployment rate. The sector has added an average of 26,000 jobs per month for the last six months (April thru September). This exceeds the average monthly gain from the prior 12 months (thru March of this year) by 50 percent. Obamacare good (so far) for insurers. Commercial carriers and their industry spokespeople have been noticeably quiet when it comes to Obamacare, most likely because it’s too early to make bold statements or predictions. There is still a lot of uncertainty out there. But so far so good for the three of the nation’s largest commercial insurers. Aetna, UnitedHealth and WellPoint have seen memberships grow by hundreds of thousands through both federal and state exchanges and Medicaid expansion. Insurers expect 20 percent growth in new Affordable Care Act members in 2015. Most insurers are reporting that the feared huge surge in utilization by newly insured members has not happened. Massachusetts leads the way in transparent pricing. The birthplace of

“Romneycare” has been years ahead of the rest of the country. What happens in Massachusetts should not be overlooked or marginalized, as it is the harbinger of the Affordable Care Act or “Obamacare.” Massachusetts mandated insurers must post their prices (how much they pay various providers) for certain office visits and procedures on their websites. Not all procedures are listed, but the state feels it is a start. Consumers can now determine where to go for healthcare based on price, as this impacts what they will pay out-ofpocket, be it their deductible or co-insurance. So, a consumer may decide to receive care at the hospital with the lowest reimbursement rate for a particular procedure as this means less out of pocket if their deductible has not been met. One of the biggest misconceptions among consumers is higher prices mean higher quality. Patient Compensation System (PCS). Some states are considering this new “no fault” concept. It would replace the current adversarial malpractice system. Cases would be heard in front of a panel of healthcare experts instead of a jury. The panel would award compensation should an injury be deemed preventable. In states where tort reform has been introduced,

there has been little corresponding reduction in the number of “defensive” tests and procedures ordered by physicians, which drive up the cost of care for everyone. Advocates hope the non-adversarial PCS will improve and protect the relationship between doctor and patient and, by removing the possibility of being “sued,” physicians will reduce the number of “defensive” (unnecessary) tests and procedures. 2015 Health Savings Accounts. For those who have an HSA, the maximum contribution for a single person has been raised $50 from $3,300 to $3,350. The maximum for a family has been raised $100 from $6,550 to $6,650. Those 55 and older are allowed to contribute an additional $1,000, called a “catchup contribution.” You must be enrolled in an eligible high deductible health plan to have an HSA. America’s youngest billionaire wants your blood. More than seven billion lab tests are performed in the US annually. It is a $76 billion industry. Too often, however, the cost of lab tests or the fear of having a needle stuck in you prevents many Americans from getting necessary tests. So, Elizabeth Holmes, smelling opportunity, dropped out of Stanford University to form her own

December 2014 •

company called Theranos. Instead of vials, tourniquets and needles, there is just a relatively painless pinprick of blood that goes into a container the size of a dime. Seventy lab tests can be run on just a drop of blood. Her prices for 1,000 tests are readily available on the website and they are significantly lower than what hospital or commercial labs charge. Her goal is to have a Theranos Wellness Center within five miles of any American. Medicare Part B $ unchanged. For the second year in a row, the cost for physician services will not increase in 2015. The basic premium for almost 50 million seniors will remain at $104.90 a month with a $147 deductible. Medicare spending growth has slowed to an average 0.8 percent over the last four years. GEORGE W. CHAPMAN is a health consultant who operates GW Chapman Consulting in Upstate New York. To reach him, email gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Take the chill out of spending the holidays alone

he prospect of spending the holidays alone can send a cold chill through even the most independent among us. And it’s no wonder. All the hype for traditions that tout togetherness can leave divorced, widowed and single people feeling alone and disconnected this time of year. The “holiday blues” can take hold with a vengeance. What to do? Decide to beat those blues with a change in attitude. Decide to make this holiday season a good one. Take advantage of this special time of year to spend some quality time with yourself, to create memorable moments with friends and family, and to help those less fortunate. Here are a few inspirational and practical tips to get you in the spirit: Slow down. Better yet, stop what you’re doing altogether. Ask yourself what the holidays really mean to you. Rebirth? Hope? Family time? Gratitude and goodwill? Revisit your most deeply held beliefs about the season and make a conscious decision to participate in the holiday rituals that align with your values and spiritual underpinnings. Be realistic and give yourself a break. For those who live alone, some degree of loneliness can be considered normal during the holidays. It’s a good time to remember that feelings of loneliness aren’t terminal, nor are they a “state of being” reserved for single people. Loneliness has very little to do with being alone. It has everything to do with your state of mind. So, take

time to remind yourself that your happiness is in your hands, and that there are positive, healthy steps you can take to avoid the chill of loneliness. Create new holiday traditions. This is especially important if you are bemoaning the loss of irretrievable traditions of a “former life.” Consider instituting your very own “signature” traditions — whether it be a new cookie recipe or gathering of single friends at your place. Volunteer and express gratitude. When you give of yourself, you reap two big rewards: first, you’ll develop connections with people who share your spirit of giving; and second, you’ll help those in need. Volunteering, especially at this time of year, can nurture your soul and make a meaningful difference. If volunteering doesn’t fit into your schedule this year, there are plenty of other ways to express your gratitude and giving spirit. Consider baking some holiday goodies for your colleagues at work. Or leave a little something on a neighbor’s doorstep. When you are doing for others and counting your blessings, you can transcend yourself and your current circumstances. The result? You might feel less lonely — more a part of the world and of this season of giving. Be the instigator. Identify a holiday concert or event you’d like to

KIDS Corner Healthy Food? Well, Maybe Not

ou can offer young children healthier food choices in the elementary school cafeteria, but will they actually put it on their trays and eat it? Probably not, suggests a new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study. Researchers observed 274 children in kindergarten through second grade in 10 New York City public schools as they selected from the offerings during one lunch period when a chicken-and-vegetable entrée was on the menu. They watched to see whether each of the 6-through-8-year-olds chose a fruit, vegetable, whole grain, low-fat milk or a lean protein, taking before

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and after photos of the trays. They found that while 75 percent of the kids chose the lean protein (the entrée), only 58 percent chose a fruit and 59 percent chose a vegetable. And among those who put the various types of food on their trays, only 75 percent took even a single bite of the protein, while only 24 percent ate a bite of their vegetables. “We have been thinking that if young children choose healthy food, they will eat it,” says Susan M. Gross, PhD, MPH, a research associate in the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “But our research shows that is not necessarily so.”

attend and invite family or friends to join you. Take on the role of “social secretary” and you’ll gradually feel your holidays and social life becoming more active and interesting. Just yesterday, I purchased two tickets to the “Christmas From Vienna” concert performed by the Vienna Boys Choir at the Eastman Theatre. I’ve yet to decide whom to invite, but that’s part of the fun! This concert is now on my calendar and I will look forward to surprising a friend with an invitation. Seeding your future with anticipated events will give you something to look forward to during this wonderful time of year. Decorate your home or apartment. Do it for you. It will help put you in the spirit of the season. Hang a wreath on your door. Accent your mantel. Bring the holidays inside your home and feel its essence inside your heart. Invite people over. It will give you an incentive to decorate, if you just don’t feel motivated to do it for yourself. No need to do anything elaborate or large. Even inviting just a few friends over for brunch or to watch a holiday special on TV can fill your day with warmth and cheer. Send out holiday cards. Take this occasion to say “hello” and make connections. I love getting an unexpected card from a long-lost friend, and I

delight in tracking down and sending out season’s greetings to those who might be surprised to hear from me. Sure enough, good things come from reaching out to others. Include yourself on your gift list. This is a good time of year to spoil yourself with a little comfort. Take time out for yourself. Snuggle up with a best-seller by the fire. Schedule a massage or pedicure. Treat yourself to that luxurious terrycloth robe you’ve had your eye on. What’s on my gift list for Gwenn? Experiences are what I’m after these days; I have all the “stuff” I need. I think I’ll treat myself to a solo weekend away at the Roycroft Inn in East Aurora, N. Y. It’s a charming, beautifully restored inn, steeped in the history of the arts and crafts movement. Solo travel gives me a chance to just “be” with myself, reflect, and rejoice in life’s blessings. Why not consider a similar gift for yourself? Let go. This is key. Let go of the notion that you need to be married or in a romantic relationship to enjoy the holidays. Life is all about personal connections, and there are plenty to be found in friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, even people you meet in passing. Reach out. Make those connections. My warmest wishes to you this season. Have yourself a merry little Christmas, a happy Hanukkah, or a joyous Kwanzaa. Enjoy the season to the fullest. You have a choice. Choose to be with people rather than isolate. Choose to appreciate what you have rather than focus on what you’re missing. I promise you this: Embrace even half of the tips above and, chances are, you’ll find more meaning and merriment this season. Enjoy! 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 upcoming workshops or to invite Gwenn to speak, call 585-6247887 or email: gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

When to Call the Doctor About a Cold or Flu Signs they need medical attention Flu and the common cold share some common symptoms. Though both often can be treated at home, more serious cases require a doctor’s care. The American Academy of Family Physicians mentions these warning signs that you should see a doctor: • A persistent fever of higher than 102 degrees Fahrenheit that causes body aches and fatigue. • Symptoms that persist for longer than 10 days, or symptoms that worsen instead of improve. • Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or pressure or pain in the chest. • Confusion, disorientation or fainting. • Vomiting persistently. • Significant sinus pain affecting the forehead or face. • Swelling of glands in the neck or jaw.

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

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Help for Cracked Heels Not hard to keep heels smooth even in the winter By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

any people find that when winter returns, their heels grow dry and split open. Heel cracks snag on socks and hosiery and detract from the appearance of the feet. But more than just unsightly, heel cracks can become painful and even infected. “Especially in diabetic patients or anyone with compromised blood flow or neuropathy, it can lead to ulcerations and many other difficult problems,” said Kevin Hopson, podiatrist with Interlakes Orthopaedic Drew Surgery in Geneva and Clifton Springs. The combination of dry skin and pressure causes heel cracks. Although heels can crack at any time of the year, the dry air from November through March makes heel cracks more likely during the winter. Fortunately, you can prevent and treat heel cracks. Going barefoot places more pressure on the heels, so it’s better to wear socks and shoes to absorb the impact of walking. Shoes with gel inserts can relieve the pressure. Closed shoes, not open-back clogs, sandals or slippers, provide more protection to heels. Exposure also promotes drying. For dressy events, women should opt for pumps instead of sling-back heels, for example. Though clogs offer comfort and some styles absorb shock well, they leave heels exposed to cold air more than sneakers. Moccasin-style slippers represent a better choice than mule styles at home. Keeping heels moisturized helps prevent cracks; however, you should moisturize properly. Hopson recommends using hydrating cream, since water forms the base of most lotions. Even better than cream, petroleum jelly,

covered by socks, can help heels heal. Don’t leave moisturized feet bare, since that makes feet prone to slipping. If cream or petroleum jelly doesn’t help, “try ammonium lactate cream,” Hopson said. “For some patients, prescription creams work well, and some don’t.” It may seem logical to soak your feet to keep them soft and hydrated; however, it actually has the opposite effect. “People think they’re soaking their feet to add moisture but they’re drying them out,” said Joseph Perillo, podiatrist with Finger Lakes Podiatry in Geneva. “It’s like dishpan hands.” Since cracks form in dried-out, callused skin, it’s also helpful to remove the dry skin. Use a pumice stone or loofah to buff heels after bathing, when dead skin sloughs off readily. Sara Drew, dermatology nurse practitioner with Geneva General Dermatology, said that a PedEgg pedicure foot file, available at drug stores over the counter, can help safely file down dead skin. “A lot of times, rubbing the skin with their towel after a shower even helps,” Perillo said. “Don’t use sharp objects like razor blades.” Cutting callused skin off is quicker, but using a blade or metal file makes it too easy to scrape the skin too deeply and harm the sensitive skin underneath, especially if you can’t see your heels. If you experience a crack that is deep, sore, inflamed or red, have a doctor check it. The crack could be infected and that requires an antibiotic. Diabetics should take special care with their feet since neuropathy makes it hard to recognize foot problems. People with heel cracks should monitor them daily, using a mirror or enlisting help if they cannot see their heels readily. Worsening cracks need medical attention. December 2014 •

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Page 9

11/20/14 10:32 AM

7 Ways to Feel Full Without Overeating

ot feeling full after or between meals can result in overeating. In the October issue of “Food Technology” magazine published by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), contributing editor Linda Milo Ohr writes about studies that show eating certain nutrients and foods may help curb appetite and keep one feeling fuller longer. These include:

1. Protein Adding one protein to breakfast everyday could contribute to improved satiety and diet quality. Another study showed that daily consumption of a high-protein afternoon snack containing soy lead to improved appetite control, satiety and reduced unhealthy evening snacking in adolescents. Whey, soy, pea and egg protein all contribute to a

feeling of fullness.

2. Whole Grains and Fiber Substituting whole grain bread with refined wheat bread is linked to lower hunger, higher levels of fullness, and less desire to eat. Oats increased appetitecontrol hormones up to four hours after a meal, whereas rice-based foods did not.

3. Eggs Eggs are one of the densest proteins in the non-meat category. It has been shown that eating one egg with breakfast will help to reduce hunger between meal times.

4. Almonds The healthy fats in almonds decrease hunger and improve dietary vitamin E intake. People who ate 1.5 oz. of dry-roasted, lightly salted almonds every day helped satiate their hunger without increasing body weight.

5. Pulses Part of the legume family, pulses include dried peas, edible beans, lentils, and chickpeas. They are very

high in protein and low in fat, and are proven to contribute to a feeling of fullness after consuming.

6. Saffron Extract This type of extract is shown to have a beneficial

effect on appetite, mood, and behaviors relating to snacking, which helps reduce overeating linked to habit or stress.

7. Korean Pine Nut Oil This kind of nut has high levels of healthy, all-natural fats, which are shown to release the satiety hormone, cholecystokinin.

A Third of All Food Is Wasted – and Such Loss Is on the Rise Recent reports conclude that one-third of all food grown or produced is lost each year in its journey from the farm to a consumer’s table. Robert Gravani, an expert in food technology and professor of food science at Cornell University, says developed countries are not immune to such waste, and that food waste is steadily increasing in the U.S. Gravani says: “Food waste has increased dramatically in the last several decades and it is estimated that about 20 pounds of food is wasted per person per month in the U.S.”

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

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

The Amazing Benefits of Pomegranates

few years ago, pomegranates and their juice became the darlings of the health-minded. Declared a superfood by some, an anti-aging food by others, this exotic fruit had us by the tongue buds. Did it warrant all the hype? I think so. Is it still in the limelight? More than ever. Long used for medicinal purposes in other countries, pomegranates are finally taking center stage here because they’re loaded with compounds we covet: antioxidants. Antioxidants protect our body from disease and accelerated aging by gobbling up harmful free radicals — byproducts of the oxidation process that can turn good cells bad. Pomegranates stand out as antioxidant superstars because they boast a powerful combination of antioxidants — not just one or two. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a pomegranate juice’s antioxidant activity is right up there with prunes, dark chocolate and red wine. Like other antioxidant-rich foods, pomegranates are also the darlings of the research world. Although more studies are needed, preliminary re-

U.K. have found an anti-inflammatory compound in pomegranates that they believe may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. On the nutrient front, pomegranates measure up to other fruit superstars. Low in fat, cholesterol and calories (about 70 per ½ cup of seeds), this sweet and tangy fruit contains notable amounts of vitamins C and K (good for the immune system and blood clotting, respectively) and potassium (essential for muscle control and blood pressure regulation). And although one ½-cup serving of seeds contains 12 grams of sugar, the high sugar content is kept in check by the fruit’s substantial 3.5 grams of fiber.

Helpful tips

search suggests that drinking a daily (8 oz glass) of pomegranate juice may significantly slow the progress of prostate cancer in men with reoccurring prostate cancer, cut cholesterol build-up in arteries and improve blood flow to the heart. Wow! Worried about chronic inflammation? Pomegranates may be your ticket to quieting the painful and often destructive fire within. A small study at the University of Maryland Medical Center showed that pomegranate extract decreased joint tenderness in rheumatoid arthritis patients by 62 percent. What’s more, researchers in the

Select pomegranates that feel heavy for their size and have a deep color. To easily extract the seeds, cut the pomegranate in half, put each half under water, and then use your fingers to coax the seeds from the inside. The pith is light and will float to the top while the heavier seeds sink to the bottom. At room temperature, whole pomegranates last about a week (two with refrigeration). Extracted seeds last about five days in the refrigerator and three months in the freezer.

Pomegranate-Chicken Salad Adapted from the Food Network Kitchen Serves 6-8 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup fat-free plain yogurt 1/4 cup Dijon mustard

December 2014 •

1 clove garlic, minced 2 tablespoons lemon juice Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded 1 cup pomegranate seeds 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives 2 stalks celery, sliced Baby arugula or other lettuce (optional) Combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic and some salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Add the shredded chicken, pomegranate seeds, chives and celery to a bowl. Pour some of the dressing around the sides of the bowl and toss to combine. Add more dressing as desired. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve on top of arugula or lettuce, if using. 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.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

Note to Parents

Playing Action Video Games Can Boost Learning

new study shows for the first time that playing action video games improves not just the skills taught in the game, but learning capabilities more generally. “Prior research by our group and others has shown that action gamers excel at many tasks. In this new study, we show they excel because they are better learners,” said Daphne Bavelier, a research professor in brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester. “And they become better learners,” she said, “by playing the fast-paced action games.” According to Bavelier, who also holds a joint appointment at the University of Geneva, our brains keep predicting what will come next — whether when listening to a conversation, driving or even performing surgery. “In order to sharpen its prediction skills, our brains constantly build models or ‘templates,’ of the world,” she said. “The better the template, the better the performance. And now we know playing action video games actually fosters better templates.”

Action Players vs. Non-Action Players

In the current study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Bavelier and her team first used a pattern discrimination task to compare action video game players’ visual performance with that of individuals who do not play action video games. The action-gamers outperformed the non-action gamers. The key to the action-gamers success, the researchers

found, was that their brains used a better template for the task at hand.

Video Training

Then, the team conducted another experiment to determine if habitual players of fast-paced, action-rich video games may be endowed with better templates independently of their game play, or if the action game play lead them to have better templates. Individuals with little video game experience were recruited and, as part of the experiment, they were asked to play video games for 50 hours over the course of nine weeks. One group played action video games such as Call of Duty. The second group played 50 hours of non-action video games, such as The Sims. The trainees were tested on a pattern discrimination task before and after the video game “training.” The test showed that the action video games players improved their templates, compared to the control group who played the non-action video games. The authors then turned to neural modeling to investigate how action video games may foster better templates.

Measuring Learning

When the researchers gave action gamers a perceptual learning task, the team found that the action video game players were able to build and fine tune templates quicker than non-action game control participants. And they did so on the fly as they engaged in the task. Being a better learner means de-

veloping the right templates faster and thus better performance. And playing action video games, the research team found boosts that process. “When they began the perceptual learning task, action video gamers were indistinguishable from non-action gamers; they didn’t come to the task with a better template,” said Bavelier. “Instead, they developed better templates for the task, much, much faster showing an accelerated learning curve.” The researchers also found that the action gamers’ improved performance is a lasting effect. When tested several months to a year later, the action-trained participants still outperformed the other participants, suggesting that they retained their ability to build better templates. Bavelier’s team is currently investigating which characteristics in action

video games are key to boost players’ learning. “Games other than action video games may be able to have the same effect,” she said. “They may need to be fast paced, and require the player to divide his or her attention, and make predictions at different time scales.” Vikranth R. Bejjanki of the University of Rochester and Princeton University, and Ruyuan Zhang of the University of Rochester are co-lead authors of the study. In addition to Bavelier and the lead authors, researchers from the University of Geneva, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Ohio State University also contributed to the study. The Office of Naval Research, the Swiss National Foundation, The Human Frontier Science Program, and the National Eye Institute supported the research.

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

The Long Wait for a Kidney Rochester resident stays positive despite health problems By Jessica Gaspar

welve hours a week. That’s how many hours John Wright reclines back and watches the national news. Sometimes, he’ll read a book. Other times, he might nap. As he does this, blood flows from his body through a hemodialysis filtration machine and the clean blood flows back in. And so goes this routine every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. You see, John is in kidney failure and is awaiting a kidney transplant. With 539 New Yorkers dying while waiting for an organ transplant in 2013, the diagnosis may seem like a death sentence, but John takes it in stride. “You’ve got to stay positive,” he said. “If you become so that you are just upset all the time because of your condition, you have a problem.” According to the American Association of Kidney Patients, the cause of kidney failure is a combination of high blood pressure and diabetes, both of which John has. With his diabetes, he does take insulin and follows a protein-rich, low-carb diet full of fruits and vegetables. His high blood pressure is treated with pills. With only about 15 percent of his kidneys functioning, John’s nephrologist at Strong Memorial Hospital, Madhavendra Dhakal, monitors him closely and makes sure Johns goes for hemodialyis visits regularly, which is typical for dialysis treatment. Each visit lasts about four hours. The primary function of kidneys is to clean toxins from the blood. When kidneys begin to fail, the blood does not get cleansed as it should. That’s where dialysis comes in. Dialysis is a blood filtration process by which two tubes are inserted into the patient’s forearm. One tube extracts the blood, filters it through a machine, then the other tube pumps the clean blood back into the patient’s body.

The only current alternative to dialysis is a kidney transplant. John will have to go through dialysis treatment until a kidney becomes available. Despite that, John keeps a positive outlook. “Back in the old days before they had the machines and your kidneys were failing, you’d end up dead,” he said. Now, dialysis has temporarily taken the place of a new kidney. John’s roots in Rochester run deep. He has lived at his Parsells Avenue home for more than 40 years with his wife Sharon. He has two children, daughter Erika and son Royce. He is known by many in his community on a first-name basis. He frequents the Golden Fox diner where the staff and other patrons aren’t afraid to acknowledge him from across the room. With a deep passion for his community, he has been active in the City of Rochester Republican Committee since 1986. He served as a special assistant to the Monroe County Republican Committee then-Chairman Steve Minarik in the mid-1990s specializing in minority and community relations. Then he worked for Monroe County Legislature as an assistant clerk for 10 years. He went on to work as a community liaison to Sen. Joe Robach for six years before retiring in 2008. Prior to his government work, John worked for Rochester-based Xerox Corp. Even in his retirement, he has not slowed down and his current prognosis does not seem to bother him. He is an active volunteer with the Frederick Douglass Foundation of New York. Right now, the foundation’s headquarters is in Monroe County, and he is working hard with the organization to expand to all 62 county’s in the state. He recently was been working for Peterson Vazquez’s state assembly campaign putting up lawn signs, knocking on doors and assisting with

After receiving dialysis, a technician removes the two needles from John’s forearm then bandages them with gauze. John must apply pressure for about 10 minutes until the needle marks have begun to clot.

John Wright of Rochester patiently receives dialysis three times a week at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s outpatient dialysis center at the Clinton Crossings medical complex in Brighton. Each visit takes about four hours. He was placed on a kidney transplant list just a few months ago, but he keeps a positive outlook on life. fundraiser and event planning. “It’s a labor of love,” he said about his passion for politics and volunteerism. Like most things John tackles, he approaches dialysis with a smile. He jovially converses with the other patients and the employees. He is so comfortable there, he even jokingly flirts with some of the ladies he knows. They seem to be used to his ways. During one dialysis appointment in early October, he introduces one of the female employees as “his next wife.” She laughs and quips back with, “You wish” before she moves on to the next patient. Despite his positive outlook, the numbers are shocking. As of July 25, there are 328 patients waiting for a kidney transplant through Strong Memorial Hospital, according to the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network (FLDRN), the nonprofit organization that coordinates organ and tissue donations in the Finger Lakes, Central New York, and Upstate New York regions. And, for the first time ever, the number of people in need of a kidney transplant in the United States exceeds 100,000. Despite these numbers, less than half of all Americans are registered organ donors, according to data released by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in July In New York, Excellus reported only 22 percent of the state’s residents are organ donors. While New York ranks 49th in the nation with registered organ donors, the Empire State is third when it comes to those waiting for an organ. Only California and Texas have more patients waiting for an organ than New York. Those numbers hit close to home. Just last year 118 organs were transplanted in the Finger Lakes region, yet there were only 48 deceased organ

December 2014 •

donors, according to the FLDRN. Still, about 650 people await organ transplants annually in the organization’s service area. Rather than have their name sit on a transplant list waiting for an organ donor to die, some patients turn to friends or family who may be a match. Think of Shelby Latcherie in the 1989 film “Steel Magnolias.” In the movie, Shelby is a young woman with diabetes. She eventually went into kidney failure, and her mother M’Lynn donated a kidney. In John’s case, his daughter Erika offered to be checked to see if she would be a suitable organ donor. But being the consummate father, John is more worried about his daughter’s life than his own. “I’m not sure I want to risk her life on an operating table, so I got to think about that real hard,” he said. There are other donation alternatives available. If a relative wants to donate but is not a match, a new organ-exchange program through the University of Rochester helps find a living match, according to Karin Christensen, spokesperson for the UR liver and kidney transplant center. “We can put the two into an exchange system that we belong to with a bunch of other academic medical centers,” she said. “So if we can find three matches that involve three pairs from across the country — all of whom want to donate and accept an organ but aren’t matches with their spouse, neighbor, friend. The donors don’t end up donating to their loved one, but they donate to someone else and their own loved one gets an organ, too.” In the meantime, John will go with the flow for as long as he can. “I’m in no great danger. I’m functioning normally. I’m going about my life,” he said.

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Charity care declines, but not in Rochester Local hospitals still maintaining same level of financial help to low-income patients as in the past By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

ospital financial assistance or charity care programs are becoming a little less charitable nowadays. As a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, more than 10.3 million people have signed up for health plans through the exchanges, with more than 80 percent of new enrollees eligible for subsidized coverage, according to Becker’s Hospital Review. An additional seven million have been added through Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance programs. With subsidized health plans available and Medicaid expanding in 26 states, some hospitals are scaling back their charity care programs, which offer health care financial assistance to those Spencer in need at no charge or at a reduced charge when they meet financial eligibility requirements. All medically necessary services are covered by the program, including outpatient services, emergency care and inpatient admissions. At St. Louis-based BJC HealthCare — a 12-hospital system with facilities in Illinois and Missouri — the charity program changed requiring all patients to contribute to the cost of their care, regardless of their income level. The online charity care policy at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua, for example, now states that “applicants who refuse to purchase federally mandated health insurance

when they are eligible to do so will not be awarded charitable care.” It seems to be the trend with more hospitals, especially when you factor the record number of institutes that are losing money due to higher standards levied by the Affordable Care act. Other hospitals nationwide are slashing financial assistance even for patients who earn more than the poverty level. However, the two remaining healthcare giants in the Rochester region are going against the grain. Officials from both hospital systems believe just because more people have health insurance doesn’t mean all their medical financial needs are being met. “We decided not to change our policy because we focus on income only when determining who should receive financial help,” said Carrie Fuller Spencer, director of financial services at UR Medicine, Strong Stein Memorial Hospital. “We don’t take into consideration if the person has some form of health insurance already.” Last year, UR Medicine gave an estimated $37 million in charity care assistance, a 2 percent increase over the previous year. People who are applying for financial assistance at UR Medicine fill out an application that details their financial situation and the number of family members who would need to be covered. While not required, the

previous year’s income tax return may be submitted. Eligibility is determined by measuring the household income against current poverty income guidelines established by the federal government. The poverty rate for a family of four is $23,850. Included in their application is the last three pay stubs or any pertinent financial information regarding the applicant. If a person is considered eligible, she can receive anywhere from 20 percent to 100 percent in direct outof pocket assistance. “We would cover them for an entire year if they are eligible,” added Spencer. “After that, they would apply to see if they continue being eligible. Even if someone’s situation becomes worse during the year, we encourage them to let us know and see if any added adjustments could be made.” New York state residents who need emergency services may receive care and get a discount if they meet the financial requirements and complete the financial assistance application process. Karen Stein, patient service manager at UR Medicine, Strong Memorial Hospital, has seen first hand in her profession how an unexpected health crisis can possibly cripple an individual or family. With health care costs varying depending on the procedure, officials saw the need to continue to offer a helping hand. “Even if patients have insurance, they may have to pay a lot of money in their insurance plans before they meet their deductible. That is why financial assistance is just as important as it has ever been,” said Stein. “So that means someone can have health insurance and still qualify for a discount that can go toward their balance.”

The health law requires nonprofit hospitals to make their written charity policies widely available, although it does not specify what criteria hospitals use to determine who is eligible. “There are unexpected scenarios that happen in life. What if you are on a vacation and you get in a car accident? What if you break your leg and need an expensive surgery?” said Stein. “Life is unexpected and we want to help out in ways whenever we can for our patients.” At Rochester Regional Health System, officials are currently reviewing all hospital policies, understanding when you merge two companies, sometimes there are various policies that need to be in sync. The goal is to standardize and have one common policy for the system by Jan. 1. However, no changes were made to the financial assistance program as a result of the Affordable Care Act. The process for applying is similar to UR Medicine. The slight difference is that patients must reapply every six months with the exception of those who are on fixed income such as social security who are approved for a one-year interval, said Natalie Ciao, public relations for Rochester Regional. “Requiring a patient to reapply, assures that any changes in financial status are identified,” she said. “Our financial assistance program assures that our patients have access to the health care that they require. It is Rochester Regional Health System’s mission to preserve health by enabling access to the highest quality and affordable care. Providing a financial assistance program demonstrates our commitment to our patients and community.”

Long Lasting Pain Relief In Seconds By Zoe Fackelman

new pain or any pain or limitation you have had for months or years can be exhausting — but relief can be achieved seconds. Pain managed the soonest after onset is the quickest and easiest to resolve but that does not mean long lasting pain and limitations cannot also be helped. Long lasting pain relief is accomplished by applying highly skilled, hands-on techniques called primal reflex release techniques (PRRT — or, as we say it, ‘PERT”) and associated awareness techniques (AAT). PRRT and AAT are both specialized, relaxing therapies that quickly break the pain cycle. Typically, 50 percent resolution of pain is expected and frequently found by the end of the first session. The techniques are quick, effective, gentle and involve several different types of touch such as tapping, and flicking — often far from the painful region. To understand how PRRT and AAT Page 14

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work, we must first understand pain. No one wants it and once you have it no matter where it is in your body you want to get rid of it fast. The unpleasantness of pain has a useful purpose. The unpleasantness of pain is the very thing that makes pain so effective and an essential part of life. This is because pain protects you; it alerts you to danger, often before you are badly injured. Pain hurts because the brain has concluded you are threatened and in danger. Pain occurs when your body’s alarm system alerts the brain to actual or potential tissue damage. When pain lasts for more than three months and feels like it is ruining your life, it is difficult to see how pain can be serving any useful purpose. Painful sites or regions create overactive and ongoing stress and strain on the nervous system, a loop involving the dura (outer layer of the brain and spinal cord) and cranial nerves (nerves from the brain and brain stem) and the

sympathetic nervous system (the fight or flight component of the autonomic nervous system). Functioning with pain in your body maintains the chronic cycling of the loop. Easing these overactive and ongoing bodily stress reactions with PRRT and AAT and other manual therapies followed by specifically prescribed exercise can ease pain associated with a wide variety of conditions and injuries. Primal or pain reflexes are what the body does to protect itself as a reaction to pain. For example, the startle reflex occurs when you jump from hearing a loud noise or experience pain. The withdrawal reflex happens when someone pulls away from something that scares or hurts them. These protective reflexes become activated and stay that way in response to injury, pain or discomfort from inflammation or other traumatic conditions, such as surgery. PRRT and AAT techniques calm, inhibit, down-regulate or download this

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

pain loop. It is like rebooting a computer. This facilitates the immune system, reduces stress and emotions, speeds healing and restores normal muscle and joint function. Emotional pain can trigger physical pain and regardless of the type of pain or what caused your pain, your head/ jaw to your toes can be relieved using PRRT and AAT and you will know after your first session if the techniques will benefit you and your condition. Zoe Fackelman is a physical therapist and the owner of Lake Country Physical Therapy and Sportscare, PC in Canandaigua. For more information, visit www. lakecountrypt.com or send her an email at zoe@lakecountrypt.com.

By Jim Miller

A Guide to Finding Affordable Dental Care Dear Savvy Senior, I had dental insurance through my work for many years but lost it when I retired. Where can retirees find affordable dental care? Need a Dentist Dear Need, Finding affordable dental care can be challenging for seniors living on a tight budget. Most retirees lose their dental insurance after leaving the workplace, and original Medicare does not cover cleaning, fillings or dentures. While there’s no one solution to affordable dental care there are a number of options that can help cut your costs. Here’s where to look. Medicare Advantage

While original Medicare (Part A and B) and Medicare supplemental policies do not cover routine dental care, there are some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans that do. Many of these plans, which are sold through private insurance companies, cover dental care along with eye care, hearing and prescription drugs, in addition to all of your hospital and medical insurance. If you’re eligible for Medicare, see medicare.gov/find-a-plan to look for Advantage plans in your area that covers dental care.

Dental Discounts

Another way you can reduce your dental care expenses is to join a dental discount network. How this works is you pay an annual membership fee — around $80 to $200 a year — in exchange for 10 to 60 percent discounts on service and treatments from participating dentists. To find a network, go to DentalPlans.com (or 888-632-5353) where you can search for plans and participating dentists by zip code, as well as get a breakdown of the discounts offered. Another option that’s currently available only in the southern California area is Brighter.com. They provide users free access to a network of dentists offering up to 50 percent discounts on all services.

Dental Schools

Dental school clinics offer savings opportunities, too. All 65 accredited dental schools in the U.S. offer afford-

able care provided by dental students who are overseen by their professors. You can expect to pay about half of what a traditional dentist would charge and still receive excellent, well-supervised care. Another option is to check with local colleges that offer dental hygiene programs. For training purposes, many programs provide teeth cleanings by their students for a fraction of what you’d pay at a dentist’s office. To search for nearby dental schools or dental hygiene programs visit ada. org/dentalschools.

Veterans Benefits

If you’re a veteran enrolled in the VA health care program, or are a beneficiary of the Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA), the VA is now offering a dental insurance program that gives you the option to buy dental insurance through Delta Dental and MetLife at a reduced cost. The VA also provides free dental care to vets who have dental problems resulting from service. To learn more about these options, visit va.gov/dental or call 877-222-8387.

Low Income Options

If you’re low income, there are various programs and clinics that provide dental care at a reduced rate or for free. To look for options in your area contact your state dental director (see astdd. org), or your state or local dental society (ebusiness.ada.org/mystate.aspx). You may also be able to get discounted or free dental care at one of the federally funded HRSA health centers (findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov, 877-4644772), or at a privately funded free clinic (nafcclinics.org). Also check with the Dental Lifeline Network (dentallifeline.org, 888-4716334) which provides free dental care for low-income elderly and disabled; Remote Area Medical (ramusa.org) which offers free health, eye and dental care to people in select locations; and Indian Health Service (ihs.gov), which provides free dental care to American Indians and Alaska Natives who are members of a federally recognized Indian tribe. Also see toothwisdom.org, a website created by Oral Health America that will help you locate low-cost dental care. 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. December 2014 •

When you text a driver, you increase their risk of an accident by

TWENTY-

THREE TIMES

visit URthatDistracting.org to see how you can help end distracted driving.

*SOURCE: diStRaCtiOn.gOv

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ER Visits Up for High Blood Pressure

mergency room visits for high blood pressure jumped 25 percent in the United States in recent years, according to a new study. The finding — based on nearly 4 million U.S. emergency room visits from 2006 to 2011 — points to a need for people to better control their blood pressure by going to their primary care doctor, said physician Sourabh Aggarwal, the study’s lead researcher. “That’s quite a big increase in the number of visits to the ER,” said Aggarwal, chief resident in internal medicine at the Western Michigan University School of Medicine in Kalamazoo. However, while ER visits jumped, hospital admissions for high blood pressure, or hypertension, fell by 15 percent, the researchers said. And deaths among those admitted to the hospital because of blood pressure spikes fell 36 percent, the investigators found. Aggarwal can’t say what lies behind the findings, as the data didn’t include detailed information. But he speculated that patients found to have high blood pressure in the ER may not have a regular doctor. In some cases, the high blood pressure gets detected when they seek care for another complaint, he noted. The finding that fewer admissions and deaths are occurring could indicate that emergency room and hospital doctors have become better at treating high blood pressure, Aggarwal suggested.

For the study, researchers collected information from a nationwide emergency department database and looked for high blood pressure as the first diagnosis. ER visits because of high blood pressure jumped from 71 per every 100,000 people in 2006 to nearly 85 per 100,000 in 2011, the study found. One expert said the results suggest a change in healthcare patterns rather than an alarming spike in Americans’ blood pressure levels. “What this is a sign of is that patients are going to the ER instead of their doctor,” said physician Stephen Pitts, associate professor of medicine at Emory University in Atlanta, who wasn’t involved in the study. According to the heart association, about one out of every three U.S. adults has high blood pressure, which is a risk factor for stroke, heart attack and heart failure. It’s called a “silent killer” because it typically has no symptoms. Optimal blood pressure is below 120/80 mm Hg. The top number measures pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, while the bottom number measures pressure in the arteries between heartbeats. The heart association recommends emergency care if blood pressure measured at home tops 180/110 mm Hg. That is considered a hypertensive crisis.

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

Help Social Security Help the Homeless

ec. 21 is National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. Since 1990, on or near the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, the National Coalition for the Homeless brings attention to and seeks compassion for the homeless who have died because they didn’t have a warm, safe place to sleep. Even as the recovery works its way through the entire economy, no one is immune to potentially being homeless. People in our community — colleagues and family members, military veterans, and our friends — might be too proud to ask for help. Too often, homelessness ends in tragedy. Social Security provides services to the homeless and you can find these services at www.socialsecurity.gov/ homelessness. Those who are homeless can apply for benefits and, if they are eligible, their benefits can be deposited directly into a personal banking account, a direct express debit bank card or another electronic account. They

Q&A Q: I suspect that someone I know is collecting Social Security disability benefits when they shouldn’t be. What is the best way for me to report fraud? A: Social Security has zero tolerance for fraud and uses many proven tactics to prevent fraud, waste and abuse. Our office of the inspector general is relentless in its pursuit of people who conceal work activity while receiving disability benefits. We investigate and seek prosecution for people who receive benefits for a child or children who aren’t under their care or who fail to notify Social Security of the death of a beneficiary and continue to receive and cash checks of the deceased. We also depend on you to help stop fraud. Please report fraud online at http:// oig.ssa.gov/report or call the Social Security Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271. Q: I haven’t received my Social Security Statement in the mail the last few years. Will I ever get one again? A: In September 2014, Social Security resumed mailing Social Security Statements to workers aged 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 who aren’t receiving Social Security benefits, and who don’t have a my Social Security account. Rather than once every five years, those over age 60 will receive a statement every year. Instead of waiting to receive a mailed statement once every five years, we encourage people to open a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount so they can access their statement online, anytime.

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

can also have benefits mailed to a third party or, if necessary, a representative payee can receive their funds. Social Security also collaborates with other agencies to help the homeless. At www.socialsecurity.gov/ homelessness/collaborations.htm, you can read more about the health care for the homeless program that provides grants to a network of local public and nonprofit private organizations. Social Security also participates in the Federal Interagency Reentry Council, as well as the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program. PATH helps people with serious mental health issues or people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Every day, and especially on Dec. 21, remember those living without a place to call home. Homelessness is a complicated and emotional issue, but we can help our brothers and sisters — friends and family — access the safety net that Social Security provides. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/homelessness to learn more.

Q: Why is it so important that my baby have a Social Security number? A: Your child may need a Social Security number if you are planning to open a bank account, buy savings bonds, obtain medical coverage or apply for government services for the child. Your child will also need a Social Security number if you are going to declare him or her on your taxes. Getting a Social Security number for your newborn is voluntary, but it is a good idea to apply when your child is born. You can apply for a Social Security number for your baby when you apply for your baby’s birth certificate. The state agency that issues birth certificates will give us your child’s information and we will mail you a Social Security card with the child’s Social Security number. Q: I am about to retire, but I still have a young child in my care. Will I receive additional benefits for the child I care for? A: When you qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, your children may also qualify to receive benefits. Your eligible child can be your biological child, an adopted child or a stepchild. In limited circumstances, you may also get benefits for a dependent grandchild. To receive benefits, your child must be: unmarried; under the age of 18; between 18 and 19 years old and a full-time student (no higher than grade 12); or 18 or older and disabled from a condition that started before age 22. You can read more about planning for a disabled child’s care here: www. socialsecurity.gov/retire2/yourchildren.htm.

H ealth News UCVA Cardiovascular to join RR Health System UCVA Cardiovascular Practice with its 15 cardiologists and 110 employees from four different offices will join Rochester Regional Health System Jan. 1. UCVA has been serving the Greater Rochester and Southern tier areas for more than 20 years, with offices in Greece, Brighton, Dansville and Geneseo as well as providing cardiology services at Unity Hospital for many years. While UCVA will become an integral part of Sands Constellation Heart Institute (SCHI) of Rochester Regional, their patients will experience a seamless transition with little change in dayto-day operations. “We are excited about the opportunity to become a part of the staff at the acclaimed Heart Institute,” said physician Maurice E. Varon, managing partner at UCVA. “All of us at UCVA are committed to continuing to provide the highest quality of care our patients expect, and joining Rochester Regional will ensure our ability to provide seamless and exceptional service long term.” “Bringing the talents and patient-first focus of the UCVA team into Rochester Regional will further position our cardiac team as the best in the Northeast,” said physician Ronald Kirshner, chief of the Sands Constellation Heart Institute at Rochester Regional Health System. “Our system-wide affiliations, our physicians and staff, and our award-winning quality together ensure our patients experience the best cardiac care available.” Rochester Regional’s Rochester General Hospital (RGH) has earned national recognition for excellence in cardiac specialties and continues its affiliation as a Cleveland Clinic heart surgery program. Home to the fourth largest cardiac center in New York state, RGH has been recognized nine times as one of the nation’s Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospitals.

Easter Seals expands mental health services Easter Seals New York in Monroe County announced that its diagnostic treatment center has received an enhanced state certification, which will allow the organization to reach more patients in the area. Easter Seals New York provides individuals primary medical care and mental health services under the same roof. The center follows a multi-disciplinary, strengths-based approach to design individualized treatment plans for children and adults. Families and support networks are active participants in an individual’s care at the DTC, which served 1,500 people last year. According to officials, the recent certification it received (article 31 certification ) will expand the available service offerings at the DTC and will make it easier for those who need care to receive it, especially during an acute event. “The staff here in Rochester is ex-

cited to provide mental health services for the Greater Rochester area,” said David Canfield, regional director of Easter Seals New York. “The level of commitment and dedication provided to this vulnerable population is a cornerstone of the services we offer. Our clinicians have specialized in meeting the needs of the Rochester community and are looking forward to providing the best possible services available.” Expert staff and clinicians at the DTC in serve individuals with various intellectual and physical disabilities, special needs, and multiple diagnoses. Services include eligibility evaluations, diagnostic testing, psychiatry, psychological counseling, and self-regulation therapy.

Thompson Hospital named a ‘Top Performer’ For the second year in a row, F.F. Thompson Hospital has been recognized as a 2013 “Top Performer on Key Quality Measures” by The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in the United States. Thompson was recognized as part of The Joint Commission’s 2014 annual report “America’s Hospitals: Improving Quality and Safety,” for attaining and sustaining excellence in accountability measure performance for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care. Thompson is one of 1,224 hospitals in the United States to achieve the 2013 “Top Performer” distinction, which recognizes hospitals for improving performance on evidence-based interventions to increase the chances of healthy outcomes for patients with certain conditions. Thompson was recognized as a Top Performer last fall as well, for its performance on accountability measure data for 2012 with regard to heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care. This latest recognition makes Thompson one of only of 712 hospitals to achieve the Top Performer distinction for the past two consecutive years. “We understand what matters most to patients at Thompson is the quality and safety of the care they receive. This is why we have made it a top priority to improve positive patient outcomes through evidence-based care processes,” said Thompson Health President/ CEO Michael F. Stapleton, Jr. “Being named a ‘Top Performer’ once again is a testament to the knowledge, teamwork and dedication of our entire hospital staff.” To be a 2013 Top Performer, hospitals had to meet three performance criteria based on 2013 accountability measure data, including: • Achieving cumulative performance of 95 percent or above across all reported accountability measures; • Achieving performance of 95 percent or above on each and every reported accountability measure where there were at least 30 denominator cases; and • Having at least one core measure set that had a composite rate of 95 percent or above, and (within that measure set) all applicable individual

accountability measures had a performance rate of 95 percent or above. “Delivering the right treatment in the right way at the right time is a cornerstone of high-quality health care. I commend the efforts of Thompson for their excellent performance on the use of evidence-based interventions,” said physician Mark R. Chassin, president and CEO, The Joint Commission.

ACM Medical Laboratory gets award ACM Medical Laboratory, Inc., a division of Rochester Regional Health System, is the recipient of the 2014 Community Partner Award from Trillium Health. ACM has partnered with Trillium Health for 25 years, supporting its ongoing goal to provide integrated, personalized primary and specialty medical care to people from diverse communities. ACM received the Community Partner Award in October at a reception celebrating 25 years of outstanding services provided by Trillium Health

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co-founder William Valenti, who also serves as the company’s senior vice president for organizational advancement and staff physician. Upon accepting the award, Angela Panzarella, president of ACM, presented a donation in honor of Valenti and the many achievements he continues to make. “Throughout the past 25 years, it has been a privilege for ACM to support Trillium Health as it continues to evolve and thrive in the Rochester community and beyond,” commented Panzarella. “Dr. Valenti is an industry icon, and receiving this award underscores ACM’s dedication to keeping pace with his team’s efforts as they further progress toward strategic goals and embark on new clinical initiatives.” ACM provides diagnostic testing services for the medical providers at Trillium Health and the more than four thousand patients they serve across this region. ACM has a patient service center adjacent to Trillium Health’s main offices at Monroe Square in Rochester where patients are seen for simple blood analysis, specialty lab work for long-term HIV care and everything in between.

VNS names new president and CEO UR Medicine’s home care agency, Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester and Finger Lakes Visiting Nurse Service, appointed Jane Shukitis as president and CEO. She will begin leading the $60 million home care agency Jan. 5. Shukitis is currently the senior vice president of long term and post acute care services for Rochester Regional Health System where she directs and oversees the operations of six skilled nursing facilities and seven adult day services programs. “Jane is a strong leader with extensive experience growing and integrating health care and aging services,” said Steven Goldstein, vice president of UR Medicine and CEO of Strong Memorial Shukitis and Highland hospitals. “At a time when health care is evolving rapidly toward homeand community-based settings, Visiting Nurse Service is fortunate to have a professional with the vision and stature of Jane at the helm.” Shukitis’ career spans many years at Unity Health System where she served as the senior executive responsible for the division of aging and community services. She opened Unity’s licensed home care agency in 2002, its certified home health care agency in 2013,

and oversaw many other services such as a long term home health care program, a transitional care center, private care management services, and a variety of community-based ancillary services including assistive technology, companion/housekeeping services, and home delivered meals. She serves on the Council for Elders Advisory Board for Monroe County Office for the Aging and the Regional Commission for Community Health Improvement for the Finger Lakes Health System Planning Agency. She received the 2008 Innovative Program of the Year award from LeadingAge New York, the 2007 Employer Recognition Award from the Vocational Education Services for Individuals with Disabilities, and the 2006 Professional of the Year award from LeadingAge New York. Shukitis earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Roberts Wesleyan College and her master’s degree in public administration from SUNY Brockport. She resides in Gates. Shukitis will succeed Victoria Hines, Visiting Nurse Service’s previous president and CEO, who is now chief operating officer with the University of Rochester Medical Faculty Group. Denise Burgen, Visiting Nurse Service’s chief clinical officer, served as the agency’s interim president and CEO.

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Henrietta woman devotes her life to healing and helping others overcome tragedy By Deborah Blackwell of work, she says when it becomes clear, the feelings of relief are amazing. “The value of the process is hard to describe,” says McCullough. “When you can change beliefs you have had your entire life that have caused you to feel stuck in a place you cannot get out of, it is a pivotal point of power. McCullough’s experience of releasing the trauma was based on many things, such as being gentle with herself, and with acceptance. She studied spirituality. She formulated her own personal beliefs about who she is. She utilized continual reinforcement and what she calls choice-making dialogues. She now helps others work on the processes that can help lead to healing. McCullough’s personal work resulted in a deep desire to share her knowledge which she did in her book, “Kathy Said, You’re Not Lost to Me.” Written for people to quickly access therapeutic, inspiring quotations whenever they need them, this simple book is full of insight and wisdom she learned with Martin. “It was an honor to witness the healing described in this book,” says Martin. “I hate the fact that Jackie was hurt, but I find comfort in the fact that humans are resilient and can heal from anything.” McCullough says we may not know what is happening behind the walls of other people’s lives, but having a support person who understands that is invaluable to healing. She sees individuals in her home and also does face-to-face sessions on the Internet. “If I can do it, anyone can do it,” says McCullough. “Happiness is a choice and I have learned to choose happiness in the face of difficulties. There is always hope, just hang in there and love yourself.” “Kathy Said, You’re Not Lost to Me” is available on Amazon.com, or by contacting Jackie McCullough at jackiementor@gmail.com. For more information, visit www. option.org, or call 413-229-2100.

ongoing demons of depression, post traumatic stress disorder and severe anxiety. She finished two years of college and then married. But she struggled to cope with everyday life as her flashbacks and memories from childhood consumed her. Her first marriage ended, and although she re-married, she still felt victimized and her life remained unsettled. Eventually that marriage ended as well. “The difficulties of my adulthood were really just results of pain and coping patterns from my childhood,” says McCullough. “I was constantly in fear and it debilitated my life.” McCullough began her road to recovery in 12-step programs. But it was not until a few years after her father’s death that she was able to truly open up to her painful past. She did that with the help of Kathy Martin, a clinical social worker specializing in post traumatic stress disorder and trauma in Rochester. She also worked with the Option Institute in Sheffield, Mass., a nonprofit therapeutic organization specializing in what they call, “inner McCullough during a book signing event. She just published a book — “Kathy Said, strength training.” You’re Not Lost to Me” where she talks about how people can overcome tragedies. “When I started therapy with Kathy, it saved my life and my sanity,” hen personal tragedy strikes at age 72, she maintains her own coun- says McCullough. “After seeing her at a young age, it can debiliseling and coaching practice and offers twice a week for 10 years I found the tate a person’s emotional and insightful techniques to others who Option Institute. I started taking classes physical health for a lifetime. But some- want to regain what she refers to as, there and found a new way to think times childhood pain can be turned “strength and sanity.” and take care of myself emotionally around and used as a catalyst for Born the second of five children through these processes.” healing, which is exactly what Jackie in 1942 to dairy farmers, McCullough McCullough’s road to healing was McCullough did when she was old says she spent most of her childhood not an easy one. She devoted her life enough to take back control of her life. enduring tremendous abuse, concealed to change on every level, essentially “It is important to believe that to the world around her. transforming herself layer by layer. She healing is possible, even when we “We lived 12 miles south of Canan- learned that every feeling and behavior are consumed by our suffering,” says daigua in the Bristol Hills. It is beauis created by a belief, and she learned McCullough, of Henrietta. “Now I can tiful rolling hills and we had a view to change her beliefs from grief to emtruly enjoy my golden years, and live a of Canandaigua Lake from our front powerment. peaceful, happy life.” porch,” says McCullough. “But we “You make beliefs up your entire McCullough’s journey proved so were very isolated. We had no close life, about yourself, others, your world. valuable to her that she openly shares neighbors and rarely any other children But the reality is our feelings don’t her story so others who have lived to play with.” come from what happened to us, they through personal tragedy may be able It was that isolation that kept her come from what we believe about it,” to learn to live again. in the confines of her terrorizing and says McCullough. But in order to do that she had to turbulent childhood, a haunting tale She says we must bring our beliefs first learn how to heal herself. that defined her into adulthood. to the surface, look at them, dilute, then That was over a decade ago. Now, Through the years she fought the dissolve them. While it can take years

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

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Webster to Build Sports Complex for Special Needs Kids In the new $750,000 complex, kids will have a choice to play baseball, soccer and flag football, among other sports By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

on Kampff was coaching a Little League game in 2001. Then a father came to him and talked about a special needs baseball program that was happening in Fairport. He wanted help to bring it to Webster and believed Kampff was the man for the job. The first year, they started out with 32 kids and played four games on a Sunday featuring a trophy for the winner. Little did they know that the event would be the first step toward a much larger program. The Webster town board recently

allocated a portion of existing recreational property for the construction of a sports complex. The approval launched a campaign to raise funds for The Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester. Challenger baseball is a place where kids with special needs get the chance to come together as a team and be cheered on to greatness. It is a family-friendly sports activity that focuses on safety and fun. “Now almost 14 years later, we have more than 80 registered kids who play,” said Kampff. “We have expanded the number of games and almost 200 people show up and are excited and cheering all the way. The kids enjoy putting on their uniforms and playing this great game.” The $750,000 complex, which is expected to be complete in 2016, will have a team dugout, a concession stand, a pavilion, paved walkways, lights, outfield fencing and a picnic area. The Webster Complex will provide a baseball field for special needs kids for all over Monroe County. Now, these kids do not have a field of their own. They can only play

when other teams or organizations such as Little League are not using existing fields. Having their own field also allows the kids to have as much time as possible to play their game without being rushed. Bob Hodges, who is volunteering with the project, said he remembers when he first watched a Challenger baseball game. He was enthralled with the excitement that it brought each kid. He wanted to get involved in whatever way he could make this new field come true. “The way the game works is that they put the ball on a tee and they hit it. They have a buddy next to them that wheels when around the base depending on what kind of hit they get,” said Hodges. “When they hit the ball, you can see their faces light up

Kids playing baseball at Miracle Field in Grand Island near Buffalo.

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

like a Christmas tree as they go around the bases. It just gets you so excited for them.” The special synthetic surface will cover the entire ballpark making it easier for players to enjoy the game. It is difficult to maneuver a wheelchair around those bases. “Kids will be able to use their wheelchair to go around the bases with ease. It is hard to get a wheelchair around three inches of dirt on a baseball field,” said Hodges. “There are at least 10,00 special needs kids in Monroe county and many of them would love the experience to play on this field. We are very excited,” said Hodges. The complex will be designed and built to the specifications supplied by Miracle Field Inc., a national organization that for 15-plus years has assisted and counseled communities in building more than 240 ball field for children with special needs. In addition to baseball, the Webster field will be built and designed to accommodate additional sports activities such as flag football and soccer, which a number of special kids play as well. The organization has already hosted a wine tasting and silent auction to raise funds already took place at the Penfield Country Club. The funds will be raised in three phases. Kampff said the idea has been discussed for some time, and once the Webster town board allocated space, the plan moved forward. He wanted a space just for the kids so they would not be interrupted if their game took two, three or four hours. He wanted a place they could call their own. And with luck, in two years Ridge Field, adjacent to Webster Town Hall will be their field of dreams. “These kids are incredible and they deserve so much,” said Kampff. “When they get a hit, everyone gets excited. And once or twice a year when one of the kids hits a home run, everyone just jumps out of their seat. “