In Good Health: Rochester #203 - July 2022 by In Good Health: Rochester's Healthcare Newspaper

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JULY 2022 • ISSUE 203

FOOD ADDICTION Why some people just can’t stop eating... members of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous share their struggle to break their addiction to food. P. 16

TRANSPLANT INNOVATIONS Physician Roberto HernandezAlejandro is URMC transplant chief. His living-donor liver transplantation program is saving lives, receiving referrals from all over the country. P. 4

P. 10

VACATION WITH KIDS: TIPS AND TRICKS

Camp Good Days Resumes InPerson Camps for Kids with Cancer Founder talks about the evolution of the camp for children with cancer. ‘We didn’t have any money. We didn’t have a camp. But we had a dream.’

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July 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 3

Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Roberto HernandezAlejandro, M.D

URMC transplant chief: Local living-donor liver transplantation program has received referrals from all over the country New Guidelines for Pancreatic Cancer Screening

y the year 2030, pancreatic cancer is expected to become the second most common cause of cancer deaths for both men and women in the United States, according to recent reports. While considered uncommon, inherited gene mutations can increase a person’s risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Early detection of cancer is key to a greater chance of survival, but it is difficult to catch pancreatic cancer early as people usually have no symptoms until the cancer has advanced and hard to treat. A clinician-researcher from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) contributed to new national guidelines published by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE), recommending annual pancreatic cancer screening for patients who are at increased risk because of genetic susceptibility. While earlier guidelines had restricted screening to only those individuals with BRCA 1/2 who had a family history of pancreatic cancer, the new guidelines expand indication for screening for all with the gene variations regardless of family history. “Because less than 25% of patients with BRCA 1/2 who develop pancreatic cancer have family history of pancreatic cancer, most cancers will be missed if screening is restricted to those with a family history” said first author of the guidelines Mandeep S. Sawhney, a gastroenterologist at BIDMC and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “Although screen-detected pancreatic cancers are more likely to be diagnosed at an earlier and more treatable stage, it is important to acknowledge the potential downsides of screening. These guidelines are the first to quantify harms from pancreatic cancer screening resulting from false-positive screening tests results and encourage care providers to carefully counsel their patients before enrolling in a screening program.”

Q: Give us an overview of the living-donor liver transplantation program you head. A: I’ve been here at the University of Rochester since I came here from Canada six years ago. A few years in I established a living-donor liver transplant program. The reason for this was due to the scarcity of organs, of livers, from deceased donors. Unfortunately, there are about 30% of patients on the waiting list who, while they’re waiting, get too sick to receive an organ or die. So living donors are another way to get organs. Of course, we have to be very careful with the donors, because they’re putting their own lives at risk and we want the best outcome for them. And we’ve been very successful. We’re the second largest living-donor living transplant program in the state of New York. I also do liver surgery, resecting, on patients who have metastases from colon cancer. There’s a group of patients who have so many metastases from colon cancer that we can’t resect the liver. For these patients, the best we can do is chemotherapy. That’s the best outcome we could have is to get chemotherapy, and their survival rate is poor. Unfortunately, only around five out of 100 will reach five years of survival or around that. Since my early years of training, I always questioned myself as to why we couldn’t do transplants on these patients. In the ‘90s, a group from France started doing liver transplants for these patients. The outcomes were not good. But this is 30 years ago. So we started a program in Rochester for liver transplantation in patients with unresectable liver metastasis. Q: What made you want to try that?

A: This was based on data out of Norway. Norway has been doing this almost for the last 10 years, and they’ve been having very good outcomes. The reason that they were able to do this is because they have an excess of donation and they have shorter waiting lists, so they’ve been able to use livers from deceased donors. And we had to figure out how we could replicate that in the U.S. So we went through the ethics process at the University of Rochester. We got approval and so far we’ve done 10 of these cases. Our outcomes have been very similar to what Norway has been reporting. Instead of five out of 100 being alive five years later, close to around 70% to 80% are. Some of them even get cured and we’re talking about patients with very advanced liver metastasis. We’ve developed a protocol that’s very strict. We’ve been getting referrals from all over the country, even from other countries. We assess the patients in person or virtually and see how they’re responding to chemotherapy, if they’ve removed the primary tumor from the colon cancer and communicate with surgeons who have been involved with the patient to decide if the patient is a good candidate. We’ve surpassed 120 referrals. Of those, around 10 have been candidates from transplantations. They’ve had very good outcomes. And of course, they have to bring a living donor. Q: What are the outcomes like for the donors? A: Excellent, with complete, 100% survival. They can return back to work in several weeks with minimal complications. Q: What’s the experience like for the donor? A: The donors are healthy patients who evaluate with a very thorough assessment. We make sure they’re ready for this, both physically and emotionally. We want to be sure they’re mature adults who understand what this process is. Right now we accept donors who are between 18 and 60. They go through an educational process about what it means to be a donor. We do a lot of imaging just to be sure that the anatomy of the liver is good, that the size of the liver is good, because we want to make sure that the remain-

Page 4 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2022

ing portion of the liver is enough to survive. The good thing about the liver is that it can regenerate and grow back in both the donor and the receiver. We tell them to expect a fiveor six-day stay in the hospital. We want them to stay close to Rochester for about three to four weeks to be sure they aren’t having any complications. And we’ll follow the patients for up to two years after they donate. They can have a completely normal life after they’ve recovered, but it’s probably going to take about two to three months to be the same way that they were before. Q: Are there any long-term concerns for the donor? A: This doesn’t have consequences so far as developing other diseases like hypertension, diabetes, cardiac diseases. And we try to minimize as much as possible the size of the incision. Q: What factors determine whether or not a liver can regenerate from damage it receives? A: The liver is an amazing organ that has more than 400 functions. And one of the most amazing capacities of the liver is the ability to grow back. But it needs to be a healthy liver to grow back the way it needs to. But there are conditions that impede it. For example, a fatty liver or elderly liver won’t regenerate the way a healthy liver will. So that’s why we need to be cautious. Q: For the recipient, is there any difference in outcomes between getting a partial liver from a living donor and receiving a whole one from a deceased donor? A: Yeah, that’s a good question. If we have a deceased organ, that’s ideal, but unfortunately there’s not enough, so the only way we can do this is with a live donor. Now, live donations are excellent organs even if they are partial. We know it’s coming from a healthy person. The other advantage is we have more flexibility in scheduling the surgery. We can make sure everything is setup. With deceased organs, one may become available in the middle of the night. Q: Do you see this potentially becoming a more common practice in the U.S.? A: I think if we do it cautiously, selecting patients in the appropriate way, and the donors as well, I think we’re going to be able to obtain good outcomes and show these results nationally. We’re in the process of creating a task force to create a consortium with similar institutions that are doing it.

Lifelines

Name: Roberto Hernandez-Alejandro, M.D. Position: Chief of URMC’s abdominal transplant and liver surgery division; director of Living-donor Liver Transplantation; investigator at the Wilmot Cancer Institute Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico Education: Universidad de La Salle Affiliations: Rochester Regional Health; Western University (Canada) Organizations: American Surgical Association; International Liver Transplant Society; International HPV Association Family: Married, two daughters, one son Hobbies: Biking, exercise, yard work, travel

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July 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 5

The 988 Mental Health Hotline Is Coming

he mental health equivalent of 911 is about to launch across the United States, but a new study finds that many communities may not be prepared for it. Beginning July 16, a new 988 number will be available 24/7 for Americans dealing with a mental health crisis. It’s akin to 911, long used to get help for medical emergencies. The new code will replace the 10-digit number currently used to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which was established in 2005. Health officials expect the easy-to-remember 988 to spur a surge in calls. The trouble is, few jurisdictions are ready for that, according to the new study, by the nonprofit research organization RAND Corp. “At the service level, the 988 transition is a simple number change,” said Ryan McBain, a RAND policy researcher who co-led the study. But on the ground, McBain said, it’s a different story. For one, local crisis centers need enough counselors to handle any influx of calls. Beyond that, some callers will need additional in-person help. Yet, the study found, many jurisdictions lack such resources. It surveyed 180 state, regional and county health officials, and found that only half said their jurisdiction had shortterm “crisis stabilization” services to which callers could be directed. Even fewer — 28% — had urgent care units that could be dispatched to people in urgent need. Meanwhile, only 22% had call centers that could schedule mental health appointments

on behalf of people who wanted them. On top of those shortfalls, most local hotlines did not offer text or online chat options. That’s a key gap, McBain said, since teenagers and young adults often prefer those modes of communication. Overall, McBain said, the findings confirm the concerns of many mental health experts: Jurisdictions have not had the time or resources to prepare for the 988 rollout. The 988 code was authorized by Congress in 2020, with the intent of giving Americans an easier way to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Lifeline is a network of almost 200 crisis centers throughout the United States. When people call the national number, they are connected with the center closest to them to speak with a trained counselor and, if needed, get help finding local resources. The intent of the Lifeline, and 988, goes beyond suicide prevention, McBain noted. It offers help to people in mental health distress, including problems related to substance abuse. The looming 988 launch is only the beginning of efforts to shore up that system, said physician John Palmieri, acting director of the 988 coordination office at the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). “The Biden-Harris Administration has made significant strides in strengthening and expanding the existing Lifeline, and we expect 988 will continue to grow and evolve in the coming months, as more states start to step up,” Palmieri said in a statement.

SERVING MONROE AND ONTARIO COUNTIES A monthly newspaper published by Local News, Inc. Distribution: 33,500 copies throughout more than 1,500 high-traffic locations. In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2022 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. P.O. Box 525, Victor NY 14564. Phone: 585-421-8109 • Email: Editor@GVhealthnews.com

Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Writers: Deborah J. Sergeant, Chris Motola, George Chapman, Gwenn Voelcker, Anne Palumbo, Ernst Lamothe Jr., Steve Yablonski, Mike Costanza, Kim Petrone (MD) Advertising: Anne Westcott (585-421-8109) • Linda Covington (585-750-7051) Layout & Design: Joey Sweener • Office Manager: Kate Honebein 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.

Page 6 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2022

July 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

What My Garden Has Taught Me

ardening season is in full swing, as evidenced by the long check-out lines at gardening centers throughout our area. July is the perfect month for folks to dig in, get their knees dirty, and try their hand at growing a few flowers and vegetables at home. It’s also a good time to reflect the many life lessons that gardening offers to those who live alone. It has taught me the value of planning, preparation, patience and pleasure — four essential “P’s” for a bountiful garden and ... a bountiful life. Fertile ground exists in each of us, and a little tending can produce beautiful results. Here’s what I have learned:

• Plan. Realizing the garden of your dreams begins in your imagination, followed by careful planning. Diagram your garden and it will help you avoid planting onions on top of potatoes or mistaking basil for a weed.

Likewise, envisioning your life goals and committing them to writing can help you flourish and grow.

• Cultivate. Good, cultivated soil promotes healthy, deep roots. When you add fertilizer to your garden you are rewarded with abundance. Adding essential ingredients to the foundation of your dream garden (and your dream life) will nourish all that follows. You can’t go wrong with nutritious food, a walk in nature, a good book, soothing music or saying “yes” to a new adventure that’s been tugging at your heart. • Plant. So many choices! Revisit your plan and embed your carefully selected seeds or seedlings with a tender, loving touch, being careful not to overcrowd or plant more than you can manage. And remember: We reap what we sow, so follow your dreams. Plant a tomato and you get a tomato; neglect to pull a dandelion and you’ll

New Hope for Relief From Peanut Allergy in Kids

or families of children with peanut allergy, there may be some hope. Researchers say they’re working on a treatment that can cre-

ate immune system changes that put kids into remission from their allergy. A parent of a child who participated in an allergy trial in Australia

get an abundance of dandelions. Seed your future with healthy choices that promote well-being. • Weed. We all need room to breathe and space in which to blossom. It holds true for your garden and your life. Gardening is all about consistent caretaking. Slack off, even for a few days, and all things unwelcome show up and take root. Weed out the negativity and any dream-stealing toxins that contaminate your life, dash your hopes, or spoil your fun. When you pull out the bad, you can more easily focus on the good in your life. • Prune. When weeding is not enough, a major pruning may be in order. A job, relationship or home that no longer satisfies or meets your needs may need a hard look. It may be time to pull out that pair of “life loppers.” • Mulch. Mulching keeps weeds at bay, the ground moist, and adds nutrients to the soil. It also adds a finishing touch. Mulch offers a blanket of protection, in the same way that regular doctor appointments, insurances, vaccinations, and safety measures protect our lives. We can learn a lot from mulching. • Wait. We all know that good things come to those who wait. Enjoy the gradual unfolding of a garlic scape, a lettuce leaf, an idea, or a

said her 9-year-old daughter, Stella, has been in remission for almost four years and eats peanuts regularly. “Stella’s quality of life has improved considerably since the trial,” said her mom, Ju Lee Ng. Stella no longer has to always check food labels for peanuts. Her level of freedom has increased and her anxiety has dropped dramatically, her mother reported. “We previously had to avoid travel to countries that use lots of peanuts in the food, including Malaysia, where my husband and I are from,” Ng said. “Shortly after Stella achieved remission we were so excited to be able to travel on a family holiday to Thailand. We tried local dishes and enjoyed an amazing holiday without the stress that Stella could have an allergic reaction.” Led by researchers from Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia, and the Telethon Kids Institute in Australia, the study showed that gene networks are rewired after a combination treatment of a probiotic and peanut oral immunotherapy (gradual introduction of the allergenic food). The reprogramming appears to shut down the allergic immune response that caused the food allergy. “The immunological changes leading to remission of peanut allergy were largely unknown,” said lead researcher Mimi Tang, a professor of allergy and immunology at Murdoch Children’s. Previous studies had mostly focused on examining the levels of gene expression but did not explore how genes interact with one another. It made sense to look at communication between the genes, the research-

Page 8 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2022

friendship. When you exercise patience, life can be savored and more deeply appreciated. Each year, I look to my garden to remind myself that growth takes time. • Enjoy. Before you know it, your labor of love and patience will pay off. Take pleasure in the transformation as the colors, textures, and fragrances emerge. Too often, we fail to “stop and smell the roses” in our gardens and in our lives. So get busy, then step back and take a good look. There’s nothing quite as gratifying as admiring what you’ve accomplished. It’s reason to celebrate! By osmosis, gardening has taught me how to take better care of myself. I have absorbed its rich messages and learned how to nurture my inner garden and growth as a woman on her own. I encourage you to grab a spade and join me. Beauty, growth, and an energizing sense of renewal can be yours, season after season after season. Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Alone and Content, empowerment workshops for women and author of “Alone and Content,” a collection of inspiring essays for those who live alone. For information about her workshops, to purchase her book, or invite her to speak, visit www. aloneandcontent.com

ers said. “What we found was profound differences in network connectivity patterns between children who were allergic and those who were in remission,” Tang said in an institute news release. “These same changes were also seen when we compared gene networks before and after immunotherapy in the children who achieved remission following immunotherapy.” Food allergies affect about 10% of infants and 5% to 8% of children around the world. For this study, the researchers worked with 62 peanut allergic children aged 1 to 10 years old. The children were randomized to receive a treatment of a probiotic with a gradual introduction of peanut immunotherapy or a placebo for 18 months. About 74% who had the combination treatment achieved remission from their allergy. About 4% of those in the placebo group also achieved remission. A separate trial found that peanut immunotherapy alone was also highly effective at inducing remission and desensitization. In that, about half of the children achieved remission. The study was published May 25 in the journal Allergy. This approach is still far from prime time, however. Desensitization often waned after treatment ended or even during ongoing maintenance dosing, said co-author Sarah Ashley, a Murdoch Children’s researcher. The trial used an allergy immunotherapy from Australian biotech company Prota Therapeutics.

and securing good health care, high quality educational programs, safe and comfortable homes, social, sports and recreation activities and greater access to the community. Q: What changes have you seen in CP Rochester during your tenure and what are you most proud of? A: Currently, I am the CEO of CP Rochester, Happiness House and Rochester Rehabilitation Center. The three agencies are affiliated under a passive parent corporation, Ability Partners, Inc., formed in 2013. Together we serve more than 6,800 individuals operating in 15 locations with 650 employees. CP Rochester has seen growth in clinic, preschool and innovative housing options. I am very proud of our employees and their ability to navigate COVID and its challenges. We have developed noncertified transition apartments for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who will learn to live more independently. The development of the Golisano Autism Center in 2019 was also a point of pride for CP by helping so many individuals obtain the services they want and need.

Q A &

with

Mary Walsh Boatfield CEO of three groups — CP Rochester, Happiness House and Rochester Rehabilitation Center — discusses how her agencies are helping people with disabilities in the greater Rochester area By Ernst Lamothe

erebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement, muscle tone and posture caused by damage occurring to the immature brain as it develops. For 76 years, CP Rochester has supported individuals of all ages and abilities in the greater Rochester area in determining their own pathway in life. In addition to the services it provides for people with cerebral palsy, CP Rochester assists some of the most vulnerable people of all ages in the community and has greatly expanded the services it provides for autism. Mary Walsh Boatfield has been the CEO of CP Rochester for 20 years. She is also CEO of Happiness House and Rochester Rehabilitation Center. Q: How great is the need for CP Rochester services today? A: At CP Rochester, there is a great need for all services offered in-

cluding dental, residential, preschool and clinic. According to the CDC, 1 in 44 children have been diagnosed with autism. CP has responded to the increase by expanding and developing autism services. CP is the visionary and a founder of the Golisano Autism Center, providing an array of educational, clinical, day programs and social and recreation services to hundreds of children, adults and family members each week. The GAC is located in the city of Rochester so that all individuals with autism can access this amazing center. Q: Is the quality of life for people with autism better today? A: For 76 years, CP Rochester has supported individuals of all ages and abilities in the greater Rochester area in determining their own pathway in life. The quality of life has improved for individuals with disabilities at CP because of our expertise in providing

Q: What concerns does the organization face today? A: We face similar challenges that other organizations do such as workforce shortages, unfunded mandates and inadequate program rate. Yet, we are innovative and forward-thinking and always looking for new opportunities. Q: What does the future look like for CP Rochester? A: The future looks very bright as we continue to advocate for the necessary funding for our services. Our fundraising efforts through Ability Partners Foundation are very strong and have assisted us in expanding and sustaining our programs and services. Q: How many people does the agency serve today? A: CP Rochester serves 2,500 individuals of all ages and abilities living in Monroe, Livingston and Orleans counties.

Q: Is funding for CP Rochester adequate? What are the primary funding sources? A: Funding is rarely adequate from traditional funding sources. However, we are very successful with fundraising and obtaining grants from both government and private sources. Primary funding sources include Medicaid, OPWDD, State Education Department, County of Monroe and Department of Health. Q: Are CP Rochester stafﬁng needs being met in this challenging environment? How many employees are there? How many volunteers? What areas do you need more volunteers if any? A: We currently employ 250 individuals and hundreds of volunteers annually. As most nonprofit organizations we have had recruitment and retention challenges in our residential and educational programs. Our new strategic plan focuses our efforts on reducing turnover and increasing retention. We have also increased salaries to stay competitive with similar organizations. Q: Have you had to make operational changes due to ongoing COVID-19? A: As you would expect, this has been the most challenging two years that Ability Partners agencies have ever experienced, having a huge impact on the lives of our consumers and employees. 790 days ago, many of our programs began closing due to the pandemic. Within days, we began offering remote educational, clinical and telehealth services to more than 1,000 individuals and continue to do so during these difficult times. Our 24/7 residential program staff worked diligently to ensure that some of our most vulnerable citizens were safe, healthy and happy as they could not leave their homes or have visitors for four months. Many staff worked long hours and in full PPE to assist all consumers. Numerous staff also contracted the virus and through prayers, protocols, diligence and good fortune, all recovered. We are still following many regulatory protocols to keep individuals safe and healthy.

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Left Dozens of kids touched by cancer at Camp Good Days near Keuka Lake in Yates County gather around a campfire. “Here at Camp Good Days, they get a chance to be with others who are probably the only other people in the world who can really understand what it’s like to be them; other children also going through cancer,” says camp founder Gary Mervis.

Camp Good Days Resumes In-Person Camps for Kids with Cancer

Founder talks about the evolution of the camp for children with cancer. ‘We didn’t have any money. We didn’t have a camp. But we had a dream.’ By Steve Yablonski

amp Good Days was founded by Gary Mervis after his daughter, Elizabeth “Teddi” Mervis, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at the age of 9, in 1979. She ultimately died in 1982. “For me it’s a memorial to my daughter, Teddi — she’s the reason that I started it and it’s helped to keep her a part of my life every day,” he said. “And, to be honest with you, I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have this. I retired from my state job in 1994. Then I coached football up until two years ago at St. John Fisher College. This has become my everything else. I never looked at this as a job. This was my memorial to Teddi and probably the only thing in my life that really makes some sense out of something that didn’t make any sense.” Marvis believed the loneliness of being the only child in her school and neighborhood dealing with cancer was as painful to his daughter as the treatments. Camp Good Days has helped kids with cancer — and their families — for 43 years, until COVID-19 hit. “Over these past three years it’s been really tough. We weren’t able to operate,” Mervis said. But he is opmistic about the activities the camp plans for this year. In July, Camp Good Days is going to do family camps then in August a traditional children’s camp, Mervis explained, adding, “We’ll be real busy pretty much all summer.” What has made Camp Good Days so successful for over four decades is because it takes children who are dealing with cancer and it gives them a chance in a beautiful part of our state where people are there because they want to be—gives kids a chance to be kids again, Mervis said. A lot of these children grow up too quickly, make adult decisions, he said. “The treatment options are some of the most potent that medical science can come up with. Sometimes when a child is going through treatment a lot is happening to them and

Above Camp Good Days founder Gary Mervis (centered, seated) gathers with kids and family members in 2021. Right Gary Mervis and his wife Wendy started Camp Good Days after daughter, Elizabeth “Teddi” Mervis, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor at the age of 9, in 1979.

At Camp Good Days, All Programs Are Free Camp Good Days and Special Times, commonly called “Camp Good Days,” is a residential summer camp which provides summer camping experiences for children, adults and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life challenges. It was the first organization of its kind in the United States to be started by a lay person, Gary Mervis. The camp is operated by a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, “Camp Good Days and Special Times Inc.,” which is one of the largest organizations of its kind in the country. The camp offers weeklong summer

camping sessions, weekend adult retreats, and year-round programs for families who have been touched by cancer and other life challenges. These include programs for children, adult oncology programs, family programs and brain tumor family retreats. All programs are provided free of charge. Programs are open to: Children with cancer or sickle cell anemia, children who have a parent or sibling with cancer or sickle cell anemia, children who have lost a parent or sibling with cancer or sickle cell anemia, women and men with cancer. Visit www.campgooddays.org for more information.

Page 10 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2022

their bodies and they don’t feel very comfortable,” he continued. “They might be the only one in their neighborhood or church or synagogue or school dealing with this thing called cancer. Here at Camp Good Days, they get a chance to be with others who are probably the only other people in the world who can really understand what it’s like to be them; other children also going through cancer.” Mervis’ daughter is always in his mind and helps guide his decision. “I tell people all the time — at night a lot of times before I go to bed I will just kind of say to myself what would Teddi think; would she think I’m doing a good job?” he said. “That’s what keeps me going and the day that I ask that question and I’m not doing a good job, then it’s time to do something else; unless the good Lord intercedes before that.” Mervis made a promise to himself when he first started Camp Good Days. When Teddi was in the hospital, he’d run into some other parents who had a child in the hospital at that time and realized how blessed he was. “I had a good job with good benefits, our marriage was very good … Teddi was doing OK. But I saw a lot people who were really torn because they quit work to be with their child; especially initially to get them to the many doctor appointments and sitting with them when they are getting their treatment. Finances was a big thing and I didn’t want to see anyone with a child who had cancer have to make a choice to take a child to Camp Good Days or make a car payment or pay the rent or mortgage. So I said that all of our services and programs would be provided free of charge,” he said. That was great in the early years; they didn’t have a lot of kids, he noted. But over the years with the increase in kids and just the overall cost of things, it became very expensive. “But because of the support of so many people who believe in what we are trying to do I’ve been able to keep that promise. No family has ever had to worry about paying. I never wanted potential campers to be turned away by cost,” he explained. “I never wanted people to have to choose between a car payment and going to camp.” The camp is located on Keuka Lake. “It’s a beautiful part of our state. We’re right across from Keuka State Park. It’s a total of about 15 acres, all level and we use every bit of it. It’s a very special, special place. The camp also maintains offices in Buffalo, Syracuse and Ithaca,” he added. Mervis heard about a doctor in Michigan who had taken children from their clinic, rented an outdoor

camp and took the children there. “The camp was as far removed from the sterile environment of the hospital as you could get. I saw those kids having fun and all I could think about was I wanted to send Teddi to that camp,” Mervis said. He tracked down the doctor — a pediatric oncologist with the Upjohn Corporation in Kalamazoo, Michigan. “He explained to me it was a new concept and his was only the fourth in the country. We didn’t really have anything for our kids here. So, I made an appointment with the head of Roswell Park and Upstate Medical Center. There were more than enough childhood cancer patients in the area to warrant such a program, albeit it many of them were too young to go to camp; some were in the midst of treatments and couldn’t go. But there were more than enough,” Mervis said. That doctor was going to be in Buffalo on business. Mervis decided he’d drive to Buffalo and pick him up, bring him to Rochester and he’d stay overnight and the next morning at the Rochester Academy for Medicine they’d have an informational meeting. And so, Camp Good Days was born. “We didn’t have any money. We didn’t have a camp,” Mervis said. “But we had a dream!” The first event was held in the Adirondacks at Inlet, New York. “No sooner had we put the children on the buses to go home, we were sitting around talking about how we could make this bigger and better the next year,” he said. By the time the third year rolled around, 1982, Teddi had lost her battle. Many of the other children were sicker, as well. The medical staff decided camp needed to be closer to a major childhood cancer treatment facility. Most of the medical staff came from the University of Rochester. “So we drew a 60-mile radius around the U of R and looked at camps that we might be able to rent in that area,” he said. “Some of the camps that we looked at were in such disrepair that they wouldn’t meet the needs of our children.” At first, week-long camp experiences were held at private camps. In 1986, the Branchport property, formerly cottage resorts Campbell’s Beach and Pebble Beach, was purchased to provide expansion of the program. “We spent, I think, almost three years getting it ready so we could get permission from the state so we could operate a children’s camp,” he said. “It was a real blessing when we were able to move all our programs to one facility.” The camp has served more than 50,000 campers from 22 states and 27 foreign countries. “Before this COVID came, during the course of a summer, we’d have 1,200 to 1,500 children from the time we opened up our program at the start of June and ended usually with our weekend programs in September and October… right before election day,” he said.

Arthritis Can Also Affect Youth

Lifelong condition causes joint pain, swelling and other problems in youth By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ost people think of arthritis as an affliction of middle-aged through older

adults. Although that is largely true for the worn-out joints affected by osteoarthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis represents an autoimmune disease that is typically diagnosed in youth. Previously called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, it is a lifelong condition causing joint pain, swelling and, if left untreated, causes organ damage throughout the body. Because few people think of arthritis as affecting children, this can lead to difficulties of all sorts for families with children with JA. “Because it’s so insidious, a diagnosed child looks fine one day in school and playing with peers and the next day, the child cannot walk,” said Nancy Sorbella, community engagement director for the Arthritis Foundation’s New York chapters in New York City and Albany. “Even the best teachers will say, ‘You’re not in pain; you were fine yesterday.’ Often parents have to educate their own community.” That is why the Arthritis Foundation provides both community education and social outlets to families dealing with JA. This can help families get the advocacy and help their children need and help them connect with others in the same struggle. One of the biggest struggles with JA is that so few board-certified specialists treat it. Sorbella estimates that they number only 420 nationwide, meaning each has an average patient load of 700 children. That is about half the number that an average pediatrician sees, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. But visits for complicated medical cases such as JA

tend to take much longer and require more frequent visits than an average, healthy child who visits annually for a well child check-up and an occasional illness. JA specialists tend to work in larger cities, meaning most families must travel long distances for care, missing work and school. “It really does not matter how much money you have,” Sorbella said. “To find the right specialists, they often have to travel all over the country.” The Arthritis Foundation helps families find care providers and often serves as a resource to which providers refer their patients, both for practical and informational resources and for social outlets such as the free JA camps hosted around the country. Allen Anandarajah, rheumatologist who directs the Early Arthritis Clinic at URMC, also runs the RA CHAMP program. “I believe in empowering patients with education,” he said. RA CHAMP helps patients find a care provider, learn how to share information with the provider, understand their medication and side effects, coordinate appointments and find activity programs. Anandarajah said that early diagnosis is so important because “it causes inflammation with the synovial tissue in the joint. When inflamed, it causes joint damage and disruption if not diagnosed and treated adequately.” Typically, patients would notice joint pain, swelling and redness. Very young children may only cry without the ability to express what hurts. JA can also affect other areas of the body, including eye and bone health. They may also become less active, which increases risk of other diseases and suffer mental health issues because of the challenges they

Allen Anandarajah face. Rheumatoid arthritis drugs of the past typically mitigated pain but did little to slow the damage to joints and organs. “The good thing is in the last 15 to 20 years, there have been the development of more medications that can make a meaningful difference to patients,” Anandarajah said. Because the medication has little research involving long-term side effects, patients, families and providers weigh the benefits and risks of treatment and patients are closely monitored. “Children can do better with how they can deal with medicines,” Anandarajah said. “Some of the medications we use in quite high doses because their bodies can metabolize better than others. It’s an exciting time. We now may have tools to treat kids.” He encourages parents and patients to stay positive and focus on promoting good health with a balanced, healthful diet low in sugar and fat and with physical activity.

Planks for a Tight Core

Whether it’s work or home, performing planks is simpler than you think By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

eyond gaining enviable washboard abs, the benefits of planks include greater core stability, lower likelihood of back injuries and improved balance. “They are a phenomenal exercise and one of our favorites for postural core strength and anti-core, the movement against the trunk,” said Cameron Apt, athletic trainer and exercise specialist with URMC. He tells people of any athletic ability—from beginner to elite athlete—to not hold a plank position for longer than 45 seconds. Going longer can cause the person to switch to a passive, locked joint position that is more passive and not engaging muscles. “We must make sure we don’t do planks the wrong way, but an active plank,” he said. “Using any one exercise to the extreme isn’t as helpful. Use it as a tool, not your whole program.” The active plank engages the muscles to hold the position. The back should be straight with any

style of plank (you know, like a plank). Perform several planks per session, a few times per week. Apt recommends holding the position for 10 seconds and increasing the time by five seconds every week. For beginners, knee planks may be the way to go, as the person rests forearms and bent knees on the floor and then raises the torso and buttocks off the floor. The knees and feet stay on the floor and the head remains neutral. The classic plank is a little tougher, with the legs extended and all the

body weight resting on the forearms and the balls of the feet. The body remains stationary. There is also the straight arm plank, where the body is positioned like the classic plank, but the arms are straight, so the weight rests on the balls of the feet and the palms. The oblique plank turns the plank on its side with the weight resting on one forearm and the side of one foot (the other is on top of it). As with all planks, the body remains straight. Eventually, the free arm is raised straight in the air to increase the difficulty. Make it even harder by trying the walking plank. Begin with the straight arm plank and shift laterally with the right arm and right leg moving at the same time and the left arm and left leg moving at the same time to scuttle across the floor five steps right and five steps left to complete one set. Try performing a few sets. In a similar vein, try tapping a target ahead of you or your own shoulder or raising your feet on a low stool while performing a straight arm plank.

July 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 11

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Page 12 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2022

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D E PAUL

Is Skin Cancer Hereditary? By Jim Miller

hile long-term sun exposure and sunburns are the biggest risk factors for melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer — having a sibling or parent with melanoma does indeed increase your risk, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Each year, around 100,000 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma, and about 7,500 people will die from it. While anyone can get it, those most often diagnosed are Caucasians aged 50 and older. And those with the highest risk are people with red or blond hair, blue or green eyes, fair skin, freckles, moles, a family history of skin cancer and those who had blistering sunburns in their youth.

Skin Exams The best way you can guard against melanoma and other skin cancers (basal and squamous cell carcinomas) is to protect yourself from the sun, and if you’re over age 50, get a full-body skin exam done by a dermatologist every year, especially if you’re high risk. Self-examinations done every month or so is also a smart way to detect early problems. Using mirrors, check the front and backside of your entire body, including the tops and undersides of your arms and hands, between your toes and the soles of your feet, your neck, scalp and buttocks. Be on the lookout for new growths, moles that have changed, or sores that don’t heal, and follow the ABCDE rule when examining suspicious moles. • Asymmetry: One half of a mole doesn’t match the other. • Border: The border is blurred or ragged. • Color: The mole has uneven colors, often shades of brown, tan or black, with patches of pink, red, white or blue. • Diameter: The lesion is new or at least a quarter inch in diameter. • Evolving: The mole is changing in size, shape or color. For more self-examination tips and actual pictures of what to look

for, see SpotSkinCancer.org or use a skin cancer detection app like Miiskin.com, MoleMapper.org or SkinVision.com. In the spring and summer, there are also a variety of places that offer free skin cancer screenings, like the American Academy of Dermatology (spotskincancer.org) and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (asds.net/skincancerscreening.aspx), which offer screenings done by volunteer dermatologists across the U.S.

Sun Protection Even though you can’t change your skin or family history, there are some proven strategies that can help you protect yourself. For starters, when you go outside put-on broad-spectrum SPF 30, water-resistant sunscreen on both sunny and cloudy days. If you don’t like the rub-on lotions, try the continuous spray-on sunscreens which are easier to apply and re-apply and less messy. Also, seek the shade when rays are most intense — between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can also protect your skin by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and long sleeves and pants when possible. The best clothing options are tightly woven fabrics that help prevent the sun’s rays from reaching your skin, or you can wash in an invisible shield sun protection into your clothes with SunGuard laundry additive (see sunguarduv.com). You can even buy a variety of lightweight clothing and hats that offer maximum UV protection in their fabric. Coolibar.com and SunPrecautions. com are two good sites that offer these products.

Treatments If caught early, melanoma is nearly 100% curable. But if it’s not, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body where it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal. Standard early treatment for melanoma is surgical removal. In advanced cases, however, immunotherapies and targeted therapies have shown positive results, or chemotherapy and radiation may be used.

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The services offered in Cariola schools and residences provide each individual the opportunity to reach their highest potential, meeting milestones that were once thought impossible. Social workers, clinicians, therapists, educators and direct support professionals work as an interdisciplinary team to transform the lives of people with disabilities. Mary Cariola Center is a vital participant in caring for a community.

Our practice was founded on a singular mission: to treat our patients with the same expectations we have of our own providers. There would be minimal waiting for an appointment and urgent appointments would be available every day. We hope that you will be pleasantly surprised by how great an interaction with a medical office can be.

July 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 13

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Reiki Grows in Popularity Experts say reiki works as enhancing the body’s natural healing ability but not a replacement for standard medical care By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

nce dismissed in many circles of Western medicine as quackery, reiki has gained a reputation as helpful for pain, anxiety and stress relief among many healthcare providers. University of Rochester Medical Center has even hosted reiki practitioners for special events and clinics. How reiki works and its benefits is not well understood by many people. Deborah Blish, owner of Heaven and Earth Connections in Rochester, said that it “works on helping the body heal trauma.” Blish is a certified reiki master teacher, integrated energy therapy master instructor, subconscious release technique practitioner, and practitioner of emotional freedom

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technique. “Reiki has a frequency or vibration,” she said. “Its focus is physical level feelings and releasing tension from the body. Emotional healing can be another effect, as there’s a mindbody connection to ‘dis-ease.’ When you have ‘dis-ease’ in the emotions, it manifests in the physical. It can be tension. It can be physical ailments or pain.” Blish said that clients remain fully clothed and she places her hands slightly above them. As she is ordained, she can lay on hands, but she asks clients first. Unlike massage therapy, she does not manipulate tissue, but is “a purveyor of energy. It’s through intention I can connect to the divine source. I feel a fullness or a soft vibration from the top of my head through my heart and through my hands. My hands often get very

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hot. The client often says they are warm.” She said that depending upon the location, touching or hovering over the energy centers of the body and major joints, she channels energy into the client’s body. Sometimes, she feels impressions of pain or heartache a client is experiencing. “You can have things in your past that you’ve not healed that manifest as physical health problems,” Blish said. “Sometimes, a client during a session asks to stop because the emotions are very intense. If a client needs to stop or the pain gets more intense before it gets better, we stop.” A typical session will last roughly an hour. Clients often begin feeling relief right away. Some may need subsequent sessions to work through a particular issue. Jeanne Farrell, reiki practitioner in the Syracuse area, explains reiki as “bringing the coherence and harmony out of those energy systems in the body.” She views it as enhancing the body’s natural healing ability but not a replacement for standard medical care. “It’s always complementary to medical practices,” Farrell said. “It’s never in place of medical practice or advice. It’s working with it.” She said that many clients use it before surgery or during recovery to enhance their healing process by invoking a relaxation response and reducing inflammation. Farrell encourages clients to speak with their practitioner about why they want reiki, such as a physical, emotional, mental and/or spiritual issue. “There are many schools of reiki,” Farrell said. “They’re basically the same. You find different techniques, depending on with whom your teacher was learning. There’s no one complete right or wrong way. It’s just exposure to many different ways. Each practitioner is a conduit for the natural universal life energy, which is what we all have. It’s how we were born. It is why we exist.” She added that reiki has no contraindications and cannot be “overdone” or cause harm.

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Page 14 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2022

SmartBites By Anne Palumbo

Helpful tips

The skinny on healthy eating

Pork Ribs 101: Why Moderation is Key!

uring the grilling season and especially on the Fourth of July, my husband and I indulge in something we rarely eat all year long: pork ribs. It’s a summer tradition that allows us to enjoy this tasty meat with an understanding that it won’t last forever. We rarely eat ribs because, much like addictive chicken wings, we tend to devour them without really thinking about what or how much we’re eating. And while ribs certainly have some nutritional merit, they also have enough drawbacks for us — cholesterol-worriers that we are! — to put them in the “occasional” food category. What have ribs got going for them? You might be surprised. An average serving of ribs (3-4 oz) has around 20 grams of protein, which, for some, provides nearly 50% of the recommended amount. Protein is a powerhouse nutrient that we need throughout our lifetime, from growth and development when we’re young to maintaining muscle mass and strength when we’re old. More pork perks: Ribs teem with several B vitamins, including the coveted B12, a critical vitamin whose deficiency is marked by extreme fatigue and lethargy. All together, the mighty B-team plays a vital role in helping to maintain good health, provide energy, improve memory, and boost immunity. In addition to all those good B vitamins, pork ribs are an excellent source of selenium and zinc, two powerful antioxidants that neutralize free radicals — unstable molecules

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

that can harm your cells and contribute to many age-related diseases. So, what’s not to love about this lip-smackin’ cut of red meat? Three biggies: fat, cholesterol, and calories. Although some cuts of pork fall into the lean category with 10 grams of fat or less, baby back ribs and spareribs do not, delivering 20 grams of fat (or more!) per average serving. What’s more, a notable portion of that fat is saturated fat, the unhealthy fat that can raise cholesterol levels and increase risk of heart disease or stroke. As for cholesterol, a 3-oz serving of ribs has 70 mg, a hearty chunk of the 300-mg recommended daily limit. Last but not least, calories. Ever see someone eat an entire rack of barbecued ribs in one sitting? You’ve just witnessed the inhalation of nearly 2000 calories, perhaps more if the ribs were slathered in rich barbecue sauce. At about 300 calories per 3-oz serving, pork ribs on their own won’t land you in eater’s jail, especially if

Most People Think Their Diet Is Healthier Than It Is

U.S. adults commonly overestimate the quality of their diet, study shows

ow healthy is your diet? It seems like a simple question, but according to a new study, it’s one that most Americans struggle to get right. “We found that only a small percentage of U.S. adults can accurately assess the healthfulness of their diet, and interestingly, it’s mostly those who perceive their diet as poor who are able to accurately assess their diet,” said Jessica Thomson, PhD, research epidemiologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricul-

Named for their shorter length (not the piglet), baby back ribs are leaner, more tender, and have less meat than heartier, fattier spareribs. To cut calories and make ribs a tad healthier: season ribs with a dry rub; read barbecue sauce labels carefully and cut your sauce with some apple juice or cider. To further reduce salt and sugar, consider making your own rub and sauce.

tural Research Service in the Southeast Area, the study’s lead author. “Additionally, most adults overrate the quality of their diet, sometimes to a substantial degree.” Thomson presented the findings during the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition held June 14-16. The researchers wanted to find out whether a single, simple question could be used as a screening tool for nutrition studies — to replace or complement the detailed dietary

you practice portion control and only eat them occasionally. What may land you in the culinary clink, however, is the finger-lickin’ sauce, which can add hundreds of calories, not to mention loads of sugar and salt.

Lightened-Up Baby Back Ribs

Adapted from foodnetwork.com 1 (3-lb) rack, bone-in baby back ribs dry rub mix ½ cup 100% apple juice ½ cup barbecue sauce Dry rub mix: 2 tablespoons paprika 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder ½ teaspoon cumin questionnaires commonly used in nutrition research. Previous studies have found that self-rated health is a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality, but there is scant research on whether self-rated diet quality is predictive of the actual quality of one’s diet. The study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative survey of U.S. adults conducted every two years. Participants were asked to complete detailed 24-hour dietary recall questionnaires and rate their diet as excellent, very good, good, fair or poor. Researchers used the food recall questionnaires to score each participant’s diet quality. Examples of foods ranked as healthier include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, lower-fat dairy products, seafood and plant proteins. Foods considered less healthy included refined grains and foods high in sodium, added sugars or saturated fats. The study revealed significant disconnects between the researcher-calculated scores and how participants ranked their own diet. Out of over 9,700 participants, about 8,000 (roughly 85%) inaccurately assessed their diet quality. Of those, almost all (99%) overrated the healthfulness of

Preheat oven to 225 degrees. In a small bowl, combine all ingredients for dry rub, using a fork to crush any clumps. Place ribs on a double layer of aluminum foil (tear enough to encase ribs). Rub mix on both sides and then wrap foil around ribs, leaving a small section open at the top. Place wrapped rack of ribs on a large sheet pan and pour apple juice on the ribs through the opening in the foil. Cook for 2 hours. Remove ribs from foil and reserve ¼ cup of the juices. Preheat outdoor grill to medium. Mix reserved juices with barbecue sauce and set aside. Grill over indirect heat for 10 to 15 minutes per side. For the last 10 minutes of cooking, baste with barbecue sauce. Remove from grill, allow to rest 15 minutes before cutting, enjoy!

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle colum-

nist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.

their diet. Surprisingly, accuracy was highest among those who rated their diet as poor, among whom the researcher’s score matched the participant’s rating 97% of the time. The proportion of participants who accurately assessed their diet quality ranged from 1%-18% in the other four rating categories. Thomson said further research could help to elucidate what factors people consider when asked to assess their diet quality. For instance, it would be helpful to know whether people are aware of particular dietary recommendations and whether they take into consideration where their food is purchased or how it is prepared. “It’s difficult for us to say whether U.S. adults lack an accurate understanding of the components of a healthful versus unhealthful diet or whether adults perceive the healthfulness of their diet as they wish it to be—that is, higher in quality than it actually is,” said Thomson. “Until we have a better understanding of what individuals consider when assessing the healthfulness of their diet, it will be difficult to determine what knowledge and skills are necessary to improve self-assessment or perception of one’s diet quality.”

July 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 15

‘I just can’t stop’ Members of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous share their struggle to break their addiction to food By Mike Costanza Ted tried numerous weight loss programs and plans over the years, all of which failed. “The top of my food chain was doughnuts, pastries and pasta,” says the 67-year-old Greece resident, who spoke on the condition we don’t reveal his identity. “When I ate, I was just eating an amazing amount of it. I just can’t stop.” Ted is, by his own admission, addicted to food. An addiction, in a nutshell, is a dependence upon a substance or behavior. Despite the physical, emotional or financial consequences of acting upon that dependence, the individual involved cannot stop using or consuming the substance, or engaging in the addictive behavior. By the time he’d reached the age of 55, Ted’s weight had ballooned to 280 pounds, far more than the 174-pound maximum that his doctor recommended for his 5-foot-10-inch frame. Casting about for a way to reduce his weight and keep it off, Ted learned of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA), a mutual support program for those recovering from food addiction. The program has helped him drop unhealthy pounds, and keep them off. FA’s overall aim is to help those in need gain control of their food choices and intake, thereby overcoming their addiction to food. The Massachusetts-based program is modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), but with a focus upon food. FA members begin their weekly meetings by reciting the Serenity Prayer together, and the Twelve Steps of FA read like those of AA. FA’s all-important first step reads “We admitted we were powerless over food — that our lives had become unmanageable.” FA meetings are free and open

to all. Group members take turns running individual meetings, collecting donations from attendees and performing other administrative tasks. “Sponsors,” members who have time and experience in recovery, help others in the program deal with their addiction, though anyone can turn to any member for support. Those who attend FA meetings go only by their first names—or names of their choosing—and all that is said in a meeting is kept in confidence. The program has 13 meetings in the Rochester area, and countless others around the country. Recovery from food addiction involves putting together and adhering to carefully crafted meal plans. “There is a basic framework that people start out with,” Ted says. Dinner might consist of six ounces of protein, eight ounces of

that contain flour or sugar. Studies have found that flour and sugar can affect the pleasure centers of some people’s brains in the same way as highly addictive drugs like cocaine and heroin. “It lights up the brain just like cocaine,” Ted says. In some cases, consuming flour or sugar can eventually lead to food addiction, and all of its effects. FA members who stick to their meal regimens for 90 days can share their personal stories publicly in meetings. All who come to the gatherings can speak up about their experiences with food without risk of being criticized. Marie came to FA five years ago, at a time when she could not do without flour or sugar for more than three hours at a stretch. “If I went to sleep at 10 o’clock at night, I woke up at 1 o’clock in the morning,” the 70-year-old retired nurse says. “If I didn’t eat the sugar, I didn’t get back to sleep.” Marie tried multiple weight reduction programs, and even bariatric surgery, but could not get control of her food consumption. By 2017, she weighed 200 pounds, 65 pounds heavier than her doctor recommended. Marie — not her real name — couldn’t climb more than one flight of stairs at a time and took 10 medications, including those for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. “My life had become unmanageable,” the Geneseo resident says. FA set Marie on a path to recovery from her addiction to food. “It gave me structure,” she says.

“I would grab a candy bar and a pop, and that’s my meal. I thought…as long as I was consuming food, it was OK.” Member of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous in Rochester.

a cooked vegetable and an eightounce salad. FA members eat only three meals a day, do not eat between meals, and completely avoid foods

Page 16 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2022

“I write down what I’m going to eat…the night before, and I only eat what I have committed to my sponsor and to God.” By taking such steps, Marie has managed to drop her weight to 135 pounds and keep it there. She now takes only two medications, is able to take hikes, and enjoys the other fruits of her new life. “I’m 70 years old, and I got a smokin’ hot bod,” she says. After retiring from her job with a local communications company at the age of 47, Lacy began avoiding normal meals in favor of candy bars, potato chips and other unhealthy snacks. “I would grab a candy bar and a pop, and that’s my meal,” the 73-year-old Rochester resident says. “I thought…as long as I was consuming food, it was OK.” Lacy’s weight rose to 212 pounds, way over the healthy weight for her 5-foot-2-inch frame. As a result, she developed Type 2 diabetes, for which she was forced to take insulin. Lacy knew she’d have to make a change. “I absolutely had to lose weight,” she says. Seeking to drop the unhealthy pounds, Lacy — also, not her real name — joined a weight loss group run by a nutritionist, but found the group’s regimen too overwhelming. Then, she tried FA. “At the very first meeting, I realized that there was something to it,” Lacy says. “It felt comfortable, it felt like it was easy and it was something I could do.” Lacy is now down to 132 pounds, and no longer has to take insulin. Regular attendance of FA meetings helps her keep her recovery going. “It’s like medicine to my soul,” she says. “Every meeting that I attend, it’s like growing and growing, being a better person.” By 2010, Ted had tried a number of popular weight loss programs without being able to lower his weight, and his back ached from carrying the excess pounds. “I was getting fatter day by day,” he says. The problem, Ted says, lay with the way he thought about food. “The number one thing I had to change was this thinking around flour and sugar,” he says. “It sets up an uncontrollable craving in me.” Through developing and sticking to meal plans and making use of the other tools FA has to offer, Ted has managed to drop his weight to just 176 pounds, and keep it there. In addition to attending to his recovery Ted leads FA meetings, sponsors other FA members and does other services for the organization. His siblings wonder how he continues to avoid sugar and flour. “My brothers to this day are like ‘How the hell can you be Italian and not eat pasta?’” For more information on FA or to find a meeting, go to: www.foodaddicts.org.

OMEN'S HEALTH

Barriers to Breastfeeding

Shortage of baby formulas raises questions about the low number of moms who breastfeed By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

few different factors have contributed to the recent shortage of baby formula, including breaks in the supply chain and fewer mothers choosing to breastfeed during the pandemic. The latter reason stems from the limited availability of lactation consultants at hospitals and other nursing experts, sick mothers fearful about nursing their infants and fewer peer and family supports available to help. Experts estimate that about 95% of mothers are physically and medically capable of breastfeeding. However, only 24.9% do for six months for a variety of reasons. For those willing to breastfeed, reducing these barriers can increase the percent of moms who breastfeed. “You see on social media ‘A lot of moms can’t breastfeed’ and that’s not true,” said Dianne Cassidy, internationally board-certified lactation consultant who has a master’s in lactation and operates Dianne Cassidy Consulting in Rochester. While some circumstances such as double mastectomy and certain medications would prevent a mom from breastfeeding, the number of moms who cannot breastfeed is small, Cassidy said. “A lot of times, we’re told we can’t breastfeed on

certain medication, but that may not be true.” She recommends that moms check with a certified lactation consultant to make sure the medication would prevent breastfeeding instead of guessing. “Many times, the primary care provider is telling them to not breastfeed without really looking into the medication,” Cassidy said. Sometimes, moms taking a prohibitive medication may be able to switch to something safe for nursing. Some may be able to nurse part-time, depending on how long the medication stays in their system. Some women believe that they need to eat a special diet to produce healthful milk and think that because they cannot afford those “special foods,” breastfeeding will not work. Cassidy said that is not true: a basic balanced diet is all that is needed. Spending more for specialty foods is not necessary. New York Milk Bank in Valhalla, Westchester County, provides milk by prescription for sick or premature babies whose mothers cannot provide milk or adopted or surrogate babies, as well as full-term, healthy infants. Milk donors are screened for health issues and the milk is pasteurized and tested for bacteria. Education on breastfeeding makes a difference. Many women

who begin nursing quit within a few weeks because of concerns about milk supply. A woman’s bodily size and breast size are not determinates of how much milk she can produce. Normally, milk does not immediately “come in” when the baby is born. It can take a few days. Once it does, factors such as stress, hydration and sufficiently frequent nursing and/or pumping all contribute to adequate milk supply—not the woman’s cup size or clothing size. “Some think that when babies cry after feeding, they don’t get enough milk,” said Alison Spath, international board-certified lactation consultant and owner of Beautiful Birth Choices in Rochester. “Or she thinks that baby nursing every two hours is not normal. Some say that giving a bottle or cereal will help the baby sleep better. Nursing less tells her body to make less milk. Low milk supply is often a lack of support.” While nursing is natural, it is not always intuitive for mothers or babies. The wrong latch can mean pain for mom, for example. Spath said that breastfeeding should not be painful and support and guidance from other moms and a lactation consultant can help moms develop the right techniques. Some babies are born with tongue tie, a condition that can prevent latching properly and can be easily repaired.

Working moms For working moms, returning to

Breastfeeding: Good for Moms, Children The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization all promote breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months (and slowly introducing food at this point) for a plethora of health benefits to baby, including optimal nutrition that adjust for baby’s age and current health issues, healthier

Why Home-Made Baby Formula Is a Bad Idea

f you’re having trouble finding infant formula for your baby due to the nationwide shortage, do not turn to homemade recipes, an expert warns. “Even the best intentions can have devastating results,” said Diane Calello, a pediatrician and director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center based at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark. “Although it may seem safe to use substitutes or make homemade formula to feed your baby, it can be very dangerous and potentially life-threatening,” she cautioned in a news release. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported on three infants who were treated in emergency rooms for low calcium levels and vitamin D-deficient rickets after being fed homemade formula. Infants fed watered-down formula also face the risk

of electrolyte imbalance and brain swelling. Calello outlined what shouldn’t be fed to babies and what formula alternatives are safe. Rice drinks, goat’s milk, almond milk, cow’s milk, protein shakes and homemade or watered-down formula can quickly lead to severe nutritional deficiency in infants because they lack essential nutrients babies require at each feeding.

work represents another barrier to long-term nursing. Learning how to use a breast pump can help moms leave behind milk for their baby’s childcare provider. However, they must pump during the workday to keep up the milk supply. Just nursing while home will not do it. Recently passed legislation requires employers to provide a place for moms to pump. But a fair number of loopholes exempt certain industries and sizes of employers. Plus, there’s a difference between providing the bare minimum to meet the requirements. For example, a conference room with a locking door would be considered sufficient, even though psychologically, some moms may find it hard to pump in a room where they sat in a meeting with colleagues minutes beforehand. Or moms may have to use a room where scheduling is problematic. Pumping cannot be delayed, as waiting too long can cause leaks and contribute to mastitis. Businesses also need to generate a corporate culture that supports lactating moms. “I hear stories all the time of people saying to mom, ‘I hope you don’t take as long pumping as the last woman,’” Spath said. Creating a working environment where lactation is accommodated and honored can encourage more mothers to continue to provide breastmilk. Nursing babies longer can mean fewer missed days for mom as breastfeeding reduces illnesses among infants.

She also warned against feeding babies honey. Honey and products such as graham crackers or cereal that have honey as an ingredient are also nutritionally deficient and may cause a serious type of food poisoning called botulism in children younger than 12 months, Calello said. If you can’t obtain your baby’s regular formula, speak with your pediatrician to get advice on the safest available options for your baby, especially if your child has special health needs. Government agencies have offered resources for finding formula, and major media outlets are regularly publishing updates on the status of the crisis. New guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests checking at smaller stores and drug stores for formula, buying

gut biome, reduced risk of diabetes and obesity later in life, healthier immune system and reduced risk of allergies. For mom, the benefits include lower risk of certain cancers, easier return to pre-pregnancy weight and size and convenience (breast milk is always the right temperature and unless expressed, does not require bottles).

formula online from well-recognized distributors and checking local social media groups dedicated to this issue. If it’s impossible to find infant formula, toddler formula — while not recommended for infants — can be used for a few days if the infant is close to 12 months old, according to the AAP. It also says full-term babies can be fed formula made for premature infants for a few weeks if needed. In an absolute emergency, soy milk fortified with protein and calcium may be an option for a few days for babies who are close to a year old. If you use an alternative, be sure to switch back to formula as soon as you can get some, the AAP advises. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering accelerated approval of some imported formulas, but it is not safe to buy them at the moment. Many formulas sold in Europe have sufficient nutrients, but they need to be imported under certain safety measures, such as maintaining the correct temperature.

July 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 17

OMEN'S HEALTH

Self-Defense Classes Offer Women Ways to Prevent Possible Assaults By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

bout 141,778 women in the United States were raped or sexually assaulted in 2020 by well-known or casual acquaintances as well as 6,464 men, according to statista.com, a leading provider of market and consumer data with office in New York City. Women’s smaller size and stature tend to make them perceived as easier targets than men. Violence against women has promoted women’s self-defense classes, particularly at martial arts schools, which often provide short-term classes lasting a few days or weeks for those who just want to learn self-defense. Gary Evarts, eighth degree blackbelt and owner of Kuk Sool Won in Williamson and Ontario, offers self-defense classes and belt-earning classes, which differ on several points. “With women’s self-defense, we zero in on an area that the student base can understand,” Evarts said. “We focus on what they need to know to perform precise movements.” The self-defense classes also include safety tips and awareness of one’s surroundings, a topic that may arise only once or twice a year in belt-earning martial arts classes. For a person who is time-strapped or financially unable to commit to a year-long contract, taking a shortterm self-defense class can at least provide a few methods of evading or minimizing the effects of an attack. A belt-earning student learns techniques more slowly and with greater repetition over a longer period. This helps increase what is known as muscle memory, when a person responds instinctively and immediately, ideal for an unexpected attack.

Self defense class led by Gary Evarts, eighth degree blackbelt and owner of Kuk Sool Won in Williamson and Ontario. “There’s almost no better reason to do martial arts than to develop that response,” Evarts said. “There’s no substitute for that training.” Evarts includes numerous tips on personal safety and awareness of one’s surroundings and strategies for avoiding confrontation. Dave Jenkins, owner of Rochester Personal Defense, has worked in law enforcement and has studied numerous martial arts styles. Like Evarts, he said that standard classes build more responsive skill over time. “We have a ‘tune up’ class for people so they can refresh their self-defense skills,” Jenkins said. He added that the brevity of self-defense classes appeals to the desire of current society where “they want it sooner than later—today, not six months or a year to gain proficiency. With eight to 24 hours of total sessions over a few days, it gives them a sense of safety and a workable skill set instead of practicing the same movement hundreds of times.” That means reducing the training to a few typical scenarios of an unexpected attack. Jenkins said that many women believe that they must be physically

fit for self-defense classes to work. While that would help, it is not required. “I’ve had women say they don’t want to do a combative class because they don’t want to be seen as violent,” Jenkins said. “The capability to use violence is different from the willingness to do violence. We teach them how to channel it. When it’s no longer needed, we turn it off. Some say, ‘I don’t want to hurt anyone.’ That’s normal, but you might need to.” While many women may balk at learning skills for themselves, Jenkins said that when asked if they want to learn skills to defend their children or to avoid leaving their children motherless, they instantly become more interested. “No one is going to help you in today’s society and if you’re defending yourself, you cannot call the police,” he said. “The average time for police response to showing up on scene is five minutes.” Matt Dorsey owner of Martial Arts America in Brighton, Penfield and Webster, has taught martial arts for more than 40 years and offers women’s self-defense classes. He

believes that the biggest difference between self-defense classes and martial arts classes is that the latter includes fitness, history, culture and “the recreational aspect of earning belts and participating in competitions. It’s more comprehensive.” He may teach only two or three hand techniques and two or three kicking skills, plus a few common scenarios with the goal of minimizing the danger of an attack. He also encourages repeat self-defense classes. “For anyone, even those of us trained, we will have a moment of shock and surprise in self-defense situations, but someone with more training and continual training will shorten the gap between the stimulus and their response,” Dorsey said. Tim Kubit, owner and instructor at Krav Maga Rochester, views self-defense classes as offering students a taste of what they could expect in a regular martial arts class. Although self-defense classes will not include the aspects of fitness, strength training and flexibility that a typical martial arts class provides, Kubit said that learning a few skills is better than having no knowledge. Still, “there is no substitute for long-term consistent training,” he said. He encourages anyone who has taken a self-defense class to follow up with another class annually to keep the skills fresh. “People outside of martial arts trash talk self-defense as a concept, such as ‘You’ll never outrun a bullet’ or ‘A woman will never beat a man,’” he said. “Others think they need seven cool moves and they’re Jackie Chan. Life doesn’t work that way. But having a skill of protecting yourself is important. If you don’t have any of these skills, it can be disastrous if we take things to their ultimate conclusion. If you know what you’re doing, you’ll have an air of confidence that will make you seem like a harder challenge to someone seeking a target. It’s not about being cocky, but you’re not consumed by fear.”

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Page 18 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2022

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OMEN'S HEALTH

Spider Veins, Not Just a Cosmetic Issue By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

mall, squiggly and red, blue or purple in color, spider veins bother some women because of how the veins look on their legs and feet. But they are not only cosmetic. Spider veins can also cause pain and they may be associated with underlying varicose veins, which can cause aching, throbbing and swelling. They often appear on the legs and face but can develop anywhere on the body. Healthcare providers offer a few different means to get rid of spider veins. Physician Raj Pyne directs the Vein Treatment Center at Rochester Regional Health, where he uses sclerotherapy to treat patients with spider veins. He said that common risk factors for spider veins include family history, female gender, pregnancy, age, hormones and history of varicose veins. “Although people often ask if crossing legs or slapping thighs causes spider veins, there is no definitive

correlation between those actions and spider veins,” Pyne said. Sclerotherapy works by using a tiny, 30-guage needle to inject Asclera (polidocanol), medication to reduce the color and size of veins and cause them to disappear. Compared to the saline injections of decades ago, “Asclera causes less burning and has better results,” Pyne said. Patients may require two to four treatments over several months to achieve the best results for large areas. Pyne said that the areas may itch a little for a few days and patients should avoid direct sunlight for two weeks, but most patients can go back to normal activities right away. “Overall, cosmetic sclerotherapy is well-tolerated and extremely safe,” Pyne said. “Serious complications from cosmetic sclerotherapy are exceedingly rare.” While some patients can experience staining at the site of the injection, these typically disappear with in three to six months. Some also have development of new, small spider veins at or near the site of the previous veins. Laser treatments offer another

option. Krystal Waters, registered nurse and esthetician at The Plastic Surgery Group of Rochester in Rochester, uses this as her primary treatment. “I use one lens to heat up the area and with the other lens, I trace along the spider vein to get it to coagulate, reabsorb into the body and disappear,” she said. The procedure can take up to two hours for a client with numerous spider veins. Treating just one small area takes only a few minutes. If clients continue with behaviors that contribute to spider veins, the veins will likely return. Intense pulsed light therapy is another form of treatment. The high intensity, non-laser light heats and damages the walls of the veins until they disappear. Jennifer Ellis, medical director of UR Medicine Vein Center, encourages patients to maintain a healthy weight, as carrying extra weight increases risk of spider veins. Sedentary lifestyle, smoking, or standing or sitting too much all contribute. “If you’re very sedentary, take frequent breaks to elevate your legs

or get up and walk around,” Ellis said. “That can be effective. Another option is compression stockings. They are knee high socks that help support your legs.” She recommends a balanced diet low in cholesterol, salt and processed foods to promote circulatory health. Ellis also makes sure that patients don’t have underlying venous issues. While for some women, spider veins can become painful. She wants more people to seek treatments “instead of waiting until they experience irreversible effects on their legs,” she said.

clockwise from top Illustration provided by physician Raj Pyne, who directs the Vein Treatment Center at Rochester Regional Health. The photo on the left shows spider veins of one of his patients. The photo on the right shows the leg of the patient after treatment; Physician Raj Pyne, who directs the Vein Treatment Center at Rochester Regional Health; Jennifer Ellis is medical director of UR Medicine Vein Center. She encourages patients to maintain a healthy weight, as carrying extra weight increases risk of spider veins.

PANDEMIC CAUSED MILLIONS OF U.S. WOMEN TO SKIP CANCER SCREENINGS

illions of U.S. women missed breast, cervical and colon cancer screenings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study. It found that compared to 2018, the number of women in 2020 who said they had breast cancer screening in the past year fell by 2.13 million (6%). The number of women who said they had cervical cancer screening in the past year fell by 4.47 million (11%). Over the same period, colonoscopies for colon cancer detection dropped by 16% for both

men and women. “COVID-19 pandemic had an immediate impact in March and April of 2020, as screenings initially dropped by close to 80%,” said senior author, physician Ahmedin Jemal, a senior vice president at the American Cancer Society. “Many people caught up on screenings later in 2020, but overall, the COVID-19 pandemic kept screenings down over the course of the entire year,” he said in a society news release. “As we move forward, it’s crucial to get people back into their doctor’s offices to get screened.”

July 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 19

Meet Your Provider Kornfeld Low Vision Eye Doctor Helps People That Have Been Told There Is Nothing Else That Can Be Done genetics, trauma or other events, where fully corrected vision with conventional glasses, contact lenses or refractive surgery, remains insufficient to do what the patient wants to do. Kornfeld considers low vision starting at 20/40 and worse when one can’t see well enough to do the tasks one wants to do even with the best glasses (contacts or refractive surgery). That is sufficient reason to seek the help of a low vision specialist.

George Kornfeld, a low vision optometrist, received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Yeshiva University and graduated from The Pennsylvania College of Optometry in 1971. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and a member of its low vision section. He is also a member of the International Academy of Low Vision Specialists (IALVS), a group striving to enable low vision patients to access the optical and digital technology that will transform their lives. Kornfeld is passionate about low vision care and making a difference for his patients. He sees patients in Rochester, Syracuse, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Elmira, Watertown, and Scranton PA. Kornfeld trained with William Feinbloom, a founder of modern day low vision and the inventor of many of the low vision telescopes and microscopes used today.

What causes low vision? Medical conditions causing low vision are age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) both wet and dry, inoperable cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma. Genetic conditions causing low vision are retinitis pigmentosa, albinism, Stargardt’s disease (a juvenile form of macular degeneration), and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Traumatic causes of low vision are stroke and traumatic brain injury.

What is Low Vision? Low vision is caused by eye disease,

What is a low vision evaluation? Kornfeld determines what the eye

condition is and how the patient uses his eyes. The idea is to help the person achieve their goals. Kornfeld demonstrates how patients can see with the use of telescopes, microscopes, special reading glasses and other low vision aids.

Can a person with low vision drive? A person with low vision and visual acuity between 20/40 and 20/70 with a 140 degree field of vision has the potential for driving. And vision between 20/70 and 20/100 with a 140 degree field while looking straight ahead and also 20/40 while looking through a superiorly placed telescope mounted in the glasses also has the potential for receiving a telescopic driver’s license. This can help a person maintain his or her independence. A low vision evaluation may help to determine if it is a possibility. Goals Some of the most important goals of low vision patients are to read, watch

George Kornfeld is a low vision optometrist who sees patients in Rochester, Niagara Falls, Syracuse, Buffalo, Elmira and Scranton, Pennsylvania. television, recognize faces, play cards, play music and drive a vehicle. One of Kornfeld’s goals is to enhance patients’ vision and help them gain confidence in themselves, do the activities they want to do, and to help them maintain their independence. Kornfeld strives to make patients’ vision better, not perfect. “Working in the field of low vision has made my professional life most rewarding as I watch my patients who have poor and compromised eyesight begin to read again, walk around more confidently, drive cars and trucks, and in general get a new lease on life,” says Kornfeld.

866-446-2050 • www.KornfeldLowVision.com

Excellus Provides 65 Community Health Awards to Area Nonproﬁts

xcellus BlueCross BlueShield is awarding a total of 65 community health awards to nonprofit organizations across Upstate New York, including 13 in the Rochester region. Community health award funding will support innovative programs and solutions to advance health equity and ultimately improve health outcomes for underserved segments of the communities the health plan serves. Through a competitive application process, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Community Health Awards will provide over $260,000 in funding to launch, expand and sustain programs and services that promote health. These investments will also advance health equity by extending the reach of preventive health services or health-promoting programs to vulnerable populations. “Providing access to high-quality health care for people who need it is core to our mission as a nonprofit health plan,” said physician Gina Cuyler, Excellus’ vice president of health equity and community investments. “This essential community health funding will allow our community organizations to continue to address and remove barriers impacting economic stability, address social

determinants of health, and reinforce overall community health improvement programs.” The 13 nonprofit organizations in the Rochester region chosen to receive Excellus BCBS Community Health Awards include: • 540WMain, Inc., Kaboom! Sensory Garden Project — Kaboom! enables the creation of play spaces in urban settings with a focus on neighborhoods that may not have access to equitable opportunities to play. Funding will assist in transforming an empty lot in the city’s 19th ward neighborhood into an accessible play space and sensory garden. Community resources identified this a high need area, where nearly half of the local student population has special needs or disabilities. • Boys & Girls Club of Geneva Inc., First 1,000 Days Promise — The initiative helps all families of babies born within the Geneva community with nutrition, health, early childhood education and exercise support for the first 1,000 days of the newborn’s life. Inadequate nutrition and early childhood conditions impact the readiness of many children to learn and behave when arriving at

kindergarten. The award will support weekly groceries, diapers, formula, daily access to toddler gym time, Life Coaching, and assistance with accessing elements that can improve life in these delicate early months. • Cameron Community Ministries, Cameron Crops — Thirty percent of the children and families in Rochester’s high poverty neighborhoods, like the Cameron community, are facing food insecurity. Research shows that school gardening programs have had a positive effect on children’s preference for and intake of vegetables. Funding will support up to 50 children and teens in Cameron’s programs who will participate in a year-long, hands-on hydroponic gardening program with the goal of increasing their knowledge and consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits. Participants will drive all aspects of the project: helping set up the gardens, choose, plant and care for the crops, plan tastings and distribution. • Community Resource Collaborative, Inc., Imprinting Lives — Award funding will support the Imprinting Lives program that provides adult mentoring support to young men, aged 14-25 years old who have been affected by or at risk of being affected by violence due to domestic violence, interpersonal violence, or gang violence. The program provides a safe space to share grief, concerns and work toward a life away from violence by creating better habits and a positive lifestyle. The mentor is a lived experience expert, who personally experienced changed behav-

Page 20 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2022

iors, choices, and habits to not only maintain but advance career and education goals and move away from violence. • Family Promise of Ontario County, Inc., Healthy Families Prevention program — The lack of access to transportation, internet and technology or stable housing in rural areas leaves many families unable to access timely medical or behavioral health care. Award funding will support case management services to families awaiting program support so that medical and behavioral health issues can be addressed as soon as possible. Program participants will receive access to telehealth and counseling services, transportation to and from appointments and pharmacies for medication and medical supplies. Families at risk of homelessness can receive assistance with food, vocational training, sustainable housing, and childcare. • Food Justice of Geneva, NY Inc., Food Justice Gleaning — Funding will support Food Justice of Geneva’s volunteer-driven food gleaning organization that rescues fresh, nutritious fruits and vegetables from local growers and farm fields that would otherwise be disposed of, diverting it from landfills and distributes it free of charge to the neediest members of the City of Geneva and Ontario County communities. • Golisano Autism Center, Autism Peer Navigator Support — Funding will be used to support an autism (continued on next page)

Excellus Health Awards include 13 nonproﬁt organizations in Rochester area (continued from previous page) peer navigator to assist those seeking support from GAC. The peer navigator, who is an autistic person, has unique insight into the autistic experience. An autistic role model will demonstrate, especially to adolescents struggling with their diagnosis, that having autism is not always a barrier to living a meaningful and successful life. The navigator will be responsible for relations, engagement, education, and community outreach efforts to expand and enhance autism support services, awareness, and access. • Literacy Volunteers of Wayne County, Youth Mental Health First Aid — Funding will support the expansion of the Wayne County community schools mental health training program to train more first responders, nonprofit agency service providers, educators and public school employees in the Youth Mental Health First Aid program. Through a series of workshops, Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach adults who regularly interact with youth how to assist adolescents who are experiencing mental health, addiction challenges, or are in crisis and connect them with help. • MK Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, Community-based Conﬂict De-escalation Project — Funding will support a series of workshops with trainers to teach violence de-escalation techniques to a cohort of those likely to be at risk of violence, including women in local shelters, people returning from prison, and individuals who are engaged with creating grassroots change, such as youth organizers. • Rochester Spinal Association, Gunshot Survivor-Cultural Competence — This program helps address the needs and enhance the quality of life for people living with spinal cord disability. Gunshot wound survivors can lack the health literacy to make use of the complicated information regarding spinal cord injury provid-

ed by medical professionals who may not be aware of the cultural issues that can affect treatment. To help bridge this gap, award funding will be used to develop in-service training to health providers to help reduce cultural disconnects; and deploy peer mentors to assist those adjusting to their injuries to better understand the medical information vital to recovery.

Senior Living Community

• The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, NY, Immigrant Health & Well-Being Project — Funding will support The Legal Aid Society of Rochester’s healthcare and benefits navigator whose sole purpose is to help immigrants and refugees access healthcare, government benefits and assistance from other community-based organizations. The navigator assists immigrants and refugees to normalize their immigration status while also accessing basic essentials such as housing, food, and health services. • TRU-Impact Inc., Youth-led Coalition — Funding will support a youth-led coalition of students between the ages of 11 and 22 to bring awareness and inform their peers about the dangers of drug use, substance abuse disorder, and promote preventive measures. Teaming up with local schools and agencies youth participants will create awareness campaigns targeting students and families in the city’s 14605, 14609, and 14621 zip codes. Program involvement offers students the opportunity to achieve academic success, learn about their culture, and take advantage of tutoring and mentoring services. • Villa of Hope, Hope Place Emergency Psychiatric Department Diversion — Hope Place employs a nonclinical “living room” model of care to provide a safe environment for adults experiencing or approaching a mental health crisis, with the goal of de-escalating crisis and providing an alternative to the emergency room. Award funding will support outreach to increase the number of people served, supplies to support individuals in crisis, mental health support to avoid ER visits, and connect those served to appropriate health care providers. The health plan’s corporate giving follows all applicable laws and regulations and does not support funding organizations that conflict with its corporate mission, goals, policies, or products.

DROWNINGS IN HOME POOLS, HOT TUBS KILL HUNDREDS OF KIDS EACH YEAR undreds of U.S. children die in pool and hot tub drownings each year, and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging parents to redouble safety efforts this summer. “Child drowning rates and nonfatal drowning injuries among children under 15 years old remain high, and water safety vigilance is as important as ever this summer for parents and caregivers,” said Alex Hoehn-Saric, chairman of the CPSC. Whether a child is playing in

Evergreen Place

a community pool, a neighbor’s pool or the family’s own, the commission is urging parents and caregivers to prepare by reviewing pool safety tips and signing up for swimming lessons. “Working together, we can help reduce pool- and spa-related fatalities,” Hoehn-Saric said in a CPSC news release. On average, 389 pool- or hot tub-related drowning deaths involving kids under 15 were reported each year from 2017 to 2019, according to an annual CPSC report

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released June 9. Nonfatal pool- or hot-tub-related injuries in the same age group rose from 5,800 in 2020 to 6,800 in 2022, a 17% spike. On average, kids under 5 represented 80% of youngsters treated in U.S. emergency departments for pool- or hot tub-related nonfatal injuries. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among 1- to 4-year-olds, according to the CPSC. The commission offered some tips to help parents: • Never leave a child unattended in or near water, including bathtubs, buckets, decorative ponds and fountains. Always designate an

adult water watcher. • If you own a pool or hot tub, have a series of barriers to keep unsupervised individuals keep from getting to the water. • Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults. Many communities offer online CPR training. • Learn to swim and make sure your child learns as well. • Keep kids away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments. • Ensure that any pool and hot tub your child uses has drain covers that comply with U.S. federal safety standards. Your pool service provider can advise you about safer drain covers.

July 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 21

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www.elementalmgt.com Page 22 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2022

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How to Choose a Medicare Supplemental (Medigap) Policy Dear Savvy Senior, I’m planning to enroll in original Medicare in a few months and have been told I probably need to get a Medicare supplemental policy too. Can you offer any tips on selecting one? — Almost 65

Dear Almost, If you’re enrolling in original Medicare, getting a supplemental policy (also known as Medigap insurance) too is a smart idea because it will help pay for things that aren’t covered by Medicare like copayments, coinsurance and the Part A deductible. Here are some tips to help you choose an appropriate plan. Medigap Plans: In all but three states (Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin), Medigap plans, which are sold by private health insurers, are available to new enrollees in eight different standardized plans. These plans are labeled with the letters A, B, D, G, K, L, M and N, with two more, C and F, that are only available to those eligible for Medicare before 2020. Plan G is the most popular policy among new enrollees because it covers the most comprehensive range of benefits. Monthly premiums for Plan G typically range between $100 and $300, depending on your age and the state you reside in. If that’s more than you’re willing to pay, there are also high-deductible plans that have lower premiums but impose higher out-of-pocket costs. For more information on the different types of plans and coverage details, including Medigap options in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, go to Medicare.gov/ publications and type in “choosing a medigap policy” in the Keyword box, and download their 2022 guide. Or call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask them to mail you a copy. How to Choose: To pick a Medigap policy that works best for you, consider your health, family medical history and your budget. The differences among plans can be small and rather confusing. To help you choose, visit Medicare.gov/medigap-supplemental-insurance-plans and type in your ZIP code. This will give you a list of the plans available in your area, their price ranges and the names, and contact information of companies that sell them. But to get specific pricing

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information, you’ll need to contact the carriers directly or call the state health insurance assistance program. See ShipHelp.org or call 877-839-2675 for contact information. Since all Medigap policies with the same letter must cover the exact same benefits (it’s required by law), you should shop for the cheapest policy. You’ll get the best price if you sign up within six months after enrolling in Medicare Part B. During this open-enrollment period, an insurer cannot refuse to sell you a policy or charge you more because of your health. You also need to be aware of the pricing methods, which will affect your costs. Medigap policies are usually sold as either: “community-rated” where everyone in an area is charged the same premium regardless of age; “issue-age-rated” that is based on your age when you buy the policy, but will only increase due to inflation, not age; and “attained-age-rated,” that starts premiums low but increases as you age. Community-rate and issue-age-rated policies are the best options because they will save you money in the long run. You can buy the plan directly from an insurance company, or you can work with a reputable insurance broker. Drug Coverage: You also need to know that Medigap policies do not cover prescription drugs, so if you don’t have drug coverage, you’ll need to buy a separate Medicare Part D drug plan too. See Medicare.gov/ plan-compare to compare plans. Also note that Medigap plans do not cover vision, dental care, hearing aids or long-term care. Alternative Option: Instead of getting original Medicare, plus a Medigap policy and a separate Part D drug plan, you could sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan (see medicare.gov/plan-compare) that provides all-in-one coverage. These plans, which are sold by insurance companies, are generally available through HMOs and PPOs that require you to get your care within a network of doctors.

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

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July 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 23

Ask St. Annʼs

By Kim Petrone, MD

Is Music Therapy Beneﬁcial For Seniors? “Life is one grand, sweet song, so start the music.” —Ronald Reagan

s we age, we can have days filled with loneliness, boredom and helplessness. This is especially true of seniors in longterm care settings. Adding music therapy to their routine can have them singing a happier tune.

Therapeutic and fun Music triggers the brain’s auditory, physical and emotional centers, even in people with dementia. Playing or listening to music encourages them to move, helps blood flow to the brain and enhances range of motion, balance, strength and endurance. The sensory and intellectual stimulation it provides can significantly improve seniors’ quality of life. Senior living communities provide music therapy for residents as a way to promote wellness, manage stress, alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improve communication and promote physical rehabilitation.

What to look for If music is an essential part of your older loved one’s life, choose a senior living community that has music therapy professionals on staff. For example, St. Ann’s Home currently has six board-certified music therapists working with seniors one-on-one and in groups. There are many benefits to this approach: • Daily interactions: Full-time music therapists know the seniors they work with. They have plenty of opportunities to observe and accurately assess their emotional well-being, physical health, social functioning, communication abilities and cognitive skills, based on musical responses. • Interdisciplinary care: The music therapist’s assessment and

recommendations help inform the multidisciplinary care team that works toward each resident’s healthcare goals. The therapist’s daily interactions with the nurses, doctors and therapists who care for your loved one will ensure they stay updated on his or her progress. • Timely and safe: If the music therapist is concerned about your loved one’s ability to participate in a music intervention, they can consult with physical, speech, occupational and recreational therapists in real time. Together, they can make modifications to ensure he or she can participate safely. • Community: People come together around music, so it’s a beautiful way to socialize and experience community. With music therapists on staff, seniors have access to weekly group therapy or individual sessions as well as activities and events. For example, St. Ann’s residents can join an adaptive hand-bell choir or an intergenerational choir with students from a local elementary school.

Ending on a happy note Getting older is something we can’t avoid. But with music therapy as an essential part of the continuum of care, we can stay young at heart and happy into our senior years. Now that’s something to sing about! Got a question for the experts at St. Ann’s Community? Send it to info@mystanns.com.

Physician Kim Petrone is medical director of St. Ann’s Community and the Rochester General Wound Healing Center at St. Ann’s. She is board certiﬁed in internal medicine and geriatrics and has been providing medical care for seniors at St. Ann’s since 2005. Contact her at kpetrone@ mystanns.com or 585-922-HEAL (4325), or visit www.stannscommunity.com.

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Apply for Social Security Beneﬁts Online Did you know, you can do much of your business online with Social Security? This means no need to call or visit a local Social Security office. You can take your time completing our online applications and even save your progress to return to later. You can apply online for: • Retirement or Spouse’s Benefits – You can apply up to four months before you want your retirement benefits to start. You must be at least age 62 for the entire month to be eligible to receive benefits. If you were born on the first or second day of the month, you meet this requirement in the month of your 62nd birthday. If you were born on any other day of the month, you do not meet this requirement until the following month. When you’re ready, apply at www. ssa.gov/retireonline. • Disability Benefits – You can use our online application, available at www.ssa.gov/disabilityonline, to apply for disability benefits if you: – Are age 18 or older; – Are not currently receiving benefits on your own Social Security record; – Are unable to work because of a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death; and – Have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days. If your application was recently denied, our online appeal application is a starting point to request a review of the

Q&A

Q: My child receives SSI. He will be 18 in a few months. Will his SSI payments continue after he turns 18? A: When a child who is on SSI turns 18, we conduct both a medical and a non-medical review to see if they are still eligible for SSI payments. If the child continues to meet the income and resource requirements, and is still considered to be disabled under the adult disability rules, then payment continues. For more information, read What You Need to Know About Your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) When You Turn 18 at www.ssa.gov/pubs.

determination we made. Please visit www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/ appeal.html. • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – SSI provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI also makes payments to people who are age 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications. If you plan to apply for SSI, you can tell us you want to apply and we will make an appointment to help you complete the application. Or you can complete a large part of your application online at www.ssa.gov/benefits/ssi. • Medicare – Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 or older, some people younger than 65 who have disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease. If you are not already receiving Social Security benefits, and are not working, you should apply for Medicare three months before turning age 65 at www.ssa.gov/medicare. • Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Costs – Some people with limited resources and income may be able to get Extra Help paying their monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments related to a Medicare prescription drug plan. People who need assistance with the cost of medications can apply for Extra Help at www.ssa.gov/i1020. Please share these helpful resources with your friends and family.

can continue to get mail from Social Security when necessary, even if you get your benefits electronically by direct deposit or Direct Express. Learn more about SSI at www.ssa.gov/ssi.

Q: I get Social Security because of a disability. How often will my case be reviewed to determine if I’m still eligible? A: How often we review your medical condition depends on how severe it is and the likelihood it will improve. Your award notice tells you when you can expect your first review using the following terminology: • Medical improvement expected — If your condition is expected to improve within a specific time, your Q: How do I report a change of address first review will be six to 18 months if I’m getting Supplemental Security In- after you started getting disability come (SSI)? benefits. A: A person receiving SSI must • Medical improvement possible report any change of address by — If improvement in your medical calling our toll-free number, 1-800condition is possible, your case will 772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or by be reviewed about every three years. visiting a local office within 10 days • Medical improvement not exafter the month the change occurs. pected — If your medical condition You cannot complete a change of adis unlikely to improve, your case will dress online. You should report your be reviewed about once every five to new address to Social Security so you seven years.

Page 24 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • July 2022

Health News Highland Hospital has new chief of surgery Highland Hospital recently appointed physician Roan J. Glocker as the hospital’s new chief of surgery. Glocker, a native of the Rochester area and McQuaid graduate, is associate professor of surgery at the University of Rochester. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in cell and molecular biology from Tulane University. He then earned a Master Roan Glocker of Public Health from Dartmouth College and his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. Following his residency in general surgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center, he completed a fellowship in vascular surgery and endovascular therapy at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. After completion of training, Glocker returned to Rochester and joined the faculty at UR, focusing his practice at Highland Hospital. Glocker’s areas of clinical interest include both open and endovascular treatment of cerebrovascular, aortic, and lower extremity arterial disease, as well as management of venous and lymphatic conditions, and hemodialysis access. In addition to Glocker’s clinical and research efforts, he is active in teaching the next generation of physicians and surgeons, serving as the clerkship director for the third-year medical students at the University. He also serves as the secretary and treasurer of the Highland Hospital Medical Staff and is on several national committees.

St. Ann’s director of ﬁnance honored as a ﬁnancial leader Rochester Business Journal and the Rochester Chapter of Financial Executives International have selected Sabrina McLeod as a 2022 financial leader. The Financial Leaders Award recognizes financial professionals who have made outstanding contributions to their organizations and to the Greater Rochester community during the past year. Nominees were judged based on their professional accomplishment within their category and on their civic commitment to the Rochester community. “We are very proud of Sabrina and celebrate her receiving this honor,” said Dennis P. Kant, senior voice president and chief financial officer at St. Ann’s Community. “Sabrina leads our finance department and is a true collaborative leader that is highly respected by her co-workers, executive leadership team and our board of directors. She understands that financial leadership should be shared and works as a strategic partner with all our business operations, to move our organization towards achieving

our goals. We simply could not ask for a better person to help St. Ann’s Community continue to care for the most important people on earth!” “Sabrina is a gifted finance professional who shares her knowledge and expertise with the entire finance team here at St. Ann’s,” said co-worker Jean Brown, budget and planning manager at St. Ann’s. “Under her leadership, we learn and work together to achieve excellence. Even during the most trying times, such as the challenges we faced during the pandemic, Sabrina made sure her Team was supported.”

Chief dental ofﬁcer at Finger Lakes Community Health recognized The New York State Oral Health Coalition recognized dentist Tony Mendicino for his commitment to improving oral health by selecting him for The Dr. Elmer Green Oral Public Health Award. Mendicino has spent his career in public health, providing better access to care for those who are uninsured, underserved, agricultural workers, and those with Medicaid – access to dental care for all. Dr. Tony, as he is affectionally called by the Finger Lakes Community Health staff Tony Mendicino and patients, has had a special interest in developing programs for children that would make access to care easier, and educate them and their families on best practices for oral health. He was nominated by Mary Zelazny, CEO of FLCH, which is an independent healthcare organization with eight health centers in the region. Zelazny has worked with Dr. Tony for more than 30 years. “From the day he started, he has been very mission-driven and never stopped building programs and collaborating with organizations that would improve dental health in our rural community. He has always had great team spirit and a fabulous sense of humor. He was instrumental in building a portable dental program that continues to serve multiple migrant head start programs. In addition, the school-based dental program serves many public-school districts and community head start programs. Children receive dental care without leaving their schools. “We are so very proud that he was chosen to receive this award. Thank you, Dr. Tony,” said Zelazny.

Alzheimer’s Association Raises $100,000 During ‘An Affair to Remember’ The Alzheimer’s Association Rochester Finger Lakes Chapter marked on May 20 its 40th anniversary of delivering care programs and services in the Rochester Elmira Finger Lakes region with a gala that raised $100,000 for the nonprofit

organization. More than 340 people registered for the event and joined presenting sponsor Wegmans, founders and supporters to celebrate “An Affair to Remember,” which was held at the Hyatt Regency Rochester. It was the chapter’s first in-person gala since the start of the pandemic and serves as one of the agency’s largest fundraising events. “The Association is not only the leading organization in care and support but we are also the global convener of Alzheimer’s science. Today we have $300 million committed to 920 active best-in-field projects taking place in 45 countries,” said Rochester Finger Lakes Chapter Executive Director Teresa Galbier. “This could not happen without the funds raised in our local communities through events like this, meaningful donor gifts and the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.” Funds raised during the event will support the Alzheimer’s Association’s free educational programs, support groups, community forums, advocacy and research.

The Jewish Home receives IWBI’s WELL Health-Safety Rating Jewish Senior Life, a senior living community serving more than 1,000 residents and patients in Rochester, recently announced that its skilled nursing facility and the Jewish Home of Rochester spanning four buildings, has received the WELL Health-Safety

Rating from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the leading global authority on healthy buildings. The accomplishment marks the first in the region, according to a news release. The WELL Health-Safety Rating is an evidence-based, third-party verified rating for all new and existing buildings and spaces focusing on operational policies, maintenance protocols, stakeholder engagement and emergency plans to address a post-COVID-19 environment now and into the future. The rating, launched in 2020, has now been adopted in more than 100 countries at almost 24,000 locations representing 2.3 billion square feet of space. “Since our founding, we have set out to provide the very best in senior living, creating an inclusive, vibrant community rooted in compassion and care,” said Michael S. King, president and chief executive officer at Jewish Senior Life. “The health and safety of our residents has always been paramount, and today, by achieving the world’s foremost rating for healthy buildings, we are once again demonstrating our unequivocal commitment to our residents’ health.” “I am excited to see Jewish Senior Life in Rochester receive our WELL Health-Safety Rating,” said Rachel Hodgdon, president and chief executive officer at IWBI. “This wonderful community is demonstrating exceptional leadership and ensuring its residents and staff are benefiting from WELL’s science-backed strategies that promote health and well-being.”

Alexandria Lovejoy, an emergency department nurse, was named UR Medicine Thompson Health’s 2022 Associate of the Year during a recent ceremony where 37 other associates received Shining Star awards from Thompson.

Thompson Nurse Named Associate Of The Year

R Medicine Thompson Health recently named Alexandria Lovejoy, a registered nurse in its emergency department, its 2022 associate of the year. Lovejoy was presented with the surprise award at a May 10 ceremony where Thompson also named more than 30 associates from throughout its organization as 2022 shining stars. Lovejoy, of Canandaigua, joined

Thompson in June of 2021 and was recognized for her commitment to high-quality care and patient safety. “With each patient encounter, she extends her experience and becomes an even more valuable addition to the ED team,” President and CEO Michael F. Stapleton, Jr. said of Lovejoy, who has accepted a position in the internal medicine department at Thompson’s Canandaigua Medical Group and will be joining in november as a nurse practitioner.

July 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • Page 25

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