IGH Rochester March Issue 139 by In Good Health: Rochester's Healthcare Newspaper

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March 2017 • Issue 138

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Rochester’s Healthcare Newspaper

MEN’S HEALTH

‘Guys, Get Tested!’

New chief of anesthesiology at Highland, Steven M. Finkelstein, talks about evolution of anesthesia and the art of putting people “under” and bringing them back safely

Best Diet

Todd Baxter is a 27-year veteran of local law enforcement and director of Veterans Outreach Center, a nonproﬁt organization that works with veterans. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in September. He discusses his ordeal and urges other men to get tested.

Researchers studied 38 diets and how effective they are. For the seventh year in a row they had the same conclusion. See which diet came out on top

Special ‘Men’s Health’ inside

page 15

Standing Desks Are they the solution for sitting all day at the ofﬁce?

Disabilities & New Apps Apps can help those with visual, hearing or speech impairments deal with routine aspects of life

Tax Return Do you really need to ﬁle a tax return in 2017? See who is exempt. Savvy Senior column

How Long Will They Live? A child from Pittsford’s 14534 ZIP code born today will live up to nine years longer than a child from Rochester’s 14608 ZIP code,r eveals a study by Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency page 5

Cantaloupes

Some fruits are so fragrant and luscious and yummy that we don’t think twice about their nutritional value. For many, a cantaloupe is just that sort of fruit. Read more in SmartBites.

Supplements

Some supplements commonly advertised to treat obesity and erectile dysfunction problems can cause health problems page XX page XX

Experts Reveal Hidden Dangers Behind Supplements Some supplements commonly advertised to treat obesity and erectile dysfunction can cause health problems

meritus Professor Duncan Burns, a forensically experienced analytical chemist from the Queen’s University Belfast’s Institute for Global Food Security, has been working with a team of specialists on a peer-reviewed paper to examine the detection of illegal ingredients in supplements. The research found that overthe-counter supplements — commonly advertised to treat obesity and erectile dysfunction problems — are labelled as fully herbal but often include potentially dangerous pharmaceutical ingredients, which are not listed on the label. “Our review looked at research from right across the globe and

questioned the purity of herbal food supplements,” said Burns. “We have found that these supplements are often not what customers think they are — they are being deceived into thinking they are getting health benefits from a natural product when actually they are taking a hidden drug. “These products are unlicensed medicines and many people are consuming large quantities without knowing the interactions with other supplements or medicines they may be taking. This is very dangerous and there can be severe side effects.” The survey raises serious questions about the safety of slimming supplements containing sibutramine.

Sibutramine was licensed as the medicine Reductil until 2010, when it was withdrawn across Europe and the US due to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes associated with the use of the drug. Tadalfil and sulfoaildenafil were among the most frequently undeclared ingredients in products for erectile dysfunction. When taken with other medicines containing ni-

trates, they can lower blood pressure drastically and cause serious health problems. “This is a real issue as people suffering from conditions like diabetes, hyperlipidemia and hypertension are frequently prescribed nitrate containing medicines. If they are also taking a herbal supplement to treat erectile dysfunction, they could become very ill,” Burns said.

Pet Meds Sending Kids to the ER

It’s not uncommon for toddlers to ingest drugs intended for dogs and cats, study ﬁnds

he flea medications and heartworm pills that millions of Americans give to their beloved pets pose poisoning risks to any children in the home, new research warns. The study authors said just one poison center in Ohio received more than 1,400 calls for poisoning from

pet medications over the course of 15 years, with 87 percent of those calls involving children under the age of 5. “We realize that pets are common and an important part of families, especially those with young children,” said study co-author Kristi Roberts, from the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s

Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. “However, pets often require medications to keep them healthy, and these medications could be dangerous to a child if the child is exposed,” she added. Poisoning occurs in several ways, the researchers explained. Toddlers can pick up pills spit out by a pet or

eat food containing medications left uneaten in a food bowl. Also, kids who pet an animal being treated with a lotion or cream can get it on their hands and then put their hands into their mouths. The report was published online Feb. 6 in the journal Pediatrics.

And a Grand Opening Celebration. Javier Quintana, Manager Rayon Boxx, Assistant Branch Manager College Town Bank Office

Smart people. Smart technology. And the personal attention you deserve.

Our College Town Bank Office offers these convenient features: Weekend Hours • Free WiFi and Computer Bar

Discover the College Town difference today. If you’re looking for personal service plus high-tech solutions, our innovative College Town Bank Office delivers the best of both. Stop in today to meet managers Javier and Rayon—the team is prepared to meet your need for full-service banking and your desire for convenience.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper •

March 2017

Online Appointment Scheduling • Coin-Counting Machine Drive-up ATM with Enhanced Deposit at 1175 Mt. Hope Ave.

Off-street parking conveniently located behind our building.

CHRONIC PAIN? SPORTS INJURY? LASTING PAIN?

WE CAN HELP! Join us for a free, No-obligation trial session

Call 585-670-0020 or go online to schedule at riddlewellness.com

NO FEE FOR YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT In order to see if this breakthrough technology will work for you - that is our policy! “After suffering a major injury and 8 1/2 months of physical therapy, cortisone shots, and even surgery I was worse off and in more pain than ever. My insurance company had even cut me off. Within 20 minutes of walking through the door of an ARP clinic I was swinging the club full speed with no pain.” - Chris Loughney Pro Golfer ARP Wave Neuro Therapy relieves the pain and reverses the muscular damage through a series of treatments customized to the type of injury or chronic pain issue our patients experience. Our chiropractic team is so excited to have the ARP Wave technology at our practice. We are helping our patients every day by transforming their mobility and ultimately changing the way they live. We can’t wait for you to try the treaments for yourself. Call us today to sign up for one of our free trial sessions!

-Dr. Nate Riddle & Dr. Myriam Marte

March 2017 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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CALENDAR of

nities. Residents also have priority access to the continuum of care that St. Ann’s is known for. For more information, call 585-697-6606 or visit www.chapeloaks.net.

HEALTH EVENTS

March 2

March 7

of America. For more information about the free screening or to RSVP, contact Theo Munson at 585-214-1574 or theo.munson@lifetimecare.org.

Screening of documentary ‘Being Mortal’ in March 4 Rochester Seminar to address senior Lifetime Care is holding a free, community screening of the doculiving

mentary “Being Mortal” at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 2, at its Center for Compassion and Healing, 3111 Winton Road. South. The event is co-sponsored by Lifespan. In February 2015, “Being Mortal” aired nationally on the PBS program “Frontline.” It delves into the hopes of patients and families facing terminal illness. The film investigates the practice of caring for the dying and explores the relationships between patients and their doctors. It follows a surgeon, Atul Gawande, as he shares stories from the people and families he encounters. When Gawande’s own father gets cancer, his search for answers about how best to care for the dying becomes a personal quest. The film sheds light on how a medical system focused on a cure often leaves out the sensitive conversations that need to happen so a patient’s true wishes can be known and honored at the end. The free screening is made possible by a grant from The John and Wauna Harman Foundation in partnership with the Hospice Foundation

Seniors considering making the move to a senior living community, now or in the future, are invited to attend “Senior Living: Where to Start” from 8:30 to 10 a.m., Saturday, March 4, at Chapel Oaks, 1550 Portland Ave., Irondequoit. A full breakfast will be served. Topics will include: where to start looking when considering senior living; inside tips on what to look for; private vs. notfor-profit communities; independent living and the continuum of care; levels of care: assisted, enhanced, memory care and more. Register by calling 585-697-6604 or emailing events_co@mystanns. Chapel Oaks is located on the Irondequoit campus of St. Ann’s Community. Chapel Oaks is Rochester’s premier rental retirement community. Located on 14 secluded acres in Irondequoit, Chapel Oaks offers luxury one- and two-bedroom apartments, a maintenance-free lifestyle, and a wide range of first-class ame-

Hearing group to explore employment protection Hearing Loss Association of America Rochester Chapter presents two programs on an National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) study of health literacy and protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act on Tuesday, March 7, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, East Avenue at Westminster Road, Rochester. Each presentation follows an hour long social and business gathering. At the noon daytime meeting, three researchers from NTID will explore the gaps in health literacy between “visual learners” and non-visual learners. Recruiting hard of hearing subjects for a study conducted through the National Institutes of Health and the University of Michigan, they will explain the study’s methods of data collection and the importance of improving access to health information for all. At the 8 p.m. presentation, Jessica Lukasiewicz, an attorney with Thomas & Solomon LLP, will comment on workplace protection for people with hearing loss under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Her firm specializes in employment law. Hearing Other People’s Experiences (HOPE), a question and answer group for people considering hearing aids and those using them, precedes the chapter meetings at 10:15 a.m. Moderated by retired audiologist and

Join the conversation Join the the conversation conversation Join

PROSTATE CANCER CANCER & & YOU YOU PROSTATE Saturday, March March 25 25 Saturday, 8:30a - 2:30p 8:30a -- 2:30p 2:30p 8:30a

hearing aid user Joe Kozelsky, it is held in the Vestry room. Anyone interested in hearing loss is welcome to any or all of the three meetings. Hearing Loss Association of America is a nationwide organization dedicated to advocacy, education and support for people with hearing loss. For more information visit www. hlaa-rochester-ny.org or telephone 585 266 7890.

March 9, April 27

Series to help older adults work with social media Older adults who want to gain confidence using their iPad, iPhone, or Facebook can learn the basics and more through a series of classes at St. Ann’s Community at Cherry Ridge, 900 Cherry Ridge Blvd. (off Ridge Road near Five Mile Line) in Webster. Each class runs from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Classes are taught by Daniel Jones, an independent instructor who specializes in helping older adults learn technology. To register for one or more classes, call (585) 697-6701 or email events_cr@mystanns.com. The classes are: • “Meet the iPad,” Thursday, March 9. Get to know this revolutionary device. Participants learn: What a tablet computer is and how it works; anatomy of the iPad; apps: what they are and how to use them; using Internet, email and photo programs. • “What the heck is Facebook?”

continued on page 23

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Men Men are are blue blue in in the the face face about about prostate prostate cancer! cancer! Men are blue in the face about prostate cancer! Men are blue in the face about prostate cancer! Page 4

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper •

March 2017

Same babies. If one is born in Pittsford’s 14534 ZIP code, he or she will likely live by age 81.8. If the baby is born in Rochester’s 14608 ZIP code, he or she will live to be only 72.4 years.

Life Expectancy in Rochester: It’s All About Where You’re Born Residents in some Monroe County neighborhoods live up to nine years longer

child from Pittsford’s 14534 ZIP code born today will live up to nine years longer than a child from Rochester’s 14608 ZIP code, a new county-specific report from Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency (FLHSA) reveals. ZIP code 14534 has an estimated life expectancy of 81.8 years at birth, as compared to 72.4 years for ZIP code 14608, according to the 18-page Monroe County Health Profile, which is available in print and online at www. flhsa.org/data/counties. “Where you live can significantly affect your health, your health behaviors and eventually your health outcomes,” said Albert Blankley, director of research and analytics for FLHSA. “People may be close geographically, but their health outcomes often are worlds apart.” Neighborhood factors such as high smoking rates, a lack of access to healthy food and exercise opportunities and unhealthy housing can significantly reduce life expectancies. “This important report highlights many significant health issues and disparities. Together with our many local partners, we will continue to work to improve the health of all residents of Monroe County,” said physician Michael Mendoza, Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health. The county’s 2016-18 health improvement plan focuses on many of the issues highlighted in the report, including reducing and preventing tobacco use, secondhand smoke, unplanned pregnancy and substance abuse, increasing access to chronic disease screening, prevention and management and screening for food insecurity and targeting health disparities based on race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. In other findings, the FLHSA health profile notes that:

• Adult smoking rates are much higher in the city of Rochester (21.8 percent) compared to both Monroe County (14.5 percent) and Upstate New York (17.3 percent). Of the estimated 80,000 adults who smoke in Monroe County, about 34,000 are city of Rochester residents. • About 65 percent of Monroe County residents have some form of college experience, compared to 59 percent of New York state residents. However, only 52 percent of city of Rochester residents have some form of college experience. The report notes, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that adults aged 25 without a high school diploma can expect to die nine years sooner than college graduates.” • Caucasians in Monroe County have a higher rate of premature death due to unintentional injury, including death from opiate overdoses. Premature death due to homicide ranks higher for African American and Latinos than for Caucasians. Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency has tracked county data for decades, but this is the first year the agency has produced individual county profiles. “The profiles are designed to be easy to read and understand, with maps, data graphs and icons that bring the information to life,” said Catie Kunecki, regional planner and analyst. Kunecki noted that FLHSA will maintain updated county health data on its website and intends to publish updated versions of the report in the future. March 2017 •

18 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS IN MONROE AND LIVINGSTON COUNTIES

Close to Where You Work or Live

Early Morning and Late Evening Hours for Your Convenience LATTIMORE PHYSICAL THERAPY NETWORK AVON PHYSICAL THERAPY 490 Collins Street Avon, NY 14414 Phone: 226-2480 Fax: 226-2494 Co-Clinical director: Jon Gerenski, DPT Co-Clinical director: Leslie Summers, PTA Owner: Mario Melidona, PT DANSVILLE PHYSICAL THERAPY 40 Village Plaza Dansville, NY 14437 Phone: 335-2456 Fax: 335-3494 Owner: Matt Marino, MS, PT

LATTIMORE OF IRONDEQUOIT PT 1299 Portland Ave Suite 10 Rochester, NY 14621 Phone: 286-9200 Fax: 286-9203 Clinical Director: Lindsey Yu, DPT, LMT LATTIMORE PHYSICAL THERAPY AND SPORTS REHABILITATION 1655 Elmwood Ave Suite 130 Rochester, NY 14620 Phone: 442-9110 Fax: 442-9049 Clinical Director: Erin Tobin, PT, DPT

LATTIMORE OF FAIRPORT PT 59 Perinton Hills Shopping Ctr Fairport, NY 14450 Phone: 385-0444 Fax: 385-0442 Clinical Director: Matthew Stoutenburg, MS, PT, CSCS

LATTIMORE PHYSICAL THERAPY (Land and/or pool based therapy) 383 White Spruce Blvd Rochester, NY 14623 Phone: 442-6067 Fax: 442-6073 Clinical Director / Owner: Andrew Chatt, DPT, OCS Owner: Cynthia Shuman, MS, PT, ATC

LATTIMORE OF GATES-CHILI PT 5 Fisher Road Rochester, NY 14624 Phone: 247-0270 Fax: 247-0294 Clinical Director: Jeﬀ McGiven, PT

NORTH GREECE PHYSICAL THERAPY 515 Long Pond Road Rochester, NY 14612 Phone: 227-2310 Fax: 227-2312 Owner: Tim Anne, MS, PT, MLD-CDT

LATTIMORE OF GENESEO PT 4577 Morgan View Road Geneseo, NY 14454 Phone: 243-9150 Fax: 243-4814 Clinical Director: Johanna Kaufman, DPT

PIANO WORKS PHYSICAL THERAPY 349 W. Commercial St. Ste. 1275 East Rochester, NY 14445 Owner: Leah Gerenski, DPT, OCS

LATTIMORE OF GRPT 2000 Empire Blvd. Building 2 Webster, NY 14580 Phone: 671-1030 Fax: 671-1991 Clinical Director: Melissa Graham, DPT, OCS

PITTSFORD MENDON PT 20 Assembly Dr. Suite 101 PO Box 212 Mendon, NY 14506 Phone: 582-1330 Fax: 582-2537 Clinical Director: Dustin Maracle, PT, DPT, MS, SCS, COMT,CSCS

LATTIMORE OF GREATER PITTSFORD PT 40 State Street Pittsford, NY 14534 Phone: 387-7180 Fax: 387-7182 Clinical Director: Adam Ellis, DPT

RUSH HENRIETTA PT 60 Finn Road Suite C Henrietta, NY 14467 Phone: 444-0040 Fax: 444-0052 Clinical Director: Karen Shufelt, DPT, CHT

HILTON PHYSICAL THERAPY 1026 Hilton Parma Corners Rd. Suite 1, PO Box 131 Hilton, NY 14468 Owner: Matt Landon, DPT HONEOYE FALLS LIMA PT 58 North Main Street Suite 200 Honeoye Falls, NY 14472 Owner: David Monsees, MS, PT

LATTIMORE OF SPENCERPORT PT 37 N. Union Street Spencerport, NY 14559 (585)349-2860 Fax (585)349-2995 Clinical Director: Russell Manalastas, DPT, SCS, COMT, CSCS LATTIMORE OF WEBSTER PT 1130 Crosspointe Lane, Suite 6 Webster, NY 14580 Phone: 347-4990 Fax: 347-4993 Owner: Adam Frank, MS, PT

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

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Page 5

Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Steven M. Finkelstein, M.D. New chief of anesthesiology at Highland talks about anesthesia and the technique of putting people “under” and bringing them back Q: What does your position as chief of anesthesiology entail? A: In January, I became the chief of anesthesiology at Highland Hospital. I’ve been working at Highland Hospital since 2004. It’s an affiliate hospital of the University of Rochester, and I’ve been with them since 2000. My position is basically to represent the anesthesiology department. We’re about 23, 24 people right now. Q: Anesthesiology has a reputation of being one of the more technically difficult disciplines. Is that accurate? A: Most people don’t recognize that it’s a medical specialty. A lot of people don’t know that anesthesiologists are doctors. The specialty encompasses a wide range of divisions such as pain control and airway management resuscitation. We take care of patients before, during and after they go to the operating room. We’re also involved in trauma and critical care. Pain management for expecting mothers in labor. So there are a wide range of subspecialties within anesthesiology.

Q: So, it’s not just about putting people “under?” A: That’s part of it. Definitely, putting someone under anesthesia is part of anesthesiology, but it’s a very broad medical discipline. It takes four years of college, four years of medical school and four to five years of residency. There are a lot of roles we play in the hospital and pain clinics. Q: Is there some crossover with neurology since you’re dealing with pain responses? A: There is some crossover. Neurologists do work with anesthesiologists very often to manage pain issues. Q: How does anesthesiology improve outcomes of other medical procedures. A: Surgery itself wouldn’t be possible without an anesthesiologist. The role of a physician anesthesiologist is particularly important for patients who might come in with an undiagnosed condition, since we’ll assess a patient’s health before they undergo surgery. So we can

help guide the patient toward the correction of those problems before they undergo surgery. Q: Is the goal usually to keep the patient from feeling any pain? A: It depends on the surgery and the patient’s preexisting medical conditions. Certainly, we want the patient to be as comfortable as possible, but there are many strategies. There’s the oral and intravenous pain medication most people think of, but sometimes it makes more sense to do a regional nerve block. Q: What factors determine whether local or total anesthesia is appropriate? A: It depends on the surgery. For example, we specialize in joint replacement surgery here at Highland Hospital. So, if you’re getting your knee replaced, we’ll use a combination of nerve blocks and spinal anesthesia, and either sedation or general anesthesia. We call it multi-modal anesthesia. This is all while minimizing the side effects of each strategy and getting a patient functioning again as soon as possible. Q: What kinds of advancements have been made in anesthesiology in the last decade? A: The scientific advances made in anesthesiology at research centers have resulted in new strategies for everything from transplant surgery to pain control, different medications, different nerve blocks, optimizing patient health status. There’s a very active research community in anesthesiology. Q: Are you able to interact with patients much, or do you try to fade into the background? A: We try to interact as much as possible, but we won’t have as much interaction as a surgeon. I’ll call my patients the night before the surgery to discuss their concerns about the anesthesia, their plan for the day of surgery. And then I’ll see them before the surgery and discuss any questions that came up. I’ll be with them for the entirety of the surgery, and I’ll give them a visit in the recovery room, as well as the day after surgery to make sure everything went according to plan, and that their pain control is adequate. Q: I’ve heard that there’s an art to bringing someone out of sedation. A: It’s a cliché, but we like to talk about anesthesia kind of like

Page 6

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper •

March 2017

In the News Physician Steven M. Finkelstein has been appointed as Highland Hospital’s chief of anesthesiology in January. He is currently an associate professor of clinical anesthesiology at the University of Rochester’s School of Medicine and Dentistry after starting as a senior instructor of anesthesiology in 2000. He has been the resident education director for Highland Hospital since 2008.

flying a plane. There’s an art and science to the take-off, the cruising altitude and the landing. To extend the metaphor, the takeoff is the induction. After we get some anxiety and pain medication into the patient, we’ll take them into the operating room. If the plan is general anesthesia, we’ll give them some oxygen, we’ll monitor their vital signs. Very often we’ll use intravenous medication to put them to sleep, which usually only takes seconds. Sometimes we’ll give the patient a breathing tube in their mouth to give them gas anesthesia, but sometimes we’ll maintain it entirely with intravenous medication. When it’s over, we try to make it as smooth a wake-up as possible. If they have a breathing tube, we’ll remove it once they’re strong enough to breathe and it’s safe to do so. Then we’ll accompany them to the recovery room. When they wake up, we’ll try to make sure they’re experiencing as little pain as possible. Q: How did you become interested in anesthesiology? A: I had always wanted to be a pediatrician. I didn’t discover anesthesiology until medical school and didn’t realize how broad a field it was. When I did my rotation in it, I unexpectedly found that I really enjoyed it. You get a kind of instant feedback in the specialty when you medicate a patient. When I finally did my pediatric rotation, I still liked it, but not as much as loved anesthesiology. Q: What kind of influence do you want to have on your department? A: I think my main role is to represent our importance in the hospital, as we’re often an under-appreciated specialty that works behind the curtain. So someone has to speak up for the group because, when we’re speaking up for anesthesiologists, we’re also speaking up for an important aspect of patient care.

Lifelines

Name: Steven M. Finkelstein, M.D. Position: Chief of anesthesiology at Highland Hospital Hometown: Seaford, NY Education: SUNY Buffalo; Harvard Medical School Afﬁliations: Highland Hospital, University of Rochester Medical system Organizations: American Society of Anesthesiologists; New York Society of Anesthesiologists Family: Married; two children Hobbies: Travel, sailing

Repeal All of Obamacare? Primary Care Physicians Not in Favor, Survey Suggests

esults of a random sample survey of 426 primary care physicians by a team of researchers found that the majority does not support repealing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in its entirety, and the percentage of those who support complete repeal is lower than that of the general public. In a summary of the survey results, published in the New England Journal of Medicine on Jan. 25, the research team says 15 percent of responding physicians supported complete repeal of the act. Of those who self-reported voting for President Donald Trump, 38 percent did so. “Primary care physicians are on the front lines of health care — they are physicians that patients know best and turn to first when they are sick. With primary care physicians

often helping patients navigate challenges with their insurance, it is critical to understand their perspectives on the repeal of the act,” says physician Craig Pollack, associate professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the paper’s lead author. Pollack and his colleagues conducted the mail and phone survey from December 2016 to January 2017 with a random sample of internal medicine physicians, pediatricians, geriatricians and family practitioners. The participants were drawn from the American Medical Association’s physician masterfile, a database of more than 1.4 million physicians, residents and medical students in the United States. Physicians received two mailings and a phone call, with an option to complete the survey online. A $2

incentive was included in the first mailing. In response to the question “What would you like to see the federal policymakers do with the Affordable Care Act?” 15 percent of respondents wanted it repealed in its entirety. This is lower than the 26 percent of the general public that wanted the act repealed, according to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation poll. According to self-reported political party affiliations, no Democrats wanted complete repeal, while 32.4 percent of Republicans said they did. Of those who reported voting for President Trump, only 37.9 percent wanted complete repeal. The researchers found strong support for elements of the act that increased health insurance coverage: 95 percent indicated support for insurance-market regulations that

prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage or charging higher prices on the basis of pre-existing conditions, a hallmark of the act. And 88 percent supported allowing young adults to remain on their parents’ plan until age 26. Additionally, 91 percent supported the provision of tax credits to small businesses that offered health insurance to employees, 75 percent supported tax subsidies to individuals to buy insurance, 72 percent supported Medicaid expansion and 50 percent supported tax penalties for individuals who don’t purchase health insurance. “What we heard is that the majority of primary care physicians are open to changes in the law but overwhelmingly opposed full repeal,” says Pollack.

Healthcare in a Minute By George W. Chapman

New HHS Secretary

The Senate recently confirmed physician Tom Price, a 12-year republican congressman from Georgia, as secretary of health and human services. Price is a former orthopedic surgeon. He will be the first physician to be the secretary in 20 years. He faced rigorous opposition from democrats because of his investments in medical device companies shortly before he introduced legislation that would kill “bundled payments” for certain joint replacement surgeries. To control costs, hospitals would be paid a lump or bundled payment (say $50,000) which would cover all costs associated with the joint replacement procedure including hospital, surgeon, anesthesiologist, knee or hip implant, physical therapy, etc. Being capped at $50,000, hospitals would have an incentive to lower costs by negotiating lower implant prices with the manufacturers. Price is an outspoken critic of the Affordable Care Act. The AMA was quick to endorse Price, hoping he could reduce the excessive regulatory burdens imposed on physicians.

Top 10 lobbyists

Last year, over 11,000 organizations spent over $3 billion lobbying the federal government. Although the lowest since 2007, experts expect the amount to increase as Trump looks to shake up the status quo on a lot of things, especially the Affordable Care Act. All the top lobbyists have some sort of stake in healthcare, be it: taxes, commercial insurance, Medicare, hospitals, device manufacturing, drugs, physicians, research, IT or the self-employed. The top 10 lob-

byist by total spending, healthcare or otherwise, are: 1. US Chamber of Commerce: $75 million. 2. National Association of Realtors: $53 million. 3. Institute for Legal Reform: $28 million. 4. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers: $20 million. 5. American Hospital Association: $19 million. 6. American Medical Association: $19 million. 7. Boeing: $17 million. 8. Business Roundtable: $16 million. 9. Google: $15 million. 10. Dow chemical: $13 million.

Tenet Healthcare, 79; lIfePoint Health, 72 and Prime Healthcare, 44. Three of these top five are based in Tennessee. The five largest nonprofits are: Ascension, 141; Catholic Health Initiatives, 103; Trinity, 92; Baylor, 48; Adventist, 46. The average length of stay in 2015 was about five days, but that is misleading considering the different types of hospitals. The average profit or operating margin for most nonprofits is around 1-2 percent.

Most promising healthcare jobs

At this time, it seems there won’t be an immediate repeal and replacement of “ObamaCare.” Congress is discovering the ACA is far more complex. While applauding the selection of Tom Price, five physician specialty organizations have asked congress to consider the following when they tinker with the ACA. 1. Do not increase the number of uninsured. 2. Protect the healthcare safety net. 3. Protect consumers from excessive insurance costs. (This should apply to ALL Americans, not just the 20 million covered by the ACA). 4. Maintain premium subsidies currently received by about 7 million people. 5. Protect small insurance markets.

Using data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, LinkedIn evaluated the jobs in healthcare based on salaries, demand, annual growth and advancement opportunities. The rank: 1. pharmacy manager; 2. project manager; 3. compliance officer.; 4. hospitalist (MD); 5. financial analyst; 6. sales director (insurance); 7. pharmacist; 8. product manager; 9. program manager; 10. regional director of operations.

Hospital facts

There are 5,564 hospitals across the U.S. That total includes: academic/teaching, community, VA, longterm care, psychiatric, drug abuse and rehab hospitals. The vast majority, 85 percent, are your basic general or community hospital. About a third of all hospitals serve rural communities. 20 percent are state owned; 59 percent are nonprofit and 21 percent are for profit. (NYS does not allow for-profit hospitals). Hospital mergers declined slightly last year. There were 102 in 2016 vs, 112 in 2015. The five largest for-profit hospital systems, based on the number of hospitals in the system, are: Hospital Corp. of America, 169; Community Health Systems, 158; March 2017 •

ACA future

Right to die

This highly charged and controversial topic has been brought to the forefront again by the nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. He is on record as being deeply opposed to physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia. His belief is based upon the premise that all humans are intrinsically valuable and the intentional taking of another life by a private person is always wrong. Five states have passed “death with dignity” laws: Oregon, Washington, Cali-

fornia, Vermont and Colorado. These laws allow physician-assisted death for terminally ill patients. This issue confronts physicians with a conundrum. On one hand they pledge to do no harm. On the other hand they may be forcing people to go through a prolonged and painful death. Participating in an assisted death is clearly up to the individual physician. In the meantime, Vice President Mike Pence is in favor of a “right to try” law that would allow terminal patients to receive experimental, not-yet-finallyapproved drugs.

Prevention

According to the World Health Organization, the leading causes of premature death are, in order: hypertension, smoking, malnutrition, sexually transmitted diseases, poor diet, obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol/drug abuse, poor air quality, unsafe water.

Health information

To research just about any health issue, from A to Z, try www. health.ny.gov/healthaz www.health. ny.gov/healthaz. Being informed makes you a better partner with your physician. George W. Chapman is a healthcare business consultant who works exclusively with physicians, hospitals and healthcare organizations. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse. Email him at gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Embrace the ‘Ides of March’

ften associated with Julius Caesar (and his untimely demise), the month of March has gotten a bad rap. Sure, it’s cold, it’s gray, it’s damp. But it need not be the death knell of your contentment. If the month of March is stretching out in front of you as a big, dreary void to fill, you are not alone. For many, our winter wonderland is not so wonderful when cabin fever sets in. That’s when anxiety can make an unwelcome visit. You might feel yourself spiraling down, questioning the past, and second-guessing your decisions. And that’s when you could be tempted to grab for the TV remote and head to the couch. I can remember many nights after my divorce, coming home after work to an empty apartment with hours on my hands and a heavy heart. The prospect of a long, lonely evening ahead was almost unbearable. I was fine during the day, but when the sun started to set or the weekend rolled around, I would start to panic. After way too many nights

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watching mind-numbing reruns, I had finally had enough and started making better use of my “me time.” I am now much more comfortable spending time by myself and have come to enjoy my own company. In fact, it’s not unusual for me to pass on an invitation out, in favor of spending a nice quiet evening at home — relaxing or fully engaged in something I love to do. If you are challenged by time alone this time of year, consider the suggestions below. You might even clip this column and post it on your refrigerator as a handy reminder.

Read

In our busy lives and with so many electronic options vying for our attention, reading can fall by the wayside. It’s such a shame. Reading for enjoyment and enlightenment can turn a lonely evening into a lovely evening. Don’t know where to start? Ask a friend for a suggestion or select a New York Times bestseller. Snuggle up in a comfy, well-lit place, and let a good book introduce you to new people, new places, and new ideas. We rarely feel alone when reading. I

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper •

just finished “The Boys in the Boat” by Daniel James Brown and highly recommend it.

Write

Marcel Proust wrote, “We are healed of a suffering only by expressing it to the full.” Even if you never look back at what you write, the act of committing thoughts and feelings to paper is therapeutic. Consider starting a journal, if you haven’t already done so. A few minutes in the evening or on the weekend is a perfect time to write. As you work through some of the issues associated with living alone, and you become more content, you will find that reading and rereading your journal entries will be a great way to see how much progress you are making.

Clear Out the Clutter

I know this might sound uninspiring, but clearing out the clutter can be very satisfying and a great way to spend a few hours alone. I spent one recent Tuesday night sorting out my closet and filling two bags for Volunteers of America. It felt terrific. I not only lightened my load, I did something for a good cause. As a result, I felt part of something bigger than myself and less alone.

Pursue a passion

This can be daunting, especially if you’ve yet to identify your passion, but hang in there. Many men and women in long-term relationships often lose sight of their own interests in favor of attending to the needs of others. The pursuit of your own passions or personal pursuits can be lost in the process. Now is a good time to rediscover your “loves” and to dedicate your time alone to those pursuits. Do some digging and identify the things you loved as a child or

March 2017

young adult, then make a conscious decision to revisit those things now. Evenings or weekends spent doing what you love can be very fulfilling. Loneliness can dissipate and you can feel alive again.

Reach Out

With time on your hands, you are in a great position to reach out and make connections with others, including long lost friends. This can be a very meaningful way to spend an evening. Just yesterday, I received an email from a former colleague. I was very touched, and accepted her kind invitation to get together with her and a few other retired co-workers. So, pick up the phone, send an email, or send a snail mail note to someone with whom you’ve lost touch. Chances are you’ll be rewarded with a warm reunion.

“Veg out.”

That’s right, veg out. Grab the TV remote, a pint of ice cream, and head for the couch. Do it without guilt; do it without beating yourself up. Everyone is entitled to an occasional night when they just hang out, do nothing, and eat junk food. Indulge yourself and tell yourself you deserve it. Wake up the next morning — free of remorse — and ready to take on the day: alone at home and “at home” with yourself, even in the Ides of March. Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Live Alone and Thrive, empowerment workshops for women held throughout the year in Mendon. For information about her workshops or to invite Gwenn to speak, call 585-624-7887 or email: gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

For People with Disabilities, New Apps Are Life Savers Apps can help those with visual, hearing or speech impairments deal with routine aspects of life By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

hone apps have made many areas of our lives easier. For people who live with visual, hearing and speech disabilities, some apps can offer assistance that’s much more convenient than help offered by a separate device. Since many people already carry smartphones everywhere, the apps are always ready to help. Plus, smartphones — used by people of all abilities — lack the stigma that some people attach to devices such as soundboards used by some people with speech impairment. People with visual impairment can “borrow” others’ vision with Be My Eyes (iOS, Android coming soon; free). The app links volunteers with users to offer them assistance by verbally describing whatever users show them on their smartphones’ cameras, from street signs to instruction booklets. Many people who are visually impaired fold or carry their paper currency in ways that identify it; however, receiving change in paper currency relies upon others’ honesty and accuracy. But LookTel Money Reader (iOS; free) helps visually impaired people identify and count money instantly. The app can identify numerous nations’ currency, making

traveling easier, too. Need something read ASAP? KNFB Reader (iOS; $99.99) can read text aloud, from a single page to several pages. TapTapSee (iOS; free) can verbally identify everyday objects in real time. It reads barcodes and also draws upon cloud-based image recognition technology. People with limited vision can instantly enlarge their view of anything they see with AMagnify (Android; free). The app can blow up text or objects around the user, and capture enlarged images, all while maintaining the resolution needed to see the subject more clearly. A similar app, Smart Magnifier (Android; free), works like a digital magnifying glass. Or, users can zoom in on just a portion of what they’re viewing on the screen. As its name indicates, Color Identifier (iOS and Android; free) helps users accurately identify colors and speaks their names aloud for users. Dragon Dictation (iOS; free) makes it easier for people who hear to communicate with someone who is hearing impaired. The app turns spoken words into written text. People who read lips understand about 30 percent of their conversations. This app

2.1%

Be My Eyes is a free application that links volunteers with users to offer them assistance by verbally describing whatever users show them on their smartphones’ cameras, from street signs to instruction booklets.

AutoVerbal is a $19.99-application that helps people with speech impairment communicate by translating text into speech.

provides word-for-word communication for when accuracy is vital. Virtual Voice (Android; free) and AutoVerbal (iOS; $19.99) help people with speech impairment communicate by translating text into speech. Virtual Voice uses a robotic-sounding voice, but is easy to use. AutoVerbal allows users to select the voice’s gender, program custom phrases, and provides “speed dial” buttons for commonly used phrases. Talkitt (iOS, Android; cost unknown) helps people with speech impairment by translating their speech into clearer speech. By learning the user’s speech patterns, the app can help them use their own voice for

TapTapSee can verbally identify everyday objects in real time. It reads barcodes and also draws upon cloud-based image recognition technology. It’s a free application.

communicating. RogerVoice Caption Calls (iOS, Android; free) provides real time phone conversation subtitles and, optionally, text to speech for the sake of the person on the other end. The app requires an Internet connection during use. Learning sign language can help improve communication among people with hearing and hearing impairment. Marlee Signs (iOS; free) and Spread the Sign (Android; free) offer comprehensive sign language dictionaries that can help teach anyone sign language.

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March 2017 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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How to be a Quitter It’s March. How’s that New Year’s resolution to quit smoking working out? By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant From physician Geoffrey Williams, the University of Rochester Medical Center Healthy Living Center: Stay determined. “It’s persistence. This is a very difficult habit to change. Nicotine is as addictive as heroin. Smokers must be willing to persist over time. For some, it happens the first time and they find they’re not very addicted. They usually haven’t smoked as much. The more a person is smoking, the harder it is.” Seek help “It’s very important that the smoker understands their chances of success are only about 5 percent on their own. Adding counseling it goes up to 10 to 20 percent. Add on medication — and there are 7 approved by the FDA — then we see quit rates up to 30 to 40 percent. They’re welcome to start with the primary physician, but they can also start with the New York State Smokers’ Quitline (866-NYQUITS or www.nysmokefree.com) or go to a specialty clinic. The latter can offer more time.” Understand the dual nature of smoking. “It can take two months for the nicotine to get out of their system because their brain has to change so they feel comfortable without nicotine and

the habit of smoking. Almost everyone, it’s both. Any plan to quit has to address both. The chemical addiction causes withdrawal symptoms that feel like depression and anxiety. No one will die from it.” Anticipate mood issues. “About 90 percent of people increase in anxiety and about 85 percent increase in irritability. A very high percent have trouble concentrating and about 70 percent have cravings for cigarettes. For two to five minutes, that’s all they can think.” Make a quit plan. “Change behaviors before quitting. Delay the first cigarette by half an hour. Change the places you smoke so it feels odd. That loosens the habit part.” Don’t give up the battle to quit. “Smokers are often very critical of themselves if they fail and they give up. They should recognize how difficult it is and even cutting back is a partial success.” Focus on the positive. “It’s also important to review the health benefits. Quitting smoking improves quality and length of one’s life, compared with those who continue to smoke. They need to realize the benefits they’re getting. The risk for heart

Parenting By Jessica Gaspar

First Word, Dental Cleanings, and Love for Clergy

o this big guy has begun walking full time and has said his first word all within a few weeks! I cannot believe it. Timmy’s first word, to my dismay, was not “mama,” but was actually “bad.” A few times, he fell into things like the end table and one of his toys. If he cried, I would say, “Bad, bad, bad!” to whatever object it was. The tone of my voice would make him laugh, so I began doing that all of the time. Well, as luck would have it, now Timmy walks around yelling “Bad, bad, bad!” to all of his toys. He’s also got this attraction to the Page 10

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vacuum cleaner. Every time he sees it, he tries to push it! If I don’t let him, he becomes upset. I hope he’s this excited to help clean when he’s older. (Yeah right!) So, the other day I bought him his own toddler-sized Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner. He loves it so far! (Also boxes — he loves boxes!) On the food front, Timmy has switched over to drinking whole milk and he loves food. Bananas are his favorite by far. He’s not a fan of green beans. In fact, he picks them off of his plate and drops them right onto the floor ... while maintaining complete eye contact with me as if to say, “How dare you feed such terrible things to me.”

Area experts — including a former smoker — offer their best tips for ridding your life of cigarettes. attack and stroke goes down by half within six months. The immune system is very suppressed by cigarettes. It improves its function by half within a year and is pretty much normal within five years. Risk for diabetes goes to normal pretty quickly after quitting. Thinking the damage is done is one reason people give up on quitting.” Truly desire to quit. “If people still like smoking, they have to give up something they love doing and that’s difficult. It’s like a grief they have to go through. I always try to find out if they’re still enjoying it and what they like about it.” From Meaghan Zwald, a nurse working in Rochester who lives in Batavia and is a former smoker: (Zwald began smoking at age 15 while attending college. She wanted to appear more mature. After smoking seven years, she became hospitalized with pneumonia, which helped her resolve to quit smoking. She has remained smoke-free for more than a year.) Her suggestions:

He had his first dental checkup in January, which went well. They applied a flouride treatment to his six teeth and gave them a cursory checkover. They looked good, according to the dentist. He sees Dr. Cheryl Kelley in the White Spruce complex on East Henrietta Road across from Monroe Community College. The hygienist was friendly and extremely patient and kind with Timmy. We had a funny moment recently in church. We attend Mass at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament on Oxford Street in the city. I’ve been going there for a few years since I lived on Oxford Street. In fact, I was baptized and confirmed there just five years ago. Last year, Timmy was baptized there as well. Well, on Sunday, Feb. 12, I pulled Timmy out of his car seat and he saw one of our priests, Father Matthew Jones, from across the parking lot. Timmy waved to Father Matt and Father Matt waved back and called hello. As we got closer to Father Matt, Timmy put his hand out and grabbed onto one of Father Matt’s fingers and would not let go. At all. Father Matt ‘escorted’ us into the building and to our regular pew. Still, Timmy would not let go. After a minute or two, his attention was

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper •

March 2017

Keep your mouth busy. “I chewed a lot of ice. I chewed on pen caps, my fingernails and a lot of gum and other things that aren’t food. Probably chewing on my fingernails wasn’t the healthiest thing, but it was better than smoking.” Distract yourself during trigger times. “Driving was hard for me because I always smoked in a car. After eating, a lot of people smoke, so finding things to distract yourself when you notice you have trigger times. I always had a cup of ice in the car with me. I was constantly chewing on ice the whole time I was driving.” Develop coping mechanisms. “If you get stressed out without a coping mechanism, it can be difficult during those times. You have to find out what works best for you.” Consider nicotine replacement. “ They’ve come a long way with nicotine replacement options that make it easier for you to quit. You can get patches, gum, lozenges, inhaler and other medication to help quit smoking.”

drawn onto something else. Father Matt took it in stride and laughed at Timmy’s fascination with him. I jokingly said maybe it’s a sign — Timmy will go into the priesthood. (Although, I still think he’ll be a musician someday since he’s got an obvious love for music.) On another note, I have been thinking a lot lately about being a single parent. It’s a little easier than I expected, although Timmy is a great baby and he’s got a great disposition, so I consider myself fortunate. This boy is all smiles and energy. Friends of mine who are married and have children around the same age as Timmy are facing some marital problems. One of the things I hear most frequently is, “You’re so lucky you’re not married. You get to make all the decisions when it comes to Timmy.” My friends complain of arguments with the spouses pertaining to discipline, food choices and sleep schedules, among others. I’m sure glad I don’t have those troubles, but there are days where a second set of hands and a second income would be helpful. Though, in the end, that doesn’t change anything and Timmy is still the most precious thing to have happened to me.

Standing Desks Are they the solution for sitting all day at the ofﬁce? By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

umerous studies have dubbed sitting all day as a huge health threat, comparing sitting as “the new smoking” as far as how unhealthful it is. Research from the American Cancer Society said that sitting longer than six hours daily raises a person’s risk of dying regardless of healthy weight and tobacco avoidance. The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study II researchers concluded that women who regularly exercise but sit six-plus hours a day faced a 37 percent higher risk of early death compared with women who sat for fewer than three. The rate was 17 percent for men. People who don’t exercise regularly saw the rate jump to 94 percent higher for women and 48 percent higher for men. Suzanne Brisk, wellness coordinator Employee/Student Health Office, Upstate Medical University, said that standing desks do encourage more movement. “I think that a standing desk can help, but according to the study reviews I’ve taken a look at, it’s not a final solution,” Brisk said. “You can gain health benefits by getting up and moving around. The important part is to get moving.” Though standing still all day does burn more calories than sitting still, Brisk isn’t convinced it’s much better. “You’re using your legs in a different way, but standing all day is tiring,” Brisk said. “You need to move for circulation to squish those vessels in the legs to get circulation in the body. “More studies have been done on the sitting and not as many good quality studies on standing.”

Just as retail clerks, chefs or factory line workers, standing in the same place all the time to perform desk work at a standing desk can still cause health problems. Martin Canavan, certified ergonomic assessment specialist and physical therapist at Achieve Physical Therapy & Aquatic Therapy in Syracuse, said that although sitting too much “limits normal movements and circulation, if you’re going from sitting for a long period of time to standing for a long period of time, it doesn’t fix the problem.” Whether sitting or standing, the person’s movement throughout the day makes the real difference. Canavan likes Stretch Clock, an app that reminds users to take a stretching break and recommends stretches to perform. Though more workplaces have caught on to encouraging employee movement throughout the day, some haven’t. For those who cannot work standing, taking a break to stand and move around at least once an hour can help improve circulation. Standing to talk on the phone, walking to the copier, delivering paperwork and fetching your own coffee can offer a break from sitting. Taking a walk during each 15-minute break and lunch break can also bring more movement into the day. Nate Loughlin, physical therapist with PROActive Physical Therapy in North Syracuse, said that employers need to find a balance between workplace health and productivity. “In traditional workplaces, where everyone’s sitting, a lot of people won’t stand to talk on the phone so they won’t look out of place.”

Siting for long hours is bad, but working all day standing poses new problems as well He wants to see more employers follow the example of Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Wegmans which all encourage employee participation in stretching at intervals throughout

the day. “If the job entails talking with customers, and they’re miserable with back pain, their productivity and customer service will suffer,” Loughlin said.

How to Sit Next to a Computer The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) described an ideal seated computer workstation posture as: • Top of monitor at or just below eye level • Head and neck balanced and in-line with torso • Shoulders relaxed • Elbows close to body and supported

• Lower back supported • Wrists and hands inline with forearms • Adequate room for keyboard and mouse • Feet flat on the floor Similarly, a standing workstation should include the same elements, along with a chair of adequate height to allow the worker to sit as needed. “The user’s legs, torso, neck, and head are approximately in-line and vertical. The user may also elevate one foot on a rest while in this posture,” the OSHA website, www.osha.gov stated.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

SmartBites

The skinny on healthy eating

Go Crazy for

Cantaloupes S

ome fruits are so fragrant and more than meets our daily needs for viluscious and yummy that we tamin A. don’t think twice about their nuVitamin C seekers will be thrilled tritional value. For many, including to know that a cup of cantaloupe boasts me, a cantaloupe is just that sort of nearly 100 percent of our daily needs. fruit. Oh, to sink your teeth into that Vitamin C, which contributes to collasweet juiciness: Who can blame us for gen synthesis and development, plays forgetting that it’s a nutritional pow- an important role in wound healing erhouse? and in maintaining healthy, resilient Orange-fleshed cantaloupes are ex- skin. (Wrinkles, watch out!) And alcellent sources of beta-carotene, which though this immune-boosting vitamin the body then converts into vitamin can’t prevent colds, reA. Essential for growth and healthy search has revealed vision, vitamin A helps mainthat loading up on tain the immune systhis nutrient may tem and also acts as help shorten the an antioxidant, protime you’re sick and tecting our cells from reduce the severity free radical damage. of your symptoms. A study by the NationPotassium-rich al Eye Institute showed cantaloupes are great that certain antioxifor hearts. A must-have dant vitamins mineral, (A,C, E) and Some fruits are so fragrant and luscious and yummy potassium zinc helped that we don’t think twice about their nutritional helps trigger to slow the value. For many, a cantaloupe is just that sort of your heart p r o g r e s s i o n fruit. to squeeze of advanced b l o o d macular degeneration by about 25 per- through your body. It also helps your cent over a six-year period. An average muscles to move, your nerves to work, serving of cantaloupe (one cubed cup) and your kidneys to filter blood. While

Savory Cantaloupe Salad with Feta and Basil ½ cantaloupe, seeded and cut into bite-size cubes 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1 garlic clove, minced ¼ cup minced shallots 1 small jalapeno or Fresno chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped (optional) ½ cup fresh basil, chopped or cut into slivers Zest from 1 lime 1/3 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon olive oil ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper ½ cup slivered almonds, toasted In a large bowl, combine the cantaloupe, cherry tomatoes, garlic, shallots, jalapeno or Fresno pepper (if using), basil, lime zest, and crumbled cheese. Gently mix. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Pour over the cantaloupe mixture and toss lightly. Garnish with toasted almonds and serve immediately. To toast almonds: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place almonds on a baking sheet and bake for 7 minutes.

potassium doesn’t treat or prevent heart disease, it does help control blood pressure and also enables your heart to beat in a healthy way. An average serving of cantaloupe has about as much potassium as a banana. Nutritious cantaloupes are low in fat, cholesterol, sodium and calories (about 50 per cubed cup), and offer a modest amount of fiber: 6 percent of our daily needs. As for sugar, it has less than a banana, more than strawberries and about the same as a peach.

Helpful tips

Select a cantaloupe that feels full and heavy. Ripe cantaloupes sound dull (not hollow) when you tap the rind with your finger. Smell the end opposite from the stem end: it should smell fragrant, but not overpowering. Store your ripe cantaloupe in the refrigerator for three to four days; cut cantaloupe should be eaten within three days. Unripe cantaloupe can be left out at room temperature for a couple of days to soften. Cantaloupe needs to be washed before slicing because the skin can harbor harmful bacteria; but wait to wash it until just prior to cutting.

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

Best Diet 7th Year in a Row: DASH U.S. News & World Report ranks 38 diet plans

f you’ve resolved to eat healthy and lose weight in 2017, a new report suggests the DASH diet may be your best bet. For the seventh year in a row, U.S. News & World Report has named the plant-based eating plan as the best choice overall, followed by the Mediterranean diet, up from fourth place last year. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, but its benefits go beyond preventing high blood pressure, the report found. The DASH and the Mediterranean diets, as well as most of the other recommended diets, focus on eating whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lowor no-fat dairy, lean meats, poultry and fish. They also recommend nuts, seeds and legumes (beans). But these diets limit or exclude most fats and sweets, and recommend modest portions, according to physician David Katz. He is president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and a member of the expert panel that came up with the rankings. “Overall, the diets are similar, and that’s what makes

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this reasonable, because there is really no one diet that’s best. But the question is what approach to eating well is going to work for any individual, and that’s the benefit of this report,” he added. “You can pick the diet that will work for you and your family. The best diet is one that you are actually able to stick to,” Katz noted. The MIND diet, which incorporates elements of the DASH and Mediterranean diets and is touted as a way to keep Alzheimer’s disease at bay, was ranked third in effectiveness. There was a four-way tie for fourth place between the Flexitarian diet, a “casual vegetarian” diet that allows some poultry and fish; the Mayo Clinic Diet, an eating plan to keep you healthy and trim; the TLC diet, a plan that cuts cholesterol and fat by eliminating meats, dairy and fried food; and Weight Watchers, which helps you shed excess pounds. To come up with its list, U.S. News & World Report ranked 38 diet plans in nine categories. The rankings were done by an expert panel of nutritionists, dietary consultants, and doctors specializing in diabetes, heart health and weight loss. Each panelist considered the 38 diets across a number of areas, including the likelihood of sticking to the diet, the odds of losing weight in the short- and long-term, and effec-

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper •

March 2017

tiveness against heart disease and diabetes. One reason the DASH diet came in first is that it was developed and tested by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Katz said. “The evidence for DASH is stronger than it is for some of the other diets, and it includes foods that are familiar to most Americans and can work for real families in the real world,” he said. The U.S. National Institutes of Health agreed. “DASH is not a fad diet, but a healthy eating plan that supports long-term lifestyle changes,” the agency said in a statement early January. “To receive top ratings, a diet has to be relatively easy to follow, nutritious, safe, effective for weight loss, and protective against diabetes and heart disease.” Following the portion size recommended in each diet will usually result in healthy weight loss, Katz explained. “Eating well will help you be leaner and healthier,” he said. In addition to a healthy diet, exercise is necessary for good health, he said. “Food is the fuel for the body -it’s crucial for your health over a lifetime. But combining it with exercise is also crucial,” Katz said. “You are never going to be as healthy as you could be if routine physical activity is not a part of your life.”

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They share their struggle to control their food intake By John Addyman “A friend of mine could see I was having trouble with my weight,” Pat said. “I didn’t believe him. I had high blood pressure, sleep apnea and high cholesterol. I weighed 373 pounds. “That was 2006. I had lost a brother to heart attack two years before that. He had high blood pressure, too, and he was kind of a yo-yo with his weight, up and down.” Another friend approached Pat. This was someone who brought him pictures of how people had changed, how they had lost significant weight, as part of a 12-step program, Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous. This time something clicked. “I had lost weight when I had cellulitis, and I knew I was better off without the weight,” Pat said. “I had been laid up for about a month, but when I was better, I thought I would go to a meeting.” It was to be a meeting that would change his life. “The first thing I noticed at the Food Addicts meeting was that people seemed to have a glow, an aura around them, That was something I wanted. They had a kind of spirituality, something I felt. There was a hole in my soul because of my food and other addiction; the hole seemed to shrink when I came to meetings and interacted with people of like minds.” Pat, 68, lives in Lima, Livingston County. He is a food addict in recovery. According to Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, food addicts have an allergy to flour, sugar and quantities that sets up an uncontrollable craving. The allergy can be arrested — one day at a time — by weighing and measuring food and staying completely away from sugar and flour. Abstinence is the first step: consuming only weighed and measured meals and eating nothing else, period — no flour, no sugar and no binge foods. “I’ve been in several Weight Watchers programs and I was successful in losing weight,” said Lisa, 53, of Chili. “But they never dealt with what was going on in my head. My weight always returned to where it was, and I got sicker and sicker.” She tells the story of a friend who was so obsessed with food that she’d get up in the middle of the night to drive to another town to get something to eat.

“I’ve been in several Weight Watchers programs and I was successful in losing weight. But they never dealt with what was going on in my head.” -Lisa, 53, of Chili Lisa got talked into attending a Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous meeting, and watched her life change, too. “Shortly after you start, when you stop eating flour and sugar, the cravings go away. You have withdrawal symptoms, just like you had a drug. Weight starts dropping off you pretty quickly.” She said friends in the program who were on high-blood-pressure medication soon came off it. Those with diabetic sugar levels were able to back off on their medications as well. Like other addiction programs, Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous uses a 12-step program that is “spiritual, not religious.” “It’s gradual,” explained Lisa.

Where to Find a Meeting Want to check out a meeting of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous? Go to www.foodaddicts.org and fill out the information under the “Find a Meeting” tab. There are at least 10 meetings in the Rochester and Buffalo areas every week. The prerequisite is that abstinence level, which takes 90 days, then people in the program are ready for the 12 steps. “I was probably in the program a year. I was working on the 12 steps and that’s where the recovery was. A huge change. I had a spiritual experience,” she says. The eighth step requires that someone in recovery “makes a list of all persons we had harmed, and become willing to make amends to them all.” “You make amends to people you March 2017 •

hurt along the way, and that has tremendous cleansing effects,” she said. ‘When you can look yourself in the mirror, you’re free. “My sister and I had a very bad relationship. Both of us continuously did things to hurt the other. “At first, it was very scary for me to think about doing the 12 steps. You have to list character defects, ask a higher power to remove them, then make amends. It’s about keeping your own side of the street clean. When I made amends to my sister, it was a miracle the change that happened in our relationship: she’s my biggest advocate and has become a friend. We were never friends.” “I can certainly identify with changes in relationships,” Pat said. “I have experience in another 12-step program. What really helped me to realize the program was working was the weight loss. Men seem to lose weight quicker than women, so I could see a little quicker drop in the first year. The cravings go away in six to eight weeks. The support is so important — you go to the meetings, talk to people of like mind. You naturally have doubts. And fear that you have to do this the rest of your life… “I don’t have to do it the rest of my life, just today. When I keep it in that frame, it’s something manageable for me.” Pat said he might have a tougher row to hoe than others — he works in food service, where there’s temptation all around him. But for almost 11 years, he’s kept his weight 200 pounds less than it was. Pat and Lisa warn that when you attend your first meeting of Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, you’ll see a lot of people who are of normal weight, even svelte. That’s because they have been successful. “I’ve had people see my transformation who have known me for a long time and not even recognize me. They ask, ‘Where’s Pat?’ When I first got into program I tried to get everyone in, I was so thrilled and enthusiastic. I thought, I’m going to save you. I’ve learned, you can’t do that,” said Pat. “What you have to do is live the life, show them it works, and when they’re ready, answer questions. The program works.”

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Page 13

Men’sHealth

How Common is Prostate Cancer?

Todd Baxter: ‘My Battle with Prostate Cancer’ By Lynette M. Loomis

odd Baxter is a 27-year veteran of local law enforcement and also served three years of active duty with the US Army. He is the executive director of Veterans Outreach Center, a nonprofit organization that provides services to veterans within a 14-county area that includes Erie and Monroe counties in Western New York. Baxter continued his military service with the US Army Reserves for another 19 years before retiring as a master sergeant, brigade anti-terrorism NCO. He is a guy’s guy so to speak — he also is a prostate cancer survivor. “Guys talk about sports, business and our kids. But we usually don’t talk about personal health issues,” he said. “I can’t recall a single conversation I ever had with a friend about prostate cancer. “The only man who spoke to me about it? My doctor during a routine physical. Dr. Charles Courtsal [of Rochester] pointed out that while they were taking blood samples anyway, one more test wasn’t a big deal.” The extra test proved to be crucial in Baxter’s life — it was in fact a big deal. It turned out that Baxter was diagnosed with prostate cancer

last September. “I was emotionally devastated. I kept the news from my wife and two boys as long as possible as I did not believe it could be true. I work out all the time and am considered pretty fit, so my sons couldn’t really process that while I looked fine, I had cancer. It was not an easy conversation but a lot easier than the conversation my wife would have had with them if we hadn’t caught this in time. I in no way saw myself as a cancer victim.” The procedure to remove his prostate in November took about four hours. The recovery was difficult, taking about four weeks. “Once they got in there, they found that the cancer had spread. Our blessing is that the surgeon, Dr. Jean Joseph [of University of Rochester Medical Center], was able to remove all of the cancerous cells.” Baxter was able to return to work part-time and then returned to full time after another two weeks. Two months after surgery he and his son Zac completed a 5K race. “It was a personal goal, to prove to myself and my sons that obstacles can be overcome,” Baxter said. Now his goal is to have as many men as possible hear about the early warning testing and how it saved his life.

Todd Baxter is a prostate cancer survivor. “Guys, go get the test done. It’s a lifesaving test and most of us don’t realize we need to do it. Like me, most men procrastinate going to the doctor. This is a good opportunity for me to share the burden that got placed on me and make it a positive thing.” Baxter feels grateful. “Faith and family, especially my beautiful wife Mary, have carried me through. Amazing medical professionals have

Prostate Cancer: A Perfect Storm Is Brewing March seminars are free, open to the public, including veterans By Patrick Fisher Us TOO Rochester, Chapter Leader

ancer remains the leading cause of death in Monroe County and prostate cancer is the leading cancer in men. On average, according to the Monroe County Department of Health, each year another 642 area men are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer and another 79 die from it. There are typically no symptoms for early-stage disease. While prostate cancer is highly treatable, and may be curable when detected early, in 2012 the United States Prevention Services Task Force recommended against routine screening for men. Since 2012, many urologists agree there is a rise in the number of men with advanced disease at their initial diagnosis. Yet, that recommendation remains unchanged. Adding fuel to the fire, access to unbiased information that helps Page 14

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men make fully informed decisions regarding prostate health is limited at best. In order to make informed treatment decisions, men need to know all available options, including those that may require travel or may not be covered by Medicare or medical insurance, such as proton beam vs. photon beam radiation, stereotactic radiation and high intensity focal ultrasound (HIFU), to name a few. Most providers do not have the time required to discuss all the treatment options with their patient, let alone identify the risk vs. benefit and possible outcomes of each. Most men look to the Internet as their trusted resource but overlook the fact websites often are not updated with current information and typically support an organization’s own best interest. Choosing which treatment may provide the best outcome is a daunt-

ing task that often requires weeks of research, many sleepless nights and multiple medical appointments. Us TOO Rochester is an affiliate chapter of Us TOO International, a nonprofit 501c3 organization founded by survivors, for survivors providing support, education and advocacy around the globe to those affected by prostate cancer. Chapter members attend meetings, staff information tables in shopping malls, provide mentoring for men with a recent diagnosis, and conduct awareness events in local communities throughout the year. Educational seminars presented by Us TOO Rochester are facilitated by medical providers and serve to keep men informed of advances in screening, diagnosis and treatment. Attendees get answers to questions while providers, oncologists and pharmaceutical representatives get quality time with their patients and consumers.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper •

March 2017

Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. The American Cancer Society’s estimates for prostate cancer in the United States for 2017 are: • About 161,360 new cases of prostate cancer • About 26,730 deaths from prostate cancer • About one man in seven will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. • Prostate cancer develops mainly in older men. About six cases in 10 are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older, and it is rare before age 40. The average age at the time of diagnosis is about 66. • Prostate cancer can be a serious disease, but most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it. In fact, more than 2.9 million men in the United States who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point are still alive today. Source: American Cancer Society.

done their job with expertise. Now, continued prayers for clean blood tests are invited as I will be evaluated in in late winter. I will live a healthy positive life and I, now more than ever, will evaluate what is really important. “I now see myself as a cancer survivor. Guys, I can’t say it often enough. Talk to your doctor. Get the PSA test. Live.”

March 25 Seminar Includes Free Breakfast, Lunch

Prostate cancer seminars in Rochester coordinated by Us TOO Rochester are free and open to the public, including military veterans. The next seminar is from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the Rochester Regional Health Riedman Campus Training Center, 100 Kings Highway, in Rochester. Spouses or significant others are encouraged to attend and a diagnosis is not required. A morning coffee service will be available from 8 a.m. Lunch is included. For reservations, call 585787-4011. Interested sponsors should send email to pfisher0317@gmail. com. Who may benefit by being screened for prostate cancer? • Caucasian men from age 50, • African American men from age 35, • Men with a family history of the disease, and • Military veterans exposed to Agent Orange. Men taking testosterone supplements without a doctor’s care, and transgender women with a prostate, may also benefit by routine screening. For more information about Us TOO Rochester, visit the website at www.ustoo.org or view the chapter’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ustoorochester.

Men’sHealth

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Low T

Answers for men with low testosterone By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

vague collection of symptoms afflicting men mid-life may signal low testosterone levels. The hormone is responsible for many bodily functions and can cause a variety of unwanted symptoms. Gaining belly fat, experiencing low libido, losing muscle tone, and feeling grouchy, fatigued and mentally “foggy” may indicate low testosterone. Physician Leila Kirdani operates Quality of Life Medicine in Rochester. She said that treating low testosterone is based upon the individual, but replacement therapy offers one answer. Another option could be medication that stimulates the testicles to produce more testosterone. “We have to look at the patient and fill their needs,” Kirdani said. “Always, I look at adrenal health.” She listed stress — both psychological and bodily — as a major inhibitor of proper testosterone levels; however, low testosterone is more than just feeling stressed. Kirdani discusses patients’ diet and exercise. Cutting out refined and processed foods and focusing on protein, along with building muscle, supports maintaining correct testosterone levels. Physician Az Tahir, holistic internal medicine specialist practicing in Rochester, also said that nutrition is very important. “Cook your own food at home,” Tahir said. “That way you can ensure you are getting enough good food. Buy organic food. High quality protein is important for regulating hormones. Leafy green vegetables are good for vitamin B.” Tahir also checks patient’s other hormone levels and their levels of vitamin B-12 and zinc. “If they’re not okay, we provide

them additional nutrition supplementation,” Tahir said. Only after helping the patient improve other lifestyle factors does Tahir look into testosterone replacement. While the link between testosterone replacement and an increased risk of prostate cancer has been largely disproven, other concerns surround testosterone replacement, such as its effects on the environment. “The FDA doesn’t like testosterone replacement for a number of reasons,” said physician Matthew Davis, medical director of Rochester Clinical Research. “It gets into the waste stream. It can negatively affect women who come in contact with it. It’s a drug that has a fair amount of abuse associated with it as far as sports. The FDA is pushing to get drug manufacturers to help men with low testosterone without giving them testosterone.” Davis said that his organization is studying the effect of blocking an enzyme in fat cells to block the conversion of testosterone to estrogen. “Especially in middle-age men who are fairly overweight, this blocks that conversion,” Davis said. “That’s fairly exciting.” The study is in a fairly early phase. So far, researchers have found that by boosting the testosterone into the normal range, it helps with the symptoms like metabolism, bone mineral, muscle mass, mood disorders, low energy and libido. Instead of introducing outside testosterone to the body, the medication would help the body generate its own. Davis said that the new therapy is four to five years away from submission to the FDA for approval. “It is an exciting area,” Davis said. “There are a lot of other things coming along with low testosterone that aren’t replacement therapies. this is the tip of the iceberg.” March 2017 •

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Page 15

Men’sHealth

Identifying Aggressive Prostate Cancers Roswell researchers developing genetic testing to establish if prostate cancer is slow-growing or fast-growing. Test to help patients, doctors to determine cancer treatment.

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

rostate cancer is one tricky cancer. Men with prostate cancer may have a tumor that doesn’t grow or spread quickly. In this case, a wait-and-see option may be favorable over prostatectomy, which can cause side effects like incontinence and impotence. But other men have aggressive tumors that spread to other areas of the body rapidly. Surgery or follow-up cancer treatments can give them the best chance to save their lives. Telling the difference between slow-growing and fast-growing and recurring tumors has relied mostly on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. But soon, genetic testing may lend a hand. Factors other than prostate cancer can elevate the PSA level. Obesity and other factors can abnormally lower PSA levels. Various factors can

skew PSA testing, resulting in false negatives or false positives. Researchers with Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, led by Irwin H. Gelman, Ph.D., have identified the 11-gene signature linked to advanced, recurrent prostate cancer. Once they establish the gene signature’s predictive value, they can perform a biopsy to give men and their doctors more information to make what is often a life-altering decision. Gelman directs research integration and serves as a distinguished professor of oncology, along with acting as chairman of the cell & molecular biology academic program. He also directs shRNA core resource at Roswell Park Cancer Institute. “The signature is based upon trying to predict early on whose cancer might recur,” Gelman said. “The research is to look at tumors, or human cell lines which recapitulate

this recurrence type of disease and then trying to find out genetic gene signatures that align with a recurrence versus a primary disease.” Men with a family history of prostate cancer are more likely to have a more aggressive prostate cancer, which makes such testing even more meaningful. Gelman and his team hope to start a clinical trial to confirm that the gene signature can accurately predict which tumors will spread and recur and which ones won’t. For those with recurring tumors, treating with drugs that attack the gene signature can disrupt the cancer’s mechanism and “decrease significantly the recurrence of the disease,” Gelman said. “Hopefully, it will become a predictive marker to figure out who’s at higher risk and develop and test to decrease the incidences of occurrence.”

Colon Cancer Screening at Home

Colonoscopy remains the gold standard, but home screening is an option for low-risk people, experts say By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

s a general rule, most people 50 and older should receive colon cancer screening. But the liquid diet and laxatives required for colonoscopy, followed by an exam that can include sedation and a rectal probe, deters some people from receiving the lifesaving screening. Colon cancer is a largely preventable cancer since colonoscopy can detect pre-cancerous polyps and include removal of them. Current compliance with colon cancer screening is about 50 percent nationwide — but home colon cancer screening kits may change that. Available since about five years ago, the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) screening involves taking small fecal samples at home. Users do not need to make dietary changes in advance or perform the test at a doctor’s office. They simple mail in the samples and await the lab results. The test looks for blood in the stool, a common sign of polyps. When stool leaves the body, it tends to bump into polyps, which resemble large grapes on a stem. When Page 16

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polyps move, they often bleed a little. Though the blood is often invisible in the stool, the test can detect it, along with other evidence of colon cancer. “Any test is better than no test,” said Michael Sapienza, president and CEO of Colon Cancer Alliance in Washington, DC. “The colonoscopy is the gold standard, but you have to look at the actual number of people who will do the test.” One of the disadvantages of the FIT is that it must be repeated annually. People with average risk of colon cancer need return for a test every decade after their initial test shows no polyps. A person whose FIT comes back with questionable findings must proceed with a colonoscopy at that point. Those who receive colonoscopy can have polyps removed before they awake from sedation. “Normally, this is a disease affecting people over 50, but over the past two decades, we’re seeing a 2 to 3 percent increase every year in people who are younger and being diagnosed with colon cancer,” Sapienza said. “But screening is only covering people over

50. If you have cramping, night sweats, change in the size of stool, or blood in your stool, ask for a screening.” Most people should begin screening at age 50, unless they have a first-degree relative diagnosed with colon cancer under the age of 50. In that case, the patient should begin screening 10 years before the age of their relative at the time of diagnosis. Blacks should begin screening at 45, as well as people with bowel issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, or diverticulitis. “Talk with your doctor,” Sapienza said “There are a lot of things that could potentially make you a candidate to go in earlier.” Physician Craig Collins, who specializes in colorectal and general surgery with Geneva General Surgical Associates, doesn’t see the home test as a replacement for colonoscopy, but a compromise for low-risk people unable or unwilling to undergo colonoscopy. “Those with previous polyps, the home test isn’t recommended,” Collins said. “Most patients willing to get a

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper •

March 2017

The team has a few ideas of drugs that could be useful in preventing recurring prostate cancer, and hope to complete a trial in a few years. William Phelps, PhD, works with American Cancer Society-funded researchers as vice president of Extramural Research in Atlanta, Ga. He said that the question of whether a tumor is slow growing or fast growing “is certainly one of the critical questions that physicians don’t have a tool to answer. “People’s perception of cancer can be, ‘Just get it out of me.’ But if they want to wait and see, it is absolutely a critical question if their cancer will grow quickly and the field needs this as a prognostic and diagnostic tool.” Patrick Fisher leads the Rochester chapter of Us Too, a prostate cancer support group. He said that men who receive treatment for prostate cancer may go for years without a problem until a routine PSA test shows elevated levels and by then, “it typically indicates prostate cancer cells have migrated elsewhere in the body and additional treatment may one day be required,” Fisher said. He hopes that the genetic testing can prevent more men from receiving false positives and needless surgery and treatment. “As a population of prostate cancer survivors, we are certainly grateful to global medical research and to the respective funding agencies,” Fisher said. “Together, we continue to hope it may be possible to someday end cancer.” colonoscopy have a preconceived idea of what it’s like, but once they have it they say it wasn’t that bad as they thought it would be.” If you lack sufficient insurance to cover the cost of colonoscopy or other screening method, community organizations may help, such as Cancer Services Program of Monroe County. Coordinator Carolyn Handville said that the organization offers free FITs for people of average risk. “I like the test very much,” she said. “We’ve used other kits where people couldn’t eat red meat for a week, and have medication restrictions and lots of false positives. With this, there are not restrictions and it’s very user-friendly.” Candice Lucas, director of the cancer services program of Monroe County and URMC Center from Community Health’s Cancer Services Program, confirmed that her organization also uses the FIT. “The advantages are many,” Lucas said. “FIT is part of the guidelines as an accurate test for colon cancer screening. We just want people to get screened.” She said only about 10 percent of participants using the FIT must come back for a follow-up colonoscopy, and not all of those have colon cancer. “FIT is one way to get screened,” Lucas said. “The best screening is the one that gets done. Talk with your medical provider about the one that’s best for you, starting at age 50 unless there’s family history of early colon cancer.”

Men’sHealth

800 a Year Die from Colon Cancer in Upstate New York Excellus: Upstate New Yorkers risking their lives by not being screened for colon cancer

ens of thousands of adults in Upstate New York are gambling with their health by choosing not to be screened for colon cancer, according to research findings recently issued by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death among adults in the United States. “Each year in Upstate New York, 2,300 people are diagnosed with colon cancer,” says physician Matthew Bartels, Excellus BCBS chief medical officer for health care improvement. “Upstate New York averages 800 deaths a year from the disease.” Regular screenings can detect early-stage colon cancer before symptoms develop. Early detection is important

because treatments are more likely to be successful for early- rather than late-stage cancer. Colonoscopy is the most thorough screening test and is proven to prevent the disease. Removing benign or pre-cancerous polyps during colonoscopy can not only prevent colon cancer, but also reduce deaths from the disease for years, according to the National Institutes of Health. Colon cancer screening is recommended every 10 years for all adults age 50 to 75. Individuals who have colon cancer risk factors, including a family history of colon cancer or previous polyps, may need to have their first screening at a younger age, or more frequently. Excellus BCBS pledged its sup-

port for the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable’s “80 percent by 2018” goal of having 80 percent of adults aged 50 and older screened for colorectal cancer by 2018. Currently, one-third of Upstate New York adults in the 50to 75-year-old age range have not been screened. The NCCRT was founded in 1997 by the American Cancer Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If achieved, the screening goal of “80 percent by 2018” would prevent 277,000 cases of colorectal can-

cer, and 203,000 associated deaths by 2030. “Colon cancer screening is covered in full as an ‘essential benefit’ of all health insurance, so there’s really no excuse for not getting screened, and it can save your life!” says Bartels. Learn more about colon cancer screening from a viewable and downloadable Excellus BCBS infographic, online at http://tinyurl.com/j3bnxo7. Learn more about the “80% by 2018” initiative at http://nccrt.org/.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 17

Ask St. Annʼs

What are Adult Day Programs and Who Do They Serve? By Kim Petrone, MD

f you’re caring for an elderly parent, you know what an important and often difficult responsibility that can be. Your parent may have limited mobility, decreased mental or physical ability or a chronic health condition that requires constant monitoring. He or she relies on you for help with everyday tasks: personal hygiene, meals, taking medications, maybe even more complex health care. It can be overwhelming. That’s where adult day programs come in. Adult day programs — sometimes referred to as adult day care — provide professional health services and social activities to older adults who need supervised care in a safe place outside the home for some part of the day. Equally important, they provide caregivers (family members) respite from the demanding responsibilities of caregiving. n

Living at Home Longer

For older adults who live at home — including those with dementia, disabilities and chronic health conditions — adult day programs allow them to remain in their homes longer. They get the care they need while their home caregiver is unavailable, then return home later in the day. This allows the

participant to continue living at home instead of entering a nursing home or other higher-level care facility. Adult day programs are ideal for people who have diminished physical or psychological capacity, chronic illness or memory problems, are socially isolated or need help with personal care. On-site staff include registered nurses, social workers and others specifically trained in caring for the elderly. n Meeting Social and Medical Needs

There are two primary types of adult day programs: — Social, which provides personal care, social activities, and support services, and — Medical, which provides skilled nursing care and health monitoring in addition to social activities. Both the social and medical models provide participants with: — Hot meals and nutritious snacks; — Supervision and monitoring; — Personal care and hygiene; — Medical reminders; — Exercise and wellness programs; — Socialization and recreational activities. In addition, the medical model provides: — Skilled nursing care;

— Physical, occupational, and speech therapy; — Blood pressure and glucose monitoring; — Personal care including bathing; — Oxygen and nebulizer treatments; — Tube feeding; and — Transportation to medical appointments. Both also offer family support groups and resources referrals. Caregivers can enroll their loved ones in the type of program that best meets their needs. For example, St. Ann’s Community offers two social adult day programs (Home & Heart in Webster and Home & Heart at the Cathedral in Rochester) and one medical program (Home Connection in Irondequoit). More info: http://bit.ly/stannadult. n Care During the Workday and Beyond

Adult day programs generally operate during normal business hours five days a week. These are ideal for caregivers who work Monday through Friday and want to be sure their loved one is well cared for during those hours. Some programs are also open evenings and weekends, such as St. Ann’s

Home & Heart in Webster. These offer added convenience for caregivers who need to take care of work or personal obligations or just need some downtime while knowing their loved one is in good hands. Adult day programs welcome visitors and should be willing to let you and your loved one sit in on a portion of the day. You’ll get a good feel for the atmosphere, the people and the care provided, allowing you to find the right choice for your loved one and peace of mind for yourself.

Kim Petrone, MD, 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 is a certiﬁed wound specialist. Contact her at kpetrone@mystanns.com or 585-922-HEAL (4325), or visit www. stannscommunity.com.

Study: 10,000 U.S. Seniors Die Within a Week of ER Discharge

ach year, about 10,000 generally healthy U.S. Medicare patients die within seven days of discharge from a hospital emergency department, a new study contends. “We know that hospitals vary a lot in how often they admit patients to the hospital from the ED [emergency department], but we don’t know whether this matters for patient outcomes,” said lead researcher, physician Ziad Obermeyer. He is a staff physician in the Brigham and Women’s Hospital depart-

ment of emergency medicine in Boston. “The variation in outcomes that we observed may be linked to gaps in medical knowledge about which patients need more attention from physicians,” Obermeyer said in a hospital news release. Geography and socioeconomics may also play a role, he said, adding that “access to resources varies dramatically across hospitals.” The analysis of more than 16 million ER visits showed that the most Are you unable to work because of a severe impairment or illness? I have over 20 years experience successfully obtaining

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common causes of death in the following week were heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), said Obermeyer, who is also an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. But another major cause was overdose from opioid painkillers like Oxycontin, Percocet and Vicodin, mostly after ER visits for pain and injuries, the study found. Most of these deaths occurred among patients seen at hospitals that admitted few patients from the ER. Policymakers often regard these hospitals as models due to their low costs, the researchers noted. However, deaths occurred far less often among patients seen at large, university-affiliated ERs with higher hospital admission rates and higher costs. This was so even though patients at these ERs tended to be less healthy upon arrival at the ER, the study authors said. Patients at greatest risk for death included those with confusion, shortness of breath or generalized weakness. The

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researchers found that those with chest pain had a much lower risk of death. The study looked at ER visits made by seniors between 2007-12 across the United States. It did not include patients with known serious illnesses or diagnoses of life-threatening conditions in the ER, any one over 90, or those receiving palliative care. “There’s a lot of policy interest in reducing unnecessary admissions from the ED,” Obermeyer said in a hospital news release. Obviously, not all patients can or should be admitted to the hospital, he noted. “But we need to focus on admitting the right patients, rather than admitting more or less,” he said. “I’m optimistic that advanced analytics and better data will help physicians with these kinds of decisions in the future.” The results were published Feb. 1 in the journal BMJ.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper •

March 2017

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Do You Need to File a Tax Return in 2017? Dear Savvy Senior, What are the IRS income tax filing requirements for retirees this tax season? My income dropped way down when I retired last year in 2016, so I’m wondering if I need to even file a tax return this year. New Retiree Dear New, There are several factors that affect whether or not you need to file a federal income tax return this year, including how much you earned last year (in 2016), and the source of that income, as well as your age and filing status. Here’s a rundown of this tax season’s (2016) IRS tax filing requirement thresholds. For most people, this is pretty straightforward. If your 2016 gross income — which includes all taxable income, not counting your Social Security benefits, unless you are married and filing separately — was below the threshold for your filing status and age, you probably won’t have to file. But if it’s over, you will. • Single: $10,350 ($11,900 if you’re 65 or older by Jan. 1, 2017). • Married filing jointly: $20,700 ($21,950 if you or your spouse is 65 or older; or $23,200 if you’re both over 65). • Married filing separately: $4,050 at any age. • Head of household: $13,350 ($14,900 if age 65 or older). • Qualifying widow(er) with dependent child: $16,650 ($17,900 if age 65 or older). To get a detailed breakdown on federal filing requirements, along with information on taxable and nontaxable income, call the IRS at 800-829-3676 and ask them to mail you a free copy of the “Tax Guide for Seniors” (publication 554), or see IRS. gov/pub/irs-pdf/p554.pdf.

Special Circumstances

There are, however, some other financial situations that will require you to file a tax return, even if your

gross income falls below the IRS filing requirement. For example, if you had earnings from self-employment in 2016 of $400 or more, or if you owe any special taxes to the IRS such as alternative minimum tax or IRA tax penalties, you’ll probably need to file. To figure this out, the IRS offers an interactive tax assistant tool on their website that asks a series of questions that will help you determine if you’re required to file, or if you should file because you’re due a refund. It takes about 15 minutes to complete. You can access this tool at IRS. gov/filing — click on “Do you need to file a return?” under the Get Ready tab. Or, you can get assistance over the phone by calling the IRS helpline at 800-829-1040. You can also get face-to-face help at a Taxpayer Assistance Center. See IRS.gov/localcontacts or call 800-829-1040 to locate a center near you.

James W. Albright, CAPS, GMB, CGR, CGP 5205 Johnson Hill Drive, Canandaigua, NY 14424 Cell (5850 230-4280; Fax(585) 396- 5879 albright1.j.s@gmail.com www.AlbrightBuild.com

Check Your State

Even if you’re not required to file a federal tax return this year, don’t assume that you’re also excused from filing state income taxes. The rules for your state might be very different. Check with your state tax agency before concluding that you’re entirely in the clear. For links to state tax agencies see Taxadmin.org/state-taxagencies.

Tax Preparation Help

If you find that you do need to file a tax return this year, you can get help through the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (or TCE) program. Sponsored by the IRS, TEC provides free tax preparation and counseling to middle and low-income taxpayers, age 60 and older. Call 800-906-9887 or visit IRS.treasury.gov/freetaxprep to locate a service near you. Also check with AARP, a participant in the TCE program that provides free tax preparation at more than 5,000 sites nationwide. To locate an AARP Tax-Aide site call 888-2277669 or visit AARP.org/findtaxhelp. You don’t have to be an AARP member to use this service.

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t first, seeing taxes taken out of your paycheck can be a little disappointing. However, you can take pride in knowing you’re making an important impact each week when you contribute to Social Security. Understanding how important your contribution is takes some of the sting away because your taxes are helping millions of Americans — and protecting you and your family for life — as well as wounded warriors, the chronically ill and disabled. By law, employers must withhold Social Security taxes from a worker’s paycheck. While usually referred to as “Social Security taxes” on an employee’s pay statement, sometimes the deduction is labeled as “FICA” which stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act, a reference to the original Social Security Act. In some cases, you will see “OASDI” which stands for Old Age Survivors Disability Insurance. The taxes you pay now translate to a lifetime of protection — for retirement in old age or in the event of disability. And when you die, your family (or future family) may be able to receive survivors benefits based on your work as well. Because you may be a long way from retirement, you might have a tough time seeing the value of benefit payments that could be many decades in the future. But keep in mind that the Social Security taxes you’re paying can provide valuable disability or survivors benefits now in the event the unexpected happens. Studies show that of today’s 20-year-

olds, about one in four will become disabled, and about one in eight will die before reaching retirement. Be warned: if an employer offers to pay you “under the table,” you should refuse. It’s against the law. They may try to sell it as a benefit to you since you get a few extra dollars in your pay. But you’re really only allowing the employer to cheat you out of your Social Security credits. If you’d like to learn a little more about Social Security and exactly what you’re building up for yourself by paying Social Security taxes, take a look at our online booklet, How You Earn Credits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10072.html. If you have a friend who lost a parent when they were a child, they probably got Social Security survivors benefits. Social Security helps by providing income for the families of workers who die. In fact, 98 of every 100 children could get benefits if a working parent dies. And Social Security pays more benefits to children than any other federal program. You can learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov/survivors. Do you prefer videos to reading? Check out webinar, “Social Security 101: What’s in it for me?” The webinar explains what you need to know about Social Security. You can find it at www.socialsecurity.gov/ multimedia/webinars/social_security_101.html as well as on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hkLaBiavqQ You can also learn more at www. socialsecurity.gov.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper •

March 2017

H ealth News St. Ann’s hires VP, promotes medical director St. Ann’s Community, Rochester’s leading senior housing and health services provider, has announced the following employment news. Jennifer Blackchief has been hired as vice president of housing and strategic redevelopment. She oversees the strategic direction and operations of independent and assisted living housing at St. Ann’s Community, inBlackchief cluding Chapel Oaks and Cherry Ridge. Those communities together offer more than 400 housing units for seniors, including apartments, cottage homes and studio suites. Blackchief most recently was senior vice president at TeamHealth in Western New York. Prior to that she was president/administrator for Bristol Homes Senior Care Communities. Physician Kim Petrone has been promoted to medical director for St. Ann’s Community, including the Wegman Transitional Care Center and the Rochester General Wound Healing Center at St. Ann’s. Formerly associate medical director, Petrone has

Mark Eidlin Gets Highest Honor From Foundation The Highland Hospital Foundation announced that Mark Eidlin is the recipient of the 2017 Heritage Award. Eidlin, a longtime member of the Highland Hospital board and the Highland Hospital Foundation board, received the award at a ceremony at the Genesee Valley Club in January. The Heritage Award is the highest honor given by The Highland Hospital Foundation for philanthropic contributions. It honors a person or organization that plays a significant role at Highland Hospital and in the community through their time, talent and financial support. Eidlin, senior vice president at Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, Inc. in Pittsford, joined the foundation board in 1998 and

been providing care to patients and residents of St. Ann’s Community for 11 years. She is board-certified in internal medicine and geriatrics and is a certified wound specialist. St. Ann’s Community offers a Petrone continuum of care that includes independent retirement living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, short-term transitional care, wound healing, palliative care, and adult day programs. One of the area’s largest employers, St. Ann’s has more than 1,200 employees.

Thompson launches ‘Wellness Hub’ program UR Medicine’s Thompson Health recently launched Wellness Hub, an all-inclusive program offering both men and women the opportunity to attend a number of health-related events combining education with entertainment. Wellness Hub is in keeping with Thompson’s mission to continuously improve the health of residents in the Finger Lakes. “This is one more way Thompson

served as chairman for the past six years. The Pittsford resident has also served as the co-chairman of the annual Highland Hospital gala and is active in the community. “Mark Eidlin is a champion for Highland and his work on behalf of the hospital, our patients and our community is truly inspiring,” said dentist Ned Nicosia, current chairman of the Highland Foundation board. “He is well-deserving of the Heritage Award.” The award is particularly meaningful to Eidlin, who has also been a patient at Highland. “The definition of a great community is how we educate and take care of one another,” he said. “Nobody does a better job at making our community a better place to live than Highland. If you have a desire to make a difference, and in your own way make Rochester a better place, then Highland can give you that platform as a staff member or a volunteer.” March 2017 •

encourages a healthy lifestyle, by providing fun ways to empower yourself when it comes to your health,” says Thompson Health Wellness Hub Coordinator Misty Ufholz. While anyone will be welcome to attend events, Wellness Hub does have a membership program offering exclusive benefits. Signing up is free. Members receive advance notice of and discounts to upcoming events, access to the program’s digital health and wellness magazine, online articles on health topics, healthy recipes, health promotions and more. In addition, those who sign up can enroll in a free online rewards program providing discounts on hundreds of services and products from local and national vendors. “This discount program means you can save on health-related services including gym memberships, fitness equipment and weight management programs, as well as everyday purchases and dining out,” Ufholz says.

HCR Home Care named top performing HCR Home Care remains among the best performing home health care providers in the country, according to an independent review. HCR in the Finger Lakes region has been named a Top Agency of the 2016 HomeCare Elite, a recognition of the top-performing home health agencies in the U.S. The annual HomeCare Elite winners list, a comBlackchief pilation of the most successful home care providers, again named HCR among the top 25 percent of more than 9,000 agencies in the United States. The company earned this recognition based on a host of performance measures, such as quality of care, quality improvement and consistency, patient experience, process measure implementation and financial performance. “HCR Home Care is very pleased and proud to continue to be recognized nationally for our outstanding clinical outcomes and other key performance measures,” said HCR President Elizabeth Zicari. “Our clinicians, leadership team and staff deserve this national recognition for their unwavering commitment to improving people’s health across the Finger Lakes region.” For more than 10 years, HomeCare Elite has annually identified the top 25 percent of Medicare-certified agencies and highlights the top 100 and top 500 agencies overall. The list is compiled using publicly available data from Home Health Compare and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

St. John’s promotes two, hires two St. John’s, a leading provider of senior living and care options in the Rochester region, recently promoted two individuals and added two others to its team. Jennifer Lesinski was promoted to vice president of marketing. Lesinski has led the marketing department at St. John’s since 2014 and is responsible for development and implementation of St. John’s strategic marketing plan, including brand management, advertising, public relations and internal communications. She manages two staff members, various freelancers and interns, and acts as a guide for marketing-related work of Lesinski community representatives and welcome center staff. Lesinski has more than 26 years of experience in marketing, predominately in the nonprofit sector. She holds a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from the William E. Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester. • Shauna M. Seeley was promoted to director of finance. As director of finance, Seeley contributes to the profitability of the organization by analyzing financial data and developing strategies based on that analysis. She also oversees regulatory contracts, including Medicaid, Medicare, department of health and housing. Seeley earned a master’s degree Seeley in accounting from SUNY Brockport and was hired by St. John’s as corporate controller in April 2016. She and her family live in Henrietta. • Anne McKenna was hired as the executive director of the St. John’s Foundation. McKenna comes to St. John’s after serving as the director of development and communications at St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center, bringing more than 30 years of experience in fundraising, marketing and communications. In her new role, McKenna McKenna will oversee all fundraising projects at St. John’s. She also serves as board president for the Association for Fundraising Professionals, Genesee Valley Chapter, and as board secretary for the Reel Mind Film Series. A Nazareth College graduate, McKenna and her husband live in Brighton. • Keaghlan Morrissey was hired to the role of marketing coordinator.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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H ealth News As marketing coordinator, Morrissey will support implementation of marketing communications plans of behalf of St. John’s affiliates, departments and programs. She will develop content for various marketing platforms, including the organizaMorrissey tion’s website, various print publications and social media channels. A Binghamton native and 2013 graduate of Nazareth College, Morrissey earned a degree in communication and rhetoric with a minor in graphic design and digital imaging.

Thompson recognized as fit-friendly worksite A year after being named a Gold-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite, UR Medicine’s Thompson Health has been recognized as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association, for helping employees eat better and move more. “Physical activity and associate wellness are priorities within Thompson. We are honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite,” said Vice President of Associate Services and Wellness Jennifer DeVault. “Providing the best workplace environment possible benefits our associates’ health and produces even more positive results for Thompson overall.” Platinum-level employers offer employees physical activity options in the workplace; increase healthy eating options at the worksite; promote a wellness culture in the workplace; implement at least nine criteria outlined by the American Heart Association in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture; and demonstrate measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness. For example, 100 percent of new associates within Thompson participate in a self-care initiative that involves choosing a tip card offering ways to incorporate healthy changes. Their supervisors follow up on their progress during their one-year evaluation. According to the American Heart Association, American employers are losing an estimated $225.8 billion a year because of healthcare expenses and health-related losses in productivity, and those numbers are rising. Many American adults spend most of their waking hours at sedentary jobs. Their lack of regular physical activity raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Employers face $12.7 billion in annual medical expenses due to obesity alone. The American Heart Association is working to change corporate cultures by motivating employees to start walking, which has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity. Page 22

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SBH expands addiction services in Rochester SBH is now offering two new services to serve the greater Rochester area: a hospital diversion program and a wraparound services program. These programs are made possible with funding support from NYS OASAS. The hospital diversion program provides a case manager who works within Monroe County hospitals to help individuals with a substance use disorder find the most appropriate level of care. The case manager will make referrals or warm hand-offs to community-based treatment providers, as necessary, rather than individuals self-referring to a hospital. The case manager will also follow up twice a month to determine if additional community supports are needed. Wraparound services programming offers a longer-term support. A case manager will work with individuals who have a primary diagnosis of opioid use disorder and who have also successfully completed withdrawal and stabilization services in Monroe County. For a total of nine months, the case manager will collaborate with the individual to achieve their self-identified goals in education, legal, financial, social, childcare, or other areas. Participants in both programs will also be able to take advantage of SBH’s aftercare services. Aftercare services are designed to offer ongoing care through support groups, regular phone calls, referrals to care or other community resources, and using the ACHESS smartphone app. “We are extremely fortunate to have a regulatory and funding partner willing to support and explore opportunities to improve peoples’ access to care. OASAS and SBH believe this project will improve peoples’ connection to community-based care and help people sustain longer term recovery,” said Jeremy Klemanski, SBH President & CEO.

URMC Launches World’s First ECHO Eating Disorders Clinic

he world’s first Project ECHO tele-education hub specializing in the care of individuals with eating disorders and their families launched Jan. 3 at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) model creates collaborations between local clinicians and multidisciplinary teams of experts in areas of specialized medical knowledge at academic medical centers. The aim to is to reduce health disparities and expand access to evidence-based treatment by educating and counseling primary care, behavioral health, and college health providers in regions where there are few or no specialty-trained providers. Utilizing Web-based videoconference technology, eating disorder experts at URMC provide the local community providers with training on identifying and managing eating disorders, as well as the interprofessional skills required to effectively participate on multidisciplinary eating disorder teams. “Eating disorders are diseases of disconnection,” said Mary Tantillo, professor of clinical nursing at the University of Rochester School of Nursing and director of the Western New York Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders (WNYCCCED). “We need to create learning communities of health care providers to support and connect with one another in order to help patients and their families do the same. “Project ECHO provides an excellent opportunity for true interprofessional education to build

knowledge and skills about eating disorders, in addition to enhancing interdisciplinary team functioning and treatment planning.” Tantillo and Richard Kreipe, medical director of the WNYCCCED, provide oversight for ECHO eating disorder training. They collaborate with other members of the expert team, which includes a young adult peer mentor, a parent peer mentor and mother of a young adult in recovery, a care manager, and other multidisciplinary providers, such as providers from the University of Rochester School of Nursing, Golisano Children’s Hospital, The Healing Connection Inc., and Excellus Blue Cross/Blue Shield, to conduct the virtual clinics. Clinics session are comprised of case review (de-identified cases from participants) and brief didactic instruction. Participants who review cases receive a written summary of recommendations from the ECHO eating disorders team and participants attending each clinic. Project ECHO eating disorders is sponsored by the WNYCCCED, which is funded by the New York State Department of Health Division of Chronic Disease Prevention. The WNYCCCED, a partnership between the UR School of Nursing and Golisano Children’s Hospital, is directed out of the UR School of Nursing, and serves as the hub for eating disorder services in the 30-county western New York region. It estimates that more than 27,000 individuals living within Monroe County alone have an eating disorder.

companies; an extension of Money Follows the Person, an initiative diverting thousands of disabled people from institutional placement; the Community First Choice Option, an incentivize for states to promote community-based options rather than nursing facilities and institutions; and the authorization of accessibility standards for diagnostic medical equipment so people with disabilities can get access to preventative healthcare screenings and appropriate diagnostic testing. While there has been agreement support from President Trump and other conservatives for maintaining the protections for people with pre-existing conditions in healthcare, disability-specific protections and programs are at risk in a blanket repeal of ACA. The disability community urges Congress and the President Trump to carefully review the proposals to re-

peal ACA, in order to ensure that these protections and programs are not inadvertently undercut when the law is changed. The disability community includes people of all political persuasions. These issues matter to our community because they support our freedom, allow us to be contributing members of society, spend time with our families, and live our lives. These protections and programs secure the constitutional right to liberty for people with disabilities, and we urge all members of Congress and the new administration to preserve and advance our community’s right to Liberty as they enact legislation to reform healthcare. Submitted by Center for Disability Rights, Roches

Disability Community Urges Congress to Preserve DisabilitySpecific Aspects of ACA Congress is acting swiftly to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including several critically important initiatives for the disability community; two of which underpin one of the fundamental rights that Americans are guaranteed under the Declaration of Independence and Constitution: liberty. The disability community is calling on Congress to preserve disability-specific aspects of ACA that are completely unrelated to the primary provision of the law. These include: the prohibition of discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions by insurance

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper •

March 2017

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Thursday, April 27. An introduction to the world’s most popular social media website. Participants learn: what social media is all about; a brief history of Facebook, features and benefits; and staying connected with family and friends Jones’ classes are specifically designed to benefit older adults. His teaching method breaks down the barriers of fear and intimidation often associated with learning new technology. Seniors leave his classes with a greater understanding of the options and tools available to enhance their lives, allowing them to stay connected to family and friends and engaged in modern living. For more information, call 585697-6000 or visit www.stannscommunity.com.

Fibromyalgia group to hear about acupuncture Tennille Richards, a local licensed acupuncturist, specializing in traditional Chinese medicine, will be the guest speaker during a March 28 meeting held by the New Fibromyalgia Support Group. The event will take place from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the meeting room at Westside YMCA, 920 Elmgrove Road. Richards will discuss how acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine can promote increased healing and wellness that will improve better blood flow, range of motion and overall wellness. Reservations are required. Please email your name, and details to fibro123.wellness.programs@ gmail.com or call 585-752-1562. For more information, visit www.newfibrosupport.com.

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In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2017 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. 154 Cobblestone Court Dr., Suite 121 – P.O. Box 525, Victor NY 14564. • Phone: 585-421-8109 • Email: Editor@GVhealthnews.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Writers: Jim Miller, Deborah J. Sergeant, Gwenn Voelckers, Anne Palumbo, Chris Motola, George W. Chapman, Ernst Lamothe Jr., Jessica Gaspar,, John Addyman, Lynette Loomis, Patrick Fisher, Kim Petrone (MD) • Advertising: Anne Westcott, Debra Kells • Layout & Design: Dylon Clew-Thomas • Office Assistant: Kimberley Tyler No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen.

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