OCTOBER 2018
NEW HAMPSHIRE
WO M E N MAGAZINE
READ NHWM. HELP NH WOMEN ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS!
celebrating the women of New Hampshire
Meet
Captain Amanda pearson, 26-year-old pilot from nh
Inside:
What is a Headache? pg. 10
NHWOMENMAGAZINE.COM || 1
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
New Hampshire Women Magazine Grants
I
think one of the most special components of what we do at Sullivan Grueter Communications, is our giving. Whether it’s New Hampshire Women Magazine’s sister publication, Woof Magazine, and it’s mission to continue rebuilding animal shelters in need, or this publication’s goal of providing women with financial assistance to achieve their dreams, the core of it all is doing good for the greater good. Lately, I’ve felt pretty overwhelmed with everything going on in our country -
Whether it’s the division in politics or social media - things have been pretty dark. I’ve heard that the most successful way to turn your bad days around is to think about doing good for someone else. And, I must say - it works every single time. I want you to know that just by reading New Hampshire Women Magazine or Woof Magazine New England, you are helping people and animals with every issue. That should make you feel pretty good! I want our publications to be a place where you can pull up a chair, wrap yourself in a cozy blanket and feel a bit of escape for awhile. We’re all going to be all right!
Jill Sullivan Grueter
jill@nhwomenmagazine.com
PUBLISHER Sullivan Grueter Communications, LLC PUBLISHER Jill Sullivan Grueter BUSINESS DEV. EXECUTIVE Melissa Diorio: melissa@nhwomenmagazine.com CONTRIBUTORS Crystal Ward Kent, Freelance Writer Dr. Janet Perkins and Dr. Kristin Yates, Garrison Women’s Health Barbara L. Nye, MD, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Elizabeth S. Soukup, M.D., M.M.Sc., Elliot Health System Samantha Wingate, World Academy CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTION QOL Distribution
Looking to Join? NEW HAMPSHIRE
WOMEN MAGAZINE Melissa Diorio
Business Development Executive 603.591.4952 Melissa @nhwomenmagazine. com
New Hampshire Women Magazine is a monthly, free publication distributed to over 500 hotspots around New Hampshire. We feature inspiring local women making a difference, health and wellness information by local experts, and self-improvement concepts to help us take better care of ourselves. 2 || NEW HAMPSHIRE WOMEN MAGAZINE
Flick of the month
“Thank you for giving me the ride of my life. I only hope someday I can fly the DHART helicopter and help people like I was helped.” - Camden
There are moments in life that change everything. For Camden, it was realizing that he wants to help others the way Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Advanced Response Team helped him. As a national leader in patient-centered care, with locations throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, we’re proud to be there for your life moments. Lebanon | Manchester - Bedford | Concord | Nashua Keene | New London | Bennington, VT | Windsor, VT NHWOMENMAGAZINE.COM || 3
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CONTENTS 6
COVER STORY
Our Cover Woman: Pilot AMANDA Pearson 6 FEATURE STORY: 26-year-old NH Pilot, Amanda Pearson: First
Events Coming Soon!
8 Your Pregnancy, your plan: If
10 DARTmouth-hitchcock: what is a headache Until recently,
15
the medications prescribed for migraine prevention were originally developed for other indications—anti-seizure medications, anti-hypertensive medications and anti-depressant/ anxiety medications, but breakthrough research has changed that.
The perfect way to get ready for the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season. Have fun with our ugly sweater contest!
Dr. Soukup, My 16 month old son touched a wood stove this weekend and burned his hand. We brought him to an ER where they bandaged it up, but will this leave a scar?
in subjects like science, mathematics, technology, and engineering, are now starting to share the spotlight with the one element that automation
If you would like to have New Hampshire Women Magazine mailed to your 25 for 6-9pm house October every month only $34 for six Bedford, NHform and mail it months, fill out this to Sullivan Grueter Communications, 1 A WICKED fun night! New Hampshire Ave, Portsmouth, NH in the spirit and you may win 03801Get or sign up Online at nhwomenour BEST costume contest! magazine.com/subscribe.
November 8 & 15 6-9pm Lebanon, NH & Atkinson, NH Holiday Celebration!
13 ask the pediatric surgeon: Dear
15: Preparing students for a changing future: Expertise
13
DON’T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE Girls Night Out!
Officer Amanda Pearson still looks more like the college student she recently was than an experienced aviator and flight instructor. She is one of a small number of female commercial pilots and passionate about flying and women in aviation. you become pregnant unintendedly (like 50 percent of women do), you should still feel empowered to develop a pregnancy plan that’s fully on your terms
10
To benefit:
See more events & buy tickets at
8
myNEevent.com
can never replace: pure human
creativity.
NHWOMENMAGAZINE.COM || 5
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY AMANDA PEARSON 6 || NEW HAMPSHIRE WOMEN MAGAZINE
26-Year-Old New Hampshire Pilot
Flying Hight with
pilot AMANDA PEARSON
P
Passengers disembarking Endeavor Air, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, are often surprised to find that their captain is a charming 26-yearold woman. First Officer Amanda Pearson still looks more like the college student she recently was than an experienced aviator and flight instructor. She is one of a small number of female commercial pilots and passionate about flying and women in aviation. For Pearson, “slipping the surly bonds of earth” is almost a daily experience, as she helms her CRJ900, a 76-seat passenger jet, on frequent trips up and down the Eastern Seaboard. She is also rated to fly sea planes and is a flight instructor for single and multi-engine aircraft. If it flies, Pearson is interested in learning about it. “I gave myself sea plane training as a graduation gift after college,” she says. “I would like to learn about gliders next. I do hope to have my own plane one day, ideally a sea plane or glider, but right now I’m too busy to make that commitment, and I do love flying jets.” Pearson began her career in aviation almost by accident, but once she got a taste of flying, she never looked back. “I went to college for general studies and was not quite sure what career path I wanted to take,” she recalls. “Fortunately, my school had a flight school as part of its offerings. Some of my friends enrolled and I became intrigued by what they were learning. I signed up for classes and knew I’d found my calling. For me, flying is not a hobby, it’s my career. Getting in the cockpit never gets old. Every take off, every landing, every trip is different. I love flying for the challenges it presents. Challenges
WRITTEN BY CRYSTAL WARD KENT
keep me going. Flying is an amazing way to make a living.” Even Pearson’s personal time often revolves around flying. “I think sea planes are cool, but I also knew that learning to fly one would teach me what it’s like to land on water. Two years ago, I went hang gliding at Morningside Flight Park here in New Hampshire. It was incredible to go from flying with two jet engines to flying with no engine. It also taught me a lot about aerodynamics. I always like to learn something new, and especially as it relates to flying.” Pearson has been flying commercially for three years and says that every trip is unique. “You can start out with clear, sunny skies as you leave New York and then run into heavy thunderstorms building up as you approach Florida. You then spend the last part of your trip finding your way around thunderheads and lightening. You never know how the day will change. Winter flying is always interesting with the ice, cold and heavy snow, but we have fantastic ground crews. The team in Manchester, New Hampshire for example, knows how to plow those runways; they have it down to a science, and the airlines have so many safety procedures in place for de-icing and different flight conditions, that you feel pretty confident no matter what Mother Nature throws at you.
“Sometimes it’s not even the weather
that can make a flight challenging,” she adds. “Maybe there is a medical emergency on board or turbulence that forces us to change course. The goal is to prepare for the unexpected. I feel like I’ve done my job when we land safely and I see people heading off to where they need to go and know I got them there.”
Women & Wings Although aviation is a male dominated field, Pearson says she has experienced very little discrimination. “Working for PHOTOS PROVIDED BY AMANDA PEARSON an airline makes a difference,” she explains. “I have the airline behind me and I think that adds some respect. Sometimes, when I greet the passengers after the flight a few people will look surprised, but most give me high fives and think it’s cool that a woman was the pilot.
Continued on page 14.
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YOUR PREGNANCY,
YOUR PLAN Written by Dr. Janet Perkins and Dr. Kristin Yates
Today’s woman is advancing her career, getting her Ph.D, working on relationships, networking, and achieving fitness milestones. She may dream of adding “mother” to that list but struggles with the feeling that her life seems like it’s already at capacity. But life is quickly passing by, and her plan to become a mom at 29 seems to be pushed back with each coming year. Garrison Women’s Health, an OB/GYN practice located in Dover, New Hampshire, likes to educate its patients on the importance of balance. Garrison’s providers see women every day having trouble reconciling their desire to have a baby with a deep investment in their careers and other aspirations. Oftentimes women feel as though these are mutually exclusive. It’s easy to get caught up in societal “norms” of what pregnancy should be like or when it is the right time to have a baby, or to compare yourself to other women your age who have babies or have gone down a different path than you. This is normal, and so are you.
The clock is not actually ticking…in this case There has been a shift over the last few decades of women delaying pregnancy for lifestyle-related reasons, like establishing a career, finishing school, or reaching a specific goal before starting a family.
While working towards those achievements, many still worry about their “biological clocks” and feel that they need to have children before a certain age (most commonly around the age of 35). But guess what? There is no magic cutoff time. On your 35th birthday you aren’t immediately unable to conceive a child. You are in control of your life! So, the first step is to dismiss the pressure of having a child when society says you should. Besides, the reality is this: the new norm is that there is no norm.
A customizable approach is important
Women should feel that they are an active participant in making healthcare decisions with their providers. It is your provider’s job to relieve anxieties and help you strategize a plan that works with your schedule and lifestyle. If you become pregnant unintendedly (like 50 percent of women do), you should still feel empowered to develop a pregnancy plan that’s fully on your terms.
The balancing act
Before you become pregnant, you may think, “I will still be able to exceptionally manage my team at work, exercise regularly, and function normally.” However, in reality you may find that you’re exhausted and have trouble with tasks that were once very simple. Give yourself a break—you are creating a human being! It’s miraculous. This journey is about balance. Sleep when you need to sleep, eat healthfully, and drink plenty of fluids. Never feel guilty about “me time.”
Support can go a long way
Once your bundle of joy is home with you, you may be surprised that you feel anxious and overwhelmed—this is normal and nothing to be ashamed of. We encourage women to talk about how they feel and to accept support whenever it comes. And to ask for it! No one is expected to or should have to raise a child on their own. Continued on next page.
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(603) 742-0101 • W 770 CENTRAL AVE.
Time for yourself is key
Your life changes immensely the second you lay eyes on your beautiful baby. Being a parent is a full-time job. You are dedicating every ounce of energy to your newborn and the thought of having time to yourself may feel like a dream. Making time for the things you love to do is imperative, whether it’s yoga, book club, or walking aimlessly around the aisles of Target. Remember this: you created a human being. That’s amazing! You are inspiring, beautiful, and strong. It took you months and months to grow your precious baby. Don’t expect everything to go back to normal instantly. Give it some time and love yourself. At Garrison, we are women caring for women. We want mothers to dedicate time for themselves, live every day to the fullest, and most importantly, take charge of their pregnancies. When you’re living life for you, you are living your best life.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: GARRISON WOMEN’S HEALTH
Janet Perkins, M.D.
Janet earned her bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, her master’s degree in public health from Chicago Medical School, and her medical degree from the University of Illinois in Chicago. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Kristin Yates, D.O.
Kristin was magna cum laude from State University of New York at Buffalo. She received her two bachelor’s degrees in biomedical sciences and psychology. She was a Renaissance scholar and a Phi Beta Kappa honor society member. Kristin obtained her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine at A.T. Still University in Kirksville, Missouri.
“THE REALITY IS:
THE NEW NORM IS THAT THERE IS NO NORM.”
NHWOMENMAGAZINE.COM || 9
Your Family Health Resource
What is a Headache? Written by Barbara L. Nye, MD
Headaches are a symptom, not a diagnosis. They are a warning sign that something is going on in your body. Because headaches are such a common symptom of multiple diagnoses, it can be hard to pinpoint the cause. While there are over 300 types of headaches, the IHCD-3 (International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition) divides them into four primary headache disorders: tension, migraine, a group called trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (TACs) and other primary headache disorders. In addition, headaches can be categorized as secondary headaches, which are attributed to a specific issue, such as head injury or illness. The causes of primary headaches can be muddy, if a cause can be pinpointed at all.
Barbara L. Nye, MD, is co-director of the Headache Clinic at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, a tertiary care, specializing in headache disorder management. To learn more about the clinic visit d-h.org.
For many, headaches are such a common occurrence that individuals often downplay the severity or neglect to report minor ones. It’s amazing how many patients minimize their headaches. They say, “I have six or seven headaches per month,” but really they have six or seven headache-free days per month. Most people focus on their severe headache days and do not count the milder headaches. As a provider, I like to ask the reverse question, “How many headache-free days do Talking to your primary care provider is the first step in addressing your headaches. Your provider can help rule out certain causes or conditions that can cause headaches and also prescribe medications to manage them. If these first steps do not work, then a referral to a neurologist or headache specialist may be necessary. If you are having one headache a month that puts you out of commission, it is worth it to say something to your provider.
Is it a Headache or a Migraine? Patients often self-di-
agnose the type or cause of their headaches. If their headache is severe, that often leads to an assumption that it is a migraine. Like headache, migraine has also become a common term. Even as education gets better, patients still come in and say they are having migraines.
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Migraines are diagnosed using a specific set of criteria based on the ICHD-3: • • • • •
moderate to severe headache lasts four hours or more (with exceptions in pediatric patients) nausea or vomiting light and sound sensitivity discomfort exacerbated by physical activity like walking or climbing stairs
If headaches do not meet the above criteria, it could be a sign of a different headache disorder. Providing a description of your headaches and keeping a good record of symptoms, including severity, will help your provider determine the type and potential causes.
Migraine and migraine treatments have been a challenge, but research has made great strides, including the release of a new preventative medicine. Until recently, the medications prescribed for migraine prevention were originally developed for other indications— anti-seizure medications, anti-hypertensive medications and anti-depressant/anxiety medications, but breakthrough research has changed that. There is a new class of medications being developed—targeting the underlying mechanism for migraine, reducing the neuro-inflammation that is causing the headaches. Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) is a neuro inflammatory marker found to be elevated in patients suffering with migraines. The newest class of medications are monoclonal antibodies against CGRP or its receptor. The first of four medications has been approved by the Federal Drug Administration and is commercially available for the prevention of both episodic and chronic migraine management.
TACs and other headaches Another group of related primary headache disorders is called Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgias (TACs)—cluster headaches are the most common of these. Like migraines, TACs are more likely to be diagnosed and treated by a headache specialist. They are more common in men and smokers and are usually associated with one side of the brain, and involve specific, sharp pains rather than the dull, overall pain sensations associated with migraine or tension headaches. Treatment is specific so it is important to identify and differentiate this type of headache disorder from others. Most patients go seven to eight years before they get the right diagnosis of cluster headaches, which means delay in pain management and a lot of misdiagnosis. Through better patient and provider education we hope to help people identify these headaches faster.
Medication Overuse Headaches (Rebound Headaches) Another category of headaches are “rebound headaches,” more recently referred to as medication overuse headaches. When an individual suffers from headaches that haven’t been diagnosed, many will turn to over-the counter medications to ease their discomfort. These medications provide temporary relief until the individual realizes that the headaches aren’t getting better but rather, are returning on a daily basis. A headache sufferer unknowingly creates a cycle of reliance on the medication. It’s important to assess the types of medications someone is taking for relief. Taking more pills like ibuprofen, acetaminophen and combination medications like acetaminophen/aspirin/caffeine are common offenders, whereas naproxen sodium, does not tend to cause the medication overuse headache. Sometimes it’s not the patient self-inducing the cycle. Prescribed medications like opiates and narcotics, due to a recent injury or surgery, can create a rebound effect. It’s beneficial to discuss rebound headache prior to procedures because while it can be appropriate to treat pain using narcotic or opiate, it’s important to know that there’s a potential for having a headache exacerbation due to medications that are being appropriately prescribed. There is a great deal of research regarding headache causes and treatments. The American Headache Society, along with the American Headache Foundation, is doing their best to support ongoing research efforts, providing evidence-based information as well as advocating at a government level for migraine and headache patients. Regional headache societies, like the Headache Cooperative of New England, are also working with providers and patients to engage in education and advocacy in the community. And, there is ongoing clinical and epidemiology-based research occurring through the DHMC Headache Clinic. Our door is open and we want to help!
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Ask the pediatric surgeon Question: Dear Dr. Soukup, My 16 month old son touched a wood stove this weekend and burned his hand. We brought him to an ER where they bandaged it up, but will this leave a scar? -Michelle S. Dear Michelle, The burn that you describe is probably one of the most common burns that we see in children. It frequently occurs in this toddler age group as they become more mobile and inquisitive. When the palm of their hand touches a hot surface, it is usually a very brief exposure because they reflexively move their hand off the surface very quickly. The skin on the surface of the palm is also quite thick. For these reasons, most burns to the palm of the hand are partial thickness burns and will heal nicely with good care. We typically describe burns by the depth of injured skin: First degree burns only involve the top layer of skin (called the epidermis). The classic example for this is a sunburn. Second-degree or partial-thickness burns involve the deeper layers of skin (called the dermis) and take longer to heal. Although the skin has blistered and looks red and raw, many of these will heal without any scar. That
said, the deeper the burn, the more likely it may heal with at least some scarring. The most severe burn is a third-degree, or full-thickness burn which will need a skin graft to heal properly. These full thickness burns and those involving larger areas of skin, need to be treated in a designated pediatric burn center. The vast majority, however, I care for locally as an outpatient. I will usually see children soon after their visit to the ER to examine the burn, educate families on caring for the burn with antibiotic ointments and clean dressings, and follow them through until healing. Understandably, parents feel terrible that this happened to their toddler, but it is very common and they usually heal up very well. Thanks for your question! -Dr. Soukup
Elizabeth S. Soukup, M.D., M.M.Sc. Pediatric Surgeon
Dr. Soukup is a Pediatric Surgeon at the Elliot Hospital and has an interest in educating families about pediatric health and wellness. Her mission is to provide expert specialty care for children of all ages in New Hampshire - newborns through teenagers striving to keep them close to their families and communities. If you would like more information, call 603-663-8393 for an appointment, or visit our website at http:// elliothospital.org/website/pediatric-surgery.php. Check out previous articles at #askthepediatricsurgeon. Dr. Soukup earned her Bachelor of Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, where she received the Outstanding Achievement Award in Medicine, graduating first in her class. She completed her General Surgery training at the Massachusetts General Hospital and her fellowship in Pediatric Surgery at Children’s Hospital Boston. During her time in Boston, she also completed a Masters of Medical Sciences degree in clinical investigation
from Harvard Medical School. She was awarded Elliot Hospital’s “Physician of the year” for 2018. She is board-certified in both Pediatric Surgery and General Surgery. She has specialized training and experience in minimally invasive surgical treatment for babies, children and teenagers. Her practice includes all areas of general pediatric surgery, including common pediatric surgical problems as well as neonatal surgery, congenital anomalies, minimally invasive surgery, and complex thoracic surgical problems.
Please send your questions to: askthepediatricsurgeon@elliot-hs.org
NHWOMENMAGAZINE.COM || 13
Register Now For The 2018-19 School Year
EDMARK’s the 1st
female captain in NHDOC Preschool Fours
Fall Openings
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Infants
Grade 3
Schedule a Personal Tour Online. WorldAcademyNH.com/Tour Continued from page 6. Once I had a passenger ask the flight attendant if I was qualified to fly the plane, but that was a rare incident. I think it’s much harder for female general aviation pilots. I’ve seen female pilots at air shows, waiting to get on the ramp, and bystanders don’t believe it’s their plane or that they are the pilot. I’ve also seen it happen at parts booths, where the women can’t get waited on because again, no one believes they are the pilot. But within the airline industry, women have gained more ground. We’re also starting to see the industry make more allowances for the fact that there are women pilots. Progress is being made with maternity leave and paternity leave and flight schedules that accommodate working moms. Right now, I don’t mind being gone a lot, but when I start a family, it will be good to have the option of day trips, like short hops from Boston to New York.” Pearson recently joined The NinetyNines: The International Organization of Women Pilots. The Ninety-Nines has been instrumental in lobbying for the rights of female pilots, encouraging women in aviation, and promoting aviation careers to girls in school through education and scholarship. The group also provides a huge base of support for female aviators around the world while honoring their unique history and sharing their passion for flight. The Ninety-Nines was established in 1929 by 99 women pilots and the organization’s first president was Amelia Earhart. Today, members of The Ninety-Nines are represented in all areas of aviation. “It’s 14 || NEW HAMPSHIRE WOMEN MAGAZINE
a great group,” says Pearson. “We talk about the issues facing female pilots; if someone has a question, they’ll get a ton of information back in a flash from other members. It’s great for mentoring and hearing about job opportunities. It’s also fun to hear all the stories. There are generations of female pilots connected through The Ninety-Nines.” Pearson typically drives into Boston then flies to New York, which is her base. She is gone four to five days at a stretch, then is back in her Sunapee-area home for about a week. “I love the schedule. It gives me plenty of time to enjoy my other pursuits like skiing, mountain biking and hiking. To me, it’s the best of both worlds.” Blue Skies Ahead When Amelia Earhart burst upon the aviation scene with her daring flights and charismatic personality, she inspired many other adventurous women to get into the cockpit and fly. The arrival of World War II in 1940 saw thousands more women take to the skies, flying with the WASPS (Women’s Army Service Pilots), and taking over domestic flight duties for men gone to war. But, when the war ended, most female pilots found themselves grounded as their services were no longer needed or male pilots reclaimed their spots. As America settled into peacetime, women were expected to once gain “keep the home fires burning,” and dreams of a life among the clouds evaporated. As time has passed, women have been turning their eyes to the skies once again. The military has
138 Spit Brook Rd. Nashua, NH 603.888.1982
notably seen a great expansion of female pilots, including fighter pilots, and that has triggered an increase in women in commercial aviation as well. Pearson is committed to getting more women involved in the career she loves. “Aviation is an industry where the opportunities are truly endless. There is nothing to stop a woman from pursuing her dreams in this field. Right now, only five percent of commercial aviators are women and in a few short years, the number of retiring male pilots is going to be significant. There are huge opportunities here for women, and the industry recognizes that. They know that women are an untapped market when it comes to the next generation of pilots.” Pearson reflects a moment on her journey and how far her career as already taken her. “In flight training, I tried to push myself to higher standards than those required because I felt like I was representing all women. I wanted to do as well as those who broke ground before me. I wanted to prove that I was the best aviator I could be, and maybe help push that door open a little wider for other women in this industry. As a little girl, I went to a career day and there was no one there from the aviation industry telling me that I could fly. Today, I can go to a career day and tell another little girl ‘You CAN fly.’ You can achieve whatever you want--and the sky is NOT the limit.” *
EDUCATION
Fostering Creativity: Preparing Students For A Changing Future By Samantha Wingate, Director Of Admissions, World Academy
A
s we have discussed previously, the world of tomorrow may look very different than it does today, especially for students who will be entering the workforce in the coming decades. For many students, the future has never looked brighter - but, in many respects, more challenging. Expertise in subjects like science, mathematics, technology, and engineering, are now starting to share the spotlight with the one element that automation can never replace: pure human creativity.
Samantha Wingate, Director Of Admissions, World Academy
boxed-in non-thinkers. This model allows a comfort zone where using creative and critical thinking don’t have to come in to play, so they won’t. A student is counting on doing their required XYZ, and ta-da, good grade! The message is that following this formula is the ticket to success in life.
“Creativity” is more than just art, or music, or play time - it’s a whole wide range of thoughtful skills, which builds a foundation of learned traits like self-confidence, communication, critical thinking, collaboration, To reshape this linear thinking, educators and challenging conventional wisdom. should encourage students to find inspiration in their everyday lives beginning with Today, educators working with students simply purposeful, mindful observation. By taking the cannot overlook the value of creativity, as it time to pay attention and think about their is a critical skill for young workers entering everyday activities, students can begin to see the job market that has been pushed aside in their own actions in a new light. Teachers can education by the “need” for high test scores guide students through questioning how their driven by a cookie-cutter education model. world works and what students could do to Teachers should be working towards fostering improve their own actions and to just take creativity and critical thinking skills in students time to reflect on situations around them. early and to help students recognize their education as a continuous growth tool (outside Some key methods for encouraging mindful the four walls of a school building) that is observation include: laying the groundwork for long-term personal success. • Encouraging students to keep an informal journal or notebook to record thoughts, Below is a look at some proven, effective feelings, and observations strategies to help foster and encourage • Guiding students in times of quiet creative thinking among students. meditation to shut out distractions and allow for moments of introspection Where’s the Inspiration? • Setting aside time for slow-pace activities The cycle of becoming a good test-taker and in thought-provoking settings, like walks getting praise is churning out comfortably in nature or a visit to a museum
By engaging in mindful observation on a regular basis, these quiet, reflective activities can help provide clarity in a chaotic world. Students are more likely to see improvements in their own attention, retention, and attitude while decreasing stress, which can clear the way for sparks of creative and innovative thought. Finding Unique Sources of Inspiration When it comes to encouraging students to express themselves in new ways, educators can help students challenge assumptions and get students thinking creatively about their goals and desires: •
• • •
Who inspires the student? How much does a student wish to mirror their source of inspiration, and how much to they want to blaze new trails? Guide students in starting new clubs or activities to express their strengths and interests. How does a student’s unique inspiration compare to those of their peers? Encourage cooperation between groups of students engaged in different activities.
By encouraging students to seek unique avenues of expression, educators can help students lead the charge among their peers in bringing attention to their personal strengths and avenues of creativity. NHWOMENMAGAZINE.COM || 15
Elliot Breast Health Center
Sets the Standard
The Elliot Breast Health Center was the first center in New Hampshire to offer 3D™-guided breast biopsy, an advanced, minimally invasive technique utilizing the Hologic ® Affirm™ Prone Breast Biopsy System together with the Hologic ® Brevera Breast Biopsy technology. The Affirm Prone Biopsy System is the world’s first and only dedicated prone biopsy system to offer both 2D and 3D™ imaging-guided breast biopsies. “The technology that we are now using is a game changer for the community and we are told we are the only center in all of New England using both the Hologic Affirm and the Hologic Brevera biopsy technology,” explained Dr. Marina Feldman, Elliot Breast Radiologist. “The ability to biopsy small areas of interest that may not be visible using other imaging techniques provides a significant advantage to our physicians and their patients. Integrating this ability into a system that allows these procedures to be performed with patients in the prone position represents a transformative innovation in breast biopsy.” Feldman added.
The availability of 3D™ imaging for biopsy guidance facilitates the
localization and accurate targeting of lesions, including those that can be challenging to detect with conventional imaging techniques. In addition, this new biopsy technology from Hologic has several key advantages over standard X-ray biopsy procedures, including faster targeting and fewer X-ray exposures, resulting in shorter patient procedure time and reduced patient dose.
Dr. Feldman further explained, “The use of the Brevera is also extremely advantageous to us as it provides real-time imaging of the specimen and has a unique automated post-biopsy specimen handling system that allows the pathologists to receive tissue that has never been touched from the moment we take the biopsy. Our patients are comfortable for the procedure and confident that the tissue we extract is reaching pathology through the most sophisticated technology and yielding fast and accurate results.”
Phone: 603-668-3067 www.elliothospital.org Elliot at River’s Edge | 185 Queen City Avenue | Manchester, NH 03101 Elliot Medical Center at Londonderry | 40 Buttrick Road | Londonderry, NH 03053 Elliot Health System is a non-profit organization serving your healthcare needs since 1890.
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