One of the most common resolutions is to finally quit smoking. And it’s tough. Without the right planning and support, it can be nearly impossible. Most individuals are aware about the harm it causes to one’s health and wellness; there are literally no healthy outcomes associated with smoking. While smoking fewer cigarettes is better than the usual, the benefits of not smoking at all far outweigh cutting back.
Evergreen Health’s smoking cessation program at THRIVE Wellness uses a method of treatment
that identifies stressors and triggers that lead to smoking and provide you with the support system and tools that allow you to create an action plan to quit smoking. Alex Marranca, Health & Wellness Counselor, says that the program is different than traditional stop-smoking programs.
“Instead of information like, ‘Hey if you smoke cigarettes, you’re going to get lung cancer,’ and
‘This is what your lung looks like when you smoke,’ this program is therapeutic and treatment-based. It doesn’t help anyone to quit smoking by saying ‘It’s bad for you.’ This program figures out the stressors, the environmental factors around it and then gives support from the other participants that are involved in the group, too,” Alex said.
Participants work together and determine a course of action that works best for them. They
identify triggers and methods on how to deal with those. Alex says that the group really learns from each other and his role is to facilitate, rather than lecture. That means he steers the conversation in productive ways, but still lets the group shape their own journey.
Prior to the group, which began on Thursday, September 2 and continues bi-weekly for six
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It doesn't help anyone to quit smoking by saying "It's bad for you" - Alex Marranca sessions over 12 weeks, participants meet individually with Alex to assess smoking factors like stressors, support systems, history and withdrawal symptoms. Alex stresses that having a plan and addressing the possibility of roadblocks are essential to the smoking cessation process. Because smoking is habitual, which becomes a ritual, everyday activities often make people want to pick up a cigarette. The goal of the group is to create an action plan to stop smoking.
“I don’t doubt that it’s a hard thing to quit,” Alex says. “It’s one of the hardest things to drop. It’s
one of the strongest addictions. But some of the simple things, like being able to taste food, not smelling like cigarette smoke and having more money are great. Then, after a certain amount of time, things start healing in your body, too. In thirteen years, your body can almost fully heal itself. Within a week, your blood pressure is already dropping. There are so many benefits to your body.”
The smoking cessation group includes a built-in support system. The goal is to quit smoking
at the three-session, or six-week mark. Still, perfection is not expected. Many people fall back into the habit of smoking, but as a group, participants can work with each other to find ways to deal with situations that could encourage picking up a cigarette.
Team Evergreen was out in full force at the ribbon cutting ceremony for our new medical facility at 800 Hertel Avenue. Staff, Board members, supporters and elected officials were all on hand to tour the space. Watch for more from 800 Hertel in future issues.
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Top left: the Pride Center team at Out For Business at Seneca One Tower. Top right: Evergreen's Harm Reduction team sets out on a neighborhood syringe sweep. Bottom: the Pride Center hosted a Bisexual Visibility Day event at Misuta Chows.
Evergreen always makes a splash at Buffalo's Puerto Rican Day Parade, and 2021 was no exception. Kudos to everyone who helped make this day a great success!
Evergreen held a gala reception 36 stories above downtown Buffalo for our GEM Society supporters. The food, conversation and views were all spectacular. There was even a rainbow!
Diet is a huge part of why some people have high cholesterol and others don’t. Modifying your personal diet even a little can lower your cholesterol and in turn lower your risk for heart disease and stroke. Here are 12 great tips to help lower your cholesterol. TIP 1: AVOID EATING A LOT OF MEAT Make meat a minor player in your meals and eat lots of fruits and vegetables instead. Trim the fat and skin from meats and poultry. Avoid eating fatty cuts of beef, pork and lamb. When eating out, opt for a smaller portion of meat or choose to eat something vegetarian. TIP 2: EAT LOW-FAT DAIRY PRODUCTS Avoid dairy containing whole milk and cream. TIP 3: SNACK WISELY Opt for low-fat snacks such as popcorn (without butter), dried fruits, or fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid high-fat, high-calorie options like chips and candy. TIP 4: REDUCE SATURATED FAT IN FOOD PREPARATION Instead of butter or margarine, use a small amount of olive oil or cooking spray. Avoid using palm and coconut oil; use canola, sunflower, safflower, corn, soybean, olive and peanut oils instead. Bake, broil, roast, steam or stew food instead of frying. TIP 5: REDUCE YOUR DIETARY CHOLESTEROL INTAKE Eat no more than four egg yolks per week. Replace one egg with two egg whites in most recipes. Eat no more than six ounces of lean meat, fish and poultry per day. Avoid eating cholesterol-rich meats such as liver, brains and kidneys. TIP 6: EAT FIBER-RICH FOODS Opt for fruits and vegetables, whole grains and legumes that are low in calories and high in fiber and complex carbohydrates. TIP 7: GO FOR NUTS, FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Fruits and vegetables are water-dense, contain lots of nutrients and protect your heart. Nuts are a great source of protein, but should be eaten in moderation because they are high in calories. TIP 8: EAT LOTS OF FISH Fish have essential fatty acids (omega-3s and omega-6s). TIP 9: REDUCE YOUR SALT INTAKE Use herbs and spices to flavor your food instead of table salt. Be aware of the sodium content in foods such as soups and sauces. TIP 10: AVOID TRANS FATS Trans fats raise LDL cholesterol levels (bad cholesterol) and lower HDL cholesterol levels (good cholesterol). Avoid foods containing trans fats completely or eat them in extreme moderation. TIP 11: DRINK ALCOHOL IN MODERATION Women should consume up to one drink per day and men should have up to two drinks per day. TIP 12: READ PRODUCT LABELS Avoid foods with the following items listed as one of the first ingredients: meat fat, coconut or palm oil, cream, butter, egg or yolk solids, whole milk solids, cocoa butter, chocolate or hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fat or oil.
If you have any questions about COVID-19, please send an email to COVID19questions@evergreenhs.org. Mark your calendar! The submission
For questions about Evergreen’s COVID-19 vaccination program, you can email COVID19vaccinequestions @evergreenhs.org. Or, visit ADP or evergreenhs.org for more information.
deadline for the November 2021 issue of Connections is Friday, October 15. Be sure to get your content in before the deadline to guarantee placement. Kids, pets, recipes -we want to share them all! Send to EvergreenConnections via Outlook.
Coping With Change While change is inevitable, it is also one of the greatest causes of stress in our lives. Change in the workplace is no different. Downsizing, relocation, mergers, reorganization or restructuring, and technology are all causes of change at work that can create challenges. The following list of tips may help you successfully cope with change in the workplace. v Recognize that change—whether good or bad—causes stress. Take appropriate steps to manage your stress. Get plenty of sleep, exercise, eat well and find outlets—taking a walk, meditating, journaling, etc.—for your stress. You may also want to consider taking a stress management course. v Stay one step ahead. Try to anticipate change so you can be better prepared to handle it. v Maintain a positive attitude. Negative feelings are normal during times of change. Keep your spirits up and your self-esteem intact during the transitional period. Lend a helping hand whenever possible and keep doing your job despite disruptions you may experience. v Understand that the changes do not reflect your ability to do your job but rather the company’s desire to adapt and grow. v Communicate any concerns to your manager—along with positive solutions. For example, if you are concerned that you do not have the skills to manage a new project that has been assigned to you, express this to your manager and suggest that you set up a training session for your team to learn them. Additionally, if you will have a new manager, meet with him or her to find out what his or her expectations and goals are. v Stay focused. It’s easy to get distracted when changes are occurring. Try to remember that you are still there to do a job and use whatever methods help you remain productive, whether it’s making a to-do list, re-evaluating your goals or coming in early to get work done before other co-workers arrive. If you find yourself getting distracted, switch to tasks like filing that require less concentration for a while. v Be flexible. The key to successfully managing change is to realize that it is inevitable and work within the new parameters. For example, technology will continue to evolve. Rather than worry that your job or skills will become outmoded, take steps to learn new skills or take on different responsibilities. v Remain open-minded. Be tolerant of organizational and management changes and remain open to new policies and procedures. They may wind up working to your advantage. v Know that things may get worse before they get better. Implementing organizational changes can be a challenge for any company. The transitional period may cause some upheaval before the long-term payoffs become clear. v Look for opportunities. Transitions can open new paths for career advancement, learning and self-exploration. Evaluate your experience, skills and strengths and identify new professional opportunities within your organization that you might be able to take advantage of to make positive change. v Maintain stability in other areas of your life. While you may not be able to control the changes occurring at work, consider putting off making significant changes in your personal life to allow you to better cope with one transition at a time. v Keep a sense of humor. Remembering to laugh and not take life so seriously is always a good idea when you’re feeling stressed. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the changes taking place at work, ask if your employer offers benefits (e.g., seminars, counseling, etc.) that provide free emotional support on a variety of issues. Your human resources representative can tell you what services are available and how to contact them.
Birthdays Norma Bocanegra.......................October 1 DeJuan Burnell..............................October 1 William Dimmig.............................October 1 Kaysha Cruz....................................October 3 Lauren Voelkle...............................October 3 Jenna Gallitto.................................October 4 Stephanie Green...........................October 4 Cortney Anderson.......................October 4 Angelica Gonzalez......................October 5 Yolanda Sims..................................October 5 Kandice Hood................................October 9 Troi Greene......................................October 9 Christina Mihalitsas.....................October 9 Courtney Rhines...........................October 11 Milagros Borysewicz..................October 11 Bianca Morris..................................October 12 Joelle Hochulski............................October 12 Christina Cornell...........................October 14 Stephani Miranda.........................October 14 Marina Ward...................................October 14 Jennifer Yiengst............................October 14 Ebony McCall.................................October 17 Erikka Hill..........................................October 18 Gaia Oliver.......................................October 20 Dawn Trotter...................................October 20 Nicole Coonly.................................October 21 Kayleen O'Halloran.....................October 22 Eddie Payne....................................October 22 Lilkizzy Tell.......................................October 24 Kristina Sykes.................................October 27 Jillian Dagastino............................October 28 Matthew Edson.............................October 28 Collin Ranney.................................October 29 Hannah Smith.................................October 30
Anniversaries Eddie Payne................................................ 1 Year Yesenia Pimentel...................................... 1 Year Nicole Dommer......................................... 1 Year Megan Brady.............................................. 2 Years Melissa Tice................................................. 2 Years Danielle Johnson...................................... 2 Years Urayoan Torres-Casillas........................ 2 Years Collin Ranney............................................. 2 Years Christopher Patti...................................... 2 Years
Annual Trainings Part II
Troi Greene.................................................. 2 Years
The second round of annual trainings will be released to staff on October 11, 2021. All staff must complete these trainings by December 31, 2021. Reach out to Jocelyn Leising with any questions!
Christine Kemp.......................................... 3 Years
Advancing the Work of Diversity and Inclusion: Examining Ourselves and Our Organizational Culture This live training is part of the second round of annual trainings that all staff must complete. In this 2 hour session, participants will: • Understand their socialization and its impact on their view of the world • Examine what is normative behavior that leads to marginalization • Understand the bias of professionalism • Articulate the dominant culture characteristics and the cost of staying the same • Develop actions steps to create positive change within your organization Registration for this training will be done through Evergreen University.
Melissa Meyer............................................. 2 Years Emma Hathaway...................................... 3 Years Robert Cunningham............................... 3 Years Jillian Dagastino....................................... 4 Years Nicole Mitchell........................................... 4 Years Alyssa Sherman........................................ 4 Years Julie Rapp.................................................... 5 Years Kyle Berberich........................................... 5 Years Ann Breidenstein..................................... 5 Years Alex Marranca............................................ 5 Years Michael Ludwick....................................... 5 Years Sashira Quintana...................................... 5 Years Robert Moore............................................. 5 Years Mark Wolf..................................................... 5 Years Erin Pepicello............................................. 5 Years Veronica Velazquez................................ 6 Years Maria Cruz.................................................... 6 Years Ian Eastman................................................ 6 Years Mindi Levine................................................ 7 Years Brittani McKay........................................... 7 Years Emily Oaks................................................... 7 Years Laurie Abbatessa..................................... 8 Years Sheila Marcheson..................................... 13 Years
High Fives have moved to Blink! High Fives are a way to recognize staff members who go above and beyond for patients and co-workers. You can check out the High Fives on Blink, or even send one of your own.
Publisher/Layout 1.
Dial extension 2222.
2. Follow the prompt to record the Code Blue or Mr. Webber and say the exact location and building of the incident.
John Carocci
Copy Editor Melissa Meyer
Contributors
4. The Code Blue team and Security will respond to the incident.
Jocelyn Leising Nina Smith Julie Vaughan Heather Wilson Kimberly Clarke Melissa Meyer
You'll have 30 seconds to record your message. If you're not done in 30 seconds, you'll be cut off and your message will be automatically broadcast. It's imperative that you say the location and building in your message: “Code Blue in the men’s lobby bathroom in the Elmwood building” or “Could Mr. Webber please come to the Mathews building counselor room?.” The Code Blue/ Mr. Webber Softkey has been removed from all phones.
Connections is the monthly newsletter for employees and board members of Evergreen Health and its affilliates, the Pride Center of Western New York and Community Access Services. Please send us your story ideas, photos, feedback or just a friendly hello at Evergreen Connections via Outlook.
3. Hang up your phone. This will prompt your message to be broadcast to all Evergreen locations.
Thank you to our Care Coordinators, Case Managers, Linkage Specialists, Retention and Adherence Specialists and Medical Case Managers for making a difference every single day. We celebrate you especially during Case Management and Care Coordination Week for being the changemakers in our patients' lives and the beating heart of Evergreen Health. Jermane Nauden has honed in on his skills as a Clinical Care Coordinator by working with patients who experience chronic mental and behavioral health challenges. He understands how overwhelming the health care system can feel and over the past three years, Jermane has made accessing care easy for many of our patients. "I have been able to work with my patients intensively and support them through their highs and their lows, in an effort to assist them in reaching their personal goals," said Jermane. One of his most treasured accomplishments is when he was approached by his patient's expartner, who shared the sentiment that Jermane was one of the best providers of services they have encountered in over the 25 years. "It is very humbling to know that my patients and their families appreciate all of the hard work that I put in on a daily basis," said Jermane. Like many of our Care Coordinators, Jermane is a shining example of the support that patients can depend on when accessing medical and social services. Brianna Barrett has been part of Team Evergreen for the past five and a half years. In that time, she’s worked in Outreach, as a Patient Health Navigator, and has been in her current role of Care Coordinator for the past three years. “I work to break down the barriers that prevent patients from living their healthiest life,” said Brianna. “In order to identify these barriers, I build strong relationships with my patients by providing non-judgmental care and meeting them where they’re at.” She credits important skills, like being an active listener, to her success in helping others. Recently, Brianna was able to assist a patient in obtaining the medical equipment he needed in order to leave his home independently. She worked with him and his providers to find a new primary care doctor and get him a power wheelchair with new batteries.