HealthWorks WIN TER 2021
BREAST CANCER ASSESS YOUR RISK NEW TREATMENTS FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PALLIATIVE CARE EXPLAINED
PET THERAPY
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Montefiore Nyack Hospital Updates FROM THE PRESIDENT
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espite the past year’s unprecedented challenges, we look forward with hope and optimism to the promise and fresh start that a new year offers. With that, we are nearing Phase 2 completion of our Transformation Project’s state-of-the-art Emergency Department. This freshly renovated space will house our new Pediatric Emergency Department, Express Care Unit for non-emergent conditions, as well as two digital X-ray suites, dedicated CAT scan, and ultrasound rooms for seamless and immediate imaging results. Completion of Emergency Department Phase 2 will result in achieving our goal of providing all ED patients private rooms, and will also include a pantry area for patients, private family consultation space and a bereavement room. This year also brings exciting changes in our ability to care for cardiac patients. Our new Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, in partnership with Montefiore Einstein, provides interventional cardiology services to Rockland County residents and surrounding areas. This 8,020-square-foot, state-ofthe-art facility located on the Hospital’s second floor will enable us to provide percutaneous coronary artery interventions and electrophysiology procedures, dramatically increasing patients’ access to these time-sensitive interventions. As one in every four deaths nationwide is attributed to heart disease, and with the high cardiac mortality rate in Rockland, a comprehensive heart program at Montefiore Nyack Hospital is a necessity. The new Cardiac Catheterization Lab dovetails perfectly with our Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center, which opened last year and provides outpatient rehabilitation services for persons recovering from cardiac and pulmonary conditions. These programs and the many other initiatives we are undertaking at Montefiore Nyack Hospital increase access to the most comprehensive highquality healthcare services available. Coupled with the finest professionals and exceptionally dedicated staff, never more evidenced than during their heroic efforts throughout the pandemic, our team is committed to providing the safest patient-centered care to our community. Our gratitude to all of our frontline workers cannot be overstated. To all community members who continue to embrace and inspire us with their unwavering support, you have my profound appreciation. I am confident that, working together, we will overcome the current challenges and once again return to a more normal and healthy way of life. Wishing you continued good health,
Mark Geller, MD President and Chief Executive Officer
YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE OUR TOP PRIORITIES Patient safety is our No. 1 priority. Highland Medical has new safety precautions in place to provide safe care in every practice and location where we see and treat patients. Same-day appointments, virtual or in person, are available with our primary care physicians. Learn more: montefiorenyack.org/highland/news/safe-care.
CALL 1-866-550-HMPC. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF PROFESSIONALS AND SPECIALTIES, VISIT
HIGHLANDMEDICALPC.COM.
LISTEN FOR BETTER HEALTH We’re pleased to offer two podcast series: “Health Talk” features medical advice and health news from Montefiore Nyack Hospital’s physicians, and “Sound Advice” features timely health and wellness-related topics from Highland Medical’s healthcare providers. Both podcasts are available free of charge. Subscribe on iTunes, Google Play and other satellite radio apps, or visit each homepage for podcast access: � MONTEFIORENYACK.ORG � HIGHLANDMEDICALPC.COM
facebook.com/MontefioreNyack @MontefioreNyack @MontefioreNyack @Montefiore_Nyack LinkedIn.com/MontefioreNyackHospital
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EDITORIAL STAFF Lauren Malone, Sr. Dir. of PR and Marketing Rose Croke, Marketing Manager Briana Tolve, Marketing Manager Kristen DiBari, Marketing Coordinator Celia Vimont, Contributing Writer
HEALTH WORKS | WINTER 2021
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IN THIS ISSUE
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BREAST CANCER: HOW WE’RE SAVING LIVES Regular screening offers the best chance for finding breast cancer early.
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‘I WANT MY JOURNEY TO BE HELPFUL FOR EVERYONE’ A breast cancer diagnosis leads to a healthier lifestyle.
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COLON CANCER: WHAT TO KNOW Screenings can find colorectal cancer early, when it’s most treatable.
CREATING JOY FOR PATIENTS Therapy pets have been shown to reduce blood pressure, calm patients and more.
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LIVING WITH CHRONIC DISEASE Palliative care can help patients live their best lives, despite ongoing illness.
NEW TREATMENTS FOR MS Our experts craft personalized care plans for patients with multiple sclerosis.
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FREE VASCULAR SCREENINGS The Vascular Institute at Montefiore Nyack Hospital has brought the DARE to C.A.R.E. program, a FREE national vascular screening and disease management program, to Rockland County. Left untreated, vascular disease can lead to: • Stroke • Heart Disease • Aneurysm
You are eligible for a FREE SCREENING if you are: • Age 60 or over • Age 50 or over, with risk factors including: Smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol • Age 40 or over, with diabetes
Call 833-324-3278 to schedule your FREE vascular screening. Appointments are available Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. No physician referral necessary. Learn more at www.montefiorenyack.org/vascular.
M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G
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BREAST CANCER: HOW WE’RE SAVING LIVES
REGULAR SCREENING OFFERS THE BEST CHANCE FOR FINDING BREAST CANCER EARLY, WHEN TREATMENT OUTCOMES ARE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL.
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hen breast cancer is found early, survival rates are very high. For example, the five-year survival rate for Stage I breast cancer is 98.9 percent. That makes regular breast cancer screening one of the most important things you can do for your health, so make it a priority. If you’re at average risk of breast cancer, Shari Siegel-Goldman, MD, Director of Breast Imaging at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, recommends having an annual screening from age 40 on. If you’re at high risk because of family history or other reasons, your doctor may recommend additional supplemental screening with ultrasound or MRI, and may refer you for genetic counseling (see box, right). For women at average risk, an annual mammogram is the best way to detect early-stage breast cancer, which is smaller and less likely to have spread, making it easier to treat. Early cancers often are too small to be felt and can be detected only by a mammogram, so it’s important not to skip a year. “We sometimes see women who wait until they feel a lump in their breast before coming in for mammography,” says Dr. Siegel-Goldman. “If it turns out to be cancer, we know we could have found it earlier if they had come in for screening on a yearly basis.”
LOOK TO US FOR THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY The Breast Center has been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology in all programs, including: mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy. Only a small percentage of imaging centers receive this designation of excellence. Learn more about our screening services below. • 3D mammography, also known as 3D tomosynthesis, uses multiple X-rays to create a 3D image of the
GENETIC TESTING: A VALUABLE TOOL Inherited harmful mutations (changes) in genes called BRCA1 and BRCA2 increase a person’s risk of breast cancer. Having one of these harmful mutations also increases the risk of developing a second cancer in the opposite breast, developing breast cancer earlier than the non-inherited form of the same cancer, and developing other cancers, including of the pancreas and ovaries. Knowing that you carry the BRCA1 or BRCA 2 mutation allows you to take steps to protect your health and increase the likelihood that, should cancer occur, it will be caught early, when the opportunity for successful treatment is greatest. Who’s eligible? The clinical cancer genetics program at Montefiore Nyack Hospital offers comprehensive cancer risk assessment, cancer genetic counseling and predictive genetic testing to those who have an increased potential for a gene mutation and a personal or family history of cancer, including breast and ovarian cancer. If a genetic change is found, other family members will be offered testing for that same mutation. Testing may be appropriate if you: • Have a personal history of breast cancer diagnosed before age 50, cancer in both breasts, or both breast and ovarian cancer • Have a family history of two or more close relatives with breast, ovarian or pancreatic cancer • Are of Ashkenazi Jewish descent with breast or ovarian cancer at any age (this group has a higher chance of carrying a mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes).
breast. It’s the most advanced imaging available for breast cancer detection at the lowest possible radiation dose. 3D mammography is more effective than traditional 2D mammography in detecting cancers earlier and decreases the need for women to be called back for additional testing. • Breast ultrasound uses sound waves to make images. It’s used on its own or in combination with mammograms to provide additional detail about an area. “Ultrasound can find small cancers not found on mammograms,” says Dr. Siegel-Goldman. • Breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) expands doctors’ ability to
The Breast Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital has a new and expanded patient-centered website! Visit www.breastcare.health or call 845-348-8551 to make an appointment for a screening.
diagnose early-stage breast cancers that may not be visible on mammography or ultrasound. It’s a highly sensitive exam that uses radio waves and powerful magnets to create detailed images of breast tissue. “We recommend that women with a very strong family history of breast cancer, or who have a breast cancer gene, alternate between an MRI and a mammogram every six months,” says Dr. Siegel-Goldman.
TAKE OUR QUICK QUIZ! Learn more about your personal breast cancer risk and screening eligibility by taking our health quiz at www.breastcare.health/quiz.
M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G
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‘I WANT MY JOURNEY TO BE
HELPFUL FOR EVERYONE’
HOW A DREAM TURNED INTO A CANCER DIAGNOSIS THAT LED TO SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT AND A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE.
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hen we’re told to follow our dreams, it usually refers to pursuing our hopes and desires. But in the case of Yvette Ramos, 39, this advice turned out to have a lifealtering meaning. Yvette woke one morning from a vivid dream of finding a lump in her breast, even though she’d had a normal physical exam only a month before. “I couldn’t get it out of my head,” she says. “Finally, I went to the mirror and placed my hand on the spot from my dream, and there was a lump.” As the mother of three daughters, one of whom uses a wheelchair and is blind, Yvette was terrified. She returned to her physician, who sent her for a mammogram at The Breast Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital where the tumor was verified and a biopsy recommended. “I was so scared about the results that I asked the hospital to call my fiancé, Robert, with the report.” When he returned home one
afternoon with flowers and candy, Yvette knew what was coming. He told her that she had Stage 2B cancer that was estrogen-positive and would need a lumpectomy. “It all happened so fast,” Yvette remembers. “One day I was planning my wedding, and the next I was scheduling surgery for breast cancer.” Yvette decided to get married at the end of June and have the surgery on the first of July at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. “Everyone treated me like family at The Breast Center—from the nurses to my wonderful breast surgeon, Dr. Adrienne Fueg, who performed the lumpectomy, to Dr. Sung Ho Lee, my oncologist.” Three of Yvette’s lymph nodes tested positive and were removed along with her tumor. She then faced chemotherapy and radiation. Yvette was also referred to the Genetic Risk Review Program at The Breast Center, where genetic counseling is followed by testing
To schedule an appointment or consultation at The Breast Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, please call 845-348-8551.
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based on patient risk factors. Overseen by Nelly Oundjian, MD, this testing is a valuable tool for discovering whether a patient has inherited a harmful gene mutation that increases their risk of breast cancer—in Yvette’s case, in the opposite breast. The primary risk factor that made Yvette a candidate for genetic testing was having breast cancer before age 50. Her counselor helped her understand how testing could provide important information on how to proceed with her care. “I was at the mall when I got a voice mail telling me that the genetic testing was negative,” she says. “Such a relief. No need for my daughters to get tested.” A preventive care plan was devised for Yvette that focused on her losing weight, exercising and eating more healthily. “For exercise, I walk with my daughters and push my handicapped daughter in her wheelchair,” says Yvette. She also designed a T-shirt that reads: “Check your melons!” “When people ask me what it means, I tell them my story. My daughters have become more aware of the importance of checkups and healthy living. But I want my journey to be helpful for everyone.”
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BE WINTER SMART
FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO STAY SAFE AND AVOID INJURIES, NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER BRINGS.
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Prepare for emergencies, like blizzards and power outages, by keeping on hand:
• Food that doesn’t need to be cooked or refrigerated • Water in clean containers • A battery-powered phone charger • At least one flashlight, with extra batteries • A first-aid kit.
Make your car wintersafe for long trips by packing these emergency items: • Blankets • Food and water • A first-aid kit • A flashlight and batteries • A battery-powered radio • A small shovel and a bag of sand or salt for traction • Jumper cables and flares.
2 Shovel snow safely:
Take these precautions when working outdoors in cold weather:
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• Wear layers of light, warm clothing, as well as mittens or gloves, a hat and a scarf. • Instead of sneakers, opt for waterproof boots with high-traction soles. • Sprinkle salt or sand on icy patches.
• If you have a history of heart problems, don’t shovel without your doctor’s permission. • Shovel only fresh snow, which is lighter, and work at an easy pace. • Push the snow instead of lifting it out of the way. • When you must lift snow, bend your legs and use their strength, sparing your back. • Use a small shovel, or only fill part of a large one, to avoid straining. • Take a break if you feel out of breath. • Stop immediately if you feel any tightness in your chest.
Source: Aleksandr Rakhlin, MD, FACS, Trauma Program Medical Director at Montefiore Nyack Hospital.
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COLON CANCER:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WITH RECOMMENDED SCREENINGS, COLORECTAL CANCER CAN BE FOUND EARLY—EVEN BEFORE IT OCCURS— WHEN TREATMENT CAN BE MOST SUCCESSFUL.
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olorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the U.S. The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is through screening, according to Yaron Langman, MD, with Digestive Disease Associates of Rockland in Pomona, and an attending physician at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. “Screening for colorectal cancer can save lives—but only if people get tested,” says Dr. Langman. “We can dramatically decrease the number of cases each year if more people get screened.” When adults are screened for colorectal cancer, it can be detected early at a stage when treatment is most likely to be successful. The detection and removal of precancerous polyps can prevent a person from developing colorectal cancer. Most people should be screened every 10 years starting at age 50, unless they’re in a high-risk group. People at higher risk include those who have a close relative who has had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer, and those who have had polyps themselves. Talk to your doctor about your options for colorectal cancer screening. Colonoscopy is the “gold standard” preferred screening method, but there are other choices. One option is to have your stool checked for evidence of blood, and the other is to have it checked for pieces of cancer DNA. These tests are done on a sample of stool sent to a lab.
SURGICAL TREATMENT If a person is diagnosed with colorectal cancer, the first treatment is usually surgery, according to Lee Fleischer, MD, Director of the Department of Surgery at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. A minimally invasive surgery known as laparoscopy is used. Doctors at the hospital use an approach to colorectal cancer surgery that decreases patients’ pain after surgery, length of stay in the hospital and post-surgery complications. It also
shortens their recovery time. Called Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS), the strategy includes a series of steps before, during and after colorectal surgery. Typically, patients placed in the ERAS protocol go home in two to three days, compared with seven days in the past. “The ERAS protocol not only shortens hospital stays, but it also reduces the need for opioid painkillers,” says Dr. Fleischer. “And it achieves these goals without decreasing the effectiveness of the surgery or cure rates.”
WHEN CHEMOTHERAPY IS NEEDED For patients whose colon cancer was detected early, the doctor may recommend an observation approach after surgery. In these cases, the person will continue to be monitored to make sure the cancer doesn’t return, and chemotherapy isn’t needed, says Aleksandra Mamorska-Dyga, MD, a medical oncologist with Highland Medical, P.C., Hematology and Oncology in Nyack. In more advanced cases, chemotherapy may be recommended once a patient recovers from their colorectal cancer surgery. “Even in more advanced cases, we often have good outcomes and patients usually tolerate therapies well,” says Dr. Mamorska-Dyga. For the most advanced cases, there are other treatment options, such as biologic therapies and targeted therapies. Immunotherapy is also an option in select patients. Every patient with a new diagnosis of colorectal cancer should be tested for a genetic predisposition called Lynch syndrome. The initial testing is performed on the surgical specimen at the time of initial diagnosis. For patients who need treatment for colorectal cancer, Montefiore Nyack Hospital offers state-of-the-art care by a multidisciplinary team. Says Dr. Fleischer, “We can treat simple to advanced cases, right here in our own backyard.”
To find a gastroenterologist, please visit the Physician Finder at www.montefiorenyack.org.
M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G
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NEW OPTIONS FOR MS TREATMENT WITH MANY NEW TREATMENTS AVAILABLE FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, OUR EXPERTS CAN CRAFT PERSONALIZED CARE PLANS FOR PATIENTS.
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oday, there are a variety of treatment options for people with multiple sclerosis. While that’s good news, sometimes the choices can seem overwhelming. “We offer treatments that can be game-changing for many patients,” says Christopher Langston, MD, the new Medical Director of the Madlyn Borelli Multiple Sclerosis Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. “It’s important for patients to be treated at a facility where the doctors know all the treatments and can help the patient choose the one that’s right for them.”
WHAT IS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS? Multiple sclerosis is thought to be an autoimmune disease, meaning the body, through its immune system, attacks its own tissues. In people with MS, the immune system attacks myelin coating around the nerve fibers in the central nervous system. This interferes with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain, spinal cord and the rest of the body, causing symptoms that often include weakness in arms and legs and difficulty with coordination and balance. Many people with MS have feelings of fatigue, and some also may have numbness, prickling or “pins and needles” sensations. In some cases, MS can cause blindness, double vision, muscle stiffness, cognitive problems, slurred speech, bladder problems and sexual dysfunction. The cause of MS is unknown. In some people, MS can be
relatively benign, while in others it’s somewhat or severely disabling. MS usually first appears between the ages of 20 and 40. “Patients often are in the prime of their lives—getting married, having kids, starting new careers,” says Dr. Langston. “It’s so rewarding to be able to help them navigate their illness and share these milestones with them.”
MORE TREATMENT OPTIONS Thirty years ago, there were no treatments for MS. Today there are around 20, with more on the way, Dr. Langston notes. Last year, the Food and Drug Administration approved two new medicines, and the agency approved another two in recent months. “MS has an inflammatory component, which we’ve gotten better at treating,” says Dr. Langston. “But the disease also has a neurodegenerative component that damages nerves gradually and is harder to treat. The newer medicines coming out are doing a better job at tackling that.” There are many methods of administering MS drugs, including oral tablets, IV infusions and injections. One recently approved medication is an injection that can be taken at home
once a month and is as effective as current IV medicines. “The convenience of not having to go to the doctor’s office is very appealing to many patients,” says Dr. Langston. Some treatments are very effective but can have serious side effects, while others have side effects that aren’t dangerous but can impact a person’s quality of life, such as gastrointestinal upset. Some patients have trouble swallowing pills, while others find that going to the doctor’s office for infusions interferes with their work schedules. “We need to match the convenience of the treatment to the most appropriate therapy for the person’s disease,” says Dr. Langston. “We take into account the patient’s prognosis as well as their lifestyle.”
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Dr. Langston is looking forward to starting a clinical trials program at The Madlyn Borelli Multiple Sclerosis Center, which is affiliated with Montefiore-Einstein. “We want to give our patients the opportunity to participate in cuttingedge clinical trials without having to travel into New York City,” says Dr. Langston. “There’s a lot of exciting research on the horizon in MS. One day, we hope to have treatments that can rebuild the damage caused by this disease.”
For more information about the services provided at the Madlyn Borelli Multiple Sclerosis Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, call 845-348-8800 or visit www.montefiorenyack.org/multiple-sclerosis.
M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G
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Karen Profenna and her certified pet therapy dog, Sophie, bring their magic to Montefiore Nyack Hospital.
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CREATING J Y FOR PATIENTS
DOGS AND OTHER THERAPY PETS HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE, CALM PATIENTS—AND EVEN GET THEM TO TAKE THEIR MEDICINE.
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hen volunteer Karen Profenna and her certified pet therapy dog, Sophie, visit Montefiore Nyack Hospital, magic happens. “I’ve seen unresponsive patients respond to Sophie,” says Karen, a certified therapy dog handler and certified trick dog instructor. “Crying children and adults start smiling when they see her. Sophie got a woman to eat and drink after no one else could, by doing a trick each time the woman would take a bite of food or drink. She got a patient to respond when physical therapy wasn’t helping.” Karen originally became a certified therapy dog handler with her previous dog, Hailey, in 2007. Sophie, a fouryear-old Boston terrier/beagle mix, was a rescue dog who came to Karen three years ago. Sophie is trained to do more than 130 tricks, delighting patients, families and staff alike. She completes children’s puzzles, plays Jenga and Connect 4, does a handstand, wraps herself in a blanket and completes stacking toys, among other tricks. Pet therapy uses dogs or other animals to help people cope with physical and mental health problems. According to Paws for People, which trains pet therapy animals and their handlers, pet therapy has been shown
to lower blood pressure, release hormones that have a calming effect and diminish overall physical pain. Therapy pets can provide comfort, lift spirits, decrease feelings of isolation and increase socialization. Karen, who works full time, also volunteers with Sophie for more than 60 hours a month throughout the hospital. They visit almost every department of the hospital—including the Emergency Department—asking patients and their families if they would like a visit.
TRICKS WITH IMPACT “Sophie has done tricks to convince patients to take their medicine,” Karen says. “She makes people laugh, calming them down until their pain medicine kicks in. She’ll clap her paws to a song, ‘say her prayers’ and do other tricks to get a giggle out of people.” Doctors, nurses and other hospital staff also look forward to Sophie’s visits. In addition to working at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, Karen and Sophie visit West Point, soldiers being deployed, soldiers returning from deployment, senior centers, assisted living facilities, convents and nursing homes. Becoming a therapy dog takes
time and requires passing a variety of rigorous tests to make sure the dog is a good fit for therapy work, Karen explains. “Dogs have to learn not just to sit, stay, come and the other basics, but also not to jump on a patient, not to pick up a pill and other situations specific to being around patients,” she says. “The handler, too, needs to learn a lot, such as keeping their eye on their dog all the time.” When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Karen continued to volunteer at the hospital pharmacy and in other areas, but without Sophie. Once it’s safe to be with patients again, Sophie and Karen will return for outdoor visits, starting with patients recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. For people interested in learning about how to train their dog to be a therapy animal, there are a number of organizations that can help, including Therapy Dogs International and the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. “Look them up online, and see which group fits you best,” says Karen. “Pet therapy is the most rewarding thing you can do with your pet. Seeing a patient or staff member light up like a Christmas tree when they see Sophie is more rewarding than getting a million dollars!”
To see Sophie’s pet tricks, follow us @Montefiore_Nyack on Instagram. For more information about our Volunteer Services opportunities, visit www.montefiorenyack.org/volunteering.
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HEALTH WORKS | WINTER 2021
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LIVING WELL WITH CHRONIC DISEASE PALLIATIVE CARE CAN HELP A WIDE RANGE OF PATIENTS LIVE THEIR BEST LIVES, DESPITE ONGOING ILLNESS.
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or patients who have been diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness, palliative care can help provide support and symptom relief. “All too often, when medical illness strikes, it tends to hijack our lives,” says Devjit Roy, MD, MAS, FAAFP, CHCQM, Director of Palliative Medicine at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. “Palliative care helps patients refocus their lives from being centered on illness, back to what’s important to them. Our time and attention is for helping a person live better. We’re here to support people as they navigate through the uncertainties of illness.” According to Dr. Roy, palliative care is associated with fewer hospitalizations, better symptom management and an improved quality of life.
WHAT IS PALLIATIVE CARE? Palliative care takes a “whole person” approach in developing a personalized plan of care that meets the specific physical, mental and social needs for both the patient and their family. This can include relief from pain, loss of appetite, stress, anxiety, nausea, constipation, decreased mobility and other symptoms that are limiting the patient’s quality of life. “For instance, if a person’s diabetes is causing debilitating nerve pain, we’ll use ‘out-of-the-box’ thinking to develop a plan that enables someone to achieve their goal,” says Dr. Roy. “Or if a person has worsening heart failure despite medical optimization, and their shortness of breath is causing recurrent hospitalizations, we work with
the patient to help to manage their symptoms more comfortably at home.” Dr. Roy shares a recent example. A patient no longer wanted to take any of their medications because the side effects were too potent. The family was also feeling caregiver fatigue. “We were able to develop a simple treatment plan for the patient that minimized side effects and provided an extra layer of support for the family to help manage burnout,” says Dr. Roy. “That patient felt more in control of their life and is now living much more happily.” Common health conditions treated by the Palliative Care Team include cancer, congestive heart failure, kidney failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, HIV/AIDS and Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Palliative care is especially helpful for patients who have had more than three hospital admissions in one year or who have frequent emergency room visits. The Palliative Care Team includes palliative care doctors, nurses, social workers, pastoral care ministers, dieticians, volunteers, pharmacists and other specialists. “It’s an entire multidisciplinary support system,” says Dr. Roy. “We understand that this type of care takes time—we can give that time.”
PALLIATIVE CARE VS. HOSPICE People often confuse palliative care with hospice care, Dr. Roy notes. While both focus on improving the person’s quality of life, palliative care is appropriate at any point in a patient’s illness and can be provided in conjunction with life-prolonging
treatment. Additionally, the Palliative Care Team empowers the patient to identify important health and life goals, and works collaboratively with the team members, including the primary care provider, to develop an appropriate, patient-centered plan of care. “Hospice is helpful when a person is expected to have fewer than six months to live,” says Dr. Roy. “All too often, the Palliative Care Team is consulted only at the end of life, which is why many people confuse the two. Palliative care has so much to offer people when they have many years left, to help them live those years to the fullest. We’re here to help you understand your illness, identify and achieve important goals, and improve your overall quality of life.”
GETTING STARTED Many patients are connected to the Palliative Care Team when they’re in the hospital. But palliative care doesn’t end when you leave the hospital, says Katie Howell, RN, BSN, PCCN, Manager of Patient Experience at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. “We’ll visit you while you’re in the hospital and we’ll continue to support you and your family after discharge,” she says. “If you have questions at home, we’re available all the time by phone or email, and we can facilitate virtual meetings with FaceTime and Zoom. Our goal is to find out what matters most to you and accommodate you as best we can in the environment where you’re most comfortable—usually at home.” If your primary physician hasn’t already recommended palliative care and you’re interested, Howell recommends that you ask your physician for a referral.
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160 North Midland Avenue Nyack, NY 10960
BREAST HEALTH It’s in Your Hands.
Today, there is a lot you can do to reduce your risk of breast cancer.
Start by visiting www.breastcare.health. Take our online Quick Quiz to learn about: • Your personal breast-cancer risk • Preventive self-care • Warning signs and more
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