Wny igh 24 oct 16 final

in good Meet Your Doctor New OB-GYN, Ndey Bwalya Diallo, talks about the challenges of being a doctor just starting out, compares care here and abroad

Pregnancy & Exercise Mothers-to-be are advised to continue exercising but choose types of exercises more carefully

bfohealth.com

October 2016 • Issue 24

priceless

Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

CUPPING Grows in Popularity It’s scary to the eyes, but ever since Olympian Michael Phelps appeared on national TV with his body dotted by what appeared to be bruises, the ancient practice of cupping therapy has gained momentum.

It’s recognized for pain relief, fast healing, relaxation. Should you try it?

Page 12

Page 7

On Course to Become No. 1 Killer of Americans

Hospital-owned Physician Practices About a quarter of medical practices are now owned by hospitals. More than 140,000 physicians (40 percent of all physicians) are now employed as of last year. See Healthcare in a Minute inside ­

Becoming a Survivor Two women find support, friendship in their fight against breast cancer

Whole Grain Bulgur

‘Bulgur — wheat that’s been parboiled, dried and cracked into nibbly bits — is one of my favorite whole grains.’ See SmartBites inside

­

Teen Cyberbullies More apt to happen among friends than strangers

Prostate Exam End finger exam in men, says urologist

Steve Gedra, executive chef of The Black Sheep Restaurant & Bar, and wife, Ellen, general manager, are honorary co-chairmen and sponsors of Dining Out For Life 2016.

Fantastic 5,500+ sq.ft. estate on 6.7 acres. 5 bdrms 3.5 bths gourmet kitchen, high end appliances, panoramic window views, 3.5 car garage, gorgeous infinity pool with brand new liner. Acreage can be sub-divided, Potential bed & breakfast option. Stunning view of local vineyards, Lake Ontario & Toronto! 14 mintues from Downtown Buffalo. $729,900

5867 Locust Street Extension Lockport

Beautiful 3,050 sq. ft. Home 4 bed 2.5 bath 2.5 car garage. 1.3 private acres. Open floor plan offers Grand foyer w/ impressive curved staircase & high gloss porcelain floors. 2nd floor catwalk overlooks fantastic great room w/gas fp & gorgeous palladium windows allowing in plenty of natural light. Make this your forever home w/ 1st floor Mstr bed/Mstr bth suite! Spacious Eatin kitchen w/ natural maple cabinets and lots of storage, silstone counters,updtd stnls stl appls & gleaming maple hrdwd flrs. $314,000

Fight AIDS: Dine Out on Oct. 11

Event to help those with HIV, AIDS in WNY

Western New York event stays local, supporting the efforts of Evergreen Health, a nonprofit organization providing HIV/AIDS services since 1983.

“Evergreen Health provides vital services such as primary care, pharmacy services, emergency housing, transportation and food assistance and counseling for anyone in need,” says Christopher Reybrouck, director of development at Evergreen Health. “Dining Out For Life is our largest annual fundraiser, so we’re hoping everyone will participate, and support not only Evergreen Health, but all the restaurants that are so generously helping us out.”

“Western New Yorkers appreciate good food and are always willing to generously support worthwhile organizations, so we’re confident this year’s event will be very successful,” says Steve Gedra, executive chef of The Black Sheep Restaurant & Bar who, along with his wife, Ellen, general manager and baker at Black Sheep, are honorary co-chairmen and sponsors of the 2016 event. “We at Black Sheep are honored to be part of it.”

By Nancy Cardillo

IN GOOD HEALTH Western New York’s Healthcare Newspaper.

To advertise and reach nearly 100,000 readers a month, please call 332-0640

D

o you want to know an easy — and delicious — way to help the more than 3,000 Western New Yorkers who are living with HIV or AIDS and their families?

It’s easy: just go out to eat on Tuesday, Oct. 11 as part of the 14th annual Dining Out For Life, presented by Key Bank and Evergreen Health.

Here’s how it works: you choose one of the 90-plus participating restaurants (visit www.diningoutforlife.com/ wny/ for a complete list) in Erie,

Niagara or Chautauqua counties, call your friends and get together for breakfast, lunch or dinner at the chosen restaurant Oct. 11 — that’s all you need to do.

You and your friends enjoy a delicious meal, and the restaurant donates a minimum of 25 percent of your check to Dining Out For Life.

Dining Out For Life is an international fundraiser conducted annually in more than 60 cities, raising over $4 million each year to assist families dealing with HIV and AIDS. All money raised through the

OB-GYN Providers

Through all phases of a woman’s life, we are committed to helping you achieve maximum health and wellness • All female providers and staff • Private group practice of physicians and nurse practitioners, founded in 1993 • Expanded hours including evening and Saturday appointments • Accepting new patients • Participating in most insurance companies • On-site Mental Health Counselor, Health & Wellness Coach and Ultrasound Services • Conveniently located in Amherst / Williamsville area Page 2

•

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2016

Maria Corigliano, M.D. FACOG Ellen Sterman, M.D. Theresa Rush, M.D. Robin Hoebel, M.D., FACOG Rebecca Sorley-Mastrodomenico, M.D. Jane Dimopoulos, M.D. FACOG Ndey Diallo, M.D. Cheryl Haslinger, N.P. Kristen Anastasi, N.P. Lisa Wallenfels, N.P. Angela Roche, N.P. Katie Schmidt, N.P.

1360 North Forest Road, Suite 102 Williamsville, NY 14221 Phone: 716-639-4034 • Fax: 716-929-8940 www.audubonwomens.com

More U.S. Adults Using Marijuana Than Ever Daily use nearly doubled between 2002 and 2014, study finds

A

s perceptions of marijuana change, more American adults are using pot than ever before, and they’re using it more often, a new study finds.

Over 13 percent of adults surveyed in 2014 said they’d used marijuana in the previous year, up from roughly 10 percent in 2002.

Also, daily or near-daily use — five days or more a week — rose from less than 2 percent to almost 4 percent of adults during that time period.

“This increase has corresponded with the legal and social acceptance of marijuana, and so it is not such a surprise,” said lead study author, physician Wilson Compton, deputy director of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse.

He pointed out that over the past 20 years, medical marijuana has been legalized in 25 states and the District of Columbia.

However, noting that marijuana’s potency has increased, Compton’s team said education about the harms of pot is essential.

“We need to think about how to do appropriate prevention messaging to make sure people aren’t putting themselves at risk for becoming dependent and other problems associated with the drug,” he said.

These harms could include “difficulty with their work performance and with their ability to think clearly and function,” Compton said.

For the report — published

SPECIAL NEEDS Nonprofit Fantastic Friends of WNY hosts monthly, fun social events for members with special needs- ages 10-19. Members are paired with a 1:1 volunteer who helps them interact with other members and participate in the event’s activities. Events are always fun and creative, and provide a variety of social and learning experiences for those with special needs.

Contact us at fantasticfriendswny@gmail.com

South Towns Surgical Associates

Aug. 31 in The Lancet Psychiatry — researchers surveyed nearly 600,000 adults from 2002 to 2014.

Greater pot use was associated with a drop in the percentage of people who associate smoking marijuana with harm. Where just one-third of Americans once considered marijuana safe, now half do, according to the report.

It’s too early to tell if these trends will continue, researchers said.

Providing General, Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery South Towns Surgical Associates has cared for patients in WNY and the Buffalo area with compassion, quality service, and the most advanced surgical procedures and techniques. Our highly skilled surgeons and well-qualified staff offer a broad range of state-of-the-art General surgical care with special expertise in Advanced Laparoscopic and Robotic techniques, for minimally invasive surgery.

STSA offers the VNUS Closure procedure, a solution to leg pain and varicose veins. VNUS Closure is a clinically proven, minimally invasive alternative to painful vein stripping.

716-675-7730 www.stsurgery.com

College students

A separate study has shown that American college students’ use of marijuana continues to increase, but the appeal of other drugs, including amphetamines and opioids, may be waning.

The proportion of college students who reported past-year use of marijuana rose from 30 percent in 2006 to 38 percent in 2015, according to the study from the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research.

Daily or neardaily pot use (20 or more times in the previous 30 days) reached nearly 6 percent in 2014 — the highest level of daily use in the last 34 years. But it then fell slightly to less than 5 percent in 2015, researchers found.

One possible reason for growing use of marijuana may be a decrease in perceived risk. The proportion of young adults aged 19 to 22 who consider regular marijuana use dangerous fell from 58 percent in 2003 to 33 percent in 2015, according to the report.

Affiliation with South Town Surgery Center

Orchard Park Office: 310 Sterling Drive, Suite 105 • Orchard Park, NY 14127 Hamburg Office: 4855 Camp Road, Suite 100 • Hamburg, NY 14075

Reduce or Eli

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for Re

aders! !

Serving Western New York in good A monthly newspaper published by

Health Buffalo–WNY Healthcare Newspaper

Local News, Inc. Distribution: 32,500 copies throughout more than 1,500 high traffic locations in the region

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2016 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved.

3380 Sheridan Dr., # 251 • P.O. Box 550, Amherst NY 14226 Phone: 716-332-0640 • Fax: 716-332-0779 • Email: editor@bfohealth.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Publisher: Jamie Sandidge • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo • Writers: Deborah J. Sergeant, Jim Miller, Gwenn Voelckers, Anne Palumbo, Chris Motola, George W. Chapman, Tim Fenster, Katie Coleman Advertising: Jamie Sandidge (585-317-1671), Donna Kimbrell (716-332-0640) • Layout & Design: Eric J. Stevens • Officer Assitance: Michelle Kingsley 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.

October 2016 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 3

CALENDAR of

SHANNON JOHNS

(716) 909-0074 CalmingNatureDoula@gmail.com www.calmingnaturedoula.com Call for a free consultation session

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HEALTH EVENTS

Oct. 11

Oct. 16

‘Dining Out For Life’ to raise funds for HIV, AIDS

Doula Night event for pregnant women

More than 90 restaurants in Erie, Niagara and Chautauqua counties will donate a minimum of 25 percent of breakfast, lunch or dinner checks when Western New Yorkers participate in the 14th annual Dining Out For Life, presented by Key Bank and Evergreen Health Tuesday, Oct. 11.

All money raised through the Western New York event stays local, supporting the efforts of Evergreen Health, a nonprofit organization providing HIV/AIDS services since 1983. Chairmen of this year’s event are Steve and Ellen Gedra of the Black Sheep Restaurant and Bar. Visit www.diningoutforlife. com/wny/ for more information and a complete list of participating restaurants.

Oct. 12, 19, 26

Visit us at berkshirefarm.org or call (716) 862-4212 to learn how you can be a hero in a child’s life

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Page 4

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Daniel J. Patterson D.O., F.A.C.O.S.

Doula Shannon Johns, who operates Calming Nature Doula in Buffalo, will host Meet the Doula Night, an event that will offer an opportunity for pregnant women to connect with local doulas and hear from demonstrators and performers.

Johns has trained as doula at DONA International Doula, the world’s premier doula association.

She is the mother to six children.

The event is free and open to the public and will take place from 1 to 5 p.m., Oct. 16, at the Parkside Lodge, located in Delaware Park at 84 Parkside Ave. in Buffalo.

There will be vendors, activities, demonstrators and performers.

To learn more go to www. calmingnaturedoula.com, or call Johns directly at 716-909-0074.

Oct. 29

Workshop for women who Yogathon to take place at live alone Himalayan Institute Do you live alone? Is it a challenge for you? Living Alone: How to Survive and Thrive on Your Own is a three-part workshop offered for women who want to rediscover joy and contentment, and to gain the know-how to forge a meaningful life on their own. You’ll meet others in similar circumstances and learn practical strategies to overcome loneliness, rediscover your true self, socialize in a couples’ world and make the best of this opportunity on your own.

The workshop takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. at House Content Bed & Breakfast in Mendon on three consecutive Wednesdays: Oct. 12, 19, and 26. A daytime workshop may also be offered on Friday mornings (same weeks), if there is interest.

The workshop fee is $135. To learn more, contact Gwenn Voelckers at 585-624-7887 or email gvoelckers@ rochester.rr.com.

The public is invited to attend the event Yogathon to benefit the Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network, a nonprofit organization working to improve the health of at risk and underserved mothers, newborns and toddlers. It will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Himalayan Institute, 841 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, next to Temple Beth Zion.

Participants will practice yoga from 1 to 2:30; a tea reception will follow.

Yoga instructors Tracy Draksic, Kerry Mitchell and Cathy Zawodzinski will lead the event.

Those who plan to come should dress in loose fitting clothing, bring a yoga mat (not required). Cost is $20.

For questions contact Denise Herkey-Jarosch, 253-7066 or dhj@ bppn.org.

Pay in advance at the Himalayan Institute or go to www.bppn.org click Events to pay via PayPal. Or pay at the door.

Top Notch Performers to Perform at Amherst Senior Center The Amherst Center for Senior Services will host several topnotch performers this fall, thanks to the National Institute of Senior Centers partnership with the Music Performance Trust Fund and the Film Fund, which provides grants for up to 500 live music performances at senior centers across the United States.

The Amherst Senior Center applied to the local American Federation of Musicians and will host the following FREE concerts: • Oct. 4 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. featuring Linda Mabry Trio

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2016

(piano, violin and viola) • Oct. 13 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. featuring Nelson Starr (guitar/trumpet standards and soft jazz) • Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. featuring Mark Mazur (piano) • Nov, 14 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. featuring Merry Jeffers (violin, piano, guitar) • Nov. 16 at 6 p.m. featuring Mark Mazur (piano) All concerts are free, open to the public and will be held at the Amherst Senior Center at 370 John James Audubon Parkway, Amherst.

Can the Zika Virus Mosquito Get to Upstate?

By Lynette M. Loomis

W

hen most people think of summer and fall fun, they also think of mosquito bites.

While mosquitos are a huge presence during the summer, they don’t leave just because it’s early fall.

The females need blood to produce eggs. But while we are swatting our way through what seems like swarms of mosquitos, their reproduction needs are at the bottom of our list of concerns.

Most mosquitos like to be out at dawn and dusk and rest during the hotter part of the day unless we disturb them. It is not your imagination that some people are “more attractive” than others to these hungry females. When the mosquito draws blood from us, it injects some saliva into the site. This is how diseases are spread by mosquitos. In Downstate New York, some people have tested positive for Zika, a mosquito-borne virus that has been linked to birth defects such as brain damage, blindness and microcephaly (small heads) in babies. There seems to be little risk to pregnant women who don’t travel to certain parts of the world but nonetheless mosquito

bites are irksome and itchy.

Experts differ in their opinion as to whether the Asian tiger mosquito — which is believed to transmit the Zika virus — can adapt to the cold winters in New York state. In an article by syracuse.com reporter James T. Mulder, he quotes Laura Harrington, chairwoman of Cornell University’s department of entomology, as saying, “Although the Asian tiger mosquito is found on the western tip of Long Island and the lower Hudson River Valley, it cannot survive Upstate New York’s cold weather.”

Other scientists believe this insect is highly adaptable. The American Mosquito Control Association states that while adult females live two to three weeks, some species that over-winter in garages, culverts and attics can live as long as six months.

In August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published a map suggesting that Upstate New York cities are at risk but mostly due to travel-related cases.

Whether its concern over the risk of disease or dread of those itchy, unsightly bites, there is a popular

remedy to greatly reduce mosquitoes on your property. Companies that spray mosquito barriers have seen an increase in requests this year.

People want to be rid of the mosquitos while at the same time they want a solution that is environmentally friendly. A commercial garlic spray is far more potent than anything a person can concoct at home. It is that it is not harmful to people, pets or to beneficial insects such as pollinating bees and butterflies.

People often ask if their property will smell after a treatment. After

just a few minutes, people cannot smell the sprayed garlic. The garlic spray is effective in three ways.

It kills the adult mosquitoes and suffocates mosquito larvae in or near standing water such as kid’s plastic swimming pools, ponds, puddles, tires and even watering cans. It also keeps new mosquitoes out of the area. Larvicides placed in ponds or wading pools also help control mosquitoes by killing young mosquitoes before they can grow into adults. Mosquitos are active well into the fall so it’s not too late for home owners to take precautions.

Healthcare in a Minute

By George W. Chapman

Hillary vs Donald. The Kaiser

Foundation conducted a poll last month to determine which candidate people believed would do a better job when it comes to healthcare. There were questions regarding women’s healthcare, the future of Medicare and Medicaid, the ACA, access, affordability, the cost of drugs, opioid abuse, Zika virus and AIDS. Clinton led Trump on basically every issue by double digits except the future of Medicare, which was almost even between the candidates. Two thirds of the respondents felt the top health priorities for both candidates should be the future of Medicare, access and affordability. When it comes to the Affordable Care Act, the poll was split 40 percent favorable and 42 percent unfavorable.

Hospital-owned physician practices.

About a quarter of medical practices are now owned by hospitals, according to a report by nonprofit advocacy group Avalere Health. Hospitals acquired 31,000 practices between 2012 and 2015, which is a 50 percent increase in activity over prior years. More than 140,000 physicians (40 percent of all physicians) were employed as of last year. This trend is greatest in the Midwest where almost 50 percent of physicians are employed.

Advocates for private practices believe increasing regulations, costs and payment “reform” favor large systems of care and that smaller, independent practices will go the way of mom and pop stores.

Uninsured.

Through the first quarter of this year, about 27 million people or 8.6

percent of us are without health insurance. This is an historic low, down from 16 percent uninsured in 2010. Experts contend that the uninsured rate will go down very slowly from here on unless there is universal coverage.

Single payer system?

Public funding (tax dollars) is by far the dominant payer in healthcare.

According to a study by the UCLA Center for Public Policy, public funds now account for 71 percent of the healthcare expenses in California. In addition to Medicare and Medicaid, tax dollars subsidize employersponsored insurance, insurance for public employees, and ACA tax credits for the indigent. (Premiums paid by employers and their workers are tax exempt so the authors of the study argue that these “forgone taxes” could be diverted to a single payer.) Of the total $3 trillion (figure $10,000 per person) in national spending, 65 percent is funded by taxpayers. The authors argue that since we are close to a single payer (government) why not consider one and how much the taxpayer money would save through far less red tape and tremendous purchasing power.

Low-value services.

These are medical services and diagnostic tests that, for the cost, have little benefit or use. Research published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that about 8 percent of us have received a low-value service.

Among the most expensive lowvalue services are: spinal injections for lower back pain and imaging for headaches and lower back pain.

While spending on unnecessary or over-used services has declined

overall, it is still relatively high in employer-sponsored plans. Patients in consumer-directed plans were less likely to use low value services.

Largest HIPAA fine.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act protects your health information and privacy.

Chicago-based Advocate Healthcare Network will pay the largest fine, $5.55 million, ever levied against a single entity. Four desktop computers containing information on almost 4 million people were stolen. The information included health, credit card, demographic and insurance information. The investigation

by OCR (Office for Civil Rights) revealed widespread HIPAA noncompliance at Advocate.

Aetna challenged.

A letter to the Aetna CEO, signed by several US senators, challenges Aetna’s reason for withdrawing from the exchanges. Aetna seemed committed to continuing to participate in the exchanges up until the point where the Department of Justice started to push back on Aetna’s proposed merger with Humana. All of a sudden Aetna started to claim the exchanges were too risky. The senators accuse Aetna of basically threatening to pull out of the exchanges if their proposed merger with Humana is denied. Through the first half of this year, Aetna grew total revenues by 5 percent to reach $14 billion.

Ironically, most of the increase in revenue was attributed to higher premium yields and membership growth — in its government business.

October 2016 •

Quality hospitals save money, improve outcomes.

Medicare saves money when procedures are performed at higher quality hospitals. Medicare followed the overall costs resulting from five types of major surgery performed on 100,000 members.

Outcome considered 30-day postsurgery mortality rates and patient experiences. The bottom line was Medicare saved an average $2,700 per patient when the surgery was performed at a high quality hospital.

Most of the savings were attributed to less post-acute care like rehab and home health care.

Drink more water.

Water is now the No. 2 beverage of choice behind soft drinks. Water is critical for maintaining healthy body fluid levels which help with digestion, nutrient absorption, circulation, saliva production and body temperature. Water lowers calorie intake when substituted for soft drinks. It energizes muscles.

We should drink two glasses before exercise as well as during and after.

Water keeps your skin looking good. It helps your kidneys function efficiently. Finally, water keeps you “regular.”

George W. Chapman is a healthcare consultant who works with hospitals and medical groups.

He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse.

Email him at gwc@ gwchapmanconsulting. com.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 5

Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Ndey Bwalya Diallo, M.D. New OB-GYN talks about the challenges of being a doctor just starting out, compares care here and in developing countries

After-Hours Work Email No Friend of the Family Expecting employees to be “on” all the time — monitoring and answering work-related email, even after work hours — adds to their emotional exhaustion and upsets workfamily balance, a new study found.

Even when workers don’t spend time on email, being pinged during non-work hours is stressful, the researchers discovered. It’s the anticipation that’s draining.

“They still feel less ability to detach from work, more emotional exhaustion and low perceptions of work-family balance,” said study author Liuba Belkin. She’s an associate professor of management at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. Unwinding from work is especially hard for people who prefer to keep job and family life separate, the study revealed.

Ironically, Belkin insists that she’s not one of those people.

“I love what I’m doing, so for me the expectation [to act on work-related email after hours] doesn’t really bother me as much,” she said.

Still, experts say everyone needs time off, untethered from their inbox, to replenish their physical and mental resources.

Belkin and study co-authors, William Becker of Virginia Tech and Samantha Conroy of Colorado State University, believe their study may be one of the first to identify email expectations as a job stressor.

Constant electronic connectivity has changed the workplace for better and for worse, the researchers said. Yes, it aids job flexibility. But studies show it also poses a threat to employees’ health and well-being because they can’t physically or emotionally unplug from the job.

And it can throw work-family balance out of kilter by blurring boundaries between business time and personal time.

Page 6

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Q: You're about to start with Audubon Women’s Medical Associates soon. Tell us more about it?

A: Yes, I recently graduated from my OB-GYN residency at University at Buffalo. So this is the beginning of my medical career.

Q: Are you more focused on the OB or GYN side?

A: In residency we focused more on the OB side, so I rarely saw patients who were over 50. So I'll be dealing with a more senior population. I'll still be seeing the same type of young patients, but I'll be seeing older ones as well.

Q: What made you decide to start your career both in Buffalo, and with this practice?

A: During my residency here I worked with the group at Suburban Hospital, so that was one of the big reasons.

I've known them since the beginning of my residency and we work well together.

They're very

knowledgeable in their field and were a great part of my learning experience. As for Buffalo, I used to think I'd be cold here and it would be snowing all the time, but the people are very nice, very friendly. I grew to love the Buffalo area, so I decided that I'd stay.

Q: What are the challenges of being a young doctor just starting out?

A: There are some high-risk patients. So you're going from residency patients to suburban patients. Another challenge is adapting to the way your new practice works. One of the benefits, though, is that I'll have a lot of time to form lifelong doctor-patient relationships with my patient base.

One thing that will make it easier is that, since it's an established practice, I'll have patients willing to see me on my schedule right off the bat. I feel very blessed to be able to take care of them.

Q: You've been an intern and worked around the world, Japan, Cayman Islands.

A: Yes. I'm originally from Zambia in Africa. I've traveled a lot and would love to continue to do it. It would be nice to see if I can do some medical work in developing countries like my home country.

That's another benefit. I'm able to see and appreciate what we have here in terms of obstetrics and gynecology.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2016

Q: What do you think you could,

theoretically, bring back from here to a country like Zambia that would really make a difference with regard to OBGYN care?

A: They have a very limited number of specialty physicians. If you get pregnant, you'll probably be seeing your regular doctor rather than someone who specializes in obstetrics. Equipment is also limited.

They frequently don't have enough ultrasounds or things like that.

Sometimes the doctors are working out of huts. I'd like to pass on some of my training.

Q: Do you think our physicians could learn something from countries like Zambia?

A: It's a difficult question. I think it would definitely give them a sense of appreciation about the resources they have available to them here.

We have health insurance, whereas in some developing nations, if you don't have money, you don't get treated.

Q: What are some of the women's health challenges in the suburban Buffalo region?

A: It's one of the things I'll be learning. In downtown Buffalo where I did my residency, the challenges were things like teenage pregnancy, obesity, poor health care in general.

It looks like I'll be dealing with fewer teen pregnancies, but obesity is a challenge throughout the U.S. Q: Having seen poor patients in both developed and developing countries, what problems do you see in both populations?

A: The big difference for the poor here versus in a developing nation is Medicaid with regard to medical care, so far more can access it, and they still can get access to many of the resources. But there are some similarities, especially when it comes to education. Within lower socioeconomic populations in both countries, you often find them following in the footsteps of their parents, maybe having children very young. Of course, you're more likely to have access to the information and educational resources here than you would in rural Zambia.

Q: Do you have a strategy for taking on new patients, since you'll probably be doing a lot of that in the near future?

A: Right now, honestly, I don't really have one. What I did was make some templates for all the patients I'm going to see if I can speak to my patients a few days before I see them and get everything written down, so that when I do see them, I have an idea of what we're going to talk about. Then we'll go from there.

Lifelines Name: Ndey Bwalya Diallo, M.D. Position: OBGYN at Audubon Women’s Medical Associates Hometown: Lusaka, Zambia Education: SUNY Buffalo (residency); St. Matthews University (medical) Career: Laboratory intern, Penn State University Hershey Medical Center; laboratory intern, Kyoto University, Japan Affiliations: Suburban Hospital Organizations: Plans on joining some organizations soon Family: Single Hobbies: Hiking, camping, kayaking, cooking, movies

Cupping Grows in Popularity

Ancient therapy that offers pain relief gained popularity thanks to Olympian Michael Phelps

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

M

ost recently popularized by Michael Phelps and other Olympians, cupping therapy has been used since ancient times.

The technique involves using a cup to create a vacuum on the skin to pull it upwards, away from the body, and suspend it.

The modality has been recognized for its ability to increase circulation, speed healing and break up scar tissue, all benefits any Olympian would prize. But local experts say that everyday people my benefit from cupping as well.

Erik Kastner, physical therapist with Family Care Physical Therapy in Williamsville and Buffalo, said that especially right after the Olympic Games, many local people asked about the therapy, even though they’re not elite athletes.

“Typically, it’s used for anything when you have musculofascial tightness,” Kastner said. “It’s for trigger points, plantar fasciitis, general tightness from low back pain or shoulder instabilities.”

Practitioners also use it for patients with spinal pain, migraines, muscle soreness and rheumatic pain as well.

Unlike massage therapy, which pushes tissue inward, cupping pulls the skin outward to stimulate blood flow and the movement of lymph.

Sessions usually last five to 10 minutes, but are accompanied by other modalities.

“I don’t think it’s a stand-alone tool,” Kastner said. “It can last five or 10 minutes as part of an hour-long treatment.”

Kristen Gilbert, licensed

Gilbert

acupuncturist and Chinese medicine practitioner with CNY Fertility & Healing Arts, said that drinking water can improve the results of a cupping session because “cupping helps detoxify the

body so drinking water before and after helps in the process.”

CNY Fertility & Healing Arts operates offices in several Upstate New York regions, including Buffalo.

As the Olympic athletes evidenced, cupping can leave behind ring-shaped marks; however, Gilbert said that the process isn’t painful.

Clients usually feel a little tension in the skin, but find cupping relaxing.

Gilbert said the marks are part of its therapeutic effect as it improves circulation.

“It’s also helpful to bring

Photos show two different patients receiving cupping therapy — during and right after the treatment. The technique involves using a cup to create a vacuum on the skin to pull it upwards, away from the body, and suspend it. It’s safe and offers no pain, say practitioners.

October 2016 •

clothing that covers where the cupping is performed,” Gilbert said.

“Exposure to cold or wind can cause the muscles to constraint, lead to pain and be counterproductive to the healing process.”

Most practitioners use silicone or glass cups that create a vacuum using a pump. For chronic pain issues, most people require several sessions for a few weeks, and then a maintenance session about every three months. Kastner said that the effect varies depending upon the condition the client is experiencing and the individual himself.

Contraindications include people with wounded, thin or fragile skin; those who are immune compromised; or, for pregnant women, not on the abdomen. As with any therapy, clients should advise their practitioner of any health concerns before undergoing cupping therapy. Most practitioners complete a health history survey with clients to ensure they are appropriate candidates for cupping.

Some in Western medicine greet many integrative modalities with skepticism; however, cupping has gained credibility.

“It’s a very useful tool,” Kastner said.

Practitioners offering cupping may include massage therapists, physical therapists and acupuncturists. If the practitioner includes cupping with other modalities in a therapy session, it’s usually covered by insurance.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Living Alone Is No Laughing Matter . . . Or Is It?

W

hen is the last time you laughed till your side hurt?

Enjoyed a carnival ride?

Played with a puppy? Or acted silly?

Sure, living alone can be serious business, what with all the chores and responsibilities that rest solely on our shoulders, but let’s not forget to laugh a little and have some fun along the way.

“Why focus on fun?” you might ask. Because having fun, letting your hair down and relaxing means letting go of your problems and worries for awhile.

When that happens, you have time to “breathe” emotionally. Not occupied with troubling thoughts, your mind is free to wander, which can make room for new insights and understanding. You see things in a different light. And what might seem insurmountable at the moment (a Saturday night alone) can become more manageable.

My life was no “barrelful of monkeys” after my divorce. In fact, having fun was a low priority on my to-do list. I was busy trying to

put my life back together as a single person, and finding entertainment wasn’t among my goals.

But then I took a ride that changed everything.

A couple of friends, determined to rescue me from my somber existence, coaxed me to join them on a road trip to Martha’s Vineyard. Declaring that I would be no fun to be with, I nonetheless agreed to go. We poked around the island for a few days and then found our way to one of its most charming harbor towns, Oak Bluffs. It’s a magical little place that is home to colorful, whimsical cottages.

Oak Bluffs is also home to our nation’s oldest platform carousel.

I stood there admiring it, commenting on the warm patina of its “flying horses” and remarking on how much fun the kids were having.

That’s when my friends elbowed me and said, “Oh, come on, let’s take a ride.” After complaining that I was just too old for that sort of thing, they ignored by protests and lifted me onto a bright yellow horse. It

was so much fun! I loved it! I even grabbed for the brass ring, in hopes of winning a second free ride, but a fresh-faced 11-year-old beat me to it.

Riding that carousel made me giggle and laugh and feel like a kid again. It felt foreign and unfamiliar.

But, more importantly, it felt fabulous! I was reminded of how much better my life could be if I just “got back on that horse” and made having fun a priority.

So things changed after my trip to Oak Bluffs. I became deliberate about weaving fun and laughter into my life. And I encourage you to do the same.

Below are a few tips to help you tickle what may be a dormant funny bone: Hang out with fun (and funny!) people. My sister Anne is the funniest person I know. Opportunities to be with her trump almost everything else on my calendar. We laugh, poke fun at each other, and otherwise just enjoy each other’s company.

When I’m with Anne, my cares drift away and life is good. Take a look at the people you hang out with.

While we all need supportive friend with whom we can sort through life’s difficulties, we also need some funloving souls. Be sure to connect with them on a regular basis.

Diversify your entertainment. While I love classical music performances and can’t resist the showing of an Ingmar Bergman film classic, those events don’t tickle my funny bone.

No, to have fun, I need to dance till the cows come home or watch people make lighthearted fools of themselves in a karaoke club.

When’s the last time you went bowling, played a midway game or went to a comedy club? There’s no

time like the present!

See the humor around you. I’ve also discovered that we don’t have to manufacture our own amusement.

It’s there for the taking, if we just look around. Yesterday, I saw something funny happening right in front of my eyes. A dog was pacing back and forth in the back seat of the car ahead of me, sticking its head out the windows on each pass. It looked ridiculous!

I could have observed this scene with indifference, but I decided to enjoy the moment and embrace its inherent humor. Do the same. Enjoy the absurdity that surrounds us.

And finally, be silly and don’t take yourself too seriously. Oh, come on, you can do it! Let go, let loose. Life is short, time is precious, and, besides that, who cares what other people think?

I’m proud to say I’ve tried contra-dancing, laughed out loud while watching America’s Funniest Home Videos, sung in the shower, and found great joy on a swing, perfecting my leg-pumping and jumping-off skills. You get the point.

It feels good to be silly.

There’s nothing like a little fun and a good laugh to brighten your day and lift your spirits, whether you live alone or not. So go for it. Grab for that brass ring. And enjoy the ride!

the likelihood of cyberbullying” surprising.

“We believe that competition for status and esteem represents one reason behind peer cyberbullying.

Friends, or former friends, are particularly likely to find themselves in situations in which they are vying for the same school, club, and/or sport positions and social connections,” she explained.

“In terms of dating partners, young people often have resentful and hurt feelings as a result of a breakup, and they may take out

these feelings on a former partner via cyber aggression. They might also believe they can win back a previous boyfriend or girlfriend, or prevent that person from breaking up with them or dating someone else, by embarrassing or harassing him or her,” Felmlee suggested.

The report was published in the September issue of the journal Social Psychology Quarterly.

The findings were also presented Saturday during the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in Seattle.

Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Live Alone and Thrive, empowerment workshops for women held throughout the year in Mendon, New York. For information about her workshops or to invite her to speak, call 585-624-7887, or email gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

KIDS Corner Teen Cyberbullies More Apt to Be Friends Than Strangers Competition for status, hurt feelings over breakups provoke wave of aggression via texts, Facebook

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yberbullying among teens is highly likely to involve current or former friends and dating partners, a new study finds.

Researchers analyzed data from a 2011 survey of nearly 800 students in grades 8 through 12 at a public school in a New York City suburb.

About 17 percent had been involved with cyberbullying in the previous week, the study found.

Nearly 6 percent of those students were victims; about 9 percent were aggressors; and about 2 percent were both. Cyberbullying usually occurred through Facebook or texting, the study authors said.

Girls were twice as likely as boys to be victimized. The risk of Page 8

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cyberbullying was seven times higher among current or former friends and dating partners than among those who had never been friends or dated, according to the study.

“A common concern regarding cyberbullying is that strangers can attack someone, but here we see evidence that there are significant risks associated with close connections,” lead author Diane Felmlee said in an American Sociological Association news release.

Felmlee, a professor of sociology at Pennsylvania State University, called “the large magnitude of the effects of close relationships on

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2016

5

Easy Ways to Build Activity Into Your Workday New Nonprofit Helps Kids With Autism Routine Fantastic Friends of WNY organizes outings and other activities to help special needs kids to socialize

By Tim Fenster

M

aking friends isn’t easy for everybody, but for those with an autism spectrum disorder, developing friendships often runs from difficult to practically impossible. But one area woman is trying to change that.

Debbie Cordone, a Cheektowaga woman who has a son with severe autism, started Fantastic Friends of Western New York earlier this year to give young people with autism an opportunity to socialize, have fun and, ideally, develop meaningful bonds with others their own age.

The nonprofit organization holds fun outings every month and pairs each special needs child with a volunteer of the same age who does not have a disability.

So far, Fantastic Friends has held four events and reached dozens of local children with autism.

“It’s a different kind of program because the kids in it are partnered with a friend,” Cordone said.

The organization was founded in 2011 in southern New Jersey

by Marissa Hacker, a 20-year-old, upon noticing that her twin brother, Matthew — who has autism — was not developing friendships in school as she was.

“She got into her teen years and started making friends, but her brother Matt didn’t,” Cordone said.

Hacker and Cordone began corresponding through Facebook earlier this year in the hopes of making Fantastic Friends a national organization. They crossed paths because Cordone had created a network called WNY P.A.D.D. (People for Autism and Developmental Disabilities), where parents of special needs children could share tips and information.

Within about a year, WNY P.A.D.D. attracted more than 100 area parents and caught Hacker’s attention.

With Hacker’s help, Cordone founded Fantastic Friends of Western New York — the organization’s first chapter — in May, and put on the first event three weeks later.

Debbie Cordone of Cheektowaga recently started Fantastic Friends of Western New York, a nonprofit that works with kids with autism and their families. Next to her is James, her son.

In the time since, Fantastic Friends has grown both locally and nationally. The local chapter has attracted dozens of volunteers and families; meanwhile, new chapters have sprouted up in Los Angeles, Oregon and Delaware.

Cordone hopes that as the organization grows, they will be able to expand the programs to include people with autism of all ages.

Fantastic Friends of WNY currently accepts those between 10 and 20, while the New Jersey chapter accepts everyone below age 21. Cordone would like to create an early childhood program for those aged 4 to 9, and then an adult program for 21 and up.

“We’d be the first to change the ages and try and cover everyone,” Cordone said.

And while the goal of Fantastic Friends is to improve the social lives of young people with autism,

it has also proven helpful for parents. Rather than drop their children off at the program, many parents stay and bond with the other parents.

“Parents don’t need to stay but they do,” Cordone said. “The kids are well supervised and they hang out together and have some adult time. It’s a double benefit.”

For the children with highfunctioning autism, the benefits of Fantastic Friends could be improved social lives and better communication skills.

But many children, including Cordone’s 10-year-old adopted son, James, have much more severe autism and will only gain so much from the program. Cordone says James is non-verbal and suffers from debilitating behavioral issues, including self-harm and aggressive outbursts.

“It’s very difficult to take him anywhere and have this happen,” she said. “It’s difficult to be in that situation and be judged if a manic episode occurs.”

She feels that while there has been a surge in awareness of autism spectrum disorders, the focus is primarily on those with high-functioning autism.

“My son is one of the kids you don’t regularly see when people talk about autism,” she said.

Cordone added that James will never become independent or develop a lifelong friendship, but that these opportunities to socialize still mean a lot to him.

“He does socialize and that’s huge for these kids,” she said.

“And he’s happy when he goes.”

Fantastic Friends of Western New York programs are free or at minimal possible cost to the families. The organization is fundraising to allow events to be free for volunteers and free or low cost to families.

For more information on Fantastic Friends of Western New York, visit www. fantasticfriendsofwesternnewyork. org or search for the group on Facebook.

October 2016 •

Sitting at your desk all day increases your risk for heart attack, stroke and even death

S

itting at your desk all day can hurt your health, but it’s easy to reduce that risk, an expert says.

The American Heart Association recommends at least 75 minutes of vigorous exercise or 150 minutes of low-level exercise every week. That breaks down to 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

“The good news is those 30 minutes can be any fashion of things that you incorporate into your work day,” physician Daniel Vigil said in a news release from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

“The point is to move throughout the day, preferably at least once an hour,” he added.

Need motivation to get out of the chair? Remember: Inactivity puts you at increased risk for heart attack, stroke and even death.

Vigil has the following tips for people who want to be more active in the workplace: Move your wastebasket and other essentials away from your desk. Walk to a colleague’s desk instead of emailing or phoning. Take the stairs to a restroom on another floor.

Use resistance bands to do foot curls and arm stretches at your desk, and take the stairs instead of the elevator.

When standing in line, stretch your neck and shoulders, and bend your knees for flexibility.

If a meeting lasts longer than 90 minutes, take a five-minute stretch break at the mid-point.

Park your car farther from the building. If you take public transit, get off a few blocks before your destination and walk the rest of the way.

Download apps that encourage you to be active, such as those that count your daily steps or remind you to move while at your desk.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 9

Meet Your Provider

Grasta's Beauty and Wig Studio Store offers largest inventory of top quality wigs in the region

Q: Has Grasta’s Beauty and Wig Studio always been family owned and operated? How did it originate?

A: From 1942 to 1984, my mother Lucille K. Russo owned the LuRue’s Beauty Shop on Lyell Avenue in Rochester. I followed up in her footsteps and now own Grasta’s Beauty and Wig Studio in Hilton. There is great pride between my mother and I in our accomplishments in the cosmetology field. I was mentored by my her and a daughter of a wig supplier. When a client walks out of Grasta’s Beauty and Wig Studio she or he will be proud to be wearing a Grasta wig, and no one will ever notice she or he is wearing a wig.

Q: Do you serve a specific clientele?

A: The wig shop is open by individual appointment only to ensure a personalized experience every time, and I welcome stylist and patients to call with questions about hair loss or to inquire about my many products, supplies and wigs.

Q: What are your specialties?

A: We specialize in wig and hairpieces for women and men. We offer a wide variety of wigs, toppers, wiglets, turbans, scarves and caps. It’s all

Q: Is any of this tax deductible? one-on-one, no walk A: For cancer patients there may be some ins so I can give my clients the best caring deductions. You may need to consult with your individual attention physician for more information. making you feel Q: How long does it take for a custom wig to be beautiful inside and made? out.

A: It takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks, Q: Would health however, we can do a rush order if needed and have the wig as fast as 5 to 6 weeks. insurance cover any of the cost associated Q: What is your return policy? with the wigs or A: We spend time to make sure of the proper hairpieces? fit and that you are very happy with your choice.

A: Yes, we do Grasta's Beauty and Unfortunately all sales are final. accept insurance.

Wig Studio is owned The client may need Q: Would you repair a wig if it isn’t bought from to contact their and operated by your shop? insurance company Sharon M. Grasta.

A: Yes, we would. to see if or how much would be covered.

Q: Are your wigs available to order online?

A: It’s important that you make an Q: How much do wigs cost? appointment to come in and be fitted correctly.

A: Prices range between $125 and $10,000 We do not mail out orders. It is my goal to give depending on the type and quality of wig you you the best service and products at the best choose. prices.

5 Tim Boling

409 Parma Center Road Hilton • 585-392-7823 • Web: GrastasBeautyAndWigStudio.com Email: Shargrasta@yahoo.com. Monday through Saturdays by appointment only. No walk-ins

Questions to

New executive director at Compeer of Greater Buffalo talks about the agency’s mission and the concept of ‘healing power of friendship’ 1. Tell me a little about your

background in social work and why you decided to take on this role with Compeer Buffalo.

I have about 25 years of experience in working in the nonprofit sector, specifically serving children and youth in human services. I came over to Compeer from Cradle Beach [Camp] where I was the CEO for the last nine years.

We served 1,200 children and youth in three programs. I took this position at Compeer because of the potential that the agency has in growing in not only the WNY market but also nationally. I don't think a lot of people know much about Compeer, so increasing our awareness will be crucial.

2.Compeer’s mission statement

describes the people you serve as “children, adults, seniors and veterans who are striving for good mental health and optimum quality of life?” Could you tell me about the range of mental Page 10

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health issues that affect the people Compeer serves?

We serve a wide array of individuals with varying degrees of mental health challenges. Some examples are: anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, bipolar, phobias, panic attacks and post-traumatic stress disorder.

them but instead can relate to their struggles is crucial to helping get that person's life back on track. Nearly one in four adults and one in five children suffer from a mental illness at any given time.

3.Explain to me the “healing power of 4.How many people are currently friendship,” and how it helps the people Compeer serves.

Healthy relationships with a friend or mentor is crucial to helping people who are struggling with a mental illness. People want and need to know that someone cares about them, understands them, and is there to support them. When a person is suffering from a mental illness they feel very alone and scared. They are afraid to tell anyone because of the stigma that society has put on people with a mental illness. Having a true friend/mentor who does not judge

getting help from Compeer?

Currently a little over 300 people are getting help through Compeer.

5.What are your plans for the future of the agency?

Our plans are to grow the program locally to serve the hundreds of people who are on our waiting list. We will do this by greatly increasing our volunteer recruitment and agency awareness in the WNY region. At the same time we will be looking to grow our revenue in order to support

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2016

our agency programming growth.

Compeer Buffalo just recently merged with Compeer, Inc., the national office of Compeer. That merger means that the Buffalo office is also the national headquarters of Compeer, Inc. Compeer, Inc. oversees 49 Compeer offices across the world.

Most of these offices or affiliates are in the USA, but we do have some in Canada and Australia as well. In NYS we have 20 Compeer affiliates.

We will be looking at how to best support these affiliates and add more affiliates across the country. The potential for growth is very large and we are excited by this.

Interview by Tim Fenster

SmartBites The skinny on healthy eating

Whole Grain Bulgur Bursts with Goodness

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rue confession: For much of my life, I never gave a hoot about whole grains. Happily raised on white bread, white rice, white crackers, and white Twinkies, I ambled along this unhealthy path for decades until I had a wake-up call: children.

Yes, it took motherhood to open my eyes to the importance of eating whole versus refined grains.

Why are whole grains important — so important that the USDA recommends that all Americans make half or more of their grains whole grains? In a word, whole grains, which have not been stripped

of their nutrient-dense-antioxidantrich bran and germ, are much more nutritious than their refined cousins.

Multiple studies, in fact, have shown that eating whole grains instead of refined grains lowers the risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, some cancers and obesity. Some studies have even demonstrated that eating whole grains over refined grains contributes to weight loss.

Bulgur — wheat that’s been parboiled, dried and cracked into nibbly bits — is one of my favorite whole grains. I’m fond of this particular grain, a Middle Eastern staple, because it’s a knockout source of some vital nutrients and it’s super easy to prepare. One cooked cup contains 8 grams of fiber, over half of our daily needs for manganese, about 6 grams of protein and a bounty of other vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and essential fatty acids.

On the fiber front, bulgur contains mostly insoluble fiber — the rough stuff that keeps us regular and can also improve bowel-related health problems, like

constipation and hemorrhoids. Much like soluble fiber, which bulgur also has, insoluble fiber can play a role in controlling weight by staving off hunger pangs.

Bulgur’s protein is complete, with all nine essential amino acids, which means you don’t need to combine bulgur with another protein source to reap this nutrient’s benefits.

Protein is a powerhouse building block for muscles, cartilage, skin and blood, and also plays a critical role in immune-system health.

This versatile whole grain is also a super source of manganese, a trace mineral that plays an important role in many body processes, from collagen production to calcium absorption to blood-sugar regulation.

A final reason to make bulgur your body’s BFF? It’s low in fat, sodium, cholesterol and calories (only 150 per cooked cup).

Helpful tips

Store uncooked bulgur in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

It will keep at room temperature or in the refrigerator for five to six months. Frozen, it keeps indefinitely.

Cooked bulgur lasts between three to five days in the refrigerator. If buying bulgur from the bulk section, make sure the bins are covered and there is no evidence of moisture present.

Bulgur Chili with Black Beans Adapted from Mark Bittman; four to six servings 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil ½ onion, chopped 2 bell peppers, any color, chopped 1 jalapeno pepper, diced

Dr. Jason MacLaughlin Dr. Lisa Genovese

• Dry eye evaluation and customized treatment • Genetic testing for macular degeneration • Diabetic eye checks • Co-management for LASIK and cataract surgery • Preventative care • In house lab to cut lenses so that glasses can be ready in 1-3 business days MOST INSURANCE ACCEPTED

8070 Transit Road Williamsville • 631-3860

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorieconscious dishes.

She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.

Do you live alone?

Optometrist/Owners

Personalized Service

(optional) 2 to 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons tomato paste 1 (14.5 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes (don’t drain) 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed 3 cups broth or water (more if needed) 1 tablespoon chili powder ½ teaspoon cumin salt and pepper to taste 3/4 cup bulgur Optional toppings: sliced scallion, chopped cilantro, grated cheese Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, peppers and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft, about five minutes. Stir in the tomato paste until it is evenly distributed and then add the tomatoes, beans, broth, chili powder, cumin, and a good sprinkling of salt and pepper.

Bring to a boil and then turn down the heat so the mixture simmers; cook, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes. Stir in the bulgur and cook for 10 minutes more, then turn off the heat and let it sit for about 15 minutes. If mixture seems too thick, add some water and reheat for a few minutes. Garnish with topping of choice.

We provide eye care for all ages, from pediatric to seniors, and accept most insurance plans.

Make an appointment with Insight Eye Care for your eye exam today!

Living alone can be a challenge, especially for women in mid-life who are divorced or widowed. But it can also be the start of a rich and meaningful chapter in your life. Need a jump start?

Living Alone: How to Survive and Thrive on Your Own Wednesdays, Oct. 12, 19 and 26 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm House Content B&B, Mendon, NY

5683 S. Transit Road Lockport • 433-1844

insighteyecarewny.com

Golden Years Special

In the workshop led by Gwenn Voelckers — a women who’s “been there” — you’ll discover how to overcome loneliness and other emotional pitfalls, rediscover your true self, and socialize in a couples’ world. $135 fee includes manual, empowerment exercises and lots of helpful resources.

For more information, call 585-624-7887 or email gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com

Don’t miss this special issue of In Good Health — WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper.

Coming in November.

To advertise, please call 332-0640

IN GOOD HEALTH Western New York’s Healthcare Newspaper.

To advertise and reach nearly 100,000 readers a month, please call 332-0640 October 2016 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

FDA Bans E-Cigarette Sales to Minors Agency also details other retail restrictions on access to vaping products

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he sale of e-cigarettes to minors has been banned starting Aug. 8, as part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s long-awaited plan to extend the agency’s regulatory powers across all tobacco products.

The new rules halt the sale of e-cigarettes and any other tobacco product to anyone younger than 18.

The regulations also require photo IDs to buy e-cigarettes, and ban retailers from handing out free samples or selling them in allages vending machines.

The rules also cover other alternative forms of tobacco like cigars, hookah tobacco and pipe tobacco.

Electronic cigarettes are battery-operated devices designed to create an aerosol that delivers nicotine, flavor and other chemicals when inhaled by the user. Manufacturers have marketed the products as a way to help smokers quit cigarettes.

But opponents contend that the nicotine-laden e-cigarettes actually encourage people — especially vulnerable teens — to pick up the smoking habit.

“This final rule is a foundational step that enables the FDA to regulate products young people were using at alarming rates, like e-cigarettes, cigars and hookah tobacco, which had gone largely unregulated,” Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA Center for Tobacco Products, said during a media briefing when the oversight was announced in May. The FDA action earned universal praise from medical associations, which have been concerned that e-cigarettes serve as a gateway drug to draw teenagers into a lifetime of smoking addiction.

“Youth use e-cigarettes more than any other tobacco product on the market today, serving as an entry point to more traditional tobacco products and placing kids at risk to the harms and addiction of nicotine and other tobacco products,” Harold Wimmer, national president and CEO of the American Lung Association, said in May. “Ending the tobacco epidemic is more urgent than ever, and can only happen if the FDA acts aggressively and broadly to protect all Americans from all tobacco products.”

E-cigarette manufacturers also will not be allowed to promote the devices as a healthy alternative to smoking, unless they provide strong scientific evidence that supports the claim, Zeller said.

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Buffalo resident Joan D. Harms discovered Heritage Centers as a resource for her son, Robert Edwards, who was born with Down syndrome. “They’re a terrific organization,” she said. Now at age 50 he has been involved in Heritage and worked there since his high school graduation in 1988. He lives in a group home and volunteers when he’s not working.

Arc: Providing Numerous Services in the Community

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or more than 60 years, the Erie County Chapter of NYSARC, Inc., dba Heritage Centers, has offered persons with developmental or intellectual disabilities a wide scope of supports.

Many people aren’t aware of some of Heritage’s services that it provides to about 2,500 individuals and their families by about 1,000 employees.

These include Medicaid service coordination, mental health services, children’s services/Heritage education program, adult services (Allentown Industries), residential services, community support services and recreation training for the community. The organization focuses on socializing, volunteering, building work skills, and enrichment.

Michele Vaughters, coordinator of communications and public relations, said that many don’t realize Heritage helps with Medicaid application, a process that families find arduous. Heritage also helps families find support from other agencies with whatever they need, including housing, day programs, and more.

“At Heritage Centers, we provide supports for a life time from early intervention through pre-K, school age, career services and retirement and volunteerism,” said Mark Mortenson, CFO. Beyond those opportunities, Vaughters added that Heritage seeks to offer support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities with job coaching and community employment services.

“Work coaches provide work training and can supply them with

additional knowledge and help them find employment,” Mortenson said.

Heritage seeks to find long-term employment opportunities that offer fulfilling, meaningful work in an environment in which the client feels comfortable.

Many adults retirement age volunteer through the Work Without Walls program where individuals may work at the library, care for flowerbeds at a public site or help at a food bank.

In addition to career opportunities, Heritage provides means for clients to participate in recreation in the community with chaperones.

“It gets them in touch with other people with disabilities who share their interests and are in their own community,” Vaughters said.

Clients work on social skills like ordering at a restaurant, taking public transportation and engaging in conversation.

“Hopefully at some point the individuals will feel comfortable enough to call the people they’ve gone out with and make arrangements on their own,” Vaughters said. “Their parents are involved, too. It won’t be that beneficial unless someone at home is supporting it.”

These skills naturally segue into better self-advocacy so clients identify and ask for the supports they need to live as independently as possible and make and meet their personal goals.

Heritage also supports family members with meetings and informal networking to share moral support and information.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2016

In 1988, Buffalo resident Joan D. Harms discovered Heritage as a resource for her son, Robert Edwards, now 50. She has been involved in numerous organizations supporting people with developmental disabilities and says that Heritage “ranks as the best. They’re a terrific organization.”

She said that when Robert was born with Down syndrome, she was told not to become too attached to the baby and that she should probably not take him home.

Hospital personnel told her Robert would likely not live to age 5.

“In 1966, that was the norm,” Harms said. “I’m so glad we didn’t take that crummy advice. He’s the vice president of his self-advocacy group. He’s quite a guy. I always say, ‘We only know the “ups” of Down syndrome.’ That explains Bob in a nutshell. He’s determined to do what he’ll do even if it takes a long time.

Heritage has instilled that in him.”

Robert has two brothers and two sisters. He has been involved in Heritage and worked there since his high school graduation in 1988. He lives in a group home and volunteers when he’s not working.

“Very often, I bump into people who don’t know about all the resources they offer,” Harms said.

She said that these include the many social opportunities Heritage offers, along with programs about life skills such as money handling and discerning unsafe from safe strangers.

“It’s been a fabulous experience with Heritage,” Harms said.

Women’s HEALTH Pregnancy Not an Excuse to Skip Exercising But mothers-to-be are advised to choose exercises more carefully

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

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any aspects of a woman’s life change during pregnancy; however, the need for exercise doesn’t. Taking nine months off from fitness doesn’t benefit mom or baby.

“We strongly recommend 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily,” said physician Gil Farkash, chief of OB-GYN for Kaleida Health.

“They tend to have less post-partum depression, diabetes and obesity, and better deliveries and healthier pregnancies.”

Regular exercise can also relieve backache, reduce swelling and improve mood.

Of course, pregnant women should take precautions with exercise. Kicking off a campaign to lose weight and getting into shape once pregnant isn’t recommended.

“As a rule, it depends on your level of fitness before pregnancy,” Farkash said. “I’ve had some who are marathon runners who continue to run until they go into labor.”

For example, a pregnant woman accustomed with running miles a day can likely handle more exercise than

one who has never exercised.

“If you’re pregnant and you want to start exercising, you may need to modify it because your body isn’t used to exercising,” Farkash said.

He added that the few contraindications to exercise or activity during pregnancy include contact sports, like hockey, soccer, and martial arts sparring.

Activities with a likelihood of falling, such as inline skating, skiing, horseback riding are also ill advised. Even diving or surfing can place too much impact on the body.

Scuba diving is also off limits since babies can experience decompression sickness upon the mother’s surfacing. Women should also avoid lying on their backs after the first trimester.

Farkash suggested swimming, walking and other low impact exercise.

Some activities may be modified.

A yoga routine could be altered to skip positions that involve lying flat on the back or abdomen.

Lori Gehl childbirth educator,

Hysterectomy Not Only Answer for Uterine Fibroids

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

A

pproximately 20 to 80 percent of women develop uterine fibroids by age 50. The muscular tumors grow in the uterine cavity, in the wall of the uterus or on the outside of the uterus, either as a cluster of tumors or as a single tumor. They vary in size from tiny to the size of a grapefruit.

Sometimes, physicians discover fibroids by feeling their mass during a routine pelvic exam; however, since fibroids don’t lead to cancer, physicians leave them alone if fibroids remain asymptomatic.

“I never discuss surgery for a fibroid that’s asymptomatic,” said physician Gil Farkash, chief of OBGYN for Kaleida Health. “Cancer is not my concern with fibroids. If you have no symptoms, you can just leave them alone.”

Fibroids can also cause abdominal pain, pressure on the rectum or bladder, painful sex and heavy menstrual bleeding. Fibroids may also cause infertility. Women

presenting these symptoms usually seek medical help.

“Usually, the way they’re found is the presenting complaint of pelvic pressure, pain or irregular bleeding,” Farkash said. “Sonogram can show you have a fibroid. A lot of the treatment plans depend on where you are in your reproductive plan.

If you’re older, hysterectomy is an option, but there are many noninvasive means.”

Hysterectomy represent major surgery that brings the risk of adhesions and infection. Recovery can take weeks.

Farkash said that hormonal agents can shrink fibroids and birth control pills may help.

Using interventional radiology to embolize fibroids involves cutting off the blood supply to the fibroid tissue. Since the uterus doesn’t require as much blood as fibroids, the unwanted tissue decreases in size.

But the procedure leaves the uterus intact.

doula, child birth midwife assistant and owner of WNY Childbirth, said that the general point of exercise is to remain healthy, not to be too aggressive or too complacent. “One of the most important things is to create a strong body but not doing it in a way that will be too intense.”

She said women need to listen to their bodies. Just as when they’re not pregnant, expectant mothers should make sure they stay well hydrated before during and after exercise.

Warming up and stretching should be part of every exercise routine. In addition to aerobic exercise, strength training helps keep bodies healthy.

“If you have headache, dizziness, chest pain or contractions, back off,” Gehl said. “Use the same precautions

Physician Azher Iqbal, affiliated with Buffalo Vascular Care in Lancaster, calls it “one of the best kept secrets for treating fibroids.

It’s an option not generally offered because most physicians are not aware of it. It’s an excellent treatment for women who don’t want to undergo major abdominal surgery.”

An artery in the leg or groin provides the entry point for embolizing fibroids. Because it’s just a nick to open the skin instead of major surgery requiring weeks of recovery time, patients experience little downtime. Some stay in the hospital overnight for pain control.

Undergoing major surgery for hysterectomy, combined with a more lengthy hospital stay, also increases a patient’s risk of infection.

Myomectomy can remove the fibroids. While more invasive than embolization, myomectomy leaves the uterus intact.

“It sometimes involves incision or laparoscope,” Farkash said. “It may be done through the cervices and vagina.”

Ultimately, women with fibroids should discuss all the options and how they may affect her before deciding which route to take.

October 2016 •

as when you’re pregnant.”

Doctors generally place more restrictions on pregnant women at risk for preeclampsia, previous premature delivery, cervical or placenta problems, bleeding, severe anemia or growth restricted babies.

Women should stop exercising and immediately contact their doctors if they experience vaginal bleeding or leaking, pain in the calves, feelings of dizziness, undue shortness of breath, irregular or rapid pulse, or lowered fetal movement.

Even without elevated pregnancy risks, pregnant women should discuss their exercise plans with their doctors so that they can keep themselves and their babies healthy and safe.

Who Gets fibroids?

T

he US Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health states that several factors can increase a woman’s risk of developing fibroids. These include: • Age. Fibroids become more common as women age, especially during the 30s and 40s through menopause. After menopause, fibroids usually shrink.

• Family history. Having a family member with fibroids increases your risk. If a woman’s mother had fibroids, her risk of having them is about three times higher than average.

• Ethnic origin. AfricanAmerican women are more likely to develop fibroids than white women.

• Obesity. Women who are overweight are at higher risk for fibroids. For very heavy women, the risk is two to three times greater than average.

• Eating habits. Eating a lot of red meat (e.g., beef) and ham is linked with a higher risk of fibroids. Eating plenty of green vegetables seems to protect women from developing fibroids.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 13

Women’s HEALTH

Doula?

What’s a

They offer physical, emotional and spiritual support to moms to be and their families

By Katie Coleman

T

here is an entire community of doulas in Western New York that you may not be aware of.

Knowing all your options before, during and after giving birth is really important. So, what’s a doula?

Greek in origin, the word doula means women’s servant.

“A doula is someone that is there to comfort and support you through the entire process of pregnancy and labor,” said Shannon Johns, a birth doula who owns Calming Nature Birth Doula Services in Buffalo.

After giving birth to six children with and without support, Johns took all she knew to start helping friends and family experiencing the birthing process for the first time.

Doulas provide physical, emotional and spiritual support through the entire birthing process with prenatal, labor, pregnancy, and postpartum care.

Doulas do not replace nurses or medical staff, and do not perform clinical or medical tasks. They are there to support the mother and father, and foster effective communication with involved medical professionals. A midwife or OB-GYN performs the actual delivery of the baby.

“It’s so exciting being a doula — the energy you feel when you see how hard a mom’s working and what a great job she’s doing is amazing. Being able to see all the hard work she’s put into a gorgeous little baby is really exciting,” Johns

••

said. “I want every woman and their family to have an amazing memory of when they gave birth.”

Doulas can go wherever you choose to give birth, whether at home, at the hospital or at the Birthing Center of Buffalo located at 2500 Main St., which offers certified midwifery and OB-GYN care, intensive prenatal care, education for moms and their families on healthy pregnancy, labor, birth, breastfeeding and parenthood.

According to the nonprofit international doula association — DONA International — statistics show that when doulas are present during and after childbirth, women report greater satisfaction with their experience, have faster births and fewer cesarean sections and requests for medical interventions, and less postpartum depression. Although doulas help women choosing a natural birth, they are also there to support women who want a medicated birth.

“What women need the most from me is my presence,” Johns said.

“Knowing someone is there for the sole purpose of providing comfort and support so they don’t feel unaware or alone.”

Doulas also coach dads on how to be an active part of the birthing process. “A lot of times you end up with dads who don’t know what to do to help, so they end up as spectators. We show them how to help the mom,” Johns said.

Birth Doula Shannon Johns teaching an expectant mother internal focusing in the squatting position.

Doulas teach both moms and dads different positions and mindfulness that help women follow the instructions of their bodies instead of fighting against their pain.

“My first home birth was with a 16-year-old mom in Buffalo,” Johns said. “I was amazed. She had so much mind control, confidence and willpower. She did it so beautifully and was completely calm, more so than women much older than her.”

When one of Johns’ clients could benefit from massage or when she needs backup help, she calls licensed massage therapist and birth doula Amanda Rayburg who specializes in prenatal and postpartum massage.

Her private practice is out of the HEAT Center located at 1300 Niagara St. in Buffalo.

A few years ago before even knowing what a doula was one of Rayburg’s massage clients asked

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2016

her if she’d attend her birth to help keep her calm and massage her.

She agreed, and after doing some research the word doula popped up.

Rayburg was introduced to a service available to women, but completely off the general public’s radar. After such an amazing experience assisting her client, Rayburg decided to go through training to become a birth doula. Four years ago she attended her first birth, and as of October she’s helped 15 women give birth.

“It’s just a blessing,” Rayburg said. “Before massage I worked in daycare and because women can’t get any real maternity leave, I’d have to take babies at six weeks old because their moms had to go back to work. I love that now I get to see a child come into the world and be placed in the hands of their mother or father.”

Prostate Exam: End Finger Exam in Men, Says Urologist

T

he dreaded finger exam to check for prostate cancer used to be a mainstay of check-ups for older men. With its value now in question, some doctors share the risks and benefits with their patients and let them decide. So, should they or shouldn’t they?

“The evidence suggests that in most cases, it is time to abandon the digital rectal exam (DRE),” said Ryan Terlecki, a Wake Forest Baptist urologist who recently published an article on the topic in Current Medical Research and Opinion.

“Our findings will likely be welcomed by patients and doctors alike.”

Terlecki said the DRE, referred to by some urologists as a “clinical relic,” subjects a large number of men to invasive, potentially uncomfortable examinations for relatively minimal gain. In addition, it may deter some men from undergoing any test for prostate cancer.

The issue Terlecki’s team explored was whether the DRE

is needed when another more accurate test that measures prostatespecific antigen (PSA) in the blood is available. PSA is a protein that is often elevated in men with prostate cancer.

“Many practitioners continue to perform DRE in attempts to identify men with aggressive prostate cancer who could die from the disease,” said Terlecki.

“In the era of PSA testing, we wanted to explore whether it’s time to abandon the digital exam.”

To

reach their conclusion, Terlecki’s research team reviewed both medical literature and the results of a nationwide screening trial in which 38,340 men received annual DRE exams and PSA tests for three years.

They were then followed for up to 13 years.

Of interest to Terlecki’s team were the 5,064 men who had a normal PSA test but an “abnormal” DRE. Only 2 percent of these men had what is known as clinically relevant prostate cancer, which means it may need to be monitored or treated.

“The DRE does capture an additional small population of men with significant prostate cancer, but it also unnecessarily subjects a large number of men to the test,” he said.

Until 2012, men over 50 (age 40 for AfricanAmericans) were urged to have both DRE and PSA tests annually.

That was before the

Cancer on Course C to Become No. 1 Killer of Americans Report shows it will probably eclipse heart disease as leading cause of death in coming years.

ancer is on track to become the leading cause of death in the United States, closing in on heart disease as America’s No. 1 killer, a new government study shows.

Heart disease has consistently been the leading cause of death for decades, and remained so in 2014, according to a report from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But the gap between heart disease and the second-leading cause of death, cancer, has been narrowing since 1968, the researchers said.

Cancer actually surpassed heart disease as the leading cause of death for 22 states in 2014, the study found.

Back in 2000, Alaska and Minnesota were the only two states where cancer killed more people than heart disease.

In addition, cancer is now the leading cause of death for a number of minority groups, including Hispanics, Asians and Pacific Islanders, the report showed.

“It’s been edging this way for a while,” said co-author Robert Anderson, chief of the mortality statistics branch at the NCHS. “We’ve taken for granted that heart disease is the leading cause of death, but now because of prevention

October 2016 •

United States Preventive Services Task Forces recommended against routine PSA testing because it could lead to over-treatment of slowgrowing, non-harmful tumors. The panel did not address DRE, which was the primary method of detecting prostate cancer prior to the blood test.

As a result of the task force’s recommendation, there has been confusion and controversy about whether men should be screened for prostate cancer. Some organizations recommend against any screening and others recommend PSA screening, but only if men are counseled about the potential benefits and risks.

In previous studies, PSA had been shown to outperform DRE in detecting significant disease.

The current analysis confirmed that PSA is superior to DRE as an independent screen for prostate cancer. PSA testing detected 680 cases of significant cancer, compared to 317 cases for DRE. “When PSA testing is used, the DRE rarely assists in diagnosing significant disease,” said Terlecki.

“In cases where PSA testing is used, the DRE should be abandoned in common clinical practice.”

There is still a place for DRE testing for certain patients, Terlecki said. For example, a patient with abnormal PSA who is “on the fence” about having a biopsy, may feel more comfortable proceeding with the procedure if a DRE is also abnormal, he said.

efforts and advances in treatment, we’re making substantial progress with heart disease, to the point where now it’s roughly on par with cancer.”

Annual heart disease deaths have decreased nationwide from a peak of just over 771,000 in 1985 to nearly 597,000 in 2011. In the meantime, cancer deaths have nearly tripled from just under 211,000 in 1950 to almost 577,000 in 2011, the report stated.

Physician Mariell Jessup is a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association. She pointed out that new medicines have made it easier for people to control their blood pressure and cholesterol, treatment advances like angioplasty and heart bypass surgery saves the lives of many heart patients, and more people have quit smoking and started eating healthier diets.

“One could argue that we’re doing a better job of keeping people with heart disease alive,” said Jessup, who is a professor at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. “It’s not that people aren’t experiencing heart disease, but they’re not dying from it.”

The report was published online Aug. 24 in the CDC’s NCHS Data Brief.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 15

The Social Ask Security Office

From the Social Security District Office

Flushing Unused Medications?

Nope. Trashing Them?

Not a Good Idea Experts talk about how dispose of medication properly

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

D

oes your medicine cabinet contain leftover prescription medication? It’s best to get rid of it as soon as possible. Medication loses efficacy over time, so it won’t help you eventually.

Plus, medication taken incorrectly by someone else could cause serious health problems should it fall into the wrong hands.

Any guest in your home could help himself to a prescription you don’t take anymore — and you likely would not even notice since you don’t take it regularly.

“Proper disposal of prescription medications can help to decrease the chance of those medications being taken by someone that they were not intended for and also help to remove the household risk of accidental ingestion by children or pets,” said Adele Battaglia, lead pharmacist at Sisters Hospital, St. Joseph Campus in Cheektowaga.

Numerous scenarios could result in people taking unwanted drugs from your home. If you’re trying to sell your home, people viewing it during an open house could rifle through your medicine cabinet. A curious grandchild or his friends may help themselves. Or what about guests at your dinner party or a person working on your home who uses the bathroom? Even “nice” people you feel you know pretty well may secretly struggle with a drug problem.

“You may contribute to drug abuse if you don’t dispose of medication properly,” said Tyler Murtha, an intern at Black Rock Pharmacy in Buffalo.

Ideally, you should store medication in a locked cabinet and get rid of unused medication. As valuable as medication can be, only keep on hand what you need to take.

Don’t stockpile medication you don’t take.

Formerly, the New York Department of Health advised flushing unwanted prescriptions.

But water treatment facilities cannot completely prevent traces of some medications from entering streams and rivers and contaminating them.

Page 16

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“If you absolutely have to use the trash, they encourage patients to put medication with something undesirable like cat litter or coffee grounds so someone can’t pick through the trash and take them,” said Maryann Closson, staff pharmacist at Union Medical Pharmacy in Buffalo.

In light of the prescription drug abuse problem, developing secure places to drop off drugs provides a safe way to get rid of unwanted medication.

“Drug drop offs at pharmacies or police stations are ideal, rather than going into the garbage where who knows who could be picking through it,” said Murtha, the intern at Black Rock Pharmacy. “Some put it in coffee grounds, but we don’t advise it.”

Desperate drug abusers or pets may still ingest medication from the trash.

Not all pharmacies can take back prescription drugs. That’s why counties throughout New York host drop-off events at various locations and maintain permanent drop-off locations.

Sisters Hospital participates in the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) take-back program.

The next take-back day is scheduled for Oct. 22.

For Erie County, visit http:// www2.erie.gov/sheriff/index. php?q=drug-dropoff-box-info or call 716-858-7695 to learn about the 18 locations where you can drop off unwanted medication, including syringes.

In each county, the New York State Department of Health has established secure drop boxes for unwanted prescriptions. (Visit www.health.ny.gov/professionals/ narcotic/medication_drop_boxes to find one near you.)

Most drop-off locations require medication still in its original containers; however, you can black your personal information from the label. Unwanted medication collected at these sites is destroyed by incineration off-site.

Providing Disability Benefits For 60 Years Aug. 1 marked the 60th anniversary of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956. Originally, the program was limited to individuals who were 50 years of age or older. It also had a six-month waiting period, and there were no benefits payable to spouses or children. The disability program has undergone many changes to become the program it is today. Now, people who receive Social Security disability benefits can also receive Medicare coverage after 24 months, and their dependents may be eligible to receive benefits on their earnings records. There are also work incentives in place to help people with disabilities go back to work.

As of June 2016, there are more than 10 million disabled workers and dependents receiving a portion of the more than $11 billion that is sent each month in Social Security disability payments. It can happen to

Q&A Q: Do Members of Congress have to pay into Social Security?

A: Yes, they do. Members of Congress, the president and vice president, federal judges and most political appointees, have paid taxes into the Social Security program since January 1984. They pay into the system just like everyone else, no matter how long they have been in office.

Q: I heard there is a Social Security video available in American Sign Language. Where can I find it?

A: Yes, it’s true. The video is called “Social Security, SSI and Medicare: What You Need to Know About These Vital Programs.” The video is available in American Sign Language and it presents important information about our programs. You can watch the video now at www. socialsecurity.gov/multimedia/ video/asl. The video is a part of our larger collection of on-demand videos and webinars available at www.socialsecurity.gov/webinars and at www.YouTube.com.

Q: I am 57 years old and I currently receive Social Security disability benefits. Can I still get my regular Social Security retirement benefits when I reach full retirement age?

A: If you are still receiving Social Security disability benefits when you reach your full retirement age,

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2016

anyone: studies show that a 20-yearold worker has a one in four chance of becoming disabled before reaching their full retirement age.

To meet the challenges of providing benefits to so many, the agency has evolved, using technology to operate more efficiently.

Access to online applications for disability benefits, reconsiderations, and hearings have given applicants more service options when applying for benefits. Our health IT initiative allows Social Security to access electronic medical records, including those from the U.S. Department of Defense, which reduces administrative costs, streamlines operations, and speeds up service to veterans.

Social Security is committed to securing today and tomorrow for our millions of disabled workers. For more information about the disability program, please visit ww w.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityssi.

we will automatically switch you from disability benefits to retirement benefits at that point. The money amount will remain the same.

Q: How can I get proof of my benefits to apply for a loan?

A: If you need proof you get Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Medicare, you can request a benefit verification letter online through your personal “my Social Security” account at www. socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. This letter is sometimes called a “budget letter,” a “benefits letter,” a “proof of income letter,” or a “proof of award letter.” You even can select the information you want included in your online benefit verification letter.

Q: I served in the military, and I’ll receive a military pension when I retire. Will that affect my Social Security benefits?

A: You can get both Social Security retirement benefits and military retirement at the same time.

Generally, we don’t reduce your Social Security benefits because of your military benefits. When you’re ready to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, go to www. socialsecurity.gov/applyonline.

This is the fastest and easiest way to apply. For your convenience, you can always save your progress during your application and complete it later.

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Meal Service Delivery Options for Seniors Who Don’t Cook Dear Savvy Senior, What types of healthy meal delivery options can you recommend for seniors who live at home, but don’t cook and don’t get out much. Since mom passed away, my dad’s diet is terrible and I worry about his health.

Long-Distance Daughter Dear Long-Distance,

There are various healthy meal service delivery options available to non-cooking seniors who live at home, but what’s available to your dad will depend on his location and budget. Here are several to check into.

Senior Meal Programs

A good place to start is to find out if there’s a senior home delivery meal program in your dad’s area.

Meals on Wheels is the largest program that most people are familiar with, but many communities offer senior meal delivery programs sponsored by other organizations that go by different names.

To find services available in your dad’s area, visit MealsOnWheelsAmerica.org, which offers a comprehensive directory on its website, or call the area aging agency near your dad. Contact the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 to get the number.

Most home-delivered meal programs across the U.S. deliver hot meals daily or several times a week, usually around the lunch hour, to seniors over age 60 who have problems preparing meals for themselves, as well as those with disabilities. Weekend meals, usually frozen, may also be available, along with special diets (diabetic, lowsodium, kosher, etc.). Most of these programs typically charge a small fee (usually between $2 and $6) or request a donation, while some may be free to low-income seniors.

Online Meal Delivery

Another option that’s a bit more expensive is to purchase your dad’s meals online and have them delivered to his home. There are a number of companies that offer this type of service like Magic Kitchen (magickitchen.com), Home Bistro (homebistro.com), Personal Chef To

Go (personalcheftogo.com), Good Measure Meals (goodmeasuremeals. com), and many others.

These companies offer a wide variety of tasty meal choices, and will usually post the nutrition information for their meals right on their website. Most companies will also cater to a host of dietary and medical needs, such as low-sodium and low-carb meals, diabetic meals, gluten-free, dairy-free and vegetarian options.

Most of the food arrives frozen, but a few companies ship food fresh.

Prices generally start at around $10 to $13 per meal, plus shipping, however most companies provide discounts or free shipping when you order meals in bulk.

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Depending on where your dad lives, he may also be able to get home delivered meals from local grocery stores or restaurants. Some grocery stores offer a selection of pre-cooked meals and foods, including roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, and fresh soups and salads. Contact the grocery stores in your dad’s area to inquire about this option. Or check with some of his favorite restaurants to see if they offer home delivery.

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Grocery Stores and Restaurants

Another option for non-cooking seniors with a bigger budget is to hire a personal chef from time to time.

A personal chef can provide your dad with a do-it-all service that will help plan his meals, do the grocery shopping and prepare him several weeks worth (or more) of tasty meals in his home, which he can freeze and eat whenever he wants. Or, they can prepare it in their own kitchen and deliver it. Chef’s fees range between $200 and $300 plus groceries. He may be able to save money by sharing meals with you or another family member, or a friend or neighbor.

To find a personal chef in your dad’s area, check the listings at the American Personal & Private Chef Association (personalchef.com) or the United States Personal Chef Association (hireachef.com).

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October 2016 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 17

Health News Andrew Davis named ECMCC’s new COO The Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMCC) announced the appointment of Andrew L. Davis, as the organization's new chief operating officer.

The appointment came following a national search to fill the position.

A resident of Braintree, Mass, Davis has served in a variety of senior management Davis positions in health care organizations in Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Washington, D.C. "We are thrilled to announce that Andy Davis is joining ECMCC as chief operating officer,” said ECMCC Chairwoman Sharon L. Hanson.

“He brings a depth and wealth of experience that will contribute significantly to our ongoing delivery of health care services, as well as play a key role in the development and execution of future activities throughout our system of care."

ECMCC President and CEO Thomas J. Quatroche, Jr., said, "His strong background in health care financial and operations management, knowing well the complexity of managing hospitals in an ever changing landscape, will play a key role as we continue ECMCC's commitment to deliver the highest quality care for the residents of Western New York. As we continue to grow and expand our strategic collaborations with entities like Kaleida Health and the University at Buffalo, along with ECMCC's key role in the Millennium Collaborative Care effort, I am confident Andy's background and experience will strengthen further the various initiatives we pursue jointly with our health care partners."

Most recently, Davis served as interim chief executive officer at United Medical Center in Washington, D.C., a 354-bed acute care hospital and skilled nursing facility. Prior to that position, he was President of Steward Carney Hospital in Massachusetts.

He began his career in the early 1990s as a staff accountant, rising to senior auditor for a CPA firm in Pensacola, Fla., whose clients included health care facilities, nonprofit organizations that received federal funding and assisted living facilities.

Over the next 18 years, Davis served six different health care facilities in various financial management capacities, including director of internal audit, assistant Page 18

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controller and chief financial officer, ascending eventually to chief operating pfficer at Franklin Regional Medical Center in North Carolina and chief executive officer at Sandhills Regional Medical Center and then Davis Regional Medical Center, both located in North Carolina.

Degraff to double its emergency department Kaleida Health recently announced plans to modernize and double the size of DeGraff Memorial Hospital's emergency department (ED).

“The expansion of the emergency department is really about serving our community better," said Jody Lomeo, president and CEO of Kaleida Health. "With an aging population in the northtowns, more chronic conditions in the ED and a changing health care landscape, we must do all that we can to increase our capacity to treat patients experiencing illness and lifethreatening emergencies.”

The plan is to relocate the emergency department from the west side of hospital campus to the east side, fronting the Twin City Highway and allowing for better access, parking and visibility for patients, families and visitors.

Lomeo added, “The emergency department is really the front door of the hospital. It's the way patients primarily utilize DeGraff. So, we are physically moving the ED from the back to the front-right on the primary traffic route that serves the hospital.”

Last renovated in 1975, the space will more than double from 4,800 square feet to 10,000 square feet.

Physician Jill Pawlowski, site director for emergency medicine at DeGraff Memorial Hospital, said, “With a new location and added space comes the opportunity to implement the most efficient processes for staff productivity which equates to better patient care.”

The $7.8 million expansion calls for 17 treatment bays, including a trauma room, a dedicated bariatric room and an airborne isolation room.

It will also include a decontamination area suitable for current and emerging infectious diseases.

To further accommodate geriatric patients, DeGraff will use nonglare lighting, slip proof flooring, increased family space, plus signage with oversized lettering.

Kaleida Health will be submitting its construction plans as well as their certificate of need to the New York State Department of Health with the goal of breaking ground in early 2017.

Windsong Radiology receives reaccreditation Windsong Radiology Group, PC recently received re-accreditation from the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. (AAAASF).

Windsong Radiology Group’s AAAASF inspector again provided high marks for attention to detail in adherence to AAAASF requirements and found no deficiencies in the interventional radiology in Williamsville.

The three-year reaccreditation is a strong symbol of quality.

“Windsong continues to set the highest standards for interventional procedures requiring conscious sedation,” says Tammy Day, manager of the interventional services program. “Our Interventional services have grown significantly over the last few years, and we believe the certification is extremely important to ensure the very best care for our patients.”

“This re-accreditation allows patients to undergo procedures such as kyphoplasty (vertebral augmentation), ovarian vein embolization, and uterine artery embolization under conscious sedation in a comfortable out-patient setting,” adds physician Dana Dunleavy, director of the minimally invasive procedure suite. “This provides the same standards and benefits of sedation in the hospital, but in an atmosphere focused on quality, comfort, and convenience.”

BlueCross launches pharmacy residency BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, the region’s largest health plan, recently launched the first health plan-based managed care pharmacy residency program in Western New York.

The new initiative, developed in partnership with the University of Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences offers a realistic, tactical learning experience by immersing recent graduates in every aspect of managed care pharmacy.

The program was spearheaded

by BlueCross BlueShield’s Clinical Pharmacist Lisanne Holley.

Throughout the one-year program, residents spend time in several BlueCross BlueShield departments including corporate pharmacy, utilization management, case management and quality.

Additionally, residents are required to do a research project that they will present at a national or regional meeting, and complete a teaching certificate program.

“We’re proud to pave the way as the region’s first health plan to

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2016

introduce a managed care pharmacy residency program in Western New York,” said physician Thomas E. Schenk, senior vice president, chief medical officer, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York. “Our goal is to help educate the upcoming generation of pharmacists and increase the number of qualified managed care pharmacists in the region who will play an important role in the healthcare delivery system.”

Buffalo native, Taylor Sanderson is BlueCross BlueShield’s inaugural resident.

Sanderson received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from D’Youville College School of Pharmacy Sanderson in 2016 and is currently enrolled in the residency through the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

“Having grown up in Buffalo and completing an internship at a local pharmacy, I developed a passion for improving the health of this community,” said Sanderson. “My dedication to serve others coincides with BlueCross BlueShield’s commitment to enhancing the health of individuals throughout Western New York. I believe I can contribute to our mutual goal of providing quality health care.”

Sanderson will be the first resident to graduate from the program in June 2017.

Grant to help cancer rehab program at Kaleida The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo recently named Kaleida Health and its “Survivor Steps” Cancer Rehab and Recovery program a recipient of a grant created to carry on Ralph C. Wilson, Jr.’s legacy of giving and visionary leadership.

The grant is through the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Endowment Fund for Cancer Care.

Kaleida Health received an award of $13,145 to purchase a Biodex Balance System to assist the lymphedema therapy program at the DeGraff Therapy Services location.

The lymphedema therapy program is a recent addition to Kaleida Health’s Survivor Steps Cancer Rehab and Recovery program offered at the Buffalo Therapy Services location in Williamsville and DeGraff Memorial Hospital.

The Biodex is used to improve

Health News balance, increase agility and develop muscle control in cancer survivors undergoing lymphedema therapy.

Lymphedema therapy treatment is for patients experiencing lymphedema, a complication of cancer treatment that causes a buildup of lymphatic fluid leading to painful and uncomfortable swelling in the arms, hands, fingers, chest or legs.

Lymphedema may cause weakness to the extent of paralysis and there is also a risk of loss of

proprioception (limbs in space). The Biodex is the exercise component to treatment and a good adjunct to manual therapy. The Biodex is also useful in treating neuropathy, another side effect of cancer treatment.

“We are very honored to receive the grant,” said Donna Gefaller, coordinator of cancer care programs at Kaleida Health. “These funds will allow us to continue to improve the quality of life for cancer survivors in WNY.”

Sharon Hanson, ECMCC Board Chairwoman, Receives State Award

in good Child Safety

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Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

STROKE Things You

4

Drinking

Teenage girls now try alcohol before boys do, says study

Need to Know Now

Page 7

WHAT’S THE SKINNY ON APPLE CIDER VINEGAR?

Going on Vacation?

A week’s vacation may leave many adults with a heavier midsection — extra weight that can hang around even six weeks post-vacation.

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April 2016 • Issue 18

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Online Breast Milk There has been an explosion of websites that buy and sell breast milk and traffic in those sites has continued to rise. Transactions have more than doubled in the past three years. And it’s not just moms buying it. But how Page 14 safe is buying breast milk online?

One Year, No Domestic Line Infections Violence

Beloved Buffalo Sabres broadcaster and throat cancer survivor Rick Jeanneret helping promote Relay to Life. See inside

The Revenge of Bedbugs They’ve grown thicker skin, which helps protect against pesticides and may explain why population is growing worldwide, scientists suggest

A Former Ballet Dancer Making a Difference Dancer Cynthia Pegado has performed in Belgium, Switzerland and Portugal. Now she is devoted to helping patients with Parkinson’s disease in Buffalo

Living Alone: Create Your Own Perfect Day!

Page 18

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Why You Should Fall for Mangoes

NYS Hospital Mergers Driving Up Prices A study by the conservative think tank, the Manhattan Institute, concludes that the 100-plus hospital mergers in NYS have served to only increase costs and decrease competition with no perceptible increase in quality. See “Health in a Minute” on page 5

Q&A with Christopher Kerr, M.D.

Mangoes, the world’s most popular fruit (who knew?), bring a wealth of powerful nutrients.

One in four women has been the victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner, while one in seven men have experienced the same. Why this is still a problem and how local groups are trying to tackle it

5

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Page 3

Reasons to Do Aquatic Therapy

Autism: Are Girls Being Overlooked for Screening?

Page 18

Farrell family from Tonawanda with their newborn at the Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo’s NICU. The unit recently celebrated one year without any central line infections.

The Surprising Benefits of Portobellos

Tai chi and other traditional Chinese exercises might reduce depression, improve quality of life for heart patients

Founder and managing partner of OB-GYN Associates of Western NY talks about growing a single-specialty group focused on women’s health April 2016 •

Page 1

Tai Chi Could Be a Healthy Move for Your Heart

Q&A with Carlos A. Santos, M.D.

This mushroom possesses such a unique and vast array of nutrients, it’s hard to know where to begin.

Hospice Buffalo chief medical director talks about the end-of-life experience and why we have the thoughts we do when we’re in final hours May 2016 •

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THE COMMISH March 2016 • Issue 17

No Reading Glasses Ephraim Atwal is one of the first eye doctors in NYS to use camera inlay to eliminate need for reading glasses. He shares his technique

MEN’S SPECIAL ISSUE

• More options to fight prostate cancer • Fat Dads = Fat Children

Erie County Medical Center Corporation (ECMCC) Board Chairwoman Sharon L. Hanson has been honored with the prestigious 2016 Healthcare Trustees of New York State (HTNYS) Trustee Leadership and Advocacy Award for her over 20 years of service on the ECMCC board.

She was presented the award Sept.17 at the HTNYS 37th Annual Trustees Conference attended by approximately 300 hospital trustees, physicians and administrators from across New York state.

"On behalf of our thousands of dedicated caregivers at ECMCC, as well as my fellow board members, I was deeply honored to receive the 2016 Healthcare Trustees of New York State Trustee Leadership and Advocacy Award,” she said. “I share this award with all of our ECMCC family who everyday commit themselves to providing the best quality care for our patients, ensuring that each patient's experience at ECMCC meets their needs and expectations."

Chosen from 500 healthcare HTNYS member institutions across New York state, this award is presented annually to an individual who, according to the HTNYS, "demonstrates a profound impact in the boardroom in terms of trustee skills, time commitment, and knowledge required for effective decision making."

Further, HTNYS specified in their nomination guidelines that they were interested in individuals who take "a lead role in positioning their organizations to meet the challenges of the evolving healthcare environment [and] demonstrate outstanding contributions in grassroots advocacy initiatives on behalf of a hospital or health system."

Over the years, Hanson, in various leadership positions

May 2016 • Issue 19

With 4.5 million dog bites occuring annually in the US, parents with young kids are advised to be careful before bringing a dog in their home

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The Long Road to Get a New Kidney Paul Bloser is one of 100,791 people waiting for a lifesaving kidney transplant in the U.S. The median wait time to get the organ is 3.6 years. The 58-yearold shares his story

At 91, former President Jimmy Carter is the most famous cancer patient to benefit from a groundbreaking new treatment — immunotherapy

See story inside Page 9

Roswell doc: Therapy a ‘game-changer’

Page 5

Winter Gardening

First-Time Moms Are Getting Older in US

Frozen spheres developed by Connie Oswald Stofko, a local gardening expert. She talks about making your garden prettier — in the winter

Page 2

Page 11

Women’s pay lacks parity with men’s, according to experts

Twenty-eight percent of consumers in the U.S. are preparing ethnic foods more frequently than five years ago. Bowl of Thai is just an example. See story inside

Tax Filing for Retirees

Fat Dads = Fat Children

Living Alone: Making Choosing a Hospice the Best of 2016 Care Program

Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

New Hope for Cancer Patients

Erie County Health Commissioner Gale Burstein: Happy to have opted for career in public health. Her major challenge: decrease opioidrelated deaths locally

11 Food Trends Yes, Women Make Less in Healthcare Industry, Too

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February 2016 • Issue 16

The Commish

A recent study indicates that maternal health isn’t the only influence on childhood obesity. Having a father who is obese may increase the child’s chances of becoming obese as well Page 14

Oh Boy, Is Bok Choy Nutritious!

Water Quality: Buffalo is No Flint

But officials say lead in paint still poses a problem, especially in older houses

March 2016 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

Telehealth Expected to Living Making Grow Alone: Exponentially

the Best 2016 “Healthcare in a of Minute” on p. 5

Beyond Genes–Keys to Healthful Aging URMC prof says in many ways we’re not growing older healthfully

Oysters

Pet Therapy For the past year, care providers at Sisters of Charity Hospitals have been treating patients in a new way — with smiling, tail wagging, certified therapy dogs. They count on 12 dogs that are ready to help

And it is loaded with an impressive array of nutrients, so loaded that the wellregarded World Health Organization considers bok choy to be one of their highest nutritionally ranked vegetables.

Maple Syrup Season Coming

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Is there any truth to their libidoboosting power?

Read “SmartBites” column inside

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Half of Those with Glaucoma Don’t Know They Have it — Are You at Risk?

February 2016 •

Special Olympics Project Unify has athletes who have disabilities competing alongside high school students who have no disabilities

New Guidelines New U.S. Dietary Guidelines: Boost Fruit and Veggie Intake, Limit Sugar and Salt

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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In Good Health

Western New York’s Healthcare Newspaper

Don’t Miss a Single Issue ECMCC) Board Chairwoman Sharon L. Hanson at the hospital, has been instrumental in working with the dedicated ECMCC caregivers, the ECMCC board and the broader community guiding ECMCC to great success.

"We couldn't be happier for Sharon on receiving this award and we are very appreciative of the Healthcare Trustees of New York State for recognizing her tremendous contributions to both ECMCC and our community,” said ECMCC President and CEO Thomas J. Quatroche, Jr. “Her leadership and advocacy on behalf of our ECMCC caregivers, as well as the diverse patient population we serve, has had a profoundly positive impact on the day-to-day operation of ECMCC, as well as the vitally important collaborative relationships we have with both Kaleida Health and the University at Buffalo. We are very pleased that the Healthcare Trustees of New York State have chosen to honor her service in this way and recognize the important role of ECMCC in our community and state."

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N

o one’s ever ready to be diagnosed with cancer.

Imagine living day-to-day feeling fine until one day you or a loved one finds a lump. Life moving forward becomes a very scary, unpredictable ride.

Lorianne Avino, a stroke neurologist with practices in Orchard Park and Williamsville, was on a trip in Florida with her husband in 2013 when he put his arm around her shoulder and noticed something didn’t feel right under her arm. She returned home and after getting a mammogram and ultrasound was told everything looked fine.

But Avino just had a gut feeling there was something wrong. She went to her friend, breast radiologist Uzma Alam at Buffalo MRI, who helped her determine on Jan. 7, 2014, that she was positive for stage three triple positive breast cancer.

“Never did I think at 38 I’d have breast cancer,” said Avino, who had to go home and break the news to her husband and five stepchildren.

“I was nervous, but I looked at my husband and said, ‘I’m not going to let it take me. I’m going to take it.’”

Eight days after her diagnosis, Avino began chemotherapy in Williamsville with physician Saifuddin Soniwala, where she took cancer-fighting drugs for 18 weeks.

She said the hardest part was losing her hair.

“One day I went to the bathroom and started pulling my hair back,” Avino said. “It came out in a big chunk and I screamed. It was very traumatic.”

Her biggest strength was having a positive attitude and staying really healthy. She went to spinning class five days a week, and changed her diet, adding organic and antibioticfree foods and eliminating artificial sweeteners.

“Chemotherapy wasn’t fun, but I never complained.” During Avino’s first month of chemo, one of her friends connected her to Karie Kilner, a breast cancer survivor from Rochester. Their first phone call lasted two hours, and Kilner quickly became a great friend and source of strength.

“Karie had been through chemotherapy and beat breast cancer. I really needed a female’s perspective, and she walked me through everything. She was always checking up on me,” Avino said.

“I felt so in debt to all the people who had helped me when I had breast cancer that I wanted to pay it forward. I helped Lorianne, but she also helped me,” said Kilner, mother of two and science teacher who lives in Rochester with her husband.

Becoming a

Survivor Two women find support, friendship in their fight against breast cancer

By Katie Coleman

Paying it forward

Back in August 2011 when Kilner was 36 she started getting a lot of pain in her right underarm.

One night she was reading a story to her daughter when she put her fingers under her armpit and felt a lump. Kilner went to Elizabeth Wende Breast Care, a medical practice in Rochester, to get tested.

After a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy, Kilner was told Page 20

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Breast cancer survivors Lorianne Avino (left), a stroke neurologist with practices in Orchard Park and Williamsville, and her friend Karie Kilner, a teacher who lives in Rochester. They developed a strong friendship because of the disease and a new annual tradition: to attend a Buffalo Bills game together.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2016

something looked suspicious. She eventually had her painful lymph node removed, and had an MRI that determined there was a tumor in her right breast.

“My mother had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two years prior,” Kilner said. “I couldn’t have imagined that happening to me. I felt like no one was going to understand; I was only 36 and had two young kids to take care of.”

In November 2011 Kilner had a double mastectomy at Unity Hospital performed by physician Christopher Caldwell. One month later she started chemotherapy at the Pluta Cancer Center in Rochester.

“I asked myself, what did I do to deserve this? I always maintained a healthy lifestyle. Why me? Why my family again? But now I look back and think cancer was a blessing at times. So many people reached out to me and showed love and support.”

And that is what Kilner did for Avino, who, after six months of chemotherapy, underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction in July 2014 at Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital with the help of breast surgeon Katherine O’Donnell.

Nine weeks after the surgery, she completed 28 rounds of radiation.

“Me and Karie started talking less about cancer and more about life,” Avino said. “Cancer was initially very isolating but then it became time to help others.” Avino’s final surgeries were a hysterectomy in January 2015, and her final reconstructive surgery in November 2015. At one of Avino’s spinning classes she learned about the nonprofit organization — Fighting Pretty — which helps women battling cancer through fundraising efforts and by delivering “Pretty Packages”, a box made up of mini pink boxing gloves, makeup, scarves and other items to lift their spirits.

Avino now makes a monthly donation, and has sent Pretty Packages out to two friends battling cancer.

“Cancer changes you as a person. When you’re sick you learn how strong you are, and who your true friends are,” Avino said. “My husband couldn’t have done more for me. He kept me going.”

Avino also is thankful to her kids, parents, brother and extended family, three golden retrievers and friends for their unwavering support.

Today Lorianne Avino is happy, healthy and back to full time work as a neurologist. She stays active with her kids and is still going to spinning classes.

Karie Kilner and Avino cherish their friendship, and this season they will keep their tradition of going to a Bills game. Kilner still gets aches and pains and takes tamoxifen every day to keep the cancer away, but she’s doing better and feels forever grateful for everyone who helped her beat breast cancer.

“I used to think about cancer every day, but now on most days it doesn’t cross my mind. I never thought I’d get to this point,” Kilner said.