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May 2015 • Issue 7

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11 Weight-loss programs after one year: Which one works? “It’s important for the public and doctors to know which programs help people to lose weight, but also which ones help to keep it off,” say experts at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Page 3

Waiting for a Cure 9-year-old Maggie Bell of Buffalo, shown holding her siblings, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes five years ago. Since then, her family has worked tirelessly to raise funds to find a cure for juvenile diabetes

Prevent muscle loss

‘Golden Years’ Special

Our Mistake

Supplements Under Attack The April issue of In Good Health ran a story about NYS Attorney General’s decision to ban the sales of certain diet supplements at various retail stores in the state. The attorney general’s office revealed that many of the supplements were found to contain contaminants not identified on ingredient labels. The stores affected by the ban were Walmart, Walgreen, Target and GNC. Because of an editing error, Wegmans was mentioned in the story’s headline, although Wegmans was not one of the stores affected by the ban. We apologize the error.

When I heard that mozzarella cheese has fewer calories and less fat than most cheeses, I nearly choked on my pizza. No way, I thought.

Mozzarella? Page 10

Giving Back to the Community Russell J. Salvatore, owner of Russell’s Steaks Chops & More, just donated $500,000 to ECMC: “I would love to give everything I have earned back to this wonderful community.’ A profile Page 3

Meet Your Doctor Bethany Calkins, a 34-year-old physician with the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, recognized as “inspirational leader” for work with end-oflife patients. Page 6 May 2015 •

Report Shows Progress in America’s War on Cancer Page 2

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Good News!

The annual report was published in the March 30 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The report was co-authored by experts from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries, the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. National Cancer Institute. Combining resources, the four groups concluded that cancer deaths fell 1.8 percent a year among men between 2002 and 2011, 1.4 percent a year for women and just over 2 percent a year for children. New cancer cases fell slightly for men during that decade, while remaining level for women, according to the report. The incidence rate for new cancers in children 19 and younger increased, but by less than 1 percent a year, the report stated. Those two trends indicate that cancer is being effectively prevented and, if it occurs, successfully treated, said Recinda Sherman, report co-author and program manager of data use and research for the North American Asso-

Report Shows Progress in America’s War on Cancer Small, but steady declines in deaths seen over past decade

merica is making slow but heading off cancer in the body’s four steady progress against cancer, most vulnerable sites — the lungs, with a continuing decline in can- colon, breasts and prostate. cer deaths, according to a new report. “These numbers reflect a combinaThe overall cancer death rate fell an tion of factors that include prevention, average 1.5 percent per year between early detection and improved treat2002 and 2011, representing improved ment,” said report co-author Ahmedin survival for men, women and children, Jemal, vice president of surveillance rethe report found. search for the American Cancer Society. The rate of new cancer cases also However, the new report also declined an average 0.5 percent a year found that cancer rates are rising for during that period. some rarer forms of cancer, including Experts say the promising figures cancer of the liver, mouth and throat, KH-RET-8643 GVI Strokeand ad | 10.25 thyroid, x 6.75 | and 4C kidneys. reflect successResize in both treating

ciation of Central Cancer Registries. Advances in lung cancer are tied directly to fewer people smoking, while the decline in colon and breast cancers also are tied to prevention efforts, Sherman said. For example, colon cancer is preventable through screening, with doctors able to detect and remove dangerous pre-cancerous polyps through a colonoscopy. “The early polyps are being removed even before they turn into cancer,” said physician Lynne Penberthy, senior author of the annual report and associate director of the Surveillance Research Program at the U.S. National Cancer Institute. Prostate cancer rates also are declining, but experts are not exactly sure why that is occurring. Prostate cancer screening is no longer recommended, Jemal said, which could lead to a decline in detected new cases. Rarer cancers are on the rise for various reasons. Liver cancer, for instance, has increased due to long-lasting hepatitis C infections that occurred in drug-using baby boomers in the 1970s and early 1980s, Sherman said. Mouth and throat cancers also have been increasing among men, even though they are considered a tobacco-related type of cancer, Sherman said. This increase in cancer likely is due to human papillomavirus infection, or HPV, the sexually transmitted disease that also is the leading cause of cervical cancer in the United States, she said. A vaccine has been developed for HPV and is currently recommended for both boys and girls. “These numbers show there’s definitely a reason to promote that vaccine for both genders,” Sherman said.

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11 Weight-Loss Programs After 1 Year: Which Work? A mong commercial weight-loss programs, Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig show the strongest evidence that they can help dieters keep weight off for at least 12 months, a new study suggests. Researchers found that after one year, Jenny Craig participants lost an average of 4.9 percent more weight, and people enrolled in Weight Watchers lost an average of 2.6 percent more weight than people who either dieted on their own, were given printed advice about weight loss or received a few sessions of health education and behavioral counseling. The study showed that for the majority of commercial weight-loss programs out there, researchers don’t know whether or not they work, said lead author, physician Kimberly Gudzune, a weight-loss specialist and an assistant professor of medicine at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. “It’s important for the public and doctors to know which programs help people to lose weight, but also which ones help to keep it off,” Gudzune said.

Weight-loss success

In this review study, the researchers looked for published studies on weight-loss programs that were rigorous, long-term randomized controlled trials, which are considered the highest-quality data to evaluate whether a program works. The researchers included only studies that were at least 12 weeks long

and were based on comprehensive weight-loss programs, meaning the programs emphasized nutrition and also offered behavioral counseling or social support, although they may or may not have focused on physical activity. Only 39 studies of 11 weight-loss programs met the researchers’ criteria to be included in the review. The 11 programs evaluated included Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Nutrisystem, Health Management Resources (HMR), Medifast, Optifast, Atkins, Slimfast and three Internet-based offerings (The Biggest Loser Club, eDiets and Lose It!). Other programs that were not included had not done rigorous studies, the researchers said. “I had hoped more programs had done more rigorous long-term trials in the 10 years since the last review study on this topic had been done,” Gudzune said. Among the 11 programs, only the people who participated in Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers achieved significant weight loss that was sustained for at least 12 months, Gudzune told Live Science. The findings, which were published April 6 in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, also revealed a few other programs with promising results early on, such as at three or six months, but they lacked research on whether the weight loss was sustained after one year on the program.

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May 2015 •

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

HEALTH EVENTS

May 6

Buffalo Night slated at Amherst Senior Center The Amherst Senior Center presents “Buffalo Night,” featuring The Buffalo Dolls from 6 – 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 6. Participants will enjoy roast beef on weck, sundae bar and beverages at for purchase from 5 to 6 p.m. Amherst Senior Center is located at 370 John James Audubon Pky., Amherst. Reservations at 636-3055 ext. 3108 by May 4.

May 13

‘The Age of Love’ screening coming to Amherst A comic and poignant new documentary about our lifelong search for love is coming to the Amherst Senior Center. “The Age of Love” offers a fresh perspective on older hearts as it follows the adventures of 30 seniors who sign up for a unique speed dating event for 70- to 90-year-olds. Fearlessly candid about themselves and what they’re seeking, these WWII babies soon discover how the search for love changes — or doesn’t change — from first love to the far reaches of life. ‘The Age of Love’ is the winner of the Paley Center Doc Pitch Competition and awarded a Fledging Fund grant for its “potential to change hearts and minds” in American culture. The Amherst Senior Center is partnering with the University at Buffalo School of Social Work to host this movie screening. Refreshments will be served after the screening. The screening will take place at 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 13. Reservations are required by calling 636-3055 extension 3108.

The Amherst Senior Center is located at 370 John James Audubon Pky. in Amherst.

May 19

Cochlear implant group meeting held in Rochester Individuals considering an implant and their family and friends are invited to Hearing Loss Association, Rochester chapter’s cochlear implant subgroup spring meeting. MED-EL will be introduced by audiologist Rachel Franklin, northeast clinical account manager, and MED-EL patient Margarita Sweet. Well-known in Europe, MED-EL implants are relatively new to market. The company recently gained FDA approval of its most current Synchrony implant. According to company statements, Synchrony allows patients to undergo MRI procedures safely. Franklin has local ties, with a degree in communication disorders from Nazareth College and an AuD from Arizona School of Health Sciences. Accompanying her is patient Margarita Sweet, who received her MED-EL cochlear implant in 2009. She is originally from Bogota, Colombia. Spanish is her first language. She was born deaf, wearing hearing aids at 6 months of age. Married and mother to two boys, Sweet works as an occupational therapist in a school for deaf children. The event will take place at 5 p.m., May 19 at Vestry Room, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, East Avenue at Westminster Road, Rochester, across from George Eastman House. The program is open to anyone interested in any cochlear implant. For more information visit www. hlaa-rochester-ny.org or call 585 266 7890.

Spreading the News —Want to share your healthcare event with nearly 100,000 readers in the Buffalo-Niagara region? Send an email to editor@bfohealth.com

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In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2015 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, Catherine Miller, Stephanie Brochey, Patrick Broadwater, Amanda Jowsey, Mike Billoni, Daniel Meyer • Advertising: Donna Kimbrell, Marsha Preston • Layout & Design: Chris Crocker • Officer Manager: Alice Davis 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.

In Good Health is Printed Locally at Buffalo NewsPress

‘Chasing Away the Stigma 5K’ Promotes Mental Health Awareness By Patrick Broadwater

is college years should have been the best time of Jonathan Ramos’ life. He had earned a full scholarship to attend the University at Buffalo and made the football team as a walk-on. But that’s also when the first signs of mental illness appeared. Ramos would come to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. He not only struggled with the effects of the illness — hallucinations, sleeplessness, confusion and delusion — but he and his parents and four siblings fought to get him proper care. Too often, the family says, Ramos fell through the cracks of a healthcare system ill-suited to provide him the long-term treatment he needed. Ramos lost his battle with mental illness, committing suicide in 2012 at age 22. Breaking the stigma attached with mental illness and raising awareness and support for those dealing with the illness has become the mission of the Ramos family, who created the Colorful Minds Foundation in Jonathan’s memory. The nonprofit organization is in its third year and has raised more than $15,000 toward the Jonathan D. Ramos

The 3rd Annual Chasing Away the Stigma 5K and 1 mile fun walk will be held at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 30 at Chestnut Ridge Park. It benefits the Colorful Minds Foundation, a nonprofit that raises awareness and support for those dealing with mental illnesses. scholarship in UB’s Graduate School of Education. The award is handed out annually to a student pursuing a degree in mental health counseling. Once the foundation meets its funding goals for the scholarship, it has plans to open a community recreation center for those diagnosed with mental illness. One of their biggest fundraising activities is hosting a 5K run. “We chose a 5K because there was only one mental health awareness run in the Western New York area before us,” said Ramos’ sister, Ashley Ramos, who co-founded the foundation with her sister, Jeneen Bish. “Running also promotes physical health and benefits your mental health because it releases serotonin.” The event is more than just a run.

Jonathan Ramos received a full scholarship to attend the University at Buffalo and made the football team from the start. He lost his battle with mental illness, committing suicide in 2012 at age 22. Area mental health organizations participate by setting up tables and handing out brochures about the services they offer. And this year, the organizers are inviting community members to share their stories about living with mental illness and loved ones lost to suicide. “We really just want to show that

people diagnosed with mental illnesses are normal, wonderful people that need support, just like those with physical diseases,” Ashley Ramos said. “We want to show people that mental health is so important and why we need to end the stigma of mental illness.” For registration information, visit www.endingthestigma.com/events.

Healthcare in a Minute By George W. Chapman

Rochester-based system expands again. The 262-bed Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic in Ontario County is now the fifth hospital to join the expanding Rochester Regional Health System. The other four hospitals are Rochester General, Unity (Park Ridge), Newark Wayne and United Memorial in Batavia. RRHS is now the second largest private employer in the greater Rochester area with about 14,000 employees. The largest private employer in the area is competing health system, the University of Rochester Medical Center, which employs about 25,000. URMC includes Strong, Highland and Thompson (Canandaigua) hospitals.

NYS enacts price transparency law.

The “Emergency Medical Services and Surprise Bills” law went into effect April 1. It provides consumer protection for care received out-of-network by listing pricing benchmarks for various procedures and offers dispute resolution for providers and payers contesting billings. Consumers are typically responsible for the difference between what their insurance company pays the out-of-network provider and what the out-of-network provider charges.

ObamaCare did not overwhelm physicians.

Opponents of the Affordable Care Act predicted physicians, especially those in primary care, would be

deluged with 16 million new, formerly uninsured and very sick patients. It was virtually barbarians at the gate. The same dire prediction was made by critics of the ACA’s predecessor, RomneyCare in Massachusetts. As with RomneyCare, the ACA did not cause a deluge. In 2013, the year before the ACA kicked in, 22.6 percent of patient visits to primary care physicians were new patient visits. In 2014, the first year of the ACA, 22.9 percent of visits to primary care physicians were new patients. In addition, the complexity of the visits remained unchanged from 2013 to 2014. And, according to a survey from vitals.com, the average waiting time in a physician’s office actually decreased from 20 to 19 minutes.

Cost of newly insured to taxpayers.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the actual cost per newly insured (16 million) Americans is running 20 percent less than expected, at about $4,000. The ACA needs to get the word out. Only 5 percent of people polled know the ACA is costing much less than predicted while 42 percent believe we are spending much more than budgeted. NYS ranks health of 62 counties. The ranking is based upon length of life, quality of life, health behaviors ( tobacco, diet, exercise, alcohol), clinical care (access, quality), social/economic factors (education, employment, income, family, community safety), and physical environment (air, water, housing, transit). The top five healthi-

est counties, one to five, are: Rockland, Putnam, Saratoga, Tompkins and Nassau. The bottom five, 58–62 are: Chautauqua, Chemung, Greene, Sullivan and Bronx. For a complete list go to www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/ new-york/2015/rankings.

NYS endangered hospitals list.

There are 28 hospitals in NYS in danger of closing. In order to qualify for special emergency interim funding, a hospital must prove it has less than 15 days operating cash on hand. The funding is intended to keep the hospitals open long enough for them to find a partner. If these hospitals fail to hook up with a stronger hospital system, like the ones in Rochester for example, they will most likely close. Low occupancy is the usual cause for closure. Upstate hospitals on the list are Auburn, Carthage, Gouverneur, Lewis County, River (Alex Bay) and Rome. All of these hospitals are within 30 minutes of a more viable hospital.

Health information cyberattacks increasing.

Washington state-based Premera BlueCross figures hackers got access to about 11 million health records. It took Premera eight months to realize there was a breach. Anthem insurance had 80 million records hacked. Stolen information could include contact information, bank account numbers, social security numbers, member ID numbers and claims data. It still remains to be seen what, if any, recourse a consumer has. You may be seeing class action lawMay 2015 •

suits. Since the inception of the Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Control program in 1997, the Department of Justice has recovered almost $28 billion for the Medicare Trust Fund. $3.3 billion was recovered last year. The DOJ performs criminal and civil investigations of all providers including hospitals, physicians, pharmacies, device manufacturers and nursing homes.

Medicare fraud.

Wellness programs.

Four of five employers offer their workers a wellness program at a cost of about $700 per employee. The most popular incentive programs are biometric screenings, health risk assessments and physical activity programs. Most employers have dropped disincentive programs, except for smoking. It’s been hard to say whether or not employers are getting a return on their investment through lower healthcare costs and absenteeism. Have a consumer question? Try “Ask the Oracle” at www.Newyorkhealthcareforum.com. GEORGE W. CHAPMAN is a health consultant who operates GW Chapman Consulting in Upstate New York. To reach him, email gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Bethany Calkins, M.D. 34-year-old physician recognized as “inspirational leader” for work with end-of-life patients. She shares the experience she has with patients — young and old Q: You recently received an award from the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Can you tell us more about it? A: It was their 40 Inspirational Leaders Under 40 Award. It’s a national award. I’m not sure who nominated me but I was really honored. It’s not something that you can nominate yourself for, but it had been a goal of mine to make this list before the age of 40. I was thrilled.

war. Those are things that don’t affect you quite as much as when you hear it from a first-person perspective. And often, when patients are feeling vulnerable from a medical perspective, they’re willing to share those things.

Q: How did you become interested in palliative care? A: I don’t think I even knew what palliative care was until my grandfather was in hospice. At that point, something about his experience in hospice stuck with me. When I did the medical school rotation, I realized that this was what I wanted going forward.

Q: On the other extreme, what’s it like dealing with young patients with terminal illnesses? Do they comprehend what’s happening to them? A: It depends. Often children with complicated medical pictures are wise beyond their years. They’ve been through a lot in their short time. Whether they fully comprehend or not, it’s hard to say. Certainly their families fully comprehend. The key to working with kids with serious illnesses is to try to assess what they know and relate to them relative to their developmental age.

Q: Who is your typical patient? A: I’m lucky enough to do home care, so a lot of my time is spent in patients’ homes. The typical hospice patient is usually elderly with a diagnosis of cancer, heart disease or dementia. Some of the kids I see are developmental or neurological disabled. I don’t know that there’s a typical patient, but a cancer diagnosis is probably the most common.

Q: Are most of your patients medically considered to be in their last few months or life or is the base a bit broader with the palliative aspect? A: All of those things. Gen-

Q: For both groups, how well are you able to improve the quality of their life? A: I think that, in the last 10 years or so, we’ve come a long way in recognizing the importance of relieving symptoms and managing stress and distress. But I think we also have a long way to go. We’ve been very lucky as a field to have the spotlight on us in terms of improving care while managing healthcare costs. I think 30 years from now medicine will be in a much better place because of the interest and research in palliative care. Q: How much does treatment vary by patient? A: Everything is very specific to the patient. There are common symptoms associated with the end of life: shortness of breath, anxiety, pain. Also, sometimes people get delirium, poor sleep. A lot of those things can be managed using the same medications, although dosage can vary. Some of the most effective drugs are actually some of the oldest. Things like morphine or oxygen. Or non-drug therapies like massage, or even spiritual counseling. They can provide a lot of comfort. Q: As a younger doctor for whom medical school isn’t a very distant memory, do you have any advice for students? A: Be prepared to work hard, absorb as much as you can. It’s a long road, but I think it’s worth it. A lot of older physicians might tell their kids to avoid the profession, but being young, I think I had more current expectations of what medicine is today: managing care, paperwork, prior authorizations. So keep your expectations realistic, but recognize that you’re going into this field to help people. Q: And for those going into your specialty? A: My recommendation would be to do it. It’s an incredible job. My job is to connect with people and families. I don’t think there’s a better one out there.

Lifelines Bethany Calkins, M.D. Position: Staff physician with the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, based in Cheektowaga Hometown: Cheektowaga Education: University of Buffalo Affiliations: Kaleida Health, Catholic Health System Organizations: American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Family: Married (Timothy), three sons (Timothy, Ryan, Oliver) Hobbies: Gardening, reading, exercise

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

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Q: As a younger physician dealing with patients who are often elderly, how do you go about communicating with them? A: Not all my patients are elderly — I also do pediatric hospice and palliative care as well — but the elderly patients are very interesting. They’ve seen the history I’ve only read about or heard about in the media. So I find that talking to them about their experiences is an education for me. I’ve had patients who were in Germany while Hitler was in power. I’ve had patients who fled their country during

erally patients in hospice have been given a prognosis of six months or less, but that doesn’t always turn out to be the case. But I also have patients strictly receiving palliative care. They might be receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy while I help manage their symptoms. So when I’m wearing my hospice hat, it’s usually for patients given a life-altering prognosis. But the patients receiving palliative care aren’t necessarily dying.

The gluten-free trend: what is gluten and is it dangerous? By Amanda Jowsey

intel, a consumer research group, expected overall sales of gluten-free food products to reach $8.8 billion in 2014, showing a 63 percent increase since 2012. In recent years, an increased medical need for alternate diet choices combined with new profit potential for retailers has contributed to the growing popularity of gluten-free food. The rising availability of these products in mainstream retail may, through the power of suggestion, create a general misconception among consumers about the risks Bluestein and benefits of a gluten-free diet. Gluten is the natural, unaltered protein found in wheat, barley, rye and a grain composite known as triticale. In baking, gluten’s elasticity helps dough rise and hold shape. It is also used as an additive in processed foods to act as a thickening agent or emulsifier. Pasta, crackers, cereal, baking mixes, dough and flour most commonly contain gluten. “What we’re seeing now is a sensitivity or allergy to gluten compo-

nents,” said nutrition consultant Paul S. Bluestein, a chiropractor based in Tonawanda. Tiffany Sandroni, clinical registered dietitian at the Erie County Medical Center, explained the difference between this sensitivity to gluten and celiac disease, an allergic reaction to wheat. “Celiac disease is an autoimmune response to a wheat allergy. The immune system attacks any gluten in the body because it recognizes the protein as a foreign invader. It recognizes something that is not harmful to be harmful,” Sandroni said. “Gluten-sensitivity is an undefined matter in general. We do not know the exact cause of it,” Sandroni added. For those with non-celiac sensitivity, the body may have Sandroni difficulty breaking down the gluten protein, thus resulting in mild gastrointestinal complications. The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness states, “Individuals who have gluten-related symptoms but test negative for a wheat allergy may have non-celiac gluten sensitivity.”

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No pharmaceutical cure or treatment exists for either condition, hence, a gluten-free lifestyle is the best way to manage and prevent health complications. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, there is no proven benefit to eliminating gluten from the diet unless an individual has been diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. If someone without these diagnoses goes gluten-free, “it is considered safe,” Sandroni said, “However, the body can develop sensitivity to gluten the longer it goes without because it isn’t used to breaking down the protein.” The National Center for Disease Control and Prevention approximates that one in 141 million Americans have been diagnosed with celiac disease, which is four times higher than 60 years ago. 18 million Americans reportedly experience digestion issues after consuming products with gluten. Bluestein cited the increased use of antibiotic therapy for non-gluten-related issues as one potential cause of the seeming rise in gluten intolerance. “Healthy bacteria living in the intestine, which may aid in the digestion of gluten, may be a casualty to antibiotic therapy,” Bluestein said. Environmental factors and food processing may also contribute to this

relatively new medical issue. Sandroni agreed that these are all possible influences. When used as an additive, gluten is isolated and then combined with other ingredients. The biochemical byproducts of this process and their effect on the body are not fully understood, Bluestein said. “Gluten and wheat are heavily processed and altered now. They are not as natural as they were. There is also more gluten in foods than there was 50 years ago,” Sandroni said. Although little data exists to support this argument, Bluestein and Sandroni confirmed that it is possible for the increased overall consumption of unnatural, processed foods to contribute to the development of digestive disorders, like gluten sensitivity and celiac disease.

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Chronic Back Pain: It Hasn’t Prevented Me From Running ‘Back pain has dogged me off and on for more than a decade, but I’ve been able to maintain my active lifestyle thanks to some simple techniques’ By Patrick Broadwater

hey always tell you to take bad news sitting down. But when I found out my car was stolen and crashed in a field, the last thing I wanted to do was sit. It was Halloween 2012, and at the time I was splayed out on my couch in the midst of the worst episode of back trouble I’d ever experienced. For a solid week, sharp pains relentlessly jabbed my lower back, with the occasional tingling sensation shooting down my right leg. I tried all the usual suspects — heat, ice, over-thecounter meds. The only relief I found — such that it was — came from lying down. The sting of having my vehicle taken for a joyride without my permission was nothing in comparison. Sitting upright, even for just a few minutes — now that was agony. But nine months later, I took home an age group award in a 5K run. Like millions of Americans, I suffer from degenerative disc disease, which despite the ominous sounding name is really just compression of the discs between the vertebrae — in my case, a herniation at L5-S1 — that causes pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. And, like millions of Americans, I’m also a recreational runner. I’m not setting any course records or piling

up impressive mileage totals, but even with chronic back issues, I’m able to stay healthy and lead an active life. Back pain has dogged me off and on for more than a decade, back to my late 20s. Early episodes lasted only a short time — a day or two — and sometimes were spaced years apart. It wasn’t until 2011, at age 40, when problems began to appear more frequently. I developed mysterious pains in my calves and the bottom of my feet. I consulted with a chiropractor, a podiatrist and neurologist trying to alleviate the pain. That’s when my disc problems were first discovered. The pain hit me hard again the following year, then another episode sidelined me in 2013. During those years, I ran whenever I was able, sometimes taking weeks off at a time when the pain got to be too much. Over the years, I’ve received guidance from a number of health care professionals, even if I didn’t always follow it to a T. But most helpful was a few visits with a physical therapist — Mike Kaminska of Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine in Amherst — who devised a new set of exercises for me based on my trouble areas. I’ve slowly been rebuilding my mileage over the past

12 months, with hopes of running the Niagara Falls Marathon this October. My medical knowledge is limited and I still deal with the nagging discomfort, but in the interest of sharing, here are a few things that have helped me ramp up my training and stay on my feet: • Stretch. Before runs, after runs, on off-days. Every day is a good day to stretch and loosen up muscles pulled tight from exercise. If I don’t, I’ll usually feel it the next day. Squats and stretches focused on loosening my hips are some of my favorites. • Slow down. I’ve dialed back the intensity on all of my training runs. More easy miles means less wear and tear on my body and quicker recovery between workouts. • Posture. Sitting in front of a computer all day, it’s easy to slouch or hunch over. I’ve concentrated more on keeping my shoulders back and head up while working, walking, even driving. And an adjustable desk has allowed me to cut my sitting time in half. • Rest. I’m sleeping seven to eight hours per night now, as opposed to five or six previously. And I’m not afraid to skip a run when needed. One missed workout now is a better option than three weeks off in injury time.

Patrick Broawater running along oLeydecker Road in West Seneca. Despite chronicle back pain he has managed to stay active. He plans to run in the Niagara Falls Marathon in October. A West Seneca native, the 43-year-old began running regularly about a decade later and completed four marathons between 2008 and 2011. he works as a senior copywriter/ editor in the University at Buffalo’s Academic Affairs Office of Marketing and Communications.

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Buffalo Spine & Sports Medicine Dr. Michael Cicchetti: Physiatrists have successfully helped many people avoid surgery Where do you go when you have muscle or joint pain that just won’t quit? Most people are unfamiliar with the healthcare specialty called physical medicine and rehabilitation. It is a nonsurgical specialty that treats musculoskeletal conditions from sprained ankles to herniated discs and everything in between. This specialty is a great first stop when muscles, joints and tendons are causing pain. The physician specialist (or physiatrist) is specially trained to diagnose and treat muscle, nerve or bone conditions or injuries. “There are options for people who are suffering from back pain, joint pain, muscle and nerve pain,” said Dr. Michael Cicchetti, a physiatrist at Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine. “Unfortunately, not enough people know how we can help them.” Physiatrists have successfully helped many people avoid surgery. Prior to being referred on to a surgeon, patients can benefit from the comprehensive physical exam performed by the physiatrist. The statistical analysis recently conducted by Buffalo Spine and Sports demonstrated that patients who receive musculoskeletal treatment by physiatrists are less likely to be referred for surgery. With today’s sky rocketing healthcare costs, who wouldn’t prefer to avoid surgery? After a comprehensive history and physical exam, the treatment plan that a physiatrist prescribes may include, but is not limited to, imaging studies and other diagnostic testing, physical and manual therapy, injections, medications or other alternative treatments such as chiropractic

The team at BSSM: Doctors Jaclyn Joki, Frederick McAdam, Corine Cicchetti and Michael Cicchetti. care or therapeutic yoga. Other in-house services include mental health and wellness, nutrition and most recently, TPI Certification (Titleist Performance Institute), a program designed with the golfer in mind. This multidisciplinary approach is geared toward keeping golfers of all ages healthy, minimizing injury and maximizing performance. Patients who are suffering from back, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle or foot pain should think about the options. They needn’t live with pain and movement restrictions. They can find relief. Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine is the largest physical medicine and rehabilitation practice in WNY, with an integrated model that emphasizes performance enhancement and functional improvement. Their expert clinicians help patients understand their pain and the treatment options necessary to achieve their goals and take back their lifestyles.

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Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Feeling Lonely and Neglected? Connection is Just a Call or Click Away

ave you been feeling lonely lately? Or neglected? Have you been sitting alone, maybe feeling sorry for yourself, and wondering . . . Where is everybody? Why isn’t anybody calling? What’s going on? You’re not alone. I’m right there with you. Since losing my mother last year, I’ve had bouts of the blues and have spent too much time alone. Sometimes, the loss just overwhelms me and I lose my oomph for doing much of anything. The loneliness that I’m experiencing now reminds me of the painful months after my divorce years ago, when I isolated myself in my apartment and avoided friends and family. Eventually, my phone stopped ringing and the weekends stretched out before me like a long, lonely highway. I know that slumps happen. Life ebbs and flows. So, when I started feeling lonely and neglected, and when I began blaming others for my sorry social calendar, I knew an attitude adjustment was in order. Specifically, I needed to remind myself that my life is in my hands ‘ that I’m responsible for how lonely (or not) I am, and that I’m in charge of how large or small my life is.

So what did I do? I picked up the phone, called a girlfriend, and made plans for the weekend. Then I picked up the phone again, and left a message for my sister, asking her to ring me back. Those were easy calls, but I didn’t stop there. I worked up the nerve, rehearsed a few words, and made a third call to a neighbor who also lives alone. I asked if he wanted to take a walk later that evening. He asked for a rain-check, but that was OK. We made plans to take a walk the following week, and I now had something to look forward to. This all happened in the span of 30 minutes. I then shifted over to my computer and sent out a few “Hi, how are you?” emails to friends and invited a few people over to see (and admire!) my newly renovated powder room. I’ve been madly painting and redecorating, and wanted to show it off. Why not, right? It’s rewarding to hear the oohs and aahs. And it gave me a chance to practice something I

preach in my Living Alone workshops: We need to create our own positive feedback. I was on a roll, and it became downright fun to see how easily I could change my circumstances by doing just a few small things — by converting my newly adjusted attitude into action. Within days, my phone started ringing again, my inbox began to fill up, and I had entered a few social events on my calendar. Life felt better! Part of what motivates me when I find myself in a slump is a passage contained in a sweet little book on living alone called “Living Alone and Lovin’ It” by Barbara Feldon. In one particularly helpful chapter on loneliness, she recounts a heart-to-heart she had with an “older and very wise friend” by the name of Leo. She was brooding about being lonely, and shared how much she wanted to feel loved and protected again — the way she felt when she was a child. Barbara’s friend Leo responded May 2015 •

quite bluntly by saying, “But you’re not a child and don’t have a child’s needs. A child is in danger without company because it’s helpless, but an adult has access to any need imaginable: food, medicine, companionship. All an adult has to do is pick up the phone . . . ” Good friends can be such a help! Especially when they tell it like it is and don’t let us get away with stuff. Barbara was energized by her friend’s no-excuses straight talk and, indirectly, so was I. As adults, we can exercise choices. We can choose to stay in a slump or choose to pick up the phone. Start dialing, and you’ll be surprised how fast your feelings of selfpity and abandonment can evaporate. Start dialing and little by little your world will expand, with one connection spawning another and another and yet another. That’s what happened to me. Pretty soon, you’ll be wishing the phone would stop ringing so you can enjoy a nice, quiet evening all to yourself, which — by the way — is exactly what I’m looking forward to this evening. I’m heading into my cozy living room with a good book and a glass of wine, just as soon as I submit this column to my wonderful publisher and editor, Wagner Dotto. Between you and me, I’m keeping my fingers crossed the phone doesn’t ring. Cheers! 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 upcoming workshops or to invite Gwenn to speak, call 585-6247887 or email: gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Make Room for Mozzarella

hen I heard that mozzarella cheese has fewer calories and less fat than most cheeses, I nearly choked on my pizza. No way, I thought. Mozzarella? The gooey cheese that blankets so many Italian dishes with delicious abandon? Yes way, say nutritionists: Mozzarella, both whole and part-skim, is lower in total fat and calories than many of its cheesy cousins. Comparing 1 ounce portions (same size as your thumb): whole-milk mozzarella has 84 calories and 6.3 grams of total fat (part-skim mozzarella clocks in at 71 and 4.5); Swiss has 108 calories and 8 grams of fat; and cheddar has 114 calories and 9.4 grams of fat. Of course, there’s more to mozzarella than its relatively lower fat and calorie counts. Mozzarella, like so many cheeses, is loaded with calcium, with ½ shredded cup providing close to 25 percent of our daily needs (more if you opt for part-skim). Calcium helps form and maintain healthy teeth and bones and is needed for normal heartbeat. Some evidence suggests calcium also has a role in managing blood pressure and in preventing breast and colon cancer.

While mozzarella may indeed have fewer calories and less fat than some cheeses, it has enough of both to moderate your intake, especially if you’re concerned about calories and cholesterol. So when you do make your move on this mild-mannered cheese, remember that a little goes a very long way.

Helpful tips

Mozzarella is an excellent source of complete protein, serving up about 8 grams per average slice. Called the “building block of the body,” protein is needed to build and maintain all kinds of body components, from muscles to bones to hair. What’s more, protein helps curb hunger by enhancing how full we feel after a meal or snack. Another great reason to make room for mozzarella: It’s a terrific source of phosphorus. This essential mineral works closely with calcium to build strong bones and teeth, helps filter out waste in the kidneys, and plays a key role in how the body stores and uses energy.

When buying mozzarella cheese—fresh or shredded, whole or reduced-fat—always read the nutrition-facts label carefully. Some of the reduced-fat mozzarellas, for example, have more sodium than their whole-milk peers. Fresh mozzarella (hand molded into balls and stored in brine or whey) is often used in salads and sandwiches, where its creamy texture and delicate flavor can shine. Processed mozzarella, on the other hand, which is less flavorful but lasts longer in the fridge, is typically used in cooked dishes because it melts better.

Pasta Salad with Mozzarella, Basil and Kalamata Olives Adapted from Bon Appétit Serves 8

2 garlic cloves 1 tablespoon drained capers ½ cup sun-dried julienne-cut dried tomatoes (not oil-packed) ¼ cup red wine vinegar 4 tablespoons olive oil

½ pound fusilli whole-grain pasta 4-5 fresh tomatoes, seeded and chopped ½ cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese,* cut into ½-inch pieces 1 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced ½ cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) Kosher salt and coarse black pepper, to taste Blend first five ingredients in processor until tomatoes are coarsely chopped. Set dressing aside. Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain and transfer to large bowl. Add dressing to hot pasta; toss to coat. Cool, stirring occasionally. Add chopped fresh tomatoes, olives, mozzarella, basil, and Parmesan; toss. Season to taste with red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.) *I used Trader Joe’s Ciliegine whole-milk mozzarella balls in lightly salted water, and cut them in half. Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes. She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.

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Giving Back to the ECMC, Community Russell J. Salvatore, owner of Russell’s Steaks Chops & More: “I would love to give everything I have earned back to this wonderful community’ By Mike Billoni

hree years after having his broken ankle surgically repaired at the Erie County Medical Center, Russell J. Salvatore never imagined he would be honored as its foundation’s greatest philanthropist. In February of 2012, Salvatore slipped and fell on ice outside his accountant’s office. While waiting for an ambulance, Salvatore had someone call Jody L. Lomeo, then the CEO of ECMC and now president and CEO of Kaleida Health and CEO of Great Lakes Health. He is a friend and long-time customer at Russell’s Steaks Chops & More. He directed them to ECMC immediately. “When we arrived, they wheeled me into the operating room and I felt like I was the president of the United States,” Salvatore said. “There were five doctors in the operating room and they did a spectacular job repairing my ankle.” After spending a few days in the hospital recovering, two things about ECMC stuck with him — its customer service and people had to pay to watch television on old TV sets. “Their customer service for their patients is top notch,” said the preeminent restaurateur who prides himself on customer service, saying “Be our guest and let us do the rest.” “After my wonderful stay at ECMC, I sat down with Jody and Sue (Susan M. Gonzalez, executive director, ECMC Lifeline Foundation) and told them I would like to furnish every room with a new television and I did not want patients to pay for that service,” Salvatore explained. On Thanksgiving Eve of that year, Russell announced his unique gift of $195,000 through the foundation for 350 26-inch, flat screen, LG televisions for patient rooms. The gift prompted ECMC to end its practice of charging patients a fee to watch television. “When you are recuperating in a hospital bed, television becomes very important,” Salvatore said. That donation began a close re-

lationship between Salvatore and the Lifeline Foundation. Salvatore recently presented the foundation with its largest single gift when he donated $500,000 toward the state-of-the-art in-patient private rooms for orthopedic patient recovery. ECMC’s sixth floor is now called The Russell J. Salvatore Orthopaedic Unit.

‘Amazing benefactor’

“Russ has been an amazing benefactor to ECMC, adding his largesse to these rooms as he did in supplying new televisions to our in-patient rooms a few years ago,” said Richard C. Cleland, ECMC president, chief operating officer and interim CEO. “ECMC is already an amazing hospital with the best possible care and I am just pleased to be able to support future orthopedic patients as I was supported when I was here,” Salvatore said during a ribbon cutting on the new floor in March. “I have watched as ECMC has progressed so much over the past several years. They are the top hospital in Western New York.” The ECMC Lifeline Foundation will honor Salvatore at its 2015 Springfest Gala on May 9 as its distinguished service honoree. Five days earlier, Russell will be honored by Visit Buffalo Niagara when he is inducted into its prestigious Buffalo Ambassador Hall of Fame and he receives an award named after the late Tim Russert. As Salvadore, who celebrated his 82nd birthday on April 13, sits in his office at Salvatore’s Grand Hotel and Russell’s Steaks Chops & More on Transit Road in Williamsville, he reflects on a career that began 75 years ago as a kid working in his father’s restaurant on Delevan Avenue in the city’s Lovejoy neighborhood. “When I was growing up, my father always told my brother and I that you must give to receive and at an early age we watched our father help so many families in the neighborhood, especially around the holidays,” Salva-

dore said. “I have been very fortunate over the years that so many people have supported me here at Russell’s Steaks Chops & More and Salvatore’s Grand Hotel, down the street when we opened Salvatore’s Italian Gardens and in the years we ran my dad’s restaurant.” “I would love to give everything I have earned back to this wonderful community because I have learned there are no pockets in your casket,”

Russell J. Salvatore poses with Susan Gonzalez, ECMC Lifeline Foundation executive director, near the sign mounted in the all new ECMC unit in his name. Salvatore recently presented the foundation with its largest single gift when he donated $500,000 toward the state-of-the-art in-patient private rooms for orthopedic patient recovery. he said. “My objective now is to spread my wealth so my name will be attached to some wonderful properties in Western New York that will benefit a lot of worthy people. These people have been very good to me and before me, my father.” An ECMC billboard on state Route 33 promoting the new Russell J. Salvatore Orthopaedic Unit says it best — “Thank You Mr. Salvatore for truly caring.”

Russell J. Salvatore stands in front while ECMC plant operations crew installs one of the 350 patient televisions he donated to ECMC in November of 2012. He decided to donate the TVs after he was hospitalized at ECMC and had to pay to watch TV. May 2015 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Growing Your Own Vegetables in Planters By Stephanie Brochey

resh vegetables are essential to a well-balanced, healthy diet. Being able to grow them at home is a fun and rewarding experience. Not everyone has the ability to dig up their backyard to fit a garden, and managing more than a few plants doesn’t always fit into busy schedules. The soil where I live — in North Tonawanda — is mostly clay, and spending the time to rectify it was just not something I wanted to tackle. Planting in pots and containers is a great solution. All you need is a few supplies, large containers and a space with at least six hours of daily sunlight. Growing your own food has a number of benefits beyond just increasing the amount of fresh veggies available to you and your family. It helps promote being outdoors and getting exercise. Even potted plants require a bit of lifting and moving. Gardening also helps save money on groceries. I love having cooking ingredients and snacks at the foot of my porch. The entire process also instills pride and accomplishment, and cuts down on waste. You’re much less likely to toss food that you cared for and watched grow for months. The first step is choosing vegetables that you and your family will realistically eat. I stuck with tomatoes and peppers when I started out, knowing my family loves Mexican dishes filled with hot peppers and salsa. It can be exciting to try growing a number of plants, but wasted food is no good. Some of the easiest vegetables to grow include peas, tomatoes, beans, lettuces and greens, peppers, and herbs, just to name a few. I chose to skip planting from seeds, as it does require more time and prepa-

Writer Stephanie Brochey checking some potted plants she plans to grow at her North Tonawanda home. “All you need is a few supplies, large containers and a space with at least six hours of daily sunlight,” she says. ration. Nurseries and home improvement stores will sell starters that you can plant in your pots and containers. Be sure to look for healthy plants without any wilted leaves or stems. Most vegetables will thrive in containers. Different vegetables will work better in various sizes and colors (for example, a darker pot will keep the soil warmer, which will work better for some vegetables and not so much for others). When I started out, I chose bigger pots because they require less watering. As a general rule, containers about 12 inches in diameter should be the minimum when you’re beginning. You should line the bottom of containers

with newspaper or landscape cloth, and make sure there are adequate drainage holes. Some climbing plants, and plants that mature to a large size, will need wire cages or structures to support them as they grow. Container planting requires potting soil. It’s important to use potting soil and not soil from your backyard or garden because it may not drain properly. You can start adding fertilizer a few weeks after planting. For beginners, it can be easier to use a slow release fertilizer because you won’t have to keep track of adding it every few weeks. The slow release formula will keep supplying nutrients over a three to six month period.

Consistent and adequate watering is essential for getting the most out of your potted vegetables. It’s very important to make sure your soil doesn’t dry out (I have lost a few great plants this way). Alternately, if your area is experiencing high rainfall, you have to be careful not to drown your plants either (which is why proper drainage holes are so important). There are also automatic watering systems you can put in place to make it easier to maintain. As tempting as it may be, don’t crowd potted plants. It seems silly when you’re planting a small starter in a large pot, but over time it will fill out. Most starter plants are usually only about six to eight inches tall when you buy them, but can grow up to four feet! Do some research beforehand to find out how big your plants will grow. Your local nursery can help you choose starter transplants and give you advice on the conditions that work best for each kind of vegetable. Lettuces and greens can do well in shallower containers and grow best in the cooler months of the spring and fall. Peppers do well in warm soil, so using a darker container can help to keep the root temperature up. Tomatoes can even be grown in upside down containers, which is great for homes with limited space as they are easily moved. My best advice is to start small. Pick two or three vegetables and plant only what you can manage. Have fun with your containers: paint them; decorate them; arrange them in fun patterns. Most of all, enjoy your harvest, whatever size it may be. Your meals will taste better knowing the love and effort that went into growing them!

Keeping kids out of the ER and in the game Service expansion by UBMD Orthopedics includes providing athletic trainers to area schools By Daniel Meyer

BMD Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is now teaming up with some area high schools to provide athletic trainers for students competing in interscholastic sports. “We really do want to get more involved in the community and were able to do so because ECMC and Kaleida [Health] contributed funds that we, in turn, use to provide athletic trainers at some of the high schools located in Western New York,” said Amanda Clark, a community relations and marketing specialist for UBMD Orthopedics. “The arrangements were made and things have worked out well with these partnerships because we have the resources to provide medical professionals on-site and can assist anytime an athlete is at risk because of an injury or an illness.” Certified athletic trainers are made available at the practices and games for high school teams that participate in a variety of boys and girls sports, includPage 12

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ing football, basketball and lacrosse. “I am very pleased to have our athletes working on a regular basis with professionals in an environment that has proven to be beneficial for our students,” said Orchard Park Athletic Director David Hack. “Our coaches, athletes and even some parents have commented positively. Everyone likes that we have more access to our athletic trainer for any injuries or maintenance situations with direct and immediate assistance.” Said Fred Thornley, East Aurora athletic director: “We are satisfied with the quality care and quality services that are provided. Our coaches, our parents and, of course, the athletes themselves are happy and feel there is a high level of professionalism on display.” Having daily communication between athletic trainers and the school districts they report to has led to improving the process of corresponding with parents should their child need

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

additional medical treatment for any short-term or long range injury. “The most important job an athletic trainer has is building relationships,” said Scott Dinse, UBMD Orthopedics and Sports Medicine’s director of athletic training and physical therapy. “The athlete, coach, parent and administration must trust the athletic trainer to protect everyone involved. If the athlete does not trust the athletic trainer and takes a blow to the head he or she might not seek advice or help and potentially suffer a catastrophic injury.” Dinse is passionate about the importance athletic trainers play in keeping athletes safe and helping them recover from any injuries or illnesses they may suffer while competing. “Athletic trainers are some of the hardest working people involved with athletics at all levels,” said Dinse. “They put in long hours and stay behind the scenes. Seeing an athletic trainer on the field is often not a good omen because they are evaluating an

injured athlete and it is usually not a positive situation. Evaluation of the injured athlete on the field or sideline is a very small portion of the job. In order of priority, the role of the athletic trainer is to one, building relationships. Two, prevent injuries. Three, prepare athletes for practice and competition. Four, rehabilitate injured athletes. Five, triage and address acute injuries.” More local school districts are expected to partner with UBMD Orthopedics in the future because of the positive feedback that has circulated throughout Western New York about the arrangement. “In my personal dealings I have found that they have provided to us comprehensive care to our high school students and that is something that is extremely important to us,” said Thornley, the East Aurora athletic director.

Nursing

Nursing: Great Career Choice for Women By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

omen may cringe at labeling nursing as “women’s work” but more women do pursue nursing careers than men. The US Census reports in 2011, 9 percent of all nurses were men while 91 percent were women. But the career has treated women well. Good wages for nurses have helped women weather the recession better than workers in many other fields. A Feb. 22 New York Times article stated, “the median salary of $61,000 a year in 2012 was 55 percent greater, adjusted for inflation, than it was three decades earlier.” According to figures from the Labor Department, the median salary of nurses in Western New York is $68,520. Financial compensation has come a long way from 30, 40 years ago, according to experts. “Nursing had not really paid nurses well,” recalled Arlene Zawadzki, research nurse coordinator for MS Project at Buffalo VA and member of Professional Nurse’s Association of Western New York. Zawadzki began her nursing career in 1968. While teaching medical students in the ‘70s and ‘80s, she earned less income than a Zawadzki janitor, as did her nursing friends who supervised other nurses in a hospital unit. Nursing has become a better-paying career partly because of nursing’s higher education level and larger skill set. “Even when you’re doing a menial task like passing out water, you’re still assessing a patient,” Zawadzki said. “There’s a lot that goes on in those moments because of the education we receive.” As the Affordable Care Act ramps up the number of people seeking medical care, physicians don’t have the hours to spend with patients. The effect expands the role of nurses to take over more assessing and diagnostic work. It only makes sense that their salaries have grown to match their swelling job descriptions. “At first, we were all about skills,” Zawadzki said, “and then there came a need for nurses to evaluate and assess patients. We literally come up with a diagnosis for the patient care and our assessment is passed on to the doctor so that we are a team and not servants of the doctor.” Some people seeking a second career can build upon their existing education, such as people with a MBA

may earn their RN and work in management. Nurses’ expanded role doesn’t always mean taking care of more patients, however. Since lower reimbursements squeeze providers, only the very sickest patients remain in the hospital, which places a greater demand on nurses. Nurses also use much more technology than nurses 30 years ago. “Computers have really taken over,” Zawadzki said. Although sometimes it seems a hassle, entering data into the computer makes care a lot more accurate and convenient. Today’s nurses experience excellent job security. As baby boomers retire from the workforce, and require more care themselves as they age, the demand for nurses will only continue to rise. Many women seek nursing as a career for its flexibility. Working four, 10-hour shifts lets them cram a fulltime job into four days, for example, which helps women who are primary caregivers help their families. Creating a better work/life balance enhances job satisfaction. Heidi Nowak, family nurse practitioner, serves as Western New York chapter president of Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. “Job satisfaction is high,” Nowak said. She added that among those who leave nursing, most do so within their first year. Those who make it past that year “know this is what they’re meant to do,” she said. “It’s a calling.” In addition to being compassionate, nurses should be complex thinkers, work well with others, and possess skills in math, science and psychology. “If you’re good at these, you can be good at nursing,” Nowak said. A desire to learn can also help nurses progress in their careers. Additional education opens additional opportunities for nurses, such as working in a clinic or school setting, specializing in a medical discipline, nurse practitioner or managing a practice. “I have friends who’ve been nurses a while and got a degree in nursing education to become educators for nurses,” Nowak said. “If you feel like you’ve mastered your craft, you want to share it with others.” “Patients taught me more than I could ever teach them,” Zawadzki said. “It takes a lot of spirituality to take care of people who were dying and trying to give comfort and peace and give dignity and respect. This has enriched my life and money can’t really give you that.”

Nursing Shortage? No, Says UB Expert By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

he American Nurses Association and American Association of Colleges of Nursing agree that the need for nurses continues to grow. But Carol Brewer, an UB distinguished professor and an expert on nursing workforce issues, said that plenty of nurses are available to fill the need. She contends that shortages in the nursing industry reflect natural economic cycles that generally self-correct. “When you get a shortage, wages go up, lots of people enter the nursing profession and wages quit going up, get cut, and people quit going into nursing Brewer, as much,” she said. “Wages flatten out and we start to see shortages again. For past 40 to 50 years, we see this roller coaster.” She views nursing shortages largely as a supply and demand issue. During the economic recession, demand for healthcare decreased as people struggling with their finances cut discretionary spending, including for elective and not-so-urgent health care issues. Since many view healthcare as a sure-fire career, young people and those in career transition flocked to healthcare. “All of the economic incentives said we needed more nurses,” Brewer said. “Rising wages go along with that. The other, underlying dynamic is the average age of nurses was getting

high. The fear of the boomers retiring and needing more healthcare added to nurses’ numbers.” As another factor, the recession both caused more people to enter nurses and fewer older nurses to retire, according to Brewer. That helps keep more nurses in the pool of employable RNs. Many predicted that the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, would overwhelm the health care system with medical demand; however, Brewer said that so far, it hasn’t. “Some nurses are having trouble finding jobs,” she said. “It’s not unusual for hospitals who used to hire 100 new grads to hire none because no one’s left [to retire]. “SUNY Buffalo has a good reputation in Western New York. Our grads are highly prized. We don’t see the same impact that graduates from a local associate’s programs has.” Nurse retention helps lower employee turnover rates. Retention helps create better stability among patients and employees. It’s also costly for any organization to recruit new employees, which helps motivate health care facilities to keep their nurses happy. Of course, salary represents only one factor in retention; however, health care organizations in the Buffalo-Niagara area rank highly among employers based upon the annual mean wages paid to RNs in Upstate New York, besting both Rochester and Syracuse, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Buffalo-Niagara employers also pay RNs comparably to or better than many other cities nationwide (see sidebar).

Nurse’s Salary Median salary for nurses in the Buffalo area: $68,520 The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May 2014 the annual mean wages of registered nurses nationwide by region. Of course, factors such as the cost of living cause the salaries to vary. Compare local regions with others nationwide:

May 2015 •

Buffalo-Niagara: $68,520 Rochester: $61,140 Syracuse: $59,100 New York City/ Northern New Jersey and Long Island: $83,660

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 13

Golden Years Older People Need 7-8 Hours of Sleep, Too By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

f you’re a mature adult, you may think you need less sleep than you used to get. After all, many of life’s stressors and worries are gone. You may be retired, empty nesting, living in a smaller home and less physically active. You actually need the same amount of sleep you’ve always needed, but the problem is, you might not be getting it. “About half of all people over 65 have frequent sleeping problems, such as insomnia — and deep sleep stages in many elderly people often become very short or stop completely,” according to The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke’s “Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep.” Said physician Eric Ten Brock, UB Sleep Medicine in East Amherst: “With the older population, the risk of falls and depression is exacerbated from lack of sleep and it makes cognitive function suffer.” Since many seniors take an average of five to nine medications, Ten Brock advises seniors to ask about sleep disruption as a side effect and ask about alternative medication. During older age, the circadian rhythm can become Rifkin off-kilter because of age-related conditions, such as arthritis, heartburn, or nighttime urges to urinate. Emotional issues common among older people, such as the death of a spouse, can affect sleep, too. “Depression can cause insomnia and early morning awakening,” Ten Brock said. In turn, you may feel an over-

whelming urge to nap in the afternoon to make up for lost sleep, making it tough to sleep at night. A short afternoon nap is normal for older adults, however. “Your sleep may be more fragmented, which is normal,” said physician Dan Rifkin, board certified in sleep medicine at Sleep Medicine Centers of Western New York. “Taking a short nap to get enough sleep is OK.” Sleeping pills may seem an easy answer for nodding off at night, but Rifkin isn’t a big fan of them since they’re habit-forming. A new pill, however, shows some promise. Sleep Medicine Centers was involved with the trials for Suvorexant, brand name Belsomra, by Merck. “The medication blocks the receptor to create a fake narcolepsy,” Rifkin said. “It was studied in older patients and it works better than Z drugs [nonbenzodiazepines].” Another innovation for improving sleep is what Rifkin calls the “apnea pacemaker.” Implanted into the nerve that stimulates the tongue, the Inspire Nerve Stimulator keeps the airway open. Though no one can remove the effects of aging, improve what experts call “sleep hygiene.” Go to bed and get up at the same time daily. Restrict napping to less than an hour daily. Avoid tobacco and skip caffeine and exercise close to bedtime. Exercising sufficiently earlier in the day helps encourage better sleep, however. Heavy meals close to bedtime, acidic foods that cause heartburn and drinking alcohol can inhibit good sleep, but eating a small snack can improve rest. Use a light box or even bright household lights upon rising and avoid bright lights in the late afternoon and

Can You Sit and Rise? According to experts, how well you do it indicates how long you can live By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

he sit – rise test has been indicated as an assessment of health and predictor of mortality for middle aged people by testing balance, strength and flexibility. Brazilian researchers led by physician Claudio Gil Araujo asked each of the 2,002 participants aged 51 to 80 to sit on the floor and rise again, all while barefoot. They also removed any clothing that restricted movement such as a fitted sports jacket. Participants lost points for using their hands or leaning on their forearms, knees or legs. Loss of balance also knocked points off the perfect 10. Crossing the legs was permissible. Researchers followed up about six years later from the initial test. Among the 159 people who had died, many Page 14

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more were from the participants with low test scores, even when the groups were controlled for gender, age and body mass index. The risk for death among the low score group was five to six times higher than those rated in those with a higher test score. Each point increase closer to perfect score correlated with a 21-percent reduction in mortality. The test is simple and quick and provides physicians with one tool to measure several indicators of health. “There’s a lot of validity to it,” said Bob Alessi, owner of Bob Alessi Personal Training in Buffalo. “It incorporates more than a basic stress test. It seems simplistic, but it’s a way to assess someone’s level of fitness and dexterity with play into your longevity in life.”

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

evening. Another sleep cue: reserve the bed for only sleep and intimacy. Paying bills or watching TV in bed is far too stimulating for most people. If you awaken in the night, leave the bedroom to engage in a quiet activity in a different room, such as reading. Many bedrooms discourage sleep. A cluttered, busy room can cause the mind to stay engaged as can one that’s too warm or too cool. A bed that’s not comfortable can disrupt sleep, too. Steve Friedman, manager at Metro Mattress, said mattresses have a 7- to 10-year life, not the 15- to 20-year life they used to. Around the mid-2000s, manufacturers began making mattresses so they cannot be flipped. “Most people replace them until they’re 12 years old,” Friedman said. “There’s really no benefit to [flipping mattresses] the way they’re made. Coil mattresses always compress in the middle, top to bottom.” At Metro Mattress, which has locations throughout Western New York, Friedman said it’s an equal mix of older adults who come in on their own and those who shop for a new mattress because their adult kids tell them to. “Most times, they’re sticker shocked

compared to 30 years ago when they bought their bed,” he said. “But anything with moving parts like the coils will get worn out.” The variety of mattresses and toppers available, including pillow top, memory foam, and adjustable beds, make mattress selection much more customized to the sleeper’s preference. Firmer mattresses last longer than pillow-top models, which tend to soften after four to six years, and Friedman recommends firmer mattresses to seniors because they provide better comfort. They’re also easier to get in and out of. Beyond improving sleep hygiene, cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) can aid you in sleeping better. Physician Eric Ten Brock with UB Sleep Medicine in East Amherst, said that CBT-I offers “a drug-free approach. In addition to sleepy hygiene, behavioral therapy aids in better sleep.” CBT-I involves discussing attitudes about sleep and strategies for improving sleep. Some studies have shown that CBT-I more effective long-term than sleeping medication. “CBT-I isn’t implemented as often as it should be,” Ten Brock said.

He thinks the sit / rise test may provide a wake-up call to someone whose excess weight and lack of flexibility cause him to perform poorly on the test. “Plenty of people can pass a stress test, but couldn’t pass the sit / rise test,” Alessi said. The test isn’t foolproof, however. It doesn’t evaluate all aspects of health that affect longevity, nor should it replace a full evaluation by a healthcare professional. But it could indicate a lack of stability on your feet and baseline fitness. If that’s the case for you, you can work toward a healthier you once you have your doctor’s clearance. “The problem with a lot of people is that as they age, they don’t think about exercising or think they’re too old, but you’re never too old,” Alessi said. Swimming, walking, yoga, Pilates, and light-weight training all give examples of low-impact exercise that can help improve physical condition. Plunging into an intense routine or strenuous activity can invite discouragement and cause injury. If you’re not sure what to do, contact a fitness professional who can

help you exercise safely and effectively. Exercise class instructors can offer guidance and most gyms employ professional trainers who can teach proper methods. “Resistance training is the most important thing,” Alessi said. “Even using your own body weight works.” Squats, lunges and push-ups offer a few examples. Be patient; it should take you at least several weeks before you notice a difference with your body. “There are no quick fixes,” Alessi said. “It has to be a lifestyle. Set yourself up with a series of goals. Don’t start thinking you’ll run 10 miles; set small goals. Try running just to the lamp post first.” Alessi trains many clients who have not engaged in fitness until later in life. Although their health would have benefited more had they started working out when they were younger, “they appreciate the benefits they’ve received,” he said. “Some come to me without any kind of exercise background at all. It is difficult at first, but eventually, it becomes easy. You’re never too old to improve your level of fitness.”

Golden Years Combat Age-related Muscle Loss By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

arcopenia, muscle mass associated with aging, can seriously affect seniors and more quickly than one may think it should. By age 50, the average person loses 10 percent of his muscle mass, according to the American College of Sports Medicine. Starting at 50, muscle mass decreases 15 percent each decade until age 70, when muscle mass decreases 30 percent per decade. “It affects people substantially,” said Dwayne Brinson, certified personal trainer, specialist in fitness nutrition and owner of FitNation in Williamsville. “Lost muscle gets replaced with fat because the fat percentage in the body goes up as the metabolism slows down. “You’re at risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol. The muscle loss lowers the metabolism. Your everyday life is affected, walking and going up and down stairs, golfing or whatever you like to do.” Sarcopenia also increases an older person’s risk for falls and fractures. These incidences threaten independence and cause other health issues. Seniors with sarcopenia may also experience more difficulty in regulating body temperature, regulating glucose, and accomplishing everyday tasks that require strength. Fortunately, you can combat sarcopenia. Once your doctor has cleared you for exercise, you can seek the advice of a physical therapist or certified personal trainer to learn how to build more muscle. To begin, low-impact exercise such as walking, pool exercises and lifting small amounts of weight can help. Omega Health & Wellness in Ham-

burg offers programs such as Silver Sneakers, “everything from muscular strength, to yoga to cardio circuit classes in the morning,” said Justin Nowak, co-owner of the club. “They’re good for people just starting out, as they’re very low impact with people sitting in a chair or standing next to a chair. They do hand strengthening, range of motion, light free weights, functions of daily living, and resistance bands. “All our instructors are taught to be mindful of the clientele in the class. If they notice someone’s not keeping up, they modify it so they don’t get behind and won’t be out of place.” The center also offers free weights, fitness machines and men’s and women’s hot tubs. Other organizations offer fitness opportunities, such as the YMCA and JCC. Accommodate physical limitations by altering how you exercise. Riding a stationary bike is easier on joints than riding on trails, for example. Try to push yourself a little each time so you develop more strength. Adding more resistance is the next step for improving fitness. “You need to start with the basics: push-ups, squats and use your own body weight,” Brinson said. “You can use light hand weights eventually, too.” When lifting hand weights, use a weight heavy enough so when you complete the last of eight to twelve repetitions, you struggle to maintain good form. Rest 30 to 46 seconds and then complete another set of 10 to 15 movements. “If it’s too easy, try a few more repetitions,” Brinson said. “With free weights, you should pick one that you can curl or press for at least 15 times.”

Once you complete two sets, you’re done with that muscle group. Of course, if you haven’t been exercising, one set suffices. Brinson is also big on working core muscles, which are in the trunk area. “Core muscles help with balance and daily activity,” he said. “You have to get your body moving so it’s not deteriorating. Practice planks, sit-ups and crunches for strengthening the core.” As you work to build more muscle, you need to nourish your body effectively. Eating right can prove difficult for seniors who live alone or with only the spouse. Many people say it’s hard to cook full meals for so few. But meals of canned soup and crackers, sand-

wiches with little meat or pasta without meat lack protein. “Have a high amount of protein per feeding opportunity--snacks or meals,” Brinson said. “People need to eat clean, not yogurt with candy and sprinkles in it. Eat a small amount every two to four hours and within half an hour upon rising.” He suggested lean meat such as chicken, fish, turkey and lean cuts of red meat; protein shakes; Greek yogurt and eggs. Of course, this depends upon your protein needs. The average older adult weighing 125 pounds needs about 50 to 63 grams of protein daily.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

A: You may be eligible to apply for Social Security benefits. Many factors affect your eligibility for benefits, including how long you worked and your age. Social Security is now processing more claims in which entitlement or eligibility is affected by a same-sex relationship. We encourage you to apply for benefits right away, even if you aren’t sure you’re eligible. Applying now will protect you against the loss of any potential benefits. You can apply safely and securely at www. socialsecurity.gov/applyonline. Learn more about Social Security for samesex couples by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/same-sexcouples. Q: I’ve only been working for a few years, and I’m wondering how I earn Social Security benefits. What are credits and how many do I need to qualify for benefits? A: We use your total yearly earnings to calculate your Social Security credits. “Credits” are the units we use to measure whether you qualify for Social Security benefits. The amount needed for a credit in 2015 is $1,220. You can earn a maximum of four credits for any year. The amount needed to earn one credit increases automat-

both the appeal form and the medical report together, and be able to submit supporting documents as part of the electronic appeal request. Our enhanced online appeals application incorporates those suggestions and more. People can now submit both the appeal form and the medical report in just one online session and electronically submit supporting documents with the appeal request. The screen messages are clear and concise, the navigation has been improved, and we’ve beefed up our on-screen help. Additionally, users who live outside of the United States are now able to file appeals online. As a reminder, representatives who request, and are eligible for, direct fee payments must electronically file reconsiderations or request for hearings on medically denied Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability or blindness claims. The next time you need to file an appeal, be sure to complete it online at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityssi/ appeal.html.

ically each year when average wages increase. You must earn a certain number of credits to qualify for Social Security benefits. The number of credits you need depends on your age when you apply and the type of benefit for which you are applying. No one needs more than 40 credits for any Social Security benefit. You can learn more about earning credits by reading How You Earn Credits at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs. Q: I’m retired, and the only income I have aside from my Social Security retirement benefit is from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Are my IRA withdrawals considered “earnings?” Could they reduce my monthly Social Security benefits? A: No. We do not count non-work income, such as annuities, investment income, interest, capital gains, and other government benefits, and they will not affect your Social Security benefits. Most pensions will not affect your benefits. However, your benefit may be affected by a government pension from work on which you did not pay Social Security tax. If you have wages or self-employment income and you are under your full retirement age, this income may affect your benefit amount. For more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call us toll free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-3250778).

Medication Packaging

By Jim Miller

Medication Management Tools for Organizing and Remembering Dear Savvy Senior, What products or solutions can you recommend to help seniors keep up with their medications? My mom is supposed to take several different medications at different times of the day but frequently forgets. Reminding Son Dear Reminding, Anybody who juggles multiple medications can relate to the problem of forgetting to take a medication or not remembering whether they already took it. This is especially true for people who take medications at varying times of the day. Here are some different product and service solutions that may help.

Medication Helpers

Getting organized and being reminded are the two keys to staying on top of a medication schedule. To help your mom achieve this, there are a wide variety of affordable pillboxes, medication organizers, vibrating watches, beeping pill bottles and even dispensers that will talk to her that can make all the difference. To find these types of products go to Epill.com (800549-0095), where you’ll find dozens to choose from. Also check out Reminder Rosie (reminder-rosie.com, $130), a voice activated talking clock that tells you when to take your medicine, and can be used for other reminders, too. And for a super comprehensive medication management device, there’s the MedMinder automatic pill dispenser. This is a computerized pillbox that will beep and flash when it’s time for your mom to take her medication, and will call her if she forgets. It will even alert her if she takes the wrong pills. This device can also be set up to call, email or text family members and caregivers letting you know if she misses a dose, takes the wrong medication or misses a refill. Available at MedMinder. com, or 888-633-6463, the MedMinder rents for $40 to $65 per month.

Another possible way to help simplify your mom’s medication use is to get her prescriptions filled in single-dose packets that put all her medications (vitamins and over-the-counter drugs can be included too) together in neatly labeled packets organized by date and the time of day they should be taken. This does away with all the pill bottles and pill sorting. Some compounding pharmacies or independent drug stores offer single-dose packaging along with a number of online pharmacies like PillPack.com.

Reminding Services

Another simple solution that can help your mom stick to her medication schedule is to use a medication reminding service. These are services that will actually call, email or text your mother reminders of when it’s time to take her medicine and when it’s time to refill her prescriptions. Some even offer extra reminders like doctor and dentist appointments, wake-up calls and more. Companies that offer such services are MyMedSchedule.com, which provides free medication reminders via text message or email. Their website can also help you make easy-to-read medication schedules that you can print out for your mom to follow. Or, if your mom uses a smartphone or tablet, there are free medication reminding

apps that can help, like MediSafe (medisafeproject.com) or MedCoach (greatcall.com). If, however, your mom doesn’t receive texts or use a smartphone, tablet or computer, OnTimeRx.com or Snoozester.com may be the answer. With starting prices ranging between $4 and $10 per month, these services will call your mom on her phone (they can send text messages and emails too) for all types of reminders including daily medications, monthly refills, doctor appointments, wake-up calls and other events. Or, if you’re looking for extra help, Care Call Reassurance (call-reassurance.com, 602-265-5968 ext. 7) may be a better fit. In addition to the call reminders to your mom’s phone, this service can be set up to contact a family member or designated caregiver if she fails to answer or acknowledge the call. This service runs between $15 and $20 per month. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

Driving Safely with Dementia and Knowing When to Quit By Jim Miller

hile most doctors agree that people with moderate to severe dementia should not take the wheel, in the early stages, the medical consensus is that driving performance should be the determining factor of when to stop driving, not the disease itself. With that said, it’s also important to realize that as your dad’s driving skills deteriorate over time from the disease, he might not recognize it. So it’s very important that you work closely with him and his doctor to monitor his driving. Here are some tips that can help.

Warning Signs

The best way to keep tabs on your dad’s driving is to take frequent rides with him watching out for key warning signs. For example: Does he have trouble remembering routes to familiar places? Does he drive at inappropriate speeds, tailgate or drift between

lanes? Does he react slowly or make poor driving decisions? Also, has your dad had any fender benders or tickets lately, or have you noticed any dents or scrapes on his vehicle? These, too, are red flags. If you need some assessment help, hire a driver rehabilitation specialist who’s trained to evaluate older drivers. To locate a specialist see driver-ed.org or aota.org/older-driver.

In addition, you should also consider getting a GPS vehicle tracking system for his car (like motosafety.com or mobicopilot.com) to help you keep an eye on him. These devices will let you track exactly where he’s driving, and allow you to set up zones and speed limits that will notify you via email or text message when he exits an area or arrives at a designated location, and if he’s driving too fast.

Through your assessments, if you believe it’s still safe for your dad to drive, you may want to start recommending some simple adjustments to ensure his safety, like driving only in daylight and on familiar routes, and avoiding busy roads and bad weather. Also, see if he will sign an Alzheimer’s “driving contract” (see alz.org/driving to print one) that designates someone to tell him when it’s no longer safe to drive.

When your dad’s driving gets to the point that he can no longer drive safely, you’ll need to talk to him. It’s actually best to start having these conversations in the early stages of the disease, before he needs to quit driving, so he can prepare himself. You also need to have a plan for alternative transportation (including a list of family, friends and local transportation services) that will help your dad get around after he stops driving.

Transition Tips

Time to Quit

May 2015 •

For tips on how to talk to your dad, the Hartford Financial Services Group and MIT AgeLab offers a variety of resources at safedrivingforalifetime.com — click on “Dementia and Driving.”

Refuses To Quit

If your dad refuses to quit you have several options. First, suggest a visit to his doctor who can give them a medical evaluation, and “prescribe” that he stops driving. Older people will often listen to their doctor before they will listen to their own family. If he still refuses, contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to see if they can help. Some states require doctors to report new dementia cases to the DMV, who can revoke the person’s license. If all these fail, consider hiding his keys or just take them away. You could also disable his vehicle, park it in another location so he can’t see it or have access to it, or sell it.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 17

H ealth News New members at Amherst Senior’s advisory board

Brooks Hospital Finance VP / CFO receives recognition

The Town of Amherst Senior Services advisory board has appointed several people in the community to serve on its board. The advisory board oversees the Town of Amherst Center for Senior Services, which is a human service agency dedicated to serving the community’s older residents and their families. Its mission is to foster the physical and mental well-being of senior citizens by providing educational and recreational activities, nutritional, health-related, social and support services, and opportunities for volunteerism. People appointed are: • James Bender, the executive director for Hearts and Hands – Faith in Action, a nonprofit, neighbor-helping-neighbor organization which pairs volunteers with care receivers for door through door transportation for medical appointments and routine errands, as well as companion visits/caregiver respite, wellness checks/phone pals, and minor home repairs and maintenance. • Brittany Perez, an occupational therapist, research associate at the IdeA Center at the School of Architecture and Planning at the State University of New York at Buffalo. • Bruce R. Troen, a physician who is a professor and chief at the division of geriatrics and palliative medicine at the University at Buffalo, WNY VA Healthcare System. • Kimberly Zentai, a nutritionist with Meals on Wheels for Western New York. Also reappointed to the advisory board for terms ending Dec. 31 were: Marian Arbesman, Jane Kauffman, Karen L. Nicolson, Arlene Puchalski and Deborah Waldrop.

Jeff Morgan, Brooks Memorial Hospital’s vice president of finance and chief financial officer recently received two achievements of merit within the healthcare finance industry. Morgan earned the prestigious Fellow credential within the Healthcare Financial Management Association (FHFMA), which recognizes a high-level professional’s exemMorgan plary educational achievement, professional accomplishments and volunteer leadership/service in the healthcare finance industry. He has also been appointed to the finance committee of the New York Department of Health Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Catholic Medical Partners-Accountable Care IPA INC Preferred Provider System (PPS). The DSRIP is the main mechanism by which New York state will implement the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) Waiver Amendment. DSRIP’s purpose is to fundamentally restructure the health care delivery system by reinvesting in the Medicaid program, with the primary goal of reducing avoidable hospital use by 25 percent over 5 years. With over 17 years of healthcare financial leadership at hospitals in New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Florida and California, Morgan joined Brooks Memorial Hospital in 2013. He most recently served as the vice president at Miami Children’s Hospital in Miami at the Canton-Potsdam Hospital in Potsdam.

Logo Unveiled for New John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital The Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo and the John R. Oishei Foundation recently cemented the legacy of their historic partnership, unveiling the logo for the new $270 million hospital currently under construction. The logo illustrates a parent and child within a circle. The circle emulates the “O” used in the Oishei Foundation logo. The arms of the parent and child form a heart, which represents the loving care that patients will receive. The color scheme pairs up a Kaleida Health blue with the same silver used in the Oishei logo, exemplifying the partnership between the two organizations. The logo was unveiled at an event to honor key donors of the project. It occurred on the same day as the first pieces of structural steel for the new hospital arrived. Construction crews have been busy since the new hospital groundbreaking in October, pouring the concrete foundation and getting the Page 18

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construction crane in place. “We are proud to unveil the new John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital logo,” said James Wadsworth, chairman of the Oishei Foundation board of directors. “As an organization’s main graphical representation, a logo serves as the core of a company’s brand. In general, it should exude the essence of an organization. We believe this new design better projects the modern, state-of-the-art hospital that’s being built.” The Oishei Children’s Hospital will be located on Ellicott Street, bounded by High and Goodrich Streets in the City of Buffalo. It will replace the Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo on Bryant Street. The project will right-size and consolidate services in a 12-floor, 183-bed, free-standing, modern facility on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. It’s expected to open its doors in 2017.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

BlueCross BlueShield Employees Donate $67,500 to 15 Local Charities

BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York employees recently donated a total of $67,500 to 15 local charities ($4,500 each). Known as the red stocking fund, the effort dates back nearly 60 years to when employees used red stockings to collect cash from employees for charities around the holiday season. These days, the health plan’s workforce raises funds throughout the year for the fund. Building on traditional fundraising efforts led by the company’s volunteer committee known as “The Blue Crew,” the largest contributions to this year’s donations came from the recently launched “Casual Fridays” initiative. Last year, BlueCross BlueShield President and CEO Dave Anderson initiated the Friday program to allow employees to dress casually, in return for a charitable contribution of $2 a week. The response was overwhelming and the red stocking fund grew nearly $40,000 from the $30,000 donation presented in 2013. “We are a community-based, non-for-profit health plan which helps us focus on investing in the community in ways that create and encourage healthy lifestyles for everyone,” Anderson said. Employees have the opportunity to vote and select the charities from a long list of worthy organizations that benefit each year. The 15 selected this year are as follows: • Alzheimer’s Association: Advances research to end Alzheimer’s and dementia while enhancing care for those living with the disease • American Cancer Society: Works to save lives and create a world with less cancer and help people stay well, get well, find cures, and fight back against cancer. • Buffalo Animal Shelter: Promotes the health and welfare of animals in the care of the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter. • Buffalo City Mission: Offers long-term recovery programs, counseling, work and life-skills training, education assistance and health-care services for homeless men, women

and families committed to turning their lives around. • Cradle Beach Camp: Serves the needs of children with disabilities and those who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds from Western New York. • Epilepsy Association of WNY: Assists individuals and their families who are trying to cope and adjust to epilepsy and/or seizure disorders to help them lead more independent, productive, and satisfying lives. • Food Bank of WNY: Obtains nutritious food and support from public and private sources and efficiently distributes these resources to the hungry. • Hearts for the Homeless: A mobile soup kitchen that feeds the poor and chronic homeless on the street. The program offers nourishing food, as well as clothing, pertinent information regarding area services, companionship and hope for the future. • Hospice of Buffalo: Provides medical care, emotional and spiritual support to people and their families facing life-limiting illnesses. • Kevin Guest House: Offers a safe, warm, secure respite providing comfort, support and affordable accommodations for ill patients, outpatients and their loved ones. • Make a Wish Foundation: Grants wishes to children from 2 ½ and 18 coping with a life-threatening disease. • Pets Alive WNY: Devoted to animal welfare in the region and operates on a volunteer basis. Activities are funded exclusively through fundraising, contributions, and donations. • SPCA of Erie County: A charitable community resource dedicated to protecting and providing shelter and comfort to all animals in need. • St. Luke’s Mission: A mission supported solely by volunteers who commit themselves to serve the poor. • Wounded Warriors: Helps thousands of injured warriors returning home from the current conflicts and to provide assistance to their families.

Remain safely at home with help from HomeFirst.

Book about mourning has third edition released Co-editor is a Buffalo resident

“

Mourning Has Broken – A Collection of Creative Writing about Grief and Healing,” is now available in its third edition. The book, containing more than 70 original international submissions, focuses on healing from the pain associated with the loss of a loved one. It’s co-edited by Mara Koven-Gelman, a widowed and remarried writer/ editor who lives in Buffalo, and Liz Pearl, a psychogeriatric therapist who lives in Toronto. “The inspirational book will make you smile, and it will make you cry,” states a news release issued by the editors. “It will touch your heart.” The strong international reviews of this anthology have help sell out two print runs. Several new authors’ voices have been added, including one from a facilitator of the new international discussion group, Death Cafe. The contributing authors share experiences, thoughts and feelings invoking tears, laughter, comfort and solace. Renowned authors include: Dr. Bob Baugher, Andrea Gambill, Reverend Richard Gilbert, Rabbi Elyse Goldstein, Rabbi Dr. Earl A. Grollman, Dr. Darcie Sims, Alicia Sims Franklin, Susan Whitmore and Dr. Alan Wolfelt. Revised third edition includes new entries from: Mara Koven-Gelman, (Twelve Years Later); Liz Pearl (Everyone Has a Story. What’s Yours? Share Your Story—Leave a Legacy); Julie Stine (Keeping My Eye on You); Susan Whitmore (Moments Count); Lorynne Schreiber (Kaddish Connection); Lizzy Miles (Do You Know Death as Well as I Do?). The book is available at www. mourninghasbrokenbook.com.

More and more people on Medicaid who might otherwise be struggling to take care of themselves won’t have to because of HomeFirst. HomeFirst, a product of Elderplan, is one of the oldest managed long-term care (MLTC) plans in the state. Our Personal Care Workers provide assistance with bathing, dressing and meals. You can keep your own doctor, and we provide transportation to medical appointments. There is no cost to participate. HomeFirst is an affiliate of MJHS, which was founded on the core values of compassion, dignity and respect for every culture. Those core values date back to 1907, when MJHS began a tradition of caring every minute, every day.

Call 1-866-384-3509 or visit homefirst.org

Services covered by HomeFirst are paid for by New York State Medicaid. The services not part of HomeFirst benefits continue to be covered by Medicaid and/or Medicare benefits. All services are coordinated, even those not included in the MLTCP benefit package. H3347_EPHF14288

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Advertising start at low $100s. Free design. 716-332-0640 editor@buffalohealthnews.com

IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 19

Waiting for a Cure Maggie Bell’s Brigade charges forwar By Catherine Miller

“W

e were told five years ago when Maggie was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes that they would have a cure in five years,” said Brenden Bell, father to 9-year-old Maggie, “We’re still waiting.” A beautiful fourth-grader with sparkling blue eyes and a love for swimming and Irish dancing, Maggie Bell was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes shortly before Christmas in 2010. She had a rash, was increasingly thirsty and had lost some weight. Concerned, her parents took Maggie to her pediatrician who immediately sent the young family to Buffalo’s Women and Children’s Hospital where the diagnosis of juvenile diabetes was confirmed. “We left the hospital and went almost directly on the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) website to get involved,” said Maggie’s mother, Liz Bell. And get involved they did. Within months the family had changed eating habits, began to teach their young daughter about her condition and how to stay healthy, entrenched themselves in diabetes research, and learned what the medical frontier had on its forefront. But while their initial — and still their main focus — was on Maggie and her health, they knew they could assist in a greater way. “The first year Maggie was diagnosed, we decided to hold a fundraiser to raise funds and awareness for JDRF. We wanted to assist in making the current research a reality,” said Liz. The fundraiser was a combined effort of Brenden and Liz along with their parents, siblings and friends. Liz and Brenden used social media to get the word out for the fundraiser. Maggie`s grandparents went old school and sent out post cards an-

nouncing the event to everyone on their Christmas card list. Fliers were created and posted throughout the neighborhood and Maggie`s school sent around word of the family’s upcoming benefit. Local businesses donated items and gift certificates that produced a spectacular basket raffle. Hundreds of people showered the family in support during the first of what has since become an annual event. The monies raised during the fundraiser were donated to JDRF at the annual June JDRF One Walk. By the time the Bells made their first donation, it had grown to nearly $20,000 and a drove of family and friends joined in that year’s JDRF walk. Maggie Bell’s Brigade was born. Since 2011, the Maggie Bell Brigade fundraiser has taken place every May and its proceeds donated to JDRF at each June walk, with approximately $50,000 raised to date. The hope of the Bell family is that with continued donations, the research that seems to be making such amazing strides in the advancements of diabetes technology and potential cures will one day eradicate Type 1 diabetes. Maggie, like many with juvenile diabetes, continues to face the challenges presented to her by her condition. She is limited in what she is allowed to eat, and who she can spend time with, as her glucose level requires constant monitoring.

Maggie Bell holding her two brothers. Photo taken in 2013.

she is feeling at her healthiest and that diabetes impacts her day to day life as little as possible.” Low glucose levels can cause a T1D patient to become shaky, nauseous, irritable and lose consciousness. Levels that are too high can cause headaches, difficulty in concentrating, and in extreme circumstances, may cause blindness, heart problems, nerve damage or death. Constant vigil Fortunately for Maggie, the Mag“Maggie is checked each night, gie Bell Brigade isn’t a one-time-a-year usually once or twice, to monitor her fundraising group, but an all-year level,” said Liz. “Insulin or carbs are round group of finger-pricking, carb given as needed to keep her glucose counting, level-scrutinizing people that levels stable. Her breakfast is meawatch over her health. Dad and mom, sured out and every meal thereafter is as expected, do the majority of the calculated to maintain her levels. It is planning and caring for Maggie’s cona constant balance game to make sure dition. At school, nurse Kathy Johnston meets with Maggie at least four times a day and checks her blood and overall well being. Maggie’s grandparents and aunts have become familiar with the world of diabetes, how to pin prick her finger to check levels, how to measure out her food, and what warning signs to watch for. Recently, Maggie began using a continuous glucose monitor that allows for a remote read out of Maggie’s blood levels on a small hand-held device. Coaches and sports instructors have joined and learned enough about how to monitor the young sports player to allow Brenden and Liz the chance to leave Maggie for short periods of time during a practice. A few The Bell family of Buffalo. “We were told five years ago when Maggie was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes of Maggie`s school that they would have a cure in five years,” said Brenden, father to 9-year-old Maggie, “We’re still waiting.” friend`s moms now feel comfortable Page 20

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Buffalo & WNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • May 2015

inviting Maggie to their house as they have an external monitor to watch her blood levels, which also gives Maggie’s parents an added level of comfort. The CGM device can track a patient`s past history of levels, update trends and alert the patient if he or she is heading into a danger zone. Other technological advancements are close to becoming a reality. An artificial pancreas is going through trials and pending Federal Drug Administration approval. Smart insulin, insulin that would self-regulate in the blood stream, has been developed but is still years away from becoming a treatment. Beta cell regeneration and encapsulation are also close to being utilized on the diabetes forefront, which would allow for human stem cells to be converted into insulin-producing beta cells. Continued funding is necessary to promote the advancements in these arenas. At home, Maggie is similar to every other active young 9-year-old. With two younger brothers, Thomas and Patrick, to keep her occupied, she plays soccer and basketball, and loves to draw. When asked what she thinks about dealing with her diabetes each day, she’s quite frank. “It stinks,” Maggie admits. And for now, she’s right. But as her mom says, “There’s hope on the horizon.” This year’s JDRF One Walk will be held in Delaware Park on June 14. The JDRF One Walk’s goal is to create a world without Type 1 diabetes.

Maggie Bell Brigade fundraiser has taken place every May and its proceeds donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at each June walk, with approximately $50,000 raised to date. This year’s JDRF One Walk will be held in Delaware Park June 14. The JDRF One Walk’s goal is to create a world without Type 1 diabetes.