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AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP SPECIAL

DECEMBER 9 – 15, 2020

Isles New Hockey Team Takes Aim On Veterans’ Wellness Marine Corps veteran Toby Smith of Kings Park and Coast Guard veteran Mark Ryan of Bellmore, at the inaugural Warriors’ practice event.

Ambulnz Merges To Bring Expanded Service

Photo by Christy Hinko

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HEALTHY LIVING • DECEMBER 9 - 15, 2020

The Islanders’ Warrior hockey team is off to a great start with more than 20 veterans. Photos by Christy Hinko

New Hockey Team Takes Aim On Veterans’ Wellness Isles are starting a hockey team for all-abilities vets BY CORY WRIGHT

on-ice session. Free in every sense of the word. Free ice, free gear to use he stakes are different, but the for those who don’t have it and free values of a hockey team and instruction from former Islander Arron a military unit run parallel. Asham. Things like teamwork, camaraderie, Veterans of all skill levels hit the ice. looking out for the person next to you, Some looked like seasoned vets, snapfollowing a plan and working hard to ping wristers top corner, while others achieve a goal. Hockey teams preach were just learning how to skate, getting things like battle level, but the men and one-on-one attention on the perimeter. women of our military have seen the The goal for USA Hockey rep Mike real thing upon deployment. Vaccaro is to make sure each veteran It’s those similarities that make has a positive experience. He calls it hockey—and other team sports—such ice therapy, a chance for veterans to a natural fit for veterans upon returnbe in a fun environment and take their ing home. Of course, some of our minds off the experiences or hardships nation’s vets haven’t had the opportu- they’ve been through or are currently nity to play the game, so the New York undergoing. Islanders and USA Hockey wanted to “We have a lot of people who have change that by hosting a Try Hockey what they call invisible wounds,” For Free event for vets. Vaccaro said. “They’ve had surgeries, “The program is to get veterans they’ve had traumatic brain injuries, out on the ice to really get them more involved and back into the community because transitions from military life to civilian life can be difficult,” Rob Schembri, a former sergeant in the Marine Corps, said. “Camaraderie is one of the most difficult things for them to find again, so that’s what I’m trying to bring together here. We’re trying to get all the veterans together and that way they are with the same type of people they are, been through some of the same situations and just being together as a veteran again.” Twenty-five former servicemen and women descended upon Northwell Health Ice Center for a free one hour specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

PTSD, they’re going through a lot of issues. We like to call hockey ice therapy; it’s a way they can get together with people in the military and they’re bonding together just like their unit. When they’re on the ice, they forget about everything, you’re in a whole new environment and you’re helping each other, so it’s veterans helping other veterans as they get on the ice. If it’s once or twice a week, or once every other week, it’s something to look forward to, keep them motivated, keep them moving, to forget about some of the bad times they had and just to get them through another day.” For the veterans that fall in love—or back in love—with the game, the goal is to start a warrior hockey team, made up of disabled vets who go out and compete against other military teams. The team is being spearheaded by

The new Warriors practiced taking shots on the net.

Schembri, as well as USA Hockey and the Isles, and once formed, will eventually compete in national tournaments like the Warrior Classic and regional meetups. There are currently 36 such teams, including squads in New Jersey and Philadelphia, but this will be the first of its kind in New York. “There are programs all over the place,” Vaccaro said. “It’s like NHL rivalries and now that the Islanders are getting this program started, I’m sure there’s going to be another team that’s going to want to start up close by. The support from the Islanders is what’s really important. I don’t think they realize what they do helps these veterans out.” Schembri appreciates it too. Veterans were greeted by a table full of gear on Monday, helmets and skates from the Islanders, plus large donations from Bauer and regular people looking to help out. Add in the event and warrior team sponsorship and it feels like a tangible way to show thanks for their service. “It means a lot,” Schembri said. “It goes to show we haven’t forgotten our veterans. They see something that everybody believes in, and know they wouldn’t have their freedoms without the veterans, and they all pull together and this is the result. We have a lot of equipment, we’re going to have a lot of vets on the ice today and just hopefully we’ll have a good time.” —Cory Wright is a writer for the National Hockey League

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COVID-19 And Vaccines BY DAVID BERNSTEIN, MD

editorial@antonmediagroup.com

accination against disease is one of the major advances in medicine and has helped prevent disease in countless individuals. Despite the importance of vaccination, many people in our country do not get the routine vaccinations which are available. This action places them at risk of getting sick but also places those around them at risk of becoming ill. Which vaccines am I talking about? These vaccines include but are not limited to the influenza vaccine, the Pneumovax or pneumonia vaccine and the hepatitis A and B vaccines. Vaccination receives daily coverage in the news as the United Kingdom has approved one vaccine and it appears likely that the FDA will approve two vaccines for COVID-19 in the coming weeks. These vaccines, once distributed and given to tens of millions of people, will hopefully lead us on a road out of the pandemic and back to some sense of normalcy. So why don’t many Americans get vaccines? The answer is complex, but usually comes down to several

THE SPECIALIST David Bernstein, MD

simple issues. Some of the issues are the lack of awareness of need, lack of awareness of availability, lack of awareness regarding safety, and lack of the insurance company to pay for preventive medicine. It is important to recognize that FDA approved vaccines have been thoroughly evaluated tested for safety and efficacy prior to being released to the general public. The COVID-19 vaccines are no exception. Although they were developed in record time by the pharmaceutical industry with financial support from the federal government, these vaccines are undergoing the same scrutiny as any other novel vaccine. When they are approved, it will become essential for all people who have not been

previously exposed to COVID to get vaccinated. So, what do we know about these vaccines? The two vaccines which are on the verge of being approved are the messenger RNA vaccines, one produced by BioNTech in cooperation with Pfizer and the other produced by Moderna. The reported efficacy as defined by the development of COVID antibodies to about 95 percent for both vaccines. Both vaccines will require two injections, three weeks between doses for the Pfizer vaccine and four weeks between doses for the Moderna vaccine. The vaccine will produce no immunity unless both doses are taken. The Center for Disease Control has recommended that the first group of people to receive the vaccine are front line health care workers and elderly people living in nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities. There are still many important questions regarding these vaccines. Although the efficacy has been reported to be about 95 percent, we do not know how long this immunity will last. Will it be three months, six

months, a year or perhaps longer? Another important unknown is will there be periodic boosters needed or will this be like the flu vaccine, which requires yearly inoculations. And it is only after millions of people have received the vaccine that we will know the true efficacy and how well it works in different subgroups of patients such as the immunocompromised, those with multiple comorbidities and those in chronic care facilities. Perhaps equally important is “What is the plan to distribute the vaccine to 330 million Americans in the upcoming months?” We have yet to hear from the federal government regarding a real plan to get this done. Vaccines will not work if our population cannot readily have access. Some surveys suggest that only 25 percent of some groups will agree to take the vaccine. This potential low vaccination rate will not help us overcome COVID-19. Hopefully, the high efficacy of these vaccines and ongoing pandemic will lead to a greater vaccine acceptance and then allow us all to return to the normal way of life that we all remember.

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Ambulnz Partners To Provide Medical Transportation To Long Island Patients BY ANTON STAFF

specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

mbulnz, an industry-leading provider of TeleHealth+ services and on-demand medical transportation, and Long Island Select Healthcare, Inc. (LISH), has announced the formation of a strategic partnership to provide at home medical care and non-emergency transportation to LISH’s patients. Together, the two companies will offer an elevated level of service that supports more than 7,000 individuals on Long Island. “Long Island Select Healthcare is very excited that we have created a partnership with an organization that understands the value of patient access and engagement. Together we believe we can build a platform that finally puts the patient at the center of care and delivery,” said Dr. James Powell, CEO of LISH. “Together, we are creating programs that will provide value-based propositions for all our patients and our mutual partners.”

Through this new partnership, Ambulnz is providing LISH patients with a range of TeleHealth+ services including remote patient monitoring, in-home COVID-19 antibody tests and flu shots. When transportation is required, LISH uses Ambulnz’s AI-powered proprietary technology to schedule rides with its fleet of ambulance, ambulette and medical

in-home treatment and medical transportation needs,” said Anthony Capone, president of Ambulnz. “Together with LISH, we are able to provide the residents of New York with the level of medical care and transportation they deserve.” Ambulnz is utilizing its skilled field staff powered by advanced technology to help improve patient outcomes with unparalleled customer service, transparency and industry-leading on time compliance. “In collaboration with Ambulnz’s team of highly trained paramedic’s along with utilizing state of the art technology—LISH will ensure continued quality care to our existing sedan vehicles. Ambulnz’s proprietary patients, community patients and technology provides a ShareLinkTM agency partners on site and in the that enables passengers and their comforts of home,” said Josephine families to track vehicles in real-time, Pizzurro-Coccaro, director of virtual providing true transparency and care. alleviating stress. Ambulnz is currently operating “Ambulnz is excited to expand our in New York, California, New Jersey, company footprint and partner with Illinois, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Long Island Select Healthcare to help Texas and Colorado, as well as the assist those on Long Island with their United Kingdom.

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Northwell Direct Offers COVID-19 HealthCheck For Schools, Employers

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Northwell Direct is partnering with Conversa Health to offer the COVID-19 HealthCheck. The screening tool is easy to use, efficient and confidential. It allows retailers, schools, hotels, sporting and entertainment venues and other employers to create and maintain a safe environment for employees, customers, students and visitors. This is the first introduction of the COVID-19 HealthCheck to the tristate region. In use more than 125,000 times every workday, HealthCheck has proven to help businesses, universities, health systems and other venues across the country. Employees use the HealthCheck from home before each workday, clicking on a secure link on their phone, tablet or computer to engage in a simple, conversational automated chat that checks for possible exposure to the new coronavirus and potential symptoms of infection. The chat takes about a minute and a half, and after completion, employees who are cleared for the day

receive a digital “badge” that they can display for entry to the workplace. If they are not cleared, they are instructed to stay home and are given guidance on the appropriate steps to take for testing and care. Employers who roll out the tool are notified of the aggregated and de-identified results of their workforce’s daily screens, providing information that can help them manage their business, adjust staffing and make decisions about reopening or temporarily closing worksites. The tool is continually updated to reflect the latest coronavirus guidelines from the CDC and other scientific organizations.

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‘State of Lung Cancer’ Report Finds New York Among Best States For Survival BY ANTON STAFF

specialsections@antonmediagroup.com

ung cancer is the nation’s leading cause of cancer deaths, and it’s estimated that 13,370 New Yorkers will be diagnosed with this disease in 2020 alone. The 2020 “State of Lung Cancer” report from the American Lung Association examines the toll of lung cancer throughout the nation and outlines steps every state can take to better protect its residents from lung cancer. The report finds New York is among the best states on five-year survival rate and early stage diagnosis, but it still has a ways to go to get high risk patients into screenings. This year’s report explores the lung cancer burden among racial and ethnic groups at the national and state levels. Nationally, the report finds that while more Americans are surviving the disease, people of color are facing poorer health outcomes than white residents. In New York indigenous populations are 32 percent less likely to receive surgery as a first course of treatment that white New Yorkers. Lung cancer is more likely to be

curable if the tumor can be removed. This year’s “State of Lung Cancer” highlights the positive trend of increased lung cancer survival, as the nationwide five-year lung cancer survival rate of 22.6 percent reflects a 13 percent improvement over the past five years. In New York the five-year survival rate is 25.7 percent and the early stage diagnosis rate is 26.1 percent, earning the state a top-five ranking in both categories.

“While we celebrate that more Americans are surviving lung cancer, too many people are being left behind, and the disease still remains the leading cause of cancer deaths,” said American Lung Association’s National Assistant Vice President for State Public Policy Michael Seilback. “Much more can and must be done in New York to prevent the disease and support those facing the disease. We also know we must pay greater attention to

our indigenous communities to ensure they have the resources and access to proper treatment.” Dr. Stephanie Smith-Marrone, medical director at Cancer Center, NewYorkPresbyterian Lawrence Hospital said, “There is a lot of promising information in this report for New York—but there are a few areas we can still improve. Most importantly, we must get more high-risk patients to screenings, and we can do more to ensure everyone with a diagnosis receives access to healthcare to discuss treatment options. No one should face lung cancer alone.” Part of the reason that lung cancer is so deadly is because most cases are diagnosed at a later stage, after the disease has spread. Lung cancer screening is the key to catching the cancer early when the disease is most curable, but only 22.9 percent of lung cancer cases nationally are diagnosed at an early stage. This screening test has been available since 2015, only 5.7 percent of those eligible in New York have been screened. Visit www.lung.org/solc to learn more.

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NEUROMODULATION: A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE OPTION TO ELIMINATE CHRONIC PAIN & PAIN MEDICATIONS BRIAN J. SNYDER, M.D., F.A.A.N.S., specializes in the surgical treatment of chronic pain. He uses spinal cord stimulation (SCS), dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation, as well as intrathecal pumps and other types of neuromodulation to treat patients with significant chronic pain. Dr. Snyder has extensive experience implanting these devices and is an expert at revision surgery when these same devices produce sub-optimal results. He treats patients who are suffering in pain and not candidates for curative surgery or who have failed surgery. Such conditions include: - Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) - CRPS/RSD (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) - Headache/Occipital Neuralgia

For more information, or to arrange a consultation with Dr. Snyder, please call (516) 255-9031. Most patients are seen within five business days.

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