CNY In Good Health

in good MORE IN CNY BIKING TO WORK

Census figures show increase in bike-to-work numbers across all counties in CNY.

October 2011 • Issue 142

FREE FREE

CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

New Challenges for Smaller Hospitals Experts: Hospitals outside Syracuse may have to change in order to survive. P. 22

Crouse starts a campaign that asks women to promise they would get a mammogram

Teen Driving

Fewer fatal crashes among 16-year-olds, more among 18-year-olds. Are the new programs working?

Cancer Study

Health commissioner urges people to participate in CNY’s ‘largest cancer study’

‘FREEZING AWAY FAT’ COMES TO CNY

New noninvasive treatment known as coolsculpting reduces unwanted fatty bulges

WOMEN’S ISSUE

Dr. Steven Zygmont now heads Auburn Regional Diabetes and Endocrinology.

Living Alone. Need a Little Help?

• Habits you should break • Got PMS? Try a glass of milk to ease symptoms

4 Great Reasons to Eat Garlic

• Women’s mid life weight gain • Many causes, treatment for unwanted hair October 2011 •

Diet & Cancer Prevention

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 1

Survivor Education Series Integrated Approach to Healing After Cancer Heidi Puc, MD, FACP, ABIHM

Exercise and Energy Balance

Jessica DesRosiers, M.S., Health and

Wellness Director for the North Area YMCA Benefits of Exercise for Cancer Survivors Cynthia Smith ~ Yoga Instruction James Campbell ~ Tai Chi Instruction Wednesday, October 12, 2011 6:00 – 7:30 pm Registration and Refreshments at 5:30

Nutrition – Eat to Live

Theresa Shepherd, Registered Dietician Wednesday, November 9, 2011 6:00 – 7:30 pm Registration and Refreshments at 5:30

Heidi Puc, MD, FACP, ABIHM Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, Integrative and Holistic Medicine

Hematology Oncology Associates Brittonfield Parkway of Central New York 5008 East Syracuse, New York 13057 3rd. Floor Cafeteria RSVP to Penny (315)472-7504

WHEN YOUR HEART IS ON THE LINE, GETTING HELP FAST CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. Chest pain isn’t the only sign of a heart attack.

Shortness of breath; back, arm or jaw discomfort; severe nausea; or heavy sweating also may indicate a problem. As the first Accredited Chest Pain Center in Syracuse, St. Joseph’s knows just how important it is to diagnose and treat these symptoms quickly and accurately. Seeking medical help right away can help protect you from serious heart damage and create a more positive outcome from a potentially dangerous situation. So, don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1.

Your heart—and your life—may depend on it.

HEART ATTACK? EVERY SECOND COUNTS. CALL 9-1-1.

St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center 301 Prospect Ave. Syracuse, NY www.sjhsyr.org St. Joseph’s Resource Line (Physician & Program Information): 315-703-2138 St. Joseph’s is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis.

Franciscan Companies is a member of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center network.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2011

SYRACUSE’S FIRST ACCREDITED CHEST PAIN CENTER

A Higher Level of Care

October 2011 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS Oct. 6

Oct. 4

Osteoporosis training for instructors in Mexico

Falls prevention seminar offered at St. Camillus

RSVP, a program of SUNY Oswego, is holding a training on Tuesday, Oct. 4, for volunteer instructors for the osteoporosis bone builders program.

It will take place at the First United Methodist Church in Mexico. The all-day training (9 a.m–4 p.m.) will be conducted by Virginia Gilbert, retired RSVP director from the Albany area who is now a consultant for the implementation of RSVP’s Osteoporosis Bone Builders Program nation-wide.

Controlling osteoporosis through a set of targeted exercise and education curriculum lead by volunteer instructors is one of many volunteer opportunities offered through RSVP. The training is free and lunch will be provided. Once trained, volunteers will be asked to help lead hour long exercise sessions, twice a week, at a location convenient for them. For more information, call 312-2317 or email rsvp@oswego.edu.

Physical and occupational therapists from the home care center at St. Camillus are partnering with the DeWitt Community Library to present a free falls prevention seminar from 2 –3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 6, at the DeWitt Community Library, 3649 Erie Blvd East, # 115A, in DeWitt. Physical therapist Mike Ritter and occupational therapist Tina Lynch from the home care center at St. Camillus will talk about how to prevent falls and related injuries, illustrate how exercise can improve balance and strength, and share ideas on how to make homes safer.

This free seminar will be presented as part of The Centers at St. Camillus’ ongoing community-based education effort, which includes “Healthy Steps,” an exercise class created for people 55 and older and held twice weekly at The Centers at St. Camillus, and “Smart Steps,” an exercise class for adults 55 and older, being offered this fall at the DeWitt Community Library, Preventive Medicine Associates in Camillus, and the North Syracuse Community Center.

The focus of these classes is to improve strength and balance. To register for the free Falls Prevention Seminar or for information about Smart Steps, please call 703-0880.

Oct. 4

Elder law seminar takes place in Auburn The Law Firm of Karpinski, Stapleton, Galbato, & Tehan, P.C. in cooperation with the Cayuga County Office for the Aging will present an elder law seminar from 6:30 –l 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Cayuga Onondaga BOCES on West Genesee Street Road, Auburn.

This free seminar will present a comprehensive overview of issues facing seniors and their loved ones. Topics covered will include estate planning, empowering others to act, the benefits of trusts, asset preservation planning and long term care insurance. Space for the program is limited. Registration is required. Call the Office for the Aging at 253-1226 to register, or visit www. co.cayuga.ny.us/aging/events.htm.

Oct. 4

Urgent Care Center in Fulton to offer tours Community members are invited to tour Oswego Health’s Urgent Care Center in Fulton and the facility’s medical imaging services just days before they officially open to patients.

An open house of the state-of-the-art healthcare facility located at 510 S. Fourth St. will be held from 4 – 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 4. The opening of the Urgent Care Center marks the completion of phase one of Oswego Health’s major transformation of the former A.L. Lee Memorial Hospital into the Fulton Medical Center. Later this year, additional healthcare services will be unveiled and become available to the community.

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Oct. 12

Program about arthritis featured in Jamesville event The Upstate New York Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and Nottingham Senior Living Community will collaborate to observe World Arthritis Day from 2–3:30 on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the Nottingham, 1310 Nottingham Rd. in Jamesville. Hear from Arthritis Foundation representatives and Nottingham physical therapists on ways to improve your life with arthritis. For more information call the Arthritis Foundation at 637-3568.

Oct. 11,18, 25

Living Alone: Survive and Thrive on Your Own Do you live alone? Is it a challenge for you? “Living Alone: How to Survive and Thrive on Your Own,” is a three-part workshop offered for women who want to gain the know-how to forge a meaningful and enriching life on their own. Participants will discover how to think differently about living alone, overcome loneliness and other emotional pitfalls, rediscover their true selves, and socialize in a couples’ world. The workshop takes place from 7 – 9 p.m. at House Content Bed & Breakfast in Mendon on three consecutive Tuesdays: Oct. 11, 18 and 25. The workshop fee of $125 includes a Living Alone manual, empowerment exercis-

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2011

es, and valuable resources. To register, contact Gwenn Voelckers at (585) 6247887 or email gvoelckers@rochester. rr.com

Oct. 11

‘Everyday People!’ at Canandaigua VA The recreation therapy department at the Canandaigua VA announced that Re-Creation’s “Everyday People!” show will appear at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center at 2 p.m., Oct. 11, in the Building 5 auditorium, bringing a new stage presentation to hospitalized veterans, their guests and community members. The group represents ReCreation USA, Inc., which provides a national program of live entertainment for America’s hospitalized veterans in VA medical centers and state veterans homes. Re-Creation “Everyday People!” spotlights great songs and great stars as America’s young ambassadors to hospitalized Veterans focus on this nation’s best loved music. Dynamic vocal renditions are enlivened by intricate, disciplined dance and choreography as the stage and the entire room virtually erupt with Re-Creation excitement.

For more information, call 585-3937371. The Canandaigua VA Medical Center is located at 400 Fort Hill Ave., Canandaigua.

Oct. 14

Senior Fair takes place at DeWitt library Officials at DeWitt Community Library are inviting the public to join them during their Senior Fair from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 14 at the library, 3649 Erie Blvd. East. Local organizations and government agencies will be on hand to answer questions and inform seniors about services and resources for seniors. Learn about retirement planning, health and wellness services and programs, Medicare supplemental insurance, recreational and educational opportunities, and more. Free screenings will be offered by the American Red Cross for blood pressure and Oviatt Hearing & Balance for hearing. NYS Assemblyman Samuel D. Roberts is scheduled to join at 11:30 a.m. to talk to senior constituents about local issues that matter to them. For more information, call (315) 446-3578 or visit www.dewlib.org.

Oct. 16

Free yoga lessons at open house in DeWitt Upstate Yoga Institute, a yoga center located at 6843 E. Genesee St. in DeWitt (next to Wegmans), will hold an open house from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Oct. 16, and will offer free yoga lessons at 11 a.m. (introductory level) and at 1 p.m. (advanced level). The Upstate Yoga Institute was founded in 1983 by Mary Louise Skelton and was previously operated out of two other locations — the ECOH House at the corner of Euclid and Westcott streets in Syracuse and St Alban’s Church at the corner of Meadowbrook and Scott streets, also in Syracuse. “For several years now, I have been looking for a place where I could permanently locate our school,” said owner and teacher Martine Burat. “We recently acquired a building located at 6843 E. Genesee St., and after several

months of renovations, we are getting ready to move there.” Burat said the open house is a good opportunity for people to experience the kind of yoga offered at the school. Besides Burat, David Jacobs will also teach lessons at the school. For more information, visit www.upstateyogainstitute.com.

Oct. 18

St. Joseph’s hosts free seminar on heart attacks St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center will host a free informational session on “Heart Attacks: How to Prevent Them and What to Do if You’re Experiencing Symptoms,” at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at West Genesee High School, located at 5201 W. Genesee St. in Camillus. The seminar will take place in the library classroom. Free parking is available. Alan Simons, a board-certified internist specializing in cardiology and interventional cardiology, will discuss the causes of a heart attack and what predisposes a person to those conditions. Simons also will explain the signs and symptoms of a heart attack for men and women and will go over the optimal algorithm for treating a heart attack. Space is limited. To register for the session, call St. Joseph’s at 744-1244 or email community.programs@sjhsyr.org.

Oct. 20

Issues related to premature infants to be discussed The Association of Perinatal Networks (APN) and Reach CNY, Inc. will host a presentation and discussion on prematurity at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20 at United Way in the Rosamond Gifford Room, 518 James St., Syracuse.

Parents of premature infants, community and health care organization staff working with families of premature infants and healthcare professionals are encouraged to attend. This initiative, known as the Premature Infant Health Network, will bring together community and health organizations, healthcare providers, and parents to update them on recent actions and to foster discussion on envisioning support for the families of premature infants. The information will be used in efforts to increase quality healthcare access and awareness around premature infant issues in New York State. For more information or to RSVP contact Kathleen Hayden at 424-0009 ext. 109 or khayden@reachcny.org.

Oct. 22

Become a pet therapy volunteer Pet Partners of Syracuse is inviting pet owners to explore becoming a “Therapy Pet Team” member .

Members volunteer with their pet at schools, hospitals, healthcare facilities and community centers. Pet Partners of Syracuse is the first Central New York affiliate of the nonprofit international Delta Society. The free program will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at the DeWitt Fire Dept., 4500 E. Genesee St. in DeWitt. For more information and for reservation, visit www. petpartnersofsyracuse.org.

Teen Graduated Driver Licensing Programs Show Mixed Results Fewer fatal crashes among 16-year-olds, more among 18-year-olds

T

he use of stronger graduated driver licensing programs for 16to 19-year old drivers in the U.S. that included restrictions on nighttime driving and allowed passengers were associated with a lower incidence of fatal crashes among 16-year old drivers, but a higher incidence among 18-year olds, according to a study in the Sept.

14 issue of JAMA. “Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in the United States for teenagers. From 2000-2008, more than 23,000 drivers and 14,000 passengers aged 16 to 19 years were killed,” according to background information in the article.

“Graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems have now been adopted in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to reduce crashes among teenaged drivers. Graduated driver licensing is structured to ensure that young novices gain extensive experience driving in low-risk conditions before they ‘graduate’ in steps to driving in riskier conditions.”

GDL programs in the United States apply only to beginning drivers younger than 18 years. “The question remains whether the benefits of GDL among drivers to whom provisions directly apply (16- and 17-year-olds) continue, are reduced, or may even be reversed, among older teenagers for whom the effects are only secondary.

Previous attempts to quantify the result of GDL for all teenaged drivers across multiple states have experienced methodological difficulties that rendered conclusions unclear,” the authors write.

Scott V. Masten of the California Department of Motor Vehicles and colleagues conducted a study to estimate the association of GDL with driver

involvement in fatal crashes for 16- to 19-year-olds. The study included an analysis of data of quarterly 1986-2007 incidence of fatal crashes involving drivers 16 to 19 years of age for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

There was a comparison of state-quarters with stronger GDL programs (restrictions on both nighttime driving and allowed passengers) or weaker GDL programs (restrictions on either nighttime driving or allowed passengers) with state-quarters without GDL. Over the study period, fatal crash incidence among teen drivers increased with age, from 16 to 17-yearold drivers before reaching a plateau at the ages of 18 and 19. After adjusting for various factors, the researchers found that stronger GDL programs (relative to no GDL program) were statistically associated with lower fatal crash incidence only for 16-year-old drivers.

“For 18-year-old drivers, the rate of fatal crashes was statistically higher for stronger GDL programs than for programs having none of the key GDL elements. Rate ratios for 17-year-old drivers, 19-year-old drivers, and 16- to 19-year-old drivers combined were not statistically different from the null,” the authors write.

The authors also found that stronger GDL programs appeared to be associated with a larger reduction in fatal crashes among 16-year-old drivers than weaker GDL programs but with a similar increase in fatal crashes involving 18-year-old drivers. “This suggests that modifying weaker existing state GDL programs to include nighttime as well as passenger restrictions may result in additional crash savings among 16year-olds as well as a larger net savings among teen drivers overall.”

T

he Learning Disabilities Association of CNY provides Educational Consulting to families with children who have learning disabilities, ADHD or struggle with learning. Call for assistance in helping children, 315-432-0665 or visit our website www.LDACNY.org LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL NEW YORK

Susama Verma, MD PLLC General Neurology Dr. Susama Verma, MD PLLC is proud to announce her new location at:

1816 Erie Blvd. East, Ste. B Syracuse, NY 13210 Phone: 315-469-2700 Dr. Susama Verma is offering the recently FDA approved Botox treatment for Chronic Migraine as well as non pharmaceutical treatment for uncontrolled Epilespy.

Dr. Verma is currently taking new patients.

Major insurances accepted. Please feel free to speak with your Primary Care Provider for referral.

ONONDAGA, OSWEGO, CAYUGA AND MADISON COUNTIES in good A monthly newspaper published by

Health CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

Local News, Inc. Distribution: 35,000 copies. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 342-1182.

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2011 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126. • Phone: (315) 342-1182 • Fax: (315) 342-7776.

Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Writers and Contributing Writers: Suzanne M. Ellis, Jim Miller, Eva Briggs, M.D., Gwenn Voelckers, Deborah Banikowski, Deborah Jeanne Sergeant, Anne Palumbo, Aaron Gifford, Joyce Gramza, Chris Motola • Advertising: Jasmine Maldonado, Tracy DeCann • Layout & Design: Chris Crocker • Proofreading: Shelley Manley • Office Manager: Laura J. Beckwith No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider.

Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen.

October 2011 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Dr. Steven Zygmont Former SUNY Upstate doctor now heads Auburn Regional Diabetes and Endocrinology. He talks about his plans, diabetes prevention, treatment, bariatric surgery and weight control Q: You’ve recently been appointed director of Auburn Regional Diabetes and Endocrinology. What will your duties be?

A: It’s a new position for the hospital. When I came in, I basically set up and started an endocrinology practice.

The main focus is on diabetes and the treatment of diabetes. We brought in a diabetes educator, a nutritionist and obviously myself and my nursing staff.

We provide endocrine consultation and services for hospitalized patients here at Auburn Memorial.

Q: How long have you been with the hospital?

A: I came on right at the end of April of this year. Originally I was at University Hospital in Syracuse. The opening came up here in Auburn. I thought it was a good opportunity.

There’s a large patient population in the Auburn area and the surrounding area, so I thought it was a great opportunity to make an impact on the community.

Q: What is it like working in a more rural hospital after working at one in a mid-sized city?

A: I like it a lot here. The community in general has welcomed me with open arms; the hospital’s been very supportive. I still live in Manlius and commute in. My kids are wellentrenched in the school system, my wife’s well-entrenched in the community, so I don’t have to uproot the whole family. It might get a little more challenging in the winter, but I have an all-wheel-drive vehicle.

Q: What programs do you plan to institute at the hospital?

A: We started with the general endocrine process. Most of what we deal with is diabetes. We offer the full range of care for diabetes right now and offer consultations to the hospital.

Down the road we’d like to offer medical weight loss, working with the surgery department to offer bariatric surgery for patients who are good candidates.

A: If a patient is considering bariatric surgery, it’s important for them to know what they’re getting into, whether they go for the banding or stapling procedure. It is a surgical procedure.

Eating will be different down the road.

Changing their mindset on how they approach eating is important. Initially patients aren’t that hungry after surgery, that’s why they lose so much weight so quickly. Over time, appetites do start to return, so the onus is on the patient to follow a diet and exercise to help keep the weight off. So again, the important thing is educating patients who are considering it.

Q: What other medical weight loss techniques are there?

A: Diet therapy is usually the mainstay. There are a lot of programs out there: Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, for example. As far as medication goes, there really aren’t a lot of medications on the market for the general population. There are some injections that we use to lower blood sugar that may curb appetite a lit-

Q: There have been various studies talking about what makes a “good” bariatric surgery candidate. Where do you think the line is?

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2011

tle bit and might help keep them on their diet, but it is a challenge. When you look at long-term data on diet and exercise, the results aren’t very impressive. It’s tough. It’s hard to do. When I approach patients, it’s not so much “going on a diet” as rethinking how you eat. It’s a daily commitment. I tell patients to find an eating program that will fit them. I ask them what has worked for them in the past.

Q: Is there an endocrinological explanation for why some people have a harder time with this than others?

A: It’s not entirely known. When we talk about pathological processes that can make it easy to gain weight, we talk about hypothyroidism—an underactive thyroid. There’s a condition called Cushing’s Syndrome where the body is making too much steroid.

And then there’s a rare condition called Prader-Willi Syndrome which causes developmental problems and uncontrolled eating. Beyond that though— and these conditions are rare—we don’t have a good understanding of why patients gain weight so easily. I don’t believe there’s a gene that’s been isolated that explains why we see so much obesity.

Q: What do you feel is a more determinant factor for diabetes, in your experience: genes or lifestyle?

A: It’s a combination of the two, but lifestyle is probably driving most of the diabetes epidemic right now.

One out of three adults are considered obese, for children between 2 and 19, it’s one out of five. I think it’s the obesity trend that’s driving a lot of this. Obviously you need the genetics that leave you vulnerable to developing Type 1 or 2 diabetes, but obesity is largely contributing to the explosion we see right now.

Interestingly, studies looked at groups of nondiabetics and Type 2 diabetics who have been put on the same diet and exercise regimen.

Both groups lose weight,

but the diabetics lose less. The question is why? Is it the genetics of diabetes? The medications we’re giving them? It’s a bit of a mystery for us now.

There’s a lot of research going into this.

Q: How receptive are patients, usually, about changing their lifestyle?

Is that a viable option, or are medications usually called for?

A: It’s a combination of two.

Medication’s important to help lower the blood sugar, but it’s important for your patient to be working on diet and exercise. The more medication we give to lower the blood sugar, technically it makes it easier to gain weight. As they gain weight over time, their blood sugar wants to go up, their blood pressure wants to go up and their cholesterol wants to go up. The medication goes hand-in-hand with the lifestyle changes.

Q: My impression over the years is that the endocrine system is probably one of the least understood systems of the body in terms of public, everyday knowledge.

A: Yeah, I think part of the problem is that it’s just not mainstream. You don’t read about it all the time, hear about it all the time. You’ll hear the word “diabetes,” but you really don’t get an explanation of what it is, the relationship between diabetes and going blind, kidney disease. There’re a lot of misconceptions. I think there’s a lot of fear. People think once they get diabetes there’s nothing they can do about it. If you treat diabetes, you’re going to make a difference long term as far as outcomes go. But I think you’re right, there’s a lot of misconceptions about diabetes and endocrinology in general.

Q: On that note, what’s something you think the public should know about diabetes and endocrinology?

A: One big thing would be that diabetes, particularly Type 2, is a preventable disease. Developing better eating habits and exercise early in life can prevent or at least delay the onset of diabetes. Patients that do develop diabetes should know that it’s treatable and that they can live long, happy lives with diabetes, but it does need to be treated.

Q: What kind of diet and exercise guidelines do you use for yourself?

A: Me personally? It’s really portion control. I follow the old adage of “too much of anything for you is bad for you.” Do I have candy once in awhile? Sure I do. Do I eat red meat once in awhile? Sure I do. But again, it’s in moderation. I try to get exercise in. We recommend about a half hour of exercise five days a week. Do I always get that in? I try to, depending on my schedule, my kids’ schedule. It’s just kind of being level-headed when I approach eating and activity.

Lifelines Name: Steven Zygmont, M.D. Practice: Director, Auburn Regional Diabetes and Endocrinology, Auburn Memorial Hospital Schooling: Upstate Medical University Family: Married, two daughters Affiliations: local chapter presidentt, American Diabetic Association; Endocrine Society Hobbies: Sports, riding bikes, lifting weights Phone: 315-567-0700

CONFUSED BY MEDICARE? DO YOU UNDERSTAND ALL YOUR OPTIONS? ARE YOU TURNING 65 SOON? ARE YOU A VETERAN AND WOULD LIKE LOCAL CARE? ARE YOU DISABLED?

WE CAN HELP ……… CALL, WRITE, FAX OR EMAIL US

October 2011 •

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Page 7

My Turn

By Eva Briggs

It’s Not All About POEMs

Newest innovations that relate to medicine are startling

I

worked for a while at an academic medical center. At the time, the faculty there promoted reading POEMs and only POEMs. Not, alas, literary poems, but studies and articles about “Patient Oriented Evidence that Matters.”

Everything else, per one of the department’s self-styled pundits, was simply a waste of time and brainpower.

Fortunately, that’s not the way I see it! Sometimes, it’s just plain fun and interesting to read about science and technology.

Because my daughter graduated from M.I.T., every two months the publication “Technology Review” shows up in my mailbox. The latest issue was devoted to its annual list of 35 innovators under the age of 35. You can watch interviews with this year’s winners online at technologyreview.com/tr35 This month I’m writing about some of these newest innovations that relate to medicine.

Paul Wicks is the winner of Technology Review’s humanitarian of the year award.

As a teen, he began working with children with autism spectrum disorder. His experiences taught him to effectively communicate with patients with serious medical issues. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in neuropsychology at King’s College of London. Subse-

quently he joined a company called Patients Like Me. The company initially was founded to help gather information for a friend with ALS (a fatal degenerative neurologic disease).

The company has grown into a social network site serving a global community of more than110,000 members with over 500 serious conditions.

By communicating with others with similar medical conditions, patients can learn what to expect, and find tips for coping and adapting.

The site has garnered patients for scientific study too. For example, when a small study suggested that lithium might benefit patients with ALS, Wicks collected the experiences of 10 times as many patients. The expanded study, published in a peer-reviewed clinical journal, showed that unfortunately lithium wasn’t helpful.

You can check out the website at www.patientslikeme.com/ Have you ever been startled by an alarm clock’s buzz just when you were deep into sleep? When Ben Rubin was a college student, he began to explore the idea of hooking up one’s brain to a monitor to measure brain activity in order to invent an alarm that would awaken the sleeper at the optimum phase of light sleep. His first studies used an old polysomnography machine the size of a refrigerator. Rubin eventually

devised a fabric headband with embedded sensors that send a signal to base station clock next to the bed. Called the Zeo, now you can buy your own sleep analyzer for about $200. Visit www. myzeo.com/ to find more about it.

Infectious diseases remain a common reason for people to visit the doctor. Determining the causative organism and how to treat it best often takes days, until culture results are complete. Yemi Adesokan, cofounder of a biotech company called Pathogenica, develops new techniques to identify bacteria and their drug sensitivities faster, cheaper, and more precisely. His current research focuses on the microbes that cause urinary tract infections.

Scientists often generate huge amounts of data. Looking at pages of numbers, and figuring out what they mean, can be daunting. Miriah Meyer is helping by developing new ways to view data graphically. She tailors visual representations of data to the individual biologist’s research needs.

One use of genetic engineering is to design microbes to synthesize particular substances. Designing the necessary DNA instructions is very time consuming and prone to error. Andrew Phillips, a researcher with the Biological Computation Group at Microsoft in Cambridge, UK, writes software to simplify the process. His software

enables researchers to look at several ways to achieve their results, and to simulate and compare their options.

This software helps scientists reduce the chances of time-consuming failures in real cells.

Many diseases — such as diabetes, heart disease, peripheral vascular disease — and various injuries can damage blood vessels. Fan Ying, a Stanford professor of bioengineering and orthopedic surgery, is developing ways to repair damaged vessels. She inserts a biodegradable polymer into stem cells, in order to carry proteins that stimulate vessel growth into diseased areas. Earlier research used viruses instead of the biodegradable polymer. Yin’s treatment is potentially safer. She estimates that this technique could be available for clinical use in five to 10 years.

I hope you, readers, had as much fun learning about these real life developments in biotechnology as I did.

Now to read some poems — the real kind, the literature kind. After all, even the Journal of the American Medical Association publishes a poem in every issue!

Eva Briggs, a board-certified physician, works on the staff at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca, in its two urgent care centers: one in Ithaca, and the other in Cortland.

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QUALITY CARE FOR PATIENTS OF ALL AGES Page 8

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2011

Women’s issues

Bad Habits Women Should Break

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

I

n general, women tend to be the family’s guardian of health. They usually cook more of the family’s meals than men, which heavily influence nutrition. Many women guide the family’s recreation, which impacts fitness. Most women schedule the lion’s share of the family’s preventive and illness-induced doctor visits.

However, the fair sex still has a few bad health habits of her own to shake.

Pulled among the needs of their husbands, children, careers, households and friends, women usually put their needs last.

Randy Sabourin, owner Personal Fitness, Inc. in Syracuse, sees this as the No. 1 bad health habit women should shed.

“I see it all the time in my environSabourin ment, the gym,” he said. “I’ve had women come to us after years of putting themselves last, and neglecting their health.”

Women often list reasons for the busyness in their lives and top it with “I’m just too tired to think about exercise.”

“Sometimes it takes a checkup at the doctor to realize things need to change,” Sabourin said. “Blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and/or blood sugar climbing, fatigue, loss of bone mass and for some a general feeling of depression and dissatisfaction with what they see in the mirror each morning.”

He urges women to change this habit by becoming accountable to another person, starting an exercise journal, and hiring a professional to help.

Joining a fitness class could also provide the encouragement and camaraderie needed to get and stay fit.

Among women who exercise regularly, some make the mistake of not lifting weights.

“By using weights, you increase your resting metabolic rate throughout the day and you’ll strengthen your bones,” said Matt Kovach, director of Renewal Nutrition in Syracuse. “They think they’ll bulk up but it Kovach isn’t true.”

Women body builders lift weights for hours every day and some take hor-

Got PMS? Try a Glass of Milk to Ease Symptoms

A

new ad campaign, “Everything I Do Is Wrong,” is stirring mixed emotions and a number of curious readers to answer the question: Can milk really be the answer to alleviating PMS? The simple answer is, yes.

According to the Office of Women’s Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this alternative therapy is already a wellknown fact. Calcium and vitamin D, found in milk, have been found to help relieve some PMS symptoms in women. Depending on age, some women may require higher doses of calcium each day, ranging between 1000-1300 milligrams.

However, women should be careful to watch their fat content intake if they

are opting for this alternative therapy—along with caffeine, salt, sugar, and alcohol—as these substances may actually worsen symptoms of PMS. The easy fix: opt for reduced-fat or fat-free milk instead of whole.

Other vitamins and minerals that may help reduce symptoms include: folic acid (400 micrograms), magnesium (400 milligrams), vitamin B-6 (50 to 100 mg), and vitamin E (400 IU).

As for these new ads that skirt the line of sexism and chauvinism with a sense of humor and wit, it may actually be doing us more good than harm to turn the attention over to the dairy aisle rather than the pharmacist; especially with a light-hearted chuckle along the way.

mones to stimulate excessive muscle growth.

In general, most women need a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise plus weight training most days of the week to maintain health, and more to lose weight.

Overeating contributes to the obesity problem some women face.

Kovach says that women need to stop crash dieting. “The tendency is for women to focus on a fad diet. They Kiltz won’t work like changing your lifestyle will.”

He also said that women don’t read labels correctly, focusing on “fat free” verbiage instead of caloric content, since fat free items such as candy has many calories. Cutting out all fats can be bad for health, too.

“Women also eliminate important things from their diet like omega-3 fatty acid,” Kovach said. “It’s important for decreasing inflammatory state of the body and improving cardio vascular health.”

Instead of overeating, some women do not eat often enough.

“Skipping meals affects your cognitive ability throughout the day and you tend to eat more once you get home at night,” Kovach said. “Some research studies show that to maximize your protein synthesis and muscle building for people working out, you have to have 30 grams of protein per servOctober 2011 •

ing three times per day. The average woman has 10 grams per meal. They’re not doing their body justice.”

Kovach would also like to see women nix soda from their diets since it is either high in sugar or filled with artificial sweeteners.

Despite ubiquitous public health warnings, many women still smoke.

But they shouldn’t. Depicting smoking women on the large and small screen such as Sarah Jessica Parker in “Sex and the City” tends to glamorize the habit, especially to impressionable younger women.

But Kovach said cigarette smoking is “one of the worst things women can do in regards to their health.”

Rob Kiltz, a physician who owns CNY Fertility Center and CNY Healing Arts Center, said having a sedentary life is also a bad health habit.

“What do we do at end of the day?” he asked. “We go home and watch television. We sit at desks all day and people talk about needing to ‘veg’ when in reality, health and wellness is in getting up and moving. Go for a walk, go sing and dance and do something. That’s life. Most of us watch way too much television. It adds stress to our lives.”

One’s own negativity adds to stress.

“People don’t look in the mirror and say ‘I love you; you’re beautiful,’” Kiltz said. “They judge themselves negatively and those thoughts create ulcers, migraines, cancer, heart disease, and you name it. We seek love from outside but we can’t give ourselves the love we need.”

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 9

Women’s issues

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Page 10

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2011

ealing with unwanted hair is bad enough for women.

Culturally, Western women typically eschew hairiness and deem it unfeminine. But aside from cosmetic issues, sprouting hair in unusual places can indicate underlying health issues.

Genetically, some women are simply prone to darker, coarser or more excessive body hair than others. Race can influence hair’s texture and density as can family history. But some hormonal conditions can cause excessive growth, too, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

“There’s a change in hormones and the male hormones can be elevated,” said Mary Wilsch, an ob-gyn doctor with the practice of Howard Weinstein, MD, PC in Syracuse. “There are more rare syndromes or hormone-producing growth that are looked for but thankfully don’t happen often.”

Perimenopausal and menopausal women can also be plagued with excess hair growth.

Of course, treating PCOS is important because women with the condition are at higher risk for several health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, infertility and certain gynecologic cancers.

“Hair on the lower legs and arms is not related to anything,” said Renee Mestad, an ob-gyn doctor and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology with Upstate Medical University.

“Some of us with darker skin and darker hair are irritated with hairy arms and legs. We have a little hair on the lip, chin, belly, nipples and back and that’s normal.

“A thicker concentration on the chest, belly, upper legs, upper back upper arms should cause some concern.”

Mestad said that excess hair in these locations can indicate too much androgen, a male hormone, possibly caused by a high level of an enzyme responsible for producing the hormone.

Or too little female hormone may be to blame.

“It could be a sign of insulin resistance or abnormality of adrenal glands,” Mestad said. “Some could show insulin resistance, which is an indicator of diabetes, which can lead to heart disease, kidney disease and blindness. Blood tests can confirm abnormalities.”

Sudden onset of excessive hair

growth should prompt women to seek their doctor’s evaluation.

To decrease unwanted hair, women with underlying medical conditions should follow their health care provider’s advice for treating the condition.

Most women with PCOS are told to exercise, eat a healthful diet, and possibly take medication to help control the manifestations of PCOS, including excessive hair growth.

Decreasing male hormone levels may cause unwanted side effects and women must continue taking the medication or the hair and other symptoms will return.

“The hair that’s already there won’t change but you can help to decrease future growth,” Wilsch said.

Most women with excess hair control it through shaving, waxing, tweezing or using depilatory; however, the hair comes back eventually. Minimizing the hair’s pigmentation through bleaching can also help improve appearance.

A new topical prescription medication may offer some help in minimizing the appearance of unwanted hair.

“Eflornithine hydrochloride thins out the hairs and makes them smaller and softer,” Mestad said. “It it’s strictly cosmetic and not related to a hormonal imbalance.”

But eflornithine (brand named Vaniqa) can help tame unwanted hair while women pursue treatment for the underlying cause of it. Women can get rid of unwanted hair with other means.

“There’s electrolysis which will destroy the hair root so it won’t grow again and laser photothermolysis,” Mestad said.

After a few sessions, most hair cannot re-grow after electrolysis or laser treatments.

Women’s issues Women’s Mid-life Weight Gain

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even though it’s a natural part of the aging process, it’s a much smaller part of it. Inactivity is much larger.”

Decreasing caloric output while maintaining or increasing caloric input can only result in gaining weight.

Women need to dedicate themselves to life-long healthful eating, not just a “diet” to drop dress sizes. Only making one change — eating 500 fewer calories per day — can result in losing up to a pound of body fat per week.

Take a few other healthful steps, such as eating a breakfast with whole grains, protein and dairy every morning (such as a bowl of oatmeal topped with fruit and a cup of lowfat yogurt); drinking Kemmis water and reserving soda for special occasions; cooking more at home and eating only half portions at restaurants; and snacking only on whole fruits or raw vegetables.

Try the portion control strategy of filling half a salad plate (not the larger “dinner” plate) with vegetables, onequarter with lean meat and one-quarter with a whole-grain side dish.

To rev up the metabolism, get moving. Most women are accustomed to performing heart-pounding aerobic exercise by running, participating in classes like Zumba or using exercise equipment such as stair climbers or elliptical machines—but if that’s all they do, they’re missing an important

element: resistance training.

“With women, resistance training plus aerobic training is the best way to protect them from putting on weight over time,” Knapp said.

Resistance training can include lifting dumbbells, medicine balls or kettle bells; stretching fitness bands, tubing, or rods; performing calisthenics in water or using one’s own body weight in movements like pushups, pull-ups, or squats.

Kemmis recommends performing one set of weight training moves per muscle group two to three days per week. One set should equal eight to 12 repetitions “heavy enough that you’re fatigued by that 12th rep,” she said.

If you’re unfamiliar with how to Kovach use these pieces of equipment or perform calisthenics, seek the help of a trainer at a gym.

Most exercise equipment manufacturers offer workout plans and you can find many online, too.

If the pudge still won’t budge, see your doctor.

“Hormones have a lot to do with our metabolism,” Knapp said. “Some women have thyroid conditions and have medication that makes weight loss harder. Those are things to consider. Talk with your physician if they have anything to do with weight gain.”

October 2011 •

Independent@Home

t seems like when many women hit their 30s, they tend to gain a few pounds here and a few there until 10 years later, they’re noticeably overweight.

“This is a fact that we put on weight at three different ages: college years, 30, and at some point between 40 to 60,” said Michael Knapp, certified personal trainer and owner of At Your Home Personal Training in Syracuse.

Does that mean those in this age range or older are doomed to gain weight? Or those who have can never drop the pounds?

Area experts weigh in on why women in midlife gain weight and what they can do to ward it off.

Part of the reason many women gain weight as they approach 40 is metabolism.

“Our bodies as we age, we naturally lose some muscle,” said Karen Kemmis, physical therapist and adjunct professor at SUNY Upstate Medical University. “The less muscle we have, the slower our metabolism is.”

For women, it’s a double whammy because the female body naturally has less muscle tissue than a man’s, making it even harder to burn calories.

Knapp A healthy pregnancy requires women to gain around 25 to 35 or more pounds. Some of those are maternal fat stores which take a while to lose. Nursing helps moms lose weight (among other health benefits to her and baby), but it’s no guarantee that nursing will make all the weight disappear.

Moms of young children face more challenges.

“They find themselves grazing on their kids’ food or taking on the dietary habits their kids have which is higher carbohydrates,” said Matt Kovach, president of Renewal Nutrition in Syracuse. “They have lots of snack foods around the house. They have to be careful about comfort eating. For women it’s harder to lose the weight.”

Kemmis agreed.

“It’s an uphill battle to lose weight, but it’s not necessarily because you’re getting older,” she said. “I think even though it’s a natural part of the aging process, it’s a much smaller part of it.

Inactivity is much larger.”

By the time women hit their early 40s, many have established themselves in a more sedentary line of work or career level or have completed the busy years of rearing active toddlers. Weight gain is not just an unavoidable part of aging.

“It’s an uphill battle to lose weight, but it’s not necessarily because you’re getting older,” Kemmis said. “I think

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

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Page 12

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By Gwenn Voelckers

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2011

Need a Change?

And a Little Help?

F

or me, the month of October is all about change — change of season, change of wardrobe, change of routines. I batten down the hatches and turn inward.

The changing colors, seasonal aromas and early dusk can’t help but invite introspection and contemplation.

In the warm glow of a fire, I think about my life: what was, what is, and what could be. I use this time of reflection to reassess and to initiate changes for the better.

But this hasn’t always been the case. After my divorce, the fall season and all its romantic charm would leave me feeling more melancholy than motivated.

I wasn’t making any plans. I wasn’t gearing up to “take on life.” Far from it. Nostalgia and regret were defining my days, and I just wanted to retreat into myself.

For newly divorced and widowed men and women, this time of year can be particularly challenging. Even when change is welcome, the prospect of living alone can still be a daunting challenge.

Could you use a little help?

“Living Alone: How to Survive and Thrive on Your Own” is a three-part workshop I developed to help women discover the “know how” to create a satisfying and enriching life on their own. I’ve been leading the workshop for six years now, and often get questions from “In Good Health” readers about what the workshop covers and how it is organized. In this month’s column, I am pleased to answer the most frequently asked questions: Q. What is the purpose of the workshop and what do you cover?

A. Because I’ve walked in similar shoes, I can empathize with the challenges you may be facing. And I can support your efforts and desire to feel more content on your own. In many cases, it starts with a change in attitude.

My workshop will help you think differently about living alone. Specifically, I cover how to overcome loneliness and other emotional pitfalls, banish negative thinking, rediscover your true self, socialize in a couples’ world, and embrace what may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a wonderful and rewarding life on your own.

Getting good at living alone takes practice. There’s no magic pill and it doesn’t happen overnight. But it can happen, and good things can result.

Feeling comfortable with your independence will improve your chances of finding happiness, and it will improve your chances of finding a new healthy relationship, if that’s what you desire.

When you feel better about yourself — more confident and resourceful — life on your own or with a special someone can be richer and more satisfying.

Q . Who attends the workshop?

A. Most, but not all, of the women who attend the workshop are between the ages of 40 and 65, and have come out of long marriages or relationships.

Some are on their own for the first time in their lives. All have one thing in common: They want to get a better handle

on living alone and to feel more content with themselves and their independence. Many see this workshop as an extension of the support they are receiving from friends, family, a therapist, and/or their congregation.

Q. I’m still grieving the loss of my marriage/spouse. Is this workshop right for me?

A. Good question. My Living Alone workshop is a “nuts and bolts” practical workshop to help women become more resourceful and independent on their own. It is not a grief or mental health support group. If you are still in the grieving process and seek support, I recommend grief counseling or the help of a professional counselor.

Q. What are your credentials?

A. I’m not a licensed professional. My expertise is born out of real-life experience.

I’ve “been there.” I emerged from my divorce feeling very deflated and very alone, faced with both the practical and emotional challenges of living alone.

After some “hit and misses,” I found my way and now thoroughly enjoy the freedom and independence that comes with living alone. My time-tested experience, wealth of valuable resources, and tried-and-true tips and techniques have inspired and helped many workshop participants.

Q. How large are the workshops?

A. Ideally, I like to have eight women in each workshop, although, on occasion, I have led workshops with a few more and a few less. A group of about eight gives everyone a chance to actively participate and benefit from the experience. The sharing quickly gives way to a comfortable camaraderie, and it’s not unusual for nice friendships to develop among participants.

Q. Where are the workshops held?

A. At House Content Bed & Breakfast in Mendon. House Content is a little historic gem, situated on a picturesque six-acre site, surrounded by horse farms and parkland. Reminiscent of a quaint English cottage, this setting serves as a peaceful and inspirational setting for the workshops.

Q. I’d like to sign up for the workshop. What’s my next step?

A. I like to speak with potential participants by phone, as a first step.

That way, I can answer your questions and you’ll know better whether this workshop is right for you. Just call me at 585-624-7887 or email me at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com. You’ll find information about my upcoming workshop in the Calendar of Health Events included in this issue, or at www.aloneandcontent.com.

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, you can call her at (585) 624-7887, email her at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

Women’s issues

‘Freezing Away Fat’ Comes to CNY

New noninvasive treatment known as coolsculpting reduces unwanted fatty bulges

By Joyce Gramza

A

new, noninvasive device that reduces unwanted fatty bulges by freezing them has arrived in Central New York and has already been used on some 50 local patients, who expect to see significant decreases in the size of their love handles, underthe-skin belly fat, and other stubborn bulges over the next couple of months.

Physician Sue Merola-McConn of Living Proof Longevity Center in Fayetteville, says that the center is the first in the region to acquire the Zeltiq cooling system device, and that they are already interested in getting another one.

“The machine is going all the time now,” says her husband and co-founder Mark McConn, also a physician.

The technique, dubbed “coolsculpting,” won FDA approval last year based on clinical studies showing that a single treatment, averaging one to two hours, ultimately reduced the size of localized fat layers by 16 to 32 percent, with only minimal and temporary side effects reported so far.

Merola-McConn emphasizes that it is not a medical weight-loss procedure.

“This is esthetic, for sculpting the body to make you look better,” she says.

Like liposuction, the procedure is considered cosmetic and is not covered by insurance. Unlike liposuction, “coolsculpting” is “painless,” says Mark McConn. It requires no incision, needles or recovery time lost from work or other activities and is also quite a bit less costly than liposuction.

Depending on the area treated, costs range from $750 to $1,500 per treatment, the McConns say.

Jennifer Bellerdine, 28, a registered nurse at the center, is looking forward to “a well-defined abdomen after about three months,” she says. She had the procedure six weeks ago, both “in order to be able to describe it to patients,” and because “I do work out regularly and am at my ideal weight, but I had a child and I still had a pooch resistant to diet and exercise.”

Merola-Mconn, and Zeltiq, say that’s a good description of the ideal “coolsculpting” candidate.

The technique is based on the concept that fat freezes at higher temperatures than surrounding tissues, and that once frozen, the fat cells gradually die off and are disposed of by the body’s immune system.

This process has been known for decades in cases of “popsicle panniculitis” in infants—when a young child’s cheeks, which tend to be fattier that the rest of the face, are inflamed by

exposure to cold, and gradually lose fat after the inflammation subsides.

A Harvard/Mass General researcher first tested this effect to reduce areas of subcutaneous body fat in pigs in 2009, and developed the Zeltiq device.

The device uses a gentle vacuum to suck the problem area into a “mouthpiece,” describes Bellerdine. “Inside the mouthpiece are cooling plates and we turn it on and it cools that area to around minus 4 degrees Celsius.”

(About 25 degrees Fahrenheit).

“So when it first goes on, you feel the suction. It’s not unpleasant, but you feel the initial grab on.”

She says when the cooling starts, “it feels like when you brush snow off your car without gloves on, that tingly sensation in your fingertips. But that’s only the first five minutes because after that, your nerves are actually numb,” says Bellerdine.

“Then you sit like that for an hour—it really is a ‘lunch-hour procedure’—and after you take the piece off, it actually looks like there’s a frozen stick of butter under your skin,” says Bellerdine. “So now your cells have been frozen and the cells almost form like liquid popsicles, so we massage the area so those cells bump into each other causing more inflammatory response and killing more cells.”

Bellerdine says the only discomfort she felt was some tenderness around her belly button on the fifth day following the procedure, which “went away” after she worked out.

Merola-McConn, who says she did her back six weeks ago to get rid of “my bra fat,” described no discomfort other than “some swelling at first.” She says that soon subsided and that she began to notice results in three weeks.

“I’m amazed,” she says. “Even though I studied it and was convinced before we brought it in, when you have it done yourself you really come to that realization.”

“I feel like I can’t wait to get another part done,” Merola-McConn says.

Seventy-one-year old Joan Cincotta, a personal friend of MerolaMcConn’s, didn’t wait to see results on one part before doing another. When Merola-McConn asked if she wanted to try it as part of the center’s demonstration and training with the device, Cincotta went for four treatments in quick succession.

Cincotta, who is also an registered nurse, says she had “read about it in ‘O’ Magazine just before [Merola-McCann] mentioned she had gotten this machine.” Because of her medical train-

Before

2 months after procedure

Before

3 months after procedure

ing and reading up on the research, Cincotta says she was “not apprehensive at all.”

Cincotta says she first did her sides, or “love handles,” then one week later her upper abdomen and a week after that, her lower abdomen. Cincotta says she didn’t want to wait “because the results take up to four months before you can see the end result,” so she’s now hoping that “within two months it will be really great.”

Cincotta says she experienced, on the familiar 1-10 scale, pain of “0 to 1” for her sides, “about a 3 for my upper abdomen” and a”4” for her lower abdomen during the procedures, “but it only lasted for five to 10 minutes.”

Afterwards, she says, there was mild “numbness and discomfort for a few weeks.”

And already, “I’ve seen slight results on my sides because it’s been about a month now,” Cincotta says.

The McConns say the most important part of the procedure is screening patients. “If someone is looking for weight loss and having to lose 30 pounds, that is not something that will happen,” says Merola-McConn. “We show you and measure where you are going to reduce and by how much.”

Merola-McConn says the procedure also might not be recommended for someone who has had a bleeding disorder or who has “cold urticaria” or other acute reactions to cold. In addition, the McConns say someone with an open wound at or near the location would want to wait until it is healed.

“A lot of women want to do their scar area from having babies,” Merola-McConn says. “You really need to be a year out in terms of wound healing.”

And while abdominal fat is associated with increased health risks such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer, the doctors again emphasize that subcutaneous belly fat is not a health risk, while internal abdominal fat around the organs is.

“Someone who needs to lose abdominal belly fat to reduce a health risk is not the same person who would come in for this procedure,” MerolaMcConn says.

“People with a BMI (body mass index) of 25 or greater need to do weight loss with lifestyle change, not with this device,” says McConn, “and we can also work with them in our office.”

But for people who wished they could sculpt their bodies without going under the knife, it’s an exciting development, says Bellerdine. “I am excited to see the results, and everybody I’ve seen do it is already thinking, ‘what area am I going to do next?’ I’d like to do my love handles, but we’ll see what happens.”

Merola-McCann says they have had some male patients, but jokes that “the women are not letting the men near it.

She says that “because we have two offices, because it’s not very portable, and because it takes one or two hours and we’re limited by the number of hours in a day,” they are considering ordering another device in the coming months.

The device is in such high demand in large metropolitan areas like New York City, she says, “It took us six months just to get this one.”

For more information or a consultation, visit northmedicalpc.com/livingproof.htm or call 329-4975.

October 2011 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 13

SmartBites

the growth of tumor cells.

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

4 Great Reasons to Eat Garlic

J

ust four? Amen. Garlic’s got so much going for it, a tome could be written. But since space doesn’t permit such an outpouring, let’s look at top reasons why garlic — affectionately called “the stinking rose” — has been revered for centuries.

Heart protection

Garlic may help to reduce the risk of heart disease by boosting levels of a chemical that does a heart good. In a recent study conducted at the University of Alabama, researchers found that eating garlic appears to elevate our natural supply of hydrogen sulfide, a gas that works to relax blood vessels and increase blood flow.

Cancer prevention

According to the National Cancer Institute, several population studies

show an association between increased intake of garlic and reduced risk of certain cancers. Findings from the Iowa Women’s Study showed that women who consumed the most garlic had a 50 percent lower risk of colon cancer. In studies conducted in China, researchers found that frequent consumption of garlic was linked to a reduced risk of esophageal and stomach cancers.

How does garlic knock the wind out of cancer’s sails? The jury is still out, but some believe that certain compounds within garlic slow or prevent

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Antioxidant

Ah, oxidation, the body process that produces free radicals. While some free radicals are necessary to ward off disease, too many — from sunlight, pollution, smoking — can wreak havoc. Enter antioxidants, vital substances that can prevent cell damage by gobbling up free radicals. Garlic, bless its odiferous, sulfuric soul, is a known antioxidant.

Infection fighter

Historically, garlic’s antibacterial and antiviral properties are perhaps its most legendary feature. Long studied for its role in controlling infection from bacteria, viruses, and microbes (yeasts, fungi, worms), garlic is believed to strengthen the immune system by helping the body’s white blood cells gobble up enemy bugs.

Helpful tips

Choose regular garlic (elephant garlic does not offer the same benefits) that is plump and sprout-free. Store uncovered in a cool, dark place away from heat and sunlight. To maximize garlic’s health benefits, crush or chop the clove and then wait at least five minutes before eating or cooking.

During this time, important enzyme reactions occur that boost garlic’s nutritional benefits.

Worried about garlic breath? Chew some fresh parsley.

2 ¼ cups sliced onions 3/4 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 ½ teaspoons fresh) 10 garlic cloves, peeled and coarsely chopped 3 ½ cups low-salt chicken broth ½ cup fat-free Half & Half (or 2 percent milk) Salt and pepper to taste ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (or low-fat cheese of choice) Juice from 1 lemon Baked croutons (optional) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Break garlic heads into cloves and peel. Place cloves in small baking dish and toss with ½ teaspoon olive oil. Cover dish tightly with foil and bake until garlic is tender, about 35 minutes. Set aside.

Heat remaining oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and thyme and cook until onions are translucent, about 6 minutes.

Add roasted garlic and 10 chopped garlic cloves and cook 3 minutes more.

Add chicken stock; cover and simmer until garlic is tender, about 20 minutes. Puree soup with immersion blender until smooth. Add Half & Half (or milk) and bring to simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in lemon juice. Divide cheese among four bowls and ladle soup over. Top with crunchy croutons and serve.

Roasted Garlic Soup with Parmesan

Adapted from Bon Appetit

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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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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2011

More in CNY Biking to Work

By Aaron Gifford

I

Some believe trend dates back to 2004, when gas prices began to skyrocket

n Brooklyn, Helene Schmid peddled everywhere — to work, the grocery stores, her friend’s house. No matter what time of day, biking was always more convenient than driving.

The 40-year-old cycling enthusiast and physical education instructor was determined to maintain the same lifestyle when she moved to Fayetteville in June. But the environment in Central New York is much different than New York City’s: Motorists probably aren’t used to sharing their lane with bikes.

Several main roads have very narrow shoulders or none at all. And the snow here piles up much, much higher.

Still, Schmid is determined to bike to her job at Syracuse University every day, year-round, and use her car for emergencies only.

“The past two months here have been great,” she said. “The scenery is nice to look at, and it’s much quieter.

We really try to leave the car in the driveway.”

She’s not alone: According to recently released U.S. Census figures, the number of Central New York residents who bike to work has increased significantly in the past decade. The Census American Community Survey showed that 2,643 members of Onondaga County’s workforce in 2009 traveled to work by “other means,” meaning they did not drive a motorized vehicle, carpool, walk or use public transportation. That category would be limited to bikes, inline skates or non-motorized scooters. By comparison, the number of Onondaga County work force members who got to work by other means in 2000 totaled 1,541.

In the city of Syracuse alone, the number of people in the other means commuting category totaled 1,115 in 2009, or 2 percent of the workforce for that year, up from 678 people in 2000

(1.1 percent of work force).

In Madison County, 738 people got to work by other means in 2009 (2.3 percent of the work force there), up from 290 in 2000 (.9 percent of the work force). In Oswego County, the number of commuters in that category more than doubled to 617 (1.2 percent of work force) in 2009 from 315 (.6 percent) in 2000. There was also a slight increase in Cayuga County, to 397 people in 2009 (1.1 percent of the work force) from 280 people in 2000 (.8 percent of the work force).

Jeremy Clay, owner of the Bike Loft East in Manlius, has noticed in recent years that more customers are buying bikes for the purpose of commuting to work. He estimates that the trend dates back to 2004, when gas prices began to skyrocket.

“That was probably the start of it,” Clay said. “We would probably see a 10-15 percent increase in commuter bikes every year, especially around the fall. There are a lot of people who bike year-round, and all kind of people — doctors, students, businessmen, and custodians. We have guys who will bike in the worse conditions. Four days a week to work is pretty common, with one day of the week where they drive to bring home their dirty clothes.”

Central New York bike enthusiasts say the benefits of peddling to work cannot be overstated: Pat Green, 46, completes a 22-mile, 75-minute ride from the Lockheed Martin plant near Liverpool to his home in Palermo, Oswego County, three times a week from early April through October. He drives in with his wife, Robin, who also works at Lockheed Martin, and carries his light-weight road bike into his office. Co-worker and fellow Continued

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Page 15

BIKIBG - Continued cycling enthusiast Scott Bernstein joins Green for part of the way home before turning off toward his Baldwinsville home.

Green got into cycling in 2003, starting with shorter rides of about 7 miles before working up to his daily commuting routine and a 50-mile Sunday trek. He’s biked across the states of Maine and Indiana and participates in many long-distance rides for charity.

The commute helps him stay fit and relieve stress at the end of the work day.

“You burn more than 1,000 calories per hour,” Green said. “You get a lot more out of it [biking] than you get out of an hour of running.”

Biking also allows Green to take in the sights, sounds and smells of Central New York in the spring, summer and fall.

“You notice things when you’re going 20 miles per hour that you don’t notice when you’re going 55,” he said.

Physician Daniel Wnorowski manages to bike to work once or twice a week despite his very demanding career as an orthopedic surgeon. He’s able to do this on days when he’s not on call. He leaves his Manlius home around 6:45 a.m. and peddles 12 miles to his office on Syracuse’s south side.

Depending on how his day goes, he may have time to stop at Crouse Hospi-

tal on his way home or make a detour to conquer some of the more challenging hills near Syracuse University or in Jamesville.

“It’s a good way to be a role model for the patients,” said Wnorowski, 53, who has been biking for work for about five years now. “If you tell your patients to exercise more, you should do it too.”

Wnorowski is a cycling enthusiast who has a thrill for hills. He’s participated in events throughout New England, including point series races that challenge competitors to conquer several mountains in Vermont. He has several different bikes, including ones for racing and one just for climbing hills, but his “commuting beast” is a sturdy 15-year-old Cannondale that has held up in every kind of weather condition and is large enough to help Wnorowski transport a big bag to work.

Little can be done to make Central New York’s weather more friendly to commuters who peddle to work, but help is on the way to improve roadways and paths for bicycles. Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently pledged to sign statewide “complete streets” legislation that would require municipal, county and state highway departments to factor in pedestrian use as well as the use of non-motorized vehicles into future road reconstruction projects.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2011

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Want to Bike to Work?

Jeremy Clay of the Bike Loft East shop in Manlius had some pointers for those want to save money on gas, help the environment and get some exercise by peddling instead of driving: • Start gradually: Try biking to work one day a week for awhile before committing to leave your car in the garage all week. Get a sense of your endurance level, how it works for your schedule, and traffic patterns. If you start with five days a week, there’s a greater chance of getting discouraged and giving up on the idea entirely.

• Safety first: Always wear a helmet and an orange or bright colored vest. Get a good headlight for the front of the bike and a flashing light for the rear of the bike. While you may not

need the lights for your ride home in the summer, you will need them when daylight is scarcer in the fall. It’s also wise to have a cell phone on you at all times when biking.

• Emergency care: It’s important to have the ability to patch and/or pump a tire. Small repair kits are available at most bike shops and sporting goods stores.

• Don’t be too quick to buy a new machine: The bike you already have may be good enough. If not, purchase different tires, a new seat or other parts to assure maximum comfort and safety.

If you’re serious about peddling to work, you can make additional modifications to turn your street or mountain bike into a commuter bike.

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Dr. Zygmont’s clinical interest is in general Endocrinology, including thyroid disease, pituitary and adrenal disorders, osteoporosis, and calcium abnormalities. In particular, his clinical and research focus has been on the management of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, lipid disorders, obesity, and cardiovascular risk reduction.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 17

Crouse Hospital Launches ‘My Mammogram Promise’

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yracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner made her promise. Popular B104.7 morning radio host Becky Palmer did, too. Evelyn Carter, community relations manager for Wegmans, also promised. Each of these women has her own personal reason for promising to get a mammogram, but together they’ve joined Crouse Hospital’s new community action initiative, “My Mammogram Promise,” to encourage other women to make their own promise over the next several weeks — and beyond.

The hospital is starting this October — designated National Breast Cancer Awareness Month — a campaign that is designed to engage women in taking charge of their health by promising — to themselves and those they love — to get a mammogram.

“Awareness isn’t enough,” said Crouse President & CEO Paul Kronenberg. “Making this promise is the right first step.”

A special website, MyMammogramPromise.com, has been launched to provide information about breast health, along with an immediate opportunity for women to pledge to schedule a mammogram.

Crouse is partnering with ClearChannel radio on this initiative to reach as many women in the region as possible.

“Making a promise to get a mammogram empowers women to assume

responsibility for their health and doing what’s necessary to maintain it,” says Stephen Montgomery, medical director of Crouse’s Breast Health Center, the only ACR-accredited breast imaging center of excellence in Syracuse. “This simple act today can lead to many years of getting an annual mammogram,” he advised, adding, “the fact is, mammograms do save lives.”

Preventive measures also play a key role in detecting problems early, and should start when women are young.

Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women in their 20s, since women should get to know how their breasts normally look and feel in order to detect anything out of the ordinary. A clinical breast exam (CBE) by a certified healthcare provider is suggested every three years for women in this age group and in their 30s. American Cancer Society guidelines call for women 40 and older to have a CBE each year, along with a screening mammogram annually as long as they’re in good health.

Most health insurance carriers cover routine screening mammograms, but woman 40 to 64 who are not insured or underinsured, may qualify for a low or low cost mammogram through the Cancer Services Program. Call 315-4353653 for details.

For more information visit mymammogrampromise.com or crouse. org/breast-health, or call 315-470-5880.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2011

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435-3558 October 2011 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 19

ancer C

Diet Impacts Cancer Risk Eating a balanced diet is no guarantee one will remain cancer-free; however, it certainly can help

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

C

ancer risk factors includes genetics (over which we have no control) and lifestyle factors, which we can control. One of those is diet.

Of course, eating a perfect diet is no guarantee one will remain cancer-free; however, it certainly can help.

Alvaro Carrascal, senior vice president of cancer control for New York and New Jersey for the American Cancer Society, said that a general emphasis on plant-based foods is key.

“People should eat five-plus servings of fruits and vegetables each day,” the physician said. “Many of them have fiber and components that are helpful in reducing the risk of cancer and are good for a healthy life in general.”

Variety is the spice of life and important in the diet for good health and cancer prevention. Eat meals with plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables

CancerConnect Provides Extra Help to Cancer Patients CancerConnect is a nonprofit organization that offers massage therapy, Reiki, acupuncture and mentoring services to cancer patients in Central New York. All services are free.

In a story about the organization in the September issue of In Good Health, we failed to include a phone number or email address for contact and information.

Those who want to reach CancerConnect may call 315634-5004 or send an email to cancerconnects@gmail.com.

of all sorts, since each contains different vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

Try new produce items you may have never tried before or have not served recently.

Howard Walsdorf, chiropractor and self-titled holistic, natural healing doctor, specializes in natural healing at his practice in Syracuse, University Chiropractic & Natural Health Improvement Center.

“There has been a lot of research showing the power of the phytonutrients in plant-based foods to help our body fight cancers,” he said. “Many of these phytonutrients seem to help what is being called epigenetics. Epigenetics is a growing field of health research that is showing that genes get turned on and off by way of things in our environment, foods we eat, even our behaviors.”

Of course, there are no specific fruits or vegetables that guarantee protection from cancer; however, some seem to offer different benefits than others, which indicates eating a variety of produce is important.

Polyphenols and other compounds make foods like kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli important parts of a healthful diet that reduces cancer risk.

“As it turns out most fruits and vegetable have anti-cancer phytonutrients,” Walsdorf said. “Some of the more powerful ones include pomegranate, blueberries. Just about every berry has them; many of these positive components of fruits exist just below the surface of their skin and even as the pigments that build the skin. This includes oranges and grapefruits.”

Fruits and vegetables offer other anti-cancer benefits. Laurel Sterling Prisco, a registered dietitian, consults

with Natur-Tyme in Syracuse as an integrative dietitian and wellness educator. She recommends eating “anti-carcinogenic foods, like raw juice, beets, and other detoxifying foods.

“Berries, carrots, celery, cherries, and cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts are good, too,” she added.

Raid the spice rack and increase meals’ flavor and healthfulness. Herbs and spices are derived from plants, so they’re naturally full of antioxidants.

Add spices to bland but healthful foods, such as cinnamon to a bowl of oatmeal instead of brown sugar. Or try a salt-free herb mix on vegetables instead of butter and salt if you need to reduce your sodium intake.

Sterling Prisco praised the antioxidant properties of seasonings such as garlic, onions, ginger and turmeric.

When it comes to grains, emphasize whole grains such as oatmeal (not the flavored packets), whole wheat bread, pasta and crackers, brown rice, and quinoa instead of processed grains that include white flour-based items and white rice.

“It is a well accepted fact that processed foods are filled with calories and increase sugar quickly and contribute to eating too many calories,” Carrascal said.

Whole grains contain more fiber, which can help maintain healthy bowel function and has been linked to reduction in colorectal cancer.

Eat low-fat sources of protein, avoiding processed meats and minimizing red meats.

“There is indication that high consumption [of red and processed meat]

is associated with cancers of the digestive system,” Carrascal said. “Processed meats contain nitrates and preservatives that could impact cancer formation.”

Sterling Prisco warns clients to “avoid hydrogentated fats, artificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, artificial sweeteners, and white flour.”

She also promotes drinking green or black tea because of their antioxidant properties.

Consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet, coffee may also be a good choice.

“I tell my patients that as it turns out, coffee is America’s herb of choice,” Walsdorf said. “Yes, coffee is a herbal decotion, filled with these phytonutrients, some of which are surely have anti-cancer effects.”

It’s hard to beat calorie-free water for refreshment. Juice drinks, energy drinks, liquor and soft drinks are all calorically dense while providing little, if any health benefit.

“We know that there’s tremendous over-consumption of sugary drinks,” Carrascal said. “They are responsible in part for high levels of obesity. Obesity is related to cancer.”

When it comes to alcoholic beverages, Carrascal said men should have no more than two drinks per day and women no more than one.

“Excess alcohol consumption is linked with cancer of digestive system,” he added.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2011

Then we need you!

You can help with an exciting new program here in Onondaga County.

• Work with other youth, parents and community members as part of the Community Advisory Council • Join the Youth Task Force (ages 10-21) • Schedule a program for your youth group For more information visit www.reachcny.org or call Jane at 424-0009 ext. 111.

Health commissioner urges people to participate in largest cancer study You’re eligible if you’re between the ages of 30 and 65 and you’ve never had a cancer diagnosis

By Cynthia Morrow Nationwide, cancer is the secondleading cause of death but here in Onondaga County, cancer is No. 1.

We need to do an even better job of preventing and treating cancer, especially here in Central New York.

While there have been tremendous strides in cancer research and treatment, we still don’t know enough about the disease. The more information we have about cancer, the more we can do to decrease its impact on our community. For that, we need your help.

The American Cancer Society (ACS), the nation’s leader in cancer research, recently launched Cancer Prevention Study-3, their largest study ever. It’s expected to break new ground on what causes cancer.

The results of the study are important for the 11 million people fighting cancer nationwide, but they’re even more important for the millions of people who will be diagnosed in years to come.

Please join the fight against cancer by enrolling in CPS-3. You’re eligible if you’re between the ages of 30 and 65 and you’ve never had a cancer diagnosis (not including basal or squamous cell skin cancer). Participants must provide a blood sample and waist measurement, take two surveys and be willing to do follow-up surveys every few years.

I am proud to say I am part of the study and I can tell you it is well worth it. The process was easy, the people who ran it were friendly, and after I enrolled, I felt I was part of a community of people eager to end cancer.

Locally, ACS is partnering with two other cancer-fighting institutions, the YMCA of Greater Syracuse and Upstate Medical University, to make it easier for you to enroll in CPS-3. Enrollment events are being held from Oct. 12 to 15 at all Y branches and at Upstate. To register, or for more information, visit www.CPS3Syracuse.com or call 1-888604-5888.

If you are a member of a minority, enrolling in the study is especially important. Cancer death rates are highest

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These people are all host parents in the Treatment Foster Care Program at Cayuga Home for Children Morrow

What does that mean?

among minority populations, in part, because less research has been done on how cancer affects races differently.

If you already have cancer, you need to know that you don’t have to fight it alone. The YMCA of Greater Syracuse, the American Cancer Society and University Hospital offer cancer survivors free services, including a 12-week group support and exercise program; free childcare while attending medical appointments; and restorative yoga classes. For details, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345.

It means they have big hearts,

Cynthia Morrow is the Onondaga County Commissioner of Health and a member of the Metropolitan Board of Directors at the YMCA of Greater Syracuse.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 21

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New Challenges for Smaller Hospitals in the Region Hospitals outside Syracuse area may have to change the way they do business in order to survive

By Aaron Gifford

I

n Hamilton, Community Memorial Hospital is in the process of formalizing a management agreement with the much larger Crouse Hospital in Syracuse.

In Onondaga, Upstate Medical University recently took over ownership and operation of the much smaller Community General Hospital.

And in Cayuga County, Auburn Memorial Hospital just put out a request for proposals to three large Syracuse hospitals and two large Rochester hospitals. Auburn Memorial will consider shared services and potentially a merger with a larger partner.

The theme is similar across Upstate New York: With health care reform looming, smaller hospitals may have to change the way they do business in order to survive.

The nonprofit Finger Lakes Health Systems, which assists health care providers in Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Seneca and Wayne counties, recently reported that hospitals in its area are increasingly losing market share to the larger hospitals up to an hour away even though the same services are offered locally. Meanwhile, reimbursements for those hospitals are expected to decrease by $63 million in the next 10 years. To absorb that shortfall, the agency has challenged small hospitals in the five-county rural region to share services, form partnerships with the larger Rochester area hospitals or combine force to form one large health care organization for their region that offers all of the specialty services offered in metro hospitals.

Central New York hospitals, meanwhile, have already started to make changes and may set examples for their Finger Lakes counterparts to follow.

In Auburn Memorial’s case, officials are pursuing a major change even though the hospital is financially stable. Roz McCormick, vice president, stressed that the move to partner with a larger hospital is not related to any current or anticipated debts.

“We’re trying to be proactive,” she said. “We need to position ourselves because there are so many changes in the health care field related to reimbursement, and there’s a shortage of critical health care professionals.”

Likewise, Oneida Healthcare Center in Madison County is currently in discussions with both similar-sized hospitals and larger hospitals “just to see what we have in common,” said Chief Executive Officer Gene Morreale.

“The idea is, what we can do together that will provide better quality care at less cost?” Morreale said. “We’re not sure it makes sense right now, but for the long term we need to evaluate all of our options so when health care reform is implemented, we’re in a position to respond. The ultimate goal is to make sure people aren’t leaving their community for health care.”

The concept is not brand new to OHC: Earlier this year, the hospital tapped The Franciscan Companies, a subsidiary of St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, to manage its sleep lab

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2011

and provide medical equipment to local patients and consumers.

The details of Community Memorial’s agreement with Crouse have not been released yet. But Bob Allen, Crouse public relations director, did say that the first step will be to replace Community Memorial’s longtime Chief Executive Officer Dave Felton, after Felton retires at the end of the year. The benefits of a partnership are mutually beneficial: Community Memorial will be networked to more services and have a stronger financial base with the likelihood of shrinking reimbursements under future health care reform measures, and Crouse will get referrals from Community Memorial.

“Organizations, both large and small, are looking to form mutually beneficial partnerships to help share costs, reduce duplication and provide a more seamless, coordinated system of care,” Allen said. “We will look to provide certain clinical supports to Community Memorial so that it can remain a vital provider in the Hamilton community. Crouse will benefit from referrals to our hospital for services that are not available at CMH, such as interventional cardiac care.”

To the east, Little Falls Hospital in Herkimer County and its parent corporation, Bassett Healthcare Network has received national media attention for making radical changes in the way they do business. Chief among those changes was putting physicians on an annual salary.

But Little Falls and the other Bassett hospitals in Cooperstown, Oneonta, Delhi and Sidney are different than their Central New York and Finger Lakes area counterparts in that they are all over an hour away from any large metropolitan area hospitals. Those hospitals were integrated into Bassett’s system in the mid-1990s. The company’s business grew tremendously over the decades that followed.

According to company officials, Bassett’s market covers a 5,600 square

mile region and includes 28 rural health clinics as well as a 180-bed acute care inpatient teaching facility in Cooperstown that employs more than 3,400 people. The Bassett Medical Center was formally established as a medical school campus of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 2009.

“Bassett’s model of health care delivery has been a successful one,” said Karen Huxtable-Hooker, public and media relations director.

Oswego Hospital , where 28 employees were recently laid off in response to declining state and federal reimbursements, does not appear to be considering any partnerships with other hospitals. Instead, its parent company, Oswego Health, is focusing locally on a primary care collaborative with Northern Oswego County Health Services Inc. and Oswego County Opportunities to “financially stabilize and clinically enhance the primary care network of providers currently located throughout Oswego County,” said Marion Ciciarelli, public relations manager.

A state Department of Health grant provided $3 million to improve six primary care offices throughout Oswego County, Ciciarelli added.

“Oswego Health is regularly adjusting operations to the changing health care marketplace,” she said.

Rome Memorial Hospital did not provide information about its future for this story.

The Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency identified several areas where small hospitals could consolidate staffing and services. The list includes accounting, clinical engineering, compliance, credentialing, and human resources, imaging services, infection control, information technology, laboratory services, pharmacy, physician network services, physician recruitment, plant engineering, risk management, staff development, supply chain, transcriptions and treasury services.

By Jim Miller

How to Detect and Prevent Telemarketing Scams Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some tips to help protect seniors from telemarketing scams? My 80-year-old mother has been swindled out of several hundred dollars over the past year and keeps getting calls from scam artists.

Worried Daughter

provides a rundown on some of the most common phone scams making the rounds these days and what to watch for. They also offer some helpful publications you can get for her like “Putting Telephone Scams on Hold” and “Who’s Calling? Recognize & Report Phone Fraud” that you can order for free by calling 877-382-4357.

The next step is to remind her to never give out her personal information like her credit card number, checking or savings account numbers, Social Security number or mailing address to telemarketers no matter what they promise or tell her. If she’s getting calls from telemarketers requesting this information, she should simply hang up the phone because it’s a scam.

Dear Worried If, however, your mom is having a Telemarketing fraud is a hard time recognizing a scam or hanging up on pushy telemarketers, get big problem in the United her a caller ID and tell her not to pick up unless she recognizes the number States, particularly among of the caller. Or, ask her to let the calls seniors who tend to be the go to voice mail. Telemarketers rarely leave messages. most vulnerable and freAlso, make sure her phone number quently targeted. Here’s is registered with the National Do Not Call Registry which will significantly what you should know, cut down the number of telemarketing along with some tips to help calls she receives. You can register your mom’s phone number for free at donotprotect your mom. call.gov, or by calling 888-382-1222 from the number you wish to register.

Unfortunately, being on the regPhone Fraud According to FBI reports, there are istry will not stop calls from political around 14,000 illegal telemarketing op- organizations, charities, pollsters and erations that steal more than $40 billion companies that your mom has an existing business relationship with. And, it from unsuspecting citizens each year – most of whom are over the age of 60. won’t stop telemarketing scams either.

Telemarketing fraud happens when If your mom is getting a lot of calls, discuss the possibility of changing her a con artist calls you up posing as a legitimate telemarketer and tries to cheat phone number. Scam artists trade and sell what they call “suckers lists” of you out of your money by offering prior victims, and the only way to get things like free prizes, vacation packher off these lists may be to change her ages, sweepstakes or lottery winnings, number. discount medical or prescription drug Report It plans, buying club memberships, credit and loan promises, investment and It’s also important that you or your work-at-home opportunities and more. mom report any suspicious telemarketThey also usually demand that you ing calls she gets to the FTC (see ftcact right away and require some kind complaintassistant.gov or call 877-382of up-front payment to participate or 4357) and to her State Attorney Generreceive your winnings, which is always al. Reporting it helps law enforcement a red flag that the call is a scam. officials track down these scam artists Seniors also need to be careful of and stop them. You’ll need to provide fake charity and fundraising phone the telemarketer’s phone number, as scams, home improvement scams, fake well as the date and time of the call. checks (see fakechecks.org), grandparent scams, and invitations to free lunch seminars.

Send your senior What You Can Do questions to: Savvy The first thing you should do to Senior, P.O. Box 5443, help your mom steer clear of phone Norman, OK 73070, or scams is to alert her to the problem visit www.savvysenior. and how to recognize it. To help you org. Jim Miller is a with this, the Federal Trade Commiscontributor to the NBC sion (FTC) offers a consumer education Today show and author website at ftc.gov/phonefraud that of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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Connie Caughey, NP meets one-on-one with our patients to support a healthy lifestyle.

Connie offers a Smoking Cessation Program and works closely with our patients to encourage success. Individual Lactation Consultations help our mothers and babies learn to breastfeed with confidence. Our onsite La’ Petite Boutique offers our nursing mothers Medela Pumps and supplies at cost, Rentals and Nursing Bras.

Same Day & Evening Appointments 445-2701 Call for an Appointment, our Staff will be happy to assist you.

5800 Heritage Landing Drive, Suite C, East Syracuse, NY 13057 October 2011 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 23

The Social Ask Security Office

What They Want You to Know:

By Deborah Banikowski, District Manager in Syracuse.

Physical Therapists H

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

T

he American Physical Therapist Association (www.apta.org) states “Physical therapists (PTs) are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.”

• “Pain should not be ignored. It’s a warning sign. People think pain will go away or get better on its own. Any pain that sticks around for more than a couple weeks should be checked.

• “Pain isn’t just a part of getting older that they should just accept.

There’s almost always something we can do [to help].

• “A lot of older patients think the same with balance that they’re getting older and they have to live with poor balance. We would love patients to come visit us before they have a fall and injury. It’s a lot easier to treat balance without adding another injury on top of it.

• “I’d love for people to be proactive. If there’s something they need help with they should ask their doctors if they should try physical therapy.

• “We see people of all ages and stages of life. We meet them at whatever level they’re at and help them improve. It should be meaningful and relevant to what they do in their daily life.

• “I’d love it if people would wear comfortable and practical clothing and shoes.

• “Bring a list of your medication.

Someone who’s diabetic and is on insulin can have low blood sugar and we need to be on the lookout for that for reactions to exercise.”

Lisa McGork, physical therapist at Oneida Healthcare, Oneida

• “I wish they did self-treatment techniques instead of letting it go too long. Many times, people won’t treat themselves and they let it go. By that time it’s harder to make an improvement.

• “I wish they understood the aspects of their health insurance and knew what’s covered and what’s not before they come to see me so there are no surprises.

• “I wish that people would not stop their rehabilitation halfway through. They are throwing away the time and money investment. That is frustrating to a lot of therapists.

• “Avoiding injuries starts with strengthening and stretching and general fitness before they try to get into aerobic sports. Lots of time you need strength and range of motion as a precursor to any type of cardiovascular or aerobic fitness. The repeated motion leads to muscular imbalances that can lead to injury. Simple exercises for general strengthening can eliminate that.

You need strength and range of motion to support your exercise habit. The weekend warriors who get up off the couch and run a 5-kilometer race don’t appreciate the kind of build-up it takes to support that kind of activity.”

Jason Pratt, physical therapist with Oswego Hospital Deborah Jeanne Sergeant is a writer with In Good Health. “What Your Doctor Wants You to Know” is an ongoing column that appears monthly to give our area’s healthcare professionals an opportunity to share how patients can improve their care by helping their providers and by helping themselves.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2011

100 Disability Conditions Fast-tracked

ere’s some important news if you’re applying for Social Security disability benefits for yourself or a loved one. There are 100 conditions which qualify for an expedited process known as Compassionate Allowances.

Compassionate Allowances, which began in December 2007, are a way to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security’s standards for disability benefits.

“We have an obligation to award benefits quickly to people whose Banikowski medical conditions are so serious they clearly meet our disability standards,” said Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. “We are now able to do precisely that for 100 severe conditions.”

The Compassionate Allowances conditions are developed from information received at public outreach hearings, and from the Social Security and Disability Determination Service communities, medical and scientific experts, and the National Institutes of

Q&A

Q: How do I update or correct the name on my Social Security card?

A: To update or correct the name on your Social Security card: • Complete an Application for A Social Security Card (Form SS-5), available at www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.pdf; • Show us original documents proving your legal name change, identity, and U.S. citizenship (if you have not already established your citizenship with us), or immigration status if you are not a U.S. citizen; and • Take or mail your completed application and original documents to your local Social Security office. Note that we must see originals and cannot use photocopies. We will return any original document you mail to us.

Learn more at www.socialsecurity. gov.

Q: How do I report a lost Social Security card?

A: You do not have to report a lost Social Security card. In fact, reporting a lost or stolen card to Social Security will not prevent misuse of your Social Security number. You should let us know if someone is using your number to work (call 1-800-772-1213; TTY 1-800-325-0778).

If you think someone is using your number, there are several other actions you should take: • Contact the Federal Trade Com-

Health. We also consider which conditions are most likely to meet our definition of disability.

“By definition, these illnesses are so severe that we don’t need to fully develop the applicant’s work history to make a decision,” said Commissioner Astrue. “As a result, Social Security has eliminated this part of the application process for people who have a condition on the list, and we can award benefits much more quickly.”

The Compassionate Allowances initiative is one of two parts of the agency’s fast-track system for certain disability claims. When combined with the Quick Disability Determination (QDD) process, Social Security last year approved the claims of more than 100,000 people, usually in less than two weeks. This year, the agency expects to fast-track nearly 150,000 cases. Under QDD, a predictive model analyzes specific elements of data within the electronic claims file to identify claims where there is a high potential the claimant is disabled and where evidence of the person’s allegations can be quickly and easily obtained.

Some of the conditions include pancreatic cancer, acute leukemia and batten disease. For more information on Compassionate Allowances, including a list of all 100 conditions, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.

mission online at www.ftc.gov/bcdp/ edu/microsites/idtheft or call 1-877ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); • File an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov; • Contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit by calling 1-800908-4490, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.; and • Monitor your credit report.

Q: I work in retirement. How much can I earn and still collect full Social Security retirement benefits?

A: Social Security uses the formulas below, depending on your age, to determine how much you can earn before we must reduce your benefit: • If you are younger than full retirement age: $1 in benefits will be deducted for each $2 you earn above the annual limit. For 2011, that limit is $14,160.

• In the year you reach your full retirement age: $1 in benefits will be deducted for each $3 you earn above a different limit, but we count only earnings before the month you reach full retirement age. For 2011, this limit is $37,680.

• Starting with the month you reach full retirement age: you will get your benefits with no limit on your earnings.

Find out your full retirement age at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/ageincrease.htm.

Diabetes

Many who live with diabetes in CNY don’t follow recommended care

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New Excellus report shows diabetes rate among adults jumpred more than 30 percent between 2001 and 2009

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any Central New York adults who have diabetes take necessary actions to avoid having diabetic complications, but thousands fail to take known steps that could help them stay as healthy as possible, according to a new report issued recently

by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

“Most individuals who have diabetes do follow at least some of the public health messages and their doctor’s recommendations in an effort to control the trajectory from having diabetes to developing costly complications that can shorten their lives,” said Dr. Arthur Vercillo, regional president, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “The remainder don’t take actions that could prevent or at least delay the problems that diabetes can cause.” Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s new “TakeCharge Community Health Report” is the first in a series that describes what Upstate New Yorkers say they are doing — or not doing — to proactively manage their own health conditions. The report focuses on diabetes, which affects 76,000 Central New York adults.

In Upstate New York, the diabetes rate among adults jumped by more than 30 percent between 2001 and 2009, bringing the total number who have been diagnosed with this condition to about 359,000 in 2009. Some 222,000 additional upstate New Yorkers (5.8 percent of the adult population) have pre-diabetes.

The report notes that type 1 diabetes usually affects children and young adults, and is less preventable than type 2, because it’s mostly genetic.

Type 2 diabetes (the most common kind) usually strikes after age 40, and compared to type 1, can be influenced more by lifestyle choices, such as a poor diet and physical inactivity.

Both types of diabetes require active management to prevent or delay damage to many major organs of the body (including the blood vessels, heart, eyes and kidneys), which leads

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to diabetic complications, said Vercillo. “People who experience diabetic complications incur three times the medical costs of those who don’t have diabetes,” he noted and added that individuals who have diabetes are twice as likely to die as those of similar age who don’t have it.

The report, based on a Centers for Disease Control survey of Upstate New York adults who said they had been diagnosed with diabetes, finds that many people who have this condition do take the recommended steps to manage it.

The report also notes that 16 percent of Upstate New York adults with diabetes reported being current smokers, and 14 percent reported regularly engaging in moderate physical activity.

Smoking and lack of regular physical activity further increase a person’s risk for developing diabetic complications.

In CNY, individuals with diabetes were more likely than their Upstate New York counterparts to see a health professional for their diabetes within the previous year (88 percent), have a yearly dilated eye exam (81 percent), have their A1C measured at least twice

during the previous year (84 percent), measure their blood sugar at least once daily (66 percent) and engage in moderate, daily physical activity (20 percent).

“While many Central New Yorkers are following their doctor’s advice and managing their condition by doing the things they should be doing, thousands are not,” said Vercillo. “That’s unfortunate, because actively managing your health can add years to your life, improve its quality, and save you the time, effort and money that go with treating more serious health conditions that could be prevented.”

If you or someone you love is unable to shop for or prepare their own meals, contact Meals On Wheels.

300 Burt Street, Syracuse, NY 13202 (315) 478-5948 • www.meals.org October2011 •

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H ealth News Janet Billington joins Home Aides of Central New York Janet Billington of Syracuse has joined Home Aides of Central New York as information technology and operations manager.

“Ms. Billington will be responsible for the development, coordination, and implementation of information systems and technology solutions for Home Aides of Central New York,” said Sandra H. Billington Martin, the agency’s president.

Billington received her Bachelor of Science from Clarkson University and has over 10 years of experience in information technology management in the home health care industry.

Linda Gilmore receives new certifications Linda Gilmore of Balanced Life Hypnosis has recently returned from the annual National Guild of Hypnotists conference bringing with her two new certifications: sleep improvement specialist and smoking cessation specialist. Additionally Gilmore received intensive training in guiding people to put the law of attraction into action in their lives.

“Using hypnosis to clear sleep issues typically improves other areas of a person’s life as well,” she said.

Gilmore has been practicing hypnotism as a certified hypnotist since 2003.

Auburn Memorial Hospital goes smoke-free Auburn Memorial Hospital is the latest hospitals in Central New York to go smoke-free. Since September the Auburn facility has been designated a smoke- free and tobacco-free campus.

This initiative will result in no smoking or tobacco use of any kind on any hospital owned or occupied property including parking lots and areas common to Auburn Memorial Hospital.

“As a healthcare organization, we are committed to the health and safety of our employees and patients. We believe that we have a responsibility to take a leadership role on this major health issue, and establishing our entire campus as smoke-free and tobacco-free firmly supports that belief” said Scott A. Berlucchi, President/CEO of Auburn Memorial Hospital.

The Tobacco Cessation Center at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center awarded Auburn Memorial Hospital a stipend in the amount of $4,000 toward the smoke- free and tobaccofree campus initiative. The cessation center is funded through a New York State Department of Health grant that covers Cayuga, Onondaga and Oswego counties. Cessation centers across New York state work with health care faPage 26

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cilities and clinicians in their assigned areas to assist in systems changes that help patients quit tobacco use. To date, this plan has been implemented at over 180 hospital and clinic sites across New York State.

Auburn Memorial Hospital is asking for community support in the smoke- free and tobacco-free initiative. The decision to go smoke- free and tobacco-free is not an attempt to force anyone to quit smoking, officials say. Rather, this initiative is a concrete way to demonstrate Auburn Memorial Hospital’s ongoing commitment to healthy living.

CEO Berlucchi appointed to American Hospital Assn Scott A. Berlucchi, president/CEO of Auburn Memorial Hospital, has been appointed to the American Hospital Association (AHA) regional policy board. The American Hospital Association (AHA), founded in 1898, is the national organization that represents and serves all types of hospitals, health care networks, as well as their patients and communities.

Approximately 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 40,000 individual members come together to form the AHA. Through represenBerlucchi tation and advocacy activities, AHA ensures that members’ perspectives and needs are heard and addressed in national health policy development, legislative and regulatory debates, and judicial matters. The advocacy efforts include the legislative and executive branches and include the legislative and regulatory arenas.

The AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends.

As a member of the regional policy board, Berlucchi will assess and evaluate areas of concern to the health care field, their impact and importance, and what advocacy action the AHA should take to address those areas of concern.

This will assist the AHA in the development of policy positions, strategies and emerging healthcare issues.

“We are pleased to have Scott serve on the regional policy board,” said Barbara Lorsbach, senior vice president member relations of the American Hospital Association. “These boards foster and maintain communication between the AHA and its membership and state associations and we know that Scott’s insights will be valuable to this process.”

AIDS Community to reach out to inmates in 8 facilities AIDS Community Resources has launched a new criminal justice initiative (CJI), funded with $306,205 state and federal dollars, to provide comprehensive HIV, STD, and hepatitis prevention programs for inmates.

When fully staffed, the CJI will

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2011

have created six news jobs: two each in ACR’s Syracuse, Watertown, and Canton offices.

The program teaches prevention services to individuals housed in eight New York State Department of Corrections facilities in the Watertown and Elmira HUBS. “It is important that incarcerated men have an understanding of behaviors that place them at risk for HIV, hepatitis and other STDs,” said ACR’s Director of Prevention Services Wenona Wake. “Some men are engaging in unprotected sex — condoms are not available — and some are getting tattoos, both of which place them at high-risk for the transmission and/or acquisition of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other STDs.” Along other services, the program will offer educational presentations on the topics of HIV, (STDs), hepatitis, and contributing co-factors.

The correctional facilities to be served are: Auburn Correctional Facility, Butler Correctional Facilit, Cape Vincent Correctional Facility, Five Points Correctional Facility, Gouverneur Correctional Facility, Ogdensburg Correctional Facility, Riverview Correctional Facility and Watertown Correctional Facility.

Food Bank announces new staff, promotion Food Bank of Central New York has hired three professionals.

• Cheryl Alger is Food Bank’s

new controller. She is responsible for overseeing fiscal operations, inventory planning and execution, and budgeting. Alger brings seven years of public auditing experience in the fields of nonprofit, governmental and small business. She also has worked as an internal auditor for a governmental entity and as a senior accountant for a small local retail company. Alger earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Le Moyne College.

• Bill Michaels has been hired as the production distribution manager and will oversee and manage Food Bank’s grocery rescue program. Michaels’ career spans 32 years, with expertise in warehousing and distribution with P&C Food Markets, Inc. A lifelong resident of Syracuse and a graduate of Le Moyne College, Michaels lives in the town of Onondaga with his wife Sharon and their four children.

• Laura Zelias has been hired as finance associate and brings with her 26 years’ experience in the accounting and business field. Zelias will manager accounts payable, inventory control, and vendor relationships.

Food Bank also announced that Mary Lou Plante will be the agency’s new director of member programs.

Plante has been the nutrition resource manager at Food Bank for the past four years providing presentations at county meetings, conducting food demonstrations at food pantries, and monitoring soup kitchens. In her new director role, Plante will focus on customer service, nutrition, and expanding services to Food Bank’s 452 member program partners.

Upstate Sets Largest Goal Ever for 2011-2012 United Way Campaign

Upstate Medical University, the area’s largest employer, will seek to raise $650,000 for the upcoming United Way/Community Giving Campaign that gets under way this month. It’s the largest community giving campaign goal set by Upstate. Last year, Upstate raised more than $609,000 for the campaign; up from $527,947 in 2009.

Shown are Upstate University Hospital Chief Executive Officer John McCabe, and Upstate Senior Vice President Wanda Thompson, co-chairs for Upstate Medical University’s 2011-2012 community giving campaign.

H ealth News NCQA: Excellus BCBS among best plans in nation

Anesthesiologist returns to Oswego Health

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has the top-rated HMO/POS plan in New York state, according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) health insurance plan ranking for 2011-2012.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is the only health plan in New York state to have a commercial product ranked in the top 20 nationally.

The health plan also maintained its strong rankings in other product lines.

NCQA’s Medicare health insurance plan ranking for 2011-2012 listed Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Medicare plans at No. 26 in the nation, while the NCQA Medicaid health insurance plan ranking for 2011-2012 listed Excellus BlueCross BlueShield at No. 15.

“This clearly shows the value of having nonprofit health plans in Upstate New York,” said Christopher Booth, president and chief operating officer of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

“Regardless of age or income, the health care consumer wins when the emphasis is on quality rather than on guaranteeing a return on investment for shareholders.”

NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care.

Oswego Hospital welcomes anesthesiologist Stanley Lubinga, who has rejoined the healthcare provider’s active medical staff. Lubinga has returned to Oswego Hospital to provide care in the seven-suite surgery center after working in Pennsylvania for several years.

“I am glad to be back providing care to the community in Oswego Hospital’s state-of-theart facilities,” Lubinga said. “My family is also happy to be here as we have relatives nearby and Oswego just feels like home to us.”

Lubinga Lubinga earned his medical degree from Makerere University Medical School in Kampala, Uganda. He also completed an internship there in internal medicine, as well as an internship at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. His anesthesia residency was completed at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and at Mercy Hospital, also in Pittsburgh.

Along with providing anesthesiology care in Oswego Hospital’s surgery center, Lubinga, will assist laboring mothers offering services that include epidurals. He will also provide critical care management to intensive care patients.

Lubinga, and his wife Esther Lubinga, also a physician, have three children that range in age from 11 to 16. Later this year, his wife, a family medicine physician, will also return to the active medical staff of Oswego Hospital and begin practicing in Oswego County.

VP for quality management joins Auburn hospital Ann E. McMahon has joined the staff at Auburn Memorial Hospital (AMH) as vice president for quality management. She will coordinate, direct and manage the hospital-wide performance improvement program.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health care administration from Southern Illinois University, a master’s degree in public administration and a master’s degree in health services management from Webster University, St. Louis, Mo. McMahon retired McMahon following a 20 year career in the United States Navy Hospital Corps where she served as a chief petty officer. She is a Persian Gulf War veteran.

Prior to joining Auburn Memorial Hospital, McMahon was employed at Bassett Healthcare Network in Cooperstown as the director of patient safety and risk management.

“The creation of this top level position shows our commitment to continue to allocate resources to ensure the highest level of quality and patient safety program at Auburn Memorial Hospital.” said Scott Berlucchi, president and chief executive officer.

News from

Fred Letourneau Appointed Vice President For Physician Enterprise— St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center has appointed Fred Letourneau to the position of vice president for physician enterprise, a new position on the St. Joseph’s administrative leadership team. In this role he will be responsible for working with employed and private practice physicians affiliated with St. Joseph’s to form an integrated system to improve quality and coordination of patient care. The new position is part of St. Joseph’s recognition that physicians and health care organizations working together can provide the best care for paLetourneau tients throughout the care continuum, from wellness visits in the primary care provider’s office to advanced procedures offered in the hospital.

With 16 years experience in physician practice management, Letourneau

Auburn Memorial Receives New York State Designation as a Stroke Center Partnership with University of Rochester Medical Center a factor The New York State Department of Health has recently designated Auburn Memorial Hospital as a stroke center.

The designation recognizes the hospital’s excellent emergency services and in-patient capabilities in stroke evaluation, diagnosis, continuing treatment, and rehabilitation.

The designation also recognizes Auburn Memorial Hospital’s efforts in staff development and community awareness.

“The New York State Department of Health has established a set of evidence-based clinical standards in stroke care and offers the stroke center designation only when all of these standards are put into action,” said Auburn Memorial Hospital President/CEO, Scott A. Berlucchi. “The true beneficiaries of this designation are the many patients we serve and their families who will seek treatment here knowing they will receive the highest standard of care.”

For nearly two years, Auburn Memorial Hospital has worked with the University of Rochester Medical Center to develop a stroke center. URMC provides 24-hour neurology and neurosurgery stroke care for patients in the Auburn region. The partnership enables physicians in Auburn to consult with neurologists and neurosurgeons at URMC’s Strong stroke xCenter in order to identify patients who may need a higher level of care that is not available at Auburn Memorial Hospital. This can be accomplished via a Web-based system.

“While stroke is the nation’s leading cause of disability, we know that timely emergency care can determine an individual’s chances of recovery,” said Curtis Benesch, director of the Strong stroke center. “This partnership improves access to stroke specialists for physicians and patients in Auburn which is a critical step toward improving outcome for stroke patients.”

“Collaborating with URMC brings modern medical research and technology to our community and illustrates our commitment to providing the highest level of quality care to our community hospital,” Berlucchi said. “Advances in technology allowed us to bridge the geographic gap

between URMC and Auburn, and in doing so allows our Emergency Department doctors access to one of the nation’s best neurosciences programs in the country.”

Physicians in Rochester and Auburn will employ a technology called Image Transfer. This Web-based system allows physicians to remotely review computed tomography (CT) images and MRI of the patient’s brain to determine the most appropriate course of treatment for the patient.

The primary goal of this initiative is to overcome the geographic disadvantage in treating patients with acute ischemic stroke — a type of stroke caused when an artery in the brain becomes obstructed, cuts off the flow of blood, and, if not treated quickly, causes brain cells to die, often resulting in permanent neurological damage.

One of the key decisions in the care of individuals with ischemic stroke is whether or not to give patients a clot busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA).

In order to be effective, tPA must be administered within three hours of the onset of the symptoms of stroke. This period of time is called the tPA “window” and once it has past, physicians are reluctant to administer the drug because it may cause dangerous bleeding in the brain.

In the absence of trained stroke specialists, it falls upon physicians in the emergency department to determine the course of treatment. Not all strokes are the same and the decision whether or not give the patient tPA is based on a complicated number of factors, which can contribute to a reluctance to use the drug without the consultation of a neurologist or a neurosurgeon. Consequently, the drug is only administered in a small fraction of strokes; of the more than 700,000 cases every year nationally, only an estimated 2 to 4 percent receive tPA. For patients who are ineligible for tPA, recent advances in intraarterial intervention — a procedure in which surgeons physically remove the clot from the blood vessel — may be another option. Patients who require advanced procedures not available at Auburn can be transferred to Rochester.

Got News?

Send your item by the 10th of each month to “editor@cnyhealth.com”

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H ealth News is returning to St. Joseph’s where he previously ran a physician hospital organization in the mid-1990s. Most recently, Letourneau served as chief executive officer/administrator for three medical groups in Syracuse: CNY Family Care, LLP, a family medicine group with 11 physicians and seven mid-level providers; Upstate Surgical Group, a general surgery practice with nine physicians; and Vascular Surgeons of Central New York, a vascular surgery group with five physicians. He also has worked for Aetna Health Plans.

A resident of Chittenango, Letourneau holds a bachelor’s degree in management from Syracuse University.

St. Joseph’s President Named To Becker’s Hospital Review — Kathryn H. Ruscitto, St. Joseph’s president and chief executive officer, was named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s list, “291 Hospital and Health System Leaders to Know,” which recognizes individuals leading prominent American healthcare organizations.

“Armed with impressive accomplishments, extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of the healthcare industry, these men and women continue to guide their respective organizations through change and innovation,” according to Becker’s. Leaders Ruscitto were selected for inclusion on this list based on nominations, inclusion in previous Becker’s Hospital Review lists and research conducted by the Becker’s editorial team.

Ruscitto was named president and chief executive officer of St. Joseph’s in 2010, after nine years of serving on the senior leadership team. During her tenure, she has led initiatives dedicated to improving quality and safety throughout the hospital network. In addition, Ruscitto has further developed physician relationships and has led strategic planning for St. Joseph’s, placing it in a strong position for the future. Under her leadership, St. Joseph’s has grown as a strong North side anchor. Ruscitto spearheaded the hospital’s involvement in the revitalization of the North side, including the expansion of St. Joseph’s mission services to the community. She also has been instrumental in leading a multi-million dollar hospital renovation project that not only improves the Prospect Hill neighborhood, but also the quality of care for patients and their families.

Ruscitto received her bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from Le Moyne College, and a Master’s degree in public administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School.

“Modern Healthcare” Up And Comer — AnneMarie Czyz has been named one of “Modern Healthcare’s” up and comers for 2011. The list recognizes rising young stars in the healthcare management field. Czyz was honored among 12 others from across the country for her commitment to the nursing profession and leadership, including her dedication to mentoring others.

Czyz was appointed St. Joseph’s chief nursing officer in 2008, after serving briefly as interim chief nursing officer. Prior to that, she was director of critical care and cardiac services. She Page 28

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2011

also has worked for St. Joseph’s as a staff nurse on one of the cardiac care units, a staff educator and nurse manager.

Czyz earned her nursing degree from the St. Joseph’s College of Nursing and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in nursCzyz ing from the SUNY Upstate Medical University. She also holds a Master of Science and Clinical Nurse Specialist degree from Upstate Medical University. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau and is certified as a medical surgical nurse.

Cardiac Surgeon Joins Center For Healthcare Innovation’s Strategy Group — St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center Cardiac Surgeon G. Randall Green has joined the Center for Healthcare Innovation’s Strategy Group, a nonprofit “think tank” for healthcare innovations. Green will serve in an advisory capacity, offering expertise on medical devices and physician practice. A cardiothoracic surgeon and program director of cardiac surgery at St. Joseph’s, Green is the first and only heart surgeon in the United States to have a Doctor of Medicine, a Juris Doctorate and a Master’s in Business Administration.

A resident of Manlius, he completed his fellowship at the University of Virginia Health System and residency Green at Stanford University Medical Center. Green holds an MBA from Cornell University’s S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management, a JD from Syracuse University College of Law, MD from Northwestern University’s The Feinberg School of Medicine, and a BS in biology/chemistry from Le Moyne College. He also completed coursework in molecular biophysics at the University of Oxford. Green is also the founder of two medical device companies — Secant Therapeutics and Vapsys Corporation, both of which are focused on getting new technologies and developments to the bedside to improve healthcare at the point of care.

St. Joe’s performs more roboticassisted coronary angioplasties — St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center has recently completed 15 robotic-assisted coronary angioplasties as part of the CorPath PRECISE trial. In addition, Alan Simons, joined as an investigator along with Michael Fischi and Ronald P. Caputo. The sponsored clinical trial is evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the CorPath 200 System in delivering and manipulating coronary guidewires and stents in percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) procedures.

St. Joseph’s is one of only eight hospitals in the world evaluating this new technology.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease and the leading cause of death in America. The most common treatment for CAD is a PCI procedure, commonly known as angioplasty. Traditionally, PCI procedures are performed by an interventional cardiologist in a catheterization laboratory (cath lab). The physi-

Health in good

David Felton Endowed Chair Announced

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Larry Baker (right) presents David Felton with the official announcement of the Dave Felton chair and a list of the lead donors.

Larry Baker, chairman of the Community Memorial Hospital Foundation, announced the establishment of “The David W. Felton Endowed Chair for a Family Practice Physician at Community Memorial Hospital” at the Sept. 20 meeting of the board. The Felton chair will be a permanent part of the CMH endowment and will honor CEO and President David Felton of Community Memorial Hospital, who has announced his retirement after 31 years of service.

A search for Felton’s replacement has begun and it is expected that a successor will be named early next spring.

Baker said, “Dave Felton’s service over the past 31 years at CMH has been exceptional. He has successfully led this institution through some of the most chal-

cian visualizes the coronary arteries by utilizing X-ray angiography. Miniature equipment (as small as 1/14,000 of an inch in diameter) is advanced through blockages within the coronary arteries.

Today, a traditional PCI procedure exposes the interventional cardiologist to constant radiation exposure.

An interventional cardiologist’s daily exposure to radiation and the physical stresses inherent in the cath lab can lead to occupational health risks— including orthopedic problems, cataracts, cancer, and fatigue according to recent data published in “Catheterization and Cardiovascular Intervention” journal.

Inexact stent placement occurs in 20 percent of procedures worldwide.

The CorPath 200 System provides

lenging times ever for healthcare institutions. The fact that CMH is nationally recognized for its quality of care is a great indicator of his effectiveness”.

The foundation board has been raising money for the Dave Felton chair for several months, without Felton’s knowledge. In that period, $73,765 was raised from 40 lead donors. A list of the lead donors was released at the meeting.

Baker also said that the foundation board intends to open up the fundraising for the Dave Felton Chair to the larger community in the months ahead.

Anyone interested in making a gift to the Dave Felton chair can do so by contacting the CMH Foundation office at 824-7036.

precise, robotic-assisted placement of coronary guidewires, angioplasty balloons and stents from an ergonomically optimized interventional cockpit. The operator is protected from radiation exposure in a lead shielded cockpit. The comfortable seated position provides enhanced visualization of the angiography screens, while reducing fatigue and minimizing head, neck and back pain. The ability to accurately measure blockages and precisely position stents will hopefully lead to fewer stent implants.

The trial is a prospective, singlearm, multi-center, non-randomized study, which will initially enroll up to 154 patients at leading medical centers across the country.

Step Up to the Challenge!

Join Upstate’s Emergency Department As the region’s only Level-One Trauma Center, we are a fastpaced academic medical center with modern technology and up-to-date interventions in caring for the critically ill or injured.

Serving 17 counties, we support a population transported by ground or air from throughout the central New York region.

We currently have part-time, full-time and per diem positions available in our Adult and Pediatric Emergency Departments for: Nurse Managers, RNs and Nursing Assistants. Shadowing opportunities are available.

• Tuition Assistance • Membership in the NYS Employees' Retirement System • Excellent Wages and Benefits

For professional nursing opportunities, call (315) 464-4810 or 1-800-274-4810 or apply on-line www.upstate.edu/hr/jobs/ Upstate Medical University/Upstate University Hospital is an AA/EEO/ADA employer engaging excellence through diversity.

Smoke-free campus since 2005

Providing quality prosthetic & orthotic services For over 20 years helping people of all ages overcome the limitations of a physical disability and live life to the fullest.

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(315) 426-9920 or (315) 426-1254 fax Erie Medical Plaza, 1101 Erie Boulevard East, Syracuse, New York 13210

Knowing Changes Everything SM 750 East Adams Street I Syracuse I State University of New York October 2011 •

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Page 29

“I had cancer.

Cancer never had me.”

Yesterday, I got out my fishing rod. I couldn’t help thinking of everyone at HOA. It was last spring when I found out. I was overwhelmed, distraught - and scared. I thought my fishing days were over. Then I went to HOA. My medical team all said, “We have the technology to fight this thing!” and showed my the CyberKnife. It sounded scary, but when I learned how it worked and how safe it was, I had hope for the first time.

Your attitude really inspired me, your staff always encouraged me and your plan of action worked. I may have had cancer, but cancer never had me. Today, my kids and I are heading up to the lake.

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F R A I LT Y & FA L L S : Prevention, Treatment & Consequences A teaching day for professionals

�

U S: BON entary ion t plim c ep Com reet re fore. e g t& ng b mee eveni will the nts tion a r t vita egis All r e an in ent. v iv rece o this e t

Saturday, November 5, 2011 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Experts from medicine, nursing and rehabilitation will discuss best-practice strategies, treatment, and the latest research to help older adults achieve healthy aging. A hands-on workshop and lunch are included.

L O C AT I O N Upstate Medical University Institute for Human Performance 505 Irving Ave. Syracuse, NY 13210

Nationally renowned faculty will address complex geriatric syndromes: K E Y N OT E S P E A K E R Barbara Resnick, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP Professor, University of Maryland

Resnick

CO N F E R E N C E P R E S E N T E RS I N C LU D E Sharon Brangman, MD, FACP, AGSF, Professor of Medicine and Division Chief, Geriatrics, Upstate Medical University; Chair, Board of Directors, American Geriatrics Society

Dale Avers, DPT, PhD, Associate Professor of Physical Therapy Education, Upstate Medical University

Brangman

Thomas V. Caprio, MD, MPH, FACP, Assistant Professor of Medicine & Clinical Nursing Director, Geriatric Medicine Fellowship Program; Director, Geriatric Assessment Clinic, University of Rochester

Dennis D. Daly, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Family Medicine, Upstate Medical University; Medical Director, Loretto Geriatric and Rehabilitation Center

Avers

Patrick VanBeveren, PT, MA, OCS, GCS, CSCS,

R E G I S T R AT I O N : $ 1 5 0 Early bird discount, Save $50!

(Course is $100 if you register by Oct. 18) See the full course description and register online at: www.foundationforupstate.org/ FrailtyandFallsTeachingDay Or, call: 315-464-5167 for a registration packet.

St. Camillus Health and Rehabilitation Center

E V E N T P RO C E E D S will benefit the Sharon A. Brangman, MD, Endowed Professorship in Geriatric Medicine.

Caprio Thanks to our sponsor:

Syracuse, NY Page 32

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2011

VanBeveren