Igh cny 169 jan14

in good Crouse’s New Boss

Two things you may not know about new CEO Kim Boynton: She is Crouse Hospital’s youngest leader and her husband is firefighter. See profile inside

12 Foods and Ingredients That May Help Weight Management

Wintertime Heart Attacks

January 2014 • Issue 169

free FREE

CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

Should You Go

VEGAN? In the last few years, vegan diet has become more and more popular. People say it helps them lose weight and keep their heart healthy. Is it something you should try? We talked to the pros

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How to guard against them

Why We Should Go Nuts for Almonds

Living Alone: Renew your spirit in 2014

INFERTILITY

Doctors discuss potential causes and way to treat them

Meet Your Doctor Allison Duggan is Oswego Hospital’s new VP and chief operating officer. She talks about position

With Nowhere to Go, Mother Creates Own Support Group When Cathy Munson moved from Texas to CNY she felt alone and isolated. With an autistic child she knew she would need help but didn’t know where to turn. She couldn’t find a place that represented her son’s particular needs. What did she do? She created Family Tapestry, a nonprofit that serves kids with developmental disorders

Sexting

Sending a nude Snapchat photo to a boyfriend may seem sexy and daring; however, when images go viral online, or even around a teen’s school, the damage is hard to undo.

See inside: Teens’ sexual behavior and technology

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Obesity Rate Flat for First Time in Decades Nation’s obesity rate has not risen between 2012 and 2013

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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upstate.edu/afterhours

Congratulations to our physicians and staff who have earned recognition for excellence in providing quality and cost-efficient care.

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www.sjhsyr.org � Follow us on Facebook and Twitter: stjosephshealth Blue Distinction® Centers (BDC) met overall quality measures for patient safety and outcomes, developed with input from the medical community. Blue Distinction® Centers+ (BDC+) also met cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable healthcare. Individual outcomes may vary. National criteria is displayed on www.bcbs.com. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for facilities located in its own service area. For details on Local Blue Plan Criteria, a provider’s in-network status, or your own policy’s coverage, contact your Local Blue Plan. Each hospital’s Cost Index is calculated with data from its Local Blue Plan. Hospitals in CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in two Local Blue Plans’ areas, resulting in two Cost Index figures; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether one or both Cost Index figures must meet BDC+ national criteria. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for damages or non-covered charges resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers.

St. Joseph’s is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis. Franciscan Companies is a member of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center system.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

Obesity Rate Flat For First Time In Decades Study shows nation’s obesity rate has not risen between 2012 and 2013

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n annual state-by-state survey says the country is making good progress in improving its overall health — including a flat obesity rate and a lower rate of smoking. But individual states, especially in the South, continue to lag.

The 2013 edition of “America’s Health Rankings” by United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention says that, “for the first time in decades,” the nation’s obesity rate did not rise between 2012 and 2013.

Americans are also becoming more physically active, the report says.

“We should certainly celebrate these gains,” saidReed Tuckso, external senior medical adviser to United Health Foundation. “I am hopeful that the leveling off we see in America’s obesity is a sign of further improvement to come.”

The report ranks Hawaii as the healthiest state, bumping Vermont, which held that spot in 2012, down to second place. Minnesota rounds out the top three. Nine of the states ranking in the top 10 were in the Northeast or West.

Mississippi is lowest ranked, as it was in 2012. Contributing to its low rating were the high prevalence of obesity, physical inactivity and diabetes. Of the 10 lowest-ranked states, only Indiana is not in the South. Numbers 47 through 49 are Alabama, Louisiana and Arkansas, respectively.

Hawaii scored well for high childhood immunization rates, and low rates of people without health insurance, smoking and preventable hospitalizations. It lost points for high prevalence of binge drinking and low high school graduation rates.

Mississippi, which has ranked in the bottom three states since the report was first issued in 1990, is in the bottom five states in 15 of the report’s 27 measures, but ranks well for childhood immunization and a small disparity in health status between social groups.

America’s Health Rankings uses mostly federal data from sources including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Labor and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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When it comes to The study looks at 19 differobesity Mississippi ent determinants of health — facis lowest ranked in tors including air pollution, public health spending and crime the U.S. Numbers rates — and eight outcomes, including diabetes rates, infant 47 through 49 are mortality and cancer deaths.

Each metric is given a Alabama, Louisiana weighted portion of a top possible score, and then states are and Arkansas, compared to the national mean score. A score of zero means respectively. a state is even with the mean.

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Scores ranged from .92 above the mean for Hawaii, to .89 below it for Mississippi. States scoring closest to the mean were Arizona, Pennsylvania and Illinois.

Among the states with the biggest decline in rank from 2012 to 2013, is Wisconsin, which fell from 13th to 20th. Wisconsin saw an increase in both obesity and violent crime, coupled with a decline in adolescent immunizations.

Wyoming saw the greatest year-onyear improvement in rank, from 25th to 17th. The report says greater levels of physical activity and childhood immunization, plus a decline in low birth weight babies helped boost the Cowboy State’s numbers.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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CALENDAR of

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Over 100 Years Experience Luther Everson: Service Coordinator Matthew J. Rahalski: Owner

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Jan. 9, 14

Jan. 13, 20

Mountain View Healing Center, a counseling business based in North Syracuse that has been providing therapeutic services for more than 20 years, will offer two series of program designed to those who want to lose weight and shed some pounds.

Classes for weight loss program begins Jan. 9 and consists of four classes of three hours each and four hourly support classes. Program is $349 and includes course book, workbook and six CDs. Classes for smoke quitting starts Jan. 14. Classes are two hours each. Program is $229 and includes course workbook and two CDs. Both programs utilize hypnosis and the power of subconscious mind to release destructive emotional patterns and enhance ease of breaking habits. Call to reserve your space. Additional class times available upon request. For more information, call 315-412-9886.

Cayuga Community Health Network in conjunction with Auburn Community Hospital and Central New York Community Foundation is sponsoring a support group focusing on diabetes. Titled “Everyday Challenges in Diabetes Care” the meetings will take place from noon — 1 p.m. Jan. 13 at Seymour Library and from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Auburn Community Hospital, third floor, medical staff conference room. The meetings will continue in the year and will take place on the second and third Mondays of the month.

They are free and open to people with pre diabetes, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as family members, friends or caregivers. For more information 315.252.4212 or assistant@cayug ahealthnetwork.org.

Programs to help people to lose weight, quit smoking

Diabetes support groups held in Auburn

Jan. 15

Group formed for head and neck cancer patients Upstate University Hospital has announced the start of the Head and Neck Cancer Support Group of CNY. This group is the result of joining two previous support groups, Support for People with Oral, Head and Neck Cancer and the Laryngectomy Support Group. The group will meet the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the Oasis Learning Center, in the HealthLink Room, located at 6333 state Route 298, E. Syracuse. The GPS address is One Telergy Parkway. The treatment for head and neck cancers can include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Significant side effects during treatment and after completion of treatment can include problems with swallowing, eating, speaking, fatigue and depression.

The Head and Neck Support Group of CNY recognizes the need for help and support for these patients, friends and families as they go through their journey. Group leaders are Jenna Gardner, a speech-language pathologist; Dena Martin, a clinical research coordinator with radiation oncology; Robin Salvaterra, a radiation oncology nurse; and Ann Ray, a retired oncology nurse.

Call 464-5262 or 464-5819 for questions or information. Patients from all area hospitals are welcome.

Alzheimer’s Association sponsors support group Instructional Support Technician SUNY Upstate Medical University (Syracuse, NY)

Function as Fluorescent imaging core director, running an expanded imaging core, including equipment maintenance, training new users, learning new technologies and maintenance of the equipment usage logging software. Perform scientific experiments in the field of molecular and cellular biology. Perform image processing and analysis, using the following software: Zeiss LSM v4.0, Nikon NIS-Elements Advanced Research v4, ImageJ v1.42, and Fiji v 1.47. Perform maintenance on a variety of equipment such as: confocal microscopes - Zeiss LSM510 META NLO, Nikon C2, Zeiss LSM780; Imaging workstations Fujitsu Siemens Carl Zeiss 30A, Fujitsu Siemens Celsius R600, HP Workstation Z210; and the Ultrafast tunable laser Coherent Chameleon -Verdi 12W. Reqs: PhD (or foreign equivalent) in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or a closely related field.

Three (3) years of experience directing and maintaining a confocal microscope shared equipment and service core facility. Prior experience must also include three years of experience with each of the following: using and maintaining a variety of fluorescent microscopes, including 2-photon and confocal microscopes, Zeiss LSM510 META NLO and Nikon C2; training researchers in the proper and efficient use of confocal microscopes; maintaining computers, lasers including 2 photon, laser chillers, electronic and optical equipment; and designing imaging experiments, performing image processing and analysis independently.

Prior experience must include a high level of proficiency using the following software: Greyware Logon Monitor Agent v.3.1, NIH ImageJ v1.42, Fiji v.1.47, Media Cybernetics Autoquant, SVI Huygens, Zeiss LSM software, Nikon Elements, Molecular Probes Imaging Workshop, Andor Solis, Bioquant Imaging software, Mathworks Matlab, PV-Wave, OriginLab Origin, Deneba Canvas. The position also requires the following: a high level of proficiency developing new confocal microscopy protocols and user manuals; a record of scholarly publications in the field of fluorescent imaging.

Interested candidates should apply to job #037660 via our website at www.upstate.edu.

C

aregiving for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia can be a stressful endeavor surrounded by anxiety, worry and guilt. Caregivers may feel as if they are alone in their journey. The reality is that a community of peers dealing with the same issues exists to support one another.

The Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter invites local caregivers to make a resolution for 2014: to attend a support group.

These peer- or professionally-led groups for individuals, caregivers and others dealing with Alzheimer’s disease or a related form of dementia promote an open forum of sharing and discussion among people facing many of the same issues. The group’s power rests within its members’ ability to show compassion, develop strategies and empower its members to provide the highest quality care possible. Earlystage groups provide peer-to-peer conversation and support for individuals specifically diagnosed in the disease’s early stages. Groups are open to the individual with the disease and the caregiver (as noted). Advanced screening is recommended prior to attending by calling the office nearest you.

All support groups are free of charge to attend and facilitated by trained individuals. For more information, call 1-800-272-3900 or email cnyprograms@alz.org.

Upcoming meetings include:

Onondaga County Upstate is an AA/EEO employer engaging excellence through diversity.

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BALDWINSVILLE

Baldwinsville Methodist Church

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

17 W. Genesee St. Second Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 14 and Feb. 11 Eileen Krupka: 315-638-0814

First and third Wednesday, 1 p.m.

Jan. 15, Feb. 5 and 19 Louise Choroser and Eileen Welch: 315425-4400

LIVERPOOL

PERSON WITH DEMENTIA & CAREGIVER

Keepsake Village at Greenpoint 138 Old Liverpool Rd. Second Saturday, 10 a.m.

Jan. 11 and Feb. 8 Florence Felt & Skip Collins: 315-8492140

MANLIUS

Manlius Public Library 1 Arkie Albanese Way Fourth Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Jan. 28 and Feb. 25 Claire Duffy: 315-247-1775

NORTH SYRACUSE

Andrews Memorial Church 106 Church St. Third Tuesday, 1 p.m.

Jan. 21 and Feb. 18 Mary Ann Laubacher: 315-450-4431

SYRACUSE

The Hearth on James 830 James St. First and third Thursday, 1 p.m.

Jan. 2 and 16, Feb. 6 and 20 Chapter Staff: 315-472-4201

THE CENTERS AT ST. CAMILLUS

813 Fay Rd. Third Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 21 and Feb. 18 Ellen Somers: 315-488-2951 x406

SYRACUSE V.A. HOSPITAL 800 Irving Ave.

Kirkpatrick Day Program 441 W. Kirkpatrick St. Third Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 15 and Feb 19

Oswego County CENTRAL SQUARE

Divine Mercy Parish Center (St. Michael’s) 592 S. Main St. 4th Monday, 7 p.m.

Jan. 27 ad Feb. 24 Gail Lauricella: 315-676-7533

OSWEGO

The Manor at Seneca Hill 20 Manor Dr. 4th Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Jan. 22 and Feb. 26 Dianne Morrisette: 315-349-5341

Madison and Cayuga counties The Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter is currently recruiting facilitators for groups in those counties and plans to announce support group meeting in Cayuga and Madison counties in the spring.

Milestone in Transplant Policy May Help Reduce U.S. Organ Shortage

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Act lifts the ban on transplanting HIV-positive organs to HIV-positive patients

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ongress has passed legislation to end the federal ban on the transplantation of organs from deceased HIV-positive donors to patients with HIV. The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) worked closely with Congress and other organizations to promote the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act. This milestone legislation could add up to 600 organs per year for HIV-infected transplant candidates and expand the total pool of available organs.

Because the HOPE Act will pave the way for research into positive-topositive transplants, patients with HIV should one day get faster access to a new supply of organs. While HIV is no longer a death sentence, kidney and liver failure is now a leading cause of death of HIV-positive patients.

“This legislation will preserve valuable organs and save lives by establishing guidelines for HIV+ to HIV+

transplants,” said physician Michelle Josephson, who leads the ASN transplant advisory group.

Other patients on the transplant list will also benefit from expanding the pool of available organs. “The HOPE Act could reduce waiting times for a life-saving transplant, which is why ASN so passionately advocated its passage,” said ASN President Sharon Moe. Shamey Cramer, a patient advocate who has been living with HIV for nearly 30 years and was instrumental in advocacy efforts, notes the law will help all patients, both with and without HIV. “The HOPE Act really does give new hope to all patients who are waiting for the gift of life.”

While the HOPE Act does not directly affect federal spending, it has the potential to decrease Medicare spending by providing more opportunities for patients to move off dialysis and receive a kidney transplant.

We’re here to answer questions about any long-term Medicaid services you receive now, and to help you join VNA Homecare Options, so you can get all the care and benefits you’re entitled to.

Kate Rolf – President, CEO VNA Homecare Options

If you’re eligible for Medicaid, and need any in-home long term health care services, there’s a new option available for you. Now you can choose a managed long term care plan, like VNA Homecare Options, to receive the assistance and services you need. VNA Homecare has served this community for over 100 years. We are the organization you can trust to coordinate the services you need to stay safe, independent and in your own home – not a nursing home.

Call any time and we’ll answer your questions about the services and benefits you’re entitled to:

Some of the services covered include: • Transportation • Meals & Housekeeping • Personal Emergency Response System • Medication Management • Dental, Vision & Hearing Services • In-Home Nursing & Home Health Aides • Physical & Occupational Therapy • Medical Equipment • Home Safety Modifications

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Artificial Pancreas Project Receives $3.4M Grant

A

high-tech project to turn an ordinary smart phone into an artificial pancreas that could transform the lives of people with Type 1 diabetes has received a $3.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

The money will fund a new network approach to artificial pancreas design using distributed computing between local and cloud systems that will allow real-time adjustment of insulin delivery based on the individual’s needs.

The grant will also fund three clinical trials at the University of Virginia and at Stanford University that will advance the project toward its final goal of offering people with Type 1 diabetes — in which the body does not produce enough insulin — an automated way to monitor and regulate their blood sugar.

“This project approaches the artificial pancreas not as a single device but as a network of local and global services working seamlessly together to-

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wards the optimal control of diabetes,” said Boris Kovatchev,, of the University of Virginia School of Medicine.

Managing Type 1 Diabetes

The artificial pancreas was developed at the school of medicine by a team of researchers led by Kovatchev, the director of the UVA Center for, and Patrick Keith-Hynes. The device consists of a reconfigured smart phone running advanced algorithms, linked wirelessly with a blood glucose monitor and an insulin pump, and communicating with Internet services in real time.

The system’s developers intend for it to monitor and regulate blood-sugar levels automatically, report to a remotemonitoring site and link the user with assistance via telemedicine as needed.

This would save users from having to stick their fingers to check their glucose levels multiple times a day and eliminate the need for countless syringes to inject insulin manually.

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

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In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2013 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 Contributing Writers: Jim Miller, Eva Briggs, M.D., Gwenn Voelckers, Deborah Banikowski, Deborah Sergeant, Anne Palumbo, Melissa Stefanec, Matthew Liptak, Ernst Lamothe Jr. Advertising: Jasmine Maldonado, Marsha K. Preston, Jim Maxwell • Design: Chris Crocker • 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.

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January 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 5

Meet

Your Doctor

By Lou Sorendo

Allison Duggan, M.D New Oswego Hospital vice president and chief operating officer discusses new position, career Q.: What will your new responsibilities be at Oswego Hospital?

A.: The chief operating officer is responsible for the day-to-day running of the hospital. This involves the doctors, nurses and ancillary staff. Everything that goes into the running of the hospital is under the office of the chief operating officer.

Q.: What was your previous title and what was your prior role about?

A.: I was vice president of medical affairs and was responsible for physician care and the quality of care they provide.

Q.: Is your new position largely administrative or will you still be performing surgical procedures?

A.: Starting in January, it will actually be 50-50. Fifty percent of the time will be spent as chief operating officer and 50 percent of the time I will be doing general surgery.

Q.: What do you feel will be the keys to fulfilling your new job duties as chief operating officer at Oswego Hospital on a successful basis?

A.: I think initially it’s going to be spending time learning all the details of the different departments in the hospital and finding ways to ensure we are operating efficiently.

I will be listening to what staff has to say about our dayto-day activities and then use that information to make improvements.

We will engage in fact-finding to determine what we need and where we need to improve.

From there we will be tak-

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ing on improvement projects as we go through the year.

We provide excellent care here at Oswego Hospital and our staff works as a family, but we want to provide assistance and help them when needed.

Q.: What skill sets do you have which will enable you to handle your new position successfully?

A.: I have successfully run an individual general surgery practice for the last 12 years, which in this day and age is difficult to do. Most physicians don’t practice individually and do it successfully.

I have also been part of the hospital administration for a very long time, starting with chief of surgery, then vice president and president of the medical staff before being named vice presi-

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

dent of medical affairs. This is an ascending role that’s been in the making for about eight years now.

Q.: Why did you select general surgery as a specialty within the field of medicine? What influenced you in that direction?

A.: With surgery, I like the idea of physically doing procedures and physically doing something to help the patient. As a medical student, you either gravitate toward things that are procedure based or toward specialties that are not. Once you figure out if you want to be a hands-on type of physician, from there you determine what you like to do and what type of procedures you want to do.

For me, it was really all about the procedures that you do in general surgery. There are a variety of surgeries you can do within general surgery, and you are not just limited to veins or the chest, for example. We can [perform procedures] basically from the head to the feet if we want. That for me was the biggest draw into general surgery.

Q.: What challenges lie ahead for Oswego Health in terms of being able to offer access to affordable healthcare?

A.: Throughout the country, one of the things that we’re looking to do is to increase access to care for people.

Care should be equal for everybody.

So we want not only better access, but we want the care to be equal to the care you get elsewhere.

As a hospital, we have always done that. That is not going to be something new. We are going to continue to take care of patients to the highest standards.

If we have more patients, that will be fine with us. It will not change the management of those people. We have always treated everybody to the highest standard.

Q.: How will new healthcare reform legislation impact Oswego Health from a bottom-line perspective?

Do you anticipate reduced reimbursements from government-sponsored insurance programs such as Medicaid and Medicare?

A.: For practically every hospital in the United States, there will be some issues with reimbursements.

It really has to do with how the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are structuring their repayments.

We’re going from a fee-for-service kind of perspective to a valuebased incentive.

Oswego Hospital, like every other hospital, is striving to reach the objectives put forth by the CMS. I think for us as a small hospital that may be easier done than for a larger system because we are small and change and fluidity are easier for us. We will do quite well as CMS changes different portions of what’s required through the Affordable Care Act. We are primed for that sort of fluidity and I think over time we will do well.

Q.: What will be the keys to successfully recruiting healthcare professionals into the Oswego area?

A.: Getting rid of the snow. If we did that it would be great, but that’s not going to happen.

As new physicians are leaving residencies, we are finding most physicians are not willing to do what I did, and that is to come out and hang a shingle and start a solo practice. Those days are really over. Most physicians are looking to be part of either a large group or hospital.

In Oswego and throughout the country, we are going to see more employment of physicians versus single practices like myself. We are primed to enter that market successfully I think.

Q.: How will the management structure at Oswego Health change over the next year or so?

A.: The chief medical officer is very similar to the vice president of medical affairs, a position that Renato Mandanas and I have been sharing. Mandanas will now assume this position on a full-time basis.

Q.: How will the new management structure help improve hospital operations?

A.: Mandanas and I have worked together as co-vice presidents of medical affairs. That relationship is already set. We already have a two-year relationship of working side-by-side, and I think that is important rather than having a COO who is new to the position.

I’ve had two years working within the corporate structure so moving forward is going to be a lot easier for us. It will be seamless and easier to get things done as we move forward.

Q.: Dr. Mandanas will be the new chief medical officer at the hospital.

What does he bring to the plate in terms of positive attributes?

A.: We worked together as co-vice presidents of medical affairs for a very long time. Mandanas is very passionate and quality-minded. We are lucky to have him to streamline quality processes.

Since payments will be going from fee-for-service to quality based, we will have a strong policy leader, which is going to help us going forward.

Lifelines: Birth date: 42 Birthplace: Jamaica Current residence: Oswego Education: Bachelor of Arts in biology, New York University, New York; medical degree, SUNY Health Science Center, College of Medicine, Syracuse (1991-1995); surgery internship and residency, Howard University; Affiliations: American College of Surgeons; American Medical Association; American Medical Women’s Association; Association of Women Surgeons; Medical Society of the State of New York; Association of Breast Surgeons

Sexting: Teens’ Sexual Behavior and Technology

Trust Pediatrics Stuart Trust, MD - 315-598-6785 Sarah Finocchiaro, MD - 315-598-6785 Cheryl Martin- Schroeder, PNP - 315-598-1231

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

T

he demographic that’s quickest to embrace new technology may also experience more of technology’s influence on their sexual behavior.

And not all of that is negative.

Pediatrician Stuart Trust with Pediatric Associates of Fulton said that although many teens will openly discuss sexuality with their pediatrician when the parents aren’t in the room, many turn to the Internet.

“There are many reputable websites out there with good information,” he said. “Technology has a tremendous influence on teens’ knowledge on STDs and sex.”

Informative sites include the American Social Health Association (www.ashasexualhealth.org), iwannaknow.org, the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) the American Academy of Pediatrics (www.aap. org), It’s Your Sex Life (a partnership with MTV, Planned Parenthood, www. itsyoursexlife.com), www.teensource. org, www.scarleteen.com, goaskalice. columbia.edu, sexetc.org.

Apps also influence teens’ sexual behavior. The National Abstinence Clearinghouse (www.abstinence.net) released Love & Laugh ($1.99, Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch), an app that sends users a daily affirmation “to educate and motivate young people to make positive, moral, and healthy choices in their lives” the site states.

STD Triage (free, for Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch) diagnoses sexually transmitted diseases in less than six hours, on average. Hula (free, for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch) finds local STD testing clinics and offers a portable, verifiable test record.

Wendy Ramsay, health education specialist with REACH CNY, said that www.inspot.org sends e-cards to sexual partners to inform them that they should be tested for STDs, along with links to information they should know.

“People may not want to tell a partner that is abusive, or may worried that the person will get mad and tell other people, or may just be too embarrassed to tell the person in person,” Ramsay said. “It is important for people to know that they may have been exposed so that they can get tested and get treatment. It is important to that individual’s health as well as in helping stop or slow down the spread of STDs.” She also recommended text apps that give health tips and find clinics, including through www.YTH.org (Youth Tech and Health, formerly ISIS).

For example, users can text “today” to 61827 to receive weekly health tips and “clinic” and one’s ZIP code to 61827 to find local clinics.

While these apps help teens take better control of their health to prevent spread of STDs, they also make the consequences of promiscuity easier to manage.

Technology has also enabled teens to up the ante when it comes to promiscuous behavior. Arranging a hook-up is as easy because many teens own cell phones and no longer rely upon using an extension on the family’s land line.

Pediatrician Trust said texting and sexting contributes to promiscuity and the surge in STDs among teens. His office sees many cases of Chlamydia and an increase in cases of gonorrhea.

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Sexting “is almost routine and it’s done at such an early age,” he said. “It becomes a form of bullying and humiliating other people. Instead of physically throwing a punch, a lot do it with cell phones.”

Sending a nude Snapchat photo to a boyfriend may seem sexy and daring; however, when images go viral online, or even around a teen’s school, the damage is hard to undo. Risqué behavior begets more risqué behavior, both as the teens strive to further impress a love interest and outdo their peers.

Prevent over-sharing by working with your teens to develop guidelines about online sharing. Amy DiFabio, pediatrician with Summit Pediatrics in Auburn, advises parents to consider their teens’ ages and give age-appropriate information.

“Communicate in an open way about safety and what things can be posted and not posted,” DiFabio said.

“It’s not about policing, but talking about the potential implications about what is posted in a social media situation.

“I think that there’s always a boundary parents will have to respect.

The more open the conversation, the better.”

Begin by understanding what your teens know about social media. Or use a situation your teen brings up or that’s portrayed on television as a conversation starter.

“Don’t ignore teachable moments, especially if there’s a personal impact or that the child is upset,” DiFabio said.

“Dissect it with your child in an open way to build the child’s trust in your ability to talk with them.”

Avoid preaching, but make it clear that anything texted, emailed or posted can go anywhere. Even Snapchat photos can be captured with a second device and spread. Teens often can’t connect the dots between their actions today and the consequences they will face today, tomorrow and years from now. Tell your teens to not share anything that would embarrass their grandmother.

Help teens develop a safety plan for cyber-bullying so they can turn to a trusted adult for assistance.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Contemplate this: Renew your spirit in 2014 T

he anticipation of a New Year.

New possibilities. Maybe a new start. For many people, the start of a New Year is the perfect time to turn the page and vow to make some meaningful changes.

If you are among those who make resolutions, 2014 just might be the year to expand your New Year’s “to-do” list.

Contemplate adding one more item: Renew your spirit.

My work with those who live alone has enriched my perspective on life and what it takes to be successful in the broadest sense of the word. Almost without exception, the women and men who have found their way after a divorce or the death of a spouse have been bolstered by a healthy spiritual life.

Many of the participants in my Living Alone workshops take good advantage of spiritual opportunities and occasions. They regularly attend worship services, find comfort in prayer and hymns and faithfully observe religious holidays.

Others march to a different drummer and nourish their spiritual life in private moments, by listening to music,

communing with nature, reading or writing or just sitting quietly.

However it’s expressed, my observations tell me that those who nurture their spiritual life fare better when challenged by life’s transitions.

I consider them fortunate.

Fortunate because they take time to renew their spirit, and by doing so, find the inner strength to navigate uncharted waters and to help others along the way.

Even when their own sense of self-worth is fragile or failing, I’ve seen devout divorcees and widows reach out to others with encouragement and prayer. Spiritually grounded, their empathy runs deep and their desire to support others is steadfast.

Last month, I heard from a woman whose husband abruptly left her and their three teenage children after 28 years of marriage. She was in shock and consumed with pain. She shared with me how comforting it would

KIDS Corner iPads Help Children with Autism Develop Language

N

ew research indicates that children with autism who are minimally verbal can learn to speak later than previously thought, and iPads are playing an increasing role in making that happen, according to Ann Kaiser, a researcher at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development.

In a study funded by Autism Speaks, Kaiser found that using speechgenerating devices to encourage children aged 5 to 8 to develop speaking skills resulted in the subjects developing considerably more spoken words compared to other interventions. All of the children in the study learned new spoken words and several learned to produce short sentences as they moved through the training.

For some parents, it was the first time they’d been able to converse with Page 8

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their children,” said Kaiser, Susan W. Gray Professor of education and human development. “With the onset of iPads, that kind of communication may become possible for greater numbers of children with autism and their families.”

Augmentative and alternative communication devices—which employ symbols, gestures, pictures and speech output—have been used for decades by people who have difficulty speaking. Now, with the availability of apps that emulate those devices, the iPad offers a more accessible, cheaper and more user-friendly way to help minimally verbal children with autism to communicate. And, the iPad is far less stigmatizing for young people with autism who rely on them for communicating with fellow students, teachers and friends.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

have been to hear from her minister and church friends, but they were unaware of her situation. It had been years since she had been to church and those relationships had fallen by the wayside.

Similarly, a neighbor of mine confided that he stopped going to temple after he lost his “bride” to breast cancer. Mad at the injustice of it all, he couldn’t bring himself to attend services without her. This led to years of isolation, during which he was overcome with loneliness and guilt. I wasn’t surprised when he talked of numbing his pain with alcohol.

My suggestion to both was simple: Renew your spiritual connections.

It’s easy to imagine how difficult it might be to contact a minister, priest, rabbi or other spiritual adviser and ask for help if you’ve been absent from services for many years, or when loneliness has you in its grip. But any

The reason speechgenerating devices like the iPad are effective in promoting language development is simple.

“When we say a word it sounds a little different every time, and words blend together and take on slightly different acoustic characteristics in different contexts,” Kaiser explained.

“Every time the iPad says a word, it sounds exactly the same, which is important for children with autism, who generally need things to be as consistent as possible.”

As many as a third of children with autism have mastery of only a few words by the time they are school age.

Previously, researchers thought that if children with autism had not begun to speak by age 5 or 6, they were unlikely to acquire spoken language. But Kaiser is encouraged by study results and believes that her iPad studies may help change that notion. Building on findings from this research, Kaiser

religious organization worthy of its mission will respond with open arms.

A warm embrace is waiting for those who walk through the door.

Likewise, if other doors beckon — if nature or poetry or music feed your soul — go forth and embrace those opportunities. My spiritual battery gets recharged when I take time out from my busy schedule to be still and meditate. Quiet times in inspirational settings allow me to contemplate my most deeply held beliefs. I emerge grounded and motivated.

The power of a spiritual life is mighty. When you pursue your spiritual goals and teachings, life can become more manageable and your ability to cope with loss, loneliness and everyday struggles is strengthened.

However you pursue a spiritual connection, I encourage you to make that connection or re-connection now.

Today. An idea bigger than yourself, a set of beliefs, and the company of people who share your faith can lead to a richer, more meaningful and peaceful existence.

While you may live alone, you do not have to go through life alone. And what a blessing that is.

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

has begun a new five-year long study supported by the National Institutes of Health[nih.gov]’s Autism Centers of Excellence with colleagues at UCLA, University of Rochester, and Cornell Weill Medical School. She and a team of researchers and therapists at the four sites are using iPads in two contrasting interventions (direct-teaching and naturalistic-teaching) to evaluate the effectiveness of the two communication interventions for children who have autism and use minimal spoken language.

With Nowhere to Go, Mother Creates Own Support Group Nonprofit Family Tapestry serves families with kids with developmental disorders

By Matthey Liptak

W

hen Cathy Munson came to Central New York with her family from Texas she felt alone and isolated. With her son, Jordan, on the autism spectrum she knew she would need help but didn’t know where to turn. She couldn’t find a place that represented their particular needs.

“It was horrible trying to find a place for us to be,” she said. “I always felt like I was totally alone with Jordan.

I didn’t know anybody. I had no family here.”

Jordan didn’t fit in with autistic support groups that were filled with mostly low-functioning members.

He has pervasive developmental disorder and was higher functioning.

Munson made it her mission to find people who had kids like hers.

She eventually formed her own support group — Family Tapestry.

“It took me about five or six years before I finally got up the oomph to actually get started,” she said in a recent interview.

The group came together by meeting around kitchen tables, then in the community room at Casual Estates mobile home park on Route 57 in Liverpool. They threw a wider net and included families with children with mental health issues and developmental delays.

“More people became involved and really liked what we were doing,” Munson said. “Then we decided, OK we’re going to make this an organization so we built a board, got a board of directors. We sent off for our 501 3C status. We’re now a nonprofit and we now have a good working board.”

The nonprofit began in 2010. Its goal is to help families with children who have severe emotional disturbances navigate and be a part of those systems that serve the children and families—to give them a stronger voice.

Those systems include mental health, juvenile justice, child welfare and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.

Lisa Selim of Syracuse has a son with psychiatric issues. She was invited to one of Family Tapestry’s support groups but declined at first. She didn’t want other people telling her how to be a parent. Finally, though, she gave it a try. She found it to be a safe haven. Today she facilitates Family Tapestry’s support group parent initiative in Syracuse.

“In times when we needed support to find resources they have been there,” she said. “They have taught me how to have a voice for my son and what I believe in. They have helped me learn how to navigate the education and mental health system and, most important, I have learned the necessary skills to help others and give back.”

Family Tapestry also

offers a parent initiative support group in Liverpool. Munson said there are up to about 200 people that have been involved with Family Tapestry services.

Family Tapestry has other programs and events, too.

There is the Mind’s Eye Reading Group, which meets once a month at Beauchamp Library in Syracuse. Group members decide on a topic to discuss each month.

The Common Sense Parenting class is conducted by Family Tapestry. It is a six-week course that can be applied to any family.

The organization holds an annual family picnic each year in August. In May during Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week it holds its Heroes of Hope Walk.

“We have a walk every year,” Munson said. “It’s our only fundraiser. We do it at the inner harbor [in Syracuse]. The first year we had maybe 150 [participants].

We started small but we were really surprised that we even got that much. The second year we had to cancel it.

Now we’re working on this year’s again. That’s the only fundraiser we have so far. We’ve been so busy trying to find ways to support this.”

Munson garnered a couple of contracts with local agencies to help fund Family Tapestry but both were up as of the end of 2013.

One was for providing services to the juvenile justice system. Family Tapestry worked to

prepare inmates of the Hillbrook Juvenile Detention Center in Syracuse for transitioning back into family life upon their release.

The other contract was with Onondaga County’s System of Care. Family Tapestry worked as the family resource for a grant awarded to the System of Care for improving the children’s mental health system.

“We’re out hustling, always looking for money,” Munson said. “It’s still hard, I mean it’s still a struggle. I think the struggle is trying to prove that support is worth it because I think people, and when I say people I mean like the people that

have the money, I think that they feel like support is just one of those fluff pieces and that it doesn’t save money.

It’s not worth anything, but it really is.”

Munson said she sees cost savings in the support Family Tapestry provides. She said there are less psychiatric visits to the emergency room, less calls to the police. The families she works with are provided with a support system.

Though funding is tight, Munson continues with her mission. It’s her passion. Providing support for the parent’s voice when their children need to enter the system is essential she believes.

“We say voice and choice—nothing about us without us,” she said. “That’s the way it needs to be. We need to be involved in every step of the way, right from the very second that we phone for services, to the time that they meet about our children for services. We need to be in the room and heard every step of the way because we know what’s going on with our kids.”

How to Contact Family Tapestry For more information on Family Tapestry contact Cathy Munson at familytapestryinc@gmail. com or call 472-7363 extension 276.

January 2014 •

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Page 9

My Turn

By Eva Briggs

The Role of Biomarkers Your doctor isn’t crazy when she sends you to the ER despite a normal EKG

O

ften people recognize that chest pain, chest pressure, shortness of breath, palpitations, breaking into a cold sweat or similar symptoms could be signs of a heart attack. And most people realize that the first test a doctor will order is an EKG. An EKG can assess heart muscle injury patterns, and can help determine whether muscle damage affects the full thickness of the heart muscle. But when the EKG is normal, and the doctor recommends further evaluation in the emergency room, people are often skeptical. After all, isn’t the EKG the gold standard? It turns out that the EKG is not sensitive enough to detect all patients with heart problems. It’s only part of the appropriate workup to determine whether symptoms signify heart muscle injury.

Critically important is the measurement of laboratory studies called biomarkers, which can detect heart problems even with a normal EKG. Ischemic heart disease (damage from poor blood flow to the heart muscles due to by narrowed or blocked arteries) remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. It causes about one third of all deaths in patients aged 75 or older.

About 915,000 people every year suffer an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), or a “heart attack.” And over 1.1 million have some sort of acute coronary

syndrome (ACS), which includes patients with AMI and those with symptoms such as angina due to poor blood flow to the heart muscle without actual heart muscle death.

The most commonly used test, cardiac troponin cTn, assists doctors in making the diagnosis of ACS, assessing the prognosis of affected patients, and selecting the best treatment option. Troponins are muscle protein molecules found in cardiac and skeletal muscle, but not in smooth muscle (the type of muscle found in the intestinal tract and some other internal organs.) Troponin is formed from three subunits dubbed I, T, and C. I and T are found only in cardiac muscle, and help regulate how the heart muscle utilizes calcium.

An obvious heart attack on the EKG is often called a STEMI, for ST elevation myocardial infarction. ST refers to a specific segment of the heart electrical pattern that is frequently abnormal in patients having heart attacks.

Measurement of cTn permits doctors to detect NSTEMI (heart attacks where the ST segment isn’t raised), unstable angina (transient coronary artery blockage that can progress to an AMI) or to determine that chest pain is due to something other than heart disease.

Before measurement of cTn came along, doctors checked other biomark-

ers, or cardiac enzymes, and often still measure these lab tests. Creatine kinase, CK, was the first widely used biomarker. Skeletal muscle damage also elevates CK. It begins to rise three to four hours after a heart attack, peaks at 12-24 hours, and remains elevated for 48-72 hours. Myoglobin is a protein that carries iron and oxygen in both heart and skeletal muscle. It rises as soon as one hour post-injury, peaks in eight-12 hours, and normalizes in 24 hours. But it’s not very specific for heart disease and is not often used. cTn is more sensitive and more specific than CK or myoglobin. It rises in two to four hours, and peaks in 24 hours. The I subunit lasts four to seven days, while the T subunit can persist for up to two weeks, useful when a patient delays coming to the doctor for days after developing symptoms.

New highly-sensitive cTn assays are available in Europe, though not yet approved in the U.S. The new tests can detect levels of cTn that are 1/100 to 1/10 of the levels found with current cTn tests.

The peak level of cTn measured on the third day after a heart attack correlates with the amount of heart muscle damage, and can identify patients likely to have reduced heart pumping ability. The cTn levels help guide

cardiologists in determining which medications to use, and which patients need invasive procedures like stents or bypass surgery.

False positive tests are rare.

Healthy people usually have no detectable levels of cTn in there blood.

Because the kidneys eliminate cTn, patients with chronic kidney disease are an exception. Other heart conditions can elevate cTn: heart muscle trauma, endocarditis (an infection of the heart lining), pericarditis (inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart), surgery, chest compressions, defibrillation, and aortic dissection (splitting or tearing of the larger artery leading from the heart to the rest of the body.) In some cases non-cardiac conditions can elevate cTn: stroke, pulmonary embolus (blood clot in the lungs), and sepsis (overwhelming infection.)

Most urgent cares or doctor’s offices don’t have the ability to measure cTn, or to perform other sophisticated tests that might be required to evaluate potential cardiac symptoms. Though often the emergency room feels inconvenient or time consuming, it’s the best place to run these tests in a timely fashion to ensure the best outcome. So your doctor isn’t crazy when he or she sends you to the ER despite a normal EKG.

Eva Briggs is a medical doctor who works at two urgent care centers (Central Square and Fulton) operated by Oswego Health.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

Kimberly Boynton Takes the Helm at Crouse Hospital At 44, Crouse’s youngest leader wants to grow hospital’s surgical volume, form new partnerships with providers

By Aaron Gifford

A

sk Kimberly Boynton what she dislikes the most about working in a hospital, and she’ll answer without hesitation, “the food.”

“But actually,” she says with a laugh, “the food service here has changed. It’s pretty good now. Let me rethink that.”

That’s how much every aspect of the industry and the facility Boynton works at, Crouse Hospital, has changed since she began working there in 1998.

Hospital clichés like impersonal service and bad food are a thing of the past.

The culture has evolved. In order to compete with bigger hospitals with much larger budgets, your organization must be strong, yet unique, Boynton explains.

She began as a finance analyst and worked her way up to the senior leadership team within six years. She served as chief financial officer and performed chief operating officer duties before she was named chief executive officer effective Jan. 1. Along the way she was part of the team that added a $53 million surgical center and a $13 million parking garage project, and expanded services throughout the region through various partnerships or acquisitions, including an affiliation agreement with Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton, Madison County, and the acquisition of Internist Associates of CNY. Boynton replaced physician Paul Kronenberg, who represented the hospital as CEO for nearly 10 years and will now serve as vice chairman of the hospital board. In announcing the leadership change, Kronenberg called

Boynton a leader “who nurtures and fosters the organizational culture we’ve established over the past decade and who understands and can connect with the physicians.”

Boynton grew up in Syracuse’s west side in a large family “that had a large number of boys,” she said. As a child she loved sports — basketball, softball and cheerleading. At Franciscan Academy High School, she gravitated toward math and business courses. She continued her education at Niagara University and then Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management, where she earned an MBA in 2013.

“The [high school] business classes were relatively easy for me,” she said in a recent interview. “I knew that I wanted to major in accounting.”

After graduating from Niagara, Boynton went to work for Coopers & Lybrand accounting corporation (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) where most of her clients were hospitals, medical groups or medical suppliers. Boynton said that experience allowed her to learn “the language” of health care and prepared her well to become a hospital administrator.

Boynton said she has remained at Crouse because she liked the culture of the organization and enjoys working with the physicians, the staff and administrators.

As the CEO, Boynton wants to grow the hospital’s surgical volume now that the hospital has more January 2014 •

operating rooms. She is also interested in forming new partnerships with providers throughout the area, though she stressed that this does not necessarily mean Crouse is reviewing any proposals at this time.

“In the environment we’re in,” she said, “you have to be flexible to any opportunities that come along.”

Boynton added that she also wants to maintain and build on the success of Crouse’s relationship with primary care physicians, neurosurgeons and any providers who are affiliated with the hospital.

“We pride ourselves in the work we do,” she said.

Of all the technological advancements Boynton has witnessed during her 15 years in the health care business, she is the most impressed with the staggering improvements in prenatal intensive care. It’s amazing to see that babies who are born so small, she said, can survive and live a healthy life.

As a mid-sized hospital that competes with larger facilities throughout the region, Crouse has carved out its niche by establishing unique services like that prenatal intensive care unit as well as the region’s only hospitalbased chemical dependency treatment service. Boynton said that uniqueness makes the job interesting. The other unusual aspect of her career at Crouse has been that she has been responsible for tasks that are not traditionally handled by a CFO. She came from a finance background, but additional roles for information technology improvements, capital project management, and physician recruitment and relations were learned on the job.

“It’s not just the financial aspect,” she said, “but also the operations aspect.”

Boynton believes the most challenging task will continue to be longterm financial planning. While the hospital is financially secure right now, the focus needs to be five years down the road.

“That’s the most difficult part.

There are so many unknowns out there,” she said.

Boynton, who is married to a firefighter and has a young child, said she has remained in Syracuse because of family and its strong sense of community. She enjoys Central New York’s four seasons and finds the city to be just the right size — not too big, not too small.

She credits “both” of her families — her husband and relatives as well as her co-workers at Crouse — for allowing her to balance work and motherhood.

She also serves on the boards of numerous civic and nonprofit agencies, including the United Way of Central New York, Christian Brothers Academy, Catholic Charities, Elmcrest Children’s Center, Rosewood Heights Health Center and the Iroquois Nursing Home. As for civic achievements and awards, the list is long — 2001 “40 under 40” honoree; Leadership Greater Syracuse graduate; 2005 Women in Business honoree; 2008 WTVH Women in Leadership honoree; 2009 Catholic Charities Bernard J. Lawler Leadership Award; 2012 Girl Scouts of America Women of Distinction honoree.

“Work, family and community service — each part of what I’m doing is very rewarding for me,” she said. “They feed off of each other. But I wouldn’t be able to do it without a good support team.”

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Page 11

FOOD Should You Go Vegan?

Pros and cons in a diet that excludes meats and other types of food

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

T

he vegan diet has received a great deal of attention lately thanks in part to high profile people — such as former president Bill Clinton – who have adopted the plan. They swear it’s the ideal diet that will keep them fit and with a healthy heart Does it mean you should follow suit and become a vegan?

Julie Mellen, registered dietitian at SUNY Upstate Medical University, said that the “potential health benefits of a properly balanced vegan diet include a lower risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

“Generally speaking, a plant-centered diet is naturally lower in fat and cholesterol and rich in fiber.”

Eating more produce and wholegrain foods increases the vitamins, minerals and fiber in the diet, along with reducing calories (providing the person’s portions are within his ideal calorie range and he does not over-indulge in highly caloric foods).

Cutting out animal products such as red meat and whole dairy can also reduce intake of saturated fat and cholesterol; however, red meat offers iron, dairy offers calcium and both are sources of protein.

Eating enough protein is usually pretty easy for vegans. Beans, lentils and tofu all represent good sources. Supplemented soy or almond milk may provide enough calcium, and nearly all dark, leafy greens contain calcium. Monterey mushrooms are a fairly good source of vitamin D, which aids in calcium absorption.

Mellen also encourages people going vegan to focus on health, not just eliminating animal-based products.

“Over my years in practice, I have encountered people who choose to be vegetarian and yet they are eating a lot of junk foods, very little vegetables or whole grains, many processed foods and no beans,” Mellen said. “A vegan

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lifestyle that does not include a good variety of whole foods and includes high fat, low fiber, refined foods is not healthy.

“As with any other diet or eating lifestyle, the key is to eat a wide variety of foods including plenty of whole fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, whole grains, nuts and seeds, beans, and soy.”

Some nutrients can’t be obtained naturally on a vegan diet, such as vitamin B-12. A severe B-12 deficiency can result in neurological damage. Mellen encourages vegans to supplement or consume items such as non-dairy alterative milk products such as soy milk, rice milk or almond milk that are supplemented with B-12.

Iron, plentiful in beef, is also present in fortified grains, dried beans and dark green vegetables, and soybean nuts. “But it is still difficult to get adequate amounts without animal products,” Mellen said. “For the best absorption of iron from

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

Vegan sandwich wrap with lavish bread made from flax, oats and whole wheat, stuffed with fresh spinach, sprouts, mushrooms, red peppers and avocados for a healthy lunch.

plant foods, it is important to eat iron rich foods with vitamin C rich foods such as oranges, tomatoes, bell peppers.”

Cutting out dairy also reduces calcium intake.

“Calcium is needed in the diet for strong bones, teeth and muscle contraction,” said Kathryn Szklany, a nurse who works as clinical dietitian at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

“Vegans can increase the calcium intake by eating a diet high in dark leafy greens such as kale, collard greens, mustard greens, broccoli and bok choy or foods fortified with calcium such as orange juice, soy milk, and tofu.”

Some calcium-added orange juice is fortified with milk solids, so vegans should read the label to make sure they know what they are drinking.

Fluid dairy is also supplemented with vitamin D, which aids in calcium absorption. Many alternative milk products are fortified, too, but vegans need to read the labels.

“Also, your body makes vitamin D when skin is exposed to sunlight,” Mellen said.

Most Americans rely on meat and dairy for protein; however, “as long as vegans are eating a good variety of plant foods and plenty of dry beans, peas, nuts, seeds, soy and whole grains then adequate protein should not be a problem,” according to Mellen.

Vegans should also include plenty of legumes and dark, leafy green vegetables to get their fill of iron, zinc, and iron and supplement if they don’t eat enough.

Some vegan-friendly foods like tofu burgers are supplemented with

nutrients their animal-based counterparts offer inherently, so it pays to read labels.

Going Vegan If you’re interested in reducing intake of animal-based foods, try these tips: • Take one meal or one day a week free of animal-based foods.

• Replace the meat in dishes such as chili, casseroles or stew with beans and lentils.

• Plan meals around vegetables, using meat as a seasoning.

• Explore ethnic cuisine, which often is light on meat and more dependent upon beans for protein.

• Try recipes from these websites: www.vegmondays.org, www.vegetariannutrition.net and www.veganhealth.org.

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Why We Should Go Nuts for Almonds

Helpful tips: Store almonds — both shelled and unshelled — in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark, dry place. Refrigerating almonds extends the shelf-life of both.

If buying almonds in bulk, be sure to smell the almonds. They should smell sweet and nutty, not sharp or bitter (a sign of rancidity).

I

f Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon were alive today, all bets are in that he would declare nuts — not mystical water — the true Fountain of Youth.

Swayed by Harvard’s most recent and largest study on nuts and mortality, Ponce would see the light of these nutritious nuggets.

Harvard’s findings? In a nutshell: People in the habit of eating a daily handful of nuts are more likely to live longer compared with people who rarely consume nuts.

Although researchers don’t know why nuts may boost health, data suggest that their unsaturated fatty acids, minerals and other nutrients lower cholesterol reduce inflammation, and help control blood sugar.

Does one nut reign supreme? All things considered, and in moderation, all nuts are healthy additions to any diet. Nutritionists, however, do recommend certain nuts over others.

Almonds and walnuts, for example, are good to eat daily, while cashews, macadamias and Brazil nuts should be consumed less so.

Almonds are today’s featured nut

feel fuller, faster, and take a while to digest — two sensations that thwart the urge to snack.

Personally, I reach for almonds, midday, when my sails are sagging.

Packed with more riboflavin (an essential B vitamin that helps convert food to energy) than any other nut, almonds provide a delicious pick-me-up.

Last but not least, recent evidence has emerged that eating nuts may stave off weight gain. Go, almonds!

because— ounce per ounce— they’re one of the most nutrient-dense tree nuts on earth.

Just one handful (about 24 nuts) serves up 6 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and over a third of our daily requirement for vitamin E. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from free-radical damage, which can lead to chronic diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer’s.

Almonds are also lower in fat and calories than many nuts, delivering per handful: 160 calories, 14 grams of “good” unsaturated fats, and just 1 gram of saturated fat. If 160 sounds high, keep in mind that nuts help us

Almond Butter Hummus

process until minced. Add the rest of the ingredients and process until the hummus is well blended and smooth, scraping down the side of the bowl as needed. Taste for seasoning, and serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to five days. *To make your own almond butter, first roast two cups almonds at 375 degrees for nine minutes. Let cool.

Process in food processor until creamy (about 10 minutes). Add salt, if desired.

Adapted from www.almonds.com 2 cloves garlic, peeled 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained ½ cup plain Greek-style yogurt 1/3 cup almond butter* 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon water ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper ½ teaspoon cumin ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

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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Page 13

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Sugar and acidity of the fruit make it desirable as a fresh or dried product

N

ew research has uncovered an underutilized berry that could be the new super fruit, the buffaloberry.

A new study in the Journal of Food Science, published by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), found that buffaloberries contain large amounts of lycopene and a related acidic compound, methyl-lycopenoate, which are important antioxidants and nutrients beneficial for human health.

The bright red fruit has a tart flavor, and has historically been used as a source of nutrients for many Native Americans.

The sugar and acidity of the fruit make it desirable as a fresh or dried product. In addition to its potential health benefits, lycopenoate may also

be used as a natural food colorant.

Recently the buffaloberry has drawn attention from several commercial wine producers.

The tree on which the fruit grows is a member of the olive family native to Western North America and is found on many Indian reservations, often where little else grows well.

The findings of the study suggest that buffaloberry might be successfully grown as a new commercial crop on American Indian reservations; one which would be a good source of nutrition as well as providing a viable new product in an area in need of economic development.

12 Foods and Ingredients That May Help Weight Management

S

atiety, lean protein, low carb and fat burning are four buzzwords that are commonly associated with weight management. In the November issue of Food Technology magazine, published by the Institute of Food Technologists editor Linda Milo Ohr writes about 12 foods and ingredients that are tipping the scales toward better health.

1. Dairy Protein: Diets high in protein, specifically dairy protein can have a satiating effect, helping consumers feel full for longer periods of time.

A pilot study conducted by Fronterra North America found that females who supplemented their regular diet with an additional 20 grams of protein at both breakfast and lunch over a threeweek period lost two inches from their waist.

2. Rice Protein: A recent study indicated that rice protein helped recovery time after exercise and improved body composition and exercise performance.

3. Dietary Fiber: Using a doubleblind, randomized cross-over design, researchers from Iowa State University found that an emerging fiber, soluble fiber dextrin, may help promote satiety from three to eight and a half hours after consumption.

4. Raisins: A recent study showed that consuming raisins as an after school snack compared to potato chips or cookies in children 8-11 years old led to a lower cumulative food intake.

5. Almonds: Consuming almonds as a snack has shown to reduce hunger and the desire to eat during non-meal times, and also helped study subjects meet the recommended dietary intake of vitamin E without affecting body.

6. Korean Pine Nut: After eating Korean pine nuts in the form of oil or other extracts, the release of the satiety

hormone cholecystokinin was significantly increased in the blood of test subjects. In a separate study, participants showed a reduction in food and caloric intake.

7. Potato Protein Extract: Potato protein extract in weight management bars has shown to help people feel full sooner and longer.

8. Saffron: An ingredient derived from saffron showed a satiety effect that contributed to body weight loss in a study with 60 mildly overweight female subjects. The average snacking frequency decreased and level of the neurotransmitter serotonin improved.

9. Conjugated Linoleic Acid: A new ingredient, tonalin, derived from safflower oil has shown to decrease the amount of fast the body stores after eating, increase the rate of fat breakdown, increase the rate of fat metabolism, and decrease the total number of fat cells.

10. Coffee Bean Extract: An ingredient developed from the decaffeinated green coffee bean may help increase the rate of fat release from fatty tissue. A recent clinical study followed 50 people ages 19 to 75 over 60 days and found that those who consumed the coffee bean extract lost an average of nearly six percent of their body weight and increased their lean muscle mass.

11. Canola Oil: Research presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention/Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism 2013 scientific sessions showed that canola oils can lower abdominal fat when used in place of other selected oil blends in a heart-healthy diet for weight maintenance.

12. Polyphenols: Polyphenols from blueberries and green tea have shown to have a prolonged spike in metabolism after people exercised and often while they slept.

Smart Snacking

Avoid grabbing whatever’s available when you happen to feel hungry

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

S

nacking may seem like a dietary saboteur but it’s not. If you nibble wisely, snacking can help you stay within your daily caloric needs and pack more nutrition into your day.

“It keeps the metabolism boosted as well for better weight management, and keeps moods more stabilized due to the blood sugar balancing,” said Laurel Sterling Prisco, registered dietitian and wellness educator for NaturTyme in Syracuse.

To snack smart, you need to plan ahead to avoid grabbing whatever’s available when you happen to feel hungry. Poor snacking choices can lead to eating more calories since your body still craves nutrients.

Optimal snacks should be high in fiber, around 5 grams.

Snacking on fruits and vegetables add fiber, vitamins and minerals to your diet. Lean protein sources and whole grains can help you stay full longer.

Prisco Limit sodium to around 140 milligrams.

Prisco advises clients to avoid snacks with “hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated and refined vegetable oils; artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners; high-fructose corn syrup; preservatives and sourced from genetically modified organisms; and meat and dairy raised with hormones. Limit white, refined sugar and flour products.”

Maureen Franklin, registered dietitian with Upstate’s Community Campus, said snacks should be like a mini meal consisting of no more than 200 calories, preferably between 50 to 150 calories. That’s where portion control and snack selection make a big difference. Low-calorie foods can offer a larger portion than a high-calorie food.

Large volume food, such as air-popped popcorn, can help you feel satisfied sooner, too.

Mom always warned you about spoiling your appetite with a snack,

but if you’re watching your calories, a healthful snack 20 minutes before your next meal may help you eat less. Try an extra serving of vegetables or fruit to help you reach the USDA goal of two to four servings of fruit and three to five servings of vegetables.

Before you leave home, take a couple snack options with you so you won’t resort to vending machine junk. Store healthful snacks at your workplace and stow a few in your car so you’re prepared. All-natural fruit leather, dried apples, raisins, and whole-grain crackers all have a long shelf life.

Before snacking, ask yourself why you’re reaching for a munchie.

“Are you snacking because you’re hungry, bored, sad, glad or thirsty?”

Franklin said. “Look at why you’re snacking. Are you truly hungry or are you in front of the TV and someone else is snacking? If you’re really hungry and you want a snack, that is a conscious decision.

Mindless snacking is another thing.”

If you skip lunch because you’re so busy, you could be snacking because your energy level is dipping Franklin midday.

“Keep a food diary,” Franklin said. “It’s one of the best tools around.

Slow down. Taste your food, chew and enjoy.”

Although any food may be eaten in moderation, Kathryn Szklany, registered dietitian at St. Joseph’s Hospital, advises clients to not make a habit of snacking on foods that are high in calories, high in saturated or trans-fat, low in protein, processed, or high in sugar.

“Dessert-type snacks can be eaten on occasion but should not be an everyday snack,” she said. “Examples of snacks to avoid on a regular basis include cakes, cookies, ice cream, candy bars, and high-salt snacks such as potato chips.”

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Page 15

Women’s issues

INFERTILITY

Doctors discuss potential causes and way to treat them

By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

T

he average couple can take up to one year to become pregnant.

Many have described that time period as more stressful than sexual.

It’s all due to wanting the desired results on a pregnancy stick. While many factors play a role, there are several common diagnosis for infertility.

For women under 35 years old, infertility is defined as trying to conceive for one year without pregnancy. For women over 35, infertility is defined as trying for six months without conceiving.

Ovulatory disorders remain the leading cause of female infertility. Ovulation occurs when an egg is released Cyton from the ovary, a condition which occurs when a woman does not ovulate regularly or has ceased ovulation. For most women with ovulatory disorders, periods are irregular or absent. However the situation is not dire.

At least 75 percent of women who receive treatment for an ovulatory disorder will become pregnant, according to physician Jennifer Hirshfeld-Cytron of Fertility Centers of Illinois, a reproductive endocrinologist. For patients with hormone, thyroid, insulin or other endocrine imbalances, medication can aid in restoring ovulation. She also said women who suffer from the disorder to focus on maintaining healthy weight, exercising and decreasing stress.

“It’s a misconception that stress can cause you not to be pregnant.

However, stress can affect you while you are pregnant so we tell mothers that they need to reduce it if they want a healthy pregnancy,” said HirshfeldCytron.

Another issue is poor ovarian reserve. Women are born with six to seven million eggs, which is reduced to 300,000-400,000 at the onset of puberty. During the next 40 years, about 400-500 eggs will ovulate. Ovarian reserve declines as a woman ages, with egg supply taking a rapid decline in the late 20s and again in a women’s 30s. Options can include intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, and donor eggs.

Then there are women who must worry about fallopian tubes that are blocked or damaged, which affects where the eggs can travel to meet the sperm and become fertilized. Surgical treatment can remove scar tissue or repair damaged tubes, allowing eggs to travel properly down the fallopian tubes.

“One thing people need to know is there are a lot of options available,” said Hirshfeld-Cytron. “People just need to seek out the information. The treatment process can be an emotionally grueling experience which cause some people to drop Kiltz out along the way because they are stressed out. But many of these procedures work so I would tell people to keep being diligent.”

For men, infertility is mostly tied to low sperm count or mishappen and immobile sperm. Male infertility can be caused by a number of reasons, such as injury, illness, health problems and lifestyle choices. Doctors suggest exercise, proper nutrition and abstaining from drugs, cigarettes and excessive alcohol consumption.

In extreme cases, men can go through a semen wash, where the most

viable semen are collected. Sperm can then be injected directly into the uterus in an intrauterine insemination. Or they can do a vitro fertilization, where the highest quality sperm can be selected and injected into eggs.

Physician Rob Kiltz, founder and director of Central New York’s first successful IVF center, said it’s important to treat the whole person, body and mind. His Syracuse-based CNY Fertility and Spa has grown to clinics in Rochester and Albany. He also believes that too often treatment is limited in a manner of speaking.

“I have been blessed to help during the infertility process. I wholeheartedly believe in Western medicine through testing and treatment we know how to better help our clients in the process.

That is important to see a specialist,” said Klitz. “But you need to take the journey and steps looking at Eastern medicine like acupuncture, massage, medication and support groups. You’ve got to do both.”

Kiltz said many people get stressed out because this is a situation that they cannot fully control. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

“Sometimes you are not sure what to do. That is an OK spot to be,” said Klitz. “ We are human beings and our instinctual nature is to react, respond and feel like we have control. And when it is not happening the way we believe it should, then that is when we feel we have lost control. But sometimes in that waiting moment, it comes.”

Several other conditions can lead to infertility. Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease that affects at least 6.3 million women in the U.S. and millions across the globe. Each month when women menstruate, they shed the endometrial lining found in their uterus.

When the endometrial tissue normally found in the uterus grows outside the uterus, it is known as endometriosis.

About 35 to 50 percent of women with infertility have the condition.

“There could be so many factors on why a couple is not getting pregnant,” said Hirshfeld-Cytron. “The essential part to remember is there are solutions.”

A trend that medical officials are beginning to see involve women freezing their eggs in their 20s so their eggs are young and viable when they are ready for children maybe a decade later.

“Women are having careers where maybe they decide to delay having children until later in life,” said Hirshfeld-Cytron. “It just gives them more options when they get older where age no longer becomes a large looming factor. Women can focus on their professional life first and not have to worry about if they waited too long to start a family.”

Both doctors Klitz and HirshfeldCytron suggest that maintaining a healthy weight both before and during pregnancy remains essential. Pregnancy already becomes a risk once women get older, but an unhealthy mother can lead to problems during her nine months.

Dermatologists Offer Tips for ColorTreated Hair

W

hile coloring your hair is a common beauty treatment, the process can leave your hair dry and brittle. Fortunately, dermatologists, who are experts in the care of the skin, hair and nails, offer tips for coloring and perming your hair while keeping it healthy.

“When dyeing your hair, consider choosing a dye that is darker rather than lighter than your natural color to minimize hair damage,” said boardcertified dermatologist Paradi Mirmirani, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco. “If you choose to go lighter, select a dye within three shades of your natural color as lightenPage 16

•

ing more than three shades requires higher volumes of peroxide, which is harmful to the hair.”

Mirmirani shares more tips for healthy hair when using hair treatments: 1 — Test store-bought hair color before using. Follow manufacturer’s instructions. If you develop a rash or redness, swelling, burning or itching, you are having an allergic reaction to the die. Do not dye your hair and consult your dermatologist for further allergy testing.

2 — Protect your hair from the sun.

The sun can make your hair weak, dry, rough, faded and brittle. This is especially true if you dye, bleach or perm

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

your hair. Wear a wide-brimmed hat when you go outside.

3 — Use caution when perming hair to prevent longlasting damage. Set a timer to know when you should rinse the perm solution. Always follow package instructions.

If you experience excessive stinging and burning while the perm solution is on your scalp, wash it off immediately and consult your dermatologist.

“A board-certified dermatologist can answer any questions people have about hair damage or unexplained hair loss,” said Mirmirani.

These tips are demonstrated in “Coloring and Perming Tips for

Healthier-Looking Hair,” a video posted to the academy website and the Academy’s YouTube channel. This video is part of the Dermatology A to Z: Video Series, which offers relatable videos that demonstrate tips people can use to properly care for their skin, hair and nails. A new video in the series posts to the academy’s website and YouTube channel each month.

Women’s

The Rise of Spring issues Allergies: Fact or Fiction?

Nursing Promotes Infant Gut Health

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

A

recent study piles more evidence on the mountain of research showing nursing provides the best infant nutrition. The Aug. 22 issue of Environmental Microbiology published a study by the Society for Applied Microbiology in Zurich, Switzerland, that concluded that good bacteria can be transported through breast milk from the mother’s gut to that of her baby.

“The short answer is a resounding ‘yes, breast is best,’” said Michele Dwyer, a registered nurse and international board certified lactation consultant at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center.

“Throughout the centuries, mothers have kept their babies alive and healthy by breast-feeding. Research into the components of breast milk does everything to verify this. Nature did not get it wrong.”

Researchers discovered the same strains of Bifidobacterium breve and types of Clostridium bacteria in breast milk and in the baby’s feces. These bacteria promote colonic health and can help babies better absorb nutrients and possibly prevent intestinal problems.

Dwyer isn’t surprised by the research’s findings.

“Throughout the centuries, mothers have kept their babies alive and healthy by breast-feeding,” she said.

“Research into the components of breast milk does everything to verify this. Nature did not get it wrong.”

The normal flora of the gut boost its ability to break down nutrients in breast milk and protect against harmful bacteria. Dwyer compares the good bacteria in the gut with good cholesterol: “there is ‘good’ bacteria in breast milk that is passed to the baby, which in turn helps provide an environment that wards off ‘bad’ bacteria,” she said.

These beneficial bacteria provide a natural defense for a new baby’s immature immune system, since the gut is part of the immune system.

“A carbohydrate called the bifidus factor that is in breast milk, when it hits the baby’s stomach and intestines, helps support and encourage the growth of a good bacteria called lactobacillus,” Dwyer explained. “This lactobacillus protects the baby by creating an acidic environment where bad bac-

Prevalence of allergies is surging upward, with as many as 30 percent of adults and up to 40 percent of children having at least one allergy.

T

he spring 2014 allergy season could be the worst yet, or at least that is what you might hear.

Every year is coined as being the worst for allergy sufferers, but are spring allergies really on the rise?

“A number of factors, such as weather patterns, predict how intense the spring allergy season will be,” said allergist Michael Foggs, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “While allergies are on the rise, affecting more and more Americans every year, each spring isn’t necessarily worse than the last.”

According to ACAAI, 23.6 million Americans were diagnosed with hay fever in the last year. The prevalence of allergies is surging upward, with as many as 30 percent of adults and up to 40 percent of children having at least one allergy.

“With more people being affected by seasonal allergies, it may seem like every year is the worst yet for sufferers,” said Foggs. “But in reality, there might just be more people complaining about symptoms.”

Following are factors that influence the severity of allergy season, along with some explanations about why more Americans are being diagnosed with allergies

Climate Change

teria cannot survive. This, in combination with the immunities that a mother passes to her baby via her breast milk, makes for a healthier, stronger infant, more able to fight off infection.”

Babies who have been treated with an antibiotic tend to have digestive problems unrelated to the initial illness because the antibiotic kills both the good and harmful bacteria; however, breast-feeding can help restore the proper balance in the gut more quickly and prevent secondary illnesses.

Jean Smith, a La Leche League International leader in Oswego County, said: “Not only does the good bacteria go into the gut, but if there are bacterial illnesses in a community and the mother is breast-feeding full-time, that baby will not get those bacterial diseases,” said “It’s that miraculous,” she added.

Though baby formulas can nourish an infant who for whatever reason cannot be nursed, “formula, in no way, replicates breast milk,” Smith said. “It doesn’t introduce any good bacteria into the gut.”

Dwyer agreed that “breast milk is a baby’s best defense, and efforts to replicate its components will never be 100 percent. A mother’s immunities specific to her baby cannot be reproduced. But these efforts can only be good for a newborn’s health and artificial nutrition should it be introduced.”

Recent studies have shown pollen levels gradually increase every year.

Part of the reason for this is due to the changing climate. The warmer temperatures and mild winters cause plants to begin producing and releasing pollen earlier, making the spring allergy season longer. Rain can promote plant and pollen growth, while wind accompanying rainfall can stir pollen and mold into the air, heightening symptoms.

The climate is not only responsible for making the allergy season longer and symptoms more bothersome, but may also be partially to blame for the rise in allergy sufferers.

Priming Effect

A mild winter can trigger an early release of pollen from trees. Once allergy sufferers are exposed to this early pollen, their immune system is primed to react to the allergens, meaning there will be little relief even if temperatures cool down before spring is in full bloom. This “priming effect” can mean heightened symptoms and a longer sneezing season for sufferers.

make it seem like nearly everyone has an allergy or is getting diagnosed with allergies, but it could be more public perception more than you think.

While many allergy sufferers reach for over-the-counter medications to find relief, it is recommended those who may believe they have allergies see a board-certified allergist. An allergist can perform proper testing to accurately diagnose and treat sufferers so the spring sneezing season doesn’t have to be bothersome.

“Over-the-counter medications may work for those with mild symptoms, but they can cause a variety of side effects, such as difficulty concentrating, irritability and sleep disturbances,” said Foggs. “For those with moderate to severe symptoms, treatment may go beyond antihistamines and include allergy shots.”

If you think you might be one of the more than 50 million Americans that suffer from allergy and asthma, you can track your symptoms with the free online tool, MyNasalAllergyJournal.org.

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Hygiene Hypothesis

This theory suggests that exposure to bacterial by-products from farm animals, and even dogs, in the first few months of life reduces or delays the onset of allergies and asthma. This may, in part, explain the increasing incidence of allergies worldwide in developed countries.

Allergy: The New Kleenex

Ever hear someone ask for a Kleenex instead of a tissue? Much like some relate all tissues to Kleenex, many also blame runny noses, sneezing and itchy eyes on allergies, even if they haven’t been accurately diagnosed. Increased awareness and public education can January 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 17

Parenting

By Melissa Stefanec melissa@cnyhealth.com

Strategies on How to Move a Toddler ‘I always thought of myself as a moving pro. That was until I moved a toddler’

I

hope I am not alone when I say, “I dread moving.”

I’ve done it a lot and it hasn’t ever been fun. The end result is always glorious, but the process is taxing and consuming. I always thought of myself as a moving pro. That was until I moved a toddler.

Anyone who has spent time around little ones knows how much they crave routine. They like being able to predict what will happen in any given day. They like to have control. So when we started planning our recent move, I was more than a little worried about my daughter Stella. At 2 1/2 years old, she is a lover of all things routine. She takes pride in knowing what will come next. She was just starting to take joy in the concept of home.

So, I took it as a personal challenge to help my daughter understand what was coming next during our recent move.

What follows are my meager at-

tempts at preparing my toddler for her move. Hopefully, I can help some other parents out there with some sound advice. At a minimum, I can tell you what not to do. (That’s everyone’s favorite kind of advice, isn’t it?)

Toddler moving strategy No. 1 – Talk about it. A lot.

For about two months before our move, I worked moving into (possibly too) many conversations. Every chance I saw to talk about moving, I did it. I tried to explain to her what moving was and used the simplest concepts I could fathom. I talked about our old house and our new house.

Toddler moving strategy No. 2 – Hold pep rallies for the new place.

You would have thought we were moving into a high-end mansion, complete with kiddie pools and petting zoos, from the way I talked up our new place. I never lied, but I found

What They Want You to Know:

Social Workers

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

T

he Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care states that its membership “addresses the psychosocial components of health and illness.” These professionals help family members and patients beyond the medical aspects of health care.

• “It can be really passionate and trying but is very fulfilling, especially when you have a difficult situation that the patient may be in and they need different services. When you get them what they need it’s fulfilling.

• “I like doing my job because you’re helping all kinds of people from the community who come in and need Page 18

•

short term rehabilitation and they may have all sorts of needs. They may not know where to find their community’s resources. We can put them in touch with all sorts of agencies. There’s a lot of resources in the community that people don’t know about. Sometimes, we run into issues with insurances not covering certain things so we have to work through that. Medicare and insurance plays a big role as to what people can and can’t have.

• “A lot of times, there’s a misconception that we’re making this happen or not happen, but a lot of times, it’s Medicare or insurance companies that

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

ways to make the new place sound really exciting. I talked about the big, new backyard and all the sticks she could find in it. (Yes, my daughter is a big fan of sticks. Simple pleasures.) I talked about how happy our cats would be in the new house. I tried to build excitement, hoping that at 2, she couldn’t be let down too much.

Toddler moving strategy No. 3 – Give your tot some control.

Our house had one additional bedroom, so I let my daughter pick which bedroom she wanted. I talked this up for weeks in advance, broadcasting to anyone that would listen that Stella was going to pick out her own big-girl room. When we arrived, I kept my promise. She immediately chose the master bedroom with the bathroom. A little redirection happened, and she did indeed choose her own room. If your move doesn’t allow for this luxury, let your child arrange his or her bedroom furniture or indulge in some other grown-up task.

Just find a way to turn over control for a little while.

and again. I pretended it was my favorite book. I memorized it. My daughter enjoyed it, and actually seemed to pay attention.

Toddler moving strategy No. 5 – Get your tot out of the house on moving day.

My husband and I didn’t do this; I wish we had. I know this sounds like a no-brainer, but life happens and our plan and back-up plan fell through.

Luckily, I had a very kind friend onsite to help wrangle her, but it was less than ideal for everyone involved. Go to every necessary means to find care for your child on moving day. This will minimize the trauma and confusion for your kid.

Toddler moving strategy No. 6 – Be prepared to deal with additional meltdowns.

Stella’s temper tantrums have exponentially increased in the times before and after our move. We turned her whole world upside down, and this has resulted in a very volatile child.

I know this time will pass, and I try to see things from her point of view.

Practicing a little extra patience during a difficult time has helped her adjust quicker.

Toddler moving strategy No. 4 – Buy a book.

Not “Toddler Moving for Dummies,” but buy a storybook about moving. There are lots of picture books out there. I found one, and it came with stickers, which are the toddler equivalent of $20 bills. I read it to her time

Toddler moving strategy No. 7 – Remember, boxes are the best toys ever.

Enough said.

makes things not happen. They may not cover help a patient needs and there’s nothing we can do about that.

• “People don’t realize I’m a case manager when they come into the hospital. They look at you like, ‘Why are you in the room?’ I don’t think people even realize a case manager is in the building to assist with discharge planning. They may have just arrived at the hospital on Monday and today is Tuesday when I visit with them. They always look a little perplexed as to why I’m planning discharge when they just got here. Sometimes it takes time to help them go to a nursing home for rehabilitation, for example. They may say, ‘I don’t feel good,’ but that doesn’t always qualify you for in-patient care.

They may have to have a physical therapist available in order to receive care.

And they may have to have conditions to qualify for short-term rehab. There may or may not be a bed available for short-term rehab. There are a lot of different services and qualifications for receiving those services.

• “A lot of people think we do a Medicaid application, but we give them the application and information so they can do it. We don’t do the application though.

• “We work very well in conjunction with the medical team. We have a report each morning and go through what’s going on with them and things they might need when they leave like oxygen, home care, a walker, or Meals on Wheels. Do they need information about getting private pay help at

home? Do they need assistance with getting their medications? Some require pre-authorization. We can do that with various insurance companies.

• “There are some medications that we have discount cards for that can help them pay $10 instead of $200.

• “There are new [services] that pop up with different companies.

They come and show us resources for patients that they can offer.

• “As a case manager, I don’t provide direct patient care. I see every patient, but I don’t start IVs and things like that.

• “All the case managers are RNs. We have the capacity and capability to do patient care but as a rule, we don’t.

If I’m in a room and a patient needs to go to the bathroom or needs an IV adjusted, I can help them but we generally don’t do direct patient care.”

So there you have it. My movingwith-a-toddler-in-tow advice. If you are embarking on this journey, Godspeed.

Andrea Pytlak-Wehunt, RN case manager with Oswego Health 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.

Vitamins: Synthetic vs. Natural Natural supplements not necessarily better than synthetic ones, say local experts

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bout half of Americans take vitamin supplements and one of the biggest differences among types of supplements is synthetically-derived or naturally-derived supplements.

Although it may seem that natural supplements must be better because they’re closer to the food sources of nutrients, Laurel Sterling Prisco, registered dietitian and wellness educator for Natur-Tyme in East Syracuse, said that the matter is not cut-and-dried.

“Food based [supplements] are typically lower in nutrients than the amount on the label, but are more easily absorbed,” Sterling Prisco said.

“For people with digestive issues, some vitamins make them nauseated. They tolerate food-based vitamins very well.

Typically you don’t have to eat food when you take whole food vitamins.”

Synthetic vitamins tend to contain higher amounts of nutrients in case they’re not entirely absorbed; however, some contain fillers and binders that may make the supplement less effective.

“Look for starch, sugars, talc and other binders that aren’t good for the body and inhibits the maximum absorption,” Sterling Prisco said.

She added that binders could cause problems for people with colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, and other digestive disorders, and also people experiencing poor digestion because of advanced age.

Sterling Prisco offered a tip for testing a supplement’s quality.

“If you can put it in water and within 18 to 20 minutes it starts dissolving within that time frame, it’s a sign it’s digesting well,” she said. “Water is nowhere near the pH level of stomach acid.”

Maureen Franklin, registered dietitian at Upstate Community Campus, noted that saving money by going with a synthetic supplement doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing quality.

“According to Tufts’ Frances Stern Nutrition Center, there is no difference in the chemical structure between the synthetic form and naturally derived forms,” Franklin said. “It’s important not to assume that because a product is labeled ‘natural’ it is wholesome and safe. The degree of quality control depends on the manufacturer, supplier and anyone involved in the production process.”

She advises consumers to look for a seal from the USP dietary supplement verification on bottles. The nonprofit

organization created industry standards for supplements, medicines and foods in regard to their identity, strength, quality and purity.

“The standards of USP require that supplements contain no less than 90 percent and no more than 110 percent of the listed potency,” Franklin said.

The FDA does not require participation with USP. Beth Smythe, registered dietitian and representative of the New York State Dietetic Association, thinks that the best way to get vitamins and minerals is from nutrient-rich foods.

“Talk to your healthcare provider —±registered dietitian, doctor or pharmacist —before taking any dietary supplement,” Smythe said. “Natural supplements don’t always mean ‘safe.’ Safety depends on the chemical makeup, how it works in the body, how it’s prepared, and the dose used.

This safety issue is the same for natural or synthetic.”

Even though taking supplements sounds like a natural way to improve health, they can interfere with prescription medication and that’s why it’s important to discuss any possible contraindications.

More About Suplemments

Check out these sites recommended

by Beth Smythe, registered dietitian and representative of the New York State Dietetic Association: U.S. Pharmacopeia — www.usp.org Consumer Lab — www.consumerlab.com NSF International — www.nsf.org “These independent organizations offer quality testing and allow products that pass these tests to display their seals of approval,” Smythe said.

“However these seals do not prove that a product is safe or effective.”

Maureen Franklin, registered dietitian at Upstate Community Campus, recommended these sites: Office of Dietary Supplements — ods.od.nih.gov National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine — nccam.nih.gov “The FDA and NCCAM also maintain lists of supplements that are under regulatory review or that have been reported to cause adverse effects,” Franklin added.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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The Social Ask Security Office Column provided by the local Social Security Office

Now Is the Time to Prepare for Tax Season How to Guard Against Wintertime Heart Attacks

By Jim Miller

Provided by Deborah Banikowski

W

ise taxpayers may want to take Social Security, as well as with your employer. If you change with one advantage of winter months source but not the other, it could cause indoors to prepare for tax your earnings to be improperly recordfiling season this spring. Whether you are a small business owner, a retiree ed and you may not get all the benefits or a new parent, here are some Social you are entitled to when you become Security tax tips that may help you. eligible for Social Security in the future.

• Are Social Security benefits taxFailing to change your name on your able? Yes, for some people with higher Social Security record could also cause incomes. About one third of a delay in your receipt of any those receiving Social Security federal income tax refund. You benefits must pay taxes on some can learn more about your of their Social Security benefits, • I own a small business. Can depending on the amount of I report my employees’ W-2s to their taxable income. Learn more Social Security electronically? Yes, at www.socialsecurity.gov/planand we encourage you to do ners/taxes.htm. just that at www.socialsecurity.

• Will I get a tax form for my gov/bso. Filing your W-2s Social Security benefits? Yes. Benelectronically is free, fast, and eficiaries should receive their Sosecure! Plus there’s an added cial Security Benefit Statements Banikowski bonus: when you file elec(Form SSA-1099) for tax year tronically, you receive an extra 2013 on or before Jan. 31. If you receive month to file because electronically Social Security and don’t receive your filed W-2s aren’t due until March 31.

1099 by the end of January, you can reYou’ll also receive an electronic receipt. quest one online at www.socialsecurity. And when you enter your W-2 inforgov/1099. mation online, you can simultaneously • We had a baby in 2013. Does our print out the W-2s for your employees. child need a Social Security number? Yes. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.

Most people apply for their baby’s gov/employer.

Social Security number while they’re • Does Social Security have any tips at still in the hospital at the same time this time of year for those filing their taxes? they register for the birth certificate.

Yes. We encourage you to carefully But if you didn’t, you’ll need to apply check: your name, Social Security numfor your child’s Social Security number, and all data on your W-2s; your ber before you file your tax return in online Social Security Statement; and order to claim the child as a dependent. your Social Security card to make sure You’ll also need it if you ever apply for they all match. If you don’t have access government benefits on behalf of your to your card or statement but know child or your family. Learn more about your Social Security number, make sure Social Security cards and numbers at the number and information is correct www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. on your W-2s. A mismatch could delay • I changed my name when I got married your tax refund and cause problems last year. Do I need to report it to Social with your Social Security benefits in Security? Yes. If you’ve legally changed the future. Such errors are much easier your name due to marriage, divorce, to fix early on. If you do notice an error, court order or for any other reason, contact Social Security at 1-800-772make sure you change your name with 1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or if the information on the W-2 is incorrect, notify your employer.

Q&A

Q: I get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) because I am elderly and have no income. My sister recently died and left me the money she had in a savings account. Will this extra money affect my SSI benefits? Will my SSI payments stop?

A: The money inherited from your sister is considered income for the month you receive it and could make you ineligible for that month, depending on the amount of the inheritance.

If you keep the money into the next month, it then becomes a part of your resources. You cannot have more than $2,000 in resources and remain eligible for SSI benefits ($3,000 for a couple).

Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800325-0778) to report the inheritance. A Page 20

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representative will tell you how your eligibility and payment amount might be affected. Learn more by visiting us online at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Q: My parents recently moved into a retirement community and they are signing their house over to me. Can I still get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or will home ownership make me ineligible?

A: You can own a home and still receive SSI as long as you live in the home you own. In most cases, when determining SSI eligibility we don’t count as a resource the home you own and live in or the car you use. For more information about SSI and Social Security, visit www.socialsecurity.gov, or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800325-0778).

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

Dear Savvy Senior, When I had a mild heart attack about six months ago my doctor told me I needed to be extra careful during the winter when recurring heart attacks are more common. Is this true?

How can the seasons affect your heart?

Leery Senior Dear Leery, Everyone knows winter is cold and flu season, but most people don’t know that it’s also the prime season for heart attacks too, especially if you already have heart disease or have suffered a previous heart attack.

Here’s what you should know, along with some tips to help you protect yourself.

Heart Attack Season In the U.S., the risk of having a heart attack during the winter months is twice as high as it is during the summertime. Why? There are a number of factors, and they’re not all linked to cold weather. Even people who live in warm climates have an increased risk.

Here are the areas you need to pay extra attention to this winter.

Cold temperatures When a person gets cold, the body responds by constricting the blood vessels to help the body maintain heat.

This causes blood pressure to go up and makes the heart work harder. Cold temperatures can also increase levels of certain proteins that can thicken the blood and increase the risk for blood clots. So stay warm this winter, and when you do have to go outside, make sure you bundle up in layers with gloves and a hat, and place a scarf over your mouth and nose to warm up the air before you breathe it in.

Snow shoveling Studies have shown that heart attack rates jump dramatically in the first few days after a major snowstorm, usually a result of snow shoveling. Shoveling snow is a very strenuous activity that raises blood pressure and stresses the heart. Combine those factors with the cold temperatures and the risks for heart attack surges. If your sidewalk or driveway needs shoveling this winter,

hire a kid from the neighborhood to do it for you or use a snow blower. Or, if you must shovel, push rather than lift the snow as much as possible, stay warm, and take frequent breaks.

New Year’s resolutions Every Jan. 1, millions of people join gyms or start exercise programs as part of their New Year’s resolution to get in shape, and many overexert themselves too soon. If you’re starting a new exercise program this winter, take the time to talk to your doctor about what types and how much exercise may be appropriate for you.

Winter weight gain People tend to eat and drink more, and gain more weight during the holiday season and winter months, all of which are hard on the heart and risky for someone with heart disease.

So keep a watchful eye on your diet this winter and avoid binging on fatty foods and alcohol.

Shorter days Less daylight in the winter months can cause many people to develop seasonal affective disorder — or SAD — a wintertime depression that can stress the heart. Studies have also looked at heart attack patients and found they usually have lower levels of vitamin D (which comes from sunlight) than people with healthy hearts. To boost your vitamin D this winter, consider taking a supplement that contains between 1,000 and 2,000 international units (IU) per day. And to find treatments for SAD, visit the Center for Environmental Therapeutics website at cet.org.

Flu season Studies show that people who get flu shots have a lower heart attack risk. It’s known that the inflammatory reaction set off by a flu infection can increase blood clotting which can lead to heart attacks in vulnerable people.

So, if you haven’t already done so, get a flu shot for protection. See flushot. healthmap.org to find a nearby vaccination site.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

H ealth News Fulton doc chosen Pediatrician of the Year’ Physician Stuart Trust of Pediatric Associates of Fulton was recently named Upstate Medical University’s pediatrician of the year. Trust is the only physician who has received this award five times since it was established in 1973.

The award is given to the pediatrician who shows competence, concern for his or her patients and an enthusiasm for teaching.

“For nearly 40 years, our goal has been the same— to help, heal and comfort our patients and their families,” Trust said. “I credit my mentor, Dr. Trust Frank Oski, with his mantra to ‘learn it, do it, and teach it’.

I love to teach and as a result, it’s also yielded a wealth of learning for me as well.

“It’s an honor to be in a position where people trust me with their most precious possessions—their children. I am both honored and blessed.”

Daley is Oswego’s new VP for human resources Oswego Health has named Linda Daley as the healthcare system’s new vice president for human resources.

Daley arrives at Oswego Health with more than 15 years of human resources experience, the last six in the healthcare field. She most recently served as the director of compensation and benefits at the Albany Medical Center, which has about 8,000 employees.

The new vice president of human resources was attracted to the Oswego Health position as she believes it will enable her to make a positive impact.

“I saw the health system as large enough to make a difference and small enough to have a Daley personal impact on the people that work at the organization,” Daley said.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Southern Vermont College and her Master of Business Administration from Iona College. Daley holds certifications as both a compensation professional and as a benefits professional.

Along with working in healthcare, for the past seven years Daley has taught online courses through the University of Phoenix. She also enjoys home restoration and has taken several centuries old buildings and completely renovated them. All together she has restored nine homes and a barn.

Since her appointment in November, Daley is getting to know her new community, joining the Oswego YMCA and taking walks with her two dogs in her neighborhood.

Cayuga’s Nurse Family Partnership turns six months Cayuga County Health Department is pleased to announce that it is celebrating the six-month mark of Nurse-Family Partnership, an evidence-based community health program that helps transform the lives of eligible mothers pregnant with their first child.

Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is a voluntary program that provides nurse home visitation services to lowincome, first-time mothers. Nurses begin home visits early in the mother’s pregnancy and continue visitation until the child’s second birthday.

Nurses provide support, education and counseling on health, behavioral and self-sufficiency issues.

NFP is one the most rigorously tested program of its kind. Mothers and children who have participated in the program have consistently demonstrated significantly improved prenatal health, increased maternal employment, improved child school readiness, reduced involvement in crime, and less child abuse, neglect and injuries.

There are currently 17 young mothers and two infants participating in the Cayuga County Nurse-Family Partnership program.

For more information about Cayuga County Nurse-Family Partnership, contact the Health Department at 315253-1560 or visit www.cayugacounty. us/health, go to Available Programs, then Click Prenatal, Maternal & Child Health Programs.

Women’s Health Associates welcomes new physician Physician Hazem Qalla has joined Women’s Health Associates of Oneida in the practice of OB-GYN. Qalla received his medical training at Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica in the West Indies region of Caribbean Sea. He completed his OBGYN surgical training, including minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, at New York Methodist Hospital and Drexel University School of Medicine.

Qalla also served as clinical assistant professor and full-time facQalla ulty member at SUNY Downstate Medical Center/Hospital University of Brooklyn, where he continued to refine his minimally invasive surgical skills, while also developing his robotic surgery technique.

He will be joining Oneida Healthcare’s da Vinci robotic surgery team.

Qalla is board certified and a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and strives to care for his patients with the highest level of modesty, integrity and compassion.

Qalla joins physicians James Pfeiff, Mehri Delpino and Krislyn Flint as part

Rural Health Network Receives National Recognition

Several members of the Rural Health Network of Oswego County were recognized as Outstanding Rural Health Care Workers at the New York State Association for Rural Health’s annual luncheon. Additionally, the collaborative effort of Northern Oswego County Health Services, Inc. (NOCHSI), Oswego Health and Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) Rural Health Network of Oswego County was honored with the Outstanding Rural Health Program award. Above from left are: senior director of OCO health and nutrition services, Ellen Holst; community and regional affairs director at Excellus BCBS, Jacqueline Iacovelli; chief executive officer of NOCHSI, Dan Dey; and director of health center operations at NOCHSI, Tricia Clark.

New York Chiropractic College Graduates 101 Doctors of Chiropractic

Congressman Thomas W. Reed II was the keynote speaker at New York Chiropractic College’ commencement in December. Also shown are Rev. Allison Stokes (far left) and NYCC Board of Trustees Chairman John Rosa (far right).

New York Chiropractic College Dec. 7 held commencement exercises in the Standard Process Health and Fitness Center conferring degrees to 101 doctors of chiropractic.

The event also marked the first commencement wherein 24 graduates of NYCC’s bachelor of professional studies program were recognized.

Congressman Thomas W. Reed II, delivered the commencement address while Student Government Association President Nicholas Maio served as the student body speaker.

January 2014 •

Drawing upon revelatory moments in his life, Congressman Reed urged the graduates to “never give up” and to take appropriate risks. “Don’t take the easy path, don’t cut corners, but rather take the long term path — the right path — and you will be successful,” he said.

An attorney and former mayor of the city of Corning, Congressman Reed was elected in November 2010 to represent New York’s 29th district and was re-elected in January 2011 to serve a two-year term in the new 23rd district.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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H ealth News of the growing number of providers and services within Oneida Healthcare’s “Circle of Care.”

Women’s Health Associates provides a full complement of OB/GYN services, including Incontinence therapy, and is the only office in the Oneida region to provide minimally invasive hysterectomy; first trimester fetal screening; and on-site imaging, including mammograms, MRI, bone density and ultrasound with 3-D capability.

The office is located on the hospital campus at 139 Fields Drive and appointments with can be scheduled by calling 363-9380. For more information, go to www.womenshealthoneida.com.

St. Joe’s has new director of community engagement St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center has appointed Susan Furtney to the position of executive director of community engagement. In this new role, she will be establishing and growing community partnerships to improve the health outcomes of St. Joseph’s patient population in the greater Syracuse area.

Furtney brings with her more than 20 years of business development, strategic Furtney planning, informatics

research and operations management experience in for-profit and nonprofit healthcare organizations.

Prior to moving to Syracuse in 2012, she was the executive director of Care Ring, Inc., a private, nonprofit public health agency that serves 7,000 uninsured and underserved people annually in Charlotte, N.C. Most recently, Furtney was the director of the university wellness initiative at Syracuse University where she launched the first dedicated wellness program to improve the health and well-being for more than 5,000 faculty and staff.

She has also served in leadership roles at large healthcare systems, national consulting firms, primary care practices and a national health benefits company.

A resident of Fayetteville, Furtney earned a master’s degree in public health, health policy and management from Emory University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in public health, health policy and administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Oswego physician certified in obesity medicine Physician Rajeev Saini recently passed the American Board of Obesity Medicine (ABOM) certification exam for obesity medicine Physicians and became certified in the subspecialty of

Oswego Health ENTs Acquire Latest Equipment Oswego Hospital has installed state-of-the art, award winning navigation technology for use during sinus surgeries The hospital’s new ear, nose and throat (ENT) physicians say this new advanced equipment is the best available. “The hospital has made a significant investment in this equipment which operates similar to a GPS device allowing Dr. Pence and myself to make informed decisions in real time when in the operating room,” said boardcertified ENT Nicholas Groch, who recently opened Lakeshore ENT in the Oswego Health Center with Melanie Pence, who is also a board-certified ENT. “This equipment is simply the Physicians Melanie Pence and Nicholas Groch pose with new equipment. best available and with this navigation system we are able to provide excellent ENT care to our patients,” excellence in Toledo, Ohio.

Pence said. “Area residents needing The two ENT physicians have a this level of sinus surgery no longer joint practice providing a wide range of need to leave their community.” services including hearing and balance The equipment, called a Fusion testing, allergy testing, sinus surgery, ENT Navigation System, helps to pediatric ear infections, snoring and reduce the risk of complications and sleep apnea, thyroidectomies, skin cancan lead to a quicker recovery. The cer excisions and cosmetic procedures. equipment’s associated irrigation Both physicians are board-certisystem was the winner of a Medical fied by the American Osteopathic Devise Excellence Award.

Board of Otolaryngology and Head & The two ENTs are familiar with Neck/Facial Plastic Surgery. To provide this new technology as they have used additional services, audiologist Karah it for many years. During their previGottschalk has joined the practice to ous ENT positions, they helped to conduct hearing balance testing and trial the equipment at a sinus center of dispense hearing aids.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014

obesity medicine.

Physicians certified in obesity medicine are able to positively impact all systems of the body by incorporating weight management into traditional models of medical practice. Specifically, this subspecialty requires competency in and a Saini thorough understanding of the treatment of obesity and the genetic, biologic, environmental, social and behavioral factors that contribute to obesity.

Saini was among only 191 physicians nationally who successfully completed this year’s exam.

“Supervision from a health care provider is necessary to detect and treat weight-related medical conditions,” Saini said. “A healthcare program supervised by a physician, certified in obesity medicine offers a comprehensive and effective approach to maximizing overall health and reversing obesity-related co-morbidities.”

“In New York state, the prevalence of adult obesity is about 25 percent.” said Saini. “I am interested in being part of the solution to this medical epidemic by locally helping patients affected by obesity who seek access to non-surgical treatment options. It is amazing to see as people lose weight, we are able to cut down or even stop their medications for various medical conditions like diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, etc.”

Saini has been in practice for the last 17 years. He is board-certified in internal medicine and has offices in Fulton and Baldwinsville. He attended medical school at AIIMS, India and did his residency in internal medicine at Upstate Medical University.

St. Joe’s announces new physicians on active staff The following doctors joined St. Joseph’s active medical staff: Roshelle J. Beckwith of Middletown, emergency department; Peter S. Ceravolo of Fayetteville, dental surgery; Cinthia L. Elkins of Fabius, family medicine; Radhika Mehra of Syracuse, family medicine; and Ronald T. Rakowski of Frederick, Md., emergency.

Five paramedics join TLC Emergency Medical Five recent paramedic program graduates are joining the ranks of TLC Emergency Medical Services in Central New York. After a few thousand hours of intensive study in classroom, clinical, and field work, the new paramedics are certified to provide the community with the highest level of pre-hospital emergency care available.

The new TLC hires are Eric Frederick and Chuck Iavarone, both of Liverpool; Melissa Walter of Auburn; Heather Tier of Cortland; and Melissa Rice of the Chenango County community of Pitcher.

Frederick and Iavarone joined

TLC’s Syracuse division after graduating from University Hospital’s Syracuse paramedic program; Walter joined TLC’s Auburn Ambulance as a graduate of the Finger Lakes paramedic program; and Tier and Rice are on duty with TLC’s Cortland division, Tier graduating from the Elmira paramedic program, and Rice graduating from Broome Community College’s program.

Crouse has new presidentelect of information group Jeff Youngs, document imaging supervisor for Crouse Hospital’s health information management department, has been named president-elect of the Central New York chapter of the New York Health Information Management Association.

Youngs has been with Crouse since 2007.

“Being at Crouse has truly been an amazing experience,” says Youngs. “We have transitioned our HIM department from a paper record to a completely electronic record at the time of discharge. I have Youngs a strong passion for the HIM profession and believe great things are still to come.”

Upstate announces new faculty appointments Upstate Medical University announced the following new faculty appointments: • Aart Geurtsen has been named assistant professor of medicine and a hospitalist, specializing in general medicine. Geurtsen received his medical degree at Upstate Medical University (1969) and completed his surgical residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield California (1971). Prior to Upstate, Geurtsen worked in a private practice in Marcellus, served as a school physician for the Baldwinsville School District and has been employed at Upstate Community General campus as a part-time hospitalist.

• Andrea Intartaglia Berg has been named assistant professor of medicine, specializing in geriatric medicine. Berg is a graduate of Cornell University, received her medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine (2007) and completed her medical internship and residency at Yale New Haven Hospital’s primary care program (2010). She then completed the Harvard fellowship in geriatric medicine (2012) and served as an attending primary care provider at the Newton Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts. She resides in Cazenovia.

• Emily Lazzari Albert has been named assistant professor of medicine and a hospitalist. Albert received her medical degree from Upstate Medical University (2007), where she also served as chief medical resident (2011).

She also holds a master’s degree in public health from Ohio State Universi-

ty (2013). Albert was awarded resident of the year from Syracuse VA Continuity Clinic in 2010. Albert currently resides in Fayetteville.

• J. Kurt Concilla has been named an assistant professor of medicine and a podiatrist for Upstate’s Joslin Center for Diabetes. Concilla received his medical degree from California College of Podiatric Medicine (1980) and completed his surgical residency in Portland, Ore. (1995). Prior to Upstate, Concilla worked as a board certified foot surgeon and podiatrist at Crouse Medical Practice. Concilla currently resides in Cazenovia.

• Manju Paul has been named as assistant professor of medicine specializing in interventional pulmonology and pulmonary and critical care medicine. Paul received her medical degree from St. John’s Medical College in Bangalore, India. She completed her residency and fellowship training at Upstate in internal medicine (2009) and pulmonary and critical care medicine (2012). Paul completed an additional subspecialty fellowship at the combined Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center-Massachusetts General Hospital interventional pulmonology program of Harvard Medical School (2013). Paul resides in Fayetteville.

• Matthew Hess has been named assistant professor of medicine and hospitalist. Hess received his medical degree (2010) and completed his residency in internal medicine (2013) at Upstate. In addition, Hess worked at Upstate as a research laboratory technician, where he studied olfaction development in neonatal animal models and how this may be related to the predisposition of alcoholism later in life. Hess resides in Syracuse.

• Patrick Kohlitz has named as assistant professor of medicine and a

hospitalist. Kohlitz received his medical degree from St. Georges University School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, in 2010 and completed his residency in internal medicine at Upstate in 2013. Kohlitz resides in Liverpool.

• Ruban Dhaliwal has been named as an assistant professor in medicine, specializing in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism. Dhaliwal received her medical degree from Vinnica National Medical University in Vinnica, Ukraine (2003) and completed her residency at North Shore –LIJ Hospital at Forest Hills in internal medicine (2010) where she also served as chief resident. She also completed a bone and mineral research fellowship at Winthrop University Hospital (2011). Her primary interests are osteoporosis, metabolic bone diseases and parathyroid disorders.

She is fluent in English, Hindi, Russian and Punjabi and resides in Dewitt.

������������������������� PROVIDING HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE Our Mission is to provide compassionate, quality care.

We achieve our mission by: - emphasizing patient centered health care, whether acute, outpatient or preventative care - continuously improving the delivery and quality of care - enhancing the health status of the community �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

����������������������������� �������������� Walk-in for non-emergent care, seven days a week -FINGER LAKES MEDICAL CARE 303 Grant Avenue - call 258-7100 for hours -URGENT MEDICAL CARE OF SKANEATELES Route 20 - call 685-(WELL)9355 for hours ���������������������������� ���������������� With accreditation by the American College of Radiology for Mammography and MRI. � ����������������������� A complete range of inpatient and outpatient including: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Hand Therapy, Speech Therapy ������������������������������ call 315-255-7023 for locations and hours ������������������������������������ ������������������������ Orthopedic, General Surgery, OBGYN, Bariatrics � ������������ A New York State Department of Health designated Stroke Center ������������������ A nationally accredited center with a range of services in a private, hotel-like setting ��� ����������������� Finger Lakes Bariatric Program, nationally accredited, designated Bariatric Center of Excellence ������������������������ Including our brand new Stardust Birthing Center

St. Joseph’s Seeks Volunteers St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center is seeking volunteers to fill a number of important positions within the healthcare system and enhance the patient and family experience at St. Joseph’s.

Volunteer opportunities exist in the emergency department, which include angels, information/wayfinding, ambassadors and information desk, as well as spiritual care clerical support and orthopedic center angels.

For more information to become a part of St. Joseph’s volunteer family, please call the volunteer office at 315-448-5186, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. to set up an interview.

www.auburnhospital.org

17 Lansing Street, Auburn NY, 13021 315-255-7011

ALL ABOUT HEALTHCARE IN CNY Healthcare Guide 2014 CENTRAL NEW YORK

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80-plus pages about local hospitals, trends, food and nonprofit organizations. PLUS profile of 29 leaders in the healthcare industry.

BONUS: Resource Directory listing hundreds of support groups, nonprofit organizations, cancer services and mcuh more.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2014