IGH - CNY-248 August 20

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CNYHEALTH.COM

AUGUST 2020 • ISSUE 248

BACK TO SCHOOL The fall semester will be like no other in recent memory.

We spoke with local experts.

See what to expect P. 10

Mask Up! Don’t Let Down Your Guard Against COVID-19 P. 4

Jim Reed Named Excellus BlueCross BlueShield CEO-Elect He lives in Skaneateles, is a proponent of work-life balance and 18 months ago adopted a mostly plantbased diet. He talks about his career, new challenges and more. P. 18

Smoking

Parmesan

Find out why parmesan cheese is such a nutritional powerhouse

‘My Drug Addiction, and How to Kick the Tobacco Habit’

P. 14

P. 17

More People Are Dying During the Pandemic – and Not Just From COVID-19

M

ore people in the United States are dying during the COVID-19 pandemic, but not just because of the coronavirus.

One reason, experts say, is people with other ailments may not be seeking help.

That conclusion is emerging from new research showing deaths are increasing from causes such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes — while emergency room visits for those conditions are down.

“One factor that could be contributing to the increase is that people are afraid to come in for care,” said physician Steven Woolf, professor of family medicine and population health at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. “We need to assure them that the danger of not getting care is greater than the danger of getting exposed to the virus.”

Woolf led a study published July 1 in JAMA that examined the number of deaths reported in the U.S. in March and April, when the pandemic began to take hold, compared with preceding years.

The nationwide data showed there were 87,000 “excess deaths” — that is, more than would have been expected during the two-month period — but only two-thirds of the total were attributed to COVID-19.

In 14 states, more than half of the excess deaths were from causes other than COVID-19.

Moreover, the JAMA study found huge increases in excess

deaths from underlying causes such as diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease in Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania — the five states with the most COVID-19 deaths in March and April.

New York City experienced the biggest jumps, including a 398% rise in heart disease deaths and a 356% increase in diabetes deaths.

Other research underscores the findings. A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine analyzed data from March through May and calculated that 22% of excess deaths were not attributed to COVID-19.

Although data is still being gathered, “Upward trends in other causes of death (e.g., suicide, drug overdose, heart disease) may contribute to excess deaths in some jurisdictions,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

Woolf said he is certain those trends are continuing, and offered two explanations. The first is that COVID-19 did contribute to many of the deaths even though it was not listed on death certificates and people may not have been tested for the virus.

“We now know that the virus is not just a respiratory problem,” he said. “It causes other physical responses, such as damaging the immune system, blood clotting and arrhythmias. It’s possible some of these spikes (in excess deaths) were caused by COVID-19 and the doctors

didn’t realize it.”

The other factor, Woolf said, is some people may be avoiding or delaying treatment for medical conditions, as well as mental health or addiction problems. The CDC reported in late June that in the 10 weeks after the pandemic was declared a national emergency on March 13, hospital emergency department visits declined by 23% for heart attacks, 20% for strokes and 10% for uncontrolled high blood sugar in people with diabetes.

“It seems like people are afraid of getting the virus, or maybe they’re

afraid of adding to the burden on the doctors and the hospital,” said physician Mitchell Elkind, professor of neurology and epidemiology at Columbia University in New York.

“They think, ‘I don’t want to bother anybody, and I’ll be OK. Why don’t I just stay home and take care of this myself?’

“But obviously, especially for serious conditions like heart disease and stroke, that is the wrong thing to do,” he said. “Just like before the pandemic, they should seek help, call 911 or get to the emergency room right away.”

Here for CNY. As always.

Faster Treatment = Better Outcomes People have been avoiding emergency rooms fearing they will be exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

Getting to the hospital quickly is critical for patients suffering heart attacks or strokes, when heart and brain cells can die by the minute. Other serious conditions — such as severe headache or stomach ache — can also cause long-lasting damage if treatment is delayed.

Our regionally recognized emergency services, cardiac care and Comprehensive Stroke Center teams are here 24/7 to provide you and your family with rapid intervention and treatment for all medical emergencies.

Your Safety = Top Priority To keep you safe, we have put in place stringent safety and infection control measures in our Pomeroy Emergency Services Department and across our entire hospital and outpatient sites to prevent the spread of infection, including:

Screening patients, visitors and staff at entry points Requiring all patients, visitors and staff to wear a mask Isolating suspected COVID-19 patients in private rooms Rigorous deep cleaning/disinfecting of all surface areas

Don’t wait to go to the Emergency Department – Call 911 #TakeMeToCrouse Page 2

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2020

Your Health is as Important as Ever!

60 dedicated physicians and healthcare providers across our network.

Meet Our Fulton and Oswego Providers

Beverly Aubin, FNP Family Nurse Practitioner Oswego

Anne Filipski, MD Family Practice Physician Fulton

Michael Miller, MD Family Practice Physician Fulton

Katie Beebe, FNP

Patricia Bendura, DH

Farzana Chaudhary, MD

Marie Desravines, MD

Shannon Dwyer, FNP

Alex Filipski, DO

Rosanne Foster, ANP

Ashley Gilbert, LCSW

Anna Gofman, DDS

Julie Hogle, LCSW-R Clinical Social Worker Oswego, Mexico, Pulaski

Joy Dolorico Magsino, MD

Lori Marshall, FNP

Diane Plumadore, NPP

Anthony Rotella, DO

Gerald Simmons, MD

Faith Slade, FNP

Linda Troia, PA-C, LCSW-R

Scott VanGorder, DO

Family Nurse Practitioner Oswego

Dental Hygienist Fulton

Adult Nurse Practitioner Oswego

Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Fulton, Pulaski

Clinical Social Worker Fulton, Pulaski

Family Practice Physician Fulton, Phoenix

Pediatrician Fulton

Dentist Fulton

Family Practice Physician Oswego

Family Practice Physician Fulton

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Keep yourself and your family healthy, safe, and happy! Learn more at connextcare.org.

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August 2020 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 3

Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Kamaljeet Singh Banga, M.D

Mask Up! Don’t Let Down Your Guard Against COVID-19

E

ven as the United States reopens, it’s crucial that people wear face masks when they can’t maintain proper social distancing, experts emphasize.

“While it’s tempting to view [things] as being back to normal, that’s simply not the case,” said Patrick Gavigan, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Penn State Children’s Hospital.

“The virus is still out there.

We still have cases every day,” he said in a Penn State Health news release.

In fact, 36 U.S. states were seeing increases in COVID-19 infections as of mid July, with Texas, Arizona and Florida posting record-breaking case counts in recent days. Much of that increase is being fueled by younger people testing positive for COVID-19, experts note.

Wearing a face mask, social distancing and hand-washing are essential defenses against transmission of the coronavirus, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

Face masks or other face coverings are especially important because research shows that people become contagious before they start having symptoms or feeling ill. And some people who test positive never have symptoms.

Face masks should be worn by anyone 2 years and older whenever and wherever social distancing measures are not possible, the CDC advises.

“It’s easy to get mask fatigue and fatigue from all of the COVID-19 restrictions across the nation,” Gavigan said. “But we can’t let our guard down.

Masks right now and for the foreseeable future remain a key part in keeping us safe...”

Page 4

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Orthopedic surgeon joins Oswego Hospital in the middle of the pandemic. He discusses first few months of his tenure Q: Can you describe your role at Oswego Health?

A: I’m an orthopedic surgeon with a subspecialty in sports medicine; sports surgeries as well was upper extremities. I came to New York from Canada, first in Auburn, where I used to work. I knew a few people here who connected me with Oswego Health. I saw this place and thought it would be the best fit for me.

tions. We suspended elective procedures until we were told it was safe to do them. In June, we reopened for elective procedures. All patients receiving elective procedures have to do COVID-19 testing two days before the surgery. In terms of surgery, there’s a little bit of a delay regarding who should be in the room during certain procedures like intubation.

It takes maybe an extra half hour, 45 minutes.

Q: Do your patients tend to fit any particular profile?

A: I see all kinds of patients.

Some of the sports surgeries, like rotator cuff surgeries, are age 50plus patients, but most of the sports surgeries are young people, athletes.

But you can still see sports injuries in elderly people. So I see young kids, adults and elderly people, too. My practice is general orthopedics, so I see traumas and fractures.

Q: If patients are concerned about coming to a hospital, what orthopedic conditions would you say they absolutely should not wait on to see a doctor?

A: Acute injuries like fractures.

Even some non-fractures. But you don’t want to wait on fractures. Knee and shoulder injuries where the patient can’t move the joint. At this point, I don’ think there’s much of a reason to wait. We’re taking all the needed precautions. Any problem, we can handle it. If something isn’t getting better in a few days, see a doctor. If it’s a fracture, don’t wait at all.

Q: Have patients been reluctant to seek treatment for structural issues during the pandemic?

A: It’s funny. I started here in May, right in the middle of the pandemic. Whenever you start somewhere, you start with less patients and as you get used to the position and the community knows more about you, you start to see more patients. My clinic actually filled up pretty fast. I think I’m seeing a good number of people. Is there room for improvement? Sure. But I’m pretty satisfied.

Q: What’s it like joining a hospital at a time when their own procedures are rapidly changing and adapting?

A: I would say it’s a new normal. We do all the recommended precau-

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2020

Q: What conditions have you seen the most of so far?

A: The traumas and fractures here are quite complex. In terms of sports injuries, I’ve seen almost everything. I started per diem in February, so I was coming once or twice a month before I started full time in May. I’ve done meniscus repair, ACL reconstruction, bicep repair, rotator cuff surgeries, shoulder surgeries. It’s been a good spectrum, a little bit of everything.

In the News Orthopedic surgeon Kamaljeet Singh Banga recently joined the Center for Orthopedic Care team at Oswego Hospital, where practices with orthopedic surgeons John Ayres and Michael Diaz. Banga has been practicing orthopedic care for the past 18 years, with his most recent position being at Auburn Community Hospital. “I chose to work for Oswego Health not only because of their reputation and the level of service provided, but because of this community,” said Banga.

“Specializing in sport injuries naturally draws me to want to care for patients within communities that have robust athletic programs not only at the collegiate level but any level. I just like having the opportunity to make a difference here in Oswego County.”

Q: How has your experience in the U.S. differed from your experience in Canada, both in terms of patient base and medical system?

A: Canada has a very different healthcare system. It’s more government-controlled. Waiting periods in Canada can be huge if a patient needs to see a specialist, at least three or four months. Here that’s not really a problem. The other side of that is in Canada, patients don’t have to worry about paying out of pocket or insurance. We sometimes have to figure out how a patient is paying if they don’t have insurance. Oswego Health has a good program for financial assistance who will work with patients.

So it’s pretty reasonable and quick care here as opposed to Canada.

Q: Are you working out of Oswego Hospital or do you move around the system?

A: Our orthopedic clinic is in the Fulton campus, but we do surgery up in the hospital in Oswego.

Q: What are you able to do at the Fulton clinic?

A: We see patients and do follow-ups. We can do most injections here, including complex ones done with ultrasound. We can drain abscesses and treat wounds. Any braces or splints can be done here. Stuff like that, we can do it here.

Lifelines

Name: Kamaljeet Singh Banga, M.D. Position: Orthopedic surgeon at Oswego Health; clinical assistant and professor of orthopedic surgery at Upstate Medical University; formerly a sports orthopedic surgeon at Auburn Community Hospital Hometown: Chandigarh, India Education: Punjab University, Chandigarh, India; McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada; fellowship in orthopedic surgeryupper extremity and sport, McMaster University Affiliation: Oswego Health; Syracuse VA Organizations: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons; Canadian Orthopedic Association; European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscope Family: Wife, two children (16 and 6 years-old) Hobbies: Motorcycling, badminton, golf, ATV

Urology_MeetTheTeam_2132020_Full.qxp_Layout 1 2/14/20 10:01 AM Page 1

MEET THE UPSTATE UROLOGY TEAM Chairman Urologic oncology; robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder and adrenal

General urology, andrology

GENNADY BRATSLAVSKY, MD ZAHI N. MAKHULI, MD

Urologic oncology; robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder and adrenal

NICK LIU, MD

STEPHEN BLAKELY, MD

Kidney Stones, Minimally Invasive Kidney Surgery, Enlarged Prostate

SCOTT WIENER, MD

General urology, male health, urologic oncology, enlarged prostate, kidney stones At Upstate Urology of Auburn.

RYAN SIDEBOTTOM, DO

EDWARD IOFFE, MD

JOSEPH JACOB, MD

RAKESH KHANNA, MD

General urology

IMAD NSOULI, MD General urology, male health, urologic oncology, enlarged prostate, kidney stones , and robotic surgery

MAHMOUD CHEHAB, MD Urologic oncology; robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder and adrenal

General Urology; Female Urinary Incontinence

MICHAEL CASTELLO, DO

Urologic oncology; robotic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder

TOM SANFORD, MD

Urologic oncology robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder, and adrenal

Urologic oncology; robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder and adrenal

General Urology, Endourology and Laporoscopic Surgery

General Urology, Endourology

SERGEY KRAVCHICK, MD

DMITRIY NIKOLAVSKY, MD

Reconstructive urology; incontinence, prosthetics, urinary fistula, neurogenic bladder, urinary diversion. Robotic surgery.

General urology, female and reconstructive urology

ELIZABETH FERRY, MD

Incontinence, urethral stricture disease, vesicovaginal fistula, reconstructive surgery, transgender care

Pediatric urology, treatment of hernias and hydroceles, robotic surgery, urinary tract infections, penile abnormalities

MATTHEW D. MASON, MD

JC TRUSSELL, MD

Female and reconstructive urology, urinary incontinence in women, pelvic floor treatment and neurourology

NATASHA GINZBURG, MD

OLEG SHAPIRO, MD

Male infertility, erectile dysfunction, andrology, general urology, prosthetics, and Peyronies

MRI fusion, male health, prostate cancer and kidney stones

TIMOTHY K. BYLER, MD

Urologic oncology and endourology, robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder and adrenal; kidney stones

Urologic Oncology; robotic and laparoscopic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder, and adrenal

HANAN GOLDBERG, MD

RUBEN PINKHASOV, MD, MPH Pediatric urology, treatment of hernias and hydroceles, robotic surgery, urinary tract infections, penile abnormalities

ANTHONY J. TRACEY, MD, MPH, FAAP

UROLOGY

FOR QUESTIONS OR TO MAKE A REFERRAL, CALL 315.464.1500 August 2020 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Healthcare in a Minute

By George W. Chapman

Hospitals Struggling Big Time

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hat tends to get lost in all the headline-grabbing news related to the pandemic (PPE shortages, morbidity, testing, lingering long term effects, potential vaccines, opening and closing businesses and schools, etc) is the ongoing financial crisis facing our underappreciated frontline combatants — the hospitals. Prior to the pandemic, NYS hospital bottom lines were already barely profitable, averaging a razor thin 1% to 2%. If you exclude non-operating revenue or non-patient fees like grants, donations, and interest on investments, hospitals would run in the red. A stand-alone mid-sized hospital, 200 to 300 beds, will need hundreds of millions in bailout money from the federal government. Larger hospital systems will literally need billions in recovery funding. And hospitals are nowhere near being out of the woods yet. The number of cases and deaths related to the virus continue to spike in many states (not New York) primarily due to people ignoring safety recommendations. There is a $3 trilliom hospital bailout bill being proposed by the House of Representatives, but its fate is not good. There are approximately 5,000 hospitals in the U.S. and that number is sure to shrink by the time we have defeated or at least controlled COVID-19.

End-stage renal dialysis The pandemic is already being considered a “black swan” event, or something that ends up creating significant change in the world.

Past examples of black swan events would be WWI, the internet, personal computers, the breakup of the Soviet Union, and 911. COVID-19 will undoubtedly make virtual medicine a staple in the delivery of healthcare. The pandemic black swan event also signals a change in dialysis. To minimize the chance of an already compromised dialysis patient getting the virus, Medicare is enhancing payments for home dialysis machines to encourage patients to stay home for treatment. There are 750,000 people a year affected by end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and 85% of them have to trudge to a dialysis center, often hours away, for treatment four to five hours a day, three days a week. Home dialysis Page 6

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would be a huge improvement in the quality of their lives. ESRD patients are 1% of the Medicare population, but 7% of Medicare expenses. ESRD creates all kinds of other medical problems other than dialysis. 100,000 people are on the kidney transplant list every year, but there are typically only 21,000 kidneys available. The need for donor kidneys is increasing 8% a year.

Harbinger of healthcare If you want a reliable clue as to where we are headed, follow the money. Digital healthcare startups raised a record $5.4 billion in just the first half of this year, far exceeding amounts raised in the first half of any year since 2011. While the pandemic is driving this, one can clearly see where we are headed shortly and well beyond the end of the pandemic. “On demand” services, (just like streaming entertainment on TV), and

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2020

digital remote monitoring of chronic diseases like hypertension, diabetes, cardiac arrhythmia, etc. lead the way with the lion’s share of investment.

Digital behavioral health startups raised almost $600 million the first half of this year as the virus has created a significant increase in depression, anxiety and abuse.

ACA and birth control While the future of the entire Affordable Care Act is expected to hit the Supreme Court sometime next year, the court recently ruled that any employer, not just churches, can qualify for the birth control exemption based on religious or moral convictions. The removal of birth control coverage from an employee’s benefit package will have minimal if any impact on premiums. Interestingly, the Supreme Court vote was by gender with the three dissenters being the three female justices: Bader Ginsberg, Kagan and Sotomayor.

Opioid epidemic?

It’s back, but buried in the avalanche of COVID-19 pandemic news.

Opioid-related deaths are spiking again in 30 states. Opioid-caused deaths are up almost 17%. The increase in drug abuse is most likely related to the stress and anxiety created by the pandemic. “Verily” is the science arm of Google parent company Alphabet. They are opening digital treatment and learning centers called OneFifteen to combat the crisis that just won’t go away. The curious name is derived from the fact that an average of 115 people died every day of an opioid overdose in 2017.

‘Retailization’ of healthcare Walmart is getting into health-

care insurance. Yes, Walmart.

Walmart Insurance Services will start selling Medicare plans this August in the Dallas-Fort Worth area market.

Walmart also owns clinics that offer primary care, dental, vision, mental health and wellness services in Georgia. Walmart clinics charge a flat fee regardless on the patient’s insurance.

Not to be outdone, Walgreen’s plans to open 500 to 700 primary care clinics, called VillageMD, over the next five years. The plan is to employ 3,600 primary care providers. Half of the clinics will be located in federally designated medically underserved areas. It remains to be seen how this will impact the private practice of medicine and hospital systems that also employ providers in remote, off campus facilities.

Telemedicine claims up

As further evidence of the pandemic black swan event, provider claims for telemedicine increased a staggering 8,300% in April 2020 compared to April 2019. Fueled by COVID-19 concerns and increased reimbursement from all insurers, to the equivalence of an in-person office visit, telemedicine is quickly becoming a more acceptable and doable tool for delivering healthcare.

George W. Chapman is a healthcare business consultant who works exclusively with physicians, hospitals and healthcare organizations. He operates GW Chapman Consulting based in Syracuse. Email him at gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.

Too Much Sitting Increases Risk of Cancer Death: Study

Protect Your Nest-Egg & Your Family

S

itting too much could increase your risk of dying from cancer, a new study warns.

It included about 8,000 people without cancer whose physical activity over seven days was assessed using a tracking device. They were then followed for five years, according to reports.

During that follow-up, the least active people had an 82% higher risk of dying from cancer than those with the highest levels of physical activity, according to the study in the journal JAMA Oncology.

“This is the first study that definitively shows a strong association between not moving and cancer death,” said lead author physician Susan Gilchrist, associate professor of clinical cancer prevention, MD An-

derson Cancer Center, University of Texas, CNN reported.

However, she added that replacing at least 30 minutes of sitting with either light, moderate or vigorous physical activity may reduce the risk.

Company Gets $1.6 Billion From U.S. Government for Coronavirus Vaccine

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accine maker Novavax will receive $1.6 billion from the U.S. government to provide 100 million doses of a coronavirus vaccine by early 2021, the Maryland-based company said recently.

This is the largest deal announced by the Trump administration to date as part of its attempts to provide coronavirus vaccines and treatments to Americans as soon as possible, The New York Times reported.

The $1.6 billion is coming from a “collaboration” between the Health and Human Services Department

and the Defense Department, according to a Novavax spokeswoman.

In May, the Trump administration said it would give up to $1.2 billion to British drugmaker AstraZeneca, which has said it could have a vaccine available by October.

Federal funding has also been given to four other companies — Moderna Therapeutics, Johnson & Johnson, Merck and Sanofi — for their experimental coronavirus vaccines, The Times reported.

Novavax has never brought a product to market, the Times reported.

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Two Lysol Products Can Kill Coronavirus: EPA

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wo Lysol products are the first to be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as able to kill the new coronavirus on hard, non-porous surfaces.

The EPA said laboratory tests found that Lysol Disinfectant Spray and Lysol Disinfectant Max Cover Mist destroy the virus two minutes after contact, according to reports.

The agency says there are 420 disinfectant products that are effective against “harder-to-kill” virus-

es than the new coronavirus, but the two Lysol are products are the first to be tested directly against the virus and be able to kill it.

A recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey found that Americans said they were cleaning more often because of the coronavirus pandemic, but only about half said they actually knew how to clean and disinfect their home safely, CNN reported.

Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga and Madison Counties

CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

A monthly newspaper published by Local News, Inc. 35,000 copies distributed throughout more than 1,000 high traffic locations, including all Wegmans stores.

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2020 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: P.O. Box 276, Oswego, NY 13126. • Phone: 315-342-1182 • Fax: 315-342-7776.

SPORTS INJURIES

We are THE CENTER for Orthopedic Care.

The new Center for Orthopedic Care at Oswego Health provides patients and primary care Physicians with local CONVENIENCE and EXPERIENCED orthopedic services right at home.

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Complete joint replacement surgery with pre and post-surgery appointments held locally

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True sports medicine services that assist local athletes

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24/7 advanced fracture care in Oswego Health’s Emergency Department

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An orthopedic team that listens and spends time with its patients

Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Deborah Sergeant, Jim Miller, Gwenn Voelckers, Deborah Banikowski, George W. Chapman, Anne Palumbo, Melissa Stefanec, Chris Motola, Eva Briggs (M.D.), Mary Beth Roach, Kimberly Blaker, Morgan Rowe Advertising: Amy Gagliano, Cassandra Lawson Layout & Design: Dylon Clew-Thomas • Office Manager: Nancy Nitz

OUR ORTHO TEAM Michael Diaz, DO

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.

CENTER FOR ORTHOPEDIC CARE August 2020 •

Kamaljeet Banga, MD

John Ayres, MD

315-349-5873

oswegohealth.org/ortho

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

Top 10 Reasons to Get Good at Living Alone . . . During the COVID Pandemic “Why in the world would I want to get good at living alone?” scowled my discontented divorced friend, weary of sheltering-in-place and longing to be married again. “I want to meet someone new and settle down. I want my old life back!”

Understanding where she was coming from, I reassured her that the two were not mutually exclusive. In fact, I said with conviction, getting good at living alone could very well help her realize her dream of remarriage and reclaiming her life.

Whether you want to get married or remarried or to stay single, there are plenty of compelling reasons to find contentment on your own during and beyond COVID-19.

Below, I’ve assembled my Top 10 best reasons for getting good at living alone. Like conquering any challenge, mastering the art of living alone has its rewards, even if it’s just for a year or two ... or a lifetime.

REASON 1 — Living alone gives you the chance to determine who you really are and what you really want for your life. No “shoulds” or other people’s agendas. Those of us who live alone have the gift of abundant time to ourselves. And we have even more time these days.

Used wisely, this time can be an adventure in self-discovery and reveal opportunities for personal growth and fulfillment.

Take this precious time to ask yourself what really matters to you. How you want to spend your time?

And with whom?

REASON 2 — When you exercise acceptance and fully embrace your newfound independence, you have the chance to be a role model for others and to be of service.

Inspired by your good example, a divorced friend, a widowed parent or an adult child who is still single can find strength, hope and comfort in seeing firsthand how contentment can be found on one’s own.

REASON 3 — Living alone affords you the opportunity to become more self-sufficient and resourceful. No more “his and her” division of duties: It’s all yours!

Learning to master things around the house — from minor repairs to hiring a roofing contractor, from planting a garden to making lasagna from scratch — can be a real source of satisfaction and self-pride.

REASON 4 — Finding contentment on your own will help you avoid entering into unhealthy relationships out of loneliness or desperation.

s d i K Corner

Does Having a Dog Make for Well-Adjusted Kids?

I

f you’ve hesitated to get a dog because your kids are very young, new research suggests that the preschool years might be a good time to add a furry friend to the family.

The study found that preschoolers with dogs at home had fewer problems with their peers or other behavior problems compared to youngsters without a family dog.

“Young children who walked or played with their family dog were more likely to have pro-social behaviors, such as sharing and cooperating,” said study senior author Hayley Christian. She’s an associate professor and senior research fellow at the

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University of Western Australia and Telethon Kids Institute.

Christian added that past research has shown that pets may be helpful for children’s self-esteem, autonomy, empathy, trust and confidence.

“For many children, pets are a source of unconditional love and loyalty. They can be social enablers and help teach children about responsibility through caring, training and looking after their pet,” she said.

The Australian study used data from a survey of more than 1,600 families with children aged 2 to 5. Many — 42% — of the families

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2020

Maybe no other reason to get good at living alone is as important as this one. And it goes for both sexes.

The inability to survive a Friday night alone, to prepare and eat a meal by yourself, or to overcome feelings of inadequacy make you easy prey for a suitor with dubious intentions.

It’s a risky place to be.

Getting good at living alone will improve your chances of meeting someone who values and appreciates your strengths, not your weaknesses.

REASON 5 — Glorious time to yourself! Living alone gives you a chance to enjoy peaceful, meaningful you time.

With the ability to control your schedule and find uninterrupted time to yourself, you can accomplish all those things you’ve been meaning to get to do, large and small, from finishing that good book, to clearing out the clutter, to updating your will, to learning to play pickleball. There’s no stopping you.

REASON 6 — Living alone is a real motivator, especially when it comes to managing your money. When you live alone you don’t have a choice.

You’re it. And, frankly, that’s a good thing, because ignorance around money matters can put you at a real disadvantage.

The good news is that there are plenty of excellent resources out there to help you put your financial house in order.

With increased knowledge and self-confidence, you’ll be less vulnerable and in a better position to protect your future, whether you remain single or get married.

REASON 7 — Taking care of yourself enables you to take care of others. If you’ve got kids at home or elderly parents who count on you, you’ll be better able to focus on their needs if you are successfully managing your own life.

had dogs. The surveys were done between 2015 and 2018. The findings were published July 5 in Pediatric Research journal.

Compared to children who didn’t have dogs at home, the researchers found that those with a family pooch were: • 23% less likely to have problems with emotions and social interactions, • 34% more likely to practice kind behaviors like sharing, • 30% less apt to engage in antisocial behaviors, • 40% less likely to have issues interacting with other kids.

Youngsters who went on dog walks with their family at least once a week were about one-third less likely to have poor social and emotional development than those who didn’t go on at least one weekly walk. Kids who played with their dog three or more times a week upped their odds of regularly engaging in considerate behaviors by 74% versus youngsters who played with their dog fewer than three times each week.

Christian noted that although the researchers considered factors in their analysis such as children’s age, sex, sleep habits, screen time and parents’ education levels, the study couldn’t prove a definitive causeand-effect relationship.

REASON 8 — Getting good at living alone also looks good on you.

When you’re at peace with yourself and are making the best of your circumstances, it shows and people notice. You will radiate vitality. And that’s intriguing. It will open up your world and draw people to you (at a safe distance, of course).

REASON 9 — Besides boosting your self-esteem, getting good at living alone can help boost your immune system. Eating healthy, enjoying a good night’s sleep, getting regular health check-ups and exercising are all within your control and will contribute to feeling good and alive.

REASON 10 — And finally, my top reason for getting good at living alone? You can leave dishes in the sink, eat ice cream for dinner or turn the A/C down to 74° F., if you like.

No matter what, there’s nobody there to second-guess you.

I’m kidding, of course. But there’s a lot to be said for the freedom of expression that living alone affords you. You can be you — fully you — when you live alone. Take note and enjoy the autonomy that comes with being in charge of your own life.

Living alone can be a valuable period of self-determination. Embrace it with enthusiasm. Get good at it. And reap the rewards!

Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Alone and Content, empowerment workshops for women, and author of “Alone and Content,” a collection of inspiring essays for those who live alone. For information about her workshops, to purchase her book, or invite her to speak, visit www. aloneandcontent.com

Psychologist Lori Kogan, a professor of clinical science at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University, said the findings are exciting.

“I’m an advocate for research on the positive benefits of people and animals working together. And here it looks like in families that have a dog, their young children may benefit in many ways from having and walking with the dog,” she said.

Christian said that in school-age children, having any pet helps prevent social and behavioral problems.

But, she wasn’t aware of any research with cats and preschool-age children.

She noted that the social and behavioral benefits seen in the latest study appeared to stem from playing and walking with dogs, which could be hard to duplicate with a cat.

‘A bike ride or walk on the Creekwalk shows off parts of the city from a different perspective that even a native Syracusan might be surprised to find.’

Creekwalk Expanded in Syracuse Cyclists, walkers and runners now can enjoy the trail that goes from Onondaga Lake near Destiny USA through downtown to Kirk Park

By Mary Beth Roach

T

he city of Syracuse has added a little more than two miles of fun for cyclists, walkers and runners when it opened Phase II of the Onondaga Creekwalk in July.

The new 2.2-mile-section of the trail runs from Armory Square to Kirk Park on the city’s southside.

Combined with the original phase, which runs from Onondaga Lake

near Destiny USA to Armory Square, the total length is now 4.8 miles, according to Russ Houck, facilities engineer with the city’s engineering department and the project manager for Creekwalk Phase II. The 13-foot wide asphalt trail, marked by a yellow line, goes west on Walton Street downtown through the business corridor along West

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Street, and once it crosses Onondaga Street, the path runs parallel with Onondaga Creek, winding its way through some of the city’s southside neighborhoods and into parts of Lower Onondaga and Kirk Parks.

There are cross-streets that trail users need to be aware of, but most of these streets are residential and traffic is relatively light.

Benches with bike racks and safety features are spaced along the trail, as well. There are several emergency call boxes; bike-friendly traffic signals along the West Street section; lighting; and 20 security cameras tied in to the Syracuse Police Department, Houck said. Mile and zone markers also line the trail, providing visitors

with identification information, should they need help. A paved lot at Hunt Avenue and Onondaga Creek Boulevard has been created for those wishing to begin at the Kirk Park end of the trail.

It’s for recreation, it’s a way to link neighborhoods together and it provides an opportunity to discover or rediscover parts of the city. It can also help spur some economic development in that area, Houck said.

A bike ride or walk on the Creekwalk shows off parts of the city from a different perspective that even a native Syracusan might be surprised to find — colorful playground equipment in Lower Onondaga Park near an old stone pagoda; a pedestrian bridge across Onondaga Creek, linking the more pastoral side of Kirk Park to that area of the park with the football field, basketball courts, and pool.

Phase II has been about 10 years in the making, and was brought about through collaborative efforts between New York State’s Department of Transportation, Onondaga County, the city of Syracuse, the Onondaga Youth Corps and the Creekwalk Advisory Group, which consisted of many neighbors and organizations connected to the area.

Ultimately, there are hopes to extend the trail even further south along the creek as far as Dorwin Avenue in the Valley section of the city, but at this point it’s only a concept, Houck pointed out.

But until then, whether one chooses to bike, walk or run, there’s plenty to explore along the Creekwalk.

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Page 9

it.

School buses may have a fraction of the students they usually transport.

Back to School Despite COVID Local schools ready to go with several back-to-school plans in the works

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

P

lanning for back-to-school isn’t easy as the pandemic and its effects drag on.

School administrators have had to wait until they received guidance from a variety of sources (CDC, state government) before even drafting plans that will require revision before they’re implemented. Though these are guidelines — not legal requirements — school administrators want to keep children safe.

Dan Domenech, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) in Virginia, told In Good Health in mid-July that his organization has been working on reopening plans.

The organization’s taskforce of 27 supervisors from a variety of sizes of school districts have been drafting a plan that follows the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These include social spacing of optimally 6 feet minimum.

Considering the size of most school classrooms, “it’s not possible for all the students to attend,” Domenech said. “The model is a hybrid or blended model: there would be a number of students in the building who can be accommodated with social spacing. Those who cannot will be at home.”

The student body would cycle in and out of the school, two days in school and three days of remote learning at home per week.

But Domenech said that the cost involved would be high, as the school would need to pay for more frequent cleaning, equipment to take temperatures, personal protective equipment for the staff, and additional bussing expenses, “because a 70-passenger bus accommodates 12 to 13 students now,” Domenech said.

The AASA estimates that it will cost an average school district of 3,700 students $1.8 million annually in just these costs to adhere to the CDC’s guidelines. That’s an average of $490 per student. For larger districts, it would surge to the scores

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of millions.

“The districts don’t have that money,” Domenech said. “They’ve had their budgets reduced because of the economy. They have to make additional cuts somewhere. There are attempts to lobby Congress to provide a bill that will provide additional dollars.”

About 85% of the average school budget is personnel costs, according to Domenech. But laying off teaching staff at a time when schools need smaller class sizes presents a problem.

Because of these issues, another back-to-school model considered is the one Domenech calls “Come one, come all, or don’t come at all.” He said that schools in states such as Texas, Alabama, Florida and Georgia are considering disregarding social distancing and masks at school and anyone uncomfortable with it may educate at home.

“That disregard for guidelines is dangerous,” Domenech said. “We’re seeing right now what happens: the infection rate goes sky high. I’d hate to see what would happen in a school.”

Typically, schools in New York tend to open after Labor Day, Sept.

7 this year. This is later that many schools in the South, which usually go back to school by mid-August.

These districts may provide a foreshadow of what Northern schools can expect; however, by then it may be much more difficult to alter plans.

“The teachers’ associations and unions are saying if the environment isn’t safe, they’re not going to teach,” Domenech said. “A lot are saying they’re going to retire or quit. Some have potential issues that could put them at risk. It’s another factor.”

Remote teaching requires “incredible coordination and planning,” he added. Teachers and students must have the equipment, high speed internet access and familiarity with how to use both to participate fully.

He said that one-third of stu-

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2020

dents don’t have a computer or internet in their home.

“The money isn’t there to provide every child with a laptop,” Domenech said. “Not all parents can afford the internet.”

Those in rural areas may not have a high-speed connection available.

“The pandemic has made internet connectivity as necessary as every home having water and electricity,” Domenech said.

Some districts have outfitted school buses with a Wi-Fi hotspot connection so school personnel can bring connectivity to pupils lacking

For education at home to succeed, parents must also be willing and able to participate in educating their children at home. Domenech said that a much larger percentage of parents wants their children to learn at school, not home. A large piece of that lies in the quandary of dual-income households. Who will watch the children if both parents work?

Domenech has few answers for how to work through that challenge.

Some populations of children need more attention from teachers and are less likely to excel learning independently, such as special education students, English as a second language students and those who have not mastered reading.

“They need to be in the building,” Domenech said. “Districts are considering prioritizing those students as distance learning isn’t as effective.”

Sending children to school but keeping them spread out and in smaller groups without typical gathering points like gym class and lunchtime in the cafeteria may work in some schools; however, the building’s layout and size makes a difference, as does the number of children attending.

Domenech said that on average about half the children who attend a school would be able to attend at a time; however, 25% would be better.

But these are optimistic figures; many schools are overcrowded during normal times.

Wearing a mask during school time is part of what administrators are planning for the fall semester as a way to contain the spread of COVID-19.

IGH_cancerJuly_4.75x13.75.qxp_Layout 1 6/24/20 7:27 PM Page 1

Other community facilities could be considered, such as rooms at public libraries for instruction or childcare.

School meals would continue regardless of where children spend their day, but extra-curricular activities, particularly those that keep children close to each other, will likely not happen.

Domenech is also considering the social and emotional needs of children, especially considering the stressors of current times. Child abuse may go unnoticed if children aren’t attending school. Signs of abuse or neglect could be missed.

Three kinds of reopening plan Jeffrey A. Pirozzolo, superintendent of schools for Auburn Enlarged City School District, has been looking to Gov. Cuomo’s office, New York State Department of Health and the state Department of Education for guidance.

“I imagine they’re doing everything they can to get kids in school,” Pirozzolo said. “It’s going to be Cuomo’s call on that. A lot of schools get federal grand money, like Auburn schools. President Trump can pull that money. It’s that political pressure. The governor wants to do what’s healthy and safe for children, but it gets into that piece that if elementary kids cannot go to school, how will parents go to work? It’s a dilemma.”

Although the Auburn school district — like most school districts in Central New York — has started making basic plans and developing strategies, just which direction those strategies will take is up to the guidance offered by the state bodies.

The schools are also considering how the facilities could be reconfig-

ured to accommodate more social distancing, how to meet the needs of younger and special needs students, and how to have physical education, school lunch, and more.

Pirozzolo said that if the number of illnesses spike after reopening, then plans could change yet again.

“It looks like we all should be prepared with the three kinds of reopening plans: traditional, hybrid and the full distance learning,” he added.

He said that it’s not just about the children’s health, but also about their families, school personnel and other members of the community.

“There are life-altering complications of some older adults,” Pirozzolo said, “and those with compromised immune systems. We have 600 employees in Auburn. We have staff members aged 19 through their 80s.”

The schools in the Auburn district have 25 to 30 per class —larger than in some neighboring districts, which have only 15 or so per class — which makes social distancing difficult.

In the Auburn district, 2,500 ride the school busses. Priozzolo counts transportation as one of the big challenges.

In addition to school leadership, he has invited parents in the district to get involved in the planning.

Creative ideas like using cafeterias, libraries and gymnasiums for teaching space may be part of the plans.

But he said anything will would have to comply whatever guidelines the school receives.

“We want to make sure kids are healthy and safe and we want to make sure kids are back in our school,” Priozzolo said. “The number one thing is to make sure we’re safe and healthy once a vaccine is available.”

A cancer diagnosis can be confusing.

The Long-Term Harm of Missing School

M

issing lots of school between kindergarten and eighth grade may have consequences when kids grow up, a new study suggests.

When they reached their early 20s, frequent absentees were less likely to vote and more likely to have economic problems and poor educational outcomes, researchers found.

The results suggest early school absenteeism should be taken seriously.

“There’s this misconception, especially among parents, that it doesn’t matter as much if kids miss school early on — that it only becomes important when they get to middle or high school,” said lead author Arya Ansari, an assistant professor of human sciences at Ohio State University. “This study shows that those early absences do matter, and in ways that many people don’t consider.”

Ansari’s team reviewed government data on nearly 650 students from 10 U.S. cities who were followed from birth through young adulthood.

The review found that school absenteeism had no effect on criminal, risky or deviant behavior, but it did

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While the research did not prove a cause-and-effect link, students who were often absent from school were nearly 5 percentage points less likely to have voted in 2012.

The absentees also reported having trouble paying bills and were more likely to use government assistance, such as food stamps. They had lower high school grade averages, were less likely to go to college and were less likely to have a job.

Not showing up for school may set a bad precedent, researchers said.

“If you start out being disengaged with school, you may end up being less engaged with society more broadly. You’re less likely to vote, less likely to go to college, less likely to be employed,” Ansari said in an Ohio State news release. “We believe disengagement may be one of the key mechanisms linking early school absences to poorer outcomes in early adulthood.”

For your convenience, initial consultations, some follow up appointments and second opinions are now available via telemedicine appointments.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

My Turn

By Eva Briggs

New Variety of Drugs Being Developed to Treat COVID-19

L

ike many people, I look forward to a vaccine for COVID-19. Until then, I am glad that scientists are working on medicines to treat the disease.

Viruses are difficult to treat because they get inside the host’s cells.

They commandeer host cell processes to reproduce themselves. They multiply at astounding rates. If you have ever watched Disney’s movie Fantasia and seen the Sorcerer’s Apprentice segment where the rogue broom multiplies unchecked, you have a metaphor for the magnitude of the problem.

There are three general approaches for drugs under fast-track development to treat COVID-19. Stop the virus from getting into the cell.

Prevent the virus from replicating if it succeeds in entering the cell. Reduce the body’s overactive immune response to the virus.

For SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) to get inside cells, it uses a spike on the outside of the viral protein to bind to specific receptors on the cell surface. One approach is to make decoy receptors to fool the virus. The virus binds to the decoy, taking it out of circulation so it can’t

reach the true receptor on living cells.

One such drug, called APN 01, is in clinical trials. Another approach is to administer neutralizing antibodies that bind to the virus spike. Then the spike is no longer available to bind to cell receptors. That’s the mechanism behind administering convalescent plasma (plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19.)

Several labs are working on synthetic monoclonal antibodies to serve the same purpose.

Blocking viral replication focuses on enzymes that the virus uses inside the cell to make new copies of itself.

All corona viruses use an enzyme called viral RNA polymerase. The polymerase tends to make a lot of mistakes, so a second enzyme called exonuclease proofreads and then repairs those errors. Remdesivir disables that proofreading enzyme, so SARS-CoV-2 is able to produce fewer copies. Remdesivir is administered

by IV. An experimental drug that targets the same enzyme, EIDD-2801, can be given as a pill. EIDD-2801

works against virus variants that are resistant to remdesivir. It’s also effective against other RNA viruses, so it could perhaps serve as a multipurpose antiviral. The goal is a pill that patients could take at home early in the course of the disease to prevent worsening.

Severe disease appears to be not only due to the direct effects of the virus, but to the body’s hyperactive immune response to the infection.

You may have heard this called the cytokine storm. Cytokines are substances released by immune cells to combat infection. If the body goes overboard, high levels of cytokines damage the body itself. The body is shooting itself in the foot. Scientists are working on drugs that combat interleukin-6 (IL-6), a signaling compound that instructs cells to release cytokines. Other labs are trying stem cells that modulate the immune system, and a medicine called tofacitinib (Xeljanz) that inhibit inflammatory cells.

None of these approaches cure COVID-19. The hope is that if administered early, they will hold off the infection until the body’s own immune system can take over and eliminate the virus. And if some day we can prevent COVID-19 with a vaccine, that is even better.

Eva Briggs is a medical doctor who works at two urgent care centers in the Syracuse region.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2020

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Careers in Healthcare

Contact Tracers Track COVID and Other Illnesses Although is sounds like a new job, contact tracing has always been part of the role of public health workers, says expert

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

W

hile contact tracers — more formally known as disease investigation specialists, case investigators or other titles — have gained the public eye tracking down the contacts of people diagnosed with COVID-19, it’s actually a position that’s long been part of public health.

In many health departments, the specialists track 40 reportable illnesses — things like mumps, rubella, salmonella and the like — to the state health department and also work with people who have sexually transmitted diseases to minimize its spread.

These days, specialists have turned their focus on COVID-19, finding contacts of those who have tested positive, following patients, and supporting patients’ needs.

“This is part of public health’s regular work,” said Jiancheng Huang, public health director at Oswego County Health Department.

“We have the public health nurse doing this here in Oswego County.”

Contact tracing isn’t a specific job title during non-pandemic times, but is part of the role of another position.

As needs arise, such as a large-scale outbreak, other personnel in the health department who have been

cross-trained in these job duties can shift from less urgent work to help in contact tracing and other outbreak-related work.

Because of the pandemic, contact tracer has become a job, as New York state has hired many individuals to perform this work to augment the personnel at health departments.

“Our nurse is swamped and our department is swamped,” Huang said. “The additional help is very helpful.”

Normally, Oswego County has about five people handling this type of work, Huang said.

Those who are ill must stay in isolation for nine days and until they no longer have symptoms. People who have come in contact with the sick person are notified so they can remain in quarantine at home for 14 days. This connection also helps the health department identify a hotspot such as a gathering or business.

The specialist also explains resources from the health department and sets up any supports such as grocery and medication delivery.

The specialist follows up with text messages about symptoms and any other questions.

A pandemic-time tracer isn’t necessarily a clinician, though training in community health work or healthcare is helpful.

For Madison County, a BSNtrained public health nurse and a disease specialist perform the tasks related to contact tracing for more routine outbreaks of illness. Like Oswego County, Madison has bolstered the number of workers performing tracing by shifting people from other important but less urgent roles such as educators.

In addition, more staff hired

by New York state have also been helping, along with some medical

August 2020 •

reserve volunteers, like retired nurses and doctors to aid in disease investigation.

Eric Faisst, public health director for Madison County Department of Health, said that currently four to five people are engaged with disease investigation and 28 are doing contact tracing, including staff and volunteers.

“With the travel advisory going on and the anticipation of schools opening up in the fall, we’re taking advantage of the state’s contact tracing program,” Faisst said. “We’ll use a combination of those, our own staff and volunteers.”

He said that although contact tracing has sounded like a new job, it’s always been part of the role of public health workers. For most people performing contact tracing because of the pandemic, on-the-job training suffices. The employees of the health department usually have a medical background, such as bachelor’s in nursing science or a degree in public health.

Faisst listed soft skills for contact tracers as “good interpersonal communication skills as you’re cold calling to say they’ve possibly been exposed to a disease. That’s an art from to interact with people.

“They need good organization and documentation skills.”

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists “epidemiologist” as the closest job title to the “contact tracer”; however, that’s a position that typically requires a master’s degree. The requirements required for contract tracing depends upon the hiring entity, whether a particular county’s health department for a long-term or short-term position or the state, as it’s hiring temporary workers during the pandemic.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 13

SmartBites

The skinny on healthy eating

Why Parmesan is a Nutritional Powerhouse

By Anne Palumbo

F

rom nutritionists to cheese connoisseurs to sports trainers, parmesan cheese is favored by many and here’s why: It promotes bone health; it’s virtually lactose-free; it rocks with complete protein; and it’s loaded with flavor.

True parmesan cheese (officially called Parmigiano-Reggiano) is a hard Italian cheese with a gritty texture and a complex fruity-nutty taste.

Many artisanal and large cheese producers here in the U.S. also make decent parmesan.

What makes this cheese stand alone (no matter its origin) is its lengthy aging process — a process

that results in unique nutritional benefits.

Time spent in the cellar helps protein develop, causing parmesan to have a higher percentage of this valuable nutrient compared with most cheeses. Thanks to its long aging, parmesan’s protein is easily digested, making it a good choice for infants and toddlers, seniors and others with delicate digestive systems. Likewise, this ready protein is favored as a quick energy source for marathon runners and weekend athletes alike.

Parmesan contains virtually no lactose, which is deliriously good news for those who are lactose-intolerant. Once again, parmesan’s

lengthy ripening process contributes to this welcome benefit.

Bones and teeth appreciate parmesan because it’s a decent source of two essential minerals: calcium and phosphorous. An ounce of this nutrient-dense cheese (roughly the size of your thumb) delivers about a third of your daily needs for calcium and a fourth for phosphorous. Both minerals help to keep bones and teeth healthy and strong. Interestingly, studies have suggested that eating harder cheeses like parmesan as the final food in your meal will help to reduce cavities. Chewing cheese stimulates saliva flow, which helps neutralize the acids that break down enamel.

One heaping tablespoon of shredded parmesan has around 22 calories and 1.5 grams of total fat, most of which is saturated fat. Since saturated fat raises blood cholesterol levels, which may then increase your risk of heart disease and stroke, the American Heart Association recommends no more than about 13 grams a day. The good news is, parmesan’s intense flavor steers us toward moderation.

Chicken Caesar Salad with Grated Parmesan For Salad:

Serves 4

3-4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts 3 romaine lettuce hearts, washed and torn into bite-size pieces ½ cup or more shredded parmesan cheese For Dressing: 2 garlic cloves, minced ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons mayonnaise 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard ½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper 1 teaspoon anchovy paste (optional) 4 tablespoons olive oil Preheat grill to medium high.

Salt and pepper chicken breasts. Grill for about 10-12 minutes, flipping at the halfway point (meat is done when thickest part registers 165 degrees). Let cool; slice crosswise into strips.

Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk everything together but the olive oil. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until well blended.

Assemble salad: In a large bowl toss together lettuce and half of the parmesan. Drizzle with desired amount of dressing and toss again.

Plate, top with several slices of grilled chicken, and sprinkle each portion with remaining parmesan.

Helpful tips

If you’re after authentic Italian parmesan look for the branding on the rind: Parmigiano-Reggiano or Grana Padano. For best flavor, buy a wedge from a wheel rather than pre-grated cheese. If buying pre-grated parmesan, look for American producers with good reputations, such as Sartori and BelGioioso. Store leftover cheese in a small zipper-lock bag and squeeze out as much air as possible before fastening seal.

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle colum-

nist, 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.

Eating Before Bedtime Might Pack on the Pounds

I

f you have a late dinner and then head to bed, beware: You may gain weight while you sleep, a new study suggests.

That’s most likely because your metabolism slows, boosting blood sugar and other chemicals that contribute to weight gain and Type 2 diabetes, researchers say.

“It’s not just what you eat, but when you eat that may be a factor in promoting conditions like obesity,” said study author Jonathan Jun, a physician and associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. “You might eat the same number of calories in that 24-hour period, but your body will handle those calories differently depending on what time you eat them.”

For the study, Jun’s team asked 20 healthy volunteers to eat the same dinner at 6 p.m. or 10 p.m. Both groups went to bed at 11 p.m. and got up at 7 a.m.

Before the study, participants wore activity trackers. During the study, blood samples were taken hourly and sleep studies were conducted. The volunteers also had scans of body fats and ate foods

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containing compounds that allowed researchers to track fat burning.

The upshot: Late diners had higher blood sugar and burned less fat.

On average, their peak blood sugar level after a late dinner was about 18% higher, and the amount of fat burned about 10% lower, compared with eating earlier, the study found.

These effects might be even greater for people who are obese or have diabetes, Jun said.

What’s not clear is whether it’s the interval between eating time and bedtime that accounts for the difference, he said.

For example, if you have dinner at 10 p.m. but retire at 3 a.m., is that biologically the same as dinner at 6 p.m. and bed at 11 p.m.?

And, Jun said, the effects of eating and sleeping might differ for each person based on their personal metabolism or body clock.

“Instead of getting fixated on what time is late or what time it is on the clock to start or stop eating, we need to recognize that it is very dependent on the individual,” he said.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2020

Samantha Heller, a senior clinical nutritionist at NYU Langone Health in New York City, reviewed the findings.

“It makes sense that eating close to bedtime alters glucose and fat metabolism, because you are sleeping and not physically active,” she said, adding that sleep has its own processes that involve cellular and molecular mechanisms to help the body stay healthy.

Heller noted that people often get stuck in a routine of eating before dinner, eating dinner, and then snacking until bedtime — which

means they have been eating for several hours.

“It is an easy way to pack on the pounds,” she said. “We eat at night for many reasons, including stress, boredom, loneliness and anger.”

To help manage nighttime munching, Heller suggests planning an afternoon snack like hummus and carrots, so you are not starving by dinnertime, and enjoying a balanced, more plant-based dinner. Then close the kitchen.

The findings were published online June 11 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Parenting

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By Melissa Stefanec

MelissaStefanec@yahoo.com

I

Protecting Kids With the Truth

n these uncertain times, it’s easy to rely on an old-time parenting hack. It’s the one that allows us to perpetuate a child’s belief in Santa Claus. It’s the one that lets us tell the kids a beloved family pet went to live on a beautiful farm in the country.

It’s faithful tactic — tried and true.

It’s a white lie, and it’s a go-to for many parents during these unprecedented times.

Buying sanity

Whether you are 3 or 93, current affairs leave us with more questions than answers. This puts parents in a precarious spot. We can’t answer many of our children’s questions with anything but ambiguities. Kids don’t like ambiguities. (And, kids aren’t the only ones who don’t like them; I dedicated my entire column last month to stunted grownup know-it-alls.)

Kids don’t like hearing “I don’t know” or “I’m not sure” regarding what’s for dinner, let alone in response to their questions about birthdays and get-togethers. So, many parents resort to telling their kids white lies. They want to give them hope, sanity and certainty during a time desperately lacking in such commodities. The problem is, a white lie is still a lie. And, as with any lie, it will be exposed.

The truth will hurt

Throughout the pandemic and racial tensions, I’ve been age-appropriately honest with my kids. I’ve been very careful to avoid making promises that I’m unsure if I will be able to deliver on. I’ve been telling them “I don’t know,” “it’s complicated” and “I can’t make any promises” almost as much as I’ve been saying “stop fighting” or “no more screen time.”

However, I do something else when I offer them ambiguity or uncertainty, I explain why I am being vague or non-committal. Similarly, when I want to tell them a white lie about the racial divide in our society, I challenge myself to tell the truth. I keep explanations age appropriate, but it’s my firm belief honesty earns respect and drives change, even if it hurts a little.

Prolonging lies hurts more

As much as the truth hurts, I think white lies hurt more. Even worse, white lies have the potential to morph any parent into something counterproductive: untrustworthy.

Most of us teach our children how integrity is integral to character. If we tell our children lies, even small ones, we teach our children unintended lessons.

Trading short-term pain for long-term gain

be comfortable with uncertainty. We want them to feel safe and experience a level of predictability in their lives. It’s easier to tell our kids they will see all their school friends in the fall than it is to explain the volatility of a national pandemic.

However, as easy as it is to offset long-term pain with short-term gain, its ease is short-lived. We are kicking our can of problems to a dark and distant place. If we think it’s hard for children to understand the uncertainty surrounding current events, just imagine how hard it will be to navigate those same events with a heaping helping of unmet expectations plopped on top. If we avoid hard truths now, we increase our children’s (and ourselves) future difficulties.

The art of incremental truth

In a world where people seem to want everything to be black and white, I want to stress that truth telling is not an all-or-nothing scenario. Parents can be honest with their children and still not give them the whole picture. We have to speak to our children in ways that are developmentally appropriate. If we give them too much or overly complicated information, they won’t be able to process it.

There’s no cheat sheet that tells you exactly “how much is too much” when it comes to global pandemic-speak. There aren’t any guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics on discussing systemic oppression with a 5-year-old. Every kid is different, and we have to respect their boundaries.

That’s where the art of incremental truth comes into play. When I want to talk to my children about a difficult topic, I start small. I make sure they are engaged. I monitor their facial expressions and body language. I encourage them to ask questions. When they start to withdraw, I stop talking. I circle back when they are ready and start the whole process over again.

Building character

Our children will have to navigate a complicated and difficult world. We owe it to them to grow their emotional quotient (EQ) so they can thrive. By telling our children white lies, we deny them the opportunity to build character. EQ isn’t just about the golden rule or doing the right thing, it’s about coming through difficult circumstances as a better human being.

When we protect kids with the truth, we give them the strength they need to survive in uncertain times.

We also give them the resilience needed to thrive when the storm passes.

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It’s easier to placate our children than it is to coach them on how to August 2020 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Addiction

Alcohol, Substance Abuse Rise During Pandemic

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

T

he rates of substance abuse disorders have risen because of the pandemic — and the effects of this increase may be long-lasting.

The Recovery Village, a Florida-based organization, reports that in recent months, 36% of respondents reported an increase in substance abuse. Alcohol use is also on the rise.

Among the states of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut — those hardest hit in the beginning of the pandemic — 67% of survey respondents reported an increase in alcohol consumption, with 25% reporting a significant increase.

As to why their consumption increased, respondents replied that: • 53% were trying to cope with stress • 39% were trying to relieve boredom • 32% were trying to cope with mental health symptoms, such as anxiety or depression “Some data from Nielsen, the polling company, showed alcohol sales jumped by 55% in March when the stay-at-home orders came about,” said Geoff Hopkins, a psychiatrist with St. Joseph’s Health. “They said they were planning to drink during quarantine. Some anonymized data from clinical reference laboratories that said comparing April this year to April last year, substance use has

increased by 16% in the samples that they tested.

“Comparing May 2019 to May 2020, marijuana positivity went up by 21%. These numbers highlight a year over year increase. This is where we’re making the assumption it’s people self-medicating during the stress of COVID. It could be they’re at home and not needing to be clean for work. I think more likely it’s that they’re incredibly stressed.”

Numerous other factors related to the pandemic contributed to an increase in substance abuse, including prescription drug misuse, illicit drugs and alcohol. Keeping people apart was necessary for reducing infections of COVID-19; however, the circumstance made life more difficult for people in recovery.

A lack of routine also hampers recovery from substance abuse disorder. Many people were furloughed from work or laid off entirely. Their spouse and children may have been home more as well. Some still do not have their regular work schedule restored. Any regular activities like going to the gym, church or club or meeting a friend for coffee ended for a time. Special events such as weddings are delayed or curtailed.

While many social aspects of life are available once again, they’re still not the same, as managers of public spaces still enforce social distancing,

Do Apps Really Help in Assisting Those in Recovery?

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

I

t seems there are phone apps available to address every difficulty of life. Numerous apps address the many facets of substance abuse, from accountability to isolation.

But are apps really helpful in assisting those in recovery?

Geoff Hopkins, psychiatrist with St. Joseph’s Health, thinks that apps

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can be helpful, but only for “someone who’s already in the stage of recovery where they have decided to maintain sobriety,” he said. “They’ve already been able to stop using the substance and they’ve worked with a professional that they’re ready. It’s an additional tool for the maintenance phase.”

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2020

encourage wearing masks and limit patrons at a time. It’s all an obvious reminder that life pre-pandemic won’t be back soon. To some people, the hassle and stress may drive them into self-enforced isolation.

“There’s a stressor on families,” said Jack Houck, Ph.D., with Psychological Healthcare in Syracuse. “Having someone home all the time exacerbates whatever tension there are in the relationship. Every relationship has unresolved tension. That’s normal. Most marriage relationships that last decades have lingering ‘We never agreed on this’ issues.”

Houck said that in his decades of seeing 30 to 40 cases per week, the patients who are most successful in achieving abstinence are in a treatment plan and have a formal, organized support system helping them.

“Usually, it’s through an agency,” he said. “With this whole lockdown, they lose that.”

Virtual support meetings have been very helpful for those able to connect to them, particularly younger people accustomed to connecting

through social media. But including phone calls in telehealth can aid those who do not want to use virtual meetings.

Whether a crisis hotline for a more urgent need, or simply calling a supportive family member, connecting with someone else is vital.

For someone who’s using but not in crisis, seeking other ways to cope can help reduce using substances. Trying new things like yoga, mindfulness, exercise, journaling or dancing could help. Or renewing a lost interest to fill empty hours.

It’s also a good time to at any risks in the homes such as stockpiles of unused prescriptions or medication that’s not locked up. Many pharmacies in the area have drop-offs for unwanted medication to minimize accessibility to drugs.

Anyone in need of help can contact the NYS HOPEline (1-877-8-HOPENY or text 467369) which operates 24/7 to help direct people to treatment and other services.

It also helps if they feel at ease using phone apps. People accustomed to using technology may feel much more comfortable reaching for an app than those who don’t use smartphones.

In addition, for those who feel stigmatized in seeking help face-toface, apps offer anonymity.

Hopkins said that FDA-approved apps such as Nomo and Pear reSET from Pear Therapeutics are helpful.

The reSET app helps with identifying the individual triggers for substance abuse. Nomo is a sobriety clock that includes distractions to help when the app detects a possible relapse.

The personalized nature of the apps is what makes them so helpful to those in recovery.

“It’s an adjunctive form of cognitive behavioral therapy to try to help people recognize situations that trigger emotional and behavioral response that leads people to abuse the substance and remind them that they have a different choice,” Hopkins said.

Alcoholics Anonymous’ AA Big Book Free provides access to AA materials, a meeting locator, podcasts, sobriety calculator/tracker and more.

Hopkins added that while these apps offer help for many substance use disorders, they aren’t as helpful for opioid addiction.

“That’s something that needs to be treated with special medical intervention,” he said.

He likes that apps can help people anytime and at their convenience.

Whether it’s in the middle of the night, when a non-crisis counselor

isn’t available, or on a lunch break surrounded by coworkers, an app can help.

Many substance abuse disorders arise from trauma as people self-medicate the accompanying anxiety and depression. Choosing a healthy means to cope can help those in recovery.

Jack Houck, Ph.D., with Psychological Healthcare in Syracuse, has recommended Breathe2Relax to clients, since they can use it with an earpiece anytime they need a little help.

“Nobody in the room would know what they’re doing,” Houck said.

Others may assume it is music or white noise, for example, which many people use to help improve their focus on their work. But any stressed person — not just someone with a substance abuse disorder — may find Breathe2Relax a good way to unwind. That aspect of these apps can be very normalizing for those in recovery.

Though phone apps can’t take the place of professional help, they can augment it and provide easily accessible help as needed.

Hopkins believes that the use of technology to aid people in recovery will only continue to grow.

“It’s one of many tools that can help with the recovery process, but it’s not a substitute for personal connection with a recovery specialist,” he said. “It will be a thing to help re-enforce the content of your psychotherapeutic process and visits.”

Addiction

My Drug Addiction, and How to Kick the Tobacco Habit

By Kimberly Blaker

I

woke up this morning and felt the agonizing withdrawal symptoms washing over me. It’s a persistent anxiousness that doesn’t cease until I get my fix.

I slipped on my robe and slippers, poured a cup of coffee, and frantically headed to the garage, where I try to keep the substance from my family. As always, my habit is waiting to greet me.

As I take a hit, a peaceful feeling washes over my body and mind. I can now begin my day feeling alive once again.

Yet as the day wears on, I feel the chemicals drain. Every hour or so, this drug starts calling me, unrelentingly, and I continue to replenish my body with the chemicals I so desperately need.

Every worrisome or sad thought or happy reminiscence drives me to another fix. Even tiredness, hunger, and boredom can be eased through this addiction of mine.

Now, as I lie in bed, I reflect on it. It’s my best friend and my worst enemy. I deliberate on how much it’s costing me, not just financially, but the toll it’s taking on my body.

It’s stealing the rug from under my feet. It’s draining my energy and making my heart race through life.

I can’t catch my breath. My skin is aging, and the substance leaves my body with a repulsive odor. I think about the diseases it puts me at risk for, such as cancer, heart disease, and emphysema. I don’t want to die that way. I want to live a full life.

I tell myself to go to sleep, and tomorrow I’ll start anew. I’ll dry up and go straight. But as I drift closer to sleep, I know tomorrow will go unchanged, for the craving is already creeping in again. I’m dependent in this love-hate relationship. I look forward to my next drag off a cigarette. Nicotine is my life — and will probably be my death.

Three years later

Fortunately, this relationship finally soured and came to a screeching halt. I kicked the habit and slammed the door behind. Through the years, I tried relentlessly to cut my ties with this shadow that seemingly couldn’t be shed; quitting cold turkey, cutting back, New Year resolutions, patches, gum, Zyban. All were temporary at best. But I never gave up.

Today I wake up to the smell of the fresh summer breeze rather than the stench of stale cigarettes that once drenched my body. My skin glows,

and my heart is calm. My midnight cough is long gone. Walking up the stairs doesn’t leave me breathless.

My energy soars, and I look forward to the once dreaded pleasures of life.

Now I can enjoy a vigorous peddle through the park or a spirited hike in the woods. Best of all, the diseases I could almost feel setting in have mostly erased from my body and mind. I now feel an inner peace I could never leave behind.

Ways to Help Quit

If you don’t think you can quit cold turkey, try one of the following nicotine replacement methods or medications, most approved by the FDA for quitting smoking.

• Nicotine Patches: These come in a 16-hour and 24-hour patch and don’t require a prescription. Manufacturers typically suggest eight weeks, though the FDA recommends three to five months.

• Nicotine nasal spray: By prescription only, nasal spray delivers a quick dose of nicotine to the bloodstream. Recommended use is three to six months.

• Nicotine gum: No prescription is required for nicotine gum, which comes in two strengths. It can be used for up to six months, though one to three months is the usual recommendation.

• Nicotine lozenges: These should not be confused with tobacco lozenges. Tobacco lozenges are a form of smokeless tobacco and have not been proven a successful cessation aid. Nicotine lozenges, on the

other hand, have been approved by the FDA for quitting smoking.

• Nicotine inhalers: These can be used for up to six months and are by prescription only.

• eCigarettes: Electronic cigarettes and vaporizers have become the latest success story in helping millions of people to quit smoking.

While useful for quitting smoking, there is much debate on their safety as they have not been around long enough for any conclusive studies.

• Bupropion: An anti-depressant, also known as Zyban, requires a prescription. It doesn’t contain nicotine, yet affects brain chemicals that lead to nicotine cravings.

• Varenicline: Chantix is a drug developed for smoking cessation. Studies have shown a high success rate with Varenicline. Some studies have found it to have higher success rates than Bupropion.

• Hypnosis: This method is useful for some smokers. Ask your doctor to recommend a hypnotist.

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance lifestyle writer.

She’s also founder and director of KB Creative Digital Services, an internet marketing agency, at kbcreativedigital.com.

NYS Ends the Use of Tobacco Coupons, Multi-pack Discounts

D

iscounts on the sale of all tobacco products, such as coupons and multi-pack price promotions, are prohibited in New York state beginning July 1. The law was passed as part of the state’s fiscal year 2021 budget.

Research shows that higher tobacco prices are linked to lower smoking rates.

“This new legislation will reduce the impact tobacco companies can have on disparate and low-income communities, and help address loopholes that have allowed tobacco products to get into the hands of youth” said physician Indu Gupta, Onondaga County Commissioner of Health.

This new law limits the tobacco industry’s ability to circumvent New York state’s high taxes on tobacco products, which are proven to reduce smoking prevalence, especially among youth. The average age that teens first start smoking in New York state is 13 years old and 90% of adult smokers say they first tried smoking by age 18.3 This represents a major victory in combating Big Tobacco’s long history of discounts and other pricing schemes that target youth, minority communities, low-income communities and people trying to quit.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 17

Succession at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield James Reed of Skaneateles just named Excellus’s new president and CEO-elect. He talks about his career, his work-life balance philosophy and why he adopted a mostly plant-based diet

By Lou Sorendo

T

rue leaders often step up to the plate during times of crisis.

For Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, newly named president and CEO-elect James Reed is doing just that.

Reed, who joined Excellus in 1996, succeeds Christopher Booth, who will retire on May 1, 2021. Reed most recently served as executive vice president of marketing and sales.

“Health care is such an important part of our community, and so my previous experience in working closely with many different stakeholders has provided me with a much deeper understanding of the challenges that we all face,” Reed said. “It really provides me with a great foundation for going into this new role.”

Reed has been working with Booth for the past 10 years.

“This is really a great opportunity for the next 10 months or so to really continue to work collaboratively on transitioning during that time period,” he added.

The staff at Excellus has been working remotely from home since March 17 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Fortunately prior to the pandemic, we had a really robust business continuity plan,” Reed said.

“While I don’t think anyone could have predicted what has happened so far this year, we did have a plan in place. Through various simulation exercises that we have done, it really put us in a good position to respond.”

When the crisis hit, the Excellus leadership team quickly focused organizational efforts on several priorities.

“The first one was servicing our customers. This is a pandemic, and the mission of our company is to provide access to high-quality and affordable health care,” he said. “If any of our customers are impacted by the virus, we need as a health plan to be there for them. We need to focus on servicing our customers.”

The company also sought to protect its finances.

“There has been so much uncertainty that has been introduced because of the pandemic in terms of costs, the economy and customers’ ability to pay their premiums,” he said. “We need to make sure that with the uncertainty, we have the financial wherewithal to continue to serve our mission.”

Another priority for Excellus was to protect the jobs of its employees.

“We took necessary steps at the very start of the pandemic to make sure we were doing our part in tightening our belts,” said Reed, noting this included a hiring and promotion freeze, as well as holding on merit

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situations,” he said.

Although requested rate increases are typically due to annual increases in the cost and utilization of medical care, Excellus’ rate requests to the state Department of Financial Services for next year remained among the lowest in Upstate New York, Reed noted.

This occurred despite including a 0.5% increase for anticipated increased expenses from the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, he added.

As for 2021, Excellus has submitted its request to the Department of Financial Services and is among the lowest rate adjustments filed for small group and individual products in New York state, he noted.

“We want to be as competitive as possible on our prices,” he said.

For four years in a row, Excellus’ premium requests have been below the state average for what competitors were asking, Reed said.

He said the most important variables that will affect 2021 insurance premiums involve the number of members and number of claims.

In 2019, for example, Excellus added more members and saw higher claims, Reed noted.

Its medical loss ratio (MLR), meanwhile, went from 86% in 2018 to 88% in 2019.

The MLR is the percent of premium dollars an insurer spends on medical services and quality improvements.

James Reed started working at Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield in 1996. Most recently, he served as executive vice-president of marketing and sales, and as regional president in the Central New York market. raises this year.

“We made sure we were as conservative as we could be knowing that our overall objective is servicing our customers, making sure we continue to service our mission and protecting the jobs of our employees,” he said.

Premium increase Excellus BCBS is a nonprofit, mission-based organization that strives to help people in the community enjoy healthier and more secure lives through access to high-quality and affordable health care.

“The decisions that we make align to the mission of the company, and that’s the key to our long-term success,” Reed said.

Excellus has responded to the pandemic by taking measures such as increasing reimbursement rates for telehealth; waiving out-of-pocket costs for telehealth; expediting payments of hospital claims, and imple-

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2020

menting a 20% increase in reimbursement for COVID-19 admissions, all to reduce the administrative burden to the provider community; and providing employer group support to make sure people understand that if they are out of a job, they need to enroll in COBRA or need to understand what options are available in the individual marketplace, whether that is Medicaid or a qualified health plan.

The coronavirus outbreak is expected to cost the U.S. health system a lot of money, which analysts suggest might mean dramatic increases in insurance premiums next year.

Reed shared his thoughts in regards to what Excellus BlueCross BlueShield customers can expect in terms of premium increases in the future.

“Periodic rate adjustments are necessary to enable our health plan, or any insurer, to produce sufficient revenue and reserves to ensure that the health care needs of our members are met, for both current health care needs and potential catastrophic cost

Striving to be the best Reed said his philosophy for the past 25 years at Excellus has been fairly simple.

“I really focused on doing the best job I could in the role that I was in, making sure I would seek to understand the big picture and understand the industry I was working in,” he said.

Reed said his philosophy also involves knowing what his role is and where that role fits into the overall success of the company.

From a philosophical perspective, Reed said he is a believer in focusing on the organization’s goals and not individual success.

For Reed, that involves the desire and willingness to work on himself.

“I think personal development is a lifelong journey, and if you are self-reflective and willing to improve yourself, then I think you’ll be well positioned to continue to grow inside the organization,” he said.

Reed said 25 years ago when he started with Excellus, he didn’t quite envision becoming CEO someday.

“But I think with each different step along the journey of my career, I made sure I was true to those core

values and that leadership philosophy,” he said.

With every new opportunity that came along, Reed began to see that as he continued to work, grow and be a beneficial member to the organization, good things continued to happen.

Reed sees the personal development piece as probably the most important.

He said nobody is perfect as a leader or simply as a human being.

“If you understand that and are willing to self-reflect, learn and continue to grow, then I think that is the key for anybody to be a good leader,” he added.

Plant-based lifestyle In terms of reaching a healthy work-life balance, Reed said it is important for any leader to recognize the need to attain this goal.

“It is maybe more important to actually model the behaviors that lead to better balance,” he said. “It’s one thing to say, ‘we want to make sure our employees have balance’, but if you don’t model the behavior yourself, then what unintentional signals are you sending to folks who you work with or who work for you?”

That behavior includes making sure to eat a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, exercising, and spending time with family and friends, Reed said.

“This has resulted in me being able to be involved with my kids through coaching youth sports,” said Reed, noting he coached each one of his three children through the seventh- and eighth-grade levels in different sports that they engaged in.

“To me, it means playing golf with friends, making sure I am home for dinner as much as possible and cooking dinner with my wife and spending good quality time there, regularly taking walks and taking my dog out for walks,” he said.

“It is really the behavior that you would probably think most people should be doing,” he said.

At times over the years when Reed feels stressed out about what is

happening at work, he takes the time to self reflect.

At that point, “I can see that I have not been focusing on any one of those things, whether that is sleep, eating health, spending time with family or exercising,” he said.

“To me, a good healthy balance includes a little bit of all those things,” he said.

About a year and a half ago, Reed took on a challenge generated

by Excellus employees to convert to a mostly plant-based lifestyle.

“For the past 18 to 19 months, I have pretty closely stuck to that lifestyle. I’ve seen tremendous benefits from it in terms of energy level and evidenced by my different biometric screening results and numbers overall,” Reed said. “In general, through eating mostly a plant-based diet, I have tremendously benefited from it.”

“It’s challenging and does take discipline, but it’s not has hard as I thought it would be or as people might think it is,” he said.

The availability of resources as well as access to folks who are on a similar journey is helpful, he said.

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Lifelines Birthplace: Elmira Current residence: Skaneateles Education: Bachelor of Science in business administration from Le Moyne College, Syracuse; Master of Business Administration from Le Moyne College Affiliations: Reed is active on numerous local boards, including CenterState CEO, Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, HealtheConnections, Syracuse Stage and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York.

Awards: Reed is a 2008 recipient of the Greater Syracuse “40 Under 40” award and the 2020 YWCA Champion of Diversity Award.

Personal: Married with three children Hobbies: Cooking, coaching his children’s sports

New CEO-elect Shares Lockdown Experience ‘Having everyone home brings some challenges’ Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s president and CEOelect James Reed and his wife Theresa, residents of Skaneateles, are parents of three near-adult children, and the pandemic and subsequent lockdown meant significant adjustments as all family members lived and worked from home.

Two adult children are college students while the other is in high school.

Reed said the challenge was in the logistics of accommodating everyone’s needs in terms of workspace and access to resources.

“It was a tough one having never experienced anything like this. Having everyone home brings some challenges,” he said.

Nonetheless, Reed said it was

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a “great opportunity to reconnect with my near-adult children in a way that probably would not have happened had it not been for the pandemic.

“We probably won’t have this

opportunity again after we come out the other side of this.”

“The opportunity to have dinner at home over an extended period of time during the more shelter-in-place time period does definitely have some benefits to the family,” he said.

Reed earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Le Moyne College in Syracuse. He serves on boards of directors for Centerstate CEO, the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, and HealtheConnections.

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August 2020 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 19

Complementary Medicine

Aloe Vera Provides Many Benefits

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

A

loe vera is an evergreen succulent that has been a popular houseplant for decades.

In addition to its attractive, serrated leaves, the plant also provides practical uses. Aloe vera has been used medicinally for thousands of years.

“It has a lot of benefits,” said physician Az Tahir, who practices holistic medicine at High Point Wellness in Syracuse. “A lot of people use it for burns or skin issues. It’s a very good healer for the skin. It’s very, very safe.”

Simply cutting off a leaf, slitting it lengthwise and directly applying the juice of the plant to skin offers instant relief for minor burns and cuts. Commercially cold aloe vera gel is another way to benefit from its healing properties.

In addition, some people ingest aloe vera juice as a beverage.

“It’s especially helpful for internal healing, such as for constipation,” Tahir said.

He said that people receiving chemotherapy find that consuming aloe vera juice promotes stomach health. The therapy usually causes stomach upset as it attacks healthy cells in the stomach lining.

Jessica Falcone, certified esthetician and owner of Jessica Elizabeth Skin Care in Syracuse, said aloe is an excellent ingredient in cosmetics “because it absorbs easily,” she said.

“Some people have extremely oily skin, so I’ll recommend it to them.

But it also can treat dry skin, too.”

The balancing nature of aloe helps seal in moisture after bathing, which can support better hydration for skin that tends to otherwise dry out.

For those who like to include a facial mask as part of their skincare routine, Falcone said that aloe may prove beneficial, especially those with conditions such as rosacea or sensitivity.

For injuries like sunburn, she recommends refrigerating aloe vera and then applying it to the skin to soothe and cool it.

Many people interested in using aloe want to do so because it’s a natural product; however, Jeff Cizenski, dermatologist at Empire Dermatology in East Syracuse, cautioned that “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean “good for you.”

“As a general rule, I don’t advise people to use it as there’s a chance for allergic reaction,” Cizenski said.

“People want something natural but we don’t know how it will work for them.”

He said that testing it by applying to the inside of the arm and covering the area with a bandage for

Aloe Vera Can Grow in Your Home Garden Aloe vera can be raised as a houseplant; however, as a succulent, its needs are a little different from more commonplace plants.

Follow these tips from Gardeningknowhow.com: • “Realize that this plant is a succulent. Like cacti, succulents do best in dry conditions. When growing aloe vera plants, plant them in a cactus potting soil mix or a regular potting soil that has been amended with additional perlite or building sand. Also, make sure that the pot has plenty of drainage holes. Aloe vera plants cannot tolerate standing water.

• “Aloe vera plants need bright light, so they do best in south- or west-facing windows.

• “The soil of the aloe vera

Excellus BCBS Makes Major Donations to Food Banks, Pantries Award includes $170,000 to Food Bank of Central New York

E

xcellus BlueCross Blue Shield is providing $600,000 in financial support to food banks and food pantries across Upstate New York as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The ability to earn a paycheck and feed a family are at risk for many people because of the coronavirus and its impact on the economy,” said Excellus BCBS Regional President Mark Muthumbi. “A growing number of people in our community are facing food insecurity. Good health begins with good food. We saw an opportunity to help by supporting

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food banks and food pantries that are under pressure because of the increased need in our communities.”

The $600,000 donation from Excellus BCBS will support food banks and food pantries across the nonprofit health insurer’s 39-county Upstate New York service area. In the Syracuse region, that includes $170,000 to support the Food Bank of Central New York, where $105,000 will be used specifically in Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga, Oswego and Chenango counties; while the remainder will be used in Oneida, Madison and Herkimer counties in

48 hours can help show if irritation will occur.

In general, he advises using prescribed medication to address skin issues and otherwise using only gentle cleansers for daily skincare.

its efforts to provide food for people in need.

“We are thrilled to partner with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield,” said Karen Belcher, interim executive director at Food Bank of Central New York. “Their support will help us provide nutritious food to more than 159,000 individuals throughout these eight counties.”

Food is the most basic of all needs. Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, nearly 14% of New York households struggled with hunger, and at least 1 million New York children lived in households that

plant should be allowed to go completely dry before being watered.

When the aloe plant is watered, the soil should be thoroughly drenched, but the water should be allowed to drain freely from the soil. The most common reason an aloe plant dies is that the owners water too often, or do not allow the water to drain.

• “You can fertilize your aloe vera plant, but aloes generally don’t need to be fertilized. If you decide to add fertilizing to part of your aloe vera plant care routine, aloe vera plants should be fertilized once a year in the spring.

You can use a phosphorus-heavy, water-based fertilizer at half strength.”

did not have regular and consistent access to food, according to the New York State Anti-Hunger Task Force.

Over the last few months, as New York state’s unemployment rate increased, the ability for many families to regularly have food on the table was compromised. Local food banks and pantries are straining to meet the new demand.

This donation to food banks is part of a larger commitment by Excellus BCBS to spend more than $162 million to help its members, health care providers and communities respond to the pandemic.

“We are a nonprofit health insurer with 3,500 employees who call Upstate New York home,” said Muthumbi. “Improving the health and quality of life of our communities is what we’re all about.”

For the latest information on the health plan’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, members, providers and employers are encouraged to visit www.chooseexcellus.com/covid19.

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Q A &

with Wil Murtaugh

Executive director of ACR Health says organization has closed three offices for lack of adequate funding

By Mary Beth Roach

O

nce known as the AIDS Task Force of CNY and then AIDS Community Resources, ACR Health offers a wide variety of services, with a focus on helping those with life-threatening challenges. It has a number of contracts with the state of New York to provide those services, but the coronavirus pandemic has made it difficult for the state to make payments. Ultimately, it’s impacting ACR’s abilities to continue its work. To date, it has had to close three offices and furlough nearly half of its staffers. They are owed approximately $1.232 million through May, and that amount will only increase when the vouchers for June come due. Wil Murtaugh began as a volunteer with the agency in 1992 and has been director since April, 2016.

Q: What does your agency do?

A: We were formed in 1983 by Gov. Mario Cuomo to address the HIV-AIDS epidemic. He formed 13 or 14 community service programs to address HIV AIDs, and now we’re addressing HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C epidemic, sexually-transmitted infection epidemic, the opiate-substance abuse epidemic. We also have 14 health insurance navigators, and we also have eight Q Centers that we’re running throughout nine counties for LGBT youth and their families.

Q: How has that work evolved over the years and why?

A: We grew from being an agency that death with HIV-AIDS to one that handles multiple issue. Hepatitis C is a new epidemic with 18-30-plus year-olds because of ingested drug use. The opiate substance abuse epidemic is huge. We have the syringe exchange program, so we’ve seen a lot of overdoses and a lot of deaths.

Q: How big is your service area?

A: It’s nine counties, from Herkimer and Cayuga up to St. Lawrence County. We have eight offices, but we’re closing three right now as a cost-saving measure. We’re closing our Canton office, one of our Watertown offices and one office in Syracuse [as of early July].

Q: What are the services you’ve been providing during this pandemic?

A: We’ve been providing everything. We are considered essential by the state of New York. Yet, we’re not getting paid, which is really upsetting. We’ve been doing care management, we’ve been doing health insurance enrollment. I think in three weeks in March, we enrolled 1,300 for health insurance because they lost their jobs. We’ve been providing

syringe exchange. Our Q Centers have been operating. Our support services for people that are HIV-positive and chronically ill have been operating. We did put testing on hold for a bit. Now, we’re doing testing for HIV, hepatitis C, sexually transmitted infections by appointment only in Utica and Syracuse. Our Drug User Health Hub, which is for people who are addicted to get medical assistance, has been open the entire time.

Q: Your agency is facing a lot of problems with the fallout from the pandemic.

What has the impact been on the agency?

A: We furloughed 70 out of 155 staff [in early July], which really has been devastating. We have contracts going back to December-January that have not been paid yet. That puts a huge cramp on us. They’re supposed to pay within 30 days after we’re vouchered. All programs are working on a limited basis except health insurance and our healthhome care management are working full time. But the Q Centers are very limited right now, and it can be really devastating for kids who are trying to figure out who they are and what they are, not to see other kids and be around other kids, or even do a Zoom meeting with their kids to maybe learn a little bit about themselves.

Q: What has the state’s response?

A. It’s been really deathly silent, which is really confusing to me.

We know we’re in the middle of a COVID epidemic, but can you tell us you’re going to shut off the faucet for a while? That might have been able to help us prepare a little better.

But they did not. [In early July], they finally came through and said they’re going to start paying some of our outstanding vouchers. I asked, ‘How many do you have outstanding?

And she said, ‘Right now we have $608,662.17 that we’re going to pay.’

Hopefully, we’re going to get some money in here soon.

Q: Is there any light at the end of this tunnel for you?

A: The Gov. Cuomo has done a phenomenal job with COVID in this state. I’m hoping he can do a phenomenal job in getting federal help and brokering a deal with the Feds to help pay off some of the debts that we have. Also, I’ve been doing a lot of interviews, and I just do a call to action. Please call your local assembly member, your local senator, your congressman and ask them to help get ACR Health their funding. We deal with populations that no one else deals with, and I can’t imagine us not being here.

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August 2020 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 21

CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Aug. 7

Golf Tournament to Benefit Residents at St. Luke in Oswego Programs that help residents on the St. Luke healthcare campus in Oswego to stay active and engaged in their community will again benefit from support of this year’s Boyce Memorial Charity Golf Tournament Title Sponsor HealthDirect Pharmacy Services.

This year’s tournament tees off on Friday, Aug. 7 at Battle Island Golf Course. With great prizes and a relaxed atmosphere, the four-person “Captain & Crew” format attracts golfers looking forward to an enjoyable day on the course, while supporting local nonprofit healthcare and residential service providers.

The tournament entry fee is $85 per person, which includes entry fee, greens fees, cart, and on-course games, with lunch, prize drawings and awards immediately following at Kristen’s Battle Island Club House Café.

To register or for other information, call St. Luke community relations department at 315-342-3166, or visit the St. Luke website at www. stlukehs.com, “Giving” page.

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Run for Your Health 5K in Oswego Goes Virtual Oswego Health has announced its Fifth Annual Run for Your Health 5K will be held virtually from Aug. 8-22. Runners and walkers of all ages and levels are encouraged to participate.

This virtual event is only $25 to participate. Runners or walkers have two weeks to complete the 5K. It is suggested to use the Run for Health 5K route; however, participants can choose their own route. Routes and times can be uploaded once the participants 5K is complete. All registrants will be entered into a drawing to win prizes. Community members can register online at www.raceroster. com.

Race packets can be picked up between 8 a.m. and noon Saturday, Aug 1 at the Farmers Market in Fulton then from 3:45-7:45 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Farmers Market in Oswego.

HealthWay Family of Brands will be the new presenting sponsor this year. Local businesses or organizations can also enter a team. For more information please call Michele Hourigan at 315-326-3788.

The Run for Your Health 5K is part of the Make it Happen 20K Race Series.

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By Jim Miller

RV Travel Tips in the Summer of COVID Dear Savvy Senior, Can you write a column on RV travel for novices?

My husband and I have been cooped up all spring and summer because of the coronavirus and would like to take a trip using a rented RV but could use some tips and want to be safe.

Recently Retired

Dear Recently, Recreational-vehicle (or RV) travel has become a very popular option among U.S. retirees over the past few decades and is probably one of the safest and most convenient ways to get away this season.

Because it’s a small home on wheels, RV travel will allow you to distance yourself from crowds of people and reduce your risk of COVID exposure that comes with other forms of travel, i.e. air/train travel, hotel/Airbnb lodging and eating in restaurants. But there are still risks — especially in public places like gas stations, shared restrooms and picnic areas — so exercise caution. If you’ve never traveled by motor home or RV, here are a few tips to consider.

Renting an RV To help you determine the RV size and model you need for your trip, consider your budget, destination and the number of travelers. If it’s just you and your husband, and you’re visiting several locations and driving lots of miles you may want a smaller motor home with better fuel economy. But if you’re taking other family members or friends, you may want a larger RV with slide outs and more sleeping areas. See GoRVing. com for a breakdown of all the different types of RVs available today.

To locate an RV rental dealer near you visit CruiseAmerica.com, one of the largest RV rental companies in the world or search the Recreation Vehicle Rental Association at RVRA. org. Or use peer-to-peer RV rental sites like RVshare.com or Outdoorsy. com, which are usually a little cheaper.

Rental costs will vary greatly depending on what you choose and how far you drive, ranging anywhere from $50 up to $500 per day.

When renting a rig, be sure you get detailed instructions from the owner or rental company on how to use the RV’s systems, including the

generator, air-conditioning, leveling, slide outs, electric and entertainment, as well as how to empty waste tanks and refill fresh water.

You should also know that because of COVID-19, most RV rental companies are vigilant about cleaning and disinfecting their units. But if you want to be extra safe, the CDC offers tips at CDC.gov/COVID19 — type “Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home” in the search bar.

Trip Planning Tips It’s always wise to map out your trip route and reserve your campgrounds in advance, especially now during the pandemic, because some campgrounds and RV parks, as well as local, state, and national public parks may be closed or operating with restrictions.

A free tool that can help you plan your trip is Roadtrippers.com, which lets you plot out routes, calculate mileage and travel time, and will identify RV campgrounds, points of interest and restaurants along the way.

You should also consider becoming a Good Sam Club member (GoodSam.com/club, $29/year), which provides access to its webbased trip planner, camping and fuel discounts, and a copy of the Good Sam Guide Series that features detailed information on more than 12,000 private RV parks and public campgrounds.

Most RV parks rent spaces on a nightly or weekly basis with rates typically ranging from $30 to $50 per night, however some in city and country parks may be $10 or even free.

RV parks can also range from rustic facilities with limited or no utility hookups, as are more often found in state and national parks, to luxury resorts with amenities that rival fine hotels.

For first-time RV renters, staying at a fully loaded RV park or campground with full hookups, a dump station, and staff on site is highly recommended. Look at Kampgrounds of America (KOA.com) or ReserveAmerica.com to browse the accommodations.

And for more safe travel tips this summer, visit Coronavirus.gov — click on “specific resources for travelers.”

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

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 23

How to Make the Most Out of Your First Socially Distant Visit to a Healthcare Facility

By Morgan Rowe

2. Bring them their favorite food.

Some facilities may not allow this, but if you check ahead of time and get the green light, this could completely make your loved one’s day.

They most likely haven’t had a homecooked meal or their favorite treat in months, and this could help lift their spirits.

3. Try to avoid talking about the pandemic. Even though you may want to bring it up, try to keep the conversation more positive and upbeat. Your loved one hasn’t seen you in months, and though it may be brought up, don’t spend your short time together talking about anything other than happy topics.

4. Enjoy the weather together (if you can). Sometimes, sunshine is the best medicine. If the facility where your loved one resides allows, bring them outside and soak up the sun together.

Fresh air is good for everyone.

Even though these visits will be different than how you and your loved one remember, it doesn’t mean they won’t be special. You will be overjoyed to see one another, and that is the most important thing.

T

he day so many have been waiting for is finally here — family and friends are finally able to reunite with their loved ones who reside in senior facilities. This is happening for the first time since mid-March, when New York state shut their doors because of coronavirus, banning outside visits.

As we make our way through the summer, many facilities are slowly starting to open up to outside visitors. These visits will be exciting, but they will be much different than visits that took place before the pandemic. Social distancing will be a key component, along with wearing a mask and, in some cases, you will be visiting with a plexiglass barrier between you. Nonetheless, joy will be present in every visit after months of time apart.

Some may wonder, how do I connect with my loved one without being able to hug them? They can’t see me smiling under my mask, so how will they know I am happy to see them?

Even though things have changed, this doesn’t mean the bond between you and your loved one has.

Simply seeing you face to face will be enough for many, but if you want to make them feel extra special, here are a few ways to do so: 1. Have photos ready. It is likely that your loved one has missed out on some special moments over the last few months, especially if they are not very tech savvy. You can spend your visit catching up on things that have happened over the last few months, and show them photos of any milestones they couldn’t be a part of.

Leave a Legacy: 8 Steps to Writing a Great Memoir

55

ANCESTRY

Researching Ancestry Beyond the List of Names

LONGEVITY Ruth J. Colvin: 103 and Still Going Strong

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Issue 88 – August-September 2020

For Active Adults in the Central New York Area

cny55.com

Leading the Way Onondaga County Commissioner of Health Indu Gupta uses science, calmness to lead community through pandemic storm

Stimulus Check Still Have any money left? Experts suggest what to do with it

Walking Columnist Bruce Frassinelli talks about his walking habits — 21 years and counting — and what he gets out of it

free please share

VISITS 10 Great Things to Do in Madison County

Morgan Rowe is a marketing associate at Loretto. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in public relations from SUNY Oswego and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in strategic communication, also from SUNY Oswego.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2020

Social Security: 85 Years of Serving People Like You

W

e take pride in having provided vital benefits and services to this great nation for 85 years. America has a diverse population with a variety of needs.

With our diverse population in mind, we’ve created webpages that speak directly to groups of people who may need information about our programs and services. These pages are easy to share with friends and family or on social media. Here are just a few that might speak to you or someone you love.

We proudly serve wounded warriors and veterans. They made sacrifices to preserve the freedoms Americans treasure. Many of them do not know they might be entitled to disability benefits from Social Security. Share our resources with them to make sure they get the benefits they deserve. www.ssa.gov/people/ veterans.

Social Security plays an important role in providing economic security for women. Nearly 55% of the people receiving Social Security benefits are women. With longer life

Q&A

Q: A few years ago, I lost my Social Security card. Now my credit report shows that someone might be using my Social Security number. I’m afraid they might ruin my credit. What should I do?

A: Identity theft and fraud are serious problems, not just for you, but for the financial integrity of our agency. It also puts our national security at risk if someone dangerous is using your number to obtain other forms of identification. It’s against the law to use someone else’s Social Security number, give false information when applying for a number, or alter, buy, or sell Social Security cards. Keep in mind, you should never carry your Social Security card with you.

If you think someone is using your Social Security number fraudulently, you should report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) right away.

You can report it at www.idtheft. gov or you can call FTC’s hotline at 1-877-IDTHEFT (1-877-438-4261) TTY (1-866-653-4261).

Q: I served in the military, and I’ll receive a military pension when I retire.

Will that affect my Social Security benefits?

A: You can get both Social Security retirement benefits and military retirement at the same time. Generally, we don’t reduce your Social Security benefits because of your military benefits. When you’re ready to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/apply-

expectancies than men, women tend to live more years in retirement and have a greater chance of exhausting other sources of income. A woman who is 65 years old today can expect to live, on average, until about 87, while a 65-year-old man can expect to live, on average, until about 84. Also, women often have lower lifetime earnings than men, which usually means lower benefits. Women need to plan early and wisely for retirement and we’re here to provide valuable information to help. Share this page with someone who needs this information and may need help planning for their golden years. www.ssa.gov/people/women.

Do you know someone who is just starting their career? Now is the best time for them to start preparing for retirement. The sooner they begin to save, the more they’ll have at retirement. Share this page with a young worker you know. www.ssa. gov/people/earlycareer.

These are just a few webpages that are tailored to a specific group’s needs. If you didn’t see your own, check out our People Like Me home page at www.ssa.gov/people.

online. This is the fastest and easiest way to apply. For your convenience, you can always save your progress during your application and complete it later. We thank you for your military service!

Q: I have a 38-year-old son who has been disabled by cerebral palsy since birth. I plan to apply for retirement benefits. Will he be eligible for benefits as my disabled child?

A: Yes. In general, an adult disabled before age 22 may be eligible for child’s benefits if a parent is deceased or starts receiving retirement or disability benefits. We consider this a “child’s” benefit because we pay it on the parent’s Social Security earnings record.

The “adult child” — including an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild, grandchild, or step grandchild — must be unmarried, age 18 or older, and have a disability that started before age 22.

Q: I applied for disability benefits, but was denied. I’d like to appeal. Can I do it online?

A: Yes. In fact, the best way to file a Social Security appeal is online.

Our online appeal process is convenient and secure. Just go to www. socialsecurity.gov/disability/appeal to appeal the decision. For people who don’t have access to the internet, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to schedule an appointment to visit your local Social Security office to file your appeal.

H ealth News Dr. Michelle Bode elected president of Crouse’s medical staff The Crouse Health Medical Executive Committee (MEC) recently announced the results of its 2020 officer and member-at-large election.

Elected for a two-year term, July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2022, are physicians Michelle Bode, president; Leland Jackson, vice president; and Maria Ciciarelli, secretary/ treasurer. Physician Hayes Wanamaker, former president, will Bode assume the role of past president.

New members at large, elected for a two-year term, are physicians Anil George, Guillermo Quetell, Anthony Barraco and Andrew Gaydo. These physicians join current members at large Matthew Egan and Richard Steinmann, both physicians.

In addition, the Crouse Health board of directors has reappointed department chiefs, physicians Michael Duffy, anesthesiology, and David Landsberg, medicine, each for a four-year term.

Gynecologist John Nosovitch has been appointed new department chief of obstetrics and gynecology while orthopedic surgeon Todd Battaglia has been appointed as new department chief of orthopedics.

Welcoming the new members — all physicians — are current department chiefs Sami Abdul-Malak, neurology; Tolani Ajagbe, psychiatry; David Albala, urology; Rachel Elder, pathology; Thomas Green, medical imaging; Thomas Hartzheim, surgery; Leland Jackson, family medicine; David Mason, emergency medicine; Ross Moquin, neurosurgery; Frank Smith, pediatrics; Sam Spalding, ophthalmology; and Hayes Wanamaker, otolaryngology.

The medical staff recognized the contributions of the following physicians for their service to Crouse Health: past president David Landsberg; secretary/treasurer Douglas Bunn; members at large Rebecca Reeves, and David Nesbitt; and department chiefs Robert Silverman, OB-GYN, and Timothy Izant, orthopedics.

Crouse receives $10K from Boeheim Foundation Crouse Health Foundation has received a grant of $10,000 from the Jim and Juli Boeheim Foundation to help support some of the costs of keeping areas safe and protected from COVID-19, specifically in the hospital’s Kienzle Family Maternity Center and Baker Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Increased costs during the pandemic include personal protective equipment for staff, patients and visitors and creating negative pressure

rooms to keep Crouse’s maternity patients and their babies safe.

“Over the years, we have partnered with the Boeheim Foundation on a number of initiatives, and are especially honored to receive this latest grant, which recognizes the work of Crouse Health staff and supports their efforts to care for babies and families during this public health crisis,” says Kimberly Boynton, president and CEO of Crouse Health.

With the Boeheim grant, Crouse Health’s COVID-19 emergency response fund has generated more than $160,000 to support staff in their efforts to keep the hospital and the community safe during the pandemic through the purchase of PPE and other items.

Oneida Health names director of radiation oncology center Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and Oneida Health continue to add PHOTO to the cancer -- Roswell - Dr. expertise Mathew_Headavailable shot-004 through their affiliation, announcing the hire of physician Maya Mathew as medical director of the Dorothy G. Griffin Radiation Oncology Center in Oneida, part of the Roswell Park Care Network.

Mathew comes to Central New York after serving as a radiation oncologist at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, Mississippi. She will lead a team that includes a Roswell Park medical dosimetrist and medical physicists, along with highly trained and compassionate radiation therapy and nursing personnel, developing evidence-based and peer-reviewed treatment plans that follow the same quality standards patients can expect from the National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Buffalo.

Mathew earned her medical degree from Kerala University in Kerala, India, and completed a radiation oncology residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago.

“We look to Dr. Mathew to further the Roswell Park and Oneida Health mission of quality radiation treatment for patients who come to the Central New York center,” said physician Michael Kuettel, chairman of the department of radiation medicine at Roswell Park. “She and her staff, who are trained on Roswell Park standards, translates to exceptional care and improved quality of life.”

Roswell Park and Oneida Health opened the Dorothy G. Griffin Radiation Oncology Center in 2019. Oneida Health also operates a medical oncology center in affiliation with Roswell Park. Both organizations have worked closely together since 2016, when Oneida Health received a grant from the New York State Department of Health to expand oncology ser-

vices to Central New York in partnership with Roswell Park.

Oneida Health has new board of trustee members Oneida Health, which serves an area comprised of approximately 29 communities in Madison and Oneida counties with a population of approximately 100,000, recently announced two new board of trustee members.

They are: • Chris Dugan — he is the

T

Upstate University Hospital administrators recognized

wo Upstate University Hospital leaders, Chief Executive Officer Robert Corona, and Chief Financial Officer Stuart Wright have been named in Becker’s Hospital Review lists of the 100 academic medical center CEOs and CFOs to know.

Corona, a physician who holds a Master of Business AdministraDr. tion, was Coroappointed na_RobCEO of ert2012 Upstate .jpg University Hospital in January 2019, after serving as interim CEO since March 2018. As CEO, Corona has helped usher in an era of collaboration and innovation with a vision of transforming the hospital on the foundation of four pillars: quality of care, the Upstate experience, advanced teams and technology, and sustainability. Corona said the pillars are designed to keep the hospital at the forefront of the best care, but also to position the hospital for the future to better fulfill its mission of being a smart, innovative teaching hospital.

He also has helped foster Upstate’s leadership role in creating a successful response to aid the community in the coronavirus pandemic. Upstate has been a leader in facilitating coronavirus testing for local communities, developing online and phone triage systems to answer questions about coronavirus from the public and sending much-needed staff to hospitals hard hit by the pandemic in the New York City area.

Corona was named to the list of 100 CEOs in April. Also that month he was noted as one of 73 hospital CEOs from state’s hardest hit by COVID-19.

Prior to being named CEO, Corona led the development and implementation of the Upstate MIND (Medical Innovation and Novel Discovery) at the CNY Biotech Accelerator and was chairman of the department of pathology and laboratory medicine, medical director of neuropathology and vice president for innovation and busiAugust 2020 •

president of Knowles PreciChris Dusion Devices, a gan.jpg global specialty components maker headquartered in Cazenovia.

Previously he served as the president of Americas for Bridon Corporation, a company making cables for cranes and mining equipment.

Dugan has held positions in general

ness development. Now as CEO, he continues as the John B. Henry Professor of Pathology and senior associate dean for clinical affairs in the College of Medicine.

Wright was named chief financial officer at Upstate University Hospital in 2008. A certified public accountant (CPA) with a Master in Business Administration, he oversees all financial functions for the hospital as well as patient access services, utilization management and retail/contract pharmacy operations. Among Wright’s accomplishments during his tenure as CFO is his role in facilitating and driving growth of the enterprise from $500 million in annual revenues to now more than $1.2 billion. Part of this growth was related to his key role in the successful acquisition and integration of Community General Hospital. He also led an organization wide re-engineering of revenue cycle processes and drove a paradigm shift in the organization Stuarttoward Wright.jpg financial disciplines, which has resulted in the hospital earnings profits in four of the last five years despite a reduction — and recent elimination — of state support.

Prior to joining University Hospital, Wright served in other divisional CFO roles for both Cigna, Inc (a national healthcare insurer) and Empire Blue Cross (a Medicare fiscal intermediary).

Wright was named to the list of 100 CFOs in December 2019.

The Upstate health system consists of two campuses, comprising 752 beds, numerous ambulatory clinics and more than 10,000 employees and is part of the SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Becker’s Hospital Review is a monthly publication for the health care industry providing information on business and legal news related to hospitals and health systems.

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper

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H ealth News management, commercial management, marketing and business development over the course of his career. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester and was a NCAA All-American swimmer. Subsequently, he served as a Navy SEAL officer for nine years.

Dugan received his MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He also serves on the board of directors for the Manufacturers Association of CNY (MACNY) and CenterState CEO. • Margaret Wells — she is the dean of the Purcell School of Professional Studies at Le Moyne College in Syracuse. She previously Margaret worked for 10 Wells, PhD, years at St. RN, APN- BC. Joseph’s JPG Hospital and St. Joseph’s College of Nursing. Later, she held positions at the College of Nursing at SUNY Upstate Medical University where she served in various academic roles, including director of graduate nursing programs and assistant dean for outcomes and evaluation.

Wells completed her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Georgetown University, earned her master’s in nursing and a post-master’s certificate as an adult nurse practitioner from Syracuse University. She also completed a Ph.D. degree in rural nursing from Binghamton University.

Wells presently volunteers as a nurse practitioner at the Poverello Healthcare Clinic in Syracuse and also serves on the board of directors for the Upstate Family Health Center in Utica.

“We are fortunate to add these two distinguished professionals as members of our board,” said Gene Morreale, president and CEO of Oneida Health. “Chris and Margaret bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our existing board, helping to make us more effective in completing our legally required organizational oversight. Their diverse backgrounds will prove valuable as we continue our mission to deliver exceptional care to the communities we serve in greater Madison and Oneida counties.”

Kara Gemmell promoted to director at The Nottingham Loretto recently promoted Kara Gemmell to director of Independent Living for The Nottingham. Formerly the director of therapeutic recreation, Gemmell started at Loretto in 2017.

Gemmell holds a bachelor’s in recreation management and policy; therapeutic recreation and a minor in psychology from the University of New Hampshire Durham.

She is a certified therapeutic recreation specialist and a member of the LeadingAge New York IGNITE Leadership Academy.

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Dave Ruel promoted at Oswego Health Oswego Health recently announced the promotion of Dave Ruel as senior director of ancillary services.

Ruel began his career at Oswego Health in 1994 as a CT technologist.

Following this position, he continued to advance — senior CT technologist in 2001, RIS/PACS [radiology information system/picture archiving and communication system] administrator in 2007, and RIS/PACS administrator and CT/MRI supervisor in 2012. In 2014 he become director of medical imaging.

In this new position at Oswego Health, Ruel will oversee the lab, pharmacy, physical therapy, and dietary, along with continuing to oversee the medical imaging department.

“Dave has been instrumental in growing our medical imaging department and with his longstanding career here at Oswego Health and his continued commitment to our patients, we are beyond confident in his abilities in this new role,” said Valerie Favata, vice president and chief nursing officer.

Oswego Health announces new board leadership The Oswego Health board of directors in June unanimously voted on changes to leadership as well as the addition of two new members.

• Atom Avery will serve as board president. A business manager, developer and entrepreneur, Avery oversees the day-to-day operations and management of Avery Rental Properties, LLC, Beacon Hotel, 5 Points Wine & Liquor, The Gardens by Morning Star, The Maples Assisted Living Facility, and his newest project, the Litatro Building. In addition to serving as the new board chairman for Oswego Health, Avery is on the board of directors for Oswego County Federal Credit Union. He has invested millions of dollars into the community in which he lives. He resides in Oswego with his wife, Falecia, and their three children. He will serve two-year terms through June 30, 2022.

• Ed Alberts will be the new vice-chairman. As an entrepreneur with over 20 years of health and wellness business expertise, Alberts excels in management consulting and business strategy. He currently owns five businesses with several

IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2020

Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield Appoints New Regional President

M

ark Muthumbi, current regional vice president of sales and account management at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, will expand his responsibilities to include the position of regional president of the company’s Central New York market.

Muthumbi will replace Jim Reed, who was recently named president and CEO-elect of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and its parent company, The Lifetime Healthcare Companies, Inc. “Over his 21-year career at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Mark has established strong relationships with customers, employers, providers, brokers and community leaders across Central New York while developing collaborative approaches to deliver quality, drive change and overall growth for the health plan,” said Reed.

In his new role as regional president, he will combine his leadership of sales and account management with the additional responsibility of supporting and maintaining business and quality health, and provider networks in Central New York. There are approximately 850 Excellus BlueCross

locations spread throughout Central New York and the greater New York City area, including Rehab Resources, Little Lukes, WIRED Telecom, RELAX The Spa – Rochester, and F45 Training. In addition to serving as vice-chairman of the Oswego Health board of directors, Alberts also serves on the Oswego Health Foundation board as vice-chairman and has continually financially supported the growth and development of the healthcare system. He will serve two-year terms through June 30, 2022 • Sarah Berry, Ph.D., has been selected as a new member of the board. A specialist in medical humanities and a visiting assistant professor of English at SUNY Oswego, Berry is also the author of essays on medicine, health disparities and cultural history. In addition, Berry is a contributor-in-residence to Synapsis: A Health Humanities Journal (Columbia University), where she strives to address a general public with timely research on such issues as Medicare for all and COVID-19. She serves on the Health Humanities Consortium steering committee, heading its curriculum and assessment subgroup. A Central New York native, Berry has a passion for healthcare management, patient access, and community needs. She will serve for a three-year term concluding on June 30, 2023.

• Katie Toomey has been select-

BlueShield employees who work in the Central New York offices.

A 2003 graduate of Le Moyne College with a master’s degree in business administration, Muthumbi received his bachelor’s degree from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va. Muthumbi is a member of the board for the Boy Scouts Longhouse Council, and the current chairman of its 2020 Boy Power event. He also serves as a board member for Hospice of Central New York, and the Pan African Community of Central New York.

He is a past board member for Empower Associated Services, Girl Scouts of Central New York and Leadership Greater Syracuse.

Muthumbi received BizEventz’ 40 Under Forty Award and is a graduate of Leadership Greater Syracuse.

He resides with his family in Baldwinsville. ed as a new member of the board.

She has over 15 years of experience in client relations, marketing communications, community relations and advocacy. She currently serves as the executive director of the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce, where she maintains key relationships and strategic partnerships within the community. In addition to serving on the Oswego Health board of directors, Toomey also serves on the Oswego Health Foundation board as the annual giving committee co-chairman. She is also active with the City of Fulton DRI, Oswego County Economic Advancement Plan, Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Museum, Friends of Fort Ontario, Oswego County Workforce Development Board, Oswego County Airport Master Plan, and volunteers at the Oswego YMCA. She will serve for a three-year term concluding on June 30, 2023.

In addition to Avery, Alberts, Berry and Toomey, other members are Michael Backus; Timothy R. Barnhart; William Clark; Peter Cullinan; Dan E. Dorsey, Jr.; Lynne Eggert; Victoria Furlong, secretary; Adam Gagas; Michael Harlovic, Oswego Health CEO and president; Ellen Holst, past chairwoman; physician Raj Mahajan, Oswego Hospital medical staff president; Mark Slayton, treasurer; Ron Tascarella; and physicians Duane Tull and Scott Van Gorder.

Loretto announces several promotions Loretto recently announced the promotion of four people within the organization.

• Shannon Loughlin is now the director of life enrichment and recreation for The Nottingham. Formerly a recreation therapist at The Nottingham, Loughlin started at Loretto in 2008 as a recreation therapist at Loretto’s Daybreak, adult medical day program in Syracuse. Loughlin holds bachelor’s in recreation with a concentration in therapeutic recreation from SUNY Cortland. She’s earned both a certified therapeutic recreation specialist certification and a National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.

• Kimberly Staiger has been pro moted to the role of director of marketing and sales for Loretto’s housing communities, which includes four assisted living facilities.

Previously Staiger served as the administrator for Buckley Landing, a Loretto assisted living community since 2014.

She started with Loretto in 2010,

holding positions as assistant administrator and admissions representative at Sedgwick Heights, a Loretto assisted living community. Staiger holds a bachelor’s in journalism with a minor in broadcast from SUNY Oswego.

• Marcy Cole was promoted to director of marketing and sales for The Nottingham Community. Cole has been with Loretto for more than 17 years, with numerous roles in social work and admissions at The Nottingham. Her years of experience has led to great success of the care The Nottingham continuum strives to provide their residents. She holds a bachelor’s in social work from Syracuse University.

• Jeff Placito has been promoted to administrator of Buckley Landing.

Formerly the assistant administrator since 2018 at The Bernardine, a Loretto assisted living community.

Placito started his career at Loretto in 2013 in the human resource department as a recruitment associate, before getting promoted to a recruitment and retention specialist. He holds a bachelor’s in communication SUNY at Buffalo.

Your diagnosis depends on reliable laboratory testing Trust Laboratory Alliance to provide your doctor with accurate laboratory results. Laboratory Alliance performs clinical laboratory tests 365 days a year in Central New York.

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RECONNECT WITH YOUR HEALTH. WE’RE HERE TO HELP. At Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, we’re here to care for communities across Upstate New York. And a big part of that is helping people take care of themselves. If you’ve been holding off on scheduling appointments or addressing ongoing health concerns, now’s a good time to reconnect with your doctor. So focus on your health and move forward with confidence, knowing that we’re with you every step of the way.

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August 2020 •

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IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • August 2020