In Good Health: CNY #265 - January 2022 by In Good Health: CNY's Healthcare Newspaper

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JANUARY 2022 • ISSUE 265

DIETS TO CONSIDER IN 2022 From classics like W.W. (formerly Weight Watchers) to new trends like keto, we discuss the pros and cons of 12 diets — which one is right for you? Local experts weigh in. P. 14 ALSO INSIDE: PFIZER VS. MODERNA: Which One Has the Edge? P. 7 OBESE: Almost 1 in 3 College-Age Americans is Now Obese. P. 2 LIVE ALONE & THRIVE: Flying Solo at 73. P. 8

MEET YOUR DOCTOR: CHRISTOPHER WANG Wang is a sports medicine doctor in Auburn. ‘We’re kind of like the primary care version of orthopedics’, he says. P. 4

NEED GLASSES TO READ? YOU’RE NOT ALONE! P. 10 PEACEFUL REMEDIES: HELP FOR THOSE FACING CHALLENGES P. 12

LeMoyne Program Helps ForeignTrained Medical Graduates Ninety-three participants from 23 different countries are enrolled in the Healthcare Advancement Resource Center program, which helps international medical graduates navigate educational and career opportunities in the healthcare industry in the U.S. P. 11

Almost 1 in Every 3 CollegeAge Americans is Now Obese

Prevalence of obesity on U.S. campuses from 1976 to 1980: just over 6% — in 2017 to 2018

t’s probably fair to say that most people know of the so-called “Freshman 15” — the weight that college students are often said to gain when they’re away from home for the first time. But in recent decades, matters have gotten much worse in the United States. A new study using national data for people aged 18 to 25 found that while the prevalence of obesity was just over 6% in 1976 to 1980, it neared 33% by 2017 to 2018. “We know that these are the trends that we’ve seen in children, adults, all age groups, but we were a little bit surprised by the magnitude of the increase,” said study author, physician Alejandra Ellison-Barnes. She is an assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore. “We don’t know if it’s significantly higher than in children because we didn’t conduct that analysis, but it seems to be higher. And we were surprised that the mean BMI [body mass index] in this age group is now in the overweight range,” Ellison-Barnes said. While it’s not news that experts are concerned about obesity across most age groups, finding solutions for this age group might offer a huge public health opportunity, the researchers suggested. The study concluded that this

age group may be a key target for preventing obesity, given that habits formed during this period often persist throughout a lifetime. These young adult years are critical for adult development, filled with some major life transitions, Ellison-Barnes noted. It is also a time that scientists see obesity emerging. Researchers are working to figure out why, she said, including studying whether cultural trends in terms of education or workforce over the past several decades may be contributing to these changes. “Weight loss in general, and particularly the maintenance of weight loss, is notoriously challenging,” Ellison-Barnes said. “Studies in the past have shown that even those — and this is applied to all adults not just emerging adults — but even those who are successful at losing weight often regain the majority of it within five years. We’re hoping that we can look at emerging adulthood as potentially a critical period for preventing the establishment of overweight and obesity that would theoretically persist into adulthood, because it is so hard to reverse once it’s established.” Some precedence exists for adolescents with emerging obesity reversing that course as young adults, she said, and it may help provide information about reversing the trend in emerging adults.

The findings were published Nov. 23 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study results are consistent with other data she’s seen, said physician Caroline Apovian, co-director of the Center for Weight Management and Wellness at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. “The rate of obesity in every single age group is higher than it used to be,” Apovian said. Theories why include that it’s the food supply and that perhaps people who are genetically predisposed are reacting to diets of ultra-pro-

Opening a New Door to Addiction Treatment Addiction affects all, regardless of background, race, ethnicity, gender, religion or socio-economic status. In recent years, communities across our nation — including Central New York — have experienced alarming increases in the number of people needing addiction treatment services. As the longest running treatment program in the region, Crouse Health’s Addiction Treatment Services remains committed to our mission to expand access to care and ensure delivery of high-quality addiction and mental health treatment in our community. We are proud of our new facility that matches the caliber of our staff and provides a nurturing, safe and uplifting environment that is already greatly enhancing our focus on holistic patient care: The Bill & Sandra Pomeroy Treatment Center at Crouse Health. If you, a loved one, friend or colleague is in need of treatment for substance use disorder, please contact us at 315-470-8304 or visit crouse.org/addiction. Bill & Sandra Pomeroy Treatment Center in Syracuse. The two-story, 42,000 square-foot facility at 2775 Erie Blvd., East, replaces the 100-year-old former location of Crouse’s outpatient treatment services at 410 South Crouse Avenue.

Page 2 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2022

cessed foods, storing it as fat when someone predisposed to being lean might burn those same foods, she added. Some believe that modern, well-controlled thermostats have kept bodies from working hard to maintain their core temperatures in cold and heat, she noted. It may also be that the ingredients in ultra-processed foods are affecting people’s reward centers and making them want more of certain unhealthy foods. There could also be endocrine disruptors in the food supply.

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

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

OLEG SHAPIRO, MD

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

MATTHEW D. MASON, MD

JC TRUSSELL, MD

General urology, female and reconstructive urology

ELIZABETH FERRY, MD

General Urology, Endourology and Laporoscopic Surgery

EDWARD IOFFE, MD

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

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

RYAN SIDEBOTTOM, DO

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

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

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

ANTHONY J. TRACEY, MD, MPH, FAAP

DMITRIY NIKOLAVSKY, MD

IMAD NSOULI, MD

MAHMOUD CHEHAB, MD

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

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

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

Urologic oncology; robotic surgery of prostate, kidney, bladder

TOM SANFORD, MD

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

JEFF VILLANUEVA, MD

TIMOTHY K. BYLER, MD

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

Kidney Stones, Minimally Invasive Kidney Surgery, Enlarged Prostate

SCOTT WIENER, MD

MRI fusion, male health, prostate cancer and kidney stones

General urology

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

JOSEPH JACOB, MD

STEPHEN BLAKELY, MD

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

HANAN GOLDBERG, MD, MSc

General urology

ROBERT FLEISCHER, MD

UROLOGY

FOR QUESTIONS OR TO MAKE MAK KE A REFERRAL, CALL 315.464.1500 January 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 3

Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Fear Keeps Some Cancer Patients From Getting COVID Vaccine

ancer patients are at risk for serious COVID-19 illness, but some are still afraid to get vaccinated against the virus, new research shows. Study authors surveyed nearly 200 high-risk cancer patients at the Mays Cancer Center in San Antonio, Texas. Only 56% said they’d received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, compared to the community vaccination rate of 76%. The three most common reasons patients gave for not getting vaccinated were: “My doctor has not told me to get the vaccine,” or “I do not think it is safe for me because I have cancer,” or “I’m afraid of the side effects.” Patients were given six options to select for declining the vaccination. Aside from the three top reasons, other options included, “I already had COVID, so I don’t think I need the vaccine” and “I want the vaccine but have not been able to schedule an appointment.” “We concluded that the reasons cancer patients declined the COVID-19 vaccination can all be addressed by improving patient-physician communication regarding the known safety of the COVID-19 vaccines,” said study lead author, physician Kate Lathrop. She’s a medical oncologist and breast cancer specialist at the cancer center and associate professor of medicine at University of Texas Health San Antonio. “The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges and barriers to care for patients on active cancer treatments,” Lathrop noted in a UT Health news release. The Mays Cancer Center — home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center — implemented a system to remind patients about COVID-19 vaccines. The study found that before discussing it with their oncologist, 45% of high-risk cancer patients had not received at least one COVID-19 vaccine, but that fell to 20% after a reminder. The patients were surveyed when they arrived at an outpatient infusion clinic between May and June 2021. The survey results are being presented this week at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Studies presented at meetings are usually considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

Christopher Wang, DO

Sports medicine doctor in Auburn: ‘We're kind of like the primary care version of orthopedics’ Q: What are some of the misconceptions you think people have about sports medicine, what it is and who it's for? A: I'd say that probably, at this point, trying to decide who to see. Is your injury a sports injury? Do you need to see a shoulder or hand specialist? Sports medicine has kind of become a catchall. If you just have general knee pain, hip pain, elbow pain or shoulder pain, you'll often start with sports medicine and then go from there. We're kind of like the primary care version of orthopedics. Q: What are the most common types of injuries you see? A: Right now? Probably a mix of rotator cuff and meniscal injuries to the knee are most common. Q: What kinds of activities tend to produce those injuries? A: So in terms of sports-related activities, it would include a lot of overhead movements. Baseball, tennis, basketball, even golf, all put some low-level to high-level wear and tear on your shoulder. For the knee, especially around here during the winter months, it's a lot of slip and falls. People are injuring their knees in day-to-day activities. Q: Are you more specialized toward younger athletes or older active people? A: The good thing about practicing sports medicine is you get to see a lot of different types of patients. A lot of the time I'll see high schoolers up to around 23 year olds, but I do see patients younger than 10 and all the way up to active people in their 70s. It's a whole wide range of age groups.

Page 4 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2022

Q: How about acute injuries versus wear and tear? A: A pretty good mix of both. This year I've seen a good mix of injuries from sports activities as well as patients who've had prior injuries in the past and are experiencing pain. Or patients who have had surgeries in the past who are experiencing pain or have re-injured themselves. There's a good mix of both. Q: For people in cold, Northern climates like ours, what would you recommend people do to avoid knee injuries? A: Just take a look outside in the morning and make sure you know if there are any icy patches. Make sure you're wearing the appropriate boots or snow shoes. For the elderly and geriatric patients, making sure they either have a cane or a walker when they go outside. Q: How completely do people tend to heal from injuries? And how does sports medicine help with the healing process? A: Being able to accurately diagnose the injury in the first place is important. This can give us an idea of whether we should prescribe physical therapy, when to prescribe injections or medication and when to recommend a surgical procedure. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment leads to better outcomes. Q: Do you perform surgeries as well? A: Yes, general orthopedic surgery, both sports- and injury-related. Q: Does that include joint replacements? A: Hip and knee replacements are usually done by my partner. I'm trained to do both, technically, but I don't do the majority of our cases. I am trained to do shoulder replacement surgery, which is something I'd like to do more of now that I've started up here.

In the News Physician Christopher Wang recently joined the orthopedic team at Auburn Community Hospital and will focus on sports medicine. He specializes in injuries to the shoulder, knee and hip as well as general orthopedics. He focuses on techniques that include minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures of the shoulder, knee and hip. Wang has worked with the Pittsburgh Pirates and USA Rugby as well as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds a USL (United Soccer League) national soccer club, and has extensive experience working with high school athletes. Q: COVID has a pretty big impact well outside of pathology. Have more injuries been going undiagnosed? Are patients deferring treatment? A: Early on in the pandemic a lot of hospitals had to cancel elective surgeries, no exceptions. Luckily we've been able to continue even as a lot of hospitals are ramping down at the moment. So we're lucky in that regard. Q: What kinds of injuries should be seen immediately instead of just putting some ice on it and waiting and seeing? A: I would say any injury around the knee where it feels like it's unstable. Where it feels like if you walk around on it you might be in danger of falling. Those are symptoms you need to go and have checked out immediately. If you have an unstable knee and then you fall, you could end up with a much more serious injury. So knee injuries are something you want to take seriously. Q: Is there any promising research coming down the pipeline with regard to healing persistent injuries? A: It's a field that's always changing and adapting, but right now we still don't have a magic bullet when it comes to treating cartilage injuries, especially in younger patients. So anything we can do to preserve cartilage and stabilize joints is always very important. Q: What can be done to preserve cartilage? A: Aside from just not getting injured? Steroid injections and medications can help with pain relief, but they won't grow cartilage back. There are multiple types of procedures that can be done to restore cartilage, but again no one procedure is the gold standard in our field yet.

Lifelines

Name: Christopher Wang, DO Position: Sports medicine, orthopedics and orthopedic surgery specialist with Auburn Orthopaedic Specialists Hometown: San Diego Education: Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine Afﬁliations: Auburn Community Hospital Organizations: American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine; American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics. Family: Wife Hobbies: Hiking, skiing, snowboarding

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Rural Hospitals’ ERs Just as Effective as Urban Ones: Study

f you live the country life, new research brings a reassuring finding: Your chances of surviving a heart attack, stroke or other potentially life-threatening medical emergency at a rural emergency department are

similar to odds at a city ER in the United States. Researchers analyzed more than 470,000 outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries treated at rural and urban ERs between 2011 and 2015.

Overall 30-day death rates were 3.9% in rural ERs and 4.1% in urban ERs, according to the study. However, patients with symptoms that did not result in a specific diagnosis had higher death rates at rural ERs than urban ERs. The researchers also found that patients in rural ERs were much more likely to be transferred than those in urban ERs, 6.2% versus 2%. “The rural emergency department system functions well for discrete conditions that can be quickly diagnosed and approached for treatment and, if necessary, transferred,” said senior study author, physician Keith Kocher, an associate professor of emergency medicine at Michigan Medicine-University of Michigan. “We initially expected to see a more significant difference in mortality, as rates for inpatients are often higher at rural hospitals. However, the findings indicate these critical points of access for care are doing well for the patients they serve, even though they are frequently not resourced like peer institutions in

metropolitan areas,” Kocher said in a university news release. “Arranging timely transfer of patients from a rural hospital can often be very challenging and has been made even more difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” added study lead author, physician Margaret Greenwood-Ericksen. She’s a graduate of Michigan’s National Clinician Scholars Program at the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. “These findings further highlight how impressive it is that we found rural hospitals produced the same outcomes despite these challenges,” she said in the release. The study was published Nov. 19 in the journal JAMA Network Open. The researchers noted that more than 100 rural U.S. hospitals have closed since 2010, depriving their communities of emergency care. “This work demonstrates the critical importance of rural emergency departments,” Kocher said, stressing that policymakers should focus on ensuring access to these ERs.

Healthcare in a Minute By George W. Chapman

Vaccine Saga Continues: 90-95% Compliance from Healthcare Workers

YS has already mandated all NYS healthcare workers must be vaccinated by early this past December 2021. While many workers chose to quit rather than get the vaccine, most NYS healthcare facilities and physician offices report compliance rates in the 90% to 95% range. Not all states issued a vaccine mandate. So, the federal government issued its own mandate ordering all healthcare workers in all states to be vaccinated by Jan. 4. Rather than comply, 14 states chose to sue. In December, a federal court in Louisiana granted them a temporary hold on the federal mandate. As the delta variant once again surges and the

omicron variant begins to spread, more and more people are getting vaccinated. Ninety-nine percent of patients who end up hospitalized, and possibly in the ICU on vents, are unvaccinated. Consequently, 99% of deaths are among the unvaccinated. Meanwhile, surveys of non-healthcare employers reveal 60% have mandates or are about to implement one. The major healthcare organizations, (AHA, AMA, ANA, etc.) remain fully supportive of vaccine mandates to protect both their members and their patients. The administration is going to require health insurers to fully cover COVID-19 testing at your physician’s office and at home.

Women as Health System CEOs

supply costs and a workforce that is overworked, overwhelmed, underappreciated and demoralized. To make matters worse, in the middle of the war, Medicare was about to impose salt- in- the- woundthanks- for- your- service cuts to their reimbursement effective Jan. 1. This is tantamount to cutting a soldiers pay and supplies in the middle of a war. The overall cut would be 10% while medical inflation is currently running around 10%. So it’s a 20% slash. Physicians were to be cut 4% and clinical labs, performing all kinds of pandemic-related testing in addition to routine testing would be cut 23%. Hospitals and nursing facilities were to be chopped as well. And to top it all off, the cuts come at a time when physician visits and hospital procedure declined. Granted, most of the cuts were planned pre-pandemic. But why did it take a last ditch effort by Congress to postpone (not cancel) the cuts? Didn’t anyone see this coming? The very least we can do to support our “troops” and win the war is to get vaccinated and be patient

Forty percent of practicing physicians are women. This has been steadily increasing over the past two decades as there are now more females (52%) than males in medical school. Ninety percent of nurses are women. But according to a survey of more than 250 healthcare systems and national insurers, reported in the AMA Journal, in an industry dominated by women, only 15% of respondents had a female CEO. Female representation was slightly better in other senior suite positions like COO, CFO, etc. Maybe as a consequence, only 25% of the respondents had a female chair of the board. By comparison, various surveys of top US corporations reveal only 5% to 10% are headed by a woman.

Really Bad Timing Hospitals, nursing facilities, clinics and physician offices are the veritable front lines in the pandemic war. They are saddled with labor shortages, skyrocketing labor and

Page 6 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2022

and appreciative when we seek care. Sadly, the cuts to reimbursement was passed by Congress.

Death Rate Increased The overall death rate in the US increased 17% from 2019 to 2020. NYS ranked No. 1 with a 29% increase. Much of the national overall rate is due to preventable COVID-19 and overdose-related deaths. COVID-19 disproportionately impacted minorities, including American Indians, Blacks, Hispanics and Pacific Islanders. COVID-19 was the No. 3 leading cause of death. Again, most of those deaths were preventable. Out of the 38 countries studied, the US ranked low (No. 33 for infant mortality) in most metrics. Once again the US claimed No. 1 for most spending per capita. In sort of good news, the number of us with three or more chronic conditions decreased and the per capita spending on public health was up 33% to $116 per capita. Unfortunately, most of the public health spending increase was to put out fires like COVID-19.

Opioid Epidemic Overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 100,000 people died of a drug overdose the year between March 2020 and April 2021, and 75% of all drug overdoses were caused by opioids. Drug overdoses killed more of us than car crashes and guns combined. Fentanyl-laced opioid pills (more kick) helped fuel the continuing epidemic. COVID-19 exacerbates the situation by causing relapses in addicts suffering from anxiety, depression and isolation. More must be done to battle this ongoing epidemic which impacts mostly rural teens and young adults. Naloxone reverses opioid overdoses. We need to expand the supply of, access to and affordability of Naloxone. Use telemedicine to reach isolated and rural areas where the epidemic is at its worst. MAT (medically assisted treatment),

which combines medication management and counseling, works well virtually. To get a dramatic glimpse into the opioid problem, I suggest watching “Dopesick” starring Michael Keaton on Hulu. It focuses on the notorious Sackler family which developed and marketed OxyContin via their company, Purdue Pharma. Having been sued by dozens of state attorneys general, the Sacklers agreed to a one-time settlement of $4.5 billion to be released over nine years. The average victim would be compensated between $3,500 and $48,000 which seems paltry. The Sackers never admitted guilt nor expressed remorse. All future profits from Purdue Pharma will be diverted to addiction centers. The Sacklers remain one of the wealthiest families in the world.

ACA Enrollment Open enrollment in the Affordable Care Act programs began Nov. 1, 2020, for new participants. As of early December, 4.6 million people had enrolled though either federal or state exchanges. Ninety-five percent of the new enrollees are eligible for tax credits which subsidize their monthly premiums. These enrollees are just above the poverty line and make too much money to qualify for Medicaid. Consequently, they can purchase commercial insurance online at a graduated discount based on income. The ACA now covers 32 million people, or one in ten citizens. 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.

Pﬁzer vs. Moderna: Which One Has the Edge?

hich coronavirus vaccine is best at beating COVID-19 — Moderna or Pfizer? New research hands that honor to Moderna: In what is billed as the first head-to-head comparison of the two shots, researchers analyzed the health records of nearly 440,000 U.S. veterans who received one of the two vaccines between early January 2021 and mid-May 2021. All were followed for 24 weeks. While both vaccines were highly effective in preventing infection, hospitalization and death, the Moderna vaccine conferred a 21% lower risk of infection and a 41% lower risk of hospitalization. “Both vaccines are incredibly effective, with only rare breakthrough cases,” said research team member J.P. Casas, an epidemiologist and associate professor with Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He is also executive director of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Million Veteran Program for genetics and health research. “But regardless of the predominant strain — Alpha earlier and then Delta later — Moderna was shown to be slightly more effective,” Casas noted in a VA news release. The infection rate during the follow-up period was 4.52 per 1,000 in the Moderna vaccine group and 5.75

per 1,000 in the Pfizer group. Those in the Pfizer group also had higher rates of symptomatic COVID-19 (0.44 more per 1,000), hospitalization (0.55 more per 1,000), ICU admission (0.10 more per 1,000), and death (0.02 more per 1,000) than those in the Moderna group. An additional phase of the study covering the period when Delta was the main strain in the United States showed that the risk of infection was still higher among those in the Pfizer group (6.54 more per 1,000) than in the Moderna group. The findings were published Dec. 1 in the New England Journal of Medicine. “Given the high effectiveness of both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, confirmed by our study, either one is recommended to any individual offered a choice between the two,” said study first author Barbra Dickerman, an epidemiology instructor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “However, while the estimated differences in effectiveness were small on an absolute scale, they may be meaningful when considering the large population scale at which these vaccines are deployed. This information may be helpful for larger decision-making bodies,” Dickerman said in the release.

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Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Flying Solo at 73: My Neighbor Has Found Her Wings

t’s been five years now since my former neighbor Karen lost her beloved husband to cancer. Initially devastated by her loss, she understandably retreated into the safety and security of her closest family and friends. And then COVID-19 hit. It’s been years since we’ve seen each other, so I was delighted when I bumped into Karen at the grocery store last week. I asked how she was doing and she declared with a touch of hesitancy, but noticeable pride, that “I’m more resilient than I thought.” Then she quickly added with a good-natured smile, “Did you hear? I moved into a smaller home in that new housing development near the village.” I could tell that Karen had taken the time to grieve and grow into the next phase of her life. And I was pleased when she readily accepted my invitation to share a little bit about her journey. We met in her charming patio home for a heart-to-heart about what it’s been like since her husband of 49 years died in 2016. Karen and Jim were high-school sweethearts. They married right after college and started a family soon thereafter, two daughters and a boy. “Jim was my rock,” said Karen. “He did repairs around the house, mowed the lawn, kept our cars running, and so much more. We were good partners. And best friends.” She stared into the distance, “I still miss him.” They shared a conventional marriage, with responsibilities drawn

along traditional lines: Jim took care of the finances and maintenance projects, while Karen managed the household and tended to the children. “It was a happy marriage,” said Karen, “and we had an active and fulfilling social life.” And then, unexpectedly, Jim (a non-smoker) was diagnosed with lung cancer. He died four and a half years later. For Karen, his death felt very sudden, despite his long and brave battle. “I guess I wasn’t facing reality,” she confided. Karen’s next few years were consumed with grief and mourning. But slowly and steadily she began to feel a return to normalcy. “I could talk about Jim without crying,” she shared. As Karen regained her footing, she was also becoming more aware of her surroundings. Absent Jim’s care and attention, the house had fallen into disrepair. There was water in the basement, peeling paint and long overdue maintenance. “It was overwhelming,” Karen revealed. “I couldn’t sleep for worrying about the house, the finances and the long, never-ending list of chores.” Below, Karen talks about how she got through the toughest times. Q: How did you carry on after the love and support you had enjoyed for years was suddenly gone? A: It wasn’t easy. Getting a handle on financial matters was one of my first priorities. Thankfully Jim had made good provisions for our retirement and made sure I knew what was what before he died. That was a

What’s Behind Unexplained Epilepsy in Kids?

enetic testing can help guide management and treatment of unexplained epilepsy in children, new research suggests. “A genetic diagnosis impacted medical management for nearly three out of four children in our study,” said study author Isabel Haviland. She’s a physician and a postdoctoral research fellow in neurology/neurobiology at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. In the study, Haviland’s team examined the medical records of 152 children with epilepsy who were

tested between 2012 and 2019 at one U.S. institution and received a genetic diagnosis. For 72% of the children, genetic testing affected at least one of four areas of management of their condition: care coordination, meaning they were referred to specialists or for diagnostic testing because of health issues related to the genetic finding (48%); treatment (45%); prognosis, or outlook for the course of their epilepsy (28%); and diagnosis (1%). Among the children whose treatment was affected by genet-

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blessing. Still, though, you wouldn’t believe how much there was to learn and do after Jim’s death. My saving grace was our financial adviser. He helped me make sense of all the accounts, the transfers, the documents . . . everything. Looking back, I don’t know how I got through it. It took time, but now I feel more in control of things. I even enrolled in online bill paying. I know that’s commonplace these days, but for me it was a big leap. Q: Beyond ﬁnances, what other challenges did you face and how did you overcome them? A: The emotional ups and downs were my biggest challenges. I could be going along just fine and then a wave of deep grief would wash over me out of nowhere. Or I would get overcome with fears about the future. Thank goodness for my adult children. They were my emotional anchors and I didn’t hesitate to call on them. When I was feeling sad and scared, they would scoop me into their arms and remind me that I wasn’t alone. On a more practical level, my children also helped me with the new house. My daughters showed me how to change the furnace filter, my son mowed the lawn, and I’ve taught myself how to make some basic repairs around the house. Thank goodness for “how to” videos on YouTube! If needed, I’ll hire contractors to tackle the big stuff. Q: What are your challenges today? Is loneliness an issue? A: Today? Oh, my challenges are very different. (Karen is smiling.) A challenge might be choosing between two equally inviting options: Walking with friends or playing Mahjong with my foursome. I think I’ll do both! My life is very full; I don’t struggle with loneliness. I have my piano, my books, my friends and my adorable cat Lucy. I love curling up with her and a good mystery novel by Louise Penny. ic testing: 36% had an impact on anti-seizure medication choice; 10% were eligible for gene-specific clinical trials or experimental drug use; 7% were started on gene-specific vitamin or metabolic treatments, such as the ketogenic diet; and 3% were treated with a drug not yet approved for their type of epilepsy. The findings were presented in December at the American Epilepsy Society annual meeting, in Chicago. Research presented at meetings should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. “We found the impact of a genetic diagnosis was even higher in children whose epilepsy began before they turned 2 years old,” Haviland said in a meeting news release. “About twothirds of pediatric epilepsy is unexplained, and genetic testing should be offered in these cases because of the significant potential impact on

Q: And what about romance? A: I doubt I’ll marry again. I’ve come to enjoy my independence. If I feel like eating cereal for dinner, that’s what I have. If I want to wear purple and pink together, that’s what I wear. I take pleasure in that freedom. Would I welcome a male companion for walks, movies or a dinner out? Sure, I’m open to that. I like to stay active. Q: What advice do you have for others? A: Maintain your friendships. My friends carried me through the tough times and now they carry me through the good times. I don’t wait for people to call me. I pick up the phone. I invite people over and make plans. And, while I don’t consider myself computer savvy, I use email and Facebook to stay in touch with friends and family. We share videos and jokes, and make arrangements to get together. My friends make all the difference! As more women like Karen embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with living alone, they are finding their wings and the ability to fly solo with confidence and creativity. They learn first-hand, just as I did, that life goes on, that life can get better. Even with the inevitable turbulence, living alone can lead to meaningful new relationships, surprising and satisfying self-discovery, and a renewed love for this precious, ever-changing life we live.

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 management, including on clinical treatment and eligibility for clinical studies,” Haviland suggested. Changes in treatment can make a significant difference for a child with epilepsy, according to Haviland. For example, vitamin B6 is important for brain development but some genetic disorders affect its pathway in the brain. Supplements or related vitamins may partially correct the problem and treat the epilepsy. “Genetic testing should be part of the standard evaluation of children with unexplained epilepsy,” Haviland concluded.

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge offers winter birders plenty of opportunities to view feathered friends on its 9,000 acres of protected lands and managed wetlands for wildlife. Some trails close in mid-December, so check the website before heading out. • https://friendsofmontezuma. org

Winter: Don’t Give Up Your Walking Routine By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

eed more motivation to get out and walk? Scenic places to walk on a winter’s day abound in Upstate New York. “I believe in the regenerating power of walks in nature,” said Wayne County-based freelance nature photographer Chris Kenyon. The following are just a small sample of the many places to walk this winter: The Empire State Trail combines trail networks to connect New York City through the Hudson River Valley, west to Buffalo along the Erie Canal, and north to the Champlain Valley and Adirondacks. All told, the trails include750 miles of walking pleasure, representing vast diversity

of New York’s cities, towns and rural areas. Wherever you travel in these regions, find a piece of the Empire State Trail to enjoy. • https://empiretrail.ny.gov Catskill Scenic Trail provides mountain vistas from its wellgroomed trail. While hiking in the Catskills sounds challenging, this trail has only gentle inclines for an easy hike. • http://catskillscenictrail.org Glimmerglass State Park overlooks Otsego Lake and includes a historic covered bridge, thought to be the oldest example in the US. • https://parks.ny.gov/ parks/28/details.aspx

Sterling Nature Center along Lake Ontario includes 11 trails on 700 acres and an Interpretive Center. A favorite path is the Huron Trail, which includes woodlands, meadows, beaver-created wetland, man-made wetland, vernal pools, streams and Lake Ontario, all within a mile. • www.cayugacounty.us/446/ Sterling-Nature-Center Explore history along the Heritage Trail Plattsburgh. If you prefer history over nature, this trail includes walks along the Riverwalk Park, alongside monuments, the Clinton County Historical Museum, and other points of interest along the Saranac River. • www.goadirondack.com/entries/heritage-trail Open all winter, Beaver Lake Nature Center offers walkers opportunities to enjoy nine miles of trails and explore several habitats in one park. Bring along your camera to snap images of winter birds. Check the park’s website for a listing of educational programming and special events. • www.onondagacountyparks. com/parks/beaver-lake-nature-center) Cornell’s Mullestein Winter Garden defies the stereotype that gardens are only interesting in summertime. The trees and plantings at Mullestein

were selected for their intriguing coloring, bark textures, shapes and cones and berries. See the colorful blood red dogwood, numerous evergreen species, and the twisted, white limbs of Harry Lauder’s walking stick, among many more. The oneacre garden includes 700 trees and plantings to view. • https://cornellbotanicgardens. org/location/winter-garden Get back to nature at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve where trails lace 292 acres of forest, ponds, wetlands and the occasional covered bridge. The Beech Tree Trail boasts the largest beech in New York. • https://reinsteinwoods.org At almost 65,000 acres, Allegany State Park includes a few easy trails, including the Red Jacket Loop, that’s under a mile and flat terrain. The Red House area has five miles of paved trails. • https://parks.ny.gov/ parks/73/details.aspx Enjoy six miles of rugged trails at Grand Lake Reserve. Five of those are shoreline, so hikers can take in picturesque views of the lake. • https://indianriverlakes.org/ irlc-properties/grand-lake-reserve Check a venue’s website before heading out, as a trail or the entire venue may be closed. Depending upon the snow and the location, snowshoes may be helpful. Wear appropriate footwear and especially if you will be on a longer nature trail, let someone else know where you are going and how long you expect to be gone. Taking a cell phone with you is also a good idea; however, not every area has adequate coverage.

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January 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 9

My Turn

By Eva Briggs, MD

Need Glasses to Read? You’re Not Alone

Looking at advances in eye care, including the new eyedrop Vuity, which helps people see better

ike many people, I didn’t need glasses until I turned 40. Gradually I discovered that near objects, like books and newspapers, were blurry. I had to move them further away until finally my arms were too short to place reading material into a spot where I could read it. That’s the classic description of presbyopia. The word derives from the Greek presby (elderly) plus opia (vision). As we age, the lens of the eye becomes less elastic. It loses the ability to change shape to focus images on the retina at the back of the eye. Treatment options include glasses, contact lenses or surgery. And, as of October 2021, eyedrops were approved to treat presbyopia. Eyeglasses include over-thecounter “cheaters,” prescription single-vision glasses for close-up work, and multifocal lenses. Advantages include easy availability and the ability to own more than one pair for style and to have a back-up spare.

I’d like to pause and remind anyone who needs glasses or contacts to function should always keep spare glasses on hand. Here are a few examples of why from my own family’s experience. A few months ago, my son (who wears glasses for nearsightedness and astigmatism), started a new job. The very day before starting, his eyeglasses frame broke in half in a fashion impossible to glue together. Even in a big city like Chicago, it’s impossible to get same-day glasses on a Sunday. And even if you can find a place to produce a rush order, it will cost more. Not long after that, at Thanksgiving, a lens popped out of his motherin-law’s glasses. I asked her whether she had a spare pair at home. The answer was yes, but they were so old that she couldn’t see with them. That’s not really a spare! As an eyeglass wearer, there are a few disadvantages. The biggest one for me is fogging when outdoors on a

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damp day, when coming in from the cold or when wearing a mask. I’ve tried commercial anti-fogging products. They seem to help somewhat, but I am not sure if they’re any better than washing your glasses with soap or baby shampoo and then wiping dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Wearing ski goggles over my glasses in the winter reduces fogging. Wearing a mask with a good nosepiece and pinching it to conform to the nose helps. If your mask is going to be on for a while, you can even use tape to create a seal and prevent eyeglass fogging. I recommend medical paper tape since it’s the easiest to remove from your skin. Single-vision glasses are great when you plan to read or do other close work for a while, since they have a larger area of lens devoted to near vision. Multifocal lenses (bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses) are good when you are going back and forth between near and distant objects. In my job as a doctor, I go back and forth all day long from close work (computer, clipboard), middle distance (face-to-face with a patient), and distance vision (walking between exam rooms and my workstation). There are three options for contact lens wearers. Bifocal contacts, monovision, and contacts for distance combined with reading glasses. Bifocal contacts come in two versions, simultaneous and translating. With bifocal contacts, you see two images simultaneously, one through the lens for near vision and the other for far vision. Your brain learns to see the sharp image and ignore the blurry image, depending on what you are viewing. Translating contacts have a thicker lower portion for near vision and a thinner upper segment for far vision. Similar to bifocal glasses, the wearer adapts to use the correct segment of the lens. Monovision involves using a contact lens for near vision in one eye and far vision in the other. The brain learns

to use the sharp image and ignore the blurry image. Surgical options for presbyopia include LASIK surgery, corneal inlays, and lens implants. Lens implants are generally done for cataracts but can simultaneously help presbyopia. As of October 2021, a new eyedrop Vuity (pilocarpine HCI ophthalmic solution) was approved for presbyopia. It starts working in 15 minutes and lasts up to six hours. It works by constricting the pupil, helping to focus incoming light. The most common side effects are eye redness and headache. The active ingredient, pilocarpine, has been used for years to treat other eye conditions such as glaucoma. Just as glasses, contacts or surgery all involve compromises, Vuity too is not a perfect solution and won’t be appropriate for every patient. It may not offer sufficient help to people who need precise near vision. It won’t work as well for people with advanced presbyopia requiring a high degree of correction, or for those with dense cataracts. And it only lasts six hours, not even a full workday for most people. It may wind up being an adjunct to glasses or contacts. People may use corrective lenses some of the time and eye drops at other times. For example, I’d find it great to be able to read a map and compass without glasses fogging up while hiking, and stick to glasses the rest of the time. Eva Briggs is a retired medical doctor who practiced in Central New York for several decades. She lives in Marcellus.

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Turgun Parmanov, 45 (left) and Laziz Mardonov, 44 (right) used to be doctors in their native Uzbekistan. They came to the United States with their respective families within the past five to six years. They plan to enroll in the Healthcare Advancement Resource Center program at LeMoyne to become nurse practitioners. They speak with Sara Gleasman DeSimone (center), professor and LeMoyne family nurse practitioner coordinator.

LeMoyne Program Helps Foreign-Trained Medical Graduates Ninety-three participants from 23 different countries are enrolled in the Healthcare Advancement Resource Center program, which helps international medical graduates navigate educational and career opportunities in the healthcare industry in the U.S.

By Mary Beth Roach

s the healthcare industry grapples with staffing shortages, LeMoyne College’s Healthcare Advancement Resource Center (HARC) is working to help bridge the gap. The HARC, established with a grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, was launched in March of 2020, and is available to foreign-trained medical graduates who were in the healthcare field in their country, but are now living in New York state, and want to get back into their field, according to program director Stella Rwanda, Ph.D. The center serves doctors, nurses, dentists, dental hygienists, clinical officers, physical therapists, certified nurse assistants, pharmacists, veterinarians and medical researchers. “The HARC’s mission is anchored in the shared social justice values of LeMoyne College and the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation and aims to create a bridge between the need for more culturally and linguistically diverse healthcare professionals and the current, untapped resource of internationally trained medical graduates living in New York state,” said Rwanda. Currently, the program has 93 participants from 23 different countries, including Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Cuba, Croatia, India, Iraq, Kenya, Pakistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Sri Lanka. With such a diverse group, a holistic approach is taken, providing each participant with a unique and individualized career plan, Rwanda said. The resources HARC provides cover a wide range of topics, and, as Rwanda said, can include English classes, resume and cover letter re-

Stella Rwanda is director of LeMoyne College’s Healthcare Advancement Resource Center. “Many of our participants are fleeing persecution, wars, civil unrest, etc.,” she says. view and editing, interview preparation, job placement through community partners, laptops on a loan basis, support with medical licensure examinations and other scholarships for prerequisite classes at local colleges, financial support for LeMoyne College’s physician’s assistant and family nurse practitioners programs, funding and instruction on the transcript evaluation process through educational credential evaluators, and virtual and live events to connect members and provide a sense of community. When they arrive in the United States, one of the biggest challenges the participants immediately face is the need to support their families. “Many of our participants are fleeing persecution, wars, civil unrest, etc.,” Rwanda said. “They face culture shock and a feeling of lost identity as they begin to navigate a new life in the U.S. Many others come here many years after they

have graduated from medical or nursing schools and must prepare for the U.S. Medical Licensure Examination and National Council Licensure Examination and other medical licensure examinations.” Some are also unable to bring their transcripts with them or secure them from the schools that they attended in their native country. So they need to start over here and repeat their education, she added. While most of the participants have strong English skills, there are a few who have little or no experience with English. This past July, HARC created a beginner ENL (English as a new language) course, and it has also partnered with the Syracuse University English Language Institute, to provide instruction for participants with a little more proficiency in the language. Attending a recent open house at LeMoyne were Laziz Mardonov, 44, and Turgun Parmanov, 45. The two had been doctors in Uzbekistan before coming to the United States with their respective families within the past five to six years. Their shortterm goal, Mardonov said, is to begin the requisite courses in the nurse practitioner program at LeMoyne in the fall of 2022 and graduate in 2024. They came for the future of their respective families, they said, and have settled in Central New York. Mardonov works as an RN at the Iroquois Nursing Home and Parmanov is an RN at Crouse Hospital. They both believe that since they are both in their mid-40s, the road to become licensed as doctors and surgeons in this country would be too long. So they have opted to become nurse practitioners, with the hope of working closely with doctors and surgeons.

Nurses think about suicide more than other workers

ayo Clinic researchers report that nurses in the U.S. experience suicidal ideation in greater numbers than other general workers and those who do are less likely to tell anyone about it. The findings appear in the American Journal of Nursing. More than 7,000 nurses responded to a national survey on well-being, with questions ranging from burnout to depression. More than 400 nurses reported having suicidal ideation within the past year. That’s 5½% of the respondents, which is nearly 1% higher than the general workforce sample at 4.3%. Those who reported suicidal ideation also said they were less likely than other respondents to seek professional help for their emotional issues. More than one-third of the nurses had at least one symptom of burnout and 40% screened positive for symptoms of depression. The researchers say their findings indicate that the situation needs urgent attention, and systems- and practice-based interventions need to be developed and implemented to address burnout and suicidal ideation. It’s important to note that this survey was conducted, beginning in late 2017, with data collection in 2018, before any of these nurses were confronted with effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “While the findings of our study are serious enough, we recognize the impact of the current pandemic has dramatically compounded the situation,” says physician Liselotte Dyrbye, a Mayo Clinic internist and the senior author. “The need for system-level interventions to improve the work lives of nurses and other members of the health care team is greater than ever before.” The questionnaire was sent in November 2017 to 86,858 nurses and a sample of 5,198 general workforce members.

January 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 11

Peaceful Remedies Offers Help for Those Facing Challenges The group provides in-person and virtual services

Participants practice yoga at Peaceful Remedies in Oswego. The nonprofit offers two yoga classes. One is specific for cancer survivors and the other is for people who have been diagnosed with anything else — and their caregivers.

By Steve Yablonski

or those suffering from the loss of a loved one or other traumatic situations, there are remedies, Peaceful Remedies. Peaceful Remedies is a nonprofit in Oswego. Its mission is to form a community space that empowers individuals and families to embrace life, despite the challenges they face. Its office is located in the McCrobie Building on Lake Street. In addition to being a communal space, Peaceful Remedies suggests a variety of holistic health services and regular panels and discussions on matters pertaining to its clients. It provides a resource database where people can research the challenges and illnesses they are facing, as well as learn about local and national nonprofit events. “By bringing together survivors and caregivers and giving them both the ability to educate themselves and access to alternative treatment, we hope to lead each other to a place of strength, peace and happiness,” said Kim Simmonds, executive director (and president of the board of directors) of Peaceful Remedies. Their first event took place in May of 2015. “There are people really involved week to week and those who show up for events,” she said. “They aren’t really involved in the planning, but if we need help, there’s a list of volunteers who help out. We have probably between 40 and 50 people who help with the events.” Peaceful Remedies offers two yoga classes. One is specific for cancer survivors and the other is for people who have been diagnosed with anything else, and their caregivers. “It can be tougher on caregivers. That’s why almost everything we offer is open to caregivers,” Simmonds said. “Whether the person they care for comes or not, the caregiver is

Kim Simmonds is the executive director (and president of the board of directors) of Peaceful Remedies. welcome to attend.” When tragedy or heartache happens, people just want to help. “We have two support groups. We have meditation, reiki, massage therapy. We have a lending library on different health and wellness topics,” Simmonds said. “We list our events and services on our website. If you get on our website, you’ll see everything that’s happening and the times.”

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They also have tai chi, two circle talks (one of their support groups). One is for cancer survivors and caregivers and the other group is for anyone else who’s had a life-altering disease of any kind. “On average, 10 or so people are at every class, some times closer to 20. We try to create this atmosphere of calm and an opportunity to release some stress and also specifically for yoga for cancer survivors. We find

that it’s just a chance to connect with other people who are going through similar things that they are also going through; kind of like a mini support group,” she explained. They have a Facebook group for cancer survivors. It is an extension of the support group. The people in these groups all know each other and are familiar with their issues, she added. “They’ve all gone through this; there are no outsiders. They are all familiar with each other and their struggles,” she said. “Not just anyone can join the group.” Peaceful Remedies is a place to share; it’s not necessarily a place to advise. “Just listen. Listen, because a lot of times that’s all people really want at a time like this is just someone who will listen to them. Just listen, I don’t need you to fix it; I don’t need you to change it. Just listen,” Simmonds said. Peaceful Remedies has a room for meditation; it’s the ‘quiet’ room. If someone comes in and just wants a place where no one will talk to them while they are in there; a place to come and decompress. “We have a treatment room where people receive reiki or massage therapy and the main (office) room — where our support groups meet. We have other meetings there as well,” Simmonds said. “It’s also a place, during regular hours, where people can play with computers, stare at the lake if they want, check out our library, do whatever,” she continued. “We have some MP3 players if they just want to sit somewhere and listen to music or meditations.” For more information go to: www.PeacefulRemediesOswego. com

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Things You Should Know About Arthritis By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

rthritis has an immense level of impact on people of all age groups. It affects the joints and tissues, which can cause severe pain and swelling. More than 54.4 million adults in the United States have been diagnosed with some form of arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to do daily activities and make it difficult to walk or climb stairs. “Arthritis is a very common problem. Many people don’t know there are various types of arthritis and as you get older, your symptoms can become more severe,” said Kamaljeet Banga, an orthopedic surgeon for the Center for Orthopedic Care at Oswego Health and a clinical professor at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. “If you take care of your joints, you can delay the process of deterioration.” Arthritis can be a very generalized term which covers many conditions such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus and gout. With each condition, there are various forms of wear and tear along with joint inflammation, whether that be in the hip, knee or small joints of the hand, feet and spine. The most common form of arthritis is a condition in which the cartilage, or special tissue that coats the ends of bones within a joint, wears down with time.

1.Misconceptions

Whether it is home remedies, inaccurate internet fixes or just plain personal opinions, there remain many myths about how to turn back the clock on arthritis. Some think that it will simply get better on its own which incorrectly has caused

many patients to delay needed joint replacement surgery where they have lived in pain for years unnecessarily. There is another myth that experts consistently have to dispel. “Most people think that this is a problem for only people over the age of 60,” said Banga. “That is quite inaccurate. We are seeing more and more younger people even in their 20s and 30s who are having some form of arthritis.”

2.Symptoms

Common symptoms include swelling of the joints, slight pain in joints in regular movements, stiffness and decreased range of motion. Symptoms can come and go. Sometimes they can be mild, moderate or severe. Inflammation is a chemical reaction that stems from normal immune function and produces five classic signs: pain, swelling, warmth, heat and loss of function. “If you experience swelling in the joints and you can feel a decrease in range of motion of your joints, those are some well-known signs of arthritis,” said Banga. “Patients also say they hear cracking of their joints when there is no cartilage. It causes them to have difficulty walking or waking up in pain with a feeling that they hear their joints clicking.”

3.Common treatments

With arthritis, many orthopedic doctors treat the condition nonsurgical first using braces for knee and hip problems. The brace helps stabilize the joints, especially for those who experience falls. There are also ways to strengthen core and back muscles to help with the joints. There are many different types of directly injectable materials that can

relieve pain such as steroids or cortisone. But once it gets to a certain level then surgery may become an option. Banga said the situation changes when it reaches grade 3 osteoporosis, which is where the cartilage between bones shows obvious damage and thinning so the space between the bones begins to narrow. “That is when the patient starts experiencing bone on bone. A lot of patients say that is when their quality of life really starts being impacted. They can’t walk that far without dealing with pain from day to day,” added Banga. Doctors recommend incorporating less traditional techniques like water-based therapy, acupuncture and massage. Over the counter pain relievers such as Tylenol can help decrease pain, while anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and naproxen can directly block the chemical pathways that lead to inflammation in the body.

4.Exercise and diet

What you eat and how you take care of your body can significantly help you when it comes to either avoiding arthritis or lessening its impact. Eating anti-inflammatory foods such as lean proteins, fruits, nuts, leafy greens, whole grains and good fats such as avocado, is a start. In addition, regular exercising, especially those activities that don’t cause joint damage, is recommended. That is why weight matters, because when you walk across level ground, the force on your knees is the equivalent of 1½ times your body weight. That means a 200-pound man will put 300 pounds of pressure on his knees with each step. The force on each knee is two to three times your body weight when you go

Kamaljeet Banga is an orthopedic surgeon for the Center for Orthopedic Care at Oswego Health and a clinical professor at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse. up and down stairs, and four to five times your body weight when you squat to tie a shoelace or pick up an item you dropped. “When you see the pressure that you put on your joints, you understand how weight can become a major factor. That is why we recommend people maintain a healthy lifestyle and low impact joint exercises like swimming or anything that focuses on range of motion,” said Banga.

5.Listen to your body

Arthritis is a very prevalent condition that impacts the lives of millions of Americans each year, and many resources have been dedicated to understanding the condition and its management. He also cautions patients against having a lackluster approach to their condition. “Some people think once you have arthritis there is nothing you can do about it. I tell people all the time that you have to change their lifestyle. There are many things you can do to either prevent arthritis or at least lessen the long-term effects,” he added.

May Change Your Life Forever Learn about prevention & treatment.

315-551-2551 • CNYLymeAlliance.org January 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 13

12 Popular Diets for 2022 Here are the facts about several options By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

osing weight represents a top New Year’s resolution. Considering the obesity epidemic, it is a good idea. Many people turn to a popular eating plan or “diet” to shed pounds. The following are some of the plans popular in 2022:

1 5:2 Diet / Intermittent Fasting • How it works: With 5:2, you eat as normal five days a week and restrict yourself to 500-600 calories on the two other days. With standard intermittent fasting, you eat only during an eight-hour window every day. • Why it works: You are not restricted on what you eat, which helps you feel satisfied and not deprived. The calorie depravation days will result in overall calorie reduction. Most people think this is easier to stick with longterm. • Caveats: You are not restricted on what you eat, which means you can eat a lot of unhealthful foods. You

may also really overdo it when you do eat.

2 Sirtfood Diet • How it works: Initially, you drink a lot of green juice smoothies. Then, you eat primarily foods that contain sirtuin proteins, such as kale, parsley, red wine, onions, strawberries, soy, matcha tea, salmon and mackerel. • Why it works: The initial phase restricts calories, and the second phase includes foods many people enjoy. • Caveats: It can be hard to stick with the smoothie phase and with the second phase, it can be challenging to eliminate many favorite foods. You also need nutrients from foods not on the list.

3 The Mayr Diet • How it works: You reduce high acidity foods and mindfully consume high-alkaline foods like vegetables and fish.

• Why it works: You are not eating as many calories by boosting the intake of low-calorie foods. • Caveats: It is difficult to sustain longterm as it eliminates entire food groups. You can also miss nutrients found in certain foods.

4 The New Keto • How it works: You eat as minimal sugar and carbohydrates as possible and eat moderate amounts of healthful fat and high levels of protein. (The standard keto diet limited protein to 20%). • Why it works: Minimizing consumption of sugar and carbohydrates will reduce caloric intake and force the body to burn stored calories (fat). • Caveats: It demonizes good sources of nutrients and can be hard to commit to long term.

packages of ingredients to prepare as your meals or completely prepared meals. • Why it works: You have the convenience of home-cooked meals without the time commitment. Restaurant food can be high in fat and calories. If you fix it yourself, you may save calories. The portions of meal kits or ready-to-eat meals may be lower than at restaurants as well. • Caveats: Unless you select a company with dietary considerations built in, you may not save as many calories as you think. This is also expensive and could be repetitive (most companies have a limited number of entrees and may not vary them often), which can make it hard to stick with.

6 Noom

5 Meal Kits/Ready-to-Eat Meals

• How it works: The app tracks your calories and helps you learn whether they are helping you lose weight or

• How it works: A company ships you

(continued on next page)

So, What Do Local Experts Say About Popular Dieting?

aurel Sterling, registered dietitian and educator with Carlson Labs in Canastota, is not a fan of super low-calorie eating plans that cause rapid weight loss. “Research says losing it very quickly typically with just a dietary plan and not backing it with physical activity is not sustainable,” she said. “People typically gain it back after a year or two. Taking it slow and steady and making small, consistent changes works, unless it is someone who needs something that will shake them up.” Any drastic change to an eating plan, such as severe calorie restriction, would require medical supervision and for a life-threatening level of obesity. For most people, improving their eating and integrating more physical activity is all that is necessary. Sterling thinks that intermittent fasting shows promise. “They’ve seen benefits with immunity, cognition and longevi-

ty,” she said. While she recalls when the “rule” to eat small meals throughout the day was important, additional research is showing that intermittent fasting can lead to weight loss for some people. An oldie but a goodie, she also likes WW (Weight Watchers), as it was developed by dietitians and has been tweaked and improved in the recent past. “It’s about eating good food,” she said. “It gets people away from the fast food and eating more aware at home, prepping stuff themselves.” She has also heard similar things about Noom. Like WW, Noom builds in accountability and the mental health aspects of weight loss. She believes that paleo, keto and other low-carb eating plans are a bit extreme and she would adjust them to include sufficient nutrients. “I’ve seen in clients when

Page 14 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2022

they’ve done this to an extreme that they had irregular bowels, developed kidney stones and hair loss,” Sterling said. “You can do these safely as they have a certain percentage of fat allowed.” Juicing aallows high amounts of fruits, but calories are still low so participants lose weight. “They are filling. I’ve done a juice fast for a week. It’s not sustainable because people miss eating. Eating is a social thing. We have to acknowledge that. It’s so social with family, functions and parties and events, Sterling said. “If you can’t allow yourself to have something to eat, you’ll feel deprived. It can have tons of natural sugars, which can be an issue [can lack fiber]. Some higher end juicers allow more pulp to go through.” Instead of huge changes all at once, it is more healthful to make “slow, small, consistent changes, things that you wouldn’t see as hard to maintain and do it for

life, “Sterling added. “Those wide swings are where people will gain weight back. When they gain it back, it’s typically more than what they were to begin with.” She advises against adopting eating plans that nix entire food groups or require eating only one food group. Sterling believes that while focusing on healthful foods, any food eaten in moderation can belong in a healthful eating plan. “I always come back to being sensible about it and individualized to you,” she said. “If you like a little bit of this plan and that plan, work with it and be consistent.” Indulging in non-food rewards for meeting goals can also help build in motivation, such as a new outfit for sticking with the plan for three months.

Popular Diets

(continued from previous page) not. • Why it works: It also offers the support of coaches for accountability, along with facing the cold, hard nutrition facts. People who like technology can find this very convenient. Noom can help you learn about food, which can result in lasting changes. • Caveats: You can fudge about your consumption of fudge and other foods. No one will ever know. Also, it can seem a hassle for people who do not like using technology.

7 Pescatarian Diet

10 DASH Diet

8 Mediterranean Diet • How it works: You eat healthful fats and, about twice a week, fish, along with beans, produce, whole grains and, in moderation, cheese and red meat. • Why it works: Reducing your caloric intake will result in weight loss. It also offers some benefits by nixing simple carbohydrates. The food is delicious and easy to stick with for weight loss. • Caveats: Eliminating food groups is tough. This can make it hard to stick with for life.

9 Paleo Diet

• How it works: You eat mostly produce, along with seafood. Its focus is on whole, natural foods, eschewing processed foods. Grilling is an important part of food preparation. • Why it works: By reducing calories, you will lose weight. Whole foods are also healthful source of nutrients. • Caveats: Cooking with so few ingredients and methods of preparation is tough. It can take considerable time ensuring you are obtaining all the nutrients you need from such a limited number of foods.

• How it works: You eat only food that would have been available in the wild to people: nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables and lean cuts of meat. • Why it works: By cutting out processed foods, you cut lots of calories. Many of the foods are tasty and appealing. • Caveats: Entire food groups like dairy, grains, beans and legumes are eliminated, making it hard to stick with long-term. These food groups offer nutrients you miss.

• How it works: The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet was meant to help people reduce their blood pressure by reducing sodium intake. You eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat or nonfat dairy products, while limiting saturated fat and dietary cholesterol. • Why it works: Eliminating processed and fatty foods helps reduce calorie intake. You would also feel better by lowering the body’s inflammatory response. This can make it easier to stick with. • Caveats: You should still be mindful of calories even while eating very healthful foods. Some people may feel deprived not eating treats occasionally.

11 Volumetrics Diet • How it works: You focus on foods that offer the most nutrition for the least among of calories by dividing foods into four categories, from least to most energy dense and then eat more of the lower-density foods as you can. • Why it works: Filling up on low-cal-

orie foods will reduce overall caloric intake. The plan will also help you stay satisfied as you eat the most nutritious foods most of the time, yet occasionally can have treats. • Caveats: It can be difficult to determine what is low-calorie and higher calorie for some people, so Volumetrics does present a learning curve. It also requires constant scrutiny to stick with it.

12 W.W. (formerly Weight Watchers) • How it works: With this still-popular classic, you follow a program that assigns points based upon calories and nutrition. • Why it works: By keeping the calorie count low, you lose weight. It can be easy to stick with as you can eat as much as you like of zero-point foods. You can sign up for a point tracking app and get access to meetings. The accountability makes a big difference. • Caveats: WW can be tricky to learn. Members with budgetary constraints may find it expensive to maintain at more than $500 per year to join (although WW offers some free information online). Plus, to keep weight off, they will have to learn how assess foods.

SmartBites By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Our Body’s Most Important Nutrient? Water! Every January, like so many, I make a nutritional resolution: Consume more calcium! Eat more whole grains! Up my protein intake! This year’s resolution? Drink more water! The deluge of benefits from this nutrient, some new to me, are simply too important to ignore. Water’s obvious benefits — prevents dehydration, produces sweat to regulate body temperature, flushes out waste, promotes regularity — are well known. What may come as a surprise are all the other important benefits that warrant their day in the blistering sun, too. Referred to as the “WD-40” for joints and bones, water helps lubricate, cushion and protect your joints, spinal cord and tissues. Since it hydrates the padding between your joints, its consumption makes it easier to move around and may lessen discomfort caused by conditions like arthritis. Proper hydration is the key to keeping your brain sharp and your mood bright. Research confirms that not getting enough water can negatively affect focus, alertness, shortterm memory and mood. Moreover, you don’t even need to be seriously dehydrated for this to happen: less than four cups of water daily in a 150-pound person. Got a long drive ahead of you? An important test? A long-awaited family reunion? Drink up! When it comes to digestion and

Helpful tips According to many experts, most generally healthy people need about eight cups of water a day; but even a healthy person’s needs vary if water is lost through exercise or by being outside in the heat. All beverages containing water contribute to your daily needs, including caffeinated beverages or those containing alcohol. While both do make you urinate more, the water from these beverages still

getting the most out of your meals, water is your best friend. Drinking water before, during and after a meal helps your body break down the food you eat more easily. Water also helps with nutrient absorption by dissolving vitamins, minerals and other nutrients from your food and then delivering those health-bombs to the rest of your body for use. Finally, water is a main component of saliva, which is where digestion begins. Why do hearts, kidneys and skin love water? Your ticker swoons when you drink enough water because it doesn’t have to work as hard. Skimping on water, which leads to less blood in your body, can lower your

makes a positive contribution to total fluid consumption. To drink more water throughout the day: Fill a large water bottle to the top and make a dent every time you walk by; drink a glass of water before every meal and after every bathroom break; keep water in your car and drink up at stoplights. And know that you also get fluids from water-rich foods, such as fruit and vegetables.

blood pressure and raise your heart rate. Kidneys count on this all-important nutrient because it helps them filter waste more efficiently, as well as prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections. And skin shines, literally, with adequate water intake. Even mild dehydration can cause skin to lose its luster, plumpness and elasticity. Last but certainly not least, water could help you lose weight. It’s 100% calorie-free; it can help you burn more calories (the colder, the better); it takes up space in your stomach so you feel more full; and it may even suppress your appetite if consumed before meals.

Strawberry, Kiwi, and Lime Infused Water 5 cups sparkling or regular water 1 cup ice cubes 1 kiwi, peeled and cut into slices ½-1 cup sliced strawberries 1 lime, sliced Pour water into a pitcher. Add ice, kiwi, and strawberries. Squeeze lime slices to release some of their juice into the water before adding them in. Stir to combine flavors. Refrigerate. Infused water tastes best on the day it is made.

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.

January 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 15

Mark Hall is the president and CEO of Syracuse Community Health Center.

worked really well. During that time, we saw about 40,000 patients and provided about 51,000 tests [some people have gotten tested more than once]. It was just a way for us to accommodate the need. Something that other area providers and health agencies really aren’t equipped to do, facility-wise and staffing-wise.

CDC Reports Record High 12-Month Drug Overdose Death Toll Vermont sees largest increase in overdose deaths

rug overdose deaths in the United States hit a new record for the 12-month period ending March 2021, new government data shows. A record high 96,779 drug overdose deaths occurred between March 2020 and March 2021, representing a 29.6% rise, new statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics found. The numbers are provisional, and the CDC’s estimate for predicted deaths totals more than 99,000 from March 2020 to March 2021, CNN reported. “It is important to remember that behind these devastating numbers are families, friends, and community members who are grieving the loss of loved ones,” Regina LaBelle, acting director of the executive office of the president, Office of National Drug Control Policy, said in a statement, CNN reported The state with the largest increase in overdose deaths (85.1%) during that time was Vermont. Opioids accounted for the highest number of overdose deaths, followed by synthetic opioids, excluding methadone, which was linked to the lowest number of overdose deaths. Three states saw their number of overdose deaths decline from March 2020 to March 2021: New Hampshire, New Jersey and South Dakota. South Dakota’s reported overdose deaths declined by 16.3%, the highest of any state. Between March 2020 and March 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in the United States and disrupted normal daily routines, CNN noted. The CDC data also show a 29.7% increase in drug overdose deaths between February 2020 and February 2021. Earlier this year, the CDC said the more than 93,000 drug overdose deaths already reported in 2020 was nearly 30% more than the number observed in 2019, and the largest single-year increase ever in the United States, CNN reported. At the time, National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Nora Volkow called the figure “chilling” and said the COVID-19 pandemic has “created a devastating collision of health crises in America.”

Q A &

with Mark Hall

‘Growth. We’re looking to really expand throughout Onondaga County,’ says president and chief executive ofﬁcer of Syracuse Community Health Center By Mary Beth Roach Q: Can you brieﬂy describe the work of the SCHC? A: Syracuse Community Health is a federally qualified health center. What we provide is primary care services, along with other specialty services all under one roof. We provide primary care, dental, pediatrics, podiatry, OB-GYN, mental health and substance abuse counseling, eye care and we also have a dispensary [for eyeglasses]. We also have a pharmacy in house as a contract. Q: The public that you serve, are there income requirements or uninsured or the underinsured? A: We provide primary care and those services that I laid out to anyone who comes. Commercial insurance, private insurance, managed care plans, etc. Because we are an FQHC, we do have to provide a sliding fee scale and folks who cannot pay, we still provide services. We’re not a free clinic. We are not here just to serve the underserved. People come to the health center who have Medicare or Medicaid and other commercial health insurance. Q: To give our readers a scope of the SCHC, what is your budget and how are you funded? A: Our budget is $25 million. We are funded by our billing, what we bill for our services — the vast majority of where our money comes from. We do receive a federal grant that is meant to subsidize those sliding fee scales. Q: How many employees do you have? A: We have about 200 employees. Q: How many sites do you have throughout the city and where are they? A: We have a total of 12 sites. We have our South Salina Street site; our

Page 16 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2022

Oswego Street site on the west side; our East Fayette Street site on the east side. Our South Avenue site is not operational right now, but there are plans to open that come 2022. Then we have eight school-based health centers. Q: How many people do you serve on an annual basis? A: We serve approximately 30,000 patients a year. Q: I saw that the facility has recently opened an urgent care center at your downtown/South Salina Street location. What are its hours? A: From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. We’ve had urgent care; it was closed four years ago. Q: Why did it close and what prompted it to reopen? A: There’s a multitude of issues. The health center was facing some pretty challenging financial issues. That’s the reason I came on as interim in 2018. Why we opened it back up is to be able to provide that access to services to our patients that fits more into the schedule. Being open until 8 p.m. allows additional time for us to see patients. We plan on opening on the weekends hopefully within the next few weeks. We have some of the same challenges that other healthcare facilities have during the pandemic, one being staffing. Q: The SCHC was one of the leaders in the community’s response to the pandemic. You were one of the ﬁrst sites in the area to offer testing when the pandemic broke out in March of 2020. How did all that come about? A: We’re just uniquely situated to be able to accommodate a request such as that. We were able to work with the county and get the word out for our drive-through testing. It just

Q: How has the organization grown since you’ve taken over? A: When I started, we were really in some financial straits. Over the last three and a half years, we have been able to get that more on a financial footing. Our strategy last year was a growth strategy, and then the pandemic hit and that just put a wrench in everything. Almost two years later, we’re still dealing with the pandemic. Our growth strategy that we were looking to embark on, we had to put that on hold, and that’s something strategically that we are looking to do now, which is to grow our footprint throughout Onondaga County. Q: You’ve been able to stabilize the ﬁnancial end of things. How did you accomplish that? A: We stabilized our services, our staffing. We did a lot as far as controlling our costs. We were able to ensure that we’re billing and collecting on all the services we were eligible for. All that really contributed to stabilizing our financial picture. Q: What do you see for the future? A: Growth. We’re looking to really expand throughout Onondaga County. We have a new building we’re going to break ground on in May of 2022. It’s a new 56,000-square foot building that will at the 930 [S. Salina St.] location, which is basically across from our 819 [S. Salina St.] location. We just received a grant from the federal government to establish a residency program, so we’re going to be partnering with the Upstate – SUNY Upstate residency program. It’s really an exciting time for the health center. Q: How would the residency program work? A: What will happen is that the residents that are at SUNY will rotate through the health center. Certain ones, not all of them. If we can make that service available on a limited basis at the health center, it then provides another service to our patients. It’s just at the embryonic stages at this point. We have some work to do, but we’re in a good position with it. Q: Your new facility, what is your plan for that? A: We’re going to move our existing services at our 819 location to our 930 location. Q: Will the 819 location still be open? A: We haven’t determined what we’re going to do with the 819 location. It’ll be open, but in what fashion we don’t know. We’re in the midst of deciding what exactly we want to do with that space, as we move forward. Our existing building is two floors and consists of 78,000 square feet. We have some options on what to do with that space.

FACING CANCER? WE HAVE ALL YOU NEED CLOSE TO HOME

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UPSTATE.EDU / CANCER | 315-464-HOPE (4673) January 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 17

How a Young Buffalo Woman Learned to Embrace Hearing Loss

“I was like, ‘how have I functioned while I was missing all this stuff?’” By Ken Sturtz

decade ago, when a doctor informed Rebecca Witkin that she was partially deaf and should be wearing hearing aids, she was stunned. An active and healthy college student, she’d never imagined needing hearing aids. When she pictured herself with them, all she could think of was a pair of hulking devices hanging from her ears, plainly visible to everyone. “Now that I know what hearing aids can do for you it wouldn’t matter,” she said. “But at the time I was young and vain and I was very against it at first.” Witkin said she dealt with feelings of shame and embarrassment and was afraid to be vulnerable enough to talk about her hearing loss or the hearing aids she wore on a daily basis. She hid her condition from friends and co-workers when she could. As she matured and reflected on how much hearing aids had improved her quality of life, Witkin’s outlook gradually changed. She became more comfortable with her deafness. The pandemic, which has been especially challenging for the hearing impaired, led her to be more open in discussing her condition. Witkin’s issues with hearing began at an early age. She was born two months premature with underdeveloped ears and needed nearly a dozen sets of drainage tubes during childhood. That caused a significant amount of scarring and a permanent perforation in one ear. Each time the students at her school lined up at the nurse’s office for the standard vision and hearing tests, her parents would get a call notifying them she had a hearing deficiency. She saw a pediatric ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. Although she was aware she didn’t hear quite as well as her classmates, she watched television and listened to music with the volume up, she didn’t think about it much.

Witkin is unsure if her hearing worsened as she got older or if she started having more trouble functioning with her hearing loss. But the problem slowly began creeping up on her a decade ago while attending SUNY Oswego. She sat closer to the front of lecture halls and struggled to hear friends in noisy settings such as bars, but it was after becoming involved in student government that she realized something might be wrong. In meetings Witkin noticed she couldn’t hear what people were saying. She’d miss things others picked up on. Sometimes it seemed like the person speaking was mumbling. She particularly struggled to hear the voices of older people in meetings, such as deans and department chairs. “It slowly dawned on me,” she said. “I thought maybe I had an ear infection or drainage problem.” Her mother urged her to have her ears checked. So, while home on break she made an appointment with an adult ENT. After testing the doctor informed her she had 20% hearing loss in her right ear and 70% hearing loss in her left ear, which had the perforation. “And very casually he was like you should be wearing hearing aids,” Witkin said. “I was kind of just like ‘excuse me?’” The doctor referred her to an audiologist at Hearing Evaluation Services of Buffalo to be fitted for hearing aids. Witkin was reluctant, but her outlook brightened when she met physician Rebecca Witter. She connected with Witter who — aside from sharing the same name and being just half a dozen years older than Witkin — took a softer approach. She assured Witkin that hearing aids would improve her quality of life significantly and that the devices weren’t very noticeable. When she tried her hearing aids, Witkin realized how much she’d missed. “It was like all of these little

Page 18 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2022

things that I had been missing,” she said. “It was pretty surprising at the time because I was like how have I functioned while I was missing all this stuff?” She began noticing sounds such as the whooshing of cars going by, the hum of her refrigerator and the tapping of her metal bracelets on the chair in her audiologist’s office. She was startled at first. Witkin had known the sounds were there, but now they came through louder and clearer. She also began to pick up on jokes and conversations that she had previously missed. “It pretty much just changed my awareness,” she said. “I was missing a lot and I was still functioning, but not to the capacity that I guess I could have.” As excited as she was about the benefits she reaped from wearing hearing aids, Witkin was initially still self-conscious. She used her hair to obscure them and avoided talking about her hearing loss. A colleague, for example, worked with Witkin for almost three years and never knew she wore hearing aids.

Hearing problems affect people of all ages Witkin said her reluctance to discuss her condition partially stemmed from the public misconception that only older people wear hearing aids. Gradual hearing loss is common as people age; nearly half of Americans older than 65 have some degree of hearing loss. And it was Ronald Reagan, then the oldest president, who contributed to widespread acceptance of hearing aids by the public by openly wearing them in the White House. But hearing loss isn’t concentrated solely among older people. For every 1,000 children in the U.S. as many as three are born with a detectable level of hearing loss. And approximately 15% of people older

Above Rebecca Witkin owns Nickel City Athletics in Buffalo. She makes it a point to tell clients that she wears hearing aids. Left Rebecca Witkin poses during a camping trip south of Buffalo last summer. She and her boyfriend converted a 2019 Promaster into a camper. Witkin spent years hiding her deafness before opening up about it. than 18 report some trouble hearing. Hearing loss may affect people of all ages, but Witkin learned they didn’t necessarily lend themselves to her ultra-active lifestyle. The 29-yearold’s interests include weight-lifting, running, cycling, climbing and skiing. She also enjoys hiking, camping and boating, activities that can mean getting close to water. “It’s really hard to have $7,000 worth of technology in your ears that you know can’t get really wet,” she said. “It’s like a constant battle.” Running in 5Ks also presents a challenge. If she wants to wear headphones for music, she has to take her hearing aids out and tuck them in a bag or leave them in her car. Over time, Witkin opened up to her friends, who have been supportive. She owns Nickel City Athletics in Buffalo and that setting can be noisy, especially if there’s music playing in the background. She makes it a point to tell clients that she wears hearing aids. That proves especially helpful for group settings, such as fitness classes when Witkin has to rely more heavily on body language to make sure she isn’t missing anything. Although she’d gradually become more open about her hearing loss, the challenges posed by the pandemic pushed her to be more vocal. “Masks and hearing aids do not get along,” she said. “Collectively it was really difficult.” Countless times during the pandemic she would load groceries into her car after leaving the store, take her mask off and accidentally fling a hearing aid into the trunk. Not being able to see people’s mouths as they speak has been hard. Witkin never learned lipreading, but uses people’s mouths to help understand conversations. In a sign of how much Witkin has changed, earlier this year when she received a new set of hearing aids, she posted a photo of them on Instagram alongside photos of her running in 5Ks and standing atop mountains. “It was nothing to be embarrassed about is what I realized,” she said. “There’s no reason for me not to talk about it and be open about it because who knows, it could help; someone might realize it’s not uncommon and there are resources out there.”

OMEN'S HEALTH

Lactation at Work Nursing helps promote a better mother/baby bond By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

mployers must “provide reasonable break time for an employee to express breastmilk for her nursing child for one year after the child’s birth each time such employee has need to express the milk.” according to the Fair Labor Standards Act (www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/nursing-mothers). The law also stipulates employers must “provide a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion from coworkers and the public, which may be used by an employee to express breast milk.” On Oct. 22, the House passed the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers (PUMP Nursing Mothers Act, H.R.3110) and currently the bill is on the legislative

calendar in the Senate. Current federal law exempts some industries from having to provide a place to lactate. Those include farm workers, transportation workers and teachers. As a result, about nine million women are currently not covered by existing federal lactation laws because they work in industries or companies that do not have to offer a lactation space. The PUMP Act would require employers to accommodate lactation at work for two years instead of the current one year from the birth of the child. Existing New York State law is more generous. NYS Labor Law Section 206-C Breastfeeding in the Workplace Accommodation Law (2007) allows moms to pump for three years.

FDA Approves Imaging Drug That Helps Spot Ovarian Cancers

arly detection of ovarian cancer helps boost a woman’s survival, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration late November approved a new imaging drug that can help spot tumors during surgery. The drug, Cytalux (pafolacianine), is meant to improve a surgeon’s ability to detect ovarian cancer while operating on a patient. It is administered intravenously before surgery and is used in con-

junction with a near-infrared fluorescence imaging system approved by the FDA for use with the drug. “The FDA’s approval of Cytalux can help enhance the ability of surgeons to identify deadly ovarian tumors that may otherwise go undetected,” said physician Alex Gorovets, deputy director of the office of specialty medicine in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

Moms may use a paid break, mealtimes or reasonable unpaid breaktimes to express breastmilk. State law also applies to all public and private employers irrespective of size and industry. New York employers must provide a dedicated lactation room, a temporarily vacant room, or at least a fully enclosed cubicle with walls 7 feet high, and not a bathroom. The pumping area must provide a chair and a flat surface, like a table. Most mothers will need to spend 10 to 15 minutes pumping about two to three times in an eight-hour workday. They will also need time to clean their pumping equipment and clean up. The timing of pumping is not always consistent. “Many moms might not return to work if they’re really committed to breastfeeding and the employer doesn’t provide a space for them,” said Sue Derby, registered nurse international board-certified lactation consultant retired from working in a motherhood program for the Cayuga County Health Department. Derby still offers lactation consulting in the Cato area. Moms who feel welcomed and comfortable lactating are less likely to look for other employment or quit working. Considering the cost of recruiting, hiring and training a new employee, estimated at an average of $4,000, investing in a few items to improve the lactation space makes sense. “The big thing is babies are healthier, so they don’t get sick and moms won’t have to take time off work,” she said. “It’s been proven that babies have fewer ear infections, respiratory problems and stomach problems if they nurse. They’ll be healthier, even in winter when babies are more prone to ear infections. Many [who nurse exclusively for the] first six months are not ill at all in the winter.” Nursing also helps promote a better mother-baby bond, offers reduced risk of certain cancers for Mom and helps her return to her pre-pregnancy weight and shape faster. It saves families money on formula and doctor’s visits. Nursing has also been linked with reduced risks for obesity and diabetes later in the baby’s life. The American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization agree that mothers should nurse babies exclusively for six months, meaning no other source of hydration or nutrition unless medically directed, and then gradually introduce appropriate foods while still nursing part-time.

Expressing milk too infrequently can lead to problems like clogged ducts and infection. Derby encourages employers to develop a lactation-friendly company culture to help moms feel welcomed to express milk. While the law may require a place to pump, making it pleasant is up to the employer. Simply slapping a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the conference room door may technically comply with the law, but it is certainly not comfortable, as it is likely to be difficult to relax for lactation in a space associated with work. It is also not cozy for moms. Derby said that to make it better, employers should include “a comfortable chair with a little table beside it to put her equipment on it. It should be clean with a refrigerator so she can store the milk. A lot of mothers who pump bring a cool pack.” A dedicated room would be ideal. It doesn’t need to be large. “It could be a little storage area as long as there’s a lock on the door,” Derby said. It can also be tricky if a workplace has a few breastfeeding moms who need to use the space. Jessica Leaf, RN and director of Women’s Services at Oswego Health, encourages employers to lead by example in creating greater acceptance of workplace lactation. “It’s so important to them to stay connected with their babies and one way to do that is providing breastmilk, whether at work or pumping,” Leaf said. “You know you have to leave for work, but the care provider can offer your milk. It’s a way to stay connected and know you’re caring for your baby.” Promoting lactation is important at Oswego Health, where the organization has recently remodeled its employee lactation room to be a more attractive, relaxing place with soft lighting and a comfortable place to pump. Leaf encourages employers to follow suit by remodeling a room for pumping to include relaxing seating, colors and lighting. “Provide music or a speaker they can hook up their phone to, along with a sign for the door,” Leaf said. “A table and electrical outlet are essential, as employees would probably prefer to use an electric pump. Mini fridge is also nice, as it’s not ideal to keep milk in the breakroom.” Leaf likes the idea of the PUMP Act, as continuing to nurse is difficult for employees struggling to find an appropriate place, and some acceptance, in the workplace.

“By supplementing current methods of detecting ovarian cancer during surgery, Cytalux offers health care professionals an additional imaging approach for patients with ovarian cancer,” Gorovets added in an agency news release. Conventional treatment for ovarian cancer includes surgery to remove as many tumors as possible, as well as chemotherapy or other targeted therapy to identify and attack specific cancer cells. Currently, surgeons rely on preoperative imaging, visual inspection of tumors under normal light or examination by touch to identify ovari-

an cancer tumors. The FDA’s approval of Cytalux is based on a study of 134 women, aged 33 to 81. They received a dose of Cytalux and were evaluated under both normal and fluorescent light during surgery. Of those women, about 27% had at least one cancerous lesion detected that was not found by standard visual or touch inspection. There will be more than 21,000 new cases of ovarian cancer and more than 13,000 deaths from this disease this year in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.

January 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 19

Health Career

the symptoms they’re experiencing. Being able to empathize with that; you have to be a people-person. That’s a big part of being successful. You need good interpersonal skills.” He also thinks that physical therapists should want to remain curious to keep up to date with current treatment methods. Boyle likes the amount of time he can spend with patients and that he can help them get back to their routine. In addition to out-patient clinics like Kuss Physical and Aquatic Therapy, physical therapists can also work at hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, schools, early intervention centers, burn units, home care, cardiovascular patients, pediatric patients and those with neurological issues. Taking additional continuing education units relating to a specialty can help physical therapists segue among different types of physical therapy. Jamie McKinstry, doctor of physical therapy and clinical director at Warner Physical Therapy in Oswego, said that physical therapists have many options for career development, including leading as a senior physical therapist with more administrative responsibilities, director of a physical therapy clinic, hospital physical therapy department or college department. “There’s a lot to enjoy,” McKinstry said. “You get to meet people. I chose this over a becoming a physician assistant or a medical doctor when I was in undergrad in that you

get to spend a lot more time and get to know them on a deeper level as a physical therapist. “It is a setting where you can personalize things towards your patients. It’s very rewarding. Helping people feel better and live better is rewarding.” The outlook for the profession is good. “We have an upward trajectory all of our numbers every year,” said Jason Pratt, director of therapy services for Oswego Health. He believes this is driven by the aging population, as well as shifts in the healthcare industry. Since the healthcare industry is moving towards a more wellness and prevention-oriented model, the role of physical therapists may expand in the future to include more injury prevention and exercise guidance. Insurance coverage will likely influence how quickly this will happen. By their definition, physical therapists are movement and exercise specialists, treating the body holistically to keep the body’s systems functional to improve quality of life across the lifespan. “Everyone knows someone close to them who’s had physical therapy,” Pratt said. “It’s more widely accepted option to avoid surgery. Sports injuries are increasing with specialization and over-use.” He encourages anyone interested in physical therapy to consider job shadowing. Oswego Health has offered opportunities to local high schools to allow students to observe physical therapists at work.

The annual mean wage for Syracuse-area physical therapists is $77,720

Market for Physical Therapists to Increase by 21% By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

ost people’s familiarity with physical therapy involves a healthcare professional helping in the recovery after a sports injury or accident. However, physical therapists work in a large variety of settings and to address numerous health issues. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the physical therapist occupation will grow by 21% between 2020 and 2030, compared with 8% for all occupations. The annual mean wage for Syracuse-area physical therapists is $77,720. Entry to the field must have earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy, pass the National Physical Therapy Licensing exam, administered at the state level, and obtain a license.

Therapists who move to another state must go through the credentialing process in that state. Every three years, a physical therapist must renew the license and take 36 units of continuing education credits. In addition to the education, astute skills in science and math are important, according to Ted Boyle, physical therapist with Kuss Physical and Aquatic Therapy in Central Square. “There is a lot of knowledge required in sciences: anatomy, physiology, biology,” Boyle said. In addition, “definitely, they have to be a caring individual and someone willing to put the needs of others above themselves,” he added. “You encounter a lot of people in pain or who are in a rough spot because of

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Lettuce grows in an AeroGarden home hydroponics kit during winter. The plants are aided by an LED grow light and a water-based nutrient solution without soil.

Is Winter Gardening Possible in Central New York? By Ken Sturtz

hen you’ve picked your summer vegetable garden clean and the weather turns cold, you might wish you could keep gardening through the dark, snowy months of winter. It’s possible to grow food indoors during winter, but it’s important to realize you’ll never match the output of a traditional garden, says horticulturist Terry Ettinger. An instructional support specialist at SUNY ESF, Ettinger hosted a longtime radio call-in program focused on gardening and

has hosted television segments on horticulture. “Growing stuff indoors during the winter months is good for your mental health and there’s something to be said for that,” he says. “But you need to temper your expectations of how much of a harvest you’re going to get.” Indoor edible gardening is all about light. Crops generally grow best and produce the highest yields when growing outdoors under midsummer sun for several months.

Ettinger says it’s simply not possible on a home scale to replace the amount of light energy that comes free from the sun. Even with expensive LED grow lamps you’ll be limited in how much you can grow indoors, he says. You won’t be able to replace your regular trips to the grocery store or farmer’s market. Growing even enough food to match the yield of a small summer garden would require a significant investment in greenhouses and energy for Terry Ettinger is an instructional support specialist at light and heat. Mastronardi Produce, for SUNY ESF. “Growing stuff indoors during the winter example, has had to months is good for your mental health,” he says. invest tens of millions ant of cool soil. You can mulch them of dollars in acres of for insulation and then move the hydroponic greenhouses in Madison snow and pull them up later on for a County for its year-round commerwinter harvest. cial produce operation. It’s possible to grow a few Hydroponics is something to vegetables in pots on a windowsill if consider. That involves growing the area gets plenty of light. A better plants in a water-based nutrient choice might be trying to maintain solution instead of soil. Although it perennial herbs indoors, Ettinger can be expensive, small hydroponic says. Herbs such as rosemary, sage kits are available now. Depending and oregano thrive in cooler conon the size of the kit, it’s possible to ditions. They still need plenty of grow small amounts of lettuce, milight, but would be well-suited to a crogreens or something along those three-season room where the temlines. perature ranges from 40-60 degrees. Ettinger says miniature greenIf you decide it’s not worth the houses aren’t worth the effort beeffort to grow vegetables indoors cause of the energy required to heat during winter, there’s always a backthem during winter. up plan for next year. You can always One idea is to preserve vegetables in the ground for harvest during keep a regular garden and can some winter, Ettinger says. Carrots, turnips of the crop so you can enjoy it all winter. and parsnips, for example, are toler-

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How to Build and Support a Strong Immune System Avoid stress, eat well and be well By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

he pandemic has brought greater attention to the importance of maintaining a strong immune system. While receiving vaccinations helps improve immune response to communicable illnesses like the seasonal flu and COVID-19, supporting immune system health is also important for lowering risk for these and other illnesses. Here’s what area experts recommend: • “Supplements are important, but I focus on food and the way of living. Food I recommend you should try taking every day is turmeric. Take it every day, as much as you can tolerate. Garlic, ginger, cinnamon and blueberries, you should have every day. Fiber is very good. Fiber helps the immune system and reduces inflammation. Some people may be sensitive to fiber. Mushrooms are good to eat. • “Drink water regularly. Not just taking too much at one time, but all day, drink water. The one simple indicator is when you go to the bathroom; the urine should look like water. • “Olive oil should be part of a healthy diet. Use olive oil as a condiment. Sautéing is good. Frying isn’t and sugar isn’t good. • “Stress damages the immune system. Some people think negative things about the future, like something bad is going to happen. But no one has seen the future. Always have positive thoughts that good things are going to happen. Others think about old lies about the past. The past is gone. Dragging through the negative parts of the past causes stress. Control the thoughts. It can be difficult, so we can think good things and bad things. If any negative thoughts come, think of good things.

• “Go walking to help manage stress and think happy thoughts. Take a deep breath. • “See a professional if you cannot control thoughts. • “The home environment: make it like a temple, mosque or church: clean and relaxing. Use as few chemicals as possible and keep it dust-free. • “Supplements can helpful. Some people ask, ‘Why supplements?’ They’re concentrated nutrients from food. Vitamin D has shown good effects at boosting the immune system. Even at hospitals they use vitamin D. Vitamin C is known for many years and zinc has shown as an important supplement. Echinacea has shown to improve the defense. • “If someone has a chronic problem, it needs to be stabilized, like high blood pressure or diabetes or autoimmune conditions. Chronic conditions, if not taken care of, can damage the immune system. These are the most important things regarding what we’re facing right now. — Physician Az Tahir, practicing holistic, natural and functional medicine in Rochester and Syracuse

• “Especially with COVID, you want to make yourAz Tahir self as strong and durable as possible so your body is more resilient in fighting off viruses. A lot of variables go into a strong defense system. Exercise is definitely a very important variable. • “You also want to make sure your nutrition is adequate. • “Stress and sleep are other parts of the balance equation to build

a strong immune system. The more beaten down you allow yourself to get through stress and lack of sleep and not exercising makes you vulnerable. Your body gets worn down from that. You want the sleep, the nutrition, exercise and hydrated, along with managing stress. • “There’s no guarantee that even when you take these precautions you won’t get sick, but you’ll recover faster.” — Randy Sabourin, certiﬁed personal trainer, medical exercise specialist and post rehab conditioning specialist and owner of Metro Fitness, Syracuse and Fayetteville Randy Sabourin • “Some good ways to support a healthy immune system is a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables, lean meat and whole grains. • “Limit highly processed, high in fat and processed foods. • “Avoid smoking and things that increaseS environmental toxins. • “Get adequate sleep. Rest decreases the stress hormone cortisol, which increase inflammation. • “Make sure your chronic illnesses are well managed. • “Get your annual physical, take medication as prescribed and visit your primary care provider. Many people may forget that keeping their diabetes and high blood pressure under control is really big in promoting health. They put extra stress on the body that can lower the immune system. • “Stress is bad in a lot of ways. It releases hormones

like cortisol. Inflammation is the first line of your body’s immune system. The white blood cells don’t work as well as they should. Mental health goes along with stress. Get in touch with counselors. There are a lot of resources in the community to help with stress reduction and mental health care. • “Getting vaccinated is very important. It helps the body prepare in the event someone is exposed. It also helps control the spread. It builds up herd immunity for those who can’t get their vaccination for whatever reason. Vaccination won’t cause the diseases they’re designed to prevent. They contain either a dead or weakened strain of the virus that they’re trying to prevent.” — Alison Fluman, master’s trained nurse, director of Community Health at Oswego Health

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Page 22 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2022

By Jim Miller

Senior Alert: Your Old Cellphone May Not Work in 2022 Dear Savvy Senior, My 80-year-old father has an old ﬂip phone he carries around with him for emergency purposes, but I’ve heard that these devices will soon be phased out. Is this true? If so, how can we know if his phone will be affected, and where can I ﬁnd him a simple new one that he can operate.

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Dear Searching, Yes, it’s true! If your dad’s mobile phone is more than a few years old, he will probably need to upgrade it in the very near future. Why? Because all of the major cell phone carriers — AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile — are shutting down their older 3G networks in 2022 to free up airwaves for 5G and other advanced services. So, if your dad is using an old 3G phone, like millions of other older Americans, he’ll need to get a new device if he wants to make calls, text or reach 911. But you should also know that it’s not just older cellphones that will be obsolete. Older home security systems, medical devices and personal emergency response systems that still harness 3G will also be affected. Adding to the confusion, older 4G phones that don’t support modern cellular voice technologies, such as Voice Over LTE or HD Voice, are impacted, too. Those customers may need a software upgrade or a new phone. Here are the timelines for the 3G shutdowns: AT&T: Feb. 2022; T-Mobile: July 1, 2022; Verizon: Dec. 31, 2022; Sprint (which is owned by T-Mobile): March 31, 2022; and Sprint LTE: June 30, 2022. Other smaller carriers like Tracfone, Cricket, Boost and Straight Talk, will also be affected, because they rely on airwaves from the big three.

Is Your Phone Affected? Cellphone carriers say they have been alerting customers who use older phones that services are ending, sending a combination of texts, letters, phone calls and emails. If you’re not sure about your dad’s phone, contact his carrier or check their website for a list of affected devices. Another way to see if your dad’s phone is 3G is to look up his international mobile equipment identity number which can be found by pressing *#06# on his keypad. Once

you have it, go to www.imei.info and type it in the search bar to get the phone’s details. If his phone has a frequency of 900 megahertz (MHz) or 2100 MHz, it’s 3G. You can also look for a “3G” icon at the top corner of his phone, but not all 3G phones have that icon.

How to Upgrade If you find that you do need to upgrade your dad’s cellphone, carriers are offering discounts and special promotions on replacement devices. If you’re worried about your dad having to learn your way around a new device, you’ll be happy to know that there are plenty of modern new flip phones available that work on the next-generation networks. Or, if your dad decides that he would rather forge ahead without a phone than upgrade, then he will need to cancel the service. Most carriers will let you cancel your plan without any penalty. However, if he forgets to cancel his phone plan and doesn’t upgrade to a working device, the company won’t automatically stop charging him just because he isn’t able to access their network.

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An Older Parent Seems ‘Different” — What Can You Do to Help? By David Heisig, MD

hen you visited your families this past holiday season, you may have noticed something had changed in an older loved one. Maybe it was the way they walked down a flight of stairs or how they spoke. Maybe the house was different. Something felt off, and you began to wonder if these signs — subtle (or maybe less so) — indicate something more concerning with Mom or Dad? Do you have concerns about their quality of life or safety? Have there been falls or near misses? Is food being left out of the refrigerator to spoil? Has the stove been left on or the door left unlocked? Are they keeping up with housekeeping or personal hygiene? It can be very dismaying to realize that your elder loved ones are struggling to care for themselves, and that something needs to be done. The first step is to get a good assessment of the problem, and the Loretto family of services is a good place to start. For example, PACE CNY (a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly) strives to allow people to “age in place” in their own residences. PACE CNY provides an interdisciplinary approach to care using a team comprised of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists,

recreational therapists, dietitians and social workers who work together to provide the best possible care for their patients. This team can evaluate an elder loved one, and create a plan of care specific for them. It is always best to plan for the future. In addition to the financials, planning for aging and retirement should also include discussions with your family and/or friends about what things matter most to you, and how you will accomplish these goals as you require assistance from others. It may be hard to accept or appreciate that Mom, Dad or another family member is getting older, and needs help. But with an experienced provider like PACE CNY, you can find a lifestyle that’s most fitting for a loved one. Physician David Heisig is the medical director of PACE CNY, a community-based program for the elderly, where he supervises a team of dedicated primary care practitioners, who provide medical care to more than 500 PACE CNY program participants, each year.

Turning 65 or just confused about Medicare? Happy with your prescription coverage? Happy with your copays? Do you have extra $$$ set aside for burial expenses? Do you know if you qualify for help paying for your prescriptions?

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Q: Can I refuse to give my Social Security number to a private business? A: Yes, you can refuse to disclose your Social Security number, and you should be careful about giving out your number. But, be aware, the person requesting your number can refuse services if you don’t give it. Businesses, banks, schools, private agencies, etc., are free to request someone’s number and use it for any purpose that doesn’t violate a federal or state law. To learn more about your Social Security number, visit www.ssa.gov/ssnumber. AARON BALLARD President & Owner, Ballard & Associates, LLC.

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Q: I’m applying for disability benefits. Do I automatically receive Medicare benefits if I’m approved for disability benefits? A: You will receive Medicare after you receive disability benefits for 24 months. When you become eligible for disability benefits, we will automatically enroll you in Medicare. We start counting the 24 months from the month you were entitled to receive disability, not the month when you received your first payment. Special rules apply to people with permanent kidney failure and those with “Lou Gehrig’s Disease” (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Learn more by reading our publication, Disability Benefits, at www.ssa.gov/pubs/10029. html. Q: How do I apply for disability benefits? How long does it take to get a decision after I apply for disability benefits?

needs. Social service agencies, nursing homes or other organizations are also qualified to be a representative payee. Ask them to contact us. You can write to us within 60 days of being assigned a representative payee if you don’t agree that you need one or if you want a different representative payee. We also offer an option, called, Advance Designation, which allows you to designate now someone to be your representative payee in the future. In the event you can no longer make your own financial decisions, you and your family will have peace of mind knowing that someone you trust may be appointed to manage your benefits for you. You can submit your advance designation request when you apply for benefits or after you are already receiving benefits. You may do so through your personal my Social Security account at www.ssa.gov/ myaccount or by calling and speaking to a Social Security representative. You can find more information at www.ssa.gov/payee. A: You can apply for disability benefits online at www.ssa.gov/ benefits. To get a decision on your disability application usually takes three to five months. The timeframe can vary depending on: • The nature of your disability. • How quickly we can get your medical evidence from your doctor or other medical source. • Whether it’s necessary to send you for a medical examination. • Whether we review your application for quality purposes. Create or sign in to your personal my Social Security account at www. ssa.gov/myaccount to check your claim status. Q: I just got a notice from Social Security that said my Supplemental Security Income (SSI) case is being reviewed. What does this mean? A: Social Security reviews every SSI case from time to time to make sure the individuals who are receiving payments should continue to get them. The review also determines whether individuals are receiving the correct amounts. Learn more about SSI at www.ssa.gov/ssi. Q: I plan to retire in spring. How soon can I file for my Social Security benefits? A: You can file four months before you plan to receive benefits. Go ahead and apply now if you plan to retire when winter’s frost finally lets up. To apply, go to www.ssa.gov/ retire. Applying online has never been easier—you can do it from the comfort of your home. All you need is 15 minutes and internet access.

Health News Three from Upstate Earn Top Honors from Onondaga County Medical Society

hree from Upstate Medical University, a physician-scientist who served as lead investigator of COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials, a physician who has made a commitment to bringing healthcare to the homeless and a student who has dedicated her academic career to community service, have been honored by the Onondaga County Medical Society with its most significant awards. • Physician David Lehmann, SUNY distinguished service professor, received the Distinguished Service Award. Lehmann and Mia Ruiz-Salvador created Housecalls for the Homeless in 2018. This David Lehmann street medicine program provides medical, psychiatric and addiction care services for men and women experiencing

Syracuse Community Health names chief medical ofﬁcer Syracuse Community Health Center (SCHC), a NYS licensed diagnostic and treatment center serving more than 30,000 patients in the greater Syracuse area, recently announced the appointment of physician Ofrona A. Reid Ofrona A. Reid as chief medical officer. Reid will oversee the daily medical operations of Syracuse Community Health, hiring and training all healthcare physicians and ensuring the facility meets the highest quality for all patients and visitors. “We are thrilled to have a person with Ofrona’s experience and talents join our organization,” said Mark Hall, president and chief executive officer at Syracuse Community Health Center. “As the critically important healthcare needs in our community continue to grow and SCHC increases its role, we need the expertise and abilities of a gifted physician leader like Dr. Reid.” Reid most recently served as chief medical officer and senior vice president at Oneida Health Hospital,

homelessness in Syracuse and Onondaga County. Street medicine aims to create relationships with individuals on the streets and sleeping at shelters to help them live healthier lives. The ability for vulnerable populations to access medical care through street medicine offers a healthier lifestyle for homeless individuals by diagnosing and treating acute and chronic diseases, women’s health, mental health and disease prevention. Housecalls for the Homeless program provides basic medical and preventive care to those residing at area shelters, and through In My Father’s Kitchen, a mobile program providing food and basic necessities for individuals living outdoors. Knowing that the health crisis could quickly spread in shelters and onto the streets, Lehmann prioritized symptom screenings and provided guidance maintaining sterile environments in the shelters, which created a new demand for patient care. Lehmann’s service work is extensive. In 2016, he traveled to Haiti as a member of an International Medical Relief (IMR) team following the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew that left nearly 176,000 people living in shelters. There, he provided medical care at outreach clinics in the rural areas surrounding Les Cayes, the epicenter of Haiti’s earthquake devastation. He also traveled with IMR in 2017 to Puerto Rico, and in 2019 to the Bahamas to provide medical support in the wake of Hurricane Maria, and Dorian, respectively. • Physician Stephen J. Thomas received the Onondaga County Medical Society’s Adeline Fagan MD

Physician Service to the Community Award. At Upstate, Thomas is the interim chairman of microbiology and immunology and director of the Institute for Global and Translational Science. Thomas is Stephen Thomas one the nation’s leading and most authoritative voices regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Thomas has been offering his perspective of the pandemic in both local and national media, updating the public on vaccines, masking, treatments and clinical trials since the pandemic was declared a global outbreak in March 2020. A crowning achievement for Thomas that reflects his leadership in the international scientific and medical communities was his selection in November 2020 as the coordinating principal investigator for the worldwide Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine trial. Thanks to Thomas and the Global Health team, Central New Yorkers had an opportunity to participate in making history as Central New York became one of the study’s global phase 3 vaccine trial locations. Over the past five years, Thomas and his team have significantly expanded the number of clinical trials Upstate offers aimed at addressing significant and relevant health problems from COVID-19 to sepsis to opioid addiction.

• Elana Sitnik, a second-year medical student, received the Jerry Hoffman Advocacy Award. Sitnik was honored in part for her work on Upstate’s mobile vaccine clinic for which Sitnik served as mobile vaccine Elana Sitnik clinic coordinator. The mobile vaccine clinics offered COVID-19 vaccines to the Syracuse community members, who might otherwise have trouble accessing the shot. The team of medical students, mentored by Upstate physician Sunny Aslam, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, approached homeless people, visited shelters and went door-to-door in some of the city’s poorest and most vulnerable neighborhoods. From May until mid-August, the mobile vaccine clinic staff spent every Tuesday canvassing the community for willing recipients. During that time, they administered the vaccine to 164 people. The majority received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The team also visited shut-ins and elderly community members in suburban and rural parts of the county and answered questions about the vaccine as part of an outreach initiative at the downtown farmer’s market. The Onondaga County Medical Society presented the awards at its annual meeting Nov. 16.

president of Oneida Medical Practices and president of Oneida Medical Services. He graduated from Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Cornell University Graduate School and Manhattan College.

Medical Center. He moved his family to Boston where he completed a fellowship in adult orthopedic reconstruction at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital. Wilson served as chief of orthopedic surgery at the West Roxbury Veteran’s Hospital and the Faulkner Hospital in Boston. As assistant professor of orthopedic surgery, he founded the Harvard fellowship in orthopedic foot and ankle surgery in 1995 and trained dozens of fellows and hundreds of Harvard residents in foot and ankle surgery. Prior to coming to Auburn Community Hospital in May 2020, Wilson spent eight years as the chairman of the surgery governance committee at Cayuga Medical Center in Ithaca. The chief medical officer is responsible for overseeing the medical operation of a hospital, ensuring the staff and patients are properly cared for. The chief medical officer provides an integrating force linking all aspects of hospital care including: quality and safety, credentialing, physician practice evaluation, serving as a mediator between administration and staff, examining clinical operations in search of ways to improve their efficiency and recruiting new medical staff to the organization and fostering their growth. “We are thrilled to have Dr. Wilson as our new chief medical officer,” said Scott Berlucchi, president & CEO of Auburn Community Hospital. “Dr. Wilson not only has excellent

clinical skills as an orthopedic surgeon, but has excellent management experience.”

Auburn Community Hospital has new chief medical ofﬁcer Physician Michael G. Wilson has been appointed chief medical officer at Auburn Community Hospital. Wilson joined the staff of the hospital in May 2020. Wilson is a surgeon at Auburn Orthopaedic Specialists conMichael G. Wilson centrating on general orthopedic patients with an emphasis on traumatic injuries and complete care for foot and ankle issues. He succeeds physician Paul Fu, who has accepted a new role at a medical facility outside of Boston, Massachusetts Wilson is a native Californian, completing medical and residency training at University of Southern California / Los Angeles County

ER doctor at Auburn named ‘Physician of Excellence’ Physician Patsy M. Iannolo, Ph.D. and chief of emergency medicine at Auburn Community Hospital, was recognized as the “2021 EMS Physician of Excellence” by The Central New York Regional Emergency ManagePatsy Iannolo ment Services Council. Iannolo was nominated by TLC Emergency Medical Services. The criteria for this recognition include contributions to the EMS community as a physician. This physician shows tremendous dedication, responsibility, professional behavior, special skill or insight in the pre-hospital environment. Iannolo has been recognized for excellence numerous times by his colleagues. In 2009, the Central New York Regional Emergency Medical

Continued on pg. 26

January 2022 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • Page 25

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Health News Continued from pg. 25 Services Council named him a Physician of Excellence for the CNYEMS region. In 2019, Iannolo received the President’s Award for Outstanding Voluntary Faculty from SUNY Upstate Medical University. Iannolo is board-certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine and the American Board of Internal Medicine. He earned his M.D. degree and a Ph.D. in pharmacology, and completed a residency in internal medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York. Recently the Auburn E.R. was faced with a serious bus rollover crash that was carrying 57 people. In a newspaper story, Iannolo highlighted that “these types of traumatic events are something we are trained for. The team at ACH was amazing, and I could not have been prouder of how we responded.” Within four hours, the emergency room stabilized and treated nearly 30 patients. Iannolo’ s leadership allowed his team of medical personnel to handle this crisis with great care and speed and saved lives in the process on what should have been a routine Saturday afternoon.

Pagliaroli promoted to VP clinical services at Oswego Health Kathryn Pagliaroli has been promoted to Oswego Health’s vice president of clinical services and integrated healthcare. Pagliaroli began her career at Oswego Health in 2001 as a registered nurse in the intensive Katie Pagliaroli care unit and quickly advanced to clinical trainer in 2004, RN case manager in 2008, patient services–staff development manager in 2011, director of quality management in 2013, director of clinical quality and patient safety in 2014, before becoming corporate director of integrated healthcare in 2020. In this newly created position at

Oswego Health, Pagliaroli will provide executive leadership and guidance for care coordination across the healthcare system. She will oversee ancillary services, including laboratory, pharmacy, medical imaging, dietary and rehabilitation services. She will act as a liaison, in collaboration with senior leadership, to develop and sustain a culture that supports quality, access to care, and collaboration across all Oswego Health locations as well as its strategic partners throughout the community. Pagliaroli earned her Master of Science Management from Keuka College in 2009 and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2001 from Roberts Wesleyan College. In 2019, Pagliaroli was selected for a leadership award from the New York Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders and currently serves as region president for the Central New York Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders.

Interventional cardiologist joins St. Joe’s Interventional cardiologist Charles Nicolais recently joined St. Joseph’s Hospital’s Cardiovascular Institute. Nicolais is a board-certified cardiologist who recently completed advanced coronary and structural heart interventional training. Before joining St. Joseph’s Health, Nicolais completed a two-year interventional and structural cardiology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The training included basic interventional cardiology as well as complex coronary artery interventions and structural heart interventions, including TAVR, Mitra-clip, Watchman and PFO closure. Prior to that, he spent three years training at Temple University in a cardiovascular medicine fellowship, where he gained clinical and research experience on cardiovascular diseases and served as chief fellow in his third year. Nicolais is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in internal medicine, cardiovascular medicine and interventional cardiology. He also holds board certifications from the National Board of Echocardiography and the Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology.

Page 26 • IN GOOD HEALTH – CNY’s Healthcare Newspaper • January 2022

Nicolais grew up in Syracuse and attended Westhill High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Wagner College on Staten Island and his medical degree from Charles Nicolais George Washington University in Washington, DC. He completed his internal medicine residency at Temple University where he served as chief resident in 2016.

Fassano promoted to ED director at Oswego Health Registered nurse Jennifer Fassano has been promoted to director of the emergency department at Oswego Health. Fassano earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2012 from SUNY Oswego and had a drive for emergency services as she started her career in healthcare as an EMT for Oswego County Ambulance. She transitioned from ambulance to the emergency department and in 2014 she joined Oswego Health’s team as an ED tech while pursuing her AAS in nursing at Cayuga Community College. After graduation, she became a graduate nurse in the emergency department until she became fully licensed as a registered nurse in 2016. In May 2021 she was promoted to senior RN. “I have the utmost confidence in Jen and she is perfect for this leadership role,” shared Director of Nursing Melissa Purtell. “This was the perfect opportunity to recognize an employee for her commitment to Oswego Health and our patients and Jennifer Fassano will provide Jen with a chance to grow in her career here.

Rochester Regional Health appoints new CEO

ochester Regional Health has selected Richard “Chip” Davis, Ph.D. its next CEO. He will assume his new role on March 7. He succeeds physician Eric Bieber, who announced his retirement in mid 2021. A native of the Finger Lakes, Davis comes to Rochester Regional Health from the Henry Ford Health SysChip Davis tem in Detroit, Michigan, where he currently serves as senior vice president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System’s South Market and Henry Ford Hospital. With more than 33,000 employees, Henry Ford Health System is the fifth-largest employer in metro Detroit and among the most diverse. Davis’ responsibilities as a CEO at Henry Ford included providing strategic leadership and direction over the clinical operations of the market and leading new clinical, academic, and commercial partnerships. He worked closely with clinical and service line leaders to enhance coordination between primary care networks and specialty services. He had oversight of more than 100 care delivery locations, including two hospitals (totaling 1,240 beds) and over $2.5 billion in net patient revenue. Henry Ford Hospital has one of the country’s largest post-graduate medical education programs with over 1,000 medical students, 517 residents, 165 fellows, and 900 nursing students. Prior to joining Henry Ford, Davis spent more than 25 years with Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM) in various positions, most recently as president and CEO of Sibley Memorial Hospital, a nonprofit hospital in Washington, DC. He was on faculty at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, School of Public Health, and Business School. Davis received his Ph.D. in public health from Johns Hopkins University and a master’s degree in counseling and consulting psychology from Harvard University.

When it comes to learning your risk of cancer – including breast cancer – knowledge is power. That’s why Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY is proud to offer comprehensive Cancer Genetics Testing and Counseling with specially trained experts. Available to anyone – not just HOA patients – Cancer Genetics Testing and Counseling: • helps you and your family make better-informed decisions about your healthcare • is covered by most insurance plans • begins with a simple blood sample To see if Cancer Genetics Testing and Counseling is right for you, talk with your doctor and take our five-minute survey at hoacny.com/cancergenetics or by scanning this code.

WE’VE DOUBLED OUR HEART TEAM Our united expertise brings you advanced technology and streamlined care. As part of the Upstate Heart Institute, we provide connections to research and surgical care.

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