Progresscny feb 2016 week two

Week 2: Health, law, engineering, banking & finance February 10, 2016

STORIES FROM THE BUSINESSES, INDUSTRIES AND ISSUES THAT IMPACT THE CENTRAL NEW YORK ECONOMY

Healthcare: Can CNY keep up?

An Eagle News Publication

The Affordable Care Act:

How has it impacted Syracuse-area hospitals?

Healthcare has an impact on the lives of all Americans, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law with the purpose of creating more options so that all citizens can be provided with healthcare. But how has this legislation impacted local hospitals? The answer to that is as complex as the law itself.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, better known as “ObamaCare,” was signed into law by President Barack Obama in March 2010 with the purpose of reforming the healthcare industry in the United States, but a majority of its provisions were implemented nationwide in 2014.

According to the Center for Disease Control, in 2012, 14.7 percent of Americans of all ages were uninsured.

And, in 2014, that figure dropped to 13.1 percent uninsured.

“I like to say the health insurance marketplace is like ‘Expedia for healthcare’ …Unfortunately many are choosing inexpensive plans with high deductibles.”

- Upstate University Hospital CEO Dr. John McCabe

But even with more people being covered by insurance, the general feeling is that some Americans are still underinsured because they are buying low-cost, high-deductible “crisis” insurance.

“I like to say the health insurance marketplace is like ‘Expedia for healthcare,’’ said Dr. John McCabe, Upstate University Hospital chief executive officer. “A person goes online, puts in information and all of these healthcare options come up. Then they choose one and go from there…Unfortunately many

are choosing inexpensive plans with high deductibles.”

In 2012, Medicaid was expanded under the ACA, causing a significant increase in the number of families insured in this program. According to the New York State Department of Health, the number of Onondaga County citizens enrolled in medicaid in 2000 was just 47,784 and in 2009 was 74,352. By 2013, the most recent year for which there is data, the number of Onondaga County residents enrolled in Medicaid increased to 98,249.

Local hospitals

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By hayleigh gowans

Feb. 10, 2016

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Littlejohn elected to Pathfinder Bank Board of Directors complementing our strategic initiatives moving forward.”

Prior to 2011, when Littlejohn was named to her current position, she was the executive director of energy solutions delivery for National Grid’s Central New York division. Littlejohn joined the company (then Niagara Mohawk) in April of 1994 as the director of inclusion and diversityU.S. operations. Before joining Niagara Mohawk, Littlejohn was the executive director of Urban League Onondaga County. Before joining the Urban League, she was the manager of international client services for Banker’s Trust Company in the Wall Street District.

Littlejohn obtained a bachelor of arts degree in Liberal Arts from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a master’s degree in business administration from Syracuse University’s Whitman School

of Management. In addition, she was selected to participate in National Grid’s Developing Future Business Leader’s program administered by the London Center for High Performance.

She resides in Syracuse with her husband, David, and two sons, Jared and Cameron.

Littlejohn pursues an active role in the community, currently serving as the trustee/officer of Onondaga County Community College, Business Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, board of directors and executive committee of CenterState CEO, board of directors of Manufacturers of Central New York, Consensus CNY (commission member), SUNY Morrisville Business School, council of advisors, St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Downtown Committee and Say Yes to Education (scholarship board).

Pathfinder Bank is a New York

Melanie Littlejohn State chartered savings bank headquartered in Oswego, whose deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

The Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Pathfinder Bancorp, Inc, (NASDAQ SmallCap Market; symbol: PBHC, listing: PathBcp).

The Bank has nine full service offices located in its market areas consisting of Oswego and Onondaga county.

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Melanie Littlejohn has been elected to the board of directors of Pathfinder Bank, according to Chris Burritt, chairman of the board. Littlejohn serves as the regional executive director of National Grid’s Upstate New York Division, where she is responsible for establishing and maintaining strong local relationships that drive superior customer satisfaction, promoting safety and reliability of the network, emergency management, economic development initiatives, gas and electric energy efficiency programs, renewable energy solutions and distributed resource projects in line with customer priorities in Central New York.

“We are very pleased to welcome Melanie to our board of directors,” said Burritt. “Her diverse knowledge, experience, leadership and strong community advocacy will provide an important skill set to our board,

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Feb. 10, 2016

Two-year freeze on Medical Device Tax seen as benefit for industry

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By Jason Gabak

ince the passage of the Affordable Care Act, concerns have been raised over many aspects of the legislation and its implementation.

One area in particular, the medical device tax, has been a point of contention from Congress to the medical device industry.

Since 2013, Congress has put forth efforts to repeal the tax and in December of 2015 a two-year moratorium was placed on the tax, essentially eliminating it for the next two

ProgressCNY Stories from the businesses, industries and issues that impact the Central New York economy A supplement to:

Eagle News 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, N.Y. 13206 Phone: (315) 434-8889 Fax: (315) 434-8883 Publisher: David B. Tyler Managing Editor: Jennifer Wing Circulation Manager: Lori Newcomb

Baldwinsville Messenger Cazenovia Republican Eagle Bulletin Eagle-Observer Skaneateles Press Star-Review eaglenewsonline.com

photos couresy of Welch Allyn Inc.

years.

This was part of a larger piece of legislation called the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act, which was supported by Representative John Katko, of Camillus, who represents the NY-24.

“Under the onerous Medical Device Tax, innovators, small businesses, and manufacturers right here in Central New York and across the country have slowed hiring, slowed investment in research and development and in expansion, all in order to compensate for this misguided tax policy,” Katko said when the bill passed. “Repealing this tax is critical to allowing our regional businesses to invest, to grow, and to prosper.

Today’s bipartisan legislation places a two year pause on this significant tax burden, which

The Medical Device Tax freeze has been beneficial to local companies such as Welch Allyn. is a critical first step forward in eliminating this harmful tax altogether.”

The 2.3 percent tax was imposed on the revenue medical device manufacturers received from a number of wide ranging medical devices including pacemakers, artificial joints, surgical gloves and dental instruments.

The tax does not apply to items the public generally buys for individual use such as glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids or wheelchairs for example.

The tax is equally applied to items both imported and produced domestically, but

items produced in the U.S. for export are tax exempt.

The tax was included in the ACA as a means to help offset the costs of insurance, making insurance more affordable to lower and middle income families and individuals.

By putting a freeze on the tax for 2016 and 2017, it is estimated manufacturers will save $3.4 billion in payments.

Since taking office, Katko has been a staunch advocate of repealing the tax.

In a press release Katko said the Medical Device Tax places a unique threat on Central New York’s economy and on An ‘onerous tax’

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Dr. Suzanne Shapero: Expanding, improving and updating

By Emma Grossman

The office of Dr. Suzanne Shapero is expanding, improving and updating. As with all aspects of healthcare, it is important not only to stay current, but to be on the leading edge of the profession. Dr. Shapero and her staff have done just that.

They have spent the last year completing extensive certification and training in the areas of dental implants, as well as the adjunct services of bone and soft tissue grafting.

Dr. Shapero completed surgical training and certification through the New York Dental Implant Institute. This training allows her to place implants that replace missing teeth or to be used as retainers for both upper and lower dentures.

During implant placement as well as many other surgical procedures, it is often necessary to use collagen membranes.

Dr. Shapero’s office now has a licensed phlebotomist on staff giving them the ability to make membranes directly from the patient’s own blood. According to the doctor, “ this technique allows for faster healing with less pain and less risk of infection. Our results have far exceeded expectations.”

Dr. Shapero’s practice focuses not only on general preventative care, but also pediatric services, and cosmetic procedures. With her expert point of view, Dr. Shapero discussed with me oral health and wellness. To help prevent gum disease and tooth decay, individuals should visit a professional biannually as well as brush and floss twice a day, especially before bed. Those who do not brush their teeth regularly tend to have tooth decay, infected gums and bad breath.

Attempting to have all of their patients use them, Dr. Shapero is a huge advocate of electric toothbrushes and water flossers. “In those that do use them, we see dramatic improvements in oral health.”

With passion and pride in all that she does, Dr. Shapero makes sure that all of her patients are treated like family. “Every day my staff and I give lots of love and encouragement. I always tell my staff, that there are lots of competent dentists out there. The most important thing we provide is love, compassion and concern.

For the most part, that is what everyone is looking for in dentistry and life.”

Dr. Shapero received her Doctor in Dental Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.

Submitted photo

Dr. Suzanne Shapero and office manager Lynora Virginia, certified phlebotomist technician.

Her practice is located at 1 Charlotte St., Baldwinsville, across from the police station in the old post office building opposite the village hall. Call 635-6643 or visit them online at baldwinsvilledentist.com.

Dr Suzanne Shapero, DMD, MBA, PC Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

635-6643 www.baldwinsvilledentist.com ATTENTION EMPLOYEES OF • Wegmans • Anheuser-Busch • AARP • Erie Insurance • Lockheed Martin Corp. • M&T Bank • NY Power Authority • Clifton Springs • Cavalier Transportation We Accept: Delta Premier, Delta PPO, DeCare through Teamsters

1 Charlotte Street, Baldwinsville (across from the Police Station) In the old Post Office building opposite the Village Hall

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“Don’t be afraid of the dentist, Dr Shapero is not only a dentist, but a good friend.

Thanks to everyone there for making the trip to the dentist a painless and friendly experience.” - - Phillip E., patient

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Local hospitals

Using hospitals as a substitute for primary care There is probably no correlation to an increase of the Medicaid population and the underinsured population with an increase in emergency room use, and hospitals throughout the country are seeing an increase in admissions due to the long-time reliance on hospitals for both illness and emergency care, explained Ron Lagoe, executive director of the Hospital Executive Council.

The Hospital Executive Council is a group that aggregates data of the three main Syracuse-area hospitals, Upstate University Hospital, Crouse Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital. This group has found that emergency room use rates have been increasing for the past decade or so, but there is really no way to pinpoint the cause of this.

The Hospital Executive Council also found hospitals in the area have reported a decrease in bad debt cases, which are cases where a patient does not have insurance and they can’t pay the bill.

One problem with healthcare under the ACA is that, while more patients are being covered, many are choosing inexpensive plans with high deductibles, and do not seek out primary care physicians, choosing to use emergency rooms for all illnesses in addition to medical emergencies.

Lagoe said use of emergency rooms is often much more convenient for all patients, including the insured, underinsured and uninsured.

Rather than spend the time finding a doctor that will take their coverage and risk

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From page 2 having to wait weeks to get an appointment at an office only open limited hours, people choose to use the emergency room. This convenience could be the reason emergency room use at local hospitals is gradually increasing, but there are no indicators to confirm that relationship, said Lagoe.

Medicaid in New York State is much more widespread and substantial than other states with weak Medicaid programs, like Kentucky and South Carolina, said Lagoe, so the effects of the ACA haven’t taken as great of a hold here compared to those states.

Hospitals are picking up the slack in healthcare One thing that is clear is that the convenience of hospitals may lead to an increased use of them, regardless of insurance, but what does this mean for the medical institutes themselves?

All three local hospital are non-profit, which means they must serve any patient that comes in its doors, regardless of health insurance situation.

And because small practices are not able to make up the difference with uninsured patients, they will not often take them on, which inturn may direct patients to emergency room use.

“The bottom line is that it is cost-prohibitive for hospitals to take in patients without an income that can pay for their services,” said Joe Bick, director of Acute Care Coordination at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Bick explained that because Syracuse has a metropolitan population that allows for the need and resources to stay up-to-date with medical technologies, many hospitals in less populated areas such as

OPEN DOOR POLICY All three Syracuse hospitals are non-profit, which means they must serve any patient that comes in its doors, regardless of health insurance situation. And because small practices are not able to make up the difference with uninsured patients, they will not often take them on, which, in turn, may direct patients to emergency room use.

Northern New York State and the Southern Tier sometimes have to send their patients to areas like Syracuse, Rochester and Albany in order to receive care.

Looking to the future One way hospitals are trying to decrease the reliance on emergency room care is to provide more preventative care programs to keep people healthy and out of hospitals — something many hospitals across the county are attempting to do to stop signifiant medical emergencies before they occur.

“One of the rallying cries to hospitals these days is that the emergency rooms are crowded…Most hospitals now

are focused on moving from inpatient services to outpatient services, and increasing the number of preventative care programs to keep people healthy and out of medical facilities in the first place,” said McCabe.

Preventative care includes services such as immunizations, encouraging people to lead healthier lifestyles through diet and exercise and screening for disease and other health issues so they can be managed.

The bottom line, said McCabe, is that we are moving in the right direction when it comes to increasing the access to healthcare in the country, but we still have a long way to go.

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CyberKnife technology only available at HOACNY

CyberKnife is the only FDA approved completely robotic stereotactic radiosurgery system that targets and destroys previously inaccessible tumors or lesions anywhere in the body. CyberKnife has proven to be an effective alternative to surgery or conventional radiation for treating vascular abnormalities, tumors, functional disorders and many cancers with sub-millimeter accuracy, which means effective treatment with less harm to healthy tissue and long term negative effects. HematologyOncology Associates of CNY’s Brittonfield office has the only CyberKnife in Central New York.

Image guidance coupled with computer controlled robotics allows the CyberKnife system to continuously track and correct for patient movement throughout a treatment. The CyberKnife system analyzes and compares to indicate the correct treatment position of the patient. Because of this precision, the CyberKnife system does not require invasive head or body frames to stabilize the patient.

A linear accelerator is attached to the CyberKnife Robotic Manipulator, allowing the radiation oncology team to attack tumors from more positions than conventional radiotherapy.

The radiation can be more precisely focused on the tumor while sparing healthy tissue and sensitive organs. The flexibility of the CyberKnife system allows for treatment of both intracranial and extracranial tumors, such as those of the spine, lung, prostate, liver and pancreas.

The CyberKnife continues to be an evolving treatment modality which provides the highest level of conformality and thereby limits toxicity. The data – more than 10 years out – demonstrates the efficacy and long term success of treating cancers with this marvel. For example, with prostate cancer, the CyberKnife has been approved as one of the standard treatment options available to men diagnosed with prostate cancer. The big difference when treating prostate cancer with CyberKnife rather than conventional radiation/ IMRT is a five-day treatment regime instead of a 45-day treatment regime. This not only saves the patients time and anxiety, it cuts down on co-pays and the overall costs of treating prostate cancer. Over 10 years of data show profiles on sparing healthy tissues, namely rectum and bladder, to be better than IMRT when the CyberKnife® was used for the prostate treatment.

Other cancers are typically completed in two to five sessions over one to two weeks.

Cumulative doses can be escalated due to the ability to better spare nearby normal structures.

Another benefit is that patients with previous radiation therapy can be retreated effectively.

There are no lifetime limits as with conventional radiation therapy. Collaboration with physicians of other specialties, such as neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, urology, GI, ENT and general surgery, continues. Specialists maintain their relationship with their patients by being involved in the planning of this procedure.

Crouse Hospital and Hematology-Oncology Associates created a partnership to enrich the continuity of treatment for brain tumors. A weekly clinic at HOA allows patients to see their neurosurgeon, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist at one site. Multidisciplinary teams also review cases and discuss treatment options and the management of care.

When using CyberKnife, unlike Gammaknife radiosurgery, no frame is attached to the skull and instead of applying one treatment, three to five treatments are given, which is less likely to cause damage to critical structures. Benign lesions in the brain can also be treated with the CyberKnife.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) and other blood vessel abnormalities are treated to avoid hemorrhage and provide a better prognosis for surrounding tissues. Acoustic neuromas, benign tumors in the area of auditory nerves, can also be treated with less chance of damage to hearing and adjacent cranial nerves.

With this technology, Hematology Oncology Associates provides opportunities in cancer care that do not exist at any other facility in Central New York.

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Crouse Hospital designated a Lung Cancer Screening Center The American College of Radiology (ACR), recognized as the gold standard in medical imaging, has designated Crouse Hospital as a lung cancer screening center. The Crouse medical imaging team received the designation because of its demonstrated expertise and commitment to quality patient care by meeting or exceeding a set of technical specifications and completing onsite evaluations by a review team from ACR. “This designation affirms our commitment to providing most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services available in

the region,” said Brad Hellwig, director of medical imaging at Crouse.

In early 2015, Crouse launched its Lung Cancer Screening Program to provide low-dose lung CT screening for current and former smokers at high risk for developing the disease. Finding lung cancer early, when it is most treatable, is the goal of this screening.

Those wishing to receive a lung screening should consult first with a primary care physician, who will make the referral if appropriate. More information is available at crouse.org/ lungscreen.

Submitted photo

The Crouse medical imaging team includes, front, from left, Patrick Hoffstead, CT technologist; Stuart Groskin, MD; Kathryn Lumpkin, medical imaging supervisor; Lois Wille, CT technologist; Hollie Zimmerman, radiation safety and compliance coordinator and Michael Ryan, CT technologist and, back, from left, Richard Schneider, CT technologist; Matthew Madonia, CT Technologist; Stan Bogwicz, CT technologist; Brad Hellwig, director of medical imaging; Gregory Caplan, quality improvement analyst and Steve Dlugolecki, CT technologist.

Crouse appoints chief nursing officer Two join Crouse Medical Practice Crouse Hospital has named Betty O’Connor, BSN, as chief nursing officer. O’Connor will provide strategic direction and operational leadership for the hospital’s nursing division, which includes more than 900 registered nurses.

“Betty O’Connor is an engaged and mission-focused leader who is highly O’Connor regarded for her leadership and passion for the role of nursing in today’s healthcare environment,” said Crouse CEO Kimberly Boynton. O’Connor is a member of the Crouse Hospital Auxiliary Board and Co-Chair of the Crouse Hospital United Way Campaign.

With Crouse since 1979, O’Connor most recently served as vice president of nursing operations.

Two doctors recently joined Crouse Medical Practice.

Fafa Komla Xexemeku, MD, board certified in internal medicine and specializing in cardiovascular disease, earned his medical degree from the University of Ghana Medical School in Ghana. Prior to joining Christensen Xexemeku Crouse, he was a staff physician at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, Ct. Diana Christensen, MD, board certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases, earned her medical degree from the Buenos Aires University (UBA) School of Medicine in Argentina. Prior to joining Crouse, Dr. Christensen was an infectious diseases and internal medicine attending physician at Massena Memorial Hospital in Massena, N.Y.

Superior stroke care. It’s about time.

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eceiving the fastest stroke diagnosis and treatment starts even before you arrive at Crouse Hospital. That’s because our EMS partners start communicating with our team the moment they arrive on the scene. Once here, our stroke specialists immediately assess your condition. And if more advanced care is needed, our board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeons use the most progressive stroke-rescue therapies and technology available.

When it’s about time, say “Take me to Crouse.”

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JCC Fitness Center rolls out new exercise classes or recover their previous fitness level after cancer treatments. The class is free for JCC Fitness members and $10 per class for non-members. The first class is free for non-fitness members.

One-on-one cancer exercise sessions are also available.

TRX for Golf is another new JCC class. Offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Sundays, it features TRX (total body resistance exercise) training specifically designed to help golfers with off-season conditioning.

The focus is on core strengthening, swing speed and overall strength and flexibility. Each class costs $15 for JCC Fitness members and $25 for non-members. A discount is available on a block of five classes. One-onone TRX for Golf training and small group training for foursomes and larger groups can also be scheduled.

For more information about the JCC Sports and Fitness Center’s new exercise classes and other gym amenities, call 234-4522 or visit jccsyr.org.

Submitted photo

Pictured is Laurie Kushner, Aerobics and Fitness Association of America certified personal trainer and cancer exercise specialist certified through the Cancer Exercise Training Institute. Kushner leads the JCC of Syracuse’s new Cancer Survivors Exercise Class on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

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id you make a New Year’s resolution to get in shape? If so, how’s that working for you? If you’re already looking for a little extra motivation or new workout routine, the Sam Pomeranz Jewish Community Center’s Neulander Family Sports and Fitness Center offers a variety of group exercise classes to help jump start your fitness goals.

In addition to cardio and strength training machines, free weights, personal training and an indoor running/walking track, the JCC offers more than 50 group exercise classes each week. While classes such as yoga, group cycle (spinning), senior strength and balance, zumba and pilates remain very popular, the JCC recently added some specialized classes to target specific objectives.

The JCC’s new cancer survivors exercise class is held from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays , from 4:30– 5:30 p.m. Fridays and from 9–10 a.m. Saturdays. It’s designed to help individuals begin a fitness regimen

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Nursing Solutions Services: The medical solution to keep you home to me, ‘Why don’t you open up your own business?’”

O’Connor and her team at Nursing Solution Services make sure that when a patient is discharged from the hospital, they receive proper aftercare. Alongside a physician, Nursing Solution Services can plan and manage treatment for all problems with intelligence, encouragement and compassion.

“We obtain prescriptions from physicians and make sure the client’s insurance correlates with the therapist so that everything is covered … We make arrangements to have prescription delivery right to their home through mail order or delivery from a local pharmacy in their area. The

family doesn’t have to worry about that issue any longer,” O’Connor said.

The quality of care with Nursing Solutions Service includes private healthcare in the comfort of the patient’s own home. Nursing Solution Services helps with services including rehabilitation, education, referrals and healthcare management.

“Our CPR-certified team has RNs, LPNs, a social worker and people trained in dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia,” O’Connor said. “We also ensure the care of other needs in order to allow our clients to stay in their homes. For example, we make the house safer, installing grab bars in the shower and throughout the bathroom,

improving lighting as the senior population vision diminishes, taking a look at footwear to make sure it is safe and secure, putting household chemicals away and checking smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.” This service takes away some of the turmoil of a troublesome situation.

“We have physical therapy and occupational therapy inhome,” O’Connor said. “Trips to doctor’s appointments, shopping malls and grocery stores are all-inclusive.

Housekeeping, laundry and cooking are also part of living home safely.”

Nursing Solutions Services accepts private pay and long term care insurance. For more information, call Beth O’Connor at 256-3210.

Exceptional Care in the Comfort of YOUR Home

Nursing Solutions Services – Home Health Care – Beth O’Connor

Nurse/CPR Instructor

(315) 256-3210

elizabetha.oconnor@yahoo.com

Madison/Onondaga/Oneida/Cortland Counties

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n 2010, Beth O’Connor, a healthcare professional for 34 years, took a leave of absence from her job to take care of her sick motherin-law. Although she searched diligently, she could not find adequately trained health care in the Madison County area.

After O’Connor’s mother-inlaw passed away, she decided to create Nursing Solution Services for those who need treatment in the area.

“I have a big issue regarding the importance of keeping seniors in their own home and letting them stay there ‘til death do we part,’” O’Connor said.

“I saw the comfort in my own family for my mother-in-law to be in her own home. After she passed away, my husband said

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Weigelt named director of Springside at Seneca Hill Oswego Health has named Sarah Weigelt as director of Springside at Seneca Hill, the health system’s premier retirement community.

Since her arrival at Oswego Health 12 years ago, Weigelt has advanced up the career ladder at the health system. She joined the health organization as an administrativeassistant,working in the clinical administration department before being named director of volunteers and auxilians in 2011.

While she progressed in her career, Weigelt also earned her associate’s degree in business

administration from Cayuga Community College.

Weigelt said she was most excited to start her new position at Oswego Health.

“I have always felt that I had more to give and so much more to do for the health system,” she said. “This is an opportunity offering me new challenges. I am very much looking forward to being a part of Springside and all that it offers, as well as getting to know all the residents and their families.”

Weigelt begins her latest career stop at Springside as Teresa Ferlito, who was instrumental in the development of the

retirement community, retires herself.

“Sarah joins Springside as Director with a refreshing outlook for a successful future,” Ferlito said. “I am confident that her enthusiasm will be felt by the residents and staff as she embraces her day-to-day responsibilities.”

Springside is a premier retirement community that offers both one and twobedroom apartments, as well as cottage and duplex-style homes in an attractive setting located halfway between Fulton and Oswego on Route 45A. Springside is home to those

Sarah Weigelt ages 62 and older, providing the residents with many amenities, allowing them to enjoy their retirement. For more about Springside, call 343-5658.

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By Marion Ciciarelli

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Locally designing, manufacturing switches for your automobiles to Marquardt Switches’ North American headquarters for nearly 35 years and stands as the eldest subsidiary abroad.

This location employs approximately 500 and features a robust, 107,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility, primarily responsible for manufacturing automobile parts for some

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Marquardt Switches Inc. designs and manufactures products in Cazenovia that you may interact with on a regular basis.

Marquardt, based in Germany for 90 flourishing years, employs more than 8,000 employees within its 14 global locations.

The village of Cazenovia has been home

of the most renowned companies in the automotive industry, including Chrysler, General Motors, BMW, Fiat, Tesla and Toyota.

Many of the parts produced in Cazenovia were designed by engineers working at Marquardt’s U.S. Automotive Research and Development division, located in Rochester Hills, Mich.

Marquardt’s range of automotive products includes equipment used to gain entry into the vehicle, such as key fobs and door sensors, as well as the operating functions within the vehicle, including accessory switches (heated seats, hazard lights, etc.) and steering wheel switches. You may have a Marquardt product in your automobile that was manufactured right in Cazenovia. Look for the Marquardt logo on the back of your key fob.

Marquardt engineers handle customerspecific projects, from the original idea to the finished product. Engineers working in Cazenovia predominately focus on switches, sensors and controls for the off-road, power tool, household appliance and industrial application sectors. Marquardt is recognized for delivering safety, reliability, and performance to leading manufacturers, such as Polaris, Black and Decker and DeWalt, Snap-On, Milwaukee and Whirlpool.

These projects include switches for construction machinery, agricultural machinery, AC and DC power tools, as well as sensors for measuring pressure, distance, flow and turbidity. These products are manufactured at other Marquardt locations all over the world. You could have a Marquardt product in your house that was conceived and engineered, right in Cazenovia.

Marquardt continues to grow, innovate and enhance the experience of operating automobiles and appliances all over the globe. And it all starts right in your neighborhood.

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Eagle News

What’s new at Farrell, Martin & Barnell, LLP

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By Ashley M. Casey

arrell, Martin & Barnell is celebrating its 70th year with a few changes. While the firm is bidding adieu to longtime partner Paul Martin and bookkeeper/ secretary Donna Fuller, Farrell, Martin & Barnell has welcomed some new team members and is expanding its real estate practice.

“We’re hopefully growing so the office can be here for another 30 years or so,” said Charlie Farrell, whose father, Simeon Farrell, joined what was then the Gale and Stone firm in 1952.

Farrell said his client base has been crucial to the firm’s success.

“There’s still a lot of people that prefer to deal with local folks,” he said.

Keeping it local has been Farrell, Martin & Barnell’s mantra for its seven decades of practice.

“We’ve both enjoyed working for friends and neighbors and classmates and people in our community,” Farrell said of his work with partner Paul Martin.

After 35 years, Martin has decided to retire. He’s not the only one hanging up his hat: the firm’s longtime bookkeeper and secretary, Donna Fuller, is retiring as well.

“We’re very grateful for Donna. How often do you have somebody working for you for 41 years?” Farrell said. “I think she decided when Paul was going to call it quits, she was going to call it quits too.”

Farrell said he and his colleagues have served more than three generations of clients from the same families and businesses, including Seneca Savings, which has been a client since 1946. “[It’s] an amazing relationship given the way things change, especially in that industry,” Farrell said of his firm’s relationship with Seneca Savings.

The law industry is changing as well, and Farrell, Martin & Barnell is evolving its practice to keep up. Partner Sara Connell Brady, who joined the firm in 2014, brings her expertise in elder law and Medicaid issues. The firm is updating its website, logo and business cards as it expands its real estate practice, in which both Derek Shepard (who joined the firm in 2015) and paralegal Wendy Van Der Water will be pursuing new connections.

“We’re joining the Greater Syracuse [Association] of Realtors,” Farrell said.

With Martin’s retirement, Farrell said he is showing Shepard the ropes of title examination. There is one more duty Shepard will inherit from Martin: changing the lightbulbs.

“I don’t do ladders,” Farrell said.

Back Row: Sara Connell Brady, Charles Farrell, Derek Shepard Front Row: Wendy Van Der Water and Elizabeth Shepard

I NTEGRITY & E XPERIENCE

Charles Farrell Sara Connell Brady Derek Shepard Wendy Van Der Water Elizabeth Shepard • Elder Law & Medicaid • Wills & Estates • Real Estate: Residential • Real Estate: Commercial 1946

Our 70 th Year

• Estate Planning • Family Law • Business • Traffic Matters 2016

FARRELL, MARTIN & BARNELL LLP Attorneys & Counselors at Law 44 Oswego St., PO Box 199, Baldwinsville, NY 13027

635-3222 www.FMBLaw.net

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Experience shows at Cherundolo Law Firm

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udge John C. Cherundolo is a longtime resident of Central New York and graduated cum laude and in the top 10 percent of his class from Syracuse University College of Law in 1973.

His success earned him the awards of being named as a member of Justinian Honor Society and Order of the Coif, the two highest honors given in Law School.

He received a master’s degree in public administration from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in 1972, and his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Syracuse University College of Arts and Sciences in 1970.

He later attended Temple University Law School, where he received a master’s degree in Trial Advocacy.

He is a member of the board of advisors of the Syracuse University College of Law.

An‘onerous tax’

JudgeCherundoloisanadjunct professor at Syracuse University College of Law for more than a decade, where he teaches courses in Advanced Torts and Civil Actions: Procedures and Pre-Trial Discovery.

Prior to joining the bench, Judge Cherundolo gained prominence as a top trial lawyer by winning large and complex cases throughout the country.

In 1983, he founded Cherundolo, Bottar & Leone, P.C., a firm dedicated to representing seriously injured individuals, and practiced trial law in the primary legal areas of medical malpractice, product liability, workplace accidents, automobile, mass torts, and aviation matters.

In 2006, Judge Cherundolo was appointed to Acting Justice of the New York State Supreme Court by then Governor of the State of New York, George Pataki.

In these roles, he presided

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over a prodigious trial calendar that covered a wide array of substantive and procedural aspects of New York State Law, and wrote many significant decisions making first impression law in New York State that have had significant impact throughout the Country.

In 2013, after a distinguished career as a New York State Acting Supreme Court Judge, Cherundolo chose to return to the practice of law.

As a nationally-recognized trial lawyer and former New York State Supreme Court Justice, Judge Cherundolo has re-joined the New York State Bar and is actively practicing law again with the establishment of Cherundolo Law Firm PLLC, a personal injury law firm. He is admitted to practice in New York state and in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.

Cherundolo has been

widely known for years to be one of the finest trial lawyers in the United States.

Cherundolo has been involved in serious personal injury cases throughout the United States, with a significant presence in the Northeastern United States.

In his years of practice, Cherundolo has had many settlements and verdicts for clients well into the millions of dollars and some approaching and/or well into the tens of millions.

Cherundolo is a leader in the law, trial lawyer, educator, Bar leader, and stands for competency and professionalism in every case that the Cherundolo Law Firm handles for its clients.

For more information on how Cherundolo Law can assist you with your personal injury claim, please call 4499500 and visit them on the web at cherundololawfirm. com.

From page 4

New York State as a whole.

He went on to say New York’s vibrant med-tech industry is the eighth largest in the nation, employing over 8,000 employees in Upstate New York.

The 24th Congressional District is home to small business innovators and large medical device manufacturers, including Welch Allyn and MedTech Association.

The tax freeze is seen as an important step in the right direction by some of those within the manufacturing community.

“On behalf of nearly 350 medical technology companies across New York State, their employees and the patients they serve, MedTech applauds members of the New York congressional delegation for their unwavering support to repeal this onerous tax,” Jessica Crawford, MedTech Association president said. “Suspension

is an important step toward full repeal of the medical device tax and preserving more than 13,000 jobs and $4.6 billion in economic impact across New York. The efforts of our delegation will help boost innovation, job creation and patient care.”

Welch Allyn, which last summer announced its acquisition by Hill-Rom, has long been a local leader in medical device manufacturing, celebrating 100 years in business.

According to Hill-Rom President and CEO John J. Greisch, this tax freeze will allow Hill-Rom, Welch Allyn and other manufacturers to place more emphasis on development and creating increasingly more sophisticated technology in the future.

“Hill-Rom and Welch Allyn are

established industry leaders in medtech innovation – we are constantly searching for new ways to help improve the quality of care for patients and their caregivers,” Greisch said. “Our work to develop new technologies depends on our ability to take calculated risks and make strategic investments, efforts challenged by this medical device excise tax, which stifles innovation and reduces our ability to invest in R and D. Hill-Rom and Welch Allyn are grateful that Congress passed a two year reprieve. On behalf of the patients we serve, thank you to Congressman Katko, Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for taking the lead and ensuring this tax is no longer an impediment to developing important new medical technologies. We look forward to continue working together to permanently repeal this onerous tax.”

Wrongful Death Spinal Injury Birth Injuries & Defects Medical Malpractice

Brain Injury Serious Burns Product Liability Nursing Home

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ohn Cherundolo is a nationally recognized trial lawyer and former Acting New York State Supreme Court Justice. As a trial attorney, John has been responsible for obtaining many of the largest verdicts in Upstate New York.

Cherundolo Law Firm 100 Madison Street AXA Tower 1, 17th Floor Syracuse, NY 13202

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For information on how Cherundolo Law can assist you with your personal injury claim call 315-449-9500.

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