Syracuse Woman Magazine August 2019

August 2019

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The Education Edition

August 2019

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C O N T E N T S

August

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR.......................................................6

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CONTRIBUTORS............................................................................7 PAST EVENTS.................................................................................9 WOMEN IN HISTORY Ruth Colvin................................................................................... 8 FASHION FORWARD

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Wearable Art.............................................................................. 10

WBOC LEADING WOMAN Elizabeth Bessey.................................................................... 13 SYRACUSE EATS Hope Café.............................................................................. 14 FOR A GOOD CAUSE ProLiteracy.................................................................................. 16 SPECIAL FEATURE STEM Education for Girls...................................................... 20 ON THE COVER Laruen Kochian, The MOST.................................................. 23 HEALTH & WELLNESS Reproductive Health Clinic: HPV Vaccine: What's the Real Deal?.................................. 28 Self Care: Easing Transitions................................................. 32 Fitness Forum: Here's What You Need to Know About Sunscreen...................................................................... 36 INSPIRE Gina Tonello, Alyssa Burmeister and Caitlin Coulumbe.... 38 Sue Straub.................................................................................. 40 Kathryn Lent............................................................................... 42 UPCOMING EVENTS................................................................. 44 MOVERS AND SHAKERS......................................................... 46

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The Education Edition

August 2019

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CONTRIBUTORS

LETTER from the Editor This month, we asked our contributors: Who was your favorite teacher?

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syracusewomanmag.com

at Mouton gave me a D on the first assignment I ever turned in to her.

It was an essay on some summer reading assignment going into junior year of high school; I don’t remember now what the book was. I do remember I had never gotten a D in my life and I was devastated.

My mother was incensed—not at me, but because surely the paper couldn’t have been that bad, and the grade was just cruel.

I don’t know if what I’d written merited a D, but I do know it wasn’t my best work. I know that over the two years I had Mrs. Mouton for English in high school, my writing improved, and that D showed me she meant business. (I never got another D, by the way.)

Pat Mouton was one of many exceptional teachers I had during my educational career.

My English teachers made me a better writer. The first journalistic article I ever wrote was a story on Onondaga County’s first death penalty case for Tony Anello. Tim Murphy made me think this was something I might actually be good at (and he indulged my penchant for doodling song lyrics on my vocabulary quizzes). Linda Wiehl and Janet Brooks inspired my love for social studies, and Dick Fitzgerald’s passion was infectious enough to spur me to major in history in college. Jill Harsin, Camilla Townsend and Robert Nemes helped me hone my research skills and my writing (though they may also have made me more long-winded as a result). When I needed to focus on one area, Frank Byrne, Dave King, Mary McCune and Doug Deal helped me decide I was most interested in 20th century America. When I wanted to teach, Tara Ross, Rick McLain and Tim Willig gave me the guidance I needed to be a confident professor.

I’m still always learning, and I’m still grateful to the people who invested their time and talents in me. It’s a cliché, but none of us would be where we are today without our teachers.

I got to work with Pat Mouton again as an adult while I was at the paper and she was serving on the Liverpool school board. She passed away several years ago. Not long after, I was talking to a mutual acquaintance, former Liverpool village Mayor Marlene Ward who told me she and Mrs. Mouton were talking about me. Marlene told me Mrs. Mouton had told her she was so proud of the work I was doing and she was so pleased to see me at the helm of the paper.

Sarah

I couldn’t ask for higher praise.

OUR TEAM Publisher David Tyler

Editor

Sarah Hall

Design

Andrea Reeves

PhotographERS Michael Di Giglio Steven J. Pallone Alice G. Patterson Maureen Tricase

CONTRIBUTORS

Christie Donato Sarah Hall Alicia Madonna Kathie Morris Heather Shannon Megan Sheehan Becca Taurisano Sarah Tietje-Mietz

SOCIAL MEDIA Nichole A. Cavallaro Cover photo by Alice G. Patterson at The MOST. Makeup by j. luxe salon.

Nichole A. Cavallaro Christine Dunne

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Renée Moonan Linda Jabbour 315.657.7690 315.657.0849 Rmoonan@eaglenewsonline.com Ljabbour@eaglenewsonline.com

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Unlike any other publication in the Syracuse area, our feature articles address major topics that interest local women. Each issue includes articles on health, fashion, fitness, finance, home matters, dining, lifestyle and personal perspectives, as well as a spotlight on local Syracuse women. Ads are due on the 15th of the month prior to publication.

The print magazines will be distributed locally in over 350 locations and will be in your inbox electronically by the middle of every month.

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The Education Edition

Nichole A. Cavallaro

Alice G. Patterson

My sixth grade science teacher. He was awesome, caring and so smart. And wore the coolest ties.

I still say hi to him when I see him in town!

One of my favorite teachers is “Mrs. G,” who was my art teacher in both junior high and high school.

Even though I wasn’t on the fine art track, I felt she recognized my creative spirit. Mrs. G encouraged me on the yearbook staff, giving me lots of creative freedom and leadership roles, as both a photographer and an editor. Ultimately, at a time full of teenage angst, she helped make me feel special and appreciated.

Christie Donato My high school English teacher, Mrs. Dafoe, immediately comes to mind. She encouraged me to pursue writing in college, and without that extra push I’m not sure I would have continued exploring my interest in literature and creative writing.

Christine Dunne My favorite teacher growing up was my fourthgrade teacher Ms. Ferrio. She was so enthusiastic and passionate about reading, and really brought to life the stories she read our class. We also had a lot of free time to pursue projects we were interested in (for example, I remember creating a giant alphabet book with two of my friends).

Alicia Madonna My favorite teacher was, to no surprise, my elementary school art teacher, Mrs.Hettler.

She was the one that started and encouraged my love for art.

Kathie Morris The teacher who most inspired me was my high school art teacher Ron Owens. Ron, who happens to be my cousin, introduced me to art at a young age by taking me to galleries and art classes. His teaching always focused on art appreciation and creativity. He continues to be very supportive all my artistic endeavors.

Steven J. Pallone I had a crush on my first grade teacher Miss Peters and at the end of the school year she announced that she was moving away. My 5-year-old heart was broken (for the first time of many) but I somehow managed to pick up the pieces and move on to second grade. I’ve never forgotten her, though — if you’re still out there Miss Peters, look me up!

Heather Shannon I have to give accolades to my favorite college professor Dr. Kathleen Utter-King. She was good at keeping things real and helped mold me into the provider I am today! Thanks Kathe!

Megan Sheehan My favorite teacher was Mr. Jim Chrisfield.

He taught me how to use my voice and stand up for myself and against things that were wrong.

That it was my future and my life I was fighting for.

To question everything and still push back against injustice. To embrace my unusual way of thinking and how to use my struggle, my story, my life and experiences as a tool. To be loud, charismatic, unpopular and most importantly, to drink coffee.

Becca Taurisano My favorite teacher was Mrs. Mercure, my third grade teacher. She understood me completely, didn’t mind that I daydreamed often in class, and encouraged me to be a writer when I grew up.

Sarah Tietje-Mietz All of my art teachers. They taught me to explore outside the box, to think creatively, and to not be afraid to try, to fail, and to try again.

Maureen Tricase My favorite teacher was Mr. Roos at Bishop Grimes.

He taught math and made me feel smart! I teach ninth grade global history at Liverpool High School Annex and I always want my students to feel success the way Mr. Roos made me feel in his class.

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NEW FEATURE Women in History

PAST SWM Events

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4 The Ultimate ‘Cuse Challenge, run by Grand Dynamics, held an event for Syracuse business teams that participated in an Amazing Race team building project in mid-June that helped benefit employees, teams and the community.

1. Acropolis Realty Group Team (Syracuse Historical Museum).

2. Grand Dynamics Team.

3. Cohen Compagni Beckman Appler & Knool, PLLC (Central Rock Gym).

4. Michael Sgro (Leadership Coaching business of Syracuse/GDI volunteer facilitator) with winning team Access CNY.

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The Education Edition

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5. City of Syracuse Team (hash tag marketing opportunities) How can you market your business?

6. Hunting Fletcher Team (using the force by capturing their teammates in mid air).

Onondaga County Executive Ryan MaMahon appeared at the closing ceremony to show his support.

Mayor Ben Walsh had a welcoming video in the Social scavenger app. Some other supported businesses acting as check points were the MOST, Onondaga Historical Association, Glazed And Confused, Aloft Hotel, Onondaga County War Memorial, Dinosaur Barbeque and Benjamin On Franklin.

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fashion forward Wearable art

Wearable art

Susan Mastine Fix is also an art teacher who has mixed her love of fashion and art into her craft. Susan went to private schools that didn’t have art programs, but loved to write. She soon discovered that illustrating her writings became a new passion. Encouraged by her father to “do what you love, the money will come later,” Susan went on to receive a BFA and Masters in Art Education from SUNY Oswego. Susan has taught art in the Syracuse and Liverpool school districts.

She also worked with Hillbrook, Syracuse Hebrew Day School, Holy Cross and DeWitt Elementary School programs.

For the past six years Susan has been blending fashion and art. Clothing is her canvas, as she makes fabric paint embellishments in her own taste, on garments of all types. Pictured are two examples of Susan’s work. Contact Susan on Facebook: Susan Mastine Fix. Margot Elizabeth Morse is another artist who has turned her talent into fashion. Since kindergarten, Margot loved to draw. She’s a self-taught artist who

By Kathie Morris

loves one-of-a-kind fashions. She lists designer Betsy Johnson as an inspiration, and considers Bob Ross’s “feel as you go idea” her motivation. She has had a lot of encouragement in her young life, and is especially thankful for the support she has received from the Syracuse community.

Margo uses only upcycled/thrift items for her fashion pieces and takes inspiration from things she sees in her daily life. For her clothing art pieces, she primarily paints with acrylics on leather, including the jacket shown here.

Contact Margot on Instagram @ unremorseful.art. All three of these artists do commissioned work and all have shown their fashions at Syracuse Fashion Week and Syracuse Style.

Consider adding a one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art to your wardrobe. Think how much fun you’ll have wearing it! SWM Kathie Morris owns The Changing Room, located at 425 South Warren St., Syracuse; (315) 299-4320. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Photography by Dennis Fernando; styling by Pastel Makeup and Style

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his is the education issue. I liked math but I loved art. Learning to work with color, form and shapes, and to view things from different perspectives opened my eyes and my mind. In my teens, the arts programs were being considered for removal from the curriculum, as a means to balance the school budget. Thankfully that didn’t happen, but thinking about it helped me find this month’s subject: art as fashion… wearable art. I began to look for local artists who are turning their art in to fashion, it didn’t take long.

I met Kara Daviau a couple of years ago and was an immediate fan of her work.

Her work with mixed media and texture and her use of abandoned areas and buildings as subject matter caught my eye instantly. I soon found out that she was also a teacher, which made her the first person I thought of for this article.

Kara is an art teacher at Cicero-North Syracuse High School and North Syracuse Junior High School and part-owner of Wildflowers Armory.

She has a BFA and Masters in Art Education, both from SU.

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Kara has always loved art and fashion. She grew up in/around her mother’s vintage/consignment shop, and she even designed and sewed her own prom gown. She was inspired by her art teacher at North Syracuse Junior High, Mr. Sims. In ninth grade, Mr. Sims had Kara and other classmates paint a mural on the ceiling of their classroom. Amazingly, this is the same room that Kara teaches in today, and yes, the mural is still there! On a visit to her studio at the Delavan Center, I learned more about her process, and saw an assortment of her clothing and artwork.

Kara makes images of her paintings, and has them screen printed on clothing.

She then hand-paints each piece to make it unique. Currently, she is focusing on army jackets, jumpsuits, caps and sweatshirts, but she changes her garments as current fashion dictates.

Kara says she loves that her clothing makes it easy for kids to be able to access art on the cheap! Kara’s fashion can be purchased at Wildflowers Armory and seen on Instagram: @createdbykaradise and Facebook: Kara Daviau Studios.

SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM

The Education Edition

Blushing Rose Boutique Store Closing

Sale In Progress!

Women’s Clothing, Accessories & Unique Gifts

Store Hours: Mon Closed; Tues-Thurs, 10am-4pm, Fri-Sat, 10am-5pm, Sun, 11am-3pm

61 Albany Street, Cazenovia, NY 13035 blushingroseboutique.net • 315.655.2144 August 2019

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WBOC LEADING WOMAN Elizabeth Bessey

ELIZABETH BESSEY

By Lorna Oppedisano

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lizabeth Bessey had been coaching for decades, but she didn’t know it. Her nearly 20 years as a certified human resources professional armed her with all the skills she’d need to start her own coaching business, EB Professional Coaching, specializing in energy leadership.

“With human resources, it really was a natural progression to go into coaching,” she said. “The best part of HR for me was working with the management staff and helping them to get better and do better and understand where they’re going.”

Elizabeth always knew she wanted to be of service, she reflected.

That’s what led her to work in the field of human resources, in sectors from technology to construction to primary health care.

During her career in human resources, no two days were the same.

That was one thing that drew her to the work. She also loved being able to help different leadership teams navigate their decisions.

“When you’re in human resources, you’re at the leadership table,” Elizabeth said. “So either I was on the leadership team or working directly with an owner.”

Working in human resources could sometimes be a balancing act, she explained, but she always enjoyed helping people find a good approach to the big picture.

During her nearly two decades in human resources, Elizabeth always kept the idea of owning her own company and working for herself on the back burner — she just didn’t know exactly how that would plausibly unfold or what it might entail.

In the fall of 2016, she decided to take the leap and venture out on her own.

She and her husband took a vacation – during which she had time to disconnect and unwind for the first time in years – and when she returned home, Elizabeth realized that coaching might be the perfect calling for her skill set, drive and personality.

She met with a coach she knew through her husband’s job and realized this was, in a sense, what she had been working toward her entire career.

“I’d been coaching for years [without] really knowing about coaching,” Elizabeth remembered.

She hit the ground running, going through 300 hours of training in six months, and earned her certification as an Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner through Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC).

Undertaking that intense training period gave her a chance to experience what she now helps her clients work through.

“One of the best parts about working with clients is that I went through the transition myself,” she said.

While she was armed with a fitting skill set and knowledge from her previous career, Elizabeth had to get used to the challenge of running her own business. She shifted gears from promoting the businesses she worked with at job fairs to promoting herself at networking events.

Without that separation of risk, she said, “It’s you and it’s scary.”

Elizabeth utilized business coaching through the WISE Women’s Business Center, which in turn led her to discover and join the WBOC. Interestingly enough, she said, she connected with a number of other coaches through the organization.

“We’re all coaches but we all do something different,” she said.

Thanks to some brainstorming, there is now a coaches’ mastermind group that meets at Café at 407, and organization that Elizabeth serves on the board of, once a month. There, they have an opportunity to discuss the nuances of everyone’s niche forms of coaching, from business coaching to personal coaching.

In her business, Elizabeth specializes in energy leadership, focusing on leadership development, emotional intelligence, communication and relationships in her coaching and workshops.

With a variety of tools, she helps clients work on their challenges, at a pace based on each client’s agenda and timeline. It’s not giving them the answers, not mentoring and not consulting, she explained.

She usually begins by asking her clients to share what challenges they are facing and what results they wish to achieve.

“It’s the stuff that’s keeping them up at night, that’s what we want to work with first when someone signs on as a coaching client,” she said.

It could be either professional or personal, she said — whatever block they find themselves struggling against, she helps them work through it.

“You’re just partnering with them and supporting them and cheering them on,” Elizabeth said with a smile. SWM

To learn more about Elizabeth and EB Professional Coaching, visit ebprofessionalcoaching.com

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syracuse eats Hope Café Coffee and Tea House

Hope Café and Tea House pair unique international fare with a mission

By Christine Dunne

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Photos by Steven J. Pallone

When people have hope they can advance and move forward.”

— Matthew Cullipher

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The Education Edition

n late 2017, Matthew Cullipher opened the Hope Cafe and Tea House in the village of Liverpool not only to provide customers with delicious food from countries like Peru and Columbia, but also to give hope people in need. Money from the restaurant goes toward funding The People Project, a Syracuse-based nonprofit focused on humanitarian projects abroad and within the U.S. “Without hope, people give up and they stop,” said Cullipher, who is the nonprofit’s CEO. “When people have hope they can advance and move forward.”

The People Project has contributed toward disaster relief, water well projects, literacy efforts, orphanages and schools and child sponsorships — among other initiatives — in countries like Peru and Kenya. It has also supported domestic programs for refugees and military troops returning from war, as well as efforts tied to drug addiction, homelessness and families in Syracuse.

“Our prayer is to keep expanding and opening new cafes so we can focus more on schools,” Cullipher said, noting the best way to help people out of poverty is to educate them.

The café recently announced a new location in downtown Syracuse at the corner of Warren and Jefferson streets, expected to open in September. While the Liverpool location has really taken off, Cullipher believes foot traffic around the new location will provide an extra boost to business.

“It’s the perfect spot, and I’m very grateful,” Cullipher said.

The Liverpool location is fully staffed by volunteers who believe in the nonprofit’s mission; they include chefs and businesspeople.

They create culinary specialties like Peruvian empanadas and Colombian and Venezuelan arepas, highlighting the countries in which The People Project has done charity work.

The café also has a New York Italian influence, reflecting the heritage of various board members. According to Cullipher, the most popular menu item is a breakfast sandwich on Italian ciabatta bread with a fried egg, bacon or ham, and Peruvian aioli — a mild, creamy garlic and lime sauce.

“You’d think it’s such a simple thing, but these things sell like hot cakes,” he said.

There are many other interesting menu items for customers to choose from. For example, maduros are sautéed portions of ripened plantains, churritos are a Latino-version of fried dough, and a chicharron sanguich is pork belly served on a bed of thin-sliced sweet potato, topped with sarza Peruana and three Peruvian house sauces.

Other sandwiches include the grilled chicken, bacon, and chipotle on Italian ciabatta and a pork belly sandwich. The café also offers paninis, empanadas, “hope” bowls (consisting of five grains, proteins, and/or veggies; unlimited herbs; and any of 10 special house sauces) and a wide range of beverages from various countries/ regions are also available, such as teas (including a South American handmade artisan tea made with toasted barley and a proprietary blend of medicinal herbs), coffees (including pour-over coffee, Vietnamese drip, espresso, macchiatos), lattes (including Nutella, peanut butter cup, and Okinawa milk), Peruvian smoothies, juices (all-natural and made in the café), and hot chocolate.

One drink that jumps out is the Argentinian mate, “your own personal” Mathienzo gourd with traditional yerba mate—a caffeineinfused drink made by steeping dried leaves of the yerba mate— from Argentina. According to the menu, “This is an amazing source of natural energy and mental clarity with excellent health benefits for the heart and body.”

The café is also characterized by its relaxing atmosphere, including comfy leather couches from which customers can work for hours at a time. Cullipher believes this environment paired with unique food will really come in handy at the upcoming downtown location.

“If you’re having a meeting, having a business lunch, this is very much the perfect setup,” he said. “It’s very intentional. It’s going to be a refuge in the middle of the city. You’ll relax and people will feel calm.” SWM The Hope Café and Tea House’s current Liverpool location can be visited at 305 Vine Street.

Left: Matt Cullipher, Hope Bowl.

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FOR A GOOD CAUSE ProLiteracy Michele Bellso, ProLiteracy Tell me about ProLiteracy. What is your mission?

It may be a surprise to you that every American has most likely interacted in one way or another with an adult who has little to no literacy skills.

About 36 million adults in the U.S. (that’s 1 in 6 adults) struggle with basic reading, writing and math skills. These individuals may not be able to read a menu, fill out a job application or read a bedtime story to their children. And contrary to popular belief, the majority of these people are very smart, and many have high school diplomas, despite their low skills.

Low literacy skills have stark ramifications for the next generation and our communities. The children of parents with low literacy skills are more likely to live in poverty as adults and are five times more likely to drop out of school.

For more than 60 years, ProLiteracy, the largest adult literacy and basic education membership organization in the nation, has been working across the globe to change lives and communities through the power of literacy.

How do you attempt to accomplish that mission?

To make our vision a reality, we support over 1,000 member programs in the U.S. and 32 countries worldwide that provide adult literacy instruction.

We advocate for awareness, funding, and support to increase access to educational resources for adults who want or need to improve their reading, writing, and math skills. We provide professional development to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of adult literacy programs and instruction. We create and produce more than 400 customized print and digital instructional tools for tutors and students.

Can you provide some information about adult illiteracy?

Why are your services so necessary?

Adult literacy can change everything. Health. Income equality.

Poverty. Every important social issue is impacted by low literacy. When individuals learn how to read, write, do basic math, and use technology, they have the power to lift themselves out of poverty, lower health care costs, find and keep sustainable employment, and ultimately improve their lives.

Here are some facts on the impact of low literacy: FAMILY LITERACY Children of parents with low literacy skills have a 72 percent chance of being at the lowest reading levels themselves. These children are more likely to get poor grades, display behavioral problems, have high absentee rates, repeat school years, or drop out.

POVERTY Of adults with the lowest literacy levels, 43 percent live in poverty, and 70 percent of adult welfare recipients have low literacy levels. There is a clear correlation between more education and higher earnings.

HEALTH LITERACY An excess of $230 billion a year in health care costs is linked to low adult literacy. Nearly half of American adults have difficulty understanding and using health information. Low literacy has been linked to poor health outcomes, higher rates of hospitalization, less use of preventive services, minimal prescription and care plan adherence and death.

UNEMPLOYMENT/WORKFORCE Individuals at the lowest literacy and numeracy levels have a higher rate of unemployment and earn lower wages than the national average.

Low literacy costs the U.S. at least $225 billion each year in nonproductivity in the workforce, crime, and loss of tax revenue due to unemployment.

With the current unemployment rate at a historic low, U.S. employers are having difficulty finding qualified employees to fill a record number of job openings. The key to ensuring future U.S. economic growth is to bring traditionally marginalized or underemployed adults into the workforce with additional skills training.

EDUCATION Every year, one in six young adults — more than 1.2 million — drop out of high school. Recent data show that nearly 30 percent of adults with household incomes at or below the federal poverty line do not have a high school credential. The key to financial success is a viable career path and adequate education to seek meaningful, family-supporting wages.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS About 50 percent of the 2 million immigrants that come to the U.S. each year lack high school education and proficient English language skills. This severely limits their access to jobs, college, and citizenship and increases their vulnerability to living in poverty.

CORRECTIONS Seventy-five percent of state prison inmates did not complete high school or can be classified as low literate. Ninety-five percent of those incarcerated are reintegrated into our communities. Research shows that inmates who are educated are 43 percent less likely to return to prison.

What programs do you offer for adult learners?

Helping adults gain literacy skills helps reduce poverty, improve public health, and advance human rights worldwide. ProLiteracy increases the capacity and quality of adult literacy programs through professional development, training, exclusive resources, and content development for our powerful network of over 400,000 members and customers to support the programs and initiatives that have helped millions of adults gain the vital literacy skills they need.

We support organizations that offer adult basic education/adult literacy services through community-based literacy programs, community colleges, libraries, correctional facilities, faith-based organizations, and school districts.

Our programs and projects promote adult education through: • Basic Literacy (reading, writing, basic math) • English Language Learning (ELL) • High School Equivalency Test Preparation • Financial, Digital, and Health Literacy • Native Language Learning Internationally

About how many people do you serve?

One of our goals is to increase access to educational resources for adults who need them. Through our network, ProLiteracy reaches over 1,000,000 adults annually who are working to improve their literacy skills.

Continued on page 18

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FOR A GOOD CAUSE ProLiteracy

Michele Bellso, ProLiteracy from page 17 You also offer professional development services.

Can you talk about that a bit?

ProLiteracy’s professional development resources help program managers, instructors, trainers, and others across the country build the capacity and quality of adult education programs. Our tools and resources help adult education providers strengthen skills and learn new strategies to improve student outcomes in reading, writing, English language acquisition, and numeracy.

For example, The ProLiteracy Education Network is a web-based platform that contains a comprehensive collection of online courses and resources for adult literacy instructors and staff, and The ProLiteracy Conference on Adult Education addresses the most pressing adult literacy and basic education issues.

Tell me about your publishing division.

Adult learners need literacy materials designed with them in mind.

For more than 50 years, New Readers Press (NRP), ProLiteracy’s publishing division, has provided educators with the instructional tools to teach adult students the skills they need to thrive. From basic reading instruction to high school equivalency and workplace skills development, NRP provides close to 400 titles to help adult students confidently take the next step forward.

What can you tell me about the international work you do?

Though most of our International program partners serve both men and women, 75 percent of the learners are women. Due to socioeconomic and cultural factors, women and girls often get bypassed when it comes to education. Yet research has consistently documented the fact that the higher the educational levels of women in the developing world, the more likely they are to marry at a later age, bear fewer children, earn more money, and live longer.

Why is literacy so important?

Literacy matters because the inability to read and write is often connected with other social issues. People who struggle with literacy are more likely to live in poverty, lack education, drop out of school, have difficulty finding employment, and miss out on opportunities to participate fully in society and the workforce.

Concerns about adult literacy are not new. In the past, the lack of ability to read was seen primarily as an individual problem, with implications for a person’s job opportunities, educational goals, sense of fulfillment, and participation in society. Now, however, it is increasingly viewed as a national problem, with implications that reach far beyond the individual.

How does literacy empower women, in particular?

Of the 36 million adults in the U.S. who have low literacy skills, 65 percent of them are women.

When women are empowered through literacy, they can find their voice, be strong, get educated, and improve their lives. Real life examples of women’s empowerment through literacy include: leaving abusive situations, getting better jobs, improving their health, breaking the cycle of poverty, and furthering their education so their children have an increased opportunity for academic success. SWM

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SPECIAL FEATURE STEM Education for Girls

Bricks 4 Kidz

The importance of STEM and keeping girls engaged

By Maria C. Moore

When children are allowed to learn by doing, they are more involved and interested in learning.”— Maria C. Moore

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s a nation, we need to engage our children in STEM based activities at an early age to foster their interest and to realize that STEM based careers are a viable option, especially for girls and young women. It has been said that people who choose a career in science, technology, engineering or math made an emotional connection early on when making their career choice. And often, they can trace that moment back to a pivotal experience in their lives that connected them on an emotional level for the first time with their chosen line of work.

Since the emotional connection to making a STEM career choice is so strong, it is even more important to expose children to fun and engaging STEM related activities at an early age.

Bricks 4 Kidz strives to engage and excite children about STEM concepts. We introduce children to complex STEM terms and theories in a fun, hands-on environment. When children are allowed to learn by doing, they are more involved and interested in learning. It’s amazing how quickly Bricks 4 Kidz children learn engineering concepts just by building and seeing first-hand these theories applied.

We have had children in class who do not understand how to snap two LEGOs together and can barely assemble a tech pin into a LEGOs tech brick while doing their motorized build.

They don’t have the dexterity to get the small pin into the proper tech brick hole. By the third class, they are moving along with their build with no issues. The students’ progression builds confidence and helps those students to believe in themselves, and feel that they can accomplish things they couldn’t before. That confidence is valuable, as they carry that confidence with them in other aspects of their learning and daily lives.

At Bricks 4 Kidz, we talk to our students about STEM career options. We get them excited about the possibilities of different STEM careers, and encourage them that they can be anything they want to be.

We understand there is not a lack of jobs in STEM industries, but rather a lack of qualified individuals to fill the available positions.

As the demand for STEM skills continues to intensify, the shortage of interested and proficient students will constrain the nation’s economic growth.

Between 2017 and 2027, the number of STEM jobs will grow 13 percent, compared to 9 percent for non-STEM jobs — with positions in computing, engineering, and advanced manufacturing leading the way. (Via Change the Equation) Overall, since 1990, employment in STEM occupations has grown 79 percent — increasing from 9.7 million to 17.3 million. (Via Pew Research Center) It is imperative to fill these jobs because people employed in STEM fields are making technological breakthroughs that directly impact all

of our lives. Engineers are improving our infrastructure, developing safer bridges and roads across the country. Scientists are making advances in health care that bring us closer to eradicating disease.

And innovators are consistently changing the way we think about communication. They are the people who move our country forward and the minds who enable us to remain one of the most progressive nations in the world.

Unfortunately, there is an inadequate representation of women in these fields. We are failing to keep young girls engaged in STEM. A metaphor frequently used to describe the fact that women are underrepresented in STEM careers is that of a “leaky pipeline” carrying students from secondary school through college and on to a job in STEM. Researchers suggest this pipeline leaks students out at various stages: students who express interest in science careers sometimes change their minds when applying to colleges and select other areas of study. Others begin their college career in a STEM program, but change majors before graduation. Finally, some students leave the pipeline after graduating with a STEM degree when they select another field as a career.

Researchers are trying to determine if women aren’t choosing STEM fields due to stereotypes and educational differences. Differences that start as early as the third grade, according to Thomas Dee, with boys advancing in math and science and girls advancing in reading.

Everyone agrees that getting kids, especially young girls, engaged in STEM activities at an early age helps to excite their curiosity about STEM fields. Activities like coding clubs, LEGO clubs and science fairs all help to engage students. Hands-on activities in our classrooms help to engage students and aid in the better understanding of complex concepts. It is imperative that we make an investment in educating our young students in fun and creative ways that make STEM learning something students are excited to continue throughout their academic careers.

At Bricks 4 Kidz, we are passionate about bridging the gap and getting kids engaged in STEM activities at an early age. Our curriculum starts at the pre-school level and progresses all the way to coding and advanced robotics. Bricks 4 Kidz offers workshops where we teach our STEM curriculum (aligned with NYS standards) and motorized LEGO builds. We have been offering workshops and after school enrichment classes all throughout CNY, teaching thousands of children each year. Workshops can be held right on the school’s campus in the classroom, or schools can travel to our Creativity Center in Dewitt. SWM Maria C. Moore is the owner and director of Bricks 4 Kidz in DeWitt.

August 2019

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COVER STORY Lauren Kochian

LAUREN KOCHIAN THE MOST PRESIDENT

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August 2019

Photography by Alice G. Patterson

I believe the whole education picture is important. Whether it’s English and the arts, all of it’s critical and it all matters… If you have a firm understanding of math and science, it’s going to help you in school. It’s going to help you in your work…

Everybody should have also just appreciate how important STEM is.” — Lauren Kochian

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COVER story Lauren Kochian

Citizen Scientist LAUREN KOCHIAN

By Sarah Hall

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Kochian started at the MOST three years ago, but she’s worked in the nonprofit sector for about 20 years. She found she had a knack for fundraising while working for Syracuse Stage.

“I had never done fundraising before, and it turned out that I liked it,” she said. “I was good at it. I had an amazing mentor at Syracuse Stage, and I just loved it.”

But given her proclivities for science, Kochian was drawn to an opportunity at the MOST when the opportunity arose.

“I’m one of those people who really is just what I call the citizen scientists,” Kochian said. “I’m a nature person, appreciative of how important science is.”

Kochian joined the development staff at the MOST in 2016 and took over as president last August. She said the museum is one of the reasons the Syracuse area is attractive to families.

“Syracuse is a great place to live, and it’s a great place to raise children and it’s in part because of places like the MOST,” she said.

Kochian would know — she’s also a single mom to a 14-year-old son and an 11-year-old daughter. Like many working moms, she struggles to balance her career with parenting.

“Juggling the work-life balance is never easy for anyone, let alone single parents,” she said. “My goal as a single mother is to serve as a role model for both of my kids. I hope to show them the importance of being a good, empathic leader in all parts of life, from home to work to community.”

Kochian said she’s fortunate to have some help.

“My parents and family, my friends, my partner and, of course, my incredible staff and boards make all of it possible,” she said.

“I know women feel a lot of pressure to be perfect, to not ask for help, but we need to cut ourselves more slack and allow people in our lives to pitch in and support us.”

MAKING LEARNING ACCESSIBLE

Kochian said she gets plenty of support in her work, as well—and it’s important work.

“We have a lot of really well-kept secrets here about the work that we do in the community,” she said. “It’s not just that we’re a science museum, but it’s that we’re a science museum in Central New York where hundreds and hundreds of STEM jobs go unfilled… We’re really a STEM learning center.”

In addition to summer camps, planetarium, IMAX theater and permanent exhibits on space, energy, Earth science and, yes, dinosaurs, the MOST offers a number of different programs to get kids and families interested in science. The museum reaches thousands of those kids through a partnership with the Syracuse City School District that offers supplemental learning experiences to augment the instruction they’re getting in the classroom. Some 5,000 students in kindergarten, fourth grade and eighth grade visit the MOST regularly through the National Grid Science Learning Partnership, and in the 2019-20 school year, the district’s universal pre-K students will join that group.

“Not only does it reinforce the classroom learning, but it may just spark an interest [in STEM],” Kochian said. “It’s really cool stuff, and it’s stuff they can’t necessarily do in the classroom setting…

That’s what I love about the MOST to this day — we’re doing all the right kinds of programing for the community in which we live.”

The MOST is also open to the public five days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission starts at $10, and memberships are available for $59 to $119.

But cost, Kochian said, should never be a barrier to learning; that’s why she introduced an EBT cardholder admission program.

“Anybody in New York state that has an EBT card can come in at $2 for an adult and $1 for a child,” she said. “We’re trying to make it really accessible because we believe that what we’re doing is so important for the community.”

Accessibility is important to Kochian, no matter the child’s needs.

The MOST is one of several Central New York organizations to offer sensory-friendly time; one Saturday night a month for two hours, the staff dims the lights and mutes the sounds and offers sensoryfriendly activities for kids with autism or other sensory processing disorders to “make it a more soothing experience,” Kochian said.

On another Saturday each month, the museum welcomes an expert to speak for the Be the Scientist program.

“We actually bring professionals in and kids get to do hands on stuff that we might not necessarily have in the museum,” Kochian said.

“We’ve had pilots, we’ve had landscape architects — you name it.

Then they go explore the museum and look for things that tie into what they just learned about.”

The field of STEM is still highly male-dominated.

That’s one of the reasons my position, as a woman, is so important. Being a female leader in STEM gives me the opportunity to not only set an example for my own children, but also my staff, museum guests and the community at large. I feel tremendous responsibility to pave the way for other women — paying it forward and leaning in whenever I can.”— Lauren Kochian

Photography by Alice G. Patterson

S

cience education is in Lauren Kochian’s blood.

“My mom was a teacher in the city schools for 40 years, a science teacher, actually,” Kochian said. “To me, education is critical.”

That’s why Kochian, as president of the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (the MOST) in Syracuse, sees herself as more than just a number-cruncher or pencil-pusher.

Instead, she thinks of herself as an empathic leader for her staff, a “citizen scientist” responsible for helping to educate the public and a steward for the museum that serves as a STEM center for Central New York.

“Even if you don’t choose to study STEM or work in STEM or become an engineer, I believe that everybody should have an appreciation for your surroundings,” Kochian said. “Everybody should be observant, like a scientist in your everyday life. Everybody should appreciate how important STEM is.”

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COVER story Lauren Kochian

Citizen Scientist from page 26 COMMUNITY STEWARDS

When it comes to programming, there’s a lot more coming.

Earlier this summer, the MOST opened its latest permanent exhibit: the Dino Zone, a life-sized dinosaur exhibit created with guidance from paleontologists that features interactive activities to help visitors learn more about the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

“We’re really excited about that,” Kochian said. “Dinosaurs are obviously very popular. For us to have [an exhibit] permanently, as opposed to a visiting exhibit, that’s monumental. I think we can anticipate a lot more steady foot traffic as a result.”

Kochian said she and the senior staff at the MOST have a plan to look at the museum’s exhibits in the coming months and years, both to bring in new permanent exhibits and to update what’s already in place.

“The nice thing about being in a science museum is STEM is everything and everywhere,” she said. “There’s really no shortage of interesting things that we could bring in.”

Of course, there are other updates that need to be made first.

The museum has been housed in the former New York State Armory since 1992. The building, originally constructed in 1876 as a combination social/drill center and depository for arms and equipment for the National Guard, has seen better days. Kochian said the MOST has gotten some state funding to make necessary repairs to the roof and boiler, but that’s just the beginning.

“It’s really stopgap, critical repair type of stuff,” she said.

“We have a couple of things that we’re going to have to address, and the building is one of them.”

Kochian said taking care of the building is one of her most important responsibilities.

“We have taken on this responsibility on behalf of the community,” she said. “This Armory is the heart of Armory Square. It’s the heart of downtown. It’s an iconic building. It’s important to our history and to our community. It’s the MOST’s responsibility to maintain it, and we are committed to that.”

LEADING WITH INTEGRITY

“As a nonprofit institution, donations are so important.

However, since we don’t necessarily do work that makes an emotional appeal, fundraising can be challenging at times,” Kochian said.

“We’re lucky to be part of a STEM region, because STEM corporations make up the shortfall we may see from individual donations.”

It’s not just donations the MOST is competing for.

“We’re also fighting for entertainment dollars. There’s so many things to do in Syracuse with little ones,” Kochian said. “We are also competing for the attention and the money of families. Those things can be challenging.”

Kochian said her senior leadership and her staff have risen to every challenge.

“They just do an amazing job,” she said.

For her part, Kochian said she aims to be an empathic leader.

“My job is to bring the right people to the table, use my resources and lead with a combination of the heart and the mind,” she said. “I’m a big believer in us always doing the right thing, but also putting out the right energy. I truly believe that what you put out there in the world, both personally and professionally, you get back.”

Kochian said success comes from doing the right things.

“We are acting with integrity. We have our mission in mind. We have with the community in mind. That’s why these things are happening,” she said. “It’s not dumb luck. It’s our efforts coming back and returning to us. It’s not just to me, it’s not just the decisions you sit and make around the table. It’s how you put it out there into the world.”

And she said being a woman and a mom has helped to make her a strong, empathic leader.

“Leading doesn’t just mean telling people what to do,” she said.

“It means inspiring people to a shared, collaborative vision, and caring about your team. I think women are naturally more nurturing and that tends to affect how we run a business and how we support our staff.”

As a woman in STEM — a traditionally male-dominated field — Kochian said she feels a responsibility to pave the way for other women, and it’s one she plans to live up to.

“You will see the MOST embarking on more Girls in STEM programming,” she said. “We are doing this not only to fulfill a need for STEM practitioners in our community, but also because we feel it’s our responsibility to empower girls in their education.”

WHY STEM?

Education, as Thomas Jefferson said, is the great equalizer, and Kochian believes it’s of the utmost importance.

“I am a true believer that education really can give people a leg up in life, which is why we are so committed to it,” she said. “We believe that education is important for everyone and it advances all of us.”

She pointed again to the STEM jobs across the country and Central New York that sit open waiting for people with the appropriate skills to take them.

“Technology’s changing so fast we can’t even keep up with it,” she said.

“If you have a firm understanding of math and science, it’s going to help you in school. It’s going to help you in your work.”

The MOST, she said, provides a place where kids (and adults) can get hands-on experience with science and hopefully spark an interest in pursuing further education. She wants the MOST to be a resource in the community for all STEM-related education.

“It’s our responsibility to be informed as people, and it’s our responsibility as the MOST to present information,” Kochian said.

“There are a lot of reasons that STEM is important. Obviously we would love for every kid to go on and get an amazing STEM career. Is that going to happen to all of our visitors? No of course it’s not. If we can provide something along the way that helps them in their studies or helps them appreciate nature or the environment, then we’ve done our job.” SWM

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

We are acting with integrity. We have our mission in mind.

We have with the community in mind. That’s why these things are happening. It’s not dumb luck. It’s our efforts coming back and returning to us.” — Lauren Kochian

Photography by Alice G. Patterson

“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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Jussara Potter Photography

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Health & Wellness Women's Reproductive Health

HPV Vaccine: What is the real deal?

By Heather Shannon, MS, CNM, NP, MPH

B

efore we discuss the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, we need to understand more about HPV. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), there are 100 different types of HPV strains and at least 40 that infect the oropharyngeal (mouth, throat and neck) and the genitals (cervix, vagina, vulva, anus and penis). We know High Risk (HR) HPV strains 16 and 18 cause 66 percent of all cervical cancers, where Low Risk (LR) HPV strains 6 and 11 cause 90 percent of all genital warts. We also know that most everyone who is or has been sexually active have become infected with the virus at least once.

How can that be so? HPV does not cause any symptoms, unlike usual infections that cause pain, irritation, odor or discharge. In fact, to know about potential exposure, women need a culture of their cervix, which is done alone or along with your pap smear. When you have both a pap smear and HPV testing, it is known as co-testing.

Most people will “clear” the infection without any symptoms or knowledge of having it. If the infection does not “clear,” then genital warts, pre-cancers of the cervix, penis, anus, throat and mouth might develop. Because of this, it is important to keep up with your annual checkups and follow your health care provider recommendations.

Sexual partners tend to share HPV. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine which partner or when the initial exposure had taken place. Having HPV does not mean your partner is having sex outside the relationship. However, it does mean you and your partner need to be established in medical care and maintain good health. Keeping your immune system strong will help your body fight HPV and your health care provider can help you with this.

Screening:

When should I start getting my pap smear or co-testing? According to the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP), United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Consensus Screening Guidelines and American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG), women should have recommended cervical cancer screening as outlined below: • <21: no screening – even if sexually active • Age 21-29: a pap smear alone every three years or HPV screen alone every five years • Age 30-65: co-testing every five years or pap only every three years until the age of 65 • >65: no longer need screening if there is no cervical cancer history or severe cervical dysplasia and have had adequate screenings • >65: continue screening for at least 20 years with cervical cancer history or more severe cervical dysplasia • Hysterectomy: no screening unless history of cervical cancer or more severe cervical dysplasia

Prevention:

The best way to prevent HPV is through abstinence (both oral and intercourse). However, studies have proven HPV vaccines will protect from most cervical cancer strains. Correct condom use will also help protect from HPV exposure and infection. However, when using a condom, contact with any exposed skin may still put a person at risk for getting HPV. Lastly, limiting the number of sexual partners can reduce your risk. However, having sex just once, you can still get HPV. Currently, there is only one licensed HPV vaccine in the United States: Gardasil-9.

The vaccine protects against strains 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. Two doses of the HPV vaccine are recommended for all boys and girls at ages 11-12 and can be given as early as age 9. If they are older, they may need three doses instead of two. Children who get the vaccine series after their 15th birthday will need three shots given over 6

months. Side effects are minimal and are usually minor, such as pain and redness at the injection site, headache and nausea.

Fainting and dizziness may occur, but is unlikely. Please talk with your child’s health care provider for more information about getting the HPV vaccine.

In October 2018, the FDA approved the Gardasil-9 vaccine for men and women up to the age of 45. If you already have HPV, this vaccine will still be helpful against the other strains of HPV covered in the vaccine. You will need to check your insurance company for coverage. Not all carriers have implemented the policy update.

Currently, HPV vaccines are not approved in pregnancy.

Exposure to HPV can result in serious health conditions.

It is always best to talk to your health care provider about your risk, protecting yourself and getting the vaccine. SWM

For more information: FDA: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/women/ hpv-human-papillomavirus CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/ vaccine.html ACOG: https://www.acog.org/Clinical-Guidanceand-Publications/Practice-Advisories/FDAApproval-of-9-valent-HPV-Vaccine-for-Use-inWomen-and-Men-Age-27-45

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Health & Wellness Women's Self Care

Easing transitions

By Nichole A. Cavallaro

T

his month’s theme is education and I am going to touch on a few topics regarding our children going back to school or starting a new school and how to cope with that transition. I think I can safely say that when the last week of August transitions into September, that’s when I’m ready for my child to go back to school. It’s not out of annoyance (unless you catch me on those days where the constant begging and ranting about being bored comes into play), but out of excitement for her to get back into her routine, learn some new things in second grade and see her friends again.

I am a parent who works from home (remotely) and that classifies me as having two jobs. Neither are easy. I have had the experience of working away from my daughter and working while she’s with me.

Both have perks. The good thing about working away from the home, for me, was that I got a break from the day of being a 24/7 parent.

It’s true and it’s okay to admit that! Now that I’m home, it’s 24/7 parenting and employee during the summer, holidays, sick days and those Syracuse snow days.

It’s when she is actually gone during the week once school resumes is when I got a little sad. This happened last year.

Her toys, pajamas and breakfast dishes were strewn about and the house was quiet.

After about a month, I was back into my usual work flow and would resume picking her up after the school day. On the other hand, it’s still a challenge when you work out of the home like a majority of parents do and have to get yourself up early and your child/ren up early! It can be chaos as everyone has different needs at the same time. I can share with you my experience and hopefully I can capture some relatable topics!

What I learned with a first-grader • Make sure ALL documents for school nurse, bus/transportation departments, signed parental forms, emergency contact forms are signed, dated and turned in on time. This is that extra later of support around your child’s wellbeing and safety.

Don’t forget these.

• A routine has to be down; otherwise it makes mornings challenging. Alarm for waking up, what I call “bathroom stuff” (teeth brushing, face washing, hair brushing, etc.). A big one: laying outfits out the night before. I’m telling you, this helps so much. Same with lunches

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if they prefer to bring instead of buy! If there is no time for breakfast, take advantage of the free breakfasts at school in the early hours.

They need to eat to function through a whole day, just like you need to.

• Ask for help, if you can, in rides, lunch prep, etc. Even ask your child/ren to get them used to being in charge of little tasks.

They LOVE this.

• DO NOT RUSH. You will get there when you get there. It is not worth rushing around in a frenzy if it ends up yelling at your kid, hating yourself or getting into an accident or a speeding ticket. People at work need to understand that family and health come first, not a 9 a.m. meeting. If you are going to be late, communicate this to who you need to, and call for extra support to help if you can. I know this is a hard one to accept.

And I learned the harsh reality of being exposed to parental discrimination from bosses and coworkers. But the quick way to get over that added anxiety? Say to yourself: “Oh, well.

Are they going to take care of my family? Nope, I am.”

That is the honest truth at the end of your day.

One thing I haven’t been through before is a child of mine going to a new school or going to college for the first time. However, adapting to change is universal and here are some things that can help you overcome the anxiety, fears and maintain success through it all.

Switching schools • Make sure you know the staff, the entrances and exits, and have done a tour of the school.

Help your child/children acclimate as much as you can in the physical environment.

• Remember starting a new job and feeling like no one would like you or you wouldn’t be good enough?

Imagine how a child feels with all of that insecurity in them? What would you tell the younger you then, and what will you tell your little one now? Some ideas can be “You know what when I started my new job, I was so scared I’d mess up! But I got used to it and I am doing it, you can too!” Relate it to your own experiences, because frankly, they’re not far off if you think about it.

• After the day, be interested in what they did, who they met, what they saw, how they felt. You don’t need to go into a full-blown therapy session, just ask some basic questions and follow up with the teacher after a few weeks if needed.

Going to college for the first time • Prepare in advance what you plan on doing for yourself.

When they were there, they filled your home with a different energy. You have to replace that energy. This is important because you need to be happy too and they don’t want to go away feeling like they’re the cause of your anxiety — which they are not.

• Make sure your son or daughter has all the necessary documents they need. This is new to them, too, so work as a team and teach them. This goes from teaching them their Social Security number to what bank, if any, they’re checking account is in, to their health insurance plan.

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Anything you need, they might need, too, but on a smaller scale.

• Schedule times to talk on the weekends or in the middle of the week if you can.

• Make holidays and vacations/breaks as important as they were when they were home.

• Do not have expectations that things will be normal when they are home for the summer or on breaks: they may want a change or different experiences based on what they have learned and who they met. Be flexible but still parental: you don’t need to let them fully go just yet.

• If college is not an option, look into courses online, local community colleges or getting a job to earn some income. There is no cookie cutter way to start or continue education. There is always support and guidance available to those who want their children to be better, learn more and work to enjoy their lives.

Enlisting into the military • The military is a completely different lifestyle. I encourage you to educate yourself on the available support groups, military familybased groups and benefits available to your child if they are choosing to enlist. The military offers many positive benefits.

• Enlisting is a personal choice. Just like going to a college, marrying, or moving away. Many have chosen to become officers, gotten educational aid and earned degrees. Many have chosen to enlist and then find out it’s not for them. Try to support them in whatever they feel is good for them, as long as they are informed of what the possibilities are.

Remember: no matter what transition or change you are dealing with regarding your son or daughter’s educational experiences, it is always a matter of letting go: in the micro sense and macro sense.

There is always support to deal with the anxiety, the fear and the worry we feel. And guess what they feel it too! Little ones, the not so little ones and the older ones: they all feel nervous too they just can’t detect it as well as we can. So be a support to them, and be a support to yourself. SWM Nichole is a mental health provider and writes about mental health and wellness issues on her blog, found at mentalhealthwellnesstherapy.com and self-mom.com.

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Health & Wellness Women's Fitness Myths

Fitness forum

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SUNSCREEN

By Christie Donato

H

ere we are in the thick of Summer in Central New York, and, if you’re anything like me, you’ve been spending as much time as humanly possible in the sunshine. After an unbearably long, cold winter, we’re filling our days with backyard grilling, beach trips and plenty of outdoor activities. Getting outside in the summertime has many health benefits. For one, sunlight is a known moodbooster, combating depression and anxiety, and even increasing concentration. The sun also helps our bodies to produce Vitamin D, which strengthens bones, fights osteoporosis and may even reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. As with everything in life though, getting a lot of sunlight can be too much of a good thing, especially for those with fair skin and/or a family history of skin cancer.

According to a January 2018 study published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, which surveyed 294 patients visiting a Detroit-area dermatology office, most people don’t know the recommended guidelines for proper sunscreen application, including frequency of re-application and time needed before sun exposure. If this is the case for those who have access to a dermatologist, it’s not hard to imagine that the numbers must be even worse for the majority of Americans. The study goes on to point out that “skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, affecting one in five adults during their lifetime.

The incidence of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma is higher than that of breast, prostate and colon cancers combined.”

Melanoma is the third type of skin cancer, and the most deadly. Luckily, it is also the least common form, and, if caught early on, has a high likelihood of being cured.

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This past February, the FDA officially updated its sunscreen regulations for the first time in decades.

The FDA recommends applying sunscreen fifteen minutes before going out into the sun, and specifies that it takes about a shot glass worth of sunscreen to fully cover the average adult. You should also reapply at least every two hours, and if you aren’t wearing sunscreen at all, stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

As far as overall summertime skincare goes, Ms. Dawidowicz says to skip the peels and other invasive treatments. They can wait for the winter when you won’t be in the sun as often. “It’s good to keep things simple during the hotter, sunnier months. A water-based serum and lightweight moisturizer is the best combo for hot days to keep your face from feeling greasy,” she says. And obviously, don’t forget your sunscreen. SWM

By now we all know that exposing our skin to harmful UVA and UVB rays increases the risk of developing skin cancer, but did you know that your sunscreen may only be protecting you against UVB rays? The SPF number on your sunscreen bottle refers only to its ability to protect you from UVB rays — the ones that cause sunburn— but unless your sunscreen is labeled “broad spectrum” UVA rays are still being absorbed into your skin. This is a problem because while UVB rays affect the top layers of the skin, UVA rays permeate the deeper layers, causing damage over time that may result in skin cancer. UVA rays are also the biggest contributor of wrinkles and photoaging, so if preventing early signs of aging is an important factor for you, you’ll want to make sure that your sunscreen is blocking both.

Monica Dawidowicz, a New York City-based esthetician, recommends using sunscreen daily, even when it’s cloudy, as harmful rays can still penetrate through clouds. “SPF higher than 50 is usually pointless,” she warns. “Thirty to 50 is the sweet spot, and the safest sunscreen uses zinc oxide rather than a chemical sunscreen that might absorb into your bloodstream.” There are two major active ingredients to look for when choosing sunscreen: zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Both are minerals that act as physical blockers rather than chemicals, making them ideal for those with sensitive skin and reducing the risk of adverse effects.

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August 2019

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inspire Gina Tonello, Alyssa Burmeister and Caitlin Coulumbe

Stop the Shaming

GINA TONELLO Alyssa Burmeister AND CAITLIN COULUMBE

By Sarah Tietje-Mietz

W

If you are a parent that wants to speak out with us, that’s really important...we really need voices, and we need student voices.”

— Gina Tonello

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Photo by Michael Di Giglio/MDG Images

STOP THE SHAMING

The Education Edition

hen people think of brands like BubbleYum, Trident, Juicy Fruit or Double Bubble, sex is probably not the first thing that comes to mind.

“A few years ago I was on the board at ACR Health,” said Gina Tonello, local parent and community advocate. “Some of the people that were involved in that told me they had kids going through Baldwinsville that had been in a sex ed class where they said that girls were like a chewed piece of gum. I said ‘WHAT?! No!’ I just couldn’t believe it.”

When Tonello found out that this message was part of the sexual education instruction her teenage daughter was to receive at Charles W. Baker High School, part of the Baldwinsville Central School District, she felt, in her own words, mortified.

This is when the seed for Stop the Shaming was planted.

Stop the Shaming, (STS,) a non-profit founded by Tonello, strives “to promote medically accurate, age-appropriate, LGBTQ+ inclusive comprehensive sexual health education throughout New York State by providing advocacy and resource connection to parents and students.” Founded in 2018, the strides taken for their cause have been monumental.

Tonello’s daughter, Alyssa Burmeister, is the Youth Outreach Coordinator at STS, and remembers these events leading up to creating STS distinctly. She sat through the “chewed gum” lesson herself.

“I was appalled the minute it started,” Burmeister said. “I was like, ‘Do you understand what you just taught? Do you understand how degrading that is? It’s homophobic, it’s degrading, it’s shameful.’”

According to Burmeister, the woman who taught the lesson told her that was not the intended takeaway, that the emphasis was on the value of virginity, and that if she, Burmeister, felt ashamed, that was her own problem.

Her daughter’s experience was the catalyst for Tonello to start researching what actually was being taught in these classes and who was responsible for teaching them. She found that group called New Hope Family Resources was teaching abstinence-only sexual education at her daughter’s school. After presenting her findings and concerns to the school board, Tonello was contacted by Deputy Superintendent Joseph Debarbieri, who assured her that New Hope would no longer be invited to teach in Baldwinsville.

But New Hope wasn’t just in Baldwinsville. After finding out the group also provided sex-ed instruction at the Liverpool Central School District School where her sons were attending, Caitlin Coulumbe, repeatedly voiced her concerns to the district. Liverpool’s response, however, was not nearly as accommodating as Baldwinsville’s— Coulumbe said her requests were met with condescension or just plain ignored. As a mother to three sons, Coulumbe feared the health dangers presented by these programs, and also how these lessons could affect them.

“It would be the worst day of my life if I found out that one of my sons was treating women in a way that shamed them the way that these classes are shaming women,” Coulumbe said. “So when I’m having these discussions with my son, of course I am talking about safe sex, but there is a real huge emphasis on consent and body language... and healthy relationships.”

Hearing about the progress made by Tonelleo and Burmeister at the Baldwinsville Central School District, she reached out to them for help.

Tonello offered advice and support, even showing up in person with Burmeister at Coulumbe’s presentation to the school board. It is from this that a friendship grew, and how Coulumbe came to be an integral part of STS. She’s now the associate director.

Stop the Shaming presents a simple case, supported by decades of research. While conservative and religious groups argue that introducing comprehensive sexual education to school children will cause the students to start having sex at younger ages and with more frequency, there’s no science to support the claim. Rather, there have been numerous studies, by multiple organizations, some going back to the 1970’s, which, according to the Guttmacher Institute, “consistently found no indication that sex education contributed to earlier to increased sexual activity in young people.” Conversely, recent studies have shown that lack of access to sexual health information and contraceptives are linked to increases in sexually transmitted diseases and infections. A review by the UN in 2016, highlighted in Guttmacher Institute’s Promiscuity Propaganda article, found that “comprehensive sex education programs contribute to delayed initiation of sexual intercourse, decreased frequency of sexual intercourse, fewer sexual partners and less risk taking.”

That’s not to say that these three women are anti-abstinence.

They agree that this is a form of sexual safety, but it is not the only way, and surely not the only way that should be taught to pre-teens and teens. It is a small factor in a much larger conversation, one that should be inclusive and supported of all genders, sexual biases, orientations, family dynamic, and above all, based in scientific fact.

While STS originally formed to limit the impact of one organization in Central New York, the mission has grown: Tonello, Burmeister and Coulumbe are now focusing on addressing sexual education on a much larger scale. They are working to create a report card system for area public schools, detailing the curriculum and format of each school’s sex ed program, which will be accessible to the public. Tonello and Burmeister were in Albany on June 11, lobbying for the creation of a comprehensive sexual education bill with the National Institute for Reproductive Health. The day before that, Tonello was in Washington, D.C., serving as a panelist educating governmental policymakers that the federal Sexual Risk Avoidance program promotes and encourages abstinence-only education.

How can we help make sure the youth of today are getting factual, unbiased and current sexual health education? Speak out.

“If you are a parent that wants to speak out with us, that’s really important...we really need voices, and we need student voices,” said Tonello.

Reach out.

“We’re here to help. We are here to be liaisons, we are here to be advocates,” stresses Coulumbe. “If you are a parent and you don’t like the way sex ed is being taught at your school, reach out to us. We want to help. If you are a parent and you don’t know how to find out what sex ed is being taught at your school, reach out to us. We want to help.” SWM

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inspire Sue Straub

SUE STRAUB

Book Van-Go

BOOK VAN-GO

By Megan Sheehan

T

here’s nothing quite as timeless as a book.

It seems rather simple, but in reality is anything but.

Bound paper held tight by a spine, printed ink, pages and a story. For centuries, books have been the connecting dots of stories passed down through the generations. They are a portal to other worlds and places unknown. Books open up doors to endless ideas and concepts. They sit upon coffee tables, once empty shelves, nightstands, travel bags, classrooms, and even the loo.

But one place seems to be lacking these valuable commodities.

Thankfully, someone noticed and is doing something about it.

Liverpool native Sue Straub has been an educator for 32 years in the North Syracuse school district and has stumbled upon a resounding issue many kids are facing: the absence of books in the home. Books are an adventure that should be a part of every childhood.

For a child in this day to be without is nothing short of heartbreaking.

Sue recalls a student with such a problem with tears in her eyes: “This is a child who is blossoming as a reader with no access to books.”

When Sue first realized this disheartening position, she jumped on what has become a bright solution.

“I haven’t traveled the world like other people have,” she said.

“I’ve learned about world cultures. I’ve traveled through books. I think you can learn a lot from a book.”

Sue had often fantasized about starting a book mobile that would travel locally and bring books to kids. She and her husband brainstormed suddenly when her brother-in-law put a van up for sale, and an inspirational close family friend passed away.

That van served as an inspiration.

“You know, that van,” she remembered thinking. “I could do a book van with it.”

Sue and her husband bought the van and remodeled it complete with shelving units and tubs for organizing books by theme and topic.

She also got full approval and support backing from the North Syracuse teachers’ union, the North Syracuse Education Association (NSEA).

With that, Book Van-Go was ready to roll!

The wheels on the van had begun to turn, and the books started rolling in. Sue’s close friends and family, fellow teachers and educators

Isabella Lance, left, and Sophia Lance take a look at some of the books available through Book Van-Go, started by North Syracuse reading teacher Sue Straub.

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Photos by Maureen Tricase/Capture Your Moments Photography

When a kid walks up, I want them to see the world in front of them.”— Sue Straub

would all bring her boxes of beautiful books as donations. Word began to spread. She began to network with bookstores and libraries to create a summer reading program, as they share a common goal.

“We all just want kids to read and find a love of reading,” Sue said.

Book Van-Go visits a series of parks in the summer. They pull up into their spot, place the “The Book Van is Here!” sign and kids will come running. Every week has a new theme. Some kids find a book, and go read instantly under a tree or on a bench. The regulars will check the request basket and see if the book they’ve yearned for has arrived. Sue is able to fulfill these wishes by creating an Amazon wish list for books kids have asked for, giving them a unique sense of a book club. The excitement for books and reading and enrichment are being embraced and encouraged.

The books have helped to unify a diverse group of kids from all over North Syracuse. Books can do that, Sue said.

“I just think we’re more alike than we are different,” she said.

Sue is incredibly humble in her project.

“I got it started, but I was just the one that got a van and everyone has filled that van,” she said.

As far as expanding goes, Sue would love to upgrade to a school bus which would allow for what would be more of a mobile shop. It would require less set up and would entail kids being able to go inside the bus to take a look around for their most perfect book.

Sue is hoping books stay alive and keep interest forever.

“I hope it’s a timeless activity,” she said. “I hope it’s not something that when I’m in my 80s it’s going to be hard to find books.”

Keep your eyes out for Book Van-Go this summer Tuesdays at Burnham Park in Mattydale, Wednesdays at Richfield Park and pool in Mattydale, and Thursdays at Kennedy Park in North Syracuse. Follow Book Van-Go on Facebook for more locations and special events.

If you’re interested in donating books or Amazon gift cards, message Book Van-Go through Facebook or drop your like new books age range pre-K through eighth grade at The North Syracuse Education Association at 210 S. Main Street Suite 203 in North Syracuse. SWM

The Women The Education in Service Edition

August 2019

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inspire Kathryn Lent

Learning to remove the barriers

KATHRYN LENT

By Becca Taurisano

COORDINATOR OF ADULT AND CONTINUING EDUCATION SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

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The Education Edition

or 36 years, Kathryn Lent has served as the Coordinator of Adult Lent’s department works with over 70 agencies to help get them and Continuing Education in the Syracuse City School District. support they need to succeed.

“It actually fell into my lap and I could not have picked a better “It’s all about removing the barriers,” Lent said. “We just want to career,” Lent said. help our students become the best they can be and contributing members to our community, because it benefits all of us.”

The Adult and Continuing Education program is made up of 65 percent English as a New Language (ENL) students from all over One of the barriers students can face is not feeling accepted. the world (predominantly Somalia, Congo, Iraq, Afghanistan, Cuba, Lent spoke about the difficulties LGBT students experience during Burma, and Puerto Rico). In order to effectively communicate with high school, something she understands personally.

ENL students, Adult and Continuing Education staff can speak “I think that’s why some students will drop out of high school, French, Spanish, Polish, Bosnian, Somali and Arabic. Lent says one because they struggle with these issues, especially those transitioning,” of her teachers can speak six or seven languages. It’s one way to help she said. “We just welcome everyone.”

Syracuse’s refugees to assimilate into the community.

SCSD provides an opportunity for LGBT staff and students to “Syracuse has always been a great place for refugees to come and start march in the Syracuse Pride Parade at the end of June. their life over,” Lent said. “We have all benefitted from people from “It’s near and dear to my heart,” Lent said, “It’s much more accepted different countries being here. They bring so much to our community.” these days.”

Lent said no one should be punished Lent planned to march with the because of where they are born.

SCSD group, but was unable to due to injury. Lent said the current school “Why should you be penalized that superintendent, Jaime Alicea, is very you’re born in a country that will not It’s all about removing the barriers. supportive of inclusive initiatives. offer women education?” she said. “A lot of our refugees come with only knowing “The school personnel do an excellent We just want to help our students a spoken language. Never having held a job of helping [LGBT students], but you become the best they can be pencil in their hand. Never having written can’t change how someone feels internally anything. They love sitting in class and if they are struggling,” Lent said. and contributing members to our learning. They are so eager. They are so Lent’s case managers work with students community, because it benefits all happy to be there. We really have no clue age 16 and up to counsel students of us.”—Kathryn Lent what some people go through in their considering dropping out of high school lives – some of the torture they’ve been as well as coaching parents on how to through, losing their families in war. navigate the school system and become advocates for their children in school.

So they have another chance to start their Many parents come to their program because they want to help their lives here and we can help them, so let’s children with their homework. do that.”

The remaining 35 percent of Lent’s students want to earn their High “That is the best thing I have ever heard a student say is, ‘Now I can School Equivalency (HSE), which used to be referred to as the GED. help my child with their homework,’’ Lent said. “Every time I hear one They have 20 community locations to make it easy for students to get of our students say that it brings tears to my eyes. It’s powerful. It’s all to the sites as many students use public transportation. They serve ages about the whole family literacy aspect.”

18 and older and the oldest student to earn their HSE was 65.

Adult and Continuing Education had over 70 graduates this year “It’s never too late,” said Lent. “It’s all about making our students feel and they walk in a graduation ceremony in full cap and gown. at ease. For a lot of them, high school was not the best experience — “It is a unique and different graduation. It is very touching,” Lent said. they just didn’t fit in, they found it difficult, they had a lot of roadblocks.” “Sadly one of our students was shot in April and killed and his mom wanted to walk the stage at graduation. Everybody was so moved.

Lent and her staff of 65 are trying to remove those roadblocks.

“Our case managers work with our students and refer them to other My heart just broke for her. It was a special moment. His mom wore agencies in our city,” she said. “There are a lot of great agencies that can his cap and gown and his dad walked the stage as well. What a way to help people. If we can help connect them and get the help they need, honor her son.” SWM then they will start coming to class.”

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UPCOMING SWM Events Friday, Aug. 2

Monday, Aug. 12

Friday, Aug. 2

Tuesday, Aug. 13

Birdies Before Brew When: 1 to 5 p.m.

Where: Burnet Park Golf Course,

300 Coleridge Ave., Syracuse What: Join us for Friends of the Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s golf tournament

fundraiser! With the richest prizes ever, exclusive beer tastings and

VIP treatment at our annual Brew at the Zoo and Wine, Too. Cost: $200 per golfer Info: syracusezooevents.org/event/birdies-before-brew-2019/ Brew at the Zoo and Wine, Too! When: 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Where: Rosamond Gifford Zoo,

1 Conservation Place, Syracuse What: Brew at the Zoo attracts more than 2,000 guests for an evening of beer

and wine, wonderful food and entertainment in the most exciting

setting – the zoo! More than 60 stations positioned around the zoo,

sampling beer, wine, cider, and more — there’s something for everyone.

Who knew that philanthropic endeavors could taste so good?

Cost: $55 to $95 Info: syracusezooevents.org/event/brew-at-the-zoo-2019/ Tuesday, Aug. 6

Drones Over Downtown When: 5 to 8 p.m.

Where: The Tech Garden,

235 Harrison St., Syracuse What: Learn more about drone technology and the growing UAS ecosystem

in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley at this unique community

event, which includes a large net for drone demos and learning to fly,

UAS vendors and exciting 3D drone simulations.

Cost: Free Info: eventbrite.com/e/drones-over-downtown-tickets-63661059944?aff= ebdssbdestsearch Saturday, Aug. 10

Strathmore Beer & Cheese Festival When: 3 to 7 p.m Where: Upper Onondaga Park,

655 Onondaga Ave., Syracuse What: Enjoy the beautiful, historic Strathmore neighborhood and our Beer and

Cheese Festival featuring craft beers and ciders paired with artisanal

cheeses, charcuterie and specialty foods and live music. Tickets include

samplings of beer, cheese and charcuterie.

Cost: $60 VIP, $40 General admission, $20 Designated driver Info: eventbrite.com/e/strathmore-beer-cheese-festival-tickets-60533191405 Saturday, Aug. 10

BrewFestaFunk When: 4 to 10 p.m.

Where: Beak & Skiff Apple Hill Campus & 1911 Tasting Room,

2708 Lords Hill Road, LaFayette What: This is a unique hybrid of a one day music festival, featuring Sophistafunk,

combined with a brewfest that will represent some of the most sought

after breweries in the craft beer industry, including Finback, Other Half

and Interboro. More breweries will be announced throughout the summer.

Cost: $25 to $50 Info: brewfestafunk.com 44

World Elephant Day When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Rosamond Gifford Zoo,

1 Conservation Way, Syracuse What: Join us in observing World Elephant Day with some special keeper chats

and elephant enrichment activities at Asian Elephant Preserve! Check the

schedule in the zoo lobby on arrival.

Cost: Free with membership or zoo admission Info: syracusezooevents.org/event/world-elephant-day-2019/ SYRACUSE

BUSINESS Syracuse Business Professionals Breakfast PROFESSIONALS When: 9 to 10 a.m.

Where: The Gem Diner,

832 Spencer St., Syracuse What: The purpose of this group is to make business connections. A member of

the group does a presentation each month and breakfast is available,

but optional.

Cost: Free Info: eventbrite.com/e/syracuse-business-professionalsrng-monthly-breakfast tickets-42541252030?aff=ebdssbdestsearch Tuesday, Aug. 13

Thursday, Aug. 22

S'mores Party in the Garden When: 4 to 8 p.m.

Where: Evergreen Landscaping and Garden Center,

6278 Thompson Road, Syracuse What: Delicious hors d’oeuvres. Wine available, live music, raffles to benefit

Hope for Heather - Ovarian Cancer Awareness of CNY and garden

giveaways, plus great fun making s'mores in the garden.

Cost: Free Info: (315) 463-0233 Tuesday, Aug. 27

Thursday, Aug. 29

Food Meets Tequila When: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Where: SKY Armory,

351 S. Clinton St, Syracuse What: SKY Armory’s series, “Food Meets...”, showcases a different spirit alongside

unique culinary pairings, and this month’s “Food Meets Tequila,”

event will feature samples from a number of tequila brands along with

delicious gourmet food options, plus live music.

Cost: $35 Info: skyarmory.com

SYRACUSE

Syracuse Business Professionals Lunch BUSINESS When: Noon PROFESSIONALS Where: Dinosaur BBQ,

246 W. Willow St., Syracuse What: Join the Syracuse Business Professional, formerly RNG for lunch.

The purpose of this group is to make business connections so we can

all help grow each other’s businesses.

Cost: Free Info: eventbrite.com/e/syracuse-business-professionalsrng-lunch-meeting tickets-44143896583?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

Summer Give Back BBQ and Golf Tournament When: 4 to 8 p.m.

Where: Traditions at the Links LLC,

5900 N. Burdick St., East Syracuse What: Don’t miss this ALL NEW summer event for the business community!

Join CenterState CEO Members for great food, networking, fun and an

opportunity to give back to some of our community’s charitable

organizations and nonprofits. Golf options also available.

Cost: BBQ only: $75/member; $85/non-members; Golf + BBQ: Foursomes:

$600 for members; $700 for non-members; Golf + BBQ: Individuals:

$175/member; $200/ non-members; group packages are also available

for groups of 5 or more.

Info: contact Beth Savicki at (315) 470.1833 or bsavicki@centerstateceo.com Saturday, Aug. 17

Asian Elephant Extravaganza When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Rosamond Gifford Zoo,

1 Conservation Way, Syracuse What: In partnership with the Syracuse University South

Asia Center and the Southeast Asia Program at

Cornell University, this event features performances of music, dance and

artwork from Thailand, Bali, India and other South Asian countries.

Cost: Free with membership or zoo admission Info: syracusezooevents.org/event/asian-elephant-extravaganza-2019/ Tuesday, Aug. 20

The Fresh Drunk Stoned Comedy Tour When: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Where: Funny Bone,

10301 Destiny USA Drive, Syracuse What: This triple Headliner show featuring Franco Harris, Matt Bellak, and Tim Hanlon

brings you an unapologetic, irreverent humor. In a showcase style performance,

you will get three different perspectives and a night full of laughs.

Cost: Free Info: eventbrite.com/e/free-tickets-syracuse-funny-bone-820-stand-up-comedy show-tickets-63923520972?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

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movers AND Shakers NEW BREAST BIOPSY TECHNOLGY ENHANCES CARE

donation with the mother before actual delivery. Once the blood is removed from the umbilical cord, the donation is then packaged and transported to Upstate’s 20,000-square-foot facility that features a state of the art processing laboratory and cryogenic storage containers.

The Upstate Cord Blood Bank operates under strict guidelines and protocols, established by state and federal health organizations, including the state Health Department; Food and Drug Administration; AABB Center for Cellular Therapies; and the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy.

For more information about the Crouse Cord Blood Collection initiative, visit crouse.org/cordblood.

The Dr. Hadley J. Falk Breast Health Center at Crouse Health is the first breast in Syracuse to offer the new Hologic 3D Breast Biopsy Prone System.

The advanced technology is designed to provide more accurate diagnoses with patients’ physical and emotional comfort at the forefront. During the needle biopsy, the patient is prone, or laying face down, instead of sitting or standing.

“The 3D system is superior in its ability to detect potential cancers and allows us to locate the same abnormality seen on the patient’s screening exam to accurately place the needle for a subsequent biopsy,” said Dr. Stephen Montgomery, director of the Falk Breast Health Center.

The prone system also eliminates a direct view of the biopsy needle, helping to greatly reduce patient stress.

To make an appointment with the Falk Breast Health Center, call (315) 470-5880 or visit crouse.org/mammoappt.

Crouse Health offers cord blood donation process to families delivering babies

Parents delivering at Crouse Health will now have the opportunity to voluntarily donate their baby’s umbilical cord blood to the Upstate Cord Blood Bank at Upstate Medical University.

This new partnership will potentially increase cord blood donations that will be available for public use.

Thousands of critically ill patients with blood diseases such as leukemia and lymphoma are in urgent need of life-saving transplants.

Umbilical cord blood, which is typically discarded as medical waste, is rich with the blood-forming cells that can give blood cancer patients hope for a cure.

Cord blood donation is completely safe for mother and baby; labor and delivery is not affected. No blood is taken from a newborn; it is only removed from the umbilical cord after birth. The designation of Upstate Cord Blood Bank as a public blood bank is important in that there is no cost to donate and donated cord blood is available to anyone who needs it.

Once donated, the cord blood will be stored in the bank and made available to transplant centers in the United States and throughout the world for patients in need. The cord blood units will be listed on national and international registries in order to be matched to the patients who need them. Any units collected that are not suitable for transplantation will be made available to researchers, both at Upstate Medical University and around the country.

Deciding whether to donate cord blood is best done during the early months of pregnancy. Various forms are completed by the expectant parents and submitted directly to the cord blood bank no more than 30 days prior to delivery. Once reviewed and approved, the bank notifies Crouse’s Labor and Delivery unit, which reviews the potential 46

Crouse Medical Practice to open new site in Camillus Crouse Medical Practice (CMP) is opening a new office at

5417 West Genesee St. in Camillus. The 7,000-square-foot location is expected to open in September, according to CMP President and Medical Director Carl Butch, MD, and will provide both primary care and specialty services to patients on the west side of Syracuse.

Crouse Medical Practice was established in 2010 by Crouse Health to further align the organization with its physicians, with the goal of building an integrated healthcare delivery network over time.

The multispecialty practice has locations in Syracuse (across from Crouse Hospital and on Erie Boulevard East), Brittonfield, Manlius and Liverpool.

Crouse Health earns dual certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center

Crouse Health has earned the distinction of being the first and only hospital in the region to receive dual certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, reflecting the highest level of regional expertise for the treatment of serious stroke events. Comprehensive Stroke Centers are typically the largest and best-equipped hospitals in a geographical area for treating any type of stroke or stroke complication.

In May 2018, Crouse received certification from DNV-GL Healthcare, one of the leading accrediting agencies in the U.S., making it one of just four DNV-certified advanced stroke centers in New York state. Additionally, Crouse received its second designation as a Comprehensive Stroke Center from the New York State Department of Health, which designated the hospital as a Primary Stroke Center in 2007. Crouse is currently the only NYS DOH-designated Comprehensive Stroke Center in the region.

Certification by these two organizations is based on quality standards and affirms that the recipient hospital addresses the full spectrum of stroke care — diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and education, while establishing clear metrics to evaluate outcomes. Comprehensive Stroke Centers deliver the highest quality of care to the most complex cases, delivering evidence-based treatment with the latest research protocols.

Crouse is the only hospital in the region equipped with two hybrid operating room suites, allowing the stroke team to provide the most advanced endovascular stroke rescue capabilities.

The Crouse stroke team consistently meets — and exceeds — aggressive door-to-treatment times that surpass the U.S. average.

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is an FDA-approved drug that dissolves clots and improves blood flow to the part of the brain being deprived of blood and, therefore, oxygen. If tPA is given within three hours of symptoms, the effects of stroke decrease significantly.

Crouse has earned the American Heart/Stroke Association’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus recognition for meeting — and exceeding — AHA guidelines for giving tPA within 45 minutes.

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