HealthWise ISSUE 2, 2020
A wellness publication from NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst
STROKE CARE, CLOSE TO HOME High-tech help is here PAGE 4
Born at Elmhurst: Meet your neighbors PAGE 12
What we’ve learned from the Covid-19 crisis PAGE 16
Telehealth is here to stay PAGE 20
Live Your Healthiest Life.
DEAR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS I hope this letter finds you and your families safe and well. As we enter a new year, I want to express our hospital’s profound thanks for the incredible support you have given us throughout the COVID-19 crisis. Your donations of all types (a special shout-out to 16-year-old donor Avianna McGhee, whose inspiring story can be found at right) and your advocacy of our healthcare providers and first responders have meant a great deal to us. The thousands of doctors, nurses, and other frontline staff who are fighting the pandemic here at Elmhurst are deeply and forever grateful for all the love we have received from our community. We also want to remind you of the safety measures you and your loved ones should continue to follow over the coming months, including: • Stay home if you’re sick. Only leave for essential medical care, testing, or other essential errands. • Mask up! Wearing a mask when you’re out in public protects you from getting or spreading the virus. • Keep physical distance. Stay at least 6 feet away from other people whenever possible. • Wash your hands. Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If no water is available, hand sanitizer that’s at least 60% alcohol is a good substitute. In the coming weeks, we will keep you posted regarding our plans to help the community remain healthy and safe, as well as our initiatives to address long-standing and systemic health inequities. In the meantime, please know we remain enormously grateful for your continuing support and dedication to ensuring equal access to high quality healthcare in our community. Please continue to be safe and well. Dr. Eric Wei, Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer for NYC Health + Hospitals Interim CEO, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst
2
SHE HAS (HE)ART Avianna McGhee, 16, was at her family’s home in Upstate New York (they live in Manhattan) when a family friend, a retired physician, visited and mentioned that he’d be coming out of retirement to volunteer at one of New York’s overwhelmed hospitals during the height of the COVID-19 surge in the late spring. “I thought, ‘what if we never see him again?’” said Avianna. “I was safe in my bubble upstate, but so many people were suffering.” So the teen, who paints with acrylics, hit on the idea of selling her work and donating the proceeds to a hospital in need. She did some research and decided to make NYC Health + Hospitals/ Elmhurst her beneficiary. She got the word out via friends, Instagram, and an article in a Queens newspaper. By summer’s end, Avianna had sold enough paintings and garnered enough additional donations to offer Elmhurst a $3,500 gift. Art, she says, is a hobby — after high school, she plans to study in the STEM field with an eye toward a career in neuroscience. A self-described “people person,” Avianna calls her productive summer project “gratifying. I loved talking to people at Elmhurst.” Thank you, Avianna!
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
ELMHURST
ISSUE 2, 2020
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12
22
Contents 2
Dear friends and neighbors
A message from Dr. Eric Wei
4
Stroke of good fortune
With the addition of high-tech equipment, Elmhurst is ready and able to treat stroke patients much closer to home.
12 Born at Elmhurst
Meet a few of the many thousands of babies who were born right here in our hospital
16 Cure-19: Learning from the Covid crisis
Elmhurst was at the global center of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new research project is looking at what happened and why, and how to make us stronger.
21 Holidays in the “New Normal”
Your usual celebratory get-togethers will be anything but usual this year
22 Go ahead and indulge!
Here’s how to eat healthfully without sacrificing deliciousness
18 Because we care
NYC Care, a program that offers low- or no-cost primary care to New Yorkers, comes to Elmhurst
20 The Doctor Will See You Now (Onscreen)
Got a doctor’s appointment? You may not need to leave home—here’s how to make telehealth work for you.
Designed and produced by Onward Publishing, Inc. 631-757-8300 www.onwardpublishing.com
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Stroke care,
CLOSE TO HOME With the addition of high-tech equipment, Elmhurst is ready and able to treat stroke patients much closer to home Time is brain when it comes to stroke. “As soon as a stroke starts, brain cells are dying,” said Zachary Hickman, MD, Director of Neurosurgery at NYC Health + Hospitals/ Elmhurst. That makes fast treatment, as close as possible to home, urgent so that stroke patients have a better chance to recover with fewer problems. Elmhurst Hospital sees around 500 stroke patients each year. Many members of our community suffer from one or more of three key risk factors: Around 70 percent of our patients have high blood pressure, 40 percent have high cholesterol, and 35 percent have diabetes. For patients having a common type of stroke, one surgical procedure is quite effective when it’s done early enough. It’s 4
the suite, a special hybrid machine conducts a CT scan to pinpoint the clot. Surgeons can then use the same machine to perform the thrombectomy, clearing clots to restore blood called a thrombectomy, flow. Patients stay in the and it removes blood clots same place between scan from inside arteries and and procedure, saving veins, restoring blood time. Thanks to this new flow to the brain. Until machine, a thrombectomy recently, stroke patients could begin in as little as at Elmhurst Hospital who 20 to 30 minutes from the needed a thrombectomy time the patient enters had to be transferred to the hospital. “Our goal is Manhattan. “It could take to be among the fastest more than an hour,” said in the country,” said Hazem Shoirah, MD, the hospital’s Director of Stroke Dr. Hickman. In addition to stroke and Neuroendovascular patients, the thrombectomy Medicine. “By the time suite can help patients with they arrived, about onecarotid disease or transient third would no longer ischemic attacks, as well as be good candidates.” Not brain bleeds, aneurysms, only that, the transfer also even tumors of the head took patients away from and neck and meningioma. their loved ones, making “Those are all conditions visiting harder. for which we can now offer But this past October, high levels of expertise Elmhurst Hospital and treatment at Elmhurst opened a state-of-the-art Hospital,” says Dr. Shoirah. thrombectomy suite. In
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
ELMHURST
BE FAST: HOW TO SPOT A STROKE Every minute counts when someone is having a stroke. It’s important to know the signs, which come on suddenly. Remember this acronym and you could save a life:
B
IS FOR BALANCE. Is the person dizzy, leaning to one side, or having trouble walking?
E
IS FOR EYES. Is the person unable to see from one or both eyes, or seeing double?
F
“I’m excited about serving our community locally, not having stroke patients lose the potential for recovery.” - Hazem Shoriah, MD
The thrombectomy suite is just one step toward Elmhurst becoming a Comprehensive Stroke Center, which would be the first in Queens. Also in the works: a Neurosciences Institute, which will include a second thrombectomy suite located inside the emergency department; a neurological ICU; a spine center; and additional neurocritical care specialists. “Each step is designed to improve the quality of care not just for stroke patients, but for all neurological and neurosurgical patients in the borough,” said Dr. Hickman. This combination of expertise and state-of-the-
art equipment will also help patients with head and spine trauma and other types of brain injuries. Twenty to 25 percent of all the traumas that come into the hospital each year are head or spine injuries. “I’m excited about serving our community locally, not having stroke patients lose the potential for recovery by transferring,” says Dr. Shoirah. “We want them to be near their families on the road to recovery. It requires lots of support, and their morale needs to be high. Especially with travel restrictions due to COVID-19, we like to keep our patients close to home.”
IS FOR FACE. Is one side of the person’s face drooping or numb? Is their smile lopsided?
A
IS FOR ARMS. Is one arm weak or numb? Can they hold up both arms without one drifting downward?
S
IS FOR SPEECH. Is speech slurred or hard to understand? Can they repeat back a simple sentence?
T
IS FOR TIME. If the person shows any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.
5
স্ট্রোকের পররচররো্ ,
বাড়ির কাছাকাড়ছ উচ্চ-প্রযুক্তির সরঞ্জাম যযজাগ করজার সঙ্গে, এলমহজার্স্ট যট্জাক হওয়জা যরজাগীঙ্ের বজাক্ির আরও কজাঙ্ে ক্িক্কৎসজা ক্েঙ্ে প্রস্তুে ও সক্ষম।
যট্জাঙ্কর যক্ষঙ্রে। “যট্জাক শুরু হঙ্লই মক্তিঙ্কের যকজাষগুক্লর মৃেুযু হঙ্ে শুরু কঙ্র,” বঙ্লঙ্েন NYC Health + Hospitals/এলমহজার্স্ট এর ক্নউঙ্রজাসজারস্টজাক্র ক্নঙ্েস্টশক (Director of Neurosurgery) রযুজাকজাক্র ক্হকমযুজান (Zachary Hickman), এমক্ি। এঙ্ে বজাক্ির যেঙ্ক যে কজাঙ্ে সম্ভব, ররুক্র , দ্রুে ক্িক্কৎসজা করজাঙ্নজা গুরুত্বপূর,স্ট যজাঙ্ে যরজাগীর আরও কম সমসযুজা সহ সুস্থ হঙ্য় ওঠজার সম্ভজাবনজা আরও যবক্শ েজাঙ্ক। এলমহজার্স্ট হজাসপজােজাঙ্ল (Elmhurst Hospital) প্রক্ে বের প্রজায় 500 রন যট্জাঙ্কর যরজাগীর আঙ্সন। আমজাঙ্ের সম্প্রেজাঙ্য়র অঙ্নক সেঙ্সযুর প্রধজান ক্েনটির মঙ্ধযু একটি বজা একজাক্ধক ঝু ক্ঁ ক রঙ্য়ঙ্ে: আমজাঙ্ের যরজাগীঙ্ের প্রজায় 70 শেজাংঙ্শর উচ্চ রতিিজাপ রঙ্য়ঙ্ে, 40 শেজাংঙ্শর যকজাঙ্লঙ্র্রল যবক্শ রঙ্য়ঙ্ে এবং 35 শেজাংঙ্শর িজায়জাঙ্বটিস রঙ্য়ঙ্ে। সজাধজারর প্রকজাঙ্রর যট্জাক হওয়জা যরজাগীঙ্ের যক্ষঙ্রে, যঙ্েষ্ট েজািজােজাক্ি করজা হঙ্ল একটি শলযু-ক্িক্কৎসজা প্ররজালী খুব 6
কজাযক স্ট র। এঙ্ক থ্রঙ্বেক্টক্ম (thrombectomy) বলজা হয় এবং এটি ধমনী ও ক্শরজার মঙ্ধযু যেঙ্ক রমজাট বজাঁ ধজা রতি যবর কঙ্র ক্েঙ্য় মক্তিঙ্কে পুনরজায় রতিপ্রবজাহ িজালু কঙ্র। সম্প্রক্ে পযন্ত স্ট , এলমহজার্স্ট হজাসপজােজাঙ্লর যট্জাক হওয়জা যরজাগীঙ্ের থ্রঙ্বেক্টক্মর প্রঙ্য়জারন েজাকঙ্ল মযুজানহজাটজাঙ্ন (Manhattan) স্থজানজান্তক্রে করঙ্ে হঙ্েজা। “এঙ্ে একঘণ্জার যবক্শ সময় লজাগঙ্ে পজাঙ্র,” বঙ্লঙ্েন হজাসপজােজাঙ্লর যট্জাক ও ক্নউঙ্রজাএঙ্্জাভজাস্ু লজার ক্নঙ্েস্টশক (Director of Stroke and Neuroendovascular) হজাঙ্রম যশজাইরজাহ (Hazem Shoirah), এমক্ি। “েজারজা এঙ্স যপৌ ঁেঙ্নজার সময় যরজাগীঙ্ের প্রজায় এক-েৃ েীয়জাংঙ্শর এটজা করজার সুঙ্যজাগ েজাঙ্ক নজা।” শুধু েজাই নয়, স্থজানজান্তঙ্রর কজারঙ্র যরজাগীঙ্ের েজাঙ্ের ক্প্রয়রনঙ্ের যেঙ্ক েূঙ্র ক্নঙ্য় যজাওয়জা হয়, যজার ফঙ্ল েজাঙ্ের যেখঙ্ে যজাওয়জা কক্ঠন হঙ্য় পঙ্ি।
ক্কন্তু গে অঙ্ক্টজাবঙ্র এলমহজার্স্ট হজাসপজােজাল একটি সবজাস্ট ধুক্নক থ্রঙ্বেক্টক্ম যন্ত্রবযুবস্থজা িজালু কঙ্রঙ্ে। এই যন্ত্রবযুবস্থজায় একটি ক্বঙ্শষ হজাইক্রিি যন্ত্র রমজাট বজাঁ ধজার স্থজানটি ক্নখুে ঁ ভজাঙ্ব ক্নরস্টয় করঙ্ে একটি ক্সটি স্যুজান সম্জােন কঙ্র। শলযু-ক্িক্কৎসকগর এরপর যসই একই যন্ত্রঙ্ক থ্রঙ্বেক্টক্ম সম্জােঙ্ন বযুবহজার করঙ্ে পজাঙ্রন, যজাঙ্ে রমজাট বজাঁ ধজা রতি সক্রঙ্য় পুনরজায় রতিপ্রবজাহ িজালু করজা যজায়। যরজাগীরজা স্যুজান ও প্ররজালীর রনযু একই রজায়গজায় যেঙ্ক যজাওয়জায় সময় বজাঁ ঙ্ি। এই নেু ন যন্ত্রটিঙ্ক ধনযুবজাে যয যরজাগীঙ্ক হজাসপজােজাঙ্ল আনজার মজারে 20 যেঙ্ক 30 ক্মক্নঙ্টর মঙ্ধযু থ্রঙ্বেক্টক্ম শুরু কঙ্র যেওয়জা যজায়। “আমজাঙ্ের লক্ষযু হল যেঙ্শর অনযুেম দ্রুেেম হওয়জা,” িঃ ক্হকমযুজান বঙ্লঙ্েন। যট্জাঙ্কর যরজাগীঙ্ের সঙ্গে থ্রঙ্বেক্টক্ম যন্ত্রবযুবস্থজাটি কযুজাঙ্রজাটিি যরজাগ বজা ক্ষরস্থজায়ী ইক্স্ক্মক অযুজাটজাক, েেজা মক্তিঙ্কে রতিক্ষরর, অযুজাক্নউক্ররম, এমনক্ক মজােজায় ও ঘজাঙ্ি টিউমজার েজাকজা এবং যমক্নক্ঞ্ওমজা েজাকজা যরজাগীঙ্ের সজাহজাযযু করঙ্ে পজাঙ্র। “এগুক্ল হল যসইসব অবস্থজা যজার রঙ্নযু আমরজা এখন এলমহজার্স্ট হজাসপজােজাঙ্ল উচ্চমজাঙ্নর েক্ষেজা ও ক্িক্কৎসজা যপশ করঙ্ে পজাক্র,” িঃ যশজাইরজাহ বঙ্লঙ্েন।
NYC হেলথ + হসপিটাল
এলমহার্স্ট
দ্রুত কাজ করুন: স্ট্রোক হয়েয়ে কীভরোয়ে েুঝয়েন
কার�া� স্ট্াক হরে প্রতিটি তিতিট গুরুত্বপূর্ণ। স্েই েক্ষরগুতে স্েিা জরুত�, যা হঠাৎ কর� স্েখা স্েয়। এই আে্যক্ষর�� েিষ্টিটি িরি �াখুি এবং আপতি একটি জীবি বাাোরি পার�ি:
B
হল ব্াললন্স (BALANCE)/ দেলহর ভারসাম্। স্েই ব্যততি� তক িাথা ঘু�রে, একতেরক কাি হরয় পড়রেি বা হা াটরি অেুতবরে হরছে?
E
হল আইজ (EYES)/দ�াখ। স্েই ব্যততি তক একটি বা েুটি স্োরখই স্েখরি পারছেি িা বা েুটি কর� স্েখরেি?
আমি আিরোয়ের সম্প্রেরোেয়ক স্রোনীেভরোয়ে পমরয়েেরো স্েওেরোর ে্রোপরোয়র উদ্ীমপত স্েরোধ করমে, যরোয়ত স্রোনরোন্তয়রর করোরয়ে স্করোনও স্ট্রোক হওেরো স্ররোগী সুস্ হয়ে ওঠরোর সুয়যরোগ নরো হরোররোন
F
থ্রঙ্বেক্টক্ম যন্ত্রবযুবস্থজাটি এলমহজাঙ্র্স্ট র একটি সবজাস্ট গেীর যট্জাক যকন্দ্র হঙ্য় ওঠজার পঙ্ে একটি পেঙ্ক্ষপ মজারে, যজা কু ইঙ্সে (Queens) প্রেমবজার হঙ্ে যজাঙ্ছে। যসইসঙ্গে যযগুক্লর কজার িলঙ্ে: একটি স্জায়ুক্িক্কৎসজা প্রক্েষ্জান, যজাঙ্ে েজাকঙ্ব আপৎকজালীন ক্বভজাঙ্গর মঙ্ধযু ক্বিেীয় একটি থ্রঙ্বেক্টক্ম যন্ত্রবযুবস্থজা; একটি স্জায়ুক্িক্কৎসজার ICU; একটি সুষম্ ু জা-ক্িক্কৎসজা যকন্দ্র; এবং অক্েক্রতি গুরুের স্জায়ুঙ্রজাগ পক্রিযজাস্ট র ক্বঙ্শষজ্ঞগর। “প্রক্েটি পেঙ্ক্ষঙ্পর নকশজা করজা হঙ্য়ঙ্ে পক্রিযজাস্ট র গুরমজান উন্নে করজার রনযু যজা যকবল যট্জাক হওয়জা যরজাগীঙ্ের রনযুই নয়, যবজাঙ্রজার মঙ্ধযুকজার স্জায়ুঙ্রজাগীঙ্ের ও স্জায়ুঙ্রজাঙ্গর শলযু-ক্িক্কৎসজাপ্রজােথী যরজাগীঙ্ের রঙ্নযুও,” িজাঃ ক্হকমযুজান বঙ্লঙ্েন। েক্ষেজা ও সবজাস্ট ধুক্নক সরঞ্জাঙ্মর এই সমন্বয় মজােজা ও যমরুেঙ্ডে আঘজাে লজাগজা এবং
মক্তিঙ্কের অনযুজানযু প্রকজাঙ্রর আঘজাে েজাকজা যরজাগীঙ্েরও সজাহজাযযু করঙ্ব। প্রক্ে বের হজাসপজােজাঙ্ল আসজা আঘজাঙ্ের কু ক্ি যেঙ্ক 25 শেজাংশ হল মজােজার বজা যমরুেঙ্ডের আঘজাে। “আক্ম আমজাঙ্ের সম্প্রেজায়ঙ্ক স্থজানীয়ভজাঙ্ব পক্রঙ্ষবজা যেওয়জার বযুজাপজাঙ্র উদ্ীক্পে যবজাধ করক্ে, যজাঙ্ে স্থজানজান্তঙ্রর কজারঙ্র যকজানও যট্জাক হওয়জা যরজাগী সুস্থ হঙ্য় ওঠজার সুঙ্যজাগ নজা হজারজান,” িঃ যশজাইরজাহ বঙ্লঙ্েন। “আমরজা িজাই যয েজারজা সুস্থ হঙ্য় ওঠজার সময় েজাঙ্ের পক্রবজাঙ্রর কজােজাকজাক্ে েজাকু ন। এঙ্ে যঙ্েষ্ট পক্রমজার সহজায়েজার লজাঙ্গ এবং েজাঙ্ের মঙ্নজাবল উচ্চ েজাকঙ্ে হয়। ক্বঙ্শষ কঙ্র যকজাক্ভি-19 এর কজারঙ্র সফঙ্র সীমজাবদ্ধেজা েজাকজায় আমরজা আমজাঙ্ের যরজাগীঙ্ের বজাক্ির কজােজাকজাক্ে রজাখঙ্ে িজাই।”
হল দেস (FACE)/মু খ মণ্ডল। স্েই ব্যততি� িুরখ� একপাশ তক ঝুরে পড়রে বা অবশ হরয় যারছে? িারে� হাতে তক একরপরশ?
A
হল আম্ম স (ARMS)/বাহু। একটি বাহু তক েুবে ্ণ বা অবশ হরয় পরড়রে? িা�া তক একটি হাি তিরে� তেরক স্িরব িা আো অবস্ায় উভয় বাহু উপর� িু রে �াখরি পা�রেি?
S
হল স্পী� (SPEECH)/ কথা বলা। কথা তক জতড়রয় যারছে বা বুঝরি অেুতবরে হরছে? িা�া তক একটি ে�ে বারক্য� ক�রি পা�রেি?
T
হল টাইম (TIME)/সময়। স্েই ব্যততি� এই উপের্ণ গুতে� স্কারিা একটি স্েখা স্ররে েরগে েরগে 911 িম্বর� স্�াি করুি। েিরয়� োরথ দ্রুি স্ায়তবক িন্ত্র িষ্ট হয়
7
脑卒中护理，
离家更近 随着高科技设备的增加，Elmhurst 现已能够在离家更近的地方为脑 卒中患者提供治疗。
流。患者在同一个地方进 行扫描和手术，可以节省 时间。在这台新设备的帮 对于脑卒中患者来说，时 助下，患者到达医院后 20 间就是生命。“脑卒中 到 30 分钟内即可进行血 开始发展后，脑细胞会 栓切除术。“我们的目标 逐渐死亡。”NYC Health 术，可以清除动脉和静脉 是成为脑卒中患者收治和 + Hospitals/Elmhurst 神 内 的 血 块 ， 恢 复 流 向 大 血栓切除术速度最快的美 经 外 科 主 任 Z a c h a r y 脑 的 血 流 。 在 此 之 前 ， 国医院之一。”Hickman Hickman 医学博士介绍 Elmhurst Hospital 的脑卒 博士表示。 道 。 对 于 脑 卒 中 患 者 来 中患者只能转到曼哈顿去 除了脑卒中患者之外，血 说，在离家尽可能近的地 做血栓切除术。“去曼哈 栓切除术套间还可以帮助 方尽快接受治疗非常重 顿手术路上要一个多小 患有颈动脉疾病、短暂性 要，因为这样更容易恢复 时。”脑卒中与神经血管 内科主任 Hazem Shoirah 脑缺血发作的患者，以及 健康，问题也越少。 医学博士说道，“到达医 脑 出 血 、 动 脉 瘤 甚 至 头 Elmhurst Hospital 每年接 院之前，大约三分之一的 颈 部 肿 瘤 和 脑 膜 瘤 的 患 收诊治大约 500 名脑卒中 脑卒中患者都不适合手术 者。“这些疾病现在都可 患者。脑卒中有三个关键 了。”除此之外，转诊之 以在 Elmhurst Hospital 得 风险因素，我们社区很多 后患者离家远，家属探视 到高水平的专家意见和治 居民都遭受其中一种或多 疗。”Shoirah 博士说道。 也不方便。 种风险：约 70% 的患者 血栓切除术套间只是 有高血压，40% 的患者有 而 在 刚 过 去 的 十 月 ， Elmhurst 成为综合性脑卒 高胆固醇，35% 的患者有 Elmhurst Hospital 开设了最 先进的血栓切除术套间。 中中心的一步，这将是皇 糖尿病。 套间内有特制混合机器可 后 区 的 第 一 个 脑 卒 中 中 对于普通类型脑卒中患者 进行 CT 扫描，以确定血 心。在建的还有：神经科 来说，只要及早手术，一 块位置。医生可以在这台 学研究所，其中包括位于 台手术就可以达到很好 机器上操作进行血栓切除 急诊科内的第二个血栓切 的效果。这叫做血栓切除 术，以清除血块，恢复血 除术套间；神经重症监护 8
纽约市健康与医院管理局 (NYC Health NYC Hospitals) 艾姆赫斯特医院 ELMHURST (Elmhurst) +HEALTH + HOSPITALS
BE FAST: 如何发现脑卒中 罹患脑卒中后每一分钟对患者 来说都很关键。脑卒中是一种
突发疾病，熟悉其发病迹象非 常重要。牢记以下缩写， 您可以挽救生命：
B
意为平衡。
是否出现头晕、身体倒向一 边，或者走路困难的迹象？
E
意为眼睛。
是否单眼或双眼不能视物， 或者看见重影？
F
意为脸部。
我很高兴能
就近为我们
的社区服务， 脑卒中患者
也可以免于
因转院而失 去康复的潜力
是否一侧脸部低垂或者麻木？
室；脊柱中心；以及更多 的神经危重症专家。
“每一步都是为了提高护 理质量，这不仅是对于脑 卒中患者而言，更是对于 皇后区所有的神经内外科 患者而言。”Hickman 博 士表示。专家与先进设备 结合的手术套间也可以帮 助头部和脊柱外伤患者， 以及其他类型脑损伤患 者。医院每年收治的所有 外伤患者中，20% 到 25% 是头部或脊椎受伤。
“我很高兴能就近为我们 的社区服务，脑卒中患者 也可以免于因转院而失去 康复的潜力。”Shoirah 博 士说道。“我们希望患者 在康复之路上能离家人近
一些。康复过程中需要多 方面的支持，患者需要保 持高昂的情绪。特别是在 新冠肺炎期间出行受限， 我们希望患者在离家近一 些的地方接受治疗。
是否笑的时候口角歪斜？
A
意为手臂。
是否一只手臂虚弱或麻木？ 是否可以平举双臂，
没有一只手臂向下移动？
S
意为言语。
是否说话含糊不清， 或者难以理解？
是否可以复述简单的句子？
T
意为时间。
如果出现以上任意症状， 请立即拨打 911。
9
Atención de accidentes cerebrovasculares, CERCA DE CASA Con la incorporación de equipos de alta tecnología, Elmhurst está listo y dispuesto para tratar pacientes de accidente cerebrovascular mucho más cerca de su hogar. El tiempo es oro para su cerebro cuando se produce un accidente cerebrovascular. “En cuanto empieza un accidente cerebrovascular, se mueren las células del cerebro”, indicó Zachary Hickman, MD, director de Neurocirugía en NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. Eso le da un carácter de urgente a un tratamiento rápido, lo más cerca posible del hogar, para que los pacientes de accidente cerebrovascular tengan más posibilidades de recuperarse con menos problemas.
10
Elmhurst Hospital atiende a cerca de 500 pacientes de accidente cerebrovascular cada año. Muchos miembros de nuestra comunidad sufren de uno o más de tres factores de riesgo clave: Alrededor del 70 % de nuestros pacientes tiene presión arterial elevada, el 40 % tiene colesterol alto y el 35 % tiene diabetes.
es bastante eficaz cuando se realiza oportunamente. Se llama trombectomía, y extrae los coágulos de sangre desde el interior de las arterias y venas, con lo que se restablece el flujo de sangre hacia el cerebro. Hasta hace poco, los pacientes de accidente cerebrovascular de Elmhurst Hospital que necesitaban una trombectomía tenían que trasladarse a Manhattan. “Podía tomar más de una hora”, dijo Hazem Shoirah, MD, directora de Accidentes Cardiovasculares y Neuroendovascular del hospital. “Para cuando llegaban, alrededor de un tercio ya no eran buenos candidatos”. No solo eso, el traslado también alejaba a los pacientes de sus seres queridos, lo que dificultaba las visitas.
En el caso de los pacientes que tienen un tipo común de accidente cerebrovascular, un procedimiento quirúrgico
Pero en octubre pasado, Elmhurst Hospital abrió una sala de trombectomía de avanzada. En la sala, una
máquina híbrida especial realiza una tomografía computarizada para localizar el coágulo. A continuación, los cirujanos pueden usar la misma máquina para realizar la trombectomía, que disuelve los coágulos y restablece el flujo de sangre. Los pacientes se mantienen en el mismo lugar entre la tomografía y el procedimiento, lo que ahorra tiempo. Gracias a esta nueva máquina, se puede iniciar una trombectomía en tan solo 20 a 30 minutos desde el momento en que el paciente ingresa al hospital. “Nuestra meta es ubicarnos entre los más rápidos del país”, afirmó el Dr. Hickman. Además de los pacientes de accidente cerebrovascular, la sala de trombectomía puede ayudar a los pacientes con enfermedad de las arterias carótidas o accidentes isquémicos transitorios, así como hemorragias cerebrales, aneurismas, incluso tumores de cabeza y cuello y meningiomas. “Son todas afecciones para las que podemos ofrecer altos niveles de pericia y tratamiento en Elmhurst Hospital”, indicó el Dr. Shoirah.
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
ELMHURST
BE FAST:
CÓMO RECONOCER UN ACCIDENTE CEREBROVASCULAR Cada minuto cuenta cuando alguien está teniendo un accidente cerebrovascular. Es importante conocer las señales, que aparecen repentinamente. Recuerde esta frase y podría salvar una vida:
B
ES POR EQUILIBRIO. ¿La persona está mareada, apoyándose de un lado, o tiene problemas para caminar?
E
ES POR OJOS. ¿La persona no puede ver por uno o los dos ojos, o tiene visión doble?
Me entusiasma la idea de atender a nuestra comunidad de forma local, sin que los pacientes de accidente cerebrovascular pierdan posibilidades de recuperación debido a un traslado
La sala de trombectomía es tan solo un paso para que Elmhurst se convierta en un centro integral de accidentes cerebrovasculares, que podría ser el primero de Queens. También entre los planes: Un Instituto de Neurociencias, que incluirá una segunda sala de trombectomía ubicada dentro del Departamento de Urgencias; una UCI neurológica; un centro para patologías de la columna; y más especialistas en atención neurocrítica. “Cada paso está diseñado para mejorar la calidad de la atención; no simplemente para pacientes de accidente cerebrovascular, sino para todos los pacientes neurológicos y neuroquirúrgicos en el distrito”, afirmó el Dr. Hickman. Esta combinación de experiencia y equipos de avanzada también ayudará a los
pacientes con traumatismo en la cabeza y la columna vertebral y otros tipos de lesiones cerebrales. Entre un 20 y un 25 % de todos los casos de traumatismos que llegan al hospital cada año son lesiones de la cabeza o la columna vertebral. “Me entusiasma la idea de atender a nuestra comunidad de forma local, sin que los pacientes de accidente cerebrovascular pierdan posibilidades de recuperación debido a un traslado”, dijo el Dr. Shoirah. “Queremos que estén cerca de sus familias en el camino a la recuperación. Requiere mucho apoyo y la moral tiene que ser alta. Especialmente con las restricciones de traslado por la COVID-19, nos gusta mantener a nuestros pacientes cerca de su hogar”.
F
ES POR CARA. ¿Uno de los lados de la cara está caído o no tiene sensibilidad? ¿Su sonrisa se inclina hacia un lado?
A
ES POR BRAZOS. ¿Tiene debilidad en un brazo o lo siente adormecido? ¿Puede levantar ambos brazos sin que uno se incline hacia abajo?
S
ES POR HABLA ¿Arrastra las palabras al hablar o es difícil de comprender lo que dice? ¿Puede repetir una oración simple que se le diga?
T
ES POR TIEMPO. Si la persona presenta alguno de estos síntomas, llame al 911 de inmediato.
11
BORN AT ELMHURST Several of the many thousands of babies born right here in our hospital
E
ach year, NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst welcomes thousands of newborn babies at its Mother-Baby unit. Sometimes those babies grow up and have children of their own at the hospital, or end up working within its walls or representing the people of their community in government. Thousands of babies, thousands of stories. Here are just a few of them:
12
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
ELMHURST
THE CIRCLE OF LIFE
Stephanie Collado was born at Elmhurst and has lived her entire life in Queens. Her husband, Gary Singh, was also born at the hospital. And on May 4, 2020, near the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Stephanie gave birth prematurely to twin girls, Aaliyah and Gia, at Elmhurst. Stephanie wasn’t just born at Elmhurst; she’s been cared for in the hospital in some important ways. As an infant her mother brought her to Elmhurst for treatment for a hip problem; her legs weren’t growing evenly. Years of on-and-off physical therapy and special shoes helped her legs grow straight and even. By the time she was 10, Stephanie was back in normal footwear. She hasn’t had a problem since. Stephanie and Gary, who still live in Queens, originally planned to have their babies a little closer to their immediate neighborhood. But during Stephanie’s pregnancy strange symptoms emerged: A rash appeared on her face, and her joints and hands swelled up. Her doctor admitted her to the local hospital, where they spent four days trying to figure out what was wrong. But doctors there weren’t able to diagnose her. “It was debilitating and I was desperate, so I decided to go to the dermatology department at Elmhurst,” she says. “They did biopsies and kept digging until they figured it out.” Finally, Stephanie got a diagnosis she never expected: lupus, an autoimmune condition she may have had for years without knowing it. Pregnancy can trigger a flare-up. She began seeing a rheumatologist at Elmhurst, who prescribed medications to keep her symptoms in check. And that excellent care prompted Stephanie to move her prenatal care to the hospital, too. “The hospital’s been in my life since I was born, through my childhood. Then they helped me find a cure for my ailment and give birth to my two daughters,” she says. “I feel very connected to my community because of this hospital.” That level of comfort helped Stephanie when her babies came early, just 31 weeks into her pregnancy. At the time, the coronavirus was
spreading through the area so quickly, Elmhurst Hospital established quarantine protocols to protect patients and workers. That meant Gary wasn’t allowed inside with her. “Giving birth during the pandemic was so difficult. I couldn’t have anyone there—not my husband, and no midwife or doula,” she says. “But it felt safe the whole time. Giving birth is a traumatic experience. You don’t know what’s coming at you, you don’t know what to expect. But I met the kindest, most wonderful people there. From the moment I gave birth, the nurse helping me the first three nights was amazing. Everyone I encountered was so kind. You can’t find that everywhere.” Because her daughters were premature, they stayed in the NICU for a full month, until each of them weighed five pounds. A few days after giving birth Stephanie was discharged home. The pandemic meant she and her husband couldn’t touch or even visit their newborns as they grew. But the staff at Elmhurst found ways to keep the family connected. The social worker on their case sent photos and notified her when the babies hit milestones, and they had regular video chats so Stephanie and Gary could see their daughters’ progress for themselves. “Everything happens for a reason, I believe,” she says. “This must be a metaphor for something—life is full circle. You go back where you came from. It’s a silver lining.”
13
ALL IN THE ELMHURST FAMILY
ELMHURST IS HOME “I always consider Elmhurst Hospital home. I was born here, I worked here, and as the first EcuadorianAmerican ever to be elected to public office in the entire country, I represent Elmhurst. To be a part of this community means having solidarity with our neighbors and dedication to their well-being. I’ve seen this firsthand with how they took care of my mom when she was sick. When my neighborhoods were at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic it was paramount that the men and women at Elmhurst knew we had their back, that we weren’t sending them into battle unarmed. This meant ensuring that the hospital staff had sufficient PPE; we supplied more than 100,000 N-95 masks. We hosted virtual town halls to make sure my constituents and the community at large were informed about how the novel coronavirus was evolving. We are #ElmhurstStrong. Throughout my life’s journey that literally started here, I will continue to be a champion for the Elmhurst Hospital men and women.” –Council Member Francisco Moya, District 21 Queens
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Navdeep Kaur and her brother, Jagmeet Singh, are both nurses at Elmhurst. And both were born there, eight years apart. In their family, they are first-generation Americans. “My siblings were born there, my cousins were born there, we’re all connected,” says Jagmeet, who goes by Jimmy. “Even when I’m not at work we’re still connected, because that’s where we were born. I grew up with at least eight cousins on the same block, all of us born in the hospital.” Navdeep has similar memories. “We’re like an Elmhurst family,” she says. The kids in their generation played together and knew everybody else on their block. “Any time any of us got sick or needed an ER, we’d go there. Kids are kids, so growing up we went to the ER for a lot of things.” When she graduated from nursing school, Navdeep had only one place in mind she wanted to work: Elmhurst. With an aunt, Parminder, already working there, the decision was simple. “When I started at Elmhurst, I felt at home right away,” she says. “I knew the area, knew everything around here, even though I’d been away for a while.” In her eight years at the hospital, Navdeep has worked in rehabilitation, neurosurgery, and progressive care, and is now a nurse in the intensive care unit. “It’s the only hospital I’ve ever worked at, and I never want to leave.” Jimmy, younger by eight years, followed in her footsteps. He’s now in the geriatric unit. “It feels good to work in my neighborhood hospital,” he says. Though the area has changed plenty since Jimmy and his siblings and cousins were kids, and even though he himself now lives in New Jersey, the area is still deeply familiar to him. “My grandfather still lives in the house where I grew up, and I group my workdays together and stay with him,” says Jimmy. “Some days I’ll be leaving work and I’ll see him outside, and it’s a 20-minute walk from home, but he’s really active. His primary caregiver is in the hospital, too—he likes going there.”
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
ELMHURST
“ELMHURST STRONG”
Navdeep was among the first Elmhurst workers to get sick with COVID-19, while she was working in the ICU in March. Her husband, who doesn’t work at the hospital, also fell ill with the virus. Fortunately, their symptoms weren’t severe, so they recuperated at their home. “My coworkers were an additional support system, another family,” she says. “We talked to each other on the phone, and they texted to check in on me, asking how I was doing each day.” Two weeks later, she was back at work. While the hospital rushed to learn all that they could about the virus and how best to care for patients, Jimmy worried about his sister even as he was transferred to the ICU stepdown unit. “It was traumatizing at first, but we just had to get through it,” he says. “We pulled through, Elmhurst strong. The saying is very true. It’s a community-centered hospital, and what we’ve been through shows how strong we are.” Both siblings see their work at the hospital as a way to stay connected to their roots. “To me, it’s kind of like, OK, you brought me into this world, so I’ll give back,” says Navdeep. “It means more because I’ve known that area for so long.” And for Jimmy, the feeling runs deep. “Working here gives me a sense of purpose, not just for myself but for helping others,” he says.
For information on Labor and Delivery services at Elmhurst, or to make an appointment, please call 718-334-3150.
FIGHTING FOR US “During this pandemic, our community has suffered great loss. Many have lost lives, loved ones or their livelihoods and now are struggling to put food on their table. Despite all this, I watched us come together to take care of our neighbors like never before. I am deeply humbled and grateful to serve as the State Senator in the district I have called home my entire life, a district that includes the hospital, Elmhurst Hospital, where I was born. I look forward to continuing my work in Albany, and I will never stop fighting until my neighbors have the resources they need to thrive.” –New York State Senator Jessica Ramos 15
CURE-19: Learning from the Covid crisis Earlier this year, our hospital was the global center of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new project will research what happened and why, and in the end make us stronger. In the spring of this year, the new coronavirus tore through the neighborhoods served by NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. It led to tragedies on a scale none of us had seen before. What made this area so vulnerable? A new research project seeks to find out, and to come up with ways to address the root problems. The COVID-19 Unit for Research at Elmhurst (Cure-19) is a partnership between Elmhurst and the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Joseph Masci, MD, is Chair of Global Health at Elmhurst Hospital and Professor of Medicine at Mount Sinai. We spoke to him about Cure-19.
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NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
Q: WHAT’S THE GOAL OF CURE-19?
A: We’re focused on understanding what the outbreak has meant to this community and Mount Sinai’s community. We’re supporting research projects and looking ahead, too; we want to figure out exactly what we should be doing next to plan for a possible resurgence. Q: WHAT EXACTLY WILL YOU BE DOING?
A: The pandemic has illustrated some of the healthcare gaps in New York City. We were very aware of them before. But this gives us a chance to dig into these disparities and what they’ve meant to healthcare. For example, we serve a large population of Hispanic people, both immigrants and people who’ve lived here a long time, as well as African Americans. COVID-19 hit these populations particularly hard. One potential reason is the density of the housing in our area. A two-room apartment may have 10 people living in it. That makes it really easy for a virus like COVID-19 to spread. We’re looking for ways to relieve the effects of overcrowded housing. Q: IF YOU HAD TO NAME ONE OVERALL GOAL FOR THE PROJECT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A: The research goals and the people goals are closely intertwined. We’re trying to develop fixes for the factors that led COVID-19 to explode in our community. We’re also looking at the
ELMHURST
One advantage we have right now compared to last February, when we had no idea what was about to hit us, is that we know what COVID-19 looks like, we know how to protect people from it. potential long-term impact of the virus. People all over the world saw heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and we really don’t know what the ongoing effect of any of that may be, or how to treat it over the long term.
very severe, but it wasn’t as bad as we anticipated. Since all of them are on antiretroviral therapy, we believe some of those drugs may be helpful in preventing or treating COVID-19. So that’s another thing we’re very interested in looking at now.
Q: CURE-19 IS LOOKING AT TWO OTHER AREAS: MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTHCARE, AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV. WHY?
Q: IN THE LONG RUN, HOW WILL CURE19 HELP THE COMMUNITY?
A: About half of the pregnant women coming here to deliver tested positive for COVID-19. Many had no problem, but some did. We’re following up with all these women to see what happens. Often when the time came to discharge these patients, they still needed oxygen, they needed more medical follow-up than you normally would. Their babies mostly were not sick, but we didn’t know how long that would last. The long-term follow-up of that group of people is really important. The HIV question is really interesting. We expected the pandemic to be a devastating problem for the more than 1,700 patients in our HIV clinic. With their immunodeficiency, we thought they would be hard hit by COVID-19, but that hasn’t happened. There were cases among HIV patients, some
A: One advantage we have right now compared to last February, when we had no idea what was about to hit us, is that we know what COVID-19 looks like, we know how to protect people from it. And we’re beginning to develop specific treatments for it. We hope that means the city won’t be so easily overwhelmed again. One last point on this: We don’t exactly know what degree of immunity prior infection brings. Local studies suggest that a large number of people in the community, maybe more than half of us, now have antibodies. How protective it would be is another thing we don’t know the answer to yet. But that could be a major advantage in blunting the impact of a second wave now in New York, and particularly in this community. Cure-19 is looking into all of that.
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BECAUSE WE CARE NYC Care, a program that offers low- or no-cost primary care to New Yorkers, comes to Elmhurst
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eople who get routine, preventive medical care live longer, healthier lives. It makes sense, says Rand David, MD, chief medical officer for Ambulatory Services at NYC Health + Hospitals/ Elmhurst. “If there’s something wrong, the earlier you catch it, the better your outcome is likely to be.” But that type of care is out of reach for many in our community without affordable or adequate insurance, or enough money to pay for care out of pocket. The result is that too many people go without seeing a care provider until they’re sick and end up in the emergency department. Sometimes, it’s too late.
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
A new city-created program called NYC Care aims to fix that. MEET NYC CARE
This program isn’t health insurance. It’s a healthcare access program that guarantees low- and no-cost primary care to New Yorkers who don’t qualify for—or can’t afford—health insurance. To qualify, you only need to meet three criteria: 1. Y ou’ve been living in New York City for at least six months 2. Y ou don’t qualify for any health insurance plan available in New York State 3. B ased on government guidelines, you can’t afford health insurance
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NYC Care is a boon for people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to these important basics in healthcare, says Dr. David. “By managing chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, you reduce the likelihood of results like heart attacks and strokes, or renal disease that requires dialysis.” FILLING GAPS IN CARE
NYC Care also includes funding to hire more providers in medically underserved communities, said Dr. David. “That means if you’re living in this area, you don’t have the same access to primary care or specialties as you would in an area with enough providers.”
“ It allows us to treat more people in less time”
Immigration status doesn’t matter, and neither does your ability to speak English. Customer service representatives and clinicians who speak your language are available to help you day or night.
NYC Care members get a card that shows their costs for basic care. While fees depend on income and family size, a visit could cost as little as $3, or even be free of charge. There are no membership fees, monthly fees, or premiums. Eligible care includes important preventive care such as vaccinations, routine screenings, and mammograms, as well as mental health support and substance abuse services. The card also provides access to low-cost prescription medications. When you receive the card, you can use it at any NYC Health + Hospitals patient-care location, including Elmhurst Hospital. You can choose your own primary care provider, and your team may also include nurses, medical assistants, social workers, pharmacists, and nutritionists.
The program allows Elmhurst to add primary care physicians and some in-demand specialists. Also included: a clinical pharmacist, someone who is specially trained to help people who have certain chronic conditions better manage their medications. “They can see one patient while I’m in another room seeing someone else,” says Dr. David. “It allows us to treat more people in less time.” If you’d like to enroll in NYC Care, speak to a financial counselor at Elmhurst. You’ll need proof of your identity; of New York City residency; your income; and your family size. But if you don’t have all of that, don’t let it stop you—we may still be able to help you enroll. Even if you don’t qualify for NYC Care, you may be eligible to receive care through a different program, NYC Health + Hospitals Options. “Our mission is to care for all New Yorkers, regardless of the ability to pay,” says Dr. David.
For NYC Care information and enrollment details, call 646-NYC-CARE (646-692-2273) or go to nyccare.nyc. 19
THE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU NOW (ONSCREEN) Got a doctor’s appointment? You may not need to leave home—here’s how to make telehealth work for you.
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Confirm the system. Ideally, your provider’s office should tell you what app or software you need for your appointment, and will help you make sure you are ready. If you’re not sure, call ahead of time.
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Find a quiet place. When you’re meeting with a healthcare practitioner in their office, quiet and privacy help make sure you’re heard. Though doctors understand that you may have background noise from children or pets, do your best to minimize distractions.
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n response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NYC Health + Hospitals/ Elmhurst has ramped up telehealth capabilities to help keep you safe, without sacrificing our level of care. Telehealth— where you can visit your doctor onscreen from home—is ideal for routine medical appointments. To get the most out of your next telehealth visit, follow these tips:
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For more information or to make a telehealth appointment, please call 718-334-2424.
Grab a pen. Before your appointment, jot down your symptoms, concerns, and questions (include any details you think may be important). If this is a new provider, have a list of your current medications handy. Keep your pen and paper nearby during the visit, so you can write down any info about a prescription or follow-up visit.
Do a tech check. Is your device plugged in/charged? Is your cellular or WiFi signal operating and strong enough? (If not, see if you can find another location, such as a room in a friend or relative’s home—though ideally not a public place like a library, for privacy’s sake.)
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Log in early. This gives you a chance to make sure that your microphone and sound aren’t muted, that the software or app you’ll need loads correctly, and that your webcam is adjusted to your eye level.
Have patience! We’ve gotten very good at telehealth in the last few months, but glitches still happen. We’ll be patient with you, too.
NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
ELMHURST
THE GIFT OF SCREEN TIME
HOLIDAYS IN THE “NEW NORMAL” Your usual celebratory get-togethers will be anything but usual this year
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he COVID-19 pandemic may be under better control in New York than it was last spring, but it’s not over. Ongoing safety precautions mean your holiday get-togethers will likely look different this year, and travel may be limited. Whatever holidays you celebrate, here’s how to enjoy them without risking your own or your loved ones’ health.
the possibility of changed rules. Keep in mind:
GOOD TO GATHER?
Because sharing food and beverages can help spread the virus, consider bringing your own items to a party. If you’re planning to host, consider taking some emphasis off the food and keeping it simple.
As of this writing, New York City permits gatherings of no more than 10 people — but you must follow social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines and be aware of
Stay home if you’ve been exposed to COVID within the last 14 days; are feeling unwell in any way; or live with someone who is in a high-risk group. Stay within your pandemic “bubble,” or those you already spend time with. If there are folks outside of that group at a party, say hello from a safe distance.
TRAVEL SMART
Want to hit the road? Before you pack up or invite fartherflung friends or relatives to visit, check the New York State Department of Health website for travel advisories (coronavirus. health.ny.gov/home). Depending on the where guests are traveling to, and from, two-week quarantine rules may put a damper on plans. If you can travel safely, consider a hotel (most have adequate precautions in place) rather than crowding into a relative’s home.
It remains true that the safest way to celebrate with loved ones this year is online. Virtual gatherings can still be fun and meaningful— try these ideas:
Get fancy: Ask attendees to dress up in their festive best and decorate their on-screen backgrounds to reflect the holiday. Share a feast: In advance, distribute a menu of cherished recipes for everyone to prepare in their own homes. When you’re all together online, compare the results and enjoy! Prearrange a gift exchange: Have each person send an inexpensive present to someone else in the group. During your virtual shindig, open them one at a time and let everyone try to guess who gifted whom. Count your blessings: This has been a difficult year for everyone. Take some time to acknowledge what you’ve lost and reflect on what you’re most grateful for.
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Go ahead and
indulge! indulge! Here’s how to eat healthfully this holiday season, without sacrificing the deliciousness
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inter is coming. The pandemic is still a threat. And meanwhile the holidays, with their bounty of delicious treats and meals on tap, are upon us. How are you supposed to also try to eat healthfully? Perhaps, just this year, you should give yourself a bit of a break. “With everything that’s going on right now, your main focus shouldn’t be resisting temptation or depriving yourself. That’s not what the holidays are about,” says Morgan Lindsay, MS, RD, CDN, Ambulatory Clinical Nutrition Manager at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. “It’s about weighing pros and cons, being mindful of the things you’re eating.”
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NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS
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HERE’S HOW: Fix your mindset. “The holiday season isn’t a time to try to lose weight,” says Lindsay. “It’s not about the food at those moments, it’s about the emotion, being with family, and enjoying yourself.” Aim to make healthy eating choices 80 percent of the time, and for the other 20 percent you can splurge and feel ok about it.
Make a plan. If you’re going to a holiday gathering, eat something light before you leave, so you’re not starving when you’re staring down the cheese platter. If you’re asked to bring a dish, choose your favorite healthier option. For instance, make a festive salad with pomegranate seeds or seasonal ingredients you find your local farmers market.
Watch for emotional eating. When you’re with family, sweet potato casserole with minimarshmallows may bring back happy childhood memories. Definitely dig in at the table! But if you’re sneaking spoonfuls alone in front of the fridge, you might be driven by a less positive emotion.
Eat strategically. At celebrations, Lindsay recommends filling your plate first with any fruits and vegetables that appeal to you, then meats, and finally starchy foods, which usually have the most calories.
Don’t drink your calories. Eggnog, cider, and all those fun holiday cocktails are definitely worth having, as long as you’re mindful and moderate.
Holiday gatherings probably won’t look the same this year. There may be fewer people, and there probably won’t be any big buffets. Here are Lindsay’s tips for adapting to the new normal:
Scale down your recipes. Traditional holiday recipes often feed a crowd. If your gathering is smaller this year, reduce recipe amounts by half. If that’s still too much food, set aside what you’ll eat and freeze the rest. You’ll thank yourself later.
Lighten your holiday baking. With some strategic ingredient swaps, you can have your cookies and feel good too. Lindsay recommends substituting plain nonfat Greek yogurt, applesauce, or pumpkin puree for anywhere from 25 percent to 100 percent of the oil or butter in baked goods. “That cuts a lot of calories right away, since fats are highest in calories,” she says.
Prioritize your plate. If your usual mega-buffet is now a sit-down, plated dinner, save the indulgent, calorie-heavy food for last. Eat the green beans and turkey before the mashed potatoes!
HEALTHY PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES MAKES 12 COOKIES INGREDIENTS: 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp cornstarch ¾ tsp baking powder ¹/8 tsp salt 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter OR coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly ¾ cup (183g) pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling) 1 tsp vanilla extract ½ cup (168g) agave or pure maple syrup 3 tbsp (42g) miniature chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate DIRECTIONS In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter, pumpkin, and vanilla. Stir in the agave. Add the flour mixture, stirring just until incorporated. Fold in 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips. Chill the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes. (If chilling longer than 1 hour, cover the bowl with foil.) Preheat the oven to 325°F, and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Drop the cookie dough into 12 rounded scoops onto the prepared baking sheet. Flatten slightly, and press the remaining chocolate chips into the tops of the cookie dough. Bake at 325°F for 15-17 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. 23
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STAY SAFE, STAY STRONG The COVID-19 crisis is not over yet. There’s nothing more important to us than your safety, health, and wellbeing. To keep yourself, your family, and our community safe, we urge you to continue to practice these good-sense guidelines:
STAY HOME IF YOU’RE SICK.
Only leave for essential medical care, testing, or other essential errands.
MASK UP!
Wearing a mask when you’re out in public settings or around people who don’t live in your household. This helps prevent you from getting or spreading the virus.
KEEP PHYSICAL DISTANCE.
Stay at least 6 feet away from other people whenever possible.
WASH YOUR HANDS.
This simple step is very effective. Make a habit of lathering up with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
For more information on COVID-19 safety measures, please visit the Centers for Disease Control website at cdc.gov. Great information can also be found at nyc.gov/coronavirus.
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Live Your Healthiest Life.
USE SANITIZER.
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.