Mv igh 106 dec14

in good

Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

December 2014 • Issue 106

Let’s ‘Meet Your Doctor’ See Page 4

Thoughts on a changing industry Check out George Chapman’s column, Page 13

Be aware of concussion dangers See Page 19

free

Going Viral

‘Tis the season to avoid the flu See Page 3 Winter Care Issue

Keep your immune system strong See Page 7

The amazing benefits of pomegranates Does the fruit warrant all the recent hype?

Page 11

Boost your brain power!

See Page 9

It’s time to tango!

This time-honored seductive dance has plenty of benefits.

See Page 8

CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Got a health-related activity or event that you would like publicized? Call Lou Sorendo at 315-749-7070 or email lou@cnymail.com.

Mondays

Women’s support group to get together A women’s support/therapy group is meeting weekly from 5:30-7 on Mondays.

Groups will be held in a confidential location in New Hartford and group size will be limited to protect anonymity.

Topics of discussion may include family issues, stress, anger, relationships, grief, and more.

Clinical therapist Cynthia Davis, who has over 20 years of experience, will lead the group.

To pre-register, contact Davis at 315-736-1231, 315-794-2454 or email cindycsw@yahoo.com

Tuesdays

Support for the grief stricken

If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with cancer, we invite you to visit HOA. You’ll soon see that our staff, experience, technology, clinical trials, and our holistic approach to healing make HOA an amazing place for cancer treatment–right here in Central New York.

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Grief Survivors meets from 6-7:30 p.m. every Tuesday at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. Drop-ins are welcome.

This is a faith-based support group for those suffering the loss of a loved one.

For more information, contact Tanya at 315-735-6210, tanya@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit online at www.

TheGoodNewsCenter.org.

Wednesdays/Thursdays

Overeaters Anonymous plans meetings

Is food a problem for you? Do you eat when you’re not hungry? Do you binge, purge or restrict? Is your weight affecting your life?

Overeaters Anonymous meets from 5:30-6:30 p.m. every Wednesday in Room 101 (first floor) at Rome Memori-

al Hospital, 1500 James St., Rome.

It also meets from 7-8 p.m. every Thursday at Oneida Baptist Church, 242 Main St., Oneida. Participants are asked to use the rear door.

There are no dues, fees, weigh-ins or diets.

For more information, call OA at 315-468-1588 or visit oa.org.

Dec. 6

Women’s Day of Reflection to be observed Women’s Day of Reflection — “Behold Emmanuel” will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

Margaret Castellini, well-known retreat facilitator, spiritual director and trained hospital chaplain, will facilitate the one-day program for women.

The cost is $25 and includes the program and lunch.

For reservations or information, call Tanya at 315-735-6210, or register online at www.TheGoodNewsCenter. org.

Dec. 9

Presbyterian Home seeks potential volunteers Presbyterian Homes & Services is hosting an open house for potential volunteers from 4-6 p.m. Dec. 9 in the Emmaus Room, accessible from the entrance at 4290 Middle Settlement Road in New Hartford (across from Hope Alliance Church).

The evening will provide an opportunity for interested volunteers to explore options at the Presbyterian Homes & Services, network with other volunteers, and share holiday cheer.

Continued on Page 19

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Winter Care

War on Germs Peak season for harsh viruses arrives

By Barbara Pierce

T

here are no cases of Ebola in the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control said the outbreak does not pose a significant threat to the U.S. Ebola menaced the Mohawk Valley in mid-October, when a patient who had recently traveled to Africa showed up at Genesee Urgent Care in Utica with symptoms that could mean Ebola.

Staff there followed proper procedures until it was found that the patient did not have Ebola.

“We had worked really hard to be trained and properly prepared to respond to such a crisis,” said Heather Bernard, director of infection prevention for the Mohawk Valley Health System, which owns Genesee Urgent Care.

And then, a week later, only 250 miles away, a doctor who had returned from treating patients in Africa was diagnosed with Ebola.

But now, there are no cases in the U.S. and there is a decline in the numbers of Ebola cases in West Africa, which is promising, said Bernard.

Whew! We can relax! Or can we?

“Flu is absolutely much more of a threat to us all than Ebola,” Bernard said. Because of the flu, a significant number of Americans are hospitalized each year and a significant number die. Flu and pneumonia were the eighth-leading cause of death for males in a recent year.

In the Mohawk Valley, residents are at high risk of getting the flu as is the entire Northeast. The peak season for flu is close — it peaks in January and February.

The flu is a virus. Cough, cold and flu viruses are passed from person to person by contact with respiratory droplets. Contact can occur by direct bodily contact such as kissing or touching something with virus on it, or shaking hands with someone who has the flu, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

The incubation period for the flu is

one to four days. Adults can be contagious from the day before symptoms begin through five to 10 days after the illness starts.

Flu symptoms can come on quickly. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, you may have the flu: • Fever, with a temperature of over 100 • Body aches that come on suddenly • Chills • Tiredness when associated with one or more of the other symptoms Most of us will get better after three to seven days, though feeling tired can last another two weeks.

The best way to avoid getting the flu? Get vaccinated, recommends Bernard.

According to the CDC, the No. 1 way to prevent the flu is to get vaccinated each year.

Because the strain of flu virus keeps changing, the vaccine must change. That’s why it’s important to get vaccinated each year — before flu season begins, as it takes a week or two to get protection from the vaccine.

Some people avoid getting vaccinated because they believe it gives them the flu. However, you can’t get flu from the vaccine because it’s made from an inactivated virus that can’t

transmit infection, said Harvard Medical School experts online. So people who get sick after receiving a flu vaccination were going to get sick anyway, it said.

The second best way to avoid the flu: Keep away from sick people, recommends Bernard.

Good hand hygiene is essential, advises Bernard. Frequent and thorough hand washing is crucial to reducing the risk of flu and other communicable diseases. Be vigilant about washing your hands throughout the day. Teach your children to do the same.

Keep your immune system healthy by eating a healthy diet, getting enough exercise and enough sleep, Bernard added.

In addition to the above, the American Red Cross of Central New York suggests the following to prevent the flu: • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when you cough or sneeze, and throw the tissue away after use. If a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.

• Wash hands often, especially after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth • Avoid contact with people who are sick • Stay home if you are sick.

If someone in your household comes down with the flu, the Red Cross wants everyone to know the best way to care for them: • Designate one person as the caregiver and have the other household members avoid close contact with that person so they won’t become sick.

• Make sure the person stays at home and rests until 24 hours after the fever is gone.

RAYMOND ALESSANDRINI, OTR/L, CLT

INSIGHT HOUSE

Oneida, Herkimer, Madison and Otsego counties in good A monthly newspaper published

Health MV’s Healthcare Newspaper

by Local News, Inc. 20,000 copies distributed. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 315-749-7070.

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2014 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 • Phone: 315-749-7070 Email: lou@cnymail.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Patricia Malin, Barbara Pierce, Kristen Raab, Malissa Allen, Mary Stevenson, Deb Dittner, Amylynn Pastorella, Mary Christopher, Traci DeLore Advertising: Donna Kimbrell, Marsha Preston, Jasmine Maldonado Layout & Design: Chris Crocker Office Manager: Laura Beckwith No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider.

• Designate a sick room for the person if possible. If there is more than one sick person, they can share the sick room. If there is more than one bathroom, designate one for those who are sick.

Give each sick person his or her own drinking glass, washcloth and towel.

• Keep everyone’s personal items separate. Avoid sharing pens, papers, clothes, towels, sheets, blankets, food or eating utensils unless cleaned between uses.

• Disinfect doorknobs, switches, handles, computers, telephones, bedside tables, bathroom sinks, toilets, counters, toys and other surfaces that are commonly touched around the home or workplace.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 3

Excellus, Bassett bond aims to enhance care, provide higher value

E

xcellus BlueCross BlueShield and Bassett Healthcare Network recently announced an accountable cost and quality arrangement intended to enhance care and provide higher value to patients.

Excellus and Bassett are also expanding access to health insurance options on the New York Health Exchange by adding a Bassett Select Silver product and expanding the Bassett Gold Select product to Oneida County.

As of Jan. 1, both products will be available through the exchange to individuals living in Delaware, Herkimer, Oneida and Otsego counties.

Seniors in Delaware and Otsego counties will also have access to a new Medicare Advantage product, Medicare Bassett PPO. Medicare’s annual enrollment period ends Dec. 7.

“Working with health systems like Bassett Healthcare Network allows us to redefine the relationship between insurers and providers,” said Christopher Booth, chief executive officer, Excellus BCBS. “With new and expanded Bassett health plan offerings, we can offer the community access to high-quality affordable health care at a lower price point than many other products in the market. Further, the ACQA recognizes that Excellus as a payer and Bassett as a provider have a shared accountability for quality, cost and better health outcomes.”

This innovative alliance is designed to achieve enhanced care coordination, improve patient satisfaction and outcomes and reduce health care costs.

News in Brief VHS selects employee of quarter Amanda Hocking has been selected employee of the third quarter at Valley Health Services in Herkimer.

Hocking joined the staff at VHS in April 2007 as a resident assistant and graduated from the certification program in August 2013 to become a certified nursing Hocking assistant.

Hocking’s primary responsibility is to perform various resident care activities and services necessary in caring for the personal needs and comfort of residents.

“Amanda is hard working and is adored by all the residents under her care. If scheduling requires her to go to another unit, she happily accepts the assignment with a positive attitude,” a co-worker noted.

Hocking resides in Frankfort.

Page 4

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Meet

Your Doctor

By Patricia J. Malin

Prasanna Venkatesh Kumar Prasanna Venkatesh Kumar, a fellowship-trained interventional cardiologist, recently joined Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford. He recently spoke with In Good Health senior writer Patricia J. Malin about his career.

Q.: Why did you decide to practice in the Mohawk Valley?

A.: My interest in joining the Slocum Dickson Medical Group drew me to the Mohawk Valley. I like the balance of a family-friendly, small town environment with the amenities of city life.

Q.: What prompted you to become a doctor?

A.: My desire to help people. The instant gratification derived from saving the life of a patient having a heart attack is quite rewarding.

Q.: What specific ailments or disorders do you treat?

A.: A variety of cardiovascular disorders including but not limited to coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, valvular heart disease, some forms of congenital heart conditions like atrial septal defects, patent foramen ovale, some forms of cardiac arrhythmias and peripheral vascular disease.

Q.: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

A.: The busy lifestyle could be challenging.

Q.: What is the most fulfilling aspect of your job?

A.: The life-saving nature of the interventional procedures in the treatment of patients with major forms of heart attacks deserves mention. When a patient presents with an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack), prompt opening of the occluded artery in the heart provides immediate relief of the patient’s symptoms and has significant impact on their lives.

Q.: What are the newest developments in cardiology?

A.: There are a lot of new developments in cardiology. Worth mentioning are the new advances in interventional cardiology like transcatheter aortic valve replacement, where patients deemed inoperable for open heart surgery can undergo valve replacement through a catheter; watchman device (an umbrella-type device placed in the left atrial appendage) in patients with atrial fibrillation to reduce the risk of stroke, instead of taking long-term blood thinners; and newer generations of drug-eluting stents, drug-coated balloons, newer anti-platelet and anti-coagulant medicines.

Q.: You have spent considerable time in the classroom. Do you feel it is necessary for practicing physicians to devote part of their career to teaching?

What is the most important lesson you learned from teaching? What advice can you offer to medical students?

A.: I consider teaching the best way to learn. I have had the opportunity to spend time with medical students and physicians-in-training. I think it would be great if practicing physicians devote some time to teach, which would help

the younger generations to become better physicians of tomorrow.

My advice to medical students is to explore the vast field of medicine with an open-minded and reasoning approach and develop passion to whichever field you choose to pursuit.

Q.: How do you keep up with the latest research and developments in healthcare? How much time does it take?

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2014

A.: Electronic updates from professional societies and medical journals.

Spending a few minutes on a daily basis is a good idea to keep up-to-date.

Q.: What challenges do you foresee in the future regarding healthcare?

A.: As our healthcare undergoes major reforms, it is important for us as physicians to maintain high quality care to our patients in need.

Q.: What suggestions do you have to improve your specialty in the future?

A.: Broaden areas of innovative basic and clinical cardiovascular research and apply them in the specialty for the care of our patients.

Q.: Is it possible for a doctor at the local level to make changes in healthcare or is it best left to full-time researchers working at universities or private labs?

A.: Where there is a will, there is a way. It is possible for a physician to make an impact in healthcare at a local level.

Active involvement in the professional societies like the American College of Cardiology, political action committees, attending legislative conferences, and meeting with political leaders are some ways to voice our suggestions. I have had the opportunity to visit Capitol Hill to meet with senators to discuss our healthcare perspectives and suggestions.

Lifelines Age: 35 Birthplace: Madras (Chennai), India Residence: New Hartford Education: Madras Medical College, India, 1996-2002; chief resident, internal medicine, 2005-2006; internship and residency, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science at the Chicago Medical School, Chicago, Ill., 2002-2006; interventional cardiology fellowship, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., 2009-2010; cardiovascular diseases fellowship, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Shreveport, La., 2006-2009 Affiliations: American College of Cardiology (served on the board of councilors); Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions; American Medical Association; American Society of Echocardiography; International Association of Cardiologists Family: Married, two children Hobbies: Tennis, spending time with family, yoga

Facing frigid forecasts

By Traci DeLore

W

ith cold temperatures, snow and bitter winds, the winter months mean people need to take steps to ensure they are taking proper care of themselves from head to toe.

That care starts right at the top, said Michelle Rhymestine, a physician assistant at St. Elizabeth Medical Center’s Waterville office.

It turns out your mom was right when she told you to wear a hat outside. A hat, she said, not only traps heat and keeps you warmer, but also protects the scalp from things like sunburn.

While many think of sunscreen in summer months, it’s just as necessary in the winter, Rhymestine said.

Sunscreen should be applied on any exposed skin before spending time outdoors in winter, she said.

Winter skin care should include more than sunscreen, Rhymestine noted. “Everybody gets dry skin in the wintertime,” she said.

“Skin care should definitely change in the winter months,” said Marina Bravin, a dermatologist with Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. Dry, cold air as well as the dry heat caused by heating our homes leads to dryness, and that can lead to the development or worsening of conditions like eczema, she said.

Rhymestine recommends using a humidifier in the home to keep the humidity level at about 30 percent to help combat dry skin and avoiding antibacterial soaps due to its drying nature. Instead, she suggests a moisturizing soap such as Dove.

Bravin suggests limiting hot baths and showers and using moisturizing cream.

“Applying creams right after the shower, when the skin is damp to seal in the moisture, is very beneficial,” Bravin said. “For good hand care, apply thicker creams after hand washing multiple times a day.”

She recommends Neutrogena’s Norwegian Formula hand cream, Eucerin, CeraVe, Aquaphor or their generic lotion equivalents. Wearing gloves while washing dishes and doing other chores can help prevent painful dry, cracked skin, she added.

Dry skin can be much more than an itchy nuisance, Rhymestine cautioned. Scratching at dry skin can introduce bacteria and lead to infection requiring antibiotic treatment.

An ounce of prevention in the form of following a good moisturizing program is well worth it.

Prevention definitely pays off when going outdoors, Rhymestine said. Along with sunscreen and a warm hat, she recommends people dress in several thin layers of clothing. That allows one to easily add or remove layers as necessary, she noted. For children, she recommends using two layers of gloves — a warm inner layer covered by a water-resistant outer layer — along with two layers of socks to help prevent frostbite.

December 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 5

Winter Care Ace’s Angle

By Amylynn Pastorella

Breath of Fresh Air

Getting fresh air during the winter vital to well being, happiness

I

t’s beginning to look a lot like winter, everywhere you go!

This time of year is always filled with many feelings, emotions, thoughts; you name it!

So many things are going on if you celebrate the holidays. Even when you don’t, the season of winter creates so many opportunities.

I like to think this time of year is magical.

There is something in the air that — although cold — feels fresh and new.

During the winter season, more of us have to adapt our fitness routines.

We are staying inside more, eating more (definitely, me!) and hibernating.

Pastorella Even though it’s cold, get yourself outside. According to goodrelaxation.com, benefits of fresh air include: • Fresh air is good for digestion.

Fresh air helps you to digest food more effectively.

That is why it’s great to take a short walk outside after you eat. From all the health benefits of fresh air, this one is really important if you are trying to lose weight.

• Improves your blood pressure and heart rate: If you have a problem with high blood pressure, you should avoid polluted environments and try to stay in surroundings that have a good supply of fresh air. A dirty environment forces the body to work harder to

get the amount of oxygen it needs.

• Fresh air makes you happier.

The amount of serotonin is affected by the amount of oxygen you inhale.

Serotonin can significantly lighten your mood and promote a sense of happiness and well-being. Fresh air will leave you feeling more refreshed and relaxed.

• Strengthens your immune system. White blood cells kill and fight bacteria and germs. They need enough oxygen to work and function properly.

• Fresh air cleans your lungs. Fresh air helps the airways of your lungs dilate more fully and improves the cleansing action of your lungs.

When you exhale and breathe out through your lungs, you release airborne toxins from your body.

• You will have more energy and a sharper mind. Fresh air helps you to think better and increases your energy level. Your brain needs 20 percent of your body’s oxygen. More oxygen brings greater clarity to the brain, improves your concentration, helps you to think more clearly and has a positive effect on your energy level.

My advice for this winter season is to get plenty of fresh air and remember to keep things simple. We are so busy that life gets stressful.

For the working professional, during the week, go to work, work

hard, come home, make a nice healthy warm dinner and spend the rest of the night relaxing. Work out at least three times a week.

On the weekends, don’t bring your work home with you if you don’t have to, and do something fun. My goal during the months of winter is to try three new things I have never done before.

I’m not making my new year’s resolutions yet, just trying to make my life more interesting.

©

Dr. Graber is pleased to welcome January Hill, MD to the practice Dr. Hill is now seeing new patients for surgical consultation for those considering weight loss surgery

What kind of fun things should I try? Email me at acesangle@gmail.com or call me at 315-749-7070 and let me know!

• Amylynn Pastorella is a contributing writer for Mohawk Valley In Good Health. To reach Amy, send correspondence to In Good Health, 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, 13502 attn: Amy or email her at acesangle@ gmail.com.

Program set on chronic kidney disease

T

he Regional Dialysis Center at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica offers an educational program for those who have been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease.

The program will take place from 1-3:30 p.m. Dec. 9 in Weaver Lounge at the Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica.

Registration is required as seat-

ing is limited. Contact Cindy Christian, CKD program coordinator, at 315-624-5635 or cchristi@mvnhealth. com.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, 26 million Americans have CKD and millions of others are at risk for developing the disease.

Early detection and intervention helps to prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure, known as end stage renal disease.

• SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY • • WORKERS’ COMPENSATION • John N. Kalil Attorney at Law

Over 38 Years Experience Our program has successfully met the highest standards set forth by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and is recognized as an ASMBS Center of Excellence.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2014

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is sleep, your immunity may need a boost.

Winter Care

Diet, exercise and sleep

Grant Immunity Is your immune system tough enough to ward off illnesses?

By Barbara Pierce

D

o you catch any cold or flu within a five-mile radius?

Do you dread winter because you know you’ll have a cold and feel miserable most of the time?

Or do you have an infection you can’t seem to get rid of, no matter what antibiotics the doctor prescribes?

Now that the flu and cold season is here, medical professionals advise us to get vaccinated, to avoid people who are sick and to wash our hands thoroughly and often.

Another good suggestion: “Boost your immune system so you cut down your chances of getting the flu,” advises Heather Bernard, director of infection prevention for the Mohawk Valley Health System.

Usually, our immune system does a great job of defending us against disease-causing germs. But sometimes it is not as healthy as it needs to be.

How do you know how healthy your immune system is?

On Mydailymoment.com, health professionals list the following indications that your immune system may not be as strong as you think: • You’re constantly sick. The most obvious sign of low immunity is if you’re continually coming down with something.

Consider that the average adult is stricken with two to four colds during cold and flu season (late fall through late winter). If you’re sick more often than that, it’s a good sign your immune system’s germ-fighting powers are low.

• You’re constantly stressed out. If you get no downtime between work, family and social obligations, the American Psychological Association warns that long-term stress will compromise your immune health.

Research found that long-term stress (from a few months or years), virtually ravaged people’s immune systems. That’s why you often get sick

following a big work project or school exam. If you’re already sick, chronic stress can exacerbate symptoms of an existing cold or flu, causing the virus to linger for much longer.

• You crave sugar. If eat a lot of sugary stuff, your immunity may be lower because sugar weakens white blood cell germ-killing response; you won’t fight off flu germs as well.

• You have dry nasal passages.

When your nasal cavities are moist, even runny, it’s a sign that your body is fighting off the flu. Think of mucous as a ticket out of the body for germs and viruses. On the other hand, if your nose is dry, germs will linger and colds and flu become more frequent.

• You’re carrying around extra pounds. Those extra pounds weigh down your body — including your brain, heart, joints and even your immune response.

If you’re overweight, a chainlike metabolic reaction in your body occurs, leaving you prone to all sorts of germs and infections.

• Poor quality drinking water.

If you drink water from the tap, you cannot assume it is clean and chemical free. Water in the average city in the United States has been found to contain small amounts of arsenic, which can weaken your immune system.

• You’re dehydrated. The body uses fluids to detoxify and get rid of germs and other toxins. Take a look at your urine. if it’s dark yellow, you need to drink more water to strengthen your germ-fighting powers.

• You have over-medicated. You can create drug resistance if you hightail it to your doctor at the first sign of anything wrong. Taking medications for every minor ailment eventually weakens your immune system so that it is not able to fight off more serious infections when you take antibiotics in the future.

• You have zero energy. If you feel lethargic and all you want to do

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A number of researchers are trying to understand just how the immune system works and how to boost it. It’s complicated, because it is a system.

Generally, they agree that a healthy life style is a good way to start giving your immune system a boost.

Here is how Bernard recommends we boost our immune system: “Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and get enough sleep.”

Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low in saturated fat to make your immune system healthy.

Exercising regularly aids immune function.

You might swear that you function just as well on very little sleep, but skimping on sleep does damage your immune health and make you less able to fight germs.

Also, are you a glass half-full or half-empty type? If you’re the half-empty type, your immune system may suffer the consequences. Research shows that those who think positively have higher levels of the cells that strengthen immunity.

Other research shows that those who have fewer human connections are more likely to become ill. Social

connections strengthen our immune system. Those who tend to isolate themselves are less efficient overall at fighting off sickness.

“There are lots of communicable diseases out there threatening us,” Bernard said. “Keep your immune system healthy.”

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 7

Let’s Tango!

Tango connected to health, happiness to those who experience it

By Amylynn Pastorella

“Tango is for everyone. It is an elixir and an aphrodisiac. It ignites passion and creativity. Its improvisational nature makes tango dancers better problem solvers. It is the ultimate form of expression,” said Khan-Hartz.

However, those who are new to tango or those who have disabilities may wish to consider Khan-Hartz’s tips: • Find skilled instructors that can help you learn the dance.

• Music should have a strong predictable beat that can help beginners and those with disabilities to execute the walk and other steps with ease.

• Make sure you have enough space. Less experienced dancers tend to need more space for practice.

• Find a class that provides time to socialize during a break. This helps build your connection to the tango community.

• Consider private instruction to address specific needs.

• For students at the elementary and high school levels, tango can have significant and specialized benefits. A study at Dartmouth College published in the Frontiers of Psychology showed the academic benefits of exercise for low-income students in elementary schools.

The study measured the selective visual attention or ability to concentrate on visual targets, a key indicator for learning.

The results showed that after engaging in an exercise program including dance, low-income students had closed the learning gap with their high-income peers.

So where can you get your dose of this powerful elixir locally?

Recently, an Argentine tango group formed in the Utica area. Classes are held most Saturdays at The Other Side, 2011 Genesee St., Utica.

High school and college students with valid ID are free.

All proceeds are used to pay for the space and to bring the highest-quality instructors from all over New York state.

For more information, call KhanHartz at 315-292-3254.

T

he words “Argentine Tango” evoke images of smoldering, sensual couples locked in a passionate embrace to the tunes of sultry and exotic Latin music.

However, beyond the stereotypical images that fill our heads, it’s a dance that can provide significant health benefits to those who practice it.

There are measurable benefits to this unique dance. Many healthcare professionals consider it to be the ideal exercise to benefit social, mental and physical well-being across the ages.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine and Susan KhanHartz, facilitator of the Utica Tango Society, social dancing — including the Argentine Tango — provides health benefits that include improved muscle tone, balance, stability, flexibility and reduced stress levels.

For Jennifer Hart, 41, of both Geneva and Utica, tango has helped her develop strong muscles and brought back the art of socialization.

Hart started taking tango lessons in Geneva in 2001. She was new to the area and was hoping to meet people.

“The dance intrigued me. I like the idea of a dance that you could learn quickly, but take years to perfect,” said Hart.

Hart has met people from all walks of life — lawyers, educators, students, engineers and healthcare professionals.

“Everyone is equal on the dance floor and have stayed friends for years,” she said.

“You can strike up a conversation with the person next to you while you wait to be asked to dance, and the next thing you know, you’ve made new friends that you are car pooling with next Saturday to another town to tango,” said Hart.

“Anything that gets people up and moving is great. Tango helps teach you balance. It tightens your core muscles and strengthens your legs. Going backwards in high heels develops fantastic calf muscles,” she added.

Sukru Colak, 42, of Syracuse, has been dancing tango since 2001 and teaching it since 2013.

“This is the dance I enjoy the most.

I benefited from the physical activity and social engagement. Also, the brainwork that causes you to think what can be the next step in the dance keeps your neurons active. This dance is elegant and sensual. People can learn how to tango quickly. Instead of sitting at home, tango can be preferred at closed environments, especially in winters,” said Colak.

Tango, anyone?

Patricia McKinley, a McGill University researcher, has studied tango as it relates to six areas considered to be important for a high quality of life and successful aging.

• Physical exercise: Researchers in Argentina have documented the improved cardiovascular function of patients who had previously experienced a heart attack after engaging in a hospital-supervised tango program.

These patients also showed significant improved in balance with reduced incidents of falling.

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Utica Tango Society members Sukru Colak and Susan Khan-Hartz perform the tango at The Other Side in Utica.

• Social satisfaction: Tango dancing with a partner is engaging and promotes group identification with other tango dancers. An increased sense of shared goals, connectedness and the camaraderie of learning a new activity decreased feelings of isolation.

• Spirituality and mindfulness: Tango induces a state of flow. This allows the mind to remain in a state in which the activity is so pleasurable that the dancer desires to repeat the activity.

In essence, it becomes a healthy addiction. Due to the nature of the dance, mindfulness is enhanced. There is no time to ruminate about troublesome issues.

There is only the now.

• Cognition: The need to be in synchrony with your partner strengthens multitasking, navigating in space and possibly enhances working memory.

A study in the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that the major physical activity that protects against the onset

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2014

of Alzheimer’s disease is dancing.

• Goal fulfillment: Those who learn the tango tend to be goal driven. Goals vary from wanting to perform on stage to simply improving balance. Because the dance is based on walking, people can easily feel that they are fulfilling their goals.

• Emotional and educational health: Tango provides an avenue to learning new skills. The satisfaction and mastery allows practitioners to feel they can try to learn new skills in other areas of their lives.

Brain scans of tango dancers have shown that during the dance, areas relating to sensory motor integration and pleasurable emotion were active.

Hormonal catalyst

Additionally, enhanced levels of hormones for both men and women were registered during the dance.

MVHS hospitals win consumer choice award

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he Mohawk Valley Health System hospitals, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center, were named joint winners of a 2014/2015 Consumer Choice Award by National Research Corporation.

The announcement appeared in a recent issue of Modern Healthcare magazine.

The annual award identifies hospitals across the United States that healthcare consumers choose as having the highest quality and image.

Winners are determined by consumer perceptions on multiple quality and image ratings collected in the company’s market insights survey. National Research surveys more than 290,000 households in the contiguous 48 states and the District of Columbia.

Diet & Nutrition

Mindful meals Healthy foods, diet boost brain function

By Mary Christopher

A

healthy diet leads to healthy intelligence.

Eating well is good for mental as well as physical health because the brain requires nutrients just like your heart, lungs and muscles do.

But which foods are the most important to keep the brain functioning at its best?

Energy and alertness

Like everything else in the body, the brain cannot work without energy.

The ability to concentrate and focus comes from the steady supply of energy in the form of glucose in our blood to the brain.

This can be achieved by choosing whole grains that Marchbanks release glucose slowly into the bloodstream, keeping you mentally alert throughout the day.

Opt for brown cereals, oatmeal, granary bread and brown rice and pasta, said Tim Reilly, a holistic nutrition practitioner in Herkimer.

“You want your energy and attention to be well-maintained through an entire day,” Reilly said. “Once a person crashes by midday or late afternoon (from a poor diet or food choices), then they have worse cravings for sugars and carbohydrates that worsen their fatigue.”

Blueberries are boss

King of all antioxidants, blueber-

ries are linked to improving learning, thinking and memory, said Amy Marchbanks of Utica, a registered dietitian and health and fitness coach.

Recent studies released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture found that blueberries are highly beneficial in retaining memory function and preventing cognitive degeneration, according to the United States Department of Agriculture website.

“Any foods that are high in antioxidants will balance out free radicals,” Marchbanks said. “Antioxidants help protect against cancer, stroke, Alzheimer’s and so many other diseases.”

Antioxidants are molecules that can safely interact with free radicals and terminate a chain reaction before vital molecules are damaged. The body naturally produces free radicals during the metabolism process, but antioxidants help neutralize them. Over time, free radicals have the ability to trigger cancer and other diseases in a domino-like effect.

Some other antioxidant rich foods include strawberries, raspberries, soybeans, lentils, dark green vegetables, sweet potatoes and green tea.

Omega-3 fatty acids

A major component for brain health are omega-3 essential fatty acids that cannot be made by the body but instead obtained by diet, Marchbanks said.

Omega-3 boosts brain memory and performance, behavioral function and is also used to regulate blood clotting, build cell membranes and support cell health. Two crucial ones — EPA and DHA — are primarily found in certain fish. ALA, another omega-3 fatty acid, is found in plant sources such as nuts and seeds.

From non-fish sources, Marchbanks recommends flax seeds, pumpkin seeds,

KIDS Corner Environment affects child eating habits

Y

ou can offer young children healthier food choices in the elementary school cafeteria, but will they actually put it on their trays and eat it?

Probably not, suggests a new Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study.

Researchers observed 274 children in kindergarten through second grade

in 10 New York City public schools as they selected from the offerings during one lunch period when a chicken-and-vegetable entrée was on the menu.

They watched to see whether each of the 6-through 8-year-olds chose a fruit, vegetable, whole grain, low-fat milk or a lean protein, taking before and after photos of the trays.

olive oil, canola oil and walnuts.

Foods rich in fatty acids include salmon, tuna, trout, kale, spinach and Brussels sprouts.

Avocados

Smooth and creamy because of their fat content, avocados are rich in a fatty acid called oleic acid which helps build a coating of insulation known as myelin (found in white matter in the brain).

Myelin helps information travel quickly to the brain. Neurons without myelin are gray matter and process information at slower speeds. Avocados (along with olives, almonds and pecans) are helpful for bringing speedy messages to the brain, but because of their high fat content, a person should limit their avocado intake to about a half or quarter of an avocado per day, Reilly said.

Drink water

One of the most frequently heard pieces of feedback Reilly hears from his clients is how alert and sharp they feel when they drink water throughout the day.

Not only do they physically feel well from being hydrated, but they also notice their memory and reac-

They found that while 75 percent of the kids chose the lean protein (the entrée), only 58 percent chose a fruit and 59 percent chose a vegetable. And among those who put the various types of food on their trays, only 75 percent took even a single bite of the protein, while only 24 percent ate a bite of their vegetables.

“We have been thinking that if young children choose healthy food, they will eat it,” says Susan M. Gross, a research associate in the Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“But our research shows that is not necessarily so.”

She says the environment in the cafeteria had a major impact on whether the children ate their lunches. Along with recording how much food the children selected and ate, the researchers also examined the noise level, supervision level, how full the cafeteria was, the length of the lunch period and the packaging of foods.

They found that children were

December 2014 •

tion times are improved. Not drinking enough water can cause someone to feel mentally sluggish and tired.

“Well-hydrated bodies are well-functioning bodies,” he said. “An adult should drink about eight glasses of water a day. They would feel a huge difference physically and mentally.”

Think around the box

When it comes to feeding the brain, a person must think of the body as a whole.

“A brain-healthy diet is a hearthealthy diet,” Marchbanks said. “If your heart isn’t pumping right, you are not feeding your brain everything it needs because nutrients are not being carried there.”

Avoid foods made with refined sugars, saturated and trans fats, heavy carbohydrates and genetically modified organisms. These can create health disasters and are often linked to cancer and other serious diseases.

“When you are grocery shopping, focus on the perimeter of the store,” Marchbanks said. “That is where you will find the healthier foods that are not processed, and the better off you will be.”

much more likely to finish their food if a teacher ate in the cafeteria with them.

They found that more children ate their vegetables and whole grains when it was quieter in the cafeteria, though noise had little effect on consumption in the other food groups. The children were more likely to eat when their food was cut up into smaller pieces and when lunch periods were longer.

The findings come as Congress prepares in 2015 to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act, which funds the National School Lunch Program and National School Breakfast Program.

“As much as we are focused on menus in the school lunch program, we need to look more at our cafeteria environments, especially with our youngest children,” Gross says. “We can give kids the healthiest food possible, but if they don’t have time to eat it or they are distracted by how noisy the cafeteria is, they’re not going to eat it. They’re on their own and we need to do as much as possible to help them through that lunch period.”

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Diet & Nutrition Your Serving of Dairy News

By Victoria Treadwell

Cheese Please!!

Health benefits abound for human body

S

ay cheese!

Did you know about one-third of all milk produced each year in the United States is used to produce cheese?

Hello, my name is Victoria Treadwell and currently I’m the Herkimer County Dairy Princess.

I reside on my family’s 290-acre dairy farm in Little Falls.

We milk about 80 Holsteins, twice a day. Currently, I attend Mohawk Valley Community College and major in nutrition and dietetics.

There are more than 400 varieties of cheese to please every taste bud.

With all the varieties, there are many brands to choose from, such as Cabot, Helluva, Crowley and Byrne Dairy.

It takes about 5 quarts of milk to produce 1 pound of whole milk cheese, making it a nutrient- dense food.

Cheese provides the body with calories, high-quality protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin B-12, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus and zinc.

Cheese is very beneficial to the human body. Consuming cheese right after meals or as a snack between meals

can reduce the risk of tooth decay.

Cheddar, Swiss, blue, Monterey Jack, Brie, Gouda and processed American cheese have been shown to assist in preventing tooth decay.

Don’t avoid cheese if you’re lactose intolerant. Many aged cheeses such as cheddar and Swiss contain little if any lactose. Most of the lactose is removed when these cheeses are made.

Aged cheeses generally have less lactose than fresh cheese, like cream cheese. Cheese is an easy way to consume three servings of dairy for someone who is lactose intolerant.

Isn’t cheese fattening?

It’s all about checking out the nutrition facts panel on the product label.

For example, a 4-ounce serving of low-fat cottage cheese provides 82 calories and 1 gram of fat. The low-fat cottage cheese also contains high-quality protein, riboflavin, calcium and other essential vitamins.

There’s a wide selection of low-fat, low-calorie cheeses available to consumers.

Lactose-free Macaroni and Cheese Try this delicious 10-minute lac-

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

The amazing benefits of pomegranates

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few years ago, pomegranates and their juice became the darlings of the health-minded. Declared a superfood by some, an anti-aging food by others, this exotic fruit had us by the tongue buds. Did it warrant all the hype?

I think so. Is it still in the limelight? More than ever.

Long used for medicinal purposes in other countries, pomegranates are finally taking center stage here because they’re loaded with compounds we covet: antioxidants. Antioxidants protect our body from disease and accelerated aging by gobbling up harmful free radicals — byproducts of the oxidation process that can turn good cells bad.

Pomegranates stand out as antioxidant superstars because they boast a powerful combination of antioxidants — not just one or two.

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In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a pomegranate juice’s antioxidant activity is right up there with prunes, dark chocolate and red wine.

Like other antioxidant-rich foods, pomegranates are also the darlings of the research world. Although more

tose-free macaroni and cheese recipe: (Makes four side dishes or two main dishes) — 8 ounces uncooked small elbow macaroni, rigatoni or penne pasta — 1 cup reduced-fat lactose-free milk — 1 tablespoon cornstarch — ½ tablespoon warm water — 4 ounces cheddar, sharp cheddar, extra sharp cheddar or seriously sharp cheddar, grated (about 1 cup) — ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard — 1 ½ teaspoon salt — Crumbled bacon (optional) In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta according to package directions (about seven minutes).

In a medium saucepan, bring milk to simmer over medium heat, stirring often so it doesn’t scorch on bottom pan.

In small cup or bowl, completely dissolve cornstarch in water; stir into milk. Continue stirring until sauce is simmering and slightly thickened. Remove from heat. Add cheese, mustard and salt, stirring well.

Drain pasta. Combine with sauce.

Serve topped with bacon, if desired. studies are needed, preliminary research suggests that drinking a daily (8 oz glass) of pomegranate juice may significantly slow the progress of prostate cancer in men with reoccurring prostate cancer, cut cholesterol build-up in arteries and improve blood flow to the heart. Wow! Worried about chronic inflammation? Pomegranates may be your ticket to quieting the painful and often destructive fire within. A small study at the University of Maryland Medical Center showed that pomegranate extract decreased joint tenderness in rheumatoid arthritis patients by 62 percent. What’s more, researchers in the U.K. have found an anti-inflammatory compound in pomegranates that they believe may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

On the nutrient front, pomegranates measure up to other fruit superstars. Low in fat, cholesterol and calories (about 70 per ½ cup of seeds), this sweet and tangy fruit contains notable amounts of vitamins C and K (good for the immune system and blood clotting, respectively) and potassium (essential for muscle control and blood pressure regulation). And although one ½-cup serving of seeds contains 12 grams of sugar, the high sugar content is kept in check by the fruit’s substantial 3.5 grams of fiber.

Pomegranate-Chicken Salad

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2014

Treadwell Nutrition analysis: Calories: 353; total fat: 11.5 grams; saturated fat: 6 grams; sodium: 1,101 milligrams; carbohydrates: 47 grams; dietary fiber: 2 grams; protein: 16.5 grams; calcium: 288 milligrams • Victoria Treadwell is one of 35 county dairy princesses involved in the New York State Dairy Princess and Promotion Program. The purpose of the program is to promote the dairy industry and increase milk and dairy product sales, and is funded by local dairy farmers through their checkoff investments in the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc.

Adapted from the Food Network Kitchen Serves 6-8 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup fat-free plain yogurt 1/4 cup Dijon mustard 1 clove garlic, minced 2 tablespoons lemon juice Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 rotisserie chicken, shredded 1 cup pomegranate seeds 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives 2 stalks celery, sliced Baby arugula or other lettuce (optional) Combine the mayonnaise, yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic and some salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Add the shredded chicken, pomegranate seeds, chives and celery to a bowl.

Pour some of the dressing around the sides of the bowl and toss to combine.

Add more dressing as desired. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Serve on top of arugula or lettuce, if using.

Anne Palumbo is a lifestyle columnist, food guru, and seasoned cook, who has perfected the art of preparing nutritious, calorie-conscious dishes.

She is hungry for your questions and comments about SmartBites, so be in touch with Anne at avpalumbo@aol.com.

Diet & Nutrition The Balanced Body

By Deb Dittner

That Gut Feeling

because it’s tyme to give.

Now is the perfect time to say thank you to a friend or family member who went that extra mile for you this year. Let them know how much their appreciated with the gift of relaxation, rejuvenation and good health.

Massage and yoga have been proven to reduce many common ailments such as stress, muscle tightness, aches and pains, even anxiety and depression.

Audrey is certified and trained in Swedish Medical Massage, Senior Massage, Aromatherapy Massage and Yoga Therapy.

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Digestive facts tough to swallow

T

“All disease begins in the gut” ~ Hippocrates

he human body is incredibly designed when it is balanced and functioning at an optimum level.

Eating is a means of energy and ultimately survival. However, the important key thing to understand is not all foods are digested and absorbed in the same manner.

To fully understand how to maximize energy from food, we must take a quick glance at the digestive process.

Digestion is the breaking down of food, mechanically and chemically, in the gastrointestinal tract into portions small enough to be consumed and absorbed by your body.

Absorption is what moves those nutrients, including water and electrolytes, across the intestinal wall and into the blood and lymph.

Digestion is a whole body sysDittner tem and does not act by itself. The digestive process starts in the mouth with chewing and saliva.

Chew bites of food until it is mostly liquid. This may take anywhere from 20-30 chews or more.

The food then moves through the gastrointestinal tract by means of a wave-like motion called peristalsis.

This process is created through balance in the gut.

Creating balance in the gut will help relieve any digestive symptoms that you may have such as diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and other inflammatory bowel diseases. There is a four-step process to help heal imbalances and are known as the “4 R’s”.

• Remove foods, stress, toxins and bacteria causing digestive issues • Replace with healing, anti-inflammatory foods • Repair damage with specific supplements prescribed by your healthcare provider • Rebalance the gut with probiotics In the quest to maximize general health and performance on all levels, incorporating more high-quality organic whole foods is extremely important as these foods require less work to digest and ultimately output more energy.

I call these “Energy Plus” foods.

These foods are mainly alkaline forming in the body and limit digestive stress as the body doesn’t waste much energy digesting them.

Audrey Ventura, LMT, PRYT

3985 Oneida St., New Hartford • (315) 520-2176

On the other hand, refined sugars, processed foods and foods that are denatured because of high temperature cooking require more energy to digest and total output of energy is much lower.

I call these “Energy Minus” foods.

These foods are highly acidic forming in the body and increase digestive stress.

All dead, processed and denatured foods have an acid impact on the body as well as contain toxins that lead to premature aging and cell degeneration.

Wild and grass-fed protein sources require more energy to digest so choose your portion of meat wisely.

Six ounces of lean properly farmed meat is more than plenty for one meal as you don’t want your body going into overdrive.

Digestive health consists of: • Fiber — Both whole and unprocessed • Hydration — water • Probiotics — Through fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, apple cider vinegar, miso or supplementation • Eating slowly by taking small bites • Add spice to assist in the decrease of inflammation (black pepper, cardamom, coriander, cumin, turmeric) • Relaxation and meditation (music, walking, bathing, stress reduction, breathing, self-massage, conversation) As you might assume, the calories in an organic banana, which is an “Energy Plus” food, would not be equal to a chocolate bar, which is an “Energy Minus” food.

So, consciously choose foods that have whole nutrition as opposed to refined and processed foods.

All dead, processed and denatured foods are empty foods with no usable nutrients; however, they still maintain caloric value.

This would explain the obesity epidemic we see today, as the Western diet consists mainly of processed and denatured foods.

Checking the number of calories on the ingredient label is a common occurrence when picking up a product in the grocery store.

But where the calories come from is far more important than actually counting them. The number of calories you need will vary from person to person depending on how fast your metabolism is and how much you exercise daily.

Vigorous exercise — morning skate, strength training and sports — requires increased energy thus requiring increased calories.

• Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner specializing in Reiki and holistic nutrition. Visit her at www.The-Balanced-Body.com.

You can also purchase gift certificates or schedule appointments on-line at:

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10/13/14 3:25 PM

Big-name diets all work for a while, review

T

here are plenty of famous-name diets for weight loss, but none stands out from the pack when it comes to lasting results, a new review suggests.

Looking at a dozen clinical trials, researchers found that three big-name diets — Atkins, Weight Watchers and the Zone — were all “modestly” effective over the course of a year. In studies that compared the plans head-to-head, people lost anywhere from 4 to 10 pounds, on average.

Meanwhile, a fourth commercial diet — South Beach — was no better than traditional advice to eat a low-fat diet, the study authors said.

December 2014 •

And in the few trials that lasted two years — all looking at Atkins or Weight Watchers — people often regained some of the pounds they lost.

“From our results, no weight-loss diet came across as a clear winner,” said study leader Renee Atallah, a research assistant at Jewish General Hospital/McGill University in Montreal.

Atallah and her colleagues reported the findings online recently in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality & Outcomes.

A registered dietitian who was not involved in the research said he is glad more and more clinical trials are putting commercial diets to the test.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Exercise & Fitness Exercising Your Options When is the best time of day to work out?

By Mary Christopher

C

olleen Thieme has been a certified personal trainer for more than 30 years and has worked with hundreds of clients with different athletic abilities.

There is a common question asked among many of them: Is there a “best time” of day to work out?

Her answer is always the same: No, there is no special time or hidden formula that makes one time Thieme of day better for exercise than another.

Instead, finding what works for the individual and which type of exercise they enjoy helps achieve fitness goals.

“If somebody doesn’t like it, then they won’t do it,” Thieme said. “The time of day will not matter as long as a person is consistent with what they are doing.”

The benefits of physical activity are tightly linked to the amount you do on a consistent basis. There is no reliable evidence that suggests calories are burned more efficiently at certain times of the day, but the time of day can influence how you feel when exercising, according to the American Council of Exercise website.

Many fitness experts recommend staying in tune to your body’s natural clock and picking a time when you feel the strongest and most energized for exercise. That overall will help a person create a routine and feel successful.

What to take into account

The body’s circadian rhythm, the

Priscilla Cahoon, right, and Colleen Thieme work on weight training during a recent session at Thieme’s studio, Thieme Fitness Works, in the New Hartford Shopping Center. internal body clock, regulates patterns in sleeping and wakefulness throughout the day. A person’s circadian clock is set by the light-dark cycle over 24 hours. The amount of exercise, lack of exercise and time of day for the activity matters in maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm that ensures a well-rested, functioning body.

A late evening workout can raise the heart rate and sabotage the body’s urge to sleep. Getting enough rest is crucial and can affect health factors including appetite and stress.

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a time of day for working out, according to Thieme and

ACE: • Body temperature is lower in the morning, so allow more warm-up time than you would later in the day.

• Some research suggests exercising in the morning usually makes a person more aware of food choices throughout the day and helps establish a routine to build consistency.

• Morning workouts can cause a 10 percent reduction in blood pressure that lasts throughout the day.

• Someone who works out later in the day has the opportunity to eat and fuel the body for a tough workout that will build greater strength.

• A later day workout can also be a

stress reliever.

Priscilla Cahoon of Burlington Flats could never imagine working out at any time other than the morning hours. She has trained with Thieme for several years and became serious about an exercise regimen at age 22 after she gave birth to her son. Cahoon hikes and snow shoes and maintains a weekly appointment with Thieme to balance out her physical activity with weight training.

Cahoon “I’m just a morning person,” she said. “It’s done for the day and I feel good.”

The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week.

That could include swimming, hiking and fast-paced walking. ACE research showed that even 10-minute spurts of heart-pumping activity are better than no activity at all.

The thought of carving out a certain amount of hours per week for exercise is overwhelming for some people, but isn’t if a person keeps “moving” in mind throughout the day, Thieme said. Marching in place, taking stairs instead of elevators, swinging arms and parking further away in parking lot are ways to incorporate more physical activity in a day, she said.

“Anything is better than nothing,” Thieme said. “The most important thing is to just do it and be consistent with it.”

Yoga Poses to Boost Immunity

By Audrey Ventura

T

he fall and winter seasons bring with them great beauty, a chance for introspection and an opportunity to slow down.

The fall and winter are also a time when many of us catch colds and seasonal flus. If you find that you get frequent colds during this time of year, you may want to consider incorporating yoga poses into your daily exVentura ercise routine in order to enhance the functioning of

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your immune system.

White blood cells that circulate throughout our bodies via the lymphatic system are the primary defense against disease and infection.

The movement of vital fluids throughout the body by way of the lymphatic system is greatly increased with physical exercise. Yoga helps to circulate white blood cells throughout the entire body.

Here are a few of those poses: Wide-legged forward fold: Place your feet approximately three to four feet apart in a wide stance. Inhale and on your exhale, bend forward at the waist as far as your flexibility will allow. Do not lock your knees.

Hold this asana for three to five full breaths. To come out of the pose, contract your belly and slowly roll up to stand. This should not be done if you have herniated discs or high blood

pressure.

Facing down wheel: Begin on your hands and your knees. Inhale, lift your head, allow your belly to relax, drop to the floor and curl your toes under.

On your exhale, keep your toes curled under, tuck your chin to your chest, contract your abdominal muscles and

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2014

move your hips back to your heels (child’s pose).

Inhale, come back to your hands and knees and start again.

• Audrey Ventura is a licensed massage therapist who specializes in Phoenix Rising yoga therapy. For more information, email her at Audrey@ unwindtymewithaudrey.com.

Healthcare in a Minute

By George W. Chapman

Healthcare industry continues job creation

H

ealthcare job growth. The healthcare industry has done its share of hiring, contributing to the steady decline in the United States unemployment rate.

The sector has added an average of 26,000 jobs per month for the last six months (April thru September). This exceeds the average monthly gain from the prior 12 months (thru March of this year) by 50 percent.

— Obamacare good (so far) for insurers.

Commercial carriers and their industry spokespeople have been noticeably quiet when it comes to Obamacare, most likely because it’s too early to make bold statements or predictions.

There is still a lot of uncertainty out there. But so far so good for the three of the nation’s largest commercial insurers. Aetna, UnitedHealth and WellPoint have seen memberships grow by hundreds of thousands through both federal and state exchanges and Medicaid expansion.

Insurers expect 20 percent growth in new Affordable Care Act members in 2015. Most insurers are reporting that the feared huge surge in utilization by newly insured members has not happened.

— ­­Massachusetts leads the way in transparent pricing.

The birthplace of “Romneycare” has been years ahead of the rest of the country.

What happens in Massachusetts should not be overlooked or marginalized, as it is the harbinger of the Affordable Care Act or “Obamacare.”

Massachusetts mandated insurers must post their prices (how much they pay various providers) for certain office visits and procedures on their websites.

Not all procedures are listed, but the state feels it is a start. Consumers

can now determine where to go for healthcare based on price, as this impacts what they will pay out of pocket, be it their deductible or co-insurance.

So, a consumer may decide to receive care at the hospital with the lowest reimbursement rate for a particular procedure as this means less out of pocket if their deductible has not been met.

One of the biggest misconceptions among consumers is higher prices mean higher quality.

— Patient Compensation System (PCS) Some states are considering this new “no fault” concept. It would replace the current adversarial malpractice system.

Cases would be heard in front of a panel of healthcare experts instead of a jury. The panel would award compensation should an injury be deemed preventable.

In states where tort reform has been introduced, there has been little corresponding reduction in the number of “defensive” tests and procedures ordered by physicians, which drive up the cost of care for everyone.

Advocates hope the non-adversarial PCS will improve/protect the relationship between doctor and patient and, by removing the possibility of being “sued,” physicians will reduce the number of “defensive” (unnecessary) tests and procedures.

— 2015 Health Savings Accounts For those who have an HSA, the maximum contribution for a single person has been raised $50 from $3,300 to $3,350.

The maximum for a family has been raised $100 from $6,550 to $6,650.

Those 55 and older are allowed to contribute an additional $1,000, called a “catchup contribution.” You must be enrolled in an eligible high deductible

health plan to have an HSA. — Top five countries for healthcare (or where to retire) According to International Living’s annual global retirement index, the top five are: 1. France; 2. Uruguay; 3. Malaysia; 4. Costa Rica; and 5. Mexico.

Considered in their index are: cost, quality, the number of doctors and hospital beds per 1,000 people, the percentage of population with access to safe water, the infant mortality rate, life expectancy and total healthcare costs as a percent of GDP. The US still holds a commanding lead in the cost per person for healthcare.

— America’s youngest billionaire wants your blood.

More than seven billion lab tests are performed in the US annually. It is a $76 billion industry.

Too often, however, the cost of lab tests or the fear of having a needle stuck in you prevents many Americans from getting necessary tests. So, Elizabeth Holmes, smelling opportunity, dropped out of Stanford University to form her own company called Theranos.

Instead of vials, tourniquets and needles, there is just a relatively painless pinprick of blood that goes into a container the size of a dime. Seventy lab tests can be run on just a drop of blood.

Her prices for 1,000 tests are readily available on the website and they are significantly lower than what hospital or commercial labs charge. Her goal is to have a Theranos Wellness Center within five miles of any American.

— Medicare Part B $ unchanged For the second year in a row, the cost for physician services will not increase in 2015. The basic premium for almost 50 million seniors will remain at $104.90 a month with a $147 deductible. Medicare spending growth has

slowed to an average 0.8 percent over the last four years.

— Ebola and real threats to your health and media hype There is no longer (for now anyway) a single active case of Ebola in the U.S. It was the lead story for weeks.

The media spread paranoia and misinformation, probably setting off thousands of panic attacks and fueling the anxiety among already frazzled Americans.

Far larger and more imminent dangers than Ebola will affect your health and wellbeing. I guess we just take them for granted? A Fox News poll revealed 50 percent of us think our greatest threat is ISIS and 27 percent of us believed (at the time) it was Ebola.

For perspective or what we should really worry about, consider the following. Flu and pneumonia kill 54,000 a year.

Almost 600,000 of us will die from heart disease and almost 580,000 from cancer. Strokes kill 129,000 Americans annually. Guns kill over 30,000 of us a year. 34,000 of us die in vehicle accidents every year. Alzheimer’s will take 85,000 lives.

Finally, more people will die from their own furniture tipping over on them (30 a year) than from Ebola.

GEORGE W. CHAPMAN is a health consultant who operates GW Chapman Consulting in Syracuse. To reach him, email gwc@gwchapmanconsulting. com.

Rome Twigs kick off 2014 Tree of Lights campaign

K

ris-Tech Wire is the corporate sponsor of the Rome Twigs’ 2014 Tree of Lights campaign.

The company has donated $1,000 to the Twigs fundraiser for Rome Memorial Hospital. A visible symbol of the season, the Tree of Lights project began in 1989.

The Tree of Lights reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 in the hospital lobby. At 7 p.m., a tree lighting will take place.

Dr. Paul Temple will be honored for his many years of devoted service to RMH. Entertainment, refreshments and a scroll displaying the names of donors and their honored persons are planned.

Contributions to the Tree of Lights campaign help the Twigs, a nonprofit organization, continue its long tradition of dedicated service in support of the hospital and its mission.

All donations are tax deductible

and all monies go to the Rome Twigs for purchase of hospital equipment and to support programs of the hospital.

Last year’s Tree of Lights campaign raised more than $12,650.

Those dollars, along with other monies raised by the Twigs in 2014, go toward programs that contribute to patient comfort and care at RMH, including a new infant monitoring security system for the hospital’s maternity department.

Individuals may purchase lights to honor a living person, remember a deceased loved one or express thanks.

Each light on the tree represents a gift of love and remembrance.

In order to be included on the scroll, donations of $5 or more for a light must be received by noon on Nov. 20, addressed to Rome Memorial Hospital, Attention: Tree of Lights, 1500 N. James St., Rome, NY 13440. Make checks payable to Rome Twigs.

Pictured outside of Rome Memorial Hospital’s maternity department are, from left, Deborah Worth, director of peri-operative and maternal/child services at Rome Memorial Hospital; Susan Williams, Tree of Lights committee chairperson; Jon Brodock, owner of Kris-Tech Wire; Luella Dunn, a member of the Rosewood Twig; and Katie Painter, manager of Rome Memorial Hospital’s maternal/child services.

December 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 13

The Social Ask Security Office Column provided by the local Social Security Office

Help Social Security aid the homeless

D

ec. 21 is National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day. Since 1990, on or near the first day of winter and the longest night of the year, the National Coalition for the Homeless brings attention to and seeks compassion for the homeless who have died because they didn’t have a warm, safe place to sleep. Even as the recovery works its way through the entire economy, no one is immune to potentially being homeless. People in our community — colleagues and family members, military veterans, and our friends — might be too proud to ask for help. Too often, homelessness ends in tragedy.

Social Security provides services to the homeless and you can find these services at www.socialsecurity.gov/ homelessness. Those who are homeless can apply for benefits and, if they are eligible, their benefits can be deposited directly into a personal banking account, a direct express debit bank card or another electronic account. They can also have benefits mailed to a third

party or, if necessary, a representative payee can receive their funds.

Social Security also collaborates with other agencies to help the homeless. At www.socialsecurity.gov/ homelessness/collaborations.htm, you can read more about the health care for the homeless program that provides grants to a network of local public and nonprofit private organizations. Social Security also participates in the Federal Interagency Reentry Council, as well as the Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program.

PATH helps people with serious mental health issues or people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Every day, and especially on Dec. 21, remember those living without a place to call home. Homelessness is a complicated and emotional issue, but we can help our brothers and sisters — friends and family — access the safety net that Social Security provides. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov/homelessness to learn more.

Subscribe to In Good Health Get Mohawk Valley’s healthcare newspaper at home for only $15 a year.

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Staff members of the Primary Stroke Center at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica receive the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award for the fourth year in a row. They include, front row from left, Angela Roche, FSLH stroke program clinical coordinator, and Pauline Murray, emergency department nurse; back row from left, Dr. Naveen Seth, FSLH Emergency Department associate medical director; Vinny Faraone, emergency medical services’ clinical coordinator for Midstate EMS and FSLH; Scott S. Brehaut, FSLH Stroke Center medical director; Tom Zinger, Mohawk Valley Health System ED nurse manager; Angela Belmont, MVHS assistant vice president of nursing; Lingappa S. Amernath, FSLH ED medical director; and William Burton, ED nurse.

FSLH stroke program earns achievement award

F

axton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica, the area’s only designated primary stroke center, received the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award for the fourth year in a row.

The award recognizes FSLH’s commitment and success in implementing excellent care for stroke patients, according to evidence-based guidelines.

“With a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and receiving the award for the fourth year in a row demonstrates FSLH’s commitment to being one of the top hospitals in the country for providing aggressive, proven stroke care,” said Angelina M. Roche, stroke program clinical coordinator at FSLH. “We focus on providing care that quickly and efficiently treats stroke patients

with evidence-based protocols.”

In addition to the award, FSLH has also been recognized as a recipient of the association’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll for improving stroke care.

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of serious, long-term disability.

“The number of acute ischemic stroke patients eligible for treatment is expected to grow over the next decade due to increasing stroke incidence and our aging population,” said Roche.

“Our work and the care patients receive when they come to the area’s only designated primary stroke center is life saving.”

For more information on Get With The Guidelines, visit heart.org/quality.

New director of clinical solutions at The Arc

M

ary Rahn is the new director of clinical solutions at The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter.

Rahn received her master’s degree in social work from Syracuse University in 1995, with a concentration in family mental health.

She completed post-graduate studies at Smith College: School of Social Work in child and adRahn olescent therapy and is pursuing a certificate of advanced studies in play therapy through SUNY Oswego.

Rahn previously held positions

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2014

as a therapist in nonprofit and private practices settings. She was also a school social worker, substance abuse counselor, and bereavement counselor, all in the Utica/Rome area. She most recently held the position of clinical supervisor of mental health clinicians in an outpatient adult and child mental health clinic.

As director of clinical solutions, she will provide oversight and coordination of agency-wide clinical supports.

The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter, NYSARC is a nonprofit human services agency accredited by the Council on Quality and Leadership International that provides advocacy and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Oneida and Lewis counties. For more information about The Arc, visit www.thearcolc.org or call 315-272-1532.

Between You and Me

How to do a relationship

By Jim Miller

Guide to finding affordable dental care Dear Savvy Senior, I had dental insurance through my work for many years but lost it when I retired. Where can retirees find affordable dental care?

Need a Dentist Dear Need, Finding affordable dental care can be challenging for seniors living on a tight budget. Most retirees lose their dental insurance after leaving the workplace, and original Medicare does not cover cleaning, fillings or dentures.

While there’s no one solution to affordable dental care there are a number of options that can help cut your costs. Here’s where to look.

Medicare advantage

While original Medicare (Part A and B) and Medicare supplemental policies do not cover routine dental care, there are some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans that do. Many of these plans, which are sold through private insurance companies, cover dental care along with eye care, hearing and prescription drugs, in addition to all of your hospital and medical insurance. If you’re eligible for Medicare, see medicare.gov/find-aplan to look for Advantage plans in your area that covers dental care.

Dental discounts

Another way you can reduce your dental care expenses is to join a dental discount network. How this works is you pay an annual membership fee — around $80 to $200 a year — in exchange for 10 to 60 percent discounts on service and treatments from participating dentists. To find a network, go to DentalPlans.com (or 888-632-5353) where you can search for plans and participating dentists by zip code, as well as get a breakdown of the discounts offered.

Another option that’s currently available only in the southern California area is Brighter.com. They provide users free access to a network of dentists offering up to 50 percent discounts on all services.

Dental schools

Dental school clinics offer savings opportunities, too. All 65 accredited dental schools in the U.S. offer affordable care provided by dental students who are overseen by their professors. You

By Barbara Pierce

Be sure to tune into partner, develop ‘ritual of appreciation’

can expect to pay about half of what a traditional dentist would charge and still receive excellent, well-supervised care.

Another option is to check with local colleges that offer dental hygiene programs. For training purposes, many programs provide teeth cleanings by their students for a fraction of what you’d pay at a dentist’s office.

To search for nearby dental schools or dental hygiene programs visit ada.org/dentalschools.

Veterans benefits

If you’re a veteran enrolled in the VA health care program, or are a beneficiary of the Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA), the VA is now offering a dental insurance program that gives you the option to buy dental insurance through Delta Dental and MetLife at a reduced cost.

The VA also provides free dental care to vets who have dental problems resulting from service. To learn more about these options, visit va.gov/dental or call 877-222-8387.

Low income options

If you’re low income, there are various programs and clinics that provide dental care at a reduced rate or for free. To look for options in your area contact your state dental director (see astdd.org), or your state or local dental society (ebusiness.ada.org/ mystate.aspx).

You may also be able to get discounted or free dental care at one of the federally funded HRSA health centers (findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov, 877-464-4772), or at a privately funded free clinic (nafcclinics.org).

Also check with the Dental Lifeline Network (dentallifeline.org, 888-471-6334) which provides free dental care for low-income elderly and disabled; Remote Area Medical (ramusa.org) which offers free health, eye and dental care to people in select locations; and Indian Health Service (ihs.gov), which provides free dental care to American Indians and Alaska Natives who are members of a federally recognized Indian tribe.

Also see toothwisdom.org, a website created by Oral Health America that will help you locate low-cost dental care.

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

M

y life has turned upside down, totally changed, but in a good way.

After two years of living alone, I’ve moved in with a man.

Makes sense in every way — experts say we can best protect our health by having a partner, and companionship is usually a desirable thing, and two can live cheaper than one.

So here I am again, part of a couple.

I’ve known him nearly a year. You have to know someone for at least six months before reality kicks in. Over that year, we’ve both seen each other through a bunch of stuff, some not so pretty.

I went through that vulnerable stage after I left my last relationship.

Pierce When we end a relationship, we tend to fall hard for the first person who makes us feel good about ourselves again, who throws us a life line and pulls us out of the muck.

I was there, falling madly in love with the first guy I found attractive and who made me feel attractive. He turned out to be not a good guy for the long run, mostly because he was so negative.

The best preparation for a relationship is not being in a relationship, I used to tell my clients. I finally listened to my own advice and just stayed alone for a while.

So I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be to get back into a close relationship.

I’m open to advice.

One of the best-known marriage therapists in the country has some new tips for making a relationship work that caught my attention.

Here’s what I learned from Dr. Harville Hendrix and his new book “Making Marriage Simple.”

Romantic love sticks around long enough to bind two people together. Then it rides off into the sunset.

Seemingly overnight, your dream relationship can turn into your biggest nightmare. OK, I knew that already.

But maybe it needs repeating.

Stay in the present

The one thing that would help improve a marriage or relationship immediately?

Be present, Hendrix says. When we are distracted or distractible, being present to each other is very difficult.

We don’t make eye contact. We just kind of have parallel conversations but there’s no actual engagement.

I can relate to that. When my partner is talking to me, often my mind is going a hundred miles a minute, thinking about what emails I have to send, who I have to call, what can we have for dinner. I am not fully present

December 2014 •

and engaged with him.

You don’t have to be present all the time, says Hendrix, but when you are present, you need to be fully present.

That means “I’m shutting down my internal movie so we can look at your movie.” Whether it’s one minute or five, I need to shut down that internal movie running through my mind and tune in to the movie running in his head that he is trying to help me see.

I like that he said you don’t have to be present all the time. I think it’s essential for each person to have time alone. Time to do your thing by yourself or with your friends if necessary; if we don’t have it, we are really hurting our relationship.

“Let there be spaces in your togetherness,” said the poet Khalil Gibran years ago.

I’ve always liked that advice, though some don’t agree. I guess there needs to be a balance between togetherness and separateness.

More from Hendrix: He and his wife have a “ritual of appreciation:” “We always appreciate three things that the other person has done that day.

We also make an attempt to do it when we’re not together. We do check-in phone calls, and if we aren’t able to do a phone call we send an appreciation by email,” he wrote. “It has to be current, so it’s not like, ‘I appreciate how kind you are.’ That loses its power. But, like, ‘Today, you may have been on the other side of the world, but I appreciate you sent me a one-line note with xoxoxo on it.’”

He said it was very difficult when they first started trying to focus on the positive. Brains in general tend to pick up the negative much easier.

“Starting this practice was really awkward as it required us to pay attention to what we enjoyed about each other,” he wrote.

“Because we were viewing each other from the perspective of all the things we appreciated, we actually began to see each other differently.

Finally, each of us rediscovered that we were married to an amazing person, something we’d known long ago but had forgotten,” he wrote.

Good suggestion. I’ll do it and I’ll tune in fully to my partner.

• Barbara Pierce is a retired licensed clinical social worker with many years’ experience in helping people. If you would like to purchase a copy of her book “If I’m so Fantastic, Why am I Still Single?” contact her at BarbaraPierce06@yahoo.com, or contact her if you have any concerns you would like her to address.

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H ealth News MVHS names facilities leaders Mohawk Valley Health System in Utica has made the following staff announcements: • Sharon Palmer has been named assistant vice president, facilities services for MVHS. In this role, she is responsible for safety, security, clinical engineering, St. Luke’s Home plant operations, facilities management, St. Elizabeth Medical Palmer Center environmental services and linen, construction management and property management.

Prior to this position, she was director of facilities planning and support services and director of project management and support services at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare.

Palmer received a Master of Science degree in business administration with a concentration in health services administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in health services management from SUNY Institute of Technology in Utica. She earned an associate’s degree in applied science in computer science from Mohawk Valley Community College.

Palmer’s office is located at the St. Luke’s Campus in the Professional Office Building.

• David Chickering has been named director of facilities management for SEMC. His responsibilities include overall operation of the facilities management department. He earned his certified healthcare facility manager designation from Chickering the American Hospital Association.

Chickering has been employed at SEMC for more than 21 years and served as director of facilities management since 2010, as well as holding other positions within the facilities management department.

Chickering received his associate’s degree in building construction from Alfred State College and a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Empire State College with a concentration in business, management and economics.

Chickering is located at the St. Elizabeth Campus.

• Anthony Forlenza has been named director of clinical engineering for MVHS. He has been employed by SEMC for more than 33 years with 30 years in clinical engineering. Forlenza previously worked in SEMC’s environmental services, transport and central service departments. He previously served in clinical engineering as a biomedical Page 16

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Forlenza

tech, senior biomedical tech and manager of clinical engineering.

Forlenza received his associate’s degree in applied science in electrical engineering technology from MVCC and has earned certifications from more than 50 manufactur-

ers’ service schools.

Forlenza’s office is located at the St. Elizabeth Campus in the facilities building.

• John Gaetano has been named director of facilities management for FSLH. Employed at FSLH in this position since 2000, his responsibilities include overall operation of the facilities management Gaetano department. His certified healthcare facilities manager designation is from the American Society of Healthcare Engineering and he is a DNV ISO 14001 environmental systems certified auditor.

Gaetano received his associate’s degree in applied science in civil engineering technology from MVCC and a Bachelor of Science degree in construction engineering.

He won the American Society of Healthcare Emerging Regional Leader Award in 2013.

Gaetano’s office is located at the St. Luke’s Campus in the engineering department.

• James Getter has been named director of hospital services for SEMC. His responsibilities include environmental and linen services. Getter has been employed

by SEMC for more than 40 years, the past Getter 25 years in his current position.

He previously served in the security department and as an employee in the housekeeping department.

Getter is a graduate of MVCC and is past treasurer and past president of the local chapter of the International Executive Housekeepers Association.

Getter’s office is located at Kilmartin the St. Elizabeth

Kelly DeRider, left, nurse manager at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica, accepts the Service Member Patriot Award from veteran Wilbur Linton of Oneida, right. At center is nominator Scott Helmer, a registered nurse at SEMC.

SEMC manager receives coveted award

K

elly DeRider, nurse manager for the operating room, post anesthesia care unit and central supply at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica, received the Service Member Patriot Award recently.

It was presented by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, represented by Wilbur Linton, a veteran from Oneida.

DeRider was nominated by Scott Helmer, a SEMC registered nurse in the cardiothoracic operating room, in appreciation for her efforts in helping him fulfill his

Campus.

• Christopher Kilmartin has been named security department manager for MVHS. He is responsible for leading the Securitas security officers for the system.

In addition, the team provides support and technical expertise to all MVHS outlying locations.

Kilmartin has worked with Securitas at FSLH for more than 10

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2014

commitments to the military.

Helmer also appreciates the support of other members of the surgery department that enables him to maintain his civilian employment while serving in the armed forces.

The Patriot Award is the first in a series of ESGR’s awards. An employee serving in the National Guard or Reserve, or the spouse of a Guard or Reserve member, may nominate individual supervisors and bosses for support provided directly to the nominating service member and his or her family. years, starting as a security officer before being promoted to sergeant and lieutenant.

A certified Securitas security supervisor, he holds certificates in civil treatment for managers, management of aggressive behavior, and practical and tactical handcuffing, and has

Continued on Page 17

H ealth News Continued from Page 16 experience with the FEMA Incident Command System and several U.S. Department of Homeland Security independent study programs.

Kilmartin’s office is at the St. Luke’s Campus.

• Gregg Sponburgh, MPH has been named director of safety/emergency preparedness at SEMC. He has been employed

by SEMC for two years, first as environmental health and safety officer. In addiSponburgh tion, for the past four years, he has served as grounds supervisor for TEMCO Inc. at Utica College.

Prior to his positions at SEMC, he was director of environmental health and safety at Utica College, environmental health technician at Syracuse University and served in the United States Army as captain, environmental science officer and in the U.S. Army Reserves, lieutenant colonel. His combat service includes Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sponburgh received a Master of Public Health degree from Tulane University, New Orleans and a Bachelor of Science degree in environmental engineering from Norwich University Military Academy, Northfield, Vt. He is a member of the Mohawk Valley Safety Professional’s Consortium and SUNY Environmental Health and Safety Association.

Sponburgh’s office is located at the St. Elizabeth Campus.

• Karon Weiler has been named director of plant operations at the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services.

She has been employed by St. Luke’s Home for more than 18 Weiler years and prior to that was employed by St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital Center for nine years.

In this role, she is responsible for plant operations at CRCCS, including environmental services, maintenance, laundry, reception and Mohawk Valley transportation services.

Prior to this position, she was lead technician for environmental services at St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital Center, assistant director of environmental services at the NASW-NYS Mohawk Valley Division and director of plant operations at St. Luke’s Home.

Weiler received certification as a universal refrigeration technician from MVCC. Weiler’s office is located at CRCCS. FSLH and SEMC are affiliates under the MVHS.

MVHS names emergency services leaders Tom Zinger has been named nurse manager for emergency services at Mohawk Valley Health System in Utica.

Prior to this position, he served as nurse manager for the emergency department at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare nurse manager for the FSLH UrZinger gent Care and as a charge nurse in the FSLH ED on the night shift.

Previous to working at FSLH, Zinger worked at SUNY Health Science Center in the neuroscience department and Crouse Hospital in the ED, both located in Syracuse.

Zinger received his registered nurse degree from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing and is working toward his bachelor’s degree in nursing from Utica College.

Dianna Scranton has been named assistant nurse manager of the St. Elizabeth Medical Center ED. Prior to this position, she held positions at SEMC as a nursing supervisor, ED assistant nurse manager, Scranton and as charge nurse on the ED and oncology unit.

Scranton received her associate’s in nursing from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Chamberlain College of Nursing.

FSLH and SEMC are affiliates under the MVHS.

MVHS announces imaging department leadership Mohawk Valley Health System has made the following staff announcements: • Robert Tan has been named director of medical imaging for MVHS. In the position, he is responsible for the overall operation and delivery of medical imaging services for the system.

Tan Tan has been an employee at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica since 1980 and has served as a staff radiologic technologist, quality control technologist, assistant manager of the department of radiology and as manager of the department of radiology since 2002.

Tan received his certificate as a

Children’s Miracle Network $100,000 Miracle Home Makeover winner Julie “Lynn” Snyder of Oriskany recently became the 18th winner of the Children’s Miracle Network $100,000 Miracle Home Makeover. Snyder, a seventh-grade social studies teacher for the Herkimer Central School District, purchased Miracle Home tickets for years with the philosophy that even if she didn’t win, at least she was donating to a good cause. The project, which benefits women’s and children’s services at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica, has raised more than $3.7 million over the past 18 years. In photo above, Snyder, center, celebrates with Brian Snyder and Eileen Pronobis, executive director of the FSLH Foundation. For more information, call the FSLH Foundation at 315-624-5600 or visit www.faxtonstlukes.com/foundation. radiologic technologist from the St. Elizabeth School of Radiography.

• Anthony Dischiavi has been named assistant director of medical imaging for Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica.

In this position, he works directly with radiologists and staff to oversee Dischiavi daily clinical operations. Also, he assists the director in developing, instituting and monitoring policies and procedures within the department.

Dischiavi has been employed at FSLH since 2003. He has served as computed tomography technologist and supervisor of medical imaging.

Most recently, he has served as the administrator for the picture archiving and communication system since May of 2013. He also served as an instructor

December 2014 •

at the FSLH School of Radiology and most recently as an adjunct faculty member at the Mohawk Valley Community College Radiologic Technology Program.

Dischiavi earned his bachelor’s degree from SUNY Empire State College in Saratoga Springs, his associate’s degree from Herkimer County Community College in Herkimer and his diploma in medical radiography from FSLH’s St. Luke’s School of Medical Radiology in Utica.

• Lisa Plunkett has been named assistant director of medical imaging for SEMC. In this position, Plunkett is responsible for the overall operation Plunkett of imaging services for the St. Eliza-

Continued on Page 18

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H ealth News Continued from Page 17 beth campus. Plunkett works directly with physicians, staff and management to maintain overall clinical operations as well as her current responsibilities as the PACS administrator.

She has been employed at SEMC since 1992 as a staff radiologic technologist, clinical coordinator for the department of radiology and as PACS administrator since 2006.

Plunkett earned her certificate in radiologic technology from the St. Elizabeth School of Radiography.

She received the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Mammography Certification in 1992.

MVHS names director of pharmacy, clinical services Maria Carucci has been named director of pharmacy and clinical services for Mohawk Valley Health System.

In the position, Carucci directs all aspects of the administration and operations of the pharmacy departments.

Prior to this position, she served as director of pharmacy at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and Carucci as principal consultant for I.C.E. Consulting, Inc. where she provided reimbursement strategy and managed market expertise to client companies.

Carucci is a graduate of Albany College of Pharmacy and has more than 30 years of experience in the delivery of pharmacy services. Her experience includes hospital and home infusion pharmacy operations, managed markets sale and reimbursement strategy development for medical devices and alternate site delivery of home infusion therapies.

FSLH and St. Elizabeth Medical Center are affiliates under the MVHS.

Prior to this position, Shkane practiced as a family medicine physician at St. Elizabeth Medical Group in East Utica and was a faculty member for the St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency Program. She received the distinguished faculty award in 2010.

She received her doctor of osteopathy from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, completed an osteopathic internship at the St. Elizabeth-University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine osteopathic internship program and her residency at the Bassett-St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Program.

Shkane is also a clinical assistant professor of Medicine at UNECOM and a physician at Utica College Student Health Center.

Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and SEMC are affiliates under the Mohawk Valley Health System.

RMH names director of hospitalists Stephen P. Smith recently joined Eagle Health Physicians as medical director of Rome Memorial Hospital’s permanent hospitalist team.

A graduate of the University of Rome Medical School, Rome, Italy, Smith served his residencies in internal medicine at the Albert Smith Einstein Medical School, Bronx Lebanon Hospital, Bronx, and the University of Medicine New Jersey, Mountainside Hospital, Montclair, N.J. He is a member of the American Board of Internal Medicine. Smith comes to Rome after several years as medical director of hospitalists at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Jesup, Ga. “As director of the hospitalists, I hope to establish leadership by example,” Smith said. “In addition to caring for patients myself, I hope that my 33 years of experience will be useful to the other hospitalists along the way.”

SEMC welcomes new family medicine physician RMH welcomes new Julie Betro Shkane, a family hospitalist medicine physician, recently joined St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica.

She has assumed the role of associate program director for outpatient education and medical director of the Sister Rose Vincent Family Medicine Center.

Her new responsibilities include overShkane seeing the daily clinical operations of the SRVFMC and resident education related to their practice at the center.

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Vaishali R. Baxi has joined the staff at Rome Memorial Hospital as a member of its hospitalist team.

A hospitalist is a physician who cares for patients only while they are in the hospital, and coordinates their care with their personal physician and specialists.

Baxi Baxi and her husband, Rupern, and son, Vishen, have relocated to the area from Michigan, where she com-

pleted her internship/residency at St. Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia, Mich.

As a senior resident there, her responsibilities included supervising medical students and interns on the medical floors and the intensive care unit of the 304-bed acute care facility.

A graduate of the Medical University of the Americas, Nevis, West Indies, Baxi also earned a Master of Business Administration degree in health care administration, with a minor in public health, from Davenport University, Grand Rapids, Mich.

Baxi is a member of the American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association.

She is certified in fundamental critical care support, basic life support and advanced cardiac life support.

Baxi also has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance and investments from Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich.

She is also interested in yoga and other alternative methods of healing.

Rome Memorial Hospital welcomes new pediatrician Rome Memorial Hospital announced that Kiran Yelakanti recently joined the pediatric department at Rome Medical Group, 1801 Black River Boulevard, Rome.

Yelakanti earned his medical degree from the Osmania Medical College in Andhra Pradesh, India and complet-

ed his residency in pediatrics at the Maimonides Infants and Children’s Hospital in Brooklyn.

“I chose to become a pediatrician, first because I love children,” he said. “Beyond that, I know that Yelakanti I play a vital role in helping them develop healthy habits which will last their entire lives,” he said.

Yelakanti lives in Clinton with his wife Radhika.

Midstate EMS moves to new location Midstate Emergency Medical Services has moved its office location to 14 Foery Drive, Utica.

For more information, see midstateems.org or call 315-738-8351, ext. 4531 or 315-624-4534.

Advertise with In Good Health!

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Drivers Wanted

MEDICAL DIRECTOR MEDICAL DIRECTOR Insight Houseisisseeking seekinga physician/psychiatrist a physician/psychiatrist Insight House as as Medical Director to oversee its Residential, medical director to oversee its residential, outpatient Outpatient Clinic and Day Rehabilitation chemiclinic and day rehabilitation chemical dependency cal dependency programs.

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The qualified candidate will be acandidate graduate frombe anaaccredited schoolanofaccredited medicine, school possessof a will graduate from current NYS physician license,NYS be board certified medicine, possess a current physician liin addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry, and cense, board certification in addiction medicine be responsible to ensure program services or addiction psychiatry, and bemedical responsible to comply with federal, state and local regulations.

The ensure program medical services comply with candidate must buprenorphine-certified within federal, state andbelocal regulations. four months of employment.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2014

SendCurriculum Curriculum Vitae Vitae to: Send to: Insight House INSIGHT HOUSE 500 Whitesboro Street 500 Whitesboro Street, Utica, NY 13502 Attention: Vitagliano Attention: Donna Donna Vitagliano email: email: dvitagliano@insighthouse.com dvitagliano@insighthouse.com 315-724-6582 315-724-5168

Are you looking to supplement your regular income? Mohawk Valley In Good Health has the job for you. We are looking for drivers to handle delivery routes in the Greater Utica area as well as Herkimer County. The job entails delivering papers to businesses along a designated route. Dependable transportation and the ability to lift and carry 40 pounds is necessary. The job pays $9 an hour plus mileage.

Normally, the route can be done in one day.

Interested?

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Countering Concussions Awareness key for student-athletes, parents

By Barbara Pierce

T

he winter sports season is here.

And that means hockey.

To physical therapist Ryan Monaco, this means he will be seeing an increase in concussions in his offices, a flood of student athletes who have been injured and may have a concussion.

The number of concussions is on the rise.

Helmets only serve to reduce the risk of skull and face fractures; they do not protect against concussions.

“Concussions and possible concussions need to be taken seriously,” advises Monaco, who is also a certified athletic trainer who specializes in concussions and concussion management.

“People can actually die from a concussion,” said Monaco.

Even a single brain concussion can cause lasting brain damage. Lasting brain damage may include problems with headaches or balance. It may include difficulty with thought processes, with paying attention and concentration. And it may include problems with mood, being depressed or anxious.

Suffering a second or third concussion increases the risk of lasting damages.

A concussion is any injury to the brain that is caused by a blow to the head or body, by a fall, or by any injury that jars or shakes the brain inside the skull. On the ice, concussions can result from a fall or from players colliding with each other, with the ice surface or an obstacle, such as a goal post.

Even “getting your bell rung” or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious.

“Concussions are truly a dilemma for practitioners, coaches and parents,” said Monaco. “There may be no visible signs of a brain injury. For the most part, we have to solely rely on the feedback from the student athlete to determine whether there has been a concussion.” Most concussions happen without loss of consciousness.

“Thanks to professional sports taking a stand against the concussion issue and the media attention that surrounds it, we all know what to look for with a concussion,” said Monaco.

Symptoms of a concussion include a headache or “pressure” in the head, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, double or blurry vision, sensitivity to light or noise, feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy, confusion and memory problems.

Symptoms may not develop until

CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Got a health-related activity or event that you would like publicized? Call Lou Sorendo at 315-749-7070 or email lou@cnymail.com.

Continued from Page 2 Attendees are invited to bring along a friend as well as Christmas cookies for a cookie swap.

For more information, contact Angela Ramp, director of volunteer services, at 272-2266 or aramp@presbyterianhome.com.

Dec. 9

‘Rest in God’ prayer group to assemble The Rest in God prayer group meets from 6-8 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

For more information, contact Diana at 831-5946 or email her at lovericd@gmail.com.

To register, call Tanya at 735-6210 or visit TheGoodNewsCenter.org.

Dec. 14

Separated? Divorced?

There is support The Separated & Divorced Support Group will meet from 5-6:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at The Good News Center, 10475

Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

The group meets every other Sunday. The meetings are free and open to all.

For more information, contact Judy at 315-735-6210, judy@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit www.TheGoodNewsCenter.org.

Dec. 14

hours after the initial injury and therefore the victim and the family may not connect them with the injury.

“If you suspect that your child has suffered a concussion, it is better to be safe and have it ruled out by someone who sees concussions often,” said Monaco. “Get an evaluation from someone who is an expert in the field.”

“My recommendation is to go to an urgent care or a sports medicine doctor who has experience with the diagnosis of concussions. A follow up with a pediatrician or general practice physician is good but only after a thorough evaluation from a concussion specialist has happened,” he added.

Follow concussion protocol

Monaco recommends parents become familiar with the concussion protocols in place at their child’s school.

In 2012, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Home on the LutheranCare campus, Route 12B, Clinton.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments and entertainment by musician and composer Monk Rowe will be provided.

The Memory Café provides individuals living with dementia and their caregivers the opportunity to socialize in a safe and nurturing environment.

The concept began in the Netherlands in 1997 and grew rapidly to include cafés throughout the world.

For details and to make reservations, contact Rev. Brian McCaffrey at 315-235-7125 or email him at bmccaffrey@lutherancare.org.

Dec. 16

Grief survivors face the holidays Grief Survivors will present “Surviving the Holidays!” from 6–7:30 p.m. Dec. 16 at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

For more information, contact Me-

Ready to explore The Third Option?

mandated that every public high school has a concussion management team and protocol. In that giant pack of papers you sign prior to the start of the season will be information on how your school will handle a concussion and the steps you will need to take before your child can return to the ice.

Make sure you and your child’s coach are on the same page as soon as the word “concussion” is uttered. Time is of the essence with these situations and it is important to know your school’s policy on who the athlete has to see prior to starting the return to play process.

Monaco also recommends parents invest in a baseline (pre-season) test.

The cost is very reasonable, roughly the same price as a mouth guard. A baseline test will provide information on your child’s past medical history, any previous concussions, his/her mental functioning, and a balance test.

Then, if your child is ever diagnosed with a concussion or there is a question of a possible concussion, these pre-season results can be compared with a post-concussion evaluation to determine the extent of injury and when the student athlete can return to play. lissa at 315-735-6210 ext. 228, Melissa@ TheGoodNewsCenter.org or visit www.

TheGoodNewsCenter.org.

Dec. 30

Women at the Well to gather Women at the Well will meet from 6:30–8 p.m. Dec. 30 at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

The faith-based group meets on the last Tuesday of each month. Drop-ins are welcome.

For more information, contact Tanya at 315-735-6210, tanya@TheGoodNewsCenter.org or visit www.

TheGoodNewsCenter.org.

Story idea?

Call 749.7070

Heat and Eat. With SNAP, you don’t have to choose.

The Third Option support group for married couples will meet from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica. The group meets every other Sunday.

For more information, contact Tanya at 315-735-6210, tanya@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit www.TheGoodNewsCenter.org.

To find out if you, or someone you know, may be eligible for SNAP, call your Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) Coordinator.

It’s free and confidential.

Maximum gross monthly income guidelines – Effective October 1, 2014 – September 30, 2015

Dec. 14

Lutheran Care to host Christmas party

If you are approved for SNAP, you may also be eligible for help with your heating bill through HEAP.

LutheranCare’s Memory Café will celebrate the holidays with a Christmas party from 2-4 p.m. Dec. 14 at Nolte Auditorium of the Lutheran

In Herkimer County Call Catholic Charities of Herkimer County

315-894-9917, ext. 235

Prepared by a project of Hunger Solutions New York, USDA/FNS, and NYSOTDA. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

December 2014 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 19

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Spotlight on Nonprofits

Evelyn’s House Protective refuge for moms, babies

By Mary Christopher

T

ucked away on the Our Lady of Lourdes Church campus in Utica is Evelyn’s House, a small but mighty home for homeless young women who are pregnant or mothering a baby.

The nonprofit lives up to its new slogan, “Nurturing growth, inspiring change, empowering future” as each day brings new opportunities to make changes in the lives of a mother and child.

“We’re all young, but going through the same thing,” resident LaShawndia Murphy said.

“I really like it here.”

Murphy, 19, arrived at Evelyn’s House two months ago with her now 10-monthold daughter, Omarie. They have their own two-bedroom suite in the house Jackson and share a common area with the other residents that includes a living room, play room, kitchen and visitation room.

Murphy finds it comforting that she and the other girls in the house have the support from staff when it is needed.

“This is a safe environment,” she said. “Everybody gets along and the staff is always here.”

Nurturing mothers, babies

Evelyn’s House provides a safe and supportive home to young mothers and babies.

The goal is to provide residents with opportunities to obtain parenting, educational/vocational and life skills needed to become self-sufficient and productive members of the community.

Staff members are on hand 24 hours a day offering support and guidance to those living in the house, which Page 20

•

is filled to capacity with seven mothers.

The house can accommodate up to 12 children. The mothers must be between the ages of 16 and 21, homeless, on the verge of eviction or fleeing domestic violence and can stay up to 18 months.

“For most of the girls here, this is the most stable environment they have been in,” said Lisa Fontaine, program director. “(The girls) must be a part of their plan and look at what will work for them and what will not.”

House rules and curfews must be followed, but the girls do have freedom so a feel of independent living can be established. Chores rotate as do cooking meals, grocery shopping and cleaning.

They constantly work on parenting skills either in a group or one-on-one setting, transitional life skills and financial skills.

The girls must get up every morning and do something whethFontaine er it is going to school, work or volunteering. Making positive relationships at Evelyn’s House is important to help maintain harmony among residents.

“There are a lot of dynamics and small things that contribute to the dynamics of the house,” said Allison Jackson, service coordinator. “One little thing can change everything — like a new girl moving in — and the staff must be aware of it.”

Staffers are looking for ways to enhance parenting programs that focus specifically on teen parenting, Jackson said.

“Teen parenting issues are unique and complex,” she said. “It’s a different level of stress because they are still navigating through life, trying to get an education and their babies may have medical issues. Plus, these girls are homeless.”

The sun shines bright through the

LaShawndia Murphy and her daughter, Omarie, sit and play in the living room at Evelyn’s House in Utica. The house is for homeless young women who are pregnant or parenting a small child. windows at Evelyn’s House. Rooms are cheerful and a staff member is always close by to offer support. Fontaine, Jackson and other staffers will often babysit so the mothers can go bowling or do something as a group.

Evelyn’s House started in 2007 and is run through Kids Oneida, a nonprofit organization that aims to empower children and families that face obstacles with the hope of keeping the family together.

It was a vision that was carried out by the late Donna LaTour Elefante, who named the program after her mother Evelyn. Seven years later, grants from Housing and Urban Development, The Community Foundation, city of Utica and other local funds provide financial support. But it’s the generosity of the community that gives Evelyn’s House

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • December 2014

the extra boost it needs.

Fontaine said there is an employee who gives her check right back to the house and other anonymous people in the community who leave checks in the mailbox and donate clothing and gift certificates, Fontaine said.

“We would not be able to function without those extras,” she said.

Evelyn’s House relies heavily on donations from the community. While clothing for young women and babies is always needed, basic necessities are essential, including diapers, wipes, pacifiers, paper towels, towels, cleaning products, shampoo and toothpaste.

Price Chopper gift cards and gift cards for recreational activities for mothers and children, such as bowling, are also appreciated.