Mv igh 116 oct15

in good

Meet Your Doctor

October 2015 • Issue 116

Dr. Sherif G. El Bayadi See Page 4

New age of assessing health See Page 9

Cancer fight begins with you See Page 15

MVhealthnews.com

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Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

Death by Office Job Languishing behind computer screen for hours damaging to health

See Page 5

Women’s Health Special Section

Page 7 — The art of making friends Page 8 — In a funk? Try creating some goals!

Little pumpkin seeds are big on nutrition See SmartBites column on page 10

Kids Health

Warning!

Attention parents: Are your children sexting?

Page 3

Dietitian: Careful of those football parties!

Page 11

Top gun Meet top Excellus administrator Eve Van de Wal Page 12

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

Support group for OCD sufferers The Central New York Obsessive Compulsive Foundation, Inc., a registered nonprofit agency, has offered OCD sufferers in the region a weekly support group since 1997.

Brian’s OCD Support Group meets from 6:30-8 p.m. every Monday except holidays in the Sister Regina Conference Room, first floor, St. Elizabeth Medical Center, 2209 Genesee St., Utica.

Meetings are professionally assisted the third Monday of each month.

For more information, call founder Susan Connell at 315-768-7031, email her at info@cnyocf.org, visit www. cnyocf.org or check out Cen NY OCD Support Group on Facebook.

A speakers’ bureau is available at no cost.

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

Insight House offers family support group Insight House Chemical Dependency Services, Inc. is offering a family support group meeting from 6:15-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Insight House, 500 Whitesboro St., Utica.

The group is free and open to anyone who is concerned about a loved one’s relationship with alcohol, opiates/heroin, or other substances.

For more information about the group, call 724-5168, ext. 265, from 8:30-4 p.m. weekdays.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Wednesdays

MVHS slates chapel prayer sessions Mohawk Valley Health System invites patients, residents, families and staff members of all faith traditions to join together in prayerful meditation in regular sessions called Prayerful Pauses.

Prayerful Pauses will be held at 2:30 p.m. each Wednesday of the month in the following rotation: • First Wednesday: St. Marianne Cope Chapel at St. Elizabeth Medical Center • Second Wednesday: St. Luke’s

Community Information Seminar:

Bariatric Surgery October 14, 2015 • 6:00 pm Presented by

January Hill, MD Utica Business Park 125 Business Park Drive, Suite 150, Utica, NY The offices of William A. Graber, MD, PC

To register call 315-235-2540 or toll free 877-269-0355

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2015

Campus Chapel • Third Wednesday: Faxton Campus Chapel • Fourth Wednesday: St. Luke’s Home Chapel Individuals are welcome to pause and pray or meditate on their own if there is a fifth Wednesday in the month.

Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and SEMC are affiliates under the MVHS.

Wednesdays/Thursdays

Overeaters Anonymous plans meetings

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

Saturdays/Sundays

SEMC chapel changes mass time Effective immediately, mass will begin at 7 a.m. on both Saturdays and Sundays in the St. Marianne Cope Chapel at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Utica.

This is a permanent change that includes holidays such as Easter and Christmas and Sundays during Lent.

The public is always welcome to attend and to utilize the hospital chapel.

Sept. 29

MVHS to host nursing recruitment event The Mohawk Valley Health System will host a nursing recruitment event from 4-7 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Radisson Hotel, 200 Genesee St., Utica.

MVHS has immediate openings for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, care attendants, nurse techs and unit secretaries. General and leadership positions are available in the hospital, home care and off-site settings, in specialty areas that range from emergency medicine to critical care.

Candidates should bring their resume and be prepared for on-the-spot interviews.

The organization offers 12-hour shifts, competitive wages and benefits packages, and continuing education opportunities.

Qualified applicants are invited to attend this event or visit www. mvhealthsystem.org/jobs to apply.

Month throughout October in the Mohawk Valley. Cider and doughuts will be served.

This event is sponsored by the Mohawk Valley Health System Cancer Center, Oneida County Health Department Cancer Services Program under the leadership of County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr., Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri, the After Breast Cancer (ABC) Support Group and the American Cancer Society.

Fall prevention focus of lecture According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three adults aged 65 and older experience a fall.

Justin Waters and Andrew Smith, physical therapists with Chestnut Commons Physical & Occupational Therapy, will present “Fall Prevention: Staying Safe & Active” at Rome Memorial Hospital’s Health Night lecture, set for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 1. This special program will be held at Chestnut Commons Physical & Occupational Therapy, 107 E. Chestnut St., Rome.

Health Night is a free lecture series.

RSVPs are encouraged for planning purposes, but not required.

Refreshments will be served.

Guests are asked to use the entrance on the east side of Chestnut Commons.

Call 337-5309 to make reservations or for more information.

Oct. 1-2

Trauma symposium on tap in Vernon The St. Elizabeth Trauma Center of the Mohawk Valley Health System and Midstate EMS will host the 29th annual Trauma Symposium Oct. 1-2 at Vernon Downs Casino and Hotel in Vernon.

The conference begins at 6 p.m.

Oct. 1 with dinner and a presentation.

Friday’s presentations begin at 8 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. Continental breakfast and lunch are included.

This activity has been submitted to the Emergency Nurses Association for approval to award contact hours.

This activity has also been submitted for approval for contact hours from the American Association of Respiratory Therapists. Midstate REMAC has approved this conference for three hours of basic life support and three hours of advanced life support continuing medical education for all level of EMS providers.

For more information or to register for this year’s event, visit www.stemc. org/trauma or call 315-801-8127.

Oct. 4

Perinatal Network plans hunt race Human pink ribbon to show scavenger Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network, Inc. is planning its third annual “Run, unity against disease Oct. 1

Community members and breast cancer survivors are invited to help promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month by creating a human pink ribbon.

Participants are asked to wear pink and meet at 11 a.m. Oct. 1 at F.T. Proctor Park, Culver Avenue and Rutger Street, Utica.

A brief ceremony will be held to honor breast cancer survivors and then attendees will create a human pink ribbon. An aerial picture will be taken to promote Breast Cancer Awareness

Sherlock, Run!” scavenger hunt race in the Mohawk Valley.

It will be held on Oct. 4 and will start from the St. Francis DeSales Center on Genesee Street in Utica. Clues will be provided to teams of two, three or four runners, directing them to secret checkpoints in Utica. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams finding all checkpoints in the shortest time, and a post-race party will be offered to participants.

Continued on Page 18

Sexting among children hits top-10 list of health concerns

W

ith more kids online and using cell phones at increasingly younger ages, two issues have quickly climbed higher on the public’s list of major health concerns for children across the U.S: sexting and Internet safety.

Compared with 2014, Internet safety rose from the eighth to the fourth biggest problem, ahead of school violence and smoking, in the 2015 annual survey of top children’s health concerns conducted by the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health.

Sexting saw the biggest jump, now the sixth top-ranked issue, up from 13th.

Childhood obesity, bullying, and drug abuse remained the top three child health concerns for a second year in a row, while child abuse and neglect ranked fifth. Smoking and tobacco use, usually rated near the top of the list, dropped from the fourth top concern to the seventh — which may reflect the decline in smoking and tobacco use by youth in recent years.

“The major health issues that people are most worried about for children across the country reflect the health initiatives providers, communities and policy makers should be focused on,” says physician Matthew M. Davis, director of the National Poll on Children’s Health and professor of pediatrics and internal medicine in the Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit at the U-M Medical School.

“The increasing level of concern about Internet safety and sexting that are now ranked even higher than

smoking as major childhood health issues really dominates the story this year,” adds Davis. “We found that while the public may find benefits to today’s shifting media environment, whether through cell phones or other technology, many also recognize risks that may make young people vulnerable.”

Expanding use of smart phones and other technology potentially exposes children and teens to the danger of predators and other harms like cyber-bullying. Sexting (sending and receiving sexually suggestive text messages and photos) has also led to cases of teens around the country suffering from low self-esteem and even committing suicide following photos being widely shared among peers.

Sexting and Internet safety, however, were not as high on the list for African American adults, who rated depression fourth, school safety fifth and alcohol abuse as the seventh highest childhood health concerns. Hunger climbed from spot No. 15 in 2014 to the tenth biggest childhood health concern among African American respondents in 2015.

“We found that adults from different communities across the U.S. see the challenges of child health differently,” Davis says. “It’s important to understand the priorities of different communities we are trying to reach as we work to safeguard children’s health and help them live the healthiest lives they can.”

The full report can be found at http://mottnpch.org/reports-surveys/ top-10-child-health-problems-moreconcern-sexting-internet-safety.

Survey: Fewer U.S. teens abusing alcohol, prescription meds Report shows smoking rate drops precipitously

T

here’s good news from a new U.S. government report: The percentage of people aged 12 to 17 who smoke, drink or abuse certain drugs is falling.

The findings come from 2014 survey data released in September by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The annual government survey involves about 67,500 Americans aged 12 and older.

According to the survey, the rate at which kids between 12 and 17 said they had drank alcohol over the prior month has fallen from 17.6 percent in 2002 to 11.5 percent by 2014.

Illicit abuse of prescription narcotic painkillers — drugs such as OxyContin and Vicodin — has also been a big concern over the past few years. However, the SAMHSA study found that while 3.2 percent of teens said they had abused the meds in 2002, the rate had fallen to 1.9 percent by 2014.

Rates of smoking and other tobacco use are dropping precipitously as well, from 15.2 percent of 12- to 17-yearolds in 2002 to just 7 percent by 2014, according to the new report.

“The data released today show some signs of progress,” Michael Botticelli, the White House’s Director of National Drug Control Policy, said in a SAMHSA news release. “However, we still have significant challenges to address.”

That’s because other statistics aren’t budging, or are getting worse. For example, more teens are using marijuana. The number is up from 9.4 percent of kids aged 12 to 17 in 2013, to 10.2 percent a year later, the report found.

In a statement, SAMHSA attributed the rise, in part, to “the increase in adult marijuana use.”

Even more troubling, the new report found that the rate at which teens under 18 used heroin rose from 0.1 percent in 2013 to 0.2 percent in 2014.

Despite these trends, Botticelli stressed that there are proven ways to turn these numbers around.

“We know that evidence-based prevention efforts are the most effective way to reduce drug use and to support the roughly 90 percent of American youth who do not use illicit drugs,” he said.

Martin Morell, MD 4401 Middlesettlement Road New Hartford NY 13413 315-724-5353 tele 315-724-5255 fax

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October 2015 •

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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HEALTH NEWS IN BRIEF Urologist joins Associated Medical Professionals Daniel R. Welchons recently joined Associated Medical Professionals in New Hartford.

Originally from Upstate New York, Welchons graduated from Geneseo State University with a degree in biochemistry.

He then went on to attend the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

He completed his surgical internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and residency at the Harvard Program in Urology.

As a senior resident, he was an instructor for the New England Urology Training Course in robotic surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Boston.

Welchons also taught students at Harvard Medical School. His specialties and interests are laparoscopic, robotic and prosthetic surgery. He has particular interest in urologic oncology, including prostate, renal, bladder, penile and testicular cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, voiding dysfunction and sexual dysfunction.

Welchons has co-authored several peer-reviewed scientific publications.

His research activities in residency involved studying outcomes for different surgical treatments for BPH.

MVCC’s surgical tech program accredited In accordance with new state laws, the surgical technology program at Mohawk Valley Community College has received accreditation by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools.

New York state requires surgical technologists to become certified by a nationally accredited educational program and hold the surgical technologist credential.

The new law sets forth the tasks and functions surgical technologists will be allowed to perform, including assisting licensed health care professionals to prepare the operating room and sterile field, setting up sterile supplies, instruments, and equipment, assisting licensed health care professionals to perform non-invasive prepping of the skin’s surface, holding a retractor after placement by a licensed health care professional, and anticipating instrument needs of the surgeon.

MVCC’s three-semester, hands-on certificate program prepares students for careers in this high-demand health care field.

For more information about MVCC and its programs, visit www.mvcc. edu<http://www.mvcc.edu>.

Meet

Your Doctor

By Chris Motola

Sherif G. El Bayadi Medical director of the Sleep Center at Oneida Healthcare talks about disorders, treatment Q: Can we get a brief overview of your specialty?

A: Sleep medicine deals with everything related to sleep, anything that disrupts sleep, anything that affects how long we sleep. It’s a part of pulmonary medicine. There are other specialties that play a role in sleep medicine, like ears, nose and throat, neurology and pediatrics for child patients. So it really involves as many specialties as needed, but I’m a pulmonologist.

Q: Sleep apnea is one of the more common sleep disorders. What causes it?

A: The most common problem is sleep apnea. It’s caused by an obstruction of air flow while we are asleep.

That obstruction happens because of many different factors, which we’re starting to understand a bit better.

I was involved in some studies while I was in training that involved a family of subjects with sleep apnea, none of whom were obese. I’m mentioning that because, while being overweight is a big factor, there are a lot of others that are involved in causing the airway to close while we’re sleeping.

You get a shift in brain waves that happens that indicates the brain is waking up. We may not be aware that we’re awake, but the sleep ends up being not as restorative. It looks to a drop in oxygen sometimes, which can lead to problems with hormonal levels. It can affect the heart. It affects other body symptoms and diseases.

Q: What was the accreditation process like for the Sleep Center at Oneida Healthcare?

A: The accreditation process through the American Academy of Sleep Medicine is one where they are looking to help centers

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2015

to become excellent at what they do.

They walk through the entire process, from how the patients come in, to how the lab is set up. They look at room sizes, noise reduction. It’s an extensive evaluation of everything from the process to the structure. They interview the entire staff over the course of a day. The goal is to make certain that the level of competence and service is the best it can be. As medical director, I was there the whole day to complete the survey.

They reviewed the information and we received accreditation.

Q: For patients who have never had one, what does a sleep study look like?

A: One of the important things we look at is their history, because there are so many different sleep problems.

I’ll give you an example: if someone’s not sleeping well, it could be that they wake up frequently during sleep or it could be someone who can’t get to sleep. So we have sleep onset and sleep maintenance insomnia. That makes a difference in how we think about and interpret a study. We look at the patient’s history of abnormal movement during sleep, which we call parasomnias. Some of the ones you may have heard of are sleep walking and night terrors.

We schedule the patient for a visit. They come in. The technician interviews them and show them the equipment that will be used to do the study. It’s called a polysomnogram. So we’re looking at brain waves to determine if the patient is asleep and at what stage of sleep they are in. We look at eye movements to measure REM sleep. We look at air flow. We look at movement of the chin.

We look at chest wall movement and EKG to understand what’s going on with the heart.

We look at oxygen levels.

We can add more sensors for a more specific study.

It

In the News

T

he Sleep Center at Oneida Healthcare — under director of physician Sherif G. El Bayadi — has recently received program accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). To receive accreditation for a five-year period, a sleep center must meet or exceed all standards for professional health care as designated by the AASM. These standards address core areas such as personnel, facility and equipment, policies and procedures, data acquisition, patient care, and quality assurance. Additionally, the sleep center’s goals must be clearly stated and include plans for positively affecting the quality of medical care in the community it serves. The Sleep Center at Oneida Healthcare is managed by Franciscan Companies, a Central New York-based company that specializes in respiratory and sleep therapies.

sounds like a lot, but it’s all fairly light.

Most patients are able to get to sleep. Once they’re asleep the tech will look at the polysomnogram to make sure everything’s being captured. The next morning, another technician will score the study, and the interpreting physician will look at all that data and make a determination about what’s wrong and what needs to be done.

Q: What kinds of treatments are available?

A: The most reliable and used treatment is called positive airway pressure (CPAP). There’s variations on pressure levels to keep the airway open. So what it does, really, is act as an air-splint to keep the airway open.

If you can keep it open, then most of the negatives should improve, including concentration and memory. If we can help them to get restorative sleep, then those symptoms usually improve.

There are other treatments like surgical interventions, mouthpieces, nose tape, nasal sprays. How we incorporate these depends on the results of our study.

Q: How did you become interested in sleep medicine?

A: I became interested in pulmonary medicine in general at Brown University. A few of my attending physicians were interested in sleep, and I was surprised to see the impact sleep had on so many other diseases. And, as a resident, you don’t get much sleep. So it all kind of ended up making sense.

Lifelines Position: Medical director of the Oneida Healthcare Sleep Center Specialty: Pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine Hometown: Mt. Vernon, Ill. Education: Rutgers University; Brown University Affiliations: St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Oneida Healthcare Organizations: American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American College of Physicians Family: Three adult children: two sons, one daughter Hobbies: Boating, fishing

Desk duties death defying Sitting behind a desk all day? Experts say it is extremely bad for your health

By Barbara Pierce

A

re you sitting down? If so, you should probably stand up to read this. Experts say too much sitting is bad for us. Your office job could be bad for your health.

Sitting at a desk can cause everything from minor problems such as mild joint pain but it can also increase your risk of dying early. Some recent studies have suggested that people who sit at a desk for over six hours each day will likely die at a younger age than someone who only sits for about three hours a day.

People who sit for long periods of time are more likely to be overweight, more likely to be depressed, and more likely to die from any cause than those who have more physically active jobs.

Not even regular exercise seems to help.

And, studies have found that people who sit the most are twice as likely to develop diabetes, twice as likely to develop heart disease, and have an increased risk of cancer. And they have an increased risk of dying prematurely.

Up to 95 percent of adults in developed countries can be classified as inactive, according to experts.

But don’t panic — or quit your job.

There are ways to avoid death by office job. Subtle shifts in how you work — and how you think about work — can lead to big differences in your wellness.

“If your job requires you to sit most of the day, take frequent breaks,” recommended Diane Jackson, director of outpatient rehabilitation services for the Mohawk Valley Health System.

Moving around breaks, that is, not check out Facebook breaks.

“Even taking a stretch break helps.

If your job requires a lot of repetitive movements, stop to stretch your arms and the muscles you use in those repetitive movements.”

“And pace your work,” she suggests.

Other suggestions to make your office job healthier include putting up personal items — photos, posters, kitschy figurines, artwork — in your space.

Personalize your space

Persons who put up personal things are less likely to report feeling emotionally exhausted. “This kind of personalization allows workers to regain a sense of privacy and control of their environment,” said Gregory A. Laurence online on Oprah.com. “You’re saying to coworkers, ‘This is what I want you to know about me,’ and that autonomy, no matter how small, appears to reduce burnout.”

The selection of decorative items helps create a calming workspace. For example, to reduce stress, a live plant works much better than a picture of an urban scene. And swap harsh fluorescent light for natural or soft light lamps.

Create your own oasis in your workspace. Clearing out the clutter is the first step. Optimize the use of your space. Get rid of things you haven’t used for the past year.

Put things in places where they’re practical for you. Get rid of paperwork you have filed away and store data using electronic means instead.

Probably the most important

thing about our jobs, for most of us, is the emotional support we get from co-workers. In fact, studies find that workers listed their positive feelings toward co-workers as the No. 1 most important thing about their jobs. When people were asked, “What do you love about your job?” the overwhelming responses were their colleagues.

One study found that those who experienced emotional support from their colleagues had a 41 percent lower risk of dying from any cause two decades later than those without sympathetic peers.

And an attitude of gratitude goes a long way to making you healthy and happy on your job. A 2012 study in the Academy of Management Journal found women who wrote down three positive events — career related or otherwise — at the end of each workday, plus a brief reason why they thought each good thing had happened (“My boss complimented my work because she appreciates the effort I put in”), not only reported lower levels of stress but also experienced a reduction in physical complaints such as headaches, back pain and muscle tension.

“This simple intervention works against our impulse to focus on the rough spots in our day,” says study coauthor Joyce Bono, a professor of management at the University of Florida. “It gives you the power to reframe your mood—and improve your health.”

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In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2015 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, Deb Dittner Advertising: Donna Kimbrell Layout & Design: Chris Crocker Office Manager: Alice Davis 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.

October 2015 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Women’s Health Between You and Me

By Barbara Pierce

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

Adapting to changing environment can be challenging

I

’m desperate for a woman to talk to — someone to sit down with over a cup of coffee at Starbucks or a Greek salad at Joe’s.

My partner is great. But when I need to talk about inconsequential stuff, or just complain and moan, he’s just not up to it. He just doesn’t get it.

Men don’t understand that, as women, we crave someone to validate our feelings. And then do it twice more.

Yes, I’m desperate for a woman friend to hang with now and then.

I’m going through a life transition — one of those major Pierce life upheavals like getting married or divorced, having a baby, losing a job.

I left a city where I had lots of friends who cared, friends who “got” me — I left to relocate in the country with my new partner.

These become weeks or months of awkward emotional spaces where we have cut ties with what we know and have not quite settled into what is new, say experts. Navigating this gray zone of transitions can be difficult, presenting us with new problems and demanding us to respond in new ways.

When I relocated, I was optimistic; I thought I could easily find some new friends. I was excited about the possibilities.

But I was wrong. It hasn’t been easy! I’m so discouraged! I’m knocking myself out here. I’m stepping way out of my comfort zone. But it’s not coming together for me.

Self-doubts are flooding me. Did I make a mistake by moving here? Or is it that I don’t have what it takes to make new connections? Should I just give up and go back to my old life?

Uncertainty is what happens when one is in a transition period, the experts say.

“But if we let the voices of fear and doubt override what we know to

be true in our heart, we could make decisions about our future that may not serve us well in the long run,” says life coach Mary Ann Bailey, online.

“Ironically, it is at the point when we are at our lowest, that we need to put our full trust in the transition process,” she says. Well, I’m at my lowest.

Be open to experience

“We need to believe that if we keep ourselves open to the experience, and if we continue to move slowly toward our goal, we will eventually sail out of the fog and find ourselves in a new and wonderful place,” she said. Yes, I’d sure like to find myself in a new and wonderful place.

Bailey suggests some tips to help: Have a strong support network in place. Then, be prepared for the difficulties and uncertainties that come with any transition.

“Remember that slow and steady wins the race. Listen to the voice in your heart, not the gremlins in your head. Always keep your dream in front of you as a constant beacon guiding you through the fog,” she said.

Another online expert and licensed clinical social worker offers his advice in going through a transition:

• Expect to feel depressed and anxious. Whenever we move forward we leave something behind, and this creates a psychological state of grief, however small.

• Think positive; think opportunity. In the movie, “Up in the Air,” George Clooney plays a character who had the job of firing people for companies that were downsizing. He always began his termination speech with “I’m here to talk with you about new opportunities.” A bit of a spin, sure, but also true.

• Hit the ground running. And don’t take too long to get started. We are creatures of habit and routine, and those routines can congeal quickly.

• Get support. It’s tough to do this all on your own. When you are feeling a bit ungrounded, support from others can help you keep perspective and moving ahead.

• Have realistic time frames and expectations.

I need to remind myself that I have made progress. It’s slow, slow, slow progress. And I admit that I am an extremely impatient person. I did just start teaching a class for adults. This is one way I made friends in my previous home. All the adults in the class happen to be men, but I’m having a blast teaching them.

And I did share phone numbers with a woman I sat next to in a workshop, and then I followed up by calling her. We plan to get together again.

Hurrah for me!

Transitions are those unique times when we toss off the old but have not yet stepped into the new. While the circumstances are always different, the skills and attitudes needed to successfully move ahead are always the same, namely being positive, patient, and proactive.

• 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?” or if you have any concerns you would like her to address, contact her at BarbaraPierce06@ yahoo.com.

Study says following low-fat diet may be more effective

F

ollowing a low-fat diet may help dieters lose more body fat than following a low-carb diet, according to a new study.

Researchers found that people in the study lost 3.1 ounces (89 grams) of fat per day, on average, when they followed a low-fat diet for six days. In comparison, the same people lost 1.9 ounces (53 grams) of fat per day while Page 6

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following a low-carb diet for the same amount of time.

“A lot of people have very strong opinions about what matters for weight loss, and the physiological data upon which those beliefs are based are sometimes lacking,” study author Kevin Hall, a metabolism researcher at the National Institute of Diabetes and

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2015

Digestive and Kidney Diseases, said in a statement. “I wanted to rigorously test the theory that carbohydrate restriction is particularly effective for losing body fat, since this idea has been influencing many people’s decisions about their diets.”

The new study was recently published in the journal Cell Metabolism.

Could red wine slow progression of dementia?

H

igh doses of resveratrol, a compound found in red wine and berries, may have some activity against Alzheimer’s disease, a preliminary clinical trial suggests.

Resveratrol is an antioxidant that certain plants produce to shield against stress from the environment. People ingest small amounts when they eat red grapes, red wine, berries or dark chocolate.

Lab research has suggested that resveratrol might have some powers against the diseases of aging — including Alzheimer’s disease. But evidence from human studies has been lacking.

The new study, published Sept.

11 in Neurology, offers the first evidence that high-dose, “pharmaceutical-grade” resveratrol can get into the brains of people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s.

What’s more, it seems to stabilize levels of a protein that is linked to Alzheimer’s progression.

The study did not, however, show whether people’s symptoms actually stabilized, experts cautioned. The trial was primarily designed to see whether it’s even safe and feasible to give Alzheimer’s patients such high doses of resveratrol.

Larger, longer trials are still needed to see whether the treatment can slow Alzheimer’s progression, said senior researcher physician R. Scott Turner, director of the Memory Disorders Program at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. “It does appear to be safe, and we did find evidence that resveratrol can get into the brain,” Turner said.

However, he added, “we’re not ready to recommend it as a treatment for Alzheimer’s.”

That’s not only because the research is ongoing: The product used in the study — a synthetic, purified version of resveratrol — is not commercially available.

Resveratrol supplements have long been a staple at health food stores.

But there’s no telling how much of the compound, if any, is actually in those products, Turner pointed out.

Nor will red wine do the job. “The doses we used were equivalent to what you’d get in about 1,000 bottles of red wine a day,” Turner noted.

Skills Gap Summit, essay contest a no-go

T

he Skills Gap Summit previously scheduled for Oct. 8 at Herkimer College has been postponed and will be rescheduled for sometime in spring 2016.

The event, which will focus on the mid-level skills gap when it is rescheduled, is a collaboration among Herkimer College, Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES and The Genesis Group, and it is sponsored by Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield.

The connected “My Job, My Future” student essay contest also has been postponed.

Check www.herkimer.edu and www.herkimer-boces.org for updates on the rescheduling of the event.

Want to be friends?

A bare bones guide to making friends

By Barbara Pierce

“

I just got divorced, and I need friends,” said 44-year-old Lisa Jackson. “My husband and I had some friends, but they don’t seem to want to socialize with me anymore. My kids are grown. I love my job, but I’m desperate for some people to hang out with.”

Sometimes you’re at a point where you need to meet entirely new people — you got divorced like Lisa, you moved to a new area, or your old friends have dropped out of your life for one reason or another.

We all need friends, people to hang out with, someone who understands us, someone we can always call for last-minute plans, someone who laughs at all the same things we do, and is there when we need advice.

Living without friends is like smoking 15 cigarettes a day or being an alcoholic; it’s more harmful than not exercising and twice as harmful as obesity.

“Sitting around waiting for friends to come into my life isn’t working,” added Jackson. “No one’s knocking down my door. If I want new friends, I’m going to have to go out and get them.”

When you’re older, friend making is not the natural process it used to be. And it can be hard for many of us.

Here are some suggestions from experts online (www.suceedsocially.com is one of the best).

If you want a social life, you’ve got to make it happen for yourself.

Take the initiative. It’s a big mistake to wait passively for other people to befriend you. To get friends, assume you’ll have to put in all the effort.

First, you have to find some possible candidates. Put yourself in situations where there are lots of potentials around, people who may be like you.

If you have a job, or go to school, you have an advantage; there may

be many potential friends among the people you get to know through your day-to-day interactions.

Volunteering will bring you into contact with people who could become friends.

“Volunteering can relieve social isolation especially among seniors,” suggested Kari Johnson, director of volunteer services, Parkway Senior Center, Utica. “We have witnessed many great friendships formed here among our seniors through volunteering — for example through our garden club, nutrition program and exercise program leaders.”

“We can help you find a volunteer position,” Johnson added. “We’ll match you with a local agency.” To learn of volunteer opportunities through the Mohawk Valley Regional Volunteer Center of the Parkway Senior Center, call 315-223-3973.

Schools are a wonderful place to get other people in your life. The Mohawk Valley Institute of Learning in Retirement has a large variety of classes. Herkimer County Community College and Utica College offer classes free to seniors.

Library a fertile ground

And there’s a lot going on at libraries. “Our book clubs are well attended,” said a New Hartford Public Library librarian who did not wish to be identified. “Anyone in the Mohawk Valley can come to any of our activities.”

The library also offers Canasta, a “Sit and Stitch,” and a Lyme disease support group, among others. All its activities are listed at www.newhartfordpubliclibrary.org.

Once you’re in a situation with a prospective friend around, strike up a conversation and try to get to know them. You won’t form a connection with everyone, but you’ll find some you like. Share something about yourself; then give the other person

a chance to share about him or her.

Something easy, like asking how their day is, or what they did in the past week, or where they’re from are great conversation starters.

When you click with someone, then it’s time to invite him or her to do something with you. Exchange phone numbers and ask them to do something outside of the situation you met them in.

This is the most important step, say the experts. You can meet all the people you want, and they can think you’re great, but if you don’t take any action to do something with them in the future, then you won’t form new relationships.

Many people hit a wall here. There may be someone they like, but they won’t take the step of inviting them out and taking the relationship to the next level.

While it is scary at first, it is something you can get used to.

If someone invites you to do something, go. Why turn down a chance

October 2015 •

to get out there with people? When you’ve got more friends and different options competing for your time, you can be choosier.

If you’re shy, it’s easy to come up with lots of reasons to say no. But ignore those thoughts and go anyway.

You never can be sure how fun something will be until you see for yourself.

And people will stop inviting you if you decline too often.

Once you’ve got some budding friendships, keep in touch, keep hanging out, and let the relationship grow.

Things that make for a friendship: self-disclosure, supportiveness, interaction and positivity.

Ongoing effort will be needed to maintain the friendship. Ask your friends out every once in a while.

An interesting side note: Geography is one of the most influential factors in whether two people will become friends. Having similar addresses matters more than similar interests.

And be patient; it does take a while. You will succeed.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

Setting goals can help restore your confidence A s I’ve shared in the past, my self-esteem took a real nosedive after my divorce. I felt exposed and embarrassed. It was as if my personal and private failure at a relationship had become very public.

I just wanted to hide. And hide I did!

I hid in my work, in my home, and in my self-help books. I also hid from my friends.

Divorce — even a fairly amicable divorce — can really knock the wind out of your self-confidence. If you are suffering from the fallout of a failed marriage and are in hiding, as I was, know that you are not alone.

Regaining my self-confidence was a slow process and painful at times, but ultimately very rewarding.

The process started with baby steps.

While I am a huge believer in positive thinking, I intuitively knew I wouldn’t be able to think myself into more confidence. I knew it would require work and that I would have to build my confidence back up one success at a time. And that’s when I discovered the incredible power of goal setting.

During the dark days following my divorce, I found the simple act of

writing down mini-goals and checking them off the list actually helped me get through my day. At the time, my list was pitifully basic: get dressed, make my bed, water the plants, etc.

That list looks pretty pathetic now, but anyone who has endured a painful divorce knows just what I’m talking about. The simplest tasks can seem insurmountable.

But I kept at it, adding more items to the list as the days wore on.

Remarkably (thankfully!), this process of writing down and accomplishing my goals began to have a real and positive impact on my day and on my self-esteem. Committing things to writing seemed to have miraculous power. My “to do” list was motivating me. It held me accountable. And it enabled me to see and track my progress and success.

It wasn’t long before one good day was followed by the next and the next and the next. My sense of accomplishment was as energizing as it was fulfilling. I began to feel better about myself.

To this day, I create a “to do” list on a daily basis and still get a confidence boost when I complete a goal

KIDS Corner Constant social media presence may jeopardize teens’ mental health

Adolescents could be more vulnerable than adults, expert says

T

eens who feel a round-the-clock compulsion to participate on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter may pay a price in lost sleep.

They may also face a higher risk for depression and anxiety, new research suggests.

British researchers surveyed nearly 470 teens to explore how 24/7 social media participation might affect their emotional health.

“Adolescence can be a period of increased vulnerability for the onset Page 8

•

of depression and anxiety, and poor sleep quality may contribute to this,” said study co-author Heather Cleland Woods, a psychology administration teacher at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. “It is important that we understand how social media use relates to these.”

Approximately 90 percent of teens worldwide use social media, the researchers said in background notes.

Facebook alone counts almost 1.5 billion users, and Twitter, more than

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2015

and check it off the list. This practice has been so rewarding and self-affirming that I now employ a goal-setting process for my bigger life plans and projects.

In fact, I created a “Goal Worksheet” for myself that captures what every good goal should be: written down, specific, time bound and achievable.

Below is an example of a travel goal you might adopt for yourself this fall. I chose this example because traveling solo is a great way to get to know yourself better, expand your universe, and have some fun!

Your goal statement: I will get out of my comfort zone and take a first-ever weekend trip alone — a mini-retreat of sorts to recharge my batteries, rediscover my center, and enjoy some quiet time to think, reflect and dream.

Your timetable and action steps:

3 – By Oct. 15: I will inform my family members (and, if appropriate, neighbors) of my plans, including my travel destination and how to reach me.

4 – By Oct. 16: I will make arrangements for pet care, if necessary.

5 – By Oct. 20: I will spend a few days researching restaurants, checking out things to do, and finding a spa for a much-anticipated massage!

6 – By Oct. 21: I will pack light, including emergency supplies, a journal and a good book, which may come in handy as a pleasant diversion while eating alone.

7 – By Oct. 22: I will prepare healthy snacks for the road, carefully review my driving directions, check my tire pressure, and fill my gas tank.

8 – By Oct. 23: I will take off early, excited and proud to be leaving on my mini-adventure!

Goals can give your life direction and purpose. And they can put passion into your everyday existence, which is especially important for those of us who live alone.

It may take some time before you regain your footing and self-esteem.

Chances are, you’ll take some detours and encounter some bumps along the way. But I have found that setting and accomplishing mini-goals — and eventually larger life goals — is key to regaining self-confidence.

Actually doing (vs. wishing and hoping) has worked for me, and it may work for you, too . . . wherever life takes you.

1 – By Oct. 9: I will share my goal with a few friends and ask for suggested retreat destinations within easy driving distance. (I highly recommend the Roycroft Inn in East Aurora, NY) 2 – By Oct. 14: I will review my options, make a decision, and reserve my hotel room for the weekend of Oct. 23, 24 and 25.

• Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of “Live Alone and Thrive,” empowerment workshops for women held throughout the year in Mendon, New York.

For information about her October workshop, check out the events calendar in this issue, or contact Gwenn at 585-624-7887 or email at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

300 million. Evidence is increasingly revealing a link between social media use and well-being, particularly in the teen years, Woods and co-author Holly Scott, also from the University of Glasgow, said.

The 467 study participants were questioned about their social media habits, during the day and around bedtime. The teens also underwent mental health testing, and were asked how much pressure they felt to be available to respond to incoming social media communications, and how much anxiety they felt when they couldn’t do so — a state of mind known as “emotional investment.”

The result: The more teens engaged with social media and the more they were emotionally invested in

site participation, the greater the risk for impaired sleep, poor self-esteem, depression and/or anxiety.

Jumping online at night was linked to a “significantly” higher risk for bad sleep quality, independent of other factors that might interfere with sleep, such as anxiety, depression or low self-esteem, the study found.

“While overall social media use impacts on sleep quality, those who log on at night appear to be particularly affected,” Woods said in a British Psychological Society news release. “This may be mostly true of individuals who are highly emotionally invested. This means we have to think about how our kids use social media, in relation to time for switching off.”

Healthy Apps

Diet & fitness

Cell phone, computer technology allow people to assess their own health

By Kristen Raab

I

n 2015, cell phones are ever present.

It is rare to enter a school, workplace, grocery store, or doctor’s office without seeing someone’s face buried in the light of a smart phone.

While studies have shown the problems related to our reliance on such devices, there are also apps and online tools that can help improve or maintain our health.

A 2015 scientific statement from the American Heart Association noted, “Currently, one in five American adults use some technology to track health data and the most popular health apps downloaded are related to exercise, counting steps, McNulty or heart rate,” said Patrick H. McNulty, a cardiologist in Cooperstown. “Technology now offers really exciting new consumer tools for weight loss, diabetes control, heart healthy exercise habits and some of the other health changes championed by the American Heart Association.” McNulty is the advisory board president for the Greater Utica-area chapter of the AHA. With so many choices of apps and sites, the decision-making process may seem daunting.

McNulty recommends a Google search, which will often include user reviews. “The great thing about software health apps is the technology is expanding very rapidly and much of it is being developed by individual entrepreneurs and small companies,” he said.

The result of this is a plethora of options, and with so much diversity, “interested consumers can usually find apps that fit their individual needs,” he added.

While many people are aware of smart watches such as the FitBit, there are even more sophisticated tools which may help patients with diabetes

make food choices and help patients on blood thinners adjust their medication dose, McNulty said.

Each person must decide what app works best for his or her situation, phone, and budget.

Diabetes Logbook is an app that is free for both androids and iPhones, and Healthline.com has it rated as excellent. For a list of recommended apps, visit www.healthline.com/ health/diabetes/top-iphone-androidapps#2.

People without smart phones may wish to access the Internet to discover useful health websites.

Sparkpeople.com offers free exercise videos, health trackers, and online support communities. Users have the option to track their food and water intake as well as exercise.

They may also post and comment on blogs, read articles, and earn points for tracking their progress. McNulty said, “Subscription is free, which is hard to argue with.” He suggests that consumers try all the free services to find ones that meet their individual needs.

Smoking gun

One of the most difficult health changes to make is to quit smoking.

“Convincing individual Americans, and the nation as a whole, of the health hazards of cigarette smoking is one of the American Heart Association’s oldest missions, dating back to the 1960s,” he said.

Individuals who smoke need to work with their personal physician to design a smoking cessation program that works for that individual, McNulty said.

Some programs include medications that a physician can prescribe.

Trustworthy Web resources exist to provide online smoking cessation assistance. Cancer.org (American Cancer Society) and smokefree.gov offer information, advice and phone numbers to call for help.

Interested smokers who would like to quit may also consider the quitSTART app, which offers free progress monitoring, tips, games to distract people from smoking, and the option

to share progress on social media.

For overweight children, apps and trackers may also be helpful, but they may also want to consider Web communities. These children are often “stigmatized, or even bullied, on public social networking sites” as well as at school. To work through these difficulties, children may choose to find support online.

“Anonymous social networking sites allow overweight children to find mutual support without fear of being personally stigmatized,” McNulty said.

As with most products, there are developments for most age groups, including the elderly population. Active elderly people may enjoy trackers as much as teenagers, but they also may be interested in “Luminosity Brain Trainer” for maintaining brain health.

This free app offers “a set of seven mental exercises demonstrated to sustain memory and mental acuity in elderly people.” While keeping our physical bodies healthy is important, we cannot forget the importance of keeping our minds sharp.

In addition, seniors who want to live alone and remain independent may like apps or devices that help in emergency situations, though these often include a monthly fee.

Some people may be unable to afford a smart phone or smart watch, or they may dislike technology. McNulty said self-monitoring can still be effective without the use of apps and gadgets.

“A hand-written diary is a low-cost and potentially effective aid to dieting and exercise,” he said.

A simple spiral notebook may be used to record food and exercise.

McNulty suggests getting a notebook small enough to fit into a back pocket or handbag, and enter food items you eat on the left hand page and minutes of exercise — walking to work, or how many times you climbed the stairs while doing household chores — on the right hand page.

By recording food and activities, you can easily glance at the notebook to assess your progress and address areas that need improvement.

Technology continues to change, and many of the latest innovations offer amazing potential for improving our lives.

“It is a brave new digital world out there, with more new heart healthy monitoring and self-improvement applications appearing regularly. Open your smart phone or desktop computer and dive in,” McNulty said.

St. E’s reports significant reduction in hospital readmission

W

ith the specific goal of reducing hospital readmissions and ensuring patient safety, St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica and health-tech provider CipherHealth announced recently the successful results of a pilot program centered around post-visit follow-up calls.

SEMC is part of the New York state Delivery System Reform Incentive Program, a reimbursement program from the federal government aimed at care coordination and reducing unnecessary readmissions. It partnered with Ciph-

erHealth to help reach its DSRIP goals around reducing 30-day readmissions.

Using CipherHealth’s advanced outreach solution VOICE, SEMC experienced a reduction in readmission for all four patient populations involved in the pilot: acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia.

The organization used the post-discharge follow-up solution to reach out to these specific patient population groups after they were discharged

from the hospital.

SEMC piloted VOICE from February through June. With VOICE, follow-up calls are made between three and four times over a 30-day period, post-discharge from SEMC. The results were significant: • Readmission rates among patients who engaged with VOICE just once over the 30-day period following discharge reduced by 56 percent.

• Readmission rates among patients who engaged with all post-discharge calls over the 30-day period

October 2015 •

reduced by 75 percent.

• The patient population with the highest percentage of engagement with calls and requiring calls back were CHF patients. In fact, more than one third of the concerns requiring staff intervention were from CHF patients.

SEMC worked to make sure patients were aware that they would receive a VOICE call after leaving the hospital and educated patients on what the process would look like. As a result, SEMC saw good levels of patient engagement with VOICE calls.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 9

Is Weight Loss Surgery Right for You?

Jacquie lost 100 lbs. and found a whole new perspective.

Sitting down for storytime with her students was hard. Getting back up was nearly impossible.

But since Jacquie had weight-loss surgery, she’s found the energy to keep up with her class.

Jacquie also found a compassionate team at Crouse. From trusted surgeons and nutritional experts to an ongoing support group that’s with her every step of the way. Hear Jacquie’s

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story at crouse.org/weightloss.

Diet & Fitness SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Little pumpkin seeds big on nutrition

L

ately, my husband and I have been sprinkling shelled pumpkin seeds on everything: salads, cottage cheese, roasted vegetables, cereal.

They’ve reached “staple status” in our kitchen because they’re delicious and convenient and chock full of nutrients we need and benefits we care about.

Now that we’re eating less meat, we’re always concerned about protein.

A handful of pumpkin seeds gives us about 8 grams of this powerhouse nutrient, which accounts for a decent chunk of our daily protein needs.

Protein — a.k.a. “the building block of the body” — is needed to build and maintain all kinds of body components, from hair to bones to muscles. Protein also makes up the hemoglobin that carries oxygen in our blood. In other words, without it, we’d probably never get off the couch!

Pumpkin seeds are one of the best plant sources of zinc, an important mineral that boosts our immune system and aids in speedier wound healing.

In addition, zinc may protect against age-related vision loss; and, according to the “Journal of International Medical Research,” may help prevent osteoporosis in women, especially those who have gone through menopause.

Thinking about babies? Zinc is vital for normal fetal development and the maturation of sperm.

Getting a daily dose of pumpkin seeds is good for hearts. In part, this is due to their high concentration of magnesium, a mineral that regulates heart rhythm and helps relax blood vessels.

Since low dietary levels of magnesium have been linked to increased rates of hypertension and heart disease, this little gem may promote cardiovascular health. Pumpkin seed’s diverse mixture of antioxidants — those free-radical-gobbling compounds that have been shown to thwart age-related diseases — may also keep our tickers in tip-top shape.

Sleepy? Grumpy? Pumpkin seeds may be your ticket to restful shut-eye and a better mood, as they are teeming with tryptophan — an amino acid that your body converts into serotonin, the “feel-good” chemical that promotes sleep and overall well-being.

Low in both sodium and cholesterol, pumpkin seeds have about 150 calories and 5 grams of fat per handful.

Do know that most of the fat is the good, unsaturated kind that can help lower cholesterol.

Helpful tips

Shelled pumpkin seeds are available in prepackaged containers as well as bulk bins. Make sure the seeds are not shriveled and show no signs of moisture or insect damage. If possible, smell the pumpkin seeds to ensure they are not rancid or musty. Store seeds in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two months (they may last longer but they lose their fresh taste).

Roasting seeds (stove-top or in the oven) brings out their flavor and adds some crunch.

Whole Wheat Quick Bread with Pumpkin Seeds Adapted from Amanda’s Cookin’ 2 cups whole wheat flour 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour ¼ cup granulated sugar ¼ cup packed light brown sugar (or honey) 1 teaspoon salt 4 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup roasted, shelled pumpkin seeds,

plus a handful for topping the bread 1 ½ cups low-fat buttermilk 2 large eggs 4 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled coarse salt, for sprinkling Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly oil a 9 x 5” loaf pan and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix flours, sugars, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.

Stir in 1 cup of the pumpkin seeds.

In a separate bowl, mix buttermilk with eggs and cooled butter, whisking to combine. Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients and stir, just until combined. Batter will be thick and sticky.

Spoon batter into loaf pan and spread out evenly with a spatula. Top with additional pumpkin seeds and coarse salt. Bake for 50 minutes, until loaf is browned on top and sounds hollow when tapped.

Cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing. Great toasted!

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.

Oneida Healthcare awarded hospital accreditation from Joint Commission

O

neida Healthcare has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Hospital Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards.

The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care.

The hospital underwent an unanPage 10

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nounced on-site survey in June. During the review, a team of Joint Commission expert surveyors evaluated compliance with hospital standards related to several areas, including emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, leadership, and medication management. Surveyors also conducted on-site observations and interviews.

The Joint Commission has accred-

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2015

ited hospitals for more than 60 years.

More than 4,000 general, children’s, long-term acute, psychiatric, rehabilitation and specialty hospitals maintain accreditation from The Joint Commission, awarded for a three-year period.

“Joint Commission accreditation provides hospitals with the processes needed to improve in a variety of areas from the enhancement of staff education to the improvement of daily

business operations,” said Mark G. Pelletier, chief operating officer, division of accreditation and certification operations, The Joint Commission.

“In addition, our accreditation helps hospitals enhance their risk management and risk reduction strategies. We commend Oneida Healthcare for its efforts to become a quality improvement organization.”

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Score big with healthy football party snacks

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Be conscious of what you are eating

W

ith the football season under way, the only thing that usually comes between a true fan and his or her high definition flat screen is a coffee table covered with high-fat and high-calorie munchies.

But it doesn’t need to be that way.

There are loads of game-day snacks for those looking to punt the fat, but not the flavor.

“Snacking away through four quarters of football can lead to overeating,” said Patricia Salzer, Salzer a registered dietitian and workplace wellness consultant at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

She has tips to reduce the fat and calories, while adding taste and nutritional value to your game day spread.

To cut down on the amount of fat consumed, Salzer recommends serving baked tortilla chips instead of the traditionally fried version. Baked tortilla chips make just as good a base for nachos, which can be stacked high with layers of cilantro, shredded lettuce, beans, fresh avocado, and diced

tomatoes and jalapenos.

If you’re adding ground beef, use the kind labeled “90 percent lean, 10 percent fat,” and be sure to drain away the grease.

When preparing chip dips such as taco dip or Buffalo chicken wing dip, Salzer uses low-fat cream cheese, shredded cheese, Greek yogurt and light sour cream. With a dip such as salsa, she says it doesn’t matter if it’s from a jar or freshly made.

It may be most difficult to imitate chicken wings — especially when they are deep fried and tossed in a butter-based sauce — but Salzer also has alternatives to this game day staple.

“Try baking chicken breast strips and dipping them in hot sauce,” she said.

The simplest recipe of all comes from the produce section of your favorite grocery store. Munching on a veggie platter ensures a healthy serving of vegetables that are rich in vitamins and nutrients. Crunch away on celery, broccoli, bell peppers and carrots, but be wary of dipping veggies in ranch or a similar dressing which could load on the calories.

Come game day, every fan wins when healthier options are on the menu.

hoacny.com

Excellus members get more medical benefits than standards require

E

xcellus BlueCross BlueShield paid out $823 million more in medical benefits on behalf of its insured members than what federal and state standards required of the health plan for the three years ending in 2014.

Under federal rules, health plans are required to report three-year cumulative amounts of premium revenue collected and the amount spent on medical benefits for 2012-2014. Federal and state regulations set standards for overall medical spending levels for insurers in order to maximize benefits for consumers while capping health plan profits and administrative costs.

State and federal standards set the minimum level of medical benefits to be 82 percent of premium revenues in

October 2015 •

the individual and small group markets and 85 percent for large groups.

“Our members get high value health coverage with us,” said Christopher Booth, chief executive officer of the health plan.

The numbers show the health plan paid nearly 91.5 cents of the insured premium dollar on hospital and physician services, prescriptions and other medical benefits — significantly more than the standards require.

The health plan spent $10.4 billion on medical benefits from 2012 to 2014 on its insured members, $823 million more than the $9.6 billion requirement for the three years, company officials said.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

Meet

Your Administrator

By Patricia J. Malin

Eve Van de Wal

Eve Van de Wal, the president of Excellus Blue CrossBlue Shield for the Utica region since 2008, has recently expanded her duties to include the North Country. Van de Wal recently spoke with In Good Health senior writer Patricia J. Malin about her career in healthcare management.

Q.: With the addition of North Country, how many counties do you cover?

A. In addition to my role as regional president of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s 11-county Utica region, I’m now responsible for supporting and maintaining business relationships and community engagement in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties in our Central New York Region. I also oversee operations in our Utica, Oneonta, Plattsburgh and Watertown offices.

My day-to-day responsibilities remain the same.

Q.: How did this position open up?

A.: The previous president, Arthur P. Vercillo, retired. He served as regional president from 2009-2015. Excellus has five regions across Upstate New York. We have regional presidents in

ment grants. The three-year grant will equip ambulances across Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties with lifesaving 12-lead electrocardiogram equipment.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is also a member of the FDRHPO’s North Country Health Compass Steering Committee, working with healthcare organizations across the tri-county area to develop and implement programs in support of the New York state prevention agenda.

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

A.: I was born and raised in the Utica area. My family owns Parkway Drugs (which was founded by her father, Anthony Chiffy Sr., and her mother’s brother, Rocco Femia Sr. in 1965), so I was going down the path of

our Central New York, Southern Tier, Utica and Western New York regions.

Q.: The North Country region includes Fort Drum, an active military post. What is Excellus’s relationship with this group?

A.: Tricare, the healthcare program for the military, services Fort Drum service members (active, guard/reserve, retired) and their families. However, Excellus BCBS has a very strong relationship with the Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, which has been successful in convening members of the healthcare delivery system to improve availability and access to healthcare resources for the military community and community at large.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield awarded the FDRHPO one of our community and member health improve-

Eve Van de Wal becoming a pharmacist until the day before college started, when I decided I wanted to be a registered nurse. My mom and I drove to SUNY Brockport with my transcript and they accepted me on the spot. In retrospect, it was a great decision as the nursing profession has served me well over the years. I feel privileged to serve the role I do in the community where I was born and raised.

Q.: You began your career in nursing. Now as an administrator, do you ever miss the close contact of working with patients?

NOT TAKING YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS AS DIRECTED?

YOU’RE TAKING

A CHANCE.

If you have a chronic condition like high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol, taking your prescriptions as directed is essential to healthy living. So remember:

If you’re not taking your prescriptions as directed, you’re taking a chance.

To learn more, visit ExcellusBCBS.com/TakeAsDirected. #TakeAsDirected

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2015

A.: I do sometimes miss the days of being a bedside critical care nurse as I loved the holistic approach of taking care of both the patient and family and acting as their advocate. Working closely with physicians and ancillary providers to provide care to patients during such a vulnerable time in their lives was truly a privilege. However, I feel I still do that on a different level working for Excellus. Hospitals and physicians refer to the people they serve as patients while we refer to them as members, but at the end of the day they are the same population and we have the same goal — which is to provide them with affordable and effective healthcare services.

Q.: How does your nursing experience benefit you in your current position?

A.: My nursing background has helped me immensely. Prior to joining Excellus, I worked as a registered nurse in hospitals and in a very busy cardiology office, so I know firsthand the challenges they face. When I am meeting with hospital CEOs and physicians in the community and they hear I am a registered nurse, the conversation rises to a different level. They use medical terminology and discuss their areas of concern, specifically shortages of physicians, whether it is primary care or certain specialties, as they know I understand the potential impact on delivery of care. I have also been offered tours of their new capital improvements, which include critical care units, surgical suites, and emergency rooms, as they recognize I am sincerely interested in the projects.

Lifelines Name: Eve Van de Wal Age: 53 Hometown: Utica Current Residence: New Hartford Education: SUNY College Brockport, Bachelor of Science, nursing, 1983; Professional Academy for Healthcare Management certification, 2000; certified health consultant, 2006; SUNY Institute of Technology, Utica, master’s degree, health services management, 2007; SUNY Institute of Technology, master’s degree, business administration, 2008 Affiliations: Board of directors, Health Workforce New York; United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area; Mohawk Valley Economic Development Growth Enterprises Corporation; Adirondack Bank; the Community Foundation of Oneida and Herkimer Counties; member, Utica College Risk Management Insurance Advisory Committee; dean’s advisory council for Utica College; Oneida County Vision 2020; Utica Rotary Family: Husband, Dale; children: Ann, 28, pharmacist; Bob, 25, hotel management. Van de Wal’s brothers, Anthony Chiffy Jr., Joseph Chiffy and Vincent Chiffy, work at Parkway Drugs.

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In Good Health 4 Riverside Dr., Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502

By Jim Miller

Adjusted flu vaccine options available to seniors Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about this year’s flu shot?

Last year’s vaccine was ineffective at preventing the flu, especially among seniors. What options are available to me this year?

Seeking Protection Dear Seeking, You’re right. Last season’s flu shot was not very effective at preventing the flu. In fact, according to the Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who got the shot were just 19 percent less likely to visit the doctor for flu than people who did not get the shot. In good years, flu shot effectiveness is in the 50 to 60 percent range.

The reason for the shot’s ineffectiveness last year was because the vaccine was mismatched to the circulating flu viruses, which can genetically shift from year-to-year.

This year, U.S. health officials have tweaked the flu vaccines to include last year’s missing strain, which will hopefully provide better protection.

But a flu shot is still your best defense against the flu. So, depending on your health, age and personal preference, here are the flu vaccine options (you only need one of these) available to older adults this year.

Standard (trivalent) flu shot: This traditional flu shot has been around for more than 30 years and protects against three different strains of flu viruses.

This year’s version protects against two A strains (H1N1 and H3N2), and one influenza B virus.

Quadrivalent flu shot: This vaccine, which was introduced two years ago, protects against four types of influenza — the same three strains as the standard flu shot, plus an additional new B-strain virus.

High-dose flu shot: Designed specifically for seniors, age 65 and older, this trivalent vaccine, called the Fluzone High-Dose, has four times the amount of antigen as a regular flu shot does, which creates a stronger immune response for better protection. However, note that the high-dose option may October 2015 •

also be more likely to cause side effects, including headache, muscle aches and fever.

FluBlok vaccine: Created for adults 18 and older who have egg allergies, this is a trivalent flu vaccine that does not use chicken eggs in its manufacturing process.

Intradermal flu shot: For those who don’t like needles, the intradermal flu shot uses a tiny 1/16-inch long micro-needle to inject the vaccine just under the skin, rather than deeper in the muscle like standard flu shots. This trivalent vaccine, however, is recommended only to adults, ages 18 to 64.

To locate a vaccination site that offers these flu shots, visit vaccines. gov and type in your ZIP code. You’ll also be happy to know that if you’re a Medicare beneficiary, Part B will cover 100 percent of the costs of any flu shot, as long as your doctor, health clinic or pharmacy agrees not to charge you more than Medicare pays. Private health insurers are also required to cover standard flu shots, however, you’ll need to check with your provider to see if they cover the other vaccination options.

Pneumonia Vaccines

Two other important vaccinations the CDC recommends to seniors, especially this time of year, are the pneumococcal vaccines for pneumonia. Around 1 million Americans are hospitalized with pneumonia each year, and about 50,000 people die from it.

The CDC is now recommending that all seniors, 65 or older, get two vaccinations –Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23. Both vaccines, which are administered just once at different times, work in different ways to provide maximum protection.

If you haven’t yet received any pneumococcal vaccine you should get the Prevnar 13 first, followed by Pneumovax 23 six to 12 months later. But if you’ve already been vaccinated with Pneumovax 23, wait at least one year before getting the Prevnar 13.

Medicare Part B covers both shots, if they are taken at least 11 months apart.

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.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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How to save on hearing aids

The Social Ask Security Office

I

some plans provide hearing aid coverage, including the BlueCross BlueShield plan that covers hearing aids every three years up to $2,500.

And, if you are on Medicaid, most state programs cover hearing aids, but requirements vary.

To find out contact your state’s Medicaid program or visit Medicaid.gov.

This International Skeptics Day, check your Social Security statement

nternational Skeptics Day falls in October, making it a month of second-guessing and, hopefully, getting to the truth of the matter. At Social Security, we believe that a healthy bit of skepticism encourages you to get the facts.

We have created an easy way to cast aside doubt about Social Security, and you can access this resource any time of the year, day or night. You can clear any amount of skepticism you might have about your Social Security earnings by creating a safe and secure “my Social Security” account at www. socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

With a “my Social Security” account, you can instantly check your Social Security statement. Financial experts have said that your statement is “… probably the most crucial financial planning document for every American.”

By thoroughly checking your Social Security statement, you can make sure each year that your work was correctly documented. This will ensure you get a correct Social Security benefit when you start collecting.

There are many other valuable fea-

Q&A

Q: I applied for my child’s Social Security card in the hospital but have not received it. How long does it take?

A: In most states it takes an average of three weeks to get the card, but in some states it can take longer. If you have not received your child’s card in a timely manner, please visit your local Social Security office. Be sure to take proof of your child’s citizenship, age, and identity as well as proof of your own identity. And remember, we cannot divulge your child’s Social Security number over the phone.

Q: Is it illegal to laminate your Social Security card?

A: No, it is not illegal, but we discourage it. It’s best not to laminate your card. Laminated cards make it difficult — sometimes even impossible — to detect important security features and an employer may refuse to accept them. The Social Security Act requires the Commissioner of Social Security to issue cards that cannot be counterfeited. We incorporate many features that protect the card’s integrity. They include highly specialized paper and printing techniques, some of which are visible to the naked eye. Keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you.

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tures of “my Social Security” that will stave off that skepticism. You can: • Keep track of your earnings and verify them every year; • Get an estimate of your future benefits if you are still working; • Get a letter with proof of your benefits if you currently receive them; and • Manage your benefits: • Change your address; • Start or change your direct deposit; • Get a replacement Medicare card; and • Get a replacement SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S for tax season.

If you do find a discrepancy on your statement, you will need to collect the proper documentation from your employer to correct any misinformation and submit it to Social Security. For detailed instructions, you can access the publication “How to Correct Your Social Security Earnings Record” at www. socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

Join the over 20 million people who are accessing their personalized accounts from the comfort of their home or office at www.socialsecurity.gov/ myaccount.

Veterans benefit

I

Q: I have two minor children at home and I plan to retire this fall. Will my children be eligible for monthly Social Security benefits after I retire?

A: Monthly Social Security payments may be made to your children if: • They are unmarried and under age 18; • Age 18 or 19 and still in high school; or • Age 18 or older, became disabled before age 22, and continue to be disabled.

Children who may qualify include a biological child, adopted child or dependent stepchild. (In some cases, your grandchild also could be eligible for benefits on your record if you are supporting them.) For more information, see our online publication, “Benefits For Children,” at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs.

Q: I just got a notice from Social Security that said my Supplemental Security Income (SSI) case is being reviewed. What does this mean?

A: Social Security reviews every SSI case from time to time to make sure the individuals who are receiving payments should continue to get them.

The review also determines whether individuals are receiving the correct amounts. You can learn more about SSI by visiting our website on the subject at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2015

t’s unfortunate, but millions of Americans with hearing loss don’t get hearing aids because they simply can’t afford them. Hearing aids — typically sold through audiologists’ offices — are expensive, usually costing between $1,000 to $3,500 per ear. What’s more, traditional Medicare doesn’t cover them and private insurance typically hasn’t either.

But there are numerous ways to save on hearing aids if you know where to look. Here are a few tips.

Check your insurance

While most private health insurance companies do not cover hearing aids, there are a few that do. United Healthcare, for example, offers hightech custom hearing aids to their beneficiaries through HealthInnovations for $599 to $899 each. And a small number of other plans will pitch in $500 to $1,000 toward the cost of hearing aids, or give you a discount if you purchase hearing aids from a contracted provider.

And due to state law mandates, three states — Arkansas, New Hampshire and Rhode Island — currently require private insurance companies to provide hearing aid coverage for adults and 20 require it for children. So check with your insurance provider to see if it offers a hearing aid benefit.

If you are a Medicare beneficiary you should know that while original Medicare (Part A and B) and Medigap supplemental policies do not cover hearing aids, there are some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans that do. To look for a plan in your area that covers hearing aids visit Medicare.gov/finda-plan.

If you are a current or retired federal employee enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program,

If you are a veteran, the VA provides a hearing aid benefit if the hearing loss was connected to military service or linked to a medical condition treated at a VA hospital. You can also get hearing aids through the VA if your hearing loss is severe enough to interfere with your activities of daily life. To learn more, call 877-222-8387 or visit VA.gov.

Assistance programs

If your income is low, there are various programs and foundations that provide financial assistance for hearing aids to people in need. Start by calling your state vocational rehabilitation department (see parac.org/svrp.html) to find out if there are any city, county or state programs, or local civic organizations that could help.

Also contact Sertoma (Sertoma.org, 816-333-8300), a civic service organization that offers a comprehensive list of state and national hearing aid assistance programs on their website. Or call the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders at 800-241-1044, and ask them to mail you their list of financial resources for hearing aids.

Cheaper buying options

If you are unable to get a third party to help pay for your hearing aids, you can still save significantly by purchasing hearing aids at Costco or online.

Most Costco stores sell top brands of hearing aids for 30 to 50 percent less than other warehouse chains, hearing aid dealers or audiologists’ offices. This includes an in-store hearing aid test, fitting by a hearing aid specialist and follow-up care.

And websites like EmbraceHearing.com and Audicus.com, sell quality hearing aids directly from the manufacturer for as little as $400 or $500. But, you will need to get a hearing evaluation from a local audiologist first, which can cost between $50 and $200.

Mohawk Homestead to hold BBQ fundraiser

A

chicken barbecue will be held starting at 3 p.m. Oct. 17 until all dinners are sold at The Mohawk Homestead, 62 E. Main St., Mohawk.

According to Bob Morgan, event organizer, it is recommended that the public purchase advanced sale tickets. They are available for $10 each by calling him at 315-866-6465.

This will be a full meal with the chicken prepared by master barbecue

chef Tom Balderston of Salisbury. The take-out only meal may be picked up starting at 3 p.m. The barbecue is a fundraiser to benefit the residents who call The Mohawk Homestead their home.

The Mohawk Homestead is a nonprofit adult home providing care to seniors. For more information, contact administrator Patty Shenberger at 315-866-1841 or www.mohawkhomestead.org.

The Balanced Body

By Deb Dittner

The ‘C’ word Can you change course of cancer?

E

ach year, there are approximately 2 million people in the United States who are diagnosed with some form of cancer.

The number of people to develop cancer has risen dramatically from the early 1900s to now with recent statistics being one in three people will develop the dreaded disease.

There is also no clear-cut cure. Western medicine produces a variety of treatment options but people continue to struggle with what is best.

I highly recommend that you or a loved one research all possible options before making any decisions. Read, read and read some more.

Dittner There are many different types of cancer with just as many options as to what is best to do.

Prevention is a key factor, but that too is not a guarantee that you or a loved one will not develop cancer.

Lifestyle changes are important not just for cancer prevention but many other diseases as well.

Lifestyle changes important to incorporate daily are: • Physical movement: No matter what your exercise choice is, just do it!

Movement decreases insulin levels (important in metabolic syndrome and diabetes), keeps weight in check (obesity and morbid obesity), and pumps blood throughout the body (proper circulation for heart health and blood pressure control). Movement will deter the growth and spread of cancer cells.

• Sleep: Restorative sleep for 7-9 hours nightly is necessary to decrease anxiety and promote proper weight

management. Avoid stimulation (and radiation exposure) from computers, television, iPhones/cell phones, and iPads approximately one hour before sleep.

• Stress management: Everyone has some sort of stress every now and then but if not managed appropriately, other symptoms will enter.

Consider management with meditation, yoga, physical movement, and counseling to check unresolved emotional issues.

• Environmental toxins: The exposure to toxins is everywhere from the water we drink, the food we eat, and the air we breathe.

Decreasing the use of toxins that are found in products such as shampoo and conditioner, body wash, clothing and dish detergent, cosmetics, and air fresheners hanging in your car to name a few are what you can do to eliminate as many toxins as possible.

I recently told of a woman aged 42 that just died from pancreatic cancer.

She was diagnosed only a few months earlier.

Sadly her husband had been diagnosed with cancer only months before as well. They have two children aged 11 and 13. My first questions were where do they live and what was on the land before their home? Look at all possibilities for your health and wellness.

• Eating clean: A diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, herbs and spices is ideal. It’s important to eliminate processed foods, sugar-laden products,

and grain-based foods.

These types of food break down into more sugars that feed cancer. A student of mine a few years ago had breast cancer and every time she went to her oncologist, she became angry.

The oncologist had bowls of the red and white peppermint candies in the waiting room. It’s understandable that those taking chemotherapy may have nausea and peppermint may help to relieve this symptom. There really is no therapeutic grade essential oil of peppermint in those candies. There is lots of sugar! Sugar feeds cancer.

Eating clean also involves removing food with genetically modified organisms from your diet and adding in those foods that are locally grown.

• Vitamin D3: Research has shown that those who have developed cancer have low Vitamin D levels. It’s important to know your Vitamin D level and aim for a number of 50-70 regularly, and higher if already diagnosed with cancer.

Vitamin D helps to boost immunity. Sunlight is the best source of Vita-

min D and also consider supplements as recommended by your healthcare provider.

• Digestion: Improving digestive issues will also improve your immunity. The foods you eat could be causing inflammation in your gut and throughout your body. Consider a high-quality probiotic and eat fermented foods on a regular basis.

As with any and all information regarding cancer or other conditions, please consult with your health care provider. You may need to search for your answers in a number of places, but don’t give up.

Having a positive attitude and support system is of utmost importance.

• Deborah Dittner is a nurse practitioner and health consultant for amateur and professional athletes. If you’re an amateur or professional athlete looking to increase your energy, boost your performance and shorten recovery time, check out www.debdittner.com to learn how.

Healthcare in a Minute

By George W. Chapman Price transparency Hospitals are just getting around to making their charges for procedures available to the public, but few if any will make what various insurers actually pay them available to the public.

Confidentiality agreements between hospitals and insurers prevent this.

Transparency in what insurers pay hospitals for procedures is touted as a way of increasing competition among both insurers and hospitals, thereby keeping costs under control.

A recent study by the Center for Studying Health System Change estimates that a transparent all-claims database could save $100 billion a year.

Mega insurance mergers It remains to be seen if recently announced insurance mergers, not yet approved, will lower or increase premiums. Both the American Hospital and American Medical associations have expressed concerns over the pending merger of insurance giants Aetna and Humana and Cigna and Anthem.

Their fear is that one huge insurer will dominate the market and will be far less willing to negotiate payments to hospitals and physicians in the marketplace.

If the mergers are approved, the Department of Justice will be vigilant for unfair pricing and monopolistic activity.

Massachusetts update Industry observers consider the Bay State as a harbinger of healthcare to come for the rest of the country. “RomneyCare,” or its version of “ObamaCare,” has been law since 2006.

So what has been the impact on costs and health after nine years?

Ninety-nine percent of all residents are insured, so the mandated universal coverage is successfully in place.

Overall costs increased 4.8 percent last year. This sounds pretty good relative to the rest of the country, but it was actually deemed to be disappointing by authorities and consumer advocates.

The good news regarding future costs

is that insurers are aggressively moving away from fee-for-service reimbursements to alternative models designed to control costs and improve outcomes.

Fraud and abuse Congress has approved another $378 million in funding to combat Medicare fraud and abuse. Last year, Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Control recovered $3.3 billion. The return on investment is very good, with $7.70 recovered for every $1 spent on detection.

Interstate insurance sales This has been discussed recently by virtually everyone running for president. It is not new. A bill to allow insurers to cross state lines was introduced in Congress 10 years ago.

Proponents believe by eliminating the red tape associated with different state regulations, insurers would increase the size of their risk pools — more covered lives — and lower their per unit administrative costs which would give

October 2015 •

consumers more choices with lower premiums.

But simply opening up the borders, so to speak, won’t necessarily create more national insurance plans. Insurers would have to set up their provider networks with thousands of physicians, hundreds of pharmacies and dozens of hospitals before attempting to sell insurance in a new state, all of which is expensive and time consuming.

GEORGE W. CHAPMAN is a health consultant who operates GW Chapman Consulting in Upstate New York.

To reach him, email gwc@gwchapmanconsulting.com.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 15

H ealth News MVHS creates new surgery group Mohawk Valley Health System Medical Group has added a cardiac and thoracic surgery group.

It is practicing at St. Elizabeth Medical Center and is located at the MVHS Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery Group in the Marian Medical Professional Building, 2211 Genesee St., Utica.

• Laszlo Fuzesi, a specialist in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, has joined the MVHS Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery Group and has admitting privileges at SEMC. Named chief of cardiothoracic surgery, he specializes in operations on the heart, lungs, esophagus and other organs in the chest.

Prior to joining Fuzesi the MVHS Medical Group, Fuzesi most recently served as the chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Pocono Medical Center in East Stroudsburg, Pa. He was also surgical director of the cardiac transplant program and an attending surgeon at Albany Medical Center.

He is board-certified in cardiac and thoracic surgery.

• Anne Cahill, a specialist in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery, has joined the MVHS Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery Group and has admitting privileges at SEMC. Cahill specializes in operations on the heart, lungs, esophagus and other organs in the chest and women’s cardiac health.

Prior to joining Cahill the MVHS Medical Group, Cahill served as a cardiac and thoracic surgeon at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh. She has also served as associate professor of cardiothoracic surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, as a cardiothoracic surgeon at Pocono Health System in Tobyhanna, Pa., and as medical director of both the women’s heart center and cardiothoracic surgery at Shasta Regional Medical Center in Redding, Calif.

She is board certified in cardiac and thoracic surgery.

• Frederic Joyce, a specialist in cardiothoracic surgery, has joined the MVHS Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery Group. He has been a member of the medical staff at SEMC and Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare with admitting privileges since 1998.

He has been a cardiothoracic surgeon with the Mohawk Valley Heart Institute since it began in 1997 and served as its surgery co-director from 2010 to 2011. He specializes in aortic Page 16

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and mitral valve surgery, hybrid coronary revascularization and intra-operative echocardiography.

Prior to joining the MVHS Medical Group, Joyce practiced with the Mohawk Valley Surgery Group in Utica.

He has served as assistant professor Joyce of thoracic surgery at the University of Copenhagen in Copenhagen, Denmark and as associate professor of Surgery at Albany Medical College in Albany.

He is board-certified in thoracic surgery, perioperative transesophageal echocardiography and is a registered physician in vascular interpretation.

• Katrina Abdalla, a physician assistant, has joined the staff at the MVHS Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery Group.

Prior to joining MVHS, Abdalla worked in the fields of obstetrics and gynecology as a medical assistant in Gaffney, S.C. Abdalla is cerAbdalla tified as a physician assistant and in basic life support, advanced cardiac life support and infection control. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the New York State Society for Physician Assistants.

• Lindsey Byrnes, a physician assistant, has joined the staff at the MVHS Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery Group. Prior to joining MVHS, Byrnes worked at the Mohawk Valley Surgery Group.

Byrnes is certified as a physician assistant and in Byrnes basic life support and advanced cardiac life support. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the New York State Society for Physician Assistants.

• Connor Gill, a physician assistant, has joined the staff at the MVHS Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery Group.

Prior to joining MVHS, Gill worked at the Cardiovascular Group of Syracuse in Liverpool and at the St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Emergency Department in North Gill Syracuse.

Gill is certified as a physician assistant and in basic life support and advanced cardiac life support. He is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the New York State Society for Physician Assistants.

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Call 749-7070

MVHS welcomes director of advanced endoscopy The Mohawk Valley Health System Medical Group has named Andrew T. Pellecchia director of advanced endoscopy at its new gastroenterology and advanced endoscopy group.

Pellecchia performs advanced, interventional endoscopic procedures.

Prior to joining the MVHS Medical Group, Pellecchia Pellecchia was a member of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Gastroenterology Department since 2012, while affiliated with Digestive Disease Medicine of Central New York.

He has held attending positions at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx and Crystal Run Healthcare in Middletown.

Pellecchia is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Gastroenterological Association and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

He is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology.

MVHS welcomes hospitalists to SEMC The Mohawk Valley Health System Medical Group recently welcomes providers to its hospitalist program.

All may be reached through the hospitalist program office at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica.

• Rashid Girshab, a 2015 graduate of the St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency Program, has joined the MVHS Hospitalist Program as an attending physician.

Girshab earned his medical degree from St. Matthew’s School of Medicine, St. Mathews UniverGirshab sity, Grand Cayman.

He is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Medical Society of the State of New York.

During work in Flint, Mich., Girshab helped establish a practice as a patient-centered medical home and was an asthma and diabetes educator. In addition, he has experience in intensive care, nursing homes, home visits and family planning clinics.

• Ranjit Mandhare, a 2015 graduate of the St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency Program, has joined the MVHS Hospitalist Program as an attending physician.

Mandhare earned his medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Saint Maarten. He Mandhare earned his Bachelor

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2015

of Arts and Sciences degree in management and information systems from the University of New Orleans in Louisiana.

Mandhare is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Medical Society of the State of New York.

Mandhare is certified in basic life support, advanced cardiac life support, advanced trauma life support, pediatric advanced life support and by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.

As a medical volunteer in Oakland, Calif., he organized town hall meetings to educate the medical community and patient population on managed healthcare and upcoming changes. He speaks Hindi in addition to English.

• Apurva Shah has joined the MVHS Hospitalist Program as an attending physician.

Shah earned his medical degree from the American University of Antigua College of Medicine in Antigua and Barbuda. He completed his internal medicine residency at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, Mich., where he served as internal medicine chief resident. He Shah earned a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology at the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga. Shah is internal medicine board eligible and certified in basic life support, advanced cardiac life support, central venous access and the arterial line. Shah speaks Gujarati and Hindi, in addition to English.

MVHS welcomes nurse manager Kimberly R. Bonvicino has been named nurse manager for the AC3 medical/stroke unit at the St. Luke’s Campus of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica.

Bonvicino will maintain nursing operations to include both clinical and administrative responsibilities.

Bonvicino was most recently in a Bonvicino critical care staff nurse position with relief charge responsibilities at St. Luke’s. She has also worked as a staff nurse on the inpatient oncology unit. Her experience includes nursing leadership in the long-term care setting.

Bonvicino earned an associate’s degree in nursing from Mohawk Valley Community College and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in health care management from SUNY Canton.

Continued on Page 17

H ealth News Continued from Page 16

Pediatrician joins MVHS in East Utica The Mohawk Valley Health System Medical Group has welcomed Amanda Roublick to its East Utica medical office.

Roublick earned her medical degree from the University of California in San Diego. She served as chief pediatric resident during her pediatrics residency training at Loma LinRoublick da University in Loma Linda, Calif., where she was named the pediatric ICU resident of the year in 2014.

Roublick earned her Bachelor of Science in pharmacology and biopsychology from the University of California in Santa Barbara, Calif.

She is certified in pediatric advanced life support, basic life support and as a neonatal resuscitation program provider.

operations of Medicaid redesign for children in a 10-county region. Prior to that, Vail served as the project director of Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES Community of Resources and Expertise, a federal initiative of Safe Schools Healthy Students.

Vail’s primary educational background is in the field of children’s mental health and she holds a master’s degree in counseling.

Brittany Bono is the practice manager for CNYHHN, where she oversees all aspects of billing and receivable operations as well as systems workflow.

Previously, Bono was employed by Resource Center for Independent Living in Utica as the operations manager.

Bono holds a master’s degree in Bono business administration.

CNYHHN is a system of care coordination that is comprised of a growing network of health, mental health, substance abuse and social service providers.

‘Caught Caring’ at St. Johnsville Sherry Siggins has been named recipient of the August 2015 Caught Caring award at St. Johnsville Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, Inc. She was awarded for demonstrating St. Johnsville values by being an extraordinary licensed practical nurse.

“Sherry is most compassionate, caring, considerate, Siggins knowledgeable and helpful nurse,” a St. Johnsville resident said. “She is always prompt with our medication no matter what our concerns or ailments. She is thorough and quick to be sure our needs are met, with prompt follow up with us.”

She was nominated by Ryanne Steep, Lisa Salvemini and Catherine Mabie. Other staff members that were Caught Caring were Ryan Hart, Ryanne Steep and Dora Levitt.

Health Home Network welcomes administrators Central New York Health Home Network recently hired two new administrators.

CNYHHN offers services to assist high-risk and highneed individuals so that they can better utilize health care, social services, and community and natural supports.

Jane Vail is the vice president for CNYHHN, where she oversees the Vail

Little Falls Hospital awarded accreditation Little Falls Hospital has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in mammography as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology.

Mammography is a specific type of imaging test that uses a low-dose X-ray system to examine breasts. A mammography exam, called a mammogram, is used to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety.

After a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field, it is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR practice guidelines and technical standards.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Recertified in infection control Patty Seifried at Little Falls Hospital has become recertified in infection control and has demonstrated a mastery of infection prevention and control knowledge by taking and passing this comprehensive examination, according to the Certified Board of Infection Control.

Seifried Certification is maintained through successful com-

pletion of a recertification examination every five years.

The purpose of the certification process is to protect the public by providing standardized measurement of current basic knowledge needed for persons practicing infection control.

It also encourages individual growth and study, thereby promoting professionals among infection prevention and control professionals and formally recognizing infection prevention and control professionals who fulfill the requirements for certification.

Seifried lives in West Winfield with her husband, Lee. Her son, Derek, is a PFC in the United States Army, stationed in Watertown.

Speech therapist joins Little Falls Hospital Marguerite Romano has joined Little Falls Hospital as a speech therapist.

Romano attended Ithaca College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and audiology, a master’s degree in audiology and a master’s degree in speech pathology.

She is a licensed speech-language pathologist.

Romano Prior to coming to LFH, Romano worked at Herkimer BOCES as a speech pathologist for 30 years working with a variety of age groups.

She also has experience working with geriatric patients in skilled nursing facilities.

Romano is a native of Little Falls and resides in Little Falls with her husband, Peter.

LFH awarded accreditation in mammography Little Falls Hospital has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in mammography as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology.

Mammography is a specific type of imaging test that uses a low-dose X-ray system to examine breasts. A mammography exam, called a mammogram, is used to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety.

It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR practice guidelines and technical standards.

The ACR is a national professional organization serving more than 36,000 diagnostic-interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To schedule your mammography appointment, call Little Falls Hospital’s Medical Imaging Department at 315-823-5231.

October 2015 •

SDMG employee honored for service Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford recently recognized Louanne Apel for 25 years of service.

A celebratory breakfast for all employees was held recently in her honor.

Apel began her career in September of 1990 in the role of laboratory phlebotApel omist.

Over the years, her supervisors have described her as a skilled phlebotomist with excellent knowledge of her job duties and a willingness to learn and lend a hand when needed.

“Louanne has always shown a great interest in her job and stays current on laboratory protocol and changes within the department,” an SDMG spokesperson said.

UCP welcomes new administrator Upstate Cerebral Palsy recently welcomed Lenny Giardino as its director of the early childhood education division.

Giardino has an advanced graduate degree in educational leadership from MCLA in Massachusetts and his Masters of Arts in teaching from Concordia University.

He is a certified New York state public school adminisGiardino trator and previously was the program director for Healthy Families Madison County, an infant toddler program based on nationally certified best practices for early childhood development.

Giardino is an author and speaks locally and nationally about the benefits of fatherhood involvement. He has presented at Prevent Child Abuse NY and the Prevent Child Abuse National Conference.

UCP is the premier provider of direct-care services and programs for individuals who are physically, developmentally, or mentally challenged and their families, currently employing more than 1,900 full- and part-time employees at 81 locations throughout a seven-county area.

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CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Continued from Page 2 Register by Aug. 14 through Active.com or by mail, and get a special early bird rate of $25 per person. Participation is capped at 300 runners.

The mailing address is Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network, 1000 Cornelia St., 2nd Floor, Utica, N.Y. 13502.

The Perinatal Network’s mission is to improve birth outcomes and maternal, child and family health, facilitate collaboration among providers and community organizations and advocate for change.

For more information about getting involved in “Run, Sherlock, Run!” visit www.runsherlockrun.com or call the Perinatal Network at 732-4657.

Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities are available.

Oct. 6

Smoking cessation classes offered The Oneida County Health Department, in collaboration with the Mohawk Valley Health System, is offering a free three-week series of Freshstart smoking cessation classes.

Freshstart is an evidence-based program created by the American Cancer Society. The classes will be held from 5-6:30pm Oct. 6, 13 and 20 in the second floor conference room at the St. Luke’s Campus, 1656 Champlin Ave., Utica.

The Freshstart approach is geared toward helping participants increase their motivation to quit, learn effective approaches for quitting and guide them in making a successful quit attempt.

For more information or to register, contact Rachel Evans at the Oneida County Health Department at 315-7985486 or revans@ocgov.net.

Buddy Walk celebrates Down syndrome awareness Oct. 7 The 20th annual Buddy Walk is a one-mile Down syndrome awareness MVHS stroke support group event that will be held Oct. 4 at Hanna to meet Park in Utica.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m.

In celebration of the walk’s 20th anniversary, the band Flame will perform at the event. The Buddy Walk promotes the acceptance and inclusion of all people with Down syndrome.

The one-mile walk begins and ends at Hanna Park in Utica and will include activities, entertainment and refreshments.

Donations and pledges are accepted but are not required to walk. For more information, call 724-6907 ext.

2279, log onto upstatecp.org under “Get Involved” or visit facebook.com/ mohawkvalleydownsyndromegroup.

The Buddy Walk is presented by the Mohawk Valley Down Syndrome Support and Awareness Group and Upstate Cerebral Palsy.

The Mohawk Valley Health System will host a free stroke support group presentation from 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 7 in the Soggs Room at St. Luke’s Home in the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services, 1650 Champlin Ave., Utica.

The session will explore complementary and alternative methods for relieving symptoms of anxiety post-stroke that may help improve the quality of life.

Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare is an affiliate of MVHS and is the area’s only designated primary stroke center.

For more information or to RSVP, call 315-624-6365.

Oct. 5

The Pieces of HeArt art exhibit and sale at the Stanley Theater will feature works from talented Upstate Cerebral Palsy artists.

The event will take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at the theater, 259 Genesee St., Utica.

The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Register by calling 724-6907 ext.

2278 or email susan.macrina@upstatecp. org.

Diabetes program to host store tour On Oct. 5, people with diabetes, pre-diabetes and their family members are invited to grocery shop with a registered dietitian and learn more about their food choices.

The grocery store tour, hosted by the Mohawk Valley Health System’s Central New York Diabetes Education Program, will begin at 6 p.m. at Hannaford Supermarket, 4593 Commercial Drive, New Hartford.

Those who attend the tour will learn where to locate total carbohydrate information on a food label; the importance of choosing foods with fiber as part of your daily diet; how to weigh fruits and vegetables, and the importance of monitoring the amount of food you eat to help meet blood glucose or weight goals.

Call CNY Diabetes at 315-624-5620 to register.

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Oct. 9

UCP artists to display work

Oct. 10

Compassionate Friends to host walk The Compassionate Friends of the Mohawk Valley are hosting their first annual “Walk to Remember” Oct. 10 at Griffiss Park in Rome.

There will be a brief opening ceremony at noon and the walk will follow immediately after.

The walk, approximately two miles long, will start from the Hampton Inn, 1352 Floyd Ave., Rome. Participants may walk any portion of the route.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2015

Following the walk, a tree dedication ceremony will be held.

Registration is required for the event and a registration form can be received by contacting Stacey Borst at stacey.borst@yahoo.com or by calling her at 315-271-6822.

There is no charge for the walk, but donations will be accepted for future outreach efforts. Donations may also be mailed to: The Compassionate Friends of the Mohawk Valley, P.O. Box 493, Whitesboro, N.Y. 13492.

The Hampton Inn in Rome is offering a discounted room rate for out-oftown travelers wishing to participate in the walk. To inquire, call 315-709-0000.

Sign in for the event will be from 10:30-11:45 a.m. at the Hampton Inn. The walk is open to the public.

Chartered in July of 2010, The Compassionate Friends of the Mohawk Valley’s mission is to provide highly personalized comfort, hope and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or daughter, brother or sister, or a grandchild, and helps others better assist the grieving family.

Oct. 12

Support forum for cancer patients, survivors The Faxton Campus Cancer Center’s monthly support forum for patients and cancer survivors will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 12.

The cancer support forum meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of every month in the cancer center’s fireplace lounge on the main floor of Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica.

The forum, led by the cancer center’s social worker, offers support to anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis.

Light refreshments will be served.

For more information or to RSVP, call 315-624-5241.

Oct. 13

Focus of program on caregiver burnout The Mohawk Valley Health System is hosting a six- week program by Kristi Raymonda, a master’s degree student through Rutgers University School of Social Work who is dedicated to helping end caregiver burnout.

The program will be featured from 6-7 p.m. beginning Oct. 13 for six consecutive Tuesdays in the Cancer Center’s TV Lounge on the main floor of the Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica.

Light refreshments will be served.

For more information or to register, call 315-624-5241 or email cancerinfo@ mvhealthsystem.org. The program is free and open to the public and registration is required.

Dialysis Center offers program The Dialysis Center at the Mohawk Valley Health System 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. Oct. 13 in Weaver Lounge at the Faxton Campus, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica.

Registration is required as seating is limited. To register, contact Cindy Christian, CKD program coordinator, at 315-624-5635 or cchristi@ mvhealthsystem.org.

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 help to prevent the progression of kidney disease to kidney failure, known as end stage renal disease.

Oct. 15-16

Educational series scheduled In today’s constantly evolving healthcare environment, it is imperative to stay current with trends and advancements.

The Mohawk Valley Health System’s 2015 Campaign For Quality promises to give everyone in attendance a new perspective on the ever-changing healthcare industry.

This popular educational event, celebrating its 14th anniversary, features national and local experts presenting on current trends in healthcare, patient experiences, population health topics and patient safety initiatives.

CFQ will be held at Hamilton College in Clinton on Oct. 16 and is free to attend.

A special evening presentation and dinner will be held on Oct. 15 at the Radisson Hotel in Utica. The conference is open to the public, and more information and registration details can be found at www.campaignforquality.com.

The event offers 11 presentations in total, including topics on pediatric emergencies, palliative care, diabetes, the patient experience, culture, and more. In 2014, more than 425 physicians, healthcare workers, students and community members were in attendance.

For more information and to register online, visit www.campaignforquality.com.

Oct. 17

After Breast Cancer Support Group to meet The After Breast Cancer Support Group will meet at 11 a.m. Oct. 17 in the Community Room at the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services on the St. Luke’s Campus, 1650 Champlin Ave., Utica.

Deborah Hailston, director of library services at the Mohawk Valley Health System, will lead the discussion on data and research available online and how to determine the credibility of a resource.

ABC Support Group meetings are free and open to the public and were created by women who have had breast cancer.

For more information or to RSVP, call 315-624-5764 or email bfriend90@ aol.com.

Oct. 18

Lyme disease support group to meet The Mohawk Valley Lyme Support Group will meet from 2-4 p.m. Oct. 18 at the New Hartford Library on Oxford Road.

Other meetings will be held from 2-4 p.m. Nov. 15 and Dec. 20.

For more information, contact Renee at 797-6666 or email mvlymegroup@yahoo.com.

Continued on Page 19

Continued from Page 18

Oct. 21

Miracle Home Makeover drawing slated The Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation, in partnership with WKTV NewsChannel 2, Lite 98.7FM-WLZW, The Observer-Dispatch, Lewis Custom Homes and Home Builders and Remodelers Association of the Mohawk Valley, recently announced the start of the 19th annual $100,000 Miracle Home Makeover to benefit the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital at FSLH. One lucky person will win a $100,000 Miracle Home Makeover or $100,000 in cash. Seventeen bonus prize packages will also be given away to ticket holders after the grand prize drawing. Tickets are $100 each and must be purchased with cash — no checks, credit cards or money orders can be accepted.

For the full of list ticket locations and the 17 bonus prize packages, visit faxtonstlukes.com/mhm or call the FSLH Foundation at 315-624-5600.

The drawing for the Miracle Home Makeover will be held at 6 p.m. Oct. 21 at FSLH’s St. Luke’s Campus, New Hartford, and will be audited by an independent auditing firm. The 17 bonus prize packages will also be drawn Oct. 21.

Oct. 23

Kids Oneida, Boys Town help schools Kids Oneida will be hosting National Boys Town representatives at the Holiday Inn on Burrstone Road in New Hartford from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

October 23.

This informative full-day session will present “Well-Managed Schools,” a proven curriculum that enables students to assume responsibility for managing their own behavior.

For decades, Boys Town’s experts on education have been providing professional development, training and consultation services for thousands of schools nationwide.

The cost is $125 per person and breakfast and lunch are included.

Kids Oneida is a nonprofit orga-

nization that works with at-risk youth and their families to keep them from out-of-home placements.

For more information on the programs and services of Kids Oneida, visit www.kidsoneida.org.

Oct. 24

RMH slates community health fair Mark your calendar for Rome Memorial Hospital’s annual Community Health Fair from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 24 at the hospital, 1500 N. James St. Blood tests for total cholesterol, colorectal cancer, memory, depression, blood pressure, body fat analysis and body mass index are some of the free screenings that will be available at the fair.

Other highlights include seasonal flu shots, Lungs for Life cancer screening program, how to start an exercise program, physical and occupational therapy, and diabetes education.

For more information, call the education department at 338-7143.

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Oct. 29

Renowned autism speaker slated at Landmark Theatre The Kelberman Center for Autism Services, in partnership with the New York Farm Bureau, will host renowned autism speaker Temple Grandin at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse, 362 S. Salina St. “An Evening with Temple Grandin” will feature a pre-event meet and greet for those with priority seating as well as a book signing following the presentation.

Priority seating for this event is $40 per person, with additional seating available at $20 and $10 per person.

Visit www.kelbermancenter.org for ticket information or call the Landmark Theatre at 315-475-7980.

Grandin was diagnosed with autism as a child and went on to pursue work in psychology and animal science. She has become a leading advocate for autistic communities and has also written books and provided consultation on the humane treatment of animals. In 2010, HBO released an Emmy Award-winning film on Grandin’s life.

MV’S HEALTHCARE NEWSPAPER

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Drivers Wanted For delivery of IGH newspaper bundles

Mohawk Valley In Good Health newspaper is recruiting drivers to help distribute its popular monthly publication.

The job entails delivering 20-lb. bundles of IGH to various dropoff sites in largely commercial districts. Individual must be hard-working, honest, have a dependable vehicle and be able to lift 20-lb. bundles and walk up stairs.

Interested? Contact Alice at 749-7070. The job pays $9 an hour plus mileage.

CDC: Many say they’ve driven drunk in prior month Typical drunk driver a young male with a history of binge drinking, survey shows

A

new study finds that close to 2 percent of adults — about 4.2 million people — admitted to driving while intoxicated at least once over the prior month.

The study, based on 2012 data analyzed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also outlines the “typical” drunk driver: Young males with a history of binge drinking.

Curbing the problem could save countless lives, the CDC researchers said, since “alcohol-impaired driving crashes have accounted for about one third of all U.S. crash fatalities in the past two decades.”

One expert agreed. Binge drinking is rampant among the young, said physician Scott Krakower, who specializes in alcohol abuse issues.

“Individuals should not be afraid to seek help if they have a drinking problem,” he said. “Bottom line: if one is drinking, they should never drive a motor vehicle. They are putting inno-

cent lives at risk.”

In the new study, a team led by CDC investigator Amy Jewett looked at 2012 data from an annual federal government survey. They found that “an estimated 4.2 million adults reported at least one alcohol-impaired driving episode in the preceding 30 days, resulting in an estimated 121 million episodes [per year].”

Rates varied widely between states, and were often tied to a state’s drunk-driving laws, the CDC said.

The Midwest fared the worst in terms of drunk driving, but that’s no surprise, the team said, because “persons living in the Midwest have consistently reported higher alcohol-impaired driving rates than those living in other regions.”

The profile of the “typical” drunk driver probably won’t surprise many, either — a binge-drinking young male.

According to the study, men aged 21 to

34 made up a third of all drunk driving episodes, while men overall made up 80 percent of impaired drivers.

The report found that 4 percent of adults fall into the category of “binge drinkers” — men who consume five or

October 2015 •

more drinks at one occasion, or women who have 4 or more drinks per occasion. This 4 percent of adults are involved in nearly two-thirds of all drunk driving incidents, the CDC researchers noted.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • October 2015