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Keep an eye on your BP! July 2016 • Issue 125

Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

Mistaken Mistaken Identity Identity A unique center in Upstate New center in Upstate York,Unique The Gender Wellness Center,New York, The Gender Wellness Center, has sees number of transgender patients skyrocket in one year. seen number of transgender patients

Mercy Flight at Griffis Airport Page 18

MVhealthnews.com

skyrocket Page 7 in one year.

Women’s Health Special Edition

See Page 7

Meet Your Doctor

One sting can change everything Page 13

Protect your baby from threat of searing summer heat!

Page 10

Is it sink or swim for your relationship?

Find out on Page 6.

Hot Dogs

SmartBites columnist: The good, the bad and the healthy about hot dogs

Health care careers Ilion native takes on the role of nurse practitioner at Bassett Healthcare.

Page 8 July 2016 •

Introducing: George Markwardt Page 4

Bassett, Oneida Healthcare form strategic partnership Two major health care entities join forces in Mohawk Valley

Page 12 IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 1

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

Little patients are a big deal.

Same and next day appointments available in Herkimer and other locations.

Call 315-867-2700.

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

What if you could choose?

5 Days or 45 Days

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

Continued on Page 19

Community Information Seminar:

Bariatric Surgery July 13, 2016 • 6:00 pm Presented by

January Hill, MD hoacny.com

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

Check out our digital edition at mvhealthnews.com!

Page 2

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2016

Introducing Breast Surgeon Dr. Borgos to our Community.

Laura Borgos, MD, FACS, has recently joined the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS). She is part of the Breast Care Team that provides comprehensive breast care services including a navigation program for those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or for those who worry they may have breast cancer symptoms.

The Newest Technology for Cancer Treatment in our Region is in Utica The Varian Edge Linear Accelerator at our Cancer Center is one of only twelve machines currently available in the United States. Varian Edge radiosurgery allows our team to deliver radiation treatment to patients with even greater precision and minimal radiation to the surrounding tissues. Its knife-like beam targets tumors of the breast, brain, spine, lung and other areas that are typically difficult to treat surgically.

The MVHS Cancer Center cares for people who are fighting, living with and surviving cancer. Working together, our skilled healthcare team is here to help you through a cancer diagnosis, keeping you informed every step of the way and treating you with state of the art technology.

Call 315-624-HOPE (4673) or visit www.faxonstlukes.com/cancer for more information.

MVHS CANCER CENTER, FAXTON CAMPUS, 1676 SUNSET AVENUE, UTICA

July 2016 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 3

Telethon raises funds to help children

Meet

Your Doctor

By Patricia J. Malin

George Markwardt

Monies used to enhance maternal child services at Faxton St. George Markwardt is a nurse equipped with all the advanced degrees in Luke’s Healthcare medicine that make him a qualified primary care provider. He is a nurse he 25th annual Faxton practitioner, undergraduate and graduate nurse educator, health St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation Children’s administrator, health care consultant and clinical researcher with a Miracle Network Hospitals Telethon aired recently on WKTV doctorate degree. He works as a nurse practitioner for the Regional NewsChannel 2.

Primary Care Network.

The telethon raised $502,262,

T

which will be used to support programs, services and equipment that benefit maternal child services at FSLH. With funds from the 2016 telethon, the staff at FSLH has identified the need for a portable neonatal heart monitor for dedicated use in the labor and delivery unit. This monitor will ensure that they are following the current American Academy of Pediatric guidelines for neonatal resuscitation.

“The majority of our newborn resuscitations occur on the labor and delivery unit immediately following delivery,” said Laura Bailey, nurse manager for maternity services at the Mohawk Valley Health System.

“Providing the best possible care to our patients and staying current with recommended guidelines is extremely important to us and the portable neonatal heart monitor would greatly enhance our ability to do just that.”

CMN funds also support the area’s only Level II special care nursery, which is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week by neonatologists, physicians who provide special care to sick or premature babies. Neonatologists provide obstetrical care services for women with little or no insurance to ensure they have healthy pregnancies, and provide care for all children, regardless of their family’s ability to pay.

CMN raises funds yearround. Contact Andrea MacDiarmid at 315-624-5454 or amacdiar@mvhealthsystem.org to arrange a fundraiser or donation.

Miracle Home Makeover tickets are also available for $100, cash only. For a list of locations where tickets may be purchased, visit faxtonstlukes.com/mhm or call 315-624-5600.

The local telethon at the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services is part of a national telethon sponsored by the national Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Page 4

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Q.: What prompted you to become a nurse?

A.: When I was a child, my grandmother lived with us on a farm in Salisbury. One day I was walking to the store with her and she suffered a massive stroke. In those days, there was no “do not resuscitate” option and she lingered on in a coma for a month.

After that, I decided I wanted to help other people.

In high school, I started volunteering for the Mohawk Valley Volunteer Ambulance Corps and began working my way up. I worked as an orderly, then became an LPN and RN and got my bachelor’s degree. Then I had a vision of becoming a nurse practitioner. I got a second bachelor’s degree and then a master’s. I decided I wanted to become more engaged in clinical research, but I also enjoyed being a hands-on nurse.

Q.: Many rural areas of the United States are affected by a doctor shortage. Is it difficult to get primary care providers to come to the Mohawk Valley?

A.: It’s a rarity that I wanted to stay here. I came back here after college because I’m committed to the community. A lot of providers grow up in a big city and have a big-city mentality. There’s no mass transit and fewer entertainment options here. We get a lot of foreign physicians here and it’s a good opportunity to fill the gap, but they tend to leave after getting their green card, plus many of our elderly have trouble understanding their speech. It’s ironic that the foreign doctors leave, because we have a large refugee population here.

Q.: How has the role of nurses and nurse practitioners evolved through the years?

A.: I think nurses have tended to be underappreciated, but there’s a lot of teaching involved. Nursing is one of the most trusted professions now. I served as president of the Mohawk Valley Chapter of the Nurse Practitioners Association, which is a lobbying group. We helped change the law that led to the modernization of nurse practitioners and a collaborative agreement with doctors.

Nurse practitioners were sometimes taken advantage of by

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2016

doctors and had little responsibility and couldn’t do admissions. It used to be that when a nurse practitioner worked full time with a doctor, and if that doctor retired or died, the patients were lost and left without primary care. Now nurse practitioners can continue the practice. The old law served to create barriers.

We’re looking at a holistic approach now to treating patients, not just treating disease. We want to take more time with patients and study the issues that impact health care.

We’re moving toward a greater team approach.

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

A.: Delivering bad news such as a diagnosis of no cure. There’s frustration involved in getting care for people who are limited by their insurance companies.

With the Affordable Care Act, many more people have health care, but they’re avoiding preventive care or they have a high deductible.

They deal with immediate health care when preventive care is needed — for example, to treat high blood pressure, avoid diabetes and to catch things earlier before conditions worsen.

The current reimbursement system limits doctors. The current system puts the emphasis on seeing more patients and doing more tests and that has led to provider burnout. We’re going to more value-based care.

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

A.: Seeing generations of families sharing their stories through the years. The elderly are my favorite patients, and then the veterans. You can’t get that from a textbook.

Q.: What is your interest in serving as a county legislator?

A.: There are a lot of issues we face as taxpayers. There is a growing elderly population that has to be concerned about access to health care in a rural community.

Lifelines Age: 47 Birthplace: Salisbury Current residence: East Herkimer Education: Bachelor of Science in nursing, SUNY Institute of Technology, Utica; master’s degree (nurse practitioner), Stony Brook University; doctoral degree nursing practice with an emphasis in clinical outcomes, Chatham University, Pittsburgh, Pa. 2009 Family: Two sons, Christian, 27, and Shawn, 24; a sister, Candy Salvati, nurse, Mohawk Valley Health System Hobbies: Spending time with family, friends, hiking

Women’s HEALTH Between You and Me

The art of flirting

By Barbara Pierce

Charming your way to love

B

ob was a guy I dated for a few months — kind of a ho-hum relationship, but an OK guy.

So I put him on hold in case I should need him sometime — you know how that goes. He called me fairly often to see if I’d go out with him; I kept putting him off.

Then I had lunch with Karen, our office receptionist. She was excited about the big weekend away she was planning.

“Who are you going with?” I asked.

“Bob,” she responded.

“Bob?” I questioned. “Who’s Bob? I’ve never heard you talk Pierce about him before.”

“Bob. You know the one who keeps calling you.

I’ve started dating him,” she said.

Oh my gosh! I was stunned!

Stunned because Karen was such a mouse: bland and unattractive — four or five on a scale of 10.

Bob was spending the weekend with this mediocre woman? I couldn’t believe it!

Then I looked at her from a different perspective. She was a flirt — a big flirt, superb at it. Bob had talked to her on the phone many times; she captivated him with her voice and her seductive manner. Yes. It did make sense.

Flirting and doing it well are more important than good looks, say those who know.

Psychologist Monica Moore states online that “it’s not the most

ONEIDA, HERKIMER in good

A touch away

• Touching is a definite must.

While men need to play it cool when it comes to this one, if women lay it on thick, it will really reel in the dates. There are three levels of touching: friendly (i.e. shoulder push or tap), plausible deniability (i.e. touching around the shoulder or waist, or on the forearm), and “nuclear,” which is the face touch. When you can, without being creepy, go nuclear.

• How you talk is a huge indicator. Listening to Karen on the phone, I could see how Bob was pulled in.

Oh yeah! She had a low, sexy voice, spoke slowly — kind of breathy — and she really knew how to work it.

You’ll get better with practice.

AND

Health MV’s Healthcare Newspaper

physically appealing people who get approached, but the ones who signal their availability and confidence through basic flirting techniques like eye contact and smiles.”

Here are some suggestions from the experts on how to flirt: • Smiling is a big part of flirting.

It’s an extremely valuable tool — it’s the most emotionally positive symbol of any body language.

Learn to smile with your eyes; light up your whole face for a genuine smile. Practice in your mirror; you’ll get better with practice.

• Once you get that whole smiling thing down, go for eye contact.

Look people in the eye when you speak to them. Not only is it a major signal that you’re interested, but eye contact can go as far as making someone even more attracted to you than they would have been.

Studies show making eye contact with someone will intensify your feelings for that person.

MADISON

COUNTIES

A monthly newspaper published

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

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2016 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: Eric J. Stevens Office Manager: Michelle Kingsley 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.

• How you hold your head is important. Scientists have found that you’re most alluring when you angle your head forward, so you’re forced to look ever so slightly upward. This creates a more feminine look. Men, in order to look more masculine and more attractive to women, should tilt their head back and look a bit down their nose.

• Showing confidence is a draw.

Fake it if you must. There is a difference between appearing confident and acting arrogant. Learn to recognize this distinction and don’t overstep when it comes to alluring those

around you.

• Being direct scores high on the success scale. Men want women who are direct; wishy-washy and weak are not good qualities.

• 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.

Present Tense Psychiatry

Dr. Brady, DNP, NPP-BC Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

315-853-2125

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS Individuals • Couples • Families • Children ages 5+

Medication Management, Psychotherapy/Counseling

Treatment of all psychiatric disorders such as Anxiety, Depression, ADHD, Bipolar, Sleep disorders & Behavioral issues 2 Fountain Street, Suite 105, Clinton, NY 13323 (315) 853-2125 phone/fax www.PresentTensePsychiatry.com July 2016 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 5

Distinctive Maternity Care.

At Crouse.

A

s the region’s premier provider of maternity care, Crouse is proud to be designated as one of the first hospitals in the nation to receive Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s Blue Distinction Center+ for Maternity Care designation.

We thank our entire Kienzle Family Maternity Center team for this special recognition. We’re proud of the highly trained, experienced clinical staff and physicians who care for our mothers and their newborns — over 4,000 last year alone.

See why more babies are born here than at any other hospital in Central New York.

Visit crouse.org/babies

CROUSE

Kienzle Family Maternity Center

Blue Distinction Centers (BDC) met overall quality measures for patient safety and outcomes, developed with input from the medical community. A Local Blue Plan may require additional criteria for facilities located in its own service area; for details, contact your Local Blue Plan. Blue Distinction Centers+ (BDC+) also met cost measures that address consumers’ need for affordable healthcare. Each facility’s cost of care is evaluated using data from its Local Blue Plan. Facilities in CA, ID, NY, PA, and WA may lie in two Local Blue Plans’ areas, resulting in two evaluations for cost of care; and their own Local Blue Plans decide whether one or both cost of care evaluation(s) must meet BDC+ national criteria. National criteria for BDC and BDC+ are displayed on www.bcbs.com. Individual outcomes may vary. For details on a provider’s in-network status or your own policy’s coverage, contact your Local Blue Plan and ask your provider before making an appointment. Neither Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association nor any Blue Plans are responsible for non-covered charges or other losses or damages resulting from Blue Distinction or other provider finder information or care received from Blue Distinction or other providers.

Women’s HEALTH Sink or Swim?

Could your relationship be headed for a breakup?

By Barbara Pierce

S

ometimes the signs that your marriage or relationship is on the rocks are surprising and sneaky.

“Do things feel not quite right, but you can’t quite put your finger on it?” asks Dr. Deanna Brady, board-certified psychiatric and family nurse practitioner and owner of Present Tense Psychiatry in Clinton.

Brady provides counseling to couples.

“Come to counseling as soon as you begin to sense there’s a problem,” she urges. With few exceptions, it’s wise to seek professional guidance to help save your relationship.

“Of all the couples who get divorced, less than 5 percent seek counseling,” Brady said. For the best chance at success, couples should seek therapy as soon as possible. If you wait until your problems are too far advanced, one person may have already given up, and saving the relationship at that point can be difficult.

“Marriage is supposed to be easy — as it is on TV,” added Brady. “But marriage or living together is definitely not easy.”

“We all have our ups and downs.

Now you’re sharing someone else’s ups and downs in addition to your own,” she said. “The easy thing is to give up.”

Signs your relationship could be falling apart: • “Communication breakdown is usually an issue when a relationship ends,” said Brady. “Communication is the key to good relationships.”

For example, people often hear things that are not said, Brady said.

We misinterpret and make assumptions. We don’t listen to each other.

Then we react based on our assumptions or misinterpretations.

We think that good communication means expressing ourselves clearly and getting our point across.

Page 6

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But an equally important part of communication is listening, stressed Brady, and making sure you hear and understand just what the other said.

Your communication doesn’t have to be meaningful day in and day out. But it’s troubling if you never talk with your spouse about anything except the weather or what to watch on TV. If you keep the important stuff inside, it creates distance and disconnection in your relationship. That can make you feel less affection and fondness for your partner.

If you’re spending less time together, this is a sign things are not going well. You don’t have to be attached at the hip 24/7; having time and activities separate from each other is healthy. But, most of the time, you should want to spend time with one another and enjoy being with each other more than anyone else.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2016

Creating time to be together and doing things that are fun is critical for a lasting, successful relationship.

No time for kidding

• You disagree about whether to have kids. You likely discussed the topic of having children before you got serious, but feelings on this can change. Persuading the other person isn’t the answer. Parenting is hard enough when both people are on board; being talked into it only creates resentment.

• You’re no longer intimate. You don’t have to be all over one another like honeymooners. The chemistry we feel for each other ebbs and flows for many reasons. Everyone goes through periods where they feel a lack of desire for their partner.

But if you’re no longer intimate and this is consistent, you have to ask yourself why. It can be a big problem

if one of you wants sex and the other doesn’t.

• You lack respect for one another. It starts with an innocent complaint, like: “You didn’t do the dishes.” Then it morphs to more general criticism: “You never help around the house.” Then it evolves into judgment: “You’re a selfish, lazy slob.”

This doesn’t happen overnight, but gradually chips away at the foundation of your relationship. If you put one another down or constantly criticize one another, you may not be a good match.

If you don’t respect the person, you’ll have a hard time liking him or her, let alone loving him or her.

• Your partner is a serial cheater.

Some couples can recover and move on from a stray; it can even make their relationship more united after one partner cheated. Couples can survive an isolated affair. However, a serial cheater who has multiple affairs likely has a problem you can’t fix.

“Counseling is so important,” said Brady. “Even without problems, people should seek counseling.”

In couples counseling, Brady helps couples work through tough issues with support and gives them tools to improve their relationship, especially helping to improve communication skills.

“Come as an individual if your partner won’t come,” she urges.

“Improve your relationship; work on your own issues.”

Counseling is hard work and there are no guarantees. But you are wise to invest the time to find out if your relationship can be improved.

At Present Tense Psychiatry, Brady offers individual and couples counseling, psychotherapy, brief and long term, as well as medication management. For more information, see her website www.presenttensepsychiatry.com or call (315) 853-2125.

Women’s HEALTH

Treating transgender patients

The Gender Wellness Center is revolutionizing health care landscape

By Aaron Gifford

C

arolyn Wolf-Gould found a way to combine her two passions — medicine and social justice.

So when the physician expanded her family practice in Oneonta to include a special emphasis on treating transgender patients, she immediately realized that the need for these services was both overwhelming and long overdue. Within a few months, she was seeing dozens of patients of all ages who traveled to the rural college town located in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains from all parts of Upstate New York and even neighboring states.

“Our practice is completely thriving,” she said.

The Gender Wellness Center inside the Susquehanna Family Practice officially opened last year, though Wolf-Gould has been treating transgender patients for nearly nine years now. Since June 2015, the center’s patient load increased from 180 patients to 350 patients, and some travel from Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and the New York City area.

Transgender is defined as the mismatch between a person’s assigned sex at birth and their gender identity. Someone who is transgender is not necessarily homosexual, and the classification of transgender is not restricted only to those who are taking steps toward a sex change.

Wolf-Gould had been in practice as a family physician for decades before she carved out her niche. The genesis came in 2007 after a patient — formerly female — had just moved to the area to work at one of the colleges and requested a prescription for testosterone. Wolf-Gould had little knowledge of transgender care, but was persuaded to help.

“He was so persistent,” she said.

“He otherwise had to go to Philadelphia for testosterone. He asked me, ‘Would you be willing to learn?’”

Wolf-Gould, who had worked in the Congo as a Peace Corps volunteer, sponsored a school in Mali and set up a free clinic in Oneonta, was more than willing to learn. She soon learned that many providers across the state declined to provide transgender care to patients because it was out of their comfort zone.

“People have been turned away from doctors, even for treatment for a broken leg,” Wolf-Gould said.

“They were treated like curiosities or

mocked. That’s what happened with African-Americans a number of years ago.”

“I think patients, in general, are lovely people,” she added. “People come to me because they feel they aren’t living authentically.”

The National Center for Transgender Equality conducted a national study that found nearly 20 percent of those surveyed were refused medical care because of their transgender status, and 50 percent indicated that they had to teach their physicians about transgender care. Twenty-eight percent responded that they had postponed medical care due to discrimination issues.

The study, which consisted of interviews from 6,450 transgender or gender non-conforming participants across the country, reported that 41 percent of the respondents had previously attempted suicide, and a significant number of them were fired from a job, bullied in school, had low household incomes, or were the victims of assault.

In addition, 53 percent of the respondents reported being verbally harassed or disrespected in public places like retail stores, hotels, restaurants, bus terminals, public offices, courtrooms, hospital emergency rooms and medical offices.

Wolf-Gould said medical providers who care for transgender patients often face distrust and suspicion from their peers.

“Many doctors think that gender dysphoria is a mental illness or a perversion, and treat these patients with hostility or contempt,” she said.

“Transgender patients face terrible discrimination in health care settings because of this. The doctors who treat these patients are often treated in similar ways by their peers — considered quacks, or to be practicing on the fringes. This is mostly because of lack of education about this gender variance.”

Part of the team at The Gender Wellness Center in Oneonta are, from left, physicians Diane Georgeson and Carolyn Wolf-Gould (the practice’s founder) and Tania Villa, a registered physician assistant. The one-of-a-kind center opened last year and has seen a surge in number of patients, some coming from Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. practitioner), Justine Wollner Wise (licensed master social worker), and Susan C. Turell (psychologist).

According to its website, the Gender Wellness Center offers primary care and gynecologic care for nonconforming youth and adults; crosssex hormone therapy; evaluation of gender nonconforming youth and treatment with pubertal blockers and cross-sex hormones when indicated; referrals for gender confirmation surgeries locally, nationally and internationally; referrals to voice therapists and support groups; preoperative and postoperative care for gender confirming surgeries; and training and mentoring for health care providers with an interest in transgender health.

Wolf-Gould said this is the only multi-disciplinary group in Upstate New York that also offers onsite mental health services to transgender patients, and the network has surgeons who have been trained in transgender care.

“I think it’s unusual in New York state,” she said. “We offer a good mix.”

An Internet search for transgender medical services in Upstate New York indicates there are many physicians who are identified as transgender friendly and offer services such as hormone prescriptions and therapy, but there were no other listings of entire practices specifically for transgender patients.

Patient Rebecca Drebert, of Binghamton, made her first trip to the center last year after learning about the practice at a transgender conference in Boston. An Episcopal priest, Drebert was always transgender and legally changed her identity from David Drebert to Rebecca Drebert

“It’s a beautiful process to watch them be able to live more authentically.”

Unusual center in Upstate

The Susquehanna Family Practice and the Gender Wellness Center, which is affiliated with Bassett Healthcare Network, is also staffed

by Wolf-Gould’s husband, physician Chris Wolf-Gould; physician Diane Georgeson, Michelle Kutalek (nurse

July 2016 •

several months ago.

She is undergoing hormone therapy but is undecided if she will eventually get a sex change operation. When Drebert was forced to leave her former position at an Episcopal Church, Wolf-Gould immediately made the trip from Oneonta to Binghamton to support Drebert in her time of need and offered to discuss the matter with congregation members who forced Drebert out of the church.

“That’s the kind of person she is,” Drebert said. “She is so very caring about everyone and wants to get the message out that transgender is not all we are. I know physicians, lawyers, mechanics and priests who are transgender. This is an important part of our lives and it’s who we are, but it’s not all we are.”

There is no board standard for transgender care specialists, but a new certification program was established last year for medical professionals with no previous experience in this field. Transgender care is not usually a required part of medical school curriculum, Wolf-Gould says, but gay, lesbian and transgender advocacy groups are pressuring for change.

“Medical school doesn’t touch on this right now, but I think that’s going to change,” she said. “I think transgender [care] has become a visible issue in the last couple years.”

Wolf-Gould added there is a strong demand to extend her practice well beyond the Oneonta area.

She envisions an “Upstate Center for Transgender Excellence” someday, and believes that in the short-term, she and her staff can offer services to patients who live far away via telemedicine technology.

“I love the mix of medicine and social justice,” she said. “It’s a beautiful process to watch them be able to live more authentically.”

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 7

Health Careers

Nurse practitioner

Kelsey Olmstead began her career as a nurse practitioner at Bassett Healthcare in Herkimer recently and is fortunate to pursue her practice in her hometown. At 27 years old, she has already had years of experience in nursing. She recently spoke with In Good Health senior writer Patricia J. Malin about her career.

Q.: Why did you decide to get into nursing?

A.: It was always my intention to be a nurse practitioner. When I was in high school, my grandfather had cancer and my aunt was a nurse practitioner. She was very helpful to my family. She explained a lot of things to us, and it made a world of difference.

She would go to the doctor’s office with us and help us make informed decisions.

When you do have an illness, it can be so overwhelmOlmstead ing. Thank God, she helped us. That’s when I knew I wanted to make a difference. My grandfather is still with us and is into his 80s. When I graduated from high school, I wanted to do pharmacy at first, but then I decided I wanted something more hands-on.

Q.: You have worked as a nurse practitioner less than a year, but you already have a wealth of experience in medicine. How did you manage to do that?

A.: I’m applying knowledge now that I obtained through 750 clinical hours during my master’s program, along with three years of nursing experience in a variety of fields. I started out in dialysis because it’s some-

SNAP

thing I was interested in (in nursing) school and I put in an application to the Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Regional Dialysis Center program when I graduated in 2011. I worked closely with a three-person team to complete dialysis treatment on a total of 12 clients per shift. I was also a relief charge nurse when needed.

I managed a 36-chair unit with eight to nine staff members, troubleshooting and problem solving. But I didn’t want my experience to only be in dialysis, so then I applied to Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center and began working with children at Pinefield School, but I later went back to dialysis.

Q.: Why did you decide to practice at Bassett?

A.: I did my clinicals at Bassett and learned a lot from them. I liked Bassett’s reputation. Ilion is my hometown and I wanted to stay in the area because of my two children.

Q.: Did you ever consider becoming a doctor?

A.: I like where I am now. It’s very hands-on. I still collaborate with physicians, but our training is very different. We’re held to the same standards and guidelines as doctors.

But doctors are more science-based, whereas we are more of a nursing model and take a more holistic approach.

Q.: What are your duties?

A.: I’m in family care, in a well-established internal medicine office caring for individuals with acute

Helps Put Healthy Food Within Reach!

illnesses, along with treating and managing chronic diseases. We are in primary care, but trying to focus on prevention and screening for disease.

We are prioritizing things like mammograms. We still approach things the same way as doctors. We need to keep an open mind.

Q.: The trend in modern health care is to focus on preventive care.

How did this trend get started and what is your reaction to it?

A.: The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare direct a lot of what we do.

We’re trying to be proactive these days. You see a lot of commercials on TV for mammograms and colonoscopies and that gives the consumers

more knowledge than they ever had before. It’s a nationwide initiative to make these tests more visible. Even in Oneida County, you have a similar program of cancer prevention that can help people who are uninsured or underinsured get tested. We’ve been asked to promote these programs.

Q.: What do you feel are the biggest health concerns locally and in Herkimer County?

A.: High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity.

Q.: What advice do you have for nursing students and future doctors?

A.: Don’t be afraid to ask what you don’t know.

Lifelines Age: 27 Hometown: Ilion Education: General studies, Herkimer County Community College, Herkimer, 2007-2008; general studies, St. John Fisher College, Rochester, 2008-2009; associate degree, St. Elizabeth College of Nursing, Utica, 2009; Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Utica, 2015 Affiliations: Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Family: Married; daughter, 2; son, 7 Hobbies: Anything outdoors

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2016

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Women’s HEALTH

Crystal Clear

Crystal Bollinger escapes the grip of homelessness

By Patricia J. Malin

F

irst, her family deserted her.

Then her school turned its back.

And lastly, Oneida County’s social services network failed to provide its safety net as it was designed to do.

In 2005, 17-year-old Crystal Bollinger found herself homeless, literally “living under a bridge,” in Utica.

She was one of an estimated 100 homeless and “invisible” youth who roam the streets throughout the Mohawk Valley.

They have lost touch with family and friends and fallen through the cracks of the social services, healthcare, law enforcement and educational systems.

Yet they might be Bollinger hiding in plain sight.

“If you can find an abandoned building someplace, you think you’re in heaven,” she said of her days as a homeless person.

Bollinger, now 27, recently participated in a seminar and panel discussion by the Mohawk Valley Runaway & Homeless Youth Task Force at Mohawk Valley Community College that shed light on the plight of troubled and homeless teens, hounded by the demons of suicidal thoughts, abuse and drugs (or sometimes targeted because of their homosexuality).

Bollinger was able to overcome her past and is now reaching out to young people. She works as a client advocate at Care Net Pregnancy Center in Herkimer and volunteers at the Rescue Mission in Utica.

Born in Germany, she called herself “an Army brat.” Her family then relocated to Cortland. She came to Utica in 2000 and said she considers it her hometown.

Her path to homelessness didn‘t

happen overnight.

“There were a lot of mental health issues going on at home, unhealthy relationships in the family,” she recalled without going into detail. “But we never talked about it. I thought I was a typical normal teenager.”

She discussed her troubled home life with counselors and teachers at Utica’s Proctor High School, but felt she didn’t get a lot of support.

“I just slipped under the rug,” she said. “I was good at keeping face. I had good grades in school and stayed out of trouble.”

However, midway through her junior year, her frustration came to a boiling point. On the night of her 17th birthday in 2005, she suddenly bolted.

She stayed at a friend’s home briefly, then moved on to another temporary place and another. “I would crash on a couch for awhile.”

She said she told her school’s guidance counselor about leaving home but, “I never heard back.”

Her constant wanderings provided an escape from turmoil at home.

“I got tired of people taking me back home,” she said when explaining why she decided to remain on the

streets. “I went home for three weeks, but then left again. I was back and forth for a year.”

Bollinger managed to rent an apartment and briefly held a series of jobs, but the bills soon outweighed her need for security.

The face of depression

She became adept at hiding her depression. “I went to the mental health department and a doctor sent me to the emergency room, but I was really scared to be there, so they let me go,” she said.

Her depression spiraled out of control. She became suicidal. “I tried to kill myself. I cut my wrists … I would overdose. I tried to hang myself,” she said.

Occasionally, the local police would find her, but no one provided the long-term assistance she craved.

What saved her was a desire to live. “I would call people to come and help me,” she said, “or sometimes people would find me (on the streets) and get me an apartment.

“I did work on and off, but the bill collectors caught up to me again and were harassing me. It was a vicious cycle,” During 2010, she made multiple trips to the emergency rooms at St.

July 2016 •

Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica and Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare’s St. Luke’s campus in New Hartford.

She was admitted to the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center, but was allowed the freedom to come and go.

She preferred living on the streets.

“Finally, I did get help in the hospital from a lady who attended my church, (Redeemer on Herkimer Road, Utica),” Bollinger said. “She runs a program called Mercy Multiplied. She told me if she took me in, I would have to stay in the program and follow the rules. It was a major turnaround for me.”

Mercy Multiplied is a nonprofit Christian program based in Nashville, Tenn., designed especially for young women aged 13-28 “dealing with life-controlling issues,” including drug abuse, depression, unplanned pregnancies and sexual abuse, according to its web page.

It offers treatment, counseling and group housing at one of four campuses, an education, including Bible study, and job and life skills training free of charge to its applicants.

Bollinger was sent to Louisiana.

“I got individual and group counseling for six months,” she said. “And it was 100 percent free.”

Back in Utica in 2013, she completed her education at Proctor High School. She later enrolled at Mohawk Valley Community College, where she received an associate’s degree in social science.

She obtained her bachelor’s degree in social science from Keuka College Accelerated Studies for Adults Program and got a good job in her field.

Today, there’s a wide network of local service providers in place in the Mohawk Valley to prevent young people remaining homeless, but the problem persists.

“You’d be surprised to find out who’s sleeping on their friends’ couches,” Bollinger said. “It’s more prevalent than people believe.”

Still, one serious gap remains: the lack of local emergency shelters specifically for young people.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 9

Diet & Fitness SmartBites

The skinny on healthy eating

Hot dogs: the good, the bad and the healthy

Let’s be frank: When it comes to healthy foods, hot dogs rarely top anyone’s list. They’re processed; they can be high in fat, calories and salt; they’re sometimes made from ingredients we don’t even want to think about; and they’ve recently been linked to cancer.

Nonetheless, we Americans love our hot dogs. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, more than 7 billion will be eaten between Memorial Day and Labor Day, with 155 million downed during the biggest hot-dog holiday of the year: July 4th weekend. Whoa, doggies.

No wonder July is National Hot Dog Month.

Taste aside — and, oh, they can be so delicious! — there must be something else good about them, right? Indeed, hot dogs are a convenient, economical source of protein, supplying on average about 7 grams per link. What’s more, the hot dog itself is not all that caloric, averaging around 150 calories per link, with lower-fat versions boasting a mere 50. (As a comparison, a typical hamburger patty has about 230 calories.)

On the other hand, hot dogs are dogged — and rightly so — by several things that do not make them

man’s best friend. To begin, they’re processed; and diets high in processed meats have been linked with cancer, especially colorectal cancer.

Also, they’re no slouch in the salt department, with some dogs running over 700 mg per link. Consuming high amounts of sodium contributes to high blood pressure, which can then lead to stroke, heart disease and heart failure. Lastly, many hot dogs teem with fat, including the dreaded saturated fat. Too much fat never does a body good.

So, what’s a hot-dog lover to do?

Can we teach an old hot dog new tricks? Yes! Thanks to the responsiveness of hot-dog makers to our demands for healthier products, we now have all kinds of healthier hot dogs — from lower-fat turkey and chicken hot dogs to lower-sodium beef hot dogs to uncured hot dogs preserved with celery salt (versus artificial sodium nitrite). The selection at major grocery stores is doggone good.

more fat, calories and salt. Choose varieties that say 100 percent beef, 100 percent chicken, etc. to avoid byproducts. Consider vegetarian versions. Pair with a whole grain bun or pita and add fresh toppings. Most importantly: Eat hot dogs in moderation, as they are processed, and, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research, “eating hot dogs every single day is an unhealthy choice.”

Mediterranean Hot Dogs with Pesto and Chopped Tomatoes 4 grilled hot dogs ½ cup prepared pesto 1 – 2 teaspoons reduced-fat mayo 1 large tomato, chopped ½ cup sliced Kalamata olives

Healthy tips

Read labels carefully. Opt for healthier “uncured” hot dogs over conventional, highly processed ones, which typically contain low-quality meats, oodles of preservatives and

1 small onion, chopped (optional) crumbled feta cheese 4 whole-wheat buns In small bowl, blend pesto with mayo. Arrange buns on plates.

Spread each with pesto mixture, then top with grilled hot dog. Sprinkle dogs with chopped tomatoes, olives, onions (if using) and cheese.

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.

Consider these sun safety tips for babies

KIDS Corner A

Teen smoking down, but e-cigarette use up

I

t may seem like eye-rolling teens never listen, but a new U.S. government report finds many kids are getting some health messages loud and clear.

Smoking among high school students is at an all-time low. Slightly more than one in 10 high schoolers used cigarettes in 2015. That's down from more than one in four in 1991, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in June.

However, use of e-cigarettes is up.

The survey — called the National Youth Risk and Behavior Survey — included more than 15,000 high school students.

A number of factors have conPage 10

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tributed to the decline in smoking, according to Patricia Folan, director of the Center for Tobacco Control at Northwell Health, in Great Neck, N.Y. They include "environmental tobacco bans, increased taxes on cigarettes, anti-tobacco media campaigns, as well as the removal of point-ofsale tobacco advertising from stores," she said.

But some teens are replacing traditional cigarettes with electronic ones. Almost one-quarter of high school students said they'd used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. And 45 percent said they'd tried an e-cigarette at least once in their life, the report found.

dults know they should cover up with hats, sunglasses and sunscreen when they’re in the sun. But babies’ skin is thinner and more delicate. What are the guidelines for them?

UCLA Health pediatrician Jay Joo says the best protection is to avoid direct sun exposure, especially during the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If that’s not possible, follow these tips: • Cover up the baby’s skin with a wide-brimmed hat and long sleeves and pants. Make sure the clothing is made of lightweight materials.

• If the baby will tolerate wearing sunglasses, you can try that too.

• For babies up to 6 months, it is OK to apply a small amount of sunscreen to exposed parts of the skin such as the hands. Do a test-patch first to make sure the sunscreen doesn’t irritate their skin.

• For babies aged 6 to 12 months — and for older children as well — apply a liberal amount sunscreen on all exposed skin. Be sure to apply at least 15 minutes before heading out-

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2016

side. Reapply every two hours and after they swim or sweat.

• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30.

• If the baby does get too much sun, soothe their inflammation by applying a cool compress or a calamine or aloe-based lotion.

Blood Pressure The Balanced Body

By Deb Dittner

Under Pressure Come through in high blood pressure situations

M

ost people don’t think about blood pressure unless they are sitting in the doctor’s office with a cuff around an arm.

Hypertension (high blood pressure of 140+/90+) rarely presents with symptoms. Approximately a third of those with the problem don’t even know they have it.

If this condition is left untreated, a variety of conditions may occur such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and blindness. Genetics and obesity can contribute to high blood pressure, which is why I recommend having blood pressure checked on a regular basis especially as we age.

So what is the best way to treat Dittner blood pressure?

Prevention consisting of simple lifestyle changes is best. Adopting a holistic program of eating clean and healthy, staying active and reducing stress will keep a healthy blood pressure level less than 120/80.

If your blood pressure is greater than this number, the pressure of your blood flow may be exerting excessive force on your arterial walls, injuring vital passageways and ultimately causing harm to your organs. To obtain an accurate calculation, take readings on two to three separate occasions as blood pressure can vary depending on circumstance such as mood, eating patterns and body position.

Eating clean consists of eating whole, nutrient-dense foods. I like to say “eat foods with just one single ingredient,” for example vegetables such as broccoli, beets, mushrooms, garlic and celery; fruit such as watermelon, apricots, pink grape-

fruit, papaya and tomatoes); high-fiber whole grains such as oatmeal, oat bran and barley; proteins such as legumes or vegetable protein, lentils, miso, tempeh, walnuts; and healthy fats like wild caught salmon, extra virgin olive oil, avocado, and sardines.

Many associate high blood pressures with salt intake. Sadly, most Americans ingest too much salt on a daily basis as more processed foods are consumed. Aim for approximately 1,500 mg of sodium or less daily, and do not exceed 2,300 mg, which equals about 1 teaspoon of table salt.

Food packaging may contain hidden sources of salt in ingredients such as mono-sodium glutamate (MSG or glutamate) and baking soda.

Canned soups and frozen meals are some of the biggest culprits in containing excessive sodium.

Physical movement consists of a minimum of 30 minutes most days of the week of cardiovascular exercise.

Get that body moving!

A consistent amount of routine workouts may lower blood pressure, keeping the vessels from becoming rigid, and may help in weight loss, which is another risk factor for elevated blood pressure.

A weight loss of approximately 5 to 10 pounds has been shown to lower blood pressure. High-intensity interval training consisting of shorter spurts of increased activity can be extremely effective.

Regular strength training approximately twice a week has also been shown to prevent and even treat high blood pressure. No weights or gym membership? No problem.

You can use cans of soup, small 12-ounce water bottles and increase to 20 ounces as tolerated.

Tree pose is a simple asana you can incorporate into your daily routine. Stand in this pose for 2 minutes on each side and watch your balance improve as well.

Reducing stress with mind-body disciplines such as yoga, tai chi, reading a book, listening to music, knitting, and meditation can help in decreasing blood pressure.

Everyday stress stimulates your nervous system to elevate levels of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which narrow blood vessels.

Over time, this can increase the risk of developing high blood pressure.

Keeping a journal can also help track your daily stressors such as financial concerns, relationship issues and workplace problems. Being aware of situations that upset and cause aggravation can prepare you for handling them better next time around.

Positive thoughts will help create more positive thoughts, which in turn decrease stress. Sudden bouts of anxiety and stress can be improved with simple deep breathing.

Inhale for the count of 5, hold for the count of 5 then exhale for the count of 5. It will relax your blood vessels, allowing you to cope with greater ease.

• 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.

CDC: Obesity rates rising among women

M

ore American women than ever are obese, while the number of men carrying around far too many pounds has held steady, new research shows.

And a second study finds U.S. teens are another group that continues to struggle with obesity.

“Obesity remains a public health concern,” said Cynthia Ogden, an epidemiologist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.

She worked on both reports.

“Our study didn’t look at why, we just looked at the trends to see what was happening,” she explained.

More research is needed to determine the reasons for the continuing obesity epidemic, she added.

The statistics are sobering.

Forty percent of American women and 35 percent of men were obese in 2013-2014, reflecting an increase among women but not among men, the report found.

Among children, 17 percent were obese in 2011-2014, while nearly 6

percent were extremely obese. The prevalence of obesity seesawed among young children, but increased slightly among teens, researchers found.

Physician David Katz is director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center, in Derby, Conn., and president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

“Given all the high-profile attention to the obesity epidemic in America, even by those in the White House, we might be surprised and

July 2016 •

appalled that, overall, obesity rates are rising, not falling, and that the best news in the mix is stabilization of alarmingly high rates in a few select groups,” he said.

But even as health experts fret about obesity and its consequences, American culture “ignores it, denies it or simply profits from it,” said Katz.

The reports were published June 7 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

Match Made in Health Care Oneida Healthcare, Bassett Healthcare Network form strategic partnership; viewed as beneficial to region

By Patricia J. Malin

F

or Vance M. Brown, said Bassett Healthcare Network president and CEO, the time is now to adapt to an ever-changing health care climate.

It was announced recently that Bassett and Oneida Healthcare will form a strategic partnership.

“This is not yet a formal affiliation, but rather a strategic partnership,” Brown said.

“After two to three years if both organizations agree, we would anticBrown ipate formalizing Oneida Healthcare as an affiliate of Bassett Healthcare Network.”

“The two- to three-year window is an acknowledgment of the changing health care environment and uncharted territory we’re entering,” he said. “It allows us to see if the collaboration is as beneficial as we believe it can be.”

If the initial relationship proves beneficial for both organizations, it would be both parties’ ambition to bring Oneida Healthcare into Bassett Healthcare Network as a full mem-

ber, Brown added.

The Bassett system includes Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, Little Falls Hospital, A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta, O’ Connor Hospital in Delhi, Tri-Town Regional Hospital in Sidney and Cobleskill Regional Hospital.

“These types of collaborations are vital in the current environment as we try to balance the need for volume in the traditional fee-forservice world with the transition to risk-based contracting where payment is contingent upon a number of factors,” Brown said.

These factors include quality of outcomes, and cost and coordination of care to populations across a broad geographic area, he noted.

Rebuilding the foundation

Brown said health care reform anticipates such partnerships will improve population health through the integrated delivery of high-quality, cost-effective health care, built upon a strong foundation of primary and preventive care.

Bassett began exploring opportunities two years ago to strengthen its position in the health care environment by partnering with a health system in the Oneida County market, Brown said.

“In that time, there have been numerous discussions with a variety of potential partners,” he said. “Our

This is an aerial view of Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. discussions with Oneida Healthcare began about 18 months ago. At that time, our conversations were mostly about each organization learning more about each other as we have neighboring service areas.”

Over the past year and a half, OHC worked through what it was looking for in a strategic partner.

“Oneida Healthcare values Bassett’s depth of experience in primary care delivery and early success in the arena of population health

management and accountable care, our excellent clinician recruitment resources, our willingness to share best practices and approaches, and the comprehensive nature of the Bassett Healthcare Network care continuum,” Brown said.

Benefits realized through the partnership include better access for the community to primary care, cost savings and sharing of best practices, he added.

Oneida Healthcare applauds new partnership Strategic bond brings facilities in line with whirlwind of changes occurring in health care industry

By Lou Sorendo

O

neida Healthcare and Bassett Healthcare Network are pursuing a partnership agreement aimed at enhancing the delivery of health care services in the Oneida region, with a strong emphasis on population health management and expanded access to primary care.

Changes in the health care landscape have made it difficult for small community healthcare providers to continue to operate Morreale independently, said Oneida Healthcare President and CEO Gene Morreale.

These changes include offering products on the New York Health Exchange, preparing for entry into Medicare population health management programs as well as participating with the Excellus BlueCross BlueShield accountable cost and quality of care program.

The goal of the ACQA is to make everyone in the health care delivery system — patients, health care providers and health insurance companies — responsible stewards Page 12

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of health care dollars, according to Excellus.

“As time passes, it would become more difficult for Oneida Healthcare to catch up on the many positives these programs bring to the communities we serve,” he noted.

Morreale said OHC’s board of trustees considered proposals from several surrounding healthcare networks prior to choosing Bassett, headquartered in Cooperstown.

Both organizations share a common vision of what is necessary to improve the delivery of health care services in the Oneida region, he said.

“With improvement in the quality of care as our vision, we will now initiate a process of determining how to collaborate to bring our vision to fruition,” Morreale said. “Our desire is to have a signed partnership in place by the fourth quarter of 2016.”

“We chose Bassett’s proposal because it was advantageous to our ongoing growth and development goals while allowing us to manage independently,” he said. “We believe they share a common vision for what is required to improve the delivery of health care services in Oneida and the surrounding communities we serve.”

Other factors that influenced OHC’s decision included Bassett’s depth of experience in primary

care delivery, success in population health management and accountable care, excellent clinician recruitment resources and its willingness to share best practices, he added.

Under the initial proposal, OHC will remain an independent organization governed by its current board and management team.

Three-pronged goal

“Our partnership with Bassett will facilitate more desirable outcomes in achieving the ‘triple aim’ of healthcare: improving the patient experience, improving population health and reducing the cost of healthcare in the Oneida region,” Morreale added.

Under the terms of the agreement, OHC would also be allowed to participate in the Bassett accountable care organization, Bassett Accountable Care Partners, LLC, a Medicare-shared savings arrangement; Bassett’s ACQA with Excellus, as well as participate in Bassett-branded insurance products offered through Excellus BCBS on the New York Health Exchange.

Health care consumers in the region will benefit from the partnership agreement, Morreale noted.

“Patients in our region will benefit from increased access to primary care and improved clinical outcomes through shared best practices,”

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2016

he said. “A key component of our pursued strategic partnership is to expand local quality care. Bassett will augment medical services already in place.”

He said a successful partnership hinges on both entities taking advantage of cost savings through the use and enhancement of services.

“Benchmarks include increased access to primary and specialty care, demonstrated success in improving clinical outcomes and cost reduction,” he said.

Earlier this year, Bassett opened a new primary care center in Oneida that provides preventive primary care as well as laboratory, X-ray and orthopedic services.

Since establishing its health center in Oneida, Bassett has been exploring opportunities to partner with a Central New York health care provider in support of its population health strategies.

OHC serves an area comprised of approximately 24 communities in Madison and western Oneida counties with a population of about 80,000.

Bassett Healthcare Network is an integrated health system that provides care and services to people living in a 5,600-square-mile region in Upstate New York.

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Zika a stinging reality Should you be concerned about dangerous virus?

By Barbara Pierce

Z

ika is a virus transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito.

It is transmitted by a specific species of mosquito, a species that is not found in this area of New York. A related species is active in the downstate region and could potentially carry Zika.

The virus is widespread in Central America, South America, the Caribbean islands and Mexico. No one has contracted the virus from a mosquito in the United States. The only cases in the U.S. are people who got the virus while traveling to affected areas, or through sexual transmission from someone who had traveled there.

The disease caused by the Zika virus is usually mild; only about one in five people even have any symptoms.

Most people fully recover without complications.

Severe illness or deaths from Zika are extremely rare, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But what’s scary about it is the virus is dangerous for unborn babies.

It can cause microcephaly, a serious birth defect causing the baby to have an abnormally small head as a result of the virus targeting brain cells.

As a result, the child will have problems with learning and development, and usually will have severe developmental delays.

Pregnancy factor

What if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant? Are you at risk?

“The only risk to pregnant women in this area is to those who travel to a country with the virus,” advises a spokesperson at the New York State Department of Health Zika information line.

Any woman who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant should talk to her health care provider

before traveling to countries where Zika is prevalent.

Recently, the co-anchor of the “Today Show,” Savannah Guthrie, announced she won’t cover the Summer Olympics in Brazil as she is pregnant.

For a list of the countries where the virus is prevalent, call the DOH information line at 1-888-364-4723 or see its website at www.ocgov.net/ health/ZikaVirus.

Recently, an Oneida County resident was infected with the Zika virus while in South America. Oneida County Health Department officials said this case poses no threat to public health in the region.

What other concerns should you have if you are pregnant?

“The only other risk is for a pregnant woman to have sex with a man who has traveled to a country where the disease is prevalent,” added the DOH spokesperson.

The DOH and CDC recommend that, until more is known, males who have traveled to or live in an area where Zika is prevalent and are sexual partners of pregnant women, abstain from sex or consistently and correctly use latex condoms during each act of sex for the duration of the pregnancy.

There is no evidence to suggest that having the Zika virus poses a risk of birth defects in future pregnancies. Zika won’t cause birth defects in a fetus conceived after the virus has left the bloodstream.

In New York state, Zika testing is offered to any pregnant woman who traveled to an area with active Zika at any point during or immediately before pregnancy.

Symptoms of the Zika virus are similar to the flu: acute onset of fever, joint pain, skin rash (red with small bumps) and conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Many do not experience any symptoms at all.

Other symptoms may include

headache, muscle pain, pain behind the eyes and vomiting. Symptoms last up to a week.

There is no medication available to treat Zika virus infections. However, getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids to prevent dehydration, and taking medicines, such as acetaminophen, to relieve fever and pain are ways to manage symptoms.

Right now, there is no vaccine or medication to prevent Zika.

Earlier this year, Gov. Andrew

Cuomo announced a comprehensive action plan to combat potential transmission of the Zika virus in communities across New York state.

The governor’s plan includes enhanced trapping and testing of mosquitoes, providing Zika protection kits to pregnant women, assembling a rapid response team in the event of confirmed infection by a local mosquito, and launching a statewide public awareness campaign.

..Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions..

Save the date and enroll today!

The Chronic Disease Self-Management class is an evidence

based, 6 weeks program offered by Herkimer County HealthNet.

This program helps adults of all ages living with a chronic disease and also individuals caring for someone with a chronic disease. Chronic disease conditions include diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, chronic lung disease, asthma, fibromyalgia and other long term health conditions.

Classes will start on Monday, July 11th and continue to meet every Monday for six weeks from 2:30-5pm at the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce, 420 E. German St. Herkimer.

Don’t delay, contact Elyse Enea today at 315-867-1552 or email eenea@herkimercounty.org.

July 2016 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 13

The Social Ask Security Office

Orthopedic needs for children are different.

Margaret Albanese, MD knows what to do.

From the Social Security District Office

Social Security’s programs diverse as those served

As the only physician in the Mohawk Valley Health System that is fellowship-trained in pediatric orthopedics, Dr. Margaret Albanese’s focus is on children and their common congenital conditions such as scoliosis and foot deformities, as well as fractures and sports injuries.

She loves hockey. Go Comets!

Dr. Albanese is one of the orthopedic team physicians for the Utica Comets. She completed a fellowship at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, PA, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery. She is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and has provided orthopedic care in our area since 1983.

MVHS Orthopedic Group 1903 Sunset Avenue Utica, NY 13502 315-624-8150

Together we make a difference.

Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare | St. Elizabeth Medical Center

www.mvhealthsystem.org/ortho

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rom women and children, to the elderly and disabled, Social Security has you covered.

Because we value and appreciate the differences that make up our nation, our programs are as diverse as those we serve. We’re with you throughout every stage of your life, and we’re always working to provide services that meet your changing needs.

Our programs serve as vital financial protection for millions of people. When you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn credits. These credits count toward retirement, disability and survivors benefits.

A program everyone should be familiar with is Social Security’s retirement program. Whether you’re a young adult paying Social Security taxes for the first time or a retiree receiving benefits, this is a program that will affect you during and after your working years. You can learn more about your earnings and potential benefits by visiting www. ssa.gov/retire/.

Social Security administers the

Q&A Q: I am receiving Social Security retirement benefits and I recently went back to work. Do I have to pay Social Security (FICA) taxes on my income?

A: Yes. By law, your employer must withhold FICA taxes from your paycheck. Although you are retired, you do receive credit for those new earnings. Each year Social Security automatically credits the new earnings and, if your new earnings are higher than in any earlier year used to calculate your current benefit, your monthly benefit could increase.

For more information, visit www. socialsecurity.gov or call us at 1-800772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Q: I want to estimate my retirement benefit at several different ages. Is there a way to do that?

A: Use our Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator to get an instant, personalized retirement benefit estimate based on current law and your earnings record. The Retirement Estimator, which also is available in Spanish, lets you create additional “what if” retirement scenarios based on different income levels and “stop work” ages.

Q: I am expecting a child and will be out of work for six months.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2016

largest disability program in the nation. A severe illness or injury robs a person of the ability to work and earn a living. Thankfully, Social Security disability benefits can provide a critical source of financial support during a time of need. For more on disability benefits, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

When a family loses a wage earner, it can be both emotionally and financially devastating. However, Social Security can help secure a family’s financial future if a loved one dies with survivor benefits. The best thing you can do for your family is prepare as much as possible: get started at www.socialsecurity.gov/ survivors.

Social Security’s programs are neutral regarding gender, age, race, and orientation — individuals with identical earnings histories and needs are treated the same in terms of benefits. We’re proud the diverse public we serve reflects the programs we offer. Visit www.socialsecurity. gov today to see how we can serve you and secure your today and tomorrow.

Can I qualify for short-term disability?

A: No. Social Security pays only for total disability — conditions that render you unable to work and are expected to last for at least a year or end in death. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability, including benefits while on maternity leave.

Q: I get Social Security because of a disability. How often will my case be reviewed to determine if I’m still eligible?

A: How often we review your medical condition depends on how severe it is and the likelihood it will improve. Your award notice tells you when you can expect your first review using the following terminology: • Medical improvement expected — If your condition is expected to improve within a specific time, your first review will be six to 18 months after you started getting disability benefits.

• Medical improvement possible — If improvement in your medical condition is possible, your case will be reviewed about every three years.

• Medical improvement not expected — If your medical condition is unlikely to improve, your case will be reviewed about once every five to seven years.

For more information, visit www. socialsecurity.gov.

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

Healthcare in a Minute

By George W. Chapman

Medicare fraud

We are losing more than $60 billion annually to Medicare fraud.

While the Affordable Care Act has greatly expanded resources to prevent and detect fraud among providers, it is still difficult to completely stop it.

First, Medicare is huge. It is by far the largest healthcare insurer/ payer in the country. It receives more than 4.5 million claims daily and pays out over $1 billion to providers daily. Second, Medicare is more “open” (trusting) than commercial insurers. Once an applicant provider meets all the basic requirements, Medicare is obligated to begin processing the claims and paying.

Medicare does not physically confirm the existence of all new providers be they a home health agency, medical group, pharmacy or durable medical equipment supplier.

In addition to the cost, fraud makes it more difficult for Medicare to make policy or health decisions because a lot of the claims upon which decisions are made are fake/tainted, distorting claims data.

How much damage can just one doctor do? In 2012, Dallas physician Jacques Roy bilked Medicare for $375 million through a phony home care company. It is still the largest home care fraud case in the history of Medicare.

Most get caught because they get greedy. Roy “enlisted” more than 11,000 beneficiaries to receive home care through his phony company.

This number of enrollees was, by far, the most by a single physician in the country.

Fraud auditors were immediately suspicious as this came up on their radar. Roy is serving a life term in prison, but most of the $375 million he stole is gone.

Fee for service: phased out

It has long been argued that fee for service or volume payments to physicians and hospitals has produced the wrong incentives and the highest costs in the world.

In a FFS environment, there is no incentive to not provide unnecessary care or to focus on long-term outcomes or to coordinate care with other providers.

Experts believe the sooner FFS is gone, the better for all. Recently, 52 percent of the members of the New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst’s Insights Council agreed that FFS reimbursements must go and it stands in the way of providing value-based and outcome-oriented care.

The switch to value based reimbursement will not only change how physicians practice. Consumers will be increasingly expected to hold up their end of the bargain by eating healthy, exercising and following physician orders.

Primary care doctor salaries up

Although most specialists still earn more, compensation for primary

care physicians is improving.

According to a reliable and respected national survey of medical practices, primary care compensation has increased 18 percent over the past five years. Specialist compensation rose 11 percent over the same period.

This is good news because it should encourage more medical students to pick primary care and alleviate the predicted shortage of primary care providers. The transition from fee-for-service to value-based care shifts more responsibility, and therefore more money, toward primary care.

Family health premium

According to the Milliman Medical Index, health insurance for an average household of four, with an employer-sponsored plan, costs $25,826. This is more than three time the cost of $8,414 in 2001.

Employers still pay most of the premium (57 percent) but cost shifting to the employee is increasing. The average household is paying about $11,000 or about 43 percent of the total premium.

The “good” news is annual rates of cost increases have dropped from 10 percent years ago to 5 percent in recent years.

Exchange rates up 8 percent

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the average premium on the exchanges rose 8.3 percent, but there was tremendous disparity across the country.

July 2016 •

Rates went up almost 42 percent in Oklahoma, but fell 12 percent in Indiana. So, the RJW researchers concluded the national average is a fairly meaningless statistic and more attention should be paid to comparing the characteristics of markets with high rates of increases to those with lower rates of increases.

Despite the disparities among markets, many predicted the average rate of increase would be in the double digits. Insurers like United are pulling out of the exchanges as the enrollment of sicker and more expensive consumers creates “unsustainable” losses. Some states (Alaska, Alabama, Wyoming so far) will have only one insurer on their exchanges next year. Insurer losses would be mitigated or offset by the enrollment of younger and healthier consumers.

But the current penalty for not buying insurance is still far cheaper than buying premiums; so, younger and healthier people take their chances by foregoing insurance and paying the penalty.

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 names director of risk management David Briggs has been named director of risk management for the Mohawk Valley Health System.

The risk management department was recently combined with MVHS legal and compliance services.

Briggs has been an employee at St. Elizabeth Medical Center since 2005, most recently serving as director of operational system improvement for MVHS since 2014.

Prior to that, he was manager of Briggs quality for SEMC, and president/ executive officer of Quality Systems Integration, Inc. in Sauquoit.

Briggs attended Utica College and is a certified risk manager, internal quality auditor, IWA-1 trainer/ coach for the American Association for Quality, insurance counselor, and Educating All Students reviewer for the Empire State Advantage Program.

He is trained as a National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Organizations auditor and as a lead auditor for the International Organization for Standardization for ISO9001:2000 audits.

MVHS Medical Group names urgent care doc Richard L. O’Brien has joined the Mohawk Valley Health System Faxton Urgent Care and has privileges at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica.

Prior to joining the MVHS Medical Group, O’Brien was affiliated with the Easterly Primary Care Center at Nathan Littauer Hospital in Gloversville and was a medical consultant with Optimal Medical Healthcare and the Beacon Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, both in Utica.

O’Brien He serves as medical director of the Clinton Fire Department in Clinton and the Community Health Center in Johnstown.

O’Brien earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury and his Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Utica College of Syracuse University in Utica.

He also holds two associate degrees: in computer science from Cayuga County Community College in Auburn and in electronics technology from the Syracuse School of Technology in Syracuse.

He completed a residency in family medicine at Millcreek Community College Hospital in Erie, Page 16

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Pa., and a rotating internship at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and the St. Elizabeth Medical Center rotating program in Utica.

He is a member of the American Academy of Osteopathy, the New York State Academy of Family Physicians and the American Osteopathic Association. He is board-certified in family practice and osteopathic manipulation.

MVHS names VP, legal and compliance Traci Boris has been named vice president of legal and compliance for the Mohawk Valley Health System.

She has served as assistant vice president of legal and compliance at MVHS since 2014 and as both assistant general counsel and general counsel for St. Elizabeth Medical Center since joining the organization in 2008.

Boris earned her juris doctor cum laude from Albany Law School. She was a member of the Boris Albany Law Review and participated in the Domenick L. Gabrielli Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Competition.

She completed her Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in political science at SUNY Oneonta in Oneonta.

Boris will have overall responsibility for legal matters system wide, together with administrative responsibility for corporate compliance, privacy, risk management and internal audit. She will primarily be responsible for governance and corporate matters, financing activities and physician and health care entity contracting.

Caterer joins team at MVHS Brian Strilka has been named caterer at the Mohawk Valley Health System.

Prior to joining MVHS as a cook in 2015, Strilka was employed at local restaurants Primo Bistro and DeFazio’s and served as head chef and caterer for Papa Joe’s Italian Restaurant for two years.

With more than 13 years of experience, he has Strilka also catered parties and events at the Stanley Theatre in Utica.

Strilka attended the culinary arts program at SUNY Cobleskill.

Visit mvhealthnews.com

NBT Bank helps cultivate Root Farm NBT Bank recently donated $20,000 to support The Root Farm, an affiliate of Upstate Caring Partners, Inc. This is the first installment of the bank’s $50,000 commitment to help fund construction of a new indoor facility and stable for the organization’s therapeutic horseback riding program. Taking part in the celebration are, from left, Cerebral Palsy Association Executive Director Kathy Hartnett, NBT Bank Branch Manager Anthony Carlo, Root Farm Executive Director Jeremy Earl and NBT Bank Regional President John Buffa. The Root Farm is located on over 100 acres in Sauquoit. In addition to the therapeutic horseback riding program, the complex is home to the organization’s horticulture center and is a place for learning and growing for individuals of all abilities and their families. More information is available at www.rootfarm.org or by calling 315-520-7046.

MVHS holds ribboncutting ceremony The Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the newly renovated radiation oncology department and the addition of the new Varian Edge Linear Accelerator Suite at the Faxton Campus in Utica.

To better meet the needs of patients, the area was renovated and upgraded with new changing rooms, a private consultation room, new flooring, Adirondack photographs and the Varian Edge Linear Accelerator Suite.

The new linear accelerator allows the cancer center’s team to deliver radiation treatment to patients with even greater precision and minimal radiation to the surrounding tissues.

Its knife-like beam targets tumors of the breast, brain, spine, lung and other areas that are typically difficult to treat surgically. FSLH is one of 12 hospitals nationwide to have this technology.

“The new technology helps keep our patients here close to family and support. They don’t have to travel long distances to receive the care they need,” said Nancy Butcher, executive director of cancer services for the Mohawk Valley Health System.

“Even if a patient seeks a second opinion from a physician outside our

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2016

community, they can come home for treatment. That’s very important for our patients and their families.”

For more information on the Cancer Center, visit www.faxtonstlukes.com/cancer-center.

Pulmonary specialist joins SEMC, FSLH Nalini Namassivaya has joined the Pulmonary & Critical Care Associates, LLP practice in New Hartford, and has admitting privileges at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center.

Prior to joining Pulmonary & Critical Care Namassivaya Associates, LLP, she was affiliated with Buffalo Cardiology & Pulmonary Associates, PC in Williamsville.

Namassivaya earned her medical degree from Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College in Gulbarga Karnataka, India. She completed a rotating internship in medicine, surgery, pediatrics and rural medicine at St. Martha’s Hospital in Bangalore, India. Namassivaya earned her bachelor’s degree in biology, physics, math and chemistry from National College

Continued on Page 17

H ealth News Continued from Page 16 in Basavanagudi, Bangalore, India.

Namassivaya is board-certified in internal, pulmonary and critical care medicine. She is a member of the American College of Chest Physicians, American Thoracic Society, Society of Critical Care, and the Maine Thoracic Society and is a fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians.

New director at wound care center Melissa Ruddy has been named clinical director of Rome Memorial Hospital’s Regional Center for Wound Care.

Ruddy will manage the day-today operations of the center, which provides advanced wound care services. In addition, she will provide community outreach to develop better understanding of wound care services available at the center, located at 267 Hill Road in Rome.

A graduate of the St. Elizabeth’s College of Nursing, Ruddy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Utica Ruddy College and her Master of Science degree in health services administration from the SUNY Institute of Technology, Marcy.

In her over 16 years in the health care field, Ruddy has served in many capacities. Prior to coming to the Regional Center for Wound Care, she worked at Valley Health Services and its sister organization, Valley Residential Services, in Herkimer in several capacities, including administrator, director of case management, Medicare coordinator and special projects coordinator. She also holds a New York state license as a nursing home administrator.

Ruddy and her husband Rob reside in Little Falls.

Orthopedic surgeon joins Rome Memorial Hospital Mihail Radulescu, an orthopedic surgeon with extensive training in joint reconstruction, has joined Rome Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Chestnut Commons, 107 E. Chestnut St., Rome.

He joins Mitchell Rubinovich, who has Radulescu more than 32 years of experience in orthopedics with specialized training in sports medicine.

Radulescu provides comprehensive orthopedic care to help reduce pain and improve function so his

patients can enjoy their normal activities.

A member of Rome Memorial Hospital’s medical staff, he is specially trained to perform general orthopedic, arthroscopic, and total joint replacement procedures, including minimally invasive anterior hip replacement surgery and revision procedures.

He also provides treatment for patients who have experienced orthopedic trauma.

Certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Radulescu earned his medical degree from Carol Davila University of Medicine, Bucharest, Romania, and completed a five-year residency in orthopedic surgery at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

He advanced his orthopedic training with a specialized fellowship in hip and knee reconstruction at William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Mich.

SDMG selects new president Maria Gesualdo is the new president of the Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford.

Gesualdo began her three-year term as president on June 1.

In 2003, Gesualdo joined SDMG as a specialist in pulmonary medicine and critical care.

She completed Gesualdo her fellowship in pulmonary, allergy and critical care medicine at Penn State Health System, Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa. She completed her internship and residency at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem, Pa., and earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury.

When away from the workplace, Gesualdo enjoys spending time with her husband Ray and their three children.

Gesualdo has over 20 years of experience as a physician. After many years of seeing patients in her pulmonary practice at Slocum-Dickson, in 2010 Gesualdo took on the role of medical director for the group.

As medical director, she actively participated in the mentoring process for new physicians, helping them become acclimated to the group and the community while offering her expertise and guidance to address physician concerns and clinical issues.

Gesualdo also plays an important role in the Mohawk Valley Health System, serving as a member of the board of directors and as quality physician adviser. Additionally, she is the medical director of the intensive care unit at St. Luke’s Hospital.

Visit mvhealthnews.com

Insight House receives community health award Donna Vitagliano, left, president and CEO of Insight House Chemical Dependency Services in Utica, accepts a community health award on behalf of the agency from Eve Van de Wal, regional president of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Established in 1971, Insight House provides professional, confidential chemical dependency treatment to individuals and their families striving to achieve and maintain a sober lifestyle. The grant funds associated with this award will allow Insight House to offer yoga instruction for its day treatment and resident female patients.

SDMG names employee of Hospitalist to join Slocumthe quarter Dickson Medical Group Theresa Wroblewski has been named employee of the quarter for the second quarter of 2016 at Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford.

Wroblewski began her career with Slocum Dickson in 2009 as a patient service representative and she was promoted to reception team leader in 2014. “She has proven to be an asset to the group with her extensive Wroblewski job knowledge, professionalism and reliability,” said her supervisor, Laurie Muthig. “She is a vital member of the reception team, often going above and beyond to help fellow employees.

“She is eager to share her knowledge and expertise with staff and is often called upon to train new patient service representatives and pilot new reception areas.”

July 2016 •

Kenneth J. Visalli Jr. will be joining Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford as part of the group’s hospitalist program.

As a hospitalist, Visalli will provide care for Slocum-Dickson patients admitted to the hospital.

His focus will be on hospital medicine for patients 18 years of age and older.

Visalli Visalli was born and raised in Utica.

He is a graduate of Notre Dame High School and Utica College.

Visalli completed a combined internal medicine and pediatric residency at the University of South Florida, Morsani College of Medicine in Tampa, Fla., serving as chief resident from 2015-2016.

Visalli earned his Doctor of Osteopathic medicine degree and his Master of Public Health degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine.

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Hope Takes Flight

Mercy Flight gives wings to those in critical need of emergency care

By Patricia J. Malin

J

oseph Albanese of Utica has spent countless dollars and waited 31 years for this moment — the arrival of local emergency medical helicopter service in the Mohawk Valley.

Nevertheless, it doesn’t make it any easier to accept his son’s death, which happened on Dec. 29, 1984 following a tragic automobile accident.

He hopes in the future the life of another young person and the agony of his or her family can possibly be spared.

Albanese was on hand on June 13 — coincidentally his late son’s birthday — at a news conference at Griffiss International Airport in Rome as Mercy Flight Central Inc. and local officials announced the opening of a new emergency base in the Griffiss terminal.

Mercy Flight, a nonprofit, is headquartered in Canandaigua, south of Rochester, and has a second base in Marcellus, near Syracuse.

Under its new contract with Oneida County, Mercy Flight will provide emergency care 24/7 to critically ill patients within a wide swath of Central New York, including Herkimer, Madison, Lewis and Hamilton counties.

Mercy initially came to Griffiss for a “trial run” last summer, but staffed the base for just 12 hours a day from June through Labor Day. “This is a proud day. We are pleased to announce that Mercy Flight Central is here to stay,” Mercy President/CEO Jeffrey Bartkoski said.

“We are fully staffed and equipped to do what we do best —– save lives.”

Mercy Flight has transported 14,000 patients, approximately 400 a year, since its founding in 1992.

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. said the county is providing Mercy Flight an appropriation of $50,000 a year, which legislators vote on annually. It began operations in Rome on May 31.

“I’m proud to announce that Mercy Flight will be permanent,” Picente said. “We recognize the tremendous value Mercy Flight Central provides to our community, and we are both pleased to support and welcome this special emergency team back to Oneida County and to their

Mercy Flight’s crewmembers include, from left, Michael Miller, pilot; Joe Paciello, flight nurse, and Brian Crolius, paramedic. new home at Griffiss International Airport.”

Albanese knows that such emergency care is worth every penny. He explained that his son was critically injured in a collision with a garbage truck and was taken by ambulance to Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s St. Luke’s campus in New Hartford. His son’s injuries were so life-threatening that his doctors requested emergency air transport to a Syracuse hospital. However, the young man died before the copter arrived.

On a later trip to Florida, Albanese and his wife watched as an emergency medical helicopter airlift

a patient to a hospital following an accident on I-95.

Changing negative into positive

Spurred by their own heartbreak, Albanese and his wife then began a fundraising campaign to bring a service like Mercy Flight to this area.

“We’ve raised a quarter of a million dollars in donations to hospitals in Syracuse and Utica and in nursing scholarships,” he said as he stood in front of the Mercy helicopter at Griffiss with local officials from Rome, Utica and Oneida County, and Mercy Flight’s crew. “I know how important this is to families.”

“Mercy Flight is desperately needed,” commented Rome Mayor

“This is a proud day.

We are pleased to announce that Mercy Flight Central is here to stay. We are fully staffed and equipped to do what we do best —– save lives.”

Jackie Izzo, who has just formed the city’s first emergency preparedness plan.

Bartkoski said Mercy Flight is not a lone ranger. It works in tandem with Mohawk Valley Health System and Rome Memorial Hospital, other area medical facilities upstate from Rochester to Watertown, in addition to first responders and 911 agencies to transport those who need critical care.

Each Mercy Flight helicopter will carry a pilot, a flight nurse and a paramedic, but it’s obviously designed for high-level emergencies.

“We offer a level of care that’s more sophisticated than ambulances,” said Bartkoski.

Mercy Flight has brought 14 new jobs to Oneida County, including Michael Miller, an experienced pilot and emergency medical specialist. Miller recently relocated to Rome from Tennessee where he worked as a civilian pilot providing helicopter training to Army personnel.

“This is a smaller company and a nonprofit,” he said of his decision to work for Mercy Flight. “Most medical evacuation services are for-profit, like Buffalo Mercy and LifeNet.” It’s an important distinction.

“The industry is dominated, by far, by for-profits,” Bartkoski added.

Mercy Flight gets 75 percent of its revenues through reimbursements from insurance companies and the remaining 25 percent from local government and private donations.

The crews generally work two 24-hour shifts a week, but the pilots are limited to 12-hour shifts.

“In the summer, we get called for boating and motorcycle accidents, and in the winter, it’s snowmobile accidents,” pointed out Joe Paciello, a graduate of St. Elizabeth College of Nursing and a Sauquoit native who joined Mercy Flight two years ago.

He estimated he has handled 100 patient transfers in his career.

“We mostly get called to transfer patients from car accidents, but we also handle farm accidents,” he said.

The crewmembers all live locally.

It includes Don Kane of Deerfield, a 14-year veteran of Mercy Flight and former volunteer firefighter in Schuyler who will head the Rome base, and Brian Crolius of Marcy, a paramedic, who was hired last year.

Among U.S. military, Army members face highest suicide risk

S

uicide rates have been increasing among all active U.S. Navy, Air Force and Army personnel, but those in the Army appear to be most at risk, new research indicates.

An analysis of all U.S. military suicides between 2005 and 2011 revealed that the suicide rate among Army members was roughly double that seen among the second highest risk group, the Marines.

The investigation further revealed that guns are the principal cause of most military suicides. Firearms were implicated in more than 62 percent of all suicide cases that have a definitive cause of death, the Page 18

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study found.

"The trends in suicide are similar to what others have found," said study lead author Andrew Anglemyer, from California State University, Monterey Bay. "The differences in those rates between services are striking, though. Not only are most suicides in the active duty military among the Army personnel, but the suicide rate among Army personnel is the highest and has been every year since 2006."

Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States as of 2010. And the current investigation comes amid a rising suicide rate

among military personnel throughout the last 15 years of continual war.

In fact, the U.S. military has seen its overall suicide rate nearly double between 2001 and 2011, the researchers said.

The latest study looked at suicides among all active-duty enlisted U.S. military personnel as recorded by the suicide data repository. This listing combines information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Death Index, and the Military Mortality Database.

The research team identified 1,455 U.S. military suicides between

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2016

2005 and 2011. The Army had the highest rates between 2006 and 2011.

There were between roughly 19 and 30 cases of suicide for every 100,000 soldiers. The most commonly held positions were in infantry or special operations, the study found.

The lowest suicide rate — nearly 10 suicides for every 100,000 — was seen among both Air Force and Navy personnel in the year 2005, the study showed.

Of all the military cases, men accounted for the lion's share of suicides at 95 percent. More than three-quarters of the suicides involved white service members.

Health CALENDAR of in good

HEALTH EVENTS

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

Continued from Page 2 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/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, weighins or diets.

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

July 5

LPN class changed to 12 months The Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES adult practical nursing program will begin a new structure for its full-time licensed practical nursing class.

The full-time Herkimer BOCES LPN class is changing from 10 to 12 months long effective for the 201617 school year. The new full-time class will begin July 5, starting with a nursing fundamentals class that will be four days per week for eight weeks.

Part-time day and part-time evening classes will remain unchanged.

Graduation for all classes will continue to be in June.

Class size is limited. Anyone wishing to apply is encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

For more information, call 315867-2210, or visit lpn.herkimerboces. schoolfusion.us or www.facebook. com/HerkimerBOCESLPN.

July 7

Parents bond to battle addiction A support group — Parents of Addicted Loved Ones — will meet from 7-8:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of every month at the Canajoharie Fire House, 75 Erie Boulevard, Canajoharie.

The support group is for parents with a son or daughter who is addicted to drugs and/or alcohol.

The next meeting is July 7.

According to recent research cited by the National Institute for Drug Abuse, opioid and heroin overdose deaths now exceed annual deaths from car crashes.

PAL is incorporated as a non-profit organization and is run by a volunteer board of parents. For more information on the organization, visit www.palgroup.org or call PAL at 480-300-4712.

July 11

Support forum for patients, cancer survivors The Mohawk Valley Health System’s Cancer Center’s monthly support forum for patients and cancer survivors will be held at 6 p.m.

July 11.

The cancer support forum meets at 6 p.m. 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.

July 11

HealthNet launches selfmanagement classes Herkimer County HealthNet is offering a chronic disease self-management class designed to help people living with a chronic disease and also individuals caring for someone with a chronic disease.

Chronic disease conditions include diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, chronic lung disease, asthma, fibromyalgia, and other long-term health conditions.

This class will help participants learn to better manage their chronic conditions.

The program will begin July 11 and will meet from 2:30-5 p.m. every Monday for six weeks at the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce, 420 E. German St., Herkimer.

Those interested in attending the program can contact Herkimer County HealthNet at 315-867-1552 or email eenea@herkimercounty.org.

July 16

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Call Jim @ 433-5115 Ext 205 for phone interview

floor, Rochester General Hospital, 1425 Portland Ave. The guest speaker via Skype will be Dr. John Berk from the Boston University Amyloidosis Center.

Patients, caregivers, families and interested medical personnel are welcome.

“Amyloidosis is a life-threatening rare disease often misdiagnosed and under diagnosed,” said MaryAnn Kraft, co-facilitator for the Upstate NY branch.

A complementary light breakfast and lunch will be provided.

An RSVP would be appreciated.

For more information, call Kraft at 585-334-7501 or Muriel Finkel toll free at 866-404-7539.

Aug. 6

The Color Vibe comes to Utica The Color Vibe, a vibrantly colorful 5K fun run company, is hosting the Utica Color Vibe 5K at 9 a.m.

Aug. 6 at F.T. Proctor Park in Utica.

Throughout the course, participants run, walk, or dance their way through color stations where they are splashed with vibrantly colored powder. White shirts and crazy costumes quickly turn into canvases of color.

As The Color Vibe website states, “You are the canvas, and when you’re finished with this 5K run you’ll be an exciting and vivid

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At the end of the run, everyone is invited to attend a dance party hosted by a professional sound crew and DJ. The Color Vibe encourages runners and walkers of all ages and skill levels to participate. According to Nate Sorensen, Color Vibe race director, “The Color Vibe 5K is full of inspirational stories of runners and non-runners alike coming together to share a life experience, accomplish fitness goals, and become rainbow junkies. We do not time our 5K fun runs, so every participant can take their time getting colored.”

Children 12 and under can participate for free.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a local charity.

The Color Vibe uses its unique, cornstarch-based colored powder to tie-dye participants.

Made in the United States with an advanced manufacturing process, the food-grade quality cornstarch is 100 percent non-toxic and biodegradable.

It washes out easily from skin, hair, and clothes.

The Color Vibe offers special discounts to businesses looking to tap into its health and wellness plans.

For more information on the Color Vibe event, registration, and wellness programs, go to the company’s website at www.thecolorvibe. com or send an email to support@ thecolorvibe.com.

Check out our online version of at mvhealthnews.com IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2016