Mv igh #89 july13

in good In search of the perfect salad See Page 12

July 2013 • Issue 89

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Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

Head Trauma Concussion awareness building in sports world See story, Page 5

It’s time to ‘Meet Your Doctor!’

Page 4

Women’s Health Special Edition Expert talks about common fitness mistakes Page 13 Get ‘In Good Health’ at home.

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Challenged runner overcomes odds See Page 7

For women, hair style is everything See Page 8

Grilling & Cancer Dana-Farber nutritionist offers tips to reduce cancer risk while grilling

See Page 12

CALENDAR of

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HEALTH EVENTS

Dr. Graber is pleased to welcome Gregory Dalencourt, MD to the practice

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

Dr. Dalencourt is now seeing new patients for surgical consultation for those considering weight loss surgery

June 25

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

Surgeries are performed at Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica, and at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse. Dr. Graber is the Director of Bariatric Surgery at both hospitals.

To find out more, visit DrGraberMD.com or call 877-269-0355 to discuss how we might help you in your search to find a healthier you!

“Women at the Well” is presented from 6:30-8 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

The next session will be June 25.

Sister Mary Ellen Schopfer serves as spiritual director. The event is free and open to all Christian women.

For details and to register, call The Good News Center at 315-735-6210 or visit TheGoodNewsCenter.org—Events Calendar.

Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

The group meets every other Sunday.

The Third Option also features a Wednesday day program. It will meet from 1-2:30 p.m. June 26 and July 3, 10 and 17.

For more information, call Andrea or Tanya at 315-735-6210.

The Third Option is geared for married couples in distress.

For more information, contact Andrea, program coordinator, at 315-735-6210 ext. 228, andrea@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit www.thegoodnewscenter.org.

June 27

July 7

Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica is the No. 1 bariatric surgery hospital in New York state for 20112012 and is among the top 5 percent of hospitals in the nation for its bariatric surgery program with a 5-star rating

by HealthGrades.

The FSLH bariatric team will host an informational program about weight loss surgery at 6 p.m. June 27.

The event will take place in the community room at the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services, located on the St. Luke’s Campus, 1650 Champlin Ave., New Hartford.

The program is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending can call 315-624-6398.

The Separated & Divorced Support Group will meet from 5-6:30 p.m. July 7 at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

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

For more information, contact Andrea, program coordinator, at 315-7356210, andrea@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit www.thegoodnewscenter.org.

Time to join ‘Women at the Well’

FSLH to host seminar on weight loss surgery

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The Third Option will meet from 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 7 at The Good News

Make transition from mourning to joy GriefShare will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. July 9 at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

The faith-based support group meets every other Tuesday.

For more information, contact Andrea, program coordinator, at 315-7356210, andrea@thegoodnewscenter.org or visit www.thegoodnewscenter.org.

Continued on Page 16

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Drug overdose

Save a life: Call 911 if you suspect an accidental overdose

By Barbara Pierce

D

eaths from accidental drug overdose are the leading cause of accidental deaths in New York

state.

More people die from an accidental overdose than die in an automobile accident. Deaths from accidental drug overdoses in New York state have increased more than 60 percent since 1999.

Most deaths from accidental drug overdoses happen at home. Most deaths happen with others around.

Most deaths happen because those others do not call 911.

Nearly all victims die within one to three hours of taking the overdose.

Many of these deaths could be prevented if those who are around called 911.

If emergency services are contacted quickly, the person may survive the accidental overdose. An immediate call to 911 greatly reduces the victim’s chances of death or permanent damage.

Those who could help don’t help.

Those who could save someone’s life don’t call 911.

Most people don’t call 911 in an overdose scenario because they are afraid of getting a ride in the back of a police car instead of an ambulance, according to community experts.

Now there is a new law that protects persons who call 911 from criminal prosecution.

At AIDS Community Resources in Syracuse, community groups, advocates, and elected officials recently teamed up with the New York Department of Health Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse to kick off an innovative public education campaign.

The campaign encourages people to call 911 to prevent a death from overdose.

In 2011, New York state passed a 911 good Samaritan law sponsored by

state Sen. John A. DeFrancisco (R,C,I).

The law encourages people to call for medical help immediately for an overdose by providing limited protection from criminal prosecutions for simple possession.

“Fear of prosecution has become an obstacle in seeking medical care for someone suffering from a drug or alcohol overdose,” DeFrancisco said. “We hope that by getting the message out regarding this law that it will encourage people to call emergency services when lives are in jeopardy.”

The campaign follows a high-profile incident last fall when Stephanie Bongiovi, daughter of acclaimed rocker Jon Bon Jovi, was arrested in Kirkland after overdosing on heroin. A student at Hamilton College, Bongiovi was found by emergency personnel in her

dorm room after her friend called 911 to report her possible overdose. When police arrived, they arrested both Bongiovi and her friend for allegedly possessing small amounts of heroin and marijuana.

Because of emergency intervention, Bongiovi survived. Days later, Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara dropped the charges against Bongiovi and her friend — as the law required.

“People will say she got away with murder because of who she is, but this (911 good Samaritan) law was passed so people don’t watch somebody die because they’re afraid of jail,” he said.

Advocates applauded McNamara as the scenario became a high-profile moment to teach New Yorkers about the urgent need to call 911 in an overdose scenario.

“We know from our work with those who use injection drugs that calling for help in the case of an overdose has a strong deterrent associated with it — the risk of arrest and prosecution,” said Michael Crinnin, executive director of AIDS Community Resources.

“The good Samaritan law will save lives, encourage people to do the right thing and call for immediate help in an emergency.”

Educational materials, available in poster and wallet-size form, let people know about the new law, the signs of an overdose, and what to do.

The materials were designed in a unique collaboration between state agencies and community groups, with input from young people, former and current drug users, treatment providers, doctors and other health professionals, and law enforcement.

Signs of an overdose include: • The person can’t be woken up • His or her breathing is very slow or non-existent • The lips or nails may seem blue.

A person experiencing an overdose might also have muscle spasms or seizure. He or she usually will not wake up even if their name is called or if they are shaken vigorously.

“All of AIDS Community Resources’ work with injection drug users revolves around safety,” said Jean Kessner of AIDS Community Resources.

“Through providing new syringes and risk-reduction education, we help to prevent the spread of diseases like HIV and hepatitis C. The good Samaritan law is another safety measure for this population. Lives can be saved if emergency assistance is called for an individual who is overdosing. We support and were glad to help publicize New York’s good Samaritan law.”

For more information, see the New York Department of Health website at www.health.ny.gov/overdose.

Cancer side effect: higher bankruptcy rates Study: Cancer diagnosis puts people at greater risk for bankruptcy; situation worse for young patients

P

eople diagnosed with cancer are more than two-and-a-half times more likely to declare bankruptcy than those without cancer, according to a new study from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Researchers also found that younger cancer patients had two- to five-fold higher bankruptcy rates compared to older patients, and that overall bankruptcy filings increased as time passed following diagnosis.

The study, led by corresponding author Scott Ramsey, an internist and health economist at Fred Hutch, was published in the journal Health Affairs.

Ramsey and colleagues, including a chief judge for a U.S. Bankruptcy Court, undertook the research because the relationship between receiving a cancer diagnosis and bankruptcy is less well understood than the much-studied link between high medical expenses and likelihood of bankruptcy filing.

“This study found strong evidence of a link between cancer diagnosis and increased risk of bankruptcy,” the authors wrote. “Although the risk of bankruptcy for cancer patients is relatively low in absolute terms, bankruptcy represents an extreme manifestation of what is probably a larger picture of economic hardship for cancer patients.

Our study thus raises important questions about the factors underlying the relationship between cancer and financial hardship.”

Among the study’s key findings: • Between 1995 and 2009 there were 197,840 people in western Washington (the population in which the study is based) who were diagnosed with cancer and met the inclusion criteria for the study. Of those, 4,408 (2.2 percent) filed for bankruptcy protection after diagnosis. Of the matched controls who were not diagnosed with

cancer, 2,291 (1.1 percent) filed for bankruptcy.

• Compared to cancer patients who did not file for bankruptcy, those who did were more likely to be younger, female and nonwhite.

• The proportion of cancer patients who filed for bankruptcy within one year of diagnosis was 0.52 percent, compared to 0.16 percent within one year for the control group. For bankruptcy filings within five years of diagnosis, the proportion of cancer patients was about 1.7 percent, compared to 0.7 percent for the control group.

• The incidence rates for bankruptcy at one year after diagnosis, per 1,000 person-years, for the cancers with the highest overall incidence rates were as follows: thyroid, 9.3; lung, 9.1; uterine, 6.8; leukemia/lymphoma, 6.2; colorectal, 5.9; melanoma, 5.7; breast, 5.7; and prostate. 3.7. The incidence rate for all July 2013 •

cancers combined was 6.1.

The high bankruptcy incidence rate for those with thyroid cancer may be because thyroid cancer affects younger women more often than other cancers do according to the researchers.

“Compared to men, younger women are more likely to live in single-income households and to have lower wages and lower rates of employment, and therefore less access to high-quality health insurance – leaving them more financially vulnerable,” the authors wrote.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 3

Prediabetes: Do you have it? How do you know?

D

iabetes is one of the most misunderstood medical conditions. “It’s not just about sugar.

It’s about your heart,” says Nancy Ryan, a registered dietitian, boardcertified in advanced diabetes management at Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich, Conn.

Diabetes is the result of the body’s inability to properly use or make the hormone insulin, which is needed to convert sugar and starch from food into energy.

Complications occur when sugar accumulates in the blood instead of going into the cells. This is referred to as high blood sugar or a high glucose level, and it can trigger higher than normal cholesterol and blood pressure, leading to increased risk of heart attack, stroke and vascular disease in the legs.

According to statistics from the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control, about 79 million adult Americans (one in every four over the age of 20; and one of every two Americans over age 65) are walking around with prediabetes.

This means they have blood glucose levels that are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

Although prediabetes has no symptoms it is not benign, says Ryan. People with prediabetes have an increased risk for heart attack, stroke and neuropathy, which creates tingling sensations or numbing caused by changes in nerve function.

Ryan adds, ‘If ignored, about half of all people with prediabetes will go on to develop diabetes that can lead to kidney failure, blindness and serious blood circulation problems.”

One factor is genetics; another is where you store your body fat. People with belly fat are at higher risk than those who store fat in their hips and thighs. Fat that surrounds the body’s vital organs presents a greater danger to good health and can cause insulin resistance, rising blood glucose levels, high blood pressure and abnormal blood fats such as high LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, and high triglycerides.

Prediabetes is often diagnosed through blood tests associated with a routine physical exam. “It’s a wakeup call. The condition can often be reversed through diet and exercise.

Changing direction can have a profound positive impact on your life,” says Ryan, adding, “The key is to eat well, maintain a good weight, and move, move, move. It’s as simple as keeping a food diary. Write down everything you eat and drink, as well as your physical activity, which should add up to a minimum of 150 minutes every week.”

“If you have prediabetes, losing as little as 5 to 7 percent of your body weight, or about 10 pounds for most people, can reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 58 percent,” says Ryan. “Most people can do that.

Whether you have prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes, a 10-pound weight loss usually makes you feel better and your clothes fit better.”

Page 4

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Meet

Your Doctor

By Lou Sorendo

Dr. William A. Graber

Dr. William A. Graber is the bariatric director at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica and St. Joseph’s Hospital & Healthcare Center, Syracuse.

Recently, Mohawk Valley In Good Health Associate Editor Lou Sorendo interviewed Graber regarding his profession and outlook on obesity.

Q.: Why did you choose bariatric surgery as a subspecialty? What motivated you to explore the world of weight loss surgery?

A.: I thought there was an overwhelming need to help people control their weight.

Q.: In general terms, why types of bariatric weight loss surgeries do you perform? What is the most common procedure?

A.: The most common is the Rouxen-Y gastric bypass. The second is the sleeve gastrectomy, which is a relatively new operation that does have powerful effects. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a type of weight-loss surgery that reduces the size of the stomach to a small pouch.

Sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical weightloss procedure in which the stomach is reduced to about 25 percent of its original size by surgical removal of a large portion of the stomach. The result is a sleeve or tube-like structure.

Q.: What type of patient qualifies for weight loss surgery? Do they have to meet certain criteria?

A.: Yes, you have to have a bodymass index greater than 35 to qualify.

BMI is a measure for human body shape based on an individual’s weight and height.

Q.: What do you feel is the most challenging aspect of administering weight loss surgery?

A.: The entire practice is challenging, and the operation is technically demanding.

Q.: How about the most gratifying?

A.: The most gratifying aspect is watching people get healthier and more active.

Q.: How does the patient benefit from weight loss surgery as opposed to exploring other treatment options?

A.: We want obese people to lose weight to be healthier. We know that telling people to eat less and exercise more is not very useful. Weight loss surgery is the opposite of dieting. The operation causes most people to burn more calories and reach a new lower weight because of the hormonal and genetic effects of the operation.

Q.: What do you feel are the keys to being an effective and successful bariatric surgeon? What skill sets are necessary to master the specialty?

A.: The most important thing to know is technical excellence is needed, and it is not enough by itself. So you need to set up a certain culture inside of the practice.

Q.: How would you gauge the demand for weight loss surgery? Has it risen over the past few years?

A.: The demand and need for weight loss surgery continues to grow because we have no other effective treatment.

Q.: Do you feel the region is suffering from a high incidence of obesity?

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2013

A.: Yes. We know that the obesity epidemic is getting worse.

Q.: What causal factors have been associated with the upswing in obese people?

A.: We really don’t know all the factors associated with the upswing in obesity, but we live in what is called an obesogenic environment. The combination of sedentary life styles, and easily available, inexpensive food certainly contributes to the epidemic. There is also discussion about so-called “food deserts” in cities. A food desert is a district with little or no access to large grocery stores that offer fresh and

affordable foods needed to maintain a healthy diet.

Q.: What do you feel needs to be done in order to stem the incidence of obesity?

A.: We really do not know how to attack the cause of this problem, but it has to start in childhood. We need more physical activity, and less time in front of TV and computer screens, and less food with high caloric densities.

Q.: How can the medical profession play a role?

A.: We really don’t know, but we know that every doctor has to address the issue of obesity in his or her practice. People don’t have to be thin to be healthy; people do better even if they can keep 20 pounds off.

Obesity is really not one disease or syndrome. We are now calling it “obesities.”

There are many different ways obesity affects people— some have a big belly, some have sick livers and hearts, some have adipose tissue under their skin, and some have it inside their belly. Adipose tissue is specialized connective tissue that functions as the major storage site for fat in the form of triglycerides.

Q.: Have there been any medical advances in your field over the last several years that have made weight loss surgery a more efficient process?

A.: The biggest advance is the development of laparoscopic surgery, which features performing operations through small incisions using a video camera.

Lifelines Birth date: July 1, 1956 Birthplace: New York City Current residence: Hamilton Education: Bachelor of Arts in chemistry, Haverford College, Haverford, Pa.; medical degree, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn; general surgical residency, Boston University Hospitals, Boston, Mass.

Affiliations: American Medical Association; American Society of Bariatric Surgeons; American College of Surgeons, New York chapter; New York State Medical Society, Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons; American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Hobbies: Reading, cycling and cross-country skiing

Cover Story

Concussions

Why returning to play is a critical decision for athletes

By Barbara Pierce

S

uffering even a single brain concussion can cause lasting brain damage, according to medical experts.

Suffering a second or third concussion increases the chances of lasting damage.

Lasting brain damage may include problems with headaches or balance.

It may include difficulty with thought processes, with paying attention and concentration.

It may also include problems with mood, being depressed or anxious.

“The most dangerous aspect of a concussion is returning to play too soon. If another injury happens, significant permanent damage Monaco can occur. It can even can result in death,” said Ryan Monaco, physical therapist and certified athletic trainer, Sitrin Health Care Center, New Hartford.

Monaco specializes in concussions and concussion management.

A concussion is any injury to the brain caused by a blow to the head or body, by a fall, or by any injury that jars or shakes the brain inside the skull.

Although there may be cuts or bruises on the head or face, there may be no visible signs of a brain injury. All injuries to the brain are potentially serious and devastating.

Most concussions occur without the victim losing consciousness. Most of the football players who suffered a concussion were unaware that they had a head injury.

Trouble down the road

Most who suffer a concussion do well and have no further problems.

But 10 to 20 percent go on to develop chronic problems.

Research shows that effects of multiple concussions do cause lasting brain damage, Monaco said. Especially if you have not fully recovered from the first one---you are just going to cause more problems down the road.

Concussions have always been a problem in sports, added Monaco.

There is more awareness about them now and athletes are certainly faster and stronger now. That may be part of the reason why concussions seem to be on the rise.

Helmets are designed to reduce the risk of skull and face fractures, not concussions, added Monaco. Helmets do not prevent concussions.

Many professional and collegiate organizations are finally establishing evidenced-based “return to play” protocols, he explained. In New York state, every high school should have a concussion management program with a “return to play” protocol, said Monaco.

Players, coaches and parents are being educated in how to recognize symptoms and prevent the return of the player to the field until it is safe.

The “return to play” decision is critical. As a physical therapist, Monaco gives input to the physician and coach to make this decision.

Any athlete who has a head injury should be seen by a medical professional who specializes in concussions within 24 to 48 hours. He or she should not return to competition until being evaluated.

If a concussion is suspected, further neurological testing — of balance, cognition, and motor control — should be performed before the athlete is allowed to return to competition. If any deficiencies are found, then the athlete should have intervention, based on his

ONEIDA, HERKIMER, MADISON AND OTSEGO COUNTIES in good A monthly newspaper published by

Health MV’s Healthcare Newspaper

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

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2013 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved. Mailing Address: 4 Riverside Drive, Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 • Phone: 315-749-7070 Email: lou@cnymail.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto • Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Contributing Writers: Patricia Malin, Barbara Pierce, Kristen Raab, Malissa Allen, Mary Stevenson, Deb Dittner, Amylynn Pastorella Advertising: Jennifer Wise Layout & Design: Chris Crocker Office Manager: Laura Beckwith

No material may be reproduced in whole or in part from this publication without the express written permission of the publisher. The information in this publication is intended to complement—not to take the place of—the recommendations of your health provider.

limitations, to ensure a safe return to play and optimal performance.

Symptoms may have a rapid onset or may not develop until hours after the initial injury and the victim may not connect the symptoms with the injury.

Concussion symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a concussion include mild confusion, disorientation, and irritability.

Symptoms may be hard for the victim to describe or he may be unaware he is experiencing them. His or her family may be most aware.

Other typical symptoms include headache, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, sleeping more or sleeping less.

“Most concussions resolve within seven to 10 days,” said Monaco.

“However, if someone is experiencing dizziness, headaches or balance disturbances for over two weeks, a thorough vestibular evaluation should be conducted. If any positive findings are present then the patient would benefit from vestibular rehabilitation therapy such as we offer at Sitrin.”

A baseline test is an assessment of an athlete’s neuro-cognitive and neurophysical (balance-postural sway) status prior to participating in athletic events, Monaco said. An important part of the

baseline testing is a thorough clinical history that may detect possible red flags and identify previous concussions that could predispose athletes to further concussions.

Baseline testing will help with the return to play decision. If an athlete sustains a concussion, it is important that he or she be seen by a medical professional within 24 to 48 hours.

Their post concussion scores from the neuro-cognitive assessment and balance assessment should be compared to preseason scores to determine the severity of the concussion and when the patient can be progressed along the return-to-play timeline.

Having a balance assessment tool that is as sensitive as Sitrin’s also assists in detecting balance dysfunctions that the athlete may not be aware of.

Often times at rest they are asymptomatic. With Sitrin’s concussion evaluation tools, an underlying balance problem may be detected, making return to play not safe.

James Wallace, director of rehabilitation at Sitrin, said, “Some have asked why we chose to develop this program.

The most important aspect for us is to provide the best tools and assessment in order to preserve the athlete’s ability to not only return to play safely, but preserve the integrity of the brain throughout the lifespan.”

Hospitals profit when patients develop bloodstream infections

J

ohns Hopkins researchers report that hospitals may be reaping enormous income for patients whose hospital stays are complicated by preventable bloodstream infections contracted in their intensive care units.

In a small, new study, reported online in the American Journal of Medical Quality, the researchers found that an ICU patient who develops an avoidable central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) costs nearly three times more to care for than a similar July 2013 •

infection-free patient. Moreover, hospitals earn nearly nine times more for treating infected patients, who spend an average of 24 days in the hospital.

The researchers also found that private insurers, rather than Medicare and Medicaid, pay the most for patient stays complicated by CLABSIs — roughly $400,000 per hospital stay — suggesting that private insurers would gain the most financial benefit from working with hospitals to reduce infection rates.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 5

Women’s Health

Between You and Me

By Barbara Pierce

Men and the ‘R’ word What is it with men and ‘relationships?’

I

FSLH holds National Cancer Survivors Day breakfast

Cancer survivors from the Mohawk Valley as well as their family and friends recently gathered with employees, medical staff and volunteers from Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Regional Cancer Center at the 26th annual National Cancer Survivors Day. The breakfast, sponsored annually by FSLH at Harts Hill Inn in Whitesboro, is celebrated in communities across the world. Above from left, Regional Cancer Center employees Brenda Plummer, Karen Miller and Christie Kozyra volunteer at event. The day provides an opportunity for all people living with a history of cancer—including America’s 12 million cancer survivors—to connect with each other, celebrate milestones and recognize the healthcare providers, family and friends who have supported them along the way.

Rome Memorial awards nursing scholarship Jessica Hartman, left, is the 2013 winner of the Blanche and Fred Griffith Scholarship presented by Rome Memorial Hospital. Hartman was announced as the winner by the Rome Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, which administers the fund set up to provide financial assistance to students pursuing nursing degrees. Selection is based upon scholastic achievement, financial need, personal qualifications and professional promise.

Hartman, daughter of Shellie Baker and Paul Hartman, will receive $270. A 2013 graduate of Rome Catholic School, she plans on attending Nazareth College in Rochester, majoring in nursing. Above, Rome Memorial Hospital’s Vice President of Clinical Services/Chief Nursing Officer Durinda Durr congratulates Hartman.

Page 6

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2013

s it just me or are men really weird about relationships?

I mean, do they have a really, really different perspective than women?

For example, I have been seeing this man for four months. We have seen each other most every day. And we recently went on a five-day cruise together.

The other night I used the words “our relationship” in a sentence. I said something I thought was totally innocuous like, “Would you like me to take more leadership in our relationship?”

Well, this utterly startled, ‘deer in the headlights’ look of terror exploded on his face. Sheer and obvious horror. “Death is here” look. “Our relationPierce ship?” stammered this otherwise bright man.

“What relationship?”

Part of me wanted to laugh; part of me wanted to cry.

Then I remembered the email he sent me after we got back from our cruise. He thanked me for joining him on “a big date.” It was a big date, right!!! But somehow I saw being together for five days as a little more than a big date.

Is it just me? What’s up? Am I reading something wrong here?

The next day after my gaffe, I happened to pick up a column by humorist Dave Barry. I always enjoy his perspective and his humor. What he said answered my concerns about my non-relationship.

“The No. 1 tip for women to remember is never assume the guy understands that you and he have a relationship … Guys don’t really grasp what women mean by the word relationship.”

“A guy in a relationship is like an ant standing of top of a truck tire.

The ant is aware that something large is there, but he cannot even dimly comprehend what it is. And if the truck starts moving, and the tire starts to roll, the ant will sense that something important is happening, but right up until he rolls around to the bottom and is squashed, the only thought in his tiny brain will be, “Huh?” Good explanation. I like it. I will remember it.

The ‘guy brain’

“He has a guy brain,” continued Barry. “Basically an analytical, problem-solving organ. It’s not comfortable with nebulous concepts such as love, need, and trust. If the guy brain has to

form an opinion about another person, it prefers to base it on facts, such as his or her earned-run average.”

“Women have trouble accepting this. They‘re convinced that guys must spend a certain amount of time thinking about the relationship. How could a guy see another human being day after day, night after night, and not be thinking about the relationship? This is what women figure. They are wrong.”

Thanks, Dave Barry. You helped me understand something that totally flabbergasted me. I will strike the word relationship from my vocabulary unless I am speaking to another woman.

I always have another issue going on about a man and a relationship. This one I think I figured out on my own.

Before I began having dates with the above man, I saw another man. Just a few dates. I really fell for him, and he seemed to like me. But he didn’t call me, and I didn’t call him.

I assumed he met someone else and became involved with her. I thought that was the end of the story and put him out of my mind.

Then, about four months after I last saw him, I got an email from him.

He had moved to another state. He had also decided I was the one woman for him. He apologized for scaring me away and regretted that I had not continued to see him. He seemed to blame me for the fact that we had not continued to see each other, though I thought men liked to take the initiative.

I was baffled. When he lived a few miles from me, he didn’t pick up the phone to call. Now that he was several hundred miles away, he was longing for me. Didn’t take long to figure out that distance made it safe.

He didn’t want a real woman; he was safest with his fantasy.

So now he sends me love songs that he records for me, writes lovely emails about how he is going to come to visit me. Right. And we’re going to live happily ever after in our castle in the clouds.

Now, I must pack for another fiveday “big date.”

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

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Women’s Health

Blade Runner II Paraplegic Katie Maneen lives life in fast lane

By Patricia J. Malin

I

t’s hard to pin down Katie Maneen.

First, she established her reputation in a variety of sports in high school. Then she became known as a nationally ranked paraplegic sprinter.

The amputee from Frankfort is firmly ditching those former labels, just like the one that claims she belongs to a “disabled” class of people.

Now she’s sharpening her “blade,” her new lightweight athletic prosthesis and taking aim at the 36th annual Utica Boilermaker Road Race on July 14—at 15 kilometers, certainly no sprinter’s paradise.

“I always told myself I was going to run the Boilermaker when I graduated,” she said. “No more excuses.”

She graduated in May from Utica College with a degree in communications and started a new job with the advertising department at The Observer-Dispatch. In January, she was one of the lucky thousands who got a spot in the Boilermaker before the entries were capped.

With encouragement from her family, she signed up for WKTV’s “Go the Distance” 12-week training program for first-time runners and now she’s in the homestretch for the 9.6-mile race.

“I’m really excited,” she said. “A lot of my family, friends, co-workers, classmates and professors will be there.” Will she feel some pressure from the cheering crowds? “I’m not going for an expected time,” she insisted.

“I’m just going to start and finish on my own two legs.”

Maneen, 23, said the sky is the limit when it comes to her professional and private life.

She was born without the fibula bone in her right leg and missing three toes on her right foot. When she was 11 months old, her foot was amputated in an operation at Shriner’s Hospital in Springfield, Mass. Three months later, she was fitted with her first prosthesis.

Katie Maneen When she was released from the hospital, doctors gave her parents apt advice: Do not impose limitations on their daughter’s activities.

Lesson in diversity

As a child, Maneen learned to walk, run and ride a bike to keep up with her older brother.

Recently, her mother, Peggy Maneen, who is a teaching assistant in the integrated pre-kindergarten program at Herkimer BOCES, invited Katie to visit her students.

“I think it’s important to show — especially little kids — that people are going to look different,” Katie Maneen said. “I like being able to show

them that I am just like them. I can run like them and I can do all the things they can do.”

While attending Frankfort-Schuyler High School, Maneen competed in varsity soccer (goalie), golf, volleyball and softball. She was recruited by Herkimer County Community College and added track and field to her resume.

In 2010, with Maneen competing in shot put and javelin, the school won its second consecutive NJCAA national championship in track. She was captain of the HCCC track team in 2011.

In 2011, she qualified for the U.S. Paralympic Trials in the 100- and 200meter dashes. She repeated the feat in 2012. She earned bronze medals in the 100 and silver medals in the 200 in the Paralympic National Championships both years. She was named the fourth alternate for this year’s Paralympic World Championships in London.

Earlier this year, as a senior at Utica College, she reached a personal goal, breaking the 15-second mark in the 100 meters with a time of 14.96 seconds.

Despite her success as a sprinter, Maneen said she knew she had to move on with the next phase of her life after college and “focus on getting a job.”

“I was lucky I went out on a high note. I didn’t overstay my welcome or go out on an injury,” she said.

The 5-foot-7, 125-pound runner knew she would have to take a new route in training for the Boilermaker, but WKTV’s structured program gives runners three months. Each week, they familiarize themselves with a different part of the course and increase their distance by one mile.

“I know how to run, but now I’m learning how to train for long distance,” she said. “It’s eye-opening for me to learn how to run with other people and it’s a lot more fun. I used to run past people! Now the people will help keep me on pace.”

One of her fellow trainees in the WKTV program is 10-year-old Jason

Robinson, who will be competing in the wheelchair division. “He’s amazing. He’s an inspiration to me,” Maneen said.

Solid support

As her athletic dreams have flourished, she has continued to rely on the support of prosthetics and orthopedic doctors at Shriner’s Hospital. Her insurance company referred her to Rehabilitation Technologies in Syracuse and has covered all of her medical costs.

When she first became involved in track, the coaching staff at HCCC encouraged her to consider getting a true “running leg.” They didn’t have to look far to find an example. In 2011, Oscar Pistorious of South Africa made headlines when he became the first amputee to win an able-bodied world track medal. Pistorius, now 27, had both of his legs amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old.

He also competed against ablebodied athletes in the 400-meter run and 4x400-meter relay at the 2012 Summer Olympics, earning the nickname, “Blade Runner.” At the 2012 Summer Paralympics, Pistorius won gold medals and set world records in both the 400 meter race and in the 4×100 relay.

He also took silver in the 200-meters, having set a world record in the semifinal.

Just over a month ago, Rehab Tech outfitted Maneen with a new, improved athletic prosthesis. The leg is of a carbon fiber construction and weighs only three pounds. Her walking leg, which is designed for balance and stability, is four pounds.

The running piece locks into place and Maneen said it’s flexible and comfortable. “I’m not out there bouncing around,” she explained. “It’s meant to absorb shock and impact. When I run on it, the energy is released.”

Such energy will always be in ample supply in Maneen’s life.

What to consider before joining a clinical trial

E

ach year, hundreds of thousands of Americans participate in clinical trials in hopes of gaining access to the latest, and possibly greatest, but not yet on the market treatments for all types of illnesses. But you need to be aware that clinical trials can vary greatly in what they’re designed to do, so be careful to choose one that can actually benefit you. Here’s what you should know along with some tips for locating one.

Clinical trials

A clinical trial is the scientific term for a test or research study of a drug, device or medical procedure using people. These trials — sponsored by drug companies, doctors, hospitals, federal government and private companies — are conducted to learn whether a new treatment is safe and if it works.

But keep in mind that these new treat-

ments are also unproven, so there may be risks too.

Also be aware that all clinical trials have certain eligibility criteria (age, gender, health status, etc.) that you must meet in order to be accepted. And before taking part in a trial, you will be asked to sign an informed consent agreement. You can also leave a study at any time.

Things to know

Before deciding to participate in a trial, you need to first discuss it with your doctor. Then, schedule an appointment with the study’s medical team and ask lots of questions. Here are some to get you started.

• What’s the purpose of the study and can it improve your condition?

You may be surprised to know that many drug or procedural trials are not designed to find a cure or improve a

patient’s health, but only to provide scientific data.

• What are the risks? Some treatments can have side effects that are unpleasant, serious and even life threatening.

• What kinds of tests and treatments does the study involve, and how often and where they are performed?

• Is the experimental treatment in the study being compared with a standard treatment or a placebo? Keep in mind that if you get the placebo, she’ll be getting no treatment at all.

• Who’s paying for the study? Will you have any costs, and if so, will your insurance plan or Medicare cover the rest? Sponsors of trials generally pay most of the costs, but not always.

• What if something goes wrong during or after the trial and you needs extra medical care? Who pays?

July 2013 •

• If the treatment works, can you keep using it after the study?

Find a trial

Every year, there are more than 100,000 clinical trials conducted in the U.S. You can find them at conditionfocused organizations like the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association, or by asking your doctor who may be monitoring trials in his or her specialty.

Or, use the National Institutes of Heath’s website at clinicaltrials.gov.

This site contains a comprehensive database of federally and privately supported clinical studies in the U.S. and abroad on a wide range of diseases and conditions, including information about each trial’s purpose, who may participate, locations, and phone numbers for more details.

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Page 7

Women’s Health

Kick up that look

Take some advice from an expert

By Barbara Pierce

H

air matters to us.

“Hair is huge,” said a sociologist who just studied the subject. According to Arizona State University sociologist Rose Weitz, “Hair and appearance matters in everyone’s lives, but especially in women’s lives. Attractive women get better grades in school, more dates, more marriage proposals, higher salaries, better job offers, and so on.”

Other than your physical fitness, your hair is the most important controllable aspect of your physical attractiveness. Most women know this.

“Most women are not happy with their hair,” said stylist Kelley HolmesMorton, owner of Heads-R-Turning Salon and Spa in Ilion. “They want more volume, more movement, more texture.”

Attempting to get the hair we want, most of us color our hair, use curling irons and blow dryers freHolmes-Morton quently, even perm, and we use a variety of products, probably way too many. All these things cause hair problems.

Holmes-Morton shared some tips to manage common hair problems: • Too fine: Many women complain of hair that is too fine, HolmesMorton explained. Hair that does not have enough volume, enough texture, enough movement.

A layered haircut will give hair the appearance of more volume, said Holmes-Morton. “When hair gets long, it gets weight; the weight drags it down.”

Relieve that weight by a layered cut and give your hair a lift.

Hair that is weighed down and shapeless will be brought back to life with layers. Whether your hair is short or long, adding layers into your haircut will amp up your style power. Chiseled face-framing layers, short volumizing layers, or soft tapered layers are all great options to freshen up your look.

The shampoo and conditioner you use is important also, added HolmesMorton. The right shampoo makes the hair cuticles swell and gives hair a lift. She especially likes Paul Mitchell Extra Body Daily Shampoo as it promotes volume.

Using a conditioner is important for fine hair also, Holmes-Morton said. “Al-

ways use a conditioner, a very light conditioner. The thicker the conditioner, the more weight it will add and that will drag down your hair.”

She recommends Paul Mitchell Extra Body Daily Rinse for fine hair.

Fight the friz

• Frizzy hair: Many women are cursed with frizzy hair. “Use products that moisturize for frizzy hair,” advised Holmes-Morton. Medium weight products are best.

Frizzy hair is often dry. Brushing frizzy hair makes it frizzier, so avoid brushing. To tame frizzy hair, wet

your hands, then finger comb to tackle frizz.

The latest product that many women are raving about is Moroccan oil. Moroccan oil minimizes frizz and adds shine and silkiness. It comes in a variety of prices; the reasonably priced version works just as well as the more expensive, according to some comments online.

• Split ends: A haircut every six to eight weeks, even if it is just to trim the ends, will help manage split ends.

• Oily hair: “Make sure you use a product that’s not too heavy,” said Holmes-Morton. “I especially like lemonbased products, as the lemon absorbs the excess oil.”

One misconception people have is that they don’t want to use conditioner if their hair is oily, continued Holmes-Morton. “This is totally incorrect.

When you shampoo, you are stripping off moisture. You need to restore the necessary moisture.”

Daily washing may cause the oils to be stripped too quickly, encouraging them to come back as even oilier to make up for the loss. If you have naturally greasy hair, it’s recommended that you only wash it every two to three days.

Be choosy about the products you use to style your hair. Don’t use too much or you’ll weigh your hair down and residue could accumulate.

Stay away from “gloppy” gels, because they will make your hair look greasy when it’s not.

Do not over-brush your hair, as brushing stimulates the oil glands that will increase oil production.

• Dull/faded hair: Hair that has been colored can become dull and faded. The best treatment is to invest in products that are specifically for color treated hair.

In addition to being a hair stylist, Holmes-Morton is also a licensed massage therapist at Heads-R-Turning Salon and Spa.

Study: Subway not much healthier than McDonald’s

S

ubway may promote itself as the “healthy” fast food restaurant, but it might not be a much healthier alternative than McDonald’s for adolescents, according to new UCLA research.

In a study published May 6 in the “Journal of Adolescent Health,” the researchers found that adolescents who purchased Subway meals consumed nearly as many calories as they did at McDonald’s. Meals from both restaurants are likely to contribute toward overeating and obesity, according to the researchers.

“Every day, millions of people eat at McDonald’s and Subway, the two largest fast food chains in the world,” said physician Lenard Lesser, who led Page 8

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the research while a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical scholar in the department of family medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “With childhood obesity at record levels, we need to know the health impact of kids’ choices at restaurants.”

The researchers recruited 97 adolescents ages 12 to 21 to purchase meals at McDonald’s and Subway restaurants at a shopping mall in Carson, Calif. The participants went to each restaurant on different weekdays between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., and paid for the meals with their own money. Researchers used the participants’ cash register receipts to record what each customer ate and estimated calorie counts from information on the chains’ websites.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2013

The researchers found that the participants bought meals containing an average of 1,038 calories at McDonald’s and an average of 955 calories at Subway.

“We found that there was no statistically significant difference between the two restaurants, and that participants ate too many calories at both,” said Lesser, who is now a researcher at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute.

The Institute of Medicine recommends that school lunches not exceed 850 calories. An adolescent should consume an average of about 2,400 calories in a day.

Among the researchers’ other findings:

• The sandwiches purchased by participants contained an average of 784 calories at Subway vs. 572 calories at McDonald’s.

• Participants purchased sugary drinks averaging 61 calories at Subway, and 151 calories at McDonald’s.

• Customers in the study purchased side items such as French fries and potato chips that added an average of 35 calories at Subway compared with 201 calories at McDonald’s.

• Participants consumed 102 grams of carbohydrates at Subway; 128 grams at McDonald’s.

• The meals contained an average of 36 grams of sugar at Subway; 54 grams at McDonald’s.

Women’s Health

Rosy outlook

Rose Hosp redefines the meaning of volunteerism City, Iowa.

Despite her retirement, she has not ventured far from teaching. She taught Spanish for seven years as an adjunct professor at Utica College. For the last 12 years, she has been a volunteer facilitator-instructor in Spanish at the Mohawk Valley Institute for Learning in Retirement at SUNYIT. The Hosps have volunteered for Habitat for Humanity for nearly a decade. They made six trips to Central America and helped build homes, by hand, without power tools and tolerated extremely hot weather. During these trips, she volunteered to be an interpreter for the native people.

By Patricia J. Malin

I

n her spare time, Rose Hosp enjoys golf and gardening.

But one wonders how the Oneida County Senior Citizen of the Year has any time to spare.

Hosp, 71, can’t remember a time when she wasn’t volunteering. Even when she was working as a Spanish teacher at Holland Patent Central School, she was frequently called upon to do some extracurricular tasks.

She used to chaperone students to events, she explained. She organized pizza parties for the Spanish Club, which in turn donated the funds to the Peace Corps in South America. She and her husband, Jack, hosted foreign exchange students from the AFS Intercultural Program, of which she served several terms as president.

When Rose finally put down her lesson plans after 34 years in 1998, it actually freed her to do even more extensive volunteering. Jack quipped that he has to volunteer, too in order to spend quality time with his wife and accommodate her whirlwind schedule.

“When I was teaching, I lived to work,” she commented. “Now I live to volunteer. It’s always been a part of my life and I’m having fun.”

Hosp, 71, was named senior citizen of the year during a dinner held by the Oneida County Office for the Aging and Continuing Care recently at Roselawn Banquet House in New York Mills.

The Rescue Mission of Utica received the award as organization of the year for its commitment to helping seniors. Fifty-two other local senior volunteers were also recognized for their services in the past year.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo honored Hosp during a ceremony in Albany earlier this year. She discovered that volunteers contribute $1.3 billion worth of time and services annually in New York state.

Army of volunteers

According to Oneida County Office for the Aging and Continuing Care Director Mike Romano, the county has 12,000 seniors who volunteer through

‘Friends of Olopa’

Rose Hosp OFA/OCC to take on such tasks as case management, providing transportation and delivering meals to shut-ins, and contributing to the quality of life of other seniors.

Rose and Jack recently moved from Barneveld to the Preswick Glen senior retirement community in New Hartford.

It’s more conveniently located near the Parkway Senior Center in Utica, where Rose directs the choral group. Parkway Senior Center Director Kelly Walters nominated Hosp for the award. She also volunteers at Hope House, a women’s shelter in Utica.

Hosp grew up in east Utica and attended Roosevelt School and Utica Free Academy. She received her bachelor’s degree from Utica College and her master’s from Middlebury College. She spent her entire career at Holland Patent Central, where she met Jack, a native of the Syracuse area (Eastwood).

They have been married 45 years, and have one son, a college professor, who lives with his wife and son in Iowa

During a trip to Guatemala with two friends from Holland Patent, Hosp visited the small village of Olopa. For about the last eight years, the three “Friends of Olopa” have raised thousands of dollars in scholarships for the native children.

Hosp said many of those who receive scholarships have become teachers, too, and strive to help their families and neighbors improve their standard of living.

In August 2012, when she and Jack went to Anchorage, Alaska, for Habitat For Humanity, they were put to work building and repairing five different homes using power tools, climbing scaffolding and braving cold, rainy weather. The Hosps have not yet received their assignment this year.

Music has long been Hosp’s passion and it’s easy to devote time to it.

She spent eight years performing with Il Coro Italiano, seven years with the BARBershoppe Belles and three years with the Rose Garden Ensemble.

Jack was the athlete and the top runner in the family for years — that is, until he encouraged Rose to participate in the Utica Boilermaker Road Race. She has “chugged along,” she commented, in every 15K since 1976 and finished third in her age group last year.

Naturally, that led to another volunteer mission. Rose helps prepare the runner’s gift bags and sandwiches

the night before the race and has volunteered at the youth run.

She has also participated in America’s Heart Walk and Run for three decades, including tackling the 18-mile run from Barneveld in the early years.

This past March, she walked as a member of the Parkway Senior Center Team.

Always on the go

For 14 years, she has been a docent at Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute. She continues to serve as treasurer for the Barneveld Public Library.

Hanging around the pros has undoubtedly helped her golf game. She had previously volunteered at the Turning Stone Casino’s PGA tournament and the now-defunct LPGA Corning Classic.

Jack, too, has a list of contributions to the community. He has been a member of the Civil Air Patrol for 38 years.

He has volunteered as a track and field official for the Syracuse Chargers, and with Rose, has volunteered to assist in Syracuse city track meets.

Meanwhile, Karin Pflanz, volunteer coordinator, accepted the award for outstanding contribution by an organization in Oneida County on behalf of the Rescue Mission. Located at 212 Rutger St., the Rescue Mission Auxiliary depends on more than 50 senior volunteers over the age of 55 to keep the nonprofit organization on its toes.

In 2012, senior volunteers provided 9,319 hours of service, including preparing meals, making deliveries, teaching in the computer learning center and tutoring students for their GED (general equivalency high school diploma). Volunteers help with clerical duties in both the representative payee program and in the addiction crisis center, and also act as “prayer warriors” in liaison with local churches.

One senior volunteer acts as the gatekeeper at the Parker House, ensuring the confidentiality of those in rehabilitation. “Senior volunteers truly unleash the power of age,” said Pflanz.

American Legion Post 229 of Utica and the Utica College Occupational Therapy Department were also honored for outstanding contributions by an organization.

Women in 40s continue to get routine mammograms at same rate

W

omen in their 40s continue to undergo routine breast cancer screenings despite national guidelines recommending otherwise, according to new Johns Hopkins research.

In 2009, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) sifted through the evidence and recommended that while women aged 50-74 should continue to undergo mammograms every two years, those between the ages of 40 and 49 without a family history of breast cancer should discuss the risks

and benefits of routine screening mammography with their physicians to make individual decisions.

As a result of the altered recommendations, Lauren D. Block, a clinical fellow at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and her colleagues expected to find fewer women in their 40s getting routine mammograms.

Instead, they found no impact on mammography rates among younger women.

“Patients — and likely their providers — appear hesitant to change their

behavior, even in light of evidence that routine screening in younger women carries substantial risk of false positives and unnecessary further imaging and biopsies,” says Block, leader of a study published online in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. “Women have been bombarded with the message ‘mammograms save lives,’ so they want them no matter what.”

That research has shown that mammography’s impact on younger July 2013 •

women is mixed at best: routine screening increases rates of detecting cancer in young women, but reduces mortality risk by a very small percentage. It is more likely, studies show, to result in over-diagnosis, and unnecessary treatment, including biopsies, lumpectomies and mastectomies, and weeks of radiation and potentially toxic drugs.

False positives result in avoidable procedures and psychological trauma.

Many of the cancers detected will probably never be dangerous, but are aggressively treated.

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Page 9

Everyday Living Assistance

FSLH stroke support group takes faith-based approach

F • Care for the Elderly & Disabled • Companionship at Home • Transportation to Doctors’ Appointments • Grocery Shopping • Chores Call Mary & Ken • 507-3354

Keeping You Content & Comfortable.

axton St. Luke’s Healthcare will host a free stroke support group presentation at 6 p.m. July 3 in the Soggs Room at St. Luke’s Home in the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services, 1650 Champlin Ave., Utica.

The presentation will focus on the adjustments patients face following a stroke and the patience these changes require.

Deacon Paul Lehmann, FSLH’s hospital chaplain, will lead the faithbased discussion.

For more information, call 315624-8779.

Florica Ochotorena,

M.D.

Board Certified

Adult&Geriatric Psychiatrist 315-337-2582 • 117 West Liberty Street, Rome, NY

HELP REDUCE ER CROWDING. FOR COLD AND FLU SYMPTOMS, SEE YOUR DOCTOR. A recent study found that each year there are hundreds of thousands of emergency room visits in upstate New York that could be avoided. Minor conditions like cold and flu symptoms, congestion, back pain, earaches and sports injuries are best treated by your doctor. If your doctor isn’t available, consider visiting an urgent care facility. And do your part to relieve ER crowding.

Sponsored by the Medical Societies of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

A nonprofit independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2013

Learn more at one of our informational sessions and meet Drs. Jeffrey DeSimone and Kenneth Cooper.

Jun 4 � Jun 20 � Jul 2 � Jul 18 4:30 p.m.

St. E’s names its nurses of distinction

F

our nurses were recognized with nurse of distinction awards from St. Elizabeth Medical Center, case management, St. Elizabeth Medical Group and the college of nursing recently as part of National Nurses Week festivities. Also named were a nurse technician and ward clerk of distinction.

• Named as St. Elizabeth Medical Center nurse of distinction is Robin Westbrook.

• St. Elizabeth Medical Center quality and case management nurse of distinction is Deborah Benson.

• St. Elizabeth College of Nursing nurse of distinction is Doreen Rogers.

• St. Elizabeth Medical Group nurse of distinction is Alicia Brown.

• Named as St. Elizabeth Medical Center nurse tech of distinction is Valerie Fessia.

• Named as St. Elizabeth Medical Center ward clerk of distinction is Justin Crossman.

Two deceased nurses were also recognized for their dedication to the medical center and its patients.

They were Judy Snizek, who worked at the hospital from 1985 to 2012, and Cindy Mills, employed from 2007-2013.

FSLH to host seminar on weight loss surgery

F

axton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica is the No. 1-ranked bariatric surgery hospital in New York state for 2011-2012 and is among the top 5 percent of hospitals in the nation for its bariatric surgery program with a 5-star rating by HealthGrades.

The FSLH bariatric team will host an informational program about weight loss surgery at 6 p.m. June 27.

The event will take place in the community room at the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services, located on the St. Luke’s Campus, 1650 Champlin Ave., New Hartford.

The program is free and open to the public. Those interested in attending can call 315-624-6398.

July 2013 •

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Page 11

Diet & Fitness The Balanced Body

By Deb Dittner

The Perfect Salad I

t’s that time of year when farmers markets everywhere are bustling with fresh produce.

Everything looks so inviting and I appreciate all the hard work that our farmers put in to create healthy and nutritious foods for our overall wellness.

Salad is an everyday staple in our house year round but this time of year the options are abounding.

So what makes the perfect balanced salad?

Lettuce, vegetables, protein and fat are what it takes.

Grilling Season: Two risk factors to keep in mind Dana-Farber nutritionist offers tips to reduce cancer risk while grilling

Lettuce

Spring greens are so fresh and vibrant this time of year and hold the

Dittner

salad together.

Take your pick of greens from kale (my favorite), spinach, mesclun, romaine and arugula.

Experiment with all of the greens and choose which best suits your taste.

Growing salad greens is also very easy whether you have a garden bed, raised bed or patio pot.

Nutrients abound in salad greens.

Spinach contains iron, calcium and protein, is anti-inflammatory and strengthens the bones.

Kale contains calcium, Vitamins K, C, A and potassium.

Arugula contains calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. When purchasing greens, remember to buy organic as greens are found on the “dirty dozen” list.

Vegetables

Spring veggies are so tasty.

Add broccoli, radish sprouts, and pea shoots on top of the salad as these contain energizing enzymes. Fresh this time of year also includes radishes and asparagus.

These are full of fiber and tons of antioxidants plus help to fill you up. To create the rainbow of colors, add carrots and bell peppers.

Protein

Lean protein in the salad will help to keep you satisfied longer while building tissue and muscle.

I suggest adding a boiled egg (preferably free range), chicken breast (preferably organic), or shrimp or salmon (preferably wild caught).

Fat

Beneficial fat comes from the addiPage 12

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tion of avocado (sliced or pureed into a dressing), a handfull of walnuts, or some olives.

I encourage you to make your own salad dressing using extra virgin olive oil or hemp oil, and add some balsamic vinegar, herbs and even a bit of stone ground mustard. Bottled dressings contain many preservatives, unpronounceable ingredients and sugars.

Plus homemade salad dressing is more economical.

So there you have it—the perfect salad!

If you like things a bit more exciting, add chickpeas, quinoa, a few dried cranberries, and even goat cheese.

But how can we take that perfect salad on a picnic or to work?

The answer is to make your salad in a wide mouth Mason or Ball jar and layer the ingredients.

• Layer 1 (bottom): Dressing • Layer 2: Beans, cucumber, carrots, edamame, bell pepper, radish, chickpeas, green beans • Layer 3: Strawberries, almonds, quinoa, seeds, walnuts, mandarin orange, tomatoes, sprouts, onion, peas, broccoli, mushrooms • Layer 4 (top): Mixed salad greens, spinach, arugula, kale When ready to eat, just shake well and enjoy the perfect salad.

• Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner specializing in reiki and holistic nutrition. Check out her website at www.The-Balanced-Body. com.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2013

T

he arrival of summer means it’s time for picnics, parties and the kick off of outdoor grilling season. But before taking that first juicy bite, there are a few things to know about barbequing safely.

All that sizzling and flipping on the gas or charcoal grill may also be cooking up cancer-causing chemicals, warn experts at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. And surprisingly, those chemicals have been linked to breast, stomach, prostate, and colon cancer, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research, But Stacy Kennedy, a Dana-Farber nutritionist, says that doesn’t mean giving up those tasty summer time treats like burgers, steaks, and ribs.

“It’s really about planning ahead and making wise choices.”

There are two risk factors to keep in mind. First, research has shown that high-heat grilling can convert proteins in red meat, pork, poultry, and fish into heterocyclic amines (HCAs).

These chemicals have been linked to a number of cancers. “What happens is that the high temperature can change the shape of the protein structure in the meat so it becomes irritating in the body and is considered a carcinogenic chemical,” explains Kennedy.

Another cancer-causing agent, called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is found in the smoke.

PAHs form when fat and juices from meat products drip on the heat source.

As the smoke rises it can stick to the surface of the meat. “That’s where the main cancer causing compound occurs in grilling,” says Kennedy. “So you want to reduce the exposure to that smoke.”

How to lower the risk? Here are some tips.

Prep the meat

• Choose lean cuts of meat, instead of high-fat varieties such as ribs and sausage.

• Trim all excess fat and remove skin.

• When using marinades, thinner is better. Thicker marinades have a tendency to char, possibly increasing exposure to carcinogenic compounds.

• Look for marinades that contain vinegar or lemon. They actually create a protective barrier around the meat.

Limit time – limit exposure

• Always thaw meat first. This also reduces the cooking time.

• Partially cook meat and fish in a microwave for 60 to 90 seconds on high before grilling and then discard the juices. This will lower cooking time and reduce risk of cause smoke flare-ups.

Grilling techniques

• Flip burgers often – once every minute – to help prevent burning or charring.

• Place food at least six inches from heat source.

• Create a barrier to prevent juices from spilling and producing harmful smoke.

Try lining the grill with aluminum foil and poking holes, and cooking on cedar planks.

Plan ahead and choose wisely

• Lean meats create less dripping and less smoke.

• Choose smaller cuts of meat, like kabobs, as they take less time to cook.

• Try grilling your favorite vegetables. They do not contain the protein that forms harmful HCAs.

Diet & Fitness

Develop a fitness plan Understand the common mistakes associated with working out

• Consume protein and green veggies at every meal • Avoid sugar and processed foods • Drink plenty of water • No alcohol • Log your food every day • Plan your meals ahead Krebs offers this piece of advice for those who struggle with their diets: “Nothing tastes as good as looking in the mirror and feeling good about what you see.”

• Improper form: Even devoted exercisers are guilty of using improper form at times.

By Kristen Raab

S

ummer seems to inspire people to begin or recommit to fitness regimens.

Exercise is a crucial component to maintaining health, making commitment a great idea. However, there are some common mistakes people make that likely reduce positive results.

• Stalled routine: One of the greatest mistakes is to get stuck in a fitness rut.

While a stalled routine is better than no routine, it will eventually halt your results.

Steve Krebs, owner of Next Level Performance Boot Camps in Marcy, explains why this becomes a problem.

“The human body adapts to training stimulus pretty quickly,” he said. Lack of progress often Krebs decreases motivation, and Kreb’s said this is “the number one reason why people give up on their fitness journey.”

He suggests seeking professional training because experts can design an effective program for you. While “trying something new is scary, painful, intimidating and brings us out of our comfort zones,” Krebs suggests embracing the program as it can “empower you, make you stronger, happier, stress free, and more.”

• Avoidance of strength training: Women sometimes avoid lifting weights because they fear the process will make them add bulk. Krebs acknowledges that this is a myth and says, “Strength training is the numberone focus when creating a program for a curvy, lean muscular body.”

The reason women are not likely to gain bulk like men is the lower level of testosterone in the female body.

Do not let this common myth stop

Do your homework

you from strength training, Krebs said.

“Adding lean muscle is one of the best things a woman can do for her figure, confidence, bone density and more,” he said.

• Taking on too much: Perhaps it is excitement that makes people move too quickly with a new program without taking their muscle imbalances into consideration.

According to Krebs, “The first side effect of overdoing it is injury.”

Take the energy and motivation you feel and use it to find a professional who can do a personal assessment, which “allows the fitness professional to see what physical issues they are dealing with so they can write a proper training program to suit the client’s needs while still guiding them toward their goals.”

• Not working hard enough: In contrast to overdoing it, some people fail to put enough effort into exercising.

Kreb’s said it “has everything to do with this person’s belief system, core values and self-worth.” Sticking to an exercise program is not easy, and it all begins with a plan.

“We also have to take into account the amount of hard work, discomfort and dedication it takes to drop body fat and pack on lean muscle,” he said.

One way to make sure you stay motivated to work hard is to envision the end results, or as Kreb’s says, “Start with the end in mind.”

• Believing exercise compensates for a poor diet/overeating: Exercising every day does not negate unhealthy foods you put into your body. It is certainly OK to have ice cream or chips occasionally, but it is important not to use exercise as a free pass to eat whatever you crave.

“There is no exercise/training program in the world that can outrun a bad diet,” Krebs says. It is also necessary to figure out why you are coping with food. “To overcome overeating and stress eating, you must address the cause and not the symptoms,” Krebs explains.

Proper diet critical

In terms of healthy eating habits, Krebs and the staff at Next Level advise their clients to follow some general habits:

One reason this happens is because we simply were not taught the correct way to do the exercise. To fix this problem, Krebs said, “Search out a topnotch results-based facility with a track record that can teach you the foundation of training.”

He suggests contacting people who use the facility and getting their opinion as well. For people who want to use proper form but are unable to go to a facility, Krebs advises finding an online or DVD training program.

• Not stretching: Some people skip stretching to save time, and some think it is an unnecessary part of the fitness process.

Krebs explains, “Every legitimate training program should start with an ‘AMP’ (activation, mobility and movement prep) warm up using a foam roll.

Static stretching is also acceptable prior to your foam rolling routine or post workout.

Tight muscles do not have a full range of motion, and that can lead to injury. Do not skip stretching!

There is nothing wrong with an event or a season motivating someone to get into shape, but it is more effective to commit to a fit lifestyle. “Fitness is a journey and should be viewed as such,” Krebs reminds us. We can make the choice to make a change, and if we add in “positive support system, accountability and love,” we can be well on our way to success.

Tend to your muscles and joints when gardening

G

ardening can be a relaxing and enjoyable summertime activity.

But bending and kneeling for long periods of time can take a toll on your back and joints.

A little bit of prevention can go a long way toward avoiding pain and injury, said Melissa Brodt, physical therapist at Chestnut Commons Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, 107 E. Chestnut St., Rome.

“People may experience back pain, knee pain and wrist pain all due to the repetitive movements and prolonged

positioning associated with gardening,” Brodt explained. She suggests some easy tips that may help prevent these problems from developing.

• Take 5 to 10 minutes to loosen up your muscles and get your blood flowing before getting started. Perform 5-10 back extensions. Standing, with your feet at least hip-width apart, place your hands in the small of your back and bend as far backwards as you can.

Repeat the back extensions multiple times during and after gardening.

• Change positions often while

working. It is never a good idea to stay in one position for a prolonged period of time.

• Use good posture and lifting techniques while gardening such as bending your knees, leaning over from the hips and keeping your back straight from the base of your neck all the way down to the end of your spine.

• Make sure to break large jobs into smaller tasks, taking frequent rest periods where you can get up and stretch.

• Design your garden so that you can easily maneuver around plants July 2013 •

without having to reach too far. You can limit strain on your back if you don’t have to lean over a lot of plants in a wide bed.

• Putting mulch around the plants in your garden beds not only maintains moisture, it suppresses weeds. This will minimize the need for bending over and straining your back to remove the unwanted plants.

• Build raised garden beds or plant flowers and vegetables in porch boxes to avoid bending.

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

Apply for disability benefits from the convenience of home

H

ave you been thinking about applying for Social Security disability benefits, but you are unable to visit a Social Security office to complete the interview? Or perhaps your disabling condition makes it difficult to visit a Social Security office.

We have good news: you can complete your application for Social Security disability benefits from the convenience of your home. Get started at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

The application process involves determining whether you have sufficient work to be eligible for Social Security; the severity of your medical condition; and your ability to work.

Because we carefully review so many cases — more than three million each year — it can take us three to five months to determine whether you are eligible to receive benefits.

The amount of time it takes to make a decision on your application can vary depending on a number of factors, such as: • the nature of your disability; • how quickly we obtain medical evidence from you, your doctors, hospitals, or other medical sources; and • whether we need to send you for a medical examination to obtain evidence to support your claim.

We have several important initiatives to speed up the process. For example, our Compassionate Allowances initiative allows us to fast-track certain cases of individuals with very severe disabilities. Two hundred different types of disabilities qualify for this expedited decision, and the list continues to expand. Since Compassionate Allowances began in 2008, the agency

Q&A

Q: I need proof of my Social Security income. Can I get verification online?

A: Yes! And the best way to get a benefit verification letter is by using a “my Social Security” account. Your personal “my Social Security” account is a convenient and secure way for you to check your benefit and payment information, change your address, phone number, and direct deposit information, and to get your benefit verification letter. You can use your benefit verification letter to verify your income, retirement or disability status, Medicare eligibility, and age. When you use “my Social Security” to get it, you can request which information you would like included in the letter. Learn more, use “my Social Security,” and get your benefit verification letter now at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

Q: I heard there is a Social Security video available in American Sign Language. Where can I find it?

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has fast-tracked more than 250,000 disability applications, getting benefits to people in a matter of days instead of months. Learn more about Compassionate Allowances at www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.

Another way we speed up decisions is with our Quick Disability Determinations initiative, which uses technology to identify applicants who have the most severe disabilities and allows us to expedite our decisions on those cases. Read more about Quick Disability Determinations at www. socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/ qdd.htm.

There are things you can do to help speed up the decision process too. The more information you provide up front, the less time it will take us to obtain the evidence we need — and the faster we can make a decision on your application. The types of information we need include: • medical records or documentation you have; we can make copies of your records and return your originals; • the names, addresses, and phone numbers for any doctors, hospitals, medical facilities, treatment centers, or providers that may have information related to your disabling condition; • the names, addresses, and phone numbers for recent employers and the dates you worked for each employer; and • your federal tax return for the past year.

If you’re not able to work due to a disability and getting to an office is troublesome, don’t worry. You can apply online for Social Security disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

UCP names its ‘Caring Person of the Year’ Blake Ford, right, was recently named the 2012 Upstate Cerebral Palsy Caring Person of the Year. He was recently honored at the Upstate Cerebral Palsy annual meeting at the Radisson Hotel-Utica Centre. The award recognizes people who have consistently served the community in their commitment to supporting individuals with special needs as well as taking an active role in making the Mohawk Valley a better place to live. Blake was Upstate Cerebral Palsy board president from 2007-2010 and continues his dedication as chairperson of the UCP Parent Corporation. Louis B. Tehan, Upstate Cerebral Palsy president and CEO, is shown congratulating Blake.

A: Yes, it’s true, and you can find the video on our website. The video is called “Social Security, SSI and Medicare: What You Need to Know About These Vital Programs.” The video is available in American Sign Language and it presents important information about our programs. You can watch the video now at www.socialsecurity. gov/multimedia/video/asl. The video is a part of our larger collection of ondemand videos and webinars available at www.socialsecurity.gov/webinars.

Q: Can I apply for retirement benefits online?

A: Yes, you can and it is quick, convenient, and easy. You’ll find the application information at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline. You also can calculate your estimated benefits by using our Retirement Estimator at www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator. Apply online and save a trip to the office and a wait in line.

For more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2013

CMN Hospital at FSLH receives award at regional conference The Children’s Miracle Network Hospital at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica recently received the Miracle Maker 2012 award for the most dollars raised per capita in the northeast region at the CMN Northeastern Regional Conference in Baltimore, Md. CMN at FSLH raised almost a half million dollars in 2012 which is equal to a $2.07 donation per person in our community. All of the money raised stays in the community and benefits womens’ and children’s services at FSLH. Above, Eileen Pronobis, right, executive director of the Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation, and Andrea MacDiarmid, CMN coordinator at FSLH, display the award.

By Jim Miller

Simple television remotes designed for seniors Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some easy-to-use television remote controls for seniors?

I got my 74-year-old mother a new HDTV for her birthday, but the remote control is very confusing for her to operate.

Shopping Son

Rome Memorial Hospital nurses complete critical care course

Rome Memorial Hospital nurses completed an intensive 72-hour critical care course providing them with in-depth knowledge of cardiac, circulatory, and coronary care medicine. The graduates, from left, include Kelsey Bird, Ernest Jeneault, Celeste Ferguson and Cindee Pugh, shown with Richard Simpson, critical care coordinator. The hospital’s education department provides several opportunities a year for employees to advance their professional knowledge and skills.

Dear Shopping, It seems like most television remote controls today come with dozens of unnecessary buttons that make them very confusing to operate. Add in the fact that many people use two or three remotes to operate their home entertainment equipment (TV, cable box, VCR and DVD player, etc.) it compounds the problem even further.

Fortunately, there are several universal TV remotes available today that are specifically designed for seniors and the technically challenged. These remote controls have bigger buttons and fewer options that make them much easier to see, program and operate.

Simplified remotes

Mini horses get huge reception at St. Luke’s A family of miniature horses from Armando Acres in Rome recently visited St. Luke’s Home residents in Utica. Farm owner Judy Armando brought Daisy, a 20-year-old miniature horse, and her 6-week-old foal, Rosie, to greet the nearly 200 residents. “Many of our residents grew up on farms and are true animal lovers,” said Jacquelyn DeLuca, director of therapeutic recreation at St. Luke’s Home. Above, St. Luke’s Home resident Gladys Donovan pets Daisy. St. Luke’s Home is a 202-bed long-term skilled nursing facility with a 40-bed sub-acute rehabilitation unit located on the St. Luke’s Campus of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare.

Two popular senior-friendly products to consider are the Flipper Remote and the Super Remote SR3.

The Flipper works all major TVs including cable, satellite and digital TV receiver boxes with only one remote.

Available for $25 at flipperremote.com, it offers a tapered design that makes it easy to hold, and for simplicity it has only six large color-coded buttons that are exposed (On/Off, Channel Up and Down, Volume Up and Down, and Mute.) All others buttons are accessed by sliding the top panel down, so they won’t get in the way during day-to-day TV watching.

Flipper also has an optional feature that lets you program up to 30 of your mom’s favorite channels for easy access.

The Super Remote SR3 from July 2013 •

Universal Remote Control, Inc. (sold through amazon.com for around $13) is a slightly more sophisticated userfriendly remote that can control three devices — TVs, cable or satellite boxes, and DVD players.

It offers a light-weight ergonomic design, large easy-to-see numeric buttons each in the shape of the number it represents, and a centrally located “My Button” that gives your mom the ability turn on the TV and set the tuner to her favorite channel with a single button press.

It also provides four “Favorite” buttons for one-touch access to her favorite channels, and an “All Off” button that lets her shut down the entire home entertainment system with a single button press.

Super-sized remotes There are also a number of oversized TV remotes that are ideal for seniors with vision problems. The “Tek Partner,” “Big Button,” and “Tek Pal” remotes all made by the Hy-Tek Manufacturing Company (bigbuttonremotes. com, 630-466-7664) in Sugar Grove, Ill. are three solid options to consider.

If you’re interested in an extra large remote control, the $40 Tek Partner – which is 5 ½” wide and 8 ½” long – is their biggest. It offers huge brightly lit buttons with big readable characters, and a narrowed center (3 ½”), which makes it easy to handle for a big remote. It also contains only the essential functions making it easy to use and program, and it operates any combination of TV‘s, VCR’s, DVD players, cable boxes and satellite dishes.

If you’re looking for something a little smaller (2 ½” X 9 ½”), there’s the $25, rectangular-shaped Big Button remote that offers the same large and illuminating buttons as the Tek Partner and the exact same features.

Or, if you only want a basic remote for the TV, there’s the Tek Pal that comes with just six large buttons (On/ Off, Mute, Channel Up and Down, and Volume Up and Down buttons) that light up when pushed. Available for $19, the Pal will only work with televisions that have cable wired directly into the TV.

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

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CALENDAR of

KIDS Corner

HEALTH EVENTS

Continued from Page 2

July 17

HealthFriends to feature celebration Healthfriends in Utica will its annual celebration from 5:30–8 p.m. July 17 at Harts Hill Inn, Whitesboro.

Honorees include the Rev. Jon Nobel and the congregation at First Presbyterian Church, Little Falls; John Weakley, a volunteer at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare; and Marolyn P. Wilson and Suzanne P. Harrington, owners of Holland Farms Bakery & Deli.

HealthFriends is a community partnership founded by the Mohawk Valley Network, St. Francis de Sales Parish in Utica and Catholic Charities of Herkimer County in Ilion.

HealthFriends provides immediate and long-term prescription medication for people without prescription insurance and without the means to purchase medication needed to achieve and maintain good health.

It also assists seniors in EPIC enrollment.

For more information, call 7240988.

Aug. 4

Crafters wanted for summer bazaar St. Joseph Nursing Home, 2535 Genesee St., Utica, will celebrate its ninth annual summer bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 4.

The home has openings for vendors such as artists and crafters to participate in this event that includes a chicken barbecue, refreshments, and games for children.

Proceeds from the event will be used to support the programs and activities for the residents of St. Joseph Nursing Home.

For a registration form and more information, contact Kathy Poupart at 315-797-1230 or email at development@stjosephnh.org.

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Pediatrician: Put baby on back to sleep and tummy to play

T

hanks to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most parents know the safest way for an infant to sleep is on their back. The campaign has reduced the number of children who have died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) has declined by more than half. But sleeping is only a portion of the infant’s day. What should parents do when their baby is awake?

“SIDS is a very serious issues, but it’s also caused many of the parents I see in my clinic to be concerned about ever placing their children on their stomach, even if the child is awake,” said Hannah Chow-Johnson, pediatrician at Loyola University Health System.

Tummy time is important for an infant’s physical and mental development. If children don’t spend time on their tummy, it will be harder for the child to push on the arms, which delays rolling over. It also can flatten the back portion of the skull.

“If you notice your child starts to have a flat spot on the back of the skull, spend more time playing

together on the floor on your tummies and this most likely will correct the issue,” said Chow.

Chow suggests parents place infants on their tummy whenever he or she is awake, even if it’s only for a minute each time. Floor tummy time is preferred but lying on a parent’s stomach will help build head and neck muscle strength as well.

“Even newborns can lift their heads up briefly. So, have some tummy time right from the start,” said Chow.

“Tummy time exercises will help your infant be at maximum strength and set the foundation for rolling and crawling.”

In addition to helping your child’s physical strength, it also gives your baby a different view of the world and is great for mental development.

Strong head and neck muscles also help reduce the risk of SIDS. So, it’s important for the baby’s safety to have some tummy time when awake and always place on the back when asleep.

“To keep your child safe and healthy remember back to sleep, tummy to play,” said Chow

Presbyterian Home residents find joy through pet therapy

T

he Presbyterian Home for Central New York in New Hartford believes in the benefits of a practice that many scientific studies are confirming: Pets keep us mentally and emotionally healthy at all stages of life.

It’s all part of its pet therapy program, where pets live with or visit residents to help improve their wellbeing.

As it turns out, the pets benefit too. Staff members adopt many of these furry and feathered visitors.

Animals are an integral part of residents’ lives at the Presbyterian Home. Some pets are full-time residents themselves, and there are many regular visitors that make the rounds of their elderly friends.

From dogs and cats to birds and rabbits, any affectionate pet is a candidate for the program. The Rome Humane Society visits PHCNY every other week and brings either a dog or a cat to visit.

Jane Devecis, director of activities, says the pet therapy program is one the home’s most popular and vital initiatives. “Pets are an important part

of many people’s lives, particularly our older community members, who often deal with isolation as they lose friends and family in their later years,” she says. “Pets provide comfort and emotional support, and studies show that seniors who have pets live happier and longer lives.”

At any age, pet ownership can lower blood pressure, help with depression, and provide unconditional love, affection and physical touch. Residents also experience anxiety relief, even after coming into contact with pets for a short time, DeVecis said.

The Presbyterian Home for Central New York is a member of the Presbyterian Homes & Services’ family of services, which also includes the Presbyterian Residential Community, Presbyterian Homes Foundation, The Meadows at Middle Settlement, and Preswick Glen independent senior living community.

For more information on the pet therapy program at Presbyterian Home for Central New York, contact Devecis at JDEVECIS@presbyterianhome.com or 315-272-2207.

Story idea? Call 315-749-7070 today!

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2013

H ealth News Rome native joins Delta Medical Family nurse practitioner Patricia Marrello has joined the staff of Delta Medical in Rome.

Marrello joins internal medicine physician Humberto Perez at the new primary care practice to help area residents who are in need of a primary care provider.

A native of Rome, Marrello said she knows Marrello the importance of accessible healthcare providers and being able to provide care for her community is important to her.

“I was born and raised in Rome and I raised my own family here,” she said. “I am proud to be able to offer my services to the people of Rome and to help encourage my patients to live healthy lives.”

Marrello graduated from Marcy State Hospital School of Nursing in 1968 and earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing at SUNYIT. She received her master’s degrees in hospital administration from the New School of Social Research and as a family nurse practitioner from SUNYIT in 2001.

She is a member of the New York State Nurse Practitioners Association, The Honor Society of Nurse Practitioners and is certified through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

HealthNet receives Parks and Trails NY Award Parks & Trails New York, a statewide parks and trails advocacy organization, announced the winners of its 2013 Park & Trail Recognition Awards.

The awards recognize the leadership, creativity, and donation of time, talent, and materials behind many of New York’s parks and trails.

Herkimer County HealthNet received the Get Outdoors Award for its commitment to developing and maintaining trails and playgrounds, which encourages physical activity throughout Herkimer County.

“Volunteers, local businesses, governments, and nonprofits all across New York are the driving forces behind our state’s extensive trails network.

These significant efforts rarely receive the recognition they so richly deserve.

We are pleased to celebrate these contributions with our 2013 Park & Trail Awards,” noted Parks & Trails New York Executive Director Robin Dropkin.

The Herkimer County HealthNet, Creating Healthy Places to Live Work and Play program was awarded for its commitment to implementing 18 park and trail projects in Herkimer county villages and towns.

Herkimer County HealthNet, incorporated in 1990 is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that works with health professionals, municipalities, government officials, other nonprofit

organizations, and businesses that are interested in making Herkimer County a healthier county for its residents.

The Arc names employees of second quarter Nick D’Argenio, a program manager in residential services at The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter, was named employee of the second quarter in the agency’s south region.

D’Argenio, a resident of Rome, has been an employee with the agency since 2001.

Director of residential services Frank Centola said, “Nick is an excellent teacher and coach to our staff and the people we support and an excelDargenio lent role model and mentor to new program managers.”

Sadie Deamer, prevocational coordinator in vocational services, was named employee of the second quarter in the agency’s north region.

Co-worker Ken Alcorn, senior counselor in vocational services, said, “She improves the lives of the people we serve through her enthusiasm and her advocacy. Her self-sacrificing nature makes life better for the people we serve and also makes it easier for others to do their job.

Deamer has been employed with The Arc since 1996. She resides in Harrisville.

The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter, NYSARC is a nonprofit human services agency which provides advocacy and serDeamer vices for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Oneida and Lewis counties.

Nursing coordinator named to state board Sara Nicolette, the nursing programs coordinator at Herkimer-FultonHamilton-Otsego BOCES, is taking her belief in the importance of licensed practical nurses with her to a state-level advisory board.

Nicolette was appointed this year to a threeyear term on the New York State Education DeNicolette partment Practical Nursing Advisory Board. Her duties will include offering input into practical nursing education programs and

Adirondack Bank pledges $15,000 for LFH’s medical imaging department Adirondack Bank has pledged $15,000 toward the planned expansion and renovations of the mammography unit in the medical imaging department of the hospital. Approximately $12.8 million is being invested to improve the hospital’s outpatient facilities. Celebrating the occasion are, from left, Adirondack Bank Little Falls Manager Carl Marucci; LFH CEO Michael Ogden; Adirondack Bank Regional President Bob Brenchley, and Kate Reese, director of community relations and development at LFH. other pertinent issues.

“I have a firm belief in practical nursing education,” Nicolette said. “It’s an excellent way to start, and it gives you a solid basis in nursing. The LPN is an excellent bedside nurse, and it is a solidly established rung in the nursing career.”

Nicolette worked in a variety of hospital and community health settings before starting 15 years ago to teach at Herkimer BOCES. She taught for nine years and became the nursing programs coordinator six years ago.

She started the part-time evening program at Herkimer BOCES because of her belief in the LPN. Herkimer BOCES also offers a full-time program and a part-time day program.

For information about the Herkimer BOCES nursing program, visit www.herkimer-boces.org.

manager of Environmental Services for Sodexo in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Buffalo.

Little received his bachelor’s degree in business management from SUNY Empire State College in New York.

He is a member of the Little American Hospital Association, is a certified healthcare environmental services professional and is ServSafe certified.

FSLH makes staff announcement

Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Regional Cancer Center in Utica has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in radiation oncology by the American College of Radiology.

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy radiation to treat cancer.

The ACR seal of accreditation represents the highest level of quality and patient safety. The evaluation assesses patient care and treatment, patient safety, personnel qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality

Jordan Little has been named director of nutrition and hospitality services for Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and Sodexo in Utica.

Little is responsible for the oversight of nutrition services, environmental services, linen and transport services, and the service response center.

Little’s previous position with FSLH was as director of hospitality services.

Prior to joining FSLH, Little was a July 2013 •

FSLH’s Regional Cancer Center earns accreditation

Continued on Page 18

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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H ealth News Continued from Page 17 control procedures and quality assurance programs.

“To be accredited by ACR is beneficial to our patients. It assures patients that our cancer center has undergone a rigorous review process,” said Nancy Borden, executive director of The Regional Cancer Center.

The Regional Cancer Center works in collaboration with 21st Century Oncology to offer patients technology that often surpasses that found at leading cancer centers across the nation.

The ACR is the nation’s oldest and most widely accepted radiation oncology accrediting body.

CMN Hospitals Telethon raises funds The 22nd annual Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Telethon aired recently on WKTV NewsChannel 2.

Broadcast live from the new Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services, 1650 Champlin Ave., Utica, the telethon raised $524,936.

The funds will be used to support programs, services and equipment that benefit women’s and children’s services at FSLH. Last September, NeoForce Group, Inc., located in Ivyland, Pa., donated an Atom Advanced Infant Incubator Model V-2200 through the Kuyahoora Valley Foundation to The Birthplace at FSLH. This incubator is used in the level II special care nursery, the only level II in the Mohawk Valley, and improves the staff’s ability to care for newborns, especially those that require special care.

“The remainder of the incubators in the nursery are older versions and while still effective, could benefit from being updated,” said Julie Wells-Tsiatsos, nurse manager of maternal child services at FSLH. “A portion of the funds raised in this year’s telethon will go toward purchasing updated incubators for the special care nursery like the one gifted by the Kuyahoora Valley Foundation.”

CMN raises funds year-round.

Fundraisers or donations for CMN Hospitals can be arranged by contacting Andrea MacDiarmid at 315-624-5454 or by email at amacdiar@mvnhealth.com.

Miracle Home Makeover tickets are also available for $100 each and may be purchased by calling 315-624-5600.

Down syndrome student wins award Mary Alyssa Price recently received her high school diploma from Whitesboro High School.

Kathy Hartnett, vice president of community development at Upstate Cerebral Palsy, and Ely Arnone-Earl, event specialist at UCP, attended the ceremony hosted by Price’s family at Symeon’s Restaurant, Yorkville.

They presented her with a $321 award from UCP and the Mohawk Valley Down Syndrome Support and Awareness Group.

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The mission of UCP is to create opportunities to fulfill life choices. It is in partnership with the goals of the Mohawk Valley Down Syndrome Group to promote the advocacy, inclusion and acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome that these awards are offered.

Each year, the Down Right Awesome awards will be available to up Price to three graduating seniors in Oneida and Herkimer counties, specifically for a student pursuing a degree in special education or related therapy services, a student with a sibling with Down syndrome who will be attending college in the fall, and a student with Down syndrome to help with vocational or educational needs.

“321” is symbolic of the third copy of the 21st chromosome in people with Down syndrome. There is little known about this genetic change.

Alpine receives bronze national quality award Alpine Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Little Falls has been recognized as a 2013 recipient of the bronze-commitment to quality award for its dedication to improving the lives of residents through improved quality care.

The award is one of three distinctions possible through the national quality award program, presented by the American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living.

The program honors facilities across the nation that have demonstrated their commitment to improving quality care for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

“In an age of changing health care, Alpine has remained committed to prioritizing quality care above all else,” said Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of AHCA/NCAL. “This facility is an example of the great things that can be accomplished when we commit to person-centered care.”

Alpine was one of 361 facilities nationally to receive the bronze level award this year, and the first in the Herkimer, Oneida, and Madison county region to receive the prestigious recognition.

“Every employee at Alpine contributed significantly toward this achievement. We look forward to continuing our journey of quality and performance excellence,” said Teresa Creedon, administrator of Alpine.

Herkimer BOCES Special Programs Prom creates memorable night Many students wore masks for the “masquerade ball” theme of this year’s HerkimerFulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Special Programs Prom, but the masks didn’t hide their smiles. The annual prom is open to special education students from all high schools in the Herkimer BOCES region. Above, Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES students Aaron Archer, of Herkimer Central School District, and Amber Kargeanis, of Poland Central School District, participate in the grand march at the prom in the lobby at Herkimer BOCES.

tive in the group’s Ilion office.

“She has always been revered as an outstanding employee,” a SDMG spokesperson said. “She was nominated for this award due to her exceptional customer service and professionalism Hammond when interacting with patients and staff. She always maintains a positive demeanor.”

SDMG touts its employee of SDMG selects its employee the quarter of the quarter Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford recently named Tanya Hammond employee of the quarter for the second quarter of 2013.

Hammond joined SDMG in April of 2004 as a patient services representa-

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2013

Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford recently named Kenneth Phelps employee of the first quarter of 2013.

Phelps is a registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer with over 20 years

of experience working with cardiology patients.

He began his career with SlocumDickson in 1999 performing cardiac echo studies and cardiac stress echo testing. He received his Associate in Applied Science degree from SUNY Delhi.

Phelps Phelps was nominated for employee of the quarter due to his outstanding dedication and commitment to Slocum-Dickson Medical Group, a spokesperson said.

“He always maintains a positive attitude and has a superb work ethic. Ken is always willing to help out whenever necessary. He is a true team player and demonstrates outstanding clinical abilities,” the spokesperson noted.

Continued on Page 19

H ealth News Continued from Page 18

St. Johnsville names new director of nursing Bridget Seeley is the new director of nursing at St. Johnsville Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, a 120-bed nursing facility.

Seeley earned an Associate of Applied Science degree from SUNY Morrisville and is an RN. Seeley joins St. Johnsville with 18 years of healthcare experience starting as Seeley an intensive care and emergency room nurse.

Seeley is a native of Salisbury and resides in Mohawk.

Excellus exceeds fed, state standards Excellus BlueCross BlueShield exceeded federal and state standards by $330 million in the amount it spent on medical benefits on behalf of its membership in 2012, officials reported recently.

To cap profits and administrative costs of health plans in order to maximize medical benefits to consum-

ers, the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and state regulations set certain medical benefit spending levels for insurers. For the second consecutive year of the new rules and reporting, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield exceeded the standards.

“Our mission is to provide competitive, affordBooth able access to quality health care,” said Christopher Booth, chief executive officer for the health plan. “What this means is that our members collectively got more hospital and physician services, prescriptions and other medical benefits throughout the year than what federal and state government standards require.”

Some health insurers that didn’t meet the standards will be required to pay refunds.

Out of $4.1 billion in premium revenues collected, the health plan paid out $3.8 billion in medical benefits for its customers, about $330 million more than federal and state mandates require.

Last year, federal officials reported that hundreds of millions of dollars in refunds were paid by other health plans throughout the country, even in states where the minimum standards are lower than those in New York.

From left are Arline Kelly, Virginia Emmert, Angela Ramp and Ken Dickson.

Presbyterian Homes for Central New York recognizes volunteers

P

resbyterian Homes for Central New York in New Hartford recently recognized its volunteers.

Its 2013 annual volunteer recognition brunch was held on recently at the PHCNY. Angela Ramp, director of volunteer services, made opening remarks to volunteers and staff. “Volunteers make our community blossom,” she said. “Like tending a garden to help it to grow and blossom, our volunteers tend to our residents every day with their nurturing ways.”

Virginia Emmert and Ken Dickson each received the Emlyn Griffith Award. In 1989, Mr. And Mrs. Emlyn Griffith established the Mary and

Emlyn Griffith Awards at the Presbyterian Home, honoring one man and one woman for outstanding volunteer service.

Volunteer of the year award for the Presbyterian Home for Central New York went to Arline Kelly, and volunteer of the year award for the Presbyterian Residential Community went to Jack Kernan. A new award this year, the years of service award, went to Jeanne Jones for 22 years of service.

For more information on the Presbyterian Home for Central New York or to join its volunteer team, contact Ramp at ARamp@presbyterianhome.com or 272-2256.

Driver Wanted Driver needed one day a month to deliver a 20-bundle route for In Good Health newspaper.

Little Falls Hospital presents 2013 Burke scholarship Kathryn Woodrick, a Herkimer High School graduate, is the 2013 recipient of the $500 Dr. Bernard J. Burke Scholarship. The Little Falls Hospital medical staff developed the Burke Scholarship Award in 1997. The scholarship is presented annually to a deserving student in the Little Falls Hospital service area who plans to pursue a career in the health field. Woodrick has been accepted at Ithaca and St. Rose for speech language pathology.

Celebrating the occasion are, from left, Dr. Priscilla Garlock, Woodrick, and Dr. Amy Grace.

Delivery location is in Whitesboro/New York Mills/Yorkville and parts of Utica. Must be able to climb stairs and lift/carry 40 pounds.

Pays $9 per hour and 30 cents per mile.

Call 315-749-7070 today!

July 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 19

Sanctuary

St. E’s patients get help from chapel staff

By Patricia J. Malin

I

n the tumult that surrounds hospitals, it’s easy to forget that some facilities actually reserve a small place for solitude, prayer and comfort.

St. Elizabeth Medical Center’s distinctive chapel in Utica was established in the late 19th century and is still a vital place. The medical center chapel was recently rededicated to St. Marianne during a formal mass presided over by the Most Rev. Robert J. Cunningham, bishop of the Syracuse diocese, along with local Catholic clergy.

The bishop blessed the plaque honoring St. Marianne as the “beloved mother of outcasts,” which is now installed at the entrance to the chapel.

Open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., the public can access the chapel directly inside the medical center’s main entrance on Genesee Street.

St. Elizabeth Hospital was originally founded in 1866 by Mother M. Bernardina in a small house on Columbia Street in west Utica on property donated by nearby St. Joseph Church. Bernardina and Marianne Cope were both in the order of the Sisters of St. Francis in Syracuse and teachers at St. Joseph’s School.

Cope, now known as St. Marianne, helped get a modest chapel erected and later “built the hospital around it,” according to Sister Mary Irene Zegarelli, director of pastoral care at St. Elizabeth Medical Center. St. Marianne also helped found St. Joseph’s Hospital in Syracuse in 1869 and became its administrator.

Cope (the former Barbara Koop) was born in Germany in 1839. A few years later, her family immigrated to Utica. She grew up in west Utica, just a few blocks from St. Joseph’s Church.

In 1885, Cope answered a plea from Father (now St.) Damian to help care for the lepers in Molokai, Hawaii.

She delivered compassionate care to those afflicted with leprosy (Hansen’s disease) for 35 years until her death in 1918. Then following years of investigation and confirmation of three miracles attributed to Marianne, Pope Benedict XVI elevated her to sainthood in October 2012.

St. Elizabeth Medical Center has undergone a vast array of changes in the last 140 years, though its mission has remained the same, to provide for the healthcare needs of everyone in the community, even the indigent and uninsured.

Similarly, the chapel is available to all. For those who can’t visit the chapel physically, Sister Mary Irene Zegarelli and a small pastoral staff tour the wards at St. Elizabeth’s daily and visit as many inpatients as possible. They will provide a friendly word or a touch of humor, and a sense that someone cares about the patient in what can be a lonely and frightening setting.

Lending an ear

“Sometimes, they just want someone to talk with,” explained Zegarelli.

“I don’t give them advice. I just let them hear themselves talk.”

Zegarelli shares an office at SEMC with Sister Dolorosa Lenk, whose job is to schedule masses at the chapel. Rev. John Comeskey is the medical center Page 20

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The pastoral staff at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica visits patients daily and maintains the St. Marianne chapel. Front row from left are Sister Dolorosa Lenk, Rev. John Comesky, and Sister Mary Irene Zegarelli; back row from left are Brother Andrew Siuta and Brother Edward Bick. chaplain. The staff also includes Brother Edward Bick and Brother Andrew Suita, of the Order of St. Francis. Rev. Anthony LaFache, now in residence at St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church, is available on the Rev. Comesky’s days off.

Every morning, Zegarelli prepares the chapel for Rev. Comeskey to celebrate 6 a.m. mass. “We get about 10 to 20 people, mostly workers,” said Zegarelli, a Utica native who entered the convent of St. Francis in Syracuse in 1947. She has been associated with St. Elizabeth’s for the last 20 years.

Following in St. Marianne’s footsteps to a degree, Zegarelli is a former teacher at St. Joseph’s and Bick recalled that she was one of his instructors.

Bick, a graduate of Utica Free Academy, attended seminary in Cleveland, Ohio. He became music director at St. Joseph-St. Patrick School until it closed. He is now a full time music director at Annunciation Church in Ilion.

He has served at SEMC for seven years.

“I did not get the calling to be a priest,” he admitted. “But I’ve been a brother for the last seven years.”

Listening to and comforting patients, rather than preaching, is the pastoral staff’s greatest role, according

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper • July 2013

to Bick. “We’re a sounding board,” he said. “Whether they’re on life support or not, when we get called in, we stop to think and pray and ask the Lord what he wants us to do.

Emotional support

“We’re there to give patients support. We cannot interfere with their religious beliefs. It is the emotional support that families are asking for. They have to come to some understanding on their own. The emotion of what happened to a patient, for example a car accident, we don’t know ourselves why it happened.”

The pastoral staff quietly observes how some patients and families turn to their religious beliefs during a health crisis. “A lot of times, because of the religious presence of this hospital, people have come back and gone to church again,” he said.

“In the chapel, you will find peace, solitude and your answers if you put your burden in his hands,” he added.

Spiritual counseling, while not always obvious, is still on the agenda.

“When we take their hand, they smile, no matter their denomination,” said Zegarelli. “We don’t know if or when

a patient is going for surgery, and we don’t even know what they have, but we always say a prayer for them.

“People of all faiths come here.

They tell us, ‘I’m not Catholic,’ and I tell them, “There is still only one God. We’re all brothers and sisters. If they say they don’t believe in God, we say, ‘that’s all right. We’ll still say a prayer.’

It’s amusing to watch their reactions to that!”

The pastoral staff is used to encountering skeptics. “You need a sense of humor in this job,” she added, sounding like an Italian godmother. “It takes a long time for some people to warm up to you.”

Zegarelli is “on duty” from approximately 5 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. After mass in the chapel, she spends much of her time on the fourth floor, the surgical wing, visiting patients and families.

“It seems I get paged 22 times a day,” she said, chuckling.

“You’re on your feet all day,” Bick noted. “Sometimes more than eight hours a day,” his colleague replied.

“But, the patients come first, before the time clock.”