Mv igh #92 oct13

in good Introducing Dr. Schug!

Page 4

October 2013 • Issue 92

FREE

Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

Natural Special Women’s Approach Health Edition

Babies know more than you think See Page 13 Get ‘In Good Health’ at home.

See coupon inside

Are medications really necessary to treat ADHD? See Page Page 5 5

Donate Life Memorial Garden Page 20 Two new versions of flu vaccine being offered.

Page 15

Are we ready for Obamacare?

Physicians stand vigilant See Page 3

CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

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

Oct. 1

Oct. 2

The Tri-County Quits tobacco cessation program is offering a three-part “Fresh Start” class to help participants stop smoking.

The Fresh Start program is a groupbased tobacco cessation support program offered by the American Cancer Society. The classes will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 1, 8 and 15 at The Regional Cancer Center at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare, 1676 Sunset Ave., Utica.

The Fresh Start program is designed to help individuals quit smoking by providing essential information, skills for coping with cravings and group support.

For more information or to register, call the Tri-County Quits tobacco cessation program at 315-624-5639.

The Presbyterian Wellness Center and Pulmonary Wellness Program are inviting local residents to its open house from 1–3 p.m. Oct. 2.

The wellness center is located in the Presbyterian Residential Community at 4300 Middle Settlement Road, New Hartford.

The program will hold equipment demonstrations, breathing and stretching technique instruction and free personal evaluations.

For more information, contact Maurine Farruggia at MFarruggia@pre sbyerianhome.com or 235-2817.

Tri-County Quits tobacco cessation classes offered

Presbyterian Wellness Center slates open house

Oct. 2

FSLH stroke support group plans presentation On Oct. 2, Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare will host a free stroke sup-

Page 2

•

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

port group presentation at 6 p.m. in the Soggs Room at St. Luke’s Home in the Center for Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Services, 1650 Champlin Avenue, Utica.

The presentation will be lead by Deborah Jane Casler, an occupational therapist on the inpatient rehabilitation unit at FSLH. She will discuss the National Stroke Association’s Lifelong Education and Advocacy Program’s concept of the wellness wheel, which describes health as a combination of spiritual, emotional, social, occupational, physical and intellectual well being.

For more information, call Laura Love at 315-624-6847.

Oct. 3

Rome Memorial Hospital’s Health Night series set When difficulty thinking, reasoning and remembering begin to interfere with everyday life, dementia is often the reason. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over 15 million Americans are caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia.

Rome Memorial Hospital will present “Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer’s Disease: Know the 10 Warning Signs” at 7 p.m. Oct. 3.

The Health Night lecture in the hospital’s classroom will be presented

by Kelly Shaheen, associate program director, Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter.

Joining Shaheen will be Greg Jones, admissions coordinator of the senior behavioral health unit at RMH. This program is the first in a series of free lectures presented by RMH and the Alzheimer’s Association.

Health Night is a free monthly lecture series. No advance registration is required for this program. Refreshments will be served.

For more information about Health Night, call 338-7143.

Oct. 5

Benefit to aid St. Luke’s Home The Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare Foundation’s annual wine tasting and auction to benefit St. Luke’s Home will be held on from 6–9 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Sadaquada Golf Club, 4895 Henderson St., Whitesboro.

An assortment of wines, hors d’oeuvres and chef-attended stations with a fall harvest menu will be available to enjoy.

Ticket price is $75 per person, and attendees must be at least 21 years old.

For reservations and information, call 315-624-5718.

For more information about the wine tasting and auction or to purchase tickets, call the FSLH Foundation at 315-624-5718 or visit www.faxtonstlukes.com/winetasting.

Oct. 6

Preswick Glen hosts performance to benefit KAC As part of its continuing mission to support the arts in the area, Preswick Glen independent senior living community will host a special performance of “Nine Operas in Ninety Minutes”, presented by Syracuse Opera and WRVO Public Media, at 2 p.m. Oct. 6.

Continued on Page 16

Are Physicians Ready for Obamacare?

Healthcare industry as we know it braces for impending change

By Molly Martindale

O

bamacare, President Barack Obama’s signature health insurance reform legislation, could swell the ranks of the insured by an estimated 29 million Americans. On Oct. 1, health insurance exchanges that New York and many other states have set up to help the uninsured select their health care plans will open their doors.

Is the local medical community ready for the potentially large number of new patients that The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act could bring to local hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices?

Onondaga County Medical Society President Ramsay Farah, a physician with a specialty in dermatology, spoke to In Good Health about Farah Obamacare and the readiness of local physicians for the changes the health care reform measure could bring.

Ramsay Farah of Jamesville has been Onondaga Medical Society’s president since November 2012. Specializing in dermatology, Farah has been practicing medicine for 13 years.

He has a practice in Syracuse where he works with his father and sister.

Farah also actively teaches at SUNY Upstate Medical University and holds the position of chief of the dermatology division.

Q.: What should local physicians be aware of as a result of the opening of health insurance exchanges on Oct. 1?

A.: The thing about Obamacare is that this is the most momentous shift in the way that medicine is going to be dispensed and practiced since the introduction of Medicare in the 1960s.

Just like there were many unforeseen consequences that no one could have dreamed of with Medicare, I think in the future we’ll look back and we’ll say the same thing about Obamacare.

We’re not exactly sure what will actually happen when the exchanges open. Honestly, it’s a little bit of a waitand-see approach. For example, one of the issues to consider with primary

care practices is that they already have booked appointments and they’re full.

In Onondaga County, it’s sometimes problematic to get access into primary care, in addition to specialty care.

A lot of physicians are already full, so when they take on exchange patients there are potential issues that arise. For a lot of these exchange patients, the rates may offer lower reimbursements to physicians.

Physicians won’t have the ability to control the number of exchange patients that they see. These risks may turn out to be manageable but it’s too early to tell. Many questions still need to be answered and we really won’t know until the exchanges actually start.

Q.: Millions — and possibly tens of millions — of Americans are expected to sign up for health insurance in the coming year. Are Onondaga County’s physicians and medical systems ready for additional patients? If not, what must be done to prepare for it?

A.: One of the issues facing American medicine is the shortage of physicians. If you look at studies, virtually all of them will echo the same conclusion that there’s a shortage not just of specialists but primary care physicians as well. Even without Obamacare coming into the picture, the fact that the baby boomers are growing older, and are requiring more medical care, is already affecting the medical world.

Something like 10,000 new patients

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

Health MV’s Healthcare Newspaper

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

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 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, Mary Christopher Advertising: Donna Kimbrell, Jasmine Maldonado Layout & Design: Chris Crocker Office Manager: Laura Beckwith

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

enter Medicare everyday. That’s a huge volume. When you add Obamacare to that demographic, combined with the shortage of physicians, the addition of 30 or 40 million new patients may or may not break the system.

Physicians can prepare for this with labor force multiplication. Perhaps, where appropriate, they can incorporate physician extenders who work under supervision from physicians. We can also try to leverage technology. There already is a big push for electronic medical records, and even though they have their limitations when used appropriately, they can be a force multiplier.

Q.: Who is most affected by the provisions for 2014 under Obamacare?

How are they affected?

A.: The exchanges with Obamacare are expected to be a magnet for uninsured people with lower incomes.

Exchanges will really be the only place for them to qualify for new, federal subsidized health insurance.

With the exchanges, it’s limited to individual families or companies with fewer than 50 employees. Those types of individuals currently cap at lower health insurance costs, which are insured by larger groups that can bargain for lower costs. I think that principally that they will be affected the most.

However, I do believe that it’s good that these underprivileged individuals will have access to good healthcare.

Q.: How will Obamacare affect the fee-for-service system?

A.: You could argue both ways for the fee-for-service model. On the one hand, you could argue that the future for medicine and doctors are going to be part of large groups, like hospitals, exchanges or physician practices, so the fee for service model may become obsolete. On the other hand, you could argue that in certain situations the feefor-service could be offered as an alternative or become an economic niche.

When you buy health insurance on the exchanges, there are different tiers of health insurance that you can buy.

The lower tiers of insurance don’t necessarily cover a lot of things and there will be a significant out-of-pocket cost for those individuals with that lower tier of insurance. The fee-for-service system may either become obsolete or it may survive in small, isolated islands.

October 2013 •

Q.: Will Obamacare place more focus on preventive care?

A.: I think that inevitably it will.

The focus is to get people insured so that they can see their doctor and stop using the emergency room as their source of primary care. From a doctor’s point of view, going to the emergency room involves reacting to a problem and that’s always more expensive than trying to prevent a problem.

I think if people have greater access to medicine, especially primary care, they will get the preventive care that they need. They won’t be using the emergency room as a last resort. They’ll actually be using the primary care as a first resort.

Q.: How will physicians benefit from the implementation of Obamacare? What aspect of it is the most significant for them?

A.: It’s really not clear yet how physicians will benefit. I think that if you step back and look at the broader picture, Obamacare is going to increase demand. Physicians will be in short supply and economically when demand outweighs supply, that can often be of benefit to the supplier. Potentially, doctors will be fine because they will have an influx of new patients. The problem can be though, that since there are so many pressures to cut costs, reimbursements are going to be cut with the exchanges.

At the same time that expenses are going up, what may wind up happening for physicians is that they may be asked to do a lot more with a lot less.

Q.: What is your personal view about Obamacare? What aspects of it do you favor or oppose?

A.: The aspect I favor about Obamacare is this was a genuine attempt to get universal healthcare and I do applaud that attempt. However, I don’t feel that this was the right way to go about doing it because I think that it does empower the insurance companies.

I think when we empower those health insurance companies, patients and physicians have a lot less leverage to change things that might need to be changed. I admire the effort to get universal healthcare but not the mechanics of how it’s being achieved.

For more information about Obamacare or about enrolling in a medical plan, go to www.obamacarefacts.com/ obamacarebill.php.

The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter to celebrate The Friends of The Arc Foundation will host a 60th anniversary Kick-off Ball on Oct. 4 at Harts Hill Inn, Whitesboro.

Cocktails will begin at 6:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m.

The black tie event will have a 1950’s theme.

The event celebrates 60 years of service to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in Oneida and Lewis counties.

Tickets are $50 per person and must be purchased in advance. For more information, or to make a reservation, call 272-1529.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 3

Turning 26 means health insurance decisions

I

f your bicycle crashes and you break a leg, you could face more than $7,000 in medical bills if you’re an uninsured young adult in Upstate New York, according to Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

Or, suffer a concussion during a soccer game, and you could face about $3,000 in medical costs.

“More than 280,000 New York state adults will turn 26 in 2014, and many of them will no longer be eligible for coverage through their parent’s health plan,” said Frank Dubeck, vice president, chief medical officer for medical policy, Excellus BCBS. “Young adults will likely weigh the pros and cons of obtaining health coverage and decide whether to go without coverage or purchase insurance to protect themselves from unexpected medical bills,” he said.

Starting in 2014, almost everyone will be required to have health coverage. Individuals could obtain coverage through an employer, government program or college plan, for example, or through the New York health benefit exchange, “NY State of Health.”

Adults who forgo coverage will face paying a penalty.

Young adults may be eligible for financial help when purchasing coverage. In 2014, a young New Yorker with an average income of about $32,000 would qualify in Upstate New York for about $400 to $2,500 annually in tax credits.

“We know that thousands of young adults in Upstate New York annually face unexpected health problems, whether they sprain their ankle, hurt their back or develop a severe case of bronchitis,” Dubeck said. “But young adults may go without health insurance because they don’t believe they’ll get hurt or sick and need coverage.”

An Excellus BCBS infographic covers the types of medical costs that uninsured young adults in upstate New York may face. The infographic also details possible benefits of obtaining coverage, including no cost for preventive services such as regular checkups, a $600 gym reimbursement and prescription drug coverage.

Go to excellusbcbs.com/factsheets to view a PDF of the infographic, or go to brand.excellusbcbs. com/infographics/turning26.

For more information, go to excellusbcbs.com/turning26.

Got a health-related story idea?

Call 315-749-7070 today!

Page 4

•

Meet

Your Doctor

By Patricia J. Malin

Molly Schug

Molly Schug is a Utica native who completed her residency at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica in June. She recently joined the staff at St. Elizabeth Medical Group at 1256 Culver Ave., Utica. Schug recently spoke with Mohawk Valley In Good Health senior correspondent Patricia J. Malin about beginning her career in family medicine.

Q.: How does it feel to finally begin your practice?

A.: It feels great to begin my practice.

I have met some wonderful patients and the staff has been warm and welcoming.

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

A.: After completing my medical school education in Erie, Pa., coming back to the Mohawk Valley where I was born and grew up was something I have always wanted to do. With its close proximity to the Adirondacks and strong community spirit, it’s an ideal place to settle down roots.

Q.: What prompted you to become a general family practitioner?

A.: As a general family practitioner, I am fortunate to be able to take care of families as a whole unit. I love the very young that come to my office, as well as the very young at heart, that I get to take care of. Being a general family practitioner allows me the unique opportunity to take care of patients throughout their lives for different reasons. That’s a special privilege to me.

Q.: What are the most common ailments or disorders you expect to treat?

A.: Being a general family practitioner, I see a variety of patients for a variety of reasons, which makes it interesting. I see acute conditions as well as chronic conditions that patients have. This may include the common cold to diabetes. I also believe strongly in the importance of health maintenance for patients. Measures such as mammograms, Pap smears and colonoscopies, just to name a few, are a priority.

Taking care of the well patient is just as important to me as taking care of the ill patient.

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

A.: So far I have not come across any negative aspects of my job! Life is good.

Q.: What are the newest developments in the field of family practice?

A.: One of the newest developments in family practice, as well as in other specialties, is the utilization of computer technology. It has become very customary that whatever clinic patients go to for their healthcare, they will find computer systems that track their immunization schedules and preventive measure due dates. Databases are also used to monitor prescriptions, which help with timely refills.

Q.: Since you are a recent graduate of the St. Elizabeth Family Medicine Residency Program, is it easy for you to apply new developments to your patients? How much time should a new physician devote to following research in her field?

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

A.: Keeping updated with new developments is important at any stage in a medical career. Monthly and weekly publications that provide quality and concise reviews are helpful for doing this. Also, being involved with medical student teaching and training is not only a fun but a rewarding experience as well for keeping up to date with new developments.

Q.: What challenges do you foresee in the future regarding healthcare, lo-

cally and nationally? For example, were you among a few women graduates and Americans in the St. Elizabeth program? Are enough young women entering the practice of medicine?

A.: The practice of medicine, particularly family medicine, has become essentially an equal gender field. My medical school and residency graduating classes had equal male and female physicians. A lot of the foreign graduates who come through here are very smart and have more opportunities to practice medicine here than in their own countries.

They worked really hard. There is a demand for doctors all over whether it’s inpatient, outpatient or for fellowships, but only three of us from the program stayed here. Nabin Adhikari of Nepal accepted a hospitalist fellowship position with St. Elizabeth’s and Kareem Hamad of Egypt will be working as a hospitalist at St. Elizabeth’s.

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

A.: Family medicine has the unique opportunity to be a part of patients’ lives on a regular basis. Striving to maintain clear and open lines of communication between patient and family physician helps to maintain quality patient care. Good communication and listening skills are especially important in family medicine.

Lifelines Age: 29 Birthplace: Utica Residence: Clinton Education: Bachelor of Science in biology with honors and a minor in chemistry, SUNY Geneseo; Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, Pa. Affiliations: American Osteopathic Association; American Academy of Family Practitioners; The Medical Societies of the Counties of Chenango, Oneida, Oswego, Herkimer, Madison and Cayuga Hobbies: Long-distance running, canoeing, reading, cooking, downhill skiing, snowshoeing

Cover Story Holistic approach to ADHD Instead of medication, consider alternatives

By Mary Christopher

A

s Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder diagnoses are becoming more prevalent in children today, many parents are looking at holistic alternatives to treating the disorder rather than relying on prescription medications.

Nutrition experts and medical practitioners recommend taking lessons from nature to effectively treat ADHD, especially as a first course of action before trying popular stimulant medications such as Ritalin or Adderall.

Eliminating allergens and toxins from the diet and adding multivitamin supplements combined with behavioral therapy are healthy steps to treat a child having trouble with focus and concentration or who may be hyperactive.

“ADHD is not a Ritalin deficiency, it is usually an indication of an imbalance in body minerals and diet,” said Carolyn Cesari, a nutrition counselor and holistic healer in Clinton. “Prescription medications treat the symptoms and are not helping the cause of the problem.”

Half of a child’s immune system revolves Cesari in and around the large intestine, so changing a diet can have a huge impact, she said.

Implementing a new diet should start slowly by weaning out high allergy foods, such as dairy, gluten, peanuts, refined sugars and dyes from a diet. These can cause reactions in the brain that trigger hyperactivity and aggression.

When the right nutrients are not accessible to the brain, it does not function properly, Cesari said.

Non-medicated approach

The following criteria, while working with a physician or nutritional adviser, should be addressed one step at a time to observe if they are helping a child’s symptoms: • Maintaining a high protein, low carbohydrate diet throughout the day evens out energy and reduces rollercoaster behavior that sugars can trigger.

• Give an essential fatty acid (EFA) supplement such as DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid that is often deficient in attention and hyperactive children.

• Adding multivitamins, such as magnesium, or foods rich in magnesium is another element worth trying because magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system.

• A good night’s sleep is crucial for any developing child. Solid REM sleep, the stage of sleep in which dreaming takes place, allows for the organization

of memories and learning retention and helps reduce hyperactivity. Supplements such as magnesium or melatonin can be found in most health food stores and help with relaxation and rest throughout the night.

Once parents start noticing a difference, then they should hone in on what seems to be helping the most. “If you see your child getting better, then you know you’re on the right track,” Cesari said.

Equally important to a healthy diet is enforcing behavioral and cognitive therapies that train the brain in areas affected by ADHD. “The fundamental deficit is not knowledge of what they are supposed to do, it’s implementation for a person with ADHD. It’s maddening when they go into a situation knowing what they should be doing and don’t do the right thing,” said Andy Lopez-Williams, clinical psychologist and president and clinical director of ADHD & Autism Psychological Services Lopez-Williams and Advocacy in Utica and Syracuse.

Therapies Lopez-Williams focuses on are behavioral skills that ultimately strengthen the part of the brain that needs work. “Just like training for a job, children are interacting with kids their age by being put in situations with ‘in the moment’ training and then immediately getting feedback,” he said.

Lopez-Williams said medication alone should never be a first line of treatment.

Dr. Stephen Eadline, a pediatrician at Slocum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford who specializes in treating children with ADHD, agrees that

medication shouldn’t be the first option to treating ADHD symptoms.

However, he wants to make parents aware that it is an option if a child is feeling unsuccessful in areas of their life.

“When it starts to affect your lifestyle — job, school, home — then I feel like we should talk about medication,” Eadline said.

Diagnoses skyrocket

ADHD symptoms may include hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inattentiveness and can cause problems at home and in school. There are three different types of ADHD, including: • Combined ADHD with symptoms of both inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsivity • Inattentive ADHD (previously known as ADD) where attention and concentration are impaired • Hyperactive-impulsive ADHD with hyperactive symptoms without inattentiveness Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control released statistics revealing that about 6.4 million children have received ADHD diagnosis at some point.

This is an increase of 16 percent since 2007 and 53 percent in the past decade, according to the CDC website.

About two-thirds of kids who are diagnosed are prescribed medications.

Some local parents of children coping with ADHD believe turning to stimulant medications should be a last resort if other alternatives aren’t working. “It just seems too common to medicate our kids,” said Beth Carney of Utica. “We tried medications on my son and I felt like he wasn’t my child.”

Keeping a strict homework routine, behavioral plan and enforcing a healthy diet as much as possible did help her 12-year-old function better.

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

Over 38 Years Experience • Prompt • Personal • Professional INCLUDING • Personal Injury • Real Estate • General Practice

Where Integrity And Experience Count

NO FEE UNLESS SUCCESSFUL 2289 GENESEE ST., UTICA , NY

315-797-7959

October 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 5

Women’s Health

Between You and Me

By Barbara Pierce

A Moment in Time Looking for a partner: the anatomy of a first date

I

Puberty

How to talk to your daughter about physical changes, menstruation

S

ome parents may shy away from talking to their daughters about puberty, but Loyola University Health System obstetrician and gynecologist Akua Afriyie-Gray, stresses the importance of sitting down with your tween when the time comes.

“Most girls enter puberty without much education on the topic,” AfriyieGray said. “Parents should be proactive about talking to their daughter about puberty, so that she knows what to expect when her body begins to change.”

Afriyie-Gray offers the following tips on how to talk with your tween about puberty: Be prepared. Have your talk ready to go when the time comes.

Pay attention to your daughter. Be aware that your daughter may not come to you when she begins experiencing changes in her body. Look out for these changes and let her know what to expect. Puberty typically starts around age 8 or 9 with hair development under the arms and in the pubic area. Breast development usually occurs next at age 9 or 10 followed by menstruation, which begins on average at age 12. Puberty typically takes three to four years to complete.

Inquire about other girls. Ask your daughter if her friends have started shaving, wearing a bra or menstruating. This takes the focus off of your child and it may be a good opening for discussion about your daughter’s body and the changes she may be experiencing.

Take a positive approach. Let your daughter know that puberty is a natural process, which all girls experience.

Stress that there is no need for her to be embarrassed, but be sensitive to what your daughter is ready to discuss.

Dispel myths. Answer any questions and correct any misconceptions your daughter may have about puberty.

Talk to your daughter about hygiene.

Let her know what products are available for menstruation and that she can continue with her normal activities when she has her period.

Let her know about fertility. Stress to your daughter that menstruation signals that she can become pregnant.

Turn to an expert. If you do not feel comfortable talking with your daughter about puberty, schedule an appointment for her to see a pediatrician or a gynecologist who specializes in treating children and adolescents.

Advertise with In Good Health newspaper!

Call 749-7070 today!

Page 6

•

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

’m excited. Yesterday, I met a man for a first date. We connected on line and agreed we wanted to meet.

It went very well. We made a great connection and we’ll see each other again in a few days. I don’t know what will happen from there, and I don’t have any expectations.

Before him, there was a string of duds. Men I thought I might like, I didn’t find appealing at all. Try as I did to screen them in, I just couldn’t.

To find the partner you are looking, you need to have a first “date,” a meeting. Whether you meet him or her online, through friends, or it’s someone you know, there comes a time when you both sit down together in person to determine whether you want to get to know each other better.

This is usually a scary Pierce event. We have a mixture of eager anticipation and dread. We feel like so much is riding on it. We tie ourselves all up in knots over it.

Make the process easier

Here are some things I’ve found to make it easier: • Remember a date is just a date; just a moment in time. A first date is a time to decide if you want a second date. It’s not an invitation to sex or marriage. It’s no big deal. Even the worst first date in recorded history came to an end. I know; I’ve been there.

• If you have never met this person, do not plan to be together for more than hour and a half. Just meet for something simple, like coffee, lunch, or a walk in a public place. Do meet in a public place; do not give out your home address or phone number until you are certain of the other person.

One to two hours may not be enough time to tell whether you have met your soul mate, but it is usually enough to tell when you have not.

• If you’re still unsure of this person after your first date, schedule another brief date. Give a second chance to anyone who interests you the least little bit. Try to screen the person in, not out.

• Another benefit of the time-limited date is that if you’re enjoying each other, you’ll leave wanting more. It will build the drama and that’s a good thing.

• Wear something that you like, that makes you feel attractive, and is comfortable.

• If you want to be liked, you have to show the other person who you truly are. If you present an image, and that’s what he or she falls in love with,

then you’ll be stuck trying to maintain that image.

Update that profile picture!

• And, if your online picture was from 10 years ago, or from before you gained weight, you probably will not make a connection with this person, because he or she wants to meet the person in the picture and will be disappointed in the real you.

• It is important to go to that first date without any expectations. The only expectation to bring with you is that this date will be a window into someone else’s life; a few moments that will allow you to get to know what another person’s life is like.

• You are meeting only to see if there is any possibility that the two of you will connect. You are both on the path of seeking a partner. It’s just a matter of seeing if there is a connection between you. Either it’s there or it’s not.

• Don’t waste any time fantasizing about your future together before you even meet this person. You may need to meet volumes of potential persons until you find someone who is right for you.

Looking for right fit

• Remember, there is no “wrong” person; he or she is just not what you want.

• You are there to decide whether you are drawn to this person and whether you want to know more about him. Are you are interested in what he has to say? Is he interested in what you have to say? How comfortable do you feel? Can you be yourself? Can you show who you are?

• Listen to your instincts. If you have a wiggle of a doubt, or a distant red flag in the back of your head, listen, listen, listen.

• Toward the end of the date, you decide whether to see each other again.

Either one of you can ask the question: “Where do we go from here?” or you can say, “I’d like to see you again.”

• If you really aren’t interested in seeing him again, don’t lead him on.

Just say, “I don’t think we have a fit.”

You don’t have to explain why.

Have fun, and remember it’s just a moment in time.

• 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.

Women’s Health Falling into Fitness Autumn means it’s time to rejuvenate your body

By Mary Christopher Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall. — F. Scott Fitzgerald

A

utumn may signal the end of the year, but for some it is the kickoff season for wellness and rejuvenation.

Summers can be hectic when children are on vacation and fall can be a time for women to focus on themselves and getting back into a routine.

Many health and wellness practitioners in the area said they see an increase in client flow this time of year -- especially in the areas of fitness and relaxation.

“Next to Jan. 1, this is the second busiest time of the year and often it is the busiest time of year for me,” said Jennifer Venezio, owner and creative director of Body By Design Group Fitness in New Hartford. “We are creatures of habit and I think people embrace getting back into a habit after a busy summer.”

Fall is an ideal time for women to take a class or book a service that helps relieve stress or build physical fitness before the busy holiday season sets in.

Window of opportunity

Brisker air, shorter days and hardy meals mark a change inside of Camille Jordan of Frankfort. “Overall, I’m in a mode of rejuvenation and taking a little bit more time for myself,” Jordan said. “Mornings before work are quiet with my kids in school so I have time to meditate or use the treadmill. In the summer, we are on the go and exercise is basically forgotten about.”

Jordan is a nurse who works late shifts and considers September and October to be “routine” months to mentally gear up for the holiday season.

It is during this time of year that that Judy Evans, co-owner of Effleurage Day Spa in New Hartford, sees a spike in spa appointments and more attendance at meditation classes. While this may be considered a luxury for some, women who may not have the extra time or budget to join a fitness class or book a spa appointment can practice relaxation techniques wherever they are that would help them decompress.

“I tell my clients to step back, take a deep breath and pull down your shoulders,” Evans said. “That alone helps relieve stress and it is so simple.”

A group of women participate in a chisel class at Body By Design Group Fitness in New Hartford. Owner Jennifer Venezio recently expanded her studio to accommodate the growing demand for a variety of women’s fitness classes in the Mohawk Valley.

Focusing on anything that creates a feeling of calm and serenity is important and easy to do if a person is stressed and can sit quietly for just a few moments, said Cheri Elefante, a Reiki master practitioner.

“Meditation can be soaking in the tub, looking at the rain, anything that brings you peace,” she said. “It doesn’t necessarily mean totally clearing your mind.”

telling them to think more preventively. Incorporating a more holistic and healthy approach to your every day lifestyle “helps before there are issues and will maintain a regular sense of well-being,” she said.

Venezio shared the same senti-

ments. Investing in yourself and taking time to care for and nourish your body is crucial for feeling good throughout the year, she said.

Venezio added: “Your tool for life is your body and you want it to be the best version of yourself.”

Sound fitness advice

Some easy fitness and rejuvenation tips that could be done from home, recommended by Venezio, Evans and Elefante, include: • Drink plenty of water. Water boosts energy, hydrates the skin, and flushes toxins from the body.

• Women can carry tension in their jaw line, but the pressure can be relieved when applying moisturizer by gently massaging the muscles along the jaw line and under the ear in a circular motion.

• Switch from coffee to tea. Tea is packed with antioxidants and green tea aids cardiovascular health, cholesterol management and weight loss.

• Get more sleep. A good night’s rest can aid in a quest for weight loss, emotional well-being and bolstering an immune system.

• Lift your children to build muscle strength.

• Use YouTube and social media videos to follow workouts others have posted.

Everyone unwinds and finds serenity in different ways. Take the time to look at what you like to do that would help with relaxation.

Elefante emphasized if she could offer a client one piece of advice, it is

©

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

October 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 7

Dubeck said. In the case of GERD medications, there is a “blocking of acid production by poisoning that area that is overactive.”

Fitness & Nutrition

Lifestyle choices

Girding for GERD Have you heard about GERD? Millions have

to watch for cancerous changes.

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, “Patients with Barrett’s esophagus have approximately a 30-fold increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.”

Additionally, Dubeck said these patients are treated to minimize exposure to acid itself.

By Kristen Raab

R

eaching for antacids after a spicy or acidic meal has become common practice in the United States.

Many people have experienced food-induced heartburn, and they assume it is not a serious problem.

However, what appears to be simple heartburn may become harmful and require medical intervention.

First, in order to understand a diagnosis, a few misconceptions should be addressed. Acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease are related, as both involve food being refluxed into the esophagus.

However, they differ because GERD is chronic and can become a serious concern. Heartburn is a common symptom of GERD, but not every person with GERD experiences heartburn.

Some of the most common symptoms of GERD include belching, chest pain and experiencing a sour taste in the mouth. Additional symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, sore throat, inflamed gums, hoarseness and bad breath may occur.

What causes the problem?

“Acid from the stomach refluxes into the esophagus,” said Frank Dubeck, chief medical officer for medical policy and clinical editing at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “The stomach is designed to withstand that acidic environment, but the esophagus is not.”

The sphincter at the bottom of the esophagus that is supposed to prevent the acid from getting into the esophagus is “not doing its job,” Dubeck noted.

Millions with GERD

According to the Society of Thoracic surgeons, GERD affects between 10–20 million people in America. If a person is experiencing occasional heartburn, taking antacids is fine. If antacids are ineffective, over-the-counter H2 blockers, including Zantac (Ranitidine) and Tagamet (Cimetidine) are other options.

Medications available

Dubeck suggests talking to our primary care doctors when symptoms persist.

If symptoms occur two or three times a week, or there is the feeling of food coming up into the back of the throat, it’s time to see a doctor, he added.

The doctor may first recommend that the patient try a prescription, but if this does not work, testing may be done. “One of the worries is an H. pylori infection, which is treated by antibiotics,” he said.

Doctors can test for this bacterium, which can also lead to ulcers.

Besides being a nuisance, “chronic exposure of harsh acid can lead to esophageal cancer,” Dubeck said. A physician can check for Barrett’s esophagus, and if found, periodic evaluations are needed

Come Smile With Us! Bruce Stewart, DDS

• Advanced Laser Periodontal therapy available.

• Implants placed and restored • CEREC Crowns - beautiful, strong, done in one visit • Digital low radiation x-rays Join Us On • Root Canal therapy FACEBOOK Dr. Bruce & Kristen Stewart • Natural tooth colored fillings • Complete Smile makeovers 321 Main St., Oneida, NY 13421 • Complete recare services including (315) 363-4940 periodontal and oral cancer screenings Extended Payment Plans through Care Credit

www.oneidanydentist.com

Ultra Modern Dentistry Backed by Old Fashioned Values Page 8

•

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

With a variety of drug options, it can be confusing to know what is best for you.

Discovering the right medicine can take time, and it is a process you should undergo with your doctor.

PPIs and H2 blockers are widely used to treat GERD. • Antacids: While they work quickly by neutralizing acid, it is not sustained.

Taking antacids may set you up for a cycle of returning symptoms.

• PPIs: Actually block the cellular mechanism that creates acid. They “shut off the acid pump,” Dubeck said. Relief may take up to 24

hours.

• H2 blockers: These block the secretion of acid. These medicines do not shut down the production of acid, but the stop the release. Relief usually occurs within 30 minutes to an hour. H2 blockers are less potent than PPIs. All medication carries the risk of side effects.

Dubeck notes, “The problem with PPIs is that when you try not to use them, there’s a rebound effect” and acid is overproduced. It is important to discuss the risks versus the benefits with your doctor.

Drugs “selectively poison some mechanism for a desired effect,”

Certain foods may trigger reflux in many people. For example, “Acidic foods like tomatoes and oranges are on the list of what can be aggravating,” according to Pat Salzer, registered dietitian and health and wellness consultant at Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield.

Spicy foods, chocolate, and alcohol are a few other common problem foods. However, each person’s trigger foods will be different. “If you eat or drink something and the symptoms are worse, avoid it to see if you get better,” Salzer said. Whether you can eat these foods in moderation depends on the severity of your symptoms. For some conditions, even “moderation is too much,” Salzer said.

Salzer suggests we may sometimes control heartburn by changing habits.

First, quit smoking or chewing tobacco. Reduce or cut out alcohol consumption, especially late at night.

In addition, don’t snack at night.

Salzer said this is because it “tends to be a lot of food at once,” and we get into bed too soon after eating.

Losing weight can help relieve symptoms, especially if extra weight is carried around the midsection. Salzer notes even five or 10 pounds can make a difference. Both Dubeck and Salzer recommend loose clothing. Clothing that is too tight in the stomach area can lead to food “pushing up against the sphincter,” Dubeck says.

Bed-raising technique

The easiest and least expensive lifestyle change is raising the head of your bed about 4-6 inches. Dubeck says raising the bed is “much better than a wedge pillow” because such pillows cause a “bend at the hips, which compresses the abdomen.”

While this is an easy fix, Dubeck says, “People are not likely to do it.”

“Changes with lifestyle will not cure GERD, but can provide relief with symptoms, and they can make you more comfortable,” Salzer said.

She suggests small, frequent meals.

“We do frequent meals as a society, but they aren’t always small,” she said.

Starting a food diary may be the first step to feeling better. The diary may show a correlation between symptoms and what was consumed.

Food diaries are “helpful anyway” but especially in this situation, Salzer said.

She sees this as a first step in a proactive approach to improving health.

Learn more about GERD from the American College of Gastroenterology at www.patient.gi.org.

RELIEVING PAIN in a Professional Medical Environment Many Options Available to Treat Your Pain Kurt Foxton, M.D. Michelle Johnston, M.D. Lorina Aiello, N.P. Welcoming Lisa Holmes, NP

Adirondack PAIN MANAGEMENT

110 Lomond Court Utica, NY 13502 • (315) 292-1264

Accepting New Patients

Nursing profession looks to future Area RN students promote future of nursing

By Patricia J. Malin

N

urses make up 52 percent of all the licensed healthcare professionals in New York state.

This group, with an average age of 50, consists of nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses.

“These statistics pose a challenge as well as an opportunity for the nursing profession,” explained Carolyn Christie-McAuliffe, associate professor, division of nursing at Keuka College, and Debra A. Wolff, project coordinator, Future of Nursing, NYS Action Coalition, Foundation of NYS Nurses in Guilderland.

They are particularly concerned that impending retirements of older nurses will create a void in the number of practitioners.

That was the primary reason 86 RN students from Keuka College-affiliated sites at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Syracuse, and Onondaga Community College manned the Future of Nursing booth at the New York State Fair recently. Their goal was to show appreciation for current nurses and to recruit individuals, including men, to fill positions in a career field undergoing rapid change.

“This is a national initiative with local ramifications,” said McAuliffe. ”What is wonderful about this initiative is every nurse, at every educational level, everywhere in the state — including nurses in the Mohawk Valley and Central New York — and nation is represented and invited to join other nurses and healthcare professionals to improve our healthcare system.”

In 2008, in an effort to assess and transform the nursing profession, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation commissioned the Institute of Medicine to produce a report that made recommendations for nursing in the next decade.

The report examined nursing practice

Healthcare professionals from across the state help promote the nursing profession at the New York State Fair. Taking part are, from left, Barbara Orekondy, Albany, Albany Medical Center; Deb Wolff, Albany, Foundation of Nursing; Lynn Kersey, Syracuse, St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center (pursuing her bachelor’s degree); Carolyn Christie-McAuliffe, Keuka College; Meghan Shaw, Auburn, SUNY Upstate Medical Center (pursuing her bachelor’s degree) and Barbara Boden, Albany, Albany Medical Center. across all settings, including hospitals, schools, homes, health clinics, long-term care facilities, military posts and community and public health centers. The report also reviewed the roles nurses assume, as well as their various levels of education.

“The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health” report concluded that high quality, patient-centered health care will require a transformation of the health care delivery system.

Empire state a focal point

New York state was designated as one of five initial pilot regional action coalitions to advance the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action, based on recommendations from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation report and the AARP Foundation.

The campaign starts with the recruitment of intelligent, compassionate individuals into the nursing profession. Another way to ensure safe, quality patient care will be to support nurses who want to continue their education, whether be it an associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, McAuliffe added.

“If legislation is enacted to require the bachelor’s degree as entry into practice for RNs, the impact for Utica and

Florica Ochotorena, M.D.

Board Certified

Adult & Geriatric Psychiatrist

other cities could be monumental,” McAuliffe said.

Visitors to the Future of Nursing booth ranged from high school students looking at nursing as a possible career option; certified nursing assistants and LPNs looking to become RNs; RNs checking out the possibility of obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s

degree; to retired nurses anxious to share their memories and lifelong experiences with nurses currently in the workforce.

Robin Neider, a registered nurse and Keuka student who helped organize the booth, reminded individuals that, “You’re never too old to go back to school.”

EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY MEDICINE, WITHIN YOUR NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS!

VERONA

CIRCLE

care

OF

Dr. JJohn D h D D. G George III

Dr. Erin Thompson Dr

Dr. K D Keith i hM Marshall h ll

Dr. M D Marcia i K K. N Newsom

HEALTH CENTER Commited to providing quality care in a professional, friendly manner to you and your family.

Our goal is for you to be comfortable with your care and feel better at the end of each visit.

PLEASE CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

5547 West Main St, Verona

315-337-2582 117 West Liberty Street, Rome, NY

(315) 363–3482 oneidahealthcare.org October 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 9

The Balanced Body

By Deb Dittner

Healthy school lunch choices

Make sure your child is consuming right fuel for needed energy

I

t’s that time of year when school bells ring that we as parents need to carefully look at lunchtime choices.

The best option would be to make your children’s lunch each and every day knowing that you can provide the proper nutrients necessary to get them through the day.

Sometimes schedules don’t allow that to always happen so children need to be taught how to make the healthiest choice of food from the school lunch program.

School lunch programs, including breakDittner fast, have become new and improved due to the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. The government-funded programs are now required to include calorie limits dependent upon the age of the child.

The program is geared to teach portion control, provide additional whole grain options, a greater selection of fruits and vegetables, and a decrease in the amount of sodium, saturated and trans fats.

With these changes also come pros and cons.

Children need to be taught that eating healthy will give them the needed energy to be able to focus and learn in the classroom and play hard at recess. If your child also partakes in sports, they need the proper nutrients to get them through practice after school as well.

Brown bag it

The brown bag lunch is what my children opted for on a daily basis. You have control over what goes in and also have the input of favorites your child likes that you know he or she will eat.

You know your child best, so pack what you know they will devour on a daily basis. Don’t like the brown bag option?

Consider perhaps a lunch bag that has storage options and places to put a freezer pack if you need to keep things cold, such as organic yogurt.

Do you feel rushed in the morning?

Both parent and child can prepare the lunch options in the morning or even the night before. A helping hand from your child teaches them responsibility

Accessibility Solutions

WantaLift.com

stairway chair lifts • elevators • wheelchair lifts •

Navigating stairs a challenge?

in preparing for their school day.

Teach your children starting at a young age the importance of proper nutrition and why a healthy lunch is needed to get them through the day.

Early intervention and education will give you a comfort level that your child will make smart choices when it comes to their food.

Getting in the house tricky?

Going out complicated?

You want to stay in your home – it’s familiar, comfortable and full of memories. That’s why people like you throughout upstate New York have relied on Accessibility Solutions since 1996 to provide a safe, comfortable and easy way to stay at home – right where you want to be.

Stay in your own home with the help of the people and products from Accessibility Solutions. Complete details at WantaLift.com. � � � �

Free consultation and survey New, used and rental stairway chair lifts Complete line of home and commercial equipment Insured, licensed and experienced Certified Accessibility Technicians

Accessibility Solutions :: WantaLift.com stairway chair lifts • elevators • wheelchair lifts Central NY Capital Region 800 683 9563 877-731-6192

Page 10

•

Here’s some ideas

Need ideas for healthy lunches? I just happen to have a few I hope you will like.

• Whole grain crackers with tuna, hummus or cheese cubes, celery with their favorite nut butter with raisins on top (ants on a log), small serving of cottage cheese • A sandwich consisting of turkey, tuna or chicken salad on whole grain bread adding a slice of tomato, lettuce or spinach leaves. Try to eliminate

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

condiments as they make the bread squishy. If needed, use hummus or mustard. Don’t like bread or have gluten sensitivity? Try using a large leaf of lettuce and make a wrap instead. Sliced carrots with a homemade dressing are a great side.

• Consider a Greek yogurt with berries and nuts.

• Can your child access a toaster or microwave in the lunchroom? Send ingredients to make their own personal pizza. If very young, ask the teacher for assistance. Start with a whole grain English muffin, a small container of pizza sauce, a small container of favorite shredded cheese, and toppings of favorite veggies. You can also send them with their favorite dinner leftovers and microwave as necessary.

• Whole grain English muffins with a favorite spread of nut butter topped with banana slices.

• A hard-boiled egg and a yogurt with fruit Heading to practice right after school? Make sure to pack a snack for in between to get them through to dinner.

Snack bars found in the grocery store are basically “candy” bars as they are loaded with sugar.

Healthy snacks include: • Baggie with nuts and dried berries • Veggies with hummus • Apple with nut butter • Veggies with a black bean dip • 1 cup of veggie soup • Deborah Dittner is a family nurse practitioner specializing in reiki and holistic nutrition. Check out her website at www.The-Balanced-Body. com.

SmartBites

host of chronic, age-related diseases.

Finally, wild rice is gluten-free, a boon for those who have a hard time digesting this particular protein substance.

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Helpful tips

Crazy for Wild Rice

Like most rice, uncooked wild rice will keep a long time in a dry, airtight container. Cooked, drained and tightly covered wild rice can be stored in the fridge for up to a week, and in the freezer for up to 6 months. Rinse well before you cook to remove unwanted particles.

N

ow that my meat consumption has all but dwindled to a few times a week, I’m always looking for alternative protein sources. If the protein source also packs a nutritious punch and is low in calories — hooray times three!

Wild rice, a whole grain that is actually the seed of marsh grass native to the Great Lakes area, is my newest find.

Slightly higher in protein that many other whole grains, one cup of wild rice delivers about 7 grams of protein (an egg has 6). Although it’s not a complete protein, it can easily be combined with beans or cheese to create a protein that contains all the essential amino acids necessary to build and replenish body tissues.

Unlike white rice, which has been stripped of vital nutrients during processing, wild rice boasts a respectable amount of cholesterol-lowering fiber, mood-boosting B vitamins, zinc and manganese. While zinc is good for wound healing, manganese is good for bones and energy production.

Wild Rice with Wild Mushrooms Adapted from Bon Appetit Serves 6-8

But like brown rice and most other whole grains, wild rice is low in fat, cholesterol, sodium and calories (only 160 per cup). Looking to lose weight?

According to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women who consistently eat whole grains weigh less than those who don’t.

On the antioxidant front, wild rice is a fierce competitor. In fact, scientists at the University of Manitoba found that the antioxidant activity of wild rice was 30 times greater than that of the white-rice control. Not bad for swaying marsh grass!

Antioxidants gobble up free radicals, which have been implicated in a

1 ½ cups canned low-salt chicken broth ½ ounce dried porcini mushrooms 1 cup wild rice, rinsed under cold water ½ teaspoon salt 2 bay leaves 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup chopped carrots 3 garlic cloves, minced ¾ teaspoon dried marjoram ½ teaspoon dried thyme 1 ½ cups sliced white mushrooms I cup dried cranberries (optional) ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese (optional) Bring broth to boil in small saucepan. Remove from heat; add porcini mushrooms and let stand until soft, about 30 minutes. Drain, reserving

soaking liquid. Slice porcini into bitesize pieces.

In medium saucepan, bring 3 cups of water to boil. Add rice, salt and bay leaves. Cover tightly and simmer 50–60 minutes. Drain; discard bay leaves.

(Porcini and rice can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover porcini, soaking liquid and rice separately and refrigerate.)

Heat olive oil in large soup pot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, garlic, marjoram, thyme and porcini and sauté 5 minutes. Add white mushrooms; sauté until tender, about 7 minutes more. Add cooked rice and 1 cup of reserved porcini soaking liquid to pot. Simmer until almost all the liquid is absorbed but mixture is still moist, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Gently mix in cranberries. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

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

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

1 in 5 women don’t believe their breast cancer risk

D

espite taking a tailored risk assessment tool that factors in family history and personal habits, nearly 20 percent of women did not believe their breast cancer risk, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Most of the women who didn’t believe their risk numbers said they did not feel it took into account their family history of cancer or their personal health habits. The tool did ask relevant questions about the individual’s family and personal history.

“If people don’t believe their risk numbers, it does not allow them to

make informed medical decisions,” says senior study author Angela Fagerlin, associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School and a research scientist at the VA Ann Arbor Center for Clinical Management Research.

“Women who believe their risk is not high might skip chemoprevention strategies that could significantly reduce their risk. And women who think their risk should be higher could potentially undergo treatments that might not be medically appropriate, which can have long-term ramifications,” she adds.

& Palliative Care Oneida, Herkimer and Eastern Madison Counties

Call us today to make a referral!

October 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 11

Diabetes Devastating Disease

Book provides guidance for those intent on beating disease

formative book reveals how a diabetes diagnosis is made, why it is important for Americans to get a blood glucose test, how emotions can sabotage weight loss efforts, warning signs for Type II diabetes, advice on portion control for weight loss and diabetes management and why Americans need to read food labels to determine sodium, fat and sugar content.

By Amylynn Pastorella

S

tatistics on diabetes show that as many as 5,225 new cases are diagnosed each day, according to the American Diabetes Association.

These numbers are problematic and continue to spiral out of control.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates as many as 79 million adults in the United States are pre-diabetic, a condition that increases the risk of developing Type II diabetes.

The CDC also estimates another 26 million adults in the U.S. already have diabetes.

In an effort to stop the spread of this preventable disease, the book “How to Prevent Diabetes — I Beat It and You Can, Too!” by Doris Woods helps the public learn more about diabetes and highlights one woman’s journey around her own diagnosis.

Woods, a highly respected clinical nurse and college professor, wrote her book with the intent of educating Americans on the devastating effects of diabetes and how they can live a healthy lifestyle.

Woods has been on the forefront in the fight against diabetes as a clinical nurse specialist for thousands of diabetes patients. It was her experiences that triggered the realization that she herself was in danger of falling victim to the disease.

She had to lose weight and wel-

Valuable resource

Woods come a better, healthier lifestyle. Her book is a vivid account of how she accomplished her goals after the initial shock.

The book contains valuable information for preventing diabetes, understanding it and is certainly a must read for people at risk.

“The issue of diabetes has not resonated that we have a big problem on our hands,” said Woods.

Her inspiring, insightful and in-

When reading her book, readers get a glimpse into Woods’ own story but also are given helpful charts, guides and sections in the book to write notes. Her book serves as a guide and journal as well. Having become a successful medical professional, college professor and author, Woods is on a mission and intensely involved as a diabetes prevention catalyst.

Woods also includes an “ObesityBust Fitness Kit” and easy ways to incorporate exercise into daily schedules.

As being diagnosed with diabetes can be shocking, Woods offers tips to live a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.

Through her own diagnosis, Woods has become a strong advocate for successfully living with diabetes and bringing action against the disease.

“Pandemic levels of obesity have triggered epidemic levels of diabetes.

Many serious conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and amputations are related to diabetes,” said Woods.

In a straightforward style, Woods tells how she successfully battled obesity with self-discipline and fortitude. Readers will receive valuable information about how obesity and heredity impact the disease, how to use body mass as a tool in weight loss and weight management, why exercise is beneficial to prevention and how a diary can be put to good use in selftraining.

Diabetes can be preventable. However, if diagnosed, a healthy lifestyle can be achieved by following the information Woods presents in her book.

Utica Kidney Walk a ‘family affair’

By Patricia J. Malin

F

or years, Anne Ziemann watched anxiously as her father, Jack Tinelli, struggled to cope with kidney disease.

“He lost one kidney when he was in his 30s,” she said. “So it compromised his life and took its toll on him.”

Because of persistent kidney stones, he lived with kidney disease for a long time until 2006. He was 79 when he first went on dialysis. A few years later, Ziemann decided she needed to bring more awareness to the plight faced by her father and others with kidney disease.

She founded the Utica Kidney Walk in September 2008. “It was a small walk,” she recalled. “We had 10 teams, but it was a beginning. My dad was there to witness it and it was nice.”

Page 12

•

Tinelli died in June 2009 after a series of mini-strokes, but Ziemann’s team has never lost its zeal.

“After he passed away, I became more involved,” she said. “Fifty or 60 years ago, we didn’t have the technology we do today to remove kidney stones.”

Last year, Jack’s Pack raised $6,300 toward the $29,000 total at Ziemann the annual Kidney Walk. This year’s event held recently on the grounds of the Masonic Care Community drew

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

200 people and raised an estimated $23,000.

“The kidney walk is a fun, inspiring community fundraiser that calls attention to the prevention of kidney disease and the need for organ donation,” said Ziemann. There were 250 walkers and 22 teams last year.

Ziemann’s extended family has other ties to kidney disease. “We walk in memory of my cousin, Tony Maneen, who also had kidney disease and passed away before my dad,” she said.

One of her cousins is a two time recipient of a kidney and a survivor.

“In addition, we have two family members we walk in honor of. It has become quite the family affair, and our team last year grew tremendously, as well as our donations. We are able to raise so much because of our connec-

tions and the generosity of our family and friends,” she noted.

The National Kidney Foundation of Central New York held walks earlier this year in Syracuse — which raised $41,462 — and in Clayton.

Funds from the kidney walks can go toward the National Kidney Foundation or help the Kidney Foundation of CNY. The CNY chapter covers 13 Upstate counties and provides programs and services to more than 1,500 patients each year, according to its website.

To learn more about kidney disease, go to the NKF website at www. kidney.org. The website offers information about how to get a kidney early evaluation program checkup.

Bright Babies Your baby is smarter than you ever imagined

By Barbara Pierce

C

an babies tell right from wrong?

Are we born with a sense of right and wrong, or are we blank slates waiting for the world to shape us?

Or, do we start out as nasty, insensitive devils who need parents to whip us into shape?

Until recently, no one knew for sure, since infants can’t tell us what they are thinking. Most adults think babies do no more thinking than a loaf of bread. They are just blobs.

However, the Yale Baby Lab, or the Infant Cognition Center at Yale University, as it is officially known, has changed this.

In the baby lab, infants as young as 3 months old watch a puppet show, and researchers have devised ways to determine what they are thinking.

The infants, 3 to 6 months old, watch a simple puppet show. A good puppy puppet helps another puppet; a bad puppy puppet harms another puppet. After the show, the infant is given a choice of which puppet he prefers.

Overwhelmingly, three fourths of the infants chose the good, helping puppet.

In another experiment, the puppets play ball. One steals the ball and runs away with it. Another puppet comes along and hits the thief. Eighty-seven percent of the infants preferred the puppet that hit the thief. They chose the puppet that punished the wrong doer.

“It’s amazing,” said Kelley Salamone of New Hartford when she learned of the studies that show just how aware and thoughtful infants are.

Salamone is the mother of two daughters, aged 9 and 2.

“I knew she was observing things around her,” said Salamone about her second child. “I often wondered what she was thinking.”

She was surprised to learn the great extent to which her daughter was aware of and observing her environment. She had suspected her baby was somewhat aware, but, like most mothers, she had no idea just how aware her baby really was.

Awareness evident

Your infant, even when he or she is just 3 months old, is thinking. He is aware of what is going on around him. He is not just a cute little blob. He knows the difference between right and wrong. He has a grasp of how people think and why they act as they do.

The evidence shows that we do have a rudimentary moral sense from the time we are born. Some sense of good and evil seems to be bred in the bone.

In another experiment, babies are given a choice of graham crackers or Cheerios for a treat. The puppets are given the same choices. The babies nearly always prefer the puppet that had the same snack preference as their own.

“Which is not to say that parents are wrong to concern themselves with moral development or that their interactions with their children are a waste of time,” said Paul Bloom in an article in The New York Times. Bloom is a professor of psychology at Yale University and husband of Karen Wynn, the main researcher at the baby lab.

“Socialization is critically important,” he commented in the article.

“But this is not because babies and young children lack a sense of right and wrong; it’s because the sense of

right and wrong that they naturally possess diverges in important ways from what we adults would want it to be. I am admittedly biased, but I think one of the great discoveries in modern psychology is that this view of babies is mistaken.”

Exhibit math skills

Another study found that babies do simple math with objects. In view of the baby, researchers put out one doll, then another. Then a screen drops.

Adults expect two dolls — and so do 5-month-olds: If the screen drops to reveal one or three dolls, the babies look longer, in surprise, than they do if the screen drops to reveal two.

Salamone, who was surprised to learn about the extent to which babies

think, operates a website. On the website, www.MVPParentonline.com, she offers parenting and financial tips.

“I’m a regular mom like everyone else,” she said, “but I teach people different ways to be smart about money.”

She began the site after she moved to the Utica area from Syracuse and looked for events for herself and her daughter. As no written material existed, she printed a booklet of local family events that became very popular. In 2007, she converted it to a website.

For more information on the Yale Baby Lab, go to www.yale.edu/infantlab/.

To see the “60 Minutes” segment on the lab, go to www.cbsnews.com/ video/watch/?id=50151800n.

KIDS Corner Is my child’s toy toxic?

T

here are thousands of children’s toy manufacturers around the world. Toys can be made of metal, plastic, paint, fabric and many other components, but are they really safe for your children?

KidsChemicalSafety.org has compiled information from scientific experts to help parents make sense of information they are hearing about toys and chemicals. The website recently published an essay on exposure to chemicals in toys, what it means for children’s health and ways that parents can minimize the risk to their children, and an essay on physical hazards with toys and the types of prevention and first aid needed to address these hazards.

“Parents can protect their child

from chemicals in toys by choosing appropriate toys designed for their child’s age and paying attention to warnings on the labels,” said physician Rick Reiss, an expert on exposure assessment who authored the “Chemical Risks in Children’s Toys?” essay for KidsChemicalSafety.org. “The most important thing a parent can do is to assure that very young children do not have access to toys that are not intended for their age.”

The most important thing a parent can do, according to KidsChemicalSafety.org, is often the simplest thing: read the label. A quality toy company that is in compliance with international regulations will carefully develop label warnings intended to provide parents with information to minimize risk.

Donation eases pain of recent flooding Recent flooding in Oneida destroyed the home of Jessica and Joseph Hart and their two children. They lost everything: clothes, household items, and furniture, while the house itself has been condemned. Brianna Gaskins, Jessica’s sister and licensed massage therapist for Time for Me Day Spa, told Amy Croft, president of the spa, of her sister’s devastation. Croft then pledged $10 for every 60-minute massage service Gaskins provided in July and later presented a $650 donation to the Hart family. Above from left, Croft, Jessica Hart and Gaskins celebrate the occasion.

October 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 13

The Ragin’ Cajun

The Social Ask Security Office

By Malissa Stinger

Celiac Disease

Column provided by the local Social Security Of-

Medical world becoming more aware of harmful GI condition

C

eliac disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory condition that results in immune-mediated damage to the mucosal lining of the small intestine.

It occurs in genetically predisposed people who consume gliadin — a protein in gluten-containing foods such as wheat, rye and barley — and usually responds to a gluten-free diet.

Although the immune response genes HLA-DQ2 and DQ8 — present in about 40 percent of the population — increase susceptibility to CD, they do not cause it, even in people who regularly consume gluten. More than a dozen non-HLA genes have been identified that may contribute to CD as well as environmental factors such as pregnancy, stress and infec- Stinger tion.

A recent study co-authored by Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist Joseph A. Murray of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., found a strong association between celiac disease and gastroenteritis and other bacterial intestinal infections.

“The study suggests that adults who have gastroenteritis are more likely to be diagnosed with celiac disease within a couple of years,” he said.

“Gastroenteritis may be the match that lights the fuse of gluten intolerance.”

Other studies have found that children who experience early infections are more prone to CD and a robust gut microbiota — and possibly breastfeeding — may be protective. So far, however, the triggering mechanism of the disease remains unknown.

Diagnoses soar

Also unclear is the reason for the dramatic upswing in diagnosed cases — a five-fold increase from 1999 to 2008 — and why, in spite of this, CD remains undiagnosed in most of the nearly 2 million Americans estimated to have it. Murray, who co-authored a definitive study on diagnosed and undiagnosed CD prevalence, points out, “Only one in every five people with celiac disease will be diagnosed — the remaining four will elude diagnosis, so we’re not doing a very good job of detecting it.”

The issue isn’t a lack of diagnostic tools. Newer serologic testing, despite its limitations, has made evaluation for CD less complicated and more reliable. Tissue transglutaminase antibody (tTG-IgA), perhaps the most accurate test for diagnosing celiac disease, has high sensitivity and reasonably high specificity. New celiac test algorithms can rule out CD in most patients, even those who have already reduced gluten in their diets.

Murray said the real problem in diagnosing celiac disease is it is often hiding in plain sight. Although it damages the small intestine, CD can affect any part of the body, including the nervous, reproductive, endocrine, Page 14

•

skeletal and cardiopulmonary systems.

A substantial number of patients may not present with classic gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, weight loss, bloating and abdominal pain, but rather with anemia, osteoporosis, peripheral neuropathy, ataxia or cognitive impairment.

‘Disease of the masses’

In effect, Murray said, CD is everywhere — “a disease of the masses” — but clinicians often fail to recognize it. “If a patient with osteoporosis or infertility isn’t responding to treatment, suspect celiac disease,” he said. It should also be suspected in patients with Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome or other autoimmune disorders, as well as in cases of irritable bowel syndrome or chronic diarrhea.

“Even after all that, most patients will elude diagnosis because the disease hasn’t produced enough of an impact to cause symptoms,” Murray said.

That argues for universal screening.

At Mayo Clinic, asymptomatic people considered at risk of gluten intolerance are routinely screened, including family members of celiac patients. Eventually, Murray thinks, celiac testing may become routine for everyone. “We’re amassing more evidence to suggest that we have to screen people rather than just waiting for the disease to become apparent,” he said.

Gluten causes gut inflammation in at least 80 percent of the population and another 30 percent of the population develops antibodies against gluten proteins in the gut. Furthermore, 99 percent of the population has the genetic potential to develop antibodies against gluten. Antibodies acting in the gut can actually be good news. When the body doesn’t react against gluten right away, gluten proteins can enter the blood stream more easily, especially if the gut is already leaky, and trigger immune reaction elsewhere in the body.

Since gliadin, the main problem causing gluten protein, can be similar in structure to other proteins found in tissues of such organs as the thyroid or the pancreas, antibodies against gliadin can end up attacking those organs and ultimately cause autoimmune diseases like hypothyroidism and Type 1 diabetes.

Gluten’s inflammatory effect in the gut causes intestinal cells to die prematurely and causes oxidation on those cells. This effect creates a leaky gut, which can allow bacterial proteins and other toxic compounds to get in the blood stream. This can also lead to autoimmune attacks on the body. A leaky gut also means that food as not digested properly and nutrients are not absorbed fully.

• Malissa Stinger is a gluten-free chef and cooking instructor based in Camden.

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

I

If you can’t work due to a disability, Social Security can help

f you are disabled and you’re no longer able to work, you should learn how Social Security can help you.

Disability is something most people do not like to think about; however, the unfortunate reality is this: the chances that you will become disabled are probably far greater than you realize. Studies show that a 20-year-old worker has a more than one in four chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age.

Social Security pays benefits to people with disabilities through the Social Security disability insurance program, which is financed by Social Security taxes. If you qualify, you can receive a monthly disability benefit from Social Security for as long as your disability keeps you from working.

The amount of your benefit is based on your average lifetime earnings. Potential Medicare coverage is dependent on several factors and usually starts after you receive disability cash benefits for 24 months.

When you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn credits. The number of credits you need to qualify for disability benefits depends on your age, and some of the work must be recent. For example, if you become disabled after age 31, you need to have worked at least a total of 10 years, including five of those having been worked within the past 10 years. But if you become disabled before age 24, you need only one and a half years of work in the past three years.

If you have a disability that keeps you from working, the time to get

Q&A Q: Can I delay my retirement benefits and receive benefits as a spouse only? How does that affect me?

A: It depends on your age. If you are full retirement age or older when you first apply, and your spouse is receiving Social Security benefits, you can choose to apply and receive benefits on just your spouse’s Social Security record. This way, you could delay applying for benefits on your own record in order to receive delayed retirement credits. If you are full retirement age or older, and have already applied for retirement benefits, you can request to have payments suspended. If you qualify for a spouse’s benefit, you can receive those payments and earn delayed retirement credits on your own record. By applying only for benefits as a spouse, you may receive a higher retirement benefit on your own record later based on the effect of delayed retirement credits. You can earn delayed retirement credits up to age 70

started with your application is now.

That’s because it takes time to determine whether you qualify for benefits.

It usually takes about three to five months for a medical decision from the state agency that evaluates your condition. If your application is approved, your first Social Security disability payment will be made for the sixth full month after the date we determine that your disability began.

Given the time it can take, it’s in your best interest to do everything you can to speed up the process. The best first step is for you to read our online publication, “Disability Benefits,” at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs. It will tell you all about the process, including the information you will need to apply for benefits.

Then, take advantage of our online disability starter kits. You will find them on our disability website at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

From that page, simply select the option to apply for benefits online, and on that page you will find the disability starter kits. There is one kit for children and one for adults. Each kit is available in both English and Spanish.

The starter kits help you begin the process by providing information about the specific documents and the information that we will request from you.

Take a look at the disability starter kit now at www.socialsecurity.gov/ disability.

Once you complete the online disability starter kit and you’re ready to apply, the most convenient way to do that is also online. Just go to the same disability website at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

as long as you do not collect your own benefits. Since the rules vary depending on the situation, you may want to talk to a Social Security representative about the options available to you. To learn more, visit www.socialsecurity. gov or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Q: My daughter just joined a nonprofit charity and is helping victims of natural disasters. She gets a salary.

We were wondering if she has to pay Social Security tax.

A: Yes, people who work for nonprofits and who receive a salary must pay Social Security tax just like everyone else. It is commendable that she is helping people in need. But the fact is that she is also a wage-earner. Those wages and the Social Security tax she pays on them will offer her financial relief in the future, when it comes time to apply for Social Security. So she is really helping herself, too. For more information, visit our electronic publication, “How You Earn Credits” at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

Mary in the Middle

By Mary Stevenson

It’s been a year Mother’s death leaves long-lasting sting

I

remember what I was doing at the end of last October.

It was a rather regular time, doing rather regular things, complaining about rather regular happenings. Nothing out of the ordinary became a devastating time of my life with the loss of my mother.

I have good days and I have bad days remembering my mom. The good days, we share stories of my mom with extended family members and I can see the love she shared with all of us.

Then there are days I wish I could call her just to talk and she isn’t there. Those Stevenson are the bad days.

Although Alzheimer’s took that opportunity from me a while back, I still longed to talk to her on the phone. I could still call and ask her how she was; she’d answer. She might ask how I was doing but not much more than that. She could still listen to what I had to say and listen she did! There were times I thought I was talking her ear off. But she sat there and smiled, nodding appropriately.

We could sit at the kitchen table at breakfast and laugh like we used to when I was younger.

Once in a while, she would come out with a statement that sounded like the old Mom. She was asking me for the umpteenth time about the little boy who was with me and who he belonged to.

I’d tell her he was my foster son

By Jim Miller

and had been with us for a while. She stared and said, “I could never do that.” Do what, I asked, be a foster parent? “Yeah. I’d get too attached and wouldn’t give him back,” she said. And that was it. The extent of that conversation was short but I understood Mom’s feelings on the matter.

Short but sweet, just like my mom.

Her headstone was finally put up recently.

After several delays, some Mother Nature related and some human error, the stone that bears her name and designates her final resting place is in. I have yet to see it there. I did see a photo of it when it was made but I cannot bring myself to go there yet.

I know that I will cry and I don’t want to cry anymore. I visit her every week; some days I am in tears as I pull in to the cemetery. Other days, I have lunch and just chat. This time will be different. There will be proof staring me in the face that Mom is gone.

The writing is on the wall, is what she used to say. The writing on that two-and-a-half foot slab of stone will tell the world that she is gone. I know that she is gone; I am reminded every day.

It just seems like that will be a sting that I am really not ready to face.

• Mary Stevenson is a staff writer for Mohawk Valley In Good Health.

Two new versions of flu vaccine arriving soon

F

well, but some injections only include the three strain vaccine. Going forward after this year, we’ll know if the additional protection is necessary.”

Adults with egg allergies have a new option as well. An egg-free version of the vaccine is available, but it is only for adults aged 18 to 49.

Kebodeaux adds that older adults, and those with chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma, need to receive an injection as soon as the vaccines arrive. The high-dose version of the vaccine for older adults protects against three versions of the flu virus.

“I encourage everyone to get any version of the flu vaccine,” Kebodeaux says. “There will be plenty for everyone.”

Story idea?

Call 749-7070 today!

Dear Savvy Senior, At age 62, I will be retiring at the end of the year and plan to enroll in Obamacare until my Medicare kicks in. Can you offer me any advice on choosing a plan?

Almost Retired Dear Almost, The new health insurance exchanges — also known as Obamacare — that begin in 2014 will have a significant impact on millions of Americans who need health insurance, especially preMedicare retirees and uninsured baby boomers who often have a difficult time finding affordable coverage.

To help ensure you get the best health insurance coverage that fits your needs, here are some things you should know.

Health exchange overview

First time two types of vaccines are offered or the first time, there will be a vaccine that protects against four strains of the flu virus. Until now, flu vaccines have only protected against three forms of the virus.

Each year, scientists choose what they believe will be the three most common forms of the flu to spread during the winter months, and they incorporate them into the annual vaccine. This year’s new vaccine containing four varieties has those three flu forms and an additional version of the virus.

“The real need for the vaccine with four flu viruses comes if that additional virus begins to circulate,” says Clark Kebodeaux, assistant professor of pharmacy practice at St. Louis College of Pharmacy. “At this early point, it’s not certain what types of flu will cause the most illnesses.”

Vaccines will be available through two forms of injections and a nasal spray.

“If parents want to ensure that their children receive the new style of vaccine, ask for a nasal spray instead of an injection,” Kebodeaux says. “The four strain vaccine is available by injection as

Health exchange shopping tips for uninsured boomers, early retirees

Starting Oct. 1, you will be able to shop for health insurance policies, and enroll in one directly through your state’s health insurance marketplace website, over the phone, via mail or in person at a designated center. The coverage will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2014.

You can also be reassured to know that federal law prohibits marketplace insurers from denying you coverage or charging you higher rates if you have a pre-existing health condition. But they are permitted to set premiums up to three times higher for applicants over the age of 50, and smokers may be charged up to 50 percent more than nonsmokers.

To help make coverage affordable, sliding scale tax credits will be available if you earn less than 400 percent of the poverty level — that’s $45,960 for a single person and $62,040 for couples.

These tax-credit subsidies will provide immediate savings off your monthly premiums. See the Kaiser Family Foundation online calculator (kff. org/interactive/subsidy-calculator) for a premium estimate.

Every state will have a marketplace, but each state can choose how it will operate. Seventeen states, including New York, and the District of Columbia will run their own state-based marketplace, seven states will partner with the federal government, and 26 states will offer federal marketplaces.

The differences between federal and

October 2013 •

state programs will be subtle. You will be able to access your state’s marketplace at Healthcare.gov.

Policy choices

To make shopping and comparing a little easier, the health plans will be divided into four different levels — bronze, silver, gold and platinum.

The bronze plan will have the lowest monthly premiums but the highest outof-pocket costs when you need care, while the platinum plans will have the highest premiums with the lowest outof-pocket costs.

You will also have a variety of health insurance companies to select from. To help you evaluate insurers, the nonprofit National Committee for Quality Assurance offers online “report cards” at ncqa.org that can help you narrow your choices.

Because most plans will be managed-care policies such as HMOs or PPOs that require you to get your care within a network of providers, you’ll want to make sure that the doctors and hospitals you typically use are covered in the plans you’re considering. The new marketplace plans are expected to offer fewer choices of health-care providers, and who’s included may vary quite a bit.

You also need to find out what happens if you want to use a doctor or hospital outside a plan’s network. Will you have to get a referral or pay more to get these services, or will it even be covered at all?

Also check the plan’s formulary, which is the list of prescription drugs they cover, to be sure all the medications you take are covered without excessive co-pays or requirements that you try less expensive drugs first.

Get help

If you need some help with all this, the Marketplace Help Center offers a toll-free helpline at 800-318-2596. Or, if you’d rather get face-to-face assistance, there will be designated centers set up with trained and certified navigators, counselors and application assistors to help you, along with insurance agents and brokers. To find help in your area, call the marketplace Help Center after Oct. 1 for a referral.

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

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 15

CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Continued from Page 2 The performance will be held at Preswick Glen and proceeds will benefit the Kirkland Art Center in Clinton.

The performance will be followed by an elegant afternoon champagne reception with the artists.

Reservations for the show must be made in advance. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Tickets are $20 for Preswick Glen residents, KAC members, students and seniors, and $25 for general admission.

Tickets may be purchased through the KAC at kacny.org or 853-8871, or by stopping by Preswick Glen, 55 Preswick Drive, off Clinton Road (Route 12B), New Hartford.

For more information, contact Cindy Dardano, life enrichment director, Preswick Glen, at 315-734-9586.

Oct. 6

Is it time to consider ‘The Third Option’?

The Third Option meets from 6:30-8:30 p.m. every other Sunday at

The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

The next meeting is Oct. 6.

The Third Option is a support group for married couples who are experiencing difficulties.

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

Oct. 7

Diabetes education program to host grocery store tour On Oct. 7, people with diabetes, pre-diabetes and their family members are invited to grocery shop with a registered dietitian and learn more about their food choices.

The grocery store tour, hosted by Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Central New York Diabetes Education Program, will begin at 6 p.m. at Hannaford Supermarket, 4593 Commercial Drive, New Hartford.

Call CNY Diabetes at 315-624-5620

Subscribe to

In Good Health

Get Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper at home for only $15 a year.

FREE with your paid subscription: the 2013 CNY Healthcare Guide

Name __________________________________________ Address ________________________________________ City / Town _________________State ____ Zip ________ Your occupation: _________________________________ Where did you pick up In Good Health? _______________ _______________________________________________ Clip and Mail to:

In Good Health

$15 payment enclosed

4 Riverside Dr., Suite 251, Utica, NY 13502 Page 16

•

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

to register.

The Central New York Diabetes Education Program is a cooperative effort of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica.

Oct. 8

Women at the Well ready to meet Women at the Well meet from 6:30–8 p.m. on the second and last Tuesday of each month September through May at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

All Christian women of any age are invited to the faith-based meetings.

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

Oct. 9

SUNY IT to present veteran’s expo The SUNY Institute of Technology in Utica will be hosting its annual Veteran’s Expo Service Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 9.

The expo is designed to acquaint active duty military, veterans and their families with local agencies that provide services such as food, shelter, clothing, health screenings, mental health and drug abuse counseling, employment and Veterans Administration and Social Security benefits.

Free transportation to and from the expo is available. A shuttle will leave the CNY Veterans Outreach Center, 726 Washington St., Utica, every half hour starting at 10 a.m. The last shuttle back to the center will leave SUNYIT at 2 p.m.

Oct. 9

Nominations accepted for peacemaker awards The Community Peacemaker Awards serve as the standard for acknowledging community activism that promotes collaborative conflict resolution in the Mohawk Valley.

The Peacemaker Program, Inc. will honor a resident of Oneida, Herkimer or Madison counties with its Community Peacemaker Award.

Additionally, it will also honor an organization from Oneida, Herkimer or Madison counties that works to promote peace and collaboration in the community. Honorees will be recognized at the Community Peacemaker Breakfast Oct. 9.

If you know a person or business in the Mohawk Valley who helps make the community a more peaceful place, nominate them by filling out the online form at www.thepeacemakerprogram.org.

Oct. 10

FSLH’S Campaign For Quality 2013 set Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s 2013 Campaign For Quality seeks to give everyone in attendance a new perspective on today’s ever-changing healthcare system.

The educational event, celebrating its 12th anniversary, features international, national and local

experts presenting on current trends in healthcare, patient experiences, quality improvement topics and patient safety initiatives.

CFQ will be held at Hamilton College in Clinton on Oct. 18. A special evening presentation and dinner will be held Oct. 17 at the Radisson Hotel in Utica.

Registration is required by Oct. 10.

For more information and to register, visit www.campaignforquality.com or call 315-624-6174.

This community event is free and open to all employees, medical staff and volunteers from area hospitals, as well as the general public.

Oct. 11

Art for Autism to support Kelberman Center Art for Autism will be presented from 5:30–8:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Fort Schuyler Club, 254 Genesee St., Utica.

Art for Autism is an artist’s reception, exhibit and sale designed to bring fine art and the people of the community together. Its purpose is to raise awareness and funds for autism services provided by the Kelberman Center in Utica.

Registration is required and a minimum donation of $20 per person will be appreciated. For more information, call 724-6907 ext. 2278.

Oct. 15

Grieving? Support is available Grief Survivors — formerly known as GriefShare — meets from 6-7:30 p.m. every other Tuesday at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

The next meeting is Oct. 15.

Grief Survivors is a faith-based support group for those who have lost a loved one.

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

Oct. 18-20

Marriage on the rocks? Try Retrouvaille Retrouvaille (pronounced retrovi) will be presented Oct. 18–20 at The Good News Center, 10475 Cosby Manor Road, Utica.

Retrouvaille, which means rediscovery, is for those contemplating separation or divorce.

For more information or to register, call 315-735-6210, email Andrea@thegoodnewscenter.com or visit www.thegoodnewscenter.org.

Nov. 23

Search is on for crafters, antique dealers St. Joseph Nursing Home in Utica is looking for crafters and antique dealers for its Holiday Treasures Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 23 at the nursing home, 2535 Genesee St., Utica.

This event will include baked goods, various crafts, and antiques.

The cost of a space is $20, and individuals interested in registering for a booth can contact Deana Grippe at 315-797-1230 or at dgrippe@stjosephnh. org.

H ealth News Doctor joins orthopedic team at FSLH Kenneth K. Kim recently joined Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Adirondack Community Physicians Orthopedic Group.

Prior to joining ACP, Kim was in private practice for more than 30 years in Utica.

Kim earned his Doctor of Medicine from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine in Buffalo.

He completed Kim an internship at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, a residency in pediatrics at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, a residency in surgery at Dartmouth Medical Center in Hanover, N.H., and a residency and chief residency in orthopedics at the University of Connecticut in Hartford, Conn.

Kim completed fellowships in hand surgery in Hartford and Louisville, Ky. Kim was a major for the United States Army in orthopedics at Letterman Hospital in San Francisco, Calif.

He is a member of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Medical Society of the State of New York.

Faxton St. Luke’s makes staff addition Sherry A. Looman has joined Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Adirondack Community Physicians Waterville Medical Office as a physician assistant.

Looman earned her Associate of Applied Science in science from TompkinsCortland Community College in Dryden, her Bachelor of SciLooman ence in biology from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, and she completed the Albany Medical College-Hudson Valley Physician Assistant Program in Albany.

LFH recognizes achievement of unit nurse Little Falls Hospital is celebrating the achievement of Amy Boyle, who recently passed her registered nurse boards.

Boyle has been in the healthcare field for 21 years. She started as unit secretary at Amsterdam Memorial Hospital in pediatrics, became a home health aide, then a certified nurse aide.

She graduated from Herkimer County BOCES in 2002 as an LPN, and eventually made her way back to college to receive her RN degree.

Boyle received her RN degree from

Representatives from Diligent® Guaranteed Solutions pose with members of the Handle with Care team at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica during the program’s kick off. From left are Robert Close, Diligent representative; Keith Roach, director of bio-medical services at FSLH; Jake Viveiros, Diligent representative; Robert Sylvester, director of safety and emergency preparedness at FSLH; Colette Wilk, director of clinical education at FSLH; and Laurette Wright, Diligent representative.

FSLH kicks off safe patient/resident handling program

F

axton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica recently initiated the Handle with Care program to increase patient and resident quality of care.

The new safety program will also increase patient and resident’s quality of life, reduce falls, skin ulcers and shearing, and increase the ease of mobility for patients, residents and employees.

FSLH partnered with Diligent® Guaranteed Solutions to provide equipment and an extensive training program designed to reduce the risks of harm to employees and medical Mohawk Valley Community College.

She has been a nurse at Little Falls Hospital since June.

AHA pays tribute to dedicated volunteers The Greater Utica Division of the American Heart Association honored 62 individuals and organizations at its annual Leadership Volunteer Awards Ceremony recently.

All of the award recipients have played a crucial role in helping the American Heart Association improve

staff when moving patients, residents and equipment.

More workers are injured in the healthcare and social assistance industry sector than any other. In 2010, the healthcare and social assistance industry reported more than 653,900 cases of injury and illness. That is 152,000 more cases than the next industry sector — manufacturing.

“The average caregiver lifts or moves nearly 3,000 pounds in an eight-to-12-hour shift,” said Scott H. Perra, president/CEO of FSLH. “Continuously lifting this much weight can lead to a sudden injury or a medical the health of the Mohawk Valley community.

Some of the top awards include the distinguished service award, given to Helen Robinson, and the distinguished leadership award, given to Ronald Cuccaro.

Robinson was honored for her work with the kids walk event, including her design of the heart obstacle course. Cuccaro was recognized for his service on the Greater Utica Area Advisory Board of Directors, including serving as the chairman of the volunteer leadership committee.

The heart survivor of the year was

October 2013 •

issue that develops over time. This new program helps alleviate many of those issues while at the same time providing a safer environment for our patients and residents when they are being moved. We are focused on the prevention of injuries for our staff, patients and residents.

Equipment to assist in the lifting and moving of patients and residents has been placed on every unit. Transfer mobility coaches, staff members extensively trained on the proper use of the equipment, are in place on each unit to provide support to staff in the daily use of the new equipment. also honored during the ceremony.

Benjamin Poplaski was diagnosed with a heart condition at the age of 3 and had open-heart surgery in June of 2012.

The AHA also honored volunteer of the year Patricia Roach. Roach is a member of the Greater Utica Area Advisory Board of Directors, as well as the Go Red for Women committee.

She was also the lead coordinator for the campaign for quality, which educates more than 400 healthcare providers from 30 different hospitals.

Continued on Page 18

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 17

H ealth News Continued from Page 17

Fundraiser for epilepsy research sets record The effort to find a cure for epilepsy got a big boost recently from a benefit dinner that raised $251,000, a record amount for the Mohawk Valley.

This year’s Christopher Donalty CURE Benefit was the sixth held since 2003 and brings the total raised locally to more than $1.4 million. Local donations have funded 11 research grants to date.

The event was held in memory of Christopher Donalty, son of Jeanne and Barry Donalty of Utica. Christopher was 21 years old and a student at Stetson University in 2002 when he succumbed to sudden unexplained death from epilepsy.

The money raised goes to Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy, which awards grants for research to find a cure for this debilitating disease.

Co-chairs of the dinner, Mike and Kelly Parsons of New Hartford, said more than 650 people attended this year’s event.

It featured a silent auction and a performance by Robert Channing, a nationally renowned mentalist from New Hartford.

CURE is a grassroots organization founded in 1998 by parents of children with epilepsy, who were unwilling to sit back and accept the devastation of seizures and the side effects of treatments.

Christopher’s mother, Jeanne Donalty, represents the Mohawk Valley on CURE’s board of directors. Charity Navigator.com rates CURE at four stars, its highest rating. Ninety cents of every $1 raised goes directly to epilepsy research and awareness efforts.

For more information, visit www.

CUREepilepsy.org or www.donaltycure.com.

HealthNet presents awards for community projects Herkimer County HealthNet has selected four improvement projects — two trails and two playgrounds — to award funding to as part of the Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play in Herkimer County grant.

Through an application process, municipalities and nonprofit organizations located in Herkimer County were able to apply.

The recipients and projects are: • Village of Frankfort: Marina Park Fitness Station/trail project — $10,000 • Village of Ilion: Russell Park playground project — $10,500

• Herkimer County Community College: HCCC Interpretive Nature Trail — $10,000 • Poland Central School District: fitness trail/elementary playground project — $10,500 Herkimer County HealthNet is a New York State Department of Healthfunded Rural Health Network that administers the Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play grant.

Creating Healthy Places focuses on preventing obesity and Type 2 diabetes by supporting and promoting environmental changes in Herkimer County.

Rome nurse new director at Crouse Hospital CON Pat Schmidt-Zawko has been appointed director of the Crouse Hospital College of Nursing.

Zawko is filling the position vacated when the college’s former leader, Ann Sedore, was named chief nursing officer of the hospital earlier this year.

“Dr. Zawko will be a strong support as Crouse Hospital continues to strive for nursing and institutional excellence,” said Sedore. “Her nursing background, educational experience, professional leadership and knowledge of our community will serve her and the college well.”

Zawko, who resides in Rome, most recently served as associate clinical profesZawko sor of nursing and director of online learning at SUNY Upstate Medical University. She has been a member of numerous committees throughout the community and has received multiple commendations, including having been nominated for the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

She holds a doctorate in educational leadership, curriculum and instruction from the University of Phoenix and a master’s degree in nursing administration from SUNY IT at Utica Rome. Zawko is a former board member of St. Elizabeth’s School of Nursing and of the nursing honor society Sigma Theta Tau’s Iota Delta Chapter, for which she had served as faculty adviser.

Zawko is assuming the director position during the college’s 100th anniversary year, and will preside over the festivities during the college’s first-ever homecoming weekend Oct. 18–20.

LFH poster contest winner at symposium

L

ittle Falls Hospital was one of three winners in the poster competition held at the International Relationship-Based Care Symposium in Huron, Ohio, recently.

The three poster winners were selected from 130 posters submitted by healthcare organizations worldwide.

Page 18

•

LFH’s poster, entitled “Self-Care Leads to Better Patient Care,” graphically depicts the hospital’s 12-week Biggest Loser Competition that combined with a new healthy hospital cafeteria menu, concluded with employees losing a total of 950 pounds.

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

RMH health fair injects excitement in Mohawk Valley Approximately 300 area residents attended Rome Memorial Hospital’s annual Community Health Fair recently at the Kennedy Arena to take advantage of free screenings and get their flu shots. Above, Juanita Pileckas of Rome receives her flu shot from Mary Lou Wilson, an employee of Rome Memorial Hospital’s Employee Health and Corporate Health Departments. Featured were flu shots, free screenings as well as information on the services available at the hospital.

Study: ER visits common after seniors’ surgery

A

fter common surgeries, nearly one in five older Americans ends up in the emergency department within a month of being discharged from the hospital, according to a new study.

The University of Michigan Medical School researchers also found wide variation among hospitals in the rates of older patients who needed emergency department care after having surgery on their hearts, hips, backs, colons and major blood vessels. Rates were as much as four times higher in some hospitals than in others.

“There was a lot of variation depending on what the surgery was for,” study lead author Keith Kocher, an emergency physician and assistant professor in the department of emergency medicine, said in a university news release.

For example, rates of ER visits after colon surgery ranged from one in four patients at some hospitals to one in 14 patients at others.

The researchers analyzed data from nearly 2.4 million Medicare patients who had at least one of six common operations over a three-year period. More than 4 percent of them

had two or more emergency department visits within one month after leaving the hospital.

The study team also found that more than half of the patients who required emergency care were readmitted to the hospital directly from the ER, according to the study published in the September issue of the journal Health Affairs.

The six types of surgery included in the study were: angioplasty or other minimally invasive heart procedures; coronary artery bypass; hip fracture repair; back surgery; elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair; and removal of part of the colon to treat problems such as colon cancer.

The most common issues that brought patients to the emergency department were cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, infections, complications with the site of their surgery or procedure incision, and abdominal or gastrointestinal problems.

If further research supports it, postsurgical emergency department visits could be added to other measures such as infection rates in assessing and grading hospitals on their quality of care, according to the study authors.

Health in good

MV’S HEALTHCARE NEWSPAPER

EMPLOYMENT From left are Kathryn McCauley, Faxton Cup individual honoree; Anthony Scibelli, senior vice president of operations at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare; Diane Jackson, director of rehabilitation services at FSLH; Susan Bord, director of the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities program, Faxton Cup organization honoree; Lewellyne Blanchard, assistive technology assistance at TRAID; and Danielle Furlong, speech pathologist at FSLH.

FSLH’s Regional Rehab Center hosts Faxton Cup awards ceremony

T

he Regional Rehabilitation Center at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica honored Faxton Cup award winners Kathryn McCauley and the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Program at Upstate Cerebral Palsy in Barneveld recently.

The Faxton Cup award honors individuals and organizations who demonstrate, on a local level, dedication to the enhancement of the quality of life, either by setting an example of what people with disabilities can accomplish, or on behalf of people with physical disabilities.

Kathryn McCauley Individual winner McCauley was born with proximal femoral focal deficiency, a genetic disease affecting the growth of her femur that led to the amputation of her right foot as an infant. She was cared for at Shriner’s Hospitals for Children in Springfield, Mass., where her surgeries and prosthetics were covered at no cost until she turned 22.

“At Shriner’s, they believe that every kid should be able to participate fully in whatever they do,” McCauley said. “Right from the start, they want you to know that your disease isn’t something you have to cope with — it’s just who you are.”

For McCauley, goals she accom-

plished included serving as valedictorian of her high school class, graduating from Harvard University with a degree in history and science and receiving a master’s degree in library science from Syracuse University.

She runs competitively, completing this year’s Boilermaker, in addition to the Delta Lake Half Marathon this fall.

TRAID program at Upstate Cerebral Palsy Organizational Winner The TRAID Program is one of 12 sites in New York state dedicated to providing assistive technology information, referral services and device demonstrations and loans. People affected by a developmental, physical or cognitive disability can have their lives enhanced by adaptive devices and durable medical equipment.

With more than 3,000 pieces of equipment in its “technology lending library,” TRAID provides devices that range from wheelchairs and walkers to adapted toys and assistive software and is available to any resident with a disability in Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Montgomery and Oneida counties.

“If we have a device that someone needs, we loan it out so they can try it,” said Susan Bord, TRAID director. “We look at the needs of the individual and help make sure it’s the right device for them.”

SDMG opens new hematology/oncology suite

S

locum-Dickson Medical Group in New Hartford has reached the completion of its most recent renovation to the medical facility on 1729 Burrstone Road.

The group has moved its hematology/oncology department into a new state-of-the-art office suite located on the main level of the Slocum-Dickson building. Above, hematology/medical oncology specialists Sultana Razia

and Manzurul A. Sikder get comfortable in the new accommodations.

“The new office suite offers the latest equipment for the preparation of chemotherapy medications and other anti-cancer agents, and includes a variety of updates that will create a warm, comfortable environment for patients undergoing treatment,” said Anne Falchi, chief operating officer for Slocum-Dickson Medical Group.

Looking for that perfect employee to bolster your staff?

Advertise your needs and reach job-seekers throughout the Mohawk Valley for as little as $69 a month.

Call 749-7070 for more information.

Sales Professional Wanted In Good Health is a growing newspaper serving the needs of the Mohawk Valley. We are now looking for an individual to help sell print and online advertising on a part-time basis. If you are dynamic, articulate and more importantly, have previous experience selling advertising, we’re interested in talking to you. Call Lou Sorendo at 315-749-7070 or send an email to lou@cnymail.com.

Benefit scheduled for Boonville man

K

im Lampman finds herself compelled to ask for help.

Her brother, Mark Lampman of Boonville, was recently diagnosed with retroperitoneal sarcoma, which is soft tissue cancer.

He had a 43-pound tumor in his abdominal cavity and it had engulfed his right kidney, adrenal gland and right colon.

Surgery and radiation took place in Buffalo at Roswell Park in September to remove the tumor and organs.

The benefit will be from 1–5 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Boonville Elks Lodge, 13054 state Route 12, Boonville, to defray medical and travel costs.

Kim is seeking help with any donations such as items for the Chinese auction, monetary donations or one’s time. To help, call her at 315-796-0147.

Cost is $15 per person or $25 per couple.

Fashion show to benefit Abraham House

A

fashion show will be held from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 2 at the Mohawk Valley Community College Theater, IT & Conference Building, 1101 Sherman Drive, Utica.

Tickets are $15 and will be available at the door or in advance at Abraham House, 1203 Kemble St., Utica.

For more information, call Abraham House at 733-8210, email info@theabrahamhouse.org or go to its website, www.theabrahamhouse.org.

Abraham House provides a secure and loving home without charge to the

The Arc holds annual bowling awards

C

ommunity and Family Services at The Arc, Oneida-Lewis Chapter, NYSARC held its annual bowling awards night recently.

Adult respite programs coordinator Roxanne Vasilopoulos and Carl O’Shea, senior respite specialist, presented each of the 92 bowlers with a certificate with ribbon and a medal for achievement.

Carol Grzesiak was best female bowler and Michael Wild was the best male bowler. The Arc’s recreational bowling program, funded by Special Olympics, takes place at Pin-O-Rama on Genesee Street in Utica one night a week for six weeks during the summer.

For more information, visit www.thearcolc.org.

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

Lutheran Care resident donate Teddy bears to state fair Residents of the Lutheran Home of Central New York on the LutheranCare campus in Clinton recently presented 100 hand-made Teddy bears to representatives of this year’s New York State Fair.

The bears were of tremendous assistance in comforting frightened children at the fair’s lost child and first aid stations. Resident members of the sewing group — known as the “sewing medley” — have been stitching and stuffing Teddy bears for over 15 years.

October 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 19

LIFE HAS COMMUNITY

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is proud to support Mohawk Valley. We remain committed to giving back to the local community where we’ve lived and worked for more than 75 years.

Share your life’s moments at LifeHasAPlan.com

SM

National strength. Local focus. Individual care.

A nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association

Garden of Hope

‘Donate Life’ garden at FSLH pays homage to organ donors

By Patricia J. Malin

M

ichelle Jackson was 22 and a student at Rochester Institute of Technology in October 2008 when she lost her life while awaiting a lung transplant.

It’s still painful for her mother, Diane Jackson, to remember those days. Now she has decided to look to the future.

She has decided this is the right time to start reaching out to other families in the Mohawk Valley and stress the importance of organ donations.

She was among those who attended the formal dedication recently of a new Donate Life garden outside the Allen-Calder entrance on the St. Luke’s campus of Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica.

The garden consists of flowers and shrubs donated in honor of those who have given the gift of life through organ, tissue and cornea donation.

John Weakley of Utica, a heart transplant recipient and volunteer greeter at FSLH, led the garden initiative.

He raised more than $3,000 to fund the creation of the garden. “If this garden makes a difference in the life of just one recipient, it will be worth it,” said Weakley, who received his donated heart over 21 years ago.

The Donate Life Garden seeks to raise awareness of organ, tissue and cornea donation in an effort to help the more than 100,000 patients waiting for Page 20

•

a life-saving transplant in the United States.

Jackson has been an occupational therapist for 32 years at FSLH and is now director of rehabilitation services.

She is used to helping patients rebuild their lives, but getting involved in the garden is her first public interaction with the organ donation program. She choked back tears as she discussed her daughter’s battle with cystic fibrosis and the frustrating wait for a transplant that never came. “(Michelle) was always healthy and played sports at Westmoreland Central School,” said Jackson. “But the disease progressed and the doctors told us she might need a lung transplant someday. She was always very determined not to let it hold her back. I’ve talked to other parents [whose children have CF], and their kids don’t always want to take their treatments, but Michelle always did.”

Jackson’s younger daughter, Stacy, now 23, and a student at Nazareth College, has carried the torch for the family until now. Ever since her sister’s death, she has been anxious to spread the message about organ donation.

She has also worked with Weakley to go out in public and increase awareness. “She would address school-aged groups and get the kids to fill out organ donation cards,” said her mother.

Ironically, Michelle’s organs could not be donated upon her death because she had been on a ventilator too long, Jackson noted.

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

cent,” she said. “There are more people getting organs and there is more care now for donor families. But it’s still a very difficult process emotionally and physically. Back then there was no support in the hospitals for donors. We even had to ask the hospital if we could donate Kyle’s organs; it was not offered. Hospitals now have the staff to help families. Our parish priest came to the hospital, but there was no one else for us; it just wasn’t done (in 1980).”

Despite the improved procedures and support, both Jackson and Crosier say organ donation numbers in New York state still lag behind the rest of the U.S. Not too long ago, the state sought to promote awareness by giving motorists the John Weakley, who received a heart transplant 21 opportunity to check off a years ago, stands by the Donate Life garden outside the box on their license renewal Allen-Calder Wing of the St. Luke’s campus of Faxtonapplications.

St. Luke’s Healthcare on Champlin Avenue, Utica.

“In 2011, the number of people who signed up Gift of vision through the Department of Motor Another speaker at the presentaVehicles was up 5 percent, but license tion, Vicki Crosier of Bern, near Albany, renewals are done only every 8 years,” could identify with Diane Jackson said Weakley. “This area is low in the in the sudden loss of her child. Kyle number of people joining the organ Crosier, 17, died in a car crash in 1980. donation registry.”

Despite the shock, the family offered to The attractive garden with its donate his corneas and kidneys. inscribed memorial stones and a large “Two people who were blind can blue banner installed on the building at now see and two people can now live St. Luke’s will at least draw attention free of dialysis because of a 17-year-old daily from visitors and patients enterboy,” said Crosier. “We wanted a part ing the Allen-Calder wing. of him to go on living.”

“It’s important to remember that Crosier has welcomed many if one person donates tissues, which changes in the organ donation and includes corneas and kidneys, it can transplant program in the last 33 years. help 50 people,” said Weakley.

“Techniques have improved 100 per-