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Rochester General’s New Medical Chief Rob Mayo joined Rochester General Hospital in 2002. He is now the hospital’s new chief medical officer.

Story on page 7

Tired of the Same Old Exercise Regimen?

Rochester–Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

January 2013 • Issue 89

Local experts offer advice on how to make them work

Story on page 17

New ideas may turn your exercise routine into a fun one

Internet & Kids

Poll: Two-thirds of adults say kids should be 13 to use Internet alone

Meet Michael Foster He recently joined Unity Health as clinical director of chemical dependency programs

Highland Hospital Welcomes Friendlier Stairwell Physician Ashish Boghani has been taking the stairs at Highland Hospital on South Avenue for the last eight years .

There was only one down side, he says: the blank, concrete cinder walls were bland and unattractive.

“The stairwell was quite boring. I felt it would be nice

to have some nice art to look at,” Boghani said.

In September, the hospital contracted Rochester artists Sarah Rutherford and Lea Rizzo to paint murals in the stairwell as part of a hospital wellness project, “Art Takes Flight for Your Health.”

January 2013 •

Story on page 11

No Kidding! You Can Have a Heart Attack While Shoveling Beyond trouble with your heart, shoveling can also result in back muscular strain, lumbar disc injury, and shoulder or elbow strains. We spoke about safety with local experts Story on page 15

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 1

A Clinical Research Study for COPD

W e s p e c i a l i z e i n h a n d s - o n p e r s o n a l i z e d p a i n m a n a g e m e n t a n d p h y s i c a l t h e r a p y .

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

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

Rochester hospitals seeing fewer unecessary ER trips

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The decrease in potentially avoidable ER visits coincided with a campaign that encouraged patients to first call their doctor when considering the best place for medical care

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campaign launched last year to curb potentially avoidable emergency room visits appeared to result in fewer trips to the ER for medical problems such as sore throats and earaches.

The campaign by the Monroe County Medical Society, Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield encouraged local residents with non-emergency medical conditions such as earaches and sore throats to first call their primary care doctor for care.

The campaign ran from December 2011 through March 2012.“We’re encouraged that local residents thought twice about visiting the ER for nonemergency medical problems, and we hope our campaign helped change mindsets,” said physician Jamie Kerr, vice president and chief medical officer for utilization management, Excellus BCBS. “Our concern is that even though patients with less serious health problems didn’t visit the ER as often, it appears that the patients significantly increased their visits to urgent care centers instead of seeing the primary care doctor who knows them best,” she added.

A 2011 Excellus BCBS report, “Potentially Avoidable Emergency Room Visits in Upstate New York,” showed that Upstate New Yorkers annually make more than 700,000 ER trips for minor medical problems. Two out of five visits in which patients don’t stay overnight were considered potentially avoidable, according to the report.

Excellus BCBS, in its latest analysis, reviewed member claims data from the first quarter of 2011 and the first quarter of 2012 when the campaign was underway.

As the largest nonprofit health insurer in Upstate New York, Excellus BCBS believes its latest analysis reflects

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overall community trends.

To make sure last winter’s mild flu season didn’t skew results, flu diagnoses were removed from the analysis.

The updated Excellus BCBS analysis, which compared the first three months of 2011 with the first three months of 2012, found the following: • The number of potentially avoidable ER visits dipped by about 9 percent. ER visits for all medical conditions, however, have been on the upswing in 2012.

• The number of trips to urgent care centers for minor health conditions, such as sore throats and earaches, doubled.

• The number of visits to physician offices for such conditions remained relatively flat.

“Urgent care centers provide valuable care to individuals with nonemergency medical problems who can’t reach a doctor,” said physician Leslie Algase, president of the Monroe County Medical Society. “But we wish to remind patients that the ideal is to first call their primary care doctor since they’ll likely get the best care from the physician who knows them best.”

The campaign, modeled after a similar program by the Baptist Memorial Health Care hospital system in Tennessee, used humorous radio and television public service announcements to show how inappropriate it is to use an ER for less serious medical conditions.

We offer a wide range of programs and services to meet the needs of those affected by a brain injury or physical disability.

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Where families expect more... and find it.

Local News, Inc. Distribution: 30,000 copies. To request home delivery ($15 per year), call 585-421-8109.

◆ Private school for deaf and hard of hearing children, newborn to 21 years old. ◆ New York State Regents-level education and support services provided for all students. ◆ Safe and inclusive environment providing direct access to communication. ◆ Individual attention from skilled professionals.

In Good Health is published 12 times a year by Local News, Inc. © 2013 by Local News, Inc. All rights reserved.

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• Phone: 585-421-8109 • Email: Editor@GVhealthnews.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Writers and Contributing Writers: Eva Briggs (M.D.), Jim Miller, Deborah J. Sergeant, Gwenn Voelckers, Anne Palumbo, Chris Motola, Ernst Lamothe Jr., Advertising: Marsha K. Preston, Donna Kimbrell Layout & Design: Chris Crocker Officer 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. Consult your physician before making major changes in your lifestyle or health care regimen.

Building Futures...since 1876 For Early Childhood, K-12 School and Outreach programs and services Call: 585-544-1240 (Voice/TTY) ◆ Visit: www.RSDeaf.org ◆ E-mail: info@RSDeaf.org

January 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 3

CALENDAR of

HEALTH EVENTS

Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26

Living with diabetes classes held at Highland Highland Hospital’s Diabetes is sponsoring living with diabetes classes, which will be offered in conjunction with the American Diabetes Associa-

tion. The seminar will take place from 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 5, 12, 19 and 26 in the Calihan Conference Room at Highland (1000 South Ave.). A variety of guest speakers and experts present on topics such as food choices, physical activity, medications, emotions and stress management.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported the preva-

lence of diagnosed diabetes in adults increased by 50 percent or more in 42 states, and by 100 percent or more in 18 states between 1995 and 2010. Nearly 26 million Americans – more than 8 percent of the U.S. population – are known to have diabetes. The cost of the classes is covered by most insurers with one co-pay, and participants can bring a support person. Parking is free.

For more information or to register, call 585-341-7066.

Jan. 9

Clifton Springs Community Blood Drive The auxiliary of Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic will host a community blood drive from 2 – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 9 in the rotary and retchless rooms on the second floor of the hospital, 2 Coulter Road, Clifton Springs. Any healthy person aged 17 or older, weighing at least 110 pounds, and who has not donated since Nov. 9 is eligible to give blood. Walk-ins are welcome, or you may call the American Red Cross office at 1-800-Red Cross to schedule an appointment.

Jan. 15

Clifton Spring Hospital offers weight loss class

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Page 4

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If you’ve made the decision to live a healthier lifestyle in 2013, the professionals at Clifton Springs Hospital can help you succeed. Get professional weight loss advice from registered dietitians Rose Copper-Brown (a certified diabetes educator) and Paige Jablonski (nutrition counselor) in a low-cost weight loss classes. The program is offered as a series of eight weekly lunchtime sessions and includes a weigh-in, short program with one of hospital’s dietitians, and a discussion period. The next series begins Jan. 15 and runs weekly through March 5. Classes are held on Tuesdays from noon – 12:30 p.m. in the diabetes health center education room, corridor 3, suite 60, Clifton Springs Hospital. Cost is only $5 per class or $35 for the entire eight-week series — attend one or the series. You don’t have to have diabetes to attend – in fact, this class is part of the hospital’s ongoing commitment to diabetes prevention education. Call the diabetes health center at 315-462-0220 or the nutritional counseling office at 315-462-0257 for more information.

Clifton Springs Hospital is located at 2 Coulter Road, Clifton Springs.

Jan. 22

Fibromyalgia support group has winter programs People who suffer from fibromyalgia, their friends and families are invited to attend a new support group meeting scheduled by the New Fibromyalgia Support Group. The event — titled “Open Chat” — will discuss issues related to the disorder. It will take place from 6:15 – 8:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at Westside YMCA, 920 Elmgrove Road in Rochester. Other future meetings have been scheduled for Feb 26, March 26 and April 23. Class size is limited. Registration is necessary. For more information, email Brenda Lind at brendal@rochesterymca.org or call 585-341-3290

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

Jan. 24

Mended Hearts hold meeting in Rochester An expert on counseling will speak about “How to Cope with Life Changing Events” during a meeting at 7:15 p.m., Jan. 24, at the Jewish Community Center, auditorium A, 1200 Edgewood Ave. Rochester. It will be sponsored by Mended Hearts Rochester. The expert, Dennis Boike, received his doctorate degree from Florida State University and has been in practice since 1972.

He specializes in marital and family counseling and in marital enrichment.

He has held many seminars at the U of R, Nazareth, Monroe Community College and Colgate Divinity. For more information, call 585-544-1565.

Feb. 5

Workshop to focus on protecting children’s earing Sarah Klimasewski, an audiologist who serves as community outreach coordinator at Hart Hearing Centers, will present a workshop from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, at the Town of Perinton Recreaton and Parks Deparment focusing on how to protect your child’s hearing. Traffic, music and other types of noise can add up over time and have damaging long term consequences. Learn how loud is too loud and preventative steps to take with your child now to help ensure a lifetime of healthy listening habits, including tips for iPod/mp3 player use.

Register through the Town of Perinton Recreation and Parks Department. The $10-class fee includes a set of high- fidelity musician’s earplugs. For more information contact Klimasewski at 585-388-3818.

Feb 13

Ambassador to be keynote speaker in Rochester event The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House has announced that its keynote speaker for the Annual Susan B. Anthony Birthday Luncheon, to be held Wednesday, Feb. 13, is Suzan Johnson Cook, the United States’ ambassador for International Religious Freedom. Ambassador Cook was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2011 as an adviser to both the president and secretary of state on matters of religious freedom around the globe. She is the first African-American and the first female to hold this position since its creation under the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act. Ambassador Johnson Cook has traveled to five continents to promote religious freedom.

She has led interfaith delegations to Israel, Jordan, and Egypt, and throughout the Caribbean. She worked with World Vision in Switzerland to help its efforts to combat global poverty and traveled to Zimbabwe and South Africa to promote interfaith dialogue and tolerance among Zulu faith leaders. The luncheon is held each year to celebrate Susan B. Anthony’s Feb. 15 birthday, to honor contemporary women who continue her legacy, and to raise awareness of the education and inspiration programs that take place at and through the National Historic Landmark on Madison Street. The luncheon takes place at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. For more information, call 585-279-7490.

Report: 20% of U.S. Adults Experienced Mental Illness in the Past Year

O

ne in five American adults aged 18 or older, or 45.6 million people, had mental illness in the past year, according to a report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The rate of mental illness was more than twice as high among those aged 18 to 25 (29.8 percent) than among those aged 50 and older (14.3 percent), the report said. Adult women also were more likely than men to have had mental illness in the past year (23.0 percent vs. 15.9 percent), it said.

Mental illness among adults aged 18 or older is defined as having had a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder (excluding developmental and substance use disorders) in the past year, based on criteria specified in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association.

The 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health also shows that 11.5 million adults (5 percent of the adult population) had serious mental illness in the past year. Serious mental illness is defined as mental illness that resulted in serious functional impair-

ment, which substantially interfered with or limited one or more major life activities.

The rates of mental illness remained stable between 2010 and 2011.

“Although mental illness remains a serious public health issue, increasingly we know that people who experience it can be successfully treated and can live full, productive lives,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. “Like other medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, the key to recovery is identifying the problem and taking active measures to treat it as soon as possible.”

The report says that among adults with mental illness in the past year, about four in 10 adults (38.2 percent of adults with mental illness) received mental health services during that period. Among those who had serious mental illness in the past year, the rate of treatment was notably higher (59.6 percent).

The report also notes that an estimated 8.5 million American adults (3.7 percent) had serious thoughts of suicide in the past year — among them 2.4 million (1.0 percent) made suicide plans and 1.1 million (0.5 percent) attempted suicide.

‘Synthetic Marijuana’ Linked to Thousands of Hospital ER Visits

S

treet forms of synthetic cannabinoids — so-called “synthetic marijuana” — were linked to 11,406 of the 4.9 million drug-related emergency department (ED) visits in 2010, according to a new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Commonly known by such street names as “K2” or “Spice,” synthetic cannabinoids are substances that are not derived from the marijuana plant but purport to have the same effect as the drug. Though an increasing number of states have passed laws against the sale of synthetic cannabinoids, they have been marketed as a “legal” alternative to marijuana during the past few years.

In July 2012, a comprehensive, national ban was enacted against the sale of synthetic cannabinoids under Title XI of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act. The new report points out that the use of synthetic cannabinoids is tied to a variety of reported symptoms including agitation, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), elevated blood pressure, tremor, seizures, hallucinations, paranoid behavior and non-responsiveness.

The report found that youths between the ages of 12 to 29 constituted 75 percent of all hospital ED visits involving synthetic cannabinoids, with

males accounted for 78 percent of the ED admissions among this age group.

The average age for people involved in synthetic cannabinoid-related ED admissions was younger than for marijuana-related ED visits (24 years old vs.

30 years old).

“Health care professionals should be alerted to the potential dangers of synthetic cannabinoids, and they should be aware that their patients may be using these substances,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. “Parents, teachers, coaches and other concerned adults can make a huge impact by talking to young people, especially older adolescents and young adults, about the potential risks associated with using synthetic marijuana.”

“This report confirms that synthetic drugs cause substantial damage to public health and safety in America,” said Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Director Gil Kerlikowske. “Make no mistake — the use of synthetic cannabinoids can cause serious, lasting damage, particularly in young people. Parents have a responsibility to learn what these drugs can do and to educate their families about the negative impact they cause.”

To learn more about synthetic cannabinoids, visit the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s website: www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp.

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vulnerable to relapse.

Unity Health physician specialized in addictions explains why addictions are so common and what promising new treatments are on the horizon Q: What kinds of addictions fall under chemical dependency?

A: It’s become more colorful over the years. Certainly it would include alcoholism, legal drugs that are misused, as well as illegal drugs like heroin or cocaine. Other drugs that people get into trouble with are the anti-anxiety drugs like Valium. Those can be habitforming or addictive. Barbiturates, which aren’t as popular as they used to be, are still in certain headache drugs.

Marijuana. Now there’s a whole new group of designers drugs: fake marijuana, bath salts. They’d all fall under the umbrella of chemical substances that people can become dependent upon.

Q: How specific are treatment regimens to each patient?

A. Our treatment strategies vary from case to case. Traditional treatment is behavior-oriented, encouraging changes that help embrace a lifestyle that doesn’t rely on chemicals. It may include principles developed by timetested programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. We can also facilitate recovery with medications. That’s where someone like me probably fits into the picture.

Q: Addiction treatment seems to overlap with a few other specialties.

What’s yours?

A: I’m a family physician by training and have done family medicine for 30 years. And over the last six years, I became board-certified in addiction medicine as well. There may come a day when addiction specialists are commonplace, but that’s not the case today.

Right now it’s kind of a shared territory between psychiatrists who have an interest in treating addiction and physicians of other specialties who have taken additional training.

of chemical receptors in the brain; we know the purpose of several hundred of them, but there are many others that haven’t been fully investigated. We do know that there are receptors for opiates, cannabinoids and alcohol. All these receptors channel into a common pathway that’s become known as “the pleasure pathway.”

Q: Tell us more about this process A: So they [the receptors] all affect a common pathway that involves the chemical dopamine. It produces a response that the brain remembers as being pleasurable. Scientists have been able to identify which parts of the brain are turned on when it encounters its drug of choice. The part of the brain that stores this information is in the limbic system, what some people call the “reptile brain,” along with the fight or flight response, eating and reproductive urges. So the brain is interpreting these chemicals as important basic survival needs. No matter how recovered they become, they always have that circuit in their brain that remembers their drug, which is why they are vulnerable to relapse. It helps a lot to understand why people who have worked so hard on their recovery can still be

Q: What’s going on in the body that makes addiction possible and so common?

A: I wish we knew the answer to that. We think we know a lot of things, but we don’t have the entire mystery solved. It turns out that these are substances that we have the proclivity to abuse or become addicted to. There are thousands

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

Q: How would you describe the difference between physical and psychological dependency?

A: The substances that typically produce a physical dependency include legal painkillers and opiates. Alcohol addiction is often physical, although it isn’t always. In the case of physical dependency, when you stop using them there are predictable, observable symptoms that are associated with the withdrawal. In those instances part of treatment needs to be directed at addressing the physical symptoms of withdrawal.

If the person is not comfortable, they’ll many times just go out and find something to relieve their pain, usually the drug they’re addicted to. So if they’re comfortable, we can keep them in treatment long enough to reach our goals.

On the other hand, a drug like cocaine is very powerful, but not physically addictive. For those folks, what pulls them back is a psychological obsession.

The closest analogy I have is comparing it to a very, very powerful sexual urge, but even that doesn’t do it justice since most of us develop the ability to control our sexual urges. So the cocaine addict is dealing with that psychological compulsion. The opiate addict is dealing with those and the physical complications.

Q: What’s your medical approach to treating these addictions?

A: We do have tools to help us relieve the physical symptoms. We can relieve insomnia, muscle cramping, chills and cramps. There are things we can do to help on a case-to-case basis.

It’s common for people with addictions to have co-occurring psychological disorders like depression, anxiety or bi polar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, sexual abuse. So from a psychiatric perspective, there’s treatment that can be initiated at the same time to help avoid a relapse of addictive behaviors.

Q: Are there any breakthroughs or promising research you’ve seen that you think will help people who suffer from addiction?

A: One of the breakthroughs that happened a few years back was the introduction of a drug called buprenorphine, which is helpful in treating opiate addicted people. There’s ongoing research using this drug along with some other compounds to reduce cocaine cravings. We’re eagerly awaiting research in that. There’s been a lot of work with a drug called naltrexone, for helping alcoholics avoid relapse.

That research is pretty definitive, but the actual implementation of that drug in practice is just developing.

Lifelines Name: Michael Foster, M.D. Hometown: Buffalo, NY Position: Recently joinned Unity as its clinical director of chemical dependency programs.

Education: St. Bonaventure University (undergrad); SUNY Upstate Medical University (M.D.), Wilson Hospital, Binghamton (residency); Fort Bragg (medical officer) Affiliations: Unity Health System; University of Rochester (professor) Organizations: American Academy of Family Physicians; New York State Academy of Family Physicians; Medical Society of the State of New York; American Society of Addiction Medicine; Monroe County Medical Society Family: Married, three sons, one daughter Hobbies: Fishing, reading

New Chief Medical Officer Takes Over at Rochester General Hospital Rob Mayo: “Patient care must be a high priority at all times”

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hysician Rob Mayo will oversee many new challenges and exciting initiatives in 2013 as he takes over the chief medical officer position for Rochester General Health System.

Whether it’s overseeing the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the second full year of having coordinated online patient information or advancing patient safety, he will be guiding the organization through a rapidly changing landscape. Joining Rochester General Hospital System in 2002, many of Mayo’s previous roles prepared him for the top position, previously held by Richard Gangemi, who retired in December.

Mayo was president of the medical and dental staff of Rochester General Hospital and, since 2009, has served as vice president and patient safety officer for the Institute of Patient Safety and Clinical Excellence. He learned the importance of having synergy between patients and physicians to create an optimal medical environment. Working within the health system helped develop his management skills and philosophy on the necessity of collaboration.

As vice president of Institute of Patient Safety and Clinical Excellence, he pushed for preventive safety strategies, understanding it was just as important as medical care. Mayo said industries like airlines, nuclear power plants and railroads often score on the highest ends of safety and efficiency levels, while hospitals often find their way on the other end of the spectrum.

He wanted to create a culture of safety within the hospital walls to deliver the best healthcare to patients.

“We all have unique experiences and backgrounds that we can use,” said Mayo, a Victor resident. “Things just don’t fall into place in a hospital. To make the process go smoothly, it takes everyone working hard doing their jobs and helping each other when they see something.”

Eight years ago, more than 800 Rochester General Hospital nurses selected him as the health system’s first physician of the year based on his ability to balance genuine compassion with clinical expertise.

“Dr. Mayo possesses that rare combination of sharp intellect, skill, heart, and humility that not only make him an exceptional physician, but also a highly-respected and admired colleague, leader, educator, and role model,” said Mark Clement, Rochester General Health Systems president and CEO. “The medical direction of our health system couldn’t be in better hands.”

Mayo entered the medical profession certified in internal medicine and nephrology. As a kidney specialist, he

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is excited about the new Rochester General Health Systems Dialysis Center, 2010 Empire Blvd. in Webster, expected to open this summer. The center handles patients who are going through the five stages of kidney problems, where the organ is not properly filtering excess fluid.

In the coming years, he would like to see progress in accelerating patients’ ability to get more of their health information online, including their labs.

“We have to advocate for patients because it’s their health that is being affected,” added Mayo.

“Research shows patients do so much better long term the more information they have on their health.”

While there is no grand story or epiphany that led Mayo into medicine, it’s not a surprise that he chose the profession. His father, older brother and other immediate family members all have a role as doctors. So even though in his younger years, he thought about being a landscape architect, working with patients was literally in his bloodline. Mayo earned his medical degree and completed a fellowship at the University of Michigan, and completed his internship and residency at St. Joseph Mercy Health System in Michigan. He also worked in southern Virginia for four years.

Mayo takes over a health system that has seen a reduction in mortality rate and an increase in more efficient patient care.

“We have to continue to improve communicating with each other, speak up when we see something and eliminate the thinking of ‘that’s not my job” that a lot of workforce has,’ said Mayo.

“Patient care must be a high priority at all times.”

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“We have to continue to improve communicating with each other, speak up when we see something and eliminate the thinking of ‘that’s not my job’ that a lot of workforce has. Patient care must be a high priority at all times.”

He also wants to see the evolution of the Accountable Care Organization model, which offers a promising approach for achieving higher quality and lower cost health care without requiring radical change in the current payment system or referral patterns. It is tied to the efficiency of the health care provided. It’s a new model that health systems and insurance companies are looking at to cut costs for both organizations in the future.

“You want a doctor not just to give you a pill but to fix the problem.

It’s about being judged by whether the symptoms got better and did you improve,” said Mayo. “It’s still in the early stages, but we are open to seeing how it can work.

In his spare time, he enjoys relaxing with his wife of 26 years, Karin, and their three children, Madeleine, 22, Josef, 20 and Lillian, 15.

January 2013 •

T

ax season is always stressful, not only for those who prepare tax returns, but also for those who need to gather their tax return data to provide to the preparer. Sometimes, keeping up with your personal daily financial affairs is hard enough, without the extra preparation required at tax time. If you need help collecting and organizing your tax paperwork this year, consider hiring a Daily Money Manager (DMM).

A DMM can help you gather and organize the paperwork and fill out the tax organizer. During the rest of the year, a DMM can help you track and monitor your potentially deductible expenses so that a report is easily available at tax time.

DMM’s provide assistance with bills, budgets, and recordkeeping.

All DMM’s adhere to high ethical standards and commit to providing the best possible service to their clients. For more information, please visit www.aadmm.com or call Jacquelyn M. Bell CPA, PLLC, at (585) 229-4477.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 7

Live Alone & Thrive

By Gwenn Voelckers

Practical tips, advice and hope for those who live alone

The Power of Faith: One Woman Finds Her Way

L

ife after a divorce or the death of a spouse can leave you reeling and wondering about practically everything — your judgment, your future, your fears, and your faith.

Recently, I interviewed Teresa Jackson, one of the most thoughtful and inspiring women I’ve met through my Live Alone and Thrive workshops. She is now happily remarried. Her faith lifted her up and carried her through the hardest times. Her journey may inspire yours. Here are some excerpts of the interview: Would you care to share a little bit about your faith?

I’m a Christian. I’ve looked at other religions and have made a conscious decision to remain a Christian, even though I don’t understand it all.

What role did your personal faith play in your adjustment to living alone?

My Christian beliefs hold to the tenet that I am never alone — that Christ is with me wherever I am. I’ve prayed a lot and have found indescribable peace in that praying.

What was the biggest challenge you faced living alone and how did your faith help you heal?

Grieving the end of my marriage caused me the most pain while alone.

All the “if only’s” and “why me’s” really tore at my heart. “The Purpose Driven Life,” by Rick Warren, and other inspiring Christian books helped me get things into perspective. I also listened to

Christian radio programs. Talking to girlfriends was also a huge part of my healing.

Is there a particular experience you had that captures the power of your faith?

My son was 7. After dinner he brought me his homework book to sign, as this was his teacher’s daily requirement. He’d been at his dad’s house the previous three days and I saw his dad’s girlfriend’s signature on the parent line in the book. Something snapped — all the weeks my precious children were away from me ... all the awfulness ... all the hatred and injustice and fear. I sucked it up and forced my shaking hand to sign my name next to hers. I made my way outside, stumbling in the cold, and collapsed under my pear tree.

I laid on my back clutching my chest, my heart. No tears. Just intense pain. I did not, could not, make a sound nor move, but after a while my mind prayed a lament, begging God for relief from this excruciating pain.

In that instant, a “peace that passes all understanding” moved over me and I felt my golden retriever, Kyla, appear and quietly curl up next to my body.

KIDS Corner Doctors: Hazardous Toys Are Responsible for Thousands of Eye Injuries Each Year Toy safety is key in keeping children’s eyes safe

W

ith the holiday season just behind us, children are busy playing with their new toys.

But parents may need to check them yet again to ensure toy safety. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 250,000 toy-related injuries are treated in emergency rooms each year. Most of these injuries affect children under age 15, and almost half affect the head or face. In light of these dangers, the American Academy of Ophthalmology encourages parents to be eye smart about toys this post-holiday season.

Some toys, like airsoft guns, BB Page 8

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guns and paintball guns can be particularly hazardous, with the potential to propel foreign objects into the sensitive tissues of the eye. Common eye injuries from these toys include corneal abrasion, ocular hyphema, traumatic cataract, and increased intraocular pressure. These and other injuries sometimes require children to undergo eye surgery. In most cases, the victims of these toy-related injuries were not wearing protective eyewear.

The good news is that most eye injuries can easily be prevented. To keep children’s eyes safe from injuries, the American Academy of Ophthalmology

Did you ever lose faith or struggle to regain your faith?

I did not lose my faith but, boy, did I ever have a few words with God! One morning during breakfast with my two young boys, I ran to the garage and grabbed my bike after just learning of another injustice the boys endured.

I needed to get out of the house so the boys wouldn’t hear my rant at their father. I tore down the road, enraged and screaming at God, ‘How could you let this happen?!’

About a half mile from home, I saw a doe standing by an apple tree by the side of the road. I calmed down immediately and just sobbed. I turned the bike around just as the sun burst over the horizon, washing the sky, the quiet country road, and me in orange light. I was reminded again, “You are never alone.”

What advice would you give to those whose suffering has challenged their faith?

Remember a time when you risked it, trusted God, and felt pretty good after you did. Remember that, “this too, shall pass.” Remember that there are things we can only learn when we are alone. That God has a bigger plan than our plan.

offers a few tips: 1. Avoid letting your kids play toys with sharp, protruding or projectile parts.

2. Make sure children have appropriate supervision when playing with potentially hazardous toys or games that could cause an eye injury.

3. Along with sports equipment, give children the appropriate protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses. Check with your eye doctor to learn about protective gear recommended for your child’s sport.

4. Check labels for age recommendations and be sure to select gifts that are appropriate for a child’s age and maturity.

5. Keep toys that are made for older children away from younger children.

“Many toys have the potential to cause eye injuries,” said David G. Hunter, a pediatric ophthalmologist and spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Being aware and thoughtful about what you are putting in your children’s hands is the best preventative medicine.”

If your child experiences an eye injury from a toy, seek immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist — an eye physician and surgeon.

For more information about keeping eyes healthy during the holidays and all year round, visit www.geteyesmart.org.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

What do you find most rewarding about your faith?

I feel like I have a purpose in life.

My job is to be a servant to God. He’s the boss of me! The thing is, I need to figure out each day what he’d like me to do with the time and resources he has put in my care.

What role does prayer play in your life?

Prayer is the great wireless communication connection to God. God speaks to us in three ways, (1) through the Bible, (2) through people, which includes books people write and teachers like you, and (3) through prayer, which includes sending things in nature to us for comfort like sunrises, dogs, and deer.

How can those who live alone activate their faith more fully?

It’s like exercise and eating right.

You get out of it what you put into it.

You prepare your body for the years ahead by keeping moving and putting good things into it.

You prepare your mind for the times ahead by studying your faith, whichever faith you choose, and putting good things into your mind, like good music, good words, and good visuals.

Was there a favorite scripture passage that lifted you up during your challenging times that you’d like to share with my readers?

‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’ Philippians 4:6-7 Gwenn Voelckers is the founder and facilitator of Live Alone and Thrive, empowerment workshops for women held throughout the year in Mendon, New York. For information about her workshops or to invite Gwenn to speak to your group, call 585-624-7887 or email: gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

Second-Hand Smoke Linked to Children’s Behavior Problems It is a known fact that active maternal smoking during pregnancy has negative effects on child health, such as attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, new research suggests that second hand smoke, or environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), may be just as harmful.

In one of the first studies of its kind, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing examined data from 646 mother-child pairs in China, where more than 70 percent of men smoke, and concluded that 25 percent children of whose mothers were exposed to smoke exhibited behavior problems compared to 16 percent of children of unexposed mothers.

“Such findings could inform public health efforts to reduce public smoking and underscores the need for including ETS avoidance as a potential component of prenatal care among pregnant women,” said lead author JianghongLiu, associate professor at Penn Nursing.

Stay Healthy While Uninsured

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

I

f you’re uninsured or under-insured, the worst thing you can do is ignore your health until you get sufficient health insurance coverage.

Fortunately, you don’t have to. Plenty of resources and strategies can help you stay healthy without cleaning out your bank account.

“Sometimes, people are gambling that they will stay healthy until they are insured again,” said Mary L. Beer, public health director with Ontario County Department of Health. “If you have a problem, don’t delay. It might cost you a lot more in the end.”

Beer urges newly laid off people to explore with their employer if they can get COBRA so they can purchase it at Beer their group rate.

Though obtaining insurance through the provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act can be less expensive than paying non-group rates, it’s still expensive since it’s all out-of-pocket and not subsidized by your former employer. You can also speak with a representative of your county’s health department to see if you qualify for any state insurance programs, including Medicaid, Family Health Plus or Child Health Plus.

Area clinics may also be helpful.

Some offer free services and others charge fees on a sliding scale basis.

The Rushville Community Health Clinic, Geneva Clinic, Sodus Community Health Center and Jordan Health Center in Rochester are a few examples. Some of these offer routine dental care, too. More are available online at http://www.needymeds.org.

Call before you go to ensure you can be seen that day and that you understand the terms of payment.

Continuity of care goes a long way toward supporting good health, so if you know your lack of insurance is temporary, it may be worthwhile to stay put. You may be able to see your regular physician and receive a reduced rate paying out-of-pocket.

“If you have a long-standing relationship with that physician, tell them you don’t have insurance,” Beer said.

“They’ll understand this is a short-term scenario. That way you won’t discontinue the long-standing relationship.

You should try that with dental care and your pharmacist as well. You have nothing to lose by asking.”

Be wary of healthcare in foreign countries and buying medication over the Internet.

“I’d talk to my own physician about doing that,” Beer said. “I’d be concerned you would be really getting what you should. If you go through the Internet, you don’t always have the same protection.”

You can also reduce medical expenses by remaining proactive about your health. Look in the newspaper for free or reduced-cost services community health fairs, screenings and immunizations.

The Wayne County Public Health Department offers uninsured people child immunization clinics, adult clinics, and well child clinics for children five and younger. The adult services include mammograms, pap smears, colonoscopies, STD testing, smoking cessation and two weeks of nicotine replacement therapy, among other services.

Diane M. Devlin director of public health for Wayne County Public Health in Lyons, discourages uninsured people from using a hospital emergency room for routine care needs or non-life or limb-threatening emergencies.

Instead, going to an urgent care facility that offers a sliding fee keeps the cost manageable for you and does not force the hospital to absorb a bill you can’t pay.

“That increases health care costs for all of us,” she said.

In general, it pays to live healthfully to avoid needing expensive medication, therapy and procedures.

“Obesity attributes to a lot of diseases in the world,” Devlin said. “Eating better will lower your risks. Don’t smoke, or if you do, quit. Try to limit your intake of substance abuse drugs and alcohol. Get a flu shot for you and your children.”

Two-Thirds of Adults Say Kids Should Be 13 to Use Internet Alone The Internet is full of information, but also full of real risks for children, like online predators or the pitfalls of losing privacy when kids share too much information. In a new University of Michigan poll, the majority of the public supports updating federal laws that require Internet safety standards to protect kids.

The University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health recently asked adults nationwide about Internet use and proposed changes to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, known as COPPA. COPPA was enacted to protect young children from some of these Internet dangers by prohibiting collec-

tion of personal information through websites if the user is under age 13. But COPPA was written in 1998, before the dawn of smartphones, applications and social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

The Federal Trade Commission is considering updating COPPA to reflect technology advances in the past decade.

The poll found that two-thirds of adults think children should be at least 13 years old to use the Internet on their own. But 29 percent of the parents with children agd 9 to 12 said their children have their own handheld Wi-Fi enabled devices, which may mean children are online and unsupervised.

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Page 9

Hidradenitis Suppurativa Medication can help painful, embarrassing skin problem

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

H

idradenitis suppurativa (hidrad-uh-NI-tis sup-u-ra-TI-va) may not make headline news, but for people suffering with the skin condition, it greatly impacts their quality of life.

Patients experience painful skin lesions in areas such as under the breasts, arms and buttocks, and in the groin area. Hidradenitis suppurativa lesions form in the skin around oil glands and hair follicles.

They can enlarge and eventually the abscesses break open to drain pus.

Usually, several lesions occur on paLambert tients, not just one.

Some patients have no idea they have hidradenitis suppurativa.

Occurring more in women than men, hidradenitis suppurativa begins usually in the teen years and diminishes after menopause.

“The notable female preponderance and observation that the severity declines significantly following menopause suggest a hormonal influence,” said Mary Gail Mercurio, dermatologist with University of Rochester Medical

Center.”

Some consider hidradenitis suppurativa as a severe form of acne, and since it usually begins around the time teens get their first pimples, it’s sometimes mistaken for common acne.

“Sometimes I see people who have been treated throughout the years for intermittent boils and no one put it together they have hidradenitis suppurativa,” said Emily Lambert, dermatologist with Finger Lakes Health.

“This is a really difficult problem for a surprising number of people,” Lambert added. “It can cause lots of pain. It can make having relationships difficult. People with hidradenitis suppurativa find it can impact their lives significantly.”

The lesions can Mercurio make everyday movements unbearably painful, such as walking or sitting.

Treating these “cysts” with acne treatments or home remedies isn’t recommended.

“I caution people if they’re chronically getting these boils and pimples that they should be evaluated,” Lam-

What They Want You to Know: Anesthesiologist

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

T

he American Society of Anesthesiologists states that members of the profession “are highly skilled medical doctors (M.D. or D.O.) who specialize in the field of anesthesiology.

As physicians with significantly longer and more extensive training than other classifications of anesthesia practitioners, anesthesiologists are the most qualified to make anesthesia-related perioperative medical decisions. Anesthesiologists are primarily responsible for the safety and well-being of patients before, during and after surgery.”

• “When I told my mom I was going into anesthesiology, she asked, ‘You have to go to medical school for that?’ There’s a misconception that we’re not doctors or that we put people to sleep, leave the room and then come back when they wake up.

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We’re watching your entire body so the surgeon can take care of what he needs to fix.

• “A lot of people out there don’t go to their doctors on a regular basis until there’s something that needs to be fixed. The surgeon determines whether it will be fixed or not and will schedule a surgery. We make an assessment of the whole body. We might be the first to tell someone their heart rate varies or that their blood pressure is high.

• “If people knew their medication and doses they’re on and come prepared with that, it would help.

People who are literate with their healthcare, it’s safer for them.

• “People who are compliant with their medicine make our jobs easier because it’s more predictable. We deal with unpredictable things all the time. But our training requires we are

bert said. “The management for this condition is different.”

Hidradenitis suppurativa can lead to significant scarring, secondary infection and, in rare cases, systemic infections.

Since the friction of skin rubbing on skin seems to trigger breakouts, obesity is one dominant factor in aggravating hidradenitis suppurativa, but it does not seem to cause it.

“The cause of hidradenitis suppurativa remains incompletely understood,” Mercurio said. “Unfortunately, hidradenitis suppurativa is challenging to treat and various hormonal interventions are not universally effective, suggesting the cause is multi-factorial including a genetic influence.”

As with milder acne, some patients think that extra-vigorous scrubbing, but cleanliness has nothing to do with it.

“It is primarily a structural defect of the hair follicle and its glandular components,” Mercurio said. “This structural abnormality then paves the way for infection.”

Typically, dermatologists begin treatment with topical medication and move on to oral anti biotics, anti

ready for that. We can deal with the unpredictable. We have to maintain our vigilance and special training all the time.

• “What goes on in the OR stays in the OR. People say things, but we’re all professional about it.

• “Anesthesia sleep is not like real sleep. People will fall asleep talking mid-sentence and then wake up to finish the sentence. It’s not just about taking care of patients in operating rooms but helping them get through the whole experience pre-, mid-, and post-operatively.

• “We tend to be people in the hospital who, even those who work there, have no idea that we have such a large department.

• “It involves a lot of different types of patients and ages.”

Suzanne Karan, anesthesiologist for URMC and vice-chair for education and residency program director.

• “An anesthesiologist is a physician with specialty training in anesthesia. She or he must possess at a minimum a bachelor’s degree, four years; a medical degree, four years; either MD or DO; then enter into a four-year residency which includes a one-year internship in either internal medicine, general surgery, obstetricgynecology or a rotational year of all three. The residency typically includes a final year of sub-specialization, [such as] cardiac, neuroanesthesia, pediatrics, trauma, ambulatory, or regional anesthesia. After this training, in order for an anesthesiologist to be board certified, she or he is required to pass a written and oral exam.

• “Anesthesiologist are experts in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and care for patients of all ages.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

inflammatories and other drugs if the initial efforts remain ineffective.

“Taking antibiotics can reduce the risk of secondary bacterial infections from the bacteria we all have on our skin,” Lambert said. “If these don’t work, we use medications that are biologic that were developed to treat psoriasis. They are the most successful treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa.”

Though no treatment can cure hidradenitis suppurativa, lifestyle factors can diminish its outbreaks.

“Be a healthy weight,” Lambert said. “Exercise and a balanced diet help. Don’t smoke. Those are all good things to help. I can’t think of the last time I saw someone with hidradenitis suppurativa who had a recommended BMI. When people are heavier, there’s more rubbing of skin on skin. The goal is to get down to as healthy of a weight as you can.”

• “There are three main types of anesthesia used for your surgery: general anesthesia, which means that you are totally unconscious for the operation; monitored anesthesia care, which is used for smaller cases where total unconsciousness is not necessary but some sedation is required along with some local anesthetic that your surgeon would give you; regional anesthesia, is where specific regions of your body are anesthetized, [such as] spinal, epidural, and various nerve blocks.

• “When a patient is sedated or under general anesthesia their risk of aspirating — getting stomach contents into their lungs — is higher. In order to lessen the risk we try to keep your stomach empty before the operation.

• “Why is my throat sore after surgery when I had an operation on my foot? This relates to the last question.

In order to protect your lungs during a general anesthesia we often place a breathing tube, which will often be irritating to your throat. This usually subsides in 24 to 48 hours.”

Dominick Cortese, chief of anesthesiology for the Rochester General Health System Deborah Jeanne Sergeant is a writer with In Good Health. “What Your Doctor Wants You to Know” is an ongoing column that appears monthly to give our area’s healthcare professionals an opportunity to share how patients can improve their care by helping their providers and by helping themselves.

Welcome to a Friendlier Stairwell Thanks to new murals, more are using stairs at Highland Hospital

By Maggie Fiala

P

hysician Ashish Boghani has been taking the stairs at Highland Hospital on South Avenue for the last eight years thanks to his 91-year-old father who climbs stairs to maintain his good health.

There was only one down side, he says: the blank, concrete cinder walls were bland and unattractive.

“The stairwell was quite boring. I felt it would be nice to have some nice art to look at,” Boghani said.

Sarah Rutherford of Rochester paints the stairwell at Highland Hospital.

Boghani read an article about a hospital that used art to encourage people to take the stairs. He brought the concept to hospital management. Now, he is seeing his vision come to life.

In September, the hospital contracted Rochester artists Sarah Rutherford and Lea Rizzo to paint murals in the stairwell as part of a hospital wellness project, “Art Takes Flight for Your Health.”

The murals depict a story centered on the circle of life, while incorporating elements seen around the hospital and the city. The project was expected to be completed last month.

The goal is make one of the mostused stairwells more inviting for walkers, including employees, physicians and visitors, said Kathleen Gallucci, chief human resource officer at Highland Highland.

“We’ve already been getting more traffic in the stairs,” she said.

Each floor mural depicts a different stage of life. The first floor image is of a ball of light symbolizing life before birth. The second floor shows hands

cradling a baby. The third floor features a man holding a child’s hand. The seventh floor represents the end of life.

The artists drew hands throughout the floor-to-ceiling painting to reflect the science of healing within the hospital. Rizzo and Rutherford used soft colors such as blues, purples to compliment the hospital hues. The hospital’s core values were also painted on the walls, in addition to elements inspired by the care on each floor.

“I think it is very innovative for the hospital to do something like this,” Rizzo said. “It feels really meaningful to be a part of it.”

Rizzo and Rutherford were recruited by Ian Wilson, a radiologist at Highland, to do the work. Last summer, Rizzo and Rutherford were involved in an outdoor mural project “Wall/Therapy” with Wilson. The pair also runs The Yards, a collaborative art space in the Rochester Public Market.

“Art enhances everyday life,” Wilson said. “For employees in particular, I hope the stairwell will be a place they can go on break to ponder or be inspired. It’s a way of being well at work.”

Lea Rizzo of Rochester paints a mural in a stairwell at Highland Hospital. This and the other photos for this story courtesy of Highland Hospital.

January 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

Food Synergy Super Couples: Healthy Food Pairings You Should Make

By Gina Roberts-Grey

O

n their own, fruits, veggies and other foods are healthy. But combining certain foods can enhance their innate healthfulness so you can take advantage of “food synergy” and boost your — and your family’s — nutrient absorption, says Jackie Newgent, a nutritionist, author of “Big Green Cookbook,” and recreational chef instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City.

These super couples are some of the easiest and tastiest ways to enhance nutrient absorption and nutrient effectiveness.

Strawberries and whole wheat toast The vitamin C in strawberries (and citrus fruits) helps your body better take in the iron in whole wheat toast and other grains. “Vitamin C helps convert iron from a form you can’t use to a form you can,” says Geri Brewster, a registered dietitian and certi-

fied nutritionist in Mt. Kisco, NY. “And it needs to be in the latter form to be taken up into the cells of the body.”

Another great iron/vitamin C pair, says Brewster, is lean meat served with vitamin C-rich foods like red peppers or mandarin oranges.

your veggies are extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados. found in mustard, horseradish and wasabi. “Add a splash or dash to your broccoli to kick up its flavor and its cancer-fighting power,” says Kulze.

Tea with Lemon

Spinach and mushrooms

Veggies with olive oil Whether you’re grilling, sautéing or roasting, spritz spinach, tomatoes, green peppers, squash and dark greens with dash a healthy fat to fully leverage all of the glorious goodness in your vegetables. “Fat improves flavor and texture, but most importantly serves as a vehicle for transporting fat soluble phytochemicals like lycopene, which helps fight cancer, heart disease and even wrinkles, from the digestive track into the bloodstream,” says Ann Kulze, a nutritionist and internist, author of “Eat Right for Life Cookbook Companion.”

“Absorption of the nutrients is enhanced further when heated rather than fresh or uncooked, like tomatoes roasted with olive oil,” adds Newgent.

The healthiest fats to pair with

Go ahead and guzzle freshly brewed tea to quench a midday thirst, as long as you squeeze a splash of citrus in your glass. Not only does tea deliver a hefty dose of healthful antioxidants to your cells, a new study says adding a twist of fresh lemon, lime or orange is a simple and tasty way to turbo-charge the health benefits of tea. “Adding vitamin C to your tea enhances the absorption of catechins, the antioxidants in tea, up to three-fold,” says Kulze.

Spinach provides calcium and mushrooms provide vitamin D, says Newgent. “Together, they create a win-win combination for bone health by maintaining strong bones because vitamin D helps with the absorption of calcium.” So it’s a good idea to think of

Broccoli spiced up with mustard, horseradish, or wasabi A new study shows that a powerful cancer-fighting compound in broccoli is more readily absorbed in the upper part of your digestive system – where it will do the most good - when paired with the enzyme myrosinase, that’s

spinach and mushrooms (and other calcium and vitamin D-containing foods) as a nutritious bone-friendly couple.

“They’re a delicious duet for the palate, too.,” says Newgent

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 13

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Keep Your Eye on Carrots I’ve always been fond of carrots. Sweet and crunchy, they last forever in the fridge, don’t cost a pretty penny, and make an ideal snack.

Plus, they’re low in calories (only 25 per medium carrot) and super high in nutrients, especially vitamin A. A powerhouse nutrient for all-around good health, vitamin A is essential for growth, healthy skin, and — no surprise here — eyesight.

Do carrots improve your vision?

No, that’s a myth. But they do promote overall eye health and help to protect your eyes from serious vision problems, such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, and night blindness. In fact, reduced night vision is one of the earliest signs of vitamin A deficiency, although people rarely notice it until it’s severe.

suming more deep orange fruit and vegetables, especially carrots, may protect against coronary heart disease (CHD). Specifically, participants who ate at least 25 more grams of carrots per day (about one medium or two small) had a 32 percent lower risk of CHD. The possible explanation? Once again, all roads lead to beta-carotene and, according to this study’s researchers, its potential ability to reduce inflammation and gobble up damaging free radicals.

On the fiber front, carrots are a decent source, with one medium carrot providing about 2 grams. Heart-friendly fiber helps to ferry cholesterol out of the body and keep us satiated longer.

It also promotes regularity.

Helpful tips Lately, however, I’ve been seeing carrots in a whole new light, thanks to some exciting research. According to a recent Harvard study that tracked nearly 90,000 nurses for eight years, eating carrots five times a week or more — vs. once a month or less — may reduce your risk of a stroke by an astounding 68 percent. Lead researcher JoAnn E. Manson of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, speculated that the protection may be due to a carrot’s high concentration of beta-carotene, a potent antioxidant that inhibits cholesterol from clogging arteries.

Carrots may also keep your heart thumping longer. New research from the Netherlands has shown that con-

If carrots are not organically grown, peel them. Otherwise, there’s no need to peel, unless carrots are old or thick. Do wash any carrot right before eating. Carrots will last longer in the refrigerator if you minimize the moisture they lose. To do this, transfer carrots (both regular and baby) from the store bag to a zip-lock plastic bag.

Carrot Coconut Soup Serves 4 Adapted from whfoods.org 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, chopped 4 medium garlic cloves, chopped

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Macular Degeneration

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Dr. George Kornfeld uses miniaturized binoculars or telescopes to help those with vision loss keep reading, writing and maintaining independence.

By Elana Lombardi, Freelance Writer Just because you have macular degeneration or other eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy doesn’t mean you must give up driving.

“People don’t know that there are doctors who are very experienced in low vision care.”

Dr. George Kornfeld, a low vision optometrist.

“My new telescopic glasses make it much easier to read signs at a distance.” Says Bonnie, “Definitely worth the $1950 cost. I don’t know why I waited to do this. I should have come sooner. ”Low vision devices are not always expensive. Some reading glasses cost as little as $450 and some magnifiers under $100. Every case is different because people have different Page 14

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levels of vision and different desires.

“Our job is to figure out everything and anything possible to keep a person functioning visually.” Says Dr. Kornfeld.

Dr. Kornfeld sees patients in his five offices throughout upstate New York.

For more information and a FREE telephone consultation call: 585-271-7320 Toll-free 1-866-446-2050

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

1 ½ teaspoons curry powder 2 cups sliced carrots, about ¼-inch thick 1 cup sweet potato, cut into ½-inch cubes 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth 6 ounces canned “lite” coconut milk 1 teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper Crumbled feta cheese (optional) In medium soup pot, saute onion in olive oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring often. If onion starts to stick to pan, add a little water to loosen.

Add garlic, ginger and curry powder and continue to sauté for another minute.

Add carrots, sweet potato and broth and simmer on medium high heat until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes. Add coconut milk and mix well. Using a handheld blender, puree soup in pot to desired consistency. Adjust spices. Top with feta cheese.

Note: No blender? Mash mixture with a potato masher right in pot.

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.

Safe Shoveling Experts say some people should warm up before shoveling the snow

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

A

s the white stuff piles up, many of us get busy with the snow shovel. But shoveling snow can present a few physical hazards, especially to people who do not regularly exercise.

For starters, it’s physically demanding and sometimes people don’t notice how hard their hearts are pumping as they’re intent upon clearing the driveway, sidewalk and doorways efficiently.

Without thinking, an unfit person or one with a heart defect can have a heart attack while shoveling.

“If you do no aerobic exercise otherwise, you should,” said Kostantinos “Dino” Vasalos, program director for

Sports and Spine Rehabilitation at the University of Rochester Medical Center Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation. “It’s a high cardiovascular activity. Someone who’s exercising all year-round would be better to do it that someone who’s sedentary.”

He heads a community program, the URMC Active Spine Program, that incorporates training to improve back strength and health.

Beyond trouble with your heart, shoveling can also result in back muscular strain, lumbar disc injury, and shoulder or elbow strains.

Katharine R. Wilson, physical therapist with Unity Health System, advises snow shovelers to do a little

warm up to get the heart rate elevated and the blood pumping through the muscles. “Stretch after the fact,” she said. “That’s a good general idea.

Walk up and down your stairs a few times. If you have a lot to do, break it into chunks like the front steps, take a break, the side walk, take a break and then the driveway.”

In the name of efficiency, it’s easy to pile as much snow on the shovel as possible; however, doing so can cause muscle strains as the body over-exerts itself.

“One way to reduce the load on the spine is to reduce the load on the shovel,” Vasalos said. “The three-foot long blades place a larger load on the spine.” Instead, take more, lighter shovelfuls. It will take longer, but it’s a lot easier on your back, arms and legs. The technique you use is also very important.

“When people reach out with their arms extended, it keeps more of a load on their spine,” Vasalos said. “They should rest an elbow on a knee as they’re loading to reduce the load on the spine and keep the arms closer to the body.”

By keeping your arms closer, you create better leverage and are more likely to use better body mechanics. Using the shovel like a snowplow blade can also make the job easier on your body.

By simply pushing Vasalos the snow out of the way, you can spare your back the brunt of the work.

“Try to drive the handle through the hips, not the upper back,” Vasalos said. “The more you can push from the

pelvis, the better.”

If you have so much snow or such heavy snow you must lift it elsewhere, don’t twist as you throw it, since that action puts too much stress on your back.

“If you want to throw the snow to the side you should pivot your feet so you are facing forward in the direction you want to throw the snow,” said Rick Fame, physical therapist with Rochester General Hospital Physical Therapy at Midtown Athletic Club. “Shoulder and elbow injuries can occur from having to lift the shovel above elbow or shoulder level when throwing the snow. A person should be careful and try and throw the snow in a lower area where snow is not piled up as much to avoid too much stress to upper extremities.”

Lift with your legs and don’t spend the afternoon stooping over the shovel.

Take periodic breaks to stretch and rest before attacking the snow.

“An important exercise for the back is doing some back bends in standing or lying on stomach before and after the snow shoveling,” Fame said. “This will prevent undue stress on the lumbar spine and discs.”

Dress warmly for shoveling, but in layers so you can peel off layers as your body heats up. This helps prevent perspiration from chilling you. Wear sensible boots. They should have rubbery soles and insulation. Even if you don’t see ice, it could be lurking under the snow, waiting to yank your feet out from under you.

“Do not stick your hand into the snow blower,” Wilson said. “Make sure it’s shut off and use a stick to clear it.

When those blades go around, there go your fingers. It sounds foolish, but this happens every year.”

Teens Increasingly Abuse Prescription Painkillers

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oday’s teens and young people are abusing prescription painkillers more than any other age group or any other youth in history.

Availability of these drugs from their parents’ medicine cabinets may be to blame, according to new research in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Prescription painkillers are the second most abused drugs by adolescents in the U.S., only behind marijuana, reports the study. In fact, use of prescription painkillers by teens between the ages of 12 and 17 has jumped 10-fold since the 1960s.

“I think many parents just don’t

realize how dangerous unsecured prescription drugs are to their children and their children’s friends,” said lead author Richard Miech of the University of Colorado in Denver.

Researchers used data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 1985 to 2009 and analyzed the prevalence of nonmedical painkiller use for all age groups, genders and races. They found that for youth born between 1980 and 1994, the use of painkillers was 40 percent higher than any other age group and any youth that came before them. This trend was present for both genders and among

whites, blacks and Hispanics.

“The fact that the trend is present across all racial and ethnic groups [just] highlights that this is a problem that affects everyone,” Miech said.

The study concluded that one cause of the epidemic is the increasing availability of prescription painkillers in medicine cabinets at home.

The researchers say more intervention is needed to make parents aware of the problem.

“For instance, parents should keep track of the quantity of pills in a bottle and the frequency of refills,” she said.

“If you discover that you have to refill

medication more often than anticipated, this may be a sign that someone is taking these medications without your knowledge.”

Parents can also set clear rules for children about not sharing medicine and always following the prescribed dosage—and parents should also abide by these same rules, Miech added.

“Ultimately I think we need to change attitudes toward prescription drugs and, hence, their demand,” Miech said. “It’s not an easy thing to do, but not doing it looks to be quite costly in terms of lost lives and productivity.”

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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New Year Working out at a martial arts school can improve endurance, strength, flexibility and balance, along with providing fun and mentally challenging exercise. Courtesy Kuk Sool Won of Greater Rochester

Bored with your treadmill? Try something new Yoga, martial arts and dance class are good options for fun exercise

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

M

any people quit exercising because they feel it’s boring.

And they’re often right. Logging endless treks up a stair stepper or pedaling a bicycle going nowhere won’t keep your interest.

Why not get off the beaten treadmill and try something different this year?

At the many area YMCAs, you can try any number of different activities to jar out of your fitness rut.

Tiffany Sculli, wellness director at the Y in Geneva, said that yoga is gaining in popularity.

“Yoga helps you gain body strength,” she said. “It’s more relaxing and gets you in tune with your mind and body. More and more people are realizing the need for body strength and calmness. You have to relax your mind a little.”

Although classes were sparsely populated by men, “more men are getting involved as well,” Sculli said.

For a more energetic, aerobic workout, she recommends the turbo kickboxing class.

“It’s high impact and gets you moving, as the music motivates,” she said. “It’s high adrenaline to get you excited about working out. It releases some tension with all the kicking and punching. The camaraderie of working out with people helps you stay with it.”

Classes and activities offered by YMCA vary from location to location.

Martial arts becoming an option Martial arts are not just for tough guys. In fact, many schools, such as Kuk Sool Won of Greater Rochester,

teach techniques suitable for people of any size or strength and either gender.

Master Gary Evarts, owner Kuk Sool Won of Greater Rochester in Ontario, Webster and Wolcott, said that Kuk Sool Won “provides aerobic exercise by use of the different elements of the martial arts training.”

Classes include stretching and body conditioning exercises, performing self-defense techniques, and practicing “forms” called “hyung” in Korean. Almost dance-like at times, these pre-arranged sets of movements involve every part of the body.

Low stances, where the legs are in a perpendicular 90-degree angle to the ground, work the quadriceps, hamstrings and calves, “and really bring up the heart rate,” Evarts said. “At the same time you are moving your arms and upper torso.”

Students of all ages can get their toes tapping at a dance school such as Visions Dance Studio, Inc. Page 16

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

Practicing a martial art also engages the mind. Kuk Sool Won teaches more than 3,600 self-defense moves, 24 weapons, and various acrobatics and safe falling methods.

“Your mind is working so hard trying to learn and remember the moves you are being taught, that there is no time for boredom,” Evarts said. “The focus and concentration needed to remember the moves while doing them... decreases the chance of boredom.”

Dance lessons Dance lessons can also get you burning calories, gaining flexibility and strengthening your body.

“It broadens the horizons physically,” said Elise Gaudino, director of Visions Dance Studio Inc., in Rochester, which offers lessons in numerous styles of dance, including adult tap classes.

“It’s very physically engaging because it’s like a cardio workout but it’s fun because we’re always doing something different,” Gaudino said. “Ballet has a lot of stretching and strengthening and you’re developing muscles you wouldn’t on a treadmill.”

Dance also provides something lacking on most treadmills: fun!

“We’re always doing something different,” Gaudino said. “There’s interaction between the teacher and students. There’s more of a social aspect with other classmates. You can listen to different types of music.”

The styles of dance varies so widely that one is sure to mesh with your fitness goals, aptitude and interest, from jazzy, energetic tap to the graceful, strength-building poses of ballet.

When considering a new activity, don’t be afraid to try something different, but set realistic goals for yourself.

It will take awhile to become proficient.

Most schools expect you to practice outside of class, too.

New Year New Year’s Resolutions Why do most people abandon their resolutions in a few weeks or a month? Local experts share ways to stick with resolutions

By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

I

f you struggled with alcohol, the prayer begins “God, give me grace to accept with serenity, the things that cannot be changed.” If gambling is your vice, they tell you “change the things you can, ignore the things you can’t.” Yet if you are addicted to making New Year’s resolutions, the motto is this year will be different.

But often it isn’t.

Every year, hoards of people commit themselves to changing their lives with lofty, overreaching goals simply because a new year has graced them with its presence. And every year before the Groundhog even knows whether it will see its shadow, those same people fail miserably to keep their goals alive.

Maybe it’s the liquor talking or the eternal hope of putting another year in the rear view mirror, but either way, making New Year’s resolutions are a tradition here to stay that will never go the way of Markus floppy disc, AOL Instant Messenger and video stores.

“It’s natural for human beings to want to grow and shift things in their lives and to be hopeful about those potential changes,” said Adena Shoshan, a licensed clinical psychologist.

“You have to see the benefits in the good that you want to achieve in your life. In the process of reaching goals there will be good days and not so good days. That’s just a part of life.”

Some of the popular New Year’s resolutions include losing weight, quitting smoking, spending more time with the family and less time at work, saving more money, planning vacations and paying down credit card debts.

So why do most people abandon their Markus resolutions in a few weeks or a month and go back to their bad habits? And what can be done about it?

Several psychologists and mental health officials observe people falling into the same counterproductive pitfalls that turn their well-meaning resolutions into flimsy half-promises.

Whether it’s dreaming too big or being too vague, unrealistic ambition serves no one.

“Some people don’t realize the amount of effort that needs to go into changing a behavior that you have done for some time,” said Joseph Baschnagel, assistant professor at Rochester Institute of Technology department

of psychology. “They have had those bad habits for a couple of years so that means they found comfort in that behavior in the first place.”

Take eating badly, for example. At some level, eating fattening, sodiumfilled food provided a large amount of pleasure. Reversing course and taking away something that once gave you immediate satisfaction will always be an uphill climb.

“It takes real commitment because making healthy food takes time.

Plus healthy food costs a little more money,” said Baschnagel. “With any new venture, it takes a while to see the rewards.”

Psychologists also suggest thinking of a large goal, but only through the prism of the smaller steps that will lead to the finish line. These “sub goals” make achieving the end result more manageable. The opposite approach causes disappointment early, which turns into failure quickly. Over committing and under committing can both lead to disaster.

“While we constantly want to make changes to do differently, we unconsciously sabotage ourselves because of fear, self-confidence, anxiety and setting unrealistic goals,” said Howard Markus, a psychologist with an office in Brighton. “Don’t say you are going to exercise five days a week or say you are going to give up all junk food. Set very specific, realistic goals like saying you are going to work out on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays so that you can see progress and feel that you are Baschnagel moving in the right direction.”

He believes resolutions remain popular because the new year creates extra contemplation and the desire to make changes. And while they are heartfelt intentions at the time, the true

desire must come from internal purpose instead of external forces.

“If you want to make any change it’s got to be because you want to do it for yourself not because your wife, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend or family members wants you to,” said Markus.

“And learn how to have a little selfcompassion and don’t beat yourself over not getting immediate results.

Real changes take time.”

Adrienne Markus, a certified holistic health coach and nutrition consultant, has seen people get frustrated because they are not pragmatic about change. They set larger than life goals and don’t know how to follow through or they want instantaneous results.

“First you have to understand that you didn’t get here overnight so you can’t expect to kick a habit overnight or over two weeks either,” said Markus. “I know the new year brings a feeling of wanting a new life just because the calendar changed. But you have to really want it or it will be just another unsuccessful New Year’s resolution.”

As a health coach, she helps clients set goals, achieve their ideal weight, understand their cravings and learn new foods to incorporate into their daily schedule. The program includes two 50-minute sessions, monthly health newsletters and coaching to make the dietary and lifestyle changes people desire. She has people try different breakfasts or lunches and select the types of foods they like and which ones truly gave them the energy and the taste value worth changing their normal routine.

“Having a support system or someone you can trust to help you can give you a boost as you go step by step to improving your life,” she said.

It’s difficult not to become downtrodden when triumph eludes us, but keep the faith.

“Give yourself time,” said Baschnagel. “Research has shown the more times a smoker tries to quit, the more likely that person will quit for good even if they have lapses in the future.”

7 Tips that May Help Your Set and Achieve Your Goals 1. Set attainable short term goals: Instead of saying I want to lose 50 pounds in three months, pick realistic objectives. Pick losing a small amount of weight each month.

2. Treat yourself: When you were doing the wrong thing, it offered immediate satisfaction. Well, so can doing the right thing. Give yourself a small prize for achieving your goal like every month you lose three pounds take yourself out to a movie.

3. Don’t just make a goal, make a plan: Coming up with a big idea like quitting smoking or being more punctual is a goal. Figuring out how to achieve it is what separates success stories from New Year’s resolution failures.

January 2013 •

4. Find a replacement habit: Instead of sitting on the couch after dinner, take a walk to lose pounds. Instead of eating cheesecake as your late night snake, pack the house with fruits.

5. Phone a friend: Whether it’s talking with a psychologist, a therapy group or just a good buddy, strength does come in numbers.

6. Pick the right one: Select a resolution that you really have a passion for. If you really have a connection with the goal, you will understand it’s a journey and that will make you more patience.

7. Don’t stop believing: It might sound cliché, but if at first you don’t succeed, keep on trying.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 17

New Year Moves to Tone and Strengthen

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

T

hough it’s impossible to spot reduce — meaning that sit-ups specifically target belly flab — you can perform exercises that will help tone and tighten the muscles in problem areas, help prevent injury and build more overall muscle, which helps boost your body’s metabolism and burn more fat.

It doesn’t take a weight bench or resistance machine in the basement to tone and strengthen your muscles.

“You can become very, very creative with calisthenics by using different positions,” said Bob Bovee, personal training director for Rochester and Buffalo Athletic Clubs.

Even if you have no weight bench at home, isometric and callisthenic movements can do quite a bit to improve your body. Bovee offered an example of an isometric movement.

“Press your palms together in front of your chest for up to 60 seconds,” he said. “That would work the triceps, shoulders and pectoral muscle.”

It’s important to hold the hands at chest level while performing this movement.

“Flex your chest, push your shoulder blades back and press as hard as you can,” Bovee added.

Isometric movements could also involve pushing against an immoveable object. Callisthenic movements use one’s own body as the “weights.”

Michael Knapp, certified personal trainer and owner of At Your Home Personal Training in Rochester and Syracuse, likes using calisthenics in his clients’ routines.

These can include “anything that’s pushing, pulling or standing up,” he said.

“Pushups against a wall or chair, sitting up and down from

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a chair.”

To perform a proper pushup from the floor, kneel and place your hands palm down on the floor shoulder’s width apart. Extend your legs so your weight rests on the balls of your feet and palms. Keeping the abdomen taut and the body and legs straight, lower your body slowly by bending at the elbows until your stomach and chest nearly touch the floor. Slowly return to the first position.

“A pull movement could be a strap hooked to a door for a rowing action or a household chore like using a vacuum cleaner or snow shoveling,” Knapp said.

Wall squats are another example of a callisthenic movement. Unlike a freestanding squat, a wall squat gives your body support and helps with balance issues.

“Put yourself up against the wall,” Bovee said. “Squat until your upper legs are one to two inches above parallel. Hold it for 60 seconds.”

Keep your feet shoulder’s width apart.

Calf raises can help tone the entire leg. Stand near a chair or countertop if you have balance issues. Roll forward slightly so your weight is on the balls of your feet as your heels lift. Flex all the leg’s muscles and keep the abdomen tucked in as you rise. Hold the pose a few moments and lower slowly to a standing position.

To perform a perfect situp, place your feet under a piece of heavy furniture that will help keep your feet from bobbing up. Or have a partner hold them down.

“Bend your knees,” Bovee said.

“Keep your hands crossed in front of you, not behind your head. Come up until your elbows hit below your knee.

Put your lower back into the floor so your abdominals work as hard as they can. Don’t lie flat. Just return so your shoulders are three to four inches above the floor and repeat.”

To help prevent injuries, it helps to strengthen key areas that can be prone to injury. If you’re hampered by an injury, it’s tough to maintain the same level of fitness through different activities and movements.

Kostantinos “Dino” Vasalos, program program director for Sports and Spine Rehabilitation at the University of Rochester Medical Center Depart-

ment of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, suggests the “bird dog.”

“You’re on your hands and knees looking down, lift opposite arm and leg at the same time,” he said. “That works the back extensor muscles, hips, and shoulder girdle muscles.”

Vasalos heads a community program—the URMC Active Spine Program—that incorporates training to improve back strength and health.

With any of these movements, it is important to not flop into position or jerk yourself out of the position.

“The negative aspect of the exercise is 40 percent of the work of it,” Bovee said.

To complete one “set,” perform as many of one movement as you can, then rest 60 seconds. Then perform as many as you can. Rest 60 seconds and repeat. The number may be smaller in the subsequent sets. Once you have completed three sets, move on to a different area of the body.

“It will take you 30 minutes, and you’ve hit the entire body,” Bovee said.

Slender Center Engages Physician Support Center developing partnership with physicians to benefit patients

S

lender Center has initiated the engagement of client physicians in becoming a partner in facilitating the health and wellness of their patients. Obesity and weight gain issues have always been major concerns impacting the health and fitness of the adult population. Slender Center offers balanced, real food plans with the crucial individualized motivation and support needed for patients to develop healthy living habits. Preventive programs such as Slender Center coupled with the guidance of a patient’s physicians can make a difference in health care costs as well as on-going quality of life.

Slender Center is in its 26th year of serving the Rochester community and has more than 100 years of combined experience in coaching clients to relearn eating patterns and correct habits.

The program offers a unique combination of an exclusive fat burning methodology along with weekly one-on-one coaching encompassing assessment of needs, individualized program design, nutrition education, habit change, support and motivation.

Slender Center has a key differentiator-a unique method, which produces predominately fat loss versus lean

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

body loss. All programs feature grocery store foods and follow the guidelines of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Programs are designed by a certified health coach. Thousands have lowered cholesterol, blood pressure or have stopped needing medications for Type II diabetes.

The specialized programs are offered to men, women, adolescents, nursing mothers and vegetarians, among other groups. The programs target a series of goals, including cholesterol reducing, blood sugar control, blood pressure control and weight loss.

Physician referral is the most motivating intervention in the history of Slender Center— more powerful than the nagging spouse.

When patients join Slender Center, their physician receives a notice of enrollment where specific instructions can be indicated. Progress reports demonstrating change in body weight and body fat are sent to the physician periodically. Slender Center specializes in experienced, results-driven weight management service.

Submitted by Slender Center. For more information, call 585-381-6320 or email loseweight@slendercenter.com.

Ask

The Social Security Office

Column provided by the local Social Security Office

Financial Wellness Can Be Yours in 2013

J

anuary is “Financial Wellness Month,” a great time to think about your own financial future. It also happens to be at this time that many people make resolutions for the New Year. Why not combine the two and make your own financial wellness a resolution for 2013?

Here are our suggested resolutions for your financial wellness.

• Start your financial plan with your Social Security statement. The online statement is simple, easy to use and provides estimates you should consider in planning for your retirement. It provides estimates for disability and survivors benefits, making the statement an important financial planning tool. Your statement allows you to review and ensure that your earnings are accurately posted to your Social Security record. This feature is important because Social Security benefits are based on average earnings over your lifetime. If the information is incorrect, or you have earnings missing from your record, you may not receive all the benefits to which you are entitled in the future. Visit: www.socialsecurity. gov/mystatement • Work the numbers. Once you get your online statement, you can use the other free resources provided by Social Security. Use our retirement estimator, where you can get a personalized, instant estimate of your future retirement benefits using different retirement ages and scenarios. Visit the retirement estimator at www.socialsecurity. gov/estimator • Once you are in the know, choose to save. The earlier you begin your financial planning, the better off you will be. Social Security replaces about

Q&A Disability application and the disability report? Do I have to complete both?

A: The disability application is an application for Social Security disability benefits. To receive Social Security disability or Supplemental Security Income disability benefits, you must file an application. The Disability Report, meanwhile, is a form that provides Social Security with information about your current medical condition.

We need this information to process your disability application. To start a claim for disability benefits, you need to complete a disability application, a disability report, and an authorization release form that allows us to obtain your medical records. You can get the disability application process started at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability.

40 percent of the average worker’s pre-retirement earnings. Most financial advisers say that you will need 70 percent or more of pre-retirement earnings to live comfortably. You also will need other savings, investments, pensions or retirement accounts to make sure you have enough money to live comfortably when you retire. Visit the ballpark estimator for tips to help you save: www.choosetosave.org/ballpark • Do some light reading. Learn more about Social Security, the benefit programs, and what they mean to you and your family, by browsing through our online library of publications. In particular, our publication titled “When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits” provides helpful information regarding the things you should consider when making a decision on when to collect retirement benefits. Many of our publications also are available in audio format and other formats. Our library at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs is always open.

• Help someone you love. Sometimes we get the most satisfaction out of helping someone else. If you have a grandparent, parent, relative or friend who could benefit from Social Security, share our website and the features of our online services with them. You can even help a loved one apply for Social Security benefits in as little as 15 minutes — or for extra help with Medicare prescription drug costs. Whether you forward a publication or sit down to help someone apply for Social Security, the place to go is www.socialsecurity. gov.

There are a number of ways you can celebrate Financial Wellness Month, so start off the New Year by looking out for your own financial wellness at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Q: I’ve been turned down for disability benefits. How do I appeal?

A: Visit www.socialsecurity.gov and click on the “Appeal a disability decision online” link in the left-hand column. This is the starting point.

There you can ask us to review our medical decision. There are two parts to the Internet appeal process: 1) An Appeal Request Internet form; and 2) An Appeal Disability Report, which gives us more information about your condition.

You can complete both forms online. To appeal online, the only form you are required to submit is an appeal request (Part 1). However, we encourage you to submit an Appeal Disability Report (Part 2) because it will give us more information about you and help us process your appeal more quickly.

The place to start is www.socialsecurity.gov.

January 2013 •

35 new ‘compassionate allowance’ conditions speed up disability process Fast track disability process now has 200 conditions

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ommissioner of Social Security Michael J. Astrue recently announced 35 additional compassionate allowances conditions are in effect, bringing the total number of conditions in the expedited disability process to 200.

Compassionate allowances are a way to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that, by definition, meet Social Security’s standards for disability benefits.

The program fast-tracks disability decisions to ensure that Americans with the most serious disabilities receive their benefit decisions within days instead of months or years. These conditions primarily include certain cancers, adult brain disorders, and a number of rare disorders that affect children.

“We have achieved another

milestone for the compassionate allowances program, reaching 200 conditions,” Commissioner Astrue said. “Nearly 200,000 people with severe disabilities nationwide have been quickly approved, usually in less than two weeks, through the program since it began in October 2008.”

By definition, these conditions are so severe that Social Security does not need to fully develop the applicant’s work history to make a decision. As a result, Social Security eliminated this part of the application process for people who have a condition on the list.

Social Security has held seven public hearings and worked with experts to develop the list of compassionate allowances conditions.

These new compassionate allowance conditions are: 1) Adult non-hodgkin lymphoma 2) Adult onset Huntington disease 3) Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome 4) Alveolar soft part sarcoma 5) Aplastic anemia 6) Beta Thalassemia major 7. Bilateral optic atrophy — infantile 8. Caudal regression syndrome — types III and IV 9. Child T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma 10. Congenital lymphedema 11. DeSanctis Cacchione syndrome 12. Dravet syndrome 13. Endometrial stromal sarcoma 14. Erdheim chester disease 15. Fatal familial insomnia 16. Fryns syndrome 17. Fulminant giant cell myocarditis 18. Hepatopulmonary syndrome 19. Hepatorenal syndrome 20. Jervell and Lange-Nielsen syndrome 21. Leiomyosarcoma 22. Malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumor 23. Malignant germ cell tumor 24. MECP 2 duplication syndrome 25. Menkes disease — classic or infantile onset form 26. NFU-1 mitochondrial disease 27. Non-Ketotic hyperglcinemia 28. Peritoneal mucinous carcinomatosis 29. Phelan McDermid syndrome 30. Retinopathy of prematurity — stage V 31. Roberts syndrome 32. Severe combined immunodeficiency — childhood 33. Sinonasal cancer 34. Transplant coronary artery vasculopathy 35. Usher syndrome — type I For more information on the compassionate allowances initiative, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Medical Workers More Exposed to ComputerRelated Injuries Cornell study: sharp spike in incidents predicted

A

s U.S. health care goes high-tech, spurred by $20 billion in federal stimulus incentives, the widespread adoption of electronic medical records and related digital technologies is predicted to reduce errors and lower costs, but it is also likely to significantly boost musculoskeletal injuries among doctors and nurses, concludes a Cornell University ergonomics professor in two new papers.

The repetitive strain injuries, he said, will stem from poor office layouts and improper use of computer devices.

“Many hospitals are investing heavily in new technology with almost no consideration for principles of ergonomics design for computer workplaces,” said Alan Hedge, professor of human factors and ergonomics in Cornell’s College of human ecology’s department of design and environmental analysis. “We saw a similar pattern starting in the 1980s when commercial workplaces computerized, and there was an explosion of musculoskeletal injuries for more than a decade afterward.”

For a paper published in the Proceedings of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 56th Annual Meeting, held Oct. 22-26 in Boston, Hedge and James asked 179 physicians about the frequency and severity of their musculoskeletal discomfort, computer use in their clinic, knowledge of ergonomics and typing skills. The most commonly reported repetitive strain injuries were neck, shoulder and upper and lower back pain — with a majority of female doctors and more than 40 percent of male doctors reporting such ailments on at least a weekly basis. About 40 percent of women and 30 percent of men reported right wrist injuries at a similar frequency.

“These rates are alarming. When

more than 40 percent of employees are complaining about regular problems, that’s a sign something needs to be done to address it,” said Hedge. “In a lot of hospitals and medical offices, workplace safety focuses on preventing slips, trips and falls and on patient handling, but the effects of computer use on the human body are neglected.”

The gender differences, the authors write, appear to be in part because women reported spending about an hour longer on the computer per day than men.

In a second study of 180 physicians and 63 nurse practitioners and physician assistants in the same health system, published in a new volume, “Advances in Human Aspects of Healthcare” (CRC Press), more than 90 percent of respondents reported using a desktop computer at work. On average, they spent more than five hours per day using computers.

Fifty-six percent of doctors and 71 percent of nurse practitioners and physician assistants said their computer use at work had increased in the past year; 22 percent of doctors and 19 percent of nurse practitioners and physician assistants reported less time in face-to-face interactions with patients.

Only about 5 percent of participants reported an “expert knowledge” of ergonomics, and more than two-thirds said they had no input in the planning or design of their computer or clinical workstation.

“We can’t assume that just because people are doctors or work in health care that they know about ergonomics,” Hedge said. “With so many potential negative effects for doctors and patients, it is critical that the implementation of new technology is considered from a design and ergonomics perspective.”

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How to Find a Lost Pension Dear Savvy Senior How does one go about tracking down a lost pension?

About 35 years ago, I worked at a manufacturing company for a few years that offered employee pensions, and I want to find out if I’m eligible for any money now that I’m about to retire.

Searching Steven Dear Steven, Losing track of a small pension from years ago is actually quite common, especially if you’ve have had a lot of jobs throughout your working life. To help you locate a lost pension, here are the steps to take along with some free resources that can help you search if your previous employer has gone out of business, changed names or merged with another firm.

Pension Proof If you think you have a pension from a previous employer, and the company is still in business, your first step is to call their human resources department and ask them to give you the contact information of the pension plan administrator. Then you’ll need to contact them to find out how much your pension is worth and how to claim it.

Depending on how complete the plan administrator’s records are, you may need to show proof that you once worked for the company and that you are pension eligible.

Your old income tax returns and W-2 forms from the years you worked at the company will help you here. If you haven’t saved your old tax returns from these years, you can get a copy of your earnings record from the Social Security Administration, which will show how much you were paid each calendar year by each employer.

Call 800-772-1213 and ask them to mail you the “Request for Social Security Earnings Information” form SSA-7050, or you can download it at www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-7050.pdf.

You’ll pay a small fee for the report, depending on the number of years of data you request.

Some other old forms that can help you prove eligibility are your Summary Plan Descriptions (SPD) that

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

you should have received from your employer when you worked there, or any individual benefit statements.

Check the PBGC If you can’t find your former employer because it went out of business or if the company ended its pension plan, you need to check the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s (PBGC) online pension search directory at search.pbgc.gov/ mp/mp.aspx. Or, you can call 800-4007242 and get help over the phone.

The PBGC is a federal agency that guarantees pensions of bankrupt companies. The agency also maintains information on any pension plan that has been terminated, even if the company is still in business.

The PBGC, however, does not cover or have information on lost pensions that are still active, nor will they help you locate lost 401(k) plans.

Get Help The best resource to help you track down a lost active pension from a company that has moved or merged with another firm is the U.S. Administration on Aging Pension Counseling and Information Program.

This free program encompasses seven pension assistance programs around the country that serve workers in 30 states. To get the contact information of these counseling programs and the states they serve, visit the Pension Rights Center website at pensionrights. org.

If your pension happens to be outside the area served by the pension counseling centers, or if you’re trying to locate a federal or military pension, use Pension Help America at pensionhelp.org. This resource can connect you with government agencies and private organizations that provide free information and assistance to help your search.

For more information, the PBGC has a free publication called “Finding a Lost Pension” that provides in-depth information that can aid in your search.

See pbgc.gov to see it online, or call 800-400-7242 and ask them to mail you a copy.

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.

H ealth News RGH doctors encouraged to volunteer through InterVol Healthcare providers from Rochester General Health System who wish to volunteer their time to assist in the humanitarian efforts of InterVol, a Rochester community-based non-profit organization, can now receive financial support from the hospital administration.

In 2013, the health system will provide two stipends to RGHS physician volunteers. In addition, six caregivers in other specialties, ranging from telehealth to medical oncology, will receive paid time-off to volunteer for InterVol. Those who volunteer to travel on behalf of InterVol are generally responsible for paying their own travel and living expenses.

“Having been an InterVol physician volunteer myself, I can speak to the powerful impact the trip had on me. I will never forget the impressions and images of jungle clinics overflowing with children and concerned mothers,” said Rob Mayo, the new chief medical officer at RGHS. “Their smiles and expressions of appreciation were so moving and fulfilling. The small good I was able to provide was vastly over rewarded by the abundant gratitude that was returned to me.”

In March, InterVol volunteers are expected to travel to Belize to provide medical service to the underserved.

InterVol is a Rochester-based nonprofit organization founded by physicians Ralph Pennino and Tim O’Connor, Learn more at www.intervol.org

make him a true asset to our organization.”

Unity’s manager honored for recruitment role Rui Ventura, manager of Unity’s home health aide recruitment and retention, was received the Rochester Educational Opportunity Center’s (REOC) Employer Appreciation Award for 2012. The award also includes recognition to Unity Health System for its contribution to REOC. Ventura has been actively involved with REOC since 2005, assisting it with meeting the educational and Ventura vocational needs of the community.

According to a news release, he has consistently presented information to the home health aide (HHA) graduating classes at REOC on home care and employment opportunities at Unity. He has hired eight REOC HHAs in order to support the graduates who desire career advancement within Unity and facilitates their progress toward the REOC licensed practical nurse training program.

The Pittsford resident has also served as the liaison between REOC and Unity’s human resources and recruiting teams to fill other positions.

Center Board Excellence Award.

Eastman Institute for Oral Health is a world leader in research and postdoctoral education, and clinical care in general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics and oral surgery.

Bariatric Surgery Center at Highland recognized The Bariatric Surgery Center at Highland Hospital has achieved level 1 accreditation by the Bariatric Surgery Center Network (BSCN) accreditation program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This designation means that Highland meets the high standards outlined by the ACS BSCN accreditation program and demonstrates a commitment to providing the highest quality care for its bariatric surgery patients. This is the third straight time Highland has earned this designation.

Accredited bariatric surgery centers provide the support and resources necessary for morbidly obese patients to achieve successful, long-lasting weight loss. These centers address the entire spectrum of care and needs of bariatric patients, from the pre-surgical phase through the postoperative care and treatment process.

In December Highland underwent a voluntary onsite visit in which a surveyor reviewed the bariatric surgery center’s structure, process and quality of data. Because high-quality surgical care requires documentation using

New chief administrative Vijay Bansal is Thompson’s officer at Eastman Institute new ER chief Holly Barone of Penfield has been Thompson Health recently named Vijay Bansal chief of the department of emergency medicine for the health system and medical director of the hospital’s Hawks emergency department.

A resident of Greece, Bansal first joined Thompson as an emergency department physician in the summer 2008, following his emergency medicine residency at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He received his doctorate of medicine in 2005 from the SUNY Buffalo Bansal School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

Bansal assumed his new role Nov. 4, overseeing the 24-bed, state-of-theart emergency department at Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua. In 2011, this department handled over 26,000 patient visits.

“Dr. Bansal has been a valued member of our Thompson Health team for more than four years and we are very excited to have him in this new position,” said Thompson Health Senior Vice President of Medical Services Carlos R. Ortiz. “His tremendous clinical skills, top-notch people skills and fluency in electronic medical records

appointed chief administrative officer for Eastman Institute for Oral Health at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

In this new role, Barone is responsible for the Eastman Dental enterprise, including its outreach locations, university dental faculty group and hospital activity and the department of dentistry, while still maintaining her role as assistant director for clinical service operations.

Barone has made significant contribuBarone tions during her 16 years of service with Eastman. She directed the clinical re-engineering efforts and contributed to the institute’s receipt of grant funding from the Greater Rochester Health Foundation and New York State HEAL. She planned and managed the $5 million renovation and expansion of Eastman Dental’s Elmwood Avenue and downtown clinics.

Previously, she served as the clinical manager and operations administrator for community dentistry and oral disease prevention division.

Barone earned the 2009 Rochester Business Journal Health Care Achievement Award in Management and the 2000 University of Rochester Medical January 2013 •

reliable measurements of outcomes, accredited bariatric surgery centers are required to report their bariatric surgery outcomes data either to the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) or the College’s BSCN database. Highland performs between 600 and 700 bariatric surgery cases annually — one of the highest volumes in New York state.

Highland achieved this three-year accreditation for the first time in 2006.

The designation was established by the American College of Surgeons in 2005 in an effort to extend established quality improvement practices to all disciplines of surgical care.

Helendale dermatology hires an esthetician Helendale Dermatology & Medical Spa of Irondequoit announced the appointment of Ashley Martin as a licensed practical nurse. In her new role, Ashley will assist the physician with dermatological procedures, wound care, prescription refills and phone triage.

Martin completed the practical nursing certification program at Wayne Finger Lakes and received the New York state licensure in practical nursing.

She is the recipient of Wayne Finger Lakes’ Clinical Excellence and Martin

Catholic Family Center receives $2 million award The New York State Kinship Navigator program, operated by Catholic Family Center in Rochester with funding from the NYS Office of Children and Family Services, has been awarded a $2,088,111 grant from the US Children’s Bureau under its Child Welfare/TANF Collaboration in Kinship Navigation Programs.

It was one of seven sites nationwide to receive this award.

“The NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) has long strived to support grandparents and other relatives who are raising children,” said OCFS Commissioner Gladys Carrión. “Relatives are often best suited to give children, whose birth parents are unable to care for them, the love, stability and support they need to grow and thrive. This grant will afford the NYS Kinship Navigator the opportunity to increase its critical assistance to kinship families.”

The Kinship Navigator provides information, referral, and leadership of a kinship service network across New York state for grandparents and other relatives who find themselves raising a child not their own.

The federal project is funded to demonstrate a replicable and sustainable model of program activities operated by the NYS Kinship Navigator program in collaboration with selected county temporary assistance and child welfare agencies and subcontractor organizations with expertise in kinship care. It is an expansion of current Kinship Navigator activities in order to establish a unified system of kinship services for kinship families whose children are eligible for temporary assistance programs and/or at risk of entering foster care. The goal is to demonstrate that this system improves outcomes related to family stability, safety, permanency, and well– being in five upstate New York counties.

“Catholic Family Center is very pleased to be able to expand the important work done by the Kinship Navigator program,” says Mark Wickham, president and CEO. “This demonstration grant will go a long way toward ensuring that kinship families get access to the services and information they need.”

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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H ealth News Perfect Attendance awards. Prior to joining Helendale Dermatology and Medical Spa, she worked for the Plastic Surgery Group of Rochester. She lives in Newark.

RGH recognized for its stroke program Rochester General Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award. The award recognizes Rochester General’s commitment and success in implementing excellent care for stroke patients, according to evidence-based guidelines.

To qualify for this award, Rochester General achieved an 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Achievement indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month intervals, and achieved 75 percent or higher compliance with six of 10 Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality Measures, which are reporting initiatives to measure quality of care.

In addition to the Get With The Guideline-Stroke award, Rochester General, has also been recognized as a recipient of the association’s Target: Stroke Honor Roll, for improving stroke care. Over the past quarter, at least 50 percent of eligible ischemic stroke patients have received IV rt-PA within 60 minutes of arriving at the hospital (known as ‘door-to-needle’ time).

“With a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines–Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award demonstrates Rochester General’s commitment to being one of the top hospitals in the country for providing aggressive, proven stroke care,” said Cheryl Wood, the hospital’s stroke program coordinator. “We will continue with our focus on providing care that has been shown in the scientific literature to quickly and efficiently treat stroke patients with evidence-based protocols,”

HANYS names new executive VP for policy The Healthcare Association of New York State announced the selection of Valerie Grey as HANYS’ executive vice president for policy. Grey is a respected expert on policy issues and is widely regarded for her intelligent and incisive leadership.

She has served in numerous critical policy leadership posts in New York state, including as director of state operations, first deputy secretary to the governor and assistant secretary for health and human services; assistant commissioner of governmental affairs for the New York State Health Department; assistant comptroller and deputy director for the New York State Comptroller’s Office, focusing on health care and finance issues; and deputy director of fiscal studies for the New York State Assembly Committee on Ways and Means. She has also served in the private sector, most notably as vice president for governmental affairs for the Page 22

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UnitedHealth Group (AmeriChoice).

“Val Grey’s experience and expertise on governmental and health policy issues will provide tremendous additional value to HANYS’ core strength of policy and advocacy leadership,” said HANYS President Daniel Sisto.

“We are excited to welcome Val’s leadership to our team of highly effective and knowledgeable health policy and advocacy experts.”

The Healthcare Association of New York State is the only statewide hospital and continuing care association in New York state, representing 500 nonprofit and public hospitals, nursing homes, home care agencies, and other health care organizations.

Unity’s innovation in diabetes care honored Kathleen Dutton-Fanning, senior communications and planning partner, has received the 2012 Outstanding Innovation Award from the American Diabetes Association (ADA). This award was presented to Dutton-Fanning for her work with the Unity Diabetes Center in support of the ADA’s mission to prevent and cure diabetes, and improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

Dutton-Fanning has worked with the Dutton-Fanning Unity Diabetes Center on its marketing and communications initiatives since its creation in 2009. In 2011, she led a team in the development of unitydiabetscommunity.com.

This interactive website is a free resource for the community offering live online chats twice a month, weekly tips, a forum to ask questions and see what others have to say, and an Ask an Expert email function with Unity’s certified diabetes educators and endocrinoligists.

Using social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter, the website has grown to over 200 registered users and over 58,000 page views in the first year.

Dutton-Fanning lives in Henrietta.

MVP Health Care Names Gonick President-CEO Among new CEO’s top priorities will be preparing for the state health exchanges and continuing to strengthen MVP’s customer service excellence The board of directors of MVP Health Care in December announced Denise V. Gonick has been named president and CEO. Gonick, who has been with MVP 17 years, most recently served as president of operations, leading the company’s transition and day-to-day management since David W. Oliker announced this summer that he would retire.

“After an extensive national search, I am pleased to announce that the best candidate to lead MVP Health Care is already with the company,” said

GRIPA names Mark Belfer chief medical officer The Greater Rochester Independent Practitioners Association (GRIPA) has named physician Mark H. Belfer to the position of chief medical officer (CMO). Belfer’s appointment took effect in October.

GRIPA’s chief medical officer is responsible for driving the continual improvement of care standards within the GRIPA network of more than 900 providers in the Rochester area. The CMO’s duties include monitoring the quality performance of the network, providing timely and constructive feedback to network physicians, and ensuring adherence to medical policies that result in the delivery of care of the highest quality and value.

Belfer’s leadership will help guide GRIPA physicians toward the implementation of a newly announced five-year accountable care agreement set to take effect Jan. 1 between GRIPA, Rochester General Health System and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. Under this agreement — the first of its kind in the greater Rochester healthcare market — participating physicians and providers will transition to reimbursement based on the quality of care provided instead of the previous fee-for-service transactional payment model.

“Healthcare is evolving at a rapid pace, thanks to a combination of market factors and the enormous changes occurring as a result of the federal Affordable Care Act,” said

Karen B. Johnson, who led the search committee for the MVP board of directors. “Denise Gonick fits the profile of the experienced, strategic health care leader we have been seeking to take MVP into the future.”

Gonick joined MVP’s legal department in 1995. Prior to being named president of operations earlier this year, she served as executive vice president, administrative services and chief legal officer. As president of operations, she has had primary executive responsibility for all aspects of MVP’s operations.

As president of operations, Gonick has worked with MVP’s executive leadership focusing on strategic planning, including preparing MVP to participate in the state health insurance exchanges debuting in January 2014. She has been instrumental in successful, ongoing efforts to reduce administrative costs and improve MVP’s efficiency and agility in the marketplace. She is recognized throughout the organization for her deep knowledge of the health care industry, critical thinking skills, and strong focus on effective communica-

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper • January 2013

Joseph Vasile, president of GRIPA. “This unprecedented period of change makes GRIPA’s chief medical officer a vital role for our more than 900 member physicians. We’re delighted that Dr. Mark Belfer has accepted this position, to help provide the medical leadership that will allow GRIPA to be even more responsive to our growing community of patients and deliver the highest-quality and highest-value care possible.”

Belfer most recently served as chief medical officer at St. Vincent Physician Network in Indianapolis, Ind., and prior to that as president and CMO of Akron , Ohio, General Partners Physician Group.

He recently served as president of the Ohio Academy of Family Physicians and previously served as president on the board of directors of the AAFP Foundation.

Belfer is recognized as a national speaker on several disease conditions. He completed his internship at Grand Rapids, Mich., Osteopathic Hospital and his residency training at Martin Army Community Hospital in Ft. Benning, Ga. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Osteopathy degrees at Michigan State University and the College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa, respectively.

Belfer is a fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. He lives in Penfield with his wife, Nancy.

tions, collaboration and employee engagement.

Prior to joining MVP, Gonick was a member of Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield’s legal department. Before that, she spent several years practicing public sector labor law. She is a trustee of Union Graduate College in Schenectady, where she also serves on the finance committee and chairs the ad-hoc strategic planning committee.

She was a trustee of the Schenectady Museum from 2003 until 2011, serving as co-president of the museum’s Board from 2009 to 2010.

She is a graduate of Hofstra University with a bachelor’s degree in creative studies and earned her JD from Albany Law School. She completed the America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) Executive Leadership Program and is a certified managed care executive (CMCE). In 2006, Gonick was named one of the Business Review’s 40 Under Forty business leaders. She lives in Guilderland with her husband and two daughters.

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Utica-based Hospitals Closer to Affiliation Faxton St. Luke’s, St. E’s sign memorandum of understanding toward affiliation

F

axton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica have signed a memorandum of understanding, an official first step toward a potential full affiliation agreement.

The boards signed the agreement in early December. The two hospitals began discussions in December 2011 on the feasibility and benefits of an agreement that would more closely link the two hospitals and their operations.

“This is an important first step for our organizations and for the community,” noted Norman I. Siegel, chairman of the board for SEMC. “Our respective boards have worked diligently during the past 12 months to determine an appropriate model of care for the hospitals. The model we are pursuing maintains the Catholicity of SEMC, allows for more linkages between the two organizations and provides opportunities to use our limited resources to serve the greater good of our patients and residents.”

Hospitals, particularly in New York state, are struggling with the changes in reimbursement, unfunded mandates and an increasingly challenging regulatory environment, according to hospital officials.

The financial challenges for healthcare delivery are significant and many healthcare organizations throughout New York state are finding ways to partner with institutions that were once perceived as competitors, they added.

“The model we recommend allows for a ‘parent’ organization which will oversee both hospitals and be governed by a single board of directors,” said Richard C. Tantillo, chairman of FSLH’s board of directors. “The new board will be comprised of equal members from the FSLH board and the SEMC board.

One CEO will oversee the management team for both organizations. Addition-

ally, each hospital will maintain a separate board, which will have significant overlap of members with the parent board.”

While the MOU begins to describe the general outline of a joint agreement, the actual affiliation will only occur after a number of steps have occurred.

The first step begins with financial and legal due diligence by both organizations.

Additional hurdles include approval by third parties that include the New York State Department of Health, Sisters of St. Francis and the Catholic Church.

“To date the Sisters of St. Francis have been fully involved in our discussions and endorse the MOU and the opportunity to explore an affiliation,” said Richard Ketcham, president/CEO of SEMC. “This model allows for SEMC to remain a Catholic hospital and gives us the opportunity to develop comprehensive models of care for the community without duplicating valuable resources.”

Officials anticipate the legal and financial due diligence will take several months. If that review is successful, the organizations will then file for a certificate of need application with the NYSDOH. Approvals from other third parties will also need to occur.

“We are working toward a final approval process by the end of 2013,” said Scott H. Perra, president-CEO of FSLH. “There are a number of pieces to the puzzle and they all need to fit before we can proceed with a true affiliation.

This is a very positive step for our community.

“This affiliation model provides a strong backbone on which we can further develop a comprehensive plan of care for our community, always supporting clinical excellence with solid fiscal management.”

January 2013 •

Some feature stories in this issue: COVER

• All about the Reverend Mother, a nun-turned-teacher-turned comedian

FEATURES

• Seasonal Kitchen Cooking School in Pittsford still fascinating dinner guests in fourth decade • Cabin fever? These boomers get out and enjoy • Meet some of the volunteers at Lollypop Farm • The art of picking the right pet • Former ad man discovers second career teaching computer literacy to seniors • Senior living facilities feature solid security systems • Webster mom gets first book published —at 59 • Not your mother’s hearing aid

SPECIAL

• Why now is time to sell or buy a property (hint: getting a mortgage may be harder and more expensive soon)

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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