In Good Health

in good

Rochester–Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

April 2013 • Issue 92 CDC: More babies are being breastfed

Dense Breasts New law requires mammogram providers to inform if woman has dense breast tissue

Old Blood The blood you’re getting at the hospital may be too old and not as good, says a study

priceless

Strong, Unity ERs Have the Worst Wait Time Recently released figures show patients spend an average of 11.5 hours at Strong Memorial Hospital ER before they are admitted as inpatients; at Unity, the wait is 10 hours.

Water Birth

Germ expert brings back spring cleaning

Page 14, 15

Water birth is becoming a more popular option for home birthing moms. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that using water for laboring and birthing has increased by 50 percent nationwide.

A Rochester mom shares her experience in giving birth in the water.

Page 14

Meet the Doctor

Vascular surgeon Patrick Riggs discusses profession, his duties as division chief at

RGH

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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

‘Shelf Life’ of Blood?

Shorter Than We Think The blood you’re getting at the hospital may be too old and not as good

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small study from Johns Hopkins adds to the growing body of evidence that red blood cells stored longer than three weeks begin to lose the capacity to deliver oxygen-rich cells where they may be most needed.

In a report recently published online in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia, the Johns Hopkins investigators say red cells in blood stored that long gradually lose the flexibility required to squeeze through the body’s smallest capillaries to deliver oxygen to tissue.

Moreover, they say, that capacity is not regained after transfusion into patients during or after surgery.

“There’s more and more information telling us that the shelf life of blood may not be six weeks, which is what the blood banks consider standard,” says study leader Steven M. Frank, an associate professor of anesthesiology and critical care medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

“If I were having surgery tomorrow, I’d want the freshest blood they could find.”

Frank acknowledges that blood banks do not have enough fresh blood for everybody, and that shorter storage periods would result in diminished inventory. But he says that the current practice of transfusing blood stored up to six weeks may need to be reconsidered.

One previous, large study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has already shown that cardiac surgery patients who received blood stored longer than three weeks were almost twice as likely to die as patients who got blood that had been stored for just 10 days.

For the new study, Frank and his colleagues enrolled 16 patients scheduled to have spinal fusion surgery, a type of operation that typically requires

blood transfusions.

Six of the patients received five or more units of blood, while 10 needed three or fewer units. The researchers drew samples from every bag of blood used — 53 in total — and measured the flexibility of the red blood cells. What they found is that blood older than 3 weeks was more likely to have less flexible red blood cell membranes, a condition that may make it more difficult for blood to deliver oxygen, Frank says.

The team also took blood samples from patients in the three days following surgery.

Even though the blood cells were out of storage and back in biological environments with proper pH (acidity), electrolytes and oxygen levels, the injury to the red cells was not reversible and appeared to be permanent.

The damaged blood cells would likely remain dysfunctional for their life cycle limit, which is up to 120 days, Frank says.

Frank also noted that patients in the study who got fewer units of blood had healthier red cells overall, even though the blood was just as old and showed cell damage. He says it is likely that a small amount of these problem cells make less of a difference than when a large number of damaged cells are present.

According to the research report, the average age of the blood given in the study was more than three weeks.

Only three samples in the study were 2 weeks old or less. One reason for the lack of availability of fresher bloods for adults, Frank says, is the routine practice of giving pediatric patients priority for the freshest units.

In fact, he notes, blood banks dispense the oldest blood first so that it doesn’t exceed its shelf life before it can be used. “As a colleague said, it’s like how they sell milk in the grocery store — they put the oldest cartons out front so they can sell them before they expire,” Frank says.

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HEARING CENTERS

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Hart Hearing 125070->In Good Health Graph Opening 5x6.75 BW Ad.1.indd 1

9/14/12 6:59 PM

SERVING MONROE, ONTARIO AND WAYNE COUNTIES in good A monthly newspaper published by

Health Rochester–GV Healthcare Newspaper

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

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

106 Cobblestone Court Dr., Suite 121 – P.O. Box 525, Victor NY 14564.

• Phone: 585-421-8109 • Email: Editor@GVhealthnews.com Editor & Publisher: Wagner Dotto Associate Editor: Lou Sorendo Writers and Contributing Writers: Jim Miller, Deborah J. Sergeant, Gwenn Voelckers, Anne Palumbo, Ernst Lamothe Jr. Advertising: Jennifer Wise, 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.

April 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 3

Stuttering Treatment!

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April 2

HEALTH EVENTS

Airport safety to be discussed at HLAA meeting The Rochester chapter of Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) will sponsor two seminars April 2.

They are both held at St. Paul’s Church, East Avenue and Westminster Road.

The daytime meeting will take place at 11 a.m. and will feature audiologist Matthew S. MacDonald.

A clinical audiologist for 18 years, MacDonald considers what encompasses a good hearing aid evaluation appointment. He will explain how the audiologist examines audiological considerations, the patient’s perceived level of hearing disability, and their lifestyle and expectations. He will review questions patients should ask the audiologist, comparisons of hearing instrument features, and realistic expectations in hearing aid use. MacDonald was associated with Strong Memorial Hospital for 15 years and has been with Hart Hearing Centers for three years.

His areas of expertise include diagnostic audiology, rehabilitation, universal newborn hearing screening, balance assessment and cochlear implants.

The evening meeting will take place at 7 p.m. and will feature Commander Michael A. Giardino, Rochester International Airport director. A retired US Navy Commander, he will discuss issues of importance to the safety of hearing and disabled flyers both aloft and at the airport. He‘ll detail obtaining important information during your flight and on the ground.

For other information visit www. hlaa-rochester-ny.org or telephone 585 266 7890.

April 9

Fibromyalgia group to discuss sleep disorder The Fibromyalgia Association of Rochester New York (FARNY) will bring Alice Hoagland, director of the Insomnia Clinic at Unity Sleep Center to discuss sleep disorders and how they can relate to fibromyalgia. The seminar will take place from 7 – 8:30 p.m., April 9, at Greece Town Hall Meeting Center, 1 Vince Tofany Blvd.

Rochester. The meeting is free and open to the public. FARNY was formed in spring 1993 to educate and inform others about fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), as well as to serve as a support system. It serves people in Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Genesee, Wyoming and Orleans counties. For more information, visit www.farny.org or email marealms@gmail.com.

April 11

Scam, fraud, identit theft topic of seminar Ontario County Sheriff Philip Povero and Helen Sherman, a registered nurse who directs the Ontario County Office for the Aging, will speak

about “Scams, Frauds & Identity Theft.” The meeting will be held in from 7 – 9 p.m. at the RG&E family room in the M.M. Ewing Continuing Care Center, Thompson Health, 350 Parrish St., Canandaigua. The meeting is sponsored by Mended Hearts Rochester, a group that provides support to people with heart disease and their families For more information, visit www.mendedheartsrochester.org or contact Mary Allhusen at 585-396-6253.

April 15

Transplant group sponsors meeting in Pittsford Transplant Awareness Organzation (TAO) is inviting the public to attend its April 15 and learn more about transplant-related issues. Aside from a speaker, the meeting will feature a pizza dinner and a reiki demonstration. It will take place from 6 – 8 p.m. April 15 at Christ Episcopal Church, the fellowship room, 36 S. Main St., Pittsford. For additional information, contract Deb Yendrezeski at auggieday@aol.com.

April 20

Amyloidosis group brings Mayo Clinic doctor Patients, caregivers, family members and interested medical personnel are invited to participate a seminar focusing on amyloidosis, a potentially fatal disease caused by the production and buildup of abnormal proteins leading to organ failure. The event is sponsored by Amyloidosis Support Group and will highlight guest speaker will be physician Taimur Sher of Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. It will take place from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Satruday, April 20 at Weiner Conference Room, ground floor at Rochester General Hospital, 1425 Portland Ave., in Rochester. A complimentary light breakfast and lunch are provided. For more information, contact Maryann Kraft at thumbelinamk@yahoo.com (585-334-7501) or Muriel Finkel at muriel@finkelsupply.com (866-404-7539 toll free) or visit www.amyloidosissupport.com.

April 27

Dinner to benefit pancreatic cancer foundation The public is invited to participate in a benefit dinner sponsored by the Luau For Lustgarten Foundation to raise funds to find a cure for pancreatic cancer. Lustgarten Foundation, a nonprofit organization started in 1998 is nation’s largest private supporter of pancreatic cancer research, treatment, cure and prevention. It’s named after Marc Lustgarten, Cablevision vice chairman and chairman of Madison Square Garden, who lost his battle in 1999 at age 52. One hundred percent of

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

donations go research while Cablevision underwrites all operating costs.

The event will take place from 5 – 11 p.m. April 27 at RIT Inn & Conference Center, 5257 West Henrietta Road, West Henrietta. Tickets are $40 per person and must be purchased by April 20. Not tickets are sold at the door.

For information and tickets, contact Cheryl Marrese at 585-225-3088 or luauforlustgarten@yahoo.com

April 27

World ‘Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day’ celebrated in Brighton Each year people across more than 70 counties organize World Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day, an event to promote a healthier, peaceful world. The event will also be celebrated in Brighton.

Dubbed Rochester’s 13th annual World T’ai Chi and Qigong Day, the local event will be held at Brighton High School gym starting at 10 a.m. April 27. Brighton Town Supervisor William Moehle will be a special guest. Free public exhibition of Tai Chi and Qi Gong Day by local groups as part of a worldwide celebration. The Ching-fen Lee dancers will also perform traditional Chinese dance. There will also be demonstrations of similar traditional Chinese arts such as Kung Fu, hosted

by The Rochester T’ai Chi Ch’uan Center. The event is free and open to the public. For more info go to worldtaichiday.org.

May 3

Pediatric conference to take place at U of R The 20th annual Pediatric Nursing Conference will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. May 3 at the University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave., Rochester. The conference will cover a large range of topics, including teenage abuse of cough and cold products, differentiating between preventable injuries and parental neglect and helping keep young athletes safe from concussion, heat exertion and sudden cardiac arrest. Nurse attendees can earn 6.5 continuing nursing education contact hours by attending the conference. Individual attendees are $130, with student and group rate discounts. For more information, visit bit.ly/URMC20thnursingconference.

May 7, 14, and 21

Seminar: ‘How to Survive and Thrive on Your Own’ Do you live alone? Is it a challenge for you? “Living Alone: How to Survive and Thrive on Your Own,” is a three-part workshop offered for women who want to gain the know-how to forge a meaningful and enriching life on their own. You’ll discover how to think differently about living alone and learn practical strategies to overcome loneliness and other emotional pitfalls, rediscover your true self, and socialize in a couples’ world. The workshop takes place from 7 – 9 p.m. at House Content Bed & Breakfast in Mendon on three consecutive Tuesdays: May 7, 14, and 21. The workshop fee of $125 includes a Living Alone manual, empowerment exercises, and lots of helpful resources. To register, contact Gwenn Voelckers at 585-624-7887 or email gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com

Fighting Cancer with Your Fork....and iPhone Want to fight cancer with your fork?

There’s an app for that

D

ana-Farber Cancer Institute has launched a free, easy-to-use iPhone app that provides recipes and nutrition information that can be searched by cancer patients in accordance with their needs. The recipes are also helpful to anyone who wants to have a healthy diet.

“We developed Ask the Nutritionist: Recipes for Fighting Cancer to encourage and empower cancer patients, and others, to explore and enjoy healthy eating habits,” says Steven R. Singer, senior vice president for communications at Dana-Farber. “Studies have long shown that good nutrition is tied to good health, and, for those with cancer, treatment side effects can make eating well a real challenge.”

Ask The Nutritionist: Recipes for Fighting Cancer contains over a hundred easy-to-prepare recipes ranging from nutritious snacks to good-foryou main dishes to delicious desserts.

Users can access a list of ingredients, directions on how to prepare the dish, a shopping list to use at the grocery store, nutrition tips, and nutritional analysis information in a standard USDA label format. New recipes are added each month.

“Nutrition information is one of the most popular sections of the DanaFarber website, and we wanted to share the expertise of our terrific nutritionists with a wider, mobile audience,” Singer said. The app curates many of the frequent questions and responses to Dana-Farber’s nutrition staff, and allows users to ask a direct question.

The app, developed with DanaFarber’s staff of registered and boardcertified dietitians, is designed to help find the optimal diet for any type of cancer. It also offers users the ability to search by common symptoms (such as nausea or mouth sores), helping to customize dietary needs while going through treatment. There also are reci-

pes and healthy eating tips for cancer survivors.

“Eating a well-balanced diet is one of the best ways to lower the risk of cancer,” says Stacy Kennedy, a nutritionist at Dana-Farber. “Our hope is that this app will not only be a useful tool for cancer patients and their families but will also make choosing the healthiest foods easier and more fun for everyone.”

Some unique features of Ask the Nutritionist include: • On-the-go access to over a hundred healthy recipes with an evidence-based approach.

• Nutrition tips and information on cancer-fighting nutrients.

• Innovative option to search by symptom management.

• Specialized diet section for those who require foods that are gluten-free, are high-fiber or provide immune support, etc.

• The ability to create a shopping list to take to the grocery store and never forget a key ingredient.

• An “ask the nutritionist” function. Dana-Farber’s nutrition department will respond to questions from the app’s users.

• An extensive searchable database of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and archived questions and responses about nutrition.

The app is available for all iPhone users with IOS 5 or higher. It is free and can be downloaded by going to the Apple iTunes store. Ask The Nutritionist: Recipes for Fighting Cancer was designed and developed in partnership with iFactory, a Boston-based interactive agency.

FDA Wants to Relax Approval Process for Alzheimer’s Drugs Agency points to need for medications that could prevent, slow disease in an aging population

I

n an effort to quickly develop drugs that could prevent or slow Alzheimer’s, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said it plans to relax the approval process for experimental medications for the memory-robbing disease.

In a proposal published online in the March 14 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, the FDA said clinical trials of people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s would only need to show improvement in tests of thinking and memory.

The FDA’s goal is to speed development of drugs to treat a disease that has no cure, so that the millions of aging baby boomers at risk for Alzheimer’s might be able to prevent or slow the degenerative disease. The FDA is taking comments on the proposal, and will possibly make revisions, but the plan is going forward, officials said.

Drug companies would still be required to do post-marketing studies on any approved drugs, to confirm their benefits and safeguard against any potential harms from long-term use of these medications.

More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, which translates into one in eight seniors.

And those numbers are expected to swell in the next 20 years, according to the U.S. National Institute on Aging (NIA). The 65-and-older population is expected to double to about 72 million in two decades, and the number of people with Alzheimer’s doubles for every five-year interval past age 65, studies have shown. The number of the very elderly, age 85 and older, is estimated to triple by 2050, the NIA added.

By HealthDay News April 2013 •

The distribution of In Good Health — Rochester-Genesee Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper has recently been audited by the Circulation Verification Council.

Here are some of the results

100,000 Readers � Reliable Circulation. Nearly 100% of copies are picked up by readers vs. the national average of 75%. � Readership. Each issue is read by 3.05 people vs. the national average of 1.8. � High Retention. Nearly 50 percent of readers keep an issue of In Good Health for a month or more. � Positive Results. The average for positive ad results in our publication is 51%. The national average for positive ad results is 74%, largely due to manufacturer’s coupons � Ideal Readership. Over half of In Good Health readers are female. Over half of readers lives in households with incomes of over $75,000.

Why Advertise?

� Reach 100,000-plus healthcare consumers and providers. In Good Health reaches health consumer and health providers. � Free Distribution. More than 1,000 physicians in the area receive In Good Health in the mail. It’s also available at more than 1,000 high traffic locations and most Wegmans stores in the region. � Original Editorial. Stories that affect local health professionals and local consumers, all written exclusively for In Good Health. � Life Span. Each issue available all month long. � Low Cost Advertising. Advertise for as little as $69. � Free Ad Design. Discount for multiple insertions.

In Good Health Rochester-Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 525 • Victor, NY 14564 Phone: (585) 421-8109 • Email: Editor@GVhealthnews.com IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 5

Meet

Your Doctor

By Lou Sorendo

Patrick Riggs, MD Vascular surgeon discusses profession, his duties as division chief at RGH and how he involves his 11-year-old twins in his and his wife’s philanthropic work Q.: What are your primary duties as division chief of vascular surgery for Rochester General Hospital?

A. We have four surgeons and five mid-level providers in the hospital and four mid-level providers on the outpatient side. We also have traditional support people such as secretaries and transcriptionists. My primary job is patient care and operating, which I do full time. The administrative part of it is a secondary job. Administrative duties really to me are a second calling and my primary role is to be in the operating room operating and seeing patients. I am absolutely front line.

Q.: What are some of the more common procedures that you employ as a vascular surgeon?

A.: We do a lot of aneurysms. Our top procedures include aneurysms, carotid endarterectomies, bypass work on legs primarily, and bypasses to the organs through the abdomen. We also create fistulas for dialysis. We have one surgeon that does vein work all day.

We have an outpatient vein center and Dr. Jeffrey Rhodes does a lot of radiofrequency ablation and venous surgeries.

Q.: What do you believe are the keys to being an effective and successful division chief of vascular surgery?

A.: I don’t think you can be good administrator if you are not clinically active and a good surgeon. Being chief is secondary to patient care. All the people I’ve known over the years that I have respected in leadership positions I respected first as clinicians. I think the best way to lead people is by example.

I am passionate about clinical care and surgery. It is my primary goal to set the tone.

Q.: What makes Vascular Surgery Associates at RGH a leading center for comprehensive vascular care?

A.: We are the largest and busiest group in the region, but I think the competitive edge is the people. There is no substitute for having good people.

Part of it also is the culture we have, and the most important role for me is to develop that culture.

Patients belong to our practice.

There has never been any competition within the group, so if one person is better to do a particular operation than another person, it will be passed to whoever is best qualified to do it.

In a similar way, we help each other in the operating room. We have a rule at the end of day where if there are five more operations to go and you just finished clinic, you don’t leave until you go upstairs and talk to whoever is Page 6

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in the operating room and ask, “What can I do to help?” Nobody is ever allowed to struggle in the operating room. There is an all-hands-on-deck, everybody pitches in for the benefit of the patient approach.

Q.: How has the field of vascular surgery evolved over the past 15-to20 years? What have been some of the more significant advances?

A.: Everything in medicine evolves but this is a field that really has evolved a lot over the last decade. The transition primarily has been toward less invasive procedures. In urology, you have robotic prostatectomies; in general surgery, you had robotic and laparoscopic procedures. Our field has changed more toward catheter-based intervention.

So those going into vascular surgery now have to be facile not only in the operating room but have to be skilled with catheters, wires and X-ray equipment as well.

Aneurysms used to be big, open operations where you open the abdomen, the patient is in the hospital for a week, and recovery was huge. Then you got a lot of people in their 70s and 80s that were not fit to be candidates for the operation. Nowadays, we fix it with a catheter and covered stents.

We do it through a two-inch incision in the groin and the patient goes home the next day.

As far as radiofrequency ablation is concerned, Dr. Rhodes, instead of vein stripping, puts a catheter in under ultrasound guidance and we basically superheat and almost weld the vein shut from the inside. The recovery is faster and the patient gets to go home the same day.

Many of them get it done in the office as outpatients.

A lot of what we used

to do with bypasses in the leg, we can do now with catheters, stents and all types of technologies to open blood vessels that were occluded that might have needed to be bypassed in years past.

I think there is an evolution toward less invasive fixes for many of the problems we deal with.

Q.: Why did you choose the specialty of vascular surgery as opposed to other options?

A.: I kind of backed into it. My original plan was to do liver transplants, and I had actually accepted a liver transplant fellowship. I had a mentor who was chairman of surgery where I did my training. He was a very skilled vascular surgeon and I respected him. A lot of times you get influenced by the people you meet along the way. You meet people, respect them and you find their operations interesting. I was always drawn to very technical operations, like vascular, cardiac and liver transplants. These are very technical procedures and that part of it appealed to me.

Vascular was just kind of a choice I made after we lost our liver transplant surgeon. I was looking around and discovered a really top-notch vascular fellowship was open here in Rochester, which is regarded as one of the premier places to come. I’m so excited about the decision that I made. I love the field of vascular surgery and it gives me a lot more flexibility than I would have if I were doing transplants.

Q.: Is vascular surgery a popular choice among graduating medical students today?

A.: I think not. Over the last few years, vascular has actually been underserved. There are more jobs than vascular surgeons out there. I think the reason for that is over the last five to 10 years, to train as a vascular surgeon, you had to traditionally do five years of surgery and then two or three years fellowship training afterwards to be vascular. You are looking at seven to eight years of training after medical school.

If you think about the transition to more catheter-based therapies, it is very hard psychologically for people coming out that spent five years learning how to cut and sew with their hands to think about switching and doing half their work

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

with catheters, something they are not trained to do.

Q.: What skill sets are necessary in order to become an effective and successful vascular surgeon? What characteristics do you have which make you successful in your profession?

A.: There’s no substitute for technical abilities. It’s a fine motor sport.

I don’t think you’re a great surgeon unless you have empathy. You have to care about the patient and care about the outcomes. A lot of people either have or could develop the technical skills but may not have all the other little parts of it to take them to that next level.

Q.: How can individuals take responsibility for their own vascular health? What do you see as the major threats to one’s vascular health?

A.: Smoking is far and away No. 1.

Cardiac health and vascular in terms pathophysiology or what’s happening at a microscopic level is exactly the same. It’s the same thing we hear every day: No smoking, control cholesterol, diabetes and weight, exercise and [develop] healthy habits.

Q.: We hear you are into philanthropy. Are there any particular causes that you enjoy supporting?

A.: We have been involved in philanthropy in a lot of different ways. We are involved in philanthropy through gifting for education, hospitals and health care, because it is something we know.

My wife operates a handbag company that really began as a philanthropic effort and we’ve used it to raise money for different causes, like the Susan B. Anthony House. It is a passion of ours.

For us, [philanthropy] is just the right thing to do. What really triggered it for us is we have 11-year-old twins, John and Abby, and we try to involve them. I think it became really serious for us when we thought about the example we want to set for our kids and the next generation.

We involve them heavily and talk about it at the dinner table. We build it into their culture. After the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, I flew down to Haiti with a group from Rochester General. We took our own equipment and Constellation Brands gave us one of its corporate jets. We filled it up with our own people and surgical supplies and flew down and operated in Haiti.

My kids were here, John and Abby, and were calling me and saying, “Dad, we see on TV there’s a lot of orphans.

We really think you should bring one home. We want to take care of them.”

That’s their orientation. If somebody has a problem, the first thing out of their mouths is, “Dad, what can we do to help them”? That’s what keeps it going for us.

Editor’s note: Benefactors of the new $4.5 million Riggs Endovascular Operating Suite at Rochester General Hospital include Gail and Patrick Riggs of Webster. A number of other philanthropists also contributed to the project.

Lifelines: Birth date: April 20, 1961 Birthplace: North Carolina Current residence: Webster Education: Undergraduate, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; medical school, Wake Forest University School of Medicine Personal: Wife Gail, and twins John and Abby

Germ Expert: Bring Back Spring Cleaning

A

few decades ago, deep cleaning was a rite of spring. Curtains and bedding were stripped down to remove the winter’s dust and dirt. Today, the practice is much less common.

“People these days just don’t take time out from their busy schedule to clean,” says Donna Duberg, germ expert at Saint Louis University.

Germs are still growing, invading your privacy and advancing into your comfort zone.

And bathrooms are one of their popular spots. They gather in the bathtub, shower, toilet — just about everywhere.

This spring Duberg offers some simple ways to do your spring cleaning and make your bathroom germ-free.

Don’t overkill

It’s good to be enthusiastic about cleaning your bathroom, but don’t overdo it. If you use too many cleaners and don’t dilute them, you risk the chance of inhaling the fumes of the cleaners, which can affect your lungs.

Duberg, who is assistant professor of clinical laboratory science at SLU, says keep the windows open while cleaning or plug in fans to avoid breathing in the chemicals. “These chemicals are carcinogenic, they can affect your endocrine and nervous system,” Duberg said.

Simplify cleaning

Engage in basic cleaning such as disinfecting and removing visible dirt regularly, to make spring cleaning less cumbersome. As spring sets in, brace yourself to clear the scum, lime scale – mostly found on your shower curtains, and mold stuck in and around your bathtub. Duberg says they hold on to bacteria and can cause fungi to grow.

Use wisely

Duberg suggests reading the label carefully to understand how to use a product effectively. “The label will have information on how long the sanitizer needs to stay on the surface and how to dilute the product,” she said.

Clean it again

Duberg says, wipe the areas of the bathroom frequently if someone using them is sick. Instead of using a cloth towel to dry hands, offer the person paper towels to limit the spread of germs. She also suggests drying off your toothbrush and putting it away.

“If you leave it out in the bathroom, the aerosols from flushing the toilet with the lid up (there are approximately 3 million bacteria per square inch in most toilet bowls) will float over all the surfaces including your toothbrush,” said Duberg. “It’s time to break the cycle of infection!”

Bleach it right

Use bleach to kill germs when someone in the house is ill. After using 10 percent bleach solution, remember to wash the surface with hot, soapy water as bleach is not safe for children and pets. Also, bleach solutions need to be made fresh and used within 24 hours.

Magic ingredient: Vinegar, when mixed with water can do wonders for the surfaces. Spray a mixture of one part white distilled vinegar nine parts water to see a nice shine on your bath tub or floor. Undiluted white distilled vinegar mixed with baking soda, it can be used to remove scum. “The fewer the cleaning products, the better,” says Duberg. “Vinegar is inexpensive, is not harmful to kids and pets and always leaves a shine”

Upstate New York’s under-65 health insurance coverage rate already exceeds federal projections of U.S. rate for 2022

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High Rates of Insurance in Upstate

n additional 20 million Americans would have health insurance coverage if the U.S. uninsured rate were as low as the single-digit rate in Upstate New York, according to a report issued recently by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

The Excellus BCBS analysis —” The Facts About Health Insurance Coverage in Upstate New York” — is based on data collected from 2009 through 2011 by the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, which is the largest and most current national data source available. The report sharply contrasts upstate New York — with its lower uninsured rate and higher job-based coverage rate — with the state and nation.

Upstate New York’s uninsured rate of 8.6 percent from 2009 through 2011 was significantly lower than New York state’s rate (11.6 percent) and the nation’s rate (15.2 percent), according to the report. If the uninsured rate in Upstate New York were as high as the U.S. rate, 317,000 more Upstate New

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Yorkers would be uninsured than are today.

“With a lower uninsured rate than 47 U.S. states, Upstate New York is in much better shape than most of the country,” said Jim Reed, senior vice president, marketing and sales, Excellus BCBS. “Upstate New York’s higher rate of employer-based coverage — associated with lower health insurance costs — and greater participation in government safety net programs contribute to lower uninsured rates in Upstate New York,” he said.

The Excellus BCBS report shows that Upstate New York’s employerbased coverage rate is higher than comparable rates for the state and nation. About 3 million upstate New York residents (62.9 percent) accessed health insurance through the workplace from 2009 through 2011. That’s almost 5 percentage points higher than the state’s 58 percent rate and 7.4 percentage points higher than the nation’s 55.5 percent rate.

April 2013 •

Do you live alone?

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For more information, call (585) 624-7887 or visit www.aloneandcontent.com 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

Living alone doesn’t mean being alone: Online dating can open up possibilities

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’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: Living alone doesn’t mean being alone. And getting good at living alone doesn’t mean mastering the art of isolation. On the contrary.

The men and women who have found contentment on their own typically enjoy active, vibrant social lives.

They are involved in their communities, they enjoy the company of friends and family, they entertain, and . . . they date.

While traditional methods of meeting people still work for some, others are finding more success with online dating sites such as Match.com, eHarmony, and OkCupid.

While I haven’t dipped my toe into the pool of potential online suitors, several of my single friends have and most report good results. They are meeting new and interesting people, trying new things, and seeing new places.

Below is an interview I conducted with my brave friend “Sarah,” who was courageous enough to share her story, but not her real name. It’s my hope that her experience might inspire you (and me!).

First, could you share a little bit about your personal circumstances?

I was married for 25 years when we discovered we had grown apart, wanted different things. We separated, then divorced two years later.

What got you interested in dating again after your divorce?

Being single at 60 was a blow and not what I expected to be doing when most of my friends were buying retirement homes. After grieving the loss of my marriage for almost two years, friends encouraged me to “get out there” and start living again.

It was time to finally put myself first.”

Did you consider traditional dating methods or did you pursue online dating from the start?

Traditional methods are practically non-existent. People are reluctant to “fix you up” in case it doesn’t work out. And online dating is becoming more socially acceptable — even for men and women my age. There are many love stories with happy endings that began with online dating.

How did you decide which dating service to enroll in?

I chose Match. com cause my single friends had chosen that one, as well. But many people are on multiple sites.

Tell me about creating your profile. What was that like?

It was daunting until I came up with a fun process. I got together with three of my best women friends to write our profiles. Only, we wrote them for each other because we do not see ourselves the way others do. It was a fun afternoon resulting in profiles that we were happy with and represented our unique personalities and interests What do you look for in the guy’s profile? What piques your interest?

After reading many profiles, they all start to sound alike. I am always interested in a guy who has hobbies and who enjoys being outdoors as much as I do. A sense of confidence and playfulness is important to me. Smoking is a huge turnoff.

I have received interest from a

KIDS Corner Marijuana & Alcohol Use Common Among 10th Grade Students

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recent survey found high rates of regular alcohol and illicit and prescription drug use in tenth graders, reports a new study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

Researchers used data from the NEXT Generation Health study, which surveyed 2,524 10th grade students in 80 schools and nine U.S. school districts Page 8

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in the spring of 2010.

Twenty six percent of the surveyed teens reported using marijuana, making it the most common illicit drug used in the previous 12-month period. Additionally, 35 percent of the teens had used alcohol, 27 percent had engaged in binge drinking and 19 percent had smoked cigarettes.

wide variety of men of all ages from 35 to 77. A big age difference is hard to take seriously. I am not about to get my cougar on!

Could you describe a typical first encounter?

I usually like to meet for coffee on a Saturday morning. It’s casual and not a big investment of time or money, and the lighting is good. People rarely look like their photos and it’s easier to spot them in a coffee shop rather than a dimly lit bar, which I did once.

People often worry about personal safety.

Could you describe the precautions you took?

Since I always have the guy’s cell phone number, I text it to a girlfriend, along with the location and time of the meeting. We always check back with each other after the meeting.

When I meet a guy, I explain that I am very cautious and do my “homework” (i.e., Google searches). Many give me a business card to prove they are legitimate, but I always check ‘em out.

Can you give me a sense for how frequently you were meeting new people? Did it get to be too much at any point?

I have a very demanding job and some family responsibilities, so I tend to meet one guy at a time. If he was a dud, I would bury my head in the sand for a few weeks then try again. I take it slow, but some of my friends are on a mission and are really active online.

Could you share a story or two

The study found that teens using multiple substances reported more physical ailments and symptoms of depression, anxiety or hopelessness and having difficulty sleeping. In addition, these adolescents reported more highrisk behaviors.

“Two-thirds of the polysubstance users in our study abused medications and nine out of 10 of those students engaged in binge drinking,” said the study’s lead author, Kevin P. Conway, deputy director of the division of epidemiology, services and prevention research at the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

Conway pointed out that teens who use a variety of drugs have a high risk profile that indicates a need for mental health and substance use screening and referral. “This indication is one of the most important and actionable findings of this study,” he said.

Pamela K. Gonzalez, a pediatrician and addiction medicine specialist at the University of Minnesota agreed with the study’s findings, including that marijuana is the first drug of choice by adolescents who use multiple sub-

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

about your experience — perhaps one positive one and one disappointment?

Sam, one of the first guys that really pursued me with emails and phone calls, was very persistent and finally I agreed to meet him for coffee.

At the end of the coffee date, he told me I could do better than him! Exactly what I had been thinking.

The next guy I met, Todd, was fun and interesting and we dated for two months. I felt like a teenager, since it had been 28 years since I had gone out to dinner with a guy other than my husband. It’s funny how dating insecurities have not changed much since high school: “Will he call? Should I call him? What does that text mean?”

Sometimes it’s difficult to know how to act, but it was wonderful to feel like a desirable woman again.

Things were going well, until he canceled a date at the last minute via a text (How rude). I realized he was playing games and had commitment issues. Good-bye.

What advice would you give to someone who’s considering online dating?

Have a nice photo taken, even if it’s by a friend. Every guy I have met is so pleased that I actually look like my photo. In fact, they always tell me that I look better than my picture, then go on to tell me horror stories about going to meet a woman and not recognizing her because her photo was so old.

I might also add, it’s difficult to really tell about a person from their profile and even a first meeting. It can be worth it to give them a second chance.

Have you found someone online who makes your heart go pitter-patter?

No, not yet. But, I will say, that I have met some very nice men, each one so different, but I was able to relate to them from past experiences in my life.

Each one of them brought out something different in me and it has been nice getting to know myself again.

Online dating has helped restore my confidence.

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 upcoming workshops or to invite Gwenn to speak, you can call her at 585-624-7887, email her at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.

stances.

“I also see inappropriate use of prescription medications like painkillers almost to the same degree as marijuana use,” she said. “Most adolescents who have a pattern of polysubstance use have mental health problems, which is why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all adolescents be screened for substance use and mental health issues during a routine visit with their doctor.”

Prevention programs may help decrease the harmful cycle of multiple substance abuse. The National Institute on Drug Abuse provides information on its teen-oriented website (teens. drugabuse.gov), online information for parents and educators at (drugabuse. gov), as well as an interactive mobile screening tool for healthcare professionals (drugabuse.gov.nidamed).

“It’s also important for pediatricians and caregivers to have a good understanding of the trends of substances used in their area by teenagers when engaging them in meaningful conversations,” added Gonzalez.

Women’s issues New Law Requires More Information After Mammograms Physicians say new requirement if a positive step in detecting cancer

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

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s of Jan. 19, the Breast Density Inform Law requires mammogram providers in New York to notify their patients if they have dense breast tissue.

Before the law went into effect healthcare professionals were not required and seldom informed women they had dense breast tissue.

Physician Avice O’Connell, director of Women’s Imaging for University of Rochester Medical Center explained that although mammography is an important tool in early detection of breast cancer, in dense breasts, the mammogram is not as sensitive as with breasts that are less dense. “Cancers can hide and we think there’s a slightly higher percentage of cancers hiding in dense breasts,” O’Connel said. “It’s for women’s own benefit.”

About half of women have dense breast tissue. It doesn’t mean patients have breast cancer or even a predisposition to developing cancer. The difference is how screening tools work.

Physician Lori E. Medeiros, medical director at Rochester General Hospital Breast Center, explained, “There’s less fat in the [dense] breasts, so there are more tissue elements that are hard to look through with a mammogram.

When you’re trying to look for a white lesion in a white background, it makes mammograms more difficult to read, so there are more people with dense breasts who have cancer that is difficult to see.”

In a woman with non-dense breasts, a mammogram can miss a detectable cancer up to 20 percent of the time. For women with dense breast tissue, the percentage rises to 35 percent.

Making women more aware of their breast density can encourage them to discuss with their doctors their other health factors relating to breast cancer, such as family history, lifestyle, and other detection methods. Breast ultrasound or MRI may be recommended.

“All women age 20 and older, dense breasts or not, should be performing breast self-exams once a month,” said Elizabeth Quackenbush, lead technologist of Mammography for Lakeside Health System. “It should be done a few days after menstruation. Breast self-exams can help women become familiar with how their breasts look and feel so they can alert a doctor if there are changes.”

Women should also ensure their annual check-up includes a physical exam of the breasts; however, women with dense breast tissue should be especially vigilant.

“A lot of women don’t [get an annual physical breast exam] and a lot of them say, ‘As long as you had a mammogram, its’ okay,’” Medeiros said.

Regardless of her breast density, any woman who has a concern about an abnormality in her breasts should see her doctor.

Self-breast Examination

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he National Breast Cancer Foundation (www.nationalbreastcancer.org) gives the following directions for performing a self-breast examination: • “In the shower, using the pads of your fingers, move around your entire breast in a circular pattern moving from the outside to the center, checking the entire breast and armpit area.

Check both breasts each month feeling for any lump, thickening, or hardened knot. Notice any changes and get lumps evaluated by your healthcare provider.

• In front of a mirror, visually inspect your breasts with your arms at your sides. Next, raise your arms high overhead. Look for any changes in the contour, any swelling, or dimpling

of the skin, or changes in the nipples.

Next, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex your chest muscles.

Left and right breasts will not exactly match—few women’s breasts do, so look for any dimpling, puckering, or changes, particularly on one side.

• When lying down, the breast tissue spreads out evenly along the chest wall. Place a pillow under your right shoulder and your right arm behind your head. Using your left hand, move the pads of your fingers around your right breast gently in small circular motions covering the entire breast area and armpit.

• Use light, medium, and firm pressure. Squeeze the nipple; check for discharge and lumps. Repeat these steps for your left breast.”

Safe Medication During Pregnancy

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

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f you’re pregnant, you likely already know to be careful of taking medicine for the effect it can have on your baby. In addition to prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication can also harm your baby.

“We get a fair amount of questions about that,” said Kate Jaenecke, pharmacist at Clinton Pharmacy in Rochester. “We always recommend them to speak with their doctor, but we can help them look for something for a particular issue.”

Pharmacists can help you avoid the standard no-no’s, but your OBGYN knows more about your health and caring for babies before birth.

Nearly every medication says on the back that if you’re pregnant you should contact your doctor.

When you take medication can also make a difference.

“Medications can cause different problems during different times in pregnancy or no problems at all during some periods in pregnancy and serious problems during others,” said physi-

cian Neil S. Seligman, assistant professor at the department of obstetrics and gynecology and specialist in maternal and fetal medicine with University of Rochester Medical Center.

Very generally speaking, the most serious complications in the first four weeks include miscarriage, between the fourth and 10th weeks, birth defects, and between the 10th week and delivery, functional or developmental delays.

“This is why some physicians may recommend avoiding a medication in first trimester or stopping a medication in the third trimester,” Seligman said.

About half of all US pregnancies are unplanned, so Seligman recommends using reliable contraception or ceasing risky medications well in advance of when a couple is trying to conceive.

Once pregnant, contacting your doctor is the best, safest choice, but sometimes, a minor malady strikes when the office is closed. If you can’t reach anyone through the on-call sys-

tem, keep these tips in mind.

Peter Mroz, a gynecologist with Rochester General Health, advises acetaminophen (one brand name is Tylenol) for minor aches and pains.

“Beyond Tylenol, they should consult their doctor,” he said. “Some use aspirin for pain, but we don’t recommend it unless you’re taking it for a different health issue as directed by your doctor.”

Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (such as Motrin, and Advil) and naproxen (such as Aleve) and, if in the third trimester, ask before taking acetaminophen.

Using NSAIDs during the last three months can cause premature closure of the ductus arteriosus. This blood vessel allows oxygen-rich blood from the placenta to reach baby’s vital organs and closing it can be fatal.

For cold symptoms, you have a few options beyond chicken soup, fluids and rest (though those will help you feel better). Try Benadryl for decon-

April 2013 •

gestant, and, if in the second or third trimester, Sudafed.

“Ask if you’re in the first trimester,” Mroz said. “Some studies say it can cause birth defects if taken then.”

Trusty Pepto-Bismol and the like may seem a dependable choice for indigestion, upset stomach, and diarrhea, but since it comes from the same medical family as aspirin, Mroz advises to choose Maalox for upset stomach, and Kaopectate or Immodium for diarrhea.

As your pregnancy nears its end, the baby’s larger size will likely cause heartburn. Mroz advises women to keep Tums for short-term relief and Pepcid or Zantac for long-term.

When taking any drug, prescription or non-prescription, make sure you follow the dosage correctly.

“I am cautious about recommending the Internet to find information on medication risk because it is not always easy to establish the validity of many websites,” Seligman said. He does recommend the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists (otispregnancy.org) for fact sheets on common medications and medical problems.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 9

Women’s issues Water birth: a popular option for home birthing moms

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

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ou breath air — why would you want to give birth in a small pool of water? Apparently, many women want to. The National Center for Health Statistics reported that using water for laboring and birthing increased by 50 percent nationwide from 1996 to 2006.

Local proponents of water birth say it offers plenty of advantages to baby and mom over standard “land birth.”

One is the mother’s position.

Instead of fighting gravity by pushing with her feet in stirrups and the birth canal horizontal, women birthing in a pool are positioned with the birth canal closer to vertical.

Pain management is another reason to try water birth.

“When they’re in active labor, it’s like a natural epidural,” said Julia Sittig, doula and co-owner of Beautiful Birth Choices in Rochester. “When you get in a tub laboring, water naturally is a more relaxing place to be. The oxytocin goes full force.

“We see the labor go forward faster. It relaxes the uterine muscles so the baby can be born more easily.

The pressure of the water on the body causes their blood flow to increase, so it changes their perception of pain. It promotes more elasticity to the perineum.

There’s not as much damage or tearing with water births.”

Supporters of water birth also say that babies seem to experience a gentler, more peaceful entry into the world since they spent nine months in a similar environment.

Dads can also become a more involved part of the birthing process.

“Most think it’s fabulous as long as

they don’t have to get in [the tub],” Sittig said. “At one home birth I attended, the dad said he would not get in, but once she asked him, he did. As soon as the baby was born she was on his lap and it was beautiful.”

Some people raise concerns about bodily fluids and feces in the tub’s water; however, similar to standard births, the midwife or doula can remove any feces.

“Most of the time, the midwives say leave it because it’s a great way to introduce babies to bacteria,” Sittig said. “It’s good for them. It can help them develop a healthy gut.”

Another reason is that hauling the laboring mother out of the tub to empty and clean it halfway through may undo all the benefit of using the

birthing, along with twins, pre-term or other high risk pregnancies. Women need to discuss their desire to try water birth with their OB-GYN or certified midwife.

A Mom Shares Her Experience in Giving Birth in the Water

Schwartz births in a tub of water while husband Jon and Julia Sittig (front) and Amanda Mshana (background) assist.

Schwartz cradles her newborn daughter after birthing in a tub of water. All photos by Kaela Sittig.

Page 10

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Laura Schwartz delivers her a baby March 2012 in a water birth.

tub to begin with.

“Birth is not a sanitary process,” said Melissa Carman, owner of Mothers To Be and More in Jamestown.

Carman is a DONA-trained birth doula and is certified as a lactation educator counselor by the University of Southern California in San Diego. “The passage through the vagina has bacteria. The passage near the rectum has bacteria. Babies are meant to be colonized with the mom’s bacteria. It’s supposed to happen that way.

There would have to be an awful lot of fecal matter in a tub to have anything to be concerned about.”

Babies don’t aspirate in the tub because “the response to breath isn’t there until air hits the baby,” Carman said. “They’ve been in water nine months.”

The tubs are about the size of a plastic children’s pool but is waist high. The attending midwife keeps

adding warm water and monitors its temperature to keep everyone comfortable.

Most hospitals do not offer water birthing.

“There’s probably no good reason but for liability,” said Peter Mroz, OBGYN with Rochester General Hospital.

Some will allow women to labor in water, barring any complications. Most water births take place at home.

Mroz agrees that for most women, laboring and birthing in water is safe for her and baby.

“The baby has been in amniotic fluid the entire pregnancy,” the gynecologist said. “The baby has the right reflexes to be fine in water.”

The baby’s oxygen source, the umbilical cord, is not cut until after he is taken out of the water anyway.

Mroz advises women who are interested in water birth to seek a midwife or OB-GYN who is very familiar with water birth.

“It’s a reasonable option, but you need to have a healthy scenario,” he said.

Preeclampsia, breech presentation, or transmittable infections would all be problems that would rule out water

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

Now a doula and certified childbirth educator, Laura Schwartz of Rochester had considered water birth with her first pregnancy in 2010, but her care provider said that the hospital would not allow it.

“I never got a concrete answer as to why,” she said.

She decided that for her second baby, born in March 2012, she wanted to birth at home in water.

“I knew about the benefits that water has on labor,” she said.

These included greater mobility, which she felt made labor go faster compared with her first pregnancy, the comfort of the warm water supporting her.

Both her deliveries included no pain relief medication, but she said her water birth was “definitely faster and labor and pushing were significantly less [painful]. I don’t know if it was because I was a second-time mom or the comfort of the water or maybe both. It was peaceful. It was less stressful on the baby and on me.”

Her baby, now a 1 year old, has never been sick or had any problems.

Husband Jonathan also liked the experience.

“After having a water birth, he said that he doesn’t see us having a baby any other way,” Schwartz said.

She urges other moms-to-be to ask their care providers about the option of water birthing.

“As long as your care provider says you’re healthy, I don’t see why not,” she said.

More mothers are breastfeeding Hundreds of thousands more babies being breastfed than in past years, according to CDC

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cross all groups, the percentage of mothers who start and continue breastfeeding is rising, according to a report released in February by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

From 2000 to 2008, mothers who started breastfeeding increased more than 4 percentage points.

During that same time, the number of mothers still breastfeeding at six months jumped nearly 10 percentage points, from 35 percent in 2000 to nearly 45 percent in 2008.

In addition to increases among all groups, gaps in breastfeeding rates between African American and white mothers are narrowing. The gap narrowed from 24 percentage points in 2000 to 16 percentage points in 2008.

“Breastfeeding is good for the mother and for the infant — and the striking news here is, hundreds of thousands more babies are being breastfed than in past years, and this increase has been seen across most racial and ethnic groups,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, a physician. “Despite these increases, many mothers who want to breastfeed are still not getting the support they need from hospitals, doctors, or employers.

We must redouble our efforts to support mothers who want to breastfeed.”

While gaps continue to narrow among groups, more targeted strategies to increase breastfeeding support for African American mothers are still needed. To address this, CDC is currently funding Best-Fed Beginnings, a project that provides support to 89 hospitals, many serving minority and low income populations, to improve hospital practices that support breastfeeding mothers. CDC has also recently awarded funds to six state health departments to develop community breastfeeding support systems in communities of color.

To better understand breastfeeding trends and differences among African American, white and Hispanic infants born from 2000 to 2008, CDC analyzed National Immunization Survey data

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from 2002–2011. Other key findings of the report include: • From 2000 to 2008, breastfeeding at 6 and 12 months increased significantly among African American, white and Hispanic infants.

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In the survey, which took place in 2010 and 2011, about 22 percent of women said they felt worried, nervous or anxious daily or weekly, compared to 16 percent of men.

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For men, 17 percent of those ages 18 to 44, and 18 percent of those between 45 and 64 reported daily or weekly worry, nervousness or anxiety.

About 23 percent of women ages 18 to 64 said the same.

Among those over age 75, 11 percent of men and 16 percent of women reported such feelings.

The study was published in a recent issue of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

April 2013 •

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Page 11

Women’s issues

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Women & Heart Disease Awareness still lacking of seriousness of heart disease in women, says cardiologist

A

lthough heart disease remains the No. 1 killer nationally for women — responsible for one out of every three deaths — many of today’s women still underestimate the seriousness of the disease and their risks, says Liliana Cohen, a board-certified cardiologist with The Robert Wood Johnson Medical Group.

“The latest American Heart Association statistics reveal that heart disease is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined, killing one woman every minute. Yet, these same studies show that relatively few women believe that heart disease is their greatest health threat,” says Cohen, who also serves as assistant professor of medicine at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey — Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. “The reality is that 90 percent of women have one or more risk factors for developing heart disease. These misconceptions could be putting women’s lives at risk every day.”

“The symptom many women focus on is chest pain, but the reality is that women are also likely to experience other types of symptoms, including shortness of breath, back or jaw pain, and nausea or vomiting. This misperception may lead many women to ignore or minimize their symptoms and delay getting life-saving treatment,” Cohen explains.

Other symptoms of a heart attack for both women and men include dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen; and extreme fatigue.

“When in doubt, it is always best

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Page 12

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

to seek medical assistance,” says Cohen.

Heart Diseases Can Be Prevented

Cohen advises: • Keep track of your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If either or both are high, work with your physician to develop a strategy for controlling them. If you have diabetes, properly controlling it is critical to lowering your risk.

• Exercise. It is extremely important to avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Ideally, you should aim for more than 30 minutes of exercise at least five times per week. That doesn’t necessarily mean high-impact classes at the local gym; walking, gardening and other activities that keep you moving and active can also help.

• Commit yourself to a healthy diet. Look for foods that are low in saturated fat and trans-fat, as well as those that are high in fiber. Wholegrain foods, fruits, vegetables, and legumes like peas or beans will help round out a well-balanced diet, as will foods that are high in antioxidants.

• Strive for a healthy weight. Being obese or overweight can increase your risk of heart disease significantly because it contributes to other risk factors like diabetes. Your physician can help you determine the ideal weight for your body type and age and provide suggestions on how to reach that goal.

• Stop smoking. Smoking has been found to significantly increase risk for heart attacks, as well as your risk of dying if you have a heart attack.

SmartBites

By Anne Palumbo

The skinny on healthy eating

Little Farro Packs Big Nutritious Punch

Helpful tips Whole farro, which has an intact hull, will need to be soaked overnight and then cooked for up to two hours.

Semi-pearled and pearled farro, on the other hand, do not need to soak and take about 30 minutes to cook.

Although the pearled versions have slightly less fiber, they maintain the same high protein level. Most farro sold in the U.S. is hulled to some degree.

S

ometimes I’m aghast at how long it’s taken me to incorporate whole grains into my diet: whole wheat, barley, oats, brown rice, wheat berries and more.

Although I’m well aware of their nutritional benefits, and have been for years, I’ve been shamefully slow to the whole-grain gate.

I guess ol’ white-bread-white-rice habits die hard.

But now that I’ve embraced whole grains with gusto, I’m forever discovering new ones that floor me with their goodness.

My latest find is farro, an ancient grain belonging to the wheat family that has a roasted, nutty flavor and a distinctive chewy texture, reminiscent of barley.

I’ve grown fond of this whole grain because it has a higher protein and fiber content than common wheat; it’s rich in magnesium, iron and B vitamins; and it contains specific phytonutrients that may boost the immune

think so. According to a recent study, women eating the diet with whole grains lost more weight and saw a more significant decrease in body fat compared to those who ate refined grains. Also worth noting: Cholesterol levels increased 5 percent in the refined group, which further highlights the heart benefits of choosing whole grains instead of refined.

system and help reduce inflammation.

Plus, it’s fairly low in calories (about 100 per ½ cup cooked) and cooks up relatively quickly.

I remain smitten with whole grains in general because studies show that eating whole grains instead of refined grains (which are stripped of critical nutrients) lowers the risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, some cancers, diabetes, and obesity.

What’s more, the carbohydrates in whole grains are “complex,” which means they take longer to digest and provide a steadier stream of energy.

This leaves us feeling fuller longer and less likely to overeat later.

Does eating whole grains contribute to weight loss? Scientists at the University of Copenhagen seem to

Farro with Spinach Pesto and Cherry Tomatoes

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 .

(Serves 4 – 6)

½ cup flat leaf parsley (or fresh basil) 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon water 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 cup (or more) cherry tomatoes, halved Parmesan cheese, shredded (optional) Bring 2 ¼ cups water and contents of package to a boil in a medium saucepan; stir. Reduce heat to low; cover; simmer for 35 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered, 10 minutes.

Fluff with fork.

While farro is cooking, make pesto.

Pulse garlic in a food processor until finely chopped, then add nuts, cheese, salt, pepper, and a large handful of spinach. Process until chopped. Add remaining spinach and parsley, one handful at a time, pulsing after each addition, until finely chopped. With motor running, add vinegar, water, and oil and blend until incorporated.

Toss warm farro with pesto and cherry tomatoes; top with shredded Parmesan cheese. This dish is equally tasty at room temperature.

2 ¼ cups water 8 oz box of farro 2 cloves garlic, peeled ¼ cup chopped walnuts, toasted ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 2 cups packed spinach leaves, stems removed

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.

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IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 13

Wait Time at Strong, Unity ERs the Longest in Rochester Long emergency room waiting time has plagued every Rochester area hospital, according to recently released figures

By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

J

ohn Cherubin was playing linebacker in an intramural football game in Chili. In the second half, he attempted to tackle the opposing wide receiver.

Both players banged shoulders, but neither fell down. However, Cherubin’s shoulder lost that battle.

The Rochester resident was driven to a local hospital and waited in the emergency room for two hours with a separated shoulder before being taken to a hospital bed. It was another hour before he received light pain medication, while he continued to writhe in pain. Medical staff came in every half hour telling him a doctor would soon be on his way to reset his shoulder for a sling. Another four hours later, the physician finally came to put him under and reconnect his shoulder. In total, he was in the emergency room for seven hours.

“I couldn’t believe it took them that long just to reattach my shoulder,” said Cherubin. “At that time, they said I wasn’t allowed to eat until after it was all over so I was starving and in pain for all that time.”

His story is all too familiar. The emergency room is the only place federally mandated to accept everyone regardless of their type of insurance or those uninsured. Long emergency room waiting time has plagued every Rochester area hospital.

But like any large issue, the blame can be fairly spread around. It’s the fault of hospitals that are slow to change outdated protocols; a health care system that nobody believes is 100 percent effective—even those charged with making it work—and patients who arrive at emergency departments for ailments that could easily be treated by a CVS or Walgreens pharmacist.

The issue is no longer a looming dilemma, but a pressing predicament that hospitals must tackle before the situation worsens.

Adams “During the past two or three years, the emergency room wait times have spiked and it is something that is very worrisome,” said Nancy Adams, executive director of the Monroe County Medical Society. “Hospitals need to take this issue seriously because everyone knows that Pines emergency rooms are not going to just stop being overcrowded by themselves.”

hospitals, according to patient surveys complied by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service and recently released. Unity Hospital had the second longest wait time at 10 hours before being admitted, followed by seven hours at Rochester General, almost six hours at F. F. Thompson Hospital and five hours at Highland Hospital.

The average time an outpatient spent before being released from the ER at the five hospitals ranged from three to four hours. If you had a broken bone, it took between an hour to almost two hours before patients were given pain medication. And at most Rochester area hospitals, it took at least 30 minutes before they were seen by a health care professional.

Patients spent an average of 11.5 hours at the emergency room before they were admitted as inpatients at Strong Memorial Hospital, which was the longest wait time of all the area

Physician Jesse Pines, a spokesperson for the American College of Emergency Physicians, believes the health care industry needs to rethink its sometimes archaic process. He said the

Long Wait Times

Page 14

•

You are more likely to stay and that method is more efficient, which is more like the United Kingdom emergency department philosophy.”

Because hospitals and the health care industry resemble a large organizational vessel, it’s no easy task to simply turn around the ship.

“You can’t just snap your finger and change anything in our profession because it is already so complex,” said Pines, associate professor of emergency medicine and health policy at George Washington University and author of two emergency care textbooks.

“You need a supportive administration, an advocate leader within the hospital that has staying power and nurses support because there will be push back toward any real change.”

Finding a Physician

Slow Moving Health System

United States should look to the United Kingdom model, where the average patient spends less than four hours in the ER. When patients enter, they are quickly taken into a room and examined early so doctors can order tests as soon as possible. In the American model, patients would sit in the waiting room for hours before a nurse or physician sees them and then must wait another hour or so for the test to be ordered and administered.

“Imagine going to the Cheesecake Factory and they give you a pager saying your wait is going to be an hour. A lot of people get discouraged just waiting and leave which is what would happen at a lot of U.S. hospitals if people weren’t in such need,” said Pines. “But what if the restaurant told you it would take an hour to be seated, but they immediately took your food order while you waited so the food would be ready once you sat down.

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

Then there’s Victoria Charles’ story. She moved from Brooklyn to Rochester several years ago after getting married. One morning she started feeling a build up of water, turning into an ear infection. Charles called five different physicians and was told they were not accepting new patients. Many new Rochester residents have to contend with doctor offices turning them away because they refuse to take on additional patients.

Another impending problem is the state’s doctor shortage. In the Rochester area, 59 percent of hospitals reported they had to reduce or eliminate services, compared to a statewide average of 26 percent. By the year 2020, there will be a shortage of between 100,000 to 150,000 nationwide, according to the American Medical Association. That is why it’s difficult for patients to schedule a next-day or walk-in appointment, sometimes waiting weeks when they can’t even afford to wait days.

Patient Responsibility

Simply put, Americans don’t go to the doctor’s office enough. Whether it’s breast cancer organizations preaching early mammogram screenings or doctors urging colonoscopies, medical officials have done their duty to bring awareness. Once left untreated, it’s more likely that a future emergency room visit will be necessary. Even if 5 percent of the non-emergency cases go to a primary physician that would save the Upstate New York health care industry $8 million to almost $11 million each year.

“If you have crushing chest pains

then of course call 9-1-1,” Adams said.

“But if you have a cold or a sore throat, you don’t need treatment in the emergency room.”

A primary care physician has your overall medical records, and that familiarity often provides better overall care.

“You need to have regular contact with your doctor because when you have a constant relationship, you get thorough and comprehensive care. But when you go to the emergency room and have to deal with a facility that is overburdened and overcrowded, you are going to get fragmented care because they don’t know your full history,” said physician Jamie Kerr, vice president and chief medical officer of utilization management for Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shields found about 44 percent of ER trips to Upstate New York hospitals were avoidable. In one sample year, a report cited more than 32,000 patients came for acute upper repertory problems, 31,469 visits for back disorders, 25,000plus for ear infections and 22,303 for sore throats. The study estimated that it cost $600 to $750 less to go to a primary physician’s office over going to an emergency room. Rochester-area health groups used billboard signs visible on Interstate 490 and 390 to educate the public. Excellus ran a second wave of television and video spots this year to further educate the public during cold and flu season. Officials believe repeating the message over time will hopefully make a difference.

“We’re not telling people to never go to the emergency room,” said Kerr.

“It’s about getting the right care at the right time at the right place.”

While the economy has caused many people to become unemployed, and thus uninsured, it’s not the reason for long wait times.

“There’s this myth that masses of uninsured people are going to the emergency room. But most people who arrive in the emergency department have insurance,” said Pines. “They’re just choosing to go to the emergency room when they don’t need to.”

Why the Excessive Wait?

Officials say they’re taking action to fix the problem

By Ernst Lamothe Jr.

B

ecause of their patient load as one of the largest hospitals within the Western New York region, Strong Memorial officials have been aggressive in improving its emergency room wait times.

The University of Rochester Medical Center, which oversees Strong Memorial, Highland Hospital and Golisano Children’s Hospital, have done extensive emergency department research, looked into changing protocols and expanded its facilities. Highland Hospital emergency department underwent a $9 million renovation and expansion to provide better service for its 32,000 annual visitors.

Officials believe emergency room waiting time is caused by factors that are sometimes mutually and not Kamali mutually exclusive.

“The best analogy I have is what happens to airlines. You may have a storm in California that delays flights to the West Coast. One delay often causes a domino affect of other delays that tend to affect flights that weren’t even scheduled to go to California,” said Michael Kamali, a physician serving as emergency medicine chairman for the University of Rochester Medical Center.

“When it comes to the emergency room, many times we are waiting for patient beds to become available and there are certain factors that we can’t always control that lead to longer waiting times.”

While other hospitals may have

patient backlog due to people coming in with non-emergency illnesses, that certainly isn’t the issue in Strong, where doctors see around 100,000 patients each year. The vast majority of patients come to the hospital for realistic emergent issues.

“While a patient may be discharged with acute pain that doesn’t mean there weren’t legitimate reasons for concern and reason to be evaluated,” said Kamali. “Patients are in a frightened state when they come into an emergency room, and based on what we see on a daily basis, they needed to come into the emergency department. Finding a balance and making sure our patients receive excellent care should be our number one priority.”

Dramatic changes at Unity

At Unity Health System, medical professional created a rapid triage and immediate bedding program for the emergency center.

When patients walk in they are seen by a skilled triage Riccio nurse, who can take their blood pressure, conduct a brief exam and decide what immediate steps should be taken. At the same time, their medical information is being taken at the front desk to

streamline the process.

Then patients are typically taken to a bed immediately.

“Patients view sitting in the waiting room as time wasted and we tend to agree,” said Dustin Riccio, a physician and the interim chairman of Unity Hospital Emergency Center. “We needed to improve our front end treatment. When you make a process run smoother in the beginning, then you are able to treat more patients and the wait times start going down.”

Unity Health System started its full implantation this past fall.

It took a little time, but they have seen dramatic improvement this year. Since Jan. 1, the average time a patient had to wait before seeing a nurse practitioner, physician assistant or physician was 47 minutes.

That time has decreased to 33 minutes in February. In addition, patient satisfaction scores about time spent in the Unity Emergency Center improved by 14 percent. Because of the improvement, officials have seen vast improvement in the overall willingness for patients to stay in the emergency room.

“Before people would check in and they would wait so long, they would leave,” said Natalie Ciao, media relations manager for Unity Health System. “We looked at the numbers and everyone understood that we couldn’t have patients waiting for six or seven hours in the emergency room. We have made the correct changes and have seen an incredible difference.”

Strong Memorial

Rochester General

Highland

Unity

Thompson

Clifton Springs

Geneva General

Average time patients spent in the ER before they were admitted to inpatient care

690 minutes

435 minutes

302 minutes

622 minutes

345 minutes

293 minutes

260 minutes

Average time ER inpatients spent in the hospital after doctor admitted them

198 minutes

163 minutes

76 minutes

322 minutes

154 minutes

138 minutes

110 minutes

Average time patients spent in the ER before being sent home

246 minutes

190 minutes

189 minutes

238 minutes

187 minutes

203 minutes

134 minutes

Average time patients spent in the ER before they were seen by a healthcare professional

34 minutes

31 minutes

25 minutes

91 minutes

30 minutes

32 minutes

27 minutes

Average time patients with broken bones had to wait in the ER before receiving pain medication

104 minutes

82 minutes

96 minutes

79 minutes

62 minutes

36 minutes

48 minutes

April 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 15

When you text a driver, you increase their risk of an accident by

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Unity, Highland, RGH and Strong Recognized Local hospitals receive Blue Distinction Center Designation for quality and efficiency

E

xcellus BlueCross BlueShield recenelty announced that four hospitals in the Rochester area for being recognized by the Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program in the areas of spine surgery and knee and hip replacement.

Unity, Highland and Rochester General hospitals are being recognized for their knee and hip replacement programs, and Strong Memorial Hospital is being recognized for its spine surgery program.

Since 2006, consumers, medical providers and employers have relied on the Lustick Blue Distinction program to identify hospitals delivering quality care in bariatric surgery, cardiac care, complex and rare cancers, knee and hip replacements, spine surgery, and transplants.

The Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program expanded recently to include new cost-efficiency measures, as well as more robust quality measures focused on improved patient health and safety.

“Local hospitals continue to prove that you can offer high quality care at

an affordable price,” said physician Martin Lustick, senior vice president, corporate medical director, Excellus BCBS. “The Blue Distinction recognition continues our collaborations with local providers, as we jointly tackle issues such as improving quality of care and reducing readmissions and hospital-acquired infections.”

The four hospitals are being recognized as Blue Distinction Centers+ for their expertise in quality and cost efficiency in delivering specialty care.

Quality is key: only those facilities that first meet Blue Distinction’s nationally established, objective quality measures will be considered for designation as Blue Distinction Centers+.

Research confirms that these newly designated Blue Distinction Centers+ demonstrate better quality and improved outcomes for patients, with lower rates of complications and readmissions than their peers. Blue Distinction Centers+ are also more than 20 percent more cost-efficient. The program provides consumers with tools to help them make better informed healthcare decisions.

For more information about the Blue Distinction Program and to see a list of Blue Distinction Centers in your area, visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.

WXXI’s ‘Second Opinion’ Wins a Bronze Telly Episode “Breast Cancer In Young Women” brings recognition for locally-produced program

W

XXI’s national healthcare series, “Second Opinion: Taking Charge of Your Healthcare,” has won a Bronze Telly in the health and fitness TV program category for its “Breast Cancer in Young Women” episode. The Telly Awards Competition recognizes excellence in local, regional, and cable TV programs and commercials, as well as video and film productions.

In “Breast Cancer in Young Women”, Geralyn Lucas, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 20s, shares her story of how her unexpected diagnosis changed her whole perspective on life.

The episode discusses the emotional, physical, social, and medical issues

surrounding breast cancer in young women.

Second Opinion is the only regularly scheduled health series on public television. Each week, physician Peter Salgo engages a panel of medical professionals and patients in honest, indepth discussions about life-changing medical decisions. Using intriguing, real-life medical cases, the specialists grapple with diagnosis and treatment options to give viewers the most up-todate, accurate medical information.

The series airs Fridays at 10 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 p.m. on WXXI-TV/HD, and on more than 250 PBS stations across the country. More information about the series can be found at: www. secondopinion-tv.org.

“Read All ” ! t I t u o b A In Good Health

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

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May 2011. The program originated as a three-hour health promotion training program consisting of classes to help individuals learn about essentials for good health, with an emphasis on stress management.

Susan Strickland, doctoral candidate in health psychology, developed this program as a response to education regarding the link between stress related conditions and disease.

Strickland has a specialty in working as a disability counselor, therefore wanted to create a program that would be highly adaptable and serve individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or disabilities.

The model was Some of the developed as an classes offered original idea, to Name: Stress Relief & Health Consultants stress relief serve individueducation, mediAddress: 1160D Pittsford Victor Road, als who may not tation, aroma Pittsford readily access therapy, vibration health promotion Phone: 585-586-3336 therapy, cognitive or who may have therapy, massage Website: high stress levels. therapy. www.stressreliefhealth.net/ “SR & HC Classes are FaceBook: has highly offered on an www.facebook.com/StressReliefHealthtrained staff with individual basis education in Consultants or in group. health psycholMassage ogy, nutrition, therapy and vibrational therapy serand fitness,” Strickland said. “The most vices are supportive therapies available favorable aspect of the work is teachfor stress reduction. There are threeing the curriculum and watching the month and six-month class membermembers experience the “drive for ships or individual fees for service. good health” and improve their daily Stress Relief & Health Consulfunctioning.” tants, was developed and initiated in

Stress Relief & Health Consultants Pittsford practice offers stress management classes combined with personal fitness training, nutrition education

S

tress Relief & Health Consultants (SR& HC) offers a health promotion program that focuses on prevention of common medical conditions, such as depression, post traumatic stress disorder, heart diseases and certain cancers through stress relief The program is based on a health model of stress reduction with an emphasis on interim training and prevention.

Individuals can participate in a structured training program, which offers personal fitness training, nutrition education and stress Strickland management classes.

What They Want You to Know:

Chiropractors

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

N

ew York Chiropractic College’s doctor of chiropractic program equips graduates to “perform patient management and conduct diagnoses, giving special emphasis to neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Instruction in natural healthcare emphasizes the human body’s inherent ability to heal.”

To earn a doctor of chiropractic degree from New York State Chiropractic College requires a clinical internship and the equivalent of five academic years.

• “People don’t know the education level we have. It encompasses a lot of the same courses as in medical school. We study how to help you be healthy while medicine tends to treat disease. We are licensed to diagnose and refer for MRIs and blood test.

• “A lot of times, we look at lifestyle, what they eat, what they’re taking, so we can suggest supplements or dietary changes. A lot of what we do is look at the whole person.

• “People should wear stretchy pants so they can move easier during treatments.

• “I try to explain to people what that cracking noise is. It’s just gas being released from the joint, not their bones cracking. People have a lot of unfounded fears.”

Michael C. Guernsey Michael, Rochester • “People come in and think they have to come forever. The vast majority of chiropractors don’t operate like that.

It depends upon the individual case. It may just be a couple treatments a week April 2013 •

a few weeks.

• “Others think it will hurt and you’ll get twisted like a pretzel. One woman waited 10 years to get treatment because she was afraid of pain.

• “As humans, we’re not meant to sit down. We get up and get ready, but sit in a car, then we sit down at work pretty much the entire day, for 10 to 12 hours. Every half hour, get up and move around. Don’t stay seated for long periods of time.

• “We also see chronic repetitive issues. They’ve done the same job for 10 years or the same activity for that long.

They need to get up and move around.

• “It’s not that you’ve got to have oatmeal for breakfast, a salad for lunch and a chicken breast for dinner or go to the gym two hours a day, every day.

Just going for a walk can be hugely beneficial for your health. Just 20 minutes a day. You don’t have to do as much as you think to maintain your health.

• “They see celebrities with toned bodies and read their workout routines.

Why strive for so much? If you accomplish a small goal, you’ll dramatically improve your health. Have realistic expectations for what you do.

• “Some people are afraid of going to a chiropractic office simply because they are afraid of what might take place. Starting from the beginning, there is a detailed history form to fill out. The chiropractic physician will utilize many of the same questions and examinations that your primary care physician would utilize.

• “We sometimes prescribe a few exercise to strengthen and stretch certain muscles. Some people don’t do it because they’re so busy. They don’t have time to make these changes and that’s a big thing.

• “Our job as chiropractors is to educate people on what’s going on

The stress relief program can be offered in a group format or on an individual level. Members can sign up for classes or receive individual instruction. The building is handicapped accessible and the program is highly adaptable for physical or mental conditions.

SR & HC plans to expand the program hours for both morning and after-

noon sessions, according to Strickland.

SR & HC would like to expand to offer service to caregivers of individuals with medical conditions or disabilities.

SR & HC will offer an opportunity to schedule through the website and offer educational webinars on health promotion topics.

The team at Stress Relief & Health Consultants: Susan Strickland: Manager/counselor/stress relief instructor; Danielle Brown, CNC: Counselor/ stress relief instructor; Lisa Hatch-De La Osa Crus: Service coordinator/fitness instructor/nutrition instructor; Dawn Knapp: Service coordinator/behavior specialist/nutrition instructor; Nicole Marthaller B.A.: Service coordinator/service coordination cupervisor, stress relief instructor; Alissa O’Brien: Independent living skills trainer, behavior specialist, fitness instructor; David Schlesselman: Independent living skills instructor, counselor, fitness instructor.

and the reason why. We tell them what we’ll do for it and we are upfront with what is going on.”

Matthew Richardson, Greece Chiropractic, PLLC, Rochester • “There’s a lot more to chiropractic than backache. It really has to do with the nervous system. It’s similar to acupuncture in that it brings about a balance of metabolic function through the nervous system.

• “Muscular-skeletal issues are what we do, but chiropractic has been known to help a variety of other conditions.

• “The basis of our work, spinal manipulation, is based upon posture analysis, previous injuries and the strength and weaknesses of the person’s body.

• “Please keep your appointments. Very often, when a relationship is formed with a chiropractor or any professional, it is more effective if it’s regular, like the one formed with those who provide dental or optical care.

You should have regular check-ups and treatments as prescribed by their doctor.”

Steven Sadlon, Chiropractic Health & Diagnostic Services, PC, Rochester 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.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

•

Page 17

How Much Will I Be Charged?

The Social Ask Security Office

Study examines patient bills for visits to the ER

I

t’s a basic, reasonable question: How much will this cost me? For patients in the emergency room, the answer all too often is a mystery.

Emergency departments play a critical role in health care, yet consumers typically know little about how medical charges are determined and often underestimate their financial responsibility — then are shocked when the hospital bill arrives.

A new study led by UC San Francisco highlights the problem by identifying giant price swings in patient charges for the 10 most common outpatient conditions in emergency rooms across the country.

Out-of-pocket patient charges ranged from $4 to $24,110 for sprains and strains; from $15 to $17,797 for headache treatment; from $128 to $39,408 for kidney stone treatment; from $29 to $29,551 for intestinal infections; and from $50 to $73,002 for urinary tract infections.

The study, representing an estimated 76 million emergency department visits between 2006 and 2008, is

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the first to demonstrate a large, nationwide variability in charges for common emergency department outpatient conditions, according to the researchers. The analysis uses data from the 2006-2008 Medical Expenditures Panel Survey from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

The study was published online Feb. 27 in PLOS ONE. Amid escalating health care costs and a growing burden of medical debt among many Americans, cost controls and transparency in the nation’s emergency rooms are increasingly important, the authors said, particularly for medical conditions that are less timesensitive.

“Our study shows unpredictable and wide differences in health care costs for patients,’’ said senior author Renee Y. Hsia, an assistant professor emergency medicine at UCSF. She is also an attending physician in the emergency department at San Francisco General Hospital & Trauma Center.

“Patients actually have very little knowledge about the costs of their health care, including emergency visits that may or may not be partially covered by insurance,’’ she said. “Much of this information is far too difficult to obtain.’’

The most common outpatient conditions were sprains and strains, “other injuries,’’ and “open wounds of extremities.’’ Many patients suffered from hypertension, asthma or high cholesterol.

Among key findings: • The median charge for total outpatient conditions was $1,233.

• Upper respiratory infections had the lowest median charge: $740.

• A kidney stone condition had the highest median price: $3437.

• Uninsured patients were charged the lowest median price ($1,178) followed by those with private insurance ($1,245) and Medicaid ($1,305).

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Your Number Is Your Card Do you really need a new card? Knowing your number is usually all you’ll ever need

O

ftentimes, people decide they need to apply for a new Social Security card because they can’t find their old one. As long as you have all of the required information and documentation, it’s not difficult to obtain a replacement Social Security card. But here’s even better news: you probably don’t need the card.

When you think about it, your Social Security number is your Social Security card. That is, knowing your number is usually all you’ll ever need.

Know your number by heart, and you’ll never leave home without it.

In the event that you really do want or need to get a replacement card, either for yourself or for a child, you can find all the details at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. The “Get Or Replace a Social Security Card” page provides information on how to obtain

Q&A Q: I applied for a replacement Social Security card last week but have not received it. When should I expect to receive my new card?

A: It takes approximately 10 to 14 days to receive your replacement Social Security card. We’re working harder than ever to protect you, prevent identity theft, and ensure the integrity of your Social Security number. To do that, we have to verify documents you present as proof of identity. In some cases, we must verify the documents before we can issue the card. For more information about your Social Security card and number, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

Q: What can I do if I think someone has stolen my identity?

A: You should do several things, including: • File a report with the local police or the police department where the identity theft took place, and keep a copy of the police report as proof of the crime; • Notify the Federal Trade Commission (1-877-ID-THEFT or 1-877-4384338); • File a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3. gov; and • Contact the fraud units of the three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax (800-525-6285); Trans Union: (800-680-7289); and Experian: (888-3973742).

If your Social Security card has been stolen, you can apply for a re-

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

a replacement card and what specific documents you need to provide. Each situation is unique, but in most cases you simply need to print, complete, and either mail or bring the application to Social Security with the appropriate documentation (originals or certified copies only).

In almost all cases, though, an application for your newborn’s Social Security card and number is taken in the hospital at the same time that you apply for your baby’s birth certificate.

There are a number of reasons a baby or child may need a Social Security number, but the main one is so that you can claim your child as a dependent on your tax return. Your child also will need a Social Security number to apply for certain government and social service benefits.

Whether you need a Social Security card for yourself or your child, it’s easy to apply for one. But remember: if you already have one and just can’t find it, in most cases all you really need is to know your number. Memorize your Social Security number, and you’ll never leave home without it.

Learn more about your Social Security card and number at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber.

placement card. But you usually don’t need a new card as long as you know your number.

To protect yourself in the future, treat your Social Security number as confidential and avoid giving it out.

Keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you. Learn more by reading our publication, “Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number”, at www.socialsecurity. gov/pubs/10064.html.

Q: What can Social Security do to help me plan for retirement?

A: Social Security provides great financial planning tools that can help you make informed decisions. Visit www.socialsecurity.gov and open a my Social Security account to access your online Social Security Statement.

The statement lists your earnings and the Social Security taxes you paid over the years. It also estimates the Social Security benefits you (and dependent family members) may be eligible to receive. The statement can help you plan for your financial future.

Also, use Social Security’s online retirement planner and our online Retirement Estimator. These will give you estimates of your future Social Security retirement benefits. They also provide important information on factors affecting retirement benefits, such as military service, household earnings, and federal employment.

You can access our retirement planner at ww.socialsecurity.gov/retire2. Find the estimator at www.socialsecurity. gov/estimator.

�����������

By Jim Miller

Simplified Smartphones for Boomers and Seniors Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any smartphones specifically designed for seniors that you know of? I’m interested in getting one, but at age 69, I want to find one that’s easy to see and use.

Semi-Smart Senior Dear Semi-Smart, There are actually several manufacturers who are now making simplified smartphones with features designed primarily for older users who have limited experience with modern gadgetry. Here’s a rundown of what’s currently and soon-to-be available.

Pantech Flex

One of the best and most affordable age-friendly smartphones on the market today is the Pantech Flex (see pantechusa.com/phones/flex), sold through AT&T for only $1 with a twoyear contract.

This Android-powered touch screen phone has a bright 4.3-inch screen, with a fast 1.5GHz dual-core processor and 8 megapixel camera. But what makes this phone ideal for seniors is its easy experience mode which provides a simple, clean home screen with large fonts, clearly marked icons, and quick access to the phone’s most essential features — your phone, camera, messages, menu, Web, contacts, along with shortcuts to your favorite apps.

It also offers convenient features like voice dialing and voice commands, and SwiftKey technology that predict the next word you want to type to make texting faster and easier.

Individual monthly service plans for AT&T start at $30 for 200 minutes of talk time (for customers 65 and older), $20 for unlimited text messaging, and $20 for 300 MB of data.

Jitterbug Touch

Offered by GreatCall Wireless — the same company that makes the Jitterbug big-button cell phone — the Touch is actually a Kyocera Milano smartphone that’s been rebranded and loaded with GreatCall’s simplified user interface software.

It offers a 3-inch touch screen, and a full slide-out keyboard with raised, backlit buttons that makes it easier to type messages. And when you turn the phone on, you get a simple menu list with large fonts that let you access often-used features like the phone, camera, messages and pictures, along with your contacts and apps.

This Android phone also offers voice dialing, a 3.2 megapixel camera, and optional features like medication

reminders, 5Star personal security service, a live nurse service to answer your health questions, and more.

Available at greatcall.com or 800733-6632, the Touch sells for $149 with a one-time $35 activation fee, no-contract, and calling plans that cost $15 per month for 50 minutes, up to $80 per month for unlimited minutes, text messages, operator assistance, and voicemail. And their data plans run between $2.50 per month for 10 MB up to $25/month for 500 MB.

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Samsung Galaxy Note II If a bigger screen is the most desired feature, the Samsung Galaxy Note II (samsung.com/galaxynoteII) has a huge 5.5-inch touch screen display and can be used with a stylus, which makes it easy to see and maneuver. It also offers an easy mode feature which simplifies the home screen providing access only to key functions like the phone, messaging, Internet, contacts and your favorite apps.

Available through AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular for $300 to $370 with a two-year contract, the monthly service plans for talk, text and data start at around $80.

Doro PhoneEasy 740

If you don’t mind waiting, the Doro PhoneEasy 740 (dorousa.us/experience) is another excellent option, but it won’t be available in the U.S. until later this year.

This Android slider phone has a 3.2-inch touch screen and a numerical slide-out keypad with raised buttons for easy operation. It also offers a largetext, clearly labeled menu to frequently used features like the phone, email, messages, Internet, photos, games and apps.

Expected to cost around $99, other age-friendly features include a 5 megapixel camera which can double as a magnifying glass, and an emergency call button that will dial and text five preprogrammed numbers when pressed.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org.

Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

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.

April 2013 •

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ursing represents a career choice that offers plenty of opportunities, both for advancement and employment options. After becoming a registered nurse, RNs may continue their education with a master’s degree and become nurse practitioners (NPs) and advanced practice nurses (APNs).

Seeking further nursing education is becoming more popular now than ever.

“An increasing number of NPs hold doctoral degrees,” said Jane Tuttle, specialty director of the Family Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Rochester School of Nursing.

As a nurse educator who holds a doctorate degree, Tuttle has been preparing nurse practitioners for clinical roles for nearly 20 years. PreviGlessner ously, she taught at Yale for eight years. She also serves as chairwoman of the Education Committee for the New York State Nurse Practitioner Association.

As advanced practice nurses, NPs can provide primary and acute care to patients, diagnose and treat acute and chronic health problems, and write prescriptions.

They also specialize in area such as pediatric, neonatal, family, adult/ geriatric, acute care, psychiatry, and women’s health care.

The growing number of advancedlevel nurses indicates a response to the coming wave of previously uninsured patients about to enter the health care system, along with the increased needs of the aging baby boomer generation.

As older boomer physicians retire, more are needed to fill their ranks.

Tuttle noted the number of physicians entering the primary care field has been decreasing, and she thinks that

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

more advanced nurses are particularly needful in light of that trend.

“Nurse practitioners are well poised to help fill the gap,” Tuttle said.

The Institute of Medicine’s “Future of Nursing” report for 2010 “calls for nurses to be able to practice to the full extent of their education and training,” Tuttle said. “In addition, this report calls for nurses to be full partners, with physicians and other health professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States.”

Though NPs function much like MDs in patient care in some ways, they are very different.

Terri Glessner, director of nursing for Clinical Education and Nursing Research at Rochester General Health System, said that since their training model is different, the type of care they provide is different.

“They are initially trained as nurses,” she said. “The medical model differs from the nursing model. Nurses are trained in the art of caring. They have some additional humanities work that physicians don’t necessarily have.

Physicians are all about curing the patient. Nurses are about caring for the patient in the broadest sense of caring for the person.”

Physicians visit patients’ rooms and leave; however, nurses are on the floor constantly attending to the needs of the patients in their care, both for their injury or illness and also for other needs.

Though NPs work alongside physicians like a physician assistant, they are also different from PAs. “They’re trained much differently and have different degrees,” Glessner said.

Though both must have licensure to practice, NPs can function independently, without a physician present, unlike PAs, who must work under the guidance of a physician. A PA’s training is more closely aligned with a physicians as far as following the medical model, too.

H ealth News David Crosby joins MVP Health Care as VP David P. Crosby has joined MVP Health Care as the new executive vice president of commercial business, overseeing the company’s developing plans for its existing market segments and preparation for entering the new state health benefit exchanges. Crosby, who works out of MVP’s Rochester office, oversees MVP’s commercial business across MVP’s entire three-state service area.

“I am pleased to welcome Dave as an important member of my executive team,” said Denise V. Gonick, president and CEO of MVP Health Care.

“Dave has a long history of success in the health care industry, bringing a strong focus on helping to align Crosby health plans with the communities they serve and the ability to evaluate and capitalize on new opportunities.”

He was most recently managing director and chief executive of Massachusetts-based UHealthSolutions, an affiliate of UMass Medical School, providing health benefit administration, contact center services, product commercialization and data management.

Crosby has also served as regional president for HealthAmerica in Pennsylvania and as president and CEO for HealthPlus of Michigan. He rose to top leadership after holding senior sales and marketing roles at organizations including Kaiser Permanente in Cleveland, Ohio and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Western New York in Buffalo.

“This is a great opportunity to join an organization that I have admired for many years and to return to Western New York. I am impressed by MVP’s commitment to helping build healthy communities and energized by the opportunities presented by a regional health plan with an excellent customer service track record and well regarded products,” Crosby said. “I think MVP is well positioned to stand out as a leader in the emerging health benefit exchange marketplace.”

Crosby has been active in a wide variety of community and industry organizations. He holds an MBA in Health Care Management from SUNY Buffalo and an undergraduate degree from Canisius College in Buffalo. He and his wife, Kathleen, have recently relocated to Brighton.

Lifetime Health Medical Group welcomes psychologist Clinical psychologist Christine Jean-Jacques has joined Lifetime Health Medical Group to provide a range of behavioral health services to adults.

Her clinical focus includes women’s mental health, crisis intervention, anxiety and depressive disorders, major life

transitions, spiritual concerns and stress management.

“We are excited to have Dr. Jean-Jacques join the group to integrate mental health and primary care services to patients in our Rochester region,” says Robert Cole, family medicine physician and medical Jean-Jacques director with Lifetime Health Medical Group.

With offices in both Lifetime Health’s Perinton and Joseph C. Wilson Health Centers, Jean-Jacques is in a unique position to add counseling to the care provided to patients of Lifetime Health Medical Group. However, her practice is open to everyone in the community, whether or not patients have a primary care physician with Lifetime Health.

Jean-Jacques was most recently in private practice in Rochester. She received her doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Michigan State University. She has taught at the Rochester Institute of Technology and Michigan State University, and has participated in a number of community outreach initiatives in the Rochester area. JeanJacques is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Genesee Valley Psychological Association.

wide patient base. The practice specializes in integrating neurology-based treatment and modalities.

“I am trying to network and meet other providers in the area while also getting the word out there of what we do and how we can help community members get out of pain and live a more functional life,” said Driscoll.

National Council of Jewish Women Honors Two Fran Weisberg, executive director of the Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency (FLHSA) and a community force in improving health care for area residents, has been selected recipient of the 2013 Hannah G. Solomon Humanitarian Award, given annually by the National Council of Jewish WomenGreater Rochester Section (NCJWGRS).

Vancy S. Boyar, a long-time NCJW member, has been named “Woman of the Year” for her contributions to the local section.

The awards will be presented at

New psychiatrist joins Unity Behavioral Health Unity Health System is pleased to announce the addition of Gerhardt Wagner to its team of behavioral health providers.

Wagner will treat patients at Unity Mental Health’s Greece Clinic on Pinewild Drive in Greece.

Wagner completed his psychiatry residency at Wake Forest UniWagner versity Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., and earned his medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Neb.

Chiropractors join Pittsford Performance Chiropractors Michael Fink and Matthew Driscoll have recently joined the clinical team at Pittsford Performance Care.

Fink is a recent New York Chiropractic College graduate and plans to build his practice specializing in athletic injury and functional neurology.

Driscoll is also a recent graduate from NYCC and finds the athletic focus and collaborative environment a special fit.

Pittsford Performance Care is housed in Pittsford’s elite training center, “Wanna Get Fas.” Pittsford Performance Care offers active care designed to prevent, evaluate, treat and rehabilitate injuries for a April 2013 •

a brunch at 11 a.m., Sunday, April 7, at the Irondequoit Country Club, 4045 East Ave., in Pittsford. Tickets are $36. Reservations can be made by calling 4828652. The deadline to register is April 1.

Named for NCJW’s founder, the Hannah G. Solomon award goes to Weisberg an individual who takes action on issues vital to NCJW and translates those actions into community programs. Weisberg is being recognized for her efforts to create better coordination of care between community members and health care facilities and to ensure a high-performBoyar ing health system for Rochester and the Finger Lakes area.

FLHSA’s roles include solving health care system issues collaboratively by meeting with medical and non-medical stakeholders, analyzing

New Newark Hospital ED Named After Finger Lakes Orthopedic Surgeon Physician Daniel Alexander makes lead gift to name emergency department. Gift is the largest in the hospital’s history Wayne County will celebrate April 19 the grand opening of the newly constructed emergency department (ED) at Newark-Wayne Community Hospital (NWCH), and the name on the top of the building will pay tribute to one of the community’s most respected and accomplished physicians, Daniel Alexander.

As the only hospital in Wayne County, the new NWCH emergency department — soon to be named the Daniel Alexander, M.D., Emergency Department — addresses one of the most significant needs in the community. To support this project, AlexanAlexander der, an orthopedic surgeon and founder and owner of Finger Lakes Bone and Joint Center, has committed to making the largest gift in the history of the hospital through the Dr. Daniel Alexander Family Foundation.

“This area has done so much for me and for my family,” explained Alexander, a native of Buffalo who lives in Canandaigua with his wife, Gail, and four children. “I am proud to know this gift will help NewarkWayne Community Hospital be there for people during their time of greatest need.”

The new ED is the centerpiece of NWCH’s major modernization project and fundraising campaign. The current ED was designed to accommodate 11,000 patient visits per year.

Last year, that same facility encountered more than 23,000 patient visits.

Alexander’s journey to become a renowned surgeon and philanthropist is one steeped in hard work, family values and a commitment to serve others. Attending medical school at SUNY Buffalo while working full time as a lieutenant for the Buffalo Fire Department, Alexander understood the impact one can have as a community servant.

After receiving his orthopedic training at Henry Ford hospital in Detroit, he returned to the area in 2004. In 2006, he opened the Finger Lakes Bone and Joint Center. As his practice grew—he performed 1,400 procedures last year, making him one of the busiest orthopedic surgeons in the United States—he maintained a focus on family and philanthropy, giving back to the Boys and Girls Club in Geneva and funding the building of a new community center in the poor, inner city Buffalo neighborhood where he grew up.

The mission of the Dr. Daniel Alexander Family Foundation is to support projects intended to benefit less fortunate inner-city youth or provide medical services for the underserved.

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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H ealth News data to measure progress, partnering with the New York State Department of Health, and reducing health disparities for people of color.

Accomplishments under Weisberg’s leadership include: reducing preventable hospital admissions and avoidable emergency room visits; improving high blood pressure care; creation of the African-American and Latino Health Coalitions; combating childhood obesity; planning long-term health services for the aging; and helping people living with HIV/AIDS. A Baltimore native and graduate of the University of Rochester, Weisberg was CEO and president of Lifespan for 10 years before joining FLHSA. She transformed Lifespan from a $1.5 million agency to a $5 million agency, developing a comprehensive support system for people age 55 and older. Prior to that, she held administrative positions at the Catholic Family Center, the Monroe County Legal Assistance Corporation, and the Monroe County LongTerm Care Ombudsman program.

Boyar, a Pittsford resident, has served as section treasurer and a member of the board of directors. She has chaired numerous events and programs, and has served on section committees. Currently head of the budget committee, Boyar provided invaluable ideas in developing Celebrating Our Women, a fall event that recognized local members, and co-chaired the recent Hanukkah brunch. She also has represented Rochester at NCJW’s Washington Institute, a national advocacy convention.

A certified public accountant, Boyar had a 17-year career as a tax manager. She currently works in retail sales and also is a yoga instructor. In addition to her NCJW activities, Boyar has served on several committees at Temple B’rith Kodesh and formerly sat on the United Way Allocations Committee. She and her husband, Stuart, have two grown sons.

Founded in 1893, NCJW is the oldest Jewish women’s volunteer organization in the U.S., with a network of 90,000 members nationwide and 350 members locally. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW works to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families and to ensure individual rights and freedoms for all.

STORY IDEAS? Email them to Editor@GVhealthnews.com

Youth Recognize Kick Butts Day: ‘Protect us from Tobacco’

W

ayne Central School District youth joined thousands of kids across the country March 20, taking part in Kick Butts Day, a nationwide initiative that makes youth leaders in the effort to stop youth tobacco use. Wayne youth educated their peers about the tobacco companies’ deceptive marketing practices, and collected their signatures on a “We’ve Seen Enough” tobacco marketing banner. In addition, they created a memorial wall of family and friends affected by tobacco.

“It’s depressing that tobacco marketer’s target youth, because they have their whole lives ahead of them and smoking can destroy that,” said one of the students, Bethany E. Youth throughout state have educated and advocated for measures to protect them from tobacco marketing. The tobacco industry spends over $500,000 per day in New York state alone, marketing their deadly products.

Youth learn at an early age that tobacco kills one of every three of its users, and they are tired of being targeted as replacement smokers, and tobacco users.

“Kick Butts Day allows youth

Letters

•

of preventable death, killing approximately 400,000 people in the U.S. each year. More than 600,000 middle school students and 3 million high school students smoke cigarettes. And every day in the U.S. more than 3,800 kids try their first cigarette.

Those interested in becoming involved in creating change should contact TACFL at 585-666-1398.

to the Editor The

Forgotten Gender Men: The Forgotten Gender. ‘Man: Forgotten Gender’ Story is a Joke Misses the Point The forgotten gender. I found this article to be a joke. The issues that interest men are in the forefront of every TV commercial I am forced to watch for erection medication. Insurance covers their Viagra no problem while we still have to have birth control approved. A woman’s chest pains are still not taken serious as with most complaints from women to physicians. We still fight for abortion rights while men have their breasts reduced! Your article is ridiculous!! A slap to all women in the face!! oralsurgery4u@aol.com

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to use their voice to advocate for change.” said Penny Gugino, director with the Tobacco Action Coalition of the Finger Lakes — TACFL. “Our youth are sending two messages: they want the tobacco industry to stop targeting them with marketing and they want elected officials at all levels to do more to protect them from tobacco.”

In New York City, officials are listening to youth’s pleas for help.

New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg, in March, announced his proposal to require retailers to keep tobacco products out of sight. “Such displays suggest that smoking is a normal activity and they invite young people to experiment with tobacco,” Mayor Bloomberg said.

Tobacco use is the leading cause

Dear Editor, I may not be a subject matter expert; however, as a survivor of prostate cancer and co-founder of Us TOO Rochester, a networking support group for men surviving prostate cancer and those who love or care for them, I was at first thrilled to see the attempt made in the March 2013 issue of your health care newspaper to focus on men’s health: “The Forgotten Gender.” Then I read your selection of articles, only to find that once again the real focus regarding cancer was on cancer among

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

women. Prostate cancer for men got a mere ‘mention’ and was otherwise forgotten. Which is often the case in media. Yet, according to the New York State Cancer Registry (2009), the incidence rates for most types of cancer in Monroe County occur at alarmingly greater rates among men than women, and the mortality rate for men dying from prostate cancer or testicular cancer is 7.5 percent, while the mortality rate for women dying from breast cancer, cervix cancer, uterus cancer and ovarian cancer combined was only 4.6 percent.

Given recent changes in regulations that seriously impact PSA testing as a means of detecting prostate cancer in men, a decision that may lead to increase those mortality rates, I feel it was a missed opportunity for your staff to engage one of the many urology groups in Rochester to provide meaningful information regarding the need for men to prick up their ears and seek counseling for prostate cancer detection, especially if there exists a family history for this form of cancer.

Patrick Fisher Us TOO Rochester, co-founder If you have any comment, a story idea or a complaint, please send an email to editor@GVhealthnews.com

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

Sponsored by the Monroe County Medical Society, Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency, and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

A nonprofit independent licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association

April 2013 •

IN GOOD HEALTH – Rochester / Genesee Valley Healthcare Newspaper

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Rt. 31, Macedon, NY : 315 986-4401 : 800 265-7174 : www.vanbortelchevrolet.net

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