HealthWorks SUM M ER 2022
HELP FOR
HEART FAILURE LIFE-CHANGING
TREATMENTS SUMMER
FOOT CARE
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Montefiore Nyack Hospital Updates FROM THE PRESIDENT
JOIN US!
Dear Readers, Ensuring that all community members have access to the highest quality healthcare is our mission. Providing those services in a safe and inclusive environment is integral to achieving that mission. Our journey toward providing diverse, equitable and inclusive healthcare is not confined within the four walls of the hospital, it also extends into our community programs. There is no better example of our commitment to this goal than the recently opened The Jacobs Family Pride Wellness Center of Montefiore Nyack Hospital. This Center represents how, together, our hospital and a community benefit organization, Rockland Pride, can partner to provide affirming and confidential medical care to the LGBTQ+ community. The first of its kind in the Hudson Valley, our center was dedicated in April. At that ceremony, U.S. Congressman Mondaire Jones offered his support of our collective efforts, presenting a $1.5 million check for the purpose of expanding our Pride Wellness Center’s capacity, capabilities and reach. As we enter Pride Month in June, I’m proud to share that Montefiore Nyack Hospital has earned the LGBTQ+ Top Performer Designation in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s 2022 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). HEI is the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey of healthcare facilities on policies and practices dedicated to the equitable treatment and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ patients, visitors and employees. As one of the top healthcare leaders in LGBTQ+ equality, we’re elated by this distinguished organization’s acknowledgment of our significant progress along our journey of providing safe, equitable and inclusive care to our community. Finally, in March we broke ground on our Musculoskeletal Center of Excellence in partnership with Montefiore Orthopedic Faculty Practice and Northeast Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Located in West Nyack, this 60,000-square-foot holistic patient-centered facility will house our world-class orthopedists, best-in-class ambulatory surgery center and advanced imaging center, as well as our nationally recognized physical and occupational therapy services. We expect this new center will transform the healthcare experience in the region by delivering the highest quality and standard of care right here in Rockland County. As we enter the summer months, be safe, stay healthy and enjoy the glorious weather. Best regards,
Mark Geller, MD President and Chief Executive Officer
SAVE THE DATE FOR 2022 FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Monday, July 18, 2022 | Rockland Country Club, Sparkill, NY
36th Annual Northeastern Anesthesia & Montefiore Nyack Hospital Medical Staff Golf This important event has raised critical funding for our Transformation Project for the past four years, and this year is no different. All proceeds will benefit our Emergency Department, which expanded to nearly 30,000 square feet and includes dedicated private space for our pediatric patients. In addition, this project has created state-of-the-art spaces for our Ambulatory Surgery Center and Cardiac Cath Lab. Construction continues as we expand upon guest accommodations and patient experience with our newly renovated Welcome Center and parking garage. You won’t want to miss this championship day of golf for a great cause! Scan QR code to book your foursome today!
Sunday, October 23, 2022 Boulders Stadium, Pomona, NY
Rides & Strides Come together to benefit The Breast Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital while enjoying exclusive access to cycling and run/walk routes in one of the most beautiful areas of the Hudson Valley. Choose from 30-, 42- or 62-mile cycling routes, or run or walk the 5K. Proceeds from Rides & Strides will ensure that those who are underinsured, uninsured and medically underserved receive the screening services they need on an annual basis. It’s easy to participate! Scan QR code to register, start a team, fundraise and have fun!
For more information about the Montefiore Nyack Hospital Foundation and upcoming events, visit www.montefiorenyackfoundation.org or call 845-348-2770.
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@Montefiore_Nyack linkedin.com/MontefioreNyackHospital
EDITORIAL STAFF Lauren Malone, Sr. Dir. of PR and Marketing Rose Croke, Marketing Manager Briana Tolve, Marketing Manager Jasmine Gonzalez, Marketing Coordinator Celia Vimont, Writer
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summer
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HELP FOR HEART FAILURE Our
Congestive Heart Failure Program offers local access to world-class care.
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LOCAL CARE FOR A LIVER TRANSPLANT A Rockland County
woman is recovering well thanks to an expert team of Montefiore specialists.
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LIVING A FULL LIFE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS Lisa Carway is a “new” person after treatment at Montefiore Nyack Hospital’s MS center.
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2022
IN THIS ISSUE
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Jacobs Family Pride Wellness Center provides affirming, confidential care.
We offer classes that will answer your questions from pregnancy through birth and beyond.
HEALTHCARE FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY The
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KEEP YOUR FEET HEALTHY THIS SUMMER Choosing the
right footwear is key, says Dr. Steven Adler, Director of Podiatry at Montefiore Nyack Hospital.
MATERNITY AND CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION CLASSES Expecting a baby?
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EXERCISE FOR A HEALTHY PREGNANCY Staying active while you’re pregnant will help keep you and your baby healthy and ready for labor.
GROUNDBREAKING FOR MONTEFIORE ORTHOPEDIC CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN WEST NYACK In March, Montefiore Nyack Hospital broke ground on the 60,000-square-foot Musculoskeletal Center of Excellence, located off-campus in West Nyack, New York. This state-of-the-art facility will bring an orthopedic surgical center to Rockland with clinical offices, an ambulatory surgery center and advanced imaging center, as well as physical and occupational therapy. Upon completion, Northeast Orthopedics and Sports Medicine (NEOSM), now part of the Montefiore Orthopedics team, will move into the new facility and offer patients a new standard of advanced musculoskeletal care. Montefiore Orthopedic Center of Excellence, projected to open in late 2023, is located at 3 Centerock Road in West Nyack about three miles west of the hospital’s main facility. M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G
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HELP FOR
HEART FAILURE THE MONTEFIORE NYACK HOSPITAL CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE PROGRAM OFFERS LOCAL ACCESS TO WORLD-CLASS CARE.
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n estimated 8 million people in the United States have congestive heart failure (CHF). Today, there are a variety of effective treatments for CHF. That wasn’t always the case, according to Ulrich Jorde, MD, Professor of Medicine and Co-Director, Montefiore Nyack Hospital Congestive Heart Failure Program. “Twenty-five years ago, if you had 100 people with symptomatic congestive heart failure, half would die within a year,” says Dr. Jorde, who is also Section Chief of Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation for Montefiore Health System. “Today, with modern
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“At Montefiore Nyack Hospital, you get one-stop shopping—comprehensive assessment, an update of currently available therapies and, if that’s not enough, access to investigational technologies you wouldn’t otherwise have access to.” Ulrich Jorde, MD, Co-Director, Montefiore Nyack Hospital Congestive Heart Failure Program Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the Bronx, New York.
WHAT IS CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE? Heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to pump adequate amounts of blood to the rest of the body. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, swelling of the legs, chest tightness and difficulty doing day-to-day tasks. A person with heart failure symptoms should be seen by a cardiologist. If they’re diagnosed with CHF, the cardiologist will prescribe medication. “If a person doesn’t feel better after taking the medication, they’re still short of breath or their heart is getting weaker, consultation at a heart failure specialty program should be considered,” Dr. Jorde says. The program will conduct a comprehensive review to see which heart failure therapies might help the individual patient. These therapies include medicines, special heart failure pacemakers and, as a last resort, a surgically implanted heart pump (LVAD) and heart transplantation. medical therapy, the one-year survival rate is well over 90%.” “There are a number of therapies that can help patients with congestive heart failure live longer, and even improve the heart’s function,” says Sandhya Murthy, MD, Co-Director of the Montefiore Nyack Hospital Congestive Heart Failure Program and Assistant Professor of Medicine in Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant at Montefiore Medical
THE MONTEFIORE NYACK ADVANTAGE Heart failure patients treated at Montefiore Nyack Hospital receive the same world-renowned care provided by the Heart Failure program at Montefiore Einstein’s main campus in New York City. Most patients can be diagnosed and treated at Montefiore Nyack. Those who are critically ill or who need a heart transplant can be treated at Montefiore Einstein.
“At Montefiore Einstein, we also offer many investigational therapies that may allow patients to keep their own heart instead of needing a heart transplant,” says Dr. Jorde, who is the lead investigator on multiple national and global clinical trials for congestive heart failure treatments. Those patients who do need a heart transplant receive excellent care at Montefiore Einstein. “We’ve performed more than 500 heart transplants at our Center, and our outcomes rank among the best in the United States,” Dr. Jorde says.
OTHER HEART SERVICES In addition to CHF, the Montefiore Nyack program treats high-risk obstetrical patients. “We’ve been spearheading efforts to improve care for sick young women with heart disease during pregnancy,” Dr. Murthy says. The CHF program also treats heart valve disease and pulmonary hypertension. This is a condition in which high blood pressure affects arteries of the lungs and the right side of the heart. “At Montefiore Nyack Hospital, you get one-stop shopping—comprehensive assessment, an update of currently available therapies and, if that’s not enough, access to investigational technologies you wouldn’t otherwise have access to,” Dr. Jorde says.
Heart failure patients treated at Montefiore Nyack Hospital receive the same world-renowned care provided by the Heart Failure program at Montefiore Einstein’s main campus in New York City.
To learn more about the world-renowned heart failure care offered at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, visit www.montefiorenyack.org/congestive-heart-failure. To schedule an appointment, call 845-348-7500.
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LOCAL CARE FOR A LIVER TRANSPLANT From left to right: Temp’prest McGee, liver transplant recipient, and Kristina Chacko, MD, transplant hepatologist at Montefiore Einstein Center for Transplantation.
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A ROCKLAND COUNTY WOMAN IS GETTING BACK TO NORMAL AFTER A LIVER TRANSPLANT, THANKS TO AN EXPERT TEAM OF MONTEFIORE SPECIALISTS.
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efore Temp’prest McGee had her liver transplant, she was in and out of the hospital often. “I’d be in the hospital for a week at a time—I didn’t really have a life. I couldn’t do normal things, I couldn’t work. It was really difficult for me,” she says. She had been treated at several hospitals, including Montefiore Nyack. Her gastroenterologist referred her to Kristina Chacko, MD, a transplant hepatologist at Montefiore-Einstein Center for Transplantation in the Bronx. Dr. Chacko saw Temp’prest at her office in West Nyack, thanks to the transplant program’s partnership with Montefiore Nyack Hospital, which enables patients who live in Rockland County and the surrounding areas to remain close to home as they receive state-of-the art complex care from the academic faculty of Montefiore Einstein.
LIVER TRANSPLANT AND RECOVERY Temp’prest qualified for a liver transplant at the age of 29. Jay Graham, MD, performed the procedure at Montefiore Einstein in March 2021. Temp’prest recovered in a specialized transplant unit at Montefiore Medical Center, which has specially trained nurses and staff that are familiar with all aspects of transplant recovery. The multidisciplinary transplant team, which includes transplant surgeons, hepatologists, a pharmacist, social workers and a nutritionist, actively manages all patients admitted to the transplant unit. During the hospitalization, patients and their families receive extensive education on medications, signs and symptoms to watch for after discharge, follow-up care and acceptable activities. While some patients can leave the hospital as soon as two weeks after a liver transplant, Temp’prest was hospitalized for a month. Once she was discharged, she first saw Dr. Chacko
twice a week, then every week, then every two weeks. Gradually, the time between her visits increased. As with all transplant patients, Temp’prest needed to start taking medications to suppress the immune system and other medications to prevent infection. At discharge, most patients receive a large number of medications, taken two or three times daily. After six months to a year, the doctor may reduce or eliminate many medications. At the end of the first year, many patients take only one or two medications.
REGAINING HER LIFE “Since her transplant, Temp’prest has been doing really well,” says Dr. Chacko. “She’s really thrived with her transplant.” Temp’prest says she’s been able to get back to her normal life. “I was able to regain my strength and my independence,” she says. The transplant team performs about 60 liver transplants per year at the Montefiore-Einstein Center for Transplantation. Patients come from all over the New York and New Jersey area
and beyond. “If patients in Rockland County need treatment, we can often see them locally and do pretransplant testing there. It makes it easier for patients. If they’re hospitalized at Montefiore Nyack and are sicker and need more complex care, they can be transferred to Montefiore Einstein,” says Dr. Chacko. For the first few months after the transplant, patients generally come to Montefiore Einstein for follow-up care. After that, patients often can see Dr. Chacko or other physicians at Montefiore Nyack Hospital’s satellite practices. After the first 12 months, a patient’s risk of complications and infections drop, and many can cut back to checkups every three months. Temp’prest says she is grateful to Dr. Chacko and her team. “She’s amazing. From the beginning, she was very honest and transparent with me,” Temp’prest says. “She didn’t try to sugarcoat things. She and the whole team encouraged me when I had doubts. It was a lot for me to deal with, and they were really patient and understanding.”
The Montefiore Einstein Center for Transplantation offers comprehensive evaluation designed specifically to identify and treat any aspect of a patient’s condition involving the kidney, liver, pancreas, heart and lung. Evaluation service is available in convenient locations throughout the Bronx, Westchester, Rockland County and New Jersey. For information, visit www.montefiore.org/ gastroenterology-liver-center-transplant or email transplant@montefiore.org.
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LIVING A FULL LIFE WITH
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
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isa Carway was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when she was 21. She had been a special education teacher, but stopped working about 12 years ago when her symptoms progressed. “At first, the symptoms weren’t so bad, but over the years they got worse,” says Lisa, now 42. “There were times I was in and out of the hospital because I couldn’t walk and had difficulty swallowing.” When first diagnosed, Lisa found a doctor who was very helpful, and was treated by him for 18 years. But then, he moved too far for her to continue seeing him. She saw several other doctors, without success.
WORSENING SYMPTOMS “I was going downhill,” she says. She had to stop driving, and it was getting more difficult to care for her son, now a 6-year-old “ball of energy.” So began a journey that ultimately led Lisa to Christopher Langston, MD, Medical Director of The Madlyn Borelli Multiple Sclerosis Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. Lisa came to the MS Center in February 2021 after her husband heard good things about it from
colleagues. She was very uncomfortable from spasticity, or stiffness, and had muscle spasms that made it difficult to walk. “Lisa came into the clinic in a wheelchair,” says Dr. Langston. “She could walk with a cane, but it was hard for her to go long distances and do a lot of other things because of stiffness and spasms.” She had a severe tremor in her right hand. She also had trigeminal neuralgia, a condition that causes painful, electric shocks in the face that disrupted her speech.
A NEW TREATMENT PLAN When Dr. Langston first saw Lisa, she was taking a lot of medications, including several muscle relaxants to reduce spasms and spasticity and medicine to treat her trigeminal neuralgia. She also was receiving injections of Botox in her throat to help her swallow. Over the last year, Dr. Langston has developed a new treatment plan for Lisa. He increased the dose of some of her medicines and added new ones. “We were able to find the right balance so that she could function better without being over-sedated,” he says. Lisa was also being treated with Botox for her migraines. Dr. Langston
LISA CARWAY IS A “NEW PERSON” AFTER TREATMENT AT MONTEFIORE NYACK HOSPITAL’S MS CENTER. wanted her to start receiving Botox injections in her arm to reduce spasms. But there is a limit to how much Botox a person can safely receive before it starts affecting breathing. Consequently, he referred Lisa to a headache specialist at Montefiore Nyack, who switched her to a different treatment for her migraines. “Now that I’m getting Botox in my arm, it makes a huge difference,” Lisa says. She’ll soon be driving again, using hand controls that are being installed in her car. “Coming to the MS Center was a great decision. Dr. Langston has helped me so much,” she says. “And it’s near our home, so I don’t have to travel far.” Dr. Langston says a year after Lisa started treatment at Montefiore Nyack’s MS Center, she seems like a new person. “She’s now walking into the clinic, instead of coming in a wheelchair,” he says. “I can understand everything she’s saying, and she looks so much more comfortable. It’s a night and day situation.” “I can function without constant pain now,” Lisa says. “I’ve shown that a person can live a normal, fulfilling life with MS.”
If you or someone you love has MS, schedule a consultation with Dr. Langston by calling 845-348-8880. For more information about available treatment options, visit www.montefiorenyack.org/multiple-sclerosis.
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From left to right: Christopher Langston, MD, Medical Director of the Madlyn Borelli Multiple Sclerosis Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, advises patient Lisa Carway on her MS care plan.
“I’ve shown that a person can live a normal, fulfilling life with MS.” Lisa Carway
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HEALTHCARE FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
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THE JACOBS FAMILY PRIDE WELLNESS CENTER PROVIDES AFFIRMING AND CONFIDENTIAL CARE CLOSE TO HOME.
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ntil recently, members of the LGBTQ+ community in Rockland County who were looking for healthcare attuned to their needs often had to travel into New York City. Now they can find medical care tailored to them in an affirming and confidential way at The Jacobs Family Pride Wellness Center of Montefiore Nyack Hospital. The Pride Wellness Center, which opened in November 2021, “is familiar with the needs that are unique to the LGBTQ+ community,” says Raffaele M. Bernardo, DO, clinical lead at the center. “Additionally, we focus on healthcare that goes beyond the physical components— mental health, sexual health and gender-affirming care.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, members of the LGBTQ+ community are at increased risk for a number of health disparities when compared to their heterosexual peers. Discrimination against LGBTQ+ people has been associated with high rates of psychiatric disorders, substance use and suicide. Dr. Bernardo says the Pride Wellness Center’s patients have been looking for primary care providers they feel comfortable speaking to about LGBTQ+ issues that affect their physical, mental and sexual well-being. “We’ve seen patients ranging from their late teens to older adulthood,” says Dr. Bernardo.
GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE The Pride Wellness Center is also filling a need among the trans population, which has been unable to receive gender-affirming care in the area. “Unfortunately, some of these individuals have had to drive into Manhattan, traveling up to an hour or more from their home to see a doctor who could support their transition,” he says. “Now, we’re able to help fill this important need close to home.” The Pride Wellness Center accepts most insurance, and financial assistance is available with a sliding fee scale for uninsured individuals. Spanish-speaking providers and staff are available, and many are proud members of the LGBTQ+ community. The Pride Wellness Center currently sees patients ages 16 and up. Referrals are available for those under 16, including care for transgender, nonbinary and gender-expansive young people. Dr. Bernardo says The Pride Wellness Center will expand its services over time, including providing comprehensive HIV care. “We want to provide additional pieces of healthcare that are often overlooked or are in short supply in Rockland and the Hudson Valley.”
SPECIALIZED HEALTHCARE AND SUPPORT Services currently offered at the Pride Wellness Center include: • Confidential screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections • Gender-affirming healthcare, gender-affirming hormone therapy and referrals for gender-affirming surgery • Gynecologic services for cisgender women and transgender men, including birth control • HIV testing and prevention services, including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and PostExposure Prophylaxis (PEP) • Support services, including nursing, patient education, healthcare navigation and social services. The staff includes a social worker and peer educator. • Vaccinations including hepatitis B, HPV and others
If you would like to receive affirming care at The Jacobs Family Pride Wellness Center of Montefiore Nyack Hospital, call 845-348-7284. The Pride Wellness Center is located at The Hub Shopping Center, 312 Route 59 (GPS address: 336 Route 59), in Nyack. For more information, visit www.montefiorenyack.org/ pridewellnesscenter.
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KEEP YOUR FEET HEALTHY THIS SUMMER CHOOSING THE RIGHT FOOTWEAR IS KEY, SAYS STEVEN ADLER, MD, DIRECTOR OF PODIATRY AT MONTEFIORE NYACK HOSPITAL.
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s the weather gets warmer, it’s time to put away boots and bring out your summer shoes. Choosing well-fitting footwear is one important way to protect your feet this summer, says Steven Adler, DPM, Director of Podiatry at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. “Make sure summer shoes fit what you’re doing,” he says. “Flip-flops are fine for around the pool, but don’t wear them to play football or Frisbee—you can easily injure yourself.” Flip-flops with padding or thick bottoms can cushion the ball of your foot. Look for flip-flops with arch support to provide stability and balance. Water shoes can be a good choice for the beach. They protect the feet from hot surfaces and sharp objects, like rocks and shells. They can also come in handy at a water park to protect your feet from sharp objects and against an athlete’s foot infection. For walking or biking, choose a good-quality sneaker. Look for materials that are more breathable and moisture resistant. “If you’re hiking, wear supportive shoes that cover the ankle, especially if you’re walking on uneven terrain,” Dr. Adler says. Wear socks to avoid friction that can cause blisters. For biking, pick a sneaker with nonslip soles so feet stay securely on the pedals.
DIABETES PUTS FEET AT RISK People with diabetes shouldn’t go barefoot outside, Dr. Adler advises. He has seen patients with diabetes who have walked barefoot on a hot driveway or sidewalk during the summer and ended up with significant wounds on the bottom of their feet. “Understandably, people like the feel of sand or grass between their toes. But going barefoot can result in a cut or a foreign object that may get lodged in the foot,” says Dr. Adler. “People with diabetes can have reduced sensation in the foot and might not feel it. That’s why if you’re barefoot at the beach or pool area, it’s very important to check your feet when you leave to look for cuts or scrapes.”
5 TIPS FOR HEALTHIER FEET This summer, make sure you: 1. Put sunscreen on the top of your feet. Don’t forget to reapply sunscreen when you come out of the water. 2. To prevent fungal infections, check between your toes after going to the beach or pool to make sure the area is clean and dry. 3. Let your sneakers or flip-flops dry out before you wear them again to help keep bacteria and fungus from growing. Bring an extra pair with you when you travel so you always have dry footwear. 4. D rink lots of water. This will reduce foot swelling caused by the heat. 5. Flex and extend your feet in all directions while you’re lounging by the pool or at the beach to help with blood flow.
TRAVEL WITH THESE FOOT-FRIENDLY ITEMS When you’re traveling, bring these items for your feet: • Band-Aids for minor cuts and scrapes • Antibiotic cream for minor skin injuries • Blister pads to protect against blisters • Over-the-counter antiinflammatories like Motrin or Advil for swollen feet • Aloe vera for sunburns
Have a foot issue that is bothering you? Seek treatment with a podiatrist who can help. Search Podiatry via our Physician Finder at www.montefiorenyack.org.
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MATERNITY AND CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION CLASSES EXPECTING A BABY? WE OFFER CLASSES THAT WILL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE, FROM PREGNANCY THROUGH BIRTH AND BEYOND.
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ontefiore Nyack Hospital is committed to providing family-centered maternal care, empowering parents through education and guiding families throughout pregnancy, birth and the early years.
ACCELERATED WEEKEND LAMAZE CLASSES This two-day course discusses the birthing process, comfort measures, partner-coaching techniques and hospital experience. This class is taught by a certified childbirth educator and includes a full-color companion book. (Virtual)
BREASTFEEDING BASICS This interactive two-hour class prepares participants for breastfeeding. Learn about feeding strategies, pumping, storing and other common concerns. This class is taught by an International Board-Certified Lactation
Consultant and includes a full-color companion book. (Virtual)
INFANT CPR This two-hour class is taught by a certified American Heart Association instructor. Learn how to perform CPR on babies up to 12 months old. (Virtual)
NEW MOMS CIRCLE Parent support group welcoming all who are expecting or have babies, toddlers and/or young children. Join us to connect with others in the community and enjoy open circle discussions and special activities. Meetings occur biweekly and in-person, or online in the event of inclement weather. (In-person or virtual)
INFANT CARE AND NUTRITION This two-hour class teaches the basics of caring for babies up to 12 months
old. Learn about holding, diapering, bathing, sleeping, feeding, safety and other common concerns. This class is taught by a certified childbirth educator. (Virtual)
MAMAS MARAVILLOSAS Mamas Maravillosas is a free diabetes prevention program for Spanishspeaking mothers. This 16-week program follows the curriculum for the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Registration is through our Community Health and Wellness Department. Participants learn how to make better food choices for themselves and their families so they can live a healthier lifestyle. The goal for each participant is to lose five to seven percent of their body weight to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Participants have reported that the program has positively changed their lifestyle and successfully aided in weight loss. (Virtual)
For more information about our Maternity Center and Childbirth Education programs, call 845-348-2639 or visit www.montefiorenyack.org/events-calendar. To schedule a maternity tour, visit www.montefiorenyack.org/labor-delivery-mother-baby-tours.
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EXERCISE FOR A HEALTHY PREGNANCY STAYING ACTIVE WHILE YOU’RE PREGNANT WILL HELP KEEP YOU AND YOUR BABY HEALTHY AND PREPARE YOUR BODY FOR THE DEMANDS OF LABOR.
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ongratulations! You’re pregnant! This is a time for you to pamper and take good care of yourself. While you need plenty of rest and time to put your feet up, you also need to stay fit. Studies show that exercise during pregnancy benefits both you and your baby. Before starting any exercise regimen, even if you were very active before your pregnancy, consult your doctor. There are conditions during pregnancy that can make exercise unsafe even for the biggest fitness guru. Once your doctor gives the okay, you can stay active in almost any way you like. Aerobics, light weight lifting, walking, noncontact sports (think tennis and golf), yoga, swimming and stretching are all potential activities. Swimming is particularly beneficial as it relieves the growing pressure on your
back and feet while allowing you to get a great cardiovascular workout. While almost any activity is safe during pregnancy, a few precautions should be taken. Be sure to avoid overheating, particularly if you work out in hot weather. Drink lots of water and take frequent breaks. Also, be careful of anything that requires balance because your center of gravity will be shifting. Avoid becoming too out of breath. A good test is whether you can carry on a light conversation while working out. If you’re breathless, slow down. Be sure to slow down or stop if something doesn’t feel right, and contact your doctor if necessary. Staying active will help relieve some common pregnancy aches and pains and prepare you for the hard work of labor. It also will help you bounce back to a healthy lifestyle after your baby is born.
5 WARNING SIGNS If you experience any of these symptoms while exercising, stop immediately and contact your doctor: 1 Abdominal pain or
contractions that don’t go away when you stop and drink water
2 Bleeding or having fluid
leak from your vagina
3 Sudden swelling in your
legs or ankles
4 Muscle weakness or
difficulty walking
5 Chest pain
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160 North Midland Avenue Nyack, NY 10960
NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID Harrisburg, PA Permit #324
HELP FOR SLOW-HEALING WOUNDS At The Wound Care Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, we help wounds heal faster so our patients can get back to their normal activities sooner. Using advanced wound-care therapies, such as skin substitutes, negative pressure wound therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, we treat: • Burns • Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis • Compromised Skin Grafts and Flaps • Dehisced Surgical Wounds • Diabetic Foot Ulcers/Diabetic Wounds of the Lower Extremities • Soft Tissue Radionecrosis and Osteoradionecrosis • Traumatic Wounds • Ulcers: venous and arterial; ischemic; neuropathic, pressure (bed sores) • Vasculitis
Patients can refer themselves or be referred by a physician or other healthcare professional. To make an appointment, call 845-348-7600. The Wound Care Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital 160 N. Midland Ave. | Nyack, New York
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