Nyack Winter 2020

HealthWorks WIN TER 2020

FREE VASCULAR SCREENING PROGRAM CARDIAC REHABILITATION CENTER OPENS CANCER CLINICAL TRIALS CLOSE TO HOME

STAY HEART HEALTHY EAT WELL, BE ACTIVE

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Montefiore Nyack Hospital Updates FROM THE PRESIDENT

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ith the beginning of a new decade, we have a great deal to celebrate in 2020, starting with the Hospital’s 125th Anniversary celebration.

This anniversary will coincide with the completion of the Hospital’s Transformation Project—the largest infrastructure upgrade in the facility’s history and the first major capital undertaking since Montefiore Nyack Hospital joined the Montefiore Health System in 2018. A full calendar of activities, including the Hospital’s Community Care Campaign, is currently underway.

Montefiore Nyack Hospital is at a transformative point in its storied history of serving and caring for our community. When Montefiore Nyack Hospital opened its doors in 1895, it was a two-story structure with nine beds, a reception area, an operating room, a nurse’s parlor and a dining room built in what was then a rural village. Today, Montefiore Nyack Hospital is a busy 391-bed community acute care medical and surgical hospital. As a proud member of the Montefiore Health System, Montefiore Nyack Hospital’s mission remains the same as it was from its humble beginnings—to provide outstanding, innovative and accessible emergency and acute care services to the residents of Rockland County and surrounding areas.

I recommend that you regularly visit the Hospital’s website (montefiorenyack.org) and Facebook page (facebook.com/ montefiorenyack) to learn more about our 125th Anniversary celebration and the ways in which we are supporting the diverse communities we so proudly serve.

SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE WITH PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS Access care when you need us and where you need us. Highland Medical, P.C., the trusted network of physicians and specialists who have been providing care to our community for years, helps you and your family stay healthy.

CALL 1-866-550-HMPC. FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF PROFESSIONALS AND SPECIALTIES, VISIT

HIGHLANDMEDICALPC.COM.

LISTEN FOR BETTER HEALTH We’re pleased to offer two podcast series: “Health Talk” features medical advice and health news from Montefiore Nyack Hospital’s physicians, and “Sound Advice” features timely health and wellness-related topics from Highland Medical’s healthcare providers.

Both podcasts are available free of charge.

Subscribe on iTunes, Google Play and other satellite radio apps, or visit each homepage for podcast access: • MONTEFIORENYACK.ORG • HIGHLANDMEDICALPC.COM

Best regards,

Mark Geller, MD President and Chief Executive Officer

facebook.com/MontefioreNyack

@MontefioreNyack

@MontefioreNyack

EDITORIAL STAFF Lauren Malone, Senior Director of Public Relations and Marketing Rose Croke, Marketing Manager Briana Tolve, Marketing Manager, Highland Medical, P.C. Celia Vimont, Contributing Writer

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IN THIS ISSUE

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VASCULAR SCREENING CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE Find out if you’re at increased risk for stroke or heart disease.

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CANCER SUPPORT Help, insights and encouragement for cancer patients.

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FROM HOSPITAL TO HOME, SAFELY Transitional care helps patients prepare for more independent living.

PROTECT YOUR HEART After a cardiac event, rehabilitation is key.

A CLOSE CALL WITH A HAPPY ENDING For Eileen Watson, expert trauma care made all the difference.

CUTTING EDGE CANCER CARE Clinical trials for new treatments offer patients many benefits.

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THE POWER TO CONTROL YOUR HEALTH Learn to prevent or manage diabetes and avoid or delay its dangerous complications.

MONTEFIORE NYACK HOSPITAL RECOGNIZED AS A HIGH PERFORMING HOSPITAL BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT

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ontefiore Nyack Hospital has been recognized as a High Performing Hospital for 2019–20 by U.S. News & World Report’s annual Procedures and Conditions ratings. Montefiore Nyack Hospital earned a “High Performing” rating for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), in recognition of care that was significantly better than the national average, as measured by factors such as patient outcomes. “High Performing” is the highest rating U.S. News awards for that type of care.

Now in its fifth year, these national ratings are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for common conditions and elective procedures.

M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G

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VASCULAR SCREENING CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE

SPECIAL SCREENING TESTS CAN IDENTIFY PEOPLE AT INCREASED RISK FOR STROKE, HEART DISEASE AND AORTIC ANEURYSMS EARLY, WHEN TREATMENT IS MOST EFFECTIVE.

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any people suffer from vascular disease—any abnormal blockage of the blood vessels—and don’t know it.

People with risk factors can undergo free screening at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. Finding out you’re at increased risk for stroke, heart disease and aneurysms before symptoms develop can be lifesaving, according to Michael L. Schwartz, MD, RPVI, FACS, Division Chief of Vascular Surgery at Montefiore Nyack Hospital and vascular surgeon at Rockland Thoracic and Vascular Associates.

One type of vascular disease is aortic aneurysm. “This is a weakening of the wall of the abdominal aorta, the large blood vessel that carries blood through the abdomen,” explains Dr. Schwartz. “Aneurysms rarely produce symptoms until they rupture. Unfortunately, ruptured aneurysms cause death in 90 percent of cases.”

Another type of vascular disease is carotid artery disease, which is responsible for at least 300,000 strokes a year. The carotid arteries are the major arteries on either side of the neck that supply blood to the brain. Plaque buildup in these arteries increases the risk of stroke.

A third type is peripheral artery disease (PAD), plaque blockages in the arteries of the legs, which affects up to 12 million Americans, especially those older than 50. “The biggest problem for people with PAD is their increased risk for heart disease and stroke,” says Dr. Schwartz. “If we can identify patients with non-symptomatic PAD, they can get the appropriate referral and medical treatment.”

WHAT TO EXPECT Vascular screening appointments consist of three painless, noninvasive tests. The first test uses ultrasound to detect narrowing caused by cholesterol plaque in the carotid arteries in the neck. A second test is performed using blood pressure cuffs on the arms and ankles to identify plaque blockages in the arteries of the legs. The third test uses ultrasound of the stomach to look for abdominal aortic aneurysm.

“These are screening tests, so if they indicate signs of vascular disease, the results will be sent to your primary care doctor, who will order further testing,” says Evan Kaminer, MD, Director of Radiology

at Montefiore Nyack Hospital and CEO of Hudson Valley Radiology Associates. “In a very small percentage of cases, the screening tests uncover disease that needs emergency treatment. However, in most cases, the screening may find vascular disease at an early stage that can be treated before it becomes a major problem.”

“There’s so much we can do when we identify someone with vascular disease to prevent it from becoming worse and causing illness and death,” says Jared Corriel, MD, RPVI, FACC, Director of Echocardiography and Cardiac CT at Montefiore Nyack Hospital and Highland Medical, P.C., Advanced Cardiovascular Care. “This can include lifestyle modification such as quitting smoking, exercising and healthy eating, as well as treating high blood pressure and high cholesterol.”

SHOULD YOU BE SCREENED? Risk factors for vascular disease include: • Being older than 60 • Being older than 50, with one or more of the following risk factors: - high cholesterol - high blood pressure - smoking • Family history of vascular disease (including stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney failure, sudden cardiac death or abdominal aortic aneurysms) • Being older than 40 with diabetes People with any of these risk factors can have a Dare to C.A.R.E. screening, a free heart and vascular screening and education program offered at Montefiore Nyack Hospital in collaboration with the Heart Health Foundation.

If you have any of the risk factors for vascular disease, call 833-32-HEART (43278) or visit montefiorenyack.org/vascular to make an appointment for screening.

M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G

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CANCER: YOU’RE NOT ALONE

OUR ENGLISH- AND SPANISH-LANGUAGE CANCER SUPPORT GROUPS PROVIDE INSIGHTS, HELP AND ENCOURAGEMENT.

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oining a cancer support group can help both people going through treatment and survivors feel better, more hopeful and not so alone.

Support groups provide a comfortable environment for people to talk about their feelings and work through them.

They also help people deal with issues at home or work.

Montefiore Nyack Hospital offers cancer support groups for people undergoing treatment and those who have recently completed treatment.

“People in treatment are inspired by those who have completed treatment— seeing there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for them,” says Carly O’Brien, LCSW, OSW-C, the oncology social worker who leads a weekly support group at the Hospital. “People who have gone through treatment can offer the perspective of their experience and the reality of cancer,” she continues.

“Everyone’s experience is different, but people find comfort in hearing that somebody else knows what having

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cancer is like, and how it changes the way you think.”

One support group meets weekly for 90 minutes. It’s open to people with any type of cancer who are patients of Montefiore Nyack Hospital or who have been treated elsewhere. O’Brien facilitates the group, which covers issues including anxiety related to follow-up testing and scans, fear of recurrence, challenges of dealing with the medical system and insurance, body image changes, intimacy issues, coping with side effects, disclosing one’s cancer status and communicating with family, friends and coworkers. “We also talk about end-of-life planning if that’s appropriate,” she says.

A PLACE TO SPEAK FREELY Sometimes O’Brien invites an expert to speak about a particular topic that comes up frequently, or she provides information to the group to address their questions and concerns about a pressing issue.

She encourages people to come without family members, so they can speak openly. “Sometimes people want to speak about sensitive topics. Our group is a safe space where people can say what they’re really thinking and feeling,” she says.

The Hospital also offers a monthly Spanish-speaking support group for women diagnosed with any type of cancer. It follows a similar format to the English-speaking weekly group.

For more information about the English-speaking weekly support group, contact Carly O’Brien at 845-348-8891 or obrienc@montefiorenyack.org.

For the monthly Spanish-speaking support group, contact Katiria Reyes at 845-348-2984 or reyeska@montefiorenyack.org.

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atients at Montefiore Nyack Hospital who no longer need to stay in the hospital but need extra time to recover before being discharged, now can continue to recover and become stronger at the hospital’s Transitional Care Unit (TCU).

Montefiore Nyack’s TCU provides round-the-clock expert care in a comfortable environment. Patients have private rooms and generally stay from five to a maximum of 21 days.

“Our patients come to us after being treated for a range of illnesses,” said Liviu Nastase, MD, who specializes in internal medicine at Highland Medical P.C. as a skilled nursing facility physician. “They may have had a joint replacement or other types of surgery, or might have been treated for infections such as pneumonia or urinary tract infections. We also have patients who need wound care or oxygen.”

Because the TCU is part of the hospital, the unit is able to treat more complex conditions, Dr. Nastase notes. “We have radiology and laboratory facilities on-site, and the hospital’s doctors are available 24/7,” he said. “We have specialists available who can immediately respond to patients’ needs, unlike stand-alone rehab facilities that are not part of a hospital.”

HELPING PATIENTS RETURN HOME SAFELY OUR TRANSITIONAL CARE UNIT HELPS HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS PREPARE FOR MORE INDEPENDENT LIVING AT HOME.

SPECIALIZED CARE Patients receive physical and occupational therapy, and also can have speech therapy, if needed. This therapy is key to patients’ recovery.

“When patients are in the hospital, they spend most of their time in bed,” says Patricia Shea, PT, DPT, MPA, Director of Rehabilitation Therapy at Montefiore Nyack Hospital and TCU. “Just one week of bed rest can lead to a 10 percent loss of strength, which in an older person can mean they are not able to return home safely.”

Because patients come directly from the hospital to the TCU, there is continuity of care, Shea notes. “We already know the patient,” she says. “The hospital therapist will work with the TCU therapist for a seamless transition.”

Each patient’s therapy regimen is personalized, based on the assessment of his or her therapist. “If possible, we give patients physical therapy twice a day, seven days a week. We also give them occupational therapy six days a week, for a total of up to three hours of therapy a day,” Shea says.

The nurses and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) also work with patients on daily tasks such as walking to the bathroom safely, washing up and dressing themselves. “Our team works to minimize readmission to the hospital and reduce falls,” Shea says. “Our goal is to help patients regain their strength and mobility so they can have a safe and smooth transition to home.”

M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G

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PROTECT YOUR HEART AFTER A HEART ATTACK OR OTHER CARDIAC EVENT, PARTICIPATING IN A REHABILITATION PROGRAM CAN SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE LONG-TERM HEALTH.

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fter a person has a heart attack or a major cardiac procedure, cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) is an important part of the recovery process. Cardiac rehab helps a patient return more quickly to normal and often improves function. It also can help prevent future cardiac issues by teaching heart-healthy habits.

Montefiore Nyack Hospital is opening a new Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center in early 2020 in conjunction with Burke Rehabilitation Hospital. The new center will be located on the ground floor of the hospital. The 2,500-square-foot facility will feature the latest exercise equipment, locker and changing area, and a new parking area with designated parking spaces.

“Cardiac rehab helps patients improve their cardiovascular fitness and quality of life, and has been shown to reduce readmission to the hospital,” says Duane Bryan, MD, FACC, Director of Nuclear Cardiology and Cardiac CT at Montefiore Nyack Hospital and Highland Medical, P.C., Advanced Cardiovascular Care. “Studies show cardiac rehab reduces morbidity and mortality from heart-related diseases.” The behavioral modification aspect of a cardiac rehab program results in patients having better blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels and improvement in their diabetes control, Dr. Bryan notes.

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WHO CAN BENEFIT? A person who has had a heart attack or a heart procedure, such as bypass surgery or a stent, is a good candidate for cardiac rehab. “It’s also open to other people with heart problems, including patients with a history of heart failure or angina related to heart disease,” Dr. Bryan says.

“Unfortunately, less than 30 percent of people truly eligible for the program end up participating.”

Cardiac rehab offers an individualized exercise program, usually three times a week for up to 12 weeks. “A person may start off with 15 minutes of aerobic activity, and ideally build up to 30 to 45 minutes,” he explains. Each patient’s exercise program is devised by an exercise physiologist, under the supervision of a board-certified cardiologist.

The program also includes education about nutrition, smoking cessation and stress reduction—all keys to a healthy heart. “Each patient’s needs and goals are different,” says Dr. Bryan. “The program is tailored to each individual to achieve the maximum benefit.”

After the initial three-month period, patients can continue with a maintenance program for a fee that’s usually not covered by insurance.

Lifestyle changes are a key component

of cardiac rehabilitation, according to Murray Low, EdD, Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital. “In our current healthcare system, we primarily focus on treatment with surgery and medication,” he says. “But a revolution is occurring. It’s built on evidencebased medicine, which has found that changes in lifestyle can significantly reduce many risk factors for heart disease.”

REDUCING RISK One large study found patients hospitalized for heart conditions or procedures who participated in cardiac rehab had a 58 percent lower death rate one year later, and a 34 percent lower death rate five years later, compared with similar heart patients who didn’t go through the program.

Dr. Low notes that about approximately 90 percent of the risk of heart disease is related to physical activity, diet and stress, with only 10 percent related to genetics. “You can’t select your parents, but you can change all your other risk factors,” he says. “Cardiac rehab can help improve a patient’s quality of life so they can go back to doing what they love—whether that’s getting back to work, traveling or picking up their grandchildren.”

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“Cardiac rehab can help improve a patient’s quality of life so they can go back to doing what they love— whether that’s getting back to work, traveling or picking up their grandchildren.”

Murray Low, EdD, Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation at Burke Rehabilitation Hospital

M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G

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EILEEN WATSON WITH ALEKSANDR RAKHLIN, MD, FACS, TRAUMA MEDICAL DIRECTOR AT MONTEFIORE NYACK HOSPITAL.

A CLOSE CALL WITH

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FOR EILEEN WATSON, HAVING EXPERT TRAUMA CARE IN HER COMMUNITY MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

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hen Eileen Watson fell down the stairs of her basement, she didn’t realize the extent of her injuries. She remembers hitting her head and calling out in pain for help. It turned out that she had severed an artery and lost a lot of blood—her condition required immediate medical attention. Thankfully, her son was home at the time and was able to call the paramedics.

Rushed to the only Level III verified Trauma Center in Rockland County, Watson arrived at Montefiore Nyack Hospital in extreme pain and shock. The Trauma team immediately mobilized, assessing her condition and evaluating the course of treatment. In addition to the severed artery, which required urgent surgical intervention, scans showed that Eileen suffered compound fractures of two bones in her left leg. “I arrived in the early evening, and within a few hours, they were operating on me,” says Eileen, who works at the Hospital as an inventory control coordinator.

A fall like Eileen’s is just one of the many types of accidents that can cause trauma, a sudden and potentially life-threatening injury that requires immediate and highly skilled medical attention. From hip fractures to sports injuries and motor vehicle accidents, the experts at The Trauma Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital treat approximately 800 patients a year.

SWIFT CARE FOR TRAUMA As a Level III verified Trauma Center, the multidisciplinary trauma team provides prompt assessment, resuscitation, stabilization, surgery and intensive care for individuals with traumatic injuries. The team members include trauma surgeons, teams from

the Emergency Department, ICU and other surgical and medical specialties, nurses and social workers. The Center’s physicians are board-certified in general surgery and are current in Advanced Trauma Life Support.

“A trauma center has a team available 24/7 to evaluate and treat critically injured patients quickly,” says Aleksandr Rakhlin, MD, FACS, of Highland Medical, P.C., Highland Surgical Associates, and Trauma Medical Director at Montefiore Nyack Hospital. “Time is of the essence—we go through this many times a day. It’s a well-oiled machine.”

Some severe injuries, such as those that require a specialized trauma orthopedist, may require treatment at a Level I Trauma Center at a large academic medical center. In those cases, Montefiore Nyack’s trauma staff stabilizes the patient and transfers him or her to a Level I Center. “However, we can treat the large majority of patients here,” Dr. Rakhlin says. “We’re right here in the community, and our team lives here, too.”

A SUCCESSFUL RECOVERY “The care I received from the doctors and nurses was the best,” says Eileen.

“It was amazing to me that they had me out of bed within a day after surgery.”

Eileen spent two nights in the hospital and then transferred to a rehabilitation facility, where she received physical and occupational therapy daily for about a month. After she left inpatient rehab, she returned two to three times a week to receive therapy for several more months. Eileen wore a splint for more than a month, then a hard cast for an additional four weeks. She continued to see her Montefiore Nyack orthopedic surgeon for follow-up visits for several

VERIFIED QUALITY

In 2018, The Trauma Center at Montefiore Nyack Hospital was verified as a Level III Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons’ Committee on Trauma for Outstanding Commitment to Critical Care.

It received this recognition for its commitment to meeting the ACS’ rigorous standards. “The American College of Surgeon’s reviewers, who are nationally recognized trauma surgeons, came in and evaluated the program and looked at our outcomes,” Dr. Rakhlin says.

“They made sure our trauma team is prepared, meets the standards for performance and is constantly striving to better care for our patients by a rigorous performance improvement process.”

months after her injury.

“It’s been a long haul, but thanks to the staff members of the trauma team, my injuries were immediately addressed, which helped me on my road to recovery,” says Eileen. “The care I received at the hospital, in rehab and during follow-up care has made all the difference. I’m walking around pretty well now.”

For more information about Montefiore Nyack Hospital’s Level III Trauma Center, visit www.montefiorenyack.org/trauma-center.

M O N T E F I O R E N YA C K . O R G

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CUTTING EDGE CANCER CARE AND

ACCESS TO CLINICAL TRIALS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN CLINICAL TRIALS FOR NEW CANCER TREATMENTS OFFERS PATIENTS MANY BENEFITS. 12

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Most clinical trials at the hospital are testing treatments that have already been studied in smaller groups of patients for safety and effectiveness, Dr. Lee says. “Our studies tend to be late Phase II, Phase III or IV, meaning the treatments have already been shown to be effective in earlier phases.

We’re part of studies being done at multiple national and international sites that are testing the treatments in larger groups of patients. We focus on treatments that will benefit our patients through early adoption of effective regimens that are not yet available to the general public.”

CURRENT CLINICAL TRIALS

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linical trials are medical research studies that look for new ways to prevent, detect or treat disease. Cancer patients at Montefiore Nyack Hospital are evaluated to see if they’re eligible for a clinical trial.

Those who choose to participate in a clinical trial receive comprehensive, advanced care, sometimes well before it’s available anywhere else, according to Sung Ho Lee, MD, Director of Clinical Research at Montefiore Nyack Hospital and an oncologist with Highland Medical, P.C., Hematology Oncology.

Many of the studies being conducted at Montefiore Nyack Hospital involve treatments for breast cancer, lung cancer or lymphoma. One trial is evaluating a new immunotherapy drug for Stage III lung cancer. “We were the first site in the study to enroll patients in the United States,” Dr. Lee notes.

Another study involves Mammaprint, a genetic test for breast cancer. The test looks at the activity of 70 genes and then calculates a recurrence score that’s either low risk or high risk.

Knowing if a woman has a high or low risk of early-stage breast cancer might help women and their doctors decide if chemotherapy or other treatments to reduce risk after surgery are needed.

“Patients in the trial are able to receive the test without out-of-pocket cost,” Dr. Lee says.

“All patients enrolled in our clinical trials receive standard treatment for their disease, even if they are not receiving the experimental treatment,” he says. All of the hospital’s trials meet the strict standards of the hospital ethics committee.

Montefiore Nyack Hospital is one of 1,200 institutions around the world that are part of the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group, which conducts cancer research involving adults who have or

WHY CONSIDER A CLINICAL TRIAL? There are a number of potential benefits from being part of a clinical trial: You may have access to new drugs and other treatments before they are widely available.

• You will get regular and careful medical attention, and will be monitored closely for any side effects.

• You will be playing an active role in your healthcare.

• You will be helping others by contributing to medical research.

• Patients who enroll in a clinical trial at Montefiore Nyack Hospital receive their treatment from experienced staff focused on patient safety and care.

• There is financial benefit for patients, who undergo study procedures that are covered by the sponsor.

• Patients always have the option to leave a clinical trial at any time and for any reason.

are at risk of developing cancer. “This membership gives us the opportunity to conduct clinical trials that are part of a network of leading national medical centers,” Dr. Lee says.

To find out about clinical trials being conducted at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, visit www.montefiorenyack.org/clinical-trials.

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THE POWER TO CONTROL YOUR HEALTH

For more information about Montefiore Nyack Hospital’s diabetes education programs, call the Community Health Education Department at 845-348-2004.

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LEARN TO PREVENT OR MANAGE DIABETES AND AVOID OR DELAY ITS DANGEROUS COMPLICATIONS.

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f you or someone you love is living with diabetes, you’re not alone.

In the last 20 years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to the 30.3 million U.S. adults who have diabetes, 84.1 million adults—more than 1 in 3—have prediabetes, which raises a person’s risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.

People with prediabetes and diabetes can make lifestyle changes, including exercising more and making healthier food choices, to reduce their risk of future health problems.

Montefiore Nyack Hospital offers a range of education and support programs for people with prediabetes and diabetes. Learning how to manage these conditions and meeting others who are living with them really can help make the road to better health easier.

PREDIABETES CLASSES With prediabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed as type 2 diabetes. Classes offered at Montefiore Nyack Hospital, which are based on the National Diabetes Prevention Program, can help you take healthy steps to reverse prediabetes.

The free program is aimed at people at high risk for type 2 diabetes.

This includes those diagnosed with prediabetes, women with a history of gestational diabetes and people who have several risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including being overweight and having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.

The class meets once a week for 16 weeks, then once or twice a month for the rest of the year. “Participants do a weigh-in and report their physical activity for the week—the goal is

150 minutes weekly,” says Denise Roma, MS, RDN, CDN, CDE, Community Health/Diabetes Educator. “Each week the group talks about topics such as eating healthier, losing weight and being more active.”

Among people who have completed the program and met the goals—losing five to 10 percent of their body weight and participating in 150 minutes per week of physical activity—more than half have been able to prevent type 2 diabetes. “At Montefiore Nyack Hospital, more than 60 percent of participants have met their goals each year,” Roma says.

DIABETES EDUCATION For people who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Montefiore Nyack Hospital offers a program accredited by the American Association of Diabetes Educators that is covered by most insurances. Patients meet with a diabetes educator one-onone. They also participate in a series of four classes that cover topics including diabetes medications, insulin administration, blood glucose monitoring, nutrition counseling, exercise, mental health and stress management, and coping with acute and chronic complications. “We discuss everything from diabetes medications and how they work to carbohydrate counting,” says Jena Kelly, RN, Patient and Community Education Coordinator.

People who go through the diabetes education program tend to have a drop in their A1C, a blood test that provides information about a person’s average levels of blood sugar over the past three months. Other programs offered at Montefiore Nyack Hospital include: • The Mamas Maravillosas program, which is geared toward Latina mothers and conducted in Spanish. “It uses the National Diabetes Prevention Program,

COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES Diabetes, particularly when it’s not well controlled, can lead to a host of serious medical problems, including: • Coronary artery disease with chest pain • Heart attack • Stroke • Nerve damage • Kidney impairment • Eye damage that can lead to blindness • Foot damage that can lead to amputation • Skin conditions, including fungal infections • Hearing loss • Depression

but is slightly modified to make it more culturally appropriate for this audience,” says Sandra Arevalo-Valencia, Director of Patient and Community Education.

The free weekly program is open to the community.

• Diabetes Support Group. This monthly program, free and open to anyone with diabetes, is facilitated by a certified diabetes educator.

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160 North Midland Avenue Nyack, NY 10960

FREE

VASCULAR SCREENINGS The Vascular Institute at Montefiore Nyack Hospital has brought the DARE to C.A.R.E. program, a FREE national vascular screening and disease management program to Rockland County.

Left untreated, vascular disease can lead to: • Stroke • Heart Disease • Aneurysm

You are eligible for a FREE SCREENING if you are: • Age 60 or over • Age 50 or over, with risk factors including: Smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol • Age 40 or over, with diabetes

833-324-3278

Call to schedule your FREE vascular screening. No referral necessary.

montefiorenyack.org/vascular

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