Press release, Smoke Free NOW

A state-wide survey shows that smoking rates among high school students in 2012 is down to 11.9 percent, the lowest in New York since health officials began keeping track in 1997. However, a recent survey done by a Prevention Needs Assessment through GCASA found the current smoking rates among 11th and 12th graders in Orleans County is 21.3 percent.

Local teens are still smoking and many are using smokeless tobacco. Most adults who smoke began when they were about 14 years old.

The New York State Department of Health monitors youth smoking rates using the biennial NY youth tobacco survey. The standard definition of youth smoking is smoking a cigarette on one or more days in the past 30 days.

Research from Purdue University discovered that teens who smoke are significantly influenced by whether older siblings smoke and whether their parents currently smoke or did so in the past.

The study separated the parents into four groups: non smokers, heavy smokers, light smokers or those who had quit and late-onset smokers who didn’t start until early adulthood. The results confirmed that parents who never smoked were less likely to have children who smoke. Surprisingly the highest youth smoking rate (29 percent) were by youth whose parents started smoking later in life. In addition, the researchers found that a younger sibling is six times more likely to smoke if they have an older sibling who smokes.

Another study based on a national health survey of 18,886 students in grades 6-12, and published in a recent edition of the Journal Pediatrics found that 5.6 percent of students use a form of smokeless tobacco. In addition those who used chewing tobacco, 72 percent of them smoked as well. Other research has shown smokeless tobacco use among teens is on the rise.

“These statistics are disturbing,” said Kevin Keenan, project director for Smoke Free NOW, a program of GCASA. “The tobacco companies spend enormous amounts of money to market smokeless tobacco in ways that entice youth to use their product. Not only are they packaged in fun and bright colors but they are manufactured in flavors such as chocolate and cherry. Youth perceive smokeless tobacco as being less harmful as cigarettes. We need to change youth perceptions through education and awareness.”

According to the American Lung Association, three to four times the amount of nicotine is absorbed from smokeless tobacco than delivered by a cigarette.

“Both are addictive and deadly,” Kennan said.

Chelsea Dillon, a Reality Check program assistant, is working with youth throughout Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties to help raise awareness and to fight back against the tobacco industries.

“The more youth we can inform about the dangers of using tobacco products, the better,” she said. “The youth who are involved in Reality Check can relate more with their peers and reach out to other youth about why tobacco products can be dangerous. If we can get at least one youth to reconsider ever trying a tobacco product, we view that as success.”

For more information on Smoke Free NOW or Reality Check please contact Keenan at 585-815-1875 or Dillon at 585-344-3960.

Press release, Smoke Free NOW

ALBION – Ten years ago New York State passed the Clean Indoor Air Act, which made businesses, restaurants and bars smoke-free and continues to save countless lives.

Community leaders, restaurant and bar owners, health advocates and youth will celebrate this monumental achievement and recognize those who helped make breathing clean air a reality in New York.

On Wednesday, Smoke Free NOW will give away prizes and gift cards at Tillman’s Village Inn, where there will be a smoke-free celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will also be $1 off lunch and $2 off dinner for people attending the party at 14369 Ridge Rd.

The Clean Indoor Air Act firmly established New York as a leader in tobacco control for taking this historically significant step for public health, but smoking continues to kill more than 25,000 New Yorkers every year. Just as New York protected workers, we are now challenged to protect youth by addressing tobacco marketing in stores.

Members of Smoke Free NOW – a program of GCASA, Reality Check of Orleans County, and local community supporters – will be on hand Wednesday to answer questions and share the significant impact CIAA legislation has had on our community. The legislation has resulted in reduced exposure to second-hand smoke and the health issues associated with it.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Brian McCue, an Albion youth soccer coach, teaches a group of 9- and 10-year-olds some pointers about the sport on a hot evening at the Barre Town Park. McCue cut practice short due to the heat.

Press release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office

ALBANY – As temperatures are forecasted to climb into the 90s over the next week, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today offered New Yorkers the following advice to safely battle the excessive heat.

“Hot temperatures and high humidity can have dangerous consequences, including heat-related illness and death,” Gov. Cuomo said. “It is important to pay close attention to weather advisories and warnings, and take action now to protect yourself and your loved ones from this prolonged, excessive heat wave. I urge all New Yorkers to check on their neighbors, stay inside when possible, stay hydrated, and take advantage of cooling stations if needed.”

To counter the harsh heat and humidity, Governor Cuomo offered the following safety tips:

Slow down on strenuous activity and exercise, especially during the sun’s peak hours – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Exercise in the early morning between 4-7 a.m.

Eat less protein and more fruits and vegetables – protein produces and increases metabolic heat, which can cause water loss. Eat small meals, but eat more often. Do not eat salty foods.

Drink at least 2 to 4 glasses of water per hour during extreme heat, even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid beverages containing alcohol or caffeine.

If possible, stay out of the sun and stay in air conditioning. The sun heats the inner core of your body, resulting in dehydration. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine, or go to a public building with air conditioning.

If you must go outdoors, wear sunscreen with a high sun protector factor rating (at least SPF 15) and a hat to protect your face and head. When outdoors, wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing. Cover as much skin as possible to avoid sunburn and over-warming effects of sunlight on your body.

Do not leave children, pets or those who require special care in a parked car or vehicle during periods of intense summer heat – temperatures inside a closed vehicle can reach over 140 degrees Fahrenheit quickly. Exposure to high temperatures can kill within a matter of minutes.

Make an effort to check on your neighbors, especially if they are elderly, have young children or have special needs.

Make sure there is enough water and food for pets and limit their exercise.

PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE AWARE

Elderly persons and small children are mostly affected.

Persons with weight or alcohol problems are very susceptible to heat reactions.

Persons on certain medications or drugs.

HEAT HEALTH HAZARDS

Heat Stroke: Also known as sunstroke – can be life threatening. Body temperature can rise and cause brain damage; death may result if not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red, and dry skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse, and shallow breathing. Relief for lowering body temperature can be with a cold bath or sponge.

Heat Exhaustion: Less dangerous than heat stroke, heat exhaustion usually occurs when people exercise too heavily or work in warm, humid places where body fluids are lost. Signals include cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness and exhaustion. If symptoms occur, get the victim out of sun, and apply cool, wet cloths.

Sunburn: Sunburn slows the skin’s ability to cool itself. Signals include redness and pain; in severe cases, swelling of skin, blisters, fever, and headaches can occur. Ointments can be a relief for pain in mild cases. A physician should see serious cases.

Heat Cramps: Muscular pains and spasms caused by heavy exertion. Loss of water and salt from sweating causes cramping. Signals are abdominal and leg muscle pain. Relief can be firm pressure on cramping muscles, or gentle massages to relieve cramping.

ENERGY CONSERVATION

Power outages are more likely to occur during warm weather, when utility usage is at its peak. To avoid putting a strain on the power grid, conserve energy to help prevent power disruptions.

Set your air conditioner thermostat no lower than 78 degrees. Only use the air conditioner when you are home.

Turn non-essential appliances off – only use appliances that have heavy electrical loads early in the morning or very late at night.

URMC buys assets, will restore outpatient services

Press release, University of Rochester Medical Center

BROCKPORT – A hospital that closed in late April will reopen as “Strong West” with urgent care and outpatient services, the University of Rochester Medical Center announced today.

The Lakeside Health System Board agreed to sell most of the system’s assets in Brockport to URMC. The deal breathes new life into the West Avenue campus in Brockport, reestablishing urgent care and outpatient services to support Brockport-area physicians and patients.

Following discussions with the Lakeside Board and its bank, URMC has agreed to purchase the land that’s home to portions of Lakeside’s main campus at 156 West Avenue. Subject to the completion of due diligence and agreement on final contract terms, the purchase includes a number of Lakeside assets including:

The hospital itself which will soon house urgent care, orthopaedic surgeons, urologists and a host of other potential specialists along with lab, radiology, and a pharmacy to support patients cared for on the campus;

The Physician Office Building where current tenants will be welcome to remain;

Lakeside’s Urgent Care Center in Spencerport;

The primary care practices of Vladimir Gaspar, M.D., and Didem Miraloglu, M.D., located in LeRoy and the Lakeside Physician Office Building, respectively. Both Gaspar and Miraloglu will join the URMC faculty.

“This is an exciting solution for the greater Brockport community and for Lakeside Health System,” said Nancy Plews, Board chairwoman for the Lakeside Health System. “With the closure of Lakeside Memorial Hospital it became critically important to the Lakeside Board to use the Lakeside campus in a meaningful way to provide health care services to Western Monroe, Eastern Orleans and Genesee County citizens.”

Lakeside had earlier this year proposed a plan to the DOH to transition from an inpatient hospital into a free-standing Emergency Department, an outpatient care center, professional office building, and nursing home. Unfortunately, the state was unable to provide a grant needed to assist with the transition costs inherent in the conversion to an outpatient treatment center.

By selling its assets to URMC, Lakeside’s buildings remain functional and it satisfies the conditions of its plan for closing.

“Faced with very difficult challenges, the Lakeside board has consistently acted to preserve as many services as possible for Brockport citizens,” said URMC CEO Bradford C. Berk, M.D., Ph.D. “Their decision to sell these assets to URMC clears the way for critically needed health care services to continue.”

Berk’s enthusiasm is echoed by community leaders.

“I commend Lakeside board members for working with the University of Rochester Medical Center to develop a creative, courageous solution for our community,” said Assemblyman Stephen M. Hawley, R-Batavia. “This move ensures that health care services will be available when our residents need them. This is the best possible outcome and I look forward to helping ensure support from New York State.”

“I am extremely grateful and thank the University of Rochester for their purchase of Lakeside Hospital and their commitment to the residents of the Greater Rochester Area,” said Senator George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane. “Many individuals rely on the hospital for emergency care and treatment, and it was of great concern to myself and the residents in my District that they can get service. The urgent care facility and subsequent Emergency Department will provide a much-needed service to the community that was recently cut short. I will do all that I can in Albany to assist the University of Rochester to open its facilities as soon as they are able.”

“I applaud the Lakeside Board and URMC in coming together and creating a plan that invests in and supports the Brockport community,” said John R. Halstead, Ph.D., president of the College at Brockport, State of New York. “Having access to the necessary emergency and medical facilities is critical for our students and staff, and Strong West will be a great asset for the college and the region.”

Changes Ahead

At the newly renamed URMC’s Strong West, the Medical Center plans to establish an urgent care center as early as August while it eventually pursues DOH approval for a full-service, freestanding Emergency Department. In the coming weeks, URMC will reestablish laboratory and imaging services, programs that will support Brockport-area physicians and the urgent care center.

Although it will not include any inpatient beds, Strong West will help close the gap left by the closure of Lakeside which, its final year of operation, handled 17,000 emergency visits.

Lakeside will continue to own and operate its Beikirch Care Center, providing the same high quality care for which they have been historically known.

URMC will also take ownership of Lakeside’s medical records and images.

“Tomorrow’s health care is all about supporting physicians in caring for patients outside of hospitals and preventing the need for hospital stays,” Berk said. “So, while we do not foresee reopening inpatient beds, we are looking to establish progressive outpatient services that make it easier for Brockport residents to receive routine diagnostic and treatment services.”

According to Berk, the Medical Center wants to continue working with local physicians to determine other specialties that may be needed.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Maryann Cogdill is the nurse manager of the maternity unit at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.

BATAVIA – Orleans County mothers delivered 100 babies at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia last year, the first full year since Medina closed its maternity unit in July 2011.

Lakeside Memorial Hospital in Brockport also closed its maternity wing in 2012. The closings at Medina and Brockport for baby deliveries has pushed more women to choose the Batavia hospital for giving birth.

UMMC last year delivered 653 babies, which was up about 100 births or 20 percent from 2011. The 653 was a new record for the Batavia hospital.

“It’s not just Orleans County,” said Maryann Cogdill, the maternity unit nurse manager. “We have people coming from Erie County, and all the way from Dunkirk.”

Medina, in its last full year with a maternity unit, delivered 132 babies in 2010, far too few for the unit to break even financially.

The Batavia hospital has a women’s care center next to the Medina hospital with two physicians and a midwife. Batavia hired Medina’s obstetrician and gynecologist on July 1, 2011.

Batavia was delivering about 500 babies a year, but it is breaking a trend among smaller hospitals with the increase in numbers.

The hospital last month celebrated a $2 million renovation to the maternity unit. The hospital created 10 private post partum patient rooms with private bathrooms and sleeping accommodations for the birth partner. UMMC also added a family lounge area, Nurses’ Station, visitor restrooms, storage and office areas, and improvements to the nursery.

Press release

Two state legislators who represent the Brockport community in Albany issued a joint statement this evening following the announcement that Lakeside Health System would begin closing its hospital in Brockport.

Lakeside officials praised the efforts of State Sen. George Maziarz, R-Newfane, and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, to obtain state funding to help keep the hospital open. But, the state decided against throwing a financial lifeline to Lakeside.

Here is the statement from Maziarz and Hawley:

“Today’s announcement is unfortunate, particularly after working extensively with hospital administrators, top state health department officials, and neighboring health care providers to continue to keep Lakeside’s emergency department viable and accessible. In the end, Lakeside’s financial hole was just too deep.

“This is a painful setback to improving access to health care in our region, and we know the greater Brockport community will never be the same without its hospital. We will continue working to reopen the Emergency Department at the Lakeside Facility with a neighboring health care provider for Eastern Orleans and Western Monroe Counties.

“Today’s announcement is strictly about finances and demographics.Lakeside has a stellar reputation for patient care, and that reputation has been justly earned by a dedicated staff. We sincerely thank them and salute them for all they have done over the years.”

BROCKPORT – A hospital that serves many residents in eastern and central Orleans County announced today it will close its doors next week.

Lakeside Health System was unable to obtain state funding to help fund its emergency room and inpatient services. Lakeside will continue to operate primary care practices, urgent care and a nursing home.

However, it will shut down its acute care services. Orleans residents on the east side will have to drive farther for health care. Local ambulance services will also have longer transport times for patients going to an ER past the east side of the county.

“We have pursued all options,” said Nancy Plews, chairwoman of the Lakeside board. “Despite our best efforts, NYS has concluded that it will be unable to provide sufficient financial support from its Vital Access Provider Fund in order for the hospital to move forward. This is a tremendously sad day for our employees, medical staff, volunteers and our entire community.”

The hospital stopped accepting inpatient admissions on Saturday. This Friday it won’t accept patients in the ER after 2 p.m. The diagnostic, imaging and lab services will cease at 5 p.m.

“Our employees and medical staff have always been our number one greatest asset and we sincerely thank them for their dedication,” said Interim CEO Jim Cummings. “So many of our employees and medical staff have supported and stood by the health system to the end.”

Lakeside is closing the following departments at the end of today’s business day: Wellness, Respiratory, Occupational Health and Physical Therapy. On Saturday, all remaining inpatients will be transferred to area hospitals. Next Tuesday, April 30, the hospital will close.

Decisions related to the ongoing viability of Lakeside’s two primary care practices, Urgent Care in Spencerport and the Beikirch Care Center in Brockport will be made within the next month.

Lakeside officials will meet with the community 6:30 tonight at the Brockport High School LGI Room to address questions.

Schiavone pulls teeth, promotes dental health in rural Peru

Photos courtesy of Dan Schiavone – Dr. Dan Schiavone of Holley is pictured with two children from rural Peru, where he spent a week last month providing dental care.

HOLLEY – For a week every March in recent years, Dan Schiavone packs his suitcases and heads out of country.

The Holley dentist doesn’t go on a joy trip or an escape from dental work. He fills four suitcases with toothbrushes, fluoride varnishes and toothpaste. He heads into the Amazon, visiting poverty-stricken rural villages in Peru, pulling teeth, applying fluoride varnish and promoting dental care.

“They are gracious and happy people,” Schiavone said at his Public Square office on Monday. “They appreciate everything you do.”

Schiavone is often greeted as “The Gringo Dentist” by Peruvian children and their parents. After making five trips since 2008, he recognizes many of the children, and they remember him.

He also notices better dental health. His first trip in 2008, he pulled 75 decaying and sick teeth. On his trip last month, Schiavone extracted 12 teeth.

“I’m seeing an improvement,” he said. “But I still see a lot of problems.”

Schiavone, 44, wasn’t alone on the trip. His daughter Kaci, 22, joined him on the March 9-16 journey. Kaci is a biochemistry major who will graduate in May from the University of Rochester. She helps her father in Peru, applying the fluoride varnishes and alerting him to bigger dental problems in the children.

Photos courtesy of Dan Schiavone – Kaci Schiavone checks a girl’s teeth and dental health during an exam in Peru last month. Kaci will graduate in May with a degree in biochemistry from the University of Rochester.

They do the work without modern dental equipment. Schiavone is grateful if he can sit a child in a sturdy chair. Sometimes the kids stand while their mouths are examined. If Schiavone has to pull a tooth, he will stack plastic chairs to make the seat more sturdy for the child – and ease his back-bending.

Many of the children feast on candy and soda throughout the day, and they lack toothbrushes, which has made their teeth vulnerable to decay.

“They drink too much soda,” Schiavone said. “They don’t realize it’s so damaging.”

Schiavone knows enough Spanish to ask a child if a tooth hurts. Often, they answer yes.

Photos courtesy of Dan Schiavone – Dr. Dan Schiavone of Holley does a dental exam on a boy in a make-shift setup in rural Peru. Schiavone has volunteered on five trips to the region, providing dental care to the rural poor. The community there is trying to raise money for a modern dental chair. (The boy is sitting on a stack of plastic chairs.)

He was looking for a opportunity to volunteer as a dentist in 2008, when he found Yantalo Peru Foundation on the Internet. The foundation was launched in 2005 to improve the health of people in a Yantalo. Luis Vasquez, a retired cardiologist from Chicago, started the foundation and a volunteer program for medical professionals to assist the Yantalo population.

Schiavone flies into Lima, Peru, and then takes a short flight into the Amazon, before he completes the trip with a two-hour car ride to Yantalo. He performs about 500 dental examinations during the week, sometimes hiking to more remote villages, places that have never seen a dentist.

The foundation is building a health clinic that should open later this year. Schiavone has been contacting dental chair companies about donating a modern chair and equipment to the site. He pulls teeth in Yantalo without compressed air, suctions, electricity and sometimes even water. Last year he donated oral surgery instruments so he and other dentists could use those tools without having to lug them on the trip.

With better equipment, Schiavone said dentists could better serve the Yantalo population. Right now they can’t do fillings, sealants or dentures because of the lack of modern equipment.

He intends to keep going back.

“I’m not going to just pick a new spot in the world,” he said. “Down there, I’m seeing a return on my investment. Things are getting better.”

Photo by Tom Rivers

The Genesee-Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse displayed 70 T-shirts and signs warning about the dangers of tobacco and smoking on March 20, when the agency joined in a “Kick Butts” day.

The 70 T-shirts represent the 70 people who die each day in New York from smoking-related illnesses. The display was at GCASA’s new office at 249 East Ave., Albion. The agency also is working with Lyndonville students on a video about the dangers of tobacco and some of the marketing strategies used by cigarette companies to entice smokers. That video will be posted on the agency’s Web site when it’s ready.

Photos by Tom Rivers

Frederica Mathewes-Green, a Christian writer and commentator from Baltimore, was the featured speaker during a March 19 banquet to benefit the Care Net Center of Greater Orleans, an agency based in Albion.

Mathewes-Green shared her optimism about the pro-life cause. She urged the crowd of 250 people at the Brockport State College to support the Care Net Center, which saw client visits double in 2012 when it moved to the former Lipton’s office at 111 West Ave., across from McDonalds. The center offers pregnancy testing, fetal development information, limited ultrasounds and testing for the sexually transmitted infections chlamydia and gonorrhea.

After giving her speech, Mathewes-Green signed copies of her books, including “The Illumined Heart: The Ancient Christian Path of Transformation”.

(Editor’s note: Tom Rivers’ wife, Marsha, is director at Care Net.)

ALBION – Orleans County residents lacking dental care can now access services at a discounted rate. Eight of the 12 dentists in the county have agreed to reduce their fees for uninsured residents.

The county has partnered with Health Economics, a Rochester firm, to offer the program. Residents will pay $36.50 for an individual card annually or $52 for a family program. That goes towards the administration costs.

It’s the second partnership the county has reached with an outside company to make health care more affordable for residents, Legislature Chairman David Callard said.

In 2009, the county started offered prescription drug cards through ProAct Inc., a subsidiary of Kinney Drugs. That program saves residents without health insurance about 36 percent on prescription drugs, according to the county.

Callard said he would like to partner with a company to secure eye care discounts for uninsured residents.

He expects the county and Health Economics will start pushing the new dental discount program in April. A list of participating dentists and the discounted rates for services will be available on the county website, www.orleansny.com.

Eric Lintala, director of business development for Health Economics, said residents should save about 30 to 40 percent in dental services through the program. Dentists will benefit with new patients who likely had been avoiding dental care because of the costs, Lintala told county legislators on March 13.

The dental discount program has been endorsed by the New York State Association of Counties. Several counties have joined with Health Economics in offering the discounts. Residents can cross county borders to use their cards if dentists are members of the program.

“We’re trying to get people access to the dentist and promote good oral health,” Lintala said.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Lakeside Health System officials met with about 40 people on March 5 in Albion, detailing the Brockport hospital’s recent financial losses, which are forcing a reduction in 56 inpatient hospital beds. Lakeside is working with the state to keep the emergency room open.

ALBION – Lakeside Memorial Hospital in Brockport, a popular choice for many Orleans County residents for health care, has reversed its intention to close its emergency room after hearing many concerns from the community and the state Department of Health.

Lakeside announced in mid-February it planned to close the ER and all 61 inpatient hospital beds. In a revised plan to the state DOH, Lakeside will keep the ER and five of the 61 hospital beds. Lakeside would like to have the changes in place by May 1, interim CEO Jim Cummings told about 40 people during a March 5 meeting at Hoag Library in Albion.

“We’re happy to put out this new and improved message,” Cummings told the crowd at Albion. “We credit the communities for voicing their concerns.”

Lakeside has suffered steep losses in recent years, mainly due to a decrease in inpatient care, Cummings said. About five years ago, Lakeside averaged 35 inpatient beds a day, compared to the current 22. Losses at the hospital are threatening the viability of the entire Lakeside system, which includes diagnostic services, and the 120-bed Beikirch Care Center nursing home.

Cummings said he expects to see more small hospitals reduce inpatient beds and possibly close their ERs. Lakeside and Medina both recently closed their birthing wings to cut costs.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Lakeside Health System Interim CEO Jim Cummings, left, and Leon Gossin, senior director of finance, discuss a plan to cut inpatient hospital beds at the Brockport hospital during a March 5 meeting at Hoag Library in Albion.

“The community hospitals are all losing a great deal of money,” Cummings said. “The state doesn’t have enough money to prop up all of these hospitals.”

The restructured Lakeside will be stronger financially, and should ensure the organization will continue for years to come, he said.

But it will be a different Lakeside. Cummings said he expects patients will still be able to access many services as the hospital shifts to an outpatient diagnostic and treatment center.

“There is a crisis in this country in the cost of healthcare and this outpatient model that is developing is less expensive,” Cummings said.

The move to keep the ER will save many Orleans ambulances from longer trips into the city, occupying those rigs for two to three hours.

Several of the residents at the Albion meeting, including Ron Ebbs and Cheryl Mowatt, told Cummings their families were treated well by Lakeside. They praised the care at the hospital.

Cummings said he regrets the changes at the hospital will result in job cuts of many dedicated employees.

“We have a staff that is second to none,” he said.