Support Groups for Alzheimer's Caregivers

BUFFALO, NY (March 28, 2013) – Those who provide care for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia can find mutual support and practical information on caregiving and community resources at any of the two dozen support groups that meet once a month at various times and locations throughout Western New York. Organized by the Alzheimer’s Association, WNY Chapter, they are run by trained facilitators and are free to attend. Most meetings are open to all caregivers, but a few are specialized:

Specialized:

·       Men’s Support Group – Elderwood at Glenwood, 5271 Main St - Williamsville

1^st Monday at 7 pm

·       Wives Support Group – Alzheimer’s Assn, 2805 Wehrle Dr, Suite 6 - Williamsville

3^rd Monday at 5 pm

·       Daughters Only – Harris Hill Nursing Facility, 2699 Wehrle Dr - Williamsville

2^nd Wednesday at 5 pm

·       Caring for a Loved One in a Facility – Northgate, 7264 Nash Rd – Nor. Tonawanda

1^st Thursday at 5:30 pm

·       Family Members Caring for Those with Dementia and a Developmental Disability –

Southeast Works – 181 Lincoln St – Depew

2^nd Monday at 4 pm

Erie County (all):

·       Highpoint on Michigan – 1031 Michigan Ave, Gates Conf. Room – Buffalo

2^nd Tuesday at 4 pm

·       Lord of Life ADHC – 1025 Borden Rd - Cheektowaga

3^rd Thursday at 7 pm (orientation at 6:30 pm)

·       Peregrine’s Landing – 575 Cayuga Creek Rd – Cheektowaga

2^nd Tuesday at 10:30 am

·       Clarence Senior Center – 4600 Thompson Rd – Clarence

4^th Friday at 10:15 am

·       Weinberg Campus – 2700 Nor. Forest Rd – Getzville

3^rd Thursday at 7 pm

·       Dent Neurologic Institute – 200 Sterling Dr – Orchard Park

2^nd Thursday at 6 pm

·       Quaker’s Landing – 101 Sterling Dr – Orchard Park

Last Tuesday at 7 pm

·       Grove Street Christian Church – 85 Grove St – Tonawanda

2^nd Wednesday at 7 pm

·       Eden Heights – 3030 Clinton St – West Seneca

4^th Thursday at 6:30 pm

·       Harris Hill Nursing Facility – 2699 Wehrle Drive – Williamsville

2^nd Wednesday at 3 pm

Niagara County (all):

·       Our Lady of Peace – 5285 Lewiston Rd – Lewiston

2^nd Tuesday at 2 pm

·       Mental Health Assn – 36 Pine St – Lockport

1^st & 3^rd Thursday at 1 pm

·       St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church – Wilson-Burt & West Creek Rds – Newfane

2^nd Tuesday at 7 pm

·       DeGraff Hospital – 445 Tremont St, 3^rd Floor – Nor. Tonawanda

4^th Wednesday at 7 pm

Allegany County (all):

·       Allegany Co. Office for the Aging – 6087 State Rt. 19 – Belmont

3^rd Tuesday at 1 pm

Cattaraugus County (all):

·       The Pines – 9822 Route 16, Schobert Conf. Room – Machias

2^nd Friday at 1 pm

Chautauqua County (all):

·       Jamestown Area Medical Associates – 15 S. Main St – Jamestown

2^nd Tuesday at 1 pm

Genesee County (all):

·       Richmond Memorial Library – 19 Ross St – Batavia

           3rd Wednesday at 7 pm

The WNY Chapter also offers Early Stage Support Group meetings for those in the early stages of the disease. For more information about those meetings, and all other information about Alzheimer’s Association services, programs or events, please call 1.800.272.3900.

                                                                     ###

2013 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures:

Alzheimer’s disease is the 6^th leading cause of death in the United States, and 1 in 3 seniors will die with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. This year alone, Alzheimer’s disease will cost the nation $203 billion, and by 2050, that cost is expected to rise to $1.2 TRILLION. Across Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming, Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties, some 55,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s, and more than 155,000 family members and friends provide some kind of care for those individuals. For more information, visit: www.alz.org.

Independent Health Highest Ranked Plan in Nation

Congratulations to Independent Health

JD Power has given Independent Health a pair of high honors. Not only has the HMO's plan been ranked the highest in the region, for the first time it's the highest ranked in the country.

JD Power looked at seven categories in the customer experience: coverage and benefits, information and communication, provider choice, customer service, claims processing, approval processing, and statements. Independent Health's overall score is 763. The regional average score is 694.

“Our members want a trusted source to help them simplify and navigate the complex health care system and this study provides a credible representation of the experience they have with us during a time of great change in health care,” Dr. Cropp said. “Our focus remains on working to improve the health care system and lower costs in our community through improved access and care coordination and developing plans and services that help our members – and the community - make long-lasting and meaningful changes.”

Armchair Athletics Anyone Can Do

Everybody needs more exercise. Here are easy ways to work activity into your TV time.

by Amy Goldwater

(BHL) - For many people, finding time to work out after a long day at the office can be challenging. Running errands, preparing dinner, coordinating after-school activities for the kids, and more – all take up precious free time. But being even moderately active is a great way to live an overall healthier lifestyle, with increased energy and reduced stress. The “Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans,” issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, recommends 30 minutes of physical activity a day for adults at least five days a week. Yet, some studies reveal that many adults watch an average of five or more hours of TV a day.

Although first published in 2008, the Guideline is still relevant today. The simple fact is that Americans do not get enough exercise and need more information on what they can change that.

The guideline is here: http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/guidelines/default.aspx

Incorporate activity into your downtime with simple exercises that you can do in the comfort of your living room, Don’t use commercial breaks for trips to the fridge. Instead, approach the 15-plus minutes of ad time per hour as great opportunities to burn calories.

Great Ways to Get Moving!

Turn your regular TV shows into active workout routines and make a game out of watching them. Start by preplanning. For each workout, choose to focus on one part of the body – like your abdominal muscles – or incorporate a combination of exercises, as a sort of a TV-circuit workout. Or, even better, create several routines and switch them around for fun.

Keep workout equipment on hand by stashing small weights, resistance bands, and a yoga mat near the TV. If you have a stationary bike or other fitness machines at home, set the equipment up so you can watch while you exercise.

Break for Commercials

The following cardio and strength-building exercises require no special equipment – just floor space in front of a TV. Variations on this low-impact but effective routine can be adapted to fit almost any TV program that includes frequent breaks for messages “…from our sponsors,” like sporting events.

• 30 seconds of marching in place (or in a chair)
• 10 chair-dips (from the waist)
• 30 seconds of jumping rope
• 10 wall push-ups
• 10 crunches
• 30 seconds of jumping jacks
• 10 lunges
• 30 seconds of plank
• 10 front leg lifts
• 10 side leg lifts
• 10 water bottle curls

About the Author

Amy Goldwater is a fitness educator, former body building champion, and physical fitness expert for TOPS Club, Inc.. a weight-loss support and wellness education organization. At their clubs your first meeting is free, and after that the fee is an affordable $28 per year. That’s a bargain in the weight-loss business!

New Generic Medications Can Save Upstate New Yorkers Millions

37 New Generic Medicines in 2013 and 2014
Can Save Upstate NY More Than $447 Million Annually


Dr. Mona Chitre

Lower-priced generics for 14 drugs in 2013 represent nearly $200 million in annual savings

Upstate New Yorkers could see more than $196 million in annualized savings as 14 brand-name prescription drugs become available in their generic form during 2013 and an additional $250 million in savings after 23 more generics become available in 2014, according to a new report issued by Univera Healthcare.

“As expensive brand-name drugs become available as generics, the savings to consumers can be significant, both in terms of lower retail prices for those who pay out-of-pocket and lower copays for those with insurance coverage,” said Mona Chitre, Pharm.D., vice president of pharmacy management for Univera Healthcare. “Importantly, consumers should understand that generics are approved by the Food and Drug Administration as being as safe and effective as their brand-name counterparts, so they can be confident in the generics’ efficacy.”

Leading the list of new generics that offer the greatest savings opportunities are Diovan® for treatment of high blood pressure and Cymbalta® for a variety of conditions including depression, pain and fibromyalgia. Diovan has about 39,000 users in upstate New York and Cymbalta about 40,000 users.
· Diovan® Upstate New York’s 39,000 Diovan users spend about $48 million annually for the drug. The retail cost for a 30-day supply of Diovan is about $125. Scheduled to become available in March, generic versions are projected to be priced as low as $25 for a 30-day supply once they become widely available (prices vary by pharmacy). The potential annual savings for Diovan users in upstate New York is $38 million.

· Cymbalta® Upstate New York’s 40,000 Cymbalta users spend about $98 million annually for the drug. The retail cost for a 30-day supply of Cymbalta is about $275. The price for the generic is expected to be about $55 once it becomes widely available after its release in December. The potential annual savings in upstate NY is $78 million.

· Niaspan® Upstate New York’s 17,000 Niaspan users spend about $28 million annually for the drug, which is used to treat high cholesterol. The retail cost for a 30-day supply of Niaspan is about $182. The price for the generic is expected to be about $37 once it becomes widely available after its release in September. The potential annual savings for upstate is $23 million.
More than 126,000 upstate New Yorkers use the 14 brand-name drugs that are scheduled to become available as generics during 2013.

In 2014, an additional 23 brand-name drugs are scheduled to become available in their generic form, representing potential savings of $250 million across upstate New York. Leading the list for 2014 will be the generic for Nexium® that is scheduled to become available in May of 2014. More than 46,000 upstate New Yorkers use Nexium, which is used to treat heartburn. The potential annual savings associated with its generic version is more than $83 million.

“The savings opportunity offered by generic drugs is so great that health insurers consider the lower cost of generics when constructing premium rates,” Chitre noted. “Typically, prescription drug spending represents about 15 percent to 17 percent of a health plan’s total benefit expense.”

Univera Healthcare has a number of educational materials and resources available on its website at go.univerahealthcare.com/generics. In addition, consumers can go online and ask a clinical pharmacist any medication question at our “Ask a Pharmacist” feature.

Free Living Healthy Workshops to Help Energize People with Ongoing Health Conditions held at various sites this spring

Taught by specially trained volunteer leaders, some of whom have health conditions themselves, a free six week series of workshops will help participants with ongoing health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, anxiety, arthritis and many other chronic conditions.

· St. John Towers, 865 Michigan Ave., Buffalo, NY
Wednesdays, 12:30 - 3:00 pm April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8

· Moot Senior Center, 292 High St., Buffalo, NY
Thursdays, 12:30 - 3:00 pm May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, June 6

· Kenmore Community Center, 135 Wilbur Ave., Kenmore, NY
Tuesdays, 12:30 - 3:00 pm June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9

The FREE workshops cover a new topic each week and provide opportunities for interaction and group problem-solving. The workshops help participants and/or their families:

· Find better ways of dealing with pain and fatigue

· Discover easy exercises to help improve or maintain strength and energy

· Learn the appropriate use of medications

· Improve nutrition

· Talk effectively with family, friends and health professionals

· Understand new treatment choices

· Feel better about life

Call Erie County Senior Services at 858-8081 to register for the series. Space is limited, so please call soon.

Athletic Trainer Helps Save Life of Referee During High School Basketball Game

Jim Martek, a local high school basketball referee had a recent brush with death, but thanks to Melissa Hudecki, an Athletic Trainer with Catholic Health’s AthletiCare Program, he will live to see another day.

Martek was officiating a girl’s high school basketball game between Mount Mercy Academy and Christian Central Academy when he suddenly collapsed to the floor.

“The last thing I remember was walking into the locker room to get dressed. And then the next thing, I was waking up in ICU,” said Martek, a 54 year-old mortgage risk manager from Lancaster, NY.

Luckily for Martek, trainer Melissa Hudecki, whom he has known for years through area sports circles, sprang into action. Realizing he had experienced what she thought was an apparent heart attack, she called upon her Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training and the use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) to revive him. Buffalo firefighters then stepped in to continue the resuscitation efforts.

Martek was taken by ambulance to Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, where he was put into a medically induced coma with hypothermia therapy under the direction of neurologist Catalina Ionita, MD. By lowering his body temperature, Dr. Ionita was able to stabilize Martek’s critical condition. When he woke up two days later, he had no recollection of what had happened. “We use the hypothermia treatment to protect the brain in the resuscitation process,” said Dr. Ionita.

Before going home on January 10, Martek had a chance to thank Hudecki and his caregivers during a reunion planned at the hospital. A gathering of staff and news reporters watched as the two met eyes and embraced. With an outpouring of emotion, Martek told her, “If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here.” He called her his “Angel of Mercy.”

According to Cardiologist Dr. Rob Wall, who was also on hand for the reunion, Martek’s event was caused by an arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). He noted, “The death rate associated with what Mr. Martek experienced is very high. Only less than five percent of people actually survive, and fortunately he is alive, and it started with Melissa.”

To prevent Martek from experiencing similar future events, Dr. Wall implanted a small heart monitoring device in Martek’s chest, similar to a pacemaker, that can detect an arrhythmia and immediately correct it by delivering an electrical impulse to the heart. Martek expressed extreme gratitude toward all of those involved in saving his life.

In an effort to “pay it forward,” he pledged that his new year’s resolution is to receive proper CPR training, so that one day, he may be able to save someone else’s life.

Youngstown, NY Advocate Takes Healthcare Issues to Capitol Hill

Hundreds to Urge Congress for More Arthritis Support

New York, NY—February 28, 2013—Chelsea Lynn Pelsone of Youngstown, NY will be traveling to Washington, D.C. in March to ask Congress to support people with arthritis through policies that will ensure more research, better treatments and greater access to care. Miss Pelsone will share her story of the daily struggle of living with arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability.

Miss Pelsone was diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at the age of seventeen; she is now a junior in college studying Communications. She will join nearly 350 other Arthritis Foundation advocates March 4-6 on Capitol Hill for the annual Arthritis Foundation Advocacy Summit.

Advocates will urge Congress to support legislation that will make medications more affordable for patients with arthritis; fund a pediatric subspecialty loan repayment program to address the critical shortage of pediatric rheumatologists in the U.S.; and include 'post traumatic osteoarthritis’ and ‘rheumatoid arthritis’ in the Department of Defense research program.

“People are very surprised when I tell them I have arthritis—they think it’s an old person’s disease,” said Miss Pelsone, who enjoys singing, reading, and spending time outdoors. “I want to help change that stereotype and make others more aware of the different types of arthritis that exist,” she added.

While patients now have access to the benefits of research through the discovery and development of drugs like biologics, excessive cost-sharing makes it extremely difficult for many to afford the medication they need. Miss Pelsone is among the 50 million Americans or one of the 300,000 children suffering from arthritis.

“I am very lucky to have a great team of doctors always looking out for my health, but others living with this disease either can’t afford their medication or just don’t have access to the doctors they need. I plan to use my time in Washington to help change that,” stressed Miss Pelsone.

“Many people are finding themselves facing a huge financial burden simply to get the drugs their doctors have prescribed because of discriminatory insurance practices and others are being forced to travel hundreds of miles just to see the closest doctor,” says Amy Melnick, vice president of advocacy for the Arthritis Foundation. “These are reasons why the Arthritis Foundation is so committed to educating our lawmakers on the devastating toll arthritis takes on our nation’s health and economy.”

About the Advocacy Summit

Arthritis Foundation’s 15th annual Advocacy Summit will be held March 4-6 in Washington, D.C. The summit will bring together nearly 350 key arthritis advocates from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to meet with members of Congress to educate them that more needs to be done for people with arthritis.

About the Arthritis Foundation

Striking one in every five adults, arthritis is a serious, sometimes life-threatening disease and also the nation’s leading cause of disability. The Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) is committed to reducing the impact of arthritis, which can severely damage joints and rob people of their ability to live normal lives, including children. The Foundation provides proven programs to help fight arthritis pain, pursues public policy on behalf of patients, and supports groundbreaking research for effective treatments and a cure.

Kenmore Mercy Hospital Physician Offers Sleep Tips as We Spring Ahead

Dr. Alexander Gelfer speaks to Channel 7 News about daylight savings time

When we spring forward to daylight savings time on March 10, we lose an hour of sleep. Most of us feel the effect for just a few days afterward. But for others, lack of sleep is a chronic problem worsened by the time transition.

Alexander Gelfer, M.D, board-certified sleep specialist and medical director of the Sleep Care Centers at Kenmore Mercy and Sisters of Charity St. Joseph Campus, shared some easy-to-follow methods for coping with the transition to one less hour of sleep.

“Most adults are already get less than the recommended seven to nine hours of nightly sleep needed to be fully alert the next day,” said Dr. Gelfer.
1. Gradually Transition Into the Time Change

At least two days prior to the time change, go to bed and put your children to bed 15 minutes early. Also set your alarm clock 15 minutes earlier than you usually wake up. This makes it easier for your body to adjust to the new schedule.
2. Get Some Exercise During the Day

Even moderate exercise, such as walking, can help you sleep better. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, three times a week or more. But avoid exercise within three hours of bedtime.
3. Avoid Stimulating Substances

Alcohol and caffeine can interfere with sleep habits. Instead, relax with a soothing, warm bath and curl up with a book before bed.
4. Eat Light at Night

Indigestion from spicy and fatty food or having too much food on your stomach can cause insomnia.
5. Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment

The relaxing mixture of darkness and quiet is key to a good night’s sleep. Whether you try sleep shades, ear plugs, a white-noise machine, or all three, there are plenty of tools available to help block out stimulation and bring on slumber.

Dr. Gelfer adds, “Don't forget the importance of comfort in the equation. Invest in a good mattress and pillow; you'll be repaid in sweet dreams.”

Proven Track Record of Delivering Better Results

The Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care® program recognizes hospitals across the country that have a proven track record for delivering better results – including fewer complications and readmissions – than hospitals without these recognitions. Blue Distinction Centers+ meet the same quality criteria as Blue Distinction Centers, but are further recognized for their expertise and efficiency in delivering high quality care that is more affordable for patients.
“This recognition represents the hard work and clinical expertise of our doctors, nurses, and the medical and surgical teams that support our spine surgery and knee and hip replacement programs,” said Brian D’Arcy, senior vice president of Medical Affairs for Catholic Health.

“As a high performing health system, we are working every day to transform health care in our community by delivering the highest quality care as well as the best value. We are grateful to BlueCross BlueShield for recognizing these efforts with the Blue Distinction Centers+ designation.”
Blue Distinction Centers Better Outcomes, More Cost Efficient

The Blue Distinction Center program was developed with input from the medical community and evaluates hospitals on their ability to deliver high quality and safe specialty care based on criteria that directly impact patient results – e.g., surgical team expertise and a history of better outcomes for patients.

Research confirms that the newly designated Blue Distinction Centers demonstrate better quality and outcomes for patients, with lower rates of complications and readmissions than their peers. Blue Distinction Centers+ also are twenty percent more cost efficient than other hospitals.

“Our Blue Distinction program recognizes area hospitals that demonstrate high quality care and cost efficiency, as well as improved patient health and safety,” said Dr. Raghu Ram, Chief Medical Officer, BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York.

“BlueCross BlueShield is working to transform our health care system so that we reward quality care, improve health outcomes, and reduce costs. All of Catholic Health’s hospitals have proven their commitment to this transformation.”

Since 2006, consumers, medical providers, and employers have relied on the Blue Distinction program to identify hospitals delivering quality care in Bariatric Surgery, Cardiac Care, Complex and Rare Cancers, Knee and Hip Replacements, Spine Surgery, and Transplants. The Blue Distinction Centers for Specialty Care program was recently expanded to include new cost efficiency measures, as well as more robust quality measures focused on improved patient health and safety.
No Other Buffalo Area Hospitals Have Received This Recognition

The Catholic Health hospitals are the only Buffalo area hospitals to receive recognition for these services and among only eight in New York State to receive the Spine Surgery designation and twenty-one to receive the Knee and Hip Replacement distinction statewide. For more information about the Blue Distinction Program and to see a list of Blue Distinction Centers in your area, please visit www.bcbs.com/bluedistinction.

Catholic Health Blue Distinction Center+ Hospitals	Spine Surgery	Knee and Hip Replacement
Kenmore Mercy Hospital	X	X
Mercy Hospital of Buffalo	X	X
Sisters of Charity Hospital (Main Street Campus)	X	X
Sisters of Charity Hospital – St. Joseph Campus		X

An Evening With Gloria Steinham

An Evening with Gloria Steinem
Wednesday, May 1, 2013 at 8 p.m.
UB's Center for the Arts, Amherst Campus

Tickets on sale now through the UB Center for the Arts Box Office! Ticket prices are $35 (student), $50 or $65.

Celebrate Planned Parenthood of Western New York's rich history at our80th Anniversary Dinner. Tickets are $175 per person and include a cocktail reception with Gloria Steinem, a sit-down dinner on the stage of the Mainstage Theatre, and VIP seating at Gloria Steinem's 8pm remarks.Click here to purchase 80th Anniversary Dinner tickets, or purchase by phone at (716) 831-2200, option #4. Seating for the dinner is limited - purchase your ticket today!

Click here for corporate sponsorship opportunities, or contact the Community Engagement Department at (716) 831-2200, option #4.

About Gloria Steinem:
Gloria Steinem is a writer, lecturer, editor, and feminist activist. She travels all over the world as an organizer and lecturer and is a frequent media spokeswoman on issues of equality.

In 1972, she co-founded Ms. magazine and remained one of its editors for 15 years. She has been the subject of three biographical television documentaries including HBO’s Gloria: In Her Own Words.

Ms. Steinem was President and co-founder of Voters for Choice, a pro-choice political action committee for 25 years; she then served as President of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund when it merged with Voters for Choice for the 2004 elections. She also co-founded and serves on the board of Choice USA , a national organization that supports young pro-choice leadership and works to preserve comprehensive sex education in schools.

She lives in New York City, and is at work on Road to the Heart: America as if Everyone Mattered, a book about her more than thirty years on the road as a feminist organizer. For more information, please visit www.gloriasteinem.com.

U.S. News names ECMC Dr. Loree a highly rated Top American Doctor in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

BUFFALO, NEW YORK; March 7, 2013

U.S. News recently published its list of Top Docs and selected Thom R. Loree, MD, as a highly rated American Top Doc in plastic and reconstructive surgery. 

There are 865 top plastic surgeons on the list of U.S. News Top Doctors. These physicians were selected based on a peer nomination process. Within this list of the best plastic surgeons, 193 have been named to a highly selective list of America's Top Doctors (ATD), including Dr. Loree, by achieving national recognition for outstanding work. 

Dr. Loree is currently the Director of the Department of Head & Neck, and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at ECMC. Before joining ECMC as the Director of the department, Dr. Loree received his doctorate of medicine from George Washington University, and general and plastic surgery training from St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City. He continued to expand his expertise as a head and neck surgeon and oncology fellow with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and as an attending physician at Roswell Park Cancer Institute for nearly 20 years. During the last 12 years of his Roswell Park tenure, he was Chairman of the Department of Head & and Neck/Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Loree currently holds an appointment as an Associate Professor of Surgery for the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, where he continues to conduct research and publish extensively. 

Dr. Loree specializes in larynx (throat) cancer, microvascular reconstruction, oral (mouth) cancer, plastic & reconstructive surgery, sinus cancer, skull base surgery, thyroid and parathyroid gland, and breast reconstruction. 

At ECMC, nationally renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeons perform a variety of procedures to treat abnormalities and conditions of the head and neck, breast, and other body regions. 

To view the U.S. News listing about Dr. Loree, see: http://www.vitals.com/doctors/Dr_Thom_Loree/reviews

For more information about the U.S. News American Top Doctors, those interested can log-on to: http://health.usnews.com/top-doctors/directory/best-plastic-surgeons?specialist=Plastic+Surgeons&doctor=Name&hospital=Hospital+Name&doctor_gender=&sort_by=name&specialties=073&location=City%2C+State%2C+or+ZIP&specialty_plural_urlname=plastic-surgeons&page=31

Participation in Medical Student Research Forum Hits All-Time High

Kenneth Blumenthal, PhD, announced the winning posters produced by Andrew Gage, Nicole Sprentall, Aleksandr Kalininskiy and Kristina Foster.

March 1, 2013

A record number of participants presented their work at this year’s Medical Student Research Forum, held Jan. 31 in the atrium of the Biomedical Education Building.

Of the 32 participating students, four were recognized for their research on plaster ankle splints, iron homeostasis in a soil bacterium and multiple sclerosis.

Winning Posters

The winners, all from the class of 2015, are as follows:

First Place

Andrew Gage and Nicole Sprentall

“Comparative Strength and Stiffness of Plaster Ankle Splints”

Mentors: Christopher E. Mutty, MD, clinical assistant professor of orthopaedics, and John R. West, MD, orthopaedics resident

Second Place

Aleksandr Kalininskiy

“Analysis of Irr Binding Sites in Bradyrhizobium japonicum”

Mentor: Mark R. O’Brian, PhD, professor ofbiochemistry

Third Place

Kristina Foster

“Iron Content in Benign and Non-Benign Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis”

Mentor: Robert Zivadinov, MD, PhD, professor ofneurology

Furthering Knowledge Through Mentoring

A panel of faculty judges evaluated the students’ projects, which were supported by stipends from various funding agencies.

The students worked closely with their research mentors to complete their projects.

“This forum is important not only for the information it conveys, but also for inculcating in our future physicians the spirit of helping to create the knowledge that they will one day apply to their clinical careers,” said Kenneth M. Blumenthal, PhD, senior associate dean for research and graduate education.

UB Psychiatry Professor Receives Top Award for Concussion Research

Recognized for Contributions to Field of Brain Injury

Barry S. Willer, PhD, professor of psychiatry, has received the 2012 Research Award from North America’s only professional organization devoted to the field of brain injury.

Willer accepted the award during the North American Brain Injury Society’s annual conference in Miami, where he also gave a keynote address.
The annual award honors a researcher for significant contributions to traumatic brain injury research.

Willer’s research focuses on concussions—especially post-concussion syndrome and how to treat it—and the restoration of emotional abilities in people with brain injuries.

He serves as research director of the UB Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine Concussion Management Clinic.

NFL Charities Funds Willer’s Research

Recently, NFL Charities named Willer co-principal investigator with John Leddy, MD, on a grant to determine the most objective method of determining when an athlete who has had a concussion can safely return to play.

Willer’s other accomplishments include:

- co-authoring the first return-to-play guidelines after concussion for the International Olympics

- developing a return-to-play test for athletes after concussion
creating a a computer-based treatment protocol to help people with brain injury who have difficulty regulating emotion

UB Invention Leads to Discovery of Novel Pathway for TB Vaccine

A new study shows that a mucosal adjuvant developed by Terry D. Connell, PhD, could lead to a better vaccine against tuberculosis.

March 1, 2013

Researchers have discovered a new vaccine target for tuberculosis using a University at Buffalo-patented adjuvant that dramatically boosts the potency of vaccines administered to mucous membranes.

Terry D. Connell, PhD, professor of microbiology and immunology, developed the novel mucosal adjuvant LT-IIb, which UB patented in 2008. With its help, he and his colleagues have identified a new pathway that represents a better target for vaccination against tuberculosis.

“This research demonstrates that the most effective vaccination against tuberculosis should target the IL-17 pathway,” he says.

While the traditional tuberculosis vaccine targets—the IFN-y and T helper 1 pathways—are essential in overcoming infection, the new research indicates that they are likely to be less important in vaccination to elicit immune protection against tuberculosis, Connell adds.

The mechanisms that modulate IL-17-based protection are now being studied in laboratories around the world, he notes.

Adjuvants Direct Desired Immune Response to Vaccine

Connell’s lab is leading a study of LT-IIb and similar adjuvants derived from a unique group of bacterial proteins in the type II family of bacterial heat-labile enterotoxins (HLT).

The UB-patented adjuvants have several unique characteristics, Connell notes. “Depending on the type of adjuvant, one can either enhance the body’s ability to make antibodies or enhance the body’s cytotoxic response. The great benefit of our type II HLT adjuvants is that these molecules can activate both pathways. “We can direct the type of immune response to the vaccine that is desired, whether an antibody response or a cellular response, simply by choosing one or the other type II adjuvant.”

Better Vaccines Could Help Millions

As drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis emerge and more than 1.7 million people die each year from TB, researchers have a strong incentive to develop better vaccines against the disease.

Connell says the next step for this collaborative research is to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the capacity of LT-IIb to induce IL-17-associated immune response to antigens and pathogens.

“Once those mechanisms have been identified, new mutant HLT can be engineered to further optimize the capacity of these adjuvants to enhance desired immune responses to candidate tuberculosis vaccines.”

Vaccine Delivery System Key to Third-World Success

A big push is underway to develop non-injectable, mucosal vaccines against a number of pathogens, says Connell.

Most, if not all, injectable vaccines need to be stored in the “cold chain” for long periods to maintain their stability, efficacy and safety, he notes. Yet this is very difficult to do in the developing world, where the need for vaccination against tuberculosis is greatest.

“Our mixtures of adjuvants and vaccines can be dried into a powder and stored on a shelf, without refrigeration, until needed,” Connell explains.

The powder could then be sterilized in boiling water, made into a nasal spray and delivered through an atomizer.

Study Featured in Nature Group Publication

Connell is co-author of the new study, which was featured in Mucosal Immunology, a publication of the Nature Group.

His collaborators include scientists from the universities of Pittsburgh, Rochester and Alabama. Pittsburgh’s Shabaana A. Khader, PhD, is lead author.

The National Institutes of Health and the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburghfunded the research.

Tai Chi

Many receive tremendous benefits from the practice of this ancient martial art

by Kathleen Moore, Ph.D. 

Tai Chi, also known as T’ai Chi Ch’uan, is an ancient Chinese martial art practiced by people worldwide as a form of meditation and strengthening technique. A series of slow, synchronized movements with colorful names like Grasp the Sparrow’s Tail, White Crane Spreads Its Wings, and Needle at the Bottom of the Sea, Tai Chi resembles a graceful slow-motion dance.

Judy Bonafede, who is a Tai Chi instructor at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo (JCC), says, "By moving through Tai Chi postures, you can work your muscles, focus your concentration and improve the flow of chi—the Chinese term for vital life energy that sustains health and calms the mind. Best of all, says Judy, "Tai Chi can be performed by almost anyone, despite their physical limitations. The movements are easy on joints and muscles, and do not require a special setting or equipment." Many people perform Tai Chi in parks or in their backyards.

Tai Chi is becoming more widely used as a therapeutic exercise for individuals recovering from illness or injury. It has been described as a form of meditation in motion, where the continuity of movement, combined with one’s undivided attention, helps heal and revitalize the body and mind. Research has shown Tai Chi can reduce heart rate and blood pressure, enhance circulation, increase flexibility and balance, improve immune functioning, and reduce stress. An Australian study found Tai Chi had the same effects on heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones as brisk walking. Studies of older participants found that practicing Tai Chi weekly decreased their risk of falling and greatly improved their balance and strength. It also boosts mental alertness — important for people of any age.

There are five distinct styles of Tai Chi and variations within each style. The two most commonly practiced are the Yang and Chen styles. Chen is more brisk and active, while Yang is gentler. While you won’t need special clothes or equipment to practice Tai Chi, you will need some instruction. This is because Tai Chi is not as easy as it looks and it takes time and practice to improve your skills. Once you do, a session will leave you feeling like you’ve had a genuine workout.

Judy emphasizes the importance of not pushing yourself. She believes the meditative effects of Tai Chi are as important as the exercise, and encourages daily practice, even if it's only for five minutes. Dr. Keith Jeffery, author of Tai Chi for Busy People, says, “There is no rush. Do a little every day, and know that whatever you accomplish in that time is perfect.” He adds, “Congratulate yourself for making the effort, for doing such a wonderful thing for your mind and body. Smile and enjoy the process. Be gentle with yourself.”

WNY RESOURCE
Judy Bonafede teaches Tai Chi in Getzville Tuesdays from 11:15am-12:15pm. The class is limited to 30 participants and is free to JCC members. Judy will also be conducting small group Tai Chi classes consisting of 3-7 participants. To learn more call Ann Vorburger at 204-2070. The JCC continues to expand their alternative classes to include Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga, Mat and Stott Pilates, Tai Chi Chuan, Belly Dance, Family Bosu, African Aerobic Dance and more. Massage, Reiki, and personal training are also available. See www.jccbuffalo.org.

SAD? No, But Maybe A Bit Blue in Wintry Buffalo

by Darcy F. Wallen, LCSW, ACSW

Blue skies smiling at me, nothing but blue skies, do I see... Irving Berlin 

Did you know that gray weather causes some people’s poor moods to get even worse? Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is more prevalent in our region, where the sun shines less than it does in regions closer to the equator. So, what’s a wintry Western New Yorker to do?

While most of us thankfully, do not have SAD, living in a cold climate with grey skies can have adverse effects even on those who are upbeat. Although many energetic people enjoy winter sports like skiing, tobogganing, and snowboarding, when the weather is cold or dreary, many of us avoid going outside altogether. Many people are not able to remain outdoors for extended periods of time. For others, simple tasks like getting up and out of bed for work and other responsibilities are more difficult at this time of year.

When feeling heroic, we can be in control of these feelings of “heaviness.” Often, however, we are weak and swept into the sedentary vortex. Many people actually become heavier during these months because of diminished physical activity and indoor “hibernation” behaviors, including eating comfort foods. If you feel down, and a bit immobilized, there are things you can do to combat wintry-grey inertia. Try some of these (which are also recommended for our SAD friends):

· Get outside, even if just for a five to ten minute walk.

· Pick another time of day for physical exercise, even if only gentle stretching or doing the stairs.

· Be around good friends, people who are upbeat and, if necessary, speak with a therapist or clergy member.

· If you tend to get into scheduling ruts, change your routine.

· Supplements (with professional guidance) such as: Omega 3 fish oils, Vitamin D3, (that gets depleted during the less sunny months along with our mood-regulating neurotransmitters – serotonin and melatonin), and certain herbs can do wonders for our moods and immune system.

· Eat healthy, nutritious foods, and avoid “comfort” foods that may cause tiredness. Some people are sensitive to “white” foods, such as white noodles, white potatoes, and white rice which can cause tiredness and mood fluctuations.

· Try singing (and more particularly, humming), which is beneficial for your mood and immune system. Google “Benefits of humming” and you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

· Try mindfulness and other mental exercises below to help change negative thought patterns to more positive ones, to “shift” your focus from “winter blues” to “bluer skies."

Try these Mindfulness Exercises

· Sit quietly, paying attention to your breath and sensations accompanying it, when your mind wanders to a thought, gently redirect it to focus on your breath again. Try doing this for 3-5 minutes daily.

· In addition to focusing on your breath in the “formal” exercise above, try to become more mindful in your day-to-day activities. Mindfulness is a state of mind where you stay focused on what you are currently experiencing. For instance, if you are fully present, you are not worrying about past or future events. You have no judgments about anything; you are just observing. You are practicing staying with and experiencing this very “precious” moment. You may want to explore this more in the book The Precious Present by Spencer Johnson, M.D.

· Again, sitting quietly, come up with a pleasant, "safe place” in your mind. Try to describe it to yourself as you “draw it” in your mind’s eye. Imagine it with as many senses as you can. For instance: A person’s safe place might be sitting on a warm stone in a meadow on a warm sunny day. You might see the beautiful colors of the grass, trees, sky, flowers, smell the fragrance of the plants, trees, flowers, feel the warm breeze against your neck and the warmth of the sun on your cheeks. You may hear the wind through the trees, or the sound of the birds chirping, or even taste a sweet but tart wild strawberry you just picked.

About the Author:
Darcy F. Wallen, ACSW, LCSW is a psychotherapist, educator, motivational entertainer, and composer living in Amherst, New York. In addition to her private therapy practice, she offers trainings to groups and individuals. For free downloads of mindfulness exercises contact Darcy at Rusdcsw@aol.com and listen to her music at www.reverbnation.com/rdwallen.

Leaks, Dribbles & Urges: All You Wanted To Know About Urinary Incontinence & Dropped Bladder (But Were Afraid To Ask!

Millions experience the occasional dribble, but are too embarrassed to tell anyone - even their doctors - Join Us on March 19th and Get Your Questions Answered!

1 in 2 women will face a degree of urinary incontinence or bladder prolapse at some point - so let's get talking, ladies. Because this embarrassing problem can often be surprisingly easy to fix. Join Catholic Health's Dr. Ali Ghomi, MD, FACOG and Women's Pelvic Rehabilitation Expert Kathleen Lindaman Aebischer, BSPT at a seminar to hear the latest on female urinary incontinence and pelvic prolapse, plus treatments (surgical AND non-surgical). See what you can do to ditch the pads, laugh, sneeze and cough without worry. Hear the latest from the experts at this free seminar. Bring your questions. Light snacks will be served, 5:30pm - 7:00pm, The Millennium Hotel, 2040 Walden Ave, Buffalo, NY 14225, Bring your mom, your sister, your friends, your co-workers, your daughter, your aunt. Open to all. FREE. Seating is limited, call 447-6205 to register today.

Medical 411: Low Testosterone in Men With Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

by Sandeep Dhindsa, M.D.

Testosterone is the principal sex hormone in males. It is important, not only for normal sexual function, but also for maintaining bone and muscle strength, mental and physical energy and overall well-being.

Research conducted at the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY at Buffalo) over the last decade shows one-third of men with type 2 diabetes also have low testosterone concentrations. The major determinant of testosterone concentrations in these men is obesity, and an increase in body weight leads to lower testosterone levels. A quarter of obese men without diabetes also have low testosterone. Our most recent study shows that obese boys at end of puberty have 50% lower testosterone concentrations than lean boys.

We have found that the prevalence of obesity and diabetes is increasing among all age groups and a significant number among them are likely to be in their prime reproductive years. The fact that one-third of these men have low testosterone is significant in terms of inadequate sexual function and potential infertility. However, the problem of low testosterone is not confined to just sexual and reproductive function but also to cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis (fatty deposits in inner lining of arteries, which are precursors of "heart attack").

Inflammation (the process by which the body responds to injury/infection) is believed to play an essential role in the cause of atherosclerosis. Men with low testosterone have more inflammation and heart disease than those with normal testosterone. This means that urgent measures need to be taken to prevent the massive and progressive epidemic of type 2 diabetes which, in its wake, results in hypogonadism (a condition where sex glands produce little or no hormones), resulting in type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

Testosterone replacement is indicated in symptomatic men with low testosterone for maintaining secondary sexual characteristics, improving sexual function, sense of well being and bone mineral density, as well as for increasing muscle mass and reducing fat mass. There are different formulations available to replace testosterone: intramuscular injection, gel or patches.

Now the Endocrinology division of SUNY at Buffalo is conducting research studies on the impact of testosterone replacement on body composition, fertility, inflammation and atherosclerosis in men with type 2 diabetes or obesity. To learn more and find out if you are eligible to participate in this important and ongoing research study visit http://diabetes endocrinologycenterofwny.com/index.html or call 716-626-7998.

About the Author:

Sandeep Dhindsa, MD is an American Diabetes Association-funded researcher from State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Dhindsa and Paresh Dandona, MD were the first researchers to assess the prevalence of hypogonadism in men with diabetes and obesity. Dr. Dhindsa recommends that men with either obesity or diabetes have their testosterone levels tested regularly.