In this issue: NEW! Our Cancer Rehabilitation Pro-gram!

2013 Spirit Award

CancerConnects

HOA Patient Portal

For the Mind, Body & Spirit - Services for our patients

Clinical Research

We’re not miles away ... Just miles ahead!

Integrative Medi-cine and Wellness Programs

HOA is the only QOPI Certified cancer practice in Central New York!

Medicare and the Payer Circuit

www.hoacny.com

The Mission of Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY is to provide the highest level of quality care in a

healing environment for the mind, body and spirit of patients dealing with cancer and blood disorders.

2014– Volume 7 Patient Newsletter

Quote for

the Quarters

――If you don't know

where you're going, any

road'll take you there‖

― George Harrison

Cancer Rehabilitation

Program

Connecting Recovery

to Survivorship

Read more on Page 5

HEMATOLOGY-ONCOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF CENTRA L NEW YORK PAGE 2

Maria Grice, HOA’s Chief of Radiation, Imaging and

Cancer Rehabilitation Services was the recipient of the 2013 Spirit Award. The Spirit Award is an award from Hematology-Oncology Associates that is given annually to an employee who consistently demonstrates an exemplary team spirit, passion for excellence and commitment to our mission. It is a great honor because it is an award that is given by the employees of HOA through a nomination process.

Maria is a special individual and leader and her nominations underscored her ability to motivate, appreciate, support and succeed. Here are some quotes from her nominations: “One of the most outstanding things about Maria is how she has the ability to see the best in people and nurture those qualities to help them succeed”, “I nominate Maria because she is the team spirit that keeps us going on occasions too numerous to count”, “In times of crisis, Maria will be called to help with a patient, she has a calming effect and is very empathetic and will work tirelessly for the good of the practice”. Congratulations Maria!

2013 Spirit Award—Maria Grice!

Connecting Recovery to Survivorship (continued from Page 1)

Please allow us to introduce Janine Capucilli! She is the Director of our new Cancer Rehabilitation Program. Janine is a licensed physical therapist receiving her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Upstate Medical University, in Syracuse. She received her certification in lymphedema management from the Academy of Lymphatic Studies and is Vodder trained in manual lymphatic drainage. She brings over 10 years of clinical experience working extensively with cancer patients. She is also certified by the Lymphology Association of North America. Combining her expertise in the field of lymphedema management with her passion for treating patients with cancer, she developed a comprehensive Cancer Rehabilitation Pro-gram for the patients of HOA. Our Cancer Rehabilitation Pro-gram helps patients get back to doing the things they love. This component to cancer treatment enhances the services currently offered at HOA and is consistent with our holistic approach to care. Our rehabilitation program is a part of our complementary therapy and wellness programs and like other modalities connects recovery to survivorship.

(Continued on page 5)

PAGE 3 HEMATOLOGY-ONCOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF CENTRA L NEW YORK

CancerConnects is pleased to continue their

work to facilitate connections for everyone through-

out Central New York who has been diagnosed with

cancer. If you are interested in connecting with a

cancer survivor mentor or if you’re interested in be-

coming a mentor to cancer patients, please contact

CancerConnects.

www.cancerconnects.org or (315) 634-5004

Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY has made it even easier for you to communicate with us through our online

Patient Portal.

This secure website offers many convenient features that can save you time. Some of the things you can accomplish with our secure website are: ask a nurse a question; ask a question about your bill; pay your bill online; request medical records; request a pre-scription refill; ask a question about an appointment; and you can now receive a clinical summary from your last MD/NP/PA appoint-ment—including your lab work!

We currently have more than 2,400 patients successfully util-

izing our patient portal.

Sign Up Today!

Creating an account is as easy as 1,2,3

1. Give us your email address

2. Receive an invitation by email

3. Click on the link to create your account

PO

RT

AL N

EW

S

Once you’re registered, you can enjoy all the features through our

website. Go to www.hoacny.com and click on “My Chart”

PAGE 4 HEMATOLOGY-ONCOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF CENTRA L NEW YORK

Look Good… Feel Better Cosmetology professionals will help you with make-up appli-

cation, dry skin, discolored nails, choice and care of a wig,

scarves, turbans and hats. Please call and register for ses-

sions in East Syracuse & Cayuga, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison,

Oneida and St. Lawrence Counties.

American Cancer Society 6725 Lyons St., East Syracuse

Call 1-800-227-2345

Support Group for Recurrent &

Metastatic Disease

This support group is dedicated to providing

guidance to those cancer patients with re-

current and metastatic disease. The unique

aspects of this journey are explored with

patients who are experiencing similar chal-

lenges. This group meets the 1st & 3rd

Monday of each month from 4-5:30 pm at

Brittonfield in the 3rd floor conference

room and is facilitated by Gussie Sorensen,

LCSW-R and Beth Connelly, RN, NP.

For the Mind and Spirit

More Support for our Patients * Free to All !!

Caregivers Support Group

This group provides support for caregivers of

cancer patients and provides a place for discus-

sion regarding ongoing challenges that are en-

countered with the caregiver role. The group

meets the 1st Monday of each month from 4-

5:30pm in the 3rd Floor Boardroom located at

our Brittonfield Office. The group is facilitated

by Kate Flannery, LCSW and Kathy Snyder,

RN, NP.

Healing Harmonies

The mission of Healing Harmonies is to create

partnerships between the musicians and local

healthcare and wellness providers, with the in-

tent to bring live music with therapeutic benefits

to patients, their families, and healthcare staff in

CNY. Music has been recognized to have im-

mense benefits for patients through stress and

anxiety reduction, lessening the side effects of

chemotherapy, and reducing the amount of pain

medication needed before and after surgical pro-

cedures. We are pleased to offer this to our pa-

tients.

Young Adult

Programs

Brain Tumor

Family Retreat

Women &

Men’s Oncology

Programs

315-434-9477 www.campgooddays.org

Breast Cancer Support Group

Second Wednesday of each month from 4—5:30 in

the Brittonfield Board Room, 3rd Floor

Facilitated by Gussie Sorensen, Katie Tindal and Emeline McShane

PAGE 5 HEMATOLOGY-ONCOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF CENTRA L NEW YORK

If you have any questions about participating in clinical trials, or if you would like more information,

please contact the Research Department by calling: 315-472-7504 (x1350)

What is a CCOP? A Community Clinical Oncology Program allows a medical practice to work with the National Cancer Institute to formally access clinical research trials and cancer control and prevention stud-ies for patient participation. Through our CCOP, our staff and patients have had the opportunity to contribute to the improvement of cancer care and prevention since 1986! There are about 50 CCOPs in the United States and only 2 in New York State—Hematology-Oncology Associates and a practice on Long Island. We’re so proud of that fact! HOACNY is the only CCOP in the country not affiliated with a large cancer center or university—a well kept secret!

This National Cancer Institute partnership allows our practice to bring cutting edge clinical trials and cancer control and prevention studies to Syracuse, New York. We can offer investigational drug therapies and cutting edge treatments to our patients—and they don’t need to travel to Philadelphia, Buffalo, Rochester, Texas, Boston, Minnesota or New York City!

Clinical Research Department

Connecting Recovery to Survivorship (continued from Page 1)

HOA’s interdisciplinary approach allows thera-pists to work closely with a patient’s oncology team to establish individualized plans of care. It’s not uncommon for cancer survivors to ex-perience side effects during or following their treatment for cancer. Growing evidence sup-ports functional exercise training as a safe and effective approach to reduce unwanted side ef-fects and improve physical functioning and general wellbeing, beginning with a cancer di-agnosis.

Patients can be referred for an evaluation to HOA’s Cancer Rehabilitation Program by their Surgeon, Oncologist, Radiation Oncologist, Phy-sician, Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assis-tant.

We are dedicated to helping our patients be-come stronger and healthier so they can get back to doing the things they enjoy!

We’re not miles away

… Just miles ahead

PAGE 6 HEMATOLOGY-ONCOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF CENTRA L NEW YORK

Hematology-Oncology Associates

Comprehensive Outpatient Treat-

ment and Support Services

◊ Chemotherapy and Radiation

◊ Clinical Research

◊ CyberKnife®

◊ Clinical Laboratory

◊ Pharmacy

◊ CT and Other Diagnostic Testing

◊ Patient and Family Counseling and Support Group Services

◊ Nutritional Counseling

◊ Integrative/Complementary Therapy

◊ Art Therapy

◊ Community Educational Programs

Amenities

◊ State of the Art Facilities ◊ Imaging Services

◊ Boutique at Brittonfield ◊ Flat Screen TV’s in Infusion

◊ Patient Internet Access in Infusion ◊ Free Parking

◊ Patient Education Area ◊ Electronic Medical Record

A beautiful and healing atmosphere is

provided as a haven of opportunity for

the mind, body and spirit. Check out

the Wellness Center’s schedule of

classes and services on the web!

www.hoacny.com — Wellness Center

(315)234– HOPE

HOA is the only QOPI

Certified Cancer Center in

Central New York

Oncology groups can achieve certifi-

cation by demonstrating policies &

practices consistent with the high-

est standards of care. This prestig-

ious designation identifies those

practices that not only scored high

on the key QOPI quality measures,

but meet rigorous safety measures

established by ASCO and the On-

cology Nursing Society (ONS).

Many thanks to Dr. Benny Wong for

entertaining our patients, their care-

givers and our employees!

PAGE 7

Integrative Medicine /Wellness Programs 315-234-HOPE

Integrative or Complementary Therapies are services that support your current medical treat-

ment and are never intended to replace it. They are for patients who are seeking wellness or well being of not only the physical body, but of the mind, body and spirit.

Massage * Reiki * Healing Touch * Yoga * CranioSacral Therapy * Foot Reflexology

Light Therapy * Meditation * Acupuncture * Tai-Chi * Zumba * and more

Offered at our Brittonfield Office &/or The Wellness Center at Medical Center West

Please visit our website or call Anne at 234-4673 for details or to set up an appointment

Second Sunday Spiritual Gathering at 10am at the Wellness Center

HEMATOLOGY-ONCOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF CENTRA L NEW YORK

Did you know that the Hematology-Oncology Fun

Committee raised over $30,000 in 2013! This allowed

our employees to help dozens of patients, their caregivers

and cancer related foundations! Patient and family sup-

port comes to us through the purchase of raffle tickets for

baskets, T-Shirts, donations and most importantly, for

supporting our JEAN DAYS!

Thanks for the Support!

PAGE 8

Medicare and the Payer Circuit

Congressman Dan Maffei 423-5657

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand 448-0470 Senator Charles Schumer 423-5471

HEMATOLOGY-ONCOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF CENTRA L NEW YORK

Difficult decisions regarding access to care have been precipitated by Medicare and

legislative changes. Insurance companies would like to emulate the Medicare

changes that continue to challenge and stress our patient services. Together, we

can prevent this. The need to critically assess every insurance company’s reimburse-

ment is now mandated by medical practices. We can no longer participate with every

insurance company. We will not allow the level of care or expertise you have come to

expect and trust be diminished. Please stay connected and support our decisions to

fight for you—our valued patients. When open enrollment comes to your employer—

please make sure you sign up for an insurance we participate with—taking care of

you is very important to us!

Important Note to Patients: Please DO NOT

change your Medicare plan before you call us!

(315) 234-2812

The Affordability Care Act law was passed in 2010, and as a result, New York

State has developed their own health insurance exchange website:

www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov

If you have any questions about the NY State Health Exchange, (called “NY state of health”), the customer service phone number is 855-355-5777.

Hematology Oncology Assoc. of Central New York participates with the following insurance companies that are on the NY State Insurance Exchange:

Fidelis Care

Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield

Today’s Options

MVP Health Care

If you need further assistance about the insurance companies that we partici-

pate with ,please call us at 315-234-2812 or toll free 888-777-2812.