WELCOME to the latest issue of News from Seton Health. We hope that you find these pages informative and useful. Seton Health is a comprehensive Catholic healthcare system anchored by St. Mary’s Hospital in Troy — one of the region’s finest community hospitals. We offer health-care services from more than 20 sites in the Capital Region and are one of the area’s largest primary care providers, with 15 physician offices. Incontinence treatment and

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

How To Create a Diabetes Super Value MealTuesday, March 23 • 6 p.m. 1300 Massachusetts Avenue • Troy Conference Rooms A & B

Now you can have your super value meal — and eat it, too! Molly Bedarian, a Seton Health Diabetes Educator, will show you how to create healthy and satisfying meal combina-tions that taste great. Learn how to choose the right foods and carbs, find out what is truly good for your heart, and how these foods ultimately affect your blood sugar. Join us! Reservations are required. To register or for more information, please call (518) 268-5950.

Breaking the Stigma: Facts and Fiction About Pelvic Health ProblemsThursday, March 25 • 6 p.m. 1300 Massachusetts Avenue • Troy Conference Rooms A & B

You’re not alone. Pelvic health problems like heavy periods, fibroids and urinary inconti-nence affect more than 35 million women of all ages in the United States, yet remain under-diagnosed and under-treated. Over half of all women who suffer from these problems do not seek treatment and too often, they avoid daily activities and social interac-tion because of fear of embarrassment or anxiety due to symptoms associated with these issues.

Dr. Vincent Corcoran, a Seton Health OB/GYN, will discuss the myths and facts attributed to pelvic problems. He’ll explain the most minimally invasive treatment options for numerous pelvic problems, which offer the least amount of risk, discomfort and fastest recovery so you can get back to living your life with confidence.

To register or for more information, please call (518) 268-5950.

wound care, physical and cardiac rehabilitation, home healthcare and addiction treatment are among the many services we offer. We also operate a skilled nursing facility, Seton Health at Schuyler Ridge, and the Seton Health Childbirth Center at St. Mary’s Hospital. Seton Health is a member of Ascension Health, the nation’s largest nonprofit and Catholic healthcare system. For more information, visit us online at www.setonhealth.org or call (518) 268-5517.

NEWS FROMSeton Health

WE’RE ONE OF THE AREA’S ‘2009 Best Places to Work!’

The Capital District Business Review has named Seton Health as one of the Best Places to Work in the Capital Region for 2009. The award recognizes our achievements in creating a positive work environment that attracts and retains associates through a combination of benefits, working conditions and company culture. Seton Health is one of 200 companies to enter and make the top 30 list based on the feedback of our own associates. We are very proud to be recognized by the area’s leading business journal. At Seton Health, we strive to make a difference each and every day, with each and every patient we treat. We are proud of our associates who work tire-lessly to provide our community with the quality

healthcare expected in our growing and diverse commu-nity and, just as importantly, with caring and compassion.

And, our recent designa-tion as one of the Capital District’s “Best Places to Work” tells us that our associates are proud to work at Seton Health, too! If you are interested in joining our network of compassionate healthcare associates, apply today at www.setonhealth.org!

FREE CANCER SCREENINGSAvailable to Uninsured Women

If you are a Capital Region woman with no health insurance, you don’t have to skip annual examinations and cancer screenings due to lack of resources to pay for them. Seton Health offers free cancer screenings to eligible women between the ages of 40 and 64, in conjunction with the New York State and federally funded Cancer Services Program (CSP).

Uninsured women can receive annual clinical breast exams, pap smears, pelvic exams and mammograms at no cost from a Seton Health provider, and CSP will reimburse Seton Health for the cost of the procedures. The program is available to patients in all the counties served by Seton Health -- Albany, Rensselaer and Saratoga.

According to Beth Weest-Guilefuss, outreach manager for the Rensselaer County CSP, the program has been highly effective in providing services to women who might not otherwise seek care. She cited a Troy woman who visited a Seton physician this past summer and was diagnosed with cervical cancer. “We have a great relation-

ship with that particular physician’s office,” she said, “and they called us right away. We got her approved for treatment and enrolled in Medicaid in less than two weeks. And she is now doing very well.”

Weest-Guilefuss said the only downside to the program is that some women are reluctant to come forward because they are embarrassed about needing the help and fear having to facing large medical costs. “They know they should get screened but ask ‘what if something is found and then I’m faced with huge medical bills?’ ”

She encourages those who are uninsured to seek out the Cancer Screening Program in the county where they live because free help is available. “A patient can earn up to 250 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and still qualify for Medicaid under this program,” she said.

In Rensselaer County, call (518) 454-4013.In Albany County, call (518) 454-4055.In Saratoga County, call (518) 580-2132.

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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

LiveWell™ ProgramSaturday, March 20 • 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. St. Mary’s Hospital Vascular Lab 1300 Massachusetts Ave. • Troy

The LiveWell™ program provides affordable access to vital information which may help identify undiscovered vascular diseases and other life threatening conditions including stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). An ultraso-nographer and technologist will perform painless, non-invasive ultrasound and other screenings confirmed by Seton Health physi-cians who are specialists in these fields. A registered nurse will check your blood pres-sure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels to identify hypertension or other risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. The LiveWell™ program is $109 and includes all three screenings. To schedule an appointment, call Colleen at (518) 268-6455.

Free Bladder ScreeningTuesday, April 13 • 10 a.m. - noon Massry Center, 147 Hoosick Street Suite E • Troy

Do you often have a strong, sudden urge to go to the bathroom? Do you leak urine when you cough or sneeze? Bladder problems are very common and usually easily treated. They can affect both men and women of all ages. Walk-ins are welcome. Please call (518) 268-5380 to schedule your appointment.

Cover the Uninsured EventFriday, March 19 • 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 1300 Massachusetts Avenue • Troy Conference Rooms A & B

Do you have health insurance? If the answer is “no,” Seton Health wants to help!

If you or your children are among the 47 million Americans with no health insur-ance, Seton Health invites you to meet with insurance specialists at our Insurance Enroll-ment Event. Our professionals can help you enroll in Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, Medicaid, Cancer Services Program, Rensselaer Cares Prescription Assistance Program, Healthy New York and more.

You must bring in one item in each of the following categories: proof of identity (driver’s license or other photo ID for example), proof of residence (license with address, postmarked envelope, utility bill, etc.) and proof of income (paycheck stubs for one month, unemploy-ment benefits, etc.). For more information on what you can bring, please call (518) 268-5517.

No appointments necessary. Walk-in at your convenience.

SHORT-TERM REHAB Available in Clifton Park

This past June, Daniel Eckles was discharged from Albany Medical Center Hospital — where he had spent weeks following a very serious car accident — to the Schuyler Ridge short-term rehabilitation program to continue his recovery and make progress towards moving back home.

Eckles was driving on rain-slicked roads in May when his car hydroplaned off the road and into the woods, hitting several trees and coming to rest against a very large tree. He was taken by helicopter to Albany Med, where he had more than 200 stitches in his head and learned he had broken his neck, back and right leg and had a collapsed lung.

During the four weeks that Eckles spent as a patient in Schuyler Ridge’s short-term rehab program, he received occupational and physical therapy services on a daily basis that allowed him to return home in late July.

“When I got to Schuyler Ridge, I didn’t know what to expect, but I was really impressed with the way I was treated,” said Eckles. “Everyone went our of their way to help me. I never ran across anyone who seemed to be having a bad day.”

“The team couldn’t have been any better, he continued. “I couldn’t have asked for anything more from them.”

Schuyler Ridge offers a progressive short-term rehabilitation program designed to assist patients with maximizing their independence, with a primary goal of returning to the commu-

nity. The rehabilitation staff evaluates all patients at admission and establishes a treatment program tailored to meet individual needs.

The focus of treatment is on functional mobility, self-care skills and patient and family education. The team works with patients and their family to establish the safest, most functional level of discharge possible. In addition patients and their families are given ongoing support and resources to ensure that the patient’s return to the community is as successful as possible.

During his stay at Schuyler Ridge, Eckles celebrated his 60th birthday. A few days prior, his wife men-tioned to the staff that she wanted to bring in a cake to celebrate. Eckles said the staff made

arrangements to reserve a section of the dining room so that Eckles’ friends and family could have a big celebration with him.

Throughout his stay, Eckles said, the staff went out of their way to make him feel comfort-able and at ease. They welcomed his twin two-year-old granddaughters and his three-year-old granddaughter any time they wanted to visit. “They came to see me nearly every day, and the staff was always very friendly to them.”

Eckles continues to receive physical therapy services on an outpatient basis now that he’s back home, but he’s still singing the praises of the Schuyler Ridge rehab program. “God forbid I would have to do this again, but I would never even consider going any place else.”

Ivan A. Hernandez, MD, FACS is the new medical director of Seton Health’s Multipatient Hyperbaric Medicine Center at the Massry Center, 147 Hoosick St., Troy. After a long and

distinguished career as a surgeon and wound care specialist, Dr. Hernandez now adds his experience to assist other physicians in healing their patients with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).

Dr. Hernandez pioneered non-invasive vascular testing and has owned and operated four non-invasive vascular labs at Ellis Hospital, St. Clare’s Hospital and his office in Schenectady, as well as Nathan Littaur Hospital in Gloversville. He also pioneered and implemented the first venous and arterial angiography service in the Schenectady area.

Dr. Hernandez earned his medical degree at the University of Havana. He completed an internship and residency in pathology at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO., and complet-ed his surgical residency at Albany Medical Center.

Seton Health is the home of the Capital Region’s only multipatient Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) chamber. The HBOT system delivers high doses of oxygen to the body as patients with hard-to-heal wounds sit in a com-fortable chair. Patients breathe in 100% oxygen through special head gear while inside the pres-surized chamber which is spacious enough to allow for the showing of movies on a large-screen television.

HBOT is covered by Medicare and most commercial insurance plans. A physician referral is required. To schedule an appointment, please call (518) 268-5380.

DR. IVAN HERNANDEZ JOINS Hyperbaric Medicine Center

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SETON HEALTH’S TAKE SHAPE FOR LIFE:

The First Yearby Christopher Shope, Seton Health Take Shape for Life Health Coach

Seton Health is about to complete it’s first year of offering the Take Shape For Life (TSFL) weight loss program — and what a year it has been! Over 220 people have taken one of the most

important steps in their life to lose weight, get off medications, reverse chronic health issues and make the choice of optimal health.

Obesity and all the associated health issues created by obesity are one of the biggest health problems plaguing this country. Heart disease, Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic bone and joint deterioration, GERD, and many cancers are all directly related to obesity.

Lose the weight and almost all of the above health issues go away. With the help of the TSFL program, they stay away. Optimal long-term health is our goal.

Together, these 220 participants have lost over 6,000 pounds! They no longer rely on medi-cations, they have the energy they have lacked for many years and a quality of life many thought they would never see again — or have ever seen.

Working with our many clients has been an education for us as coaches. We have learned

what motivates people to lose weight, what makes people fail at losing weight and what it takes to keep the weight off through making healthy choices. As simple as the concept is, it is

extremely difficult for some people to grasp. Trying to lose weight is no differ-ent than conquering any other addiction. The biggest difference is that you know deep down inside that you are doing something that’s not good for you if you indulge in tobacco, alcohol, or drugs. Food, on the other hand, is essential for our very existence so it is easy to fall into the trap where we think ‘it’s okay to eat this and that, so what’s another helping?’ By doing this, we convince ourselves that it is okay to pack on the pounds as a result. But with those extra pounds comes the health issues and we get

caught in that vicious cycle.The various weight loss programs out there

thrive on failure. They help you lose the weight, but don’t educate you on how to eat properly, or teach you how to prepare healthy meals and make healthy choices. Most people will go back to their old habits and gain the weight back — sometimes more. Eventually, this unhealthy cycle will take a toll on the body.

Take Shape For Life has all the tools available to prevent this cycle from reoccurring. No matter what weight loss program you choose, if you return to your old habits, the weight will return, and so will those undesirable, avoidable health issues. One of our friendly and supportive Take Shape For Life health coaches can answer your questions, give you guidance and help you avoid falling back into the “yo-yo” weight gain cycle for good.

It’s all about choices … what’s your choice?For more information on Seton Health’s Take

Shape For Life program, call (518) 268-6405.

BECAUSE YOUR HEALTH Doesn’t Take the Weekend Off

East Greenbush Weekend Urgent Care can see you, now. Conveniently located next to Capital Region Family Health Care and Seton Health Physical Rehabilitation, East Greenbush Weekend Urgent Care provides treatment for minor illnesses and injuries and offers on-site x-ray.

Patients are seen on a walk-in basis, with shorter waiting times than an emergency room. Urgent Care is located at 2 Empire Drive (right off Route 4 between Walmart and Hewitt’s Garden Center) in Rensselaer and is open Satur-day and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (518) 286-4960.

TAKE SHAPE FOR LIFE!

Take Shape for Life!Thursday, April 1 • 6 - 7 p.m. St. Mary’s Hospital Conference Rooms A & B 1300 Massachusetts Ave. • Troy

Thursday, April 8 • 6 - 7 p.m. Clifton Park Family Practice Group 1 Tallow Wood Dr. • Clifton Park

Thursday, April 15 • 6 - 7 p.m. Capital Region Family Healthcare 2 Empire Dr. • East Greenbush

Seton Health is offering Take Shape For Life, a comprehensive, physician-directed program designed to promote weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. TSFL offers significant, safe weight loss in a short time. The program puts you on the right track to optimal health by reducing weight, teaching healthy habits and reducing or eliminating health issues. Meet-ings are held monthly at all three locations. For more information, or to register for a meeting, call (518) 268-6405. Health coaches will be on hand to answer questions and register anyone interested.

Rensselaer Cares Prescription Assistance ProgramAre you having trouble paying for your prescription medication? Help is avail-able! The Rensselaer Cares Prescription Assistance Program can assist you in obtain-ing your long-term prescription medications that you may otherwise not be able to afford. We do this by accessing the free or low-cost programs currently available through pharmaceutical companies. People who are associated with any of the partnering organi-zations or their affiliated providers are eligible (Seton Health/St. Mary’s Hospital, Samaritan Hospital, and the Whitney M. Young Jr. Troy Health Center). You will have an appointment with the program coordinator to verify eligibility, complete an application and obtain necessary documentation from your health-care provider.

Once the application is submitted to the pharmaceutical company, you can expect to receive a 90-day supply of medication in about one month, which will be shipped to either you or your healthcare provider, depending on the manufacturer.

You must have a valid Social Security num-ber, be ineligible for prescription drug cover-age, and must have an income below 200% of the poverty level.

This program provides an easy, worry-free way to obtain your necessary prescription medications. To apply, call (518) 268-6442 to schedule an enrollment appointment.

Seton Health Take Shape for Life health coaches

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1300 Massachusetts Ave. Troy, NY 12180 (518) 268-5000 info@setonhealth.org www.setonhealth.orgPublished By: Seton Health’s Community Relations Department

Each year, Seton Health publishes a Community Service Plan. The Plan asserts our commitment to the people we serve, outlines our assessment of the health status of our community, and enumerates the activities undertaken to care for our neighbors. All of these activities are underlined by the most basic tenet of our mission — to serve all persons, with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable and to be advocates for a compassionate and just society.

For over 10 years, Seton Health has been an active member of the Healthy Capital District Initiative (HCDI), partnering with other local hospitals, insurers, county health departments and other interested parties to improve the health of the people living in Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady counties. For this Community Service Plan, the group prepared an extensive community health profile and analyzed data provided by surveys completed by over 1,100 residents in our community.

Based on the data analysis and public input, we chose Chronic Disease and Access to Care as the two priority areas on which we would focus.

Treating & Preventing Chronic Diseases

Our priorities to address Chronic Disease include improving care for persons with diabetes and reduce the incidence of major complications; reducing the number of adult smokers; and improving end-of-life care for individuals with chronic disease. Our initiatives with regard to Chronic Disease include the following: Defy Diabetes!, the Seton Health Center for Smoking Cessation, Palliative Care, PACE, and the Cancer Services Program.

Striving to Give Everyone Access to Care

Our priorities to address Access to Care include increasing access to prescription drugs for people who are uninsured or underinsured; increasing access to primary care physicians in our service area; and increasing access to care for special populations including low-income indi-viduals who are substance abusers. Our initiatives with regard to Access to Care include the following:

Healthcare You Can Believe InSeton Health’s 2009 Community Service Plan

Rensselaer Cares Prescription Assistance Program (RCPAP), Provision of Primary Care Offices, The Roarke Center, Substance Abuse Services, Access to Healthcare Coverage, Faith Community Nursing, Appropriate Use of the Emergency Room, Full Circle Pregnancy Program, and The Mommy Project.

Giving to our CommunitySeton Health has been very successful in the

implementation of its financial aid program. On an inpatient basis, Seton Health’s proportionate care for the underserved ranks second only to the region’s largest academic and teaching medical center (23.88% vs. 23.31%). Signage and brochures with information about the program are available in all departments. There is also information about how to access the program on every Seton Health bill. For patients who are uninsured, we automatically apply a discount of up to 20% (25% with prompt pay). We also allow payment plans without any interest or penalty. The application for patients who wish to apply for financial assistance is very simple, only considering month-ly income (not assets).

The program is well-known by others in the community. We frequently receive referrals from community providers, social service agencies and others. Our case managers work closely with patients to help them understand and make use of the program.

All our uninsured patients are referred to facilitated enrollers who can determine whether they may be eligible for government-sponsored insurance. A facilitated enroller is available full-time, weekdays at St. Mary’s Hospital and on a scheduled basis at several of our primary care locations throughout the region.

For a copy of the full Community Service Plan report, visit www.setonhealth.org.

CHILDBIRTH PROGRAMS

The Mommy ProjectMonday, March 29 • 6:30 p.m. Seton Health / St. Mary’s Hospital 1300 Massachusetts Ave. • Troy Conference Room B

This award-winning, free six-week program helps pregnant teens prepare for parenting. The course provides education on safety issues, infant care, and dealing with the stresses of being a teenage mother. Fathers- to-be are also welcome. To register, call (518) 268-5979.

Childbirth PreparationTuesday, March 30 • 6:30 p.m. Seton Health / St. Mary’s Hospital 1300 Massachusetts Ave. • Troy Conference Room B

In this course, mothers-to-be and their partners will learn about breathing techniques, labor exercises, techniques for managing labor pain, delivery, post-partum, and newborn care, and breastfeeding. The course is taught by Certi-fied Childbirth Educators from Seton Health. To register, call (518) 268-5979.

Breastfeeding BasicsThursday, April 8 • 6:30 p.m. Seton Health / St. Mary’s Hospital 1300 Massachusetts Ave. • Troy Conference Room B

Our skilled staff teaches the fine art of breastfeeding and offers ongoing support for women who choose to breastfeed their babies. This class is taught by certified lacta-tion counselors. New moms, mothers-to-be and babies are welcome. To register, call (518) 268-5979.

Special SiblingsSunday, April 11 • 2 - 3 p.m. Seton Health / St. Mary’s Hospital 1300 Massachusetts Ave. • Troy Conference Room B

This class helps children ages three and older prepare for a new baby sister or brother. It includes a tour of the Seton Health Childbirth Center, hands-on experience with a life-size infant doll, and a birthday party in anticipa-tion of the baby’s birth. Parents are encour-aged to attend. To register, call (518) 268-5979.

Infant MassageSaturday, April 17 • 10 a.m. - noon Seton Health / St. Mary’s Hospital 1300 Massachusetts Ave. • Troy Conference Room B

Infant Massage promotes nurturing touch the essential ingredients for emotional and physical growth and well being. Babies have been known to sleep better, fuss less, and gain more weight, when massaged regularly. Massage is also a wonderful way to lessen stress for both parent and baby. To register, call (518) 268-5999.