the business of healthy living - strictly business

FEBRUARY 2016 STRICTLY BUSINESS | 1

INSIDEBehavioral Health Services North

260 Lake Street

Adirondack Periodontics, PLLC

Drs. Jonathan Beach and Kristin Ambler

The Foundation of CVPH

Clinton County Mental Health and Addiction Services

Trinity Point Holistic

Published by The Northeast Group

February 2016

THE BUSINESS OF HEALTHY LIVING

2 | sbmonthly.com FEBRUARY 2016


20 INSIGHT

Joanne K. Dahlen

38 CHAMBERWISE

Building New York’s Future and the North Country’s

A Northeast Publication©2016All Rights ReservedVol. 27, No. 2, February 2016

F E AT U R E S C O LU M N S

6 Behavioral Health Services North

12 260 Lake Street

16 Adirondack Periodontics, PLLC

22 Prime Primary Care

26 The Foundation of CVPH

30 Clinton County Mental Health and Addiction Services

34 Trinity Point Holistic

CONTENTS

WE ARE HERE!

We Are Here!

We Are Here!

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GET NOTICED

TODAY

CONTACT AARON PATTERSON AT THE NORTHEAST GROUP TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE.Phone: 518.324.5135 Mobile: [email protected]


I read an interesting article recently that explored the idea of wellness. Let me summarize it for you. Wellness is more than being free from illness, it is a dynamic process of change and growth. There are eight dimensions of wellness:

Occupational: You enjoy what you do and recognize that it makes a contribution to your world.

Emotional: You understand your feelings and control stress.

Spiritual: You develop values that give your life purpose.

Environmental: You recognize a balance between the environment and your life.

Financial: You manage your finances.

Physical: You maintain a healthy body.

Social: You develop a support network.

Intellectual: You are open to new ideas.

In this issue of Strictly Business we take a look at a number of North Country wellness service providers including:

Mark Lukens who has assumed the leadership role at Behavioral Health Services North, an agency that offers programs that help with emotional, social and occupational health.

Mark and Lee Anne Lawrence whose beautiful property at 260 Lake Street in Rouses Point provides some-thing new to the area – luxury living for seniors.

Gordon Davis, of Adirondack Periodontics, who provides the latest in dental care and Jon Beach and Kris Ambler who are the type of general medical practitioners the North Country is lucky to have.

Kerry Haley, Executive Director of The Foundation of CVPH, who leads the effort to provide special funds that can make difficult medical situations for North Country people more bearable.

Peter Trout, the driving force behind the area’s efforts to deal with mental health and addiction needs.

Lindamarie Hill of Trinity Point Holistic who is here if you are looking for stress reduction and relax-ation techniques.

And lastly don’t miss SB’s conversation with Joanne Dahlen, Director of Marketing and Business Development for The Development Corp and fly fisher extraordinaire.

It is critical for each of us to find our right path to wellness. By doing so we will better control stress, reduce our risk of illness and enhance our relationships. And that’s good for business.

Herbert O. Carpenter, Publisher

Are you an experienced writer with an interest in local business? Strictly Business is looking for new talent to join our team of writers. Please send a brief bio and writing sample to [email protected].

Publisher’s View


PUBLISHER Herbert O. Carpenter

MANAGING EDITOR Mary Carpenter

PRESIDENT/CEO Mike Carpenter

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ADVISORY BOARD David Coryer

ADVERTISING Aaron Dean Patterson Phone: (518) 324-5135 Cell: (518) 534-0539 Fax: (518) 563-3320

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EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Betsy Vicencio

PUBLICATION DESIGNER Jodi Brunner

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Nancy Florentine Kimberly Smith

COVER PHOTO Ty Kretser

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Karen Bouvier Julie Canepa

Garry Douglas Meg LeFevre

Michelle St. Onge Alexis Racette

Ann Waling

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A

C OV E R S TO RY

By Julie Canepa, Photos by Ty Kretser

ny conversation about Behavioral Health Services North, Inc. (BHSN) should begin with Margaret Platt, for whose family the City of Plattsburgh is named. Platt established the original Home for the Friendless in 1874 to care for orphans and abandoned children, and BHSN has been taking care of and expanding its care of individuals, families and organizations ever since. From STOP Domestic Violence to Child and Family Services to ElderCare Services, the organization offers twenty-four programs operating at twenty sites, all of which play a key role in keeping the community and the region strong, vibrant and productive.

PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR THE

NORTH COUNTRY

Mark Lukens and Shawn Sabella


B E H AV I O R A L H E A LT H S E R V I C E S N O R T H , I N C .

Newly appointed president and CEO Mark Lukens is cognizant of the critical role BHSN plays in the Adirondack region. During our interview he began many of his sentences with, “From a regional per-spective...”. Snapped up as a BHSN Board Member after he relocated to the North Country from Pennsylvania six years ago, Lukens later became Board Chair and was the obvious choice for Interim CEO when the position was vacated. “I didn’t need a job,” joked Lukens, “but I am passionate about the mission, the purpose of the organi-zation.” Meeting the ongoing needs of the diverse groups it serves is a challenge and a necessity. “Mental health care continues to be an important part of the health care system and the economic impacts of it cannot be ignored,” he said. It is estimated that serious and untreated mental illness costs the United States $193 billion annu-ally. Break that down to the financial impact on Clinton County and it is a cost the region cannot afford.

Lukens is eager to build bridges, collaborate with other providers and make BHSN the strongest regional partner it can be. He hopes to lead the organization’s 177 employees forward with that in mind, and here we shine a light on a few of the critical programs that will assist in meeting that goal.

Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS)Part of the Adult Services arm of the organization, Personalized Recovery Oriented Services (PROS) has met with great success. PROS operates out of the Center for Wellbeing in Morrisonville, NY. Its mis-sion is to partner with individuals with serious and persistent mental illness, helping them to overcome barriers and achieve goals of their own choosing. Initially the first program of its kind in New York State, there are now over 90 similar programs throughout the state. Program Director Shawn Sabella said, “We currently have about 150 people in the program.” Participants find their way to PROS through assess-ments and referrals from outside agencies, hospitals, county mental health services, and even their primary care physician.

The “P”, or “Personalized”, focus means the program is tailor-made to an individual’s unique personal goals and needs. For one person, their recovery goal may be to complete their high school equivalency diploma. Someone else might need assistance with parenting, com-pleting probation successfully, obtaining their learner’s permit that will allow them to drive, or learning skills that will help them obtain employment. Through evidence-based practices (those proven to pro-vide results in similar circumstances) the program combines intensive support like multiple hour out-patient counseling sessions, substance abuse treatment, wellness management, and skill building to help indi-viduals work toward their goals. “Forty-seven percent of individuals who are discharged from the program do so with their objectives met,” said Sabella. Program “alumni” come together three to four times a year to share their success stories with individuals in different stages

of the program. One recent success story had an individual obtaining their first job in their mid-forties. Two other participants, who were both told they would never complete their high school equivalency did so, proving to them-selves and the naysayers that success with mental illness is achievable.

But the path to success is not without chal-lenges. The stigma of mental illness can prevent people from seeking treatment. Although the program is confidential, many people are worried that others will find out. For that reason, PROS formed an anti-stigma coalition, which has worked in partner-ship with the Champlain Valley National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI:CV) for twelve years. The coalition has now grown to include the UVM Health Network, SUNY Plattsburgh and the Clinton County Office for the Aging. The coalition is focused on removing barriers within the community through education about mental illness.

Through Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocational Rehabilitation (ACCESS-VR), also referred to as Supported Employment, individuals with disabilities can achieve employment goals and greater independence. ACCESS-VR cultivates rela-tionships with employers, promoting job development and helping match people to opportunities. At participating employ-ers like CVPH and JCEO, individuals with mental illness can engage in job-shadowing or observation, work with job coaches and also volunteer, helping them gain skills and prepare them for success in subsequent jobs. It is left to individuals to disclose their dis-ability to the employer, but Sabella said the support is strong for an individual to be suc-cessful when there is full disclosure.

Through education, PROS hopes to break down the barriers to employment experienced by so many with mental illness. “Depression, anxiety and schizophrenia can hit anyone in any profession, with one in five people diag-nosed with a mental health issue in their lifetime. Employers may open their doors to those with mental illness because the issue hits close to home,” said Sabella.

“Mental health care continues to be an important part of the health care system and the economic impacts of it cannot be ignored,” Lukens said. It is estimated that serious and untreated mental illness costs the United States $193 billion annually. Break that down to the financial impact on Clinton County and it is a cost the region cannot afford.


When approaching potential businesses as possible employers, Sabella can demonstrate with confidence the benefits to that employer. “The individual will be better suited to the position because we will know their skills. They are more likely to be successful due to the strong, supportive environment behind them,” he continued. On a community level, it is good business to be disability-friendly. With social media and word of mouth, few employers would want to be on the wrong side of the issue. Federal tax credits, while their requirements can be challenging, are also available to businesses that hire indi-viduals with disabilities.

Employee Assistance Services (EAS)While PROS supports individuals and their goals, the Employee Assistance Services (EAS) division of BHSN works with employ-ers to take care of their most important asset — their employees. EAS offers early detec-tion and intervention for employees and their families who are experiencing problems that may impact their personal and professional lives. Bonnie Black is the Director of EAS, which currently has 137 businesses in the region under contract, and provides assis-tance to additional regional, national and federal organizations through referrals. “Contracting with EAS is the least expensive way to keep your organization healthy,” Black emphasized. “We work with everyone from sole proprietors to businesses with upwards of seven or eight hundred employees. It is

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prepaid insurance at no cost to the employee that they can utilize to keep themselves healthy, which in turn keeps the organiza-tion healthy.”

EAS services include face-to-face counseling with a network of qualified clinicians, and it is completely confidential, meaning their employer will not know they are utilizing the services. “There is a term for today’s employ-ees and it is the “working wounded,” explained Black. “These are highly functional individu-als who are stymied or stuck at that particular moment. Something is overwhelming them and they need to get that weight off their shoulders. EAS is that ear, that person that listens objec-tively and doesn’t judge.” With five offices in the tri-county area, employees usually do not have to travel far for services. But with North Country winters known for challenging road conditions, EAS has recently added tele-health sessions. After their first appointment, individ-uals may communicate via computer with a counselor through a secure, HIPAA-compliant vendor connection. “Tele-health is the wave of the future,” said Black.

Most issues find resolution in a one to four session model. Whatever is happening in an employee’s world is something they can han-dle because they have the tools to make things better. They may just have forgotten how to use them. “We focus on today’s hurdle, ie., what is this bump in the road right now? We empower people to deal with the stressor with solution-focused brief therapy. People usually have a “light bulb” moment and realize ‘I can do that’!” said Black. EAS also offers training for supervisors on how to appropriately refer a member of their team for counseling, whether it be an informal suggestion or a formal request because the employee cannot currently per-form their responsibilities.

Black also works with employers to imple-ment Drug Free Workplace policies and procedures. All federally funded workplaces and those involving safety, health and trans-portation mandate that the workplace be drug-free, so the employer must have clear procedures for policy violations, methods and regularity of drug testing and second chance procedures. “It is less expensive to work at retaining employees than termi-nating them and starting all over again,” emphasized Black.

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BHSN and the FutureWhile these and the myriad other BHSN programs focus on keeping the community healthy, Lukens will work to create supports for their success. “Recruiting and retaining qualified staff is one key to success,” he said. “There is high competition for psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and MSWs. Demand is high on a national scale and sal-aries could be 20-30 % higher elsewhere.”

Lukens continued, “Our new reality is all about change. We have to challenge current assump-tions and perhaps look a little differently at the way we do things. We want to explore new models that may produce greater effi-ciency and effectiveness while continuing to improve upon the care experience. This could include approaches such as co-employment, tele-health, mobile units, and partnering with other organizations to take a more holistic and less siloed viewpoint of care. There is a lot of active regional dialog and it is an exciting time to be in the life sciences and healthcare space. We are helping shape the healthcare delivery system of tomorrow and BHSN’s commitment to serve is stronger than it ever has been. I see great things ahead.”

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F E AT U R E

As you enter the tastefully appointed foyer at 260 Lake Street, the first thing you notice is how quiet and serene it is. The car-pets are thick, the furniture plush and the walls are painted

in restful shades. As you are welcomed at the concierge desk, a salt-water aquarium gently bubbles nearby; you watch the fluttering angel fish and admire the exotic coral. Turn the corner and the view down the spacious hallway leading to the Grand Lake Room is lawn lead-ing to lakefront. The crackling fire and comfortable couches invite you to stay and enjoy the view. If a resort, as quoted from Merriam Webster, is “a place visited by people for relaxation and recreation; a customary or frequent gathering place,” 260 Lake Street, a Senior Resort Community in Rouses Point, more than meets the definition.

Mark and Lee Anne Lawrence, owners of ProCare Hearing (with offices in Plattsburgh and Malone) successfully ran the business for 25 years. Wanting to re-establish roots in their home community and looking for a different business opportunity, the Lawrences relin-quished the day-to-day operation of ProCare to their well-trained staff and returned to the Champlain area in search of a facility that could accommodate their vision.

Living ON THE Lake

Mark and Lee Anne Lawrence

Story and Photos by Karen Bouvier


2 6 0 L A K E S T R E E T

“Being from the hearing aid industry, we knew there we was a need for senior services. We were looking for senior housing, but when we saw this place—fully equipped, well laid out and located on the lake in Rouses Point, we came up with a whole different idea,” explained Mark. “There are many wonderful assisted living communities in the area that provide a nursing staff, but this resort is for seniors who have no serious health issues. They may no longer want to live alone so they come here to join a safe, nurturing, senior-centered commu-nity. Living here is like being in their own home and residents can have whatever services they want.”

The property that inspired the Lawrences’ vision was the former Cedar Hedge Nursing Home. Closed in 2005, it was abandoned for seven years and eventually went into foreclosure. Mark and Lee Anne pur-chased the property from the bank in October 2013. “The building was still fully equipped right down to the hospital beds,” explained Mark “We donated two tractor-trailer loads of medical equipment to the Mission of Hope that shipped it to a hospital in Nicaragua. It was a definite win-win.”

“Once we cleared everything out, the first thing we did was open this place up,” said Lee Anne. “We installed a picture window across the entire front giving the Grand Lake Room spectacular views of Lake Champlain and Vermont’s snow-capped Green Mountains beyond. In addition we installed a fireplace and removed as many hedges as we could. The village (of Rouses Point) has been awesome through the process of preparing the facility for our residents. They even helped remove the hedges.”

The facility currently hosts 18 residents and, with the completion of a new wing, 260 Lake Street will have room for 14 more residents. Generous in size and painted in neutral colors, every room has a view, its own thermostat and a pull cord (a light goes on over the doorway as well as at the concierge desk). Every closet has a lockbox, and each room is equipped for a wall-mounted, flat-screen television. The well-equipped, private bathrooms have built-in shower seats.

“We welcome only one new resident a month,” Lee Anne explained. “We have to make sure the person likes it here. Many seniors are used to living alone. It can take 3-4 weeks for them to adjust to their new lives and decide if this is the place for them.” “There’s no lease here,” added Mark. “It’s month to month. We want everyone to be happy.”



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Besides the Grand Lake Room, indoor common areas include a room with an exercise bicycle and treadmill, an activity room stocked with games, a sitting room, a hair salon and barber shop (a local cosme-tologist comes in as needed), and the dining room. “We have been operating for nearly two years and we find that people spend most of the day in the common areas,” Mark said. “They like a private place to relax and unwind among their personal possessions, but most pre-fer to spend the day socializing, exercising, enjoying the view, and participating in various activities. In the new wing, we are adding a spa with Jacuzzi tubs and a massage table.”

One recent Sunday, residents Wendy Wardrop, Pauline Bonneville and Julie Sventeck could be found playing Spinners (a form of dom-inos that uses a full set of double-9 dominos plus 11 “spinner” tiles).

According to the rules, players can enter or leave the game after every round—making it a popular activity among socializing seniors.

“One thing that makes living here nice is wherever you look it is satis-fying to the eyes,” said Pauline. “I love having my own thermostat in my room,” said Julie. “Mark keeps this place at 75 degrees, but every-body’s different.” Agreeing with Julie and Pauline, Wendy added “If you have a smart TV, you can get Pandora. I go to sleep listening to it every night. My favorite musical artist is saxophonist John Coltrane.”

In addition to Spinners, Erica Lefebvre, Activities Director, organizes three activities a day (Chair Chi and Chair Aerobics are popular) and arranges for outside entertainment such as pianist and singer Ed Schenk twice a month. There is a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres every Saturday evening.


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As we continued our tour past the kitchen, we saw a signboard announcing the menu for the day. Dinner was Shrimp Alfredo over Linguini with Asparagus. While the chef ’s special changes every day, traditional comfort food is always available. Breakfast is served from 8-9 each morning, and there is a lighter supper and snacks served later in the day. The Lawrences employ three chefs, and there is one on hand between 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. ready to prepare whatever a resident requests. Families are always welcome to dine when they visit. Laurelle Montpelier, 260 Lake Street’s first resident, confirmed, “Everything is great, especially the food, ‘cause I love to eat.”

Outdoor space begins with a covered patio on the lakefront, decked with cushioned chaise lounges. Barbecues begin as soon as the weather warms and continue through late summer. Vegetable and flower gardens, planted in raised beds and tended by res-idents, decorate the courtyard. 260 Lake Street’s village setting means there are side-walks — maintained by the village all year — for easy walking everywhere. Catholic, Presbyterian and Methodist churches are all within blocks as is Lakeside Coffee, Stewarts and Angelo’s Restaurant. A dentist and shops are also nearby.

Although 260 Lake Street does not offer nurs-ing care, residents can rely on Cornerstone Drugstore to deliver prescriptions, admin-ister immunizations and do blood pressure screening. Residents may create a monthly tab and create “grocery lists” of health and beauty aids and have those delivered too. And if a resident needs emergency medical care, the Rouses Point EMS (captained by Chief Sebastian Barie) is right up the street.

“Donna Boumil (from the Dodge Library) comes every week with books and maga-zines. Scouting groups visit frequently. The Brownies were coming to make bird seed balls with the residents the week after SB visited. “We have become a community focal point,” Lee Ann observed.

“This is a labor of love,” said Mark. “My own mother lives here.”

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F E AT U R E

By Julie Canepa, Photos by Ty Kretser

Bright sunshine was streaming through the windows of Adirondack Periodontics, PLLC office on Route 22 south of Plattsburgh, NY when Strictly Business visited.

Dr. Gordon Davis, DMD, DMSc and his staff welcome patients in a caring, professional atmosphere, ready to evaluate, treat and educate them on their path to dental health. Studies indicate that periodon-titis, an inflammatory disease characterized by loss of connective tissue between teeth and gums, could increase risk factors for heart attack, stroke and other serious conditions. There is an increasing focus on the inter-connectedness of dental health on a person’s over-all health since close to fifty percent of Americans will suffer from varying degrees of severity of the disease. Davis and his staff are taking the lead and educating patients on the importance of gum care routines in what is now an important component in the doc-tor-patient dialogue.

EVALUATE, TREAT &EDUCATE Adirondack Periodontics PLLC

Originally from Florida, Gordon Davis, completed his pre- and post-doctoral training at Harvard University. It was there that he met Vermont periodontist, Paul Levi, who became an important men-tor, encouraging Davis to pursue this unique branch of dentistry and inviting him to join his practice in Burlington. “I worked there from 1998 to 2007, when I purchased the practice, Adirondack Periodontics PLLC, in Plattsburgh,” Davis explained. “We moved to our current location on Healey Avenue in November of 2013.” Davis called the field of periodontics, with its combination of academic and surgical components, a perfect fit for his interests and aptitudes.

“Every patient comes to us with a different dental IQ. Our job is to help them understand the relationship between dental disease and their medical health,” said Davis. “We believe that this understanding is critical to making good health care choices and developing benefi-cial lifestyle habits.” Working alongside Davis two days per week is his

Dr. Gordon Davis and staff

A D I R O N DAC K P E R I O D O N T I C S , P L LC

wife, Sarah, an RN and a registered dental hygienist. “Sarah worked in the Emergency Room at University of Vermont Hospital for many years. We hope she never needs to use the skills she acquired there, but it is comforting to know that she has such abili-ties,” said Davis. “With her nursing background, she is able to better help our patients understand the relationship between their medical and dental health.”

Common Issues“Our patients commonly see us for either periodontal disease or the complications arising from tooth loss,” explained Davis. His practice works on a nearly one hundred percent referral rate. The most common reasons for referrals would be to replace miss-ing teeth using dental implants, extractions to remove hopelessly damaged teeth, bone grafting to repair defects in hard tissues, sinus elevation to create appropriate sites for dental implant placement, and soft tissue grafting. “A significant part of our day is spent treating periodontitis, predominantly with an Nd:YAG laser. LANAP (Laser Ablative New Attachment Procedure) provides patients with an alternative to tradi-tional surgical therapy. And dental implants provide them with very predictable long term replacement solutions.”

Many dental/periodontal conditions are preventable. “It must be understood that genet-ics plays a role in dental diseases, however, the effects can be blunted by taking some relatively simple precautions and developing some good home care habits,” explained Davis. While the standard two cleanings per year may be sufficient for many patients, those with periodontitis may require an increased frequency in order to maintain health.

There is absolutely no doubt that tobacco use is a factor in periodontitis and other den-tal diseases. “The evidence as reported by numerous double-blind, randomized clinical trials is irrefutable,” Davis emphasized. “The trick and the challenge is helping patients give up tobacco. “Diabetes is also a major factor in the aggressiveness of periodontitis, as are several other medical conditions.”

Patient as Co-therapistThere was a time not so long ago when communication between doctors and their patients was one-way. Davis sees the evolution of doctor-patient communication as a necessity for a successful outcome. Available treatments have advantages and compli-cations. There may not be a best treatment for all individuals, only a better choice for a particular patient. “Communication of expected treatment outcomes becomes impor-tant if a patient is to choose between a number of complex therapeutic modalities. We try to follow a philosophy of shared decision making where the patient becomes an important health care team member, a “co-therapist,” Davis emphasized. For exam-ple, LANAP is a fairly predictable, highly effective, non-surgical method for treating periodontal disease. There is, however, a very rigid protocol that must be followed in order to achieve the desired treatment outcome. Not all patients can follow these guide-lines so, while LANAP might be suggested, a patient might choose a different approach. (continued on page 18)

HEALTHY HABITS FOR IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH1 See your dentist for regular check ups

and professional hygiene at the inter-val he or she recommends. Prevention is the key to avoiding invasive and costly dental problems.

2 Brush your teeth after meals to help remove food debris and plaque trapped between your teeth.

3 Floss at least once daily to remove food particles and plaque between teeth and along the gum line that your toothbrush can’t reach.

4 Age, smoking, diet and genetics can affect your risk. Discuss your risk with your dentist.

5 Avoid crunching and sipping. Crunching on ice, popcorn kernels and other hard items creates undue stress on the teeth and can lead to fracture. Sipping sugary or acidic drinks during the day can foster tooth decay. Consider using crushed ice in drinks and crunching on baby carrots. Sip soda through a straw positioned toward the back of the mouth.

6 Avoid using teeth as tools. This creates stresses that can lead to chipping, cracking and weakening of the teeth.

7 Grinding or clenching your teeth can create wear or fractures. Your dentist may recommend a bite guard to pro-tect your teeth and discuss methods for reducing or eliminating the habit.

8 Avoid using a hard bristled brush as this can result in gum recession. Additionally, change your manual toothbrush monthly and your electric brush head quarterly.

9 Be sure to get an oral cancer screen-ing at each dental visit.

“It must be understood that genetics plays a role in dental diseases, however, the effects can be blunted by taking

some relatively simple precautions and developing some good home care habits,” explained Davis.



Another area where the patient may act as co-therapist is in the realm of home care. This critical, and often overlooked, aspect of periodontal care is per-haps the single most important cause of relapse, or of failure to respond to treatment. Davis explained, “Bacterial plaque must be removed daily by the patient for any periodontal therapy to succeed. We try to fully enlist the support of patients in their own treatment by attempting to educate, motivate and emphasize the importance of home care.” he added, “Without the patient’s understanding and assistance, successful treatment outcomes can be difficult to achieve and maintain. As patients become more knowledgeable and bet-ter informed about treatment options, and we continue to involve them as co-therapists, out-comes will continue to improve.”

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Positive Rewards After treatment has been completed, Davis will see a patient for a reevaluation examina-tion. He sees this visit as critical to patient care. “Re-evaluation gives us the ability to assess the outcome of treatment, continue the edu-cation process and critique our methods and results,” explained Davis. “More importantly, it is a relaxed time for discussion with our patients. Together we can look back at where we started and hopefully reflect positively on the gains we have made together.” It can be a time of great satisfaction for both the patient and clinician if together they have achieved a higher level of health, function and aesthetics. Larger cases can take years to complete and can be difficult even for the most dedicated patient. They can also be the most rewarding.”

Adirondack Periodontics offers a personable and professional staff which, in addition to Davis’ wife Sarah, includes hygienists Tracy Adams and Terry Treillor. “They are amazing clinicians who are dedicated to keeping patients healthy through education and maintenance visits.” said Davis. “I am very lucky to have an exceptionally dedicated and professional staff to help me. Leslie Rasnake and Debra Cody at our front desk are like air traffic controllers. They keep patients and the staff organized and effi-cient. Lynnette Keswick and Amanda Thew are my surgical assistants and combine the high-est level of compassion and professionalism.”

Davis believes that as we continue to study the effects of chronic diseases that create inflamma-tion, like periodontitis, a better understanding will emerge regarding the importance of early and aggressive intervention. He believes that as our understanding of periodontal disease improves we will also begin to see a more focused approach to reconstruction/regener-ation of the tissues damaged by the condition, which will only benefit the patient going for-ward. “One of the things I love about my job is the interaction I have with patients on so many aspects of their medical health. It can seem like such a small thing, rehabilitating someone’s oral condition, yet the impact on someone’s quality of life can be staggering, affecting important elements in their overall health like nutrition, speech and self-esteem.”

Adirondack Periodontics 4161 NY-22 Plattsburgh, NY 12901 518-563-0040

INSIGHT

JOANNE K. DAHLEN

Job Title: Director of Marketing and Business Development, The Development Corporation

Hometown: Pound Ridge, New York

Family: Husband: Kjell Dahlen

Education: B.A., Hollins College

Community Involvement: CVPH Medical Center Advisory Board, Saranac River Trail Greenway Board of Directors, Vice President and Treasurer of the Friends of Saranac River Trail Inc., President Elect of Sunrise Rotary

(Paul Harris Fellow in 2014), SUNY’s School of Business and Economics Mentoring Program,

Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, the Industrial Asset Management Council

(IAMC), the New York State Economic Development Council (NYSEDC), the

Adirondack Mountain Club, and Trout Unlimited

With 20 years of experience in marketing and advertising at the biggest names in the business on Madison Avenue and Wall Street, Joanne Dahlen never imagined she’d permanently relocate to an upstate micropolitan with a river running through it. Lured here six years ago by the incredible eco-nomic development potential, Dahlen and TDC have helped lead a strong current of direct invest-ment into our community that is truly changing the game for the North Country. Now firmly a part of all aspects of upstate life, Dahlen almost can’t believe the unlimited access she has to her favor-ite recreational activities. An avid fly fisher, she dreams of one day catching a trout at the mouth of the Saranac River in Plattsburgh. It’s a modest dream, and most would agree highly achievable, especially for a woman who has perfected her fly-fishing technique all over the world in places like Alaska, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela, New Zealand, Russia, and Mongolia.

By Michelle St.Onge Photo by Ty Kretser



SB: What has been a highlight of your work with The Development Corp.?

JD: The “Made in Clinton County” series that we devel-oped in partnership with Mountain Lake PBS. It’s a series of vignettes that appeared in Mountain Lake Journal profiling the successful companies that are here. It’s a cool example of one project in the community that can work so hard for us. It ended up having many legs that then carried into workforce development and as educational pieces to let students better understand professional opportunities that are here in their own backyard as well as what skill sets they need to be able to have those kinds of jobs.

SB: How important is it for TDC to maintain connections with community-supported organizations like PBS and local school districts?

JD: It’s huge because the workforce and workforce develop-ment is such an enormous part of economic development and direct investment in the community. You have to have a pipe-line. It’s about educating parents, teachers, guidance counselors, and students about the interesting opportunities available in manufacturing and advanced manufacturing. In terms of sal-aries and professional growth, people don’t necessarily think of manufacturing jobs as aspirational opportunities, and it’s not just in our region, it’s manufacturing in general.

SB: What advice would you offer to someone starting his or her business career?

JD: Be open-minded about job opportunities and take the time to really understand how to market your unique skill sets and life experiences – these are your DNA and should be the building blocks for selling yourself to the business world.

SB: What inspires you?

JD: This is an incredibly exciting time to be in the North Country and to be in economic development. I am thrilled to be a part of a positive momentum shift in a region that is taking ownership of its future. The economic development potential for this region is an enormous inspiration and moti-vator for me.

SB: I would imagine in this business you don’t see many immediate results?

JD: That is the trouble. The lead-time and sale cycle for eco-nomic development and direct investment is crazy. So much

so that it’s hard to even find an average. It can be years because so many things can hold up a relocation or expansion to any market and so many things can come into play at the last min-ute and change the company’s decision. It’s a lot of stopping and starting and with that is the difficulty of trying to keep space available. Our business is based on lease revenue, so tim-ing plays a big role and it’s an ever-changing timetable. We’re juggling multiple prospects, but at the same time we want to make sure first and foremost that the companies that are here have what they need and are not being wooed away by other areas or feeling forced to go somewhere else. There’s a statis-tic in economic development that 85-plus percent of new job creation comes from companies that are already in a region, so while it makes sense to spend time on attracting new busi-nesses, all regions, including ours, need to make sure that we really spend time and concentrate on helping to support the companies that we have brought here.

SB: What is the role of TDC in supporting a company that is already here?

JD: This has become part of our strategic plan. What we’ve done is create a whole focus on business retention and chang-ing our relationships with the companies that are in our parks from what would be a traditional landlord tenant relationship to a real business partnership where they come to us for needs they may have. We may not have the answers in house, but we have the resources and connections that they probably don’t, whether their needs are related to workforce development or understanding the federal, state and local incentives they may eligible for to support their expansion needs. We provide net-working opportunities for them to meet other companies that are in the region that may help them as a supplier and for peer networking. We would like to think that we have that kind of business partnership dialogue and we don’t only talk to them when their lease is about to expire.

SB: What do you believe the North Country community should do today to ensure a prosperous future?

JD: I think that in some ways the North Country has been its own worst enemy — but that is changing. Barriers are breaking and partnerships are forming that will translate into a much stronger sense of community down the road. We need to think and act as a collective partnership and market ourselves as a region within the context of a story that is compelling, unique, real, and believable. We need to be proud and authentic.

F E AT U R E

PRIME By Alexis Racette, Photos by Ty Kretser

Strong, attentive and consistent pri-mary care is one of the first lines of defense against illness and disease for

every North Country citizen, as well as the first resource for treatment when defenses are broken. Primary care focuses not only on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, but also on disease prevention, patient educa-tion and health promotion and maintenance. Healthcare is a collaborative system, and pri-mary care is at the core of that system.

As the healthcare needs of the North Country evolve, primary care providers strive to keep pace with the changes. Drs. Jonathan Beach and Kristin Ambler are two of the evolving, community- and patient-centered primary care providers in our area.

Dr. Jonathan Beach of Beach Medical Services made the decision to become a doctor at the age of four. Despite his quick decision, Beach first needed to learn his trade. He studied at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, then completed an internship/residency in Emergency Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse. Beach also has a Medical Review Officer Certification and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. With his schooling completed and his childhood dream realized, he began prac-ticing medicine in 2004.

Three years later, he took over Urgicare of the Northeast in Plattsburgh and began the process of expansion. Currently the practice offers primary care, diabetes care, industrial medicine, walk-in medical care, cardiology, skin care, obesity medicine, and psychology, as well as a host of educational seminars.

Beach Medical Services not only offers a wider range of services than its predecessor, but is also larger in terms of both space and staff. The office is now nearly 8,000 square feet and the number of employees has jumped from three to 18.

Dr. Jonathan Beach


D R S . J O N AT H A N B E AC H A N D K R I S T I N A M B L E R

When asked what sets his practice apart Beach replied, “We change with the community. This f lexibility is invaluable. From day to day, the healthcare needs of a community are never quite the same, and primary care pro-viders must be quick to respond to changes.

“Diabetes and obesity continue to rise and present huge needs to the healthcare com-munity,” he continued. In 2014, the New York State Department of Health reported that over 60 percent of adults in Clinton County were overweight or obese, and more than eight per-cent lived with physician-diagnosed diabetes.

While diabetes and obesity are nationwide healthcare concerns, their impacts hit close to home. As a primary care provider who has first-hand knowledge of diabetes, Beach is an asset to the health of the North Country. He explained that diabetes and obesity are preventable. Primary care stresses health maintenance and patient education. With proper education, patients can become advo-cates for the improvement of their own health. By hosting educational seminars, Beach Medical Services plays its part in helping to prevent disease in the North Country.

Unlike Jonathan Beach, Dr. Kristin Ambler did not know until much later that he wanted to practice medicine. “I decided at the last minute I wanted to go to medical school,” Ambler said. Ultimately, he decided medicine was a good fit because he was good at science, liked working with people and enjoyed a chal-lenge. “As luck would have it,” he said, “my junior and senior years at SUNY Binghamton I was doing bio-chemistry research with a professor who became the Interim Pre-Med Advisor when application time rolled around.”

With his professor’s help, Ambler put together his Pre-Med folder “in record time,” and applied to medical schools. He eventually graduated from New York Medical College, then completed his residency at Winthrop

PRIMARY CARE

Dr. Kristin Ambler



University Hospital on Long Island. Ambler worked his first year as an Emergency Room physician before moving to Plattsburgh in 1989. He has been practicing for 27 years, about which he said, “In some ways it seems like a long time and in other ways, not so much.”

Ambler’s good fortune extended beyond a sin-gle college professor. A series of serendipitous events led him to Plattsburgh. When asked why he chose to base his practice in the North Country he responded, “It was a chair lift ride! I was at Sugarbush and was talking to a gentle-man on the lift. He went on about Plattsburgh, its demographics and that there was a physician shortage. Later that week I drove to Grand Isle, hopped on the ferry and came to Plattsburgh. I was driving around Cumberland Head explor-ing when I stopped to ask someone how to get to the hospital. It turned out the person I spoke to was an orthopedic surgeon who gave me the name of the physician recruiter at CVPH. I drove to the hospital and met with the recruiter. As luck would have it, Alan Walker who was Chief of Medicine at the time was on his way to a medical staff meeting and invited me to tag along. He introduced me to everyone and the rest is history.”

While Ambler’s practice has evolved, he does not believe the healthcare needs of North Country citizens have changed sig-nificantly. Rather, he believes the ways in which physicians deliver care to patients has changed. “Physicians in the region are encouraged to work collaboratively with patients through initiatives such as Northern Adirondack Medical Home and the Adirondack Accountable Care Organization. These patient-centered approaches combine teamwork and information technology to improve care and patient experiences and ideally reduce costs.”

The most profound change, Ambler believes, has been the use of technology. His practice has implemented electronic health records, allowing for quick and efficient access to patient information. While the Ambler Medical website is still under construction, the patient portal is up and running and allows patients to view their chart, check upcoming appointments and request pre-scription refills, all from the comfort of their homes. With laptops, smartphones and tablets becoming more prevalent, Ambler Medical has taken a step in the right direc-tion by embracing online communication.

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While the office has grown, health records have been digitized and online communication has been embraced, Ambler’s practice has remained the same. “We nurture our patients and stress the importance of disease prevention through healthy lifestyle choices.” Ambler emphasizes education and prevention—the core values of primary care.

While Drs. Beach and Ambler got started in medicine in different ways and took differ-ent routes to establish themselves in the North Country, the two men seem to agree on the importance of primary care.

Dr. Ambler: “Your primary care provider is your advocate, your educator and should know you and your health concerns better than anyone. Primary care is the catalyst for specialist care and the connector of good health.”

Dr. Beach: “Primary care is essential as it is the front line of defense for patients and serves to organize and manage their healthcare needs. Only with adequate primary care can all needs and services be delivered and managed for each patient.”

In a constantly changing healthcare landscape, it is important for a community to have local primary care providers who can evolve with the times and adapt to the needs of the patients they serve. Look no further than Ambler Medical and Beach Medical Services for adapt-able, community-based primary care.

Beach Medical Services 79 Hammond Lane Suite 2 Plattsburgh, NY 12901 518-563-5900 www.beachmedicalservices.com

Ambler Medical 128 Boynton Avenue Plattsburgh, NY 12901 518-324-3399 www.drambler.com


F E AT U R E

A SOLID FOUNDATION

By Allie Racette

Kerry Haley has been the Executive Director of The Foundation of CVPH for six and a half years—but the Foundation has been serving the community for much longer than that. Since 1989, it has been working to improve the health of our community through education, programs, events, and much more.

In its 27 years, the Foundation has grown exponentially. In 1991, its annual income wasn’t quite $60,000. Today, it brings in more than $800,000 annually—and all of the money raised stays locally. Despite the Foundation being part of the larger UVM Health Network, Haley said, “All fundraising is local and benefits our community.” A 21 member Board of Directors works together to raise funds and implement the vision of the Foundation to improve people’s health, and by extension, their lives.

Kerry Haley (Photo by Ty Kretser)

THE FOUNDATION OF CVPH BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sitting (L to R): Michelle LaBounty, Jennifer Booth – Secretary, Neil Fesette – President, Anne Cutaiar, Denise Calkins Ryder

Standing (L to R): Kerry Haley – Exec. Director, Nate Wilson – Vice President, Drew Sabella, Bob Donlan, Maureen Milanese, Gayle Alexander, Michelle Senecal – Events & Special Projects Manager, Molly Ryan – Manager of Volunteer Services, Diane Wyand - Treasurer, Deb Cleary, Bob Parks, Reg Carter

Missing: Terry Beyer, Timothy Boshart, Rocky Giroux, Jerry Kelly, Jessica Miller, Matthew Parrott, Dr. Giuseppe Ventre, Patrick Russell, Karen Kalman – Development Assistant

By Allie Racette

T H E F O U N DAT I O N O F C V P H

The Foundation uses a two-pronged approach to realize its goals:

1. Within: The Foundation works within the hospital, nurturing skilled staff, enhancing patient care and supporting equipment needs and the devel-opment of new programs. The Foundation believes in investing in hospital staff, providing support through scholarships and educational conferences. The effects of supporting a happy and skilled staff trickle down to patients, improving care. “Build them up,” Haley observed, “and the care they pro-vide will be top-notch.”

The Foundation also supports the hospital from within by being the gate-keeper of all donations received. Everything donated to the hospital passes through the Foundation, ensuring thanks are given to the donors and the money is used properly.

2. Without: The Foundation works outside of the hospital, facilitating pro-grams to improve the health of the community. With its travel funds program, the Foundation helps roughly 60 income-eligible patients and families per year by assisting with the cost of travel to places where they can receive spe-cialized care unavailable to them at CVPH. This program also assists patients outside of Clinton County who struggle with traveling to CVPH for needed care. Haley said, “When we remove or minimize these barriers and people can get the care they need, we’re all better for it.”

The Foundation also supports various agencies that work to improve health-care in the community, but need help funding new programs. Recently, the Foundation partnered with Mountain Lake PBS. Together, they produced and distributed a video and other educational resources to raise awareness about ovarian cancer. Proper education and awareness are cornerstones of community health.

The Foundation sponsors eight to ten health lectures each year—yet another way in which it supports the health of the community through efforts to edu-cate. These health lectures serve a double purpose: to empower community members with meaningful health information and to connect community members with local healthcare providers. The Foundation also funds heart health screenings for the community, and hopes to provide more free screen-ings in the coming year.

The Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that relies on vol-unteer support. There are many opportunities to volunteer, from working within the hospital, volunteering for events and helping with fundraising. “The Foundation also relies on the creativity of volunteers,” Haley explained. “Without them, our events just wouldn’t be the same.”

For those interested in volunteering—the first step is simple! Just go to www.cvph.org/volunteer, scroll down, and click “Apply to become a volunteer today!”

For those who don’t have the time to volunteer, but still want to help out—there are other ways! The Foundation accepts dona-tions by cash, check, and online. You can also make a memo-rial or honorary donation or gift in recognition of excellent care received by a loved one.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Photo by Ty Kretser



The Foundation supports younger members of the community by awarding 10 annual scholarships to high school seniors—particularly those interested in pursuing careers in healthcare. Several of these scholarships are awarded with the help of the Foundation’s partnership with Clinton Community College.

As it continues to advocate for high-quality healthcare in our community, both within the hospital and without, the Foundation is constantly supporting new projects. One of the Foundation’s newest projects is the Champlain Valley Family Medicine Residency, a program designed to train family medicine residents. The program will bring desperately needed primary care providers to the area and will improve standards of care within the community. With more primary care providers, there will be fewer visits to the emergency room. Primary care providers will guide community members toward healthier lifestyles.

Transitions Success is another of the Foundation’s new undertakings. This project pro-vides care and assistance to patients who have been discharged from the hospital—which will reduce the number of patients who find themselves returning a few weeks or months later. “Nurses were finding that often there were patients who needed simple things that would keep them from being readmitted,” Haley explained. However, these “simple things” were sometimes things patients struggled to afford. “One example is a woman who was blind and had congestive heart failure,” Haley related. “She needed to check her weight each day and phone it in to her physician’s office, but she could not see the number.” The Foundation was able to buy the woman a talking scale. This was a small purchase, but it was a big help in maintaining her health.”

What does Kerry Haley think of her role at The Foundation of CVPH? “It’s a terrific job,” she said. “I get to meet people who want to make a difference in their community and I can help them do that.” Haley believes you should “find something that you are passion-ate about and a company that you can feel good representing. “What could be better than representing an organization that is so passionate about supporting and improving the health of our community?” she concluded.

Events for EveryoneOutside of educational lectures and pro-grams, the Foundation also holds plenty of recreational community events. Girls’ Night Out is just one of these events, held annually in October. The goal of Girl’s Night Out is to provide women with valuable health information—and to allow them to have fun at the same time. The event begins with a healthcare expert who educates attendees about a women’s health issue. “Then,” Haley said, “a comedian makes everyone laugh while reminding us to take care of ourselves.” Two Girls’ Night Out shows typically draws a crowd of 1,200 to 1,400 women—and some of those women are regulars, returning every year to learn and to laugh.

If Girl’s Night Out just isn’t your ‘thing’, there are plenty of other Foundation sponsored events on the roster. A visit to www.cvph.org/foundation/foundation-events yields a lengthy list of upcom-ing events, from the Glengarry Bhoys concert at Olive Ridley’s on March 11th, to the annual Easter Egg Hunt on March 26th, the Families Helping Families 5K on June 5th, the Mayor’s Cup Bike Ride on July 10th, and the Annual Candlelight Ceremony on December 6th. There’s something for everyone, and something at every time of year!

Care rounds at UVM — CVPH


As a member of The University of Vermont Health Network, which includes our partnership with one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, we are bringing the highest level of heart care, cancer care, orthopedic care and more to our community.

It means our nationally renowned heart program is even stronger, offering you the latest treatment options and breakthroughs as they happen. It means you have access to the latest clinical trials without having to travel far. All while experiencing the compassionate care you’ve come to trust from our community-based hospital.

Now more than ever, the care you need starts here, at The University of Vermont Health Network - Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, where we bring the heart and science of medicine closer to you, every day.

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F E AT U R E

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES

Peter Trout (Photo by Ann Waling)



C L I N TO N C O U N T Y M E N TA L H E A LT H A N D A D D I C T I O N S E R V I C E S

By Ann Waling

Do you know anyone who needs healthcare for mental illness or addiction? Whether you realize it or

not, you probably do. Statistically, between twenty and twenty-five percent of people require mental health or addiction ser-vices at one time or another. If you live in Clinton County, and have used any of our local mental health services, chances are you have received those services from a pro-gram touched by Peter Trout. Trout currently holds the position of Director of Community Services for Clinton County, where he is responsible for the planning activities and regular oversight of the county’s outpatient clinic on Ampersand Drive. He is also tasked with oversight for all of the New York State funding delivered to Clinton County which flows through his office and into area agen-cies and programs involved in addiction and mental health services and developmental disabilities.

The County’s clinic offers both mental health and addiction services treatment, and has also started to partner with local primary care providers to allow patients to receive services at their physician’s office. “Some people are uncomfortable, or unable to seek services at a separate location,” Trout noted. “By serving patients where they are already going, we can integrate mental health care with primary care and hopefully make it that much more accessible.” Currently, clinicians are co-located in seven offices county-wide, and it is Trout’s hope that expansion will con-tinue as demand increases.

This initiative is one of ten items in an ambi-tious agenda laid out in the 2016 “Local Services Plan for Mental Hygiene Services,” a plan created by the Clinton County Community Services Board. Loaded with words like “integration”, “partnership”, and “collaboration”, the plan addresses not only behavioral health services, but ambulatory

detox services, heroin and opiate use, affordable housing, transpor-tation services, and suicide prevention. It aims to address not only the behavioral issues faced by community members, but the ancil-lary issues which may hinder people from receiving treatment. “It’s difficult to expend efforts to increase your mental health and deal with an addiction,” Trout said, “but if you are trying to do this while you’re homeless, the effort is multiplied.” To achieve success, the plan depends on delivery of services not just by the county, but by numerous partner agencies.

Champlain Valley Family Center, NAMI, Evergreen Townhouse Community, and Behavioral Health Services North are all agen-cies which receive a portion of their funding from the State of New York, and that funding flows through the county and is adminis-tered “with arm’s length oversight,” Trout explained. “The county’s role is to maximize the strengths of each agency, to help them suc-ceed so they can find a way to meet the needs of clients and empower them to provide the necessary services.”

Part of the driving force behind this initiative is the change in the current healthcare landscape. At any visit you make this year to a phy-sician or non-primary clinician, you will likely be screened at intake to evaluate your risk for depression and addictive behaviors such as smoking. Quality initiatives in primary care have begun to require all providers to evaluate and respond to a patient’s mental health issues. “It is a big mistake to separate the brain from the body—and people are recognizing the value of addressing mental health needs as a routine part of physical wellbeing.” Trout said. Only when we can discuss mental health issues as easily as we do physical health issues will the stigma for seeking treatment be reduced. “Ultimately, our goal is early identification and referral to treatment services.”

Trout also hopes that an increase in awareness of mental health issues will lead to a reduction in the suicide rate. Another of the ten prior-ity outcomes for 2016 is the adoption of a Zero Suicide system-wide approach to suicide prevention. “Suicide rates in Clinton County are nearly twice that of the rest of the state, approximately 14.7 per 100,000 people as opposed to 8.3 per 100,000 statewide,” Trout noted. “The lack of willingness to seek treatment for addiction and depres-sion, coupled with the stigma of seeking help, create an environment in which elevated risk is present.” To help address this issue, Trout and the Community Services Board have implemented a commu-nity-wide prevention and intervention training initiative and hope to establish a postvention team to intervene in traumatic death by suicide and to implement an anti-stigma campaign through quar-terly community events promoting behavioral health education.

The County’s clinic offers both mental health and addiction services treatment, and has also started to partner with local primary care providers to allow patients to receive services at their physician’s office.


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Another important and topical initiative for 2016 is the development of an interdisciplinary action plan to reduce the impact of heroin and opiate use. “There is a direct correlation between the rise of opioid addic-tion and deaths from it,” Trout stated. Local partners in this effort include every agency you might expect, and others you might not have considered. “Probation, law enforcement, political partners, DSS, agencies, and caregivers all have a seat at the table when we are dis-cussing how best to combat our current epidemic. We want everyone to be talking about this issue since it will take collaboration to create community-wide solutions.”

Trout also hopes that an increase in the awareness of mental health issues will lead to a reduction in the suicide rate. Another of the ten priority outcomes for 2016 is the adoption

of a Zero Suicide system-wide approach to suicide prevention.


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With so many high-priority goals, the chal-lenges are numerous. But some are the same challenges that service providers across the board expect: manpower and funding. “This is a time when the opportunity for us to improve health care is great. The field is historically underfunded and we lack infra-structure and depth of personnel. But as we transition from a fee-for-service model to a value-based healthcare system, there may be a new ability to define what it looks like to truly integrate our services into the larger healthcare landscape,” Trout emphasized. “It is my goal to open this dialogue, to create opportunities for greater access to services and greater opportunity for early interven-tion for addiction and mental health issues.” By carefully stewarding funds and creating and nurturing partnerships, Peter Trout is improving the outlook for mental health ser-vices for all county members.

Clinton County Mental Health and Addiction Services 16 Ampersand Dr. Plattsburgh, NY 12901 518-565-4060

PLANTING THE SEEDS OF CONSCIOUSNESS

F E AT U R E


Lindamarie Hill has recently finished training in mindfulness, a movement adopted from Buddhist roots. The modern practice was popularized in the West by Jon Kabat-Zinn’s mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program. It is widely known to promote well-being and to alleviate a vast array of mental and physical conditions.

By Meg LeFevre, Photos by Ty Kretser

When Lindamarie Hill was preg-nant with her daughter in the late ‘60s she experienced heart pal-

pitations that led her on an alternative path seeking treatment in holistic practices like yoga, meditation and healing prayer. “People call it alternative, but it’s really ancient wis-dom,” said Hill, now 71 years old and vibrant as a teenager.

Hill, whose formal training is in education, taught special education and life skills at AuSable Valley Middle High School from 1986-1999. In the classroom and on the field as a track coach she implemented guided visualization and positive thinking to help students maximize their abilities—back when those ideas weren’t exactly mainstream. Hill was truly a pioneer in that way of thinking in this region at the time, and it wasn’t always an accepted message.

Since leaving the traditional classroom nearly twenty years ago, Hill has established her-self in this community, and many around the world (Switzerland, Belgium, France, Mexico, Iceland and the Middle East) as a Teacher of Spirituality and Healing. Her list of trainings and certificates goes on and on, only outpaced by her own writings. She is the author of more than 300 mind/body/spirit columns, three books and one CD entitled “The Self Divine.”

Hill’s business, Trinity Point Holistic Center, officially opened in 1998. Originally called Trinity Point Agape Center—agape means universal love—the business has seen ebbs and flows, but she has remained a constant learner, dedicated to expanding her knowl-edge of the world’s most ancient healing practices. The magical interconnectedness of the Internet now grants her, and every-one else, access to these ancient teachings that were once largely inaccessible to the average person.

Trinity Point has been host to many spiritual teachers from around the world. The Plattsburgh community has benefitted from being a part of a spiritual re-awakening and the teachings brought by these elders. “The wisdom of these teachers has enriched my own prac-tice,” said Hill.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Hill this January at Trinity Point situated in her home on Lake Champlain. She reflected warmly on her own spiritual journey over the years and how mainstream Plattsburgh has recently (finally!) come around to accepting and appreciating the healing arts of yoga, meditation, acupuncture, reiki, aromatherapy, and essential oils. “It’s really gratifying now because of all the yoga teachers we have in the area and people doing the kinds of things that I’m doing as well. It’s taken a long time in Plattsburgh. It’s been an uphill trek, but that’s okay.”

Our conversation called up names like Dr. Herbert Benson, the American medical doctor, cardiologist and founder of the Mind/Body Medical Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston who, in the 1960s at Harvard, published research on the power of meditation. Hill noted, again, that while the teachings are ancient, they are still new to Western culture.

Hill began her journey into the practice of mindfulness through Psychologist Tara Brach almost twenty years ago, and has recently finished training in mindfulness; a movement adopted from Buddhist roots. The modern practice was popularized in the West by Jon Kabat-Zinn’s mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program. It is widely known to promote well-being and to allevi-ate a vast array of mental and physical conditions. Mindfulness is even used in business as a tool to optimize brain function and increase output.

Hill is a certified wellness coach and received her mindfulness train-ing with Saki Santorelli, Florence Meleo-Mayer and Jon Kabat-Zinn. Kabat-Zinn is a professor of Medicine Emeritus and creator of the Stress Reduction Clinic and the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

An Inc. article titled “Why Mindfulness Is Good for Your Brain and Business” outlines study after study, from the Harvard Business Review to the University of British Columbia, proving the scientific benefits of the practice. Comparing mindfulness to other medita-tive techniques, Hill said, “Now the trend is mindfulness and it’s very powerful.”

T R I N I T Y P O I N T H O L I S T I C



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Even though she is into her 70s, Hill envisions her practice continuing to thrive with no end in sight, especially with the openness of Plattsburgh to rediscovering the ancient wisdom of the ages. Her next undertaking will be to incor-porate mindfulness programs into schools throughout the North Country, perhaps returning to where she first began her career. “I’ve seen it expand in many different directions and I’ve seen all the pieces come together. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to do and to offer,” she said.


Following the Hebrew tradition of hon-oring and blessing the new moon each month, Hill invites people from the local community and around the world to Trinity Point Holistic Center on Lake Champlain to join her in healing prayers and practices. “It’s just like planting seeds in the earth,” she said. “We’re planting the seeds of consciousness of what we want to achieve or accomplish throughout that month. It’s also about gratitude.”

Trinity Point Holistic Center 20 Cooper Drive Plattsburgh, New York 12901

Her next undertaking will be to incorporate mindfulness programs into schools throughout the North Country, perhaps returning to where she first began her career. “I’ve seen it expand in many different directions and I’ve seen all the pieces come together. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to do and to offer,”


ONWARD and UPWARD!Garry Douglas is the president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER WISE

With our mantra that “where things move is where pros-perity occurs,” the North Country Chamber believes strongly that infrastructure, and especially transporta-

tion infrastructure, is foundational to our economic future. It’s why we continue to devote attention and leadership to things such as bor-der fluidity and airport development.

Governor DeWitt Clinton understood this when he built the Erie Canal and made New York the Empire State. Governor Theodore Roosevelt understood this when he built the barge canal system (before becoming president and building the Panama Canal). Governor Tom Dewey understood this when he built the Thruway, and so did Governor Nelson Rockefeller when he built the Northway.

And now the budget proposed by Governor Andrew Cuomo prom-ises to embrace this reality in historic ways which bode well for the long term future of our state and for the North Country. Among the elements now on the table are the following:

• $22 billion for a multi-year capital program devoted to upstate roads, bridges, rail, airports and other transportation infrastruc-ture. This will include at least $200 million for airport development projects around the state.

• Finalization of a $32 billion five-year capital plan for the MTA, set-ting the stage for major anticipated contract opportunities for the North Country’s more than thirty transportation equipment com-panies including Bombardier, Nova Bus and Prevost.

• Continuation of the Governor’s multi-year commitment of $500 million to facilitate broadband development in those areas still unserved.

BUILDING NEW YORK’S FUTURE AND THE NORTH COUNTRY’S

Also welcome is the freeze until 2020 in Thruway tolls, directly important to our Quebec-New York Corridor and our special place within the world of statewide movement. With this latter reality in mind, we can also appreciate and applaud other investments that some may dismiss as “downstate” but which support the entire state, such as completion of the new Tappan Zee Bridge and 21st century facilities at LaGuardia, JFK and Penn Station.

Now add other new infrastructure commitments for things such as upstate water and sewer systems, another round of SUNY 2020 investments and specific North Country targets such as further state support for modernization of the sports facilities operated by ORDA, and we start to see an opportunity for one of those periodic bursts of infrastructure investment which are essential to future success and growth.

Best of all for the North Country, we are in a very strong posi-tion to make the most of such a period. We know our needs and opportunities. We have created and nurtured strong awareness and partnerships in key quarters. We have laid firm groundwork with investments made in recent years with Plattsburgh International Airport and the border being key examples.

We therefore need to support this agenda for infrastructure development because we are a region with an especially strong understanding of its strategic importance and of our place within the total picture. And because we are ready.


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