Volume 15 of the Healthy Living Newsletter is here!

In This Issue:

• CEO Update
• Urology
• A message from Rehab
• Concussions
• Back to School
• Infectious Disease Provider
• 3rd Annual Drive-Flu Clinic

 Read the full issue by clicking here!

Orthopedics

Recognized as the area’s leader in orthopedic surgery, the group at Community Memorial Center for Orthopedics has been caring for patients and performing joint replacements at Community Memorial Hospital for more than 30 years. The team of Dr. Rudolph Buckley, Dr. Russell LaFrance, Dr. Raymond Meeks and Dr. Michael Zahn specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the bones, joints, muscles, spine and more.

“Community Memorial Center for Orthopedics has worked in close collaboration with the hospital since Dr. Ivan Gowan was recruited to Hamilton by the Hospital in 1984,” stated Dr. Raymond Meeks. “He was involved in the design of our operating rooms and we worked together with the Hospital to develop the ambulatory surgery area and expand the OR to the current four rooms. Both have allowed us to provide expanded orthopedic care to Hamilton and the surrounding communities. Together we have evolved from prolonged inpatient stays to overnight and even same day surgery for most orthopedic procedures. None of this would have been possible without the cooperation of the hospital and our dedicated nursing staff.”

Seeing a wide range of patients, from school-age adolescents to adults, the team of medical providers at Community Memorial Center for Orthopedics cover a broad list of conditions, ranging from every joint in the body, to spine ailments and sports injuries. Healthgrades has continuously recognized the superior quality of surgery care provided between the collaboration of the two organizations, with the annual Joint Replacement Excellence 5-Star Award, dating back more than 10 years. “Community Memorial appreciates the partnership with the entire Community Memorial Center for Orthopedics team,” stated Jeff Coakley, President & CEO of Community Memorial. “Patients travel from all over the state to see the team at Community Memorial Center for Orthopedics, and to have their surgery at our 5-star facility.”

With a brand new medical-surgical inpatient wing that opened in January of 2021, patients love the modern, warm and inviting atmosphere in the private patient rooms with individual bathrooms at Community Memorial Hospital. Comforting spaces for recuperation and resting is the perfect setting for both patients and their families. “Between the exceptional reputation of the Community Memorial Center for Orthopedics group and the brand new rooms for patients, Community Memorial is the place to choose for your joint and spine surgery,” added Coakley.

Patients benefit from the skills and services provided between the longstanding partnership of the two organizations. “The hospital assisted in recruiting our spine surgeon, Dr. Rudolph Buckley, and the most recent addition to our practice, sports medicine specialist Dr. Russell LaFrance,” added Meeks. “The hospital is now assisting us in recruiting an additional total joint specialist to help fulfill the needs of the community and the expected increase in total joint replacements in the coming decades.”

With an easily accessible facility, award winning surgery services and a 5-star rating from CMS for patient experience – the hospital to choose is Community Memorial. “Patients that need to stay overnight after a surgery, like a joint replacement, want to stay at our facility,” noted Coakley. “The volume of patients choosing Community Memorial over other facilities and traveling to Hamilton for surgery is a reflection of the wide ranging success of our orthopedic services, which are recognized as the leader in joint care in Central NY.

Community Memorial has been serving the region for almost 70 years, with office locations in Hamilton, Cazenovia, Morrisville, Munnsville and Waterville. To learn more or talk to a provider at Community Memorial Center for Orthopedics, call 315.824.1250 and choose Community Memorial as your orthopedic surgery hospital. 

CEO Update

We’re well into the summer months, and I hope you all are enjoying it. Here at Community Memorial, we continue to stay busy as your healthcare system – from our ongoing construction project nearing the end of Phase II, to patients feeling more comfortable resuming a more routine care plan as they reschedule those missed appointments with our primary care team.

Our longstanding partnership with Community Memorial Center for Orthopedics continues to grow as our organizations have collaborated to recruit another highly qualified orthopedic surgeon to the region, allowing for even more patients to be treated by the Community Memorial Center for Orthopedics and CMH teams. The significant reputation of Community Memorial Center for Orthopedics continues to bring patients here from further distances as patients make conscience decisions to choose to have their joint and spine surgeries at our facility, recognized for the 5-star patient experience, and the stellar nursing care that brings individualized service to every patient.

CMH understands the need for vital healthcare services in this community, and our recruitment team consistently meets to develop plans and collaborate with our medical staff, working to build our scope of services offered, allowing patients to stay local for care.

Our Emergency Room continues to serve patients 24/7, and our Urgent Care is still open nights and weekends for after-hours care. As your family prepares for the return of school next month, we wish you all a healthy fall season, and remind everyone to choose Community Memorial for all your healthcare needs.

Department Spotlight: Urology

Dr. Kenneth Beasley, Urologist, is now offering the innovative Urolift procedure right at Community Memorial in Hamilton. The minimally invasive procedure is an effective treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a common condition in men as they age. Urinary problems develop as the prostate gland is enlarged, including the blockage of the flow of urine from the bladder. Urinary tract problems may develop, and patients are often prescribed Flomax as treatment. Dr. Beasley’s skills have brought the Urolift procedure to patients as an outpatient service, promptly providing immediate relief for men, and eliminating the need for prescribed pharmaceutical treatment. To schedule a visit with Dr. Beasley, finding real relief fast, call 315.824.4600 – and get back to your normal.

A Message From: Rehabilitation of CMH

As COVID restrictions are lifted and children are returning to sports participation, the Rehab team of Community Memorial wants to remind parents about safely resuming sports activity.

How to Return to Sports Safely After the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 Pandemic has increased the risk of:

• Injury due to inactivity
• Weight gain
• Heat related illness due to inactivity

Sports and physical activity have multiple benefits for children and adolescents, supporting developmental growth: 

• Cardiovascular health, strength and overall fitness
• Increases in socialization
• Structured routine
• Immune system benefits

How Do I Return Safely to My Sport?

• Gradual return
• Start with 25% of usual volume and intensity and try exercising/performing sport related activities every other day
• Increase volume and intensity at 10% per week

How Do I Reduce Risk of COVID Transmission?

• Get vaccinated once eligible, but make sure you talk with your healthcare provider first
• Outside practice/competition when able/appropriate
• Practice proper hand hygiene
• Mask and proper physical distancing recommended for those that are not vaccinated

Concussions

What is a concussion?

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that is caused by a hit/blow to the head/body that causes the brain to move quickly back and forth inside the skull. It can create a chemical change in the brain.

Signs and symptoms:

• Headache or pressure in head
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Blurry or double vision
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy or groggy
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering
• Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down.”

How can PT help?

Physical therapists are able to create a treatment program that promotes exercise tolerance and progression to return to activity/sport. They are able to treat headaches and neck pain, as well as, balance difficulties and vestibular and vision difficulties, all that can be associated with a concussion.

Adapted from the CDC

Back to School

Parents and children are gearing up for the annual preparations to return to school next month; backpacks, supplies and glue sticks galore – but there should be another note on that list; important physicals and immunizations.

Depending on your child’s age and grade they’re entering, along with sports participation – physicals and immunizations are required, and many children and adolescents are now behind in their regularly scheduled vaccinations, as the COVID pandemic disrupted normal preventative services. According to the New York State Department of Health (DOH), more than 400,000 fewer vaccine doses were administered to children and teens in NYS (outside of New York City) in 2020 than 2019. “It’s vital for parents to ensure that kids and teens maintain their regular well-child check-ups and stay up to date on vaccinations,” noted Dr. Jennifer Meyers, Pediatrician at Community Memorial. “On top of the COVID outbreak, missed immunizations may increase chances of school outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles, mumps and pertussis.”

With communities opening, lifted restrictions more in-person events resuming, the local and state DOH are reporting increased risks of outbreaks of diseases that are preventable by vaccines. “All students attending in-person school along with those attending programs via a hybrid-model should be up-todate on NYS school-required vaccinations,” added Dr. Michael Walsh, Chief Medical Officer. “There are so many ways children can gather, including camps, child care centers and nursery schools – so we encourage parents and guardians to check with their primary care providers to see if their child has any important immunizations required to keep them current.”

Community Memorial’s five Family Health Center locations (Hamilton, Cazenovia, Morrisville, Munnsville and Waterville) are all working to identify families and children who may have missed doses, and continue to coordinate with patients on rescheduling appointments. “The entire team at Community Memorial wants to help parents and schools protect all our children by working together to get children caught up on recommended immunizations,” added Dr. Meyers. Parents and guardians are asked to do their part, communicating with their children’s schools on requirements for the new school year, and reaching out to their primary care providers with any questions.

To connect with your CMH provider, or if your family is looking to establish with a new primary care provider, call or visit our website. Come see why Community Memorial is leading the way through the new era of patient care. To learn more, visit https://communitymemorial.org/family-health-centers/ or call 315.824.4600.

Please Pull Ahead

Community Memorial is excited to announce the 3rd annual Drive-Flu Clinic, scheduled for September 17, 2021. The inaugural event in 2019 provided over 140 flu shots for area residents, free of charge, for patients over the age of 18. 2020 was another successful year, caring for the same volume of patients, who lined up bright and early. Attendees pulled in, filled out simple paperwork, and were able to receive their flu shot – all from the convenience of their vehicle. “2020 has proven to both healthcare providers and patients that there are evolving circumstances around how medical care can be provided,” stated Diane Chase, Vice President of Clinical Services at Community Memorial. “Care-from-your-car has become one new norm, and Community Memorial was ahead of the curve when we introduced our Drive-Flu in 2019.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advise anyone over the age of 6 months get a flu shot every season, typically by the end of October – but a flu shot at any point during the season is recommended. The flu can be a life threatening illness to children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. “We are excited to bring this innovative and convenient service back to our community,” added Chase. “Improving the health of our patients is one part of our mission in providing quality care, close to home.”

The Drive-Flu Clinic on September 17, 2021 will again have 3 time slots – 7-9am, 11am-1pm and 4-6pm, and will again be held on the campus of Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton. This clinic is for adults only and patients not able to attend this clinic should call their primary care provider to set up an appointment to get their shot. “Now, more than ever, the communities we serve are understanding the importance of annual vaccinations, and we encourage all patients eligible to get their flu shot,” added Shelly Trost, RN, Infection Control at Community Memorial.

Community Memorial Hospital offers an Infectious Disease Provider!

Dr. Avrille George sees both inpatients and outpatients out of the Hamilton Family Health Center location, via telehealth. Specializing in treatments for pneumonia, cellulitis, joint infections, and more – Dr. George can offer treatment to the public. With more than 15 years of diverse experience, Dr. George most commonly treats illnesses that some may not realize are deemed ‘infectious’, like pneumonia, Lyme disease and diabetic foot infections. “Patients may need an infectious disease specialist when there may be some health issues that could be unknown,” states Dr. George. “A specialist can provide insights into tests that would be ideal for diagnosing diseases, but also understanding the infection and preventing future recurring infections, and treatment necessary.”

To learn more about services offered or to make an appointment with your Community Memorial primary care provider for your annual flu shot, visit: https://www.communitymemorial.org/family-health-centers/ or call at 315-824-4600.

Infectious disease doctors will monitor the specific health issues and concerns and further treat patients while collaborating with their primary care provider to ensure successful patient outcomes.

To learn more or to make an appointment with Dr. George, please call 315.824.4600.