The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Your Health

Plenty of Pizza & a Serving of Gratitude to the Staff of Northern Westchester Hospital at Pre-Valentine’s Day Celebration

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Local restauranteur Gianni Piccolino survived a life-threatening case of COVID-19 in 2020 thanks to emergency surgery at Northern Westchester Hospital. On February 13, he and his wife Dianna, their three kids, along with Gianni’s brother and business partner Tommy, found a perfect way to express their gratitude–preparing and giving out dozens of pizzas and salads too–all this, about a year to the date of his discharge.

Enjoying the more spring like weather too, appreciative hospital staff formed a line outside the portable wood burning pizza oven Mr. Piccolino brought in from his two Mount Kisco restaurants, Stone Fire and Basilico.

Dianna Piccolino told the Inside Press: “Everything was going wrong, but Northern Westchester Hospital brought in a special surgeon to find out what was going on inside, and they were able to repair it.  We are all just so grateful.”

Mrs. Piccolino said that this was not the first time Northern Westchester Hospital saved her family either–her twins were born premature and cared for in the hospital’s neonatal unit.

“They have been just extraordinary to us,” she said.

“Pizza and salad is up for grabs all day today, and we will be back tonight for the night shift!” 

Mr. Piccolino, who generously fed first-responders at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, was admitted to Northern Westchester Hospital days before Thanksgiving, 2020, with a life-threatening case of COVID-19. He spent two months in an induced coma. On Christmas Eve, Mr. Piccolino underwent emergency surgery made necessary by an additional diagnosis of sepsis due to a perforated stomach ulcer; happily, just one day before his birthday on February 12, 2021, he was able to return home.

Northern Westchester Hospital Northwell Health’s care team and friends who were instrumental in saving Gianni Piccolino’s life from COVID-19.
Gianni Piccolino and family said thank you to Northern Westchester Hospital Northwell Health for saving his life last year from severe COVID-19. Left to Right: Gianni’s daughter Adriana & son, Gianni Jr.; wife, Diana and Gianni; Dr. Yael Marks, Bariatric & General surgery; Dr. Jade Gallardo, Critical Care Medicine and Dr. Richard L. Stumacher, Pulmonary Disease, Critical Care & Internal Medicine) Photos courtesy of Northern Westchester Hospital

 

 

 

 

 

                                                          

November Events Offered by Northern Westchester Hospital & the Center for Healthy Living

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Part three of a three-part cooking series for reducing disease risk and a panel discussion focused on men’s health are November’s featured programs offered by Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) and the Center for Healthy Living. In November, virtual events for parents and future moms include courses on breastfeeding and newborn care and a calming cooking class for school-aged children. Other virtual events to help people feel better and get healthier include chair yoga, smoking cessation and a Wellness Wednesday on spiritual wellbeing.

Located next to the Whole Foods Market at Chappaqua Crossing, the Center for Healthy Living supports health and wellness through education, health resources, diverse programing and referrals. For a full list of upcoming free events and registration, visit Eventbrite.com. All programs are currently offered virtually.

FEATURED EVENTS:

Cooking for Reducing Disease Risk, Part 3: Diabetes

Thursday, November 4, noon – 1 pm, live over Zoom

Cost: Free

Join Registered Dietitian Amy Rosenfeld to learn about cooking balanced meals that reduce your risk of diabetes. Amy will explain the guiding principles of a diet that lowers your risk for diabetes as recommended by the American Diabetes Association.

Register at: Cooking for Reducing Disease Risk, Part 3: Diabetes

Man to Man: A Conversation about Men’s Health

Wednesday November 17, noon – 1 pm, live over Zoom

Cost: Free

Did you know men are much more likely than women to skip doctor’s appointments, routine screenings, and avoid seeking help for mental illness? Join us for a panel discussion focused on men’s health. Physical therapist Gerald Loehr will discuss fitness and healthy training tips. Dr. Richard Catanzaro will debunk mental health myths and offer real life coping strategies for stress. Dr. Warren Bromberg will discuss prostate and testicular health, including the latest recommendations on cancer screenings.

Register at:   Man to Man: A Conversation about Men’s Health

 

Chair Yoga
Mondays & Thursdays, November 1, 4, 11, 15, 18, 22 and 29, 11 am – Noon, live over Zoom

Cost: Free
Chair Yoga is one of the gentlest forms of yoga available, adapting poses through the creative use of a chair. Emphasis will be on breathing, balance, and taking things at your own pace. This workshop is led by Toni Russo, MS, RN AHN-BC, RYT-220, a leader on NWH’s Integrative Medicine Team.

Register at:     Chair Yoga

 

Smoking Cessation
Wednesdays, November 3 and 10 & Tuesday, November 16, 6 – 7 pm, live over Microsoft Teams
Cost: Free

Cigarettes are one of the leading causes of preventable death in the United States. We know it’s challenging to quit, and we are here to help. This support group is facilitated by a NWH respiratory therapist. For more information, contact NWHSmokingCessation@northwell.edu or call (914) 666-1868.

Register at:    Smoking Cessation

 

Virtual Breastfeeding Class

Monday, November 8, 6 – 8 pm, live over Microsoft Teams

Cost: $30 per couple

This comprehensive class is taught exclusively by our International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) for women who are considering or have decided to breastfeed. The class will cover advantages of breastfeeding; building and maintaining your milk supply; strategies for success; breastfeeding techniques; diet considerations; nipple care; and tips for partner feeding. Plenty of time is allotted for Q&As, and couples are encouraged to come together. For more information, please call the Mother-Baby Navigator Office at (914) 666-1840

Register at: Virtual Breastfeeding

 

Kids in the Kitchen: Calming Cooking Class

Thursday, November 11, 2 – 3 pm, live over Zoom (schools are closed for Veteran’s Day)

Cost: $30

Cooking is a wonderful experience for kids and can be a great opportunity to relax, relieve stress, and learn a skill. Join Registered Dietitian Amy Rosenfeld and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Rachel Merchan for a cooking class and relaxation workshop. Participants will learn how to make festive-for-fall apple nachos and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, while engaging their senses to feel calm and lower stress. This class is appropriate for school aged children – younger children will require parental supervision and assistance.

Register: Kids in the Kitchen: Calming Cooking Class

 

Newborn Care Class

Wednesday, November 19, 6 – 8 pm, live over Zoom

Cost: $30

Topics include newborn care, feeding patterns, common parental concerns, and the role of pediatricians during your baby’s stay at the hospital. Upon availability, a pediatrician will join at the end of class for a Q&A session.  Please note, this support group is for mothers who have already delivered their baby. For more information, please call the Mother-Baby Navigator Office at (914) 666-1840 or email NWHMotherBabyNavigator@northwell.edu
Register at:   Newborn Care Class

 

Childbirth Preparation Class

Saturday, November 20, 10 am – 2 pm, live over Microsoft Teams

Cost: $30

Our experienced nurse educators will discuss the process of labor and birth, relaxation and breathing techniques, the role of the partner and coaching skills, hospital admission policies and procedures, anesthesia/analgesic options, vaginal and cesarean births, and postpartum expectations.

Register: Virtual Childbirth Preparation Class

 

Wellness Wednesdays – Spiritual Wellbeing with Rev. Angela Maddalone

Wednesday, November 24, 11 – 11:30 am, by phone.

Cost: Free

This month’s Wellness Wednesday will focus on spiritual wellbeing.

Register at the link below or simply dial 1-929-436-2866 to join the program.

  • When prompted, enter the Webinar ID 994 8502 3594, followed by the # sign.
  • You will hear music until the program starts promptly at 11 am.
  • There is a 100-person limit for this webinar.

Register at:   https://nwhwellnesswednesday.eventbrite.com

News Courtesy of Northern Westchester Hospital

“Falling Back” from Daylight Savings to Standard Time

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Tips from the Medical Director of Northern Westchester Hospital’s Center for Sleep Medicine

On Sunday, November 7th, at 2 a.m., clocks will be turned one hour back as we change from daylight savings to standard time. Falling back, means means when the clock reads 10 a.m. on Sunday morning, your brain and body will insist that it is really 11 a.m.

Changing your clock Friday helps you adjust to standard time by Monday.

“‘Gaining’ an hour in the fall is much easier for our bodies than ‘losing’ an hour in the spring,” says Dr. Praveen Rudraraju, medical director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mt. Kisco, NY. “Even so, one trick that helps some people is changing one clock on Friday, and eating, sleeping and waking up one hour later. By Monday, you will be adjusted to the time change.”

Though one hour may not seem like much, Dr. Rudraraju says that some people are more affected by the change because they have difficulty adjusting their circadian rhythm– the physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle responding to light and darkness in the environment. By altering the clock, our internal clock goes out of sync with the day-night cycle. He suggests the following tips to help people “fall back” more easily:

  • Try to spend time outside during the daytime, if weather permits.
  • Dim the lights in the evening, so your body understands that it’s time to wind down.
  • Exercise 30 to 40 minutes in bright light (before 5 p.m. daily).
  • Don’t drink caffeinated beverages after noon, and eat dinner at least three to five hours before bedtime.
  • Limit alcohol to one drink with dinner.
  • Stop all computer activity, which provides too much stimulation, an hour before bedtime. Instead, relax by reading, listening to quiet music, or watching TV.
  • Stay out of your bedroom until bedtime. If possible, do not work in your bedroom.
  • Prepare children for the change by eliminating all foods and beverages with caffeine, including soda and chocolate. These stimulants keep them awake at night.
  • If your sleep is really disrupted by the change, try taking melatonin about two hours before you would like to get to sleep. This is available without prescription.

For more information or to make an appointment for a sleep center study, call

914-666-1114.

Advice courtesy of Northern Westchester Hospital

Westchester County Expert Resources Unite in Campaign to Increase Mental Health Awareness

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County Initiatives Launched for September which is Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month

(White Plains, NY) – Upholding Westchester County’s Commitment to suicide prevention, awareness and the importance of overall mental health, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, the Department of Community Mental Health (DCMH) and several community partners recognized the month of September as Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month. The month-long messaging campaign was created to help educate Westchester County residents on the appropriate ways to discuss mental health crisis in identified communities, and remind them of the resources available to them.

Volunteers from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and DCMH placed pinwheels on display at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle. The display of 78 pinwheels represent the number of completed suicides (78) in Westchester County in 2020. The display includes statistic signs and walk signs, and the pinwheels will remain on display throughout the month of September as part of Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.  Full roll of pinwheel display: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpB9kFK0jI8

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Throughout the month of September, the County will be encouraging residents to participate in a variety of workshops, training courses and task force initiatives to help our communities engage in suicide prevention efforts, and help them to practice good mental health. It is not always easy to speak up if you think a family member or friend is struggling or dealing with a mental health crisis, and we want to give you the tools to start that discussion. Helping those around us is everyone’s business, and we want everyone to know about the support and services that are available to them in Westchester.”

Commissioner of DCMH Michael Orth said: “It’s everyone’s responsibility to support each other’s mental health.  We can all help prevent tragedies in our own communities by learning to recognize and take seriously the signs of depression and emotional pain.  It is important that we reach out to family members, friends, neighbors and colleagues and open the door for conversation.”

Hudson Valley/Westchester Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Maria Idoni said: “September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This is a time for each of us to reach out to those around us and take steps to prevent suicide.  It’s important that we know how to talk about suicide, and connect ourselves and our loved ones to help if we ever need it. Together, we can help #StopSuicide.” 

Westchester County’s Suicide Prevention and Awareness Plan includes:

Westchester County Suicide Awareness Pinwheels Display and Reflection

For the first time in Westchester County, in partnership with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the County will display one pinwheel to represent every suicide in Westchester from the year prior. The pinwheels will be displayed at Glen Island Park New Rochelle throughout the month of September, for visitors to pause and remember those we lost to suicide.

DCMH Social Media Awareness Campaign:

Daily social media awareness information and activities related to Suicide Prevention and Awareness.

Soul Shop Faith Based Training:

On September 29, DCMH in partnership with AFSP and Calvary Church, will be offering “Soul Shop: Ministering to Faith Communities Affected by Suicide.” It’s estimated that one out of every two people in a given congregation has personally been affected by suicide. Soul Shop trains faith community leaders to offer support, hope and connection to those in their congregations. Soul Shop equips participants with the resources and guidance they need to foster hope and healing in their community. 

Mental Health First Aid Training:

DCMH will provide Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to Westchester County’s communities.  Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis.  Adult Mental Health First Aid Training offers training to address the needs of adults.  Westchester will also be launching Teen Mental Health First Aid Training targeting adolescents and young adults in the near future. 

Full video of remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvzjSrJq5bU

News courtesy of the Westchester County Executive Office