Upstate Health

12/13/2025

THIS WEEK: Different types of anesthesia, minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery, the increasing demand for physician assistants. The show can be heard Sunday at 6 a.m. on WRVO and online:
https://www.upstate.edu/informed/2025/121425-radioshow.php

Anesthesia: When you face surgery, which type will you need? Anesthesiologist Susan Samudre, DO, talks about the differences between general, regional and local anesthesia, as well as what patients can expect from their anesthesiologist. She is an assistant professor of anesthesiology and director of regional anesthesia at Upstate.

Also on the show, some foot and ankle surgery can be done in a minimally invasive way. Orthopedic surgeon Eric Bellinger, MD, discusses operations that can correct certain bunions, hammertoes and ruptures of the Achilles tendon. Bellinger is an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Upstate, specializing in surgery of the foot and ankle.

And physician assistant Robyn Chalupa talks about the PA profession, one of the most popular jobs in health care, which is expected to increase in the next decade. Chalupa is chair and program director of Physician Assistant Studies in Upstate’s College of Health Professions. She explains what's involved in training to become a PA and why she thinks the demand for PA careers will continue.

12/12/2025

12/11/2025

Upstate respiratory therapist Jackson Tarr explains how to pick a strategy for quitting the ni****ne habit that will work and what friends and family can do to help. https://www.upstate.edu/informed/2025/120225-tarr-podcast.php

12/10/2025

Upstate is a proud sponsor of Lights on the Lake, daily through Jan. 12 at Onondaga Lake Park.

For more information, visit lightsonthelake.com.

12/08/2025

With over 100 addorable pet pics, the 2026 Pets Wear Pink Calendar is guaranteed to meet and exceed the recommended daily requirement of cuteness. Think, with just one $10 payment, you'll be covered for an entire year! Get your calendar here: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/f/5l7h/n?vid=1ndu4i

And yes, this incredible level of cuteness can be contagious ... if you purchase an additional Pets Wear Pink Calendar for a friend/family member. (Because it makes for a great holiday gift!)

12/08/2025

Upcoming free online HealthLink seminar Tuesday, Dec. 8, at noon!

Grab your lunch and join us tomorrow to learn about common Diabetes related stressors, resources for support, and tools for stress management and problem-solving. Joslin Diabetes Psychologist, Linda Harrell-Delamater, PhD, will also walk us through several examples of stress management techniques that she often teaches her patients.

This will be a great session for anyone with Diabetes or anyone who cares about someone with Diabetes.

Link to register for your Zoom link: https://upstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/3KUcCM_6SKawiv1gs-QBzw

12/06/2025

12/06/2025

On this week’s “HealthLink on Air”: Preventing second strokes, the rare condition moyamoya, treatments for ischemic stroke, and how to reduce risks for kidney disease. The show can be heard Sunday at 6 a.m. on WRVO and online at https://www.upstate.edu/informed/2025/120725-radioshow.php.

An estimated one in four stroke survivors will have a second stroke within five years — and more than one-third of second strokes are fatal. So post-stroke care and prevention are crucial. Upstate cardiologist Andrew Weinberg, DO, and vascular and interventional neurologist Hesham Masoud, MD, explain the role of atrial fibrillation in stroke, and methods of monitoring for that heart rhythm disorder to reduce the risk of a second stroke in some stroke survivors.

Also on the show, Upstate neurosurgeon Haydn Hoffman, MD, discusses the rare condition known as moyamoya, along with treatments for ischemic stroke, in which a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. Hoffman has returned to Upstate, where he did his residency training, after he left for further specialized training in a cerebrovascular and endovascular fellowship. He is an assistant professor of neurosurgery.

And Upstate’s chief of nephrology, Michael Lioudis, MD, tells what you can do to reduce your risk of kidney disease.

12/04/2025

❄️ WINTER DRIVING SAFETY REMINDER FROM UPSTATE TRAUMA ❄️
With winter weather arriving in Central New York, make sure you and your vehicle are ready for the road.
🚗 Before You Leave
• Clear ALL snow and ice from windows, mirrors, headlights, and taillights.
• Make sure your wipers, brakes, tires, and battery are in good condition.
• Keep winter essentials in your car: shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, blankets, phone charger, water, snacks.
• Add antifreeze and check fluid levels.
⚠️ On the Road
• Slow down and increase following distance — leave extra room to stop.
• Avoid sudden braking or turning on slick roads.
• Use lower gears for traction and keep headlights on.
• If you start to skid, don’t brake—ease off the gas and steer gently in the direction you want to go.
🆘 If You Get Stuck or Stranded
• Don’t spin your wheels — use sand or kitty litter for traction.
• Stay with your vehicle unless you are certain you can safely reach help.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe is clear and run the heater for short intervals.
Stay safe, slow down, and give yourself extra time this winter! ❄️
— Upstate Trauma



Upstate Medical University Upstate Nursing Upstate EMS Upstate Health NYS University Police at Upstate Onondaga County Traffic Safety Advisory Board

12/04/2025

The Pets Wear Pink Calendar features more than 100 super cute photos contributed by Upstate community members and friends. Each calendar is $10, with proceeds supporting activities of the Upstate Cancer Center. Order yours here: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/f/5l7h/n?vid=1ndu4i

12/01/2025

When the water level is:
+ at neck height, you are only carrying about 10% of your body weight in the water
+ at belly button height, you are only carrying about 50% of your body weight in the water

The pool used for aquatic therapy at Upstate has an adjustable pool floor, allowing the water levels to be adjusted to ideal heights for the people receiving treatment.

Don't forget to register for your Zoom link for this upcoming HealthLink session with Morgan Phillips, PT, DPT and Scott Hoskins, DPT: https://upstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/cVwUKfKESgm9bERDAHpKuA

11/28/2025

On this week’s “HealthLink on Air”: restoring empathy loss in dementia patients, analyzing food label claims, cancer research's rewards. The show can be heard Sunday at 6 a.m. on WRVO and can be found online here: https://www.upstate.edu/informed/2025/113025-radioshow.php

Doctoral candidate Aya Kobeissi discusses the role of oxytocin — the "love hormone" — in restoring lost empathy for some dementia patients.

Doctor of family medicine Joshua Steinberg, MD, and Norton College of Medicine student Shruti Venkatesh share their analysis of health claims on food packaging.

Cancer researcher John Brognard, PhD, talks about how he entered this field and what he finds so gratifying about it.