Welcome to the Village

Send us a textWhat made Ashley and I live and work in the poorest country in the world, doing laborious challenging work in a difficult environment to live in? What were our thoughts and hopes and what was the experience truly like, volunteering at CMMB for a surreal medical mission trip ?  Listen in to hear all about our adventures, when a nurse and a doctor were called to South Sudan

Send us a textWorking full time, taking care of the kids, the family, cooking, cleaning, no break..... does this sound familiar? It's not any different for Wilma and Grace, two midwives I had the honor of working with during my summer in Nzara, South Sudan.  But for these two ladies they have faced the challenges of a patriarchal society under the backdrop of civil unrest and growing up in a war zone that is now left with few resources. They are working in a hospital that lacks the tools they need to care for their patients and a climate that is physically and mentally draining, on a daily basis. Yet, they are grateful for the ability to care for their female patients and their babies and have an important and inspiring message for all the females who are willing to listen. 

Send us a textNursing is a challenging profession anywhere in the world.  Listen to the stories of Richard and Bonface...how they beat the odds to become nurses in this new, poverty-stricken country that has faced war and economic devastation. Bonface is the in-charge nurse of the entire medical and pediatric ward of St. Theresa Mission hospital- a role he was chosen for years ago, since his dedication and work ethic were very clear early on. His passion for healthcare was rooted in childhood when he almost lost his life to rabies, but his father being a nurse is what saved him.  Bonface, now a dedicated father himself, goes above and beyond for his family and all members of his community.  But it doesn't stop there.  Listen to Bonface as he describes his vision for his own life and future as well as what he hopes for the community of Nzara. 

Send us a textNursing is a challenging profession anywhere in the world.  Listen to the stories of Richard and Bonface...how they beat the odds to become nurses in this new, poverty-stricken country that has faced war and economic devastation. Richard's family left the country as refugees, and it is up to him to work hard to care for his wife, five children, and all of his extended family.  As a nutrition nurse he has spent his whole career working for humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, and now dedicates himself to the community of Nzara and CMMB. 

Send us a textJackson is a clinical officer in the eye clinic at St. Theresa mission hospital in Nzara, South Sudan.  I had a lot of great conversations with him and found him to be a charming young man.  His strength, determination and motivation despite being orphaned at very young age make Jackson a shining star.  Let's get to know Jackson , his experiences and his hopes for the future.  

My high school bestie, Sheri, and I are joining forces to take you on the journey of how we came to be in high-ranking positions and some of the challenges we faced and continue to face as women in power.  We are here to inform, encourage, and inspire so tune in and enjoy! 

Dr. Carrin Schottler-Thal of Albany medical center specializes in caring for children on the Autism spectrum.  She is giving some great insight and helpful resources for understanding, appreciating, and supporting children on the spectrum. Tune in for a valuable and interesting discussion. 

Is everyone ready for fun in the sun? As we kick of the official start of summer, I am joined by Ginger Champain, director of Cancer prevention in action to talk about how to avoid those annoying sunburns and get the most out of our time enjoying the weather this summer.  

"The Walter Elwood Museum is a gateway to learning using the past to illuminate the present. "(part of the museum's mission statement) There is nothing more precious than hearing the sound of children's joyous laughter as they are enjoying time together while learning something new.  I am joined by the museum director, Ann Peconie, as she holds the free winter  camp for school age kids this past February.  You can hear her as she teaches them about old fashioned writing and reads some of the letters that the presidents have written as well as other lessons in history. I was also able to sit down to interview her so we could talk more about the museum and it's founder- educator, avid traveller, and Amsterdam, NY native Walter Elwood. 

Abdul-Rahman Yaki, is the Imam (religious leader/counsellor) of the Islamic Center of the Capital District in New York. My discussion with him has Islamic references but is a discussion that is relevant for all religions. Children need boundaries and structure.  They need to learn about hard work and dedication.  If they are raised in a household with religious and spiritual principles they do not have to feel restricted.   Instead, the basic principles that all the major religions have in common of kindness, mercy, justice, and equality can be the backbone of their life and of their strength. 

Bob Cudmore is an Amsterdam, NY native and well known radio show host, columnist,  author and pillar of the community. I was able to have a nice kitchen table chat with him to discuss some cool facts about the history of the Mohawk Valley.  We talked about his time growing up and living here, and what his past and current projects are about.Learning and teaching history is so important for everyone but especially our growing youth.  An appreciation for the past can be inspirational and make you excited for a bright future ahead. 

Taking a bow... thank you for listening

Michelle CalhounLynda RussellSherida DavisWhere would the office be without the ones who keep things flowing the way they should? The face of the office, the ones everyone turns to when things need to  happen quickly and efficiently. 

Kim PelosiKristin HitchcockNicole GilliganKari LempMelanie TatlockJaimie LilleyKerrie CareyWendy SerpaThey keep things running smoothly, with hearts of gold.  Even when things are overhwhelming their grace and calm are unparalleled. The go to for everything and everyone, patients and staff alike. 

Dr. HardiesDr. CarlsonMary Gilston, licensed clinical social worker.  As much as medicine and psychology has evolved, one thing stays the same.  We want to care for our patients and let them know we are here to give them the best care possible. 

Ashley SpagnolaNot a job for the faint hearted.  Keeping things in check, making sure everyone is feeling their best so they can do their best, and being there for the staff and community....is harder than it even sounds.Also heard in  huddle are Jaimie Lilley and Cheryl Kight. 

Much like an Orchestra needs every section to create a perfect harmony, so does an office.  Each person I have spoken to is an important member of a group of the Amsterdam Family Health Center. Each of us can be heard in this series as we sing the song of care and dedication for our community ... a perfect melody. We have heard the concerns of our patients and are here to explain our day and what we do, as well as what they can do, to help us give them the best care that we can. 

Whether it's your finances, life goals, or just your daily attitude, it's all about your mindset and energies.  My friend- Financial Advisor, Matt Haye, is here to share with us the secret to his success and the power that your subconscious mind has in the outcomes of your life. Everything we say, think, and feel influences our children so this topic becomes all the more crucial.  Join me while we have a valuable and interesting discussion with Matt. 

Joan Venerosa is a Pediatric Physician's Assistant with over 50 years of experience in medicine.  Join us as we explain what is the specialty of pediatrics.   Fevers, eczema, mental health, social media, telemedicine, and more.  As the world changes so does pediatrics. How have we evolved with these changes and what can we do to support our families and children? 

Sister Christine Mura is the face of St. Mary's Healthcare in Amsterdam NY for the Latino community, particularly the migrant farmworkers.  They are often hidden away, displaced from their homes, and relentlessly hardworking. This group of people in our community are the epitome of faith and the vulnerable population that we are honored to provide healthcare for. 

As Marcia and I make our way back on the train to Albany from a fun filled Christmas in NYC day, we talk about how the holiday season sparks a feeling of traditions and giving.   We feel this in our own homes and in our second home... St Mary's Healthcare, which is particularly true in the labor and delivery unit.  Not only during the Christmas Season, but all year around, we are always enveloped with a sense of care, joy, and family. 

Mahvash MD and Mary MD are back to address this flu, RSV, and COVID season.  With more freedom and a lack of mask mandates, this holiday season is exciting yet much more stressful.  Health Advisories are all warning us about the illnesses that are hitting us hard and are sure to continue to do so this year.Let's talk about how to proceed with caution and stay hopeful, healthy, and safe.With special guest appearances by Jan Hagen, retired St. Mary's RT, and Pediatric palliative care doctor, Arshia Madni, MD (also Dr. Majeed's sister)

In honor of US Antibiotic Awareness Week I am here with Gabe Sasso, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at St. Mary's Healthcare.  He is here to educate us about appropriate antibiotic use and how to avoid misuse, so that our lifesaving antibiotics can be preserved for years to come.  Like anything, we can't take antibiotics for granted as they can only do so much. If we as a society-- medical team and patients alike- continue to misuse this vital part of medical care- the precious antibiotics- we are at increased risk of losing them. 

Carla is the Head athletic trainer of Amsterdam High School and she is back with us after wrapping up a hectic fall sports season.  School sports have immense benefits but we still have to remember not to overdo it.  Injury prevention, recognition, and appropriate treatment is crucial to keep our kids as healthy and safe as possible so they can reap the benefits of their sports. 

When, how, and WHY?! Should we talk to our kids about sex? Do it early and do it patiently.  As the parent, you must take control of this cringeworthy topic.  In today's sexually explicit world of social media and quickly evolving behaviors and mentalities, if you are not going to talk to your kids, just remember they are hearing, seeing, and learning about it elsewhere.  Isn't better that you are a source of information for them? Marcia, RN is a maternity and sexual assault nurse, as well as mother of two adolescents.  She is here with me today as we explore the next ick factor topic!

 Dr. Heidi Gadoy, DO- OBGYN (and a specialist in women's cancers) is here to help us with everything related to puberty.  With her impressive background and experience, and her obvious passion and care for all patients, we have recorded an episode you don't want to miss.It doesn't start with puberty! Getting your kids comfortable with their bodies and answering their questions early on will set you up for a more comfortable transition into those years of puberty and issues that can arise. What's normal and what to expect with everything related to this important topic.  Starting early leads to a transition into a lifelong habit of healthy behaviors and preventive medicine for our children.So tune in, because expert advice is the best kind of advice. 

In this delightfully fresh episode, Mary, MD and Mahvash, MD are presenting some interesting ideas and arguments about why people dress the way they do.  Do we dress according to culture, religion, society, expectations or our own personal self-expression? Perhaps it's everything but the real question is ... how do we define what dress terms mean like modesty and fashionable and what's cool or not? Can dress and fashion and how you look affect mood and how people perceive you? Is the ever-evolving society our youth is growing up in affecting their psyche and their dressing style? Tune in to our conversation and see if maybe you can answer the question... why are you dressed like that?! 

Our back to school series continues with a discussion on the importance of a pre participation exam and what exactly it entails. 

The importance of sports for kids' mental, physical and social well being. Carla Pasquarelli, Amsterdam High School's Head Athletic Trainer and I have a fun and interesting conversation about her experiences with a great group of kids. 

Ashley and I are kicking off Season 4 here as we get ready for back to school with you.  Some of the hot topics on everyone's mind these days are how to keep your kids safe and healthy, bullying, and of course the stressors of co parenting in this modern world we live in. The back to school struggles are real but hopefully after listening to this you will realize you're not in it alone. 

What are the challenges that Gen Z has been facing? Growing up in a world with increasing anxieties and fears, pressures of social media, split households, and now a pandemic.  How should these budding young adults deal with life today and how do they see life? Jack is a bright and thoughtful young college athlete... a promising future leader for this generation.  He is here with his Mom.. that's right Marcia! He talks about how he deals with his relationships ... his parents, sibling, peers, and even girlfriends and how to remain healthy and confident.  He shares with us how he sees the world and how he hopes to continue to make positive change for generations to come. 

What are the challenges that Gen Z has been facing? Growing up in a world with increasing anxieties and fears, pressures of social media, split households, and now a pandemic.  How should these budding young adults deal with life today and how do they see life? Jack is a bright and thoughtful young college athlete... a promising future leader for this generation.  He is here with his Mom.. that's right Marcia! He talks about how he deals with his relationships ... his parents, sibling, peers, and even girlfriends and how to remain healthy and confident.  He shares with us how he sees the world and how he hopes to continue to make positive change for generations to come. 

In this episode Carla and I continue to talk about concussion management for a little while, but then we also get to know Carla a little bit more.  She talks about her background and experience as an athletic trainer and her exciting new role as Head Athletic Trainer of Amsterdam High School.   A native of Amsterdam, NY herself, Carla is very passionate about the community and her impact on the lives of the children of Amsterdam.  She is like a part of their family and enjoys what she does, something that I can relate to as well. 

Congratulations to Carla P, the new full time athletic trainer at Amsterdam High School.  This is episode 1 of many in the Carla series.  Carla has so much experience and knowledge to share about student athletes.  We are going to start with the important and misunderstood hot topic of Concussions in this two part series. 

John Sumpter is the Assistant Director of the Creative Connections Clubhouse in Amsterdam, NY."The Creative Connections Clubhouse offers a safe and welcoming alcohol and drug-free environment, where youth can stimulate the mind, develop life-enhancing skills, and create lasting positive relationships with others." (creativeconnectionsclubhouse.com)John shares with us how the clubhouse was created, the goals and achievements, and how this type of resource has done wonders for our community's children.  Using his own life story as inspiration, John has become a solid mentor for these kids. 

Gabby is a Nurse Practitioner and Yogi and lucky for us she is also a yoga instructor.  In this episode she talks about the many wellness benefits of yoga and encourages and reminds us that it truly is for everyone. 

My conversation with Pastor Bob continues with more personal insight into how we feel and affirm each other to continue healing. 

Pastor Bob sheds some light on the emotional and psychological hit that society took during the COVID-19 pandemic and what steps we can take to start healing. 

Chelsea continues with the discussion on Antibiotic stewardship, with more great information on virus treatment and prevention. 

Chelsea is here to educate us on Antibiotic Stewardship, safe practices for antibiotic use and when it's appropriate to use one versus how to treat a viral illness.

LP is a Pediatric Hospitalist and is sharing her experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic and the second wave's impact on children becoming sicker than last year.  She gives us some advice on how to stay safe and protect ourselves and our children.  She also gives us encouragement and motivation so we can stop feeling so divided and polarized at a time when we should stick together, support each other as one nation, and get through this difficult and scary time. 

Mary, MD and Mahvash, MD get together again.  This time to educate about vaccine history, how vaccines came to be and how they work, including the recently developed COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. We also talk about the pathophysiology behind COVID-19 and how variants happen, broken down in simple language so that everybody has a fair chance to understand how things work. We provide some advice on how to help this pandemic come to an end and make some recommendations for school and for kids. We also debunk some of the common myths about the vaccine.  Hopefully this episode will help demystify and alleviate some fears as well as provide much needed education and resources during this confusing and scary time. 

Mary and I continue our conversation about the current mental health crisis.  We discuss how to help  prevent and treat our youth who are suffering from these issues. 

Mary is a licensed clinical social worker.  We are talking today about the breakdown in mental health amongst our youth in today's world. 

Marcia is a Registered Nurse and mother of two.  She also works as a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner. Today we are discussing the painful topic of sexual abuse : prevention, recognition, and healing for all pediatric and adolescent age groups. 

Matt is the father of two boys. He is sharing some challenges and tips when raising good kids in this modern world, particularly the challenges of spending time as a single Dad. 

Welcome to the Village! This show  is about all aspects of child health and how all members of the community have a role in how a child is raised.  We will be talking about medical, emotional, spiritual, and psychosocial aspects with members of our community. 

Ashley is a registered nurse and mother of two.  We are talking today about the benefits of teaching your kids skills and encouraging them to have hobbies so they can grow into well rounded, empathetic, and overall healthy people. 

Labor and delivery nurses "birth junkies" Erin and Brittany talk about home birth and breastfeeding as well as resources for new moms. 

Arshia is a Pediatric palliative care physician.  She is here to inform and educate us about the field of palliative care, for children with chronic or serious illnesses, and how there are many  resources and supports for them and their families.