Claxton-Hepburn

Welcome, Drs. Thatte and Lele! A husband-and-wife medical team recently joined the staff at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center. PLEASE JOIN US in welcoming board-certied internal medicine physician Rashmi Thatte, MD, MPH, and board- certied hematologist-oncologist Uday Lele, MD, MPH, to the hospital's medical team. Dr. Thatte came to Claxton-Hepburn from her previous position as a hospitalist and member of Harvard Medical Faculty Physicians at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Milton, Massachusetts. In her new role, she will diagnose, coordinate, and manage health issues for patients hospitalized at Claxton-Hepburn. Dr. Thatte earned her medical degree from K.J. Somaiya Medical College and Research Centre in Mumbai, India, and received her Master of Public Health degree from The University of Texas Health ScienceCenter. She loves language and the arts and spends time outside of work maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family. With a background in hematology, medical oncology, clinical research, and teaching medical students, Dr. Lele accepted a position with Claxton- Hepburn's Richard E. Winter Cancer Center after completing a fellowship at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. He works closely with patients undergoing cancer treatment, helping them nd ways to manage symptoms and deal effectively and proactively with their ongoing diagnoses. Dr. Lele attended Lokmayna Tilak Municipal Medical College in Mumbai to earn his medical degree and received his Master of Public Health degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. He enjoys watching a good sports game and spending quality time with loved ones. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lele, call 315-393-2314. Rashmi Thatte, MD Uday Lele, MD Giving and Receiving Want to have fun, meet new people, and do good for your health—all while helping your friends and neighbors? Volunteering at Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center may be for you. VOLUNTEERS SERVE IN a variety of roles at Claxton- Hepburn. Some greet patients and visitors when they arrive at the medical center and direct them to their destinations. Others take the mobile magazine cart throughout the hospital so patients and families can select something to read. Still others work behind the scenes assisting hospital staff with clerical and other duties. Claxton-Hepburn's 35 volunteers contribute a total of 300 to 350 hours of service every month. Patients, their loved ones, and hospital staff aren't the only people who benet from the volunteers' efforts. Donating their time helps volunteers stay social and active in their community. Studies have linked volunteering with reducing rates of depression and helping seniors maintain independence. "So many volunteers tell me how much they enjoy interacting with patients," says Jim Michaels, executive director of the Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center Foundation. "They also love the camaraderie they have with each other and hospital employees. Volunteers make a big difference at Claxton- Hepburn—far bigger than even they know." Ready to take the first step toward becoming a volunteer? Contact Claxton-Hepburn Volunteer Coordinator Rondalyn Jacobs at 315-393-9175 or rjacobs@chmed.org. Volunteers receive a complimentary meal in the Cornerstone Café on the days they volunteer, a free annual flu shot, and access to the gym at Claxton-Hepburn, among other benefits. 4 Tomorrow is worth defending. L I V I N G W E L L 4 L I V I N G W E L L www.claxtonhepburn.org

• Cover