Health Quest

Fall 2014

My Health Quest is a comprehensive magazine with all the health tips you need to stay on the path to a healthier you, while also educating you about the health and medical resources available right here in your community.

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Health Quest 13 If a serious illness renders you unable to communicate with others or to make decisions regarding your health care, your advance directive informs medical providers how you would like treatment or management to proceed. "An advance directive doesn't replace your own judgment—it details your decisions for others to honor," says Mickey O'Neill, RN, director of utilization management at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. "You might also wish to designate a healthcare proxy— someone you authorize to make medical decisions for you if you're mentally or physically incapacitated." An important type of advance directive in New York state— particularly for those facing chronic disease—is the Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST). After an individual completes the MOLST form in conjunction with a physician, all medical providers are required to follow the instructions in the document regarding resuscitation, treatment and other issues of prolonging life. IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE COMPLETING A MOLST OR HEALTHCARE PROXY FORM, ASK YOUR PHYSICIAN TO DIRECT YOU TO A CARE MANAGER, OR FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.HEALTH.NY.GOV/PROFESSIONALS/PATIENTS/PATIENT_ RIGHTS/MOLST. Priceless An advance directive can give you and your loved ones peace of mind during some of life's most difficult moments. PLANNING Caroline Pace wants to be a pharmacist. Jonathan Baccay wants to be a physician. Both high school students are one step closer to realizing their dreams after spending the summer as junior volunteers at PHC. "It's a good start for college," says Pace, 15, a sophomore at Mahopac High School. "I got to learn from the pharmacists so I know how to plan for the future." Baccay, 14, a sophomore at Fox Lane High School, also says he gleaned valuable information for his future in medicine. "It was interesting to see the inner workings of the hospital—doctors interacting with patients and what various types of medical equipment are used for," Baccay says. Pace and Baccay were among the 60 busy junior volunteers who spent most of the summer performing a variety of tasks from transporting patients to delivering medications to shadowing clinicians. "I really liked interacting with the patients and helping them out," Pace says. e hospital's Volunteer Services department is looking for junior volunteers to serve throughout the fall and winter. Adult volunteers are also needed. "Please spread the word to friends, family and neighbors that PHC is a great place to volunteer," says Michelle Piazza, director of Volunteer Services at PHC. "ere are many openings in all areas—in the hospital or off-site at one of our thrift shops." Some areas that need coverage include the gift shop, reception desks, escort/transport, Ambulatory Surgery Unit, friendly visitors, clerical support, data entry, and retail sales in the Eagle Eye thrift shops in Brewster and Mahopac. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE HOSPITAL'S VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AND FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO APPLY, PLEASE CONTACT MICHELLE PIAZZA AT (845) 279-5711, EXT. 2453 OR BY EMAIL AT MPIAZZA@HEALTH-QUEST.ORG. A SUMMER The Junior Volunteer program at Putnam Hospital Center helps budding medical professionals kick-start their careers. WELL SPENT DO YOU KNOW WHAT A MOLST IS? Putnam Hospital Center Junior Volunteers Caroline Pace (left) and Jonathan Baccay (right)

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