VIM Newsletter Winter2016 for web(1)

CARICNGARFRINEEGLYFFROERETLHYEFUONRINSURED VOICES
WINTER 2016
Volunteers in Medicine

Eating Well VIM SUMMER “SPEAKEASY” GALA
for a Pain-Free Life A SMASHING SUCCESS

Nancy Fernandez Mills Knock three times and whisper the password "VIM" allowed you to enter a
Certified Integrative Health Coach dazzling Speakeasy. Women in flapper dress – slim black dresses with fringe,
long strings of pearls and feathered headbands – and men in black shirts, ties
“Feet, forks, and fingers are the and fedoras greeted the more than 170 guests at the Annual Volunteers in
master levers of medical destiny.” Medicine GALA. Gala Chair Patricia Hubbard and her dynamic and hard-
working committee presented an exceptional evening.
David L Katz, MD, MPH Cont' d on page 5
Director, Yale University Prevention Research Center
Someone You Know Needs Your Help Now
This quote from Dr. David Katz captures
the compelling wisdom of “lifestyle Arthur Peisner, Chair of the Board of Trustees
medicine”: we have the power to lower In our last issue of Voices, I wrote about some of the outstanding
our lifetime risk of major chronic illness by accomplishments of the previous 12 months . . .
80% and by so doing, dramatically reduce
the personal and global burden of heart
disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia and
many cancers…and live without chronic
pain.

You can practice this kind of
preventive medicine. Begin today
by using your feet to exercise, using
your fingers to let go of that cigarette
and using your fork to put healthier
food into your body.
Good food choices will help prevent
chronic inflammation, the root cause of so
many serious illnesses and a source of pain
in the body. The Anti-Inflammatory Diet
can help stabilize blood sugar, balance
our Omega fatty acid intake, improve
digestion and elimination and increase
metabolism.

Cont' d on page 2

• a successful capital fundraising campaign that raised over $300,000;

• a spectacular expansion and renovation of our clinic (if you haven’t
seen it yet, you must stop by for a tour on your next visit to Guido’s,
Big Y or the Great Barrington Bagel Company – we’re right next
door);
Cont' d on page 4

VIM Berkshires Welcomes first. I think it’s very important if you’re • “The most important part of the job
Robert Davenport, MD taking on a leadership role that you roll for me is the absolute gratitude I get
as Medical Director up your sleeves and be in the trenches from the patients. These are honest,
like everyone else.” hard-working individuals who
Nancy Fernandez Mills Dr. Davenport is VIM’s first paid contribute a lot to our society. They
Medical Director. don’t feel entitled to our services…
When Bob Davenport’s career in primary “The Board decided that new federal they’re so grateful and I find that
and family care was winding down, regulations require more oversight,” said very rewarding in itself.”
he heard about an opportunity to get Davenport. “I’ll be reviewing VIM’s
involved with Volunteers in Medicine quality assurance protocols, writing Davenport is impressed with the
Berkshires from his supervisors at new telephone triage procedures and integrative model of care at VIM
Berkshire Health Systems. monitoring compliance with all the rules Berkshires and loves the fact that
“I was with Hillcrest Family Health and regulations.” dentistry, nutrition, mental health,
Systems in Pittsfield until I retired,” said Davenport went to the University of optometry, acupuncture and massage are
Dr. Davenport. “When I heard about Kentucky Medical School and then all provided in one location.
a possible job at VIM as a part-time worked for two years in the public health “To have all that in one place, where
Medical Director, I decided to volunteer service. the patient is not having to be shuttled
here to see patients for about six months “I had always lived in small towns and from one location to another, I think is
I envisioned my medical career in a a phenomenal experience and is really a
small town,” he said. “I opened a private model that should be emulated.”
practice in Valatie, New York in 1998
and later moved into a practice group Ilana Steinhauer and Robert Davenport
now known as St. Peter’s Partners.”
Davenport and his wife Robby,
a native of the Berkshires, live in
Lenox. He is enjoying his work
at VIM, combining his paid
administrative role with serving as a
volunteer primary care physician.

Eating Well for a Pain-Free Life Cont'd from page 1

When we are injured, we experience the body’s healing ask them to use olive or canola oil in dressings or for cooking.
inflammatory response – local redness, heat, swelling and All of these foods contain healthy Omega-3 fatty acids.
pain. However, a chronic state of internal inflammation Most people get too many Omega-6 fatty acids from eating
doesn’t heal; rather, it causes pain and disease. Sources processed foods and snack foods that are made with partially
of chronic inflammation are high levels of stress, lack of hydrogenated vegetable oil. Adding healthy Omega-3 foods
exercise, toxins from sources like tobacco and a poor diet. will help bring the body into balance.

So…what to eat and what to avoid? As a health The largest source of nutrients in the Anti-Inflammatory Diet
coach and nutrition counselor at VIM, I like to is fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables. (Frozen produce is
encourage our patients to add healthy food to their fine too during winter months.) We need to eat a minimum
diets first and then begin to eliminate the foods of four or five servings of veggies and four or five of fruits
that are not providing the nutrition they need. every day. Colorful plant foods are full of the vitamins and
antioxidants we need for optimal health.
First, I suggest adding more healthy fats to their diet…
Next, think about limiting lean meats and skinless
trying fatty fish such as wild salmon or black cod, adding
some walnuts on a bowl of morning oatmeal and throwing poultry dishes to just two or three a week, substituting
some avocado slices and flaxseeds onto a lunchtime salad. I
Cont' d on page 3

Estate There are many ways to ensure ongoing support for the critical work of
Planning VIM Berkshires. One convenient way is to include VIM Berkshires in your estate
planning decisions. A charitable bequest can be an enduring legacy recognizing the
essentialroleweallplayinmakingtheBerkshiresvibrantandhealthyforyearstocome.
Please call Jeff Bliss at 413-528-4014 to learn more.

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Eating Well for a Pain-Free Life Cont'd from page 2

vegetable sources of protein like beans, legumes and lentils. body functioning at optimal levels. Water in unsweetened
As the weather cools, it’s a good time to make some delicious tea, sparkling water or water with a small amount of fruit
vegetable lentil soup that you can reheat and enjoy at lunch juice added for flavor is fine.
or dinner. Other sources of protein are free-range chicken Finally, there’s the “what to avoid” list, foods that lead
eggs and high quality cheeses and yogurt…organic, local to unstable blood sugar and lots of inflammation: soda,
sources are the best. processed foods, fast foods, processed meats high in nitrates,
foods made with high fructose corn syrup and a long list of
Adding certain spices and herbs to your diet can also help “food like substances” that are added to extend the shelf life
calm the inflammatory response and make food taste better. of so many processed foods.
Turmeric and ginger are powerful, natural anti-inflammatory I’ve seen first hand how the Anti-Inflammatory Diet works,
agents, and garlic, basil, cinnamon, rosemary and thyme are both for family members and for my patients at VIM. One
also recommended. patient recently told me she had cut her intake of red meat –
burgers, steaks, pork chops – from more than once a day to
Whole grain cereals and breads can be part of your daily just a couple of times a week. She felt her joint pain almost
diet – three to five servings a day. If the grains are packaged, disappear. When she cut out soda and started drinking more
make sure you read the label and see that the first ingredient water and herbal teas, her daily headache was gone. When
is whole wheat, not “wheat.” We need lots of fiber to help she added homemade soups and more salad to her diet, she
maintain good health and avoid inflammation. lost seven pounds and had more energy.

Last, and not least for chocolate fans, dark chocolate is We have the power to feel better, help control
our pain levels and avoid chronic illness. Paying
good for you if you eat just a bit as a treat each day. Red attention, planning our meals, eating mindfully
wine is also fine if you consume alcohol. Dr. Andrew Weil and filling up on fresh, wholesome foods can
includes one or two glasses a day in his anti-inflammatory put us on a path to a healthier, pain-free life.
diet pyramid. (www.drweil.com)

Other liquids are more important however, and the number
one liquid is water. We all need to stay hydrated throughout
the day to avoid headaches and muscle aches and to keep the

NEW SPACES, NEW FACES, NEWS!

VIM is delighted to announce an exciting array of news: new programs, new faces, new titles and VIM in the news.

Congratulations to all!

Robert Davenport, MD We are pleased to welcome three new members of the Board of Trustees:
has been appointed our Larry Hazzard, (highlighted in an article in this edition);
first salaried Medical Di- Susan Shoval, President of Shoval Enterprises, a commercial real estate investment company
rector, and Whitney with properties in New York, Pennsylvania and the Berkshires, and a Director of Highmark
Smith, RDH, appointed (a Blue Cross Blue Shield company and the largest health insurer in Pennsylvania and West
as our new Dental Practice Virginia); and
Manager. Both are high- Steve Bernstein, a principal in Bernkam Holdings, LLC and S. Bernstein Consulting, LLC. 
lighted in articles in this Susan and Steve will be profiled in our next edition.
issue.

With our appreciation, The impres- The third Shared Medical Appointment Finally, in response to their out-
Jessie Schoonmaker, who sive new clinic (SMA) will be initiated this month. This standing service and expanded re-
resigned from the board, space has been pioneering program will bring together sponsibilities, three staff members
has been named an Emer- completed and women who face metabolic problems, have been recognized with new
ita member of the Board of is fully occu- such as obesity and pre-diabetes, for titles:
Trustees. pied with new individual assessment and then group Ilana Steinhauer has been named
Our innovative program for and expanded educational and support discussions. Director of Medical Services
helping people with chron- programs and Previous sessions for both men and Susan Minnich is now the
ic pain was highlighted providers women with challenging medical Human Resources Manager and
in the Berkshire Eagle on Thanks to all of concerns have been a great success and Robert Olsen has been named
October 5, 2016. you who made have provided significant assistance to Operations Manager.
this possible! the participants.

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Someone You Know Needs Your Help Now

Cont' d from page 1

MEET WHITNEY SMITH, RDH, • the launching of a Substance Abuse Disorder and integrated pain
NEWLY APPOINTED DENTAL management program in conjunction with Berkshire Health Systems;

PRACTICE MANAGER • a new social determinants of health program with the Berkshire
Community Action Council and 27 other area organizations to refer
“For many of our patients, VIM is the first our patients for essential non-medical services that can impact their
dental appointment they have ever had and health;
they can see the difference immediately.”
Explaining that dental health is an essential • therecognitionofoneofourvolunteerphysiciansastheMassachusetts
component to good overall health, Whitney Medical Society’s Senior Volunteer Physician of the Year;
Smith, RDH, newly appointed Dental
Practice Manager, is looking forward to the • a $100,000 four-year commitment by one of our devoted supporters;
challenges her new position provides. Ms. and many others.
Smith has been an active volunteer at VIM
for the past three years, and will continue We are, indeed, humbled by these events. But we are also awed by the
as a volunteer hygienist while also fulfilling challenge of continuing to maintain our high standard of care amid the
her responsibilities as Practice Manager. The ever-rising costs of operation.
bustling clinic includes seven dentists, two The much-needed expansion of the facility, by nearly two-thirds, brings
hygienists, and two assistants, with services with it, of course, an increase in rent and other occupancy related expenses
provided every day. by a similar percentage – almost $60,000 in that area alone. Further, in
order to support our incredible volunteers, we have had to expand our paid
Ms. Smith explains that dental pain as well as staff, adding a part-time Medical Director and a part-time Dental Practice
embarrassment about appearance can present Manager. This is in addition to new support staff for our pain management,
challenges to finding and keeping employment, shared medical appointments and social determinants of health programs.
as well as having a significant negative impact In total, a budget increase of more than $100,000 to almost $850,000!
on quality of life. Most people do not have All without government support or insurance reimbursement. We need
dental insurance, and finding affordable dental your increased support to ensure that we can continue to meet the growing
services on a low income is daunting at best, challenges of healthcare for the underserved.
and an immovable obstacle at worst.
As you are enjoying what I hope is a fun and festive holiday season, in the true
With a Master’s Degree in Dental Hygiene, spirit of that season I know you will think about those who are working to
and a very full agenda of commitments, she help make your life better, whether by working in your favorite restaurant,
welcomes this newly created position that will mowing your lawn or shoveling your walk, cleaning your house or looking
encompass operational supervision, as well as for some way to get by as construction and farming jobs slow down during
maintaining a high level of Quality Assurance the winter months. They are the ones for whom our volunteers provide the
for all services. In addition to her volunteer highest quality free health care services. They are the ones we help connect
work at VIM, Ms. Smith is employed as a to fuel and housing assistance. They are the ones who depend on VIM to
hygienist in a private practice and coordinates keep them healthy and working to support the tourist and arts economy
tutoring for nursing students at Berkshire that is so essential to our Berkshire community. They are the ones that are
Community College. depending on you to keep VIM going.

Welcome Whitney! Last year at this time, in addition to your year-end gift, many of you made
additional contributions to the capital campaign, for which we are very
grateful. Our hope is that you will consider incorporating that added gift
into this year’s contribution as well, as I, along with other board members
have already done, to help cover some of the added operating expenses
mentioned above. If you were unable to participate in the capital campaign,
perhaps you will consider a modest increase in your annual donation. Or, if
you have not yet joined the list of more than 800 donors who support VIM
annually, now would be a great time to start.

Wishing you and your family warm and joyous holidays and a healthy and
happy new year.

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VIM SUMMER “SPEAKEASY” GALA A SMASHING SUCCESS

Cont' d from page 1

Cover Photo: Frani & Al Rothman, Barbara Seideman. Left Side to bottom: L to R: Dr. Diane Singer, Dale Webb, Phyllis Webb, Sally Haver, Dr. Walter Scott, and
Dr. Ellen Rowntree; Turbi & Paul Smilow, MD; Ken DeLoreto, Frani Rothman, Ritch Holben. Right Side to bottom: Gala flappers: L to R: Joan Hobart and friends;
Susan Peisner & Jane Salamon; Patricia Hubbard; L to R: Steve Bernstein, Ilana Steinhauer, FNP, Molly Sheriff, Margot Rockefeller, Elaine Roberts, Bernie Roberts

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VOLUNTEER CLINICAL TEAM MEETS Tributes

Susan Minnich, Human Resources Manager VIM is pleased to accept contributions
recognizing honors, special occasions
Energy and enthusiasm levels were high on the evening of October 20 when
about 30 VIM direct-care providers gathered in the clinic. This was the first and memorials.
time that clinical volunteers from the medical, mental health, optometry, nutri-
tion and dental teams met as a group, with the main goal to promote and better In Honor of Nancy Bernstein’s Birthday
understand opportu- Mr. & Mrs. Baker and Mr. & Mrs. Schwartz
nities for integrated In Honor of the Rev. Elizabeth Goodman
services. Barton Jones
In Honor of Turbi Smilow’s Birthday
One of the defining Jay & Betty Reba
aspects of VIM is the In Honor of Turbi & Paul Smilow
number of volunteers Ileen Cohen
involved, their varied In Honor of Arthur Peisner
professional back- Neil & Mindy Tucker
grounds and training. In Honor of Fred Bunger’s Birthday
Volunteers’ diverse Nancy & Steven Bernstein
skills and numbers Left to right: Jeff Blake, Linda Baxter, Nancy Fernandez Mills, In Honor of Mr. & Mrs. Alan Salamon
have created the Carole Owens, Kenneth Mayer, David Lippman Allan & Ruth Goldstein
strong, integrated program that we offer. Most come on a specific day of the In Honor of the 50th Wedding Anniversary
week, sometimes on a weekly or biweekly basis. That builds continuity for the of Dorie & George Sorter
day’s teams, and continuity for the patients. But that also means that volunteers Patricia Igoe
often don’t have an opportunity to get to know others, whose schedules don’t In Honor of the Bar Mitzvah of Elaine &
overlap. Bernard Roberts’ Grandson Levi
Working together, the clinic has grown tremendously in the past year or two: Frani & Al Rothman
grown in services offered, grown in number of providers, grown in patient vis- Nancy & Steven Bernstein
its. With this growth we constantly aim to ensure that our patient-centered In Honor of Elaine & Bernard Roberts
system is based on high quality and effective communication among caregivers Margot Stein, Myriam Klotz, Samm and Raffi
… caregivers who often don’t have a chance to meet face-to-face. In Honor of Dr. Robert &
Laura Friedman’s New Home
The meeting agenda was packed, so social time to enjoy snacks and chat with Kathy Segall
other providers was limited. But even that limited time gave volunteers whose In Honor of Dr. Robert & Laura Friedman
schedules might never overlap a chance to meet and touch base with each other; Stephen & Madalyn Friedberg
to put a face to a name that they may have only heard; to meet other providers. In Honor of the Upcoming Wedding of
Medical Services Director Ilana Steinhauer, FNP, led the meeting, underlining Beth Laster-Nathan & Michael Nathan’s
the importance of integrated services to our patients’ well-being. The more in- Daughter
formed providers are, the more they are able to speak with their patients about Frani & Al Rothman
utilizing those other modalities. Steinhauer reviewed all the services VIM of- In Honor of Denyse &
fers, including the newest, our participation in BHS’s Social Determinants of Harold Adler’s Anniversary
Health Program, in which aspects of daily life that influence health, such as Tracey Taylor
food insecurity or lack of adequate heat, are addressed. She also offered meth- In Honor of Nancy & Steven Bernstein
ods for VIM providers to make cross-discipline referrals. Carol Billet-Fessler
In Honor of the 60th Anniversary
Her hope is that every clinical volunteer is aware of other services available that of Nelda & Jim McGraw
would help their patients, and knows how to access those services. The goal is Toni Front
better communications and so better integrated services. Robert & Joan Rubinstein
In Honor of Steven Picheny’s Birthday
The meeting went on to review new clinic- Arielle Picheny & Jeff Dufour
wide procedures for quality assurance and risk In Honor of Jack Budnick
management, then broke into team meetings Anne & Nelson Hershman
of individual services, during which specific In Honor of Leonard & Dianne Salamon
methods of implementing QA and risk man- Anne & A. Cope Garrett
agement procedures into each team’s work In Memory of Dr. Phillip Schneider
were discussed. Sarah Papier, Ph.D.
Donations through October 25, 2016 are
Doug Hyde and Steve Wittenberg The plan is to arrange regular semi-annual included. To send a card in memory or honor
meetings, so that this mix of social time and while making a much appreciated contribution,
clinical work will become a regular part of the please call VIM at 413-528-4014.
VIM community.

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MEET NEW BOARD MEMBER,
LARRY HAZZARD

Like many transplants to the bucolic Berkshires, Larry Hazzard was somewhat surprised
to find that, in addition to the glittering arts and music scene, there was a significant
community of need as well. Arriving from Enfield, Connecticut, he was recruited in 2007
to join Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and now serves as Vice President,
Product Strategy, Disability Income.
His work with disability insurance made him aware of how many people could have avoided
disabilities of such magnitude if only they had earlier intervention in their illnesses – how
different the outcome may have been. So, VIM Berkshires was a natural fit, in addition to
his long-standing interest in medicine and healthcare.
Larry also recognizes the obstacles that face those without healthcare insurance or increasingly unmanageable high deductibles.
He has found VIM, like Guardian Life, to be a “family” atmosphere where goals are shared and commitment to service is high.
He was also delighted to find the VIM Board of Trustees to be an active, engaged and forward looking group.
Following his graduation with an M.B.A .from Albany College, Larry married Kristine, who shares his commitment to serving
the people of the Berkshires. She is the President and CEO of United Way of the Berkshires, and most recently was awarded
the Berkshire Business and Professional Women’s 2016-17 Woman of Achievement Award.
Larry and Kristine enjoy living in Hinsdale. They have two grown children and one adorable, much loved new grandchild.

Volunteers in Medicine

provides – and will continue to provide – access to free health care for those in
need without regard to the immigration status of our patients.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES The cost of VIM VOICES is underwritten in STAFF
part by a grant from Lee Bank.
Chairman Jeff Bliss
Arthur M. Peisner VOICES Editor: Denyse Adler Director of Development
Photographer: Tricia Bevan Robert Davenport, MD
Vice-Chairman
Ellen Rowntree, MD We welcome your suggestions about what you would Medical Director
like to see in VOICES in the future; what you like Natalia DeRuzzio
Treasurer Community Health Worker
Dan Burke, CPA and what you do not. Please contact Denyse at
[email protected]. All comments are welcome! Pat Levine
Secretary Grants Coordinator
The Rev. Elizabeth Goodman Please visit our website Jennifer Lilenthal
vimberkshires.org! Development Assistant
Denyse Adler Marleny McCauley
Steve Bernstein Patient Services Coordinator
Jeffrey W. Blake, MD
Larry Hazzard Susan Minnich
Human Resources Manager
Alice Lustig
Matthew B. Mandel, MD Robert Olsen
Operations Manager
Robert L. W. McGraw
Nancy Fernandez Mills Gladis Rave
Medical Assistant
Jane L. Salamon Margot Rockefeller
Susan Shoval Dental Care Coordinator
Whitney Smith
Marion A. Simon Dental Practice Manager

Emeritus Alex Staropoli
Steven Picheny Dental Assistant
Jessie Schoonmaker Ilana Steinhauer, FNP
Paul Smilow, MD Director of Medical Services

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CARICNGARFRINEEGLYFFROERETLHYEFUONRINSURED VOICES Non-Profit Org.
WINTER 2016 U.S. POSTAGE

PAID
PERMIT #95
GT. BARRINGTON

MA 01230

The Volunteers In Medicine Berkshires free clinic provides access to quality health care for
income qualified, uninsured residents of the Berkshire region in a respectful and caring manner.

777 South Main Street, Suite 4, Great Barrington, MA 01230
Tel.: 413-528-4014 Fax: 413-528-3996
vimberkshires.org

The VIM Coupon Book 2016 … Now only $15! Cou2p0o1n7BVoIoMk
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