Aiming for 110% - Northeast Health

Aiming for 110%
In early May, 19-year-old college student,
Johanna Sno, was finishing up her sophomore
year at Daemen College and looking
forward to the summer break when the
unthinkable happened. While out with
friends, she slipped on a water bottle and
hit her head.
“I blacked out,” said Johanna
whose friends realized right
away that something was terribly
wrong ... she was totally unresponsive.
Johanna was transported to
the nearest medical center where
hospital staff determined she was
experiencing a stroke as a result of
her fall. Her frantic parents rushed
to Buffalo to be by their daughter’s
side in the first horrible hours after
the accident.
“When I finally woke up, my
entire left side was paralyzed ...
my face, down my arm and down
my leg. I was terrified.” In critical,
but stable condition, Johanna, a physical
therapy student at Daemen, spent the next
week or so in the intensive care unit at Millard
Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital in Buffalo
before being transferred to Sunnyview
Rehabilitation Hospital in Schenectady, not
far from her home in Ballston Spa.
“My parents and I were already familiar
with Sunnyview because my 17-year-old
sister is a volunteer there,” noted Johanna.
“By the time I arrived at Sunnyview, I was
able to talk, but still needed three people
to help me walk. And, my left hand was
totally useless.”
Thanks to the intensive physical rehabilitation
at Sunnyview, within two weeks at
Sunnyview, Johanna, a dancer for the past
16 years, started walking again --- first with
a hemi-walker, then with a cane, and eventually
unassisted. “I have physical therapist
Adrienne Fil to thank for getting me back
Johanna works with OT Leslie Bennett
with the Bioness H200.
to dancing during my therapy sessions,”
added Johanna who had danced with the
NYC Ballet.
Yet, she still had very little function in her
left hand and wrist.
Enter occupational therapist Leslie Bennett.
Leslie says working with Johanna was a new
challenge for her. “Most stroke patients I
work with are much older ... people in the
60s, 70s or 80s. Working with Johanna
pushed me to grow as a therapist ... I had
to design ways to prepare her to return to a
college environment.”
Leslie continues to utilize a variety of treatment
modalities with Johanna, including
the Bioness H200 system, made possible
through funding from the Wright Family
Foundation and the Broughton Foundation.
The Bioness H200 provides mild
electrical stimulation to restore function
to the hand, such as grasping,
and helps patients get the most
out of therapy.
“Johanna and her family are
amazing to work with ... I
couldn’t ask for a better patient
or a more supportive family,”
added Leslie.
In addition to her physical and
occupational therapy, Johanna
also continues outpatient speech
therapy with Kate Feiden, working
on cognitive skills that will
be helpful to her in school.
“Johanna is working on memory,
attention, organization and problem-solving
skills that will help her stay on track with
school projects, such as term papers,” said
Kate. “It’s basically teaching her to ‘think
about thinking’.”
As for her college major? Not surprisingly,
her experience has only made her more
determined to become a physical therapist.
“Right now, I’m taking a course at Hudson
Valley Community College, but I plan to
return to Daemen as soon as I can,” said
Johanna. “I’m more determined than ever ...
I need to be back 110 percent so I can
get back to school and to my dancing.”

editorial board
Edward J. Eisenman
Chief Executive Officer
Nancy E. Farnan
Director, Corporate Marketing/
Communications
Northeast Health
Pamela Welch
Marketing Manager
Corporate Marketing/
Communications
Northeast Health
Douglas Flint
Design & Production Manager
Corporate Marketing/
Communications
Northeast Health
Brian Foster, OTR/L
Vice President,
Rehabilitation Services
Kathleen Ziobrowski
Executive Director
Sunnyview Rehabilitation
Hospital Foundation
Rehabilitation Insight is a publication of Sunnyview
Rehabilitation Hospital. The goal is to bring timely
issues of acute medical rehabilitation, including
updates and advances of the hospital and its
foundation, to the forefront.
Welcome
It hardly seems possible that we are approaching
another holiday season ... and the end of
another year.
The year 2009 was filled with countless successes,
including the introduction in September
of The Neuro-Rehab Institute at Sunnyview
Rehabilitation Hospital.
What does that mean?
In the United States, only a handful of hospitals
are recognized “centers of excellence” in the
highly complex medical specialty of neurological
rehabilitation. The Neuro-Rehab Institute will more effectively communicate the
many critical services Sunnyview provides to this region, specifically in the areas
of stroke, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury.
With well over 2,000 discharges each year, we are the experts in rehab in this region.
In fact, I’m proud to say that our outcomes are unsurpassed in the Northeast.
With The Neuro-Rehab Institute, Sunnyview will focus on its core strengths,
organizing clinical and educational efforts to deliver the greatest benefit to our larger
community. With the launch of the institute, Sunnyview demonstrates its commitment
to excellence in clinical patient care; research; evidence-based practices and
pathways; education; and outreach activities.
In addition, Sunnyview has invested in state-of-the-art technologies, such as the
Bioness H200 and L300 systems, Lite Gait, and a computerized pressure mapping
system for wheelchair assessment that are truly at the forefront of modern science.
These technologies and others have been made possible through the generous
support of the Wright Family Foundation, the Broughton Foundation and other
donors. Thank you so much for your help and support.
Also, thank you to everyone who has helped make The Neuro-Rehab Institute
at Sunnyview possible — our physicians, nurses, therapists and staff. And, most
importantly, thank you to our patients and families for putting your trust in us.
Chip Eisenman
Chief Executive Officer
Address Change? Duplicate Mailings?
If your address has changed or if you receive more than one copy of
our newsletter, please alert the Foundation office at (518) 382-4586 or
sunnyviewfoundation@nehealth.com so that we can streamline our database.
Thank you!
Page 2

Sunnyview Profile: Kenneth Shapiro, MD
Kenneth Shapiro, MD, has always had a
fascination with the mechanics of body
movement and muscle function. It seemed
only natural that life’s course would lead him
to the field of rehabilitative medicine.
The son of an obstetrician, Dr. Shapiro
was influenced by individuals in the
healthcare field at an early age. He pursued
his master’s degree in exercise physiology
and sports sciences at the University
of Michigan and then considered returning
to school to become a physical therapist.
A close family friend and physiatrist
convinced him to pursue a career in
physiatry — physical medicine.
At age 28, Dr. Shapiro enrolled at Mount
Sinai School of Medicine where he earned
his medical degree. After completing his
post doctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins
University in 1989, the Bronx native and his
wife, Joan, relocated to Schenectady where
he joined the staff at Sunnyview Rehabilitation
Hospital as medical director of its brain
injury program.
Today, Dr. Shapiro and fellow physiatrist,
Vincent Somaio, MD, oversee the 30-bed
Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence
— part of the Neuro-Rehab Institute
at Sunnyview. Each year, Sunnyview cares
for hundreds of inpatients and outpatients
dealing with severe brain injuries.
Under Dr. Shapiro’s direction, the center
boasts outcomes far surpassing national
and regional benchmarks.
“Some people think that treating a patient
with a traumatic brain injury requires some
type of magic,” remarks Dr. Shapiro.
“It’s actually a collaborative process — one
which requires the skills and knowledge of
a highly motivated and professional interdisciplinary
team of rehabilitation experts,
including the physiatrist, rehabilitation
nurses specially trained in brain injury
rehabilitation, physical, occupational and
speech therapists, neuropsychologists, social
workers and educators.”
Dr. Shapiro relies on the unique expertise of
each member of his multifaceted rehabilitation
team to assess the patient and make his
recommendations for care.
Dr. Shapiro (center) with members of his rehabilitation
team. (L to r) Susan VanWie and Paul Novak.
Communicating with the nursing staff is
a key. Dr. Shapiro usually begins his day
by consulting with the rehabilitation nurses
who serve as the information “hub” for
each patient’s care. The nurse interacts
with all of the various members of the
patient’s rehabilitation team and is able
to provide a comprehensive snapshot of
the patient’s status.
Brain Injury Center of Excellence
A traumatic brain injury can result in
problems with movement, communication,
memory, vision, and thinking and reasoning
skills. Emotional and personality changes
can interfere with the individual’s ability to
successfully interact with others. The goal of
rehabilitation is to help the brain injury
survivor reach his or her fullest potential
both cognitively and socially.
“I begin treatment by evaluating
the patient’s medications and eliminating,
if possible, those that may interfere with
an already compromised brain. Due to a
hypermetabolic state, most brain injury
patients are constantly in a ‘fight-or-flight’
mode. I may prescribe medications to alleviate
the patient’s stress thus enabling him
to focus on rehabilitation. That’s when
the teamwork begins.”
Breakthroughs in brain injury research have
provided practitioners with a better understanding
of the areas in the brain affected
by traumatic injury and, according to Dr.
Shapiro, have led to new treatment techniques
and medications especially in the area
of sports concussion. He credits the exceptional
outcomes of the brain injury program
to the collaboration of Sunnyview’s expert
rehabilitation team.
Sunnyview’s Brain Injury Center of Excellence is recognized as an integrated program
for inpatients and outpatients providing a comprehensive continuum of care:
• Coma Recovery Program
• Inpatient Acute Rehabilitation Program
• Balance and gait training using the Lite-Gait System
• Outpatient Neurological Center
• Constraint-induced Movement Therapy Program
• Driving Center
• Sports Concussion Management Program
The Center is recognized by CARF (Commission on the Accreditation
of Rehabilitation Facilites) as a Brain Injury Specialty Program.
Page 3

Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation
Why a Wish List?
Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital maintains
a capital budget to purchase muchneeded
equipment. Every item from the
wish list that the Sunnyview Hospital Foundation
is able to fill is one less strain on our
not-for-profit budget.
Thank you for helping us fulfill our mission
to improve the lives of people with disabilities
and the lives of their families!
Top priority items needed:
Radiology $4,200
To purchase multiple imaging plates for our
X-ray machine. Instead of film, the plates
are used several hundred times with different
patients to produce the x-ray images read by
a laser, processed by a computer which goes
into the patient record. The image then gets
erased and the plate is placed in the x-ray
cassette again for the next patient use.
Orthopedics $900
To purchase a TV DVD/VCR combo for
patient education in the orthopedic unit.
Nursing $15,600
To purchase IV pumps and poles which
will safely and accurately infuse medications
to patients.
Hospital-wide $3,625 each (45 needed)
Sunnyview has used low-position beds successfully
to minimize the potential for injury
with patients who are at a risk of falling.
Increasing the number of beds will allow
Sunnyview to meet peak demand when
there is a large number of at-risk inpatients.
Hospital-wide $12,000
To enable Sunnyview to purchase patient
room televisions.
Audiology $3,900
The Audiology OAE (Otoaccoustic Emissions)
Screener is used for infant hearing
screenings. Otoaccoustic emissions are very
small sounds produced by a healthy human
cochlea. The cochlea takes an incoming
acoustic signal and sends information to
the brain. In doing so, it produces distortion
that can be measured objectively. Our
current equipment is outdated and can no
longer be supported.
Brain Injury/Stroke
$975 per unit
To purchase two neuromuscular electrical
stimulation units for patients with brain
injury or stroke used to reeducate movement
in a patient’s arms or legs.
Occupational Therapy $2,350
To purchase a portable kit containing
commonly used low vision training items
used by the therapist when conducting
home visits and community based vision
assessments.
Hospital-wide $3,500
The Bariatric Hoyer Mat Air Transfer
Device is used to safely transfer patients
from bed to wheelchair. For use with patients
who are non-weight bearing due
to coma, disability, etc.
6th Annual Bad Guyz Car Show
Despite the very hot weather, the 6 th Annual
Bad Guyz Car Show, presented at
the Midway Fire Company in Colonie on
Saturday, August 16, was a great success.
Partial proceeds went to Sunnyview Rehabilitation
Hospital’s audiology department
to benefit individuals with speech
and hearing impairments. The event is in
honor of the organizer’s grandson and the
staff at Sunnyview who helped him.
As part of the show, the favorite 25 picks
of cars and motorcycles were chosen,
as well as “Best of Show” and “Ladies’
Choice.” Attendees enjoyed 1950s and
1960s music all day. Thank you to all
who put your hard work into this show
every year and to those “rodders” who
came out to support a worthy cause!
Page 4

Planned Giving — Making a Lasting Impression
How many times has a law office called the
Sunnyview Foundation letting us know
that someone has named the Sunnyview
Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation in their
will and never notified the Foundation in
advance? PLENTY!!
There are many people out there who are
thankful to have Sunnyview in the community
and who recognize the fine work that
Sunnyview does in improving the lives of
people with disabilities and the lives of
their families.
But, when we are notified after the donor
has passed away, we are unable to thank him
or her. That is why we created The Legacy
Society ... to recognize people who have made
planned gifts to the Sunnyview Rehabilitation
Hospital Foundation and invite them to
special hospital events throughout the year.
You can make a provision in your will that
names Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital
Foundation. Your gift can be a percentage,
an actual dollar amount or residue of your
estate. A bequest to the Foundation is not
subject to taxation, and the value of your
bequest is deductible in determining your
taxable estate.
For an unrestricted bequest, which allows
the Foundation board to determine where
the gift is most needed, sample bequest
language may say:
I, (Name), of (city, state and zip code),
give, devise and bequeath to Sunnyview
Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation (written
amount or percentage of the estate or
description of property) for its unrestricted
use and purpose.
For a restricted bequest to a specific area
at Sunnyview:
I, (Name), of (city, state and zip code),
give, devise and bequeath to Sunnyview
Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation (written
amount or percentage of the estate
or description of property) to be used for
(state the purpose).
If at any time the particular area of the hospital
or fund becomes obsolete, the Foundation
board has the right to determine distribution
of the gift, unless otherwise stated
by you in the will. For instance, you can
Thank You to Our Youngest Philanthropist
Sunnyview patient Victoria Purcell celebrated
her 18 th birthday by giving back
to the very place that has helped her –
Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital.
In 2005, Victoria was scheduled for surgery
in a New York City hospital. While on the
operating table, she suffered a debilitating
stroke which left her unable to swallow, sit
or use her arms and legs. Victoria came to
Sunnyview on March 15 of that year and
spent three months working to regain use
of her body. In the past several years, she
has come a long way as both an inpatient
and an outpatient. On April 4, 2009,
Victoria, her friends and family created a
“tropical escape” for her birthday celebration
at Geppetto’s Restaurant in Schenectady.
In lieu of gifts, she asked that donations be
made to the Sunnyview Rehabilitation
Hospital Foundation to help others like
herself. Thank you, Victoria!
Sunnyview Foundation has a New Website!
Visit www.sunnyviewfoundation.org to learn all about the newest happenings
at Sunnyview Foundation!
state, should there be a change in (state purpose),
my gift will then be used for (alternate
stated purpose).
For a residuary bequest to the Foundation:
I, (Name), of (city, state and zip code),
give, devise and bequeath to Sunnyview
Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation the
rest, residue and remainder of my estate
after all debts, taxes and bequests have
been paid. You can also name a contingent
beneficiary. For instance, if you would
like “cousin Joe” to receive certain assets,
but he predeceases you, you may name a
secondary beneficiary such as the Sunnyview
Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation
to receive those assets upon your death.
Please call the Sunnyview Rehabilitation
Hospital Foundation at (518) 382-4586
for more information and to let us know
so that we can thank you now!
Our Apologies
We apologize to the following
donors who were left off our 2008
annual report:
Anastasia McConnell, RN Society
($10,000 - $24,999)
BBL Construction Services, LLC
The H. Schaffer Foundation
Duryee Society ($1,000 - $2,499)
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ringlee
Anna Electa Collins Society ($500 - $999)
Dr. and Mrs. Gary Williams
Ellis Rowe Society ($100 - $499)
Benefit Planning Services – Rich Capullo
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Christoff
Ms. Jo-Ann Costantino
Mr. Stefan Fosco
Mrs. Kathryn Greenwold
Mrs. Kim Locker
Ms. Renee Mills
Ms. Janice M. Smith
Ms. Chiecko Vititow
Page 5

Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation
2009 Bass Fishing Contest
The Schenectady Permanent Firemen’s
Association’s 2009 Bass Fishing Contest
was held on June 29 with proceeds benefiting
the Wright Family Center for Pediatric
Care at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital.
Congratulations to our winners:
Winners Circle:
Largest Fish (3 lbs. 11 oz.)
Kevin Woodrow
Schenectady Fire Department
Most Weight (12 lbs. 6 oz.)
Ron Walsh
Schenectady County Sheriffs Department
Also, thank you the generous donors of our many prizes:
20 North Tavern, Schenectady
Adirondack Beverage, Scotia
All Star Body Art, Scotia
Colon and Irene Bailey, Schenectady
Bass Pro Shop, Auburn
BL’s, Schenectady
Boscia’s Discount Liquor House, Schenectady
Brown’s Archery, Schenectady
Cabela’s, Sidney, NE
Cella Bistro, Schenectady
Country Wine & Liquor, Schenectady
CW Sealcoating, Scotia
David D. Mannix, Scotia
Daviero Power Washing, Schenectady
Dunzy’s Place, Schenectady
Eagle Claw Hooks, Denver, CO
Eric’s Men’s Hair Styling, Scotia
First National Bank of Scotia
Gershon’s Deli, Niskayuna
Glen Sanders Mansion, Scotia
Grapevine Liquor, Schenectady
Guidarelli’s Liquor, Schenectady
Hannaford of Glenville
Jumpin Jack’s Drive-In, Scotia
Katie O’Byrne’s, Schenectady
La Gioia, Schenectady
Manhattan Exchange, Schenectady
Marcellas Pizza, Glenville
Marino’s Pizza, Schenectady
Mark’s Tavern, Schenectady
Marshall and Sterling Insurance
Agency, Scotia
Mohawk Valley Marina, Alplaus
Mr. Mark’s Tents, Rotterdam Junction
Mr. Party, Schenectady
Nick’s Field and Stream, Schenectady
Nico’s Pizza, Schenectady
Niskayuna Permanent Firemens Association
Niskayuna Wine & Liquor, Niskayuna
NYS Lottery, Schenectady
Oliver’s Restaurant, Glenville
Pajak Landscaping, Schenectady
Perrecas Bakery, Schenectady
Regular’s Liquor, Scotia
Renato Barber Shop, Schenectady
Retired Association of Schenectady Permanent
Firefighters, Armond Capullo
Rotterdam Police Benevolent Association
Rudnick’s, Schenectady
Saratoga Springs Firemens Association
Local #343
Schenectady County Sheriffs Department
Schenectady Permanent Firemens Association
Starbucks of Route 7, Latham
Sunoco of Nott St., Schenectady
Taylor and Vadney, Schenectady
Tom Bayly, Niskayuna
Tool Shed, Schenectady
Uptown Beverage, Schenectady
Vincy’s Printing, Schenectady
WalMart of Glenville
Welcome New Board Members!
• Mark T. Clark, of Schenectady, is East
Coast account manager for Datacor
Inc. He also serves as president of the
RPI Football Alumni Association,
member of Schenectady’s YMCA
board, and is an active member with
the Mohawk Golf Club committees.
• Maureen Kim, of Niskayuna, is a
volunteer for Sunnyview and a member
of the hospital’s auxiliary. The former
registered nurse is also involved in
numerous community activities, including
arts and cultural events.
• Marsha Ras, MS, of Waterford, is
sole proprietor of Hall & Associates, a
coaching and career management
practice in Waterford. She has conducted
workshops and seminars throughout
New York State, as well as provided
career coaching for clients in New York
and New England.
• Kate Kosineski is assistant to Philip
Morris of Proctor’s Theatre in Schenectady.
She has been a community volunteer
for 20 years with a number of
local non-profits, including the Schenectady
Museum, Community
Hospice, Habitat for Humanity and
the Schenectady Symphony. She has
served on the boards of Catholic
Charities of Schenectady County
and YMCA Camp Chingachgook.
Page 6

VitalStim ® Helps
Restore Swallowing
In February 2009, a stroke left 59-year-old
Gary Antonelli of Niskayuna unable to
swallow or eat solid foods — a condition
known as dysphagia.
Dysphagia occurs when there is a problem
with any part of the swallowing process, and
is often the result of a stroke, brain injury or
other neurological condition. It may also occur
after radiation treatments or surgery, or
it can be a result of aging. With dysphagia,
eating often becomes a challenge and the
patient has difficulty taking in enough calories
and fluids to nourish his body.
Following his stroke, Gary was admitted
to Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital for
therapy. Tests indicated that Gary suffered
from severe dysphagia. Despite a recommendation
for a feeding tube, a determined Gary
continued to eat by mouth even though
he was regurgitating much of his food — a
common symptom. After receiving swallowing
therapy, he was discharged from Sunnyview
with a regular diet, but continued to
have difficulty swallowing and eating.
Gary returned to Sunnyview for outpatient
therapy where he received VitalStim ®
Therapy, made possible through gifts to
the Sunnyview Foundation. VitalStim ® is
designed to improve swallowing through
the use of neuromuscular electrical stimulation
(NMES). He received treatments
three times a week for three weeks. During
each session, his speech therapist attached
electrodes to his neck which provided
stimulation to his affected muscles. During
each session, he was served breakfast and his
therapist coached him through a series of
swallowing exercises as he ate.
At the conclusion of his VitalStim ® Therapy
treatments, Gary was able to swallow with
little difficulty. He is now able to enjoy his
meals without worrying about the symptoms
of dysphagia getting in the way.
The Neuro-Rehab Institute
at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital
The experts in rehab.
Over the last 10 years, a relatively new and specialized field of medicine
has brought life-changing advancements to rehabilitative care for patients
with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries or disabling stroke.
That specialty is neurological rehabilitation. And those pioneering
advancements are right here – at The Neuro-Rehab Institute
at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital.
Like the human brain itself, state-of-the-art neurological rehabilitation
is complex. It can encompass as many as a dozen different medical
disciplines. Only a handful of hospitals in the country can match
our staff, technologies and medical expertise. And even fewer are
nationally recognized as “centers of excellence.”
Every year hundreds of critical patients are referred to us from
throughout the Northeast. And working with our courageous patients,
we consistently achieve outcomes unsurpassed in the Northeast.
What sets Sunnyview apart is that rehabilitation isn’t something else
we do … it’s the only thing we do. Our integrated and tailored approach
is supported by technologies at the forefront of science.
A life-altering neurological injury requires nothing less than life-changing
therapy. That is why patients turn to the rehabilitation experts at
Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital.
Find out more. Go to expertsinrehab.com
Page 7

1270 Belmont Avenue
Schenectady, NY 12308
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Albany, NY
Permit # 370
The 21st Annual Hoffman Lecture, sponsored
by Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital,
was held on September 25 at Glen Eddy
in Niskayuna.
The lecture, which attracted 85 individuals,
is held each year in memory of Robert Hoffman,
MD, founder of the Department of
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and
the Department of Rheumatology at Sunnyview.
Dr. Hoffman’s vision was to encourage
professional and community-based dialogue
on important geriatric issues.
Entitled “Get the Facts About Stroke,” this
year’s lecture featured Lynne Nicolson, MD,
Vincent Somaio, MD, Robert Gillen, PhD,
and Alycia Gregory, MSW.
Health screenings for blood pressure, hearing,
vision, balance and driver reaction, as
well as massage therapy, were held prior to
the lecture.
10/09 9300 S
21st Annual Hoffman Lecture
Special thanks to the following
donors who supported this
year’s event: Mr. and Mrs. Clark
Gittinger, Heather Mauro, and
Jonathan Mariano Pfizer.
Presenters (l to r) Dr. Somaio,
Alycia Gregory, Dr. Nicolson
and Dr. Gillen.
Sunnyview staff provided
health screenings prior
to the lecture.