13134 Cornerstone 2.07 New - Winthrop University Hospital

Winter 2006 • 2007
Institute for Specialty Care
Weight Management Program
Takes Aim at Obesity
At 49, Walter Strack was a prime candidate
for an early death. Weighing
511 pounds, he was vulnerable to
stroke, cardiac disease and diabetes.
With a long list of ailments, including
high blood pressure, he was taking
five different medications and needed
a cane for support when he walked on
his severely swollen legs.
“I felt old,” he said. “I had no
energy, it was hard for me to move, I
needed seatbelt extensions so I could
drive legally, and I couldn’t fit comfortably
into a chair with arms.”
Along with about 30% — 60 million
people — of the U.S. population, Mr.
Strack was dangerously overweight.
Taking aim in the battle against
obesity, which the National Institutes
of Health claims has reached epidemic
proportions, Winthrop’s Weight
Management Program — a comprehensive,
medically supervised weight
loss and health enhancement program
for adults — provides a healthy way
to lose weight and develop a new,
healthier outlook on life.
That’s just what Mr. Strack needed.
“I tried many diets, but nothing
really worked,” he said. “I even considered
surgery, but didn’t want to take
the risk. One day I decided to stop
feeling sorry for myself. I have seven
children, and I wanted to live. It was a
no brainer.” He joined Winthrop’s
Weight Management Program, and
made what he calls a life-long commitment
to improving his health.
Over the past decade, the Program
has helped thousands of people turn
their lives around, including Joseph
Greensher, MD, Winthrop’s Medical
Director, and Valerie Terzano, RN, the
Hospital’s Vice President for Nursing.
“As a role model for nurses, I had to
set a positive example,” she said. “It
gets easier every day. The important
4 Cornerstone
thing is to keep your
goal in mind.”
The Program’s
weight-loss process
begins with a referral
from the participant’s
primary care physician
and includes
blood tests, an EKG
and medical clearance
from one of the
Program’s physicians.
After orientation,
the next 12-16 weeks
focus on initial weight loss.
Participants follow a liquid “Full Fast,”
including a minimum of five daily
shakes, or the “Healthy Solutions” program,
a modified diet involving a mix of
shakes, entrees and fruits and vegetables.
“Our diet provides structure and
adequate nutrition while eliminating
the need to weigh or measure foods,”
explained Donna Norkaitis-Gerrity, MS,
RD, CDN, Program Coordinator and
Director of Nutritional Counseling.
“When the plan is followed, participants
are successful,” she added. “Their
success touches me on a personal level.
One little girl sent me a note after her
father lost weight, saying, ‘Thanks for
giving my daddy back to me.’”
Joan Cotelidis is another of the
Program’s many success stories. “I’ve
gone from a size 18W to a 12,” she
reported. “Now, I hold my head up higher
and feel more confident. Donna has
taught me a lot, especially that you must
be physically active otherwise the weight
will come back with a vengeance.”
To help maintain their successful
weight loss, participants also are
required to attend weekly counseling/behavior
modification sessions,
where they find support and discuss a
wide range of topics.
“Not only does our Program lead
Walter Strack (above),
before the Weight
Management Program
and today, with Program Coordinator,
Donna Norkaitis-Gerrity.
to weight loss, but more importantly,
participants can gain control of their
lives,” said Ms. Norkaitis-Gerrity.
“It forces them to step back and take
care of themselves for a change.”
Mr. Strack has certainly been
taking care of himself. Not only has
he changed his eating habits, but he’s
also transformed his attitude toward
physical activity. As an electronic surveillance
specialist in New York law
enforcement, his workday is sedentary.
“When I started the program, I couldn’t
do more than five minutes on my bike;
now I do an hour-and-a-half a day of
cardiac exercise, and sometimes more,
if I’m listening to good music.”
So far he has lost close to 200
pounds. “I’m not finished yet, but I
know I’ll be successful,” he said. “It
wasn’t easy at first, now it’s not hard.
I feel like I’m 25 again. My energy
level is unbelievable. I’m off meds
entirely. I don’t need to go to the Big
Man’s store anymore, and best of all,
they had to downsize my bulletproof
vest three times.”
For more information about
weight loss at Winthrop, call
(516) 663-DIET. ■