Swedish Institute • 151 W. 26th Street
New York, NY

The Swedish Institute, College of Health Sciences, is hosting a two-day Health Fair to bring attention to the community about the importance of hypertension screening – the leading cause of heart disease throughout the world.

Representatives from the school be will on hand to educate the public and offer free screenings and demonstrations. Medical Assistant students will provide on-site blood pressure evaluations, Advanced Personal Training students can perform fitness tests, while a faculty member from the Massage Therapy program will demonstrate massage techniques that can alleviate hypertension.

Using SimMan® technology, the nursing faculty will simulate how the body responds during cardiac arrest. Guests will also be able to tour the Surgical Technology lab and learn about the various medical equipment used in an operating room.

“We are offering our services to the community in honor of World Health Day, which marks the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization, whose theme for 2013 is high blood pressure,” says Dr. Joseph Balatbat, Director of Education.

Refreshments and informational materials will be offered.  All are free and open to the public.

Available for in-person interviews are Peter Neigler, COO/President, Dr. Joseph Balatbat, Director of Education, as well as the deans from each of the educational programs.

Dr Joseph Balabat

New York, New York - Dr. Joseph Balatbat, fondly referred to by his peers as Dr. J, has joined the Swedish Institute, College of Health Sciences, in New York City, as the Director of Education with more than fifteen years of experience in proprietary school supervision.

Dr. Balatbat is a pediatrician by profession.  He completed a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology and a Doctor of Medicine with high honors from the University of Santo Tomas Philippines.  He completed his residency training at St. Luke’s Medical Center NYC and became the chief resident during his last year of residency.

True to his commitment in anything that he is working on, Dr. Balatbat took and passed certification examinations in medical assisting (and phlebotomy technology) with the goal of understanding the programs being offered by the Swedish Institute – its focus, direction, and standards.  He has worked as a subject matter expert regarding curriculum development, test preparation, and book review.  Dr. Balatbat has earned many writing awards in the technical writing category from the American Medical Technologists (AMT).

As an academic leader, Dr. Balatbat oversees curriculum development and implementation, program accreditation, initiative retention strategies and engages students to participate in community outreach and service-learning activities.  He is passionate about faculty growth and professional development.

Dr. Balatbat firmly believes in giving back through community service by volunteering time at food shelters, and by engaging students and faculty to embrace service–learning as part of the student experience.  His undying support in research, raising awareness, funding campaigns, and finding a cure for Type I – juvenile (autoimmune) diabetes is immensely important to Dr. Balatbat.  He has been a staunch advocate in this cause for more than ten years.

Dr. J loves cats and is a huge Superman fan.

One might wonder what a massage therapist could do in a devastated neighborhood like the post-Sandy Rockaways. But there was Cate, calmly stirring her tuning bowl; Shing at his table, easing someone’s shoulder muscles; Susan over at her table stretching a receiver’s cramped leg; Fred and Rich at massage chairs, leaning into backs that were tight from days in cold, damp homes. The small group of therapists was focused and mostly silent as they worked, a unique presence in a warming tent near St. Francis Church.

Out in Belle Harbor, where Swedish Institute alumni volunteers will be offering massage for a few days, the ocean met the bay during the storm surge, covering the streets that crisscross the narrow channel of land. That night, many residents lost life as they knew it.

Helpers have descended: Trucks carry away mountains of sand and debris, electricians inspect homes before power can be restored, volunteers distribute stuff like food, clothing and supplies. But it is heart wrenching to realize that all of the “stuff” in the world will not be enough to heal Rockaway residents. Yes, there is rebuilding and replacing that needs to be done, but there are inner lives that need to be tended to as well. That’s where the massage therapists come in.

What massage therapists have to offer may not fill a material need, but has value because it can wordlessly encourage a receiver to be “at home” in his or her own body. Mindful rhythmic touch resonates with homeostasis, that innate sense of balance. If muscles can relax a bit, circulation and immune response may improve. People get up from the table and for the moment they can smile.

After a disaster, communities need an ocean of helpers. Massage therapists can play a vital role by attending to participant’s physical and emotional stress. One of our alumni volunteers, Fred Kinnard, suggested that community teams need to be trained and in place before disaster strikes. In fact, the AMTA New Jersey chapter just alerted members that the next meeting will offer a program for preparing leaders for emergency deployment.

If you want to volunteer

Alumni volunteers are coordinated by Meg Darnell, Dean of Alumni Services. For opportunities and updates, email her at mdarnell@swedishinstitute.edu, or go to either the Swedish Institute Alumni Volunteer page on Facebook, or to the Alumni Network (swedishgrad.com). See some of Meg’s photos from the Rockaways.

Classes at Swedish Institute resumed on Saturday, November 3, after a record-breaking week’s closing. Staff, faculty and students were understandably subdued, due to the shared sense of suffering and dislocation. The college is making some significant changes in scheduling and offering ways to help students who experienced storm related losses, in order to help them complete the semester.

Notices are being sent to students through their school email address and some are being posted on the school’s Facebook page. Jess Ferrante, Director of Student Services, has been available to meet with students who are having difficulties. She is also at work planning a school-wide blood drive and a bake sale to raise money, since the Red Cross is prioritizing those needs.

Students who have questions about class schedules, upcoming exams, or personal needs during this time can contact either Jess Ferrante at jferrante@swedishinstitute.edu and 212.924.5900 x117, or the dean of their program for assistance.

Gary Lee Williams will be offering upcoming classes on Ortho-Bionomy®, a form of bodywork with a reputation for being a gentle way to relieve pain. Though Ortho-Bionomy® is not as well known as other types of massage therapy, it is based on the philosophy of allowing the body to heal itself by inviting change rather than forcing a correction.

“Ortho-Bionomy® uses subtle, yet surprisingly powerful ways to bear witness to the body’s capacity to self-correct,” says Gary, a licensed massage therapist, advanced practitioner of Ortho-Bionomy®, and faculty member at Swedish Institute. “It is a postural and proprioceptive re-education system. For many long time practitioners, it is also a lifestyle, a philosophical viewpoint on how to be in ‘right relationship’ with our clients and with ourselves.”

Developed in the 1970’s by Arthur Lincoln Pauls, D.O., an osteopath and Judo instructor, Ortho-Bionomy® has its roots in osteopathic therapy, martial arts, and homeopathic principles.  “The Ortho-Bionomy® catalog of techniques includes working with joints, muscles, posture, organs, fluids, the cranium, and the nervous system,” Gary explains. “While it is a complete system of bodywork on its own, Ortho-Bionomy® blends beautifully with other types of bodywork, most often greatly enhancing other systems due to its versatility, ease and speed.”

Fundamentals of Ortho-Bionomy®: The Extremities will be held on October 27-28. Register online.

The October class is a prerequisite for Ortho-Bionomy®: Exploration of Movement Patterns, on December 1-2. Read more.

Information on Ortho-Bionomy® is available at www.ortho-bionomy.org

Dr. Moss sees the looming problem of eldercare as an issue which will affect us all. “Health care technology helps keep people alive for many years, but as a society we’re not prepared to manage the results of that. Back in the day, it was common for elderly parents to have to live with their children,” Dr. Moss explained. “But as the post-war standard of living improved, everyone dreamt that their parents would lead healthy lives and be independent.

“People today do live longer, with the help of medical technology taking them into their 80’s and 90’s. However, they also become frail and often face multiple chronic conditions, including, unfortunately, increasing dementia. We’re not talking about a few years, but maybe ten or more years of living in a frail condition. It’s ironic that as people live longer, their care may depend increasingly on their families, including a need to live with their children. Such a situation becomes a huge quality of life issue for family members and a major step backward in our standard of living.”

Philosophy to the Rescue?

Can thinking like a philosopher help us find creative solutions to the challenges?

“A philosopher approaches a problem by looking at it through as many sets of eyes as he or she can,” Dr. Moss explained. “In the case of eldercare, you have to look at it through the elder’s eyes, the young person’s eyes, the doctor’s eyes, the caregiver’s eyes, the insurer’s eyes, so you can understand how the problem impacts everyone. Then address the entire context, not just the needs of one interest group.”

The most important step, said Dr. Moss, “is to realize this is not a problem for the elderly, per se; it’s a problem for everyone. It’s universal. Wealth cannot protect you, because someone with a frail mother with dementia will be impacted, regardless of how much money they have.

“Once everyone realizes it’s a universal problem, then the politics of it gains more traction because everyone will want more funding for the solutions we need. The only way to get adequate funding is when both sides of the aisle and every strata of society—young to old—realize this is a priority for improving our standard of living.”

Dr. Moss invites students, faculty, alumni and the community to get involved in this discussion. Details about classroom discussions, personal stories, and suggestions can be emailed to him at henry@quadcollegegroup.com.

Background Brief

By 2029, all Baby Boomers will be at least 65. This group, totaling an estimated 70 million people, will have a significant impact on the health care system. Along with aging comes an increase in the incidence of frailty and neurodegenerative diseases. For instance, there are now 5 million people with Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S.; that number is projected to be 16 million by 2030.

The trend is global, as the world population over 60 is growing five times faster than the population as a whole. Rising costs coupled with recession make it increasingly difficult to sustain public health services for the elderly. This is the case across North America, Europe and Asia. (Dr. Henry Moss, chief academic officer of Swedish Institute, has written an extensive background report.)

Who will care for these people, and how will we afford it?

Emerging Team Based Approach

Organizations across many disciplines are looking for innovations that can help society brace for the onslaught of increasing needs. The challenge of providing care is not only about affordability, but also about capability. Studies predict the U.S. will need 36,000 geriatricians by 2030. Contrast this prediction with the fact that fewer than 320 physicians entered geriatric medicine fellowship training between 2004 and 2008. The American Geriatrics Society and other organizations suggest geriatric care may be better served by a team based approach.

One model that has emerged is called Geriatric Resources for Assessment and Care of Elders (GRACE), which pairs up a nurse practitioner and social worker who visit patients at home to assess their needs. Then a larger team—including a geriatrician, pharmacist and an exercise specialist—may develop a care plan. GRACE has successfully saved money by decreasing emergency room visits and admission rates for the sickest patients.

Caregivers as Part of the Team

Control of costs may rest on the shoulders of family caregivers. We already have a population of caregivers in this country that is almost 66 million strong—nearly 30% of adults take care of someone chronically ill, disabled or aging. These people provide unpaid services valued at $375 billion a year, according to the National Family Caregivers Association. This contribution can only be expected to grow.

Though family caregivers are critical and valuable, they are woefully unsupported. A recent study from AARP and the United Hospital Fund reported that almost half of family caregivers go beyond providing personal care and help with household chores and must perform nursing tasks such as administering IVs, giving injections and providing wound care. Caregivers said they often had to learn how to do such procedures “on their own” (Source: AARP Public Policy Institute).

Many professionals are committed to providing information and support for caregivers. The Eldercare Workforce Alliance calls for care models that offer “well-coordinated, person-directed and family-focused services across settings.” Caregivers should not feel they are on their own, but should be part of the team.

Innovative Ideas

Changes may be coming in how specialists are compensated, as a way to encourage health care professionals of all kinds to enter geriatrics. Some states now mandate coverage for telehealth services, which deliver interactive communication and education to people in their homes. Inspired by the well-known TED conference, a “community of people passionate about imagining the future of health and medicine” has created TEDMED. Visitors can participate in an online discussion about its 20 Top Challenges to Health and Medicine, which include the topics of caregiver crisis, end-of-life care and preparing for dementia.

Join the Discussion

Swedish Institute invites its community of faculty, students and alumni to join the discussion. Leave comments here, or email Henry Moss, the chief academic officer of Swedish Institute, at henry@quadcollegegroup.com.

Like other movements before it, the care of others is being prompted by an impending crisis. Worldwide there are currently 38 million people with dementia. Within 20 years that number is expected to nearly double to 65 million. Alzheimer’s associations have responded by creating Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), which incorporates the activities of the Alzheimer’s associations around the world. ADI started in 1984 with four founding members (US, UK, Australia, Canada) and a representative from Belgium. It now has members from 78 countries, reflecting the growth of this problem.

World Alzheimer’s Month

ADI gathers information and shares it with member organizations. It also initiates projects to increase awareness around this issue. The first World Alzheimer’s Month in September 2012 had as its theme, “Dementia: Living Together”. In an interview in ADI’s London office, Sinews editor Barbara Goldschmidt spoke with Johan Vos, Director of Development, and Sarah Smith, Communications Officer, about their work.

Johan Vos: “During World Alzheimer’s Month we’re encouraging people to advocate, to bring government’s attention to the issue, to come forward to get a diagnosis. Up to half of people with dementia aren’t diagnosed, which can be a result of the stigma attached to the disease. It’s important to get help and support early on and avoid a crisis later. There are treatments for the early symptoms, but if you wait too long, the medicine might not be useful.”

Sarah Smith: “We also advocate for the creation of services and support so caregivers will be able to care better and for longer. Hopefully, as a result, people will be less dependent on hospitals and nursing homes. We also hope to create dementia friendly communities, where there are lots of good programs for people with dementia and for their carers as well. They should feel accepted and be able to get the services they need in their communities and their homes. This would make the community a better place to live for everyone.”

Johan Vos: “ADI is in official relations with the World Health Organization (WHO) and together we released a report on dementia as a public health problem and to advocate for action at national and international levels. It is imperative that countries take action or else the costs will cripple the health care budgets of even the richest nations.”

Many governments have been responsive, including the United States, which is working in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association to develop a national plan. Its vision statement is authored by President Barack Obama, who writes, “For millions of Americans, the heartbreak of watching a loved one struggle with Alzheimer’s disease is a pain they know all too well. Alzheimer’s disease burdens an increasing number of our Nation’s elders and their families, and it is essential that we confront the challenge it poses to our public health.”

Perhaps a collective response to the challenge of dementia is just what we need to mend lives and maybe our ailing health care system. Healing is not only about care, but also involves commitment. Whether we are healthcare professionals, caregivers or patients, we will hopefully find inspiration and strength in the partnerships being created at home and around the world.

For questions or comments email Barbara Goldschmidt at bgoldschmidt@swedishinstitute.edu.

The evening began at 5:00 pm with welcoming remarks from Jennifer Adams, CEO of the 9/11 Tribute Center, followed by Lucy Liben, dean of the Massage Therapy Program.

“I feel very privileged to be here today to reflect with you on the profound experiences we shared just after the events of 9/11,” Ms. Liben said. “Thinking about it eleven years later, I’m still awed by what took place, especially by the staggering outpouring of volunteer activity that emanated from our community of health care professionals and from Swedish Institute in particular.”

Ms. Liben recognized Paula Eckardt, the longtime owner/director of the school at the time, for her generous contributions of massage tables and chairs, as well as for the school space and personnel that became an organizing hub for the thousands of therapists who were directed to sites all over the city.

The evening’s remarks concluded with a poem written by Chelsea Cobo (read by her sister Stacy) that honored their mother Rose Cobo’s volunteer work as a massage therapist.

The Tribute Center and Memorial Plaza Followed

The group then toured the Tribute Center. Its galleries begin with a short film about the construction and success of the World Trade Center. Then the story of September 11 begins to unfold, told through photos, transcript quotes from victims, responders and survivors, and artifacts retrieved from “the pile”. A reproduction of the wall of missing posters and pictures takes up nearly all of one room.

Docents from the Tribute Center then escorted small groups to the Memorial Plaza, where they oriented the visitors to the site and explained their own involvement in the events that took place there. It was an emotional night for many, especially those who were visiting the memorial for the first time. Experiencing it as a community was a unique opportunity to bear the sadness together and encouraged individuals to feel that “It’s okay to smile on the site now.” View slide show.

Nancy Gamerman, outreach coordinator for the 9/11 Tribute Center who organized the event for the evening, said, “Swedish Institute should be proud of this part of its history. The volunteer effort of massage therapists in the aftermath of September 11 was a very meaningful service, and a valuable story that the public should know. People need to understand how much massage therapy matters, and the kind of comfort and connection it provided during such a devastating situation.”

The first issue of the school’s newsletter, published ten years ago, documented some of the thousands of stories that came out of the volunteer effort.

You can become a docent

If you volunteered during the rescue and recovery effort after September 11, you might consider becoming a walking tour guide for the 9/11 Tribute Center. All guides are drawn from the community of survivors, lower Manhattan residents and workers, rescue workers, volunteers at the recovery site and family members that lost loved ones. Guides are trained to talk about the history of the World Trade Center and the impact of September 11th, and share their own personal experiences. If interested, contact Nancy Gamerman, outreach coordinator, at 212.422.3520 x112 or by email to ngamerman@911families.org.

Among the new classes for October is Succeed at the Spa, offered by Swedish Institute alumnus David Lobenstine, LMT (‘04) on October 7. David will share his observations on ways to make the most out of working at a spa, based on his career experiences. His goal is to help massage therapists enhance their happiness and career longevity whether they are at a spa, wellness center, hotel or other venue where they are working for someone else and in an environment that may be quite different than what they dreamed of while in school.

On October 21, David will teach Find Your Focus Again, which is aimed at those working for someone else, as well as those in private practice. It follows up on the discussions in Succeed at the Spa with a hands-on approach to reviving a connection to oneself and one’s work.

Go to the Continuing Education website for details on David’s class Succeed at the Spa:
http://www.swedishce.com/product_info.php?products_id=922

For a list of classes in October go to the Professional Continuing Education website:
http://www.swedishce.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=19