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08/23/14 Vol. 1!

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NEWSLETTER! !

In this issue: ! *ApParent Project in WNY! *PA Spotlight: Greg Czajka! *Hot topic: Mitochondrial Disease! *Medical Missions in WNY! *Feature Recipe!

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! The ApParent Project: Haiti! Written by: Katie Miller PA-C !

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with an estimated 80% unemployment rate. Sadly, thousands of parents are forced to send their children to orphanages because they simply cannot afford to feed or clothe them.  The devastation of the 2010 Earthquake made the dire situation worse by leaving many more children homeless and parentless. It is estimated that over 700,000 orphans are currently living in Haiti. The Apparent Project is a nonprofit artisan guild with a mission to teach the poverty stricken Haitians how to create their own wealth. One of their most famous skills is the “upcycling” of street garbage into beautiful jewelry and wall art. This project has gained recognition by many celebrities including Gwenyth Paltrow, Olivia Wilde, and most notably Donna Karan of DKNY. The project has helped hundreds of parents piece their families back together.

The founders of the Apparent Project also provide a guest house which is available for Mission Trips. The guest house is equipped with a medical clinic, pharmacy, and accommodations for sixteen volunteers. Unfortunately, the clinic only functions when volunteers are available. When the clinic is open, Haitians will wait three hours in the blistering sun for the opportunity to discuss their medical concerns with a trained provider.  Many Haitians have never had a medical screening exam and suffer daily from treatable pain, rashes and chronic illnesses. They seek simple entities in life that Americans take for granted. Common requests include eye lubrication or drops, pain medication, reading glasses, sunglasses, topical creams/ointments, antihistamines, respiratory inhalers or simply a reassuring medical evaluation.

Every January and July a team of Western New York medical providers travels to the Apparent Project. This July a team of massage therapists, nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants and supportive personnel treated hundreds of Haitian citizens during the two week clinic. The trip is an amazing experience for everyone involved. If you have ever contemplated attending a Medical Mission Trip please visit the Apparent Project website, www.apparentproject.org, for more information. If you are interested in donating to the Apparent Project medical mission please visit the WNYPAA website for a list of donation sites and needed supplies. Additional donations may be made by joining Smile Amazon. Once you are a member you may choose the Apparent Project as your charity of choice to receive 0.5% of the proceeds from each of your qualifying purchases.

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PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT SPOTLIGHT 2014 ! GREG CZAJKA PA-C!

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Interviewed by: Virginia Kaufman PA-C!

Q: Which school did you graduate from and when?

A: I graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College PA ( in Philadelphia) program in 1979. Hahnemann is now part of the Drexel University system. Hahnemann was one of the 1st PA programs in the country ( after Duke).

Q: Was there a life experience or personal interest that lead you to choose the PA profession?

A: I have been interested in science and medicine since I was in middle school and my grandfather had colon cancer. He died of the cancer and seeing him go through his surgery's and treatments made me want to help people deal with being sick and to hopefully make them well again. I know that sounds somewhat corny but it's the truth.

Q: Is there a field in medicine that you are passionate about and why?

A: I have liked all of the fields of medicine that I have been in over my 35 year career. This has included family practice, emergency medicine, general/vascular surgery and now neurosurgery for the last 17 years. My ultimate passion though has been in surgery.

I like surgery because I really feel like you can correct a patient's problem and make them well again, often saving their life with an emergency surgery or procedure.

Q: Where do you currently work and do you enjoy teaching at Daemen College?

A: I presently work at Buffalo Neurosurgery Group with Dr. Douglas Moreland and we have worked together for the last 17 years. I have been teaching as an adjunct faculty member and precepting PA students since Daemen's PA program began in 1996 and as of this fall I will now also be a full time faculty member. I thoroughly enjoy teaching. I believe that being involved with students on a regular basis helps to keep my medical  knowledge base sharp and keeps me up to date with the newest treatments and technologies.

Q: What is your advice to PA students and recent graduates?

A: My advice to PA students and recent graduates would be to become a member of both NYSPAA and the AAPA. They are your strongest advocates. Having been one of the original PA's and being the first PA on a hospital staff, having to "break the barrier" of a non-MD treating patients, I believe it is important to support these organizations which are also looking out for the best interests of the PA profession. Our profession is a life-long learning profession. Remember that just because you have finished PA school and  "passed your boards" you must constantly keep reading and learning for the rest of your professional life.

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HOT TOPIC: MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE



What is mitochondrial disease?

Mitochondrial disease is a genetic defect in the maternal DNA within the mitochondria causing a deficiency in the enzymes within the electron transport chain that contribute to energy production.

What are common signs/symptoms?

The most common symptom is fatigue. Many patients go under diagnosed or are mis diagnosed. Other symptoms include: muscle aches & weakness, mental fog, loss of motor control, GI disorders, Diabetes, seizures, lactic acidosis and migraines.

How can I diagnose a patient if I suspect mitochondrial disease?

To diagnose a patient the clinician should order labs that consist of a pre and post exercise panel these include: ammonia, creatinine kinase, lactic acid, lactate. Other diagnostic tests include: muscle biopsy and genetic testing.

How can I interpret theses results?

The pre & post exercise levels should be within normal range, the patient is advised not to exercise before the test and the labs should be drawn properly to avoid false positives. If the levels are elevated then there may be a possibility of mitochondrial dysfunction. It is up to the clinician to decide if they would order further testing: genetic testing or a muscle biopsy.

Where can I refer these patients for proper care?

There are metabolic clinics in Cleveland (Cleveland Clinic) and Manhattan (Columbia University).

What are the treatment options?

Currently there are no prescription medications available to treat mitochondrial disease. There is a cocktail of vitamins that have been shown to work and help with energy production in the mitochondria: COQ10, Carnitine, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Creatine, Alpha lipoic acid and folic acid. These can be purchased OTC or online. For information on dosing you may visit: www.umdf.org.

What are useful resources I can use or recommend to patients?

www.umdf.org

www.mitoaction.org

www.mitochondrialdiseases.org

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEDICAL MISSIONS IN WNY

The ApParent Project in Haiti next medical mission is scheduled for January 2015.

If interested please contact: David Parsons PA-C, [email protected]

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Students Without Borders in Dominican Republic. Next medical mission is scheduled for January 2015.

If interested please contact: Kiersten Simmons PA-S, [email protected]

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Jericho Road in Sierra Leone. Next medical mission is scheduled for April 2015, dates TBD due to Ebola outbreak. If interested please follow updates on this blog: http://jrchcglobal.blogspot.com/

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The Hope for Tomorrow Foundation in various countries. Next medical mission is scheduled for May 2015.

If interested please contact: Brian Rusk at [email protected]

! FEATURE RECIPE: TOMATO AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD WITH BASIL VINAIGRETTE



! INGREDIENTS:

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1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar

Coarse salt and ground pepper

3 ounces fresh goat cheese

3 medium tomatoes, cored and sliced crosswise 1 inch thick

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DIRECTIONS:

1. Step 1

In a blender, combine basil, oil, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon water. Blend until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Season vinaigrette with salt and pepper.

2. Step 2

With dental floss or a warm knife (wiped clean after each slice), thinly slice cheese. Arrange tomatoes and goat cheese on a serving plate; drizzle with dressing to taste. Serve garnished with basil leaves.

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P.O. Box 471

Williamsville, NY 14213

Board of Directors

President: Virginia Kaufman PA-C [[email protected]]

Secretary: Carol Calhoun PA-C [[email protected]]

Treasurer: Laura Pfalzgraf PA-C [[email protected]]

Scholarship: Rebecca Sewastynowicz PA-C [[email protected]]

Member at Large: Sue Nichter PA-C [[email protected]]

Reimbursement: Donna Hall-Anderson PA-C [[email protected]]

CME: Rebecca Buttaccio PA-C [[email protected]]

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