Upstate Health

12/28/2025

Toxic positivity and good sleep habits — on the next “HealthLink on Air,” Sunday at 6 a.m. on WRVO and available online at https://www.upstate.edu/informed/2025/122125-radioshow.php.

Keeping a positive outlook can be good, but positivity can become unhealthy if it becomes toxic. Holly Vanderhoff, PhD, a clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Upstate, explains the difference between healthy and toxic positivity, and what you can do if you feel pressure to always look on the bright side.

Also on the show: Do you have trouble falling asleep? Staying asleep? Feeling rested when you awake? Ioana Amzuta, MD, talks about the importance of sleep and advises how to establish good sleeping habits. Amzuta is an associate professor of medicine specializing in sleep medicine at Upstate.

12/23/2025

Eleven-year-old Judy Coates shares her cancer journey at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and the Upstate Cancer Center. Judy is an example of how our patients inspire us every day.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

12/22/2025

12/21/2025

12/19/2025

On the next “HealthLink on Air”: Self-harm and suicidal intent among kids, the importance of trauma care, and providing behavioral and mental health services to schools. The show can be heard Sunday at 6 a.m. on WRVO and online at https://www.upstate.edu/informed/2025/122125-radioshow.php.

Poison centers across the country show cases of children and teens increasingly exposed to medications, dietary supplements and psychoactive substances — and those exposures seem to be tied to self-harm or suicidal intent. In this week's Vincent Calleo, MD, shares data from the Upstate New York Poison Center, which provides free and confidential assistance around the clock at 1-800-222-1222.

Calleo is an adult and pediatric emergency physician at Upstate, the chief of medical toxicology and the medical director of the poison center.

Also on the show, a Level 1 trauma center — like Upstate University Hospital — is equipped to provide comprehensive 24/7 care for patients with severe injuries, along with additional teaching and prevention responsibilities. Trauma program manager Melaina King, RN, explains the importance of trauma care and how Upstate ranks in the top 10% for adult trauma patient mortality. ("In other words, our patients have better outcomes than those treated at 90% of trauma centers across the nation.")

And Upstate Medical University has teamed up with the Syracuse City School District to provide behavioral and mental health services in the city schools. Upstate psychiatrist James Demer, MD, explains how the program aims to support the well-being and academic success of students and their families, and plans for staffing, accessibility and expansion.

12/18/2025

Upstate University Hospital has achieved Magnet recognition for the second consecutive time, a testament to its continued dedication to high-quality nursing practice, professionalism and exceptional patient care.

The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes health care organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence. This credential is the highest national honor for professional nursing practice.

Prestigious national honor affirms sustained excellence in nursing practice, innovation, and patient care since first designation in 2021.

12/13/2025

THIS WEEK: Different types of anesthesia, minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery, the increasing demand for physician assistants. The show can be heard Sunday at 6 a.m. on WRVO and online:
https://www.upstate.edu/informed/2025/121425-radioshow.php

Anesthesia: When you face surgery, which type will you need? Anesthesiologist Susan Samudre, DO, talks about the differences between general, regional and local anesthesia, as well as what patients can expect from their anesthesiologist. She is an assistant professor of anesthesiology and director of regional anesthesia at Upstate.

Also on the show, some foot and ankle surgery can be done in a minimally invasive way. Orthopedic surgeon Eric Bellinger, MD, discusses operations that can correct certain bunions, hammertoes and ruptures of the Achilles tendon. Bellinger is an assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Upstate, specializing in surgery of the foot and ankle.

And physician assistant Robyn Chalupa talks about the PA profession, one of the most popular jobs in health care, which is expected to increase in the next decade. Chalupa is chair and program director of Physician Assistant Studies in Upstate’s College of Health Professions. She explains what's involved in training to become a PA and why she thinks the demand for PA careers will continue.

12/12/2025

12/11/2025

Upstate respiratory therapist Jackson Tarr explains how to pick a strategy for quitting the ni****ne habit that will work and what friends and family can do to help. https://www.upstate.edu/informed/2025/120225-tarr-podcast.php

12/10/2025

Upstate is a proud sponsor of Lights on the Lake, daily through Jan. 12 at Onondaga Lake Park.

For more information, visit lightsonthelake.com.

12/08/2025

With over 100 addorable pet pics, the 2026 Pets Wear Pink Calendar is guaranteed to meet and exceed the recommended daily requirement of cuteness. Think, with just one $10 payment, you'll be covered for an entire year! Get your calendar here: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/f/5l7h/n?vid=1ndu4i

And yes, this incredible level of cuteness can be contagious ... if you purchase an additional Pets Wear Pink Calendar for a friend/family member. (Because it makes for a great holiday gift!)

12/08/2025

Upcoming free online HealthLink seminar Tuesday, Dec. 8, at noon!

Grab your lunch and join us tomorrow to learn about common Diabetes related stressors, resources for support, and tools for stress management and problem-solving. Joslin Diabetes Psychologist, Linda Harrell-Delamater, PhD, will also walk us through several examples of stress management techniques that she often teaches her patients.

This will be a great session for anyone with Diabetes or anyone who cares about someone with Diabetes.

Link to register for your Zoom link: https://upstate.zoom.us/meeting/register/3KUcCM_6SKawiv1gs-QBzw