Health Is the Key

Leading health experts have declared 2026 the Year of the Brain, and for good reason. Scientists are making exciting breakthroughs in understanding the body’s command center, from prevention to diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. The brain enables us to think, see, learn, move, feel emotions and connect with our fellow humans, so keeping it healthy is essential at every stage of life. For a refresher on all that the brain does for us—and how to keep it performing at its best—we’re joined by Dr. Anna Hohler, Director of Neurology for Northwell Health’s Westchester Region. Dr. Hohler shares insights on brain development and milestones, and explains how exercise, good nutrition, adequate sleep and stress relief work together to support a healthy brain. She also shares simple strategies—some that may surprise you—that you can use to keep your brain healthy and strong for years to come.    The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyrelationships Get to know your numbers at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Relieve stress with mindfulness classes at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds. Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our <a href='https://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/

For High Blood Pressure Education Month, our May episode focused on the link between hypertension and high cholesterol, which, together, can significantly raise the risk of heart disease, stroke and other serious illnesses. Our guest Dr. Mary Gover, a general internist at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care, also shared new cholesterol screening guidelines that have the potential to keep us healthy longer. In our May Key Note, Dr. Gover discusses alternatives to traditional statin treatment that offer more choices for those trying to keep their cholesterol in check.   The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers. Get to know your numbers at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. For more information on the new cholesterol guidelines, visit the American Heart Association website. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.   Guest Bio

For High Blood Pressure Education month, we’re dedicating our May episode to both this condition – which affects nearly half of all adults in the U.S – and high cholesterol. Why both? When combined, they significantly raise the risk of heart disease, stroke and other serious illnesses. So, we’re happy to welcome Dr. Mary Gover, a general internist at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care, to help us understand the connection between high blood pressure and high cholesterol and offer steps we can take to successfully manage – or prevent – both conditions. Dr. Gover also explains the new guidelines recently issued for cholesterol and shares treatment options that range from healthy lifestyle changes to medication to a combination of the two. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers. Get to know your numbers at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. For more information on the new cholesterol guidelines, visit the American Heart Association website. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exerc

In our April episode, gastroenterologist Dr. Preeti Mehta explained the connection between a healthy gut and a healthy mind. She also talked about the role stress plays in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common digestive disorder that can often be managed with lifestyle changes. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Mehta discusses two other conditions that can be confused with IBS—and why getting the diagnosis right really matters. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube. Find out where your health stands by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get to know your numbers at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Need support managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or overweight? Learn about our partnerships: visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/ Browse healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our  YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIU

This month, Health Is the Key does double duty as we spotlight National Stress Awareness Month and IBS Awareness Month. If you’re wondering what stress has to do with irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive disorders, you’ll be glad you tuned in. We are lucky to be joined by Dr. Preeti Mehta, a gastroenterologist and founder of the private practice Digestive Disease Care. Dr. Mehta explains the effect the brain has on the digestive system and vice-versa. She also shares practical lifestyle habits that can support long-term gut health.    The Takeaway  We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube. Find out where your health stands by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.  Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get to know your numbers at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.  Need support managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or overweight? Learn about our partnerships: visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/ Browse healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.  Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.  Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our  YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists</

In our March episode, we truly celebrated National Kidney Month with Dr. Kristin Meliambro, an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Meliambro discussed the many vital jobs kidneys perform, the causes and symptoms of kidney disease, and preventive measures that can help keep them healthy. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Meliambro walks us through the latest innovations that are making dialysis – the necessary treatment for those living with Stage 5 kidney disease – more manageable.   The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Find out where your health stands by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get to know your numbers at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Need support managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or overweight? Learn about our partnerships: visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/ Browse healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine. For additional information and support, visit the National Kidney Foundation website, at Kidney.org, and the American Association of Kidney Patients, at www.aakp.org. For information about kidney donation, visit the Nation Kidney Registry page at KidneyRegistry.com Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress a

This National Kidney Month, we celebrate the unsung heroes of the human body. Kidneys do so much more than filter blood (they’ve been described as the body’s “cleaning crew” and “inventory managers”), so keeping them functioning well is vital to our overall health. Joining us to sing the praises of kidneys – and learn how to keep them healthy – is Dr. Kristin Meliambro, an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Meliambro walks us through the many essential jobs kidneys do for us and breaks down the various causes of kidney disease. She also shares practical lifestyle habits that support long-term kidney health.   The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Find out where your health stands by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get to know your numbers at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Need support managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or overweight? Learn about our partnerships: visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/ Browse healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine. For additional information and support, visit the National Kidney Foundation website, at Kidney.org, and the American Association of Kidney Patients, at www.aakp.org. For information about kidney donation, visit the Nation Kidney Registry page at KidneyRegistry.com Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop b

In our February episode, we marked American Heart Month with Dr. Michael Ghalchi, the founder and medical director of Manhattan Cardiovascular Associates and a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Ghalchi explained the importance of regular screenings and shared lifestyle habits that can keep your heart strong. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Ghalchi reviews the key health numbers to aim for to help you stay on track and live your best life.  The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube. Find out where you stand heart-wise by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.  Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get to know your numbers at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Need support managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or overweight? Learn about our partnerships: visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/ Browse healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our  YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness

Welcome to American Heart Month, the perfect opportunity to focus on protecting our cardiovascular health to help ensure we can continue to do the things we love with the people we love. Experts estimate that heart disease is 80 percent preventable through early detection and simple lifestyle changes. So we are fortunate to be joined by Dr. Michael Ghalchi, the founder and medical director of Manhattan Cardiovascular Associates and a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Ghalchi discusses the importance of regular screenings, symptoms to watch for and sustainable habits you can adopt to support your heart health all year long.   The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Find out where you stand heart-wise by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get to know your numbers at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Need support managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or overweight? Learn about our partnerships: visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/ Browse healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy

In our January episode, we focused on our Healthy Now, Healthy Later philosophy with the Benefit Funds’ Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lela Mayers. Dr. Mayers shared how prioritizing your health now can help you lower your risk of illness and improve your quality of life later. For our January Key Note, Dr. Mayers walks us through what to expect during a typical wellness checkup—and explains why it’s so important to make that appointment. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Start—or renew!—your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Visit our Provider Directory at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Know your numbers to find out where you stand: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Visit our Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Talk to your doctor about any screenings you may need: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthybodies. Connect with a primary care doctor or a therapist online through Teladoc: Teladoc.com or (800) TELADOC (835-2362). Need support managing your diabetes, hypertension or weight? Find the program that’s right for you: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/ Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900. Contact our partners at the National Alliance on M

Happy New Year, and welcome to Season Three of Health Is the Key. With the holidays behind us, we turn our focus to the year ahead of us – a perfect time to re-commit to our health. And what better way to introduce our new Healthy Now, Healthy Later campaign than to have the Benefit Funds’ Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lela Mayers as our first guest in 2026! Dr. Mayers explains how preventive care can lower your risk of illness, improve your quality of life and help ensure long-term wellness. She also explores with us all the resources available to you to support you wherever you are on your health journey. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Start – or renew! – your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Visit our Provider Directory at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Know your numbers to find out where you stand: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Visit our Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Talk to your doctor about any screenings you may need: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthybodies. Connect with a primary care doctor or a therapist online through Teladoc: Teladoc.com or (800) TELADOC (835-2362). Need support managing your diabetes, hypertension or weight? Find the program that’s right for you: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/ Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. For additional support, call our <a href='https://www.1199seiubenefits.org

In our December episode, Dr. Tiffany Cudjoe-John explored with us the physical and mental health benefits of expressing gratitude. Of course, some of us may need a little encouragement in learning to recognize and appreciate the good things in life. So, for our Key Note episode, we asked Dr. Cudjoe-John to share a simple meditation you can use to help foster a thankful mindset. We hope this moment of reflection inspires you to begin your own gratitude journey.  The Takeaway   We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube. Visit the Healthy Minds section of our Healthy Living Resource Center for additional information and resources: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds/.  Connect with a therapist online through Teladoc: www.Teladoc.com  or (800) TELADOC (835-2362).  Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900. Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: www.naminycmetro.org. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exercise body <em style="font-family:'-apple-system', Blin

Gathering with loved ones during the holidays can lift spirits, strengthen relationships and even boost immunity. Yet, we know this time of year may not be so joyful for everyone, and the hustle and bustle may make some of us lose sight of the true gifts of the season. That’s when the practice of gratitude can help put things in perspective – as well as improve our mental and physical health. To learn more about the science – and art – behind this simple exercise, we are joined this month by Dr. Tiffany Cudjoe-John, a psychiatrist in private practice. Dr. John explains why practicing gratitude is more than just “counting our blessings” and shares practical tips that can help us make it part of our daily lives without stressing out. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Visit the Healthy Minds section of our Healthy Living Resource Center for additional information and resources: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds/ Connect with a therapist online through Teladoc: Teladoc.com or (800) TELADOC (835-2362). Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900. Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: naminycmetro.org. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of

In our November episode, Chef Adrienne Cheatham joined us to share healthy ways to tweak our holiday menus without sacrificing flavor. In this month’s Key Note, Chef Cheatham opens her cookbook, Sunday Best, to offer a delicious, nutritious, affordable, make-ahead alternative to traditional main dishes – Mississippi Pot Roast. Enjoy! The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Find a greenmarket near you by visiting grownyc.org/greenmarket/ourmarkets. Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of cooking demos and healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. For Chef Cheatham’s Mississippi Pot Roast recipe, visit www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/Mississippi-Pot-Roast To order Chef Cheatham’s cookbook, Sunday Best, visit Penguin Random House Books.   Guest Bio Adrienne Cheatham is a New York-based chef, author, consultant and television persona

The holidays are a joyful time to gather with family and friends, but for many of us they’re also a time to worry about staying on track with our health journey. To help us navigate the season’s seemingly endless offerings of rich foods, we are joined by Adrienne Cheatham, professional chef, runner-up on Bravo TV’s Top Chef, and author of Sunday Best, nominated for a James Beard Award for best cookbook. Chef Cheatham shares what she loves most about the holidays, simple tips to make seasonal favorites healthier and quick affordable ways to eat healthfully throughout the year. For a chance to win a signed copy of Sunday Best, visit our Facebook and Instagram pages to share your favorite healthy cooking tip. Wishing you and yours a healthy and happy holiday season!   The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Find a greenmarket near you by visiting grownyc.org/greenmarket/ourmarkets. Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of cooking demos and healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. To order Chef Cheatham’s cookbook, Sunday Best, visit <a href='https

In our October episode, we spoke with Dr. Samantha Dunham, co-director of the Center for Midlife Health and Menopause at NYU Langone Health, who shared important information about this unique stage in women’s health journeys. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Dunham explains how women are taking control of their health and details simple lifestyle changes that can offer relief from menopause symptoms and boost overall wellness.   The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers. It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Women 40 and older – schedule a mammogram. Under 40 and unsure of your risk – ask your doctor about the screening schedule that’s right for you. Visit our Healthy Living Resource Center for additional information and resources: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds/ Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900. For more information and resources, visit The Menopause Society Menopause.org Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: <a href='http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/w

Each year, more than 1 million women in the U.S. will experience menopause. And four out of five of those women will complain of symptoms that range from hot flashes and night sweats to sexual problems and sleep disturbances. In the not-so-distant past, menopause wasn’t taken seriously, and women were hard-pressed to find answers to their questions. Thankfully, that’s changing. To learn more about this unique aspect of women’s health, we’re joined by Dr. Samantha Dunham, a certified menopause practitioner and co-director of the Center for Midlife Health and Menopause at NYU Langone Health. Dr. Dunham explains the physical and emotional changes women experience during menopause – and perimenopause – and offers hope to those searching for treatment options to find relief from nagging symptoms and to protect their overall health.   The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers. It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Women 40 and older – schedule a mammogram. Under 40 and unsure of your risk – ask your doctor about the screening schedule that’s right for you. Visit our Healthy Living Resource Center for additional information and resources: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds/ Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900. For more information and resources, visit The Menopause Society Menopause.org Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos</

In our September episode, Mount Sinai’s Dr. Michael Kisicki explored with us the mental health crisis affecting so many teens in the U.S. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Kisicki looks at just one of the many factors impacting teens’ mental health – social media – and shares strategies families can use to help them navigate the online world safely.    The Takeaway   We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/member-feedback.  Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube.  Visit the Healthy Minds section of our Healthy Living Resource Center for additional information and resources: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds/   Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.  Connect with a therapist online through Teladoc: www.Teladoc.com  or (800) TELADOC (835-2362).  Connect with our partner Brightline to access virtual and in-person care at locations in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Long Island: brightline.com; (888) 255-1329.   For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900.  Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: www.naminycmetro.org.  If you or your child is in crisis, get free confidential counseling, mental health and substance use support and information by:  visiting https://988lifeline.org   calling or texting 988   calling (888) NYC-WELL (888-692-9355)  Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.   Stop by our <a href='https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/v

With the start of the school year, we are dedicating this month’s episode to the teen mental health crisis in the U.S. According to a recent survey, nearly one in five teenagers has a diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition – leaving parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends – searching for ways to support the mental health of the teens in their lives. Fortunately, we are joined by Dr. Michael Kisicki, an Associate Professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in Pediatrics and Psychiatry and is the Chief Psychiatrist of the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center. Dr. Kisicki – known to many of his patients as “Mickey” – shares insights from his practice, signs to watch for and simple strategies, like listening and modeling, that go a long way toward supporting teens, as well as the adults who love them.     The Takeaway   We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/member-feedback.  Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube.  Visit the Healthy Minds section of our Healthy Living Resource Center for additional information and resources: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds/   Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.  Connect with a therapist online through Teladoc: www.Teladoc.com  or (800) TELADOC (835-2362).  Connect with our partner Brightline to access virtual and in-person care at locations in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Long Island: brightline.com; (888) 255-1329.   For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900.  Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: www.naminycmetro.org.  If you or your child is in crisis, get free confidential counseling, mental health and substance use support and informat

In our August episode, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Danielle Sobieski answered some common questions about vitamins and supplements. In this month’s Key Note, Danielle explains what you can expect on your first visit to a nutritionist and how they will work with you to support you on your healthy eating journey. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 1199seiubenefits.org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube. Get started on your healthy living journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Look for vitamin and supplement brands that have been third-party tested by any of these groups: NSF International; U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP); Consumer Lab View our online Wellness workshop “Unmasking Myths: Supplements, Probiotics and Herbs” on the Benefits Channel. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information, resources healthy eating recipes and more; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get to know your numbers at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our  YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bio Daniell

A nutritious, balanced diet is key to maintaining our health, but getting the alphabet list of nutrients we need to fuel our body can be a challenge. If you’re taking vitamins or supplements to fill in the gaps, you probably have questions. So for our August episode, we asked Danielle Sobieski, a registered dietitian nutritionist in private practice, to help us find answers. Danielle discusses the benefits and risks of taking vitamins and supplements, and details what to do to help ensure you’re doing so safely and effectively. Hint: Making a call to your primary care physician is step one.   The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Look for vitamin and supplement brands that have been third-party tested by any of these groups: NSF International; S. Pharmacopeia (USP); Consumer Lab View our online Wellness workshop “Unmasking Myths: Supplements, Probiotics and Herbs” on the Benefits Channel Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information, resources healthy eating recipes and more; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get to know your numbers at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playl

In our July replay episode, Dr. Karinn Glover, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, explored burnout, the unique stressors that healthcare workers face and resources that can help. In our July Key Note, Dr. Glover discusses the role empathy plays – tuning into others’ feelings as well as our own – in building supportive relationships that are key to battling burnout.  The Takeaway  We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/member-feedback   Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube.  Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider   Connect with a therapist online through Teladoc: www.Teladoc.com or (800) TELADOC (835-2362).    Visit the Healthy Minds section of our Healthy Living Resource Center for additional information and resources: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds    For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900.    Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: www.naminycmetro.org .    Reach out to the New York State Office of Mental Health Emotional Support Helpline at (844) 863-9314.  Guest Bio    Karinn Glover, MD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she teaches psychopharmacology and aspects of psychotherapy to Psychiatry and Family Medicine residents. Her decade-plus experience as a psychiatrist and leader in the practice of integrated care and workplace mental health has informed her approach to health equity, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEI+B), and the styles of leadership that produce organizational success. Dr. Glover attended SUNY Downstate College of Medicine and obtained a Master of Public Health from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health via the highly competitive Macy Scholars Program.

Listen as we talk about recognizing burnout with Dr. Karinn Glover, a board-certified physician and psychiatrist and clinician with Montefiore Health System. Dr. Glover helps us examine the unique stressors that healthcare workers face, the symptoms of burnout and when to ask for help. She offers insights and strategies for getting the support you need, from DIY remedies like self-care to professional care and how to find it. Dr. Glover also runs down some outside influences that can contribute to burnout and what you can do to overcome them.   The Takeaway    Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.   Connect with a therapist online through Teladoc: www.Teladoc.com  or (800) TELADOC (835-2362).   Visit the Healthy Minds section of our Healthy Living Resource Center for additional information and resources: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds/    For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900.   Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: www.naminycmetro.org.   Reach out to the New York State Office of Mental Health Emotional Support Helpline at (844) 863-9314.   Guest Bio   Karinn Glover, MD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she teaches psychopharmacology and aspects of psychotherapy to Psychiatry and Family Medicine residents. Her decade-plus experience as a psychiatrist and leader in the practice of integrated care and workplace mental health has informed her approach to health equity, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEI+B), and the styles of leadership that produce organizational success. Dr. Gloverattended SUNY Downstate College of Medicine and obtained a Master of Public Health from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health via the highly competitive Macy Scholars Program.

In our June episode, Dr. Martin Karpeh from Northwell Health helped us kick off Men’s Health Awareness Month, examining the unique challenges men face and sharing simple steps they can take to take charge of their health. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Karpeh talks about his participation in a panel discussion that explored the impact that prostate cancer has on Black men. To view the video, visit The Unspoken Truth: A Dialogue on Prostate Cancer Among Black Men.   The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube. Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers. Get to know your numbers at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Due for a screening? Check out www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/get-screened Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our  YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.   Martin Karpeh, MD, is the director of surgical oncology at the Northwell Health Can

June is Men’s Health Awareness Month, so this month’s episode focuses on the unique health challenges that men face. Men are less likely than women to have regular checkups and have higher rates of chronic conditions. To explore the reasons behind men’s reluctance to seek care—and to offer support—we are pleased to be joined by Dr. Martin Karpeh, director of surgical oncology for Northwell Health Eastern Region and chairman of surgery at Huntington Hospital. Dr. Karpeh discusses why it’s important for men to make their health a priority, offers insights to why they don’t and outlines simple first steps they can take to begin their health journey.   The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube. Listen to The Unspoken Truth: A Dialogue on Prostate Cancer Among Black Men. Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers. Get to know your numbers at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Due for a screening? Check out www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/get-screened Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our  YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our welln

In our May episode, we marked Hypertension Awareness Month with Dr. Robert Ostfeld, a cardiologist at Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Ostfeld shared how his patients naturally lowered their blood pressure by adopting a plant-based diet and offered tips for eating more plant-based foods. In this month’s Key Note, he explains how getting proper sleep can reduce stress hormones that contribute to high blood pressure. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers. Get to know your numbers at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Robert Ostfeld, MD, MSc, FACC, is the Director of Preventive Cardiology at Montefiore Health System and a Professor of Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Ostfeld treats patients with adult cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and erectile dysfunction with a focus on prevention and treatment through lifestyle change. He works cl

For Hypertension Awareness Month, we are fortunate to have Dr. Robert Ostfeld, a cardiologist at Montefiore Medical Center, join us to talk about lifestyle approaches for treating – and preventing – high blood pressure. In this episode, Dr. Ostfeld explains the numbers, the symptoms – or lack of symptoms – and the associated risks. A self-confessed “reformed cardiologist,” he talks about how he saw his patients who adopted a plant-based diet significantly lower their blood pressure. Not ready to go totally plant-based? Dr. Ostfeld says simply adding more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to your diet can help lower not only your blood pressure but also your risk for heart disease, stroke and dozens of other conditions.   The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers. Get to know your numbers at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Robert Ostfeld, MD, MSc, FACC, is the Director of Preventive Cardiology at Mont

In our April episode, Integrative Registered Dietitian Janet Lau introduced us to mindful eating, a practice that focuses on the what, when, how and why of eating. Janet shared her own experience of how mindful eating promoted healthier food choices and boosted her overall quality of life. In this month’s Key Note, Janet explains the tools she uses to support someone getting started on a mindful eating journey of their own.    The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get to know your numbers at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Janet Lau is a Registered Dietitian (RD) in private practice. Her journey to health and well-being started with an unhealthy relationship with food, which led to years of discomfort. She knew the first step to improving her health was understanding the root of the problem, so she enrolled in Hunter College’s Nutrition and Food Science program, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. Janet worked in treatment-based institutions after completing her internship and passing her RD exam. Several years later, she discovered the Institute for Integ

For Integrative Registered Dietitian Janet Lau, mindful eating is a way of life. Focusing on the what, when, how and why of eating helped Janet overcome years of unhealthy food choices and improve her overall quality of life. In this episode, Janet explains the basics of mindful eating, shares her own journey and offers some simple tips on how to enjoy all the health benefits that mindful eating can bring to your healthy living journey. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get to know your numbers at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Janet Lau is a Registered Dietitian (RD) in private practice. Her journey to health and well-being started with an unhealthy relationship with food, which led to years of discomfort. She knew the first step to improving her health was understanding the root of the problem, so she enrolled in Hunter College’s Nutrition and Food Science program, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. Janet worked in treatment-based institutions after completing her internship and passing her RD exam. Several years later, she discovered the Institute for In

In our March episode, we marked Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month with Dr. Renee Williams, a Gastroenterologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Langone. Dr. Williams talked about the importance of preventive screening for colorectal cancer and walked us through the colonoscopy procedure. In this month’s Key Note, she explains what happens if polyps are found during a colonoscopy, what they are and how they’re treated. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. If you’re 45 or older (or have risk factors), make an appointment with your primary care physician to talk about which screening is best for you. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bio Renee Williams, MD, MHPE, is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Within the Department of Medicine, she is the Associate Chair for Health Equity and the Director of the Saul Farber Program in Health Equity. Institutionally, she is Graduate Medical Education Pillar Lead for NYU Langone’s Institute for Excellence in Health Equity. Her interests include health disparities in colorectal cancer screening and medical education with a focus on simulation education. She is a member of the Association of American Medical Colleges’ MedEdSCHOLAR Steering Committe

Let’s face it, no one says, “I can’t wait to have a colonoscopy!” But with advances in the procedure and easier prep solutions – as well as less-invasive options – there really is no reason to wait to schedule this screening. To mark Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we are joined by Dr. Renee Williams, a Gastroenterologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Langone, who wants everyone to know that colon cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable! Dr. Williams explains risk factors, symptoms and the importance of prevention. She also walks us through the procedure and even shares her own, very candid experience about her first screening.   The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. If you’re 45 or older (or have risk factors), make an appointment with your primary care physician to talk about which screening is best for you. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bio Renee Williams, MD, MHPE, is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Within the Department of Medicine, she is the Associate Chair for Health Equity and the Director of the Saul Farber Program in Health Equity. Institutionally, she is Graduate Medical Education Pillar Lead for NYU Langone’s Institute for Excellence in

In our February episode, we marked American Heart Month with Dr. Shivani Verma, an interventional cardiologist at Maimonides Medical Center. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Verma explains “broken heart syndrome,” a rare condition that can affect the heart muscle after an emotional shock or a sudden stressor. The good news: most people make a complete recovery. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Find out where you stand heart-wise by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get to know your numbers at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bio Dr. Shivani Verma is an Interventional Cardiologist at Maimonides Medical Center. With specialized fellowships in Interventional Cardiology and Cardio-Oncology, she brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the field of cardiovascular care. She completed the majority of her training (Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Interventional Cardiology) at Maimonides, where she gained a deep understanding of the intricacies of diagnosing and treating various cardiac conditions. Her subsequent fellowships highlight her ability to perform complex procedures such as angioplasties and stent placements to restore blood

In our February episode, we mark American Heart Month with Dr. Shivani Verma, an interventional cardiologist at Maimonides Medical Center. In our conversation, Dr. Verma shares information on what heart health looks like, symptoms to watch for and how early prevention can help ensure better health outcomes. The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback. Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube. Find out where you stand heart-wise by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Get to know your numbers at 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bio Dr. Shivani Verma is an Interventional Cardiologist at Maimonides Medical Center. With specialized fellowships in Interventional Cardiology and Cardio-Oncology, she brings a wealth of expertise and experience to the field of cardiovascular care. She completed the majority of her training (Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Interventional Cardiology) at Maimonides, where she gained a deep understanding of the intricacies of diagnosing and treating various cardiac conditions. Her subsequent fellowships highlight her ability to perform complex procedures such as angioplasties and stent placements to restore blood flow to the heart and prevent heart attacks. She als

In our January episode, we got to know Dr. Lela Mayers, the Benefit Funds’ new Deputy Chief Medical Officer. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Mayers discusses the wide range of wellness resources members can take advantage of to support them on their health journeys.   The Takeaway We want to hear from you! Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Visit our Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Talk to your doctor about any screenings you may need: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthybodies. Know your numbers to find out where you stand: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bio Dr. Lela Mayers is the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) of the 1199SEIU Benefit Funds, which provide comprehensive self-insured, self-administered healthcare benefits to more than 450,000 healthcare workers, retirees and their families. As DCMO, Dr. Mayers assists the Chief Medical Officer with the Benefit Funds’ clinical and care management strategies, as well as health and wellness initiatives. P

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Lela Mayers, the Benefit Funds’ Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO). Dr. Mayers recently joined us to work alongside Chief Medical Officer Dr. Van Dunn in supporting our members’ health journeys. In our conversation, we get to know more about our new DCMO, who began her career as a family medicine physician. Among other things, we learn what she loved about family medicine, why she made the transition to her current role at the Benefit Funds, why it’s so important for healthcare workers to make their own health a priority, what she’s learned from walking in our members’ shoes and what she looked for when she found the perfect doctor for her parents – and what we can all look for, too. The Takeaway Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Visit our Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Talk to your doctor about any screenings you may need: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthybodies. Know your numbers to find out where you stand: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. We want to hear from you! Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // <a href='https://www.youtube.com/@1199sei

In our December episode, Dr. Karinn Glover joined us to help explore why the holidays can stir up so many conflicting feelings – and share a few simple self-care strategies. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Glover discusses the post-holiday letdown some of us can feel once the festivities are over – and offers some solutions to get us through what can seem like a long winter ahead. The Takeaway Visit the Healthy Minds section of our Healthy Living Resource Center for additional information and resources: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds/ Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Connect with a therapist online through Teladoc: Teladoc.com or (800) TELADOC (835-2362). For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900. Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: naminycmetro.org. Reach out to the New York State Office of Mental Health Emotional Support Helpline at (844) 863-9314. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bio Karinn Glover, MD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she teaches psychopharmacology and aspects of psychotherapy to Psychiatry and Family Medicine residents. Her decade-plus experience as a psychiatrist and leader in the practice of integrated care and workplace mental healt

With the holidays well underway, some of us may be feeling pressure to enjoy “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” when the spirit of the season just isn’t grabbing us. Or maybe it has, but the hustle and bustle is overwhelming and leaves us experiencing some less-than-jolly emotions. To help us navigate the holidays, if not joyfully then at least healthfully, we asked Dr. Karinn Glover, an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, to join us for this month’s episode. Dr. Glover helps us explore why the season stirs up so many conflicting feelings – and shares self-care strategies we can use to rediscover some of that comfort and joy we all deserve.   The Takeaway Visit the Healthy Minds section of our Healthy Living Resource Center for additional information and resources: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds/ Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Connect with a therapist online through Teladoc: Teladoc.com or (800) TELADOC (835-2362). For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900. Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: naminycmetro.org. Reach out to the New York State Office of Mental Health Emotional Support Helpline at (844) 863-9314. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bio Karinn Glover,

In our November episode, we were joined by renowned chef Marcus Samuelsson, who offered some simple ideas to give your holiday meals a healthy twist. In this month’s Key Note, Chef Marcus shares a simple recipe for injera, a super-nutritious bread that makes a great go-with for any meal. Bonus: For a chance to win Chef Marcus’s book The Rise: Black Cooks and the Soul of American Food – complete with injera recipe – just share your favorite tip for making the holidays healthier at instagram.com/1199SEIUBenefitFunds or facebook.com/1199SEIUBenefitFunds. But hurry: Our book giveaway ends Saturday, November 30.  The Takeaway Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Join WeightWatchers at a discounted rate of just $5 a month; $0 if you are living with diabetes or prediabetes: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/ww. If you are living with type 2 diabetes, find out more about our partner Virta’s diabetes reversal program: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/news/virta. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Find a greenmarket near you by visiting grownyc.org/greenmarket/ourmarkets. Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of cooking demos and healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. To order one of Chef Marcus’s books, visit marcus

Ready or not, the holidays are coming – along with the challenge of eating healthfully. To help us navigate the season’s menus, we are joined this month by a special guest – Marcus Samuelsson, award-winning chef, restaurateur, author and activist. Chef Marcus shares cherished holiday memories, simple cooking techniques to make your holiday meals healthier and some not-so-common – and inexpensive – ingredients to boost the nutrition in your favorite recipes. Happy cooking! The Takeaway Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Join WeightWatchers at a discounted rate of just $5 a month; $0 if you are living with diabetes or prediabetes: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/ww. If you are living with type 2 diabetes, find out more about our partner Virta’s diabetes reversal program: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/news/virta. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Find a greenmarket near you by visiting grownyc.org/greenmarket/ourmarkets. Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of cooking demos and healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. To order one of Chef Marcus’s cookbooks, visit marcussamuelsson.com/shop. Guest Bio Marcus Samuelsson, award-winning chef, restaurateur, author and activist, is the esteemed chef behind many restaurants worldwide, including Red Rooster in Harlem and Red Rooster Overtown in Miami; Hav & Mar in th

In our October episode, we talked to 1199ers Sal Oliveri and Joanne Rosso about how they support each other on their health journeys. In this month’s Key Note, Joanne shares how a co-worker’s tough-love advice helped her get through a rough patch. Bonus: You’ll also hear from the Benefit Funds’ own dedicated WeightWatchers coach Angelica McQuade, who shares an inspirational message and explains why that peer-to-peer support is so important. The Takeaway Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Join WeightWatchers at a discounted rate of just $5 a month; $0 if you are living with diabetes or prediabetes: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/ww. If you are living with type 2 diabetes, find out more about our partner Virta’s diabetes reversal program: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/news/virta. Get inspired by fellow members, like Sal and Joanne, through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bios Sal Oliveri is a radiology imaging associate at Long Island Community Hospital, where he works with Joanne Rosso, a unit secretary in the emergency department. Friends for nearly 10 years, both Sal and Joanne began their health journeys on WeightWatchers to lose weight, feel better in mind and spirit, and ensure that they’re around for a long time to enjoy all of life’s pleasures with their families and friends. View their <a href='https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/healthyliving/membersvoices/?utm_source=fun

This month, 1199 members Sal Oliveri and Joanne Rosso from Long Island Community Hospital join us to share their WeightWatchers secret to success. Spoiler alert: It’s each other! For nearly two years, Sal and Joanne have supported one another throughout their weight-loss journeys on WeightWatchers – and they show no signs of stopping. Whether they’re celebrating successes or navigating challenges, these two friends and co-workers truly demonstrate the power of “strength in members.” The Takeaway Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Join WeightWatchers at a discounted rate of just $5 a month; $0 if you are living with diabetes or prediabetes: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/ww. If you are living with type 2 diabetes, find out more about our partner Virta’s diabetes reversal program: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/news/virta. Get inspired by fellow members, like Sal and Joanne, through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bio Sal Oliveri is a radiology imaging associate at Long Island Community Hospital, where he works with Joanne Rosso, a unit secretary in the emergency department. Friends for nearly 10 years, both Sal and Joanne began their health journeys on WeightWatchers to lose weight, feel better in mind and spirit, and ensure that they’re around for a long time to enjoy all of life’s pleasures with their families and friends. View their <a href='https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/health

In our September episode, Dr. Chiti Parikh joined us to explore how setting a health intention and focusing on four basics of well-being – nutrition, sleep, exercise and stress management – can support you on your health journey. In this month’s Key Note episode, Dr. Parikh shares a brief overview of her book, Intentional Health, and the inspiration behind it. The Takeaway Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Join WeightWatchers at a discounted rate of just $5 a month; $0 if you are living with diabetes or prediabetes: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/ww. If you are living with type 2 diabetes, find out more about our partner Virta’s diabetes reversal program: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/news/virta. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. For more information about the Integrative Health and Wellbeing program, visit www.nyp.org/integrative-health-program To find Dr. Parikh’s book, visit www.intentionalhealth.io. Guest Bio Chiti Parikh, MD, is the Executive Director of Integrative Health and Wellbeing at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and Integrative Medicine, with additional training in Functional Medicine, Medical Acupuncture and Ayurve

When Dr. Chiti Parikh meets a new patient, the first question she asks is “What is your health intention?” In the Integrative Health and Wellbeing program at NewYork-Presbyterian, Dr. Parikh treats each patient as a whole person, not just a collection of symptoms – a philosophy the Benefit Funds have long embraced. In this episode, Dr. Parikh explains how setting a health intention and focusing on four basics of well-being – nutrition, sleep, exercise and stress management – can support you on your health journey. The Takeaway Start your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider. Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Join WeightWatchers at a discounted rate of just $5 a month; $0 if you are living with diabetes or prediabetes: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/ww. If you are living with type 2 diabetes, find out more about our partner Virta’s diabetes reversal program: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/news/virta. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. For more information about the Integrative Health and Wellbeing program, visit www.nyp.org/integrative-health-program To find Dr. Parikh’s book, visit www.intentionalhealth.io. Guest Bio Chiti Parikh, MD, is the Executive Director of Integrative Health and Wellbeing at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medicine. She

In our August episode, Dr. Harly Greenberg explained the mysteries behind sleep – and the secrets to getting a good night’s rest, one of which is meditation. In our Key Note episode, we share a soothing sleep meditation, led by the Benefit Funds’ own Lupe Flores, an LMSW in the Wellness Member Assistance Program, to help you wind down and ease into a gentle sleep. Sweet dreams! The Takeaway Practice these good-sleep habits: www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/special/get-good-night-sleep.pdf If you consistently have trouble sleeping, make an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.  Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Join WeightWatchers® at a discounted rate of just $5 a month or $0 if you are living with diabetes or prediabetes: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/ww. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members' Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: YouTube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bio Harly Greenberg, MD, FCCP, FASM Dr. Greenberg is Chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center and Associate Director of the Northwell Lung Institute, Medical Director of the Northwell Sleep Disorders Center and  Professor of Medicine Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra-Northwell. Dr. Greenberg is a recognized expert in sleep medicine and has helped advance the field of sleep medicine as a

Sleep: It’s something we all crave but can’t seem to get enough of. Regular, restful sleep boosts brain health and mood and protects against a wide range of conditions, including heart disease, obesity and dementia. But a recent survey found that most of us don’t get the recommended seven hours a night. In this episode, Dr. Harly Greenberg explains the mysteries behind sleep – and the secret to getting a good night’s rest. Chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine in the Department of Medicine at North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Dr. Greenberg explains all things sleep: why we need it, what messes with it and what we can do to improve it. The Takeaway: Practice these good-sleep habits: www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/special/get-good-night-sleep.pdf If you consistently have trouble sleeping, make an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.  Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving. Join WeightWatchers® at a discounted rate of just $5 a month or $0 if you are living with diabetes or prediabetes: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/ww. Get inspired by fellow members through our Members' Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices. Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos. Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: YouTube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guest Bio Harly Greenberg, MD, FCCP, FASM Dr. Greenberg is Chief of the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine at North Shore University Hospital and Long Isl

Healthcare leaders have called type 2 diabetes “a national health crisis,” but our guest this month has good news to share. Jessica Vatel, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist at the Brooklyn Hospital Center, is excited by the latest approaches to treating diabetes, including education, coaching and personal empowerment. Working with people living with the condition to develop healthy habits and problem-solving skills, Jessica discusses how putting the power in patients’ hands—along with medical advances—is helping more people manage their diabetes. The Takeaway:  Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.    Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.  Get to know your numbers:  www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.  Join WeightWatchers® at a discounted rate of just $5 a month or $0 if you are living with diabetes or prediabetes: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/ww.  If you are living with diabetes and get your primary care from a physician at the Brooklyn Hospital Center, learn more about their Diabetes Care Program by calling (718) 250-6433.  If you are living with type 2 diabetes, find out more about our partner Virta’s diabetes reversal program: www.virtahealth.com/join/1199.  Get inspired by fellow members through our Members' Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.   Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.  Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: www.YouTube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.  Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: <a href='htt

Healthcare leaders have called type 2 diabetes “a national health crisis,” but our guest this month has good news to share. Jessica Vatel, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes care and education specialist at the Brooklyn Hospital Center, is excited by the latest approaches to treating diabetes, including education, coaching and personal empowerment. Working with people living with the condition to develop healthy habits and problem-solving skills, Jessica discusses how putting the power in patients’ hands—along with medical advances—is helping more people manage their diabetes. The Takeaway  Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.    Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.  Get to know your numbers:  www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.  Join WeightWatchers® at a discounted rate of just $5 a month or $0 if you are living with diabetes or prediabetes: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/ww.  If you are living with diabetes and get your primary care from a physician at the Brooklyn Hospital Center, learn more about their Diabetes Care Program by calling (718) 250-6433.  If you are living with type 2 diabetes, find out more about our partner Virta’s diabetes reversal program: www.virtahealth.com/join/1199.  Get inspired by fellow members through our Members' Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.   Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.  Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: www.YouTube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.  Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: <a href='http

In this month’s episode, Dr. Hugo Ortega joins us as we take a look at lifestyle medicine – a fresh approach to healthcare that more and more physicians are embracing. Dr. Ortega, an associate program director for the Montefiore Einstein Internal Medicine Residency Program in the Bronx, shares his personal story of how he became interested in lifestyle medicine and how it informs the way he treats his patients and teaches his residents. He outlines the six basic pillars of lifestyle medicine and explains how paying attention to each can help get to the root causes of poor health and help us live our best lives.  Keep the conversation going and tag us or comment on our Facebook or Instagram pages with your thoughts and questions.   www.facebook.com/1199SEIUBenefitFunds  www.instagram.com/1199seiubenefitfunds    The Takeaway  Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.    Learn more about lifestyle medicine by visiting the American College of Lifestyle Medicine website: www.LifestyleMedicine.org.  Get the basics on whole-food, plant-based nutrition at www.PlantPoweredMetroNY.org.  Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.  Get to know your numbers at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts  Join WeightWatchers at a discounted rate of just $5 a month; $0 if you are living with diabetes or prediabetes: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/ww.  If you are living with type 2 diabetes, find out more about our partner Virta’s diabetes reversal program: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/news/virta.   Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.   Stop by our Benefits

In this month’s episode, Dr. Hugo Ortega joins us as we take a look at lifestyle medicine – a fresh approach to healthcare that more and more physicians are embracing. Dr. Ortega, an associate program director for the Montefiore Einstein Internal Medicine Residency Program in the Bronx, shares his personal story of how he became interested in lifestyle medicine and how it informs the way he treats his patients and teaches his residents. He outlines the six basic pillars of lifestyle medicine and explains how paying attention to each can help get to the root causes of poor health and help us live our best lives.    The Takeaway  Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.    Learn more about lifestyle medicine by visiting the American College of Lifestyle Medicine website: www.LifestyleMedicine.org.  Get the basics on whole-food, plant-based nutrition at www.PlantPoweredMetroNY.org.  Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.  Get to know your numbers at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts  Join WeightWatchers at a discounted rate of just $5 a month; $0 if you are living with diabetes or prediabetes: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/ww.  If you are living with type 2 diabetes, find out more about our partner Virta’s diabetes reversal program: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/news/virta.   Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.   Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.  Visit our  YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists  Sample our wellness

In this episode, the Benefit Funds’ Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Van H. Dunn, discusses the importance of building a healthy relationship with a primary care provider. Putting the emphasis on prevention – catching small problems before they become big ones – Dr. Dunn details the ways in which healthcare providers treat the whole person. He also explores the reasons why many people avoid seeing a provider regularly (and how to overcome them) and offers tips on what to look for in a provider – and what to avoid.  The Takeaway  Find a provider by browsing the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: www.1199seiubenefits.org/find-a-provider/.   Visit our Healthy Living Resource Center for info on how to build a solid relationship with your healthcare provider: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyrelationships.  Talk to your doctor about any screenings you may need: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthybodies.   Know your numbers to know where you stand: www.1199seiubenefits.org/healthyhearts/ For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900.    Guest Bio  Van H. Dunn, MD, MPH, FACP, is the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the 1199SEIU Benefit Funds. As CMO, he oversees the Funds’ clinical, care management and analytics functions, and is responsible for pursuing health and wellness initiatives and value-based strategies. Prior to joining the Funds, Dr. Dunn served as Senior Vice President for Medical and Professional Affairs and CMO at NYC Health + Hospitals, and as CMO for MetroPlus Health Plan. He also served as Deputy Commissioner at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and as Senior Health Policy Advisor to Senator Edward M. Kennedy, advancing policy and legislation relating to healthcare reform, health promotion, disease prevention, women’s and minorities’ health, disparities in healthcare and biomedical research, among other critical initiatives.   Dr. Dunn holds a Bachelor of Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Doctor of Medicine from Cornell University Medical College (now We