Introducing Kevin Burgess, LMSW Kevin Burgess is a Li-censed Master Social Worker and has worked at Niagara Falls Memorial since January.

Kevin has a master’s degree in Social Work from the University at Buffalo a bachelors degree from the Buffalo State College where he graduat-ed Summa Cum Laude, and an associate’s degree from Niagara County Community College.

Kevin has worked his entire career in the city of Niagara Falls, having previ-ously worked four years for a local agency that serves

the developmentally disa-bled.

Here at Memorial, Kevin is a Mental Health Thera-pist working in the Contin-uing Day Treatment (CDT) program, where he facili-tates psychotherapy and educational groups. The CDT program is an inten-sive group therapy program designed for adult individu-als with a serious and per-sistent mental illness. Indi-viduals who attend treat-ment may benefit from learning about mental heath, stress management, coping skills, managing daily life struggles, art ther-apy and anger manage-ment.

Select group therapy mo-dalities are based on evi-dence-based practices rang-ing from Cognitive Behav-ioral Techniques to Dialec-tical Behavior Therapy: Mindfulness, Emotional Regulation, Interpersonal Effectiveness and Distress

Tolerance.

Individuals have identi-fied CDT as safe place to express emotions, build relationships, and gain a sense of belonging from a welcoming community. Peer support is an integral part in processing change, which is encouraged within the program. Group par-ticipants often form friend-ships, bonds and supports to help them cope with their symptoms, while learning and gaining the skills needed so that one day they can better cope on their own and prevent a relapse of symptoms.

Wellness Center Update: Hope and Recovery Feeling Stressed? Needing more Support? Come and check out our Hope and Recovery groups! Light refreshments provided. Hope and Recovery groups explore the com-mon stressors and life chal-lenges that many of us

face. The group is facilitat-ed by a trained clinician who will assist in creating positive ways to deal with daily stressors. We are currently holding Monthly Maintenance groups for folks who need to check in and be reaf-

firmed that their path is on the right track. If you are interested in attending any of these groups, please contact The-resa M. Humennyj, LCSW; Director of Social Work at (716) 278-4561.

Vol. 1, No 2 Summer 2014

The Wellness Connection The Newsle t ter of the Niagara Wellness Connec t ion Center

Kevin Burgess, LMSW

Linkages: Community Kiosks The Niagara Wellness Connection Center part-ners with numerous com-munity service providers to help clients live life to the fullest. New additions include Healthy Minds Niagara, which provides peer support, advocacy and empowerment. We continue to have the following available at our onsite community support kiosks: Communi-ty Missions intake worker, Community Health Work-er, Niagara Falls Memorial Health Home, Horizon Health Services, Certified Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counselor, NYS Insurance Marketplace Navigators, Visiting Nurse Associa-tion, YMCA Niagara, Fi-nancial and Educational counseling. To find out when these providers are available at the Wellness Connection Center please call (716) 278-4820 or visit us at www.nfmmc.org.

Page 2 The Wellness Connection

By Heather Johnson

The term “recovery” has been an is-sue of debate among some peer groups, suggesting it reinforces the stigmas that can come with a mental health diagno-sis. Despite a few negative experiences of my own, my recovery has become more of rediscovery instead, a newer insight into whom I was in the past, which I am now in the present and my hopes and goals in the days to come. It was during my stay at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center three years

ago (after a suicide attempt) that I fully came to realize the potential for person-al healing that takes place creating art during the darkest, most traumatic mo-ments in life. The creative process al-lows us to enter a meditative state to experience, explore and express all of our emotions through color and image-ry, providing a safe and healthy outlet to share and heal within ourselves and others. Creating art guides us within to experience and embrace the true, inner peace, strength and courage we all pos-sess — to accept and love our true selves during our personal rediscoveries.

Heather Johnson is a peer on our Advisory Council and also participates in Wellness Connection Center Programming.

Recovery is Possible: A Peer’s Perspective

Primary Care at the Connection Center

ing in that position I was offered a wonderful opportunity to be-come The Education Counselor for Niagara County. The Educational Assistance program is funded by a grant through Niagara County Depart-ment of Mental Health. The pro-gram has grown so much over the past 6 years and provides

amazing opportunities for resi-dents of Niagara County with mental health diagnoses. This program offers one cen-tral resource to access education-al information, educational as-sessments, application forms, and educational counseling and guidance. The services offered include: assistance in linking with ACCES-VR, assistance with the process for defaulted student loans, and assistance with the application process (applying, financial aid, etc), and many more. The Educational Assistance Pro-gram is offered the first Wednesday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Meet our Community Providers — Horizon Health Services

Introducing Tonya Moore: Horizon Educational Counselor

My name is Tonya Moore. I have my bachelor’s degree in Business Management and am currently working on my Mas-ter’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I started at Horizon Health Services in 2008 as sup-port staff. After a year of remain-

The Primary Care Center is

staffed by Rajinder Bajwa,

M.D. and Nancy Graeff, R.N.

We are continuing to accept to new patients at the Well-ness Connection Center. If you are currently a client at the Wellness Connection Center and you are in need of a Primary Care doctor please contact (716) 278-4820 to schedule a timely appoint-ment.

Page 3

Meet the Niagara Wellness Connection Center Team

The Wellness Connection

From Project Director Andrea Hurley-Lynch, LMSW:

At the Wellness Connection Center we continue to offer free Health and Wellness Classes to anyone in the community. We are currently offering classes on: Medication Education - This class offers the opportunity to

meet with a licensed pharmacist to dis-cuss your medications, side effects and proper adherence. Project Runway - Provides support to women who are using or at risk for us-ing drugs or alcohol or have a friend or family member using. Insurance 101 - Bring in your medical bills and ask any our Insurance Naviga-tors questions regarding the changing world of health insurance.

Eat Healthy NY! Cornell Cooperative Extension provides information regarding eating smart, cooking within a budget and meal planning. Healthy Relationships - Offered by Planned Parenthood, this focuses on the importance of effective communication to the development and maintenance of a healthy relationships. Healthy Lifestyles - Our registered nurse focuses on diabetes education, blood pressure and weight management, asthma and overall health and wellness. Smoking Cessation - Learn the keys to quitting and the cop-ing skills to help stay smoke free. Co-Ed and Women’s Spirituality Classes - These classes offer the opportunity to meet with ordained ministers, discuss life topics and stressors or pray for a loved one. Horizon Substance Abuse Orientation - Willing to admit you may have a problem with drugs or alcohol? The provider of this class can help. Pet Therapy - Meet Scooter, a certified pet therapy dog. Ani-mal-assisted therapy is a growing field that uses dogs or other animals to help people recover from or better cope with health problems. YMCA fitness classes –Provided by a licensed personal train-er, these include: Yoga, Meditation, Interval Cardio, Stretching and aerobics. Classes are held daily. To access our monthly schedule call (716) 278-4820, visit www.nfmmc.org or view the hospital Facebook page.

Introducing Nancy Graeff, RN: Hi, my name is Nancy Graeff RN/BSN. I am the Wellness Connection Clinic Care Manager. I graduated from Trocaire College and D’Youville College in Buffalo, New York.

A registered nurse, I have worked in the mental health and substance abuse field for over 35 years. I am sure it’s because I

am a nurse, but I am always concerned about the whole per-son. I know many people are not in the best mood when they are feeling medically ill and many people are not in the best health when they are feeling stressed or sad. The Wellness Connection Center tries to ensure that you’re feeling well both mentally and physically. We work together with your therapist to assist you in being all you can be with a healthy mind and body.

I facilitate a wellness class on Wednesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. where participants are encouraged to learn ways to maintain their physical health and in turn maintain their mental health. We learn ways to maintain a healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, pain relief and weight. Medications are discussed but also complimentary ways to deal with these medical issues. This is done in a pressure-free atmosphere where everyone is welcome to come and participate at the level they feel comfort-able.

I also assist Dr. Bajwa at the clinic. We try to help you make sure you are as healthy as you can be by checking your current physical status and making sure you are receiving the best care for any medical diagnoses you may have. In addition, we make sure you are advised of the best information to ensure you re-main healthy — like getting flu shots in the fall, for example.

Feel free to come and see our clinic and meet the great peo-ple who work here.

Introducing Michael Scarcelli: Financial Counselor (available Monday-Friday)

Hello, my name is Michael Scarcelli. I am the Financial Counselor at the Niagara Wellness Connection Center. I have worked at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center for the past six years. I help people who are uninsured. Many people are unable to access resources because of various barriers: not knowing how, having financial burdens or having a hard time understanding all of the complicated instructions for completing applications. During my time here I have familiarized myself with all the different programs that are available in the area. I recently be-came a CAC (Certified Application Counselor) with New York State of Health, which enables me to help clients enroll in in-surance programs offered through the NYS website in accord-ance with the Affordable Healthcare Act. I also have the knowledge and skills to assist with the rules and guidelines for completing Food Stamps and Public Assistance applications and applications for Social Security Disability and Social Sup-plemental Income. I am available to assist or make suggestions if someone is having financial budgeting issues. I look forward to meeting all the people in the community that may need any of the services here at The Niagara Wellness Connection Center.

Feeling Alone? Need Help Coping? A special place just for you —

supportive, caring

and confidential

Call us at 278-4541 to schedule an appointment

or a tour.

Experience the difference

We care about

your convenience.

Counseling appointments, doctor

appointments …

We care about your health.

Our Wellness Care Coordinator

will help you identify

the services you need.

Niagara Wellness

Connection Center

Having trouble concentrating or

adjusting to a major change in your

life? Feeling hopeless or helpless?

We can help.

Your wellness needs

all under one roof

Individual and group therapy

Primary health care

Education programs

Financial and insurance assis-

tance

Fitness activities

We care about you —

body and soul.

Fitness classes, smoking cessation .

. . and TASC/college enrollment

assistance are all available in our

beautiful new facility.

Our licensed mental health thera-pists, physicians, nurses and staff

are here — just for you.

Call 278-4541

THE NIAGARA WELLNESS CONNECTION CENTER TEAM: From left, Urmo Jaanimagi, CASAC, Heidi Rance, MOA, Andrea Hurley-Lynch, LMSW, Rajinder Bajwa, MD, Michael Scarcelli, Financial Counselor, and Nancy Graeff, RN.

621 10th Street

6th Floor

Niagara Falls, NY 14302

Phone: 716-278-4541

Fax: 716-278-4544

E-mail: andrea.hurley@nfmmc.org