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 Penguin Random House Books.   Guest Bio Adrienne Cheatham is a New York-based chef, author, consultant and television personality known for her bold perspective on food and culture. A veteran of some of the country’s most acclaimed kitchens, Adrienne served as Executive Sous Chef at Le Bernardin and Executive Chef at Red Rooster Harlem and Corporate Chef of the Marcus Samuelsson Group. She rose to national prominence as the runner-up on Top Chef, Season 15, and has since returned to the show as a guest judge. In 2023, Adrienne published her debut cookbook, Sunday Best, inspired by her critically acclaimed pop-up dinner series of the same name. The book was nominated for a James Beard Award. Adrienne is a regular judge on the Food Network and contributor to Epicurious, where her videos have earned over 6 million views. She’s been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, USA Today and more—both as a subject and a writer. In 2025, she and her former Top Chef rival, Joe Flamm, launched The Chef’s Cut podcast. Through every platform, she shares stories that connect food, identity, and the communities that shape them.

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: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.   Guest Bio Dr. Samantha Dunham is a certified menopause practitioner and co-director of the Center for Midlife Health and Menopause at NYU Langone Health. She practices general gynecology and preventative women’s health, with a special focus on perimenopause and menopause and the role they play in disease development. At the Center for Midlife Health and Menopause, she educates patients on what to expect through perimenopause and menopause, and partners with them to develop a treatment plan that aligns with their symptoms and goals for treatment. Dr. Dunham completed residency in obstetrics and gynecology at New York University, and has been a board-certified physician for NYU Langone Health since 2006.  

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. 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. Samantha Dunham is a certified menopause practitioner and co-director of the Center for Midlife Health and Menopause at NYU Langone Health. She practices general gynecology and preventative women’s health, with a special focus on perimenopause and menopause and the role they play in disease development. At the Center for Midlife Health and Menopause, she educates patients on what to expect through perimenopause and menopause, and partners with them to develop a treatment plan that aligns with their symptoms and goals for treatment. Dr. Dunham completed residency in obstetrics and gynecology at New York University, and has been a board-certified physician for NYU Langone Health since 2006.  

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 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 and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.    Guest Bio  Michael “Mickey” Kisicki, M.D., is 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. He graduated with a B.A. in Philosophy from Emory University and then studied Medical Ethics on a Fulbright Grant in the Netherlands. His received his medical education at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with a psychiatry residency at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at UCLA. He is a member of the medical honor society Alpha Omega Alpha and has received multiple awards in medical education, as well as Top Doctor awards in New Hampshire and Connecticut. He has held faculty positions at the University of Washington, the University of Connecticut and Dartmouth College. His clinical interests and expertise are in trauma-related mental health symptoms, development of borderline personality traits in adolescents/young adults and obsessive-compulsive disorder. His research focus has been on medication-assisted psychotherapies in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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 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 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 and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.    Guest Bio  Michael “Mickey” Kisicki, M.D., is 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. He graduated with a B.A. in Philosophy from Emory University and then studied Medical Ethics on a Fulbright Grant in the Netherlands. His received his medical education at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with a psychiatry residency at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and a child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at UCLA. He is a member of the medical honor society Alpha Omega Alpha and has received multiple awards in medical education, as well as Top Doctor awards in New Hampshire and Connecticut. He has held faculty positions at the University of Washington, the University of Connecticut and Dartmouth College. His clinical interests and expertise are in trauma-related mental health symptoms, development of borderline personality traits in adolescents/young adults and obsessive-compulsive disorder. His research focus has been on medication-assisted psychotherapies in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).   

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 Danielle Sobieski, MS, RDN, CDN, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and the founder of DS Nutrition, based in Brooklyn, New York. With a background in genetics and a master’s degree in human nutrition, Danielle combines science with a compassionate, collaborative and trauma-informed approach to help clients build healthier relationships with food and manage chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), disordered eating and other conditions. Her care is grounded in evidence-based practices and shaped by hands-on patient experience, ensuring personalized support for both physical and emotional well-being.  

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/playlists. Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: 1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Guet Bio Danielle Sobieski, MS, RDN, CDN, is a registered dietitian nutritionist and the founder of DS Nutrition, based in Brooklyn, New York. With a background in genetics and a master’s degree in human nutrition, Danielle combines science with a compassionate, collaborative and trauma-informed approach to help clients build healthier relationships with food and manage chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), disordered eating and other conditions. Her care is grounded in evidence-based practices and shaped by hands-on patient experience, ensuring personalized support for both physical and emotional well-being.

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 Cancer Institute for Northwell facilities across eastern Long Island. He is based at Huntington Hospital, where he is chair of surgery.Dr. Karpeh specializes in gastrointestinal tumors, including stomach and esophageal cancer, and cancers of the gastroesophageal junction. In the 1990s, he helped introduce minimally invasive laparoscopic staging techniques that now guide treatment decisions, helping doctors determine whether patients receive chemotherapy before surgery for gastroesophageal junction cancer. He also treats soft tissue sarcomas and skin cancers, including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma.Dr. Karpeh received his medical degree from the Pennsylvania State University Medical Colleges. He went on to complete his General Surgical Training at the University of Pennsylvania and later a Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he spent more than a decade as an attending. He then spent 20 years leading surgical oncology programs at Stony Brook University Medical Center, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Health.For decades, Dr. Karpeh has worked in clinical trial development and frequently refers patients to national and international clinical studies. He is involved in translational research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory to identify treatment targets in stomach and esophageal cancers, and has published more than 100 journal articles on stomach and gastroesophageal junction cancer.A member of the International Gastric Cancer Association, the Society of Surgical Oncology and the American Surgical Association, Dr. Karpeh is also the former president of the New York Surgical Society, New York Cancer Society and the Society of Black Academic Surgeons. Additionally, he has been named a Castle Connelly Top Doctor and New York Magazine Top Doctor over many years.

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 wellness classes to exercise body and mind: www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents. Martin Karpeh, MD, is the director of surgical oncology at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute for Northwell facilities across eastern Long Island. He is based at Huntington Hospital, where he is chair of surgery.Dr. Karpeh specializes in gastrointestinal tumors, including stomach and esophageal cancer, and cancers of the gastroesophageal junction. In the 1990s, he helped introduce minimally invasive laparoscopic staging techniques that now guide treatment decisions, helping doctors determine whether patients receive chemotherapy before surgery for gastroesophageal junction cancer. He also treats soft tissue sarcomas and skin cancers, including melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma.Dr. Karpeh received his medical degree from the Pennsylvania State University Medical Colleges. He went on to complete his General Surgical Training at the University of Pennsylvania and later a Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he spent more than a decade as an attending. He then spent 20 years leading surgical oncology programs at Stony Brook University Medical Center, Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center and Hackensack Meridian Health.For decades, Dr. Karpeh has worked in clinical trial development and frequently refers patients to national and international clinical studies. He is involved in translational research at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory to identify treatment targets in stomach and esophageal cancers, and has published more than 100 journal articles on stomach and gastroesophageal junction cancer.A member of the International Gastric Cancer Association, the Society of Surgical Oncology and the American Surgical Association, Dr. Karpeh is also the former president of the New York Surgical Society, New York Cancer Society and the Society of Black Academic Surgeons. Additionally, he has been named a Castle Connelly Top Doctor and New York Magazine Top Doctor over many years.

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 closely with his patients to help them adopt a plant-based diet. Dr. Ostfeld received his Bachelor of Arts in the Biologic Basis of Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania, graduating Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa and his Doctor of Medicine from Yale University School of Medicine. He then did his medical internship and residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital and his Cardiology Fellowship and Research Fellowship in Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, both teaching hospitals of Harvard Medical School. During his Cardiology Fellowship, he earned a Master’s of Science in Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Ostfeld’s research focus is on cardiovascular disease prevention and reversal through lifestyle modification. Ongoing topics he investigates include the impact of plant-based nutrition on erectile function, coronary artery disease, angina and heart failure. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, books, articles, and clinical statements and has been presented nationally. Dr. Ostfeld is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Echocardiography, and he is a member of numerous professional societies, including the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine and the American College of Cardiology.

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 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 closely with his patients to help them adopt a plant-based diet. Dr. Ostfeld received his Bachelor of Arts in the Biologic Basis of Behavior from the University of Pennsylvania, graduating Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa and his Doctor of Medicine from Yale University School of Medicine. He then did his medical internship and residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital and his Cardiology Fellowship and Research Fellowship in Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, both teaching hospitals of Harvard Medical School. During his Cardiology Fellowship, he earned a Master’s of Science in Epidemiology from the Harvard School of Public Health. Dr. Ostfeld’s research focus is on cardiovascular disease prevention and reversal through lifestyle modification. Ongoing topics he investigates include the impact of plant-based nutrition on erectile function, coronary artery disease, angina and heart failure. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, books, articles, and clinical statements and has been presented nationally. Dr. Ostfeld is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Echocardiography, and he is a member of numerous professional societies, including the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine and the American College of Cardiology.

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 Integrative Nutrition, where she became certified as a Holistic Health Practitioner. Janet continued to incorporate additional certifications with a gut-health focus. As an Integrative Registered Dietitian, Certified LEAP Therapist and Holistic Coach, Janet remains passionate about providing compassionate support and guidance in her practice, Nutrition Custom Care. She provides a safe space for patients to share their stories and health struggles, understanding that a work-together approach is paramount to establishing rapport. As a result, she has helped patients adopt transformative food behaviors that meet their health objectives and improve their relationship with food. Janet’s diverse skill set and proven results-driven strategies are now available through her online courses for independent learners. Additionally, she holds monthly small-group onsite sessions and consults virtually one-on-one for a more connected approach. For more information, visit nutritioncustomcare.com.

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 Integrative Nutrition, where she became certified as a Holistic Health Practitioner. Janet continued to incorporate additional certifications with a gut-health focus. As an Integrative Registered Dietitian, Certified LEAP Therapist and Holistic Coach, Janet remains passionate about providing compassionate support and guidance in her practice, Nutrition Custom Care. She provides a safe space for patients to share their stories and health struggles, understanding that a work-together approach is paramount to establishing rapport. As a result, she has helped patients adopt transformative food behaviors that meet their health objectives and improve their relationship with food. Janet’s diverse skill set and proven results-driven strategies are now available through her online courses for independent learners. Additionally, she holds monthly small-group onsite sessions and consults virtually one-on-one for a more connected approach. For more information, visit nutritioncustomcare.com.

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 BioRenee 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 Committee, Co-Chair of the New York Citywide Colorectal Cancer Coalition (C5) Risk assessment and Screening Committee, and section editor for the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy’s GESAP (Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Self-assessment Program). She also served on the Board of Trustees for the American College of Gastroenterology from 2018 to 2024.

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 BioRenee 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 Committee, Co-Chair of the New York Citywide Colorectal Cancer Coalition (C5) Risk assessment and Screening Committee, and section editor for the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy’s GESAP (Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Self-assessment Program). She also served on the Board of Trustees for the American College of Gastroenterology from 2018 to 2024.

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 BioDr. 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 also completed a fellowship in cardio-oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she learned to manage the unique cardiovascular risks that cancer patients face during treatment. Dr. Verma has developed a comprehensive approach to cardiovascular care focused on providing personalized, evidence-based treatment plans that take into account each patient’s unique medical history, lifestyle and goals. She prides herself on optimizing the patient-physician relationship to best serve her patients. Additionally, Dr. Verma serves as the Associate Program Director of the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program at Maimonides Medical Center. 

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 BioDr. 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 also completed a fellowship in cardio-oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where she learned to manage the unique cardiovascular risks that cancer patients face during treatment. Dr. Verma has developed a comprehensive approach to cardiovascular care focused on providing personalized, evidence-based treatment plans that take into account each patient’s unique medical history, lifestyle and goals. She prides herself on optimizing the patient-physician relationship to best serve her patients. Additionally, Dr. Verma serves as the Associate Program Director of the Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program at Maimonides Medical Center. 

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 BioDr. 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. Prior to joining the Benefit Funds, Dr. Mayers served as Senior Medical Director at CVS Health/Aetna. There she collaborated with the account management teams, pharmacy teams, consulting firms and plan sponsors to drive improved health outcomes for commercial and labor health plan members. Prior to that, she served as Chief of Medicine at Premier Healthcare, where she managed five ambulatory health centers across New York City. Her previous experience with union membership was earned at the Benefit Fund of the New York Hotel Trades, where she was medical director of the Harlem Health Center. Dr. Mayers worked for many years as a primary care physician at the Farrell Health Center of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where she served as faculty and medical director of the resident training program. Dr. Mayers continues to hold a position as voluntary faculty/instructor in clinical medicine at Columbia University’s Center for Family and Community Medicine. She is a licensed physician in New York State and is board certified with the American Board of Family Medicine. Dr. Mayers received a Bachelor of Arts from Cornell University, a Doctor of Medicine from Cornell University Medical College (now Weill Cornell Medical College) and a Master of Public Health from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.