“When you think about chronic kidney disease, it affects so many people,” explains Dr. Kathleen Robischon, VP of Medical Affairs ...
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For Medicare member Frank Pecora, making a call to Customer Care at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield meant finding medications he could ...
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Summer is a time to work in the garden, visit the dog park, or hit the bike path. It is ...
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Affordable and Accessible Care for AllThe ACCEL Clinic, a healthcare facility located at the Economic Opportunity Program in Elmira, NY, ...
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As part of Melissa Klinko’s professional development, she was able to enroll in an online Harvard business course, fully sponsored ...
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Each year, May marks the start of Maternal Mental Health Month. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), ...
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Did you know that Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is supported by a team of local Medical Directors? That’s right, a team ...
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Common Ground Health is one of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s 2023 Health Equity Innovation Award recipients. Funds are used for their ...
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We recently awarded the Upstate Family Health Center (UFHC) a $5,000 Health and Wellness Award to support their Low Barrier ...
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The Monroe County Family Coalition is one of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield's 2023 Health Equity Innovation Award recipients. Funds will be ...
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Four quarters of big-game football can be grueling, especially for those watching at a house party with a big-time buffet ...
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As an active community member and local senior center volunteer, Richard doesn’t like to sit still. However, sciatic nerve pain ...
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With the Boilermaker 15K presented by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield just around the corner, we interviewed two first-time runners to get ...
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After the final bell rings at 2:30 p.m., students and teachers at Nativity Preparatory Academy of Rochester regroup to continue ...
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We invite you to join Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in recognizing Maternal Mental Health Month. Mental and behavioral health issues affect ...
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May is Maternal Mental Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the mental health of every mother during and ...
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The first day Julia Oakley moved into the building in Rochester, N.Y.’s Edgerton neighborhood that would soon be the home ...
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I am proud and honored to recognize our team of medical, dental, and behavioral health professionals at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield ...
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Expectant mom, Lana Polishchuk’s special delivery arrived four months before the birth of her baby boy. It came in a ...
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“Living our mission and applying an I.D.E.A. (inclusion, diversity, equity, and access) Mindset takes all of us,” says Sady Alvarado- ...
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For the second year in a row, our organization has been named a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion! ...
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Whether it’s to carry on a family tradition, accomplish a personal goal, or to enjoy the amazing post-race party, every ...
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With thousands of running races held each year in the United States, Robert (Bob) Bluey has no trouble choosing his ...
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Filling our plates with healthy food and avoiding unhealthy temptations can be challenging, particularly as we see prices rise at ...
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On National Doctors’ Day and all year long, we are proud to celebrate the important work of physicians throughout our ...
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By Lorna Fitzpatrick, MD You’ve seen signs posted in public places that an AED is on the premises. AED stands ...
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For many years, Ann Himmler of Monroe County, was required to get a flu shot every year because she was ...
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I had a reunion of sorts with some old friends from high school. Once we adjusted to seeing each other ...
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When I was in high school, there were several years where my mom devoted herself to taking care of my ...
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After Teresa Arnold’s 12-hour liver transplant surgery, her doctor told her husband, “It’s amazing she was still alive. Her liver ...
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Ify Azogi’s African and Caribbean Central Market has seen a decline in customers since the pandemic began. The owner of ...
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The following article was written by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield SafetyNet Medical Directors Sudha Bakshi, MD, and Saba Abaci, MD Often ...
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Holidays and food go hand in hand, or more accurately, hand to mouth. This time of year can present a ...
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Did you know that the average American gains 1-2 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s? “While this may not sound ...
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When the pandemic forced Karen Goossen to close the doors of her business this spring, she knew her income was ...
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With lawns to cut, golf to play, decks to stain, and sweat to… be sweated, summertime is when many people ...
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In honor of National Physical Therapy Month, we sat down with Carly Costanza, physical therapist with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, to ...
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Lisa Haskins, of Monroe County, wished she spoken up sooner about how domestic violence impacted her family. She wished more ...
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When Denise Hull of Genesee County began working from home, she noticed quickly that her body felt different at the ...
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Ever since I turned 40, each year in December I would go to have my annual mammogram. I usually scheduled ...
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Our daily routines offer a lot of comfort and efficiency. But, as Bill Murray’s character demonstrates in the movie Groundhog ...
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During the month of October, it’s difficult to ignore the stories, commercials, advertisements, pink T-shirts and other paraphernalia proclaiming Breast ...
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Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are personal. They impact not just those afflicted, but all the family members and friends around ...
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Making the decision to breastfeed can be a complicated and daunting process for many women. Health experts recommend that mothers ...
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During the summer – and year-round – our bodies crave water. There’s no way to live without it.  In fact, ...
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Lisa’s world was turned upside down a few months ago. As with many of us, the pandemic changed nearly everything ...
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“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of a bike ride.” - John F. Kennedy A few months back, the snow started ...
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As medical practices open for patient visits, it’s time to reconnect with your doctor to discuss care or screenings you ...
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We used to think that low-fat eating was where it was at for weight control and good health. But as ...
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You’ve likely heard this before: staying connected is important for our health.  But have you really thought about why and ...
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Most people who are near the end of life lack the ability to make their own decisions about the life-sustaining ...
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It was while I was lying awake at 3:00 a.m. again that I realized something was not right.  I am ...
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Food banks across New York state are helping families put healthy meals on the table, obtain personal care items, baby ...
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The COVID-19 pandemic is shedding new light on the often-abstract concept of advance care planning. Advance care planning is where ...
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Only one-third of adults in New York state say they can recognize the signs of a stroke, according to a ...
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News outlets across the country have reported a rise in domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic –when families are essentially ...
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Bob Russell was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 25. Today, he is the Upstate New York Area Executive ...
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In honor of National Nurses Week, we’re sharing stories that celebrate the compassion, empathy and kindness demonstrated by nurses and ...
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Many of us start the year by setting New Year’s resolutions or making plans for what we want to accomplish ...
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The same day she received her nursing degree from SUNY Brockport, Kathy Gorall RN, BSN, was commissioned as a 2nd ...
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Grocery shopping may be something you used to take for granted. But it’s a little more complicated these days. To ...
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“You can still go out and give blood. We’re worried about potential blood shortages in the future. Social distancing does ...
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The New York State Department of Health suggests getting outdoors to walk, jog, hike, garden, ride a bicycle or visit a ...
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Something in Jean Hopkins’ gut told her to take her daughter to urgent care. It was after school, and her ...
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About three years ago, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Network Analyst Tim Truax felt inundated by stories about children dealing with cancer ...
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Nearly 1 in 10 upstate New Yorkers has been told they have prediabetes. Pat Salzer, a Registered Dietitian and Workplace ...
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The average American commute is getting longer. Between construction, accidents and traffic, it seems there is always something stopping you from ...
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Planning a summer vacation? Why not  take a trip that makes a difference and lets you explore the world? Consider ...
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“You’re too young to have a stroke!” That’s what I’ve heard countless times since I had my first Transient Ischemic ...
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I’ve always loved the traditions of Passover, the Jewish holiday that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery ...
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Dajia Richardson parked her truck outside a house in a suburb of Rochester, N.Y. She peered at the freshly-fallen snow ...
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Like in many families, my mom and my aunts spent several years caring for my grandparents. Each sister had a ...
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Earlier in my public health career, I lived in Baltimore, Maryland. There I met a successful nurse practitioner with whom ...
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On September 6, 2011, I was introduced to a beautiful new grandson named Owin. All outside appearances indicated that he ...
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Growing up on Long Island and then while attending college in New York City, I had the opportunity to enjoy ...
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Almost everyone loves to grab a snack before they go to sleep. But what you choose to eat could determine ...
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When your 58-year-old dad drops to the floor and dies of a heart attack in a hospital emergency room, you ...
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Some of my favorite memories as a kid are from Halloween. I remember dressing up as a witch to go ...
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The first house in my neighborhood ablaze with holiday lights triggered a mini anxiety attack. Lights glowed in the windows ...
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Lori Dyer had struggled with her weight for as long as she could remember. She was 412 pounds and had tried every diet ...
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You drink over 38 gallons of soda each year. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), ...
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Jamie Moore is the Director of Sourcing and Sustainability at Parkhurst Dining. Moore is passionate about teaching people about common misconceptions about the ...
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Do you know what it feels like to have appendicitis? I didn't either. I was attending my first year of ...
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As the year gears up for August, I’m plagued by memories of sweltering heat, affecting my focus, motivation, and workout ...
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I was saddened to hear of the two recent celebrity suicides. I was sad for their families and also for ...
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Skin is something people take for granted, until the worst happens. It is the largest living organ of the human ...
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Fall of 2017 had just begun. Changes were coming — I could feel it in the air. And I don’t ...
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Healthy snacking might sound like an oxymoron. But there are a lot of benefits to snacking – especially if you ...
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Sunglasses for kids come in all sorts of fun sizes, shapes and characters. What young kid wouldn’t want police dog ...
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I’d rather be cooking than gardening, but there’s something about growing and using my own herbs that’s satisfying to the ...
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On a recent webinar with Kelly Springer of Kelly’s Choice Nutritional Company, I learned about digestive health and why it’s ...
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If you’re confused about the difference between organic and natural, you’re not alone. While they might sound like the same ...
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My mom laughed out loud when she got a call from her bank asking if she had purchased hand-crafted men’s ...
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It started with a slight pain in my heel about a week before my wedding. My heel hurt when I ...
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It's down to the final two contenders for the Munch Madness 2018 “Chompionship”.  This is going to be epic!  Will ...
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Beware the Ides of March! As game time approaches, take a peek at some of our most popular recipes. We've ...
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Kelly Springer is the founder and owner of Kelly’s Choice nutritional company, which focuses on sports nutrition, weight loss, workplace ...
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I had a rash that would not go away. It didn’t cover a large area, but it was irritating. Waiting ...
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The opioid epidemic touches our lives in many ways. Every day, 130 Americans die from opioid overdoses. But there are ...
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Every time someone near me sniffles, coughs or sneezes, I find myself in a slight panic – oh no, have ...
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Sarah Lee reflects on her sobriety whenever she walks by a corner room on the second floor of the Jennifer ...
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I pride myself on being an eternal optimist. I believe I can turn any situation sunny if I smile enough ...
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Before you decide whether or not to have your pre-teen vaccinated against HPV (human papillomavirus), you may want to read ...
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Lisa Cooper did a small thing the other day that helped lessen her holiday stress. She got home before her ...
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Staying healthy (and sane) throughout the holiday season is more than just tackling a holiday weight-loss challenge or cutting back ...
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Alana Hughes wants to inspire you to feel your best and live a life you love through fitness. Alana turned ...
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Gluten gets a bad rap these days. But is it deserved? What is Gluten? Gluten is a protein that is ...
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Don’t smoke? You might think the Great American Smokeout and other quit smoking efforts don’t apply to you. But if ...
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I’m proud of my self-restraint. There’s a bag of Snickers buried deep in my pantry. It’s the third week of ...
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Pam Eadi was diagnosed with breast cancer about 20 years ago. Since then, she has been vigilant and always faithful ...
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I recently dined on quite the spread: Homemade corn tortilla chips with southwestern black-eyed pea and corn salad. Oh, and ...
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I’ve had the following conversation, or one very similar to it, every August for the past few years upon my ...
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Michael Shea, a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology, hadn’t seen the dentist in more than a year. But ...
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"If we want to instill resiliency and develop children’s imaginations, we need to present children with stories about long odds, ...
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I’ve been there. Worried about too many calories or too much sugar, I ordered a diet soda, feeling a little ...
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It’s funny how life can come full circle. Matt Mersfelder of Syracuse has experienced it firsthand. His first “real” job ...
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I remember watching in horror as my grandmother ate freshly picked tomatoes as if they were apples, gripping them in ...
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“Bluerasps” are among my boys’ favorite summertime treats. My oldest invented this delicacy a few years ago at a local ...
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A co-worker recently faced the reality that she had to floss. Cavities were likely on the horizon if she didn’t, ...
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She is an original member of Garth Fagan's "Bottom of the Bucket, But” Dance Company, the precursor to Garth Fagan ...
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Kecia McCullough, a lifelong Rochesterian, is passionate about bringing people together. Kecia did just that in 2016 when she created ...
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EDITOR’S NOTE: With the stigma surrounding mental illness, many people are reluctant to seek treatment. After the birth of her ...
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Breakfast should never be boring. If you’re in a morning rut, try one of these better breakfast recipes to brighten ...
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Nurcan Sarbudak and Margaret Michailidis are busy, working moms. It took them a while to find the time to focus ...
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We all do it. We know we do it. Yet we don’t know how to change it. We sit too ...
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Tim Reed is the president of the world renowned Utica Boilermaker Road Race, which will be celebrating its 40th running ...
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Certain slices of Americana are just ingrained into our culture. You know, things like mom, apple pie, pizza, and yes, ...
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Chris Gorecki is about to tackle his seventh straight Tour de Cure. He doesn’t participate in the diabetes fundraiser because ...
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A “Learn to Dance Ballroom, No Partner Required” headline caught my eye in a catalog I was flipping through 18 ...
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George Jones sang about not needing a rocking chair when he grew old and that was the tune Laura Vallone ...
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Randy Sabourin is the man behind the free Wellness Wednesdays in downtown Syracuse, N.Y. As founder/owner of the Metro Fitness ...
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There are a lot of great things about the return of warm weather: more sunshine, more time outside, and of ...
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Stand tall with your hands on your hips! Or, flex your muscles! Do whatever pose makes you feel powerful for ...
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It was the end of August, late in the evening and raining cats and dogs when my bus pulled into ...
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You want to pack a lunch that you and your kids will actually eat. It might seem tough. But with ...
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Some things can’t be avoided—like colds that settle in right before a vacation. And flights that can’t be postponed because ...
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I’m obsessed with my popcorn popper. My hot-air wonder has been popping healthy treats since before I met my hubby ...
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Nicole Kazimer is the founder of Hikyoga, a hiking-infused yoga class in Rochester. Born and raised in Webster, NY, Nicole ...
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MyFitnessPal is a food diary, calorie and nutrient tracker and exercise journal rolled into one easy-to-use app. I use the ...
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Before you decide whether or not to have your pre-teen vaccinated against HPV (human papillomavirus), you may want to read about ...
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After a long week at work, there’s nothing more comforting than coming home on a Friday night and having some ...
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"What are you guys waiting for?" That’s the question friends and family would ask every year at my son’s birthday ...
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The Sleep Cycle app is listed as “essential” in the app store, and for good reason! Sleep Cycle is an ...
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Reaching the 37th week of pregnancy with both of my boys felt like a big milestone. After heaving my bloated, ...
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I’ve done boot camp. I’ve joined a gym or two. I’m pretty committed when I join things—I like to get ...
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Losing weight is…well, hard! Eat healthy, be more active…you know the drill. But getting started and sticking with it are ...
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When I moved off campus my junior year of college, I was excited to have an actual kitchen to cook ...
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If you’re like me, you ended the year celebrating the holiday season just a little too much and you’ve started ...
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Some of my friends think I’m odd because I’m one of those people who genuinely look forward to winter. I ...
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Being a teenager and going through high school can be difficult. There are classes to keep up with, sports commitments ...
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You’ve probably heard the expression, “When pigs fly.” Umm, now they can. And, miniature horses can too. So can monkeys, ...
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Vegetables suffer from a bad reputation. “Ugh,” you might think. “They taste terrible and they’re too hard to cook.” It’s ...
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Our family’s unique Thanksgiving tradition has little to do with food or football. It has everything to do with our ...
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Most parents take strong positions against bullying, until THEIR child is accused of being the bully. "Not my child!" they ...
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Many moms are obsessed with the color of their toddler’s poop. But, did you know that the color of your ...
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Lack of sleep isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a public health problem. If you have trouble falling asleep at night ...
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My toddler began his first apple picking trip by collecting the rotten fruit off the grass, offering them to me ...
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I never saw it on me. After years of walking the dog, hiking and trail running, I was trained to ...
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I trained hard for my first Tough Mudder, a mud run through an obstacle course that included barbed wire and ...
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I don’t like needles, never have. But, every year I’ve gotten a flu shot, because I’ve been told that it’s ...
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