Tag: community

Maternal Mental Health Awareness

We invite you to join Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in recognizing Maternal Mental Health Month.  Mental and behavioral health issues affect millions of Americans, and the challenge can be even greater for those impacted by mental illness during pregnancy and postpartum. One in eight mothers experience symptoms of maternal depression.  Developing a strong support system and finding treatment for symptoms can help both mother and baby thrive.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mental health is an important part of overall health and wellbeing. It includes our emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It affects how we think, feel, and act. Mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in the United States. With more than half of all Americans expected to be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime, almost everyone is impacted by mental illness in some way.

Pregnancy and motherhood come with many challenges from lifestyle to hormonal changes. Each woman’s experience is different. Some adapt to these changes easily, while others may struggle physically and mentally. Maternal mental health disorders typically occur during pregnancy and within the first year after birth.

Identifying the signs and symptoms is an important first step to getting help. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, symptoms of postpartum depression can include intense sadness, anxiety, and hopelessness, loss of interest in activities, withdrawing from family and friends, or thoughts of hurting yourself of baby.

If you are struggling, you’re not alone and support is available. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides free, confidential support, resources, and referrals from professional counselors to pregnant and postpartum individuals facing mental health challenges 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Counselors offer support in English and Spanish and interpreter services are available in 60 additional languages. Call 833-943-5746.

The Maternal Mental Health Hotline is not intended as an emergency response line and individuals in behavioral health crisis should contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Share your story

Sharing stories can be a powerful way to raise awareness about this very important issue. Hear from two courageous mothers and Excellus BCBS employees who are proud to share their stories and encourage others to seek support.

Michelle and her daughter – a thriving college student.

“To say I’m not OK and I need help, shows just how strong you are, because if you’re not here, imagine the light that’s being taken away from those around you,” says Michelle Mack-Hayward, Excellus BCBS Affordability Program Development Specialist.  Michelle experienced the devastating loss of her twin boys at 19 weeks pregnant, followed by a difficult pregnancy with her daughter that included 10 weeks on bed rest in the hospital.  “Having the joy of this beautiful little girl and grieving the loss of my two sons was hard. It took me saying I’m not OK and admitting I need help,” says Michelle. “If my story can help someone get through a rough time, it doesn’t have to be fetal loss, it can just be the hardships of giving birth, motherhood and it’s challenges, and reach out to say I need help, then I will tell it a million times.”  Listen to Michelle’s full story here.

Melinda and her 3-year-old son.

Melinda Coleman, Excellus BCBS Health Care Quality Improvement Manager, knew she just didn’t feel right after giving birth to her son, so she decided to reach out for help. “I felt robbed. I was angry, tired of being in pain all the time and I lost all my confidence,” says Melinda after being pregnant at the height of the pandemic and experiencing a traumatic delivery that left her with nerve damage. “I like to share my story because it may help other mothers to know that things may not go as planned and how to prepare for it,” says Melinda. “If something doesn’t feel right, speak up, talk, you are not alone, and there are resources available to help.” Read Melinda’s full story.

Supporting maternal mental health in our communities

With a goal of reducing racial disparities in maternal health by 50% over the next five years, Excellus BCBS continues to invest in the community, partnering with organizations that are working to improve maternal health outcomes throughout the Health Plan’s footprint.

Multi-year funding has been provided for the following programs:

  • Mount Hope Family Center located in Rochester, NY provides home-based interventions for teen moms to address maternal mental health, parenting and child development, and trauma.
  • Integrated Community Alternatives Network in Utica, NY provides comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care, transitional housing, and a supportive peer community for young homeless women who are pregnant and/or parenting.
  • Oneida Health located in Oneida, NY, began a Women’s Health Behavioral Navigation program designed to bridge the gap between providers, patients, and behavioral health services through a care-coordinated model. The program provides services to address mental health, substance abuse, or age-specific women’s behavioral health conditions of Oneida Health patients receiving care at its Women’s Health office, Lullaby Center, or Emergency Department (ED).
  • Mothers & Babies Perinatal Network located in Binghamton, NY provides home/virtual visits to support new parents with breastfeeding, safe sleep, medical appointments and transportation, insurance & food insecurity through the first year of life.
  • Gerard Place in Buffalo, NY provides education, advocacy, mentoring & clinical tracking of low-income moms by nurse educators.

Keep the conversation going

Excellus BCBS encourages you to keep the conversion about maternal health and maternal mental health going.  If you know someone who is pregnant or has recently given birth, offer to listen.  Visit the CDC’s Hear Her page for helpful resources.

More Mental Health Resources:

Maternal Mental Health Month – “I didn’t know I was grieving after having my son”

May is Maternal Mental Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the mental health of every mother during and after pregnancy.

Motherhood comes with many challenges, but 15-20%  of mothers experience symptoms of depression or anxiety after childbirth, better known as Perinatal Mood or Anxiety Disorders or (PMAD).  This is the number one complication of pregnancy and childbirth and often goes undiagnosed.

Melinda Coleman, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Health Care Quality Improvement Manager, shares how she just didn’t feel right after giving birth to her son and her decision to reach out for help.

“I felt robbed. I was angry, tired of being in pain all the time and I lost all my confidence,” says Melinda after being pregnant during the pandemic in March of 2020. “I had a forceps delivery, ended up having nerve damage and needing pelvic floor therapy. The experience was traumatic and not what I expected.”

Melinda’s son Rhett is happy, healthy and her greatest blessing. Although her body started to heal from the traumatic delivery, she knew after giving birth she wasn’t the same.

“I knew I just didn’t feel right although I passed all the depression screenings at my postpartum appointments,” says Melinda. “I spent a lot of time wondering why me, why did I deserve this, and no one was around because it was during the pandemic. I felt alone and had reached a breaking point.”

That’s when Melinda reached out for help and contacted a therapist.

“It was super easy and the best thing I could have done for myself,” says Melinda. “My therapist told me I was going through the stages of grieving the pregnancy and birthing experience I expected, but never had.”  

Melinda was diagnosed with PMAD. With support from her therapist, she gained her confidence back, and now has the tools to identify emotional triggers so she can be happy and healthy for her family.

“I like to share my story because it may help other mothers to know that things may not go as planned and how to prepare for it,” says Melinda. “If something doesn’t feel right, speak up, talk, you are not alone, and there are resources available to help.”

My LifeTime Story: Balancing Caregiving with Work

“I am very lucky that I work for a company that recognizes me as a person and not just a number,” says Victoria Graham, FQM Business Process Manager, at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

Trust

Victoria has worked in the finance department since 2016, in varies job roles, but what has remained constant is that she has always worked for compassionate and understanding leaders.

“What I have always valued as an employee at Excellus BCBS is that my leaders get to know me as a person, and they know that I embrace our company’s core values, which has led to me being trusted and accountable to get my work completed during difficult times in my life,” she says.

Victoria has experienced her fair share of difficult times, while working here her mother was diagnosed with dementia and Victoria became her primary caretaker. As her mother’s dementia progressed Victoria and her family started to look for an assisted living facility that could provide more hands-on daily care. This entailed endless hours of research, phone calls and legal paperwork, all while working a full-time job, parenting, and running a household.

Victoria poses with her mother

Available Internal Resources

Our internal Senior Caregiver Connections Committee was a significant resource to Victoria while she was going through the placement of her mother into an assisted living facility. The support the committee provided was also needed after her mother was living in an assisted living facility and she needed to transition to her next level of care. In fact, one employee who was a licensed social worker that Victoria met through the Senior Caregiver Connections Committee was instrumental with helping Victoria complete paperwork and legal documents that helped get her mother transitioned to the memory care unit at another facility.

Unfortunately, after only forty-five days in the new facility the COVID pandemic began, and no visitors were allowed into the facility. Victoria didn’t see her mother for almost two years, which caused her mother to be isolated and alone. It took the facility six months to implement one week video visits but by that time her mother’s memory was “shattered.”

“The Senior Caregiver Connections Committee connected me with other employees that were dealing with similar issues and provided me the opportunity to learn about senior caregiving topics, and to reach out to other employees for supportive help or advice,” says Victoria.

The resources and benefits offered to employees is also another asset that Victoria mentions, such as the vacation donation program which is available for those who may have family emergencies or a personal crisis that impacts them and results in a need for additional time off or the employee leave programs that are offered.

Invested In Our Wellbeing

Victoria credits the employee wellbeing programs and fitness classes with helping her keep active and balanced during her caregiving roles and work responsibilities.  

“Our company invests in our health and well-being by offering fitness and wellbeing opportunities during the workday. This is another way our company is investing in our mental and physical health,” she says.

“Besides feeling recharged mentally, the movement and exercise keeps me active in a job that is mainly sedentary,” she adds.

Job Opportunities

Are you looking to take the next step in your career and make a difference in others’ lives?

We have the right fit for you. Positions are available in many departments including Customer Care, Operational Excellence, Marketing and Sales, Information Technology, and more. Check us out at ExcellusBCBS.com/Careers.  Get to know our people and our values, and grow your relationship with us.  For more information, reach out to Director of Talent Acquisition Jason Helsdon at (585) 453-6215 or Jason.Helsdon@excellus.com.

No Meeting Thursdays

Love them or hate them, I am sure that we all can agree that meetings take up a big block of time during our workday.

In 2020, our company instituted No Meeting Thursdays or NMT days, that are scheduled the first and third Thursday every month. The intent of “No Meeting Thursday” was to help stop meeting burnout, boost overall productivity, and address the fact that employees needed time to accomplish their work.

A no-meeting day is exactly what it sounds like; a day within the work week that doesn’t have any meetings. This means no team meetings, one-on-ones, recurring meetings, or any other kind of meeting you may normally have. It took some time for this cultural and behavioral shift to occur and for all staff to embrace and implement practices to ensure success; but the employee feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Tania Fleming, Human Resources, Learning and Organizational Development Consultant, describes No Meeting Thursday as a journey of adjustment. “When I was still in my role as a claims supervisor and heard about No Meeting Thursdays, I cheered!! I would often joke at home that it was No Meeting Thursday, so I only had 3 or 4 meetings, instead of the 7-8 that I usually had daily –but I did tell them it was a work in progress. Initially, I would find myself moving rescheduled one-on-ones to a No Meeting Thursday or schedule catch up meetings with my staff which defeated the purpose of the day,” she added.

In 2021, Tania made a concerted effort to push back when someone scheduled a meeting on No Meeting Thursday and would suggest another day. She said if she did not try to make the change and use the day, it would never happen. “I used No Meeting Thursdays to catch up on sending monthly metrics to team members, work on projects and be more available (in green on Teams) for my team members,” she stated.

“Earlier this year, my colleague, Kimberly Kovacs, challenged me to really use No Meeting Thursdays for myself and my personal development and learning opportunities. This allowed me to take advantage of our e-learning opportunities, to spend time on my journaling, and to write and send Lifetime Way recognitions. I worked hard to set boundaries to protect No Meeting Thursday and worked even harder to challenge others to decide if a meeting on a No Meeting Thursday was a priority when it was scheduled or suggested,” stated Tania.  

In May, Tania moved to the human resources department and her calendar was already blocked off for No Meeting Thursdays by the SVP of the department, Lori Florack. “This was truly the amazing evolution of how No Meeting Thursday has become a priority and a huge morale boost for me as a new person to the department,” said Tania. “I love that my leadership and the company leadership has dedicated specific days that allow employees the time and space to be productive, creative, and accountable for their own employee development success,” she added.  

To learn more about benefits offered at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield visit careers.excellusbcbs.com.

Job Opportunities

Are you looking to take the next step in your career and make a difference in others’ lives?

We have the right fit for you. Positions are available in many departments including Customer Care, Operational Excellence, Marketing and Sales, Information Technology, and more. Check us out at ExcellusBCBS.com/Careers.  Get to know our people and our values, and grow your relationship with us.  For more information, reach out to Director of Talent Acquisition Jason Helsdon at (585) 453-6215 or Jason.Helsdon@excellus.com.

The Road to Leadership One Step at A Time

“Going to school as an adult, working in the industry that I’m studying in college is a whole different experience than taking courses right out of high school.  I can take the concepts and theories I am learning in the “classroom” and apply those skills to my daily work.  Additionally, it is exciting to understand how the concepts and theories I’m learning about are being applied throughout other departments and the entire organization,” says Kristin Johnston, Team Leader, Client & Provider Services

Company Growth Leads to Educational Growth

Kristin started her career at Excellus BCBS in the customer care department in 2004.  She spent her first three years learning as much as she could about the company and the products we sell. She focused on meeting member and provider’s needs through active listening, having empathy and using her problem-solving skills.

Kristin’s next steps in her career included a position in the Client and Provider Service department, which led to a supervisor position in Provider Relations and now her current role as a team leader.  “When I accepted the supervisor position in Provider Relations, I agreed to go back to school to finish my bachelor’s degree that I had started years before, but had never completed,” says Kristin.  

Employee Development

In 2020, Kristin completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business, Management and Economics through SUNY Empire State.  The company tuition reimbursement benefit paid for much of her schooling and Kristin credits the program as a perfect way to finance your education while building new skills. 

“The tuition reimbursement program has allowed me to focus on both work and school without worrying about how I was going to pay for it.  I was able to finish my degree more quickly by taking two or three courses a semester rather than paying out of pocket for one at a time,” says Kristin.

In 2021, Kristin was nominated to participate in the accelerated leader program offered by the company. The accelerated leader program helped Kristin to learn about industry trends and best practices while equipping her with new management skills. Her final capstone project focused on recruiting and retaining valuable talent, which sparked Kristin’s interest in Human Resources.  Through SUNY Empire State, Kristin was able to incorporate a graduate certificate focusing on Human Resource Management into her MBA degree and work on both at the same time. Kristin will be completing the graduate certificate in May and the MBA program in December.

Mentorship and Opportunities

Mentoring in the workplace is an established partnership between colleagues for the purposes of learning and growth. There are several different types of mentoring opportunities with the most common being a 1:1 traditional mentorship. 

Kristin credits her first mentor, Susie Hume, VP of Strategy Business Partnerships, with helping her grow both individually and within her role.  Over the course of the relationship, Kristin became a better public speaker, explored career growth opportunities and engaged in open and honest conversations concerning challenges and opportunities.

Kristin also worked on networking and interacting with her peers across the company, which this led to her joining the AVID ERG (employee resource group) and eventually becoming a co-chair.  Involvement in the ERG has led to Kristin broadening her experiences and increasing her knowledge about accessibility and advocacy, while developing deeper relationships with others throughout company and empathy for those dealing with issues related to a disability.

Tools for Success

Kristin credits the training and resources that have been offered by the company with personal and professional growth and developing benchmarks that provide a better sense of professional opportunities.

“The evolution of ongoing resources, such as online LinkedIn Learning, tuition reimbursement and mentorship programs has helped me gain confidence, increase my knowledge, attain goals, and expand my professional network.  All of this has led to a great deal of growth, both personally and professionally,” says Kristin.

To learn more about tuition reimbursement and other benefits offered at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield visit careers.excellusbcbs.com.

Job Opportunities

Are you looking to take the next step in your career and make a difference in others’ lives?

We have the right fit for you. Positions are available in many departments including Customer Care, Operational Excellence, Marketing and Sales, Information Technology, and more. Check us out at ExcellusBCBS.com/Careers.  Get to know our people and our values, and grow your relationship with us.  For more information, reach out to Director of Talent Acquisition Jason Helsdon at (585) 453-6215 or Jason.Helsdon@excellus.com.

Collage photos of family

An unexpected special delivery for expectant parents

Expectant mom, Lana Polishchuk’s special delivery arrived four months before the birth of her baby boy. It came in a cardboard box – from her health insurance company.

“I received a call from my insurance company. I was pregnant and thought they were calling with information on breastfeeding,” said Polishchuk. Instead, her insurer was calling to invite her to participate in a healthy food home delivery pilot program. “I said food? From an insurance company?!”

Lana Polishchuk with her son

Food from an insurance company

Polishchuk was selected to take part in Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s maternal health food pilot program that delivers fresh food to the homes of expectant moms in their first or second trimesters. About 165 expectant moms were included in the pilot program based on a variety of factors including those in need of access to health care.

The goal is to address food insecurities, improve member health, focus on growing families and expose recipients to a variety of fresh foods. Food deliveries are made bi-weekly or monthly, depending on family size.

Coordinated by Excellus BCBS’s Bright Beginnings care management program, the year-long pilot program is a partnership with Rochester-area food bank, Foodlink, and made possible with funding from the Finger Lakes Performing Provider System.

The boxes are filled with fresh foods including seasonal fruits, vegetables, cheeses, beans, and recipes. Foodlink staff pack and deliver the boxes. Members also receive a box of cookware, including a small blender to make baby food and invitations to join cooking classes sponsored by Foodlink. 

This month’s bounty!

Raising healthy babies

“Raising a healthy baby begins long before childbirth,” said Jeanine Davis, Vice President of Clinical Operations at Excellus BCBS. “Providing convenient and healthy meals aligns with our goals of ensuring the best health outcomes for babies and their families in a holistic member- centric way.”

According to Davis, the goal of its Bright Beginnings program is to engage with members early in their pregnancy journey and connect them to community resources. Doing so helps address maternal morbidity, postpartum depression, preterm birth, admissions to the neonatal intensive care unit, and length of stay.

Bright Beginnings also provides direct access to a multi-disciplinary team including doctors, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, registered dieticians, and others. 

“Partnering with Excellus BCBS has allowed our Curbside Market home delivery pilot program to reach younger customers, but more importantly, it has made it easier for families to access healthy, nourishing food,” said Julia Tedesco, President & CEO of Foodlink. “

“Our Bright Beginnings team’s goal is to connect with families to reduce food insecurity, increase access to health care and decrease emergency department visits and hospital admissions or readmissions,” said Kara Traverse, manager of Excellus BCBS’s Bright Beginnings, maternal/child case management team.  “It’s a great advantage to them.”

A fresh meal in the box

Lana inspecting the latest delivery and recipes

“When I first opened the box, I said, ‘Oh, healthy!’ This is way healthier than anything else because everything is fresh, and you’re being creative and you just follow the recipe,” said Polishchuk.

A working mother of four, she had a 13-year gap between her new baby and his sister. “This was something new to me. Back in the day, 14 years ago, I didn’t cook that much and there was no opportunity like this. It’s a big change and a big transition,” said Polishchuk. 

Using the fresh foods and recipes help keep her on track with healthy eating.  “It was very special to receive that box because it has everything to create meals. I’m always excited, it’s a fresh meal from the box. You always get vegetables. Sometimes we get a huge bag of carrots, and fresh parsley, dill, we always get options. I have high blood pressure, so I have to watch it. Everything is so fresh, it’s really easy and convenient. To come home and cook a meal in 30-45 minutes is amazing,” says Polishchuk.

Cooking for the future

Lana Polishchuk and her daughter with baby

Home prepared meals not only promote good health, but the pilot program also helps promote a healthy lifestyle. Polishchuk says her 13-year-old daughter was a fast-food lover and now enthusiastically helps prepare meals. “It means a lot because when you make homemade food, it’s healthy eating.  As a teenager, it gives her inspiration to help and learn how to cook. She loves to cook now and loves to do it together, with me, learning to cook for the future. It’s amazing, it’s very special for our family.” 

Watch the video to learn how the program has impacted Lana and her family: https://youtu.be/DM3ntJmR2Jw

Breaking barriers  

“Living our mission and applying an I.D.E.A. (inclusion, diversity, equity, and access) Mindset takes all of us,” says Sady Alvarado- Fischer, Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer(DEI).  One way we are making a difference is through our Health Equity Awards (HEA) to partner with our community and help fund health and wellness programs that address racial and ethnic health disparities.   

Language and cultural barriers can limit access to information, health care, and pose serious health risks.  Empire Justice Center received a Health Equity Award to enhance the language accessibility of Common Ground Health’s “My Health Story 2022” survey to hear from a diverse group of respondents. Individuals in under-resourced communities can take the survey and share important health information that impacts their well-being and environment.

“You cannot be committed to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility and not address language barriers. By not addressing the language barrier, you are contributing to the systemic racism you are trying to dismantle. Language barriers are a tool of racism and oppression,” says Marlene Cortés, Senior Program Manager, Empire Justice Center.

Increasing accessibility to the survey included adding a text-to-speech option in English and Spanish for those with low literacy levels, or who are legally blind or visually impaired. The HEA funds also supported an American Sign Language (ASL) version.

“I took the survey, and it was awesome because every question and answer had ASL video. I was able to understand without worrying about the English form. This is a first survey which includes ASL that I am aware of done in public. Thank you for breaking the barrier and I hope we will see more of these going forward,” says Ray Kenney, Monroe County Language Access Coalition.  

Survey results will provide a better understanding of where health inequities need to be addressed in our communities, that can now include the needs of people with limited English Proficiency (LEP), and the Deaf and hard of hearing communities.

“This HEA-funded initiative is just one example of what can happen when we partner with community advocates and experts, like Marlene, to address historical barriers to healthcare and develop innovative solutions to improve language access,” says Sady.  

Empire Justice Center also used HEA funds to provide more than 10,000 “iSpeak/iSign,” Language Identification Cards to individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) or are Deaf or hard of hearing, to share with providers and advocate for their need to communicate with an interpreter.

“Together, we can increase equitable access to healthcare services – and when we do so, everybody benefits,” says Sady.

The Boilermaker Road Race: What keeps you running?

Whether it’s to carry on a family tradition, accomplish a personal goal, or to enjoy the amazing post-race party, every runner has their personal reason for participating in the Boilermaker Road Race.  From its humble beginning in 1978, the Boilermaker Road Race in Utica, NY has grown to become a premiere running event and Excellus BlueCross BlueShield is proud to once again be the presenting sponsor of the 15K. 

There is certainly something special about this race.  Whether you are a seasoned runner or taking on the challenge of your first long-distance race, the Boilermaker creates lasting memories that bring runners back year after year and highlights the unique spirit of the Utica region.  We are proud to have over 30 Excellus BCBS employees participating in this year’s 15K and 5K events.  We will be there cheering them on every step of the way.

We were able to talk with several of our employees who are participating in the 15K and hear their Boilermaker story.

Husband and wife, Aileen Lyons and Zachary Nelson will be running the Boilermaker 15K for the first time this year.

Perennial runner Bob Bluey gears up for the 45th Boilermaker

With thousands of running races held each year in the United States, Robert (Bob) Bluey has no trouble choosing his favorite, the Boilermaker 15K Road Race in Utica, NY.  At the age of 72, Bob is part of a very special group of runners who have participated in every Boilermaker race since its inception in 1978. This long-time Mohawk Valley resident, grandfather of three, and proud Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Medicare member currently lives with his wife in New York Mills.

Bob Bluey, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Medicare member, runs up the Culver Ave hill as he trains for the Boilermaker 15K Road Race in Utica, NY. (PHOTO BY NANCY L. FORD)

His love of running began in 1975, when at the age of 25 he decided to make his health a priority. “I attended a class about healthy lifestyles put on by the American Heart Association,” Bob recalls. “I took a 5 question heart health quiz and I had one of the highest [risk] scores in the class. I needed to change my lifestyle and become healthier.”  Bob’s mother had suffered from heart disease throughout his childhood, even spending time in the hospital. “As a kid it was scary,” remembers Bob.  Heart disease eventually took her life at the age of 62. “The instructor of the class talked about the importance of exercise especially if you have a family history of heart disease. It was a wake-up call.”

When putting his plan in place to get healthy, he started slowly with an easy run around the block. At that time running was just starting to become mainstream and the first sneakers designed specifically for running were introduced. “There weren’t a lot of running events to do at that time,” recalls Bob.  Then in 1978 he heard about a race happening in Utica. “The main reason I decided to run the first Boilermaker was because they were giving out free beer,” says Bob. “Every other race, you would get water, but the Boilermaker promised free beer!” 

The 15K distance was going to be a challenge for Bob, but his very good running friend Joe encouraged him to participate in some development runs and run a 15K race in Rome to prepare.  On race day Bob was ready. He remembers the crowd of around 800 people feeling enormous. “There were runners from Buffalo, Albany, New York City, and Canada. It was a big deal,” recalls Bob. “Finishing the race was pretty amazing. When I got to the end there were all of these people. Everyone stayed and talked about the race. It was great!”

Bob incorporates stretching into his fitness routine. (PHOTO BY NANCY L. FORD)

As Bob gears up for his 45th race, he still carries with him the same enthusiasm for running.  “I try to get in a run at least 3 days a week,” says Bob. He usually does a 3.5-mile loop and starts adding miles to his runs in June in preparation for the Boilermaker, working his way up to 10 miles. In addition to running, Bob rounds out his fitness routine with 20 to 30 minutes of stretching and strength training on non-running days. “I’m so much healthier because of running,” says Bob. “Most people my age take some type of medication. The only pill I take is a multi-vitamin.”  Despite being active and maintaining a healthy weight, he understands his hereditary risk of heart disease can’t be changed. “Knowing that running has kept my body in shape, motivates me to keep going,” explains Bob.  He also notices the impact running has on his mental health. “I think being physically fit makes your mental health the best it can be,” says Bob.  He maintains a positive attitude about life and looks forward to opportunities to be active.

Having run every Boilermaker since the beginning, Bob has a perspective on the race that few people have.  He has seen it transform and grow over the years in a multitude of ways. “The first race was very laid back,” remembers Bob. “Cars were allowed on the course and there wasn’t much security even though there was a professional runner, Ric Rojas, in the race.”  Bob remembers a major turning point when Olympian and marathon record holder William (Bill) Rogers participated in the race in 1984. “It turned into a big-time race with professional runners from around the world,” says Bob. “The fact that the best in the world were coming in and you got to run with them was amazing! That doesn’t happen in any other sport.  I could never play baseball with Yankee Aaron Judge, but I could run with the pros.” What is even more amazing to Bob is after the race is over the professional runners come out in front of the stage and talk with people. “They are part of the comradery. It is a really nice thing that we’ve got here that no one else has,” says Bob.

He recalls seeing the crowd for the race grow bigger each year as well.  “Now there are people everywhere. I love seeing the crowd on the stretch coming down Champlain Avenue and onto Whitesboro Street.”

Personally, for Bob the meaning of the race has also evolved.  “Many of the people I’ve known since my early days of the race, mentors in running, friends who would take me to the starting line, have passed on,” says Bob.  “Now my family is what makes the race special.  I have relatives that come from all over for the race.”  He has family that joins him from as far away as California. It has turned into a weekend long family reunion with as many as 50 relatives showing up to run the iconic race. “They love it! We begin celebrating on Friday with different events – dinners, baseball games, the kid’s run. The whole family is here for the weekend,” explains Bob.

Passing on his passion for running is important. “My sons, nephews, grandkids, everyone sees that running is a healthy way of life,” explains Bob. “Even my older brother, who for the longest time thought I was insane, started to run races.”

Some may wonder what keeps Bob coming back to the Boilermaker year after year. Having run four marathons, including the New York City Marathon and the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington D.C., Bob still thinks the Boilermaker is the best race around. “Over the years, I’ve seen people I work with and friends along the course in different places,” says Bob.  “I probably don’t go a half mile without seeing someone I know waving to me. I’ll see friends I worked with 30 years ago, and my family waiting for me on the Parkway.”  And he has no plans to stop. “It gets harder all the time, but I use my health as my motivation.”

Bob is looking forward to the 45th Boilermaker 15K Road Race presented by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield on July 10. “I can’t wait to get to the starting line, get back to normal, and see thousands of people.”

Bob chats with Excellus BCBS Regional President Eve Van de Wal at the iconic finish line of the Boilermaker 15K Road Race. (PHOTO BY NANCY L. FORD)

“We are excited to continue our support of the Boilermaker as the presenting sponsor of the 15K road race and cheer on runners like Bob,” says Eve Van de Wal, Excellus BCBS Utica regional president.  “This event showcases the spirit of our community, as athletes from around the world and in our neighborhoods gather together to enjoy this one-of-a-kind race. We are inspired everyday by Excellus BCBS members like Bob to further our mission of improving the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve. We can’t wait to be there at the finish line!”

Stop High Food Prices from Inflating Your Waistline

Filling our plates with healthy food and avoiding unhealthy temptations can be challenging, particularly as we see prices rise at the grocery store. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield wellbeing engagement consultant Pat Salzer offers some simple tips to help navigate the supermarket aisles and avoid the side dish of guilt. “Food is the spice of life, not the enemy,” she explains.

The key is to set yourself up for success. To do that, Pat advises using “the 4 P’s”: Plan, Purchase, Prep, and Plate.

Plan
“Plan your meals for the week, taking into account what items are on sale, as well as what is already in your kitchen,” says Pat. Planning will ensure a more productive trip to the store.

Purchase
When grocery shopping, stick to your list and avoid impulse purchases. “The grocery store is the gateway for what comes into your home—invite in healthy foods,” advises Pat. 

Prep
A little preparation can go a long way not only in stretching a dollar, but in ensuring that healthy options are readily available when hunger strikes. “Prep overnight oats for an easy grab-and-go breakfast in the morning,” suggests Pat. “Have some vegetables sliced up for a quick snack or faster meal prep.”

Plate
What you put on your plate matters. Load it with vegetables. Keep salad and vegetables on the table and main dishes on the stove. “When we go for seconds, we are more likely to grab the food within arm’s length rather than walking to the stove,” reminds Pat.

Keeping costs down
When it comes to keeping nutrition up and costs down, two main principles apply: extend the life of your groceries, and go for less expensive options when possible. Trail mix, for example, can be a pricey item. Instead, try a homemade option made from popcorn, cereal, nuts, raisins, and pretzels.

When cooking a meal, use what you already have on hand and make substitutions. “For example, green beans can be substituted for asparagus, and sweet potatoes for squash,” explains Pat. Extend the life of herbs by cutting the bottoms off and placing them in a glass of water.  Expensive greens, such as romaine, arugula, and escarole, can be cooked and stored in the fridge so they last longer. When it comes to saving money and eating healthily, the freezer is your friend. Freeze leftover items such as bananas, tomato paste, and cooked rice. “I often add frozen bananas to my oatmeal or whip them up into a frozen dessert,” says Pat. 

And, contrary to common belief, shopping the inner aisles is encouraged. There, you will find less expensive items with longer shelf lives and often packaged in bulk. Not all items in the inner aisles are healthy, but oats, canned vegetables, peanut butter and brown rice are good options. “Frozen and canned vegetables are processed at the peak of freshness and can have more nutrients than fresh vegetables that are past their prime,” explains Pat.

With a little extra effort, you can eat healthy foods and stick to your budget.