Health Is the Key

In our October episode, we marked Breast Cancer Awareness Month with an important message: Regular screenings and early detection save lives. We talked with Dr. Angela Ramdhanny, a medical oncologist and hematologist at the Northwell Cancer Institute, who discussed the latest advances in breast cancer treatment and explained why scheduling a screening is so important. In this month’s Key Note, host Elizabeth Moore shares her own experience undergoing an MRI-guided biopsy and what she learned along the way.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
• We’ve got you covered. Review The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act.
• 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 http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• For more information on the new cholesterol guidelines, visit the American Heart Association website.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.

Guest Bio

Angela Ramdhanny, MD, is a medical oncologist and hematologist. She specializes in breast cancer and benign hematology and sees patients at three Northwell Cancer Institute locations in Manhattan. She completed her residency and fellowship at NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island, where she served as both chief resident and chief fellow.

Dr. Ramdhanny is drawn to oncology by the constant evolution of the field, along with the long-term relationships built with patients and their families. Her dual interest and expertise in hematology allows her to bring a full spectrum of care to patients. She treats patients in their journey with breast cancer, and her practice extends to an abundance of hematologic issues. At times, these fields overlap and allow her to centralize care.

As a clinician, Dr. Ramdhanny has made it her priority to meet people where they are. Her focus is on patient-centered care, creating individualized treatment plans and advocating for shared decision making.

For our October episode, we're marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month with an important message: Regular mammograms and early detection remain the most powerful tools we have in the fight against breast cancer. Joining us to spread the word is Dr. Angela Ramdhanny, a medical oncologist and hematologist at the Northwell Cancer Institute who specializes in breast cancer care. Dr. Ramdhanny is passionate about helping patients through every stage of their journey and encouraging women to stay on top of their screenings. She shares the latest advances in breast cancer treatment, offers hope to those facing a diagnosis and explains why scheduling a screening today could make all the difference tomorrow. If you or someone you care about is due for a mammogram, we hope this conversation serves as a positive reminder to make that appointment today.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
• We’ve got you covered. Review The Women's Health and Cancer Rights Act.
• 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 http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• For more information on the new cholesterol guidelines, visit the American Heart Association website.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.

Guest Bio
Angela Ramdhanny, MD, is a medical oncologist and hematologist. She specializes in breast cancer and benign hematology and sees patients at three Northwell Cancer Institute locations in Manhattan. She completed her residency and fellowship at NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island, where she served as both chief resident and chief fellow.

Dr. Ramdhanny was drawn to oncology by the constant evolution of the field, along with the long-term relationships built with patients and their families. Her dual interest and expertise in hematology allows her to bring a full spectrum of care to patients. She treats patients in their journey with breast cancer, and her practice extends to an abundance of hematologic issues. At times, these fields overlap and allow her to centralize care.

As a clinician, Dr. Ramdhanny has made it her priority to meet people where they are. Her focus is on patient-centered care, creating individualized treatment plans and advocating for shared decision making.

Our September episode focused on the power of food to prevent and treat diabetes, hypertension and other chronic conditions. Our guest, Dr. Michelle McMacken, Executive Director for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals, joined us to discuss the innovative program she created at H+H and the impact this approach can have on your overall health. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. McMacken reveals the important first step to help kick-start your health journey and shares why where you start may matter more than you think.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube.
• Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers.
• Get to know your numbers at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• For information about the Lifestyle Medicine Programs at NYC Health + Hospitals, visit https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/services/lifestyle-medicine-program or call the “Broccoli Hotline” at (347) 507-3695.
• Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.

Guest Bio
Michelle McMacken, MD, FACP, DipABLM, is Executive Director of Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal public healthcare system in the U.S. A practicing internist at New York City’s Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, she also directed Bellevue’s Adult Weight Management Program from 2005 to 2022. In 2019, Dr. McMacken founded the innovative Bellevue Lifestyle Medicine Program, among the first of its kind in a safety-net setting. She now leads the expansion of this program to a total of seven sites throughout New York City. The interdisciplinary program, which has received national attention and high demand for services, aims to improve cardiometabolic health in high-risk communities by combining support for lifestyle change with strategies to address health-related social needs.

An Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Dr. McMacken has received the faculty “Teacher of the Year” award three times. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Yale University and her medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She has presented at numerous academic conferences, including the American College of Physicians and the American Diabetes Association. She is board-certified in both internal medicine and lifestyle medicine.

To celebrate National Fruits and Veggies Month, we’re dedicating our September episode to healthy eating! We’re so fortunate to be joined by Dr. Michelle McMacken, Executive Director of Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals. Dr. McMacken discusses the innovative program she created at H+H that uses lifestyle medicine to treat and prevent diabetes, as well as other chronic conditions such as heart disease and hypertension. A plant-based diet is at the heart of the program, but Dr. McMacken emphasizes that even small changes can produce big results. One of her simplest tips? Take a “low-hanging fruit” approach…by eating more fruit! Combined with three other healthy habits—regular exercise, avoiding tobacco and maintaining a healthy weight—a nutritious diet can help reduce the risk of everything from type 2 diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol to heart disease, certain cancers and even dementia.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
• Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers.
• Get to know your numbers at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• For information about the Lifestyle Medicine Programs at NYC Health + Hospitals, visit https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/services/lifestyle-medicine-program or call the “Broccoli Hotline” at (347) 507-3695.
• Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.

Guest Bio
Michelle McMacken, MD, FACP, DipABLM, is Executive Director of Nutrition & Lifestyle Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest municipal public healthcare system in the U.S. A practicing internist at New York City’s Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, she also directed Bellevue’s Adult Weight Management Program from 2005 to 2022. In 2019, Dr. McMacken founded the innovative Bellevue Lifestyle Medicine Program, among the first of its kind in a safety-net setting. She now leads the expansion of this program to a total of seven sites throughout New York City. The interdisciplinary program, which has received national attention and high demand for services, aims to improve cardiometabolic health in high-risk communities by combining support for lifestyle change with strategies to address health-related social needs.

An Associate Professor of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, Dr. McMacken has received the faculty “Teacher of the Year” award three times. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Yale University and her medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She has presented at numerous academic conferences, including the American College of Physicians and the American Diabetes Association. She is board-certified in both internal medicine and lifestyle medicine.

To mark National Immunization Awareness Month, we explored the power of vaccines with Dr. Rebecca Choudhury in our August episode. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Choudhury lays to rest concerns about vaccines’ safety, walking us through the rigorous approval process they undergo before they reach your doctor’s office or pharmacy. Her insights highlight why vaccines remain one of the most effective ways to protect not only our own health but also the health of our loved ones, co-workers and communities.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube.
• For vaccine information and resources created especially for healthcare workers, visit the Immunization Action Coalition’s website: http://www.immunize.org.
• To find info on everything from vaccine schedules and FAQs to testimonials, visit http://www.vaccineinformation.org.
• Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyrelationships.
• Get to know your numbers at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Relieve stress with mindfulness classes at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds.
• Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.
• For information and resources created especially for healthcare workers, visit the Immunization Action Coalition’s website: http://www.immunize.org.
• To find info on everything from vaccine schedules and FAQs to testimonials, visit http://www.vaccineinformation.org.

Guest Bio

Rebecca Choudhury, MD, is an Infectious Disease Physician and Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She also serves as the Hospital Epidemiologist and Medical Director of Infection Prevention at Mount Sinai Queens. After completing her undergraduate studies at Columbia University, Dr. Choudhury earned her medical degree from Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. She then pursued her residency in Internal Medicine at Vanderbilt University before finishing with an Infectious Disease Fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center. With her board certifications in Internal Medicine and Infectious Disease, Dr. Choudhury's clinical interests include general infectious diseases, HIV care, antibiotic stewardship and infection prevention.

Dr. Choudhury is also involved in research, with her interests including hospital-acquired infections and quality improvement. Along with other members of the Mount Sinai Health System Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship teams, she has worked on studies related to decreasing blood culture contamination rates and hospital-acquired bloodstream and antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.

Dr. Choudhury is a member of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Her work has been published in academic journals, including Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Clinical Infectious Diseases and Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.

It’s National Immunization Awareness Month, so for our August episode, we take a closer look at one of the greatest public health achievements of all time: vaccines. For decades, vaccines have helped protect millions of people from serious diseases and saved countless lives along the way. To help us better understand why vaccines remain so important, we’re joined by Dr. Rebecca Choudhury, an Infectious Disease Physician and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Choudhury gives us a crash course in vaccines—how they work, how they’re tested for safety, who should get them (spoiler: pretty much all of us) and when, and why they continue to be one of our best tools for staying healthy.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
• For vaccine information and resources created especially for healthcare workers, visit the Immunization Action Coalition’s website: http://www.immunize.org.
• To find info on everything from vaccine schedules and FAQs to testimonials, visit http://www.vaccineinformation.org.
• Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyrelationships.
• Get to know your numbers at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Relieve stress with mindfulness classes at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds.
• Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.

In our July episode, we went beyond the headlines to get the facts about GLP-1 medications with Dr. Holly Lofton, Director of the Medical Weight Management Program at NYU Langone. In this month’s Key Note episode, Dr. Lofton explains how the new oral GLP-1 medications compare with injections and shares important information that can help patients make informed decisions about their care.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube.
• Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyrelationships.
• Get to know your numbers at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Relieve stress with mindfulness classes at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds.
• Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.

Guest Bio

Holly F. Lofton, MD, is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine and Surgery at NYU Langone Health, where she has served as director of the Medical Weight Management Program since 2012. Here, she designed the popular New You program to help her patients obtain results while fostering nutrition education and placing emphasis on a healthy lifestyle. She is currently involved in clinical research pertaining to the pharmacotherapy to treat weight recurrence after bariatric surgery as well as clinical drug trials. In her faculty role, Dr. Lofton continues to educate students and other physicians about diagnosing and treating obesity. She also educates the general public about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight through lectures, workshops, and written, audio and video media. She has served on the board of the Obesity Action Coalition, the Bariatric Medicine committee for the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and the Obesity Medicine Fellowship Council. In 2021, Dr. Lofton was also appointed as the Medical Director of the NFL Alumni Wellness Challenge, which aims to optimize health in former athletes.

Originally developed to treat diabetes, GLP-1 medications soon made headlines for their impact on weight loss. But despite all the attention they've received, many people still have questions: How do these medications work? Are they safe? To get answers, we spoke with Dr. Holly Lofton, Director of the Medical Weight Management Program at NYU Langone. In this episode, Dr. Lofton explains the science behind GLP-1s, how they support weight loss and why adopting healthy lifestyle habits and working with your doctor are crucial to long-term success.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube.
• Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyrelationships.
• Get to know your numbers at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Relieve stress with mindfulness classes at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds.
• Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.

Guest Bio

Holly F. Lofton, MD, is a Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine and Surgery at NYU Langone Health, where she has served as director of the Medical Weight Management Program since 2012. Here, she designed the popular New You program to help her patients obtain results while fostering nutrition education and placing emphasis on a healthy lifestyle. She is currently involved in clinical research pertaining to the pharmacotherapy to treat weight recurrence after bariatric surgery as well as clinical drug trials. In her faculty role, Dr. Lofton continues to educate students and other physicians about diagnosing and treating obesity. She also educates the general public about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight through lectures, workshops, and written, audio and video media. She has served on the board of the Obesity Action Coalition, the Bariatric Medicine committee for the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and the Obesity Medicine Fellowship Council. In 2021, Dr. Lofton was also appointed as the Medical Director of the NFL Alumni Wellness Challenge, which aims to optimize health in former athletes.

In our June episode, we celebrated the Year of the Brain, as new discoveries continue to deepen our understanding of how the brain works. Dr. Anna Hohler, Director of Neurology for Northwell Health’s Westchester Region, joined us to share simple steps we can all take to support brain health. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Hohler focuses on migraines—a common and often debilitating condition affecting millions – explaining what they are, who’s most at risk and how to treat and prevent them.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
• Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyrelationships
• Get to know your numbers at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Relieve stress with mindfulness classes at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds.
• Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.

Guest Bio

Anna DePold Hohler, MD, FAAN, is a distinguished neurologist, researcher and educator who recently joined Northwell Health to lead and enhance neurology services for its Westchester Region, as well as launch a new virtual neurology program across the 28-hospital system. An internationally recognized expert in movement disorders, she is deeply involved in research furthering novel therapies to treat Parkinson's disease. Dr. Hohler began her career in the U.S. Army, serving for eight years and achieving the rank of major.

Leading health experts have declared 2026 the Year of the Brain, and for good reason. Scientists are making exciting breakthroughs in understanding the body’s command center, from prevention to diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders. The brain enables us to think, see, learn, move, feel emotions and connect with our fellow humans, so keeping it healthy is essential at every stage of life. For a refresher on all that the brain does for us—and how to keep it performing at its best—we’re joined by Dr. Anna Hohler, Director of Neurology for Northwell Health’s Westchester Region. Dr. Hohler shares insights on brain development and milestones, and explains how exercise, good nutrition, adequate sleep and stress relief work together to support a healthy brain. She also shares simple strategies—some that may surprise you—that you can use to keep your brain healthy and strong for years to come.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
• Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyrelationships
• Get to know your numbers at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Relieve stress with mindfulness classes at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyminds.
• Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.

Guest Bio

Anna DePold Hohler, MD, FAAN, is a distinguished neurologist, researcher and educator who recently joined Northwell Health to lead and enhance neurology services for its Westchester Region, as well as launch a new virtual neurology program across the 28-hospital system. An internationally recognized expert in movement disorders, she is deeply involved in research furthering novel therapies to treat Parkinson's disease. Dr. Hohler began her career in the U.S. Army, serving for eight years and achieving the rank of major.

For High Blood Pressure Education Month, our May episode focused on the link between hypertension and high cholesterol, which, together, can significantly raise the risk of heart disease, stroke and other serious illnesses. Our guest Dr. Mary Gover, a general internist at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care, also shared new cholesterol screening guidelines that have the potential to keep us healthy longer. In our May Key Note, Dr. Gover discusses alternatives to traditional statin treatment that offer more choices for those trying to keep their cholesterol in check.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
• Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers.
• Get to know your numbers at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• For more information on the new cholesterol guidelines, visit the American Heart Association website.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.

Guest Bio

Mary Gover, MD, is a general internist with Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care. Dr. Gover received her medical degree from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. She completed her Internal Medicine residency with a focus on primary care at Montefiore Einstein and served as chief resident for that program. Dr. Gover has held leadership roles in medical education and practice administration. Above all else, Dr. Gover is passionate about patient care. She believes not only in the importance of clinical excellence and expertise but also in collaboration and partnership. She is certified in health coaching through Wellcoaches, with the aim of furthering patients’ personal health goals and overall wellness.

For High Blood Pressure Education month, we’re dedicating our May episode to both this condition – which affects nearly half of all adults in the U.S – and high cholesterol. Why both? When combined, they significantly raise the risk of heart disease, stroke and other serious illnesses. So, we’re happy to welcome Dr. Mary Gover, a general internist at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care, to help us understand the connection between high blood pressure and high cholesterol and offer steps we can take to successfully manage – or prevent – both conditions. Dr. Gover also explains the new guidelines recently issued for cholesterol and shares treatment options that range from healthy lifestyle changes to medication to a combination of the two.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
• Get started on your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician to know your numbers.
• Get to know your numbers at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Find healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• For more information on the new cholesterol guidelines, visit the American Heart Association website.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.

Guest Bio

Mary Gover, MD, is a general internist with Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care. Dr. Gover received her medical degree from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. She completed her Internal Medicine residency with a focus on primary care at Montefiore Einstein and served as chief resident for that program. Dr. Gover has held leadership roles in medical education and practice administration. Above all else, Dr. Gover is passionate about patient care. She believes not only in the importance of clinical excellence and expertise but also in collaboration and partnership. She is certified in health coaching through Wellcoaches, with the aim of furthering patients’ personal health goals and overall wellness.

In our April episode, gastroenterologist Dr. Preeti Mehta explained the connection between a healthy gut and a healthy mind. She also talked about the role stress plays in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common digestive disorder that can often be managed with lifestyle changes. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Mehta discusses two other conditions that can be confused with IBS—and why getting the diagnosis right really matters.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube.
• Find out where your health stands by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• Get to know your numbers at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Need support managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or overweight? Learn about our partnerships: visit http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/
• Browse healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents

Guest Bio

Preeti Mehta, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist with over 25 years of experience in digestive health care. She serves as Vice President of Digestive Disease Care, a multi-physician gastroenterology practice, and oversees two large Ambulatory Surgical Centers serving patients across Long Island and Queens.

Dr. Mehta earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York. She went on to complete a Research Fellowship in Hepatology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, in affiliation with Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Rockefeller University. She also completed a Clinical Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology and an Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship in Endoscopic Ultrasound at the State University of New York. She is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

This month, Health Is the Key does double duty as we spotlight National Stress Awareness Month and IBS Awareness Month. If you’re wondering what stress has to do with irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive disorders, you’ll be glad you tuned in. We are lucky to be joined by Dr. Preeti Mehta, a gastroenterologist and founder of the private practice Digestive Disease Care. Dr. Mehta explains the effect the brain has on the digestive system and vice-versa. She also shares practical lifestyle habits that can support long-term gut health.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube.
• Find out where your health stands by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: http://www.1199seiubenefits.org/find-a-provider.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; http://www.1199seiubenefits.org/healthyliving.
• Get to know your numbers at http://www.1199seiubenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Need support managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or overweight? Learn about our partnerships: visit http://www.1199seiubenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/
• Browse healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199seiubenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199seiubenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199seiubenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199seiubenefits.org/wellnessevents.

Guest Bio

Preeti Mehta, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and hepatologist with over 25 years of experience in digestive health care. She serves as Vice President of Digestive Disease Care, a multi-physician gastroenterology practice, and oversees two large Ambulatory Surgical Centers serving patients across Long Island and Queens.

Dr. Mehta earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York. She went on to complete a Research Fellowship in Hepatology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, in affiliation with Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Rockefeller University. She also completed a Clinical Fellowship in Gastroenterology and Hepatology and an Advanced Endoscopy Fellowship in Endoscopic Ultrasound at the State University of New York. She is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.

In our March episode, we truly celebrated National Kidney Month with Dr. Kristin Meliambro, an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Meliambro discussed the many vital jobs kidneys perform, the causes and symptoms of kidney disease, and preventive measures that can help keep them healthy. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Meliambro walks us through the latest innovations that are making dialysis – the necessary treatment for those living with Stage 5 kidney disease – more manageable.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
• Find out where your health stands by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• Get to know your numbers at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Need support managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or overweight? Learn about our partnerships: visit http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/
• Browse healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• For additional information and support, visit the National Kidney Foundation website, at http://www.Kidney.org, and the American Association of Kidney Patients, at http://www.aakp.org.
• For information about kidney donation, visit the Nation Kidney Registry page at http://www.KidneyRegistry.com
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.

Guest Bio

Kristin Meliambro, MD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She earned her medical degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and she completed both her internal medicine residency and clinical and research nephrology fellowships at the Mount Sinai Hospital. In addition to treating patients with a wide range of kidney diseases in diverse clinical settings, Dr. Meliambro is an NIH-funded physician-investigator who conducts basic and translational research with a focus on mechanisms of kidney podocyte injury and novel disease therapies. She is the co-Director of the Nephrology Division’s Renal Biorepository, which banks biological specimens and collects clinical data from patients starting at the time of kidney biopsy and continuing longitudinally. She also actively participates as a PI and Co-Investigator in clinical trials testing novel agents for glomerular diseases. Dr. Meliambro also has a strong record of research mentorship of Associate Researchers and graduate/medical students in her lab, the majority of whom have been women and from under-represented minorities in science and medicine.

Dr. Meliambro sees patients with a variety of kidney diseases, and she has a particular clinical interest in glomerular diseases. Her clinical responsibilities include the care of outpatients at the Mount Sinai Doctors nephrology practice, hemodialysis patients at Central Park Dialysis Center and inpatients at the Mount Sinai Hospital, where she also teaches and supervises nephrology fellows on the inpatient nephrology services.

This National Kidney Month, we celebrate the unsung heroes of the human body. Kidneys do so much more than filter blood (they’ve been described as the body’s “cleaning crew” and “inventory managers”), so keeping them functioning well is vital to our overall health. Joining us to sing the praises of kidneys – and learn how to keep them healthy – is Dr. Kristin Meliambro, an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Meliambro walks us through the many essential jobs kidneys do for us and breaks down the various causes of kidney disease. She also shares practical lifestyle habits that support long-term kidney health.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
• Find out where your health stands by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• Get to know your numbers at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Need support managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or overweight? Learn about our partnerships: visit http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/
• Browse healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• For additional information and support, visit the National Kidney Foundation website, at http://www.Kidney.org, and the American Association of Kidney Patients, at http://www.aakp.org.
• For information about kidney donation, visit the Nation Kidney Registry page at http://www.KidneyRegistry.com
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.

Guest Bio
Kristin Meliambro, MD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She earned her medical degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and she completed both her internal medicine residency and clinical and research nephrology fellowships at the Mount Sinai Hospital. In addition to treating patients with a wide range of kidney diseases in diverse clinical settings, Dr. Meliambro is an NIH-funded physician-investigator who conducts basic and translational research with a focus on mechanisms of kidney podocyte injury and novel disease therapies. She is the co-Director of the Nephrology Division’s Renal Biorepository, which banks biological specimens and collects clinical data from patients starting at the time of kidney biopsy and continuing longitudinally. She also actively participates as a PI and Co-Investigator in clinical trials testing novel agents for glomerular diseases. Dr. Meliambro also has a strong record of research mentorship of Associate Researchers and graduate/medical students in her lab, the majority of whom have been women and from under-represented minorities in science and medicine.

Dr. Meliambro sees patients with a variety of kidney diseases, and she has a particular clinical interest in glomerular diseases. Her clinical responsibilities include the care of outpatients at the Mount Sinai Doctors nephrology practice, hemodialysis patients at Central Park Dialysis Center and inpatients at the Mount Sinai Hospital, where she also teaches and supervises nephrology fellows on the inpatient nephrology services.

In our February episode, we marked American Heart Month with Dr. Michael Ghalchi, the founder and medical director of Manhattan Cardiovascular Associates and a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Ghalchi explained the importance of regular screenings and shared lifestyle habits that can keep your heart strong. In this month’s Key Note, Dr. Ghalchi reviews the key health numbers to aim for to help you stay on track and live your best life.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: https://www.1199seiubenefits.org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook // Instagram // YouTube.
• Find out where you stand heart-wise by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• Get to know your numbers at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Need support managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or overweight? Learn about our partnerships: visit http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/
• Browse healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.

Guest Bio

Michael Ghalchi, MD, FACC is a board-certified cardiologist and the founder and medical director of Manhattan Cardiovascular Associates, a New York City–based cardiology practice dedicated to making high-quality cardiovascular diagnostics and care accessible, efficient and patient-centered. He is also a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania and earned his medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine.

At Manhattan Cardiovascular Associates, Dr. Ghalchi focuses on delivering timely, evidence-based cardiovascular care supported by advanced in-office diagnostics, streamlined access and a concierge-level patient experience. His clinical work emphasizes early detection, accurate diagnosis and thoughtful management of cardiovascular disease across a broad patient population.

Dr. Ghalchi is also the founder and Medical Director of Apollo 360 Health, a digital preventive-care platform designed to extend high-quality cardiovascular and lifestyle medicine beyond the clinic walls. Apollo 360 Health integrates remote monitoring, data-driven insights and multidisciplinary coaching to help patients proactively manage risk factors, improve outcomes and sustain long-term health.

Across both organizations, Dr. Ghalchi’s mission is to modernize cardiovascular care by combining rigorous clinical standards with innovative delivery models — ensuring patients receive the right care, at the right time, in the setting that best supports lasting health.

Welcome to American Heart Month, the perfect opportunity to focus on protecting our cardiovascular health to help ensure we can continue to do the things we love with the people we love. Experts estimate that heart disease is 80 percent preventable through early detection and simple lifestyle changes. So we are fortunate to be joined by Dr. Michael Ghalchi, the founder and medical director of Manhattan Cardiovascular Associates and a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Ghalchi discusses the importance of regular screenings, symptoms to watch for and sustainable habits you can adopt to support your heart health all year long.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
• Find out where you stand heart-wise by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Don’t have one? Find one at our Provider Directory: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.
• Visit the Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• Get to know your numbers at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Need support managing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or overweight? Learn about our partnerships: visit http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/
• Browse healthy recipes and meal-prep tips at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/food-as-medicine.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to join webinars on building healthy meals, managing stress and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists.
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.

Guest Bio
Michael Ghalchi, MD, FACC is a board-certified cardiologist and the founder and medical director of Manhattan Cardiovascular Associates, a New York City–based cardiology practice dedicated to making high-quality cardiovascular diagnostics and care accessible, efficient and patient-centered. He is also a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Medicine at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania and earned his medical degree from the New York University School of Medicine.

At Manhattan Cardiovascular Associates, Dr. Ghalchi focuses on delivering timely, evidence-based cardiovascular care supported by advanced in-office diagnostics, streamlined access and a concierge-level patient experience. His clinical work emphasizes early detection, accurate diagnosis and thoughtful management of cardiovascular disease across a broad patient population.

Dr. Ghalchi is also the founder and Medical Director of Apollo 360 Health, a digital preventive-care platform designed to extend high-quality cardiovascular and lifestyle medicine beyond the clinic walls. Apollo 360 Health integrates remote monitoring, data-driven insights and multidisciplinary coaching to help patients proactively manage risk factors, improve outcomes and sustain long-term health.

Across both organizations, Dr. Ghalchi’s mission is to modernize cardiovascular care by combining rigorous clinical standards with innovative delivery models — ensuring patients receive the right care, at the right time, in the setting that best supports lasting health.

In our January episode, we focused on our Healthy Now, Healthy Later philosophy with the Benefit Funds’ Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lela Mayers. Dr. Mayers shared how prioritizing your health now can help you lower your risk of illness and improve your quality of life later. For our January Key Note, Dr. Mayers walks us through what to expect during a typical wellness checkup—and explains why it’s so important to make that appointment.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
• Start—or renew!—your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Visit our Provider Directory at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.
• Know your numbers to find out where you stand: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Visit our Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• Talk to your doctor about any screenings you may need: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthybodies.
• Connect with a primary care doctor or a therapist online through Teladoc: http://www.Teladoc.com or (800) TELADOC (835-2362).
• Need support managing your diabetes, hypertension or weight? Find the program that’s right for you: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/
• Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.
• For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900.
• Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: http://www.naminycmetro.org.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents

Guest Bio
Dr. Lela Mayers is the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) of the 1199SEIU Benefit Funds, which provide comprehensive self-insured, self-administered healthcare benefits to more than 450,000 healthcare workers, retirees and their families. As DCMO, Dr. Mayers assists the Chief Medical Officer with the Benefit Funds’ clinical and care management strategies, as well as health and wellness initiatives.

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.

Happy New Year, and welcome to Season Three of Health Is the Key. With the holidays behind us, we turn our focus to the year ahead of us – a perfect time to re-commit to our health. And what better way to introduce our new Healthy Now, Healthy Later campaign than to have the Benefit Funds’ Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lela Mayers as our first guest in 2026! Dr. Mayers explains how preventive care can lower your risk of illness, improve your quality of life and help ensure long-term wellness. She also explores with us all the resources available to you to support you wherever you are on your health journey.

The Takeaway

• We want to hear from you! Please complete our survey: org/member-feedback.
• Drop us a line at our social media channels: Facebook// Instagram // YouTube.
• Start – or renew! – your health journey by making an appointment with your primary care physician. Visit our Provider Directory at http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.
• Know your numbers to find out where you stand: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyhearts.
• Visit our Healthy Living Resource Center for wellness tips, information and resources; http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving.
• Talk to your doctor about any screenings you may need: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthybodies.
• Connect with a primary care doctor or a therapist online through Teladoc: http://www.Teladoc.com or (800) TELADOC (835-2362).
• Need support managing your diabetes, hypertension or weight? Find the program that’s right for you: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/the-choice-is-yours/
• Find a mental health therapist through the Benefit Funds’ Provider Directory: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/find-a-provider.
• For additional support, call our Wellness Member Assistance Program: (646) 473-6900.
• Contact our partners at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for a wide variety of community resources: http://www.naminycmetro.org.
• Get inspired by fellow members through our Members’ Voices series: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/healthyliving/membervoices.
• Stop by our Benefits Channel to view webinars on managing stress, building healthy meals and more: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/videos.
• Visit our YouTube Channel to view a wide collection of healthy living videos: http://www.youtube.com/@1199SEIUBenefitFunds/playlists
• Sample our wellness classes to exercise body and mind: http://www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/wellnessevents.

Guest Bio

Dr. Lela Mayers is the Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO) of the 1199SEIU Benefit Funds, which provide comprehensive self-insured, self-administered healthcare benefits to more than 450,000 healthcare workers, retirees and their families. As DCMO, Dr. Mayers assists the Chief Medical Officer with the Benefit Funds’ clinical and care management strategies, as well as health and wellness initiatives.

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.